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Silicon Times Report Issue 1114
SILICON TIMES REPORT
====================
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
=============================
from
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
A subsidiary of
STR Worldwide CompNews Inc.
April 07, 1995 No. 1114
======================================================================
Silicon Times Report
International OnLine Magazine
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R.F. Mariano, Editor
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> 04/07/95 STR 1114 "The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine!"
"""""""""""""""""
- STR INDUSTRY REPORT - Lion King Review - Norton & Win'95
- EditMaster 2.5 - SATAN ..ONLINE!! - CREATIVE GOODIES
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- Activision Online - People Talking - Jaguar News
-* PUBLISHERS WIN RENTAL LAW TEST *-
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-* CANON DENIES APPLE RUMOR *-
==========================================================================
STReport International OnLine Magazine
The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine
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LottoMan V1.3 Results: 04/01/95: six 2# matches
----------------------
> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Editors usually have a great deal to say...I'm no exception. I have
one major request to make... The level of mutual respect has dropped
alarmingly on the major OnLine services, private BBS's and Internet. What
is going on?? There was a time when one could drop in on the services,
read the messages in most any area and feel comfortable if the wife or
kiddies were sitting next to you. Not these days!! You never know what
you are going to come across. SysOps.. Take heed... if you don't police
yourselves and your users.. You'll soon find that you'll have it done for
you in the form of some sort of stern rule making or legislation. The
pendulum of public attitudes is beginning to swing the "other" way. Away
from all this "liberated free speaking, free loving", etc.. As such, we
had better take it upon ourselves to "clean up our acts" lest it be done
for us.
While its a favorite whipping boy, the television (boob tube) is
certainly behind much of the "liberalized speech" we are finding popping
up in the weirdest of places. Prime Time TV seems to be one or more of
three "things" these days.. Glorification of (a) lousy language, (b)
putrid programming and (c) sleaze, lowlife characters. The first one is
doing the most damage. The little ones are picking up this type of
language and getting slammed for using it both at home and in school. I
hope the TV writers are proud of themselves. What sleaze bags they must
be if they need to write in this sort of rotting garbage to create a
saleable interest in their efforts. The second two can be controlled very
easily. You, like myself, have a vote in the life of every show they hit
us with. If you don't care for the programming content, the characters
and/or the language. Don't BUY the sponsors products!! Also, to add
impact to your sponsor boycott, drop a card or two to the sponsor telling
them of your decision. Things will change quickly.
OnLine, its easy to see the negative influence, just go to the areas
where one is likely to find large amounts of lively message posting by
mostly youngsters and young adults. Guaranteed you'll soon find the slop
language flowing as if its straight from Yale or Oxford. Its a disgrace!
Let's clean it up... please??
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
Patrick Hudlow Tom Sherwin
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
such". All we ask is that our readers make certain the manufacturers,
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
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> 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 #14
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
******* General Computer News *******
>> Chip Sales Up 28.6 Percent <<
Worldwide microprocessor sales were up 28.6% last year over 1993, topping
$10.7 billion.
Officials with the Semiconductor Industry Association trade group are also
quoted as saying:
-:- Sales of 16- and 32-bit microprocessors have doubled since 1992.
-:- 1993 sales of $8.3 billion represented a 59.1% increase over the
1992 sales figure of $5.2 billion.
-:- Sales of non-embedded microprocessors used in PCs and
workstations reached 58.7 million units in 1994, a 16.6% hike
over the 1993 sales level of 50.4 million units.
-:- Figures for sales of embedded microprocessors, such as those used
in laser printers, totaled 54.5 million units last year, a 3.4%
increase over the 52.7 million sold in 1993.
>> Canon Denies Apple Rumor <<
Japan's Canon Inc. is denying a rumor that it intends to buy Apple
Computer Inc. An Apple spokesman said that the company had no comment to
make on the rumor, noting, "This is just the latest of a long line of
rumors."
The report comes just two days after Apple announced a sweeping
corporate restructuring. The computer maker aims to expand its presence in
high-growth customer segments, including home, education and business
markets
>> HP Unveils Graphical Calculator <<
Hewlett-Packard Co. has announced the HP 38G, a graphical calculator
for high school math teachers and students.
The unit incorporates a concept the Palo Alto, California-based company
calls "ApLets." HP notes that the feature, an abbreviation for "small
applications," provides a simple, intuitive way for students to use the
calculator to explore and solve math problems.
The ApLets dynamically represent a mathematical problem, the
problem-solving process and the solution, says HP. ApLets for the HP 38G
will be available free of charge to teachers through online services, the
Internet and the HP calculator bulletin board, as well as by mail from HP
and at educational conferences.
"By incorporating ApLets into the HP 38G, we have created an easy to
use and affordable graphic calculator that introduces a whole new level of
teaching mathematics in the classroom," says Kheng-Joo Khaw, general
manager of HP's Asia Pacific PC Division.
The HP 38G will cost $79.95. Product documentation will be available
in several languages. The unit is scheduled for a May release.
>> Ergo Debuts Big Screen Notebook <<
Ergo Computing Inc. has added a wide-screen model to its NoteBrick
notebook computer family.
The new Ergo BigScreen NoteBrick features an 11.3- inch, high
resolution, 256- color display that the company says is comparable in
image size to the usable screen area on a 14-inch desktop monitor. The PC
also offers a 100MHz 486DX4 CPU and up to 1GB of storage capacity. Ergo
notes that the system weighs 6.5 pounds, is thinner than a ream of paper
and has a footprint that's only slightly larger than a sheet of paper.
The Ergo BigScreen NoteBrick is available in configurations starting at
$3,095.
>> Tektronix Cuts Printer Prices <<
Tektronix Inc. has announced price reductions of 18 to 30% on three
of its color printers.
Prices of the company's Phaser 220i and Phaser 220e models have been
reduced from $5,995 and $3,995 to $4,195 and $3,695, respectively. The
Phaser 140, which sold for $1,695, now costs $1,395.
Tektronix says the Phaser 220i and the Phaser 220e are designed for
workgroup environments and are capable of printing at speeds of up to
two pages per minute. The Phaser 220i and the 220e can print on most
common laser papers.
Tektronix describes the Phaser 140 as an economical color printer for
people who are beginning to use color, or for professional users who
want a printer featuring more memory, faster processing and brighter
colors than other ink- jet printers on the market.
All three printers come standard with Adobe PostScript Level 2
software.
>> Doonesbury Software Readied <<
Software publisher Mindscape Inc. is teaming up with political and
social cartoonist Garry Trudeau to develop a line of software products
based on Trudeau's Doonesbury characters.
Doonesbury Toonscapes, as the line will be called, will include three
titles: Doonesbury Screen Saver; Flashbacks: 25 Years of Doonesbury; and
FrontRunner '96: the Doonesbury Election Game. The Doonesbury Screen
Saver will debut this spring, with the other titles set to follow later
in the year.
"Microsoft was my first choice, but then I heard about Mindscape,
which had a cooler name, and the people seemed smarter. So I went with
them." Trudeau says he will donate all creator royalties to charitable
causes.
Bob Lloyd, Mindscape's CEO, adds, "We are excited about bringing
Garry Trudeau's perspective on current events, which has been an
important part of American culture for a quarter of a century, to
generations of computer users."
>> SATAN Worries Security Pros <<
A new program called SATAN, available on the Internet, has computer
security people wary because it is designed to find chinks in the armor
of online systems. The program already has cost one of its designers his
job.
SATAN -- which stands for "Security Administrators Tool for Analyzing
Networks" -- could enable managers to plug cracks in security, keeping
unauthorized people from breaking into off-limits areas to steal or
scramble valuable data, but it also could help malicious hackers,
showing them weak spots in defenses where they could concentrate an
attack.
The program was made available for downloading this week on several
Internet-connected computers around the world, despite fears that
vandals will use it to execute break-ins.
SATAN co-designer Dan Farmer said, "As far as abuse goes, I think it
will actually decrease because people can make better decisions about
improving their security."
There have been similar programs, and that serious vandals already
are familiar with ways of breaking into systems, but "experts say SATAN
is significant because it is easy enough for novices to use."
"It's like any other powerful tool: It can be used for great good and
great harm," said Donn Parker, a computer security consultant with SRI
International, a consulting company in Menlo Park, Calif.
Farmer, who lives in San Francisco, developed SATAN with Wietse
Venema, a security expert at the University of Eindhoven in the
Netherlands. They had planned to release the program on April 1, but
because that was Saturday, they delayed the release to today, Farmer's
33rd birthday.
Parker said he believed Farmer should have sold SATAN only to experts
guarding computer systems, and he disputed the argument that SATAN will
help protect against electronic intrusion.
Meanwhile, security experts at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
already have developed a program to alert operators to SATAN attacks.
Dubbed Courtney, the software sounds an alarm and identifies the
computer where the intrusion originated. It also is available free on
the Internet.
Reports about SATAN led to a disagreement between Farmer, a computer
security expert, and his employer, Silicon Graphics Inc. in Mountain
View. Farmer quit last month over what a company vice president, Bill
Kelly, described as a difference in philosophies.
>> CPU Sales Top $10 Billion <<
The worldwide sales of 16- and 32-bit microprocessors has doubled in
just two years, reaching almost $11 billion, reports the Semiconductor
Industry Association.
>> Fujitsu to Increase PC Output <<
Tokyo's Fujitsu Ltd. plans to almost double its output of personal
computers to a million units a year by reorganizing the operations of
its affiliated manufacturers.
>> Apple Reorganization Reported <<
Reports indicate that the chief of Apple Computer Inc.'s largest
division is leaving amid a restructuring that's aimed at ending the
split between the company's hardware and software operations
According to stories in the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose
Mercury News, Apple's four product divisions will be combined into
separate research and development and marketing divisions. Manufacturing
will remain a separate unit, the reports said.
The stories also claim that Ian Diery, Apple's executive vice
president of worldwide sales and chief of the computer maker's PC
hardware division, has resigned. Diery is reportedly taking the blame
for slowness in getting the PowerPC microprocessor, which Apple co-
developed with IBM and Motorola, into all of its computer models.
Apple is declining comments on the reports.
>> Publishers Win Rental Law Test <<
Software publishers have won the first case to test the Computer
Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990.
The Software Publishers Association reports that a federal court
ruled in favor of its members in a civil copyright infringement suit
against Global Software & Accessories Inc. for the unauthorized rental
of computer software.
The SPA notes that Global, which operates three stores on Long
Island, New York, offered software on a "Deferred Billing Plan." The
plan allowed customers to take software home for up to five days for a
"non- refundable deposit." If the customer kept the software for more
than five days, the customer was charged the difference between the
deposit and the purchase price.
Global Software argued that the practice did not constitute a rental.
In practice, however, the software was returned by the customer 99% of
the time, and U.S. District Judge Leonard Wexler rejected the
defendant's argument.
Wexler ruled that the plan constituted copyright infringement that
the plaintiff software publishers were entitled to a permanent
injunction. He also ruled that the plaintiffs, which included Central
Point Software Inc. and other SPA members, were entitled to an award of
costs and attorneys' fees, which will be set by the court at a later
date.
>> Apple Offers New Macs for School <<
Its most powerful line of Power Macintosh computers, tailored for
U.S. schools, is being introduced by Apple Computer Inc. this week, part
of the company's strategy to roll out systems built around the speedy
PowerPC microprocessor to every market.
Reports say the new Power Mac LC series, available immediately to
educators and to schools for grades kindergarten through 12th grade,
start at $1,699. They join the Power Mac that was introduced a year ago.
Apple Product Manager Carlos Montalvo said Apple plans to make
changes in the models and eventually deliver them to the consumer
market, adding, "We'll be gearing up for new production cycles in
June/July."
The new Power Macs are built around the new PowerPC 603 chip and are
priced well below current Power Macs sold through retailers.
Apple, which typically offers schools discounted rates, already
commands about 60% of the schools market, making it the leading player,
Reuters says.
>> HP's Home PCs to Roll Mid-month <<
Stores should begin receiving Hewlett-Packard Co.'s new line of home
PCs by the middle of this month.
The computer giant today is introducing three HP multimedia PCs
priced from $1,699 to $2,299.
The systems, based on Intel Corp.'s 60-, 75- and 90- megahertz
Pentium chip, are being aggressively priced to further HP's strategy to
compete with IBM Corp. Compaq Computer Corp. and Apple Computer Inc.,
according to the Reuter News Service.
>> Compaq Offers New Pentium Units <<
Compaq Computer Corp. has launched 12 new Presario PCs, including its
first consumer models to be based on Pentium-class microprocessors.
Compaq says three new models of the Presario 500 Series -- CDS 524,
CDS 526 and CDTV 528 -- range in price from $1,849 to $1,999 and include
an integrated monitor, built in stereo speakers, speakerphone and
television capability. These models are based on 486-DX2
microprocessors.
The Presario 900 Series are mostly based on Pentium-class micro-
processors and range in price from $1,799 to $2,999, without the
Presario multimedia monitor.
>> Toshiba Cuts Prices Up to 15% <<
Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.'s Computer Systems Division
is reducing prices up to 15% on its high-end T4800CT and T4850CT
notebook computers featuring a 75MHz Intel Corp. DX4 processor.
Toshiba says that also estimated street pricing on the Satellite Pro
T2400CT and T2450CT Series were reduced 7 to 11% and the Satellite
T1960CT models were reduced 15 to 16%.
____________________________________________________
> NORTON UTILS WIN'95 STR FOCUS! FOR THE WINDOWS 95 PREVIEW PROGRAM
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SYMANTEC ANNOUNCES....
THE NORTON UTILITIES PREVIEW
FOR
THE WINDOWS 95 PREVIEW PROGRAM
- The only automated system and data protection solution designed to
prepare for and self-tune the Windows 95 Preview Program.
KEY BENEFITS OVERVIEW
---------------------
* The only 32-bit integrated utility product that provides continuous
system protection for the Windows 95 Preview Program
* Pre-Installation Tune-Up to guarantee successful installation and
operation of the Windows 95 Preview Program.
* New System Doctor continuously monitors vital system resources and data
integrity, self-tuning the system with automatic launch of the appropriate
utility.
* New Space Wizard frees up disk space for the new operating system and
applications.
* 32-bit Norton Disk Doctor operates in conjunction with Speed Disk and
Norton System Doctor to provide continuous and automatic system and data
integrity and supports compressed drives.**
* 32-bit Speed Disk optimizes system performance using safer and faster
methods that also reduce future file fragmentation.
* New in System Information -- SI-32, a new standard setting 32-bit
system performance benchmark.
* UnErase Wizard provides the highest level of protection against
accidentally erased files.
* A set of DOS extended tools help protect the user in the most difficult
situations
* Windows 95 logo software (applied for)
** To ensure safe and reliable operationof NU/Win 95 Preview on the
Windows 95 Preview Program, compression support in both Speed Disk and
Disk Doctor has been disabled.
CUPERTINO, Calif. -- April 3, 1995 -- Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC)
today announced the Norton Utilities Preview Edition (NU/Win 95) for the
Preview version of Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system, the only
32-bit utility that provides automated and continuous system protection
for the Windows 95 Preview Program. As a vital software partner,
NU/Win 95 is specifically designed to leverage Windows 95 Preview Program
architecture and deliver a true 32-bit utilities solution. With NU/Win
95, PC professionals and enthusiasts can prepare systems prior to Windows
95 Preview Program installation and ensure system reliability
and data security in the new operating environment. NU\Win 95 is the only
automated and most advanced set of data and system preparation, protection
and recovery tools for the Windows 95 Preview Program.
"Not only does the Norton Utilities Preview prepare your system for the
installation of Windows 95, it also provides automatic protection and
integrated background monitoring following installation," said Karen
Black, general manager of the advanced utilities unit of Symantec's Peter
Norton Group.
"The Norton Utilities Preview is an excellent companion product for the
Windows 95 Preview Program," said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president
of the personal systems division at Microsoft Corporation. "Norton
Utilities is tightly integrated with and takes advantage of many of the
new ease-of-use features in Windows 95."
FOUR LEVELS OF PROTECTION
-------------------------
As the only utility solution available for the Windows 95 Preview Program
that provides proactive, automatic protection, NU/Win 95 offers four
levels of protection. At level one, the NU/Win 95 pre-installation
tune-up frees up disk space and readies a system for the Windows 95
Preview Program installation. After installation, level two protection in
the new System Doctor (SysDoc) continually monitors and analyzes vital
system resources and data integrity, offering proactive responses to
problem conditions. Level three protection provides a comprehensive set
of tools including, Space Wizard, Disk Doctor, Speed Disk and System
Information for performing analysis and repair in the Windows 95 Preview
Program environment. An extensive safety net of extended DOS utilities --
Disk Doctor, Norton Diagnostics (Ndiags), UnErase, UnFormat, Disk Edit --
provide level four protection on a bootable emergency disk, even if the
operating system cannot be run.
BEFORE INSTALLING WINDOWS 95 PREVIEW PRODUCT
============================================
Pre-Installation Tune-Up
------------------------
NU/Win 95 is an essential PIT (pre-installation tune-up) stop on the
road to using the Windows 95 Preview Program that lets users "fine-tune"
their systems. NU/Win 95 provides an automated set of extended utilities
that run under previous versions of DOS (3.3 and above): Norton Disk
Doctor for file system analysis and repair; Space Wizard to free up disk
space; Norton Diagnostics (Ndiags) for complete system and hardware
diagnostics; Speed Disk to perform disk optimization; and a bootable
Emergency Disk.
These new and significantly enhanced utilities support long-file
names, take better advantage of extended memory and protected mode, and
support any size hard drive. A special Tune-Up utility guides the user
through the step-by-step tune-up process. These tools also support the
new Windows 95 Preview Program file system in the event of an emergency.
NEW CENTRALIZED MONITORING, PROACTIVE RESPONSE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
==================================================================
Norton System Doctor
--------------------
Norton System Doctor (SysDoc) introduces a new architecture which
allows NU/Win 95 to provide centralized, proactive and automated
functionality. SysDoc is an active monitoring tool which stores
historical system information and alerts the user to potential problems
that could result in system lock-ups, crashes and subsequent system damage
and data loss. It runs continuously in the background and takes full
advantage of the advanced capabilities of the Windows 95 Preview Program.
SysDoc takes the guess work out of knowing which utility to run in which
situation. A periodic system scan allows SysDoc to automatically launch
utilities like Disk Doctor and Speed Disk as appropriate, removing the
burden of decision from the user.
Continually Monitors and Analyzes Vital System Resources and System
Integrity System Doctor can monitor and analyze over 60 parameters,
including CPU usage, disk integrity, disk fragmentation, disk space and
network throughput, as well as Windows 95 Preview Program memory and other
system vitals, making it possible for individual users and MIS managers to
easily customize hardware and software according to a user's computing
habits. Offering a higher level of protection than Windows 95 System
Monitor, SysDoc also monitors the behavior of 16- and 32-bit applications.
Alerts Users to Potential Problems
----------------------------------
System Doctor continually compares system parameters to pre-set,
default thresholds. Users can also reset thresholds to different values
to provide custom alerting capabilities. When SysDoc detects that a
threshold has been exceeded, the user is alerted (audible alarm, if
desired) and can then "head-off" problems before they result in system or
data damage and/or loss. For example, SysDoc will alert users to low
memory conditions before any system lock-up or data loss can occur and
then recommend both temporary and permanent methods for fixing the memory
situation.
Recommends Action
-----------------
When it detects and reports a threshold being reached, SysDoc
recommends the appropriate action for the user to take, including advice
on which other Norton utilities to run. This provides the user with an
easy way to correct reported problems.
Automatically Launches Other Norton Utilities
---------------------------------------------
System Doctor provides true automatic protection as it launches the
appropriate Norton utility, without user intervention, when it detects a
problem condition. For example, SysDoc can launch Disk Doctor if a file
system error is found; Speed Disk if fragmentation is high; or Space
Wizard if free disk space is low; or Rescue when an update is necessary.
Provides Centralized Control and Launching of Other Norton Utilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------
All level three protection utilities can be run from the
user-friendly System Doctor graphical user interface. These include
Norton Disk Doctor and Speed Disk.
Space Wizard
------------
Space Wizard, the new freespace management utility, safely frees up
disk space for installing the new operating system. SpaceWizard looks for
temporary files, files in temporary directories, older versions of
graphics and backup files, leftover install program files, Readme, help
and tutorial files, and makes intelligent recommendations on which files
to delete or move. In addition, Space Wizard shows disk space allocation,
a critical resource for safe operation of the Windows 95 Preview Program,
and quickly determines which files will free up the largest amounts of
space. A 32-bit version of Space Wizard helps users locate space for
other new 32-bit applications after installing the Windows 95 Preview
Program.
AFTER INSTALLING WINDOWS 95 PREVIEW PRODUCT
-------------------------------------------
NU/Win 95 provides a level of data and system protection, recovery,
and optimization that is not possible with the Windows 95 Preview Program
alone. All the new NU/Win 95 utilities are true 32-bit applications,
providing continuous protection without adversely affecting system or user
performance, and are unaffected by other running applications. Additional
16-bit, DOS-based utilities are provided only for emergency situations as
a last line of defense against data loss.
Norton Disk Doctor
------------------
The new 32-bit version of Norton Disk Doctor provides the most
advanced diagnosis and repair of standard and compressed drives (to ensure
safe and reliable operation of NU/Win 95 Preview product on the Windows 95
Preview Program, compression support in both Speed Disk and Disk Doctor
has been disabled). Disk Doctor can run with System Doctor, or it can be
run automatically in the background to provide continuous protection,
scanning and correcting problems in the file system and physical media on
an ongoing basis. With more extensive capabilities than ScanDisk, the
Windows 95 Preview Program disk repair utility, Norton Disk Doctor also
diagnoses and repairs partition table damage, and offers superior handling
of cross link errors and complete diagnosis/repair reporting.
Speed Disk
----------
Speed Disk, launched independently or by System Doctor,
automatically performs disk defragmentation in the background, resulting
in faster file system performance and a greater level of recoverability in
the event of a disaster. Speed Disk supports larger disk drives and
compressed drives and uses several new methods, such as file usage, to
reduce the future level of fragmentation on the drive. Speed Disk
performs defragmentation faster and safer due to its true 32-bit
implementation and ability to communicate with the Norton Disk Doctor when
necessary.
UnErase
-------
With NU/Win 95's UnErase feature, users can recover accidentally
deleted files even if the files are erased in a DOS box or application
program. While UnErase provides automatic and manual methods of
recovering lost files, configuration options let the user protect selected
files and directories, e.g., users can specify protection of document
files or spreadsheets, but not temporary files. UnErase guarantees
one-hundred percent recovery if files are accidentally erased while
SmartCan is running. Because SmartCan dynamically utilizes unused disk
space only when needed, the user does not have to set aside hard disk
space for protecting files. UnErase can also be run in a wizard-like
interface, making it easier to recover accidentally erased files.
Rescue
------
NU/Win 95 allows the user to create a Rescue disk which, in the event
of a system failure, contains all the critical system files needed to
quickly get the user up and running. Rescue makes copies of files that
are not included by standard backup software or the Windows 95 Preview
Program startup disk, such as startup files, Windows 95 Preview Program
Registry, CMOS, hardware drivers and compression drivers, which are unique
to each system. In addition, the user can add other files to be copied
onto the Rescue disk. Rescue also copies a complete set of emergency
recovery utilities on a bootable diskette, placing all recovery needs at a
user's fingertips.
System Information
------------------
System Information (SysInfo) provides a complete inventory of all the
components in the system and benchmarks their performance against standard
equipment. In an easy-to-read chart and graph form, SysInfo gives
detailed information -- data on hardware, peripherals, software running in
the environment and the new Windows 95 Preview Program plug-and-play
capability. A new 32-bit benchmark, Norton SI-32, provides feedback on
system performance -- so users can ensure that their hardware is operating
at full capacity.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
------------------------
The Norton Utilities Preview for the Windows 95 Preview Program is
available for $30 through June 30, 1995 by calling 1-800-453-1190,
extension NU95. Minimum requirements for the Norton Utilities Preview for
Windows 95 are a 386 DX2 with 4MB RAM (8MB recommended).
Symantec Corporation develops, markets and supports a complete line of
application and system software products designed to enhance individual
a n d workgroup productivity as well as manage networked computing
environments. Platforms supported include IBM personal computers and
compatibles, Apple Macintosh computers as well as all major network
operating systems. Founded in 1982, the company has offices in the United
States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Information on the company and its
products can be obtained by calling (800) 441-7234 toll free, or (503)
334-6054.
The Norton Utilities Preview for Windows 95 is designed exclusively to run
only with Microsoft's Windows 95 Preview product. Brand and product
references herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
___________________________________________
> Frankie's Corner STR Feature
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Kids' Computing Corner
--------------------------
DISNEY'S ANIMATED STORYBOOK, THE LION KING
Windows and Macintosh CD-ROMs
for ages 3 to 9
DISNEY SOFTWARE
500 S. Buena Vista
Burbank, CA 91521
IBM Requirements Macintosh Requirements
CPU: 486SX-25 CPU: 68030/16
RAM: 4 megs RAM: 5 megs
Video: 256 color SVGA Video: 256 color, 13"
monitor
Hdisk: 10 megs HDisk: 5 megs
CD-ROM: Double-speed CD-ROM: Double-speed
OS: Win 3.1 OS: System 7.1
Sound: 16-bit sound card Sound: 8-bit
by Frank Sereno
Disney Software tries to hit a home run with this multimedia extravaganza
but the ball falls just a bit short of the fence. The Lion King Animated
Storybook is similar to Broderbund's Living Book series of titles. The
program features an abridged and modified animated story of the Lion King
movie. Children can play noncompetitive games, read pages, learn
vocabulary and search for hotspot animations.
The Lion King features a friendly and intuitive interface complete with
audible help from Timon the Meerkat. He will explain the child's playing
options each time the program starts. The child can choose to PLAY, READ,
PICK-A-PAGE, HELP or EXIT. In the READ mode, the computer reads the story
to the child does not allow him to interact with the story. PICK-A-PAGE
allows the child to choose his favorite part of the story or to go
directly to the three included games. In HELP, Timon will explain all the
functions and options of the program. EXIT allows the child to leave the
program.
PLAY will allow the child to explore each page after it is read to him.
The page will compose 80% of the screen. Each side of the page has a
column of three icons. The top left icon is Zazu, the bird. Clicking on
him will cause the program to read the page again. Below Zazu, but only
on select pages, is an icon featuring Nala and Simba. Clicking on these
lion cubs will start a fun game. The final icon is a left-pointing arrow
to go to the previous page. On the right side, the top icon is Rafiki,
the wise ape. (I'm not certain of the exact species!) Clicking on Rafiki
starts an Action Dictionary. Key words in the text will be highlighted.
Rafiki will define the word by animations and words. Timon is the next
icon. Clicking on him takes the child back to the intro screen. The
final icon is a right-pointing arrow which will lead to the next page of
the story. Within in each page, the child can move the tiger paw cursor.
When the cursor becomes solid black, the child can click the mouse to
start a hotspot animation.
The graphics are filled with vibrant color with much attention to detail.
The animations are smooth and use realistic motion. Lion King uses
digitized voice tracks from the actors in the movie. It uses the music
from the movie but it does not digitize the original recordings. My son
was very disappointed that Simba and his friends did not sing any of the
big musical numbers. The program occupies 220 megs, or only one-third of
the disc. Space was available for portions of the original soundtrack had
the producers desired to use it.
In READ mode, the complete animated storybook is displayed in only fifteen
minutes. In PLAY mode, each page has about ten hotspots which should keep
the child's interest for quite some time. I guesstimate that most
children would use the program about a dozen times before becoming bored
with it.
Educational value is good but it could be improved. While Rafiki's
dictionary is excellent, I feel more words should be defined. When the
program pronounces the text, groups of words are highlighted rather than
individual words. Only words in Rafiki's dictionary can be individually
pronounced. In Living Books, each word can be clicked on to hear its
pronunciation.
The Living Books also offer multilingual software with each program.
Disney offers four multilingual editions but you must purchase each
directly from Disney for an additional $6.95 plus sales tax. The four
languages paired with English are Spanish, French, Italian and German. If
one or more of these languages had been offered on the original disc, the
Lion King would have more value.
The Lion King has a limited ninety-day warranty which only covers
defective media. Satisfaction with the program is not guaranteed.
Technical assistance is available free of charge via telephone, mail, fax,
e-mail and a company-sponsored electronic bulletin board system. The Lion
King is sold at many stores for $30. It has good play and educational
value giving it adequate bang for the buck.
I will say that if your Windows PC does not have a 16-bit sound card, I
would not purchase one solely to run this program. The Lion King refuses
to even install unless a 16-bit sound card is present. Most people are
unable to discern between 16-bit samples and 8-bit ones anyway due to
inexpensive speakers or ambient home noises. The Lion King is a good
product, but it is not worth spending $80 or more for a sound card to use
it on your computer.
One final note, the Lion King includes a mousepad featuring a graphic of
Mufasa and Simba. I wonder if someday people will collect mousepads in
the same way that salt shakers and porcelain figurines have been collected
over the years?
Ratings
Graphics ........... 9.0
Sounds ............. 8.5
Interface .......... 9.0
Play Value ......... 7.5
Educational Value .. 7.5
Bang for the Buck .. 7.5
Average ............ 8.16
Thanks for reading!
_________________________________________________
> Editmaster 2.5 STR InfoFile The "Editor's Editor"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
EDIT MASTER FOR WINDOWS
Version 2.5
(c) 1994 Princeton Computer Consulting
All Rights Reserved.
Edit Master for Windows is a replacement for the Windows notepad. It
features unlimited file sizes, MDI, search & replace, recent file list,
word wrap, drag and drop from file manager, and more. Version 2.2 now
supports drag and drop moving and copying, automatic UNIX conversion and
much more.
You can get the most recent version of Edit Master via ftp at...
ftp.njcc.com (pub/bmurray).
Login as ftp with your address as a password.
You can also get it on the world-wide web at...
http://pluto.njcc.com/~bmurray/Shareware.html.
You may contact me (Brad Murray) by E-Mail at pcci@pluto.njcc.com. I
would like to hear suggestions for updates as well as overall comments.
REGISTRATION
------------
Edit Master for Windows is distributed as "shareware." It is not
free software. You are being given a chance to use this program for a
period of thirty (30) days before buying it. If after this time you
continue to use Edit Master, you are expected to register it.
Registration gives you the right to continue to use this software
as well as news and discounts on future upgrades. You are encouraged
to distribute this software, providing it is distributed in its
entirety and without charge (except for media and handling, if
applicable). I reserve the right to change these restrictions in
future versions.
If you find this product useful and continue to use Edit Master
after thirty days, you are required to register it by making a payment
of $15 (US) to Princeton Computer Consulting. Include an additional
$5 (US) if you would like the most recent version mailed to you. This
fee will license one copy of Edit Master for use on any one computer at
any one time. To register Edit Master, print out the form called
REGISTER.WRI using Windows Write and send with your payment to:
Princeton Computer Consulting
16 Pennington-Hopewell Road
Pennington, NJ 08534-3612
Edit Master can also be registered on Compuserve. Go SWREG and
use Registration ID 3638.
DISCLAIMER
----------
Edit Master is distributed without warranty, either expressed or
implied. No guarantee as to its suitability for a particular task is
given. No responsibility is assumed for any consequential loss or
damages arising from its use.
PACKING LIST
------------
This program is distributed as a ZIP file. Unzip EDITMAST.ZIP to
a temporary directory or floppy disk and run SETUP.EXE. If SETUP.EXE
is not in the zip file, make a directory for Edit Master and put copy
all of the files into that directory. See the IMPORTANT note below
about where to put the DLL and VBX files.
EDITMAST.EXE - The Windows executable
EDITMAST.HLP - The Windows help file
README.TXT - This file
REGISTER.WRI - Registration form in Windows Write format
VBPRINT.DLL - See Below
VBRUN300.DLL - See below
CMDIALOG.VBX - See below
EMEDIT.VBX - See below
THREED.VBX - See below
IMPORTANT
---------
You must have the following files:
VBPRINT.DLL
VBRUN300.DLL
CMDIALOG.VBX
EMEDIT.VBX
THREED.VBX
in your Windows\System directory for Edit Master to work. If these
files were not on the distribution disk that you received, they are
available on Compuserve, America On-Line, or most local bulletin
boards. If you are just evaluating Edit Master, you can just put
these files in the directory where you installed Edit Master.
RELEASE HISTORY:
Version 2.5
-----------
Added left and right trimming functionality
Added support for saving a .BAK file
Added an option to ignore Temp Files from the frequent file list
Expanded the grep utility to take multiple expressions
Added a printing library to eliminate a lot of the printing problems
Added printing margins
ASCII 12 character for printed page breaks
Read-only command-line parameter (either -r or -ro)
Visible modified flag on status bar
Added paste from file
Turned off drag-drop on read-only files and disable save button
Made tool bar buttons enable and disable according to selections
Added more information on the about screen
Added a single bookmark with set and goto functionality
Added a button on the find/replace screen to run character map from
the Windows directory
Version 2.4c
------------
Fixed the setup so that it doesn't say that it failed
Fixed the priting bug so that Print is enabled as long as you have
an installed printer
Version 2.4a
------------
Fixed "Bad DLL Calling Convention" error when printing
Fixed hanging when a word-wrapped window is minimized
Fixed saving of an untitled file when quiting
Added disabling of printing when no printers are installed
Added an option to have word wrap as a default
Slimmed down help file size
Version 2.4
-----------
Fixed text conversion so that the selection is correct afterwards
Fixed error if not cancel is selected on UNIX save
Made sure Read-Only files aren't automatically saved over themselves
Added a new setup program that does not cause random problems
Added a Save All function to the Window menu
Increased maximum open windows to 45
Completely removed introduction screen from registered version
Added multi-select to Frequent File List
Added multiple files under one Frequent File entry for opening groups
at a time
Changed Unix Save to a switch that makes the file save in Unix format
every time it is saved
Added an option to automatically turn on the Unix Save option
whenever a file is in Unix format
Added an exit button to the tool bar
Added simple Grep functionality
Version 2.3
-----------
Fixed Save As bug when running from the command line
Made command line running accept multiple files
Made command line with multiple arguments work when it is already open
Fixed Frequent Files screen so that it displays correctly on large
font systems
Removed lock-up after hitting OK on registration screen with an
invalid registration number
Added run minimized by using a -min command line argument
Version 2.2
-----------
Fixed backspace key so that it deletes the selected text
Removed intro screen on registered version when run with a command
line parameter
Fixed the word wrap so it wraps while you type
Fixed the word wrap so it wraps based on the window size
Fixed overwrite mode so it adds at the end of a line
Added drag and drop to move/copy selected text
Added automatic detection and conversion of UNIX text files
Added saving of text in UNIX format
Version 2.1
-----------
Added drag and drop support from file manager
Made the tool bar configurable
Added tool bar tips
Added file deletion
Added option to not print the file name header with printed file
Got rid of rare File Not Found error on exit
Fixed error from sizing the form too small
When maximized child is selected, new windows are maximized
Added UNIX file conversion
Added ROT13 encoding/decoding
Added ASCII inversion
Added configurable width word wrap
Background and foreground text colors are now set based on your
Windows settings
Version 2.0
-----------
Added ability for very large text files
Added editing of the file dialog filter list
Added tab width control
Added left margin size control
Added setting of text selection type (none, stream, line, column)
(Warning - line and column mode are still a little bit buggy)
Added ability to set Edit Master as the default text editor
Added auto indenting option when return is hit
Version 1.1
-----------
Changed name to Edit Master since MultiEdit was already taken
Fixed file dialog box so Save As always works
Added multi-select to File Open dialog box
Fixed child windows so that they retain the selection when inactive
Fixed left and right shift so that it doesn't lose the selected text
Made tool bar appear as a default
Added window management tool bar buttons
Version 1.0 ** FIRST SHAREWARE RELEASE **
-----------
Help file added
Setup program created
Startup window position added to the INI file
Added Find/Replace functionality to the Edit menu
Made disabled tool bar buttons turn grey
Added a pop-up edit window brought up by a right mouse click
Version 0.3
-----------
Added undo functionality to the Edit menu
Added left and right shifting of text
Added recent file list
Added tool bar
Version 0.2
-----------
INI file added
MDI capability added
Added upper and lower case conversion
Version 0.1
-----------
Initial version - never released.
INSTALLATION
------------
To install this program, make a directory for the EDITMAST.EXE and
EDITMAST.HLP files. If they are not already there, copy the VBX and
DLL files to your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. A default EDITMAST.INI
file will be created in the directory where the EXE and HLP files are
the first time you run the program.
Editor's note;
-------------
Editmaster 2.5 has proven itself beyond "the call of duty" not only
does it do an excellent job of search and replace, it also runs perfectly
in Win'95. Do yourself a favor.. try this editor its called a replacement
for Notepad.. But its far more than just that. This Shareware is a
bargain for the features you get. Look for it and download it from your
favorite service, FTP it or, download Editmaster version 2.5 from our
support BBS 904-786-4176.
_______________________________________
> CREATIVE GOODIES STR InfoFile Blaster is the Master!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CREATIVE LABS PRODUCT CATALOG
=============================
The Creative Labs Catalog provides a brief description of the Creative
Labs Family of products. Spec Sheets containing additional information,
are available on most of the products. A list of products and their
corresponding spec sheet can be found on the last page of the catalog.
Audio:
------
Sound Blaster Value Edition Family
----------------------------------
Now the best-selling PC sound cards in the world are an even greater
value. Chose from 8-bit mono, 8-bit stereo or 16-bit stereo versions.
Best-selling software and utilities are included.
* Sound Blaster Value Edition
- 8-bit digital mono sampling and playback
* Sound Blaster Pro Value Edition
- 8-bit digital sampling and playback with 4-44.1 kHz mono, 4-22.05 kHz
stereo
* Sound Blaster 16 Value Edition
- 8- and 16-bit stereo sampling and playback from 5-44.1 kHz
Sound Blaster 16 MultiCD
------------------------
The highest quality 16-bit stereo sound card now supports three industry-
standard CD-ROM interfaces. Bundled software allows you to voice annotate
your documents or e-mail, add CD-quality audio to presentations, or
control Windows applications with your voice. Upgradeable with Wave
Blaster -- for true instrument sounds -- and the Advanced signal processor
for Qsound Virtual Audio, Creative TextAssist and hardware
compression/decompression.
* 8- and 16-bit stereo sampling and playback from 4-44.1 kHz
* Enhanced 4-operator, 20 voice, stereo FM music synthesizer
* CD-ROM interface for Creative Labs, Mitsumi and Sony CD-ROM drives
* Wave Blaster and Advanced Signal Processor upgrades
* Built-in power amplifier
* Software controls for volume, bass, treble, input & output gain
* Microphone, stereo line-in and CD-Audio jacks, stereo output jack
* Joystick/MIDI interface, microphone included
* Software includes Creative VoiceAssist speech recognition system and
state-of-the-art audio utilities
Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2
-----------------------
The ideal tool for rich CD-quality stereo sound, this industry standard
Sound Blaster supports up to seven SCSI devices including CD-ROM drives
and hard drives. Enjoy CD-Quality stereo sampling and playback for both
business and home applications. The bundled software allows you to voice
annotate your documents or e-mail, add high-quality sound to presentations
or control Windows with your voice. Upgradeable with Wave Blaster -- for
true instrument sounds -- and the Advanced signal processor for QSound
Virtual Audio, Creative TextAssist and hardware compression/decompression.
* 8- and 16-bit stereo sampling and playback from 4-44.1 kHz
* Enhanced 4-operator, 20 voice, stereo FM music synthesizer
* SCSI-2 interface for connecting up to seven SCSI-1 or SCSI-2 devices
* Wave Blaster and Advanced Signal Processor upgrades
* Built-in power amplifi
er
* Software controls for volume, bass& treble, input & output gain
* Microphone, stereo line-in and CD-Audio jacks, stereo output jack
* Joystick/MIDI interface, microphone included
* Software includes EZ-SCSI configuration software, Creative VoiceAssist
speech recognition system and state-of-the-art audio utilities.
Wave Blaster II
---------------
A General-MIDI add-on daughterboard for Creative's line of
standard-setting Sound Blaster 16 audio cards, Wave Blaster II improves
upon FM synthesis with realistic instrument sounds, reverb, chorus, and
QSound Virtual Audio. Wave Blaster II uses E-mu Systems' DSP wave
synthesis technology for creating great sounding music. Use Wave Blaster
II with a MIDI instrument by connecting a MIDI device to the Sound Blaster
16's MIDI port.
* General MIDI compliant
* Presets: 128 instruments, 10 drum kits, 46 sound effects
* 32-note polyphony
* 2 MB of sampled sounds in ROM
* Reverb, chorus, Qsound 180 degree soundscape technology
* 16 MIDI channels
* Connects to sound Blaster 16 series of audio cards for a single-slot
solution (Does not connect to Sound Blaster 16 Value Edition or Sound
Blaster AWE32 Value Edition)
* Includes Cakewalk Apprentice for Windows -- a professional-quality MIDI
sequencer and MIDI adapter cable for connecting MIDI instruments to your
Sound Blaster 16.
Sound Blaster AWE32
-------------------
Sound Blaster AWE32 is designed for power users, multimedia presenters,
developers, and serious musicians who demand CD-quality digital audio and
real instrument sounds and effects. Includes a special effects DSP,
Advanced WavEffects and Advanced Signal processor for compression and
decompression of audio files.
* 8- and 16-bit stereo sampling and playback from 4-44.1 kHz
* E-mu Systems Advanced WavEffects for realistic sounds, chorus and reverb
effects, and downloadable SoundFont technology
* 32-note polyphony
* Supports General MIDI, Sound Canvas and MT-32 standards
* Advanced Signal Processor DSP, Qsound 180 degree soundscape technology
and Creative TextAssist advanced text-to-speech synthesis
* 20-note, 4 operator FM synthesizer ensures backward compatibility
* Joystick port/MIDI interface with MPU-401 UART support
* High-performance condenser microphone
* CD-ROM interface for Creative Labs, Mitsumi and Sony CD-ROM drives
* Add up to 28 MB of additional memory
* Software includes Cakewalk Apprentice for Windows, HSC Inter Active SE
and several state-of-the-art audio utilities
* Windows 3.1 and MPC level 2 compatible
Sound Blaster AWE32 Value Edition
---------------------------------
Sound Blaster AWE32 Value Edition is a cost effective-solution for users
who demand the highest quality digital audio and real instrument sounds
and effects. Sound Blaster AWE32 Value incorporates a special effects DSP
and Advanced WavEffects wave sample synthesis technology.
* 8- and 16-bit stereo sampling and playback from 4-44.1 kHz
* E-mu Systems Advanced WavEffects for realistic sounds, chorus and reverb
effects
* Downloadable SoundFont technology
* 32-note polyphony
* Supports General MIDI, Sound Canvas and MT-32 standards
* 20-note, 4 operator FM synthesizer ensures backward compatibility
* Joystick port/MIDI interface with MPU-401 UART support
* CD-ROM interface for Creative Labs, Mitsumi and Sony CD-ROM drives
* 512 KB RAM onboard
* Software includes Monologue for Windows, and several state-of-the-art
audio utilities
* Windows 3.1 and MPC level 2 compatible
Multimedia Kits
===============
Creative OmniCD 2x
------------------
Upgrade you PC with Creative Omni 2x, a cost-effective double-speed CD-ROM
upgrade solution. Now you can unlock the power of all the newest, most
dynamic games and applications. Included are top-selling productivity
software titles.
* Includes Aldus PhotoStyler SE, Gallery Effects, Altamira Composer SE,
Digital Morph, Kai's Power Tools, and the award-winning New Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia.
* CD-ROM interface card and all cables
- Connects directly to Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16 Value, Sound
Blaster 16 MCD, AWE32
* Double-speed internal CD-ROM drive
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
- Software controlled, automatic tray-loading drive
- Daisy-chain up to 4 Creative Labs drives
Creative OmniCD 3x
------------------
Upgrade your PC with the Creative Omni3x, a cost-effective triple-speed
CD-ROM solution. This high-performance SCSI-2 drive lets you unlock the
power of all the newest, most dynamic games and applications. Included
are top-selling productivity software titles.
* Includes Aldus PhotoStyler SE, Gallery Effects, Altamira Composer SE,
Digital Morph, Kai's Power Tools, and the award-winning New Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia
* SCSI-data cable and CD-Audio cable (Audio cable connects to Sound
Blaster 16 SCSI-2. Contact your nearest reseller for audio cables for
your system)
* Triple-speed, internal SCSI-2 CD-ROM drive
- 450 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 195 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 656 KB RAM buffer
- Multi-session Photo CD compatible, XA-ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
- Caddy-loading drive
Sound Blaster Discovery CD 16
-----------------------------
Get leading multimedia technology and cutting edge value. Discovery CD16
gives you everything you need: best-selling multimedia software titles,
CD-quality stereo sound card, stereo speakers, and a multi-session, Photo
CD compatible, double-speed CD-ROM drive.
* Includes The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Aldus PhotoStyler SE,
Altamira Composer, Kai's Power Tools, Digital Morph, Gallery Effects and
much more
* High performance stereo speakers
* Industry-standard 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster
* Creative Double-Speed Technology CD-ROM Drive (internal)
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
- Daisy-chain up to 4 Creative Labs drives
Sound Blaster Digital SchoolHouse
---------------------------------
Discover how much fun learning can be with the Sound Blaster Digital
Schoolhouse. Along with industry-standard 16-bit audio and CD-ROM
hardware, you'll receive 14 innovative, top-selling educational titles,
including the award-winning New Groliers Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Exciting sound utilizes are included.
* The New Groliers Multimedia Encyclopedia, 3-D Dinosaur Adventure, Speed,
Allie's Playhouse, Kid Works 2, Spell It 3, The Cruncher, Four Footed
Friends, Stradiwackius, peter pan: A Story Painting Adventure, Scooter's
Magic Castle, Eagle Eye Mysteries The Original, Eagle Eye Mysteries in
London, Gus Goes to Cybertown, plus Creative Ensemble, Creative
WaveStudio, Creative Soundo'Le, Creative Mosaic, Creative Talking
Scheduler and Monologue for Windows
* Industry-standard 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster
* Double-Speed CD-ROM Drive (internal)
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Easy tray loading
* Stereo speakers included
Game Blaster CD16
-----------------
Every serious gamer will want to own Game Blaster CD 16 -- a multimedia
kit that combines the hottest hardware and the coolest software. Award-
winning, number one selling CD-ROM titles are featured along with high-
performance hardware including a double-speed CD-ROM drive, Sound Blaster
16 sound card, stereo speakers and high-performance joystick.
* Includes Rebel Assault, Return to Zork, Iron Helix, Sim City 2000, The
New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia and Creative Labs utilities.
* Stereo speakers
* Industry-standard 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster
* Creative Double-Speed Technology CD-ROM Drive (internal)
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
Sound Blaster Edutainment CD16
------------------------------
For individuals or families who want the best in multimedia and want it
now. Edutainment CD 16 features over 40 titles, including best-selling
education, entertainment and productivity software. Includes all the
hardware you need for CD-Quality stereo, double speed CD-ROM performance
and Photo-CD viewing.
* Top-selling titles including Quicken Deluxe CD-ROM, Rebel Assault, The
new Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Aldus PhotoStyler SE, 3-D Dinosaur
Adventure, Wing Commander II, Digital Morph, Gallery Effects, Kai's
Power Tools, Peter Pan: A Story Painting Adventure, Scooter's Magic
Castle, Eagle Eye Mysteries, SSN-21 Seawolf, Pagan, Ultima VII,
Syndicate Plus and much more..
* 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster
* Double-Speed CD-ROM Drive (internal)
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
- Easy tray loading
* Stereo speakers and microphone
Sound Blaster Multimedia Office
-------------------------------
Multimedia Office combines industry-standard Creative Labs hardware with
the hottest business software suite, Microsoft Office Professional. Also
includes Microsoft Encarta multimedia encyclopedia, Personal Training
Systems' interactive Microsoft Office tutorial, and innovative audio
software for business. Perfect for home office or corporate use.
* Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft
Access, Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Encarta, Personal Training Systems
multimedia training program for Microsoft Office, Windows Sound System,
Creative Voice Assist, Creative TextAssist and 6 other utilities that
add speech recognition and sound capabilities to your PC
* Industry-standard 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster with Advanced Signal
Processing
* Double-Speed CD-ROM Drive (internal)
- 300 KB/second transfer rate, fast data access of 320 ms
- Large 680 MB data storage with 64KB RAM buffer
- Multi-Session Photo CD compatible, XA-Ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
- Easy tray loading
* High performance headphones and microphone
Sound Blaster Digital Edge 3x
-----------------------------
For uncompromising performance, choose the Sound Blaster Digital Edge 3x,
a SCSI-2 compatible multimedia upgrade kit. Today's leading-edge triple-
speed CD-ROM technology will supercharge your multimedia software.
Included are top-selling software titles, state-of-the-art audio
utilities, 16-bit stereo sound with advanced digital signal processing,
and a multi-session Photo CD-compatible triple-speed CD-ROM.
* Top titles include Intuit's Quicken Deluxe CD-ROM, the New Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia, Rebel Assault, Aldus PhotoStyler SE, Altamira
Composer, Kai's Power Tools, Gallery Effects, Speed, Creative
TextAssist, Creative Voice Assist and a variety of sound utilities.
* High-performance stereo speakers and condenser microphone
* 16-bit stereo Sound Blaster 16 SCSI-2 with Advanced Signal Processor
* Triple Speed NEC CD-ROM Drive
- 656 MB(Mode 1) or 748 MB (mode 2) data capacity
- 450KB/sec data transfer rate, 195 ms access time, 256K cache
- Multi-session Photo CD compatible, XA-ready CD-ROM drive
- Exceeds MPC level 2 specifications
Video:
======
Creative TV Coder
-----------------
Specifically developed to complement Creative's Video Blaster, Creative TV
Coder is a VGA to Video signal encoder for low-cost video output.
Creative video presentations using Video Blaster then display them on a TV
monitor or record them to VCR.
* Supports NTSC 4.43 50 Hz, NTSC 4.43 60 Hz, NTSC-M 60 Hz
* Supports PAL B/G 50 Hz, PAL-M 60 Hz, PAL-N 50 Hz
* Flicker Filter improves stability of video display
* Supports SVGA display up to 640 x 480 resolution with 256 colors
* Compatible with all popular VGA cards
* Control Panel provides software controls for video selection, color
enhancements and special effects
* Can connect to a VGA monitor and a Tv for simultaneous display
* S-Video output jack, RCA output jack, two 15-pin D-shaped output jacks
--
one for connecting to VGA monitor, one for connecting to VGA card or
Video Blaster
Video Blaster FS200
-------------------
This versatile digital video capture card combines live analog overlay,
still image capture, and digital video sequencing. Users can integrate
live audio and video from an array of sources including video cameras,
VCR's and laserdiscs. Ideal for multimedia presentations and
applications, Video Blaster FS200 supports chroma and color keying and
print-to-video capabilities.
* Software selectable video source from 2 composite inputs and 1 S-Video
* Supports NTSC and PAL
* Interpolation on playback
* video overlay via graphics color keying up to 64K color
* Export live video to other applications utilizing chroma and color key
* Supports JPEG, PCX, TIFF, BMP, MMP, GIF, and TRA formats
* Resolution up to 800x 600 at 64K SVGA displays up to 2 million colors
* Re-size, flip, fade, and crop images
* MCI overlay driver, DOS driver Video for Windows supports
Video Blaster RT300
-------------------
Creative multimedia presentations completely on you PC with Video Blaster
RT300. Capture and playback true full-motion video at 30 fps at 320 x 240
pixels. Plus, anybody with a 386-33 or greater PC can playback RT300
videos without buying extra hardware or software. Includes Adobe Premiere
and Asymetrix Compel PE
* Record and compress video at 30 fps in windows up to 320 x 240
* Further reduce file size by compressing and optimizing off-line
* Intel Indeo technology lets you playback on any 386-33 or better
* Software automatically adjusts playback to individual Pcs
* Includes Adobe Premiere software for professional editing, transitions
and special effects
* Includes Asymetrix Compel PE for creating multimedia presentations
* Captures video still images at full frame
* 3 composite/1 S-Video input, NTSC or PAL formats
* Upgradeable to the ShareVision teleconferencing system
3DO Blaster
-----------
3DO never looked or sounded so good! 3DO is acknowledged as the most
realistic and exciting game platform. It's even more spectacular on your
high-resolution PC monitor! This ISA expansion card works with any 386-25
or higher PC and requires no external box. Includes a 3DO control pad and
two of the most incredible 3DO titles.
* Photo-realistic graphics, images and full-motion video on your high
resolution PC monitor
* 3DO control pad for ultimate control
* 64-million pixel per second animation
* On-board DSP for CD-quality stereo soundtracks
* 32-bit RISC CPU and twin graphics processors
* Works as a standard Windows application
* Requires Creative Labs CR-563 CD-ROM drive and Soundblaster with CD
Audio connector and speakers
* Includes SHOCK WAVE: A Sci Fi Movie Experience and GRIDDERS
ShareVision PC300
-----------------
Now, over a single ordinary phone line, you and a colleague can simul-
taneously talk and collaborate on shared documents. It's like working in
the same room, even if you're continents apart. ShareVision PC300
includes everything you need -- audio card, software, hands-free headset,
high speed fax/modem and cables.
* Simultaneous voice and data over a single telephone line
* Simultaneous control over shared Windows documents, even if only one
user has the application
* Whiteboard feature lets you brainstorm and display ideas graphically
* High-speed fax/modem for all your communication needs
* Includes audio card, software, hands-free headset and cables
* Autodialing Phonebook stores names, numbers, even faces
* Requires 486 SX-25 or higher, with open ISA slot, 8 MB RAM and available
6 MB hard disk space, Windows 3.1, VGA or SVGA display
* Requires two ShareVision PC300 units for operation
ShareVision PC3000
------------------
ShareVision PC3000 lets you and a colleague talk and see each other in
full color video windows, while you simultaneously collaborate on
documents. Requires only a single ordinary phone line. Save time and
money spent on travel. Increase communication and productivity. Includes
all necessary components.
* Full color, two-way video plus document sharing over an ordinary phone
line
* Includes Whiteboard for real-time brain-storming and auto-dial Phonebook
* Sizable video windows can display both you and your colleague
* Simultaneous control of any Windows document, even if only one user has
the application
* Includes 1/3" CCDColor Video Camera and Stand, RT300 video card, audio
card, high speed fax/data modem, software, hands free headset, all
cables
* Requires 486 SX-33 or higher, with two open ISA slots, 8 MB RAM and 6 MB
hard disk space, Windows 3.1, VGA or SVGA display (16 or 24-bit VGA card
recommended)
* Requires two ShareVision PC3000 units for operation
BlasterWare
===========
Blasterware: The Gus Series
----------------------------
GUS GOES TO CYBERTOWN
1994 CES Innovations Winner, this acclaimed educational title features
GUS, the hippest, most lovable dog in all Cybertown. Join him on an
interactive search for the CyberBuds through five interactive playgrounds,
each chock full of puzzles and lesson on counting, spelling, letters and
shapes. Designed for kids 3 to 7, featuring original songs by David
Maloney. Chosen as one of MacUser's Top 50 CDs of 1994
GUS AND THE CYBERBUDS SING, PLAY & PAINT-A-LONG
Now Gus, the hippest, most lovable dog in CyberTown, enters a unique world
of sing-a-long, paint-a-long creativity. All-time favorite and original
children's songs are played aloud while kids use stamps, paint buckets,
pens, backgrounds and erasers to illustrate the lyrics. It's a ton of
musical and artistic fun for kids 3 to 7, from the makers of the award-
winning Gus series.
GUS GOES TO CYBEROPOLIS
The sequel to the acclaimed Gus Goes to Cybertown, this fun-packed CD-ROM
features six new interactive environments where kids can observe,
experiment and learn. They'll practice dictionary and geography skills,
travel through a global restaurant, create stationary and compose letters
while searching for the CyberBuds.
* Macintosh Version:
- LCII or faster including Performa, Quadra, and PowerMac Series
- 256 Color
- 13" monitor
- 5MB RAM
- System 7.0 or later
- a CD-ROM drive
* Windows Version:
- (MPC) CD-ROM 386/25 MHz or faster
- VGA color monitor (or larger) and graphics card running at 256 colors
- 8 MB RAM
- Windows 3.1
- Sound Blaster or compatible sound card
- Mouse
- CD-ROM drive
Blasterware:
------------
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME
By Stephen Hawking - An Interactive Adventure
Steven Hawking's universe comes to life in this interactive environment
based on the book and film documentary "A Brief History of Time". You'll
have access to a graphical universe where icons and artifacts lead to
adventures based on Hawking's theories. Graphics, movies and animations
combine to express abstract ideas in humorous, understandable ways.
You'll travel to distant galaxies, black holes, alternate dimensions and
across centuries of scientific thought to confront the supreme questions.
The Complete text of the book can also be accessed.
* Macintosh version:
- LCII or faster including Performa, Quadra, and PowerMac Series
- 256 Color
- 13" monitor
- 8MB RAM
- System 7.0 or later
- Double Speed CD-ROM drive
* Windows Version:
- (MPC) CD-ROM 386/25 MHz or faster
- VGA color monitor (or larger) and graphics card running at 256 colors
- 8 MB RAM
- Windows 3.1
- Sound Blaster or compatible sound card
- Mouse
- Double Speed CD-ROM drive
Blasterware:
------------
AMERICAN VISIONS
20th Century Art From the Roy R. Neuberger Collection
American Visions is a whole new way of viewing art, an interactive museum
that Wired Magazine lauds as "indisputably drop dead gorgeous". Winner of
the 1994 Invision Award, American Visions features over 80 works of art in
full color, each linked to related information, including photos and Quick
Time movies of the artist, and comments from critics and historians.
* Macintosh version:
- LCII or faster including Performa, Quadra, and PowerMac Series
- 256 Color
- 13" monitor
- 5MB RAM
- System 7.0 or later
- CD-ROM drive
* Windows Version:
- (MPC) CD-ROM 486/25 MHz or faster
- VGA color monitor (or larger) and graphics card running at 256 colors
- 8 MB RAM
- Windows 3.1
- Sound Blaster or compatible sound card
- Mouse
- Double Speed CD-ROM drive
Blasterware:
------------
CREATIVE VOICE ASSIST
Activate your PC with sound of your voice. Creative VoiceAssist allows
you to quickly and effortlessly create personalized commands and customize
Windows applications. This speaker dependent, single utterance speech
system uses minimal hard disk space and features high accuracy, quick
response command recognition as well as simple verbal representation of
complex-action macros.
* Customize 1,024 voice commands -- 32 generic and 996
application-specific
29,760 total commands
* Supports up to 256 individual users
* Control up to 30 Widows applications -- automatically loads the user's
file for each active Windows applications
* Easy to train -- train each command only once
* Takes minimal hard disk space
* Requires 386 SX /Windows 3.1 or higher, 4MB RAM, Sound Blaster or
equivalent sound card with Windows audio drivers and microphone jack
* Microphone included
Blasterware:
SCREEN SINGER
Each Screensinger CD-ROM lets you enjoy music, graphics and video on your
PC in four different ways:
1. MTV-style music 'videos' give you 640x480 graphics in 256 colors, plus
animation and video clips
2. Karaoke mode lets you sing-along with lyrics and dazzling graphics
3. A clip image library and 20 PowerPoint templates can be imported into
your presentations
4. Screen saver mode makes you PC come alive with crystal clear music and
images
* Each Screensinger CD features 7 to 10 songs professionally arranged and
recorded in the style of the original artists. Screensinger offers a
selection of children melodies, Christmas memories and folk tunes. And
Screensinger CDs can also be enjoyed on you home or car CD.
* Requires 386-33 MHz or higher (486-66 MHz recommended), 4 MB RAM (8 MB
recommended), 2 MB free disk space, Windows 3.1 or higher, Sound Blaster
series audio card or 100% compatible, CD-ROM drive, speakers or
headphones, microphone and mouse (optional)
Accessories:
============
AeroDuet
--------
AeroDuet offers a mouse, pen and 3-D digitizer in one wireless solution.
Infa-red technology detects which function is being used and automatically
makes adjustments. Which means you don't have to change ports, slot in
new cards, or switch system settings. Four best-selling graphics
applications and 3D games are included.
* Includes Kai's Power Tools, Digital Morph, Spectre VR and a special 3-D
version of Fractal Designs' Dabbler
* 3D detection along X, Y, Z axes
* Wireless infra-red input technology
* Requires only one serial port for all three functions
* Supports relative and absolute modes in 2-D or 3-D
* Compatible with Microsoft Mouse
* Operates in Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS.
* Requires 386-33 Mhz or higher, MS-DOS 3.3 or higher
Developer Kits
--------------
If you're interested in developing applications that incorporate
Creative's audio, video and speech technologies, please call Developer
Relations at 1-408-428-2345.
* Developer Kit for Sound blaster Series, 2nd Edition
* Sound Blaster AWE32 Developer Kit
* Video Blaster SE Programming Information Kit
* Video Blaster FS200 Programming Information Kit
* VoiceAssist Developer Kit
Sound Upgrades
--------------
Advanced Signal Processor Upgrade for Sound Blaster 16
The Advanced Signal Processor provides real-time compression and
decompression of sound files and QSound audio. The Advanced Signal
Processor is a programmable digital signal processor (DSP) that reduces
files up to 75% without sound quality degradation and frees the CPU for
other tasks.
Also includes Creative TextAssist which provides nine predefined voiced
for realistic text-to-speech synthesis. Fine-tune voices by adjusting
pitch, phoneme length, speed and volume settings. Have your Windows-based
spreadsheets, electronic mail and documents read back to you.
Vienna SF Editor
----------------
The ideal complement for Sound Blaster AWE32, Vienna SF Editor allows you
to edit your own samples or presets to create entire SoundFont banks.
Features sample downloading, sample preset editing and supports
multi-sampling and multi-layering techniques. Add effects such as reverb,
chorus, tremolo, and vibrato or manipulate pitch and volume envelopes.
All SoundFont banks can be directly downloaded to your Sound Blaster AWE32
for enhanced MIDI playback.
* Requires 386SX or higher
- 4MB RAM
- Windows 3.1
- Sound Blaster AWE32 or AWE32 Value Edition with Windows drivers
Sound Blaster CT-38 Speakers
----------------------------
This is a portable, efficient pair of stereo speakers. The Sound Blaster
cards can directly drive these speakers or they can be powered to provide
additional amplification. These speakers run on 4 "C" batteries or 6V DC
(not included).
Sound Blaster SBS300 Speakers
-----------------------------
Enhance your multimedia experience. The Sound Blaster SBS300 speakers
provide endless hours of deep acoustic audio reproduction. This high-
performance duo can be placed near magnetically sensitive equipment, such
as a computer, monitor, or electronic instrument, without compromising
sound integrity or quality. Includes 14v DC power supply.
MIDI Accessories
================
MIDI Kit
--------
The MIDI Kit includes a MIDI connector box or MIDI adapter cable and
sequencing software enabling you to connect a MIDI instrument to your
Sound Blaster's MIDI port and compose or play MIDI music
* The kit includes Cakewalk Apprentice for Windows sequencing software, a
highly rated professional sequencer that includes all the essential
features for recording and editing MIDI files.
* View music in piano roll, event list, and staff notation, have multiple
window editing, and drag-and-drop measures
MIDI Adapter Cable
------------------
Connects to the Sound Blaster MIDI/Joystick port. Enables you to connect
a joystick as well as provides MIDI in and out connectors.
MIDI Box
--------
Used to connect a MIDI device to your Sound Blaster card. Contains one
MIDI in, four MIDI out and one MIDI through connector plus joystick
connector.
SPEC SHEETS
-----------
All Spec Sheets can be found on Compuserve in Creative's Support Area (Go
Blaster) in Library 1, General Information:
Audio:
------
Sound Blaster 2.0 - SB20.TXT
Sound Blaster Pro - SBPRO2.TXT
Sound Blaster 16 Value, MutliCD & SCSI-2 - SB16.TXT
Wave Blaster II - WVBLS2.TXT
Sound Blaster AWE32 - AWE32.TXT
MultiMedia Kits:
----------------
Creative OmniCD 2x - OMNICD.TXT
Sound Blaster Discovery CD16 - DISCCD.TXT
Sound Blaster Digital SchoolHouse - SCHOOL.TXT
Game Blaster CD16 - GAMECD.TXT
Sound Blaster Edutainment CD16 - EDUTCD.TXT
Sound Blaster Multimedia Office - OFFICE.TXT
Sound Blaster Digital Edge 3x - DIG3X.TXT
Video:
------
Creative TV Coder - TVCODR.TXT
Video Blaster FS200 - VFS200.TXT
Video Blaster RT300 - VRT300.TXT
3DO Blaster - 3DO.TXT
ShareVision PC300 - PC300.TXT
ShareVision PC3000 - PC3000.TXT
BlasterWare (all titles) - BLSTWR.ZIP
Accessories:
------------
AeroDuet - AERODT.TXT
Vienna SF Editior - VIENNA.TXT
Spec sheets are available for the following products that are not listed
in the Creative Product Catalog:
Discovery CD New Edition - DISCOVNE.TXT
Starter CD - STARTRCD.TXT
Value CD - VALUECD.TXT
Multimedia Home 4x - MMHOME4X.TXT
Creative Text Assist - TXTAST.TXT
Modem Blaster Voice 19.2 - MBVOIC.TXT
Modem Blaster PCMCIA 14.4 - MBPCMC.TXT
Video Blaster MP400 - VMP400.TXT
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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.
The 2.0 version of GEnie for Windows is now available
-----------------------------------------------------
winfe200.exe : The self-extracting archive
winfe200.hlp : The help file, rename to FE.HLP after installation
***
GENIE Information Services copyright 1995 by General Electric
Information Services/GENIE, reprinted by permission
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> GEnie Windows Front End Version 2.0 STR FOCUS!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
GEnie for Windows Version 2.0
=============================
Wow! Have we got a new program for you!
---------------------------------------
If you have used a previous version of GEnie for Windows you won't
believe your eyes! If you've used other programs to access other online
services, you're going to be delighted. If the world is going to Windows
then the NEW GEnie for Windows is a good example of the reasons!
The NEW GEnie for Windows is designed to help you have the most fun
and get the most benefit from your GEnie time. We know you have a choice
in online services and we want you to choose GEnie.
New Look
--------
Genie for Windows has a new look. There's an attractive desktop with
18 icons. A single click on any of the icons will take you directly to
any of those areas.
New Signup Procedure
--------------------
There's a new, easy-to-use signup procedure. If you're not a member,
you will be presented with the signup screen after you install GEnie for
Windows. If you are currently a GEnie member, you can use the signup for
friends and family. As their Buddy, you can get credit for their signups!
New Animated Logon
------------------
Are you tired of staring at an unmoving screen while your modem dials
the phone? You won't be when you see the new, animated logon in GEnie for
Windows!
New Sounds
----------
You can put that sound card to good use with GEnie for Windows.
While some sounds are supplied, you can easily add others. And change
them as you wish. A fanfare makes moving to your favorite RoundTable
special!
New Auto Configure
------------------
It's easier than ever to configure GEnie for Windows with Auto
Configure and the list of modems that require special strings for best
access.
New Logon Announcements
-----------------------
There's always something special happening on GEnie. With GEnie for
Windows you'll see the announcements of these events as soon as you logon.
You can move to the area featured in any of the announcements with a quick
click.
New E-Mail Manager
------------------
You've got the world in your mailbox with the NEW GEnie for Windows.
One click on the Mail icon on the desktop takes you to the new E-Mail
manager. You can get your new mail, compose new letters, open the Address
Book or File Cabinet and send your Out Box (To Do Manager).
New Address Book
----------------
One click will send mail to another GEnie member or across the
Internet to other services. Best of all, after you enter a name once
you'll only have to remember the easy name that you choose.
New RoundTable Menus
--------------------
Now all the features of GEnie RoundTables are yours with a single
click: About the RoundTable, News, Bulletin Board, Software Libraries and
Real Time Conferences. One click opens the RoundTable banner or selects
any of the special areas such as a KnowledgeBase, Quiz or Survey.
New Real-Time Conference and Chat Features
------------------------------------------
Using Conferences and Chat Lines has never been easier! The NEW
GEnie for Windows makes it a pleasure to join the fun!
New See-As-You-GIF Downloading and Uploading
--------------------------------------------
See what that picture (GIF) file looks like while it's being
downloaded (or uploaded).
New Faster Response
-------------------
Even with all the new features, GEnie for Windows is faster than it
has ever been.
New Internet Access
-------------------
One click on the Internet icon on the desktop will take you to
Genie's Internet Services.
And There's More...
-------------------
Enjoy exploring the NEW GEnie for Windows as you enjoy exploring
Genie. Keep an eye out for even more new features. (Hint...look at the
lamp in the lower right corner of the screen.)
_______________________________________
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
/__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/_____
/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
________________________________________
/_______________________________________/
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
> GIFIASCO STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""
The GIF Controversy: A Software Developer's Perspective
=======================================================
January 27, 1995 - Text revision 2 - March 31, 1995
by Michael Console Battilana <mcb@cloanto.it>
Copyright (c) 1995 Cloanto Italia srl, All rights reserved
Parts are quoted with permission from CompuServe Information Service
Parts are excerpted from the PNG specification
Permission granted for non-profit electronic distribution
Suggested file name: "giflzw1.txt"
Keywords: GIF PNG LZW WELCH COMPRESSION UNISYS PATENT HISTORY TEXT
Free by mailing <gltext1@cloanto.it> before April 30, 1995
This article was written with great care. It may reflect personal
opinions of the author, which are not necessarily shared by the
publishers, who cannot assume any responsibility for mistakes or
misprints. Nothing in this article should be regarded as legal
counsel. If you require legal or other expert assistance, you should
consult a professional advisor. Many of the designations used by
manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are
trademarks. The author of this article has made every attempt to
supply trademark information about manufacturers and their products.
GIF and Graphics Interchange Format are service marks of CompuServe
Inc., an H&R Block Company. PostScript is a registered trademark of
Adobe Systems Inc. TIFF is a trademark of Aldus Corp.
Abstract
During the past eight years, GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) peacefully
became the most popular file format for archiving and exchanging computer
images. At the end of December 1994, CompuServe Inc. and Unisys
Corporation announced to the public that developers would have to pay a
license fee in order to continue to use technology patented by Unisys in
certain categories of software supporting the GIF format. These first
statements caused immediate reactions and some confusion. As a longer term
consequence, it appears likely that GIF will be replaced and extended by
the new PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format.
Introduction
This is a very interesting case, which could teach more than one lesson on
the theory and practice of software and the laws. There are many entities
involved. Fingers have been pointed at lawmakers, Unisys, CompuServe and
developers. In theory, it may have been possible for any or all of these
parts to prevent the matter from creating so much anxiety in the first
place. Yet we are all here, debating on this issue. This article intends
to provide a collection of information from the history of the controversy
to the most recent events, as they were perceived by a software
developer.
CompuServe released GIF as a free and open specification in 1987. GIF soon
became a world standard, and also played an important role in the Internet
community. It was well supported by CompuServe's Information Service, but
many developers wrote (or acquired under license) software supporting GIF
without even needing to know that a company named CompuServe existed. GIF
was relatively simple, and very well documented in books, articles and
text files.
GIF images are compressed to reduce the file size. The technique used to
compress the image data is called LZW (after Lempel-Ziv-Welch) and was
first described by Terry A. Welch in the June 1984 issue of IEEE's
Computer magazine. Unisys holds a patent on the procedure described in the
article, but the article describing the algorithm had no mention of this.
The LZW procedure was simple and very well described, and it soon became a
very popular technique for data compression (just as GIF would become a
standard in its own field). It appears that neither CompuServe, nor the
CompuServe Associate who designed GIF, nor the computer world in general
were aware of the patent. GIF is not alone in the use of LZW. The TIFF
file specification also includes LZW-compression among its compression
methods, and so do dozens of very popular file archiving programs (such as
Compress).
While having the right to pursue legal action or seek damages against
infringing LZW developers and publishers, Unisys has so far been very
accomodating and fair. It is likely that the success of LZW and its
thousands of implementations, especially among small developers, caught
Unisys unprepared. Otherwise, it would be difficult to understand how
Unisys could first allow a very large number of small and big developers
to use LZW for years, and then, after the establishment of various
standards based on LZW, change its attitude.
The original CompuServe/Unisys licensing agreement text which had upset so
many developers was immediately followed by clarifications from both
CompuServe and Unisys. Given that the online community tends to be
suspicious about anything that is big, has a legal department or owns
software patents, Unisys had to face a particularly delicate challenge.
But it probably wasn't easier for CompuServe, who had to explain the
patent issue to its own developers, some of whom felt "betrayed". The
outside world would learn about this issue from the press in the following
days.
Even Time Magazine reported about this matter, although like most of the
newspapers it concentrated on GIF more than on TIFF, LZW, Unisys or
software patents. In the meantime, a group of leaders of the online
graphics community began working on a patent-free future of GIF. These
efforts would later converge into the PNG specification (scan this text
for #1). The full texts of official statements from CompuServe and Unisys
are also included at the end of this article (scan this text for #2).
Among the first reactions, some bulletin board systems had all GIF files
deleted from their hard disks (or converted into JPEG format). Common
remarks included:
"PROTEST OF NEW COMPUSERVE-UNISYS GIF USAGE TAX !!"
"They [CompuServe] seem to think that GIF is the greatest thing
since free online magazines."
"The announcement by CompuServe and Unisys that users of the GIF
image format must register by January 10 and pay a royalty or face
lawsuits for their past usage, is the online communications
community's equivalent of the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor."
These reactions may require some clarification.
Unisys, and not CompuServe, has been "trying to impose" a royalty. The
problem is not specific to GIF, but includes TIFF and archiving software.
GIF files are not covered by the patent. There is no risk in distributing
GIF files or in using the GIF name. According to a CompuServe
spokesperson,
"Recent discussions of GIF taxes and fees are totally without
merit. For people who view GIF images, who keep GIF images on
servers, or who are creating GIF images for distribution, the
recent licensing discussions have no effect on their activities."
Only the software employing the LZW algorithm for writing GIF files is "at
risk". The Unisys patent includes claims which specifically cover the
decompression of LZW-compressed material, so it may also affect simple GIF
readers. Several patent attorneys consulted on this matter have concluded
that decompression-only programs do not infringe upon the Unisys patent.
Unisys however does not appear to share this opinion.
A format such as JPEG cannot be used as a substitute for GIF. Unlike GIF
(and PNG), JPEG was designed as a "lossy" format. This means that it
slightly changes an image as it is compressed. This is unacceptable for
many applications. Also, while JPEG excels in compressing real world true
color images, it offers no support for palette-based images.
The CompuServe licensing agreement was intended as a voluntary service to
the few dozen developers creating software for use primarily in
conjunction with the CompuServe Information Service (CIS). This includes
applications such as CompuServe "navigators", but does not apply to
general purpose GIF readers/writers (which are not intended for use
primarily in conjunction with CIS).
On January 27, 1995, Unisys announced new licensing policies regarding
"The Welch Patent". These include a .45% royalty on the total unit selling
price of GIF/LZW products (minimum $0.10, maximum $10.00 per unit) and a
.65% royalty on GIF/TIFF/LZW products (minimum $0.20, maximum $25.00). For
further information and a copy of the written agreement it is possible to
call Unisys at +1 215 986-4411, or send E-mail to <lzw_info@unisys.com>.
Any organization using LZW should look at whether they have an
infringement on Unisys' patent. CompuServe is not involved in any of these
discussions - they are between Unisys and outside developers.
Software Patents
Normally, procedures such as LZW are published in magazines so that they
can be shared by the community of software developers. LZW itself is a
refinement of other algorithms published in the years before (Ziv-Lempel
and others). Software is usually protected by copyright law, but in recent
years (since 1981 in the USA) in several countries it has become possible
to patent software. Initially, only software used to control hardware
could be patented. This interpretation was soon extended to include all
types of software (except for "pure mathematical algorithms"). While
software patents have become an opportunity for many, they remain a
controversial danger for others. Any programmer or publisher might be
trapped at any time by a patent infringement claim that could not be
foreseen or avoided.
Publication of an algorithm in a magazine does not automatically exclude a
patent application. In many countries, including the USA, it is possible
to apply for a patent and still publish the paper without mention of the
application. In the USA (but not in many other countries), the patent
application may even be filed within 12 months of the publication. Under
such regulations, the only algorithms that might be used freely and
without risk would be those published prior to 1981 (e.g. Donald Knuth's
"The Art of Computer Programming").
Today, even designing a graphics file format can become a programmer's
nightmare. One very active member of the Internet community has collected
information on more than 350 patents on lossless data compression and 100
on lossy image compression. Lempel, Ziv, Cohn and Eastman patented their
original LZ78 algorithm (US patent 4,464,650). The LZW algorithm which is
now attracting so much attention is patented by both IBM (4,814,746) and
Unisys (4,558,302), while British Telecom holds a similar patent. The IBM
patent application was filed three weeks before that of Unisys, but the US
patent office apparently failed to recognize that they covered the same
algorithm. (The IBM patent is more general, but its claim 7 is said to be
exactly LZW.)
10 Years of LZW
While the original article on LZW was published in 1984, the LZW patent
issue first surfaced in the press in 1989, when the BTLZ algorithm (a
procedure similar to LZW developed and patented by British Telecom) was to
be approved for data compression into the V.42bis modem standard. Unisys
said on at least one occasion that it first began to learn of the
widespread use of LZW in connection with the development of this standard.
The first licensing arrangements put into place included those with modem
manufacturers ($ 20,000 for each one-time license) and with Adobe
PostScript developers ($ 10,000).
An article on "LZW Data Compression" was published in the October 1989
issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal (see the Bibliography section for more details
- scan this text for #4). A reader replied in the December issue
explaining that the algorithm was patented. The author of the article
added that he was unaware of any patent on the algorithm. More readers
wrote, and in the March 1990 issue the editor-in-chief dedicated his
Editorial to this topic, which in his words "sparked a forest of fires".
The same issue also contained an official statement by Unisys Corporation,
which confirmed that LZW was patented, mentioned the modem industry, and
indicated how developers could contact Unisys.
In the October 2, 1989 issue of PC Week a columnist wrote:
"Alas, there's no consolation for developers of archiving programs
that rely on the LZW data-compression algorithm. While cruising
the bulletin boards last week, Spencer learned that Unisys has a
patent on the algorithm, upon which a slew of data-compression
programs are based. Watch out."
In about the same period, an article in InfoWorld mentioned the fact that
modem manufacturers were facing the possibility of having to pay royalties
to Unisys and to other patent holders for the right to use LZW.
Page 132 ("LZWEncode Filter") of the PostScript Language Reference Manual,
Second Edition, published in December 1990, contains the address of the
Welch Licensing Department at Unisys Corporation.
In the March 1991 issue of Byte, Steve Apiki ("Lossless Data Compression")
explained that LZW is used in GIF, and that "The [LZW] algorithm itself is
patented by Sperry [now Unisys]."
At this point, at least the readers of some publications were potentially
aware of the LZW patent. But still, there were few links to GIF. Unisys
apparently didn't know about GIF, nor did most GIF developers know that
GIF contained LZW technology. And those who may have known, not
necessarily knew about the patent.
This issue was also discussed among a small group of the better informed
members of the CompuServe PICS Forum (now GRAPHSUP). The general feeling
at that time was that "Unisys only intends to get royalties from hardware
vendors," and there was some consensus on the idea that Unisys "wouldn't
do anything about pure software implementations".
Until the end of 1994, discussions on CompuServe's Information Service
showed no clear mention of the requirement to get a license from Unisys
for using LZW in GIF applications. During 1988 at least one developer
stopped working on GIF tools because of considerations regarding the LZW
patent, and reportedly "made CompuServe aware of it". This apparently was
limited to private verbal conversations, and information on this behalf
could be found neither in the press nor in CIS.
Among the developers who contacted Unisys between the end of 1990 and the
beginning of 1991, there was at least one GIF developer. He recently
described his experience:
"Finding the right person was the most difficult part of licensing
LZW, but hopefully it's easier today (perhaps only 5 phone calls
would be needed!)... When talking to Unisys back then, my
recollection is that we had to basically tell the people at
Unisys, 'Believe me, you DO own a patent on LZW; who do we talk to
about LICENSING?' When we finally reached the licensing/legal
department, THEY knew they had a patent, and spelled out the
terms. I recall the person we were dealing with saying something
like, 'They [Unisys] laugh when I make all these $1 deals, but we
have to charge something to protect the patent.'"
In those days, the standard license fee for PC-based software products was
$1 per copy sold (or a 1% royalty), after a $100 advance payment.
Apparently, Unisys still didn't know that GIF was based on LZW. In January
1995, Unisys stated: "Two years ago, Unisys learned that the LZW method
was incorporated in the GIF specification and immediately began
negotiations with CompuServe in January of 1993. We reached agreement with
CompuServe on licensing the technology in June 1994..."
Two years before the Unisys statement, at the end of 1992, Cloanto, an
Italian software house, contacted Unisys because it was interested in a
license for the possible use of LZW in its PostScript Level 2 drivers.
That correspondence also mentioned GIF and TIFF as using LZW, and
anticipated some of the controversies which would follow 25 months later.
Unisys replied: "... You raise a number of interesting issues which
require consideration..."
While disclosing the full contents of this correspondence would probably
not serve anyone's interest, the text of two letters sent to Unisys in
1992 is included at the end of this article (scan this text for #3),
because the author feels that this 1992 perspective could complement the
article with a few interesting ideas. The letters have not been edited, so
some details (such as the reference to ZIP) may be incomplete with respect
to current knowledge.
Unisys offered Cloanto a $ .25 per unit royalty (1% of the net income) as
an alternative to the PostScript one-time license, but did not answer the
question raised by Cloanto: "If we implemented a software GIF or TIFF
image file loader and saver (both formats are based on the LZW algorithm),
would we need a license from Unisys Corp., as far as U.S. Patent 4,558,302
is concerned?". According to public statements, Unisys did however contact
CompuServe the following month.
December 29, 1994 - The Days After
Between 1993 and 1994, the majority of developers still didn't know that
GIF employed a patented algorithm, although both Unisys and CompuServe
were aware of this (as the developers would learn in December 1994).
Different opinions have been expressed on this. Some developers feel that
reaching an agreement behind the scenes was the least destructive thing
that could be done. Other (at times passionate) opinions picked up on
electronic media are similar to these three:
"Consider this. CompuServe admits to knowing about patent problems
with the GIF file format as early as January of 1993. ... We added
GIF support to Fastgraph months after CompuServe admits knowledge
of the patent problem... We relied on the information that was
supplied to us by CompuServe. If CompuServe had told us the truth
when they knew it, we never would have added GIF support..."
"If I chose to put GIF encode/decode functions in my software
development toolkits, my main threat of legal liability would not
come from Unisys, but rather from one of my customers being sued
by Unisys, who would turn around and sue me for selling them some
code that contained patented algorithms."
"I still don't have a clue what my situation is if I want to sell
source and object code that imports and exports GIF images. I am
not in the end-user app business, but my customers are, and they
certainly will have to have an LZW license, but what about me?
I've talked with Unisys by voice and E-mail, and the voice
discussion was entirely unsatisfactory as I posted when it
happened - basically the Unisys guy said anyone who sells code for
$100-$300 a pop was a total _____ for selling it that cheap. The
E-mail discussions I've had said 'OK - we hear you - we'll get
back to you.' Never happened."
Unisys replied in part with reassuring clarifications to the general
public, explaining that if the software was developed prior to 1995, or if
it is public domain or freeware, the developer need not to worry:
"... Unisys does not intend to pursue previous inadvertent
infringement by versions of GIF-based software products marketed
prior to 1995... Unisys does not require licensing, or fees to be
paid, for non-commercial, non-profit GIF-based applications,
including those for use on the online services... Commercial
developers... are expected to secure a licensing agreement with
Unisys for software products introduced beginning in 1995, or
enhancements of products that were introduced prior to 1995."
However, these statements were followed by far more restrictive
interpretations. It soon became clear that Unisys could be demanding
royalties for everything "manufactured" after 1994. One developer
contacted Unisys and reported:
"I called the Unisys lawyer you referred me to and he confirmed
this position. Even a book or CD containing *pre 1995* freeware is
subject to royalties if the disk is put together in 1995...
Royalties must be collected *again* for each update release."
While the new Unisys licensing policies (announced on January 27, 1995)
enabled many software publishers to again ship their products after a
month-long pause, other developers preferred to wait, hoping for a
patent-free evolution of GIF. Comments included:
"What if I sign up and then they announce a new GIF specification
which does not use LZW?"
"Labeling and user notification requirements in the agreement are
ridiculous. I understand their desire to 'spread the word' about
their patent, but they're telling me that I have to provide far
more info on their ownership of the patent than they require in
the docs/packaging of modem manufacturers and other users of LZW.
Fair is fair. A blurb in the online help and docs should be
sufficient; a 'non-defeatable' splash screen at startup is going
too far."
"Unisys is attempting to control how we (and other shareware
authors) do business, and to make us billboards for their LZW
patent... By making me tell my users how many security backups
they can make, etc., they're telling me how to run my business and
how to interface with my customers."
"Imagine the nightmare of having to pay royalties to 10 patent
holders, each of whom tells you how to run your business..."
"Unisys has given us a chance to work together to change the
system - rather than waiting to be sued one by one for this patent
or that. We can win the fight against software patents, if we
speak loud and clear against them."
Some of the most active developers decided to collaborate on the design of
a patent-free evolution of GIF (and TIFF's LZW compression mode). A
variety of different procedures and data structures (such as Shannon-Fano
and AVL trees) have been used to compress data in ways similar, if not
equivalent, to LZW. But this diversity apparently does not escape the
patent. As one expert said, "If the output data is GIF, the compressor
infringes the Unisys patent regardless of the algorithm."
On January 16, 1995, CompuServe declared its intention to coordinate the
development of GIF24, a freely usable successor to GIF capable of 24-bit
lossless compression. Several developers invested a lot of time and
energies to solve the Unisys patent problem, and rapidly worked out
different modifications to the GIF specification. One of the better known
efforts was the project for a "GEF" graphics-exchange format. GEF and
GIF24 converged into PNG (official abbreviation of "Portable Network
Graphics", unofficially "Png is Not Gif").
The open architecture of PNG preserves the simplicity that made GIF so
popular, and adds features such as true color. Test results indicate that
PNG is capable of (losslessly) compressing true color images better than
any other widely used image format. It is also more effective than GIF in
storing palette-based images. (More information on PNG is included in the
Reference and Bibliography sections.)
At the end, it appears that if so many efforts converge into a new,
improved standard, we still have to give part of the credit to the LZW
patent...
The author of this text can be contacted at <mcb@cloanto.it>.
Any comments, or experience you would like to share, would
be very appreciated.
Reference
[search key: #1]
If the excerpts from the PNG specification are not included here in order
to keep the file size reasonable ("lossy compression"), please check for
another file accompanying this text (suggested file name: "giflzw2.txt"),
or send E-mail to <gltext2@cloanto.it> before April 30, 1995. The latest
hypertext version of the full document is available on the World Wide Web:
<URL:http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/png.html>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpts from the PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Specification,
Ninth Draft - Revision date: 7 March, 1995
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[search key: #2]
If the official texts from CompuServe and Unisys are not included here in
order to keep the file size reasonable, please check for another file
accompanying this text (suggested file name: "giflzw2.txt"), or send
E-mail to <gltext2@cloanto.it> before April 30, 1995.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT FOR USE OF GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT(SM)
[The text of the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) Developer Agreement,
released by CompuServe on December 29, 1994 is not included here.
I
t became obsolete when Unisys announced its new licensing policies
regarding "The Welch Patent" on January 27, 1995.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
%: 174559 S19/GIF/LZW Discussion [GRAPHSUP]
04-Jan-95 17:07:50
Sb: #GIF/LZW Clarification
Fm: Larry Wood 76703,704
To: All
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
#: 181065 S3/Hot News and Rumor
07-Jan-95 19:12:19
Sb: #Unisys GIF Clarification
Fm: Steve Ahlstrom/SYSOP 76703,2006
To: All
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rmarks@ecdcsvr.tredydev.unisys.com (Richard Marks)
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 22:09:14 GMT
Unisys LZW Patent FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS January 6, 1995
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[search key: #3]
If the texts of the two letters are not included here in order to keep the
file size reasonable, please check for another file accompanying this text
(suggested file name: "giflzw2.txt"), or send E-mail to
<gltext2@cloanto.it> before April 30, 1995.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From Cloanto/Unisys - November 6, 1992
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From Cloanto/Unisys - November 12, 1992
[The text is not included here]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bibliography
[search key: #4]
[Author Unknown - Information Appreciated]
"Spencer the Katt"
PC Week, October 2, 1989
Adobe Systems Incorporated
"LZWEncode Filter"
PostScript Language Reference Manual, Second Edition
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
ISBN 0-201-18127-4
Apiki, Steve
"Lossless Data Compression"
Byte, March 1991, pages 309-314, 386-387
Association of Shareware Professionals Forum
CompuServe GO ASPFORUM
Bell, Timothy C., Cleary, John G. and Witten, Ian H.
"Adaptive Dictionary Encoders"
Text Compression
Prentice Hall
ISBN 0-13-911991-4
Boutell, Thomas (Editor)
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Specification
Ninth Draft - Revision date: 7 March, 1995
Hypertext version available on the World Wide Web:
<URL:http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/png.html>
Clay, Betty
"Texas Tales"
ICPUG Newsletter, January/February 1995, pages 18-23
Cloanto Italia srl
Supplement to Personal Paint Manual
Version 6.1/1995, January 27, 1995
CompuServe Graphics Developers Forum (GO GRAPHDEV)
CompuServe Graphics Support Forum (GO GRAPHSUP)
Console Battilana, Michele
"LZW Data Compression without Hashing"
University of Udine Exam Project, July 9, 1987
Elmer-Dewitt, Philip
"Will Gates Get the Net?"
Time, January 30, 1995, Page 47
Erickson, Jonathan
"Patent Letter Suits" (Editorial)
Dr. Dobb's Journal, March 1990, page 6
Erickson, Jonathan
"The Green, Green Cash of Gnomes" (Editorial)
Dr. Dobb's Journal, April 1995, page 6
Gardner, Ray
"LZW Patent Issues" (Letter)
Dr. Dobb's Journal, December 1989, page 8
Internet comp.graphics Newsgroups
Internet comp.sys.graphics Newsgroup
Knuth, Donald E.
The Art of Computer Programming
Volume 3 / Sorting and Searching
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
ISBN 0-201-03803-X
Landy, Gene K.
The Software Developer's and Marketer's Legal Companion
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
ISBN 0-201-62276-9
Miles, J. B.
"Patent Issues May Stall Approval of New V.42bis Modem Standard"
InfoWorld, approximately fall of 1989, pages 43-44
[Author, Article Title and Exact Date Unknown - Information Appreciated]
[InfoWorld Article on LZW and Modem Implementations - Is this it?]
Nelson, Mark R.
"LZW Data Compression"
Dr. Dobb's Journal, October 1989, pages 29-36, 86-87
Nelson, Mark R.
"LZW Patent Issues" (Reply to Letter)
Dr. Dobb's Journal, December 1989, pages 8-12
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
Information and support material available from:
Internet comp.graphics Newsgroups
Internet comp.sys.graphics Newsgroup
CompuServe Graphics Support Forum (GO GRAPHSUP)
Via FTP from <ftp://godzilli.cs.sunysb.edu/pub/ngf>
The PNG specification is also available on the World Wide Web:
<URL:http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/png.html>
Unisys Corporation
"Patented Algorithms" (Letter)
Dr. Dobb's Journal, March 1990, page 8
Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J.
"Saving Space", "Squeeze, Squash, and Crush" and "Legal Seagull"
Byte, March 1990, pages 237-243
Welch, Terry A.
"A technique for high-performance data compression"
IEEE Computer, June 1984, pages 8-19
Ziv, Jacob and Lempel, Abraham
"A universal algorithm for sequential data compression"
IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, May 1977, pages 337-343
Ziv, Jacob and Lempel, Abraham
"Compression of individual sequences via variable-rate coding"
IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, September 1978, pages 530-536
Special thanks to Dave, David, Diana, Frank, Jason, Jean-loup, Jon, Kevin,
Larry, Pierce, Richard, Tim, Tom and many others for their precious help.
<end>
____________________________________________
> TVRO UPDATES STR Feature "from the inside track..."
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Welcome All,
This is a new feature of the STReport. TVRO information from the
field. My Name is Paul Guillot and I install Satellite equipment for a
living. Needless to say, I must keep up with all of the ins and outs of
the business.
Satellite TV NewsWire
=====================
by Paul Guillot
In the past few months, the satellite business has been buzzing about
the various satellite and transponder changes. This however, is not the
real worry for the users at this time. Many people are concerned that the
changes will make their system and services less attractive and useful
because they can't receive all the satellites due to their geographical
location. My real concerns are mainly concentrated in another area. It
seems that Houston Tracker Systems has allowed rumor to spread saying that
they are getting out of the business and will no longer produce the HTS
series. If true, its a tremendous loss! That would leave a large gap in
the satellite business where the stability of small companies depend
almost entirely upon reliable equipment.
From the time we began installing the HTS hardware series to be used
as our primary system, our service calls have dropped to almost nothing.
The system is a real pleasure for all users and their Premier 70 is
literally the cats meow. That leaves Uniden as a backup system. At best,
its a very shaky backup. In the past, we used the Uniden President series
as our primary system and the system was relatively stable, but
something.. happened at the factory and now the system is a nightmare and
I mean a bad one reliability wise. I fully expect flack on this one.. but
here are my reasons:
1. The system stores all your settings whether they are right or wrong.
2. If you program a satellite in the middle and reverse polarity with the
POL button, it reverses the entire database.
3. If the CALL button gets stuck (which it can) and you press 2,3, and 5
in succession, you reset the DISH AT location to a point outside your
limits. The system is now rendered "stupid" and must be completely
reprogrammed. What a painful headache this is!
4. A call to the company in an attempt to resolve the problem revealed
the following; Their answer is to install a static grounding wire to the
receiver and the ground plug to bleed off any ground potential voltage.
But that effort is meaningless because some homes do not have proper, safe
grounding installed. A grounding rod helps a great deal. But some units
still require the CALL kill. I feel this is due to a bug in the program.
5. The system runs VERY HOT! You could cook an egg on the system if you
left it there long enough. I guess Uniden copied Chapparell's power
supply problem.
As with all my reports, They are strictly my opinions and you are
welcome to disagree. But I might add the service I am doing involving
these units really proves my point. Uniden apparently needs to fix these
problems in their lines. Especially if they want me to recommend their
systems anytime in the near future. I am talking about the President and
4400 series. Too many mistakes have been carried forward they must be
examined and corrected.
Satellite UPDATES
-----------------
As of the beginning of the year, The following changes took place to the
birds high in the sky.
ASC 1 C-Band and KU-Band are gone... The satellite is Out of Service.
Galaxy 6 C-Band has replaced the Dead Galaxy 2 satellite. It was moved
from its old position and now subs for G2. Satcom F2R C Band went out of
service as of March 1, 1995
Telstar 402R is scheduled to launch in 1995 but I wouldn't hold my
breath, It could be as late as 1996 before we see anything from it. We
heard AT&T is suing Martin Marietta because of the repeated delays.
I get my information from SAT TV WEEK, ORBIT, ONSAT, and the grapevine.
Pick up a copy and read the changes too.
**********************************************************************
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=================
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The $20 charge will be billed to you at the beginning of the month to
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DELPHI-It's the BEST Value and getting BETTER all the time!
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************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Was it me that said, a couple of weeks ago, that Spring was in the
air? I wonder whether or not I specified exactly where?!? Typical New
England weather here!! The old saying "If you don't like the weather,
wait a minute" certainly holds true!! One day it's summer-like
temperatures, the next it's winter again! It's COLD out there!
I think I'm going to wander off and see if I can find one of those
blankets that we put away recently, to get warmed. While I'm away, why
don't you all catch up on the news!
Until next time...
__________________________________________________
> Speed of Light! STR Update! - Speed of Light 3.7 Release A Fixes Bug!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
From SOL's Stu Denman:
I have just put out a new RELEASE A of SOL version 3.7. Please erase the
old version 3.7 and replace it with this version 3.7a. Release A fixes a
bug with monochrome on older Atari computers. The new version should be
up on my WWW page now, but not on all the ftp sites yet. Please be sure to
overwrite any old copies of SOL 3.7 that you might have uploaded to BBSs
or other sites.
The new filename is spolt37a.zip.
The bug cause SOL 3.7 to say "Speed of Light does not work in Truecolor
Modes" when you tried to run it on STs or STEs in monochrome. It worked
fine on the Falcon and TT.
I will try to post to comp.binaries.atari.st, but who knows if it will
ever show up. I'll post a list of FTP sites later.
Thank you,
Stuart Denman
sdenman@cs.washington.edu
http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/sdenman/
[Editor's note: As of 04/04, there was another bug discovered during the
registration process - look for version 3.7B as the most current.]
-/- Sun's Dress Code Is for Fools -/-
"Are blue jeans and Hawaiian shirts really appropriate for
representatives of a $5 billion company?"
So asked Sun Microsystems Inc. CEO Scott McNealy last week in a
general e-mail to his 13,000 employees worldwide.
The Washington Post this morning reports that after reading the somber
message, employees were asked to click on an electronic image of the new
dress code, which showed McNealy himself donning a full tuxedo.
"No more grunge look," he says from their speaker-equipped computers.
"We're taking our competition to the cleaners, so we might as well have
something to drop off." April Fool. The Post notes Sun is renowned for
its April Fools' Day antics. One spoofed employee was heard to exclaimed,
"Now he's a marked man for next year."
-/- Publishers Win Rental Law Test -/-
Software publishers have won the first case to test the Computer
Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990.
The Software Publishers Association reports that a federal court ruled
in favor of its members in a civil copyright infringement suit against
Global Software & Accessories Inc. for the unauthorized rental of computer
software.
The Washington-based SPA notes that Global, which operates three
stores on Long Island, New York, offered software on a "Deferred Billing
Plan." The plan allowed customers to take software home for up to five
days for a "non-refundable deposit." If the customer kept the software for
more than five days, the customer was charged the difference between the
deposit and the purchase price.
Global Software argued that the practice did not constitute a rental.
In practice, however, the software was returned by the customer 99 percent
of the time, and U.S. District Judge Leonard Wexler rejected the
defendant's argument.
Wexler ruled that the plan constituted copyright infringement that the
plaintiff software publishers were entitled to a permanent injunction. He
also ruled that the plaintiffs, which included Central Point Software Inc.
and other SPA members, were entitled to an award of costs and attorneys'
fees, which will be set by the court at a later date.
-/- GAO Says Schools Not Data-Ready -/-
America's schools lack even the basics to take advantage of new online
information technologies, according to a new study by the government's
General Accounting Office.
And heralding the report, Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, D-Illinois,
announced creation of the National Education Technology Funding Corp. to
finance schools' and libraries' efforts to get onto the Internet.
Moseley-Braun told United Press International the corporation will be
a public-private partnership under the leadership of former Sen. John
Danforth, R-Missouri, former Fannie Mae president James Murray and Mary
Hatwood Futrell, former president of the National Education Association.
Murray added that currently, the corporation has no private partners nor
public funding.
Futrell told the wire service the corporation will work with other
national public-private school partnerships.
The GAO report, "School Facilities: America's Schools Not Designed or
Equipped for 21st Century," reveals most schools do not fully use modern
technology, 40 percent of schools don't have basic facilities, more than
half of schools don't have space and two thirds of schools cannot meet
needs of before - or after - school care.
Said the study, "Although at least three-quarters of schools report
having sufficient computers and televisions, they do not have the system
or building infrastructure to fully use them. Moreover, because computers
and other equipment are often not networked or connected to other
computers in the school or outside world, they cannot access the
information superhighway."
FCC member Reed Hundt praised the report, saying it "adds to the
growing body of evidence that advanced communications technology is
lacking in most of our nation's schools and preventing us from training
our children for the 21st century workplace."
-/- Record Software Sales Reported -/-
Sales of application software in the U.S. and Canada topped $7.38
billion in 1994, a 16.6 percent increase from a revised $6.33 billion in
1993, according to the Software Publishers Association.
The SPA says Fourth Quarter 1994 sales were a record $2.48 billion,
easily surpassing the previous record quarter (Fourth Quarter 1993), where
sales were $2.04 billion.
"For the year," said the SPA in a statement from Washington, "unit
sales in North America increased 77 percent, and were up 74 percent for Q4
'94. Worldwide unit sales increased 77 percent for Q4 '94 and 78 percent
for the year."
Some findings:
-:- Windows applications accounted for 65 percent of the application
software sold in the U.S. and Canada in 1994, with sales of $4.78 billion.
-:- DOS and Macintosh applications split most of the balance, with
sales of $1.28 billion and $1.25 billion, respectively.
-:- For the year, Windows application sales increased 45.2 percent,
DOS application sales fell 37.2 percent, and Macintosh applications
increased 18.7 percent.
-:- Macintosh applications sales and growth in Q4 '94 were the best of
the year, increasing 23.6 percent to $397 million for the quarter.
-:- In the final quarter of the year, DOS sales declined 26.9 percent
to $415 million, as Christmas season sales of entertainment software
buoyed the category.
-:- Nearly half of the DOS application sales was in the entertainment
segment in Q4 '94. "The entertainment segment was the only segment in
which DOS sales increased in Q4 '94 and the full year when compared with
year-ago sales," the SPA statement said.
-:- Word processor and spreadsheet software remained the largest
application software categories in 1994, with sales of $1.03 billion and
$830 million, respectively. But, while unit sales growth in these
categories remained solid, price declines limited revenue growth for the
year.
-:- With sales of $358 million (up 64 percent), entertainment was the
largest category in Q4 '94, surpassing both word processors and
spreadsheets.
-:- Home education was the third largest category in Q4 '94, with
sales of $233 million, an 81 percent increase from Q4 '93.
Commenting on the findings, SPA research director David Tremblay said,
"The past year has been one of turmoil in the application software
industry. Application segments which have traditionally led the industry
had little or no revenue growth, while other segments emerged as growth
leaders because of new users (e.g. the home market) or new technologies
(e.g., the PowerPC Macintosh)."
_____________________________________________
JAGUAR SECTION
==============
JEFF MINTER CONFERENCE!!
ACTIVISION 2600 COLLECTION CONFERENCE!
DOUBLE DRAGON V & SENSIBLE SOCCER OUT!
> From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Well, Sensible Soccer and Double Dragon V are the latest games to hit
the streets. There has been mixed reactions to Sensible Soccer, and very
little so far with regard to Double Dragon. We hope to have more news
about both soon, including reviews.
Speaking of reviews, review carts have been slow coming our way as of
late, so that's why some of our reviews are late. We hope to have a
number of them making these pages shortly, so look forward to seeing them
(I know I plan to!).
The CatBox has hit the streets, but I haven't seen any activity from
anyone who's received theirs yet. We're hoping to get some feedback, as
well as our own review, soon. Seems like everything will be coming
"soon"!! Sounds like someone else we all know! ACK!
I missed the Jeff Minter conference on GEnie last week,
unfortunately. But, we have the transcript available here in case you
missed it also. We also have the transcript of the CIS conference with
the folks at Activision. They discussed the 2600 Collection that's
currently out. I realize that this collection isn't for the console
hardware (yet!), but since this collection is made up of all of our 2600
favorites, I thought you might be interested. I know I thought it was
pretty cool info!
Things are happening on the Jaguar front. The 3rd party developers
are starting to get those games out. I just wish that they'd be a little
more active online to keep us posted on these releases!! It's almost out
of the blue when we see a random message somewhere saying that the game
was seen on the shelf at a local store! Let us know folks!!
Still nothing concrete on the JagCD release date, but all indications
are that it won't see daylight until sometime in May. Let's just hope
that the games are ready AND worth the wait (and more waiting).
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.
J9029 Doom $69.99 id/Atari Corp.
J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $69.99 Atari Corp.
J9012 Kasumi Ninja $69.99 Atari Corp.
J9042 Zool 2 $59.99 Atari Corp
J9020 Bubsy $49.99 Atari Corp
J9026 Iron Soldier $59.99 Atari Corp
J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $59.99 Atari Corp.
Cannon Fodder $69.99 Virgin
Syndicate $69.99 Ocean
Troy Aikman Ftball $69.99 Williams
Theme Park $69.99 Ocean
Sensible Soccer Telegames
Double Dragon V $59.99 Williams
Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
CatBox $69.95 ICD
Hover Strike $59.99 Atari
Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari
Hardware and Peripherals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER
J8001 Jaguar (complete) $189.99 Atari Corp.
J8001 Jaguar (no cart) $159.99 Atari Corp.
J8904 Composite Cable $19.95
J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp.
J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95
________________________________________________________
> Online With Minter! STR Game Console NewsFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Atari ST RoundTable
Real Time Conference
Special Guests - Jeff Minter and Dan McNamee
March 29, 1995
<Lou (Host)> Thanks to everyone for coming tonight. This is the first
formal conference with famous game developer Jeff Minter
and I would like to welcome Jeff to GEnie... the home of
loyal Atarians! Yeah! I would also like to thank Dan
McNamee from Atari for joining us and I am sure that Dan
will have some interesting things to tell us tonight.
Finally, thanks to Atari for providing some neat prizes
tonight. As you read in the banner, we will give away 3
copies of the Tempest 2000 game cartridge plus 3 copies of
the newly released Tempest 2000 CD soundtrack and 3
Jaguar T-Shirts. The lucky winners will be the first ones
to answer a skill testing question. There will be three
questions in all. Each time we have a question, the first
answer judged to be correct will have first choice of a
Game, CD or T-Shirt. Second answer gets the next choice.
Third answer gets the remaining prize.
OK Let's meet Dan McNamee and Jeff Minter. Gentlemen,
your mics are open. GA please
<yak> Baaa!
<Dan @ Atari> <tap, tap> this thing on?
<yak> Time to open my Inca Kola.
<Lou (Host)> Yep. Step up and speak into the mic
<yak> Lance here, I'm sharing the space, but no Kola?
<Dan @ Atari> Well, you all know me. I'm Dan McNamee, and I've been at
Atari a long time. 7 years and 1 week now. ;-)
<yak> Well, you may know me, and I'm very strange indeed.
<Dan @ Atari> I've worked almost every position available in the
company, and I now work in software test.
<yak> I currently work in a poky apartment.
<Dan @ Atari> ;-)
<Lou (Host)> poky?
<Dan @ Atari> We do have a cube for you though, Jeff. <G>
<yak> Poky=small, constrained
<Lou (Host)> ah
<yak> But better than a cube :):)
<Dan @ Atari> <G>
<yak> I need to get myself a place with a llamasworth of space
<Dan @ Atari> (He just doesn't want to have to sit next to me)
<yak> hehe My this Inca Kola is llovely!
<Lou (Host)> OK fellas. Thanks for the intros.
<yak> *urpp!*
<David Fairweather> Please describe some of the user configurable fx
of VLM. How does it compare to Trip-A-Tron and
Colourspace, (earlier Minter lightsynths)? What
musical qualities are tracked? Beat? Amplitude?
Frequencies? Just tell us all about it!
<yak> Well, there is not as much control as in TaT... some parameters
are configured to respond to joypad movement and button
presses... basically there is an FFT of 128 bins, sometimes all
the values are used to draw something which is thrown into a
symmetry generator.. there are also five trigger bands, which
bracket groups of frequencies, which are used to trigger some
one-shot events.. the bands can be moved to select which part of
the spectrum to use, and the thresholds can be varied. TaT had
more user config stuff.. but then again, there you had a mouse
and keyboard! VLM is meant to be a more naive-user oriented
thing ...but VLM effects blow away TaT bigtime <g> okay?
<Matt> Jeff, what is your opinion about the current state and future
of Atari home computers and consoles?
<yak> Well, obviously I believe the Jag has a future, or I wouldn't be
here. I think what we need now is a lot of high-quality
software. Sure, we're not about to outsell Nintendo this year..
but I think that there's prospects for a good solid Jaguar
market.
<yak> As for the computers... well, I still use a TT and a Falcon, and
I suspect the Falcon will continue to sell to the music biz
ok... gA
<Lou (Host)> Thanks. On to Kodogr
<Kodogr> Yak, any chance for a Total Carnage mode in Robotron 2K? Any
Chance that you'll be doing work on Adventure 2K?
<yak> well, I haven't been granted the Robotron license yet! You can
rest assured that it would *be* total carnage...
Not sure I'd particularly like to copy their game exactly.. I'd
rather have a Llamatron mode! As for Adv2K... not been asked to
do that! It'd be cool though... I have been playing a version
on the PC which sadly cannot be released.. the guy wants to do
it as shareware but atari don't want him to as adv. is their
copyright... shame! ga
<AVRO> Yak, did you ever finish hardcore and are you planning any STE
games such as perhaps an STE version of Llamazap? (registered
user of Llamatron here)ga
<yak> No, I never finished Hardcore, as I had to break off to do
Falcon Llamazap and after that I was straight into the Jag.
Can't see myself doing any more ST/E/Falc thangs while I'm busy
with Jag... ga
<Floating Fish Studios> Hi Jeff. Thanks for all the great games and
light synthesizers for Atari products over the
years. I can't wait to get my hands on your
VLM and Defender 2000. What I really want to
know is, can I register my shareware copies of
Llamatron, Revenge of the Mutant Camels, and
Trip-a-Tron here in the US? How much and where
can I send my US dollars? I need the manual
for Trip-A-Tron, so please let me know if you
need additional money for it. Thanks and sorry
for getting off the topic of the Jaguar.
P.S. Thanks for Llamazap. It was well worth
the wait! GA
<yak> Hi... glad you liked the games so far... as for registering the
games, yeah, the address is: Llamasoft, 49 Mount Pleasant,
Tadley, Hants RG26 6BN, UK and the phone is 0734814478. I am not
sure how much the games are for overseas at the moment, normally
just a bit extra from the UK prices for postage.. you ought to
ring them up and ask them how much, my mum'll sort you out. ga
<Eggs Ackley> Jeff, how "successful" ($$$) have your shareware games
been? And man, LLAMATRON is still my FAVORITE game.
It's terrific!
<yak> Llamatron is kinda fun :) On the ST Llamatron made quite a bit,
probably about 20K pounds. On the Amiga and PC, users are
obviously not so honest <g> and the game's not made a huge
amount there. Revenge didn't make nearly as much as Llamatron; I
guess it wasn't so universally addictive.
<Lou (Host)> Atarians revere their developers, Jeff. :-)
<yak> Mind you you should play the TT version, it kicks @ss!! ga
<Lou (Host)> Is there a demo version?
<yak> You can get the TT version if you register the game :)
<Lou (Host)> Sounds like a plan
<Dan @ Atari> Jeff> You can leave a copy on my TT when you finish the
CO tonight. <G>
<GregLeg> Yak, a quick Q about yer Web page -- will you be updating it
anytime soon? (I know yer busy n all...) The last update
for D2K was on the 12th :-) (I'm looking at it right now.
Sounds GREAT. 60Hz...drool <g>) GA
<yak> Yeah, about the web page, I'm sorry. You see, the guy who gives
me space is at Uni.. and he has to xfer my updates from where I
upload them to the web server. If he isn't there, or is busy, it
languishes, and I guess he musta been on spring break or sommat.
I will update again sOOn.. ga
<Lou (Host)> Hey, it's time for TRAVIS!
<Travis> All hail Yak! <g> Greetings and welcome to our humble online
home. About VLM, you mentioned a "symmetry generator"
earlier. Will all effects & gizmos go through that, or will
there be asymmetrical aspects to the displays? GA
<yak> Some are symmetrical and some are asymmetrical. There's plenty
to choose from. The sym generator, when deployed, uses
rotational symmetry followed by mirror symmetry... it's much
better than the TaT one! ga
<Travis> Sounds great. One more question for now. Can you give us a
-brief- update on the status of D2K? Everyone's dying for
more info! GA And thanks again.
<yak> Sure. Plus is nearly complete. We have been overhauling the
graphics.. now, all the enemies in Plus are pre-rendered and
look cool. I just put in a new ship, which tilts as you move it
up and down, has an IPAZ flame out the back.. and as two gun
tubes are now visible I doubled the firepower :) Right now, most
of the tiling stuff for 2K is running, got 11 layers of parallax
in a little demo mode.. so backdrops should look great.
<Dan @ Atari> IPAZ?
<yak> I am currently working on some trix with the OLP/GPU IPAZ is
that p-system generator they have in 3D Studio. Also, new sounds
are in
<Dan @ Atari> Ah. Ok. I only knew that they looked cool. <G>
<yak> there is a great sizzle on the Llightning Llaser! Yak-mode is
in as well (all humanoids become llamas, and you fly Flossie) ga
<Travis> Dooz saw the Plasma Fire (?) in Plus at ECTS and said it was
lovely. Sort of like the aurora borealis.
<yak> Yeah, the plasma is cool.
<Dan @ Atari> The Plasma is great!
<yak> I llove blitter fx :)
<Travis> I'm done for the mo'.
<yak> ga
<Lou (Host)> Tony is next. Mr. Wetmore?
<Tony> Hiya yak -- i think this question has been asked before, but...
Does the Jaguar CD (and VLM) have the ability to accept line
input from a stereo? 5 Floyd discs are better than one, and
all that. (ga)
<yak> Well, the hooks are in the software but it would need a small
amount of external hardware to do it Not much... maybe VLC might
make some... ga
<Tony> something a user could rig together if given pinout specs? <g>
<yak> Probably. I don't know exactly what is needed. ga
<Tony> good enough -- thanks. (done)
<Matt> Jeff, how difficult was it to get used to the new "64-Bit"code
and was it a pain or easy to get used to?
<yak> Actually it was pretty easy.
<Dan @ Atari> Not real likely. I think it has to go through the cart
port (I could be wrong) which could make things
difficult.
<yak> The GPU instruction set is quite easy to understand for a 68K
coder
<Dan @ Atari> (^ referring to homebrew VLM interface)
<yak> and the co-processors, well, if you have used an amiga you are
halfway there, you are used to the idea... and I had a
headstart, I worked on the Panther for awhile, which had
something a lot like the OLP in it. So.. you can get up on the
Jag in a few days, then you get better as time goes by and you
learn how everything works together. ga
<Thunderbird> Hi Yak... we enjoy your stuff so much that I thought it
would be interesting to know which Jag games (released
or not) impressed _you_. What stuff do _you_ think
really "kicks bottom"? BTW, thanks for coming here
tonight... GA
<yak> Hi TB, no worries... well, I like Doom, Val D'Isere and Iron
Soldier the best so far. IS has great poly handling.. Val
D'Isere is one of the few to keep 60Hz, and the hill effects are
well done, and it's a hoot to play too. Mind you, I haven't seen
all the Jag games so I'm not saying others aren't as good.
<Thunderbird> Yeah...we've been inspired by the explosions in Iron
Soldier and want ours to be even COOLER. The Jag is
incredibly powerful! ga
<yak> yeah, it's nice to be on a machine where you can do so much...
I am having fun doing OLP stuff this time...
<Lou (Host)> Hassen got bumped off so I am letting him in now....
<Hassen> Hello Jeff. I work retail part-time at a software store. Can
you give me any advice for selling Jags. You and I both know
it's the way to go, but these people are wondering how it
stacks up to The PlayStation, Saturn and Ultra 64. They're
also worried about the lack of software. Any advice?
<yak> Run Doom... run T2K with the sound turned up...
<Lou (Host)> Speaking of Tempest 2000...
<yak> ...run IS.. basically, you need to run some of the better s/w on
there, after all the games are what will sell a system, more
than the soecs Specs I mean ga
<Lou (Host)> I am going to stop here and ask the first prize question.
All people will be put in TALK mode at the same time.
<Lou (Host)> Type your answer but don't hit RETURN until you see the
TALK mode prompt OK. Dan, Jeff, you ready?
<Dan @ Atari> Yep!
<Lou (Host)> Question ONE: the Soundtrack.
The style of music used in Tempest 2000 can be described as:
A. Rock and Roll
B. Techno-Rave
C. Rap
D. Industrial
<Lou (Host)> OK we need the first person to get the right answer Looks
like Eggs. Do the judges agree?
<Dan @ Atari> Yep, I got Eggs first here. (Jeff is in the little yaks
room, though)
<yak> (Back from my slash)
<Dan @ Atari> Lance, you there?!
<Eggs Ackley> WHEEE!!!
<Lou (Host)> Eggs
<Eggs Ackley> Yahoo!!!
<Lou (Host)> Pick a prize... Tempest 2000 GAME, CD or a Jag T shirt.
<Dan @ Atari> Congrats, Eggs!
<yak> yeah, Dan?
<Eggs Ackley> The game for sure!
<Lou (Host)> You got it. Send me your address in email after the
conference. Email to ST.LOU. Got it?
<Eggs Ackley> YEP!
<Lou (Host)> Don't forget to mention the prize you chose.
<yak> hehe... another addict...
<Lou (Host)> Looks like GregLeg is second Then Gary W
<GregLeg> Yay. Already HAVE the game, so I'll take the shirt (which
is what I wanted anyway <g>)
<Dan @ Atari> That's what I have too.
<Lou (Host)> You got it! Email your choice and mailing address to
ST.LOU after the conference. That means Gary gets the
CD! Gary, you there?
<Gary W> DUDE! That's great!
<Lou (Host)> Sooper!
<Gary W> (I already have the game.. heh.)
<Lou (Host)> Email address and choice to ST.LOU. OK?
<Dan @ Atari> gaspacio!
<Gary W> Thanks!
<Lou (Host)> I like it when everybody gets what they really wanted :-)
What say we give away a second round of prizes? Right
NOW! :-) On account of all the great questions we had so
far.... So here we go.... Trick Question: TWO answers
needed!
The most evil enemy in Tempest 2000 is:
A. Level 64
B. The Flopmeister
C. Pulsar Tankers
D. Trip Hawkins
<Lou (Host)> I think the answers are A and C. Can the judges verify
that?
<yak> Yup
<Lou (Host)> Steve, Vernon and Matt look like the first three to get
BOTH A and C Dan, we asked for TWO answers in the leadup
to the question.
<Dan @ Atari> Steve, Vernon and Matt it is.
<Steve> Yippee! As I already have the game and CD, I'll go for the ...
<yak> Lance here-yeah
<Lou (Host)> Steve, first pick to you
<Steve> T-shirt! Thanks! ga
<Lou (Host)> Great! Send your choice and address to ST.LOU in email.
<Vernon> ill take the CD.
<Lou (Host)> You got it!
<Vernon> thanks!
<Lou (Host)> Send choice and mailing address to ST.LOU after the
conference. That leaves MATT Matt, do you have the game?
<Matt> Sure do....
<yak> Lance here, did we mention that Jeff was kind enuf to put his
jon hankok on the CD's?? it's true
<Lou (Host)> Hmmm, judges... would you allow Matt a trade for the CD
or T shirt?
<yak> well I think he should..
<Lou (Host)> OK Matt. Pick T shirt or CD
<Matt> Then spin me a CD, Lou...
<Dan @ Atari> Lou, I don't that that should be a problem.
<Lou (Host)> You GOT it.
<Matt> Thanks!
<Lou (Host)> Send address and choice to ST.LOU
<Matt> okey!
<Lou (Host)> OK, judges. Thanks for the help.
<Matt> Thanks Dan and Jeff!
<Lou (Host)> We will have one more round of questions in a few
minutes.
<yak> Dim ots duude!
<Dan @ Atari> Congrats guys!
<Lou (Host)> At that time we will have 2 games and one tshirt left.
Back to our questions. Next is Pat Forister coming back
as Job 11 GA Pat
<Pat> Any chance you could upload a few pics in gif and true color
formats of D2K ga
<yak> umm... I don't have any Defender shots in a PC format to upload
although I could ask and see if they will let me upload maybe
one or two things like maybe the ship.. or some of the enemies.
<Pat> Thanks... GA
<Lou (Host)> Thanks Pat.
<yak> Trouble is the screen is so full of *moving* shit anyway that a
static shot doesn't do it justice!
<STumped> Jeff, I just ordered LLamazap yesterday. I know little about
the game except for the pictures I've seen in ST Format. Can
you tell me a bit about the game? I also wanted to tell you
that T2K is still the best Jag game around! GA
<yak> Well, Llamazap is a h/scrolling blaster which incorporates a lot
of references to Llamasoft games... it starts out with AMC, and
you get references to Gridrunner.. Metagalactic Llamas Battle at
the Edge of Time, Sheep In Space and Llamatron... as well as a
couple of new thangs. The h/scrolling sections feature some nice
GFX and there are bigtime weapon powerups on the ships. And the
title page with the big llama with the gun and cybershades kicks
@ss. ga
<STORMY KNIGHT> Well T-bird took my initial question, so, what does
your development system consist of and what's your
next serious project?
<Dan @ Atari> I vote for Sinistar 2000!
<yak> well, I got a PC that I have a Transputer board in; I use the F
folding editor running on the Trannie to edit, shell out to run
the Atari development tools, and squirt it all down via the
Alpine board to a development Jag. It's quite a compact dev
system, just the PC, 2 monitors and the Jag (and a small pottery
statue of a llama, and 2 empty cans of Inca Kola). As for what's
next, well, I will have to talk to the bossdude come the end of
D2K. There was talk of Major Havoc.. (although I wouldn't mind
the Robotron thang... and Sinistar... yeah... *I HUNGER!!!!* ga
<Lou (Host)> Carlos is next
<Carlos> Thanks for joining us here on Genie, hope to see you here
more often :) Were those options seen on the dealer tape left
in the final version of VLM.. I am talking of the extra
options you were displaying.. GA
<yak> Well, they're there... somewhere. Is all I can say :) ga
<Matt> How big is T2K and approximately how big will D2K be in Megs?
GA.
<yak> well, the cart size on t2k is 2Meg, and about half that is
audio. D2K is going to be on CD though, so we will have plenty
room for kickin' audio and a shitload of levels! So... half a
gig odd, if we fill that CD ga
<Lou (Host)> T-bird?
<Thunderbird> Well STORMY KNIGHT took my second question, so, perhaps
instead I'd like to ask you what "Panther" game you
wrote, and what (if any) options can be _saved_ in
VLM?!?! GA
<yak> The Panther game was to be kinda a cross between star raiders
and defender, I only got as far as doing a few demos of stuff
for the game before the P. got @xed. On the VLM, not a lot is
saved - the last effect you were in, I think. Dunno what CD
parameters are saved. Dave S. is doing all that code. ga
<Lou (Host)> Doug? Finished?
<Thunderbird> Speaking of Jaguar games.... you give much thought to
multi-user games?
<Dan @ Atari> VLM saves the volume level and the last effect you set.
GA
<yak> Well.. I'd like to do multi-user, particularly Llamatron/
Robotron In Defender, maybe, I haven't decided for sure. ga
<yak> If everyone has finished, I will hie me hence and eat the flesh
of dead chickens..
<Tony> What about Pink Floyd and Roger Waters? Think they ever
could/should get back together?
<Tony> I enjoy both of them, separately, in slightly different ways,
personally. (Is that considered heresy?)
<yak> Well, I think it would be *great* if they got back together..
..but the acrimony, especially with Roger, seems too strong...
Me, I like them both, in slightly different ways, as you say...
<Dan @ Atari> I agree. I like Waters and Floyd together, but not if it
would tear the band apart.
<yak> although I do think Rog's lyrical content is superior, if a bit
bleak (but that's our Rog, innit?) ...but Dave sure does know
how to play that cheesegrater... ga
<Travis> No question, just a comment (and hint) that I hope you get
some =serious= vacation time before you start on Sinistar
2000! I'd hate to see a burned out Yak. ;) GA
<yak> I will do my be(a)st to do that. Maybe I'll pop back to the UK
and visit Flossie
<Lou (Host)> Albert is next
<Albert> How well does the Rotary controller work in Tempest 2k?
<Dan @ Atari> BTW, Several years ago Nick Mason and Rick Fenn did an
album together called Profiles, and Watters did the
vocals on a couple of tracks. It's a great album. Pick
it up!
<Albert> Do you have parts list? ga
<Lou (Host)> Thanks Albert
<yak> well, I don't know for sure... all I had was a converted Indy
500 driving controller, and it lacked the flywheel weight to
really give it any kind of Tempest feel. As for parts and pinout
details... you'd have to ask Atari. ga
<Dan @ Atari> Unfortunately, the pinout is covered under NDA. (I think
some people have scoped it out and posted lists, though.
<G>)
<Lou (Host)> Matt is next
<Matt> It's me again, Jeff! Will D2K support external hardware, that
is the VLM, etc.? Will the ability to save into a cart be
used? GA.
<yak> Hi Matt... well, the VLM is a separate entity, it won't be
running when the game is! I guess when the save cart is ready I
could include code to use it - I guess most CD titles will. ga
<David Fairweather> Is VLM complete and burned in to ROM? If not can
you add stereo pair imaging for 3d fx via the VR
headset? Or have you already done that?
<yak> We really can't do anything more on VLM at this time. I have D2K
to do! However it would be possible to maybe do an upgrade to
VLM on CD or cart later.. ga
<Gary W> Yak: I LOVE T2K! Great game. I really appreciate your
enthusiasm for keeping frame rate up. I think that has gotten
lost in games these days. T2K is my favorite Jaguar game, and
I'm not just saying that.... (I want the rotary ctrlr!) (I've
been told that I should mention that I'm a 3DO owner as
well.. don't everyone shoot me all at once! ;-) )
<yak> Glad you like T2K... yeah... I figure a h.scrolling game should
keep frame rate. Oh, I like Soccer on the 3do! ga
<Dan @ Atari> So, do you think Gary fell for that joke about winning a
prize? <G>
<yak> hehe
<Lou (Host)> Stormy is back....
<STORMY KNIGHT> I can't wait to get my hands on the ROM drive! I'm
dying to see what Led Zeppelin will do on the VLM.
What's your favorite bit of music on the VLM?
<yak> probably just about any Floyd.. VLM loves Floyd! And Ozric
Tentacles, an' Eat St@ic.. ga
<ginsu> Will any enemies/features from Defender:Stargate make it into
D2K (such as Firebombers and Inviso)? Also, are the controls
set up with the new 6button controller in mind? (I'd love to
see a Yak version of Sinistar!) Love T2K! GA
<Dan @ Atari> All of it! <G> I've been having fun with Nine Inch
Nails recently and with Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough:
New Wave Hits of the 80s
<yak> Well, the Stargate is in there, I may sneak Firebomber-
equivalents into Plus.. Inviso is replaced by Llightning Llaser,
in Plus... Anyway, dudes, it has been fun but I really have to
go ingest dead chicken sometime soon. So... a couple more and
I'm outta here ok? ga
<Lou (Host)> OK, let's end the formal part of our conference by giving
away the third and final set of prizes. I would like to
thank Atari once again for their generosity in donating
these prizes. Previous winners are not eligible. :-)
<Dan @ Atari> Jeff's getting PECKish. <G>
<Lou (Host)> Before we do Thanks Jeff and Dan for spending the night
with us.
<yak> No worries, it was a blast
<Lou (Host)> I am sure I speak on behalf of our attendees when I say
it has been lots of fun.
<Dan @ Atari> No Problem. B5 was a rerun anyway. ;-)
<Lou (Host)> Here goes the last question
<yak> (and the Inca Kola was lovely)
<Lou (Host)> ;-) Jeff, you MUST get a GEnie account! :-) Maybe we can
get you a free one! Interested?
<yak> Well... yeah, why not? after all, I do have a modem <g>
<Lou (Host)> And PLEASE consider joining the IAJD, the best outfit
around for developing Jag Games.
<yak> OK... although I can't promise too much as I have a lot of online
commitments already
<Lou (Host)> Question Three:
Classic Defender can best be described as being:
A. A texture mapped RPG.
B. A vertical scrolling shooter
C. The precursor to the "Mario" series.
D. A horizontal scrolling, finger-pounding shooter.
<Lou (Host)> Dave Fairweather
<Dan @ Atari> I got David Fairweather, Vernon and STumped
<Lou (Host)> JR and STumped Vernon won already! :-)
<yak> Yeah, JR second
<David Fairweather> love that Aladdin message buffer! Got any Xtra
Large T-Shirts?
<Dan @ Atari> Oops, missed JR. ;-)
<Lou (Host)> You GOT it! They are all XL.
<David Fairweather> Alright!
<Lou (Host)> They used Brodie for a model :-) Next is J.R. J.R. your
pick of the CD or the game
<J.R.> I'll go for the CD
<Lou (Host)> David, send me your choice and your mailing address in
email to ST.LOU. Same for you J.R.
<STumped> well already got the cart, but I guess I'll have a spare.
Unless an xtra cd is lying around
<Lou (Host)> Pat, I guess you have to take the game. Do you own it?
<STumped> its Pete BTW
<Lou (Host)> CD... OK. You can trade down Pete.
<STumped> Cool! thanks LOU!
<Lou (Host)> Send me your choice and mailing address. We want everyone
to be happy
<STumped> :)
<yak> I want a llama. Can I have my llama please?
<Lou (Host)> Well, that's about it folks. Thanks for coming and thanks
to my buddy Travis for riding backup and helping with the
transcript
<STumped> A llama lives on my street
<Lou (Host)> Uh.. yes. The llama is back behind the store.
<Dan @ Atari> How about if we ship Flossie out?
<yak> Send her over!
<STumped> its a strange animal
<yak> Llamas are llovely.
<STumped> spits a lot, however
<Lou (Host)> Thanks again Jeff and Dan. Good night everyone.
====================================================================
(C) 1995 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May
be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on
GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation.
====================================================================
> ACTIVISION & YOU! STR Game Console NewsFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
TALK TO ACTIVISION *TONIGHT* IN A
FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE AND
WIN PRIZES!
GO CONVENTION AT 9:00 PM EASTERN TIME!
The Video Games Publishers Forum will host an online conference with the
design and production team of Activision's ATARI 2600 ACTION PACK in the
Convention Center (GO CONVENTION) on Wednesday, March 29th, at 9 p.m. ET
(6 p.m. PT).
Three copies of the ATARI 2600 ACTION PACK as well as three copies of the
classic RETURN TO ZORK will be given away to attendees.
Connect time for this conference will be *free of charge* to CompuServe
Basic Service subscribers. So stop by to win some free classic game
software.
The ATARI 2600 ACTION PACK brings the best of the all time classic
Atari 2600 video games to the PC including PITFALL!, River Raid, Kaboom!,
Chopper Command and many more. Each of the four volumes will contain
10-15 of the classic games.
Browse through Library 15, "Activision", for SCREEN SHOTS, WAV SOUND
BYTES AND PRESS INFORMATION. New files will continually be added!
% The Activision Atari 2600 Ga conference is beginning
Your moderator is MODERATOR-Ron (3)
(MODERATOR-Ron) On behalf of CompuServe and the Video Game ...
Publishers Forum, I'd like to welcome you to our ...
Activision Atari 2600 Action PackConference. My name is ...
Ron Luks and I'll be your moderator tonight. ...
-
Tonight, our guests are the design and programming ...
team that brought the classic Atari 2600 video games...
to your home PC.
-
At the conclusion of tonight's conference, ...
We'll be giving away some great prizes including
copies of the 2600 Action Pack and Return to Zork.
-
Before we begin, I'd like to mention a few items of...
online protocol. First, when typing your questions ...
please end each line with "..." to indicate you are...
still typing, and end your question with "GA"...
meaning "GO AHEAD" so that the speaker will know to...
begin his answer.
-
Second, please ask only ONE question at a time...
If you have other questions, get back into the...
queue and wait to be called again.
-
To get in line (into the queue) to ask a question,...
type the command /QUE. You will be recognized by...
the moderator when it's your turn to speak.
-
If you need help with any of the online conference...
facility commands, type /? or /HELP.
-
A final note-- if time permits, we will try to answer ...
your other Activision questions, but we request that ...
you focus your questions on the Atari 2600 Action Pack.
-
okay, and now a few opening comments from Activision...
Go ahead Shawn.
GA
(Activision) Activision, Inc.Us Atari 2600 Action Pack (PC Windows ...
CD-ROM and Floppy Disk) will give former Atari 2600 ...
game fans the opportunity to re-play their favorite ...
titles for the first time on their Windows-based ...
personal computers. ...
-
The Atari 2600 Action Pack, the first in a four volume ...
series, each a compilation of 10-15 best-loved ...
Activision titles for the Atari 2600 game systems, will ...
be available starting this April. Designed both for ...
children, who will have the chance to play these classic ...
games for the first time, and seasoned game fans, the ...
game includes such popular titles as Pitfall!, Kaboom!. ...
River Raid, Chopper Command and Grand Prix. ...
-
The Atari 2600 Action Pack is available from Activision, ...
Inc., a worldwide publisher and developer of interactive ...
entertainment software for IBM-compatible, Macintosh ...
and other computer platforms, as well as Nintendo, ...
Sega, 3DO, Atari Jaguar and Sony PlayStation video ...
game systems.
-...
With offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Tokyo ...
and Sydney, the company sells and markets products ...
under the Activision and Infocom trade names. Recent ...
Activision releases include the blockbuster hit video ...
game Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, the best-selling ...
multimedia computer adventure Return to Zork and the ...
new multimedia strategy game Shanghai: Great ...
Moments....
Joining us tonight will be...
Diana Mack, Mike Livesay...
Rachel Ruben, Brian Clarke...
Maryanne Lataif, Eric Johnson...
and Rawson Stovall as the Beaver.
(MODERATOR-Ron) okay, Thanks Shawn....
(MODERATOR-Ron) Now- to get in line to ask a question...
type /QUE and I'll call you. ...
Remember-- this conference is FREE to all Basic service subscribers...
and we will be giving out some free software shortly.
And now for the first question:
% Moderator recognizes question #1
Greg Hegstrom (17)
(Greg Hegstrom) How well will the games work with a mouse instead...
of a joystick. Like pitfall? GA
(Activision) The only game that uses the mouse..
as a controller is Kaboom!...
The mouse takes the place of ...
the paddle control. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #2
Animaniac (26)
(Animaniac) Okay, has the color or sound been updated or are these
direct...
ports from the Atari? GA
(Activision) Mike?GA
(mike livesay) The games are not really ports..
they are the actual game cart...
ROM images running on a ...
software emulator of the Atari 2600...
They therefore run EXACTLY like the originals. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #3
Dave (44)
(Dave) I loved the old games, and ever since I saw...
the ads for them in magazines, I've been...
impatiently waiting. I called your sales...
office in NY, but they didn't know of the product...
When will it actually release and hit the streets? GA
(Activision) It's on the streets now, Dave!!GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) (It's available in South Florida as of this week.
% Moderator recognizes question #4
Jeremy (30)
(Jeremy) Hi. What kind of stores could this game be bought at?
It's available now??
That's cool!
(Activision) Hi, Jeremy! Check out your local software retailer. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #5
Andrew Horne (20)
(Andrew Horne) how can i win the free stuff, sorry if i sound rude
(MODERATOR-Ron) We will ask some trivia questions...
and draw some random winners at the end of the conference.
% Moderator recognizes question #6
Eddie Brown (28)
(Eddie Brown) will the faster computers make running the old...
games difficult? GA
(Activision) Mike?
(mike livesay) Eddie, there should be no problem...
(Eddie Brown) thank you
(mike livesay) running on faster computers.
GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) Mike-- will Pitfall run at the same speed on a Pentium
100mhz... as on a 486 or 386? GA
(mike livesay) The speed that a game runs depends on a number...
of factors, including processor speed,...
video card performance, etc. I put in some code..
which will limit the speed of the games to...
no more than 60 frames per second. So the...
games will not run wild on a P90. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #7
Richard Malsch (4)
(Richard Malsch) When can we expect to see a fix for Win'95? I try to
run a friend's copy ... the machine freezes up within 5 minutes ...
GA
(Activision) Good question, Richard!!...
This product is intended for Windows 3.1...
and we are investigating upgrades for...
Windows '95! Remember, Windows '95 ...
(Richard Malsch) Not to Do you know anything of why the ...
(Activision) is still in Beta!! GA
(Richard Malsch) p
rogram runs slower in Win'95's implementation of
WinG than it does on the...
WinG that you ship? I am...
a preview site, so yes...
this is all legit!!! GA
(mike livesay) That's probably a question...
for Microsoft. Win95 is supposed...
to be backward compatible. We targeted...
Win31. Once win95 is more stable, we will...
most likely generate a compatible version. GA
(Richard Malsch) Why did I know you were going to say that? :)
% Moderator recognizes question #8
Christopher Fallen (38)
(Christopher Fallen) how many games...
are in each pack? ga
(Activision) Action Pack Volume 1 is the first...
volume in a four volume series....
Each volume will have from ...
10 to 15 titles. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #9
David I. (9)
(David I.) Greetings Activision programmers! ...
Greetings Activision programmers! ...
Which commercial compiler did ...
you use to write the games ...
for Windows? [GA]
(Activision) Hi there!! Mike?
GA
(mike livesay) My company, LTI, did all of the software development...
I used Borland C++ and Turbo ASM. The emulator was...
written 90% in 486 assembly and the rest in C++. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #10
John Harris (23)
(John Harris) Are there any plans to license...
the emulator to other companies...
to release other old Atari...
2600 titles?
GA
(Activision) Since we are doing a four volume....
series of Action Packs, we....
will be needing the emulator...
for awhile longer! GA
(John Harris) Thanks! GA
(mike livesay) I think that this..
(MODERATOR-Ron) I think what John may be asking...
(mike livesay) will probably working reverse. Activision may end up
licensing games from other publishers. GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) (Thx, Mike.)
% Moderator recognizes question #11
Laureano Giraldez (1)
(Laureano Giraldez) Are you going to include the game were frog has to
cross the highway and gets squashed if it is not careful wityes ga
(mike livesay) I think you are referring to Frogger? GA
(Activision) Frogger was a great game!...
Try Freeway in Action Pack...
It's a similar kind of game...
where you have to get your chicken...
across the freeway without getting...
squished! GA
% Moderator recognizes question #12
ByteHead (12)
(ByteHead) I "cut my teeth" on games like these. After all these years,
what... prompted you to bring them back? (I'm glad somebody did)!
ga
(Activision) Well, a bunch of us here, namely...
Rawson, our Atari expert....
thought it would be a great...
idea! And a lot of people...
who played them years ago...
wanted to play them on their...
PCs. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #13
Jim (29)
(Jim) What about multiplayer, head to head and modem play?...
Will any of the games provide this?...
What about my joystick too? GA
(Activision) The games that originally supported two...
players still do! There is no support...
for head to head, network, or modem play....
since we are emulating the original...
(Jim) How will two players play each or take turns GA
(Activision) games. The Atari 2600 didn't have those options either!...
You play a two player game...
using different locations on the keyboard...
or having one person on the keyboard and...
(Jim) Thanks!
GA
(Activision) the other on the joystick or mouse! GA
(mike livesay) Very interesting idea, Jim! Modem
% Moderator recognizes question #14
Atari_8bit_Power! (18)
(Atari_8bit_Power!) Will Activision be modifying these old 2600
titles to be more "up to date" with current audio/video
technologies? Although I still own all of my original 2600
carts, it'd still be nice to play a 3d perspective Pitfall or
Commando!
GA
(Activision) Sorry, Atari_8bit_Power!...
We didn't catch all of your message. GA
(Atari_8bit_Power!) Will Activision be modifying these old 2600 titles
to be more up-to-date with current PC audio/video technologies..
Although I still own all of my original 2600 equipment,..
I'd still like to one day be able to play a 3d perspective...
Command, Pitfall, Chopper Command or River Raid.. GA
(Activision) Great idea! All of the Action Pack...
volumes have emulations of the original...
games and are not modified in any way...
But we are developing updated versions...
of some of these games. Look for...
Pitfall : The Mayan Adventure on...
SNES, SEGA, and SeG
Sorry! SNES, SEGA, and SEGA CD. GA
% Moderator recognizes question #15
mike n. (15)
(mike n.) you stated that this will...
will be available on the jaguar...
when? and will it be on cd? GA
(Activision) Yes!!...
If you are referring to Pitfall...
the Mayan Adventure, that is.....
It will be on the Jaguar soon...
and possibly other platforms. GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) (A few more questions then the prizes)
% Moderator recognizes question #16
Dale Dobson (57)
(Dale Dobson) For Mike: Was it more difficult to ...
emulate the scan-line graphics mode...
in a frame-buffered world or to come up...
with a means of mimicking the 2600's...
sound chip using FM synthesis? (BTW,
add my vote for a Jaguar version of...
the Action Pack! Nostalgia city! :) GA
(mike livesay) Dale, the scanline graphic emulation...
(Activision) We'll note your vote, Dale!! Mike?
(mike livesay) was a real bear. Sound turned out...
to be a bit difficult because there was...
no way to get FM to do some of the explosion...
type sound effect (ie: white noise). I had to..\
therefore use both PCM and FM sound channels. The
CPM sound effects are actual samples from a VCS unit.
GA
% Moderator recognizes question #17
Robert Montague (Ro (31)
(MODERATOR-Ron) Robert?
(Robert Montague (Ro) "I don't have a lot of time left so can we get on
with the prizes."GA
% Moderator recognizes question #18
karl schwinck (22)
(karl schwinck) as a shareholder of activision, i've attempted....
to reach the shareholder relations dept but w/no luck...
any idea what these games will do to the earnings of atvi...
and when the company plans to release their next earnings report? thx. ga
did my ? go thru?
(Activision) Yes, ...
(MODERATOR-Ron) (We saw it, Karl)
(Activision) Try calling (310) 473-9200 Pacific Time...
and the operator will help you out....
Of course, buying Action Pack...
wouldn't hurt either! GA
% Moderator recognizes question #20
Daniel Delisle (2)
(Daniel Delisle) Just as a matter of comparison ...
What is (roughly) the size of these ...
ROM dumps from the cartridge? It would ...
Just as a matter of comparison...
What is (roughly) the size of these ...
ROM dumps from the cartridge? It would ...
be interesting to compare that to the ...
Multi-megabyte games of today. GA
(Activision) Mike? GA
(mike livesay) Good Question, Daniel! Back in the...
early 1980s, most games were measured...
in kilobits, rather than megabits. The...
average size of a VCS game cart is 4..8K...
although, during the late 1980s, some companies...
actually started to put in extra RAM, sound chips,etc...
in their carts. GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) okay folks...
Sorry if we didn't get to your question....
but I want to give away some games now [grin]....
In a moment, I will open up the floor and let everyone shout
out an answer to a trivia question....
and everyone who gets the answer right...
will be eligible for one of the 6 prizes...
(We have to ask one trivia question to meet certain state laws...)
Everyone who gets the answer will have their online job number...
eligible for a random number drawing. ....
so here's the question:
(Activision) OK, folks!...
(MODERATOR-Ron) What is the model number of the first successful....
Atari VCS system:
% Discussion period beginning
(mike n.) tha2600
(Jimmy Tonn) 5200
(Joe from ENSONIQ Co) 2600
(David I.) 2600!
(Bill) 2600
(ann) 2600
(Erik) 2600
(pedro) 2600
(Mike) 2600
(John R./GS (VIDPUB)) 2600
(John Harris) 2600
(Richard Malsch) "uXn2600
(Judah Warshaw) 2600
(Jim) 2600
(Gabe Wiener) 2600
(Greg Hegstrom) 2600
(karl schwinck) 1200
(Kevin Hall) 2600
(Dustin R. Newton) 2600
(Dave) 2600
(David Dyer) 2600
(Dave) 2600
(John Smetzer) 22600
(Jim Montoya) 2600
(Falcon030) 2600
(Tam-puter) 2600
(karl schwinck) 2400
(Edwin Iskandar) 2600
(Atari_8bit_Power!) 400
(Bob) 2600
(John Morris) 2600
(karl schwinck) 2600
(Christopher Fallen) 2600
(ByteHead) 2600
(tom) 2600
(Aleks) cx2600
(Andrew Horne) 2600
(Rob Argy) 2600
(Eddie Brown) 2600
(Judah Warshaw) 2500
(Roy Wagner) 2600
(Richard Masclh) 2600
(Jake E. Hamby) 2600
(Daniel Delisle) 1200
(BILLY WALKER) 26000
(Dale Dobson) 2600 (previously known as the Video Computer System)
(John R./GS (VIDPUB)) (VCS)
(Andrew Horne) 2600
(Eddie Brown) 2600
(Dustin R. Newton) 2600
(Judah Warshaw) 2500
(mike n.) 26--
(Edwin Iskandar) 2600
(John Smetzer) 2600
(Richard Malsch) 2600
(Roy Wagner) 2600
(Judah Warshaw) 2500
(mike n.) 2600
(Eddie Brown) 2600
(Richard Malsch) 2600
(Roy Wagner) 2600
(Judah Warshaw) 2600
(Jake E. Hamby) 2600
(mike n.) 26600
(Andrew Horne) 2400
(Roy Wagner) 2600
(David Andrus) 260026002600
(Joe from ENSONIQ Co) 2600
(John Smetzer) Command
(Eddie Brown) 26002600
(John Harris) This is surreal.
(David Dyer) 26/2600
(karl schwinck) 200
(Eddie Brown) 2600
(Aleks) cx2600
(MODERATOR-Ron) okay okay okay...
(tom) 2600
(BILLY WALKER) BILLY WALKER 2600
(Andrew Horne) 2400
(Kevin Hall) 2600
(John Smetzer) 2600
% Discussion period ending
(MODERATOR-Ron) Except for a few wrong answers...
most of you qualify...
So here's the first random number....
Job 27....
Bob 75430,2726 wins a copy of the Action Pack...
Second random number is:...
18...
Atari 8-bit power....
76571,454 wins a copy of Return To Zork...
next random number:...
Job 37....
Ann 76766,1003 wins an Atari Action Pack....
next random number:.....
job 50....
Heather Keesecker 73142,3206....
Wins a copy of Return to Zork....
(2 more prizes to go)...
next random number....
job 11....
John R. 76421,2325....
Whoops! John's a VIDPUB staff member now...
so he's disqualified...
(sorry John!)...
re-rolling...
job 26 Animaniac 71643,1355....
Wins an Atari Action Pack...
and the last winner...
job 28 ....
Oh no! Another forum sysop....
(sorry Mike)...
re-rolling...
job 14...
Tim Sartain 76552,3114 wins the copy of Return to Zork....
Okay, thats 6 winners and 2 angry sysops. [grin]...
Winners will be contacted in EMAIL.
Any last comments from Activision now?\
GA
(Activision) That's all we have for tonight. We would like to...
thank you all for attending and hope you got...
something out of it. I'm sure we did. Thanks.
GA
(MODERATOR-Ron) Thanks to everyone attending tonight's ...
conference. Prize winners will be contacted ...
by Activision via EMAIL within the next 48 hours ...
to make arrangements for sending your prizes. ...
-
We will have a transcript of tonight's session ...
posted in the Activision library of the Video ...
Game Publishers Forum sometime tomorrow. ...
-
If you didn't get a chance to ask your question ...
during tonight's conference, please post it in ...
the Activision message section of VIDPUB.
-
Goodnight everyone!
% The conference has ended
Thank you for attending
________________________________________________
> Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Game Title Date Game Type MSRP Publisher
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Cars 1Q/95 Racing $59.99 Midnight Ent.
Alien vs Predator NOW Role Play/Adventure $69.99 Atari
Arena Football 2Q/95 Sports TBD V Reel
Assault 2Q/95 Action/Combat $59.99 Midnight Ent.
Barkley Basketball 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Battlemorph 2Q/95 Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Battle Wheels 2Q/95 Racing/Combat TBD Beyond Games
Blue Lightning (CD) 2Q/95 Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Brett Hull Hockey (CD) 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Brutal Sports Football NOW Sports/Combat $69.99 Telegames
Bubsy NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Burnout 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Cannon Fodder NOW Action/Adventure $69.99 Virgin
Checkered Flag NOW Racing $69.99 Atari
Club Drive NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Creature Shock (CD) 2Q/95 Adventure/Sci-Fi TBD Atari/Virgin
Cybermorph NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Dactyl Joust 2Q/95 Action TBD Atari
Demolition Man 2Q/95 Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Doom NOW Action/Combat $69.99 Atari
Double Dragon V NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Williams
Dragon:Bruce Lee Story NOW Combat $59.99 Atari
Dragon Lair (CD) 2Q/95 Adventure TBD Ready Soft
Dreadnought (CD) 2Q/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Dungeon Depths 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Midnight Ent.
Evolution: Dino Dudes NOW Puzzle/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Flashback 2Q/95 Action/Adventure TBD US Gold
Fight For Life 2Q/95 Combat TBD Atari
Hardball Baseball 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Highlander (CD) 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Horrorscope 2Q/95 Combat TBD V Reel
Hover Strike 2Q/95 Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Iron Soldier NOW Action/Strategy $59.99 Atari
Jack Nicklaus Golf(CD) 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Kasumi Ninja NOW Combat $69.99 Atari
Rage Rally 2Q/95 Racing TBD Atari
Raiden NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Rayman 2Q/95 Action/Adventure TBD UBI Soft
Robinson Requiem 2Q/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Sensible Soccer NOW Sports TBD
Soccer Kid 2Q/95 Sports TBD Ocean
Space War 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Star Raiders 2Q/95 Space Simulation TBD Atari
Syndicate NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tempest 2000 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Theme Park NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tiny Toon Adventures 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Trevor McFur NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Troy Aikman NFL Ftball NOW Sports $69.99 Williams
Ultimate Brain Games 2Q/95 Puzzle TBD Telegames
Ultra Vortex 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $69.99 Beyond Games
Val D'Isere Skiing... NOW Sports $59.99 Atari
White Men Can't Jump 2Q/95 Sports TBD TriMark
Wolfenstein 3D NOW Combat/Action $59.99 Atari
Zool2 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
[Editor's note: Titles, scheduled release dates, and prices are
verified from Atari and Edelman Public Relations - all subject to
change]
___________________________________________________
> Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CATnips... Jaguar Tidbits from Don Thomas
=========================================
I regret that I was unable to attend last evening, but, I hear the
Jeff Minter conference on GEnie was a smashing success! I have not yet
a chance to read the transcript, but I understand it will soon be
available in the Genie download libraries. Jeff was the popular author
of "Tempest 2000" and the upcoming new "Defender 2000". Congrats to the
prize winners.
The Jaguar Forum on Compuserve has a new Forum logo for WinCIM and MacCIM
users. After giving a "weak" crack at doing a logo myself, I understand
Atari's own Scott Sanders did the nifty new replacement that comes up
bold and proud now. It looks great! Check it out.
I have confirmed that Sensible Soccer by Telegames IS in stores and is
now shipping. If you cannot find it in your nearest gaming store, check
out one of the following mail order firms for fast service:
~*~ GREAT MAIL ORDER PLACES TO BUY JAGUAR GAMES ~*~
B&C Computers ...................... (408) 986-9960
Steve's Software ................... (916) 661-3328
Toad Computers ..................... (410) 544-6943
Please send me some feedback on Sensible Soccer. I want to know what
the gamers think of it.
The newest issue of Atari Explorer Online is out. It is in the Jaguar
download areas of GEnie, CompuServe and Delphi as well as popular Jaguar
support cites worldwide and on CATscan [209/239-1552].
Steve Kipker of Steve's Software shared with me an issue of Next
Generation magazine. WOW! The cover is a slick black with the Jaguar
eyes and the magazine is full of high-tech gaming stuff including Jaguar
coverage. You can order an issue direct from Steve's Software at
916/661-3328.
Atari recently mailed to key audio/entertainment targets a press release
and sample of the Tempest 2000 soundtrack. Hundreds of the nations top
(applicable) stations and media points will receive their copies this
week. I welcome suggestions from our online friends... If you know a hot
wave station or club in your area, send me their name and address and I
will make certain we follow up. If you have a copy of the great audio
soundtrack on compact disc, you know what the hype is about. I urge you
to call your local stations and ask them to play your favorite track.
Copies direct to onliners are available direct from Atari for $12.99 plus
$3.50 S&H. (North America only-other restrictions may apply.) Write
75300.1267@compuserve.com for more info.
### END OF FILE ###
CATnips.... Jaguar Tidbits of news from Don Thomas
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I have verified that "Double Dragon V" is shipping and has arrived in
some stores today (4/5/95). The Jaguar version of "Double Dragon V" is
a GREAT kid's approach to fighting games with outstanding Saturday
Cartoon characteristics in graphics and animation.
If you cannnot find Double Dragon V in your local retailer, contact
one of the firms below for fast delivery.
~*~ GREAT MAIL ORDER PLACES TO BUY JAGUAR GAMES ~*~
B&C Computers ...................... (408) 986-9960
Steve's Software ................... (916) 661-3328
Toad Computers ..................... (410) 544-6943
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also ask you dealer for the CATbox by ICD. Reliable sources tell me
that units have started to ship. The CATbox offers an high-tech
assortment of connections to the Jaguar such as various video out
formats, stereo audio outs including two headphone jacks, JagNet ports
and much more. See your dealer for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the Internet....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: IN%"kepper@rs6000.ivcc.edu" "Talonz"
5-APR-1995 14:32:50.18
To: IN%"jaguar-l@ctrc.fs.saci.org"
"Atari Jaguar List"
Subj: Tempest 2000:The Soundtrack
Just got the Tempest 2000 Soundtrack, and it
totally rocks!!!!!! This techno-rave stuff is
just awesome!!This disc is definatley worth the
money. I'd recommend it to anybody. -Talonz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: khaley@nova.gmi.edu (Kevin Haley)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari
Subject: Jaguar taking off?
Date: 3 Apr 95 16:08:15 GMT
What a weird week.
Consider, for the past 5 months, I have only
known 1 other Jaguar owner in my social circles.
Now, consider the following, all of which have
happened in the past 10 days:
1. At a video rental, renting a Jaguar game,
clerk there I know mentions that she just got a
Jaguar...
2. Driving downtown when, to my surprise, I see
a car with a "Jaguar" bumper sticker.
3. My sister asks me the other day if I have the
cheat codes for Alien v. Predator. Asking why she
would need the cheat codes, she tells me that a
friend of hers just got a "new 64-bit Jaguar"
and he says that "Alien v. Predator is simply
awesome".
4. A friend of mine, whom I see about once every 2
weeks, just told me that he will be buying a
Jaguar right after Easter.
In 10 days, the number of Jaguar owners in my
social circles has increased by 4, which I
consider to be quite significant, especially
considering how quickly this has taken place.
Weird coincidence?
Or is the cat starting to come to life?
I believe the price reduction has made the Jaguar
a much more attractive deal to a large # of
people... /Kevin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy Gaming!!!
--Don Thomas
Atari Corporation
Sb: Jaguar Game Ratings
Fm: SYSOP*Jeff Kovach 74777,3071
To: All
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari,alt.atari-jaguar.discussion
From: paiement@pascal.info.polymtl.ca (Nick)
Subject: <<<<< Nick's Jaguar Game Ratings >>>>>
Date: 4 Apr 1995 00:51:50 GMT
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nick's Jaguar Game Ratings
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
==========================================================================
New entries since last post:
Theme Park Syndicate
Number of votes this week: 21
Date of Compilation : 03/27/95
THE TOP 3
=========
==========================================================================
# of Year
Ranking Name of Game Rating Voters Released Company
==========================================================================
1= Tempest 2000 9.223 233 1994 Llamasoft
2= Aliens vs. Predator 9.143 203 1994 Rebellion
3= Iron Soldier 9.073 123 1994 Eclipse
==========================================================================
LISTING OF ALL THE GAMES EVALUATED
==================================
==========================================================================
Name of Game Game # of This Last # of Desc
Rating Voters Week Week Players
==========================================================================
Aliens vs. Predator 9.143 203 2 2 1 Fighting
Brutal Sports Football 5.898 59 12 12 2 Sports
Bubsy 5.889! 27 13 14 2 Platform
Cannon Fodder 7.000 10 - - 1 Arcade
Checkered Flag 5.384! 86 15 15 2 Racing
Club Drive 4.655! 58 16 16 2 Racing
Cybermorph 6.468 265 8 9 1 Flight
Sim.
Doom: Evil Unleashed 8.986 141 4 4 2 Shooter
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 5.918! 61 11 11 2 Fighting
Evolution:Dino Dudes 5.874! 135 14 13 1 Strategy
Iron Soldier 9.073 123 3 3 1 Shooter
Kasumi Ninja 6.571! 77 7 7 2 Fighting
Raiden 6.312 170 10 10 2 Shooter
Syndicate 9.000 1 - - ?
Tempest 2000 9.223 233 1 1 2 Arcade
Theme Park 8.000 1 - - ?
Trevor McFur/Crescent Galaxy 4.174 144 17 17 2 Shooter
Val d'Isere Skiing and Snowb 7.649 37 5 5 1 Skiing
Wolfenstein 3D 7.203 158 6 6 1 Shooter
Zool 2 6.440 25 9 8 1 Platform
==========================================================================
20 games reviewed
Games are ranked from 1 to 17.
The minimum number of votes required to qualify is 15.
GLOSSARY
========
! - Game in which you find a lot of discrepancies in the voting.
This document is written by and copyright (c)1995 by Nicolas-M. Paiement
Thank you for voting...
Nick
________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
CIS ID: 73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. A full week has gone by and very few
of you have sent me your opinions about opening up a topic in the message
base to help the poor lost souls who haven't the common sense to use
CompuServe. C'mon, don't be one of those people who think that their
opinion won't make a difference one way or the other.
As a brief re-cap, what I would like to do is have folks with
questions and Internet accounts send the questions to me, which I would
then post in the message base. When our highly qualified and ever-helpful
members answer, I'll include the posts in this column...
Whaddaya think? Drop me a line and let me know (Internet users can
send their opinions to me at 73637.2262@COMPUSERVE.COM).
Well, let's get on with all the useful hints, tips, and news that can
be found every week right here on CompuServe...
From the Atari Computing Forums
===============================
Myles Cohen posts:
"There seems to be a new way of listing the files in the MUSICARTS
LIBS i.e. they are putting the name and CIS Id number of the uploader
before the name of the file...
What can I do to make QCIS cope with this new format...
Here is an example...
This plays hell with your program and also with UIS III...
[70007,1112] MARC SCHILLER Lib: 8 NETNEWS1.TXT
Bin, Bytes: 18441, Count: 0, 01-Apr-95
Title : HOB NET NEWS 1.0
Keywords: HOUSE BLUES SCHEDULES
This is an ASCII text file of House of Blues Net News 1.0, a
bi-weekly email newsletter from House of Blues Entertainment. It
contains monthly concert schedules, "Live From the House of Blues"
updates, House of Blues Radio Hour playlists, etc."
The author of QuickCIS, Sysop Jim Ness tells Myles:
"This change to the file format (it'll be active in all forums soon)
does pretty much mess up the way QuickCIS parses out the filename and
User ID. As you know, I don't update QuickCIS anymore.
About the only way to handle this is to write down the filenames of
any files you wish to download, and enter them manually in the Files
List. QuickCIS will accept either the filename only, or the filename
followed immediately by the User ID in brackets (no space between).
As in: NETNEWS1.TXT
or: NETNEWS1.TXT[70007,1112]
The only reason to include the User ID is if you think there might be
two files of the same name in the same library (uploaded by different
users).
CompuServe's reason for doing this is that they wanted to include the
user's name in the file description, so people would know who uploaded
the file. That caused space problems with other things on that line,
so many listing styles were reorganized.
As far as I know, every auto-navigator was broken by these changes,
and there are still a few being fixed."
David Bulpitt asks Jim:
"...Is this the reason that I see "String Overflow" everytime I try to
see a library download file on quickcis for the last 2 days?"
Jim tells David:
"Probably. Myles had't mentioned that specific error, but since the
size of the file description header has grown, I'm not surprised that
it would now overflow.
Too bad about that, because the files part of QuickCIS did some things
that no other navigator does, and did other things better than the
competition.
I'll check to see if there is a way to tell CIS to present the
libraries in the old-fashioned manner. They sometimes offer that
capability, for this very reason."
Sysop Keith Joins tells Jim:
"One can get the old library presentation by logging on with a switch
of ;OLDFORUM. Of course QuickCIS doesn't allow you to do this as there
isn't room in the Configuration window nor can you edit this part of
the CNF file and have it sent at log-on.
Sure we can't talk you into one more update? :)"
Jim tells Keith:
"[One more update??]...That's like one more salted peanut... There's
always another.
You can't use ;OLDFORUM, because QuickCIS already tags the User ID
with ;TTY. In the past, don't I recall another way to get OLDFORUM
functionality? The OLDF command, or something similar?"
Keith tells Jim:
"Back a few years ago when the first installment of the New forum
software was introduced you could switch back and forth between them by
issuing the commands OLDF or NEWF at any ! prompt--at least I think
those were the commands. That type of command isn't available for this
change. Only the log-on switch can be used and I would bet that this
will not be available for any great amount of time.
I don't recall--does QuickCIS allow a manual call to start with and
then continue on automated? If so I guess one could get online in a
manual call, issue the command LOG and relog with the switch and then
proceed to the automated session."
Jim replies:
"Yeah, I thought of that, too. It would work, I guess."
Keith tries it out and tells Jim:
"I just tried it and it works fine."
Ethan Mings adds a few of his own suggestions:
"A possible work around for downloading files is ....
1. Select the desired files using Qcis
2. Use Edit to edit the files list. Specifically, remove the
author CIS ID number.)
3. Save the 'revised' files list.
4. Exit Edit and go back into Qcis.
5. Use a quick call and get the files in questions.
It worked for me. :-)
Any chance of hoping for a Qcis update to work with the new forum
software?"
Hal Scheie says:
"Why not just release the code and let someone else hack a fix? if its
not supported what difference does it make?"
Ethan Mings agrees with Hal:
"Good point. However, I think you need to ask the author of the
software, Jim Ness if that is possible. In all fairness to Jim, he did
a large volum of work on the software. I think in the end, enough was
enough.
Maybe, just maybe, if we made a short list of the five most important
changes he *might* consider.
Something to think about."
John Damiano of Transierra adds:
"yeah...I would pay actual money [for an update]. This is
disappointing. I guess CIS has not heard the old saying "If it aint
broke..don't fix it."
Ethan tells John:
"Sometimes people can't leave a good thing alone. If you look at past
posting explaining why they have made this move, the rational is very
week. Never the less, we have a current problem and we need to get it
fixed so we can move on.
Good point about money. How much would it cost to get the software
fixed. I mean, like $10.00 US per member or user. Is money the reason
for the lack of fix. IF so, it would be good to know. After all, any
problem has a infinite number of solutions.
.. and when it comes to atari users, solutions is our first name."
Simon Churchill tells Jim Ness:
"You may have seen messages from fellow members and one has asked:
'If you do not wish to support and upgrade QuickCIS how about letting
someone else?'
If a version of the source file was supplied and data for the new
operation of the forum's then I am sure someone would be interested in
updating the software.
A small provisoe might be your name must stay in the program and be
displayed when the software is first run.
You have created a very useful program and it would be a waste to
loose it, I currently use a PC to log on and was hoping to set up my ST
in the future and use that as the PC belongs to the old man. Without
something like QuickCIS I would not be-able to contact CIS efficently
from my ST, I don't want to buy a PC just to log on, but I would with
my ST if I had the software. I and other's who use an ST would like
to log on to CIS and without QuickCIS our forum would soon loose
members and these forums would soon become dead themselfves.
It's a plea I know but consider it, you enjoyed your ST to write a
program for it which helped us all log on. How about letting someone
else build on the foundations you started so this forum can be used by
those without a MAC or PC. I'm no programmer but my ST dose get alot
of attention and I would like it to talk to the world as it has the
capacity to do so.
Thank you for attention.
P.S. - In england we get charges for ALL call's, be they long distance
or local. An off-line reader is a MUST! Consider our request,
PLEASE."
Jim tells Simon:
"At this point, I have no objection to giving the source code away to
someone who could work with it. But, I don't want to give it to just
anyone who may have a friend who may be able to get hold of Personal
Pascal and may have some time to work on it.
If someone who legitimately is interested, and has the programming
tools, asks about getting the source code, I'll consider it."
Myles Cohen tells Jim:
"But Jim...don't you see...it is precisely "at this point" that you
need to let go of the source code...while we still may have a few
programmers left in this rapidly shrinking market...
What do you gain from hoarding it...nothing as far as I can see...and
if you "publish" it with no restrictions...we all might all benefit...
"IF IT'S OUT THERE...THEY WILL COME!"..."
I think what Jim may be worried about is that someone will either build
up our expectations and then lose interest in upgrading QuickCIS, or
someone doing a bad job that disappoints us and having people think that
he was involved in the upgrade. Maybe Jim will clarify it for us at a
later date.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Sysop Keith tells us:
"As some people have remarked, the new forum software has broken the
library scan feature of QuickCIS causing a string overflow error when
you read the files. Here is a work-around for this problem.
Start off by selecting Manual Call to get on-line. Once you are
connected and at the ! prompt enter the command LOG. This will take
you back to the User ID: prompt. Now enter your User ID: number
followed by ;OLDFORUM. For example I would enter 76702,375;oldforum.
Then enter your password. You are now logged back on and by using the
;OLDFORUM switch the library display will be presented in the old
format that QuickCIS can handle.
If you use a terminal type at GO TERMINAL other than vt52 or tty then
enter the command SET TER TTY now. If your setting at GO TERMINAL is
other than for Brief prompts then enter SET BRIEF YES now. After these
are entered select ALT-N to switch to a normal automated call. If you
always use QuickCIS for your calls then you can GO TERMINAL using any
comm program or QuickCIS in manual mode to change your terminal type
and brief prompt settings permanently. You can do this even if you use
another comm program interactively but things will look a bit different
perhaps when you are connected with that program.
Your list of files can now be browsed and download selections made.
Use the Quick Call option to retrieve the files. If you use the Normal
Call option to download the files then simply remove the library
selections from that forum in your View Configuration window before
making the call.
Not a perfect solution, but......"
Ethan Mings tells Keith:
"I really think we need to come up with a better solution. Why not
see if we can fix qcis. I'm concerned this amount of 'work arounds'
will make the forum and access to CIS 'too complicated'.
Again, is possible to ask the author to create a fix for this problem
or let some other programmer work on a work around.
Time is ticking and in the great scheme of things, this should be fix
to the software so we move on to bigger and better things."
Jim Ness explains some of the changes to the forum software:
"The new library description format moves some data around, and
increases the line length of some lines. The latter causes a string
overflow, and the former causes necessary info to be in different
places.
It's not that big a fix, but there are other problems with the code
and other fixes would be necessary before a new version would work. I
figure about 40 hours of coding and testing. The code had become
convoluted enough that I started to rewrite it from scratch back in
late 1993. That was such a task that I eventually ran out of ambition.
I'm not all that interested in working on QuickCIS anymore, and I'm up
to my ears in spring stuff, as usual (I'm an umpire and both kids play
ball - every night requires careful time management). I sympathize
with the remaining ST crowd, but I just won't be continuing to work on
the thing."
On the subject of "Mouse Problems", Robert Bannister tells us:
"I have a 1040ST with an uncooperative mouse. It looked like a
problem with the mouse itself - so I got a new mouse. It still doesn't
work.
The pointer moves erratically in response to mouse movement and will
not track across the screen but gets "stuck" in a small area.
Is this a motherboard problem? Any one got any ideas?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Robert:
"Have you checked for viruses? Does the new and/or old mouse work on
other machines (ST)?"
Robert tells Albert:
"Thanks for your suggestion re viruses. I'm confdent that isn't the
problem as the computer has not been in contact with any other.
Perhaps some more detailed description is required?
HISTORY
The computer is old and in semi-retirement but my young
children now want to use it - and I would like to encourage them. The
original atari mouse suffered terminal mechanical failure - it got
broke!
The mouse is BRAND NEW! purchased mail order from Maplin in the UK.
It is a Primax unit made in China. The box suggests refers to a
readme.txt manual but no disk is provided - neither are there any
instructions / guarantees / packing notes etc.
SYMPTOMS
Move the mouse smoothly in any direction and the cursor twitches as if
it is trying to follow. It will occassionally move an inch or two, but
not necessarily in the same direction as the mouse.
HELP
I need to know where the problem lies so that I can either a) fix it,
b) abandon it, or c) complain to the right person."
Frank Heller tells Robert:
"This is gonna sound silly: Is it plugged in the correct port?"
Robert tells Frank exactly what I would have:
"that's not silly... it's worth checking... but the answer is yes it
is in the right (correct) port."
Simon Churchill adds his own thought:
"It might sound stupid but is the mouse ST AND Amiga compatable?
If it is then look for a small switch on the side or underneath, if
you find one move it to the oposit position and try again.
I have a dual mouse and the sympoms you report are the same when I
flicked the switch. (I was bored and wondered what it would do, I soon
found out! it gose haywire, just like the sounds of your new one.)
If there is no switch then the plug under the keyboard will need
attention, yes I have had this as will, it requies the keyboard to be
taken to bits and the joints all resoldered on the connector.
I've had a fare share of problems with mice and cured most so I hope
this helps."
Alberto Sanchez posts:
"Hi Folks! A friend of mine has read on Internet that Atari is working
in a PowerPC-based new line of computers. Any of you have heard about
this? Atari is still alive! Europe stands with Atari!!"
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Alberto:
"There have been rumors about new Atari computers since there WERE
Atari computers...
The only thing that's certain at this point is that Atari is putting
their full attention and resources into making the Jaguar game system a
success.
If there are plans for any new Atari computers, we probably won't see
them for quite some time."
On the subject of Atari including Vidgrid as the 'pack-in' game to come
with the Jaguar CD, Derek Steiger posts:
"If they pack Vid-Grid for the CD Player, that would be a total shame.
Battlemorph or Blue Lightning.. but NOT Vidgrid.. yikes! What would
cause them to think of doing such a thing? It would only hurt their
reputation even more.
Vidgrid - Nay! Battlemorph - Yay!"
Our own Atari Section Editor, Dana Jacobson, tells Derek:
"I can't begin to guess why VidGrid might be the pack-in. Well, I
guess that I could speculate, but would be the point? <g> It doesn't
matter which game it is. The point is that there has been 99% negative
feedback on this potential pack-in that Atari needs to sit up and take
note. People are saying that they don't want this game, even if it's
_free_! That's significant feedback, in my opinion."
Mitch Crane adds his thoughts:
"If they give it to me free, I may just put it in the microwave and
watch it sparkle. That's what I do with my useless music CDs, and it's
great fun to watch. I figure that way I'll get at least 3 seconds of
fun out of the game."
From the Graphics Support Forum
===============================
On the subject of Unisys deciding to enforce their patent on the
compression algorithm used in GIF pictures, Steve Wagy posts:
"I just read this thread so I'm getting in on the end of this. I'm
just a guy sitting at home developing a graphics viewer for my own use
and maybe one day it will become a $5-10 shareware product, but
probably not. My program supports GIF decompression but not
compression. Maybe these events will be an advantage for me since I
have never figured out how to create a GIF. How much would the "Unisys
GIF license" be for me? I'm programming on a Mac (Think C 5) and the
compression code is not available. If I pay something to someone can I
get a code snippet for GIF compression?
BTW, to all: is there any PNG code (or documentation) for the Mac
floating around? I've never heard of PNG but I would like to get in at
the start of something for a change <grin>."
Timothy Wegner tells Steve:
"Royalty for you would be $.10 a copy. Plenty of free code abounds right
here
in PICS. I forget where it is at the moment. But if I were you I'd
forget
it. Some PNG sample files exist already as well as some sample code. The
official reference sources will be out this weeek (hopefully.)
You are at the start [of PNG]!"
Steve tells Tim:
"Gee. Doesn't seem like much. I wonder what all the fuss is about.
So I assume you mean $.10 a copy for each registered shareware owner?
"Plenty of free code abounds right here in PICS."
In PICS? I'm sorry, but I'm unaware of the nomenclature. Do you mean
this forum?
"But if I were you I'd forget it. Some PNG sample files exist already
as well as some sample code. The official reference sources will be out
this week (hopefully.)"
Well, what I think I will do is provide full support for GIF in my
personal graphics application and maybe in the near future release a
shareware application which revolves around PNG, PICT, JPEG, and GIF24
(hopefully will not use LZW). That sounds like a good plan. I'll look
around for some PNG files and code here in the forum."
Tim replies to Steve:
"...$.10 a copy for each registered shareware owner?...
Well it all depends. Doesn't seem like much, but there are a whole lot
of requirements for auditing etc. Some folks can make a business case,
others can't. Most can't. It depends on the contribution LZW makes to
your program, if substantial it might make sense. But now you are in
bed with Unisys. They will tell you how to structure your shareware
license, when to report to them, what kind of records to keep etc.
What will they do for you? Nothing. Not sue you I guess. No support
for GIF, no help coding LZW, no debugging, no answering technical
questions. You'll be paying for initiative some guy named Welch took in
patenting an obsolete, inferior compression algorithm, that you are
stuck with because it was used in GIF. (Newer, free algorithms are
faster and compress better. The free ones even have people who will
*help* you with them!!!)
I'm an author, and the $.10 represents a huge hunk of my royalty, which
might be $1 or $2 on a book. Would you cheerfully give away 10% of your
income? The royalty is calculated on the gross selling price. For many
forms of distribution, the author receives a fraction of that. Then the
$.10 looks huge.
Oops, PICSis theold name of GRPHSUPPORT. Still works to say GO PICS,
but I'm sure the staff wishes PICS would go away."
Diana Gruber tells Tim:
"Don't forget, for many people the royalty is considerably more than
$.10 per sale. Also don't forget, the real problem here is the whole
concept of paying for software patents. A large portion of the online
development community does not want to set this important precedent.
So, for some of us it is the money, and for some of us it is the
principle."
Ray McVay asks Diana:
"Are they willing to go back to 2400 bps modems? The horse is already
out of the barn."
Diana asks Ray:
"Do you see hardware patents as equivalent to software patents, then?
I realize, when we are talking about eproms, the distinction is
blurred. Still, I think the distinction is there. Eproms are physical,
algorithms are intangible."
Ray counter-asks Diana:
"Have you ever seen Ken (shoot, can't remember his last name)'s patent
covering a Unix security mechanism? He describes a mechanical device
that embodies the security mechanism and then sort of says, "Oh, by the
way, this can be accomplished with software, too." <grin> I think the
thing most likely to be patented is a PROCESS that is usually realized
in the context of a machine. I'm not necessarily against patents for
processes realized only in software but I think the patent office has
done an abysmal job of researching prior art and "obvious" processes.
Programmed PROMs are covered by copyright, BTW, regardless of the
patentability of their content."
Diana posits an interesting thought:
"Too bad the modem manufacturers didn't get organized and fight back
like we are doing. They could have come up with an alternate algorithm
if they tried. Probably they are so competitive they don't talk to
each other like we do.
I still think patenting algorithms is wrong. Algorithms are not
invented, after all. They are discovered. They were always there. They
pre-existed everything. Kind of like Calculus was always there, even
before Newton and Leibnitz discovered it simultaneously."
David Holm brings up an interesting point:
"LZW in modems is done by software, just like LZW in GIFs. The use of
LZW in modems is most assuredly *not* coverd by a "hardware" patent.
It covers the SOFTWARE used to implement the LZW algorithm (although
Unisys considers it to be a patentable process, as does the US Patent
Office). The fact that the program is stored in an EPROM has no
bearing on the patentability of LZW (according to Unisys, anyway)."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. Tune in again next week, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
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STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" A true "Sign of the Times"
""""""""""""""""" CYBER WHAT??
TOP 10 WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR SON MAY BE A HACKER
By John Edwards
10. Your phone bill lists 1,987 household lines.
9. Your son tells you that his private interview with the Secret
Service agent was for a social studies class essay.
8. You receive mail addressed to Phil E. Phreak.
7. The kid cheers Lex Luthor whenever a Superman movie runs on TV.
6. The CEO of a regional Bell operating company appears on your
doorstep, sobbing uncontrollably and begging forgiveness.
5. You find a copy of Phrack magazine hidden under the underwear in
your son's bedroom dresser. (The Playboy magazine is next to the
handheld scanner, of course.)
4. The kid asks for a Novell Access Server for his birthday.
3. The little silver-colored wheel on your electric meter spins so
fast it flies off, slices your neighbor's elm tree neatly in two
and flattens a tire on a Chevy Monte Carlo three blocks away.
2. Your son's English teacher calls, sounding really curious, to ask
why the kid selected the Oklahoma City phone directory for his
monthly book report.
1. He names Robert Morris Jr. as his "Most Admired American."
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