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Silicon Times Report Issue 1044
SILICON TIMES REPORT
====================
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
=============================
from
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
October 28, 1994 No. 1044
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Silicon Times Report
International Online Magazine
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> 10/28/94 STR 1044 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
"""""""""""""""""
- STR INDUSTRY REPORT - CLEANSWEEP! - PICTURE PUB 5
- UNDER A KILLING MOON! - Stylus 800+ - ZEOS DREAM MACHINE
- Stradiwackius? - PEOPLE TALKING - JAGUAR CONTEST!
- 3d0 & CREATIVE! - BSF CART REVIEW! - JAGUAR NEWSWIRE!
-* ZIFF-DAVIS SOLD FOR $1.4 BILLION *-
-* IBM's OS/2 Warp Ships! *-
-* RAID TECHNOLOGY AT COMDEX *-
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
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> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Here we are.. just about seven weeks away from Christmas. Yes, this
year has gone by really fast. They say time flies when you're having fun.
Who are "they" anyhow? Meanwhile, the arena I got my "start" in is still
around in a way. It was the Atari computer arena. Although today, Atari
is very busy trying to introduce the game machine of all game machines on
a worldwide basis. Atari's Jaguar game console is quite impressive. Its
innovative design, futuristic style and technological superiority over all
other contenders in the game console marketplace give it an envious edge.
While this reporter may not have very much faith in the manner in
which the Tramiels operate Atari, the fact remains they have a very strong
winner on their hands. While they've certainly been in a similar position
before and blown it, this time they have a huge, overly eager worldwide
market that's at least ten to twenty times as large as they had with the
computers. Hopefully, they'll be aggressive this time around.
In any case, if you are in the market for a really superb game
machine that has both a future and a respectable amount of high quality
game carts available, go for the Jaguar. For the money, you can't go
wrong at all.
Comdex is upon us in a few weeks. Look for all the great new goodies
both in hardware and software to begin their triumphant arrivals shortly.
You can be sure you'll read about them right here in STReport.
Ralph...
Of Special Note:
----------------
STReport will be branching out further to Internet's userbase in the
very near future. We've received numerous requests to receive STReport
from a wide variety of Internet addresses. As a result, we're putting
together an Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wish to
receive STReport on a regular basis, and we'll UUENCODE each issue and
mail it to you.
If you're interested in being added to our mailing list, please, send
your requests to either "dpj@delphi.com" or, RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM. Look
for mailings to begin by October first. We are also considering a number
of Internet ftp sites in which to post our issues for as well. Whatever
we can do to make STReport available to you. we'll try it!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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. Niles J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson
STReport Staff Editors:
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin
John Szczepanik Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando
Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth
Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur
Melanie Bell Jay Levy Jeff Kovach
Marty Mankins Carl Prehn Paul Charchian
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Dominick J. Fontana Norman Boucher Clemens Chin
Eric Jerue Ron Deal Mike Barnwell
Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith
Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller
Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
----------------
STReport, with its policy of not accepting any paid advertising, has over
the years developed the reputation of "saying it like it really is". When
it comes to our editorials, product evaluations, reviews and over-views,
we shall always keep our readers interests first and foremost. With the
user in mind, STReport further pledges to maintain the reader confidence
that has been developed over the years and to continue "living up to
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publishers etc., know exactly where the information about their products
appeared. In closing, we shall arduously endeavor to meet and further
develop the high standards of straight forwardness our readers have come
to expect in each and every issue.
The Staff & Editors
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> STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
"""""""""""""""""""
IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
===========================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #44
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
MATH BLASTER EDUCATIONAL
Davidson & Associates Inc. is shipping a new version of its popular
Math Blaster educational arcade/adventure game. The new version runs on
Sega and Nintendo game players. The company's very first Math Blaster was
released for the Apple II in February 1983. It was one of the first
educational software products on the market and it continues to be the
leading educational math offering.
The company has released several derivative products and updates
including an MS-DOS version and Macintosh, Windows, and CD-ROM versions.
Company spokesperson Susan Wooley told Newsbytes since 1983 the company
has shipped about two million products in the Math Blaster family.
MS & MULTIMEDIA STORY BOOKS
The new storybook series will be marketed by Microsoft as part of its
Microsoft Home software series as well as under the Rabbit Ears brand
name. "How The Leopard got His Spots" is scheduled for release in January
1995. Mark Grayson, Rabbit Ears president, told Newsbytes the deal is
somewhat fluid but will probably include at least six titles.
The Rabbit Ears collection includes "Koi and the Kola Nuts" which is
narrated by Whoopi Goldberg; "Paul Bunyan," narrated by Jonathan Winters;
"How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin," narrated by Jack Nicholson; and "David
and Goliath," narrated by Mel Gibson. Grayson said future titles developed
in conjunction with Microsoft would probably include some of those titles.
SECRETS OF STARGATE CD-ROM
Stargate, which has been released this week by MGM, has the time
honored elements of aliens, spacecraft, and interdimensional travel
embedded in an Egyptian inspired environment. With over 700 stills, and
500 storyboards linked to interviews and clips, Secrets of Stargate CD "is
very compelling because of the epic nature of this film and the way it
assists the viewer to see the myriad of fascinating elements that went
into it." Stargate, the movie, stars Kurt Russell, James Spader, and Jaye
Davidson. Interview questions are indexed, allowing the user to skip
those not of interest. The CD-ROM retails for $39.95 and is a hybrid
supporting Windows MPC and Macintosh.
FANCY CANON SCANNER SOFTWARE BUNDLE
Canon Computer Systems, Inc. will include a copy of Caere Corp.
OmniPage Direct optical character recognition (OCR) software with the
IX-4015 Canon's top of the line 1200lpi Color Scanner. Both PC-WIN
and Apple Computer Macintosh versions are to be available. According John
Brassner, product manager, imaging products, this scanner offers the
highest resolution and best features, including one-touch operation, of
any color scanner priced under $1,000. Further, according to Brassner,
Caere's OmniPage Direct OCR software is so adept "it, in effect, teaches
Windows or Macintosh computers to read."
OmniPage Direct is designed to work on top of the user's
applications, usually a word processor. After one chooses the Scan Text
command from the Windows File menu, the OCR software automatically uses
the best settings for the scanned page without user intervention. Once
scanned, recognized, and placed directly into the user's document by
OmniPage Direct, the text and numbers are ready to edit, reformat, print
and distribute without the user needing to leave the word processor.
The Ofoto image scanning software has a one-button automatic scan
option which the company says makes it simple enough for any novice to
use.
RAID TECHNOLOGY CENTER TO BE AT COMDEX
The RAID Advisory Board (RAB) is sponsoring a RAID Technology Center
in room N236 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 14-18, 1994
to provide one convenient location for RAID and related storage
technologies:
o See RAID products on display, including controller, enclosures, disk
drives, subsystems and test equipment.
o Pick up or sign up for RAID product literature.
o See a demonstration of RAB-endorsed RAID Functional and Performance
Test Suites.
o Win a free RAIDbook.
o See three video presentations:
o RAID Basics
o RAID Futures
o RAID Advisory Board
o Visits with some of the world's leading RAID technologists.
o Browse through official RAB publications including:
o The RAIDbook
o RAID Functional Test Specification
o RAID Performance Test Specification
o Host Interface Tutorial
The RAID Advisory Board is a 50+ Member industry consortium dedicated
to fostering the understanding and utilization of RAID and related storage
technologies.
COMPUADD * FIRST * TO SHIP IBM OS/2 WARP
CompuAdd Computer Corp. today announced the industry's first customer
shipment of IBM's OS/2 Warp. The new operating system was preloaded on
CompuAdd's recently introduced CP90p personal computer, a 90MHz
Pentium-based model, and shipped today to the Air Quality Bureau of the
New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe. The system will be used as
part of the bureau's statewide air quality monitoring and other programs.
"CompuAdd was the first OEM to announce plans to preload OS/2 Warp
for its customers," said Jerry Mixon, director of sales and marketing for
CompuAdd. "We're very pleased to follow through with the first shipment,
and we're looking forward to the incremental sales potential created by a
32-bit operating system."
"CompuAdd's new 90 MHz Pentium-based PCs loaded with Warp create a
powerful computing solution for customers," said John Soyring, division
director for IBM's Personal Software Products Division. "CompuAdd's
customers will be among the first in the industry to experience the
impressive new features in the new release of OS/2."
FORSTMANN LITTLE BUYS ZIFF-DAVIS FOR $1.4 BILLION
Forstmann Little & Co. made it known a company formed by it signed an
agreement with the Ziff family to buy Ziff-Davis Publishing Company for
$1.4 billion in cash. Ziff-Davis is the largest publisher of computer
magazines and the leading provider of information about computer products.
The acquisition is not subject to financing and is expected to close by
year-end. The Ziff family will retain a small equity interest in
Ziff-Davis.
Ziff-Davis Publishing Company delivers authoritative information to
computer buyers, users and marketers through a variety of media, including
magazines, newspapers, newsletters, books, CD-ROM products, and online
services. Forstmann Little is acquiring five units: business media,
consumer media, international media, market research, and Ziff-Davis
Interactive.
DEC ADDS SEARS AND CIRCUIT CITY
Digital Equipment Corporation (NYSE: DEC) today announced that it has
signed agreements for its PC printers with Sears one of the leading
national retailers, and Circuit City, one of the leading national consumer
electronics superstores. Through these agreements, Sears and Circuit City
have begun selling Digital's DECcolorwriter 520ic color ink jet PC
printers in several hundred outlets nationwide.
"Our comprehensive retail strategy, coupled with Digital's technology
leadership, enables Digital's PC printers to continue to increase our
share of the retail channel," said Larry Cabrinety, Vice President of
Digital's Components & Peripherals Business Unit. "We are on schedule to
deliver other products, such as our printer supplies, into this market
later in the year."
"We are excited to add Sears and Circuit City to our list of national
retailers that now totals more than 1,300 outlets nationwide," said
Patrick Sullivan, Vice President of Digital's Components & Peripherals
Merchandising Business. "According to our retail partners, customer
feedback on Digital's printers is very positive."
MASSACHUSETTS SYSOP PLEADS GUILTY
Alden Baker plead guilty to 84 counts of a Federal Indictment
charging him with violating child exploitation laws. The charges were
based upon Baker's operation of a BBS containing visual images of minors
engaged in sexual acts. U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern announced that Baker
admitted to U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf that he was guilty of
sexual exploitation of children and that he had transported, via computer,
visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Baker
admitted to running a computer bulletin system called "Boston's Eagle's
Nest", which allowed other persons to call and log on to the system, out
of his High Street home in Medford during the late 1980's and early
1990's.
Baker further admitted that he had employed and/or coerced a minor to
engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing the
visual depictions. In addition, Baker admitted that he had published
notices or advertisements about the graphic images to those persons who
would log on to the system.
Under an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Baker could be
sentenced to a period of 99 months. He also agreed to forfeit to the
government all of the computer equipment which was seized during a search
of his home. Baker is also required to pay a special assessment of over
$4,000. Sentencing is set for January 17, 1995.
DELPHI SHOWS POSITIVE SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Delphi's net income results, while generally consistent with the
second quarter of the prior year, increased significantly over the
company's previous quarter ended June 30, 1994. This improvement reflects
a sales rebound in the mid-market segment of the company's business, as
well as operating expense reductions across generally all of Delphi's
operating units. Concurrent with these reductions, the company continues
its investment in the new product and sales efforts associated with its
recent acquisitions. M. Denis Connaghan, Delphi's president and chief
operating officer, stated, "We are very pleased with the significant
improvement of earnings over the first quarter and believe that our
product strategies and cost containment programs have positioned Delphi
for continued earnings momentum."
_______________________________________
> Stradiwackius STR Review
""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Kids' Computing Corner
--------------------------
Stradiwackius from T/Maker Company
==================================
by Frank Sereno
Stradiwackius: The Counting Concert is the second in the VroomBooks
series of software from T/Maker Company which is well known for its
ClickART clip art for desktop publishing. The program is designed for
children ages three and up, and it is available on a dual format CD-rom
for Macintosh and Windows systems. The program educates children on
musical instruments, counting, sets, and even has multilingual
capabilities as French, English, Spanish and German versions are included
on the CD-rom.
The system requirements for this program are quite high. For
Windows, needed are Windows 3.1 or newer, a 486 or higher CPU, a mouse,
sound card, 256-color 640 by 480 display, CD-rom drive and four megs of
ram. T/Maker recommends eight megs of ram and a double-speed CD-rom drive
on both Windows and Mac systems. Macintosh requirements are a color
display, System 6.0.7 or higher, and an LC series or higher system,
including the PowerPC in emulation mode. After having attempted to run
this program on a 386DX-40 machine with a single-speed CD-rom drive and a
486DX2-66 system with a double-speed drive, I heartily concur with
T/Maker's recommendations.
Installation is very easy on Windows machines by running the setup
program on the CD-rom. It will copy some QuickTime files to your system
and modify the autoexec.bat and win.ini files. Then it will install a
program group. A Parent's Guide icon is included. Clicking on this icon
starts a brief guided tour of Stradiwackius led by the founder and CEO of
T/Maker, Heidi Roizen. A user's guide is packaged in the innovative CD-
rom box. The book is divided into English, French, Spanish and German
versions. About five pages are devoted to the English Windows version of
the game. A phone number is given for technical support and most of the
technical advice in the user's guide is about having the newest drivers
for the sound and video cards.
The program begins with a brief animation which can be avoided by
pressing the right cursor key. The main interface consists of a
combination of tubes making a rectangular frame, three balls that act as
action or selection buttons and the presence of three bookworms on the
left side of the frame. They are named Albert, Wendy and Pablo. Albert
explains how each of the ten featured instruments works. Then he will
guide the child through math and music games. Wendy reads to the child
and guides him in writing songs with each instrument. Pablo is an artist
and he develops children's imaginations through coloring pages and by
building unique musical instruments. A trapdoor in the upper left corner
of the frame will start a sing-along song which features the counting of
musical instruments.
The program consists of ten main pages. These main pages will
introduce a number. It will be spelled visually and aloud. Then the
corresponding number of musical instruments will be displayed and counted.
Finally, part of the sing-along song will be recited. This will teach
counting, number concepts and words. At this point the child will have
several options. He can click on a worm to do those activities or click
on the arrow buttons to go back or forward in the book. By clicking on
the page number, he can go to any activity page or change the program
language from the resulting menu screen.
Clicking on Albert will start his explanation of the instrument and
how it works. A jack-in-the-box in the lower right corner is the icon for
playing Albert's game. He has a different game for each instrument. In
one game he asks the child to identify an instrument by sound. In others
the child must distinguish sets of instruments, count, add or subtract.
Upon a wrong answer Albert will only say "Try again." Choices are not
removed to assist the child in finding the correct answer nor are hints
given such as "too high" or "too low" in the number games. No method is
provided for setting difficulty levels. The program does not seem to use
artificial intelligence to slowly increase the difficulty of the questions
as the child progresses. In the addition and subtraction game, one
problem may be adding six unseen objects to two objects on the screen.
The next question could randomly be asking the child to add one and two or
to subtract seven from nine regardless if the last question was answered
correctly.
Clicking on Wendy will move the game to a chalkboard with part of the
sing-along song on display. A purple ball will bounce on the words and
highlight them while Wendy reads aloud. The individual words can be
reread by clicking on them. Then Wendy will instruct the child to click
on the musical instrument on the bottom of the page to start the music
making game. Wendy will explain about the musical scale and then invite
the child to make songs. Music is made by sliding notes in a multicolored
eight by eight grid.
Clicking on Pablo will give the child two choices, either to paint a
picture of the musical instrument on that page or to construct a musical
instrument. The paint program is very simple with only two brush sizes
and seven colors. Mistakes can be erased with the pencil-tip eraser icon
or the whole picture can be wiped with the large eraser. By clicking on
the icon that looks like a beach ball the child can cycle through
different colors for the line drawing of the picture. This portion of the
program will help build coordination in younger children but I'm not
certain it will encourage artistry. It is very hard to stay within the
lines and by using only seven colors it does not make for very pretty
pictures. Finally, the program does not save the pictures or allow them
to be printed out for future viewing.
Constructing musical instruments is fun and easy. The instrument is
composed of four sections and for each section the child is given six
choices. The child can choose a new design for his instrument by clicking
on the arrow above a section to cycle through the six choices. Then he
can click on a purple button to hear the instrument play. Over one
thousand instruments can be made.
One of the more interesting features of Stradiwackius is its
multilingual capability. You can easily change to French, Spanish and
German and back to English to learn a fair vocabulary in those languages.
Most experts agree that the best time to learn languages is childhood and
Stradiwackius does make this learning fun.
Graphics in this program are excellent. The images seem three-
dimensional and textured with much eye-grabbing color. The animations are
amusing and they are smooth if you have the recommended processing power.
The sound is very good. All voice acting is done well with excellent
diction. The music is very entertaining and sounds very lifelike with no
distortion. Sound effects are very realistic.
The interface is quite good. The "live" demonstration of
Stradiwackius in the Parent's Guide is an excellent idea and was done very
well. No reading is needed to navigate within the program and all
activities are explained aloud to the child. I do feel that hints or a
reduction of possible answers would be a good addition to this program.
This would prevent frustration in the child from not being able to answer
a question correctly during the problem-solving exercises.
Educational value is well above average. Stradiwackius offers many
learning opportunities with its multilingual features. A bit of adult
supervision may be necessary to interest children in learning different
languages. The combination of music and math is quite logical as music
can be expressed in mathematical formulas. The musical instrument
activity will teach children to enjoy the music which is available in
everyday objects. Children should also learn basic math skills such as
counting, adding, subtracting and recognizing sets of objects.
Play value is good. The sights and sounds of this program should
bring children back for many hours of learning fun.
Bang for the Buck is good. This program is available for under $40
at many software outlets. Its combination of educational value and play
value deems Stradiwackius worthy of consideration to add to your
educational software collection if your computer system meets the high
requirements.
Ratings
Graphics ........... 9.0
Sounds .............10.0
Interface .......... 8.0
Educational Value .. 9.0
Play Value ......... 8.0
Bang for the Buck .. 8.0
Average ............ 8.67
###
WordPerfect has released many new home entertainment and educational
titles under its Main Street label. One of those titles is Kap'n Karaoke.
This sing-along program is intended for everyone ages four and up and it
is available for both Windows and Macintosh computers.
Kap'n Karaoke for Windows comes on a single high-density 3.5 inch
disk and the package includes a brightly colored microphone. This program
is easy to install. It is simple to run if you have the latest drivers
for your sound card.
The interface is very intuitive. Along the top of the screen is a
menu bar which accesses various options that are best used by adults such
as driver configuration, exit, etc. In the upper left corner is a large
blue button which is marked "click here first." This button will provide
a list of twenty songs which are included with the program. The song list
includes some adult favorites and many children's songs. WordPerfect is
offering a special holiday season bonus through January 15 of a Holiday
Song Pack of five Christmas songs but removes one of the regular package's
songs.
To the right of the blue button are two rows of buttons. The top row
contains the special effects sounds which can replace the original lead
instrument in the song. The bottom row contains the buttons for playing
the song. These buttons are similar in design to those which are found on
most VCRs. A pink arrow pointing to the left will "rewind" a song to its
beginning. The left blue arrow will "rewind" the song one stanza or
verse. The green arrow points to the right and it is the play button. A
blue arrow pointing to the right serves as a "fast forward" button and
moves the song forward one stanza or verse. The last button is red with a
drawing of hand in the middle and this is the stop button.
The next portion of the screen is the display window for the lyrics.
The words appear in white and then are highlighted in yellow when they
should be sung. Up to three lines of the song can be displayed in the
window.
Below are three pairs of control buttons. The turtle and rabbit
buttons control tempo. By clicking on the turtle, the song is slowed.
Clicking on the rabbit will increase the tempo. Next are the buttons for
controlling pitch. The button showing a low note will lower pitch while
the one showing a high note will increase the pitch. Finally, the volume
of the music can be changed by using last two buttons. The button
picturing a boy with his mouth barely open will decrease the volume while
the other button, picturing a boy with his mouth open wide, will increase
volume.
Depending on your sound card, you may have to go into the mixer
program included with the card to set the microphone volume if you wish to
amplify your voice through the computer. This makes the program a bit
inconvenient to run on a system using KidDesk. Singing is a very
enjoyable family activity so this should be no big drawback.
Since this is not really an educational program, I won't rate this
program numerically but I will comment on the various components.
Graphics are colorful but not very detailed. This program will only sound
as good as your sound card or midi equipment will allow. Yes, Kap'n
Karaoke will output to midi devices. The interface is very easy to
operate. This program does not have a lot of educational value. It may
increase a child's appreciation of music and possibly he might learn to
recognize the words to a song if he has memorized the words already. Play
value should be very good, especially if several members of a family will
participate together. If you or child loves to sing, Kap'n Karaoke can be
a good addition to your software library.
###
Nordic Software, a longtime developer and publisher of educational
software for Macintosh computers, announces the release of six new
educational products for Windows systems. These titles are Clock Shop,
Coin Critters, Language Explorer, Word Search Deluxe, Preschool Parade and
Turbo Math Facts. Look for a review of Preschool Parade in an upcoming
release of the Silicon Times Report.
Nordic Software, Inc.
P.O. Box 6007
Lincoln, NE 68506-0007
Phone: 402-488-5086
Fax: 402-488-2914
###
Sanctuary Woods announces the availability of two new educational
titles on CD-rom in both Windows and Macintosh formats.
The first offering is published in cooperation with a leading
textbook publisher. "Addison-Wesley's Real World Math Series" attempts
to teach children math concepts through real-world examples. The first
title of this new series is "Adventures in Flight." Designed for children
ages seven to eleven, "Adventures in Flight" shows children how pilots and
other workers use math daily to do their duties. Children will learn how
pilots use air speed and distance to estimate arrival times, how air
traffic controllers use place value when reading the radar, and how
baggage handlers can use pattern recognition to route luggage to different
destinations. They will learn concepts such as operations, measurement,
geometry and graphing. This program and its companion programs in the
series will answer the age-old question of why children need to learn math
in school. A special, enhanced school version is available from Addison-
Wesley's School Division.
The second new title is the latest addition to the I-learn Library of
products from Sanctuary Woods. Designed for children ages three to six,
WordStuff is an animated interactive picture dictionary in Spanish and
English which will aid children by increasing their vocabulary and
comprehension.
Word concepts such as opposites (light/heavy) and action words
(sing/grow) are brought to life and understanding through animation and
sounds. Children can use a microphone to record and play back their
pronunciation of new words. The program allows children to create and
print their own word and sentence coloring books. Also included is a
karaoke program which uses lyrics rewritten with the WordStuff vocabulary
of over 700 words. WordStuff also includes sheet music, flash cards and
other off-computer activities.
Both Adventures in Flight and WordStuff are priced at $39.95 and are
available through mass merchants, mail order and software retailers and
directly through Sanctuary Woods. Hardware requirements for the Windows
versions are a 386DX-33 CPU, VGA display, Windows 3.1, four megs of ram,
1.9 megs of hard drive space, and a sound card. For the Macintosh,
requirements are a Mac LC III or higher, system 6.0.7 or higher, four megs
of ram and a hard drive.
Sanctuary Woods can be contacted at 415-286-6100. Addison-Wesley can
be contacted at 416-447-5101.
###
My mailing list that will be available soon from uti.com is still
undergoing testing. Soon I will detail how you can obtain the Silicon
Times Report through this list. When the list is fully configured, it
will allow subscribers to post articles for all to read as well. For now,
if you wish to comment or make suggestions on the content of this column,
please use the following addresses:
Internet: Frank.Sereno@uti.com
FidoNET: Frank Sereno, 1:2235/10
U.S. Mail: 528 West Ave.
Morris, IL 60450-1768
I extend my warmest regards for your perusal of this humble prose!
___________________________________________
> QUARTERDECK'S NEW "CLEANSWEEP"!STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
QUARTERDECK ANNOUNCES SOFTWARE TO
CLEAN UP CLUTTERED WINDOWS PCS
CleanSweep Safely Removes Unwanted or Unneeded Programs, Files and
System Components, Increasing Available Disk Space and Enhancing System
Performance
SANTA MONICA, Calif., October 17, 1994 -- Quarterdeck Office Systems, Inc.
(NASDAQ:QDEK) today announced plans to ship CleanSweep, formerly
code-named "Anvil". CleanSweep makes it easy for Windows users to
substantially increase available disk space and improve Windows
performance by safely finding and removing outdated, unnecessary or
unwanted applications, files or system components. The product
establishes a new level of functionality in the category first addressed
by MicroHelp's Uninstaller.
"Windows PC users are discovering that they are wasting megabytes of
precious disk space due to unnecessary and unwanted the increasing size
of applications and files. In an attempt to recover this space some
users have resorted to manually deleting unneeded files," said Alex
Eckelberry, Quarterdeck group product manager for utilitiesAnvil.
"Unfortunately, this tactic rarely works well. Most Windows applications
install themselves in multiple directories, making it difficult to track
down all of the application's files. Even worse, it's all too easy to
remove files that are still needed, accidentally disabling applications
that are still in use. CleanSweep eliminates these hassles and dangers,
analyzing unwanted programs to find all the associated components that
should be deleted and safely removing them at the user's request."
"We've made safety and accuracy the guiding principles in the development
of the product, and included extensive confirmation and backup options of
any deleted files as a user default. CleanSweep safely gives the user more
available disk space just as QEMM provides more available memory," added
Eckelberry.
The key features of Quarterdeck's CleanSweep include:
-----------------------------------------------------
"Uninstalls" unneeded and unwanted programs and files -- At the user's
request, CleanSweep analyzes an unwanted program and provides a list of
the files associated with it. The user can then request that CleanSweep
delete these files, or choose to remove only specific files. CleanSweep
will always allow the user to confirm and backup any deletion before
continuing. The product's proprietary Helper Technology provides for safe
and thorough uninstalls.
Finds Unneeded, Unused and Duplicate Files -- After normal use, many
Windows PCs become cluttered with unused files. CleanSweep automatically
locates backup, temporary, archive, help, bitmap and lost cluster files,
making it easy for the user to reclaim this wasted disk space. The
software can even locate files that match a user-specified naming pattern,
complete with wild-card capability.
CleanSweep can also free-up even more disk space by searching the user's
hard disk for duplicate files. Searches can be conducted for files with
(i) the same name, (ii) the same name and size or (iii) the same name,
size, date and time.
Removes Unneeded System Components -- CleanSweep goes beyond merely
deleting unwanted Windows programs. It also helps the user to remove
unneeded system components such as graphics drivers, fonts, system files,
DOS files, wallpaper, help files, screen savers and documents.
Extensive Safety features -- CleanSweep provides the user with help and
advice every step of the way. If a user unintentionally removes a
required file, CleanSweep's Restore Backup feature can restore it quickly
(advanced users can disable most of the help and warning messages as well
as the automatic Backup function). Users can also choose to perform a
"trial run", which will have no effect on the files suggested for deletion
but will provide projected disk space savings.
By default, CleanSweep automatically compresses and archives all
uninstalled files, making it easy for the user to restore any previously
removed file. If the user forgets the status of a file, it can always be
looked-up in CleanSweep's perpetual log, which by default automatically
records every action performed in CleanSweep.
In addition to these key features, CleanSweep provides a number of
additional product innovations:
Finds and Removes More Files -- CleanSweep tracks down the many files
associated with an unwanted program, such as system files, DLLs, VxDs,
Help Files, .ini file entries and dedicated .ini files. Besides removing
the obvious files in an application directory, Anvil identifies, locates
and removes files in shared directories. The software also removes
dedicated .ini files and removes win.ini sections dedicated to removed
applications. Further, CleanSweep tracks files in use by multiple
applications, such as like shared DLLs, and removes them only when the
last application is uninstalled. It can even detect and remove hidden
files or icons associated with a deleted application.
The product hunts down related files through the use of its own database
as well as a variety of proprietary search algorithms.
Elegant Simplicity -- Context-sensitive help and intuitive icons make it
easy for any Windows user to reclaim wasted disk space. The product
extensively uses the latest interface conventions, including tab-format
dialog boxes and drag-and-drop support.
Safety Guaranteed by Automatic Undo and Archive Features - A constant
stream of advisory messages helps prevent accidental removal of needed
files. If a user unintentionally removes a required file they can
quickly restore it using Anvil's Undo feature.
Anvil automatically compresses and archives all reclaimed files, making it
easy for the user to restore any previously removed file. If the user
forgets the status of a file they can always look it up in Anvil's
perpetual log, which records and saves every action performed on every
file.
Built-In Networking -- Free with every copy of CleanSweep is a thorough
network uninstall module, so all traces of an unwanted program can be
removed from a network --including all of the workstations on the
network-- and not just from the network server.
SuperLinks -- SuperLinks is a function of CleanSweep which runs in the
background or can be updated manually to monitor which files are used by
programs, providing for an even more thorough and safe uninstall.
Removes Unneeded System Components and Duplicate Files - Its easy for an
uninstaller to remove old applications. Anvil goes beyond this, helping
the user to remove unnecessary system components like wallpaper, games,
applets and help files. The built in duplicate file identifier makes it
easy to remove multiple copies of files and can search for files of the
same name or for files of the same name and size.
Finds "Orphaned" Windows programs and components -- CleanSweep can find
and remove "Orphaned files", which are left over files from programs no
longer being used.
CleanSweep is currently in beta test and is anticipated to begin shipping
later this fall upon successful completion of the beta test process. The
software will be available through Quarterdeck's standard distribution and
reseller channels with an expected street price of $39 to $49.
Quarterdeck is a leader in software technology and specializes in
enhancing the power and performance of personal computers. Their best
known product, QEMM, manages a PC system's memory resources to make sure
that applications, utilities, DOS and Windows programs can work together.
Other Quarterdeck products provide multitasking of applications running on
one PC; while still others support seamless distributed computing by
ensuring cooperation among multiple systems in cross-platform
applications. Quarterdeck Office Systems, Inc. is located at 150 Pico
Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405. The company can be reached at (310)
392-9851.
Quarterdeck and QEMM are registered trademarks and CleanSweep is a
trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems, Inc. All other products
mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
____________________________________
> UNDER A KILLING MOON! STR Spotlight GREAT STUFF!!!!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
AT LAST!
Under A Killing Moon NOW Shipping!
==================================
A quick "snippet and sneak preview", the package consists of FOUR CD-
ROMS and the play is absolutely GORGEOUS! UKM is what we've all wished
for in superb reality and "eye candy" for all these years of RPG
participation. This will be known for some time as the "ninth wonder of
the world".
With Under A Killing Moon, Access set out to really define the
category of Interactive Movies. As you get involved with UKM, you will
see that Access has succeeded in defining what this important new category
is all about.
The main stars, James Earl Jones, Margot Kidder, Brian Keith and
Russell Means were asked to join the cast of Under A Killing Moon because
of their acting abilities and not just for their names. As you get into
the story of UKM, you will see how important their abilities are to the
success of the story.
Please take the time to revel in the Virtual World of Under A Killing
Moon, it is quite an experience. See for yourselves the beginnings of a
wonderfully Legitimate Interactive Movie category of entertainment
products.
I believe Under A Killing Moon is an incredible piece of
entertainment software, I hope you will concur!
PS: The next generation of LINKS will be shipping next year. The working
title for this product is LINKS FOR PENTIUM. It will be CD based and will
definitely look even more realistic than Links 386 Pro!
___________________________________________
> Picture Publisher 5.0 STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0
Continues to Define Innovation in Image Editing
Command List Provides Maximum Productivity through Infinite Undo
Micrografx is shipping Micrografx Picture Publisher-5.0, the latest
version of its award-winning Windows-based image editing software.
Announced at Seybold Fall 1994 in San Francisco, Picture Publisher 5.0 is
the ideal solution for PC-based photographers, graphic designers and
desktop publishers.
In addition to Picture Publisher 5.0's feature-based innovation, the
company also announced plans to offer a CD-ROM version of the product for
the introductory price of $149.95 until Dec. 31, 1994. This is a full
version of Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0, including all online help and
clipart images. The printed documentation is also available to users for
an additional $29.95.
The foundation of Picture Publisher 5.0 is an innovative concept: Command
List. This intelligent macro provides productivity-enhancing benefits
such as Infinite Undo and Command Layering - which allows rearranging
and editing of all commands applied to an image. By giving digital
photographers and graphics professionals complete creative control over an
image, Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0 has once again raised the bar for
innovation in image editing.
By integrating a drag-and-drop Clipboard Browser and Customizable
Toolboxes, Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0 continues to be the
easiest-to-use image editor for Windows. "Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0
continues the tradition of a strong balance between image editing power
and intuitive ease-of-use," said J. Paul Grayson, President and CEO of
Micrografx. "We've refined and added many features to Picture Publisher,
while ensuring it continues to run quickly on 386 and 486 machines."
Command List Benefits
---------------------
In providing peak productivity through technical innovation, Micrografx
has implemented an intelligent macro called Command List. By
transparently attaching an ASCII file to the Picture Publisher file
format, the macro records all commands applied to the image - with no
unique memory demands. The Command List provides the following benefits:
* Infinite Undo - unlimited undo capability for all commands within
Picture Publisher
* Command Layering - ability to rearrange, edit all commands that are
applied to an image
* Low-Rez Post Processing - work quickly on a low resolution proxy, then
apply functions to high resolution
* Full Macro Facility - save and replay any set of steps
Ease-of-Use Enhancements
------------------------
Comparative reviews in computer publications have consistently recognized
Picture Publisher as the easiest-to-use image editor, and Picture
Publisher 5.0 continues to be even easier-to-use and learn with:
* Bubble Hints - visual, yellow-colored "pop-up" menus to describe icons
* Power Right Mouse Button Support - instant access to functions from
right mouse button
* Customizable Toolboxes and Workspace - create and save any tool, menu or
macro in floating toolboxes
* Extensive Hot Keys - virtually all menus have hot keys for faster access
and use
* Enhanced Visual Previews - larger, more accurate previews during effects
and color balance
* Interactive, CD-ROM-based On-Line Tutorial - speeds initial learning and
on-going use
Improved Performance
--------------------
Optimized for Windows 3.1 (or WFWG 3.11), Picture Publisher 5.0 has been
architected to excel on 486-based PCs with 8MB of RAM. Unlike competitive
products requiring high-powered Pentium systems with at least 16MB of RAM,
Picture Publisher performs exceptionally quickly in lower-powered
machines.
Leading Industry Standards
--------------------------
As a leading technology provider, Micrografx is the first image editor to
offer extensive OLE 2.0 support including drag-and-drop and in-place
activation. OLE 2.0 provides a tremendous improvement in productivity by
allowing users to bring compelling graphics to other applications such as
spreadsheets and databases.
In addition to OLE 2.0, Picture Publisher 5.0 fully integrates the Kodak
PRECISION Color Management System. This color management system ensures
color fidelity from scanner, to monitor to printer.
The Best Value in Image Editors
-------------------------------
Micrografx Picture Publisher 5.0 is available now and retails for $595 SRP
for the diskette version *$200-$300 less than competing products. A
CD-ROM only version is also available for $395 SRP. A special
introductory price of only $149.95 for the CD-ROM version will be offered
through December 31, 1994.
Registered users of previous version of Picture Publisher (including LE
versions) can upgrade to Picture Publisher 5.0 for $99.95 for the CD-ROM
only version, or $149.95 for the diskette version.
System Requirements
-------------------
386 PC (486 recommended), 4MB RAM (8MB+ recommended), hard drive, Windows
3.1 or higher, DOS 5.0 or higher, mouse, VGA or better display. Note:
CD-ROM drive required to access additional of photos, Kodak PRECISION
Color Management System and on-line tutorial.
MICROGRAFX RETURNS TO PROFITABILITY
Company Announces First Quarter Results
Richardson, Texas (October 25, 1994) Micrografx, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGXI),
a leading graphics software developer, today reported income of $0.1
million, or $0.01 per share, on revenues of $14.2 million for the first
fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1994. This compares to the most recent
quarter ended June 30, 1994 when the company reported a loss of $1.3
million, or $0.15 per share, on revenue of $13.6 million. For the three
months ended September 30, 1993, the company reported revenues of $15.9
million and net income of $0.6 million, or $0.07 per share.
"We are proud to announce our return to profitability, particularly given
the revenue seasonality associated with the summer months," said J. Paul
Grayson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are especially pleased
with the performance of our key business products. Micrografx Designer TM
revenue began to pick up momentum during the quarter, growing 22%
sequentially from the June quarter, while revenue from the ABC Product
Family grew 55% over the same quarter last year. Geographically, the
Pacific Rim region showed particularly strong revenues, increasing 180%
over the quarter ended September 30, 1993. In addition, our new consumer
products, Crayola Amazing Art Adventure (TM) and Crayola Art Studio (TM),
continued to perform well following their introduction in April."
New product shipments during the quarter included Micrografx Designer TM
4.1 Technical Edition (TE) and Picture Publisher (R) 5.0. Designer 4.1 TE
is a new version of the company's flagship product designed for technical
illustrators, architects and engineers. Designer 4.1 TE allows users to
draw and edit illustrations at any stage of the product development
process, from quick sketches to sophisticated technical drawings. Picture
Publisher 5.0 is the latest version of the image editing software which
includes productivity-enhancing benefits including Infinite Undo (TM) and
Command Layering (TM), which allows rearranging and editing of all
commands applied to an image.
Also during the quarter ended September 30, 1994, the company launched two
CD-ROM versions of its award-winning creativity software for kids, Crayola
Amazing Art Adventure and Crayola Art Studio. The new CDs feature the
creative activities, games and crafts found in the floppy disk versions of
the products plus additional video, animation and sounds.
MICROGRAFX OFFERS SOLUTION TO STRANDED PHOTOSTYLER USERS
Company Providing Offer 30-day Free Trial Version and $99 Upgrade
Richardson, Texas -- Micrografx Inc. (NASDAQ: MGXI) announced a
competitive upgrade path for all PhotoStyler users to Micrografx Picture
Publisher 5.0 the latest version of the company's award-winning image
editing software for Windows. Micrografx is offering a free 30-day trial
version of Picture Publisher, and a $99 upgrade to the full version to all
PhotoStyler users by calling (800) 261-6125.
The trial/upgrade program is partially a result of recent press reports
confirming Adobe's purchase of the PhotoStyler source code from its
developer, U-lead Systems. According to press and industry analysts, this
appears to confirm a common fear of PhotoStyler users: The best parts of
PhotoStyler will be integrated into Photoshop, and PhotoStyler will be
discontinued. Many industry analysts also agree the transition to Picture
Publisher will be most logical for current PhotoStyler users, given their
hardware configurations and dependence on intuitive ease-of-use and
enhanced speed.
"Micrografx's goal has been to become the standard in Windows-based image
editing. Given the possibility that PhotoStyler will be merged into
Photoshop, users who take up this offer may reward Micrografx with this
achievement. Regardless, this aggressive trial and upgrade promotion will
provide an excellent product to users in need of an alternative."
- Kristy Holch, BIS Strategic Decisions
"Given the Adobe/Aldus merger, many PhotoStyler users are concerned about
the long-term future of the product. Picture Publisher 5.0 is a
technologically superior product that PhotoStyler users will feel
comfortable with based on its enhanced speed and intuitive ease-of-use."
- Craig Simmons, Micrografx
By consistently setting the pace for innovation in image editing
including the introduction of Object Layers with version 4.0 in June 1993
Picture Publisher has retained its place as the top-selling Windows-based
image editor. The foundation of Picture Publisher 5.0 is an innovative
concept: Command List. This intelligent macro provides
productivity-enhancing benefits such as Infinite Undo and Command Layering
which allows rearranging and editing of all commands applied to an image.
"Picture Publisher is a strong contender in PC-based image editing. We
would recommend Picture Publisher to anyone even if they're already using
PhotoStyler or Photoshop."
- Daniel and Sally Grotta, authors of Digital Imaging for Visual
Artists, from Windcrest/McGraw-Hill
"The Command Layering in Picture Publisher 5.0 is an incredible innovation
for PC-based image editing. I've used PhotoStyler over Photoshop in the
past, but consistently turn to Picture Publisher for my most important and
demanding commercial assignments. $99 is an unbelievable bargain."
- Dennis Helmar, GDI Image
Founded in 1982, Micrografx is the international leader in creativity
software for personal computers. Micrografx creates, publishes and
markets applications that enable and enhance visual communication and
creative expression in the mainstream business, home and professional
creativity markets. Driven by customers * from children who play with
Micrografx Crayola Amazing Art Adventure to corporate managers who rely on
ABC FlowCharter * Micrografx provides tools for visualizing the future.
The company's U.S. operations are based in Richardson, Texas with a
satellite office in San Francisco. International locations include Canada,
the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, the Netherlands and
Japan.
__________________________________________
> ZEOS International STR InfoFile STReport Mini-Series
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ZEOS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
A DREAM SYSTEM!
Let's begin the third in an STReport mini-series on what can only be
called a "Dream System" with the ZEOS International 90Mhz Pentium at the
center. Through the course of the mini-series, we shall cover in detail
the installation of each of the custom peripherals which are listed below.
The Peripheral List:
--------------------
A)- 2 1083 Mb Western Digital 31000a Enhanced IDE Hard Drives
B)- 1 Teac CD
ROM CD55a 4x Drive
C)- 1 Mitsumi IDE CDROM Drive
D)- 1 Archive Viper 250mb SCSI Tape Backup
E)- 1 Sound Blaster AWE32 Sound Card w 2mb & Roland SCD-15 Daughter
Board.
F)- 1 Maxtor 340Mb SCSI Hard Disk
G)- 1 Canon IX-4015 SCSI Color Scanner 1200lpi w/ADF
H)- 1 Fargo Primera Pro Color Printer 600dpi
I)- 1 Hewlett Packard Laser Jet 4P Printer 600dpi
J)- MAG Innovision 17F Color Monitor 17" ni
K)- 1 USRobotics Dual Standard V.34/V.FC/28.8 External Modem
L)- Adaptec 1542cf SCSI Busmaster card & EZ SCSI Software
along with a few other items yet to be made mention of.
THE INSTALLATION OF THE GB IDE HARD DRIVES
AND
TWO CD ROM DRIVES
Where to begin... Let's see, will we start with the ribbon cables or
the power supply feeds? First things first, the power supply, like all
other power supplies has only so many feeds. Since most are accounted for
by the basic system, it becomes necessary to have a few "splitters" to
power up everything. After the splitters were installed (easy) comes the
ribbon cables. Usually, they are set to the right lengths or so it seems.
Actually, they are made somewhat longer than needed. (just in case) In
this situation there WAS a "just in case". I know because the cables just
adequately fit in the huge tower cabinet supplied by ZEOS International.
One ribbon cable ran from the enhanced IDE controller (bank two) on the
motherboard to the Mitsumi 2x CDRom. The other ribbon cable ran from the
Sound Blaster AWE 32 Card to the Teac CD55a 4x CDRom. After installing
the cables and power feeds. The time had come for power-up and driver
installation.
As the system came up I wondered what joys awaited me with the driver
installation. After all, I was trying to run two CDRoms in the same
system. Not surprisingly, the power-up was perfect. What did you expect?
Mushroom Clouds? sheesh! The driver installations for both CDRoms were
really very straight forward, adequately prompted and quickly completed.
This 90mhz Zeos Pantera Pentium is fast. Really fast. Back to the
CDRoms. After a subsequent bootup, both were running fine and recognized.
The system was doing just fine.
With this done it was now the hard disk's turn to "get with the
program". After having heard all the horror stories about large hard disk
installations this was beginning to look like a formidable task. After
the hardware part of the installation, in other words eight screws later,
the ribbon cables and power connectors were installed and we were ready to
see this part of the setup purr right along. After a reboot and quick
entry into the "setup" program of the computer, I was confronted with the
hard disk info entry screen. Being cautious and deliberate, I immediately
chose the "auto" function for both IDE gb drives. Whew, that was
difficult. After F-10 and a yes to save the config info, we were at the
ever so familiar DOS prompt. Now for FDISK, (that's right, no special
format programs), to set five equal partitions for each of the mechanisms,
ten partitions in all, and a format of each partition. To make a long
boring story short. The new CMOS easily handled the big drives and we had
every last "drop" of room to use. Without the need of an outside handler
like Disk Manager etc.. The hard drives are running perfectly. Once all
the preliminary installations are done, we'll go into the software
installs in depth. Especially the 32bda and 32bfa. Its a remarkable
improvement in the way things are done.
Next week, Dos and Windows installation and setup.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N
FARGO PRIMERA PRO COLOR PRINTERS - 600DPI
For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent
to you that demonstrates FARGO Primera & Primera Pro SUPERIOR QUALITY
600dpi 24 bit Photo Realistic Color Output, please send a Self Addressed
Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business sized envelope please) to:
STReport's Fargo Printout Offer
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155
Folks, the FARGO Primera Pro has GOT to be the best yet. Its far superior
to the newest of Color Laser Printers selling for more than three times as
much. Its said that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. Send for this
sample now. Guaranteed you will be amazed at the superb quality. (please,
allow at least a one week turn-around)
A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
: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.
Fire up that high-speed modem and head for your favorite GEnie Software
Library! Effective October 10, 1994, you'll be able to participate in an
open beta test, offering access to GEnie Services at 9600 bps for as
little as $5.00 per hour.
As a result of an arrangement with Sprint, GEnie will be offering 9600 bps
access from almost 300 SprintNet locations. Best of all, this high-speed
access will not be subject to high-priced surcharges. The normal $2.00
per hour SprintNet surcharge will apply...even at 9600 bps! This open
beta test is expected to run through the end of the year.
To find the number of the SprintNet access number nearest you, simply type
PHONES at any GEnie menu prompt (or use the "Move To Keyword" option in
Genie for Windows and type PHONES). Remember, this rate applies only to
9600 bps access via SprintNet. So be sure to choose the access number
showing "9600" in the "Baud Rate" column AND "SprintNet" in the "Network"
column.
From the "Fine Print" department, please note that the $2.00 per hour
surcharge for SprintNet access is applicable even during your initial four
hours of monthly usage.
So, whether you're into downloading software, reading bulletin boards, or
accessing databases, it's about to become cheaper to do it faster!
GEnie Information Services copyright (C) 1994 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)
======================
John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
> EPSON Stylus 800+ STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
EPSON Stylus 800+ Ink Jet Printer
=================================
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
-------------------------
EPSON Stylus technology created an entirely new standard, with the
crispest, clearest images ever seen in ink jet printing. And now, with
the High Definition EPSON Stylus 800+, we've made our extraordinary ink
jet printing even better.
The EPSON Stylus 800+ uses Stylus technology advances such as
microfeeding, plus new software driver features, including MicroWeaving
and Error Diffusion to provide even sharper, more detailed graphics
output.
These improvements would slow most printers down, but we've actually
speeded ours up! The EPSON Stylus 800+ prints at a fast 165 cps in letter
quality, and has a new super-fast draft mode of 250 cps.
The High Definition EPSON Stylus 800+ is more extraordinary than ever. And
even more remarkable when you consider the price.
High Definition ink jet printing
--------------------------------
Exclusive EPSON Stylus technology provides the best ink jet printing
available at 360 dpi.
Improved grayscale graphics
---------------------------
Microfeeding, MicroWeaving and Error Diffusion combine to produce
even sharper, more detailed graphics printing.
Convenient paper handling
-------------------------
Built-in 100 sheet plain paper tray. Prints envelopes, transparencies
and labels with ease.
Your choice of fonts
--------------------
Eight different typefaces built in, with four scalable up to 32
points.
Quiet, compact, and easy to use
-------------------------------
Whisper-quiet at 45 dB(A), with a compact footprint of 17"x10.4".
Easy to set up and use.
EPSON support
-------------
Two-year limited warranty and toll-free EPSON Connection hotline
to answer your questions.
Product Specifications
----------------------
Printing Method Drop on demand piezoelectric ink jet
Print Speed
Letter Quality 165 cps (10 cpi)
198 cps (12 cpi)
248 cps (15 cpi)
Draft 250 cps (10 cpi)
300 cps (12 cpi)
375 cps (15 cpi)
Resident Bit-Mapped EPSON Roman 10, 12, 15 proportional
Fonts EPSON Sans Serif 10, 12, 15 proportional
EPSON Courier 10, 12, 15
EPSON Prestige 10, 12, 15
EPSON Script 10, 12, 15
EPSON Draft 10, 12, 15
Scalable Fonts EPSON Roman 8 to 32 points
EPSON Sans Serif 8 to 32 points
EPSON Roman T (PS) 8 to 32 points
EPSON Sans Serif H (PS) 8 to 32 points
Sound Level 45 dB (A)
Emulation EPSON ESC/P 2
Character Sets 1 legal and 14 international character
sets, 9 character tables
Maximum Graphics 360 x 360 dpi
Resolution
Print Enhancements
Bit-mapped fonts Condensed, double width, double
strike, italic, underlined, double
underlined, overscore, strike through,
shadow/outline, double height,
emphasized
Scalable fonts Emphasized, double strike, italic,
underlined, double underlined,
overscore, strike through,
shadow/outline
Dimensions
H x W x D 6" x 17" x 10.4"
Weight 10.6 lbs.
Input Buffer 32KB - Mixed text/graphics OFF
8KB - Mixed text/graphics ON
Interface Centronic-compatible 8-bit parallel
standard
Paper Feed Mechanism Friction feed with auto sheet feed or
manual insertion
Print Direction Bi-directional logic seeking in text and
graphics modes
Hardware Features Control panel selection of fonts, form
feed, default settings
Paper Handling
Cut sheet (paper tray)
Width 8.2" to 8.5"
Length 11.0" to 11.7"
Thickness .0O26 to .0055 inches
Weight 18 to 24 lbs.
Quality Bond paper, plain paper
Cut sheet (manual insertion)
Width 7.1" to 8.5"
Length 10.1 " to 11.7"
Thickness .0026 to .0043 inches
Weight 14 to 24 lbs.
Quality Bond paper, plain paper
Envelope No. 6 or No. 10
Size #6 (W x L) 6.5" x 3.6"
Size #10 (W x L) 9.5" x 4.1"
Thickness .0063 to .02 inches
Weight 12 to 24 lbs.
Quality Bond paper, plain paper, air mail
Printable Area (Minimum)
Top margin .12"
Left and right margins .12"
Bottom margin .51"
Enviromnental Characteristics
Temperature Operating: 50 to 95 degrees F (10 to 35C)
Storage: -4 to 132 degrees F (-20 to 50øC)
Humidity Operating: 20 to 80% relative humidity
Storage: 5 to 85% relative humidity
(no condensation)
Safety Approvals
Safety Standards UL1950 w/D3, CSA22.2 #220
R.F.I. FCC Part 15 Subpart B class B
Reliability/Life Expectancy
Printer MTBF 4,000 power on hours
Product Codes
EPSON Stylus 800+ C134001
Accessories
Ink cartridge S020025 (Stylus 400/800/800+/1000)
Electrical Requirements 120VAC+/- 10%; 50 to 60 Hz;
60 VA Maximum
Ink Cartridge Black - 700,000 characters
Warranty Two-year limited warranty in the U.S.
EPSON Support EPSON Connection
information hotline 800-922-8911
Faxback System 800-922-8911/310-782-4214
Electronic Bulletin Board 310-782-4531
USA: Call 1-800-289-3776 for the nearest dealer location
Epson America, Inc. 20770 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503
Canada: Call 1-800-463-7766 Epson Canada, Ltd.
550 McNicoll, Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2E1 Fax 416-498-4574
Latin America: Call 1-305-265-0092 Epson Latin America
6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 390, Miami, Florida 33126
Fax 301-265-0097
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Epson is a registered
trademark and Epson Stylus is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation;
Epson ESC/P 2 is trademark and Epson Connection is a servicemark of Epson
America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any
and all rights in these marks.
_______________________________________
> CREATIVE & 3DO STR FOCUS!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
3DO Technology Now Available
For
Creative Labs' Extensive Installed Base!!
SINGAPORE -- October 26, 1994 -- Creative Technology Ltd. (Nasdaq:CREAf),
the leading provider of multimedia products for the PC, today introduced
the first desktop PC implementation of 3DO's advanced interactive
entertainment technology taking direct aim at the desktop interactive
game marketplace.
With the introduction of 3DO(TM) Blaster, Creative is targeting their
extensive installed base of CD-ROM users. 3DO Blaster provides PC
owners with the ultimate game platform -- exciting 3DO games recognized
for unprecedented interactive realism, full-motion video, CD-quality
audio and three-dimensional sound effects.
"Today's announcement reflects the efforts of two of the most advanced
technology suppliers, Creative Technology and 3DO. The 3DO Blaster
provides the advantage of Creative's and 3DO's innovation to the installed
base of PC's already using Creative multimedia products," said Sim Wong
Hoo, CEO and chairman of Creative Technology Ltd. "Creative's and 3DO's
technologies create an advanced entertainment platform which will enhance
the capabilities of PCs, and expand the imagination of users by providing
them access to exciting, interactive products that fully exploit the
potential of multimedia entertainment."
Trip Hawkins, president and CEO of The 3DO Company, said today's
announcement enables his company to expand quickly and aggressively into
the vast PC market. "Creative is the leading supplier of multimedia
products for PCs, providing us with the opportunity to deliver 3DO's
advanced interactive technology to an even broader audience," said
Hawkins.
The Technology
--------------
The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer(TM) system incorporates twin custom
graphics processors, a digital signal processor (DSP) for CD quality
soundtracks and three-dimensional sound effects, a 32-bit RISC processor
and a video system capable of displaying photorealistic images.
Under an exclusive licensing agreement, Creative has taken this
technology and developed a single expansion card that provides similar
functionality for a personal computer.
The 3DO Blaster Package
-----------------------
The 3DO Blaster will include two 3DO titles - Electronic Arts'
ShockWave(TM), Tetragon's Gridders(TM), and the 3DO Interactive Sampler
CD2.
In addition to the 3DO software titles, included is Aldus PhotoStyler(TM)
SE to provide the user with Kodak Photo CD(TM) compatibility. The 3DO
Blaster will be available in late October at a suggested retail price of
$399.95.
The 3DO Blaster will provide users access to over 125 titles
available for 3DO Interactive Multiplayer systems, which include action
games, interactive movies, educational titles, simulation games and many
others.
System Requirements
-------------------
3DO Blaster is compatible with a 386 25 MHz (or above) standard
PC, and functions as a standard Windows application running on
Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) 3.1 or higher. This allows for resizing the
gaming window to view games at full screen.
Additional requirements include:
o Creative CR-563 CD-ROM drive
o 4 MB RAM
o VGA display adapter with feature connector
o Sound Blaster series audio card with CD-Audio connector
o Speakers
Creative Technology Ltd. develops, manufacturers and markets a
family of sound and video multimedia products for IBM-compatible PCs.
The company's Sound Blaster sound platform enables IBM-compatible PCs to
produce high-quality audio for entertainment, educational, music and
productivity applications, and has been accepted as the industry
standard sound platform for PC-based software.
Creative Technology Ltd. was incorporated in 1983 and is based in
Singapore. Creative Technology's subsidiaries include Creative Labs,
Inc., E-mu Systems, Inc., and ShareVision Technology, Inc. Creative
also has other subsidiaries in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Singapore,
Taiwan, Malaysia and China. The Companys stock is traded on the Nasdaq
under the symbol CREAf.
Sound Blaster is a trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. 3DO, the 3DO
logo, and Interactive Multiplayer are trademarks of the 3DO Company.
All other products mentioned herein are assumed trademarks and are
hereby recognized as such.
CONTACT INFORMATION
-------------------
Theresa Pulido Lisa Kimura
Creative Labs, Inc. Copithorne & Bellows
(408)428-6600 ext. 6416 (415)284-5200
**********************************************************************
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 an extremely 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 20/20 Advantage Plan
20 Hours for Only $20!
-----------------------------
Advantage Members have always enjoyed the lowest DELPHI access rates
available. On the new 20/20 Advantage Plan, members receive their first 20
hours of access each month for only $20. If you happen to meet someone
online or find some other diversion, don't worry because additional usage
is only $1.80 per hour.
20/20 Advantage rates apply for access via SprintNet or Tymnet from within
the continental United States during home time or via direct dial around
the clock. Home Time is from 6pm to 6am weekdays. Access during business
time carries a surcharge of $9 per hour. These rates apply for most
services, but note that there are some surcharged areas on DELPHI which
are clearly marked with a "$" sign.
Who is eligible to take advantage of the plan? Any DELPHI member in good
standing. Applications are reviewed and subject to approval by Delphi
Internet Services Corporation.
It's easy to join. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply
online -- at any time -- for membership in the DELPHI 20/20 Advantage
Plan. Your membership becomes active at 4 a.m. Eastern Time on the first
billing day of the following month.
The $20 charge will be billed to you at the beginning of the month to
which it applies. Any portion of the 20 hours not used in any month does
not carry forward into the next month.
Advantage rates may be changed with 30 days notice given online.
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 the BEST Value and getting BETTER all the time!
************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Time is still tight these days. I wish that there were more hours
in the day, or days in the week - I just can't seem to find the needed
time to express some personal views in my editorials lately. Maybe
it's for the better, at least for the moment. Anyway, it's getting
late, deadlines to meet, and a few things left to put together before
we send another installment off "to the presses."
Don't forget to set your clocks BACK one hour this weekend and
enjoy that extra hour for some sleep or whatever other good use that
you can find!
Until next time...
Delphi's Atari Advantage!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (10/26/94)
(1) HSMODA04 SERIAL PORT ACC (6) ESS-CODE V6.2
(2) MAGIC SPOOLER 1.09 *(7) SPEEDO GDOS FONTS
(3) IDEALIST 3.51 (8) E-MAIL LIST
(4) TYPE 1 CONVERTER *(9) AVP MAPS
(5) HACE NEWSLETTER *(10) AHDI CONFIGURATION PRG
* = New on list
HONORARY TOP 10
The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently
out-performing every other file in the databases.
STREPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 10.43)
ATARI ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: VOLUME 3, ISSUE 12)
Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
______________________________________
> Internet Update! STR InfoFile! - Atari Internet FTP Sites!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ATARI ST FTP LIST
From: Hallvard =?iso-8859-1?Q?Tanger=E5s?= <hallvart@ifi.uio.no>
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 19:51:35 GMT
Posted to newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st, comp.sys.atari.st.tech,
comp.sys.atari.announce
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Last edit: 24-October-1994
Additions/changes since last list: 2
- disabuse.demon.co.uk
- alice.fmi.uni-passau.de
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any new information regarding changes/deletions/additions etc. can
be emailed to me. Thanks!
Compiled by: Hallvard Tangeraas, Oslo, Norway (hallvart@ifi.uio.no)
()==========================()
// ____/__ __/ ____/ //\\
// / / / _/ // ()
// __/ / ____/ // //
// / / / // //
// _/ _/ _/ Archives // //
// // //
()==========================() //
\\ \\//
()=========================()
(log in with "anonymous" as name, and full name/e-mail address as
password) FTP instructions after this list!
A T A R I S T F T P S I T E S :
-------------------------------------
USA:
---
atari.archive.umich.edu...(141.211.120.11)..../atari/
email server.............atari@atari.archive.umich.edu
cs-ftp.bu.edu.............(128.197.13.20)...../PC/ATARI-ST/
world.std.com.............(192.74.137.5)....../src/atarist/ and
/pub/atari/
ftp.std.com...............(192.74.137.7)....../pub/atari/
f.ms.uky.edu..............(128.163.128.6)...../pub2/atari/
CANADA:
-------
aupair.cs.athabascau.ca...(131.232.10.8)....../atari/
CZECH REPUBLIC:
---------------
ftp.dcs.muni.cz.....(147.251.48.3)........../pub/archives/atari/
NETHERLANDS:
------------
nikhefh.nikhef.nl...(192.16.199.1)........../pub/atari/
star.cs.vu.nl.......(192.31.231.42)........./pub/atari/
ftp.twi.tudelft.nl..(130.161.156.11)......../pub/atari/
ftp.icce.rug.nl.....(129.125.14.129)......../pub/erikjan/Atari
FINLAND:
--------
ftp.funet.fi........(128.214.248.6)........ /pub/atari/
FRANCE:
-------
ftp.cnam.fr.........(163.173.128.6)......../pub/Atari/
GERMANY:
--------
alice.fmi.uni-passau.de...(132.231.1.180)...../pub/atari/
ftp.uni-kl.de.............(131.246.9.95)....../pub/atari/
ftp.uni-erlangen.de.......(131.188.1.43)....../pub/atari/
ftp.tu-clausthal.de.......(139.174.2.10)....../pub/atari/
email server.............mail-server@ftp.tu-clausthal.de
ftp.uni-muenster.de.......(128.176.121.55)..../pub/atari/
ftp.uni-paderborn.de......(131.234.2.32)....../atari/
ftp.cs.tu-berlin.de.......(130.149.17.7)....../pub/atari/
email server.............mail-server@cs.tu-berlin.de
pascal.math.fu-berlin.de..(130.133.4.50)....../pub/atari/
ftp.uni-regensburg.de.....(132.199.1.202)...../freeware/software/atari/
vax.ph-cip.uni-koeln.de...(134.95.64.1)...... /pub/atari/
ftp.germany.eu.net........(192.76.144.75)...../pub/comp/atari-st/
email server.............archive-server@Germany.eu.net
ftp.uni-stuttgart.de......(129.69.8.13)......./pub/systems/atari/
email server.............ftpmail@ftp.uni-stuttgart.de
ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de.(131.159.0.198)../pub/comp/platforms/atari/
ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de......(137.226.225.3)....../pub/atari/
wowbagger.pc-labor.uni-bremen.de...(134.102.228.9)......../pub/atari_st/
ma2s2.mathematik.uni-karlsruhe.de..(129.13.115.2)........./pub/atari/
reseq.regent.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de..(129.187.230.225)../pub/comp/
platforms/atari/
email server...........ftp-mailer@ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de
ftp.hrz.uni-kassel.de....(141.51.12.12)..../pub/machines/atari/
ftp.ira.uka.de...........(129.13.10.90)..../pub/systems/atari/
ftp.thp.uni-koeln.de.....(134.95.64.1)...../pub/atari/
nibelung.worms.fh-rpl.de..(143.93.16.3)..../atari/
rzserv3.rz.tu-bs.de......(134.169.9.31)..../pub/atari/
email server............archive-server@ibr.cs.tu-bs.de
ftp.coli.uni-sb.de.......(134.96.68.1)...../pub/atari
UK:
---
micros.hensa.ac.uk (148.88.8.84) .......... /micros/atari/
email server......archive-server@micros.hensa.ac.uk
disabuse.demon.co.uk (158.152.1.44)........ /pub/atari/
SWITZERLAND:
-----------
ftp.isbiel.ch.....(147.87.2.27)............/atari/
FTP "mirror"-sites:('back-door' to other FTP sites when they are too busy
------------------- or there are other problems accessing them!)
mirror.archive.umich.edu...(128.252.135.4) or (128.193.2.13) or
(128.193.4.2) or (128.255.21.233) or (128.255.40.200)
nic.switch.ch (130.59.1.40)............/mirror/atari/
- (umich.edu, USA)
archive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)....../mirrors/archive.umich.edu/atari/
- (umich.edu, USA)
src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1)........./packages/atari/umich/
PS!!! 155.198.1.40 is more reliable!!! - (umich.edu, USA)
src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1)........./packages/atari/uni-paderborn
PS!!! 155.198.1.40 is more reliable!!! - (uni-paderborn, GERMANY)
- to find the numbered address of the FTP site, use the following command,
while inside FTP: ftp> !host FTP-address [CR] i.e. "!host cs.bu.edu"
DOWNLOADING FILES, Instructions: [CR]= carriage return/return/enter
--------------------------------
1) Go to the directory where you want the files to be downloaded.
2) ftp [CR].
3) open {ftp address} [CR]. i.e. "open ftp.uni-kl.de"
[CR]
OR use the (IP) number address, NOT both!
4) "Name": anonymous [CR].
5) "Password": {full e-mail name/address}. i.e. "hallvart@ifi.uio.no"
[CR]
6) use "cd" to access the appropriate directory. i.e. "cd pub/atari"
[CR]
7) bin [CR]. (set `binary` transfer mode)
8) hash [CR]. (shows 'hash` signs (#####...) when transferring data)
9) get {filename} [CR]. i.e. "get rename.lzh" [CR]
10) mget [CR] to get several files at once.
i.e. "mget syst12.Z fixdsk.arc icon4.zip" [CR]
11) prompt [CR] to download several files with "mget" without having
to reply "y" for each file when asked "get {filename}?".
12) quit [CR] to end FTP session and go back to UNIX
13) close [CR] to close the FTP site you're currently on, so that another
site can be opened without having to set bin, hash, prompt etc. again.
- bin, hash, prompt will be turned on/off each time it's typed!
- Be sure to check if all modes are set correctly (especially 'bin')!
- stat [CR] or; status [CR] will show all modes and where you are
connected.
- Most files are compressed. Use an appropriate program on your computer
on which the programs were intended, or in UNIX .......
- uncompress [CR] if ".Z" file
- uudecode [CR] if ".uu" file
- very often, files are still compressed in another format after
uncompressing .Z and/or .uu.
Use the appropriate decompression program for this.
- ls [CR] lists files (shows all files in current directory).
- pwd [CR] shows path. i.e. /pub/mirrors/umich/atari/utilities
- If down-loading several files with similar names use "*".
i.e. "mget *sys" [CR] (will get f.x.; datasys, lm23isys,
xlinksys etc...) (ALL files with "sys" in their names)
i.e. "mget *.lzh" [CR] (will get f.x.; stest.lzh, dw3.lzh,
xlba.lzh etc...) (ALL files ending with ".lzh")
i.e. "mget * [CR] (will get ALL files in the current directory!)
- If your computer doesn't have a disk drive you can "remote login" to
another computer (use an other terminal's disk drive);
- rlogin {computer name} [CR]. i.e. "rlogin hnoss" [CR].
- You can now access the disk just as if it was on your own machine.
- eject [CR] to eject disk on disk-drives without "eject button"
TRANSFERRING FILES TO MS-DOS DISKS
----------------------------------
- mcopy {filename} a: [CR] i.e. mcopy microtcx.zoo a:
i.e. mcopy microtcx.zoo icone.lzh shblr.arc
a:
- mdir [CR] to show disk-directory/space left.
- fdformat -d [CR] to format an MS-DOS 3.5" 1.44mMb disk ("-d" for MS-DOS)
- fdformat -l -d [CR] to format an MS-DOS 720Kb 3.5" disk ("-l" for
"low density")
- mcopy a:{filename on disk} {copy filename} [CR] to get a file from
disk to computer. i.e. "mcopy a:dlist.txt dlist.txt"
- mdel a:{filename} [CR] to delete a file on disk. i.e. "mdel
a:dslist.txt".
Compiled by Hallvard Tangeraas, Oslo, Norway
(hallvart@ifi.uio.no) (c) 24-October-1994
This file may by all means be reproduced and distributed freely, but only
with all data intact.
____________________________________________
> Online Gaming! STR NewsFile! - "Net Games" Book Available!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Net Games - New Book from Creators of Net Guide
From: Michael Wolff <editors@ypn.com>
Date: 20 Oct 1994 18:29:49 -0400
We've just finished our new book Net Games--a guide to the world of online
games. It's stuffed with addresses and hints for playing games over the
Net from chess to Doom to FurryMUCK. We've put up a sampling of pages from
the book as GIF's that can be downloaded from ftp://www.ypn.com/pub/pages.
Feel free to upload these pages anywhere on the Net. For more information
about Net Games, our first book Net Guide, or our upcoming books Net Chat,
Net Money, Net Trek, Net Sports, and Net Tech check out our Web site at
http://www.ypn.com/. BTW, we're looking for freelance Netsurfers and
writers (we even pay!).
Here's the press release that the publisher, Random House, sent out:
New Book Charts Entertainment Revolution
What's Playing in Cyberspace?
Net Games, a new release from Random House Electronic Publishing and
Michael Wolff & Company, Inc., is the first book to document the
revolution taking place in interactive entertainment--at any hour of the
day millions of people worldwide are online playing games with each other
in Cyberspace.
Most do not know each other. Few will ever meet each other. And yet,
online camaraderie and competition rival the intensity of contact sports.
Night after night, old hands and newbies meet at the electronic equivalent
of parks and sandlots where they blast away at each other, sit on opposite
sides of chess boards (with thousands of miles between them), or create
rate adventure worlds together. Not only do the players fiercely
compete, but as they play they talk (or type back and forth), bragging,
complaining, and sharing their lives.
Where the first generation of video games pitted human against computer,
the new breed of games takes advantage of the Internet and other computer
networks to bring human rivalry and team spirit directly to your screen.
Net Games is a guide to more than 1,500 of these new computer games,
including:
- Multiplayer virtual scrimmages like Air Warrior, Cyberstrike, Doom, and
Bolo, which combine the local color of a hometown bowling league with the
massive firepower of a Hollywood action movie;
- Chess, go, bridge, backgammon--even Jeopardy--servers that function as
anytime, anyplace meeting spots for novices and masters alike to get games
going at any moment of the day--or night;
- MUDs, MOOs, and MUSHes--participatory narrative adventures (the true
post-modern novel)--wherein players build and explore virtual worlds from
gaslit San Francisco to the USS Enterprise, from worlds based on Anne
Rice's vampire chronicles and sci-fi classics like the Dune series, to
FurryMUCK, an anthropomorphic world where players experience polymorphous
pleasures. (There are more than 400 virtual world games which, at any hour
of the day, have as many as 200 players!);
- Play-by-mail strategy classics like rotisserie baseball and Henry
Kissinger's favorite game, Diplomacy, that travel over email lines.
By some estimates more than half of online time is spent playing
interactive games. Indeed, games are proliferating around the Net at such
an astonishing rate and are gaining so much popularity that some
universities have begun to control the bandwidth games take up on their
mainframes. On commercial services, games are one of the fastest growing
offerings. GEnie players of Air Warrior, a flight simulation game, have
spent up to a $1,000 a month. It is no coincidence that shortly after
Rupert Murdoch bought Delphi, he also bought Kesmai, one of the largest
producers of online games. Besides the games people play online, Net Games
also covers the thousands of free computer games and demos that people
download from online archives and the modern-day mutual aid societies that
share cheats, hints, and walk-throughs for mastering home and arcade hits
ranging from Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam to Sim City 2000 and Doom (and even
the daily crossword puzzle).
Net Games, the second book in the Net Books Series, is by the creators of
Net Guide, the best-selling guide to Cyberspace that Wired editor Louis
Rossetto called "the TV Guide to Cyberspace," and USA Today called "the
liveliest most readable online guide yet!" In addition to Net Guide and
Net Games, the Net Books Series includes:
- Net Chat, a map of salons and meeting places in Cyberspace, to be
published in November;
- Net Money, a handbook for using online personal finance resources, to
appear in time for tax season in January;
- Net Trek, a directory of the online Trekkie universe, to arrive in
bookstores in March.
--
Michael Wolff & Company, Inc., 1633 Broadway, 27th floor, New York, NY
10019
Vox: 212-841-1572 Fax: 212-841-1539 Email: editors@ypn.com
To order books or find out more about our new Internet service, YPN--
Your Personal Network, call toll-free 1-800-NET-1133
Jaguar Section
==============
It's Still AvP!!, Virtual Reality
Next X-Mas?, Brutal Sports Football
Review, New Games SOON!, and more!
> From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
We're in the middle of a lot of interesting Jaguar news lately.
More games are either in production, or about to get there. That's the
good news. However, there's also been a lot of grumbling online about
the delays and/or the lack of a lot of new games. Also, will the CD
player and the voice modem be ready in time for the holidays? It's
getting close folks - almost down to the wire. Christmas is a mere
eight weeks away and 30-50 games seems like it may be an unlikely
target. But, I'm willing to see what happens and maintain some degree
of positive thinking. The "official" holiday season is still 4 weeks
away, so let's see what happens.
Meanwhile, the excitement of Alien vs. Predator is still being
expressed online. It's a great game, and one that I've been able to
spend a limited amount of time playing myself. Other games of equal
playing excitement are just around the corner - definitely!
It appears that virtual reality may actually become one for the
Jaguar. Make sure to check out the latest press release from Atari,
below.
Marty Mankins has finally stopped travelling on business long
enough to spruce up his review of Brutal Sports Football. As of this
writing, his review of AvP is imminent and may also make this issue.
We're also expecting a second review of this latest game from staffer
Craig Harris. Stay tuned!
And, what better way to get into the swing of the Holidays but to
offer another opportunity to win some fantastic Jaguar-related items.
Yes, it's contest time once again!! You'll see the details later on in
this section. Don't miss out on this one!
Well, we've got a lot of interesting news and information for you
this week, so let's get to it!
Until next time...
> Jaguar Catalog STR InfoFile - What's currently available, what's
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" coming out.
Current Available Titles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
J9000 Cybermorph $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9006 Evolution:Dino Dudes $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $49.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9010 Tempest 2000 $59.95 Llamasoft/Atari Corp.
J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $69.95 id/Atari Corp.
JA100 Brutal Sports FtBall $69.95 Telegames
J9008 Alien vs. Predator $69.99 Rebellion/Atari Corp.
Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
CatBox $49.95 ICD
CatBox + $69.95 ICD
J9007 Checkered Flag $69.99 Atari
Club Drive $59.99 Atari
Doom $69.99 id/Atari
Theme Park TBD Ocean
Syndicate TBD Ocean
Troy Aikman Football$69.99 Williams
Sensible Soccer
J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $59.99 Atari
J9012 Kasumi Ninja $69.99 Atari
Cannon Fodder TBD Virgin
Hover Strike $59.99 Atari
Iron Soldier $59.99 Atari
J9042 Zool 2 $59.99 Atari
Hardware and Peripherals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER
J8001 Jaguar (complete) $249.99 Atari Corp.
J8904 Composite Cable $19.95
J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp.
J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95
_______________________________________
> Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Contact: Ron Beltramo, Atari Corporation, 408/745-2000
David Harrah, Edelman Public Relations, 415/968-4033
Dr. Jon Waldern, Virtuality Group plc, UK, 44-11-62-33-7000
For Immediate Release
ATARI JOINS FORCES WITH VIRTUALITY
TO OFFER
HOME VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES BY CHRISTMAS 1995
SUNNYVALE, CA (October 25, 1994) -- Atari Corporation
(AMEX:ATC), the name that created the video game industry, has joined
forces with Virtuality Group plc, the leader in virtual reality
technology and arcade games, to create the world's first immersive
virtual reality games for the home market.
According to the just signed agreement, Virtuality will finalize
development of a consumer version of its head mounted display
technology (virtual reality headset) that Atari will manufacture and
market for use with the Atari Jaguar 64-bit multimedia home
entertainment system. Terms of the agreement call for Atari to
contribute toward the development cost and pay a license to
Virtuality to produce and market the product. The virtual reality
headset will be available to consumers by Christmas 1995 with a
targeted price of less than $200.
"The Atari Jaguar platform is the only 64-bit system currently on
the market and is ideally suited for immersive, virtual reality
games," said Jon Waldern, chief executive officer of Virtuality.
"This deal propels both companies to the forefront in the home market
for virtual reality gaming. Thanks to the Atari Jaguar, fans of our
many hit arcade titles will soon be able to play their favorite
virtual reality games at home."
Atari President Sam Tramiel explained that both Atari and
Virtuality have worldwide reputations for offering the most advanced
gaming technology and performance. "Combining Virtuality's ability to
deliver low cost solutions for virtual reality technology
applications with the processing power capabilities of the 64-bit
Atari Jaguar will result in a very high quality virtual reality
experience at a very affordable price," he said.
Tramiel added, "By Christmas 1995, Jaguar owners will already be
wearing their virtual reality headsets and playing virtual reality
games at home. While others in the industry play catch up trying to
offer 32 and 64-bit systems, Atari is extending our technological
advantage over our competitors by delivering a high-quality virtual
reality experience."
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and
the only video game system manufactured in the United States.
Virtuality Group plc is the world leader in the design of high
quality virtual reality technology, arcade gaming systems and
software.
# # #
> Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
DRAGON: The Bruce Lee Story - COMBAT SIMULATION
THE LEGEND FIGHTS ON . . .
The spirit of martial arts Master Bruce Lee lives on in DRAGON: a
dangerously life-like combat simulation based on his biographical
film. Apply discipline and a devastating array of age-old fighting
techniques to subdue opponents more cunning than the real Bruce Lee
ever faced. Unite your spiritual and physical strength to confront The
Phantom, the mythical samurai which has plagued your thoughts and
dreams, in a jeet kune do duel to the death! [1 player] $59.99
(Atari/J9036) [TEEN]
KASUMI NINJA - ARCADE FIGHTING (DIGITIZED)
ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE . . .
Stop the Evil Ninja Lord Gyaku from opening the Dragon Cloud
temple's portal to Hell and unleashing his demon minions upon Kasumi
island and the world. Battle it out in this bloody brawler in 1 Player
Story mode or Two Player versus mode as one of the 8 all-time greatest
warrior-fighters. Gain fighting skill and master special moves from
bout to bout as you journey through the Underground Labyrinth to the
Dragon Cloud temple where you'll face your ultimate opponent: the Evil
Ninja Lord Gyaku himself! [1 or 2 players] $69.99
(Atari/J9012) [MATURE]
CHECKERED FLAG - VIRTUAL SPEEDWAY
THIS AIN'T NO DRIVE TO GRANDMA'S!
Get ready to burn rubber! Race for the Checkered Flag behind the wheel
of a turbo-powered speedway racer in real-time, 3D-rendered action.
Choose from 10 high-performance tracks and see the speedway from 6
distinct views. Alter features and attributes on your racer to improve
your times or even change the weather conditions. Action so realistic
you'll swear you feel the wind in your hair as your tires screech
around the curves. Keep your sweaty palms on the controller!
[1 player] $69.99 (Atari/J9007)
ZOOL 2 - SIDESCROLLING ADVENTURE
IT'S KROLL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!
Zool and his daring and lovely sidekick Zooz face a challenge that
would wilt the knees of even the toughest Ninja. The Nth Dimension is
under attack from the evil forces of Krool. Our heroes must restore
the Nth Dimension to equilibrium and exile Mental Block and his
mind-numbing cronies before imagination is wiped out of existence. Zoon
the two-headed intergalactic wonder-canine will help, but you'll need
skills from the Nth Dimension to save imagination!
[1 player] $49.99 (Atari/J9042)
> Jaguar Game Review: Brutal Sports Football
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Brutal Sports Football
======================
by Marty Mankins
"No Limits Football" is how I would describe this game. It's how some
of us would have loved to play football as kids, minus the sledgehammers
and swords. In real football they say that the rules take away from
the game's enjoyment level. Well, if your idea of enjoyment is
seeing some blood, watching a head fly off or being able to stomp on
an opposing player and steal the ball, then Brutal Sports Football
is really cool and you will have all sorts of fun with this game.
Game play is very simple. Getting to a game the first few times is
not as simple as it could be. The first screens you come to are the
spinning Telegames logo and the introduction screen. Once past these
screens, then you have your options to pick from, including the team,
how harsh the team plays and an idea of their past victories. But
enough with the brief setup. Let's take a look at some of the fun I
had playing Brutal Sports Football.
PLAYING THE FIELD
-----------------
This was one very interesting game. I found that there was a lot of
fun to be had with the "no holes barred" rules and that it really
didn't matter that there were no rules. To be honest, it was
bothersome the first few times I played BSF, but after I read the
manual (I try to see how long I can play the game before having to
read a manual - sometimes a great test of how easy or how difficult
the game is to learn/play) and spent several hours at a time playing
the game, I found that BSF is really enjoyable. Out of all the teams
that are available, the Vikings were my favorite. Their skills were
average enough that I found them to be easy to beat, but yet
providing a challenge to just about any move I decided to make.
The Lizzards were very difficult. Of course their standing in the
number of wins made the difference of how smart their men were on
the field. It was very hard to make easy goals with this team. You
had to really try hard to get by and get the ball thrown into the
scoring tunnel. And don't get near them if they are breathing fire.
You can become "crunchy" and "crisp" without any healing. The
Wild Goats had a lot of tricks they used to win each and every game
I played. Not too many tricks were easy to get around, so teams that
played the Wild Goats became very frustrated.
The team to beat (of which I didn't when I played against them)
is the Rhinos. These guys are unstoppable. They will not let up
and will run the score up to the point beyond embarrassment. If you
are trying to impress friends and still want to walk a winner, this
is NOT the team to play against. This is the team to be!
GAME PLAY
---------
Almost all of my BSF sessions made me want to play more and more. The
very few times that I didn't want to play more was when I had
troubles with commands and controls (see below). After each 7 minute
game (the clock does not move in real time - it's more of a sped
up version of a game clock), if you won or lost, you felt a burning
desire to get back on the field and start kicking and slashing people.
One of the fun incentives was the different pick-ups that you ran into.
These are little perks or hazardous spiffs that were placed in your
path (normally a hazardous item) or out of your ball-carrying path
(normally something that helped you score. You could run into a sword
(for slashing the other players' heads off), magic potion (making
you invisible to everyone, including yourself) or my favorite - the
rabbit. This was nice to pick up right before you reached the goal
line. It sped you up so fast that they other team players almost
didn't even notice you. Of course, there is the opposite of the
rabbit - the turtle. Hit this and you slow to, well, a turtle's
speed. Not cool for those times when you need to score and the
clock has very little time on it.
The speed of the game didn't appear to affect overall game play
at all. I found that I could follow the players and keep track of
where the ball was most of the time. There were a couple of times
when I would run into one of the other team players and forget which
direction I was traveling in. But that was easily fixed after you got
a good run on the field, possibly picking up the speed from Mr. Rabbit.
GAME CONTROLS
-------------
In my opinion, the controls of the game could use some work. It was
difficult to know how to re-energize my players in the locker room.
It took several times in the locker room before I knew what I was
doing. The manual did not go into any detail of how things should
work. So BSF is a game that is suited for people who love to figure
things out and make things work. I would rather have some instructions
that, at the very least, show me what to push and how long I need to
do something for. Nevertheless, things eventually get figured out in
a game like this and you feel like you need to master the game to the
best of your ability.
OVERALL
-------
I found Brutal Sports Football to be fun and easy to play, with needs
for improvements. According to Telegames, there will be other titles
in the Brutal Sports line of Jaguar games. If they can look at the
small improvements that need to be made and apply them to the future
titles, then Telegames will have some very cool Jaguar games for all
of us 64-bit mongers. Until then, have fun with a game of football
that turns into a blood fest of "no rules" enjoyment.
Graphics: 8.0
Sound FX/Music: 8.0
Control: 9.0
Manual: 7.5
Entertainment: 7.0
Reviewer's Overall: 8.0
-= Available Now =-
Developed by: Teque/Millenium
Published by: Telegames, Inc.
Sugg. Retail Price: $69.95
Ease of Play: Easy/Average
______________________________________________
> Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CATnips... Jaguar notes from Don Thomas...
Due to the enthusiasm over the Jaguar (as well as renewed interest in the
Lynx), the press and investors are finding opportunities to ask us
questions we haven't been asked for a while. Although we have the answers
they need at Atari, the excitement has motivated me to do something I've
wanted to do for a long time... create and in-depth timeline-orientated
history of Atari.
I've already made great headway. As a past C-64 owner, TI99-4/A owner,
ColecoVision, 2600, 7800, 400, 800, 800XL, ST, MEGA, etc. etc.. I have
accumulated hundreds of books and periodicals. Additionally, I have
some unique insights and resources having come up through Federated so
I lived through the retailing side... between manufacturer and end
user. I also own my own (humble) Atari software company and have been
an active member of Atari Users' Groups and shows in past years.
As I pass the halfway point in producing my "book" (now over 70 pages),
it occurs to me that there are highlights that only YOU may be able to
help with... things only you, your user group, publication or company
can know...
When was your first publication? How many pages? Lead story? When did
it go monthly from bi-monthly?
Where was your first store? What was the first Atari product you
carried? Who was the founder? What day did it open?
How many members were in your first Users' Group meeting? What did the
Users' Group name stand for? Who was the first President? What is the
most significant event the Group hosted?
Who started the BBS? What was it run on?
When did you release your first commercial product?
I am looking for specific events, places, trivia and people that tie
in to one or more of the following:
* Significant technical advances that remotely relate to Atari's
evolution.
* Topics related to Mr. Jack Tramiel, his sons or his businesses.
* Topics related to Mr. Nolan Bushnell, his family or his
businesses.
* Significant topics related to competitors or allies that affected
Atari's evolution.
* Outstanding people, places, groups, things, events, etc. that
relate to the evolution of Atari.
The purpose of my project is to celebrate Atari's birth of 64-bit
technology and to reminisce with the devoted followers of Atari about
the good 'le days that continue to number past us. I've found there
are only a couple of books that do any kind of job to cover this
subject matter. I am NOT looking for co-authors <g>, but I am looking
for every opportunity to include as many of the countless anecdotes
that await their place in recorded history.
If you have something you wish to share, here's what I need...
The simplest thing to do is send me E-Mail with a paragraph that
contains as many facts as possible. I cannot use generalities or
guesses. It must all be solid material. Include your name, address and
a weekend phone number in case I have any questions. E-Mail to
75300.1267@compuserve.com or call CATscan @ 209/239-1552.
If you have something in your possession that you feel may help me that
you don't use or refer to any longer such as an old Fortune magazine
article and wish to send it to me, send it to:
Artisan Software, P.O. Box 849, Manteca, CA 95336
Please do not send things you hope to have returned. If you send me
copies of something, please make sure I know the publisher, year of
publication, author, name of publication, page numbers, etc.
Just to clear up any confusions in advance, I'm asking for "volunteer"
assistance to make sure the things that meant most to you get in this
timeline (if I agree it applies). All items sent become the property of
Artisan Software with no compensation. I will acknowledge published
sources and thank significant contributions in a page of appreciation.
I have not sought a publisher as of yet, but I have passed the point
of no return. <g> My completed work will be submitted to Atari prior
to publication for review of accuracy and formal critique. The form of
distribution has not been decided.
Thanks in advance for you help!
If you cannot help directly, help indirectly and pass this on to
others in your group or someone you know.
-- Don Thomas
Atari Corporation, Full Time
Artisan Software, After Full Time if there is time <g>
From the Usenet:
From: Scott Le Grand <legrand@tesla.mbi.ucla.edu>
(4-Play, Atari 3rd party developer)
The biggest news: We changed the name Star Battle to Battle Sphere... My
two co-workers are coding up the opening sequence right now... No FMV,
just clever re-use of graphic elements from the game...
We're coming along well but slower than we'd like as we all have
day jobs that we can't neglect... We've been rewriting parts of the
graphics engine to keep things fast when there are a lot of ships
onscreen. We have some absolutely gorgeous cockpits and background
graphics now and like AvP, most
of our cockpits are almost full screen
views with minimal clutter... As you guys might remember, we've tried to
make the thing put as much info into the HUD as possible: no meaningless
blinking lights put there to make the view area smaller. We even have an
independent review of our music: One person who heard it wanted a tape of
it for his own. It's sort of a cross between John Williams, and
Christopher Franke's Babylon 5 music... We've just learned a few things
from Atari that will also help us speed things up that are pretty
transparent to our current code. We're going for running this
game 95% out of the DSP and GPU which IMO have the best instruction
set for game writing that I've EVER seen (this includes the ARM60,
the RS4000, and the SH-1)... I never thought I'd become a hardcore
assembly programmer, but the RISCs are just too cool... Oh yeah, if
you're a fanatic 3DO/32X devotee don't bother trying to start a processor
war with me, I won't respond, this is my opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
I wish we could do this thing full time... We'd have made Christmas
if we could have... Alas, I think 2Q 1995 is when you'll see it, allowing
time for production and playtesting by Atari... We ought to have a
rockin' WCES beta though... Hopefully you guys will make it possible for
us to go full time :-) with our second game... I apologize for taking so
long with this game, but it's been a really non-linear ride if you know
what I mean...
Other things that have happened in my life:
1) The morons who live above me clogged their toilet and flooded
my apartment. My apartment would not have flooded had they either
figured out how to turn off the water supply to the toilet or
used something better than porno magazines to wipe up the spill.
It has been suggested that we should put a giant space toilet
somewhere in our game in honor of this...
2) Some idiots broke into my car, destroyed the lock, but then
stole nothing from it.
3) The day job got very busy for a while but now that I'm writing
papers, it's not so bad.
4) The book I co-edited is finally out. It's day job stuff guys, but
a book's a book!
5) AvP hooked me like only Doom, Dungeon Master, Rescue at Fractalus,
Ultima II, and Sundog have in the past. I'm glad I finished it...
Although I find myself playing it more gradually now for 20 minutes or so
a day to sightsee. Since I pretty much memorized the maps while playing
the marine, it's not that hard to achieve set goals fairly quickly. I
love boogieing with the smart gun and the motion tracker...
Scott
I promise you networking... I promise you modem play... These are set
in stone. What I don't promise is 1) the release date and 2) the maximum
number of players on the network as this is uncharted territory as far
as jag games go so far...
> 3) Is Star Sphere going to be able to use the voice modem and will you
> be able to use a vm with the jag-com(2 people on the phone and
> 3 other people hooked up to them)?
See above, we've had modem support in there for some time now. However,
without a hardware upgrade, modem-based networking isn't possible as they
use the same I/O lines... It's an either/or kind of thing as far as
I can tell...
-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/
* *
J The STReport "Name the Jaguar Games" Contest J
A Win a Jaguar tee-shirt _and_ A
G An Official In-Store Atari Jaguar Banner!!! G
* *
J ____ ____ ___ ____ ___ __ / J
A / / / / ` / / / / / / / ` / A
G / /---/ / __ /___/ / / / /__ / / G
* \ / / / / / / \\\ / / / / / / *
J \/ / / /___/ / \\\ /___/ /___ /___ \__/ * J
A \\\ A
G \\\ G
* *
-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/
As an avid Jaguar fan, we're sure that you've been keeping a careful eye
on the growing list of Jaguar games coming out. You _have_ been keeping
track, right? Well, we want to find out just how attentive you've been;
and we're willing to reward you for your concentration!
What do you have to do? That's easy, or is it...? We want you to name
the first 20 games available for the Jaguar - IN ORDER OF RELEASE - and
be the first one to do so!
That's right, just send us a card or letter with the first 20 games out
for the Jaguar! Games include cartridges and CD-games. Oh, there aren't
20 games out yet? Well, there has to be some challenge to a contest!
You'll also need to send us your name and address, of course.
1st Prize will be an official Atari Jaguar tee-shirt AND an official
in-store promotional Jaguar banner!
2nd prize will be a Jaguar tee-shirt (identical to the one above).
3rd prize will be a "JAG RULES!" rubber stamp which is normally available
exclusively from Artisan Software!
Entries will be judged, and prizes will be awarded by the Atari/Jaguar
editor of STReport, Dana Jacobson. Release dates are determined as
_actual_ first-time availability of games, including Atari-published
and 3rd-party games. The Jaguar pack-in game, Cybermorph, counts
(hint: it should be #1!!)
All entries must be received by December 20, 1994. The winners
will be announced in STReport online magazine, in the issue scheduled
to be released on Friday, December 23, 1994.
To be eligible, please submit your entry which clearly lists your choices
of the first 20 games (numbering them helps!) Also include your name and
address. Winners will be determined by a random drawing until the first
three winning entries are found. Contest is valid in the United States and
Canada only. Employees of Atari Corporation and staff members of
STReport or Amiga Report are not eligible to win. This contest is void
where prohibited by law.
Send your entry, your name and address to:
Jaguar First 20 Games Contest
STReport Online Magazine
1121 Saratoga Street
East Boston, MA 02128-1225
USA
Again, 1st prize includes a Jaguar tee-shirt and a Jaguar banner! The
tee-shirt is 100% cotton. It's a black crew-neck shirt with the Atari
Jaguar name on the chest. On the back is the famous Jaguar logo. The
banner is the same as you've seen at your favorite Jaguar dealer. What?
You haven't seen one? Well, it measures 4 feet wide and 2 feet tall!
The Jaguar logo consists of those piercing yellow Jaguar eyes above the
dark red Jaguar, claw marks and all! These banners are collector's
items which are almost impossible to get anywhere! Rumor has it that
this one may have been discovered in a rare cache somewhere in the
bowels of Sunnyvale. And it can be all yours! Show it off proudly on
the wall of your room or fly it out your window! All of your friends
will want one, but only you will have one. It's awesome! JAG RULES!
The 2nd prize consists of the Jaguar tee-shirt, as described above.
The 3rd prize is the official "JAG RULES!" rubber stamp! Use a bright
red ink pad (not included) for a vivid 2.25" by 1.5" image of JAG RULES in
the impact of the Jaguar logo type style. Use it as an economical way to
advertise your enthusiasm of the Atari Jaguar. Stamp your letters and your
envelopes. Stamp your arm as a tattoo. Stamp your money. Stamp school
notebooks and post-its. Writing a letter to your favorite software
company?
Stamp it! Sending a birthday card to your best friend? Stamp it!
Dropping a postcard to your brother at school? Stamp it! Let everyone
know you're a Jaguar gamer. After all, in the empire of high technology
entertainment systems, JAG RULES!
For an example of the JAG RULES logo, call the CATscan BBS. Dial
209/239-1552. Download file: JAGRULES.ZIP. File is ZIP'd and requires
PKUNZIP to decompress. Or, call your favorite online service to find it!
Need a tip to help you start thinking of these games? Drop us a line in
E-Mail to either DPJ on Delphi, 71051,3327 on Compuserve, D.JACOBSON2 on
GEnie, or Internet mail at dpj@delphi.com. Or, call us at Toad Hall BBS
at (617)567-8642 and leave a private message to Dana Jacobson.
Are you still here? Start your list of games now!! You may even get some
useful tips elsewhere in this and past/future issues of STReport!
Credits: STReport and its staff would like to thank Atari Corporation
for its generous donation of the banner and tee-shirts.
****
Tradenames herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their owning
companies.
Permission hereby granted to re-post this contest text, in its entirety,
anywhere that you feel it would be appropriate - your favorite BBS,
user group newsletter, magazine, etc. Please spread the word!
_________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho good neighbors and neighborettes. Boy, what a week. Lots of
work, little sleep, and nowhere near enough time to spend online. I mean,
heck, there are literally megabytes of information that would interest me
generated every day here on CompuServe and it pains me to know that I'll
probably never get to see most of it. I guess that's just the down-side
of the information age. Well, let's check on the information that I DID
get to check out...
From The Atari Computing Forums
===============================
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine posts:
"There is a problem with AW v1.207 which has a problem if not enough
memory is available for printing. It results in a black page being
printed rather than your document."
Steven Russell tells Albert:
"I haven't had that problem yet, but I do have a problem with loading
graphics into AW and having them show on the page as black square with
an X through the middle. I am having a hard time trying to decide which
questions to ask, because I don't have my manual handy and Iknow that
if I ask the question I will relize that the answer could probably be
found in the manual. I just moved from Alaska to Virginia, courtesy of
Uncle Sam, and my household goods are still in storage from the
transit.
I thought that I had seen a message concerning the bug and that there
was a new version out that fixes it. Am I wrong in guessing this?
Anyway, Love Atari Works and the company that supports it as well,
well almost supports it."
One of my online friends, Myles Cohen tells Albert about some of his
(least) favorite things:
"...There are certain bits of esoterica...things that I am too
terrified to even begin to try...
These include...the
Internet...MINT...C...Pascal...STOS...Unix...Gulam... and the many COMM
programs I've got but don't use...and especially anything that has a
CLI...partly because of the vast amounts of documentation
involved...partly because I don't have time to invest...partly because
of the gaps in my knowledge...partly because of new versions of the
stuff that keeps coming out...but mostly because I have a short
attention span...and I dislike steep learning curves..."
Don't let Myles fool you folks. He's one of the sharpest people around.
He's also one of the more helpful travellers on this particular stretch
of the Electronic Highway. The fact that he freely admits that he
doesn't know everything shows what a good guy he is. Albert Dayes tells
him:
"That is the way we lea0rn... by asking questions. At one time I used
to be a Basic fan even though no one would ever believe it. Then a
pascal fan and then I found my true calling in C. <grin>
Gulam is not too bad to learn. It even has some siple online help to
get you started with the commands."
Myles asks Albert:
"What is Gulam...what will it do for me that I cannot now do...why
would I even attempt to learn it..."
Albert tells Myles:
"Gulam is a CLI (Command Line Interface) that works similar to a UNIX
shell. If you want to learn how Unix shells operate or environmental
variables it is a good program for that. If you don't like CLIs you
might wish to avoid the program."
On the subject of Myles being terrified of 'the
Internet...MINT...C...Pascal...STOS...Unix...Gulam... and the many COMM
programs I've got but don't use...and especially anything that has a CLI'
Jon Sanford tells him:
"One can compute very happily without getting into any of that stuff.
Unless one is intrested in ancient history, there is not much one can't
do with a GUI. I seriously believe that the Next generation of Object
Orented Programming environments will be easier for people who don't
know how to do it the old way."
Albert Dayes jumps in and asks Jon in jest:
"How does internet account fit into this? I thought it was part of
the great 'information highway'. <grin>"
On the subject of a word processor, Michael Squire tells D.L. Andrews:
"You might also check out Codehead Software's "Calligrapher" and Marcel
Software's "Marcel Word Processor". Both of these programs can import
and export files in Rich Text Format (RTF) which will workvery nicely
with Microsoft Word for Windows.
'Calligrapher' is a commercial product; go see Codehead Software over
in the ATARIVEN forum for more information. "Marcel WP" is shareware
and may be available from this forum's library. Use CI$'s Atari File
Finder to earch for it and look for something like a filename of
MRCEL234.ZIP or keywords like MARCEL, WORD, PROCESSOR to search for its
location."
Myles Cohen offers help:
"Use CI$'s Atari File Finder to search for it and look for something
like a filename of MRCEL234.ZIP or keywords like MARCEL, WORD,
PROCESSOR to search for its location. >>
The only MARCEL that we have on CIS is called MARCEL.LZH...which is
version 2.20...long outdated...
If you have a copy of MARCEL 2.34...I sure would appreciate it if you
would upload it here..."
Doug Finch, one of the Coordinators of the Connecticut AtariFest, adds:
"Another WP program capable of exporting to MS Word or Wordperfect
format is Epigraf's "Le Redacteur," a very nice writing/editing package
in its third version, I think. Last time I saw it was available from
Toad Computers. Has some very nice features."
Bob Ledbetter tells us:
"I'm going to be adding a hard drive to my system. Currently I'm
running a Mega STe w/TOS 2.05, 50 Meg internal hd and using Atari's
hard drive, driver. I'm getting a Toadfile 105 from friend. It has
been his only hd and consequently he has a C:\ partition on it that
he's been booting from. My question is this: If I change the SCSI ID
number with the thumb wheel from 0 to 1, plug it into my Mega STe, and
power them up at the same time, will my system "see" the new drive as
an additional set of partitions in the "chain", or will my system try
and boot from the C:\ drive on the additional hd?"
Albert Dayes tells Bob:
"From what I recall it is would be an additional set of partitions in
the 'chain'."
Robert Aries asks:
"Does the original Flash (I have v1.52) work at 14.4 kbaud? It seems
to choke if more than about 3K of data comes in without a pause (the
program doesn't bomb, it just locks up and I have to press ^C). This
includes reading thread messages OR downloading files. Regular X-modem
file transfers do work, but CIS B/B+ doesn't (I'm presuming because the
data iscoming in continuously without a break, unlike X-modem).
Just to let you know, I *am* using the "serial port fix" auto program,
along with the CPX to lock RTS/CTS on. This hasn't helped. BTW I
checked and my cable does support hardware handshaking.
Could the fact that Flash doesn't have an option for 14.4 mean
anything? I set it to 19200, assuming that my modem will then
"negotiate" to the lower speed. Is that the right way to use my modem
at its maximum speed?
Here's the rub: I downloaded the Flash II demo, and it does indeed
fix the locking up problem. But, text seems to print to the screen
much slower than with the original Flash! If I enter a list of threads
to read, the i/o light on my modem might blink for about 1/3 second,
but it takes Flash II's screen *much longer* than that to "catch up".
On the original Flash, the screen writes are almost instantaneous at
14.4 (up until the limit of around 3K's worth of data, of course, after
which it locks up). To me, this kind of defeats the purpose of using
the higher baud rate with Flash II. So, while Flash II fixes the main
problem I'm having, it introduces another!"
The big Kahuna himself, Head Sysop Ron Luks tells Robert:
"I use FLASH v1.6 on CIS at 14.4. As you noted, the input buffer
quickly overflows, but I just dropped chars. I didnt lock up. The CIS
B-protocol file transfers seem to work okay at the higher baudrate for
me. I havent tried them for excessively big files, but it worked for
my tests. I'm using the serial fix, too, but it doesn't correct the
input problems so for message reading, I went back to 9600 on my Atari
system.
If I was using my Atari system as my main telecomm system, I'd probably
change to Flash II to accommodate the higher speeds."
Peter Joseph tells Robert:
"You should be able to find a patch here in the libraries that will
upgrade 1.52 to 1.60. I don't know if that will help you with your
trouble, but it adds a few things that 1.52 doesn't have. Also, I seem
to remember having trouble with the RTS/CTS locked in the CPX with a
faster modem; can't remember exactly. You might want to try unlocking
that.
Robert asks Ron:
"So you log in seperately at 9600 to read messages and then back on at
14.4 to do file transfers?
Since 1.6 seems to work for file transfers at 14.4 I'll just look for
that patch that Peter Joseph mentioned, then try it your way (or look
into QuickCIS). Thanks for the info."
Sysop Jim Ness, author of QuickCIS, tells Robert:
"Flash 2 "falls back" to accepted GEM standards for screen display, so
that it can adapt itself to whatever monitor you own. As a result, it
does scroll slowly. Flash 1 didn't have to worry about such things.
That was the reason I had QuickCIS not diplay the scrolling text at
high bps rates. The ST just could not keep up."
Robert replies:
"Thanks for the reply, Jim. The way I do things it sounds like the
slower scroll rate of Flash II won't work for me, although the other
features are nice. Actually I should get into QuickCIS, I don't know
why I haven't. I take it there are no problems with messages *or* file
transfers at 14.4K?"
Jerry Bradshaw posts:
"I need some help/advice. This may sound like a "dumb" question to a
lot of people but when you don't know the answer then you just have to
be dumb and ask it anyway!
I have an ST1040 which I bought shortly after their introduction
several years ago. I bought this computer for only one purpose and
that was to run music software, such as sequencers, etc. It has served
me well and still does. Last summer, so that I could run Notator
Logic from Emagic I upgraded the RAM to 4 mb. No problems. However,
when I received the latest upgrade from Emagic to Logic 2.0 I noticed
in their system requirements that I needed to have at east TOS 1.02 on
my system Well, I only have the original TOS which came with the ST
when I bought it and it is on a floppy disk. It gives me no version
number when I boot it so I assume it is 1.0. I understand, after
talking with a dealer this afternoon that probably the only way I could
upgrade the TOS is to purchase ROM with the TOS burned in and plug it
in myself. I'm not afraid to do this but I need to find out how and
where I can obtain these ROMs. Can someone please help or point me in
the proper direction if this is not the way to go. I would certainly
appreciate any help. I am in an area of the country which has to Atari
dealers close by so I will have to deal by telephone or via mail."
Albert Dayes tells Jerry:
"You should be able to get a new set of TOS roms from your dealer. I
would recommend at TOS 1.4 since it is much better than TOS 1.2."
Robert Aries tells Jerry:
"I have an old 520st I needed to upgrade the operating sytem. Wound
up buying the Codehead TEC board, which is a circuit card that you
install. It includes the ROMS for TOS 2.06, the latest for the ST
series.
On some machines you COULD just pop out the old ROMS and install new
ones. I supposed it depends on which machine you had and what you were
upgrading from & to. AFAIK, this simpler methodcouldn't be done on my
520 and may not be possible on your 1040.
Go to the ATARIVEN forum and look in the Codehead section. Ask there,
they'll tell you the full scoop. You may as well go to TOS 2.06, it
adds a lot of new features that are very nice. Be warned...you have to
solder about 40 wires from a ribbon cable directly to the
microprocessor. I'm no tech genius but I did it and it came out fine.
The TC board is about $130 if I remember correctly. The 2.06 ROMS by
themselves are around $60."
Robert tells Jerry:
"Whoaaa...I just re-read your message. You load TOS from a disk?? I
didn't catch that before! Atari changed to rom-based TOS shortly after
the ST's introduction. This may complicate matters a bit, although I
suppose if the empty sockets are there it should work OK. If you go to
the Codehead section to check out the TEC Board, be sure to tell them
you have TOS on disk."
Well folks, I'm afraid that I've run out of steam already. It's been a
long week, and I'm pooped. C'mon back next week, same time, same station,
and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote"
"""""""""""""""""
Reviewing is no easy matter. To begin with, you must be sure that
writing is your vocation, next you must be convinced that
reviewing is not writing, hence the conclusion that your vocation
is not reviewing. Once you feel that way, you can begin...
...unknown Reviewer
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings *
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ---------------
ABCO Incorporated
=================
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
Est. 1985
1-904-783-3319
1994 Fall SPECIALS NOW IN EFFECT!
EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!!
---------------------
ABCO manufactures custom storage devices!
TEN PERCENT OFF (10%) with this ad (clip)
INTEL 32 BIT 486/66, VLB w/Math CoProcessor
8MB ram upgradable to 64MB 1MB SVGA VESA VIDEO CARD
Sound Blaster Compatible Stereo Sound Card
DOS 6.2 - Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Included
256K CACHE - 1.44 FLOPPY Drive, Mouse & 101 deluxe Keyboard
340MB IDE hd - 2 SERIAL, 1 PARALLEL, 1 GAME PORTS
250W POWER SUPPLY TOWER SYSTEM - 14" SVGA 1024x768, NI 28dpi Monitor
66Mhz, S&H Incl 1295.00 - 595.00 with order, Checks OK, balance COD
Other higher powered packages available or, design your own!
100Mhz - Pentium Call for value added pricing!
Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail
=====******=====
Syquest Removable 200mb 449.95 SCSI Drives(Priced Right!)
All Size Platters Available 200mb (84.95)
One Platter included with each Drive free!
Bernoulli! Call for Prices!
Diamond Computer High Speed Video Cards w/1-2mb VRAM
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Diamond High Performance Sonic Sound Cards Available
Soundblaster Cards and compatibles 8 & 16 bit
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Media Vision Line - True Multi-Media
IDE Super IO cards & 16550 UART 2 & 4 Port Cards
SCSI ADAPTER CARDS & SCANNERS COLOR & MonoChrome
Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
COMPUTER STUDIO
===============
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Information
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
EAST HARTFORD COMPUTER
======================
202 Roberts St.
East Hartford CT. 06108
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FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
MEGABYTE COMPUTERS
==================
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Hurst, TX 76053
1-817-589-2950
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SAN JOSE COMPUTER
=================
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San Jose, CA. 95112
1-408-995-5080
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CompuSeller West
================
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St. Charles, IL., 60174
Ph. (708) 513-5220
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(DEALERS; to be listed here FREE OF CHARGE, drop us a line in Email.)
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STReport International Online Magazine
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AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON OVER 70,000 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" October 28, 1994
Since 1987 copyright (c) 1994 All Rights Reserved No.1044
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of
The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and
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""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
