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Silicon Times Report Issue 1134
SILICON TIMES REPORT
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
"STReport; The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine!"
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STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
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August 25, 1995 No. 1134
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08/25/95 STR 1134 "The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine!"
ASCII Edition
- CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - MOVE OVER ..MCI!! - Object DeskTop Review
- Win'95 FAQs - RegWiz Rumor Dispelled - MSI The Annihilator
- Frankies' Corner - MS Web Browser - Red China & Warp
- Mr. T's CatNIPS - People Talking - Jaguar NewsBits
WINDOWS 95 HAS ARRIVED!!
FACT or FANTASY from IBM??
IBM doomed OS/2 2.0!!!
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LottoMan v1.35 Results: 08/19/95: matches in plays
From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
On Wednesday, all day long, I enjoyed the company of reporters and
camera operators from TWO Local TV stations. It looked like a major
spectacle with their conspicuously marked trucks parked outside. The
reporters, Michael Dillon, WTLV (NBC) and David Hanson, WJKS (ABC) asked
all sorts of questions about Microsoft, Windows 95, NT and the future.
While they were getting the best information, demonstrations and
explanations I could muster I made certain ClubWin was mentioned and
explained as best I could in both interviews. ClubWin will soon become a
household word in the world of Windows. ABC gave us a 90sec spot as the
first item in their newscast... and ABC gave us a 60 sec spot at a midway
point in their newscast. Both stations did so at both 6pm and 11pm.
Admittedly, it was an easy day for me after having been the host of a TV
talk show in Ft. Lauderdale for almost two and a half years at WKID TV-51.
Actually, Windows 95 stole the show. That's as it should've been.
Those of you who have machines on different platforms owe it to yourselves
to go to the local computer store and have a good long look at Windows 95.
See for your self just how badly maligned this excellent OS really is. I
believe many of you will soon see exactly who is full of hot air and who
is actually telling it like it is.
Microsoft, as I've stated many times before, has a real winner on
their hands with Windows 95. All the naysayers and Gates bashers have
made their personal agonies well known by their deceitful tirades against
Windows 95. The truth is Brad Silverberg and his finely tuned staff have
turned out what can only be called the software effort of the decade.
Silverberg has single-handedly accomplished what other software companies
have been trying to do for years. That is to bring software production to
a point where the company can be more than only relatively confident the
release version is stable. The manner in which Silverberg set about to
accomplish this monumental feat was indeed revolutionary. Brad Silverberg
had, what can only be termed extreme foresight into a highly productive
future by recruiting a large beta team such as was involved with bringing
Windows 95 to market. In fact, his concepts seem to border on an open NDA
beta program especially when release time was drawing near.
When asked about his unique approach to the entire Windows 95
development program, Brad quipped "I came to Microsoft over 5 years ago,
just as win 3.0 was launched, with the vision of "Chicago" in my mind. I
knew that's what I wanted to build. Had to do a few things first, like WIN
3.1, ms-dos 5,6, and wfw 3.1 and 3.11, but now win95 is a reality". If
nothing else, Brad will always be recognized as a "can-do" kinda guy. Of
course... Windows 95 is really only the "true beginning" for Brad
Silverberg. He is a young dynamic executive with an aggressive and
equally progressive company. It becomes very easy to believe that for
him, the sky... barely a limit.
As mentioned above, the manner is which the entire beta program
operated was truly unique. Now, with the release of the revolutionary new
OS, Silverberg has managed to set another precedent... He encouraged
ClubWin. ClubWin is composed of a group of the original beta team members
who expressed a desire to help the computing community make the transition
to Windows 95. One can easily obtain help from ClubWin members most
anywhere ..all one need do is ask. This reporter is willing to wager
that in the moths to come many other software houses will be offering
similar beta programs. The "elitist" attitude is gone and people helping
people has taken its place. Obviously, its a successful approach.
Windows 95 speaks loudly in favor of Silverberg's unique approach.
In this, our "Inaugural Enhanced Issue", We also celebrate the
Windows 95 launch in our own way. Lord knows how badly I've wanted to
provide an eye pleasing weekly issue that was highly informative and good
looking at the same time. The enhanced issue is done with the 32 bit
Office 95 package and particular, Word 7.0 from Microsoft. The Ascii
version is done with Word Perfect as it always has been. We at STReport
are overjoyed to bring you the enhanced version in the Adobe PDF [Portable
Document Format] as it preserves every minute detail that's planned into
each issue. Adobe's Acrobat Reader version 2.1 is available on most every
popular computing platform. That makes the PDF version 99% cross-platform
compatible. Please enjoy our humble efforts.
Ralph......
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Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Editor
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STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #34
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
-/- Judge OKs Microsoft Settlement -/-
A federal judge this morning approved an antitrust settlement
reached more than a year ago between Microsoft Corp. and the U.S.
Justice Department changing the way the software giant sells its key
product.
Reporting from Washington, The Associated Press says that during a
hearing that lasted just 17 minutes, U.S. District Judge Thomas
Penfield Jackson asked attorneys for Microsoft and the government
whether there were any last minute changes.
Microsoft asked that the agreement -- which extends for 6 1/2
years and covers the way it sells, or licenses, its main product to
personal computer makers -- be made effective retroactive to Dec. 15,
1994. The government opposed that idea and Jackson sided with the
Justice Department, saying it would take effect as soon as he approved
it.
A few moments later, he declared, "The decree has been entered."
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Anne Bingaman declined to comment
afterward. William Neukom, chief counsel for Microsoft, said the
company was pleased by the judge's decision.
The order ends an unusually long judicial review of an antitrust
case. The first judge to look over the agreement rejected it but was
overturned on appeal.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation into Microsoft's new Windows
95 operating system and its entry into the online services industry is
continuing. Justice officials left open the possibility that evidence
from the current probe could be presented to the judge, according to
the Dow Jones news service.
-/- Microsoft Unveils Web Browser -/-
Microsoft Corp. has unveiled browser software for the Internet's
World Wide Web, available for free downloading. The browser is
specially designed to take advantage of Microsoft's Windows 95
operating system, which goes on sale next week.
Vice President Brad Silverberg of Microsoft's personal systems
division told United Press International at the company's Redmond,
Washington, headquarters, "Our goal is to provide Windows 95 customers
with a solution that combines superior integration with Windows 95,
great ease of use and high performance."
UPI adds, "The announcement launches Microsoft into the red-hot
battle to become publisher of the dominant browser. ... Microsoft said
computer manufacturers are pre-installing Explorer on all new machines
running Windows95."
The wire service adds the Internet Explorer takes advantage of
Windows 95, a faster 32-bit system, while earlier browsers were
configured for earlier versions of Windows, 16-bit systems. Also built
in is the RealTime Audio software for listening to sounds or music on
the Net.
The Microsoft's browser will be available free at the firm's File
Transfer Protocol site at ftp.microsoft.com at the Web address
http://www.microsoft.com.
CompuServe members now have access to the Internet's World Wide
Web through the NetLauncher software. GO NETLAUNCHER for details. Or
to reach the FTP site from CompuServe, GO INTERNET.
-/- Microsoft Readies Win95 TV Show -/-
Microsoft Corp. says it will promote its new Windows 95 operating
system with a 30- minute TV special.
The show, called Microsoft Presents: The Start of Something New,
is scheduled to premiere in local U.S. TV markets on Sunday, Aug. 27,
and Monday, Aug. 28.
Hosted by actor Anthony Edwards of NBC's ER and featuring
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates, the show "will introduce
millions of Americans to the power and possibilities of computers,"
says the software giant.
Gates and Edwards will serve as guides in the 30-minute broadcast
special, which will include a visit to a remote Appalachian classroom
connected to the rest of the world by computers; a backstage look at
the intricacies of choreographing the magic of Cirque du Soleil; and a
look at a cutting-edge rock band that combines music, video, art and
graphics into a complete multimedia experience.
Microsoft Presents: The Start of Something New is produced by
Universal Studios-based Zaloom-Mayfield Productions, whose previous
credits include the syndicated television specials The Making of
Jurassic Park and Cheers: Last Call, as well as the theatrical motion
pictures Heart of Darkness and Encino Man. The show's national sponsors
include Coca-Cola Co., Compaq Computer Corp., CompUSA, Eastman Kodak
Co. and USAir.
-/- Stones Tune to Launch Win95 -/-
Members of the Rolling Stones, breaking their longstanding refusal
to sell song rights to advertisers, reportedly have accepted
$12 million to let Microsoft Corp. use their hit "Start Me Up" to
launch the Windows 95 software campaign next week.
In London, The Sun newspaper reports Microsoft chief Bill Gates
asked Stones lead singer Mick Jagger to let him use the song.
An unidentified Stones source was quoted as telling the newspaper,
"When Microsoft approached Mick, he quoted a ludicrous amount of money
thinking they would turn him down. To his surprise they agreed almost
immediately."
The paper notes this is the first time Jagger and Keith Richards,
the Stones' songwriters, have allowed songs for which they own the
copyrights to be used commercially.
Gates apparently thinks "Start Me Up" will be the perfect
accompaniment to an ad, because the first thing a user must do after
turning on the computer is to click the mouse on the start button,
London's Financial Times adds.
But UK-based Computergram International this morning wonders if
Microsoft actually has listened to the song.
"Mick and Keith have plenty to celebrate in Microsoft Corp's
choice of their song to promote Windows 95," the newsletter observes,
"and, unless Bill Gates has an unsuspectedly well-developed sense of
irony, they get the last laugh too, because although the title of the
song is 'Start Me Up,' the hook line in the song is actually the one
all those foolhardy enough to wrestle with early versions of Windows 95
will be repeating, the one that goes 'You make a grown man cry.'"
-/- Happy Win95 Eve, Fellow Nerds! -/-
"Computer nerds are a strange animal. They tend to be up at night,
anyway."
So says Kurt Schmidtke, manager of Egghead Inc.'s retail
operations to explain in this morning's Wall Street Journal why his
employer's 164 outlets will be open at one minute after midnight
tonight to get a jump on the official release date for Microsoft
Corp.'s new Windows 95 operating system.
Journal reporter Carlos Tejada notes some are even throwing
parties.
For instance:
-:- For 95 minutes after midnight, CompUSA's 86 stores will be
giving away pizza and offering $95 discount coupons on some American
Airlines flights to buyers of the $89 upgrade or the $209 operating
system.
-:- Tandy Corp.'s chain of 79 Computer City stores will stay open
until 2 a.m. and reopen at 7 a.m. Buyers will get a book with discounts
on equipment and software. Its 10 Incredible Universe megastores will
give away movie passes and sports tickets as door prizes, hold drawings
every 30 minutes for $95 in cash (dubbed "Win Dough 95") and conduct
contests for the best-dressed nerd.
-:- At 2 p.m. EDT tomorrow, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is
scheduled to make a televised speech from company headquarters in
Redmond, Wash., and many retailers will carry his remarks live. Jay
Leno will host the event.
Meanwhile, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, industry trackers at
Ziff-Davis Interactive estimate more than 40 percent of us plan to
upgrade to Win95 right away, while another 49 percent say we will use
it within a year.
ZD Interactive Vice President David Shnaider told United Press
International, "It's not surprising that so many people plan to
upgrade. But we were surprised to learn that many plan to upgrade
immediately and will invest in new hardware as part of the move."
Based on results on more than 12,000 responses received through
various online services, ZD reports:
-:- Of those planning to upgrade, 43 percent plan to do so
immediately; another 30 percent will upgrade over the next six months,
and nearly 89 percent expect to be using Windows 95 within the next
year.
-:- More than 41 percent of the upgraders plan to upgrade hardware
with the new operating system. Of those, most will be adding chips for
more RAM and a third will be upgrading hard drives.
-:- More than 28 percent of the upgraders, or 12 percent of the
total, plan to buy a whole new system.
Says UPI, "Most cited several reasons for upgrading: access to
32 bit applications (79 percent); better memory management (77 percent);
better able to do more than one task at once (76 percent); more power
(67 percent); ease of use (45 percent); and Internet access
(35 percent)."
(Ziff-Davis said the responses add up to more than 100 percent
because respondents could give more than one reason for upgrading.)
-/- China Backs IBM OS/2 Warp -/-
In a blow to Microsoft Corp., China's electronics ministry has
endorsed IBM Corp's OS/2 Warp operating system over the rival Windows
platform.
The official Xinhua news agency notes that the endorsement by
China's Ministry of Electronics Industry was part of a "statement of
direction" signed by Chinese and IBM officials. According to Xinhua,
"The ministry is to endorse OS/2 Warp as a preferred product and
recommend it to Chinese users, so as to provide them with alternatives
among various software platforms."
The endorsement comes less than a week before the worldwide launch
of Windows 95. A Chinese version of Windows 95 is scheduled for launch
before the end of 1995.
-/- Win95 Anti-Virus Program Set -/-
McAfee Associates Inc. of Santa Clara, California, has announced
VirusScan for Windows 95, a native 32-bit anti-virus program.
McAfee notes that the product, which is scheduled to ship on
August 21, has been approved by Microsoft to carry the Windows 95 logo
and is certified by the National Computer Security Association. The
product can detect over 5,100 viruses, says McAfee
"The excitement and anticipated demand for Windows 95 clearly
makes it a prime target for virus writers," says Scott Gordon, the
anti-virus product manager at McAfee. "Windows 95 is also especially
susceptible to viruses because it does not include bundled anti-virus
capabilities."
VirusScan for Windows 95 will ship with a pre-configured list of
recommended scanning options. Users can customize the options to meet
their specific needs. The software's users can also define which drives,
folders and file types will be scanned for infection. Additionally,
users and network administrators can choose what actions the program,
will take when a virus is discovered.
VirusScan for Windows 95 will sell for $65.
-/- PC Mag Disputes Win95 Claims -/-
In its Sept. 26 issue, PC Magazine reports that its test results
tell a slightly different tale for Windows 95 than Microsoft's
performance claims.
The publication says its testing reveals that Windows 95 performs
at par with Windows 3.11 and Windows 3.1, running existing Windows
applications on machines with sufficient memory. However, the new
operating system is slower on some older configurations and in running
DOS applications. Still, notes the magazine, Windows 95 strikes a good
balance between stability and compatibility with existing applications.
PC Magazine recommends that individual users who are buying new
systems, or who have systems with at least 8MB of memory should upgrade
to Windows 95, because they will see similar performance, better
stability, very good compatibility and the ability to run the many new
applications being written for the operating system.
However, PC Magazine recommends that users who have systems with
only 4MB of RAM stick with Windows 3.1 unless they are willing to
purchase additional memory.
-/- French Student Cracks Netscape -/-
The security code of a foreign version of the popular Netscape
Navigator software reportedly has been cracked by a French computerist.
Business writer Catalina Ortiz of The Associated Press comments,
"While the breach illustrates that such encryption codes aren't
foolproof, it doesn't mean open season on credit card numbers and other
sensitive financial data used on the global computer network."
For one thing, Ortiz says, "the cracked code was much less
sophisticated than that used on the domestic version of Netscape
Navigator." Also, "even the hacker admitted it took 122 computers and
eight days to crack enough code to read just one single message, a
process that would have to be repeated for any additional message."
Still, Netscape and security experts said the breach signals the
need for the U.S. government to eliminate rules that prohibit export of
software with the stronger security features.
Netscape Vice President Mike Homer told AP, "Many companies have
been lobbying for that. I think it's likely it will change. I'm not
sure how long it will take."
AP notes current export rules are designed to prevent foreign
terrorists from stealing sophisticated security codes, potentially
allowing them to communicate without intelligence agencies listening
in.
The wire service says Damien Doligez, a student at the French
Institute for Research in Computer Science, announced on the Internet
earlier this week that he cracked the security code in response to a
challenge from a member of Cypherpunks, an Internet discussion group
devoted to encryption and privacy issues.
The task required 120 workstations and two supercomputers, he
said, adding he did not break the master code but read only one
encrypted message. In an update yesterday, Doligez said he learned that
someone else broke the code two hours before he did.
"The version of Navigator available to Doligez," says Ortiz, "uses
an encryption code with a so-called 40-bit key, the most sophisticated
technology that the United States allows companies to export. In the
United States, Netscape uses a 128-bit security key."
At Netscape, Homer said breaking the security of that version
required "10 to the 26th power" more computing power than Doligez used,
adding, "That's 10 with 26 zeros behind it. There isn't an English word
for it. The closest I could get when I tried to figure it out was more
than 100 trillion times greater. ... That only gets you to 14 of those
26 zeros."
In his Internet announcement, Doligez said the technical
implications of his feat were "almost zero." He added that
knowledgeable people already knew it was possible to read messages
protected by the 40-bit code and that the domestic version of Netscape
Navigator is "practically impenetrable."
-/- AOL Relocates Employees -/-
The Washington Post reports that online service provider America
Online Inc. of Vienna, Virginia, has asked 250 local employees to
relocate to Jacksonville, Florida, and accept a pay cut.
The newspaper states that the relocation affects most of AOL's
Vienna-based customer service staff, representing one of every six AOL
employees in Northern Virginia. It is the first downsizing at the
10-year-old company's headquarters.
"It's more advantageous for us to have customer support centers in
other parts of the country," where costs of living and business
expenses are lower than in the D.C. area, AOL spokeswoman Pam McGraw
told the Post.
A man who identified himself as an AOL staffer contacted newspaper
yesterday to complain about the relocation, saying that employees who
made the move would face a pay cut after the first year of about
one-third, from $11 an hour to $7 an hour. Employees were given only a
few weeks to make the decision, he added.
McGraw stated that AOL would offer affected employees "a very
generous relocation package."
-/- US Robotics Buys ISDN Systems -/-
Through a stock transaction worth about $40 million, modem maker
US Robotics Corp. has acquired ISDN Systems Corp., a Vienna, Virginia,
developer of board-level Integrated Services Digital Network and Frame
Relay-based client and server products.
In a statement from its Skokie, Illinois, headquarters, Robotics
says the acquisition enables it "to take advantage of applications that
require ISDN-only connectivity, and positions the company to maximize
opportunities in the growing worldwide marketplace for ISDN and Frame
Relay access products."
The statement says all outstanding shares of privately- held ISC
were converted into US Robotics shares. ISC becomes a wholly-owned
subsidiary operated under US Robotics' Corporate/Systems Division.
ISC President/CEO Asghar Mostafa will become a senior manager in
that business unit.
-/- Compaq Unveils New Notebooks -/-
Compaq Computer Corp. has introduced the LTE 5000, a new high-end
notebook computer line, its first models co- developed with Inventec
Electronics Corp. of Taiwan.
The 75MHz and 90MHz Pentium- based system feature a modular design
that allows users to access an integrated CD-ROM drive, up to 2.7GB of
hard disk storage, two batteries with up to eight hours of operating
time or a floppy disk drive. The notebooks also provide PCI local-bus
graphics and a maximum RAM capacity of 72MB.
An optional MultiBay Expansion Base shares interchangeable devices
with the notebook. The unit also provides storage expansion to 5.4 GB,
two additional PCMCIA slots, integrated Ethernet support, MPEG and TV
Video adapters and stereo speakers.
"The new LTE 5000 is the ultimate business tool for mobile
professionals who require the highest performance, most flexible
notebook for advanced or specialized applications," says Hugh Barnes,
senior vice president and general manager of Compaq's portable PC
division. "Our customers have described their notebook wish list,
including the ability to easily customize their portables to meet their
individual needs, and we've designed the LTE 5000 to exceed their
expectations.
Compaq says it will announce the systems' prices and begin
shipments in September.
-/- Compaq Wins Big PC Contract -/-
Compaq Computer Corp. says it has been awarded a three-year
contract by British Telecom (BT) to supply it with more than 9,000
network servers and desktop PCs per year.
Compaq notes that the contract, valued at more than $90 million,
is the largest PC contract ever awarded to a computer company in
Europe.
The deal calls for Compaq to provide Deskpro, ProSignia and
ProLiant models to the British telecommunications giant.
"We chose Compaq following a detailed evaluation of products from
all the different manufacturers from a technical, commercial and
customer perspective," says Claire Garrett BT's manager of desktop
procurement, BT. "In particular, Compaq was able to demonstrate ease
of upgrade and future-proofing.
-/- Compaq Names Former Sony, L.A. Cellular Executive -/-
HOUSTON (Aug. 22) BUSINESS WIRE - Aug. 22, 1995--In a move aimed at
expanding its leadership role in the consumer market, Compaq Computer
Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today announced that Michael Heil, a former top
executive with Sony and Los Angeles Cellular Telephone Company, an
AT&T-Bell South partnership, has joined the company as senior vice
president and general manager of Compaq's Consumer Products Division.
Heil will report directly to Compaq President and CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer.
Compaq formed the Consumer Products Division early this year as
part of its on going efforts to intensify the company's focus on this
rapidly growing segment of its business. The company has rocketed to
the top of the retail PC marketplace since Compaq launched its Presario
family of consumer PCs in the second half of 1993.
As head of Compaq's Consumer Products Division, Heil will oversee
all of Compaq's worldwide consumer business, including the development
and marketing of all products and services for the consumer marketplace
and the expansion of Compaq's worldwide retail distribution network.
"The addition of Michael Heil to our senior management team builds
on the tremendous success of Compaq's family of Presario consumer PCs
and puts us in an even stronger position to take advantage of the
growing opportunities in the consumer marketplace," said Eckhard
Pfeiffer, Compaq President and CEO. "In just two years, Compaq has
helped spark the phenomenal growth of the consumer information
technology marketplace -- a market that is expected to exceed $100
billion by the year 2000 -- and Michael Heil brings the experience,
vision and insight into both consumer electronics and consumer
telecommunications that will expand Compaq's leadership role."
At L.A. Cellular, Heil was president and general manager of one of
the largest cellular phone operating companies in the U.S., Los Angeles
Cellular Telephone Company. Heil, who was with L.A. Cellular from 1989
to 1995, was responsible for all of L.A. Cellular's operations. From
1985 to 1989, Heil was a top executive at Sony Corporation, where he
was president of Sony's Consumer Display Products Company, managing the
U.S. operations for direct view and projection television as well as
Watchman products. He also served as vice president of marketing and
vice president of national accounts for Sony Corporation of America.
Heil previously held sales and marketing positions with several other
consumer product companies, including Atari Corporation, where he was
vice president of sales for Atari's Western division; Polaroid
Corporation; and Lever Brothers.
-/- HP Joins Price-Cutting Contest -/-
Following competitors IBM and Compaq Computer Corp.,
Hewlett-Packard is cutting PC prices by up to 18 percent. Observers say
the firms are jockeying for position in advance of Microsoft Corp.'s
release of the Windows 95 operating system this week.
Reporting from Palo Alto, California, United Press International
quotes HP officials as saying the company has cut prices on its entire
family of HP Vectra desktops in order to match or go lower than leading
competitors' PCs.
Said Jacques C. Clay, general manager of worldwide desktop PC
business, "Our unmatched growth in the market shows that we are meeting
business customers' expectations."
UPI says HP also rolled out half a dozen business PCs with new
models of the HP Vectra XU PCs, based on the fastest versions of Intel
Corp.'s Pentium and running at speeds of 120 and 133 MHz. The new
systems are expected to ship in mid-September.
HP said an entry-level HP Vectra VE PC with a 75MHz Pentium and
8MB of RAM will cost $1,469, compared with $1,599 for a similarly
configured Compaq ProLinea and $1,650 for a comparable Dell OptiPlex
X500 PC.
Last week cuts of 13 percent to 25 percent were announced by
Compaq, where officials said they are willing to minimize profits to
boost market share and gain sales on more expensive machines such as
servers running networks of PCs.
And, as reported IBM has cut prices of 40 high-end desktop
computers by an average of 16 percent.
-/- Hayes Weighs Merger Alternatives -/-
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. is looking at alternatives to a
merger with Boca Research Inc., officials with the Georgia modem maker
told a bankruptcy court yesterday.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Atlanta approved a letter of intent
for the two modem manufacturers to merge, but did so, says writer Mark
Boslet of the Dow Jones news service, "while objecting to $1 million in
breakup fees Hayes Microcomputer would owe Boca Research should the
merger fail, company and industry sources said."
Dow Jones quotes an attorney who observed the proceedings as
saying the bankruptcy judge has decided to review the fees at the time
they might be requested.
A company official who also watched the proceedings told the wire
service Hayes has been presented with some alternatives to the Boca
Research merger.
"Sources close to the company declined to comment on whether the
'alternative' financing would prove enough for Hayes to emerge from
bankruptcy without Boca Research's help," Boslet reports.
As reported earlier, Boca Research has agreed to acquire Hayes
Microcomputer for the cost of its creditors' claims and 1,685,000 of
its shares. (Previously Boca estimated the cost of creditors claims
between $70 million and $80 million.)
"The source said discussions on the alternative financing were
continuing," the wire service says. "The letter of intent allows Hayes
to review proposals for minority investments in the company, but not
majority ones. Company officials said that nevertheless due diligence
in anticipation of the merger was continuing."
-/- CompuServe to Develop Win95 CIM -/-
While it objects to how Microsoft Corp. is bundling its Microsoft
Network with the new Windows 95 operating system, CompuServe said today
it will develop a Win95 version of its CompuServe Information Manager
software.
In a statement from his Columbus, Ohio, office, CompuServe
President/CEO Robert Massey said, "Windows 95, with its easy-to-use
features and outstanding user interface, represents a milestone in the
personal computing industry."
He added, though, "While we are pleased Windows 95 has finally
arrived on the scene, we continue to oppose the bundling of Microsoft
Network in the Windows 95 application. By attempting to leverage its
control in the operating system market to dominate the online industry,
Microsoft is casting a cloud over the future of cyberspace."
Meanwhile in Washington, Attorney General Janet Reno rained a
little on Microsoft's parade, saying the Justice Department's
anti-trust investigation into the firm is continuing. She declined,
though, to say when a decision will be made.
As noted, the Justice Department is looking at whether Microsoft's
bundling of the new online service with Win95 gives the company an
unfair advantage.
The Dow Jones news service quoted Reno as saying, "I can't
specifically describe what we're looking at, other than to say the
investigation is continuing."
As reported, the Justice Department earlier this month took an
unusual step in saying it did not expect to wrap up its investigation
before today's release of Windows 95.
When asked today by reporters whether investigators thought it
best now to wait and see what the actual impact of the new software is
before concluding the probe, Reno said, "What the department is
dedicated to doing is acting and proceeding based on the evidence and
the law. And it will consider all the evidence that is appropriate in
the conduct of this investigation."
Dow Jones says that, while scores of companies besides Microsoft
had a significant stake in the release of the new operating system,
Reno said those concerns have not played a role in the Justice
Department's investigation, or the timing of its conclusion.
"Again," she said, "what we have tried to do is make a judgement
based on the evidence that we have. And the evidence goes to the
practices involved and not to ... what it may or may not do to other
people."
-/- Online Services See Growth Soar -/-
The number of consumer online service subscribers grew 37.3
percent to 8.5 million in the first half of 1995, according to market
researcher SIMBA Information Inc. of Wilton, Connecticut.
CompuServe remained the largest consumer online service with
3.2 million subscribers, reports the company, with America Online and
Prodigy coming in second and third, respectively. Combined, the big
three services accounted for 7.5 million subscriptions, or 88 percent
of the consumer online market in the six-month period, says SIMBA.
SIMBA predicts that the number of consumer online subscribers will
exceed 11 million by the end of 1995. Growth will be fueled by strong
gains in existing services and the launch of The Microsoft Network,
according to Paulette Donnelly, editor of SIMBA's Electronic
Information Report.
"Expect online services to continue to grow dramatically over the
next year, as scores of publishers, investors, software, cable,
technology and telecommunications companies jump on the online
bandwagon," says Donnelly.
Frankie's Corner STR Feature
Math Ace Grand Prix and Word City Grand Prix
available separately on floppy disk and CD-ROM for Windows and Mac
ages 8 to 14
MRSP $39.95
from Sanctuary Woods
1825 S. Grant St.
San Mateo, CA 94402
415-286-6100
Program Requirements
IBM Macintosh
CPU: 386DX-33 CPU: LC III
RAM: 4 megs RAM: 4 megs
OS: Windows 3.1 OS: System 6.0.1
Hdisk: 3 megs Hdisk: N/A
Video: SVGA, 640 by 480, 256 colors Video: 256 colors, 13" mon.
CD-ROM: Double-speed CD-ROM: Double-speed
Misc.: Sound card, speakers, mouse Misc.: Mouse
The Kids' Computing Corner
by Frank Sereno
Racers, start your engines! Sanctuary Woods has updated two of its award-
winning educational titles and based them upon a racing theme which is
sure to appeal to most boys and girls.
Math Ace Grand Prix features over 3000 math problems covering seventy
mathematical topics. Concepts covered include addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, fractions, probability, algebra, geometry,
decimals, and graphing. The CD-ROM version includes more advanced topics
from advanced high school and college mathematics. These "Champ" topics
can be added to the floppy disk version by requesting an upgrade diskette
for $12.95 Word City Grand Prix combines many activities so that children
can learn spelling, reading comprehension, alphabetization, vocabulary,
speed reading, antonyms/synonyms, parts of speech and prefixes/suffixes.
The CD-ROM version contains advanced materials in the "Champ" level. This
can be added to the floppy disk version by purchasing the upgrade
diskette.
Game play in both programs can be customized to the desired level and to
study a particular concept or to solve randomly selected problems. The
playfield consists of a ten by ten-grid. Children must capture squares to
build a road from the green starting flag to the checkered flag. To
accomplish this, players must correctly answer questions. Meanwhile, a
helicopter is dropping items to block the player's path to the checkered
flag. If the helicopter drops enough items to block any possible path to
the flag, then the game is over.
Other obstacles to the player's progress are challenge squares. These
challenges include building words from letter combinations in Bridge Jump
and driving over the missing letters to words in Spelling Track in Word
City. Decoder asks children to decode messages by guessing letters. The
final Word City challenge is Word Shoot in which the player must shoot the
correct word using a moving cannon. Math Ace challenges include Paint
Ball which is a study in probability and Function Shoot in which a player
must enter a value into an equation to dissect a helicopter on a graph.
Also included are Angle Cannon in which players must shoot a moving
helicopter by adjusting the angle of the turret and Function Track, a
racing game in which the player drives over the correct answers.
Upon completion of a level, the player can choose to race on a Grand Prix
track. He must use the cursor keys to control his car to drive around
obstacles and curves in the road. Bonus points are gained for
successfully completing the course. Players can advance through eight
levels of competition in the game portion of the program to become a "new
Grand Prix champion."
Another option is to study in the Smart Lab portion of either program.
Children can then choose from a menu of study options. Word City has the
option of building custom word lists for Spelling and Vocabulary study as
well the included words. Other choices are Reading Comprehension and
Speed Reading. In the Spelling section, the player can choose to see or
listen to the word before spelling it. Unfortunately, custom word lists
are not pronounced.
The Math Ace Smart Lab menu allows the selection of skill level and
subject matter. Example problems and solutions are shown on one portion
of the screen along an explanation of the procedures used. For more
intense study, the student can go to the Reference section for detailed
information on the available topics which include quadratic equations,
calculus and trigonometry on the CD-ROM version. Some of the reference
material was boring and dry, but that is probably why many children find
higher level mathematics uninteresting.
The Grand Prix versions of Math Ace and Word City have colorful, rendered
graphics which are very attractive. Both programs are filled with
excellent sound effects and digitized voices. The music is MIDI and uses
a variety of tempos and instruments. It is an aural treat.
The interface is quite simple. Help is provided in text windows. Audible
help for younger players would be a nice addition to the programs. I
found it difficult to control the on-screen devices in some challenge
games. For example, in Spell Track it was difficult for me to read the
clue and then look to the track to find the correct letters. Imagine how
much more difficult it would be for younger children still learning to
read. The Grand Prix race was made harder because my keyboard uses a
ten-key cursor layout. Why couldn't it have been designed to use a mouse
or possibly a joystick? The user manual is very concise and includes a
troubleshooting section. Technical assistance is just a toll call away as
well.
Children will enjoy playing both games. Each child will have his own
preferences for favorite challenge games. I personally enjoyed the Bridge
Jump. These programs would get a higher rating if the bonus level racing
game was easier to play.
Both programs provide fantastic educational content. The challenges and
resources are quite abundant. Math Ace and Word City will test your
children through high school. I do wish the reference section in Math Ace
used a teacher to audibly explain the concepts besides the text
information provided.
Bang for the Buck is very high. Both titles come with a 30-Day money-back
guarantee. Sanctuary Woods also offers a program through which your local
school can receive a free copy of the program. With retail prices around
$30 and an excellent combination of play and educational values, either
Word City Grand Prix or Math Ace Grand Prix would be an excellent addition
to any home educational software.
Ratings
Graphics 8.5
Sounds 9.0
Interface 8.0
Play Value 8.5
Educational Value 9.5
Bang for the Buck 9.0
Average 8.75
Activision's Atari 2600 Action Pack 2 for Windows
Are you tired of games filled with gore and but lacking imagination? Are
you looking for interesting gameplay? Do you wish for a chance to return
to those thrilling days of yesteryear? The Atari 2600 Action Pack 2 could
be your answer.
Action Pack 2 consists of fifteen more classic games from the heyday of
the Atari 2600 gaming machine. Atlantis, a game of subterranean defense,
is from Imagic while the other fourteen games are from Activision's own
vaults of hit games. Future editions of the Action Pack will include
Imagic's Demon Attack and Riddle of the Sphinx and also many classic games
programmed by Atari.
Activision's contributions to this collection include Barnstorming, a
side-scrolling flight game in which the player must fly through barns,
over windmills and avoid geese in flight. Dolphin is aquatic adventure as
the player guides a dolphin trying to escape deadly predators. Dragster
is a game of head-to-head quarter mile racing. Enduro, a driving game,
was one of the first games to feature changing environmental conditions.
Ice Hockey is still great fun to play against the computer or a friend.
Keystone Kapers is a cops and robbers chase through a department store.
Laser Blast put a twist on the usual space invasion theme in which the
player instead of defending his planet is now trying to recapture it.
Megamania is a shoot-em-up game in which the deadly targets include
burgers and bow ties. Oink gives the player a chance to save the three
little pigs by patching the holes blown in the wall by that nasty old
wolf. Ever heard of a game about dental hygiene? Then you may have
forgotten Plaque Attack, the game in which the player shoots toothpaste at
food items to protect his teeth. River Raid II is the sequel to the
original River Raid and is another vertically scrolling shoot-em-up.
Skiing is a vertically scrolling downhill racing game. Get along little
dogies! Stampede is a challenging game of roping and herding cattle. The
final game is Tennis which allows head-to-head or individual play.
Activision included some interesting features in Action Pack 2. The
artificial Mom is a nice touch of nostalgia. Remember when your mother
would lovingly remind to do your chores or homework instead of playing
video games. Action Pack 2 gives you the option to simulate those golden
years of your youth by including an artificial Mom. You can set her to
nag you occasionally, constantly or any interval in between.
Another nice feature is that the Help section of each game also includes
information about that game's history and its author. In a few cases,
little is known about the author's whereabouts. For example, Larry
Miller, the author of Enduro, has apparently left without a trace. But it
is interesting to learn what many of these programmers have accomplished
over the years. Many of them are still involved in video games.
These are great games for playing with younger children or for reminiscing
about days gone by. Most of these games hold up really well for great
gameplay despite the crudity of the graphics. It is a marvel to realize
that these games consisted of either 2 or 4k of ROM. The Atari 2600
Action Pack can be an excellent addition to your gaming library.
Once again, I thank you for reading!
InternetMCI STR Spotlight "Move Over.... InternetMCI!!!"
HOW STRONG IS InternetMCI...
...TECHNICALLY SPEAKING?
by Ralph Mariano
Many of our readers should recall the "Name the Net" item we carried
last week about MCI's wonderful, $5,000.00 contest. Well... everything is
NOT so wonderful about this contest... it seems there is a "ID Code
Server" as some of MCI's telephone reps (called "PROFESSIONALS") believe its
called. It conveniently croaked early Friday afternoon. Thus, effectively
cutting off the MCI subscribers in entire southeastern United States. So
much for the "big deal" contest for those folks. This reporter has finally
concluded what MCI seemingly does with its profits... "they probably spend
a small fortune having those cute "thankyou for calling..." recordings
made with "the songs that go nowhere" playing in the background." I
know.. been there done that! I was forced to listen to this trash for a
grand total of two hours and fifty three minutes while waiting for one of
these alleged "PROFESSIONALS" to answer the phone. Thank goodness for
speaker phones. I was able to work on this article while being
"entertained" by the professionally made recordings. Bleeech!
The InternetMCI software is, in most cases, totally unnecessary....
Windows 95 handles the whole shtick easily, as does Warp and any number of
other, far superior, packages than that offered by InternetMCI. Many of
which are available for less and even free. The constant impression given
by the Internet MCI "Professionals" is that one cannot use InternetMCI
unless they BUY ($39.95) the Internet MCI software! The Netscape Software
included is old... Netscape is up to version 1.2 b3 and has many new
features.
MCI ads are found just about everywhere in the computing community
even in the Tiger Software Catalog. (where for an additional $10.00, one
can buy an instructional Videotape. InternetMCI and the tape for a total
of over $50.00!!) Why would anyone NEED a step by step video tape if the
software is so easy to install and use to get on the net? In that
catalog, the InternetMCI two page ad blatantly boasts;
"THE COMPANY THAT REVOLUTIONIZED LONG DISTANCE...
...NOW REVOLUTIONIZES THE INTERNET"
"Joke, JOKE.. that has to be a joke, they can't be serious!"
(..in my best "BobCat" voice)
From last Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, the InternetMCI
dialup number continued to answer and generate incorrect error messages on
client machines. Thankfully, shortly thereafter ..somebody had the common
sense to not allow the defective server to pick up the incoming calls. The
"Server" was finally back in operation last Sunday.
In plain English;
* The service interruption itself was unbelievable.
* The overall, knowledge of the "net", responsiveness to customer needs
and levels of support from the InternetMCI Customer Service
"Professionals" was virtually non-existent. (Read APPALLING)
* The amount of time it took to restore the service made the interruption
an unmitigated catastrophe!!
Someone ought to inform those "in charge" of InternetMCI that if the
example set this past weekend of August 18, 1995 is their concept of how
their performance in serving the Internet is to either be or a revolution
they should instead, be in the "mushroom" business. Apparently, they're
under the impression their consumer base, both current and potential, is
comprised solely of "mushrooms".
The only thing revolutionary about InternetMCI's activities is the
level of un-original creativity they've exhibited in generating excuses
for the lame performance of their Internet Service Provider.. especially
this past weekend. One can only wonder if their "high powered executives"
have ever taken a course about "truth in advertising" or, "the successful
training of customer service personnel."
The most aggravating of incidents this past weekend were the
depressingly LONG periods of time involved in "holding on" for customer
assistance when calling after midnight. Obviously, they're using a
"SKELETON CREW for the GRAVEYARD SHIFT!" And... that UGLY BACKGROUND
MUSIC!! It only added to the grief! It must be a total combination of
all rejected elevator music!
While on the subject of InternetMCI ads, its amazing that InternetMCI
goes to great lengths to explain the "Client/Server" relationship in the
Tigersoftware catalog ad but in reality, their telephone service reps
haven't a clue about a Client, a Server and/or the Internet.
Name the Net and Win $5,000
STReport's SUGGESTION for a name is.....
"WEAK-NET" MCI'S BEST SHOT!
MCI Communications Corp. and New Corp. are offering $5,000 to the
person who comes up with the best name for their new online service. But
if you have an idea, move fast: the deadline for entries is Friday night.
"We're appealing to one of the most discriminating yet democratic
--segments of our society to help us name our new service," said Scott
Kurnit, newly appointed president/CEO of the joint venture in a statement
from Washington announcing the contest. "The cyber generation spends its
time flaming, lurking and posting, so we thought it would be fun to
involve them in shaping the future."...
....Kurnit says net surfers entering the "Name the Net" contest can
submit suggestions online at World Wide Web address:
http://www.internetMCI.com/venture
Entries must be received in English by midnight Friday and the winner,
receiving $5,000, will be announced by Aug. 31.
Is that "midnight Friday" the 18th of August or, the 25th of August??
The weekend of the eighteenth of August was wiped out for many of Internet
MCI's customers by the outrageous failure of what appears to be an
improperly BACKED-UP "ID Recognition Server" in the Atlanta Regional
Center. When the server failed they were not able to simply substitute
the faulty hardware and restore the software to it from a recent backup.
Odd isn't it?? That's the very first thing taught to most budding
computer professionals .. the VALUE of CURRENT & FREQUENT BACKUPS. I
anxiously await the new crop of "creative excuses" that will be offered by
InternetMCI in more weak attempts to excuse away this serious failure of
their "ID SERVER". So much for all the reliability hype! Is Internet MCI
in the connectivity business or the excuse business??
One can only wonder if this incident is some sort of Freudian
indication meant for Internet MCI's subscribers to pay attention to the
newest Internet Provider to enter the market .. AT&T!!
"Move Over AT&T??" Its doubtful it'll be that way at all.
Of course, all this will change very shortly. STReport maintains all
its lines with MCI.. And soon our ISDN lines will also be with MCI. In
fact, if all goes well.. we hope to have MCI install and service a T-3 or
T-2 in the not too distant future. In the long distance section, MCI has
certainly offered savings above any of those we ever realized with AT&T.
Sprint with its monstrous credits is amazing that they seem to think
people are gullable enough to change services and receive these credit at
piddily amounts every month for what seems like a ten year spread.
When it comes to real and very true savings... MCI does indeed
deliver. Now, when they get their InternetMCI service and service reps
fully up to speed they'll be virtually unbeatable. As I understand it
that not far away from becoming reality. We shall see.
Fact or Fantasy from IBM? STR FOCUS! Clearing the Smoke & WARPO Mirrors!
MICROSOFT S ANSWERS TO IBM S...
"THE REAL STORY ABOUT WINDOWS 95 - 15 QUESTIONS TO ASK MICROSOFT"
The purpose of this document is to answer the questions raised in IBM s
document entitled "The Real Story about Win 95-or-15 Questions to ask
Microsoft". This document has been circulating around the internet and
other online services.
IBM s document repeated
ly presents a series of arcane technical arguments
concerning some of the design decisions Microsoft made in producing
Windows 95. These can be grouped into the following three areas:
Multitasking:
Windows 95 and OS/2 take essentially the same approach to running 16-bit
Windows applications - that is to run them in the way as Windows 3.1
would. The reason for this is compatibility. 16-bit Windows applications
were designed to be executed in a cooperatively multitasked environment.
While OS/2 offers a non-default option to run 16-bit Windows applications
preemptively, it does so by loading a full copy of Windows 3.1 for each
application, which requires a great deal of memory and reduces
performance.
This option also introduces compatibility problems because 16-bit Windows
applications were not designed to be run this way. For example,
applications that use OLE are not able to exchange information in this
mode. So this option offers marginally better multitasking at the cost of
reduced performance, higher memory requirements, and incompatibility.
If the benefits of this OS/2 feature were worth its cost, why is it not
turned on by default? Further, if preemptive multitasking of applications
is important, why has IBM stated that OS/2 will not run 32-bit
applications designed for Windows 95 and Windows NT, which have as their
key features preemptive multitasking and multiple threads of execution?
Robustness:
There is no evidence that OS/2 is any more robust than Windows 3.1 when
running 16-bit Windows applications, and Windows 95 has a number of
important robustness improvements that go beyond Windows 3.1 and OS/2 such
as increased system resources, per-thread resource tracking, and better
recovery from application failures.
The only case that could be made for OS/2 in this regard is that its
option to run each 16-bit Windows application in a separate session adds
some protection, but at a great cost in resources and compatibility as
explained above.
Ease of Use:
The Windows 95 user interface is the result of thousands of hours of
usability testing and has proven to be an easier and more productive user
interface than OS/2.
PC World and PC Computing magazines each conducted usability tests
comparing Windows 95 to OS/2 and Windows 3.1 in their August 1995 issues.
In both cases, Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 proved to be significantly
easier to use than OS/2.
Rather than labor over these technical details, it is probably more
relevant to evaluate how an operating system addresses customer
requirements such as: Performance on mainstream hardware; the number of
native applications developed for the operating system; compatibility with
the applications, and hardware customers already own; ease of use (beyond
the few technical details IBM discusses here), and the future prospects of
the operating system. See Key customer requirements for a PC Operating
System at the end of this document for a more thorough discussion of
these issues.
The following section presents questions from IBM s document followed by
Microsoft s answers.
Subject: The Real Story about Win 95-or-15 Questions to ask Microsoft
Can Windows 95 live up to the hype that Microsoft has generated for it?
These questions, which are based upon published information about the
final beta product in the "Windows 95 Resource Kit" and "Windows 95
Reviewer's Guide," might help you decide.
ABOUT RELIABILITY
Q1: What happens to 32-bit applications when a Win16 application crashes
under Windows 95?
IBM A1: They can stop executing. Because Microsoft built Windows 95 using
the same System Virtual Machine (VM) model found in Windows 3.1, the
operating system is at the mercy of legacy 16-bit applications. If a
Win16 program hangs, it can tie up critical 16-bit code modules located in
the System VM. All other processing is halted.
IBM Bottom Line: Windows 95 is not a reliable platform for mission
critical, line-of-business applications.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 provides a high level of robustness, improved over Windows 3.1,
and is designed to recover from application crashes. If an application
crashes on Windows 95, the user has the option of terminating that
application, and continuing to run other currently loaded applications.
It is possible, though unlikely, for a poorly written 16-bit Windows
application to crash and temporarily hold up other applications in a
Windows 95 system. The penalty for preventing this entirely would be
incompatibility with a large number of existing Windows applications
and/or unacceptably slow performance on mainstream hardware. Rather than
unilaterally imposing this penalty on customers, the design of Windows 95
assumes most Windows applications are well-behaved and runs them as they
were designed to be run. 32-bit applications running under Windows 95 add
further robustness improvements such as asynchronous input queues and full
memory protection. The result is that Windows 95 is substantially more
robust than Windows 3.1 while as fast or faster on mainstream hardware.
This level of compatibility and performance is demanded by customers, and
is not fully provided by OS/2. Windows NT offers both full protection and
better compatibility than OS/2 for users who require the highest level of
robustness.
What happens to 32-bit OS/2 applications when one of them stops processing
messages such as mouse and keyboard events? Because OS/2 processes
messages synchronously, when one application hangs or for some other
reason does not process its messages, no other 32-bit application gets any
messages either, so all of them stop. The lack of separate, asynchronous
message queues for 32-bit applications under OS/2 is a major architectural
limitation - one that is not shared by Windows 95. Windows 95 provides
separate, asynchronous message queues for each 32-bit application, so if
one stops responding, the rest are unaffected.
Bottom line: Windows 95 is more robust than Windows 3.1 and OS/2 running
16-bit applications, and adds even more robustness when running 32-bit
applications.
Q2: Does Windows 95 protect the contents of its system cache against
intrusion by Win32 programs?
A2: No. As with the afore mentioned system structures, Windows 95 also
fails to protect the contents of its system cache - disk cache, network
cache, and CD-ROM cache. As a result, an errant Win32 application can
write to memory in use by the cache. The potential results: inaccurate
data, corrupted file system entries, etc.
Bottom Line: Data integrity is a question mark with Windows 95.
Microsoft:
An application deliberately altering system data structures is an
extremely rare case. Neither Windows 95 nor OS/2 completely protect
system data areas because to do so would impose large performance
penalties, require more system resources, and introduce incompatibilities
with some applications. The same choice was made by IBM in the design
for OS/2, for probably the same reason - performance. It should be noted
that an application would have to be more than just buggy to over-write
system components or data in Windows 95 - it would have to be malicious -
deliberately and specifically accessing those areas. A similar malicious
application would also harm OS/2.
Specifically, does OS/2 protect any of its ring 3 system data pages? No.
OS/2 s system-wide data structures including the window manager, graphics
engine, and non-kernel system components (the shell, desktop, object
model) can be overwritten by an application, causing the system to crash.
Only Microsoft Windows NT provides virtually complete protection from an
application attempting to access memory outside its own.
Bottom line: Windows 95 provides a reliable and robust operating system
that achieves excellent performance and compatibility on mainstream
systems.
Q3: How is Microsoft dealing with the issue of Virtual Device Driver (VxD)
instability?
A3: They aren't. In fact, Windows 95 itself makes heavy use of VxDs to
supplement and, in many cases, replace DOS functionality. VxDs are
extremely powerful programs that can literally go anywhere and do anything
in the operating system. They have free reign to address system memory
directly, manipulate hardware, and even replace portions of Windows 95
itself at runtime. This gives the creative VxD programmer unlimited
flexibility when designing applications that need to modify Windows 95's
operation. Microsoft has itself often promoted the VxD interface as a
mechanism for gaining good performance with time-critical Windows
applications. Unfortunately, the power of the VxD can also be a curse.
As more developers begin to exploit this interface - an interface that has
only limited controls and almost zero inter-process isolation - a
programming free-for-all may result where multiple third party VxDs modify
the system in similar ways with unpredictable results. The failure of a
single VxD can undermine the stability of the entire Windows95
environment.
Bottom Line: VxDs are potential disasters waiting to happen in the
corporate world.
Microsoft:
IBM presents no evidence of stability problems with VxDs, because there is
none. VxDs, which are merely device drivers, have been a fundamental part
of the Windows operating system design since 1990 - tens of millions of
people rely on them every day, though they probably don t realize it since
they perform less visible tasks such as network support. If there was
some kind of wide-spread stability issue with VxDs, Windows could never
have achieved the success that it has. It is true that in Windows 95, if
a device driver fails, the consequences can be severe, but that is the
case with every PC operating system in existence.
Is OS/2 immune to the problems that can arise if an OS/2 device driver
fails? No - nor is any other operating system. Additionally, since OS/2
is not compatible with Windows VxDs, it cannot run any application or
component (such as Norton Utilities, Visual C++, some communications
applications, and the networking components of Windows for Workgroups)
which requires them.
Bottom line: Windows 95 has comprehensive device support, providing high
performance using a proven and stable device driver architecture.
Q4: Is it true that Windows 95 doesn't fully protect its own operating
system code against Win32 application failures?
A4: Yes. Win32 applications can write to regions of the extreme lower and
upper address spaces in the System VM that are critical to the
environment's operation. As a result, an errant memory operation can
undermine system stability and potentially crash the entire operating
system.
Bottom Line: Windows 95 may be one errant memory operation away from
total failure.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 improves robustness, without sacrificing compatibility. It is
true that Win32 applications have access to the 64K - 4MB range. The
reason is compatibility with MS-DOS and 16-bit Windows applications and
device drivers, something the designers of OS/2 decided to forgo. This
level of compatibility means, for example, that users can continue to use
their existing MS-DOS device drivers for devices like sound cards and
those devices will work with 16 and 32-bit applications under Windows 95.
An application would have to deliberately and maliciously write to a
particular system memory area (out of the whole 4GB range) to cause
problems. The technical details of IBM s argument are also incorrect -
the extreme lower and upper addresses (near 0 and 4GB) are not addressable
to Win32 applications. This feature catches a common error in
applications where they may attempt to use null or near null pointers.
Also see the response to question #2.
OS/2 provides no protection from applications writing into critical system
data memory areas. If an application chooses to write into these areas,
OS/2 can and will crash.
Bottom line: Windows 95 s design successfully achieves high compatibility
with existing applications and hardware, while improving robustness and
reliability over Windows 3.1.
Q5: When running DOS applications, does Windows 95 fully virtualize the
PC s hardware to protect against buggy applications?
A5: No. Windows 95 fails to virtualize critical hardware components like
the interrupt flag. This, in turn, can lead to a system crash if an errant
DOS program becomes unresponsive while interrupts are disabled.
Bottom Line: Legacy applications are the Achilles heel of Windows 95
memory management.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 has superior MS-DOS application and device driver support to
OS/2. While it's unlikely that an MS-DOS application would turn off
interrupts, certain real-mode device drivers will. If Windows 95
virtualized all of these services and did not allow an application or
device driver to turn off interrupts, then those device drivers wouldn't
work. This would prevent the use of device drivers that support products
like Bernoulli drives. The choice was made to retain compatibility with
these drivers because some users will require them to support their
hardware.
If interrupts are disabled in an unresponsive application on certain bus
architectures under OS/2, OS/2 will also hang. OS/2 does not provide the
benefit of the use of these device drivers for compatibility reasons, yet
still pays the cost in robustness for allowing this type of operation.
Bottom line: Windows 95 is the only 32-bit operating system that
successfully retains compatibility with existing real-mode device drivers.
ABOUT USABILITY
Q6: Does Windows 95 track objects dynamically?
A6: No. Windows 95 uses a series of static DOS pathnames and .INI files
to track the relationship between icons on the desktop and files on disk.
For example, the shortcut mechanism of the Windows 95 interface relies on
a stored copy of the original's path information when locating and
invoking it. If the file is moved within the directory structure, Windows
95 must search the hard disk for it based on file size and date stamp.
Although this technique works most of the time, it is limited to searching
a single volume - if you move the file to another disk volume, the link is
broken completely. And, because Windows 95 will search your entire
network if attached, it may take forever if it is connected to, say, five
gigabytes of storage.
Bottom Line: Help desk calls will be on the rise as users experiment with
shortcuts and long filenames.
Microsoft:
When it comes to usability, Windows 95 is certainly superior to OS/2. This
is evidenced by the PC World and PC Computing tests reported in their
August 1995 issues in which OS2 loses not only to Windows 95, but also to
Windows 3.1. Shortcuts and long file names are two of the many usability
improvements in Windows 95 that were driven by extensive usability testing
with the goal of reducing user support burden.
To address this particular question, files that appear on the Windows 95
desktop are stored in a directory just like any other file regardless of
whether they have long or short file names. Shortcuts are a special type
of file that contain data on the location of the original object. If the
original object is moved, Windows 95 will update the location data the
next time the object is accessed. If the object that a shortcut points to
is moved to another drive, the user must specify the new location.
Windows 95 will only search a network drive if that was the original
location of the object. Whether the object or shortcut uses long file
names makes no difference.
OS/2 implements a rough equivalent of Windows 95 shortcuts, called
shadows, however they are less powerful and less easy to use in several
ways. Windows 95 allows easy creation of shortcuts to any type of network
resource. While OS/2 allows the user to create a shadow of a folder on a
network server, the shadow disappears when the computer is rebooted. If a
Windows 95 user creates a shortcut to a network resource, and later
accesses the shortcut when not connected to the network, Windows 95 is
smart enough to invoke its dial-up networking feature to connect to the
network and access the resource. If OS/2 users attempt the same
operation, they get an error message. Unlike Windows 95 s shortcuts, OS/2
shadows cannot point to a particular part of a document, nor can they be
embedded into a document or mailed to another user. While both shortcuts
and shadows can point to content on the Internet, only Windows 95 is smart
enough to launch a connection to the Internet automatically when a user
opens the shortcut.
Bottom line: The design of Windows 95 was driven by extensive usability
testing, which resulted in a user interface that surpasses Windows 3.1 and
OS/2 in its ease of use, productivity and reduction of support burden.
Q7: Does Windows 95 make consistent use of drag & drop?
A7: No. Windows 95's drag & drop features are applicable to some objects,
like files and folders, but not to others. You cannot, for example, drag
a dial-up networking connection to the Windows 95 Recycler; nor can you
drag objects to the My Computer folder - both are "special" objects in the
Windows 95 interface and aren't subject to the normal Windows 95 drag &
drop rules. This introduces a level of inconsistency to the interface and
a possible stumbling block for new users trying to take advantage of drag
& drop.
Bottom Line: The Windows 95 interface is inconsistent from function to
function.
Microsoft:
Again, Windows 95 is demonstrably superior to OS/2, especially in terms of
usability. Windows 95 makes dragging and dropping objects both easy, and
safe. My Computer is designed to show the objects that are on the user s
computer: the disk drives, network connections, and related settings. It
would be confusing to allow users to add new items to this list since
those items would not be disk drives, net connections, or settings.
Dragging a dial-up network connection to another location automatically
creates a shortcut to that connection, leaving the original in the dial-up
networking folder where it belongs. It certainly would not make sense to
create a shortcut in the recycle bin, where it would then be discarded.
OS/2 forces the user to remember inconsistent dragging techniques. The
non-default (right) mouse button is used to drag objects, but the left
mouse button is used to drag windows, and to drag objects in the Windows
UI and in Windows applications running under OS/2. Objects cannot be
dragged from windows in OS/2 to Windows-based applications.
Bottom line: Windows 95 provides the easiest, most productive user
interface of any PC operating system. Don t take Microsoft s word for it,
read the August issues of PC World and PC Computing.
Q8: Is the Windows 95 interface consistent and object-oriented?
A8: No. For example, while you can invoke the right mouse button pop-up
menu on most objects, entries in the Start menu and its submenus are not
included. This makes manipulating Start menu entries an awkward process
involving the Taskbar properties dialog box and several layers of menus
and windows. Since the right mouse button works in most other areas of
the interface, the Start button's deviation from this norm exposes Windows
95's object-oriented support as incomplete.
Bottom Line: Windows 95 does not fully exploit O-O technology.
Microsoft:
Clicking the right mouse button on the Windows 95 Start Button produces a
complete set of options for manipulating items contained on the Start Menu
including Open, Explore, and Find. These features make it very easy and
efficient to add, change, and delete those items. How is object oriented
technology (which is a software development approach) relevant to how
users interact with the user interface of an operating system?
Bottom line: See question 7.
ABOUT WINDOWS 95 AND MULTITASKING
Q9: Can Windows 95 preemptively multitask Win16 applications?
A9: No. Because Win16 applications were written for a cooperative
multitasking environment, they cannot handle the stress of being
"preempted" during execution. Therefore Windows 95 must handle these
applications in the same way that Windows 3.1 does: by giving them
exclusive control of the CPU for as long as they are executing. When, and
only when, the application makes a specific API call - one of the few such
calls that constitute safe points at which Windows can wrest control away
from the program - are other programs allowed to execute. This is
"cooperative" multitasking, and has proven to be ineffectual when running
more than a handful of programs simultaneously or when running CPU-
intensive programs such as communications, print and/or fax programs.
Bottom Line: Windows 95 adds little value for the large base of legacy
Win16 applications.
Microsoft:
Both Windows 95 and OS/2 take the approach of running 16-bit Windows
applications cooperatively. Windows 95 cooperatively multitasks existing
Windows applications because that is the best way to achieve high
compatibility with those applications. Windows 95 adds an improved user
interface, better robustness, greatly increased system resource capacity,
32-bit printing, networking, disk I/O, multimedia, communications
components, and more - all of which provide benefits when using 16-bit or
32-bit applications, without compromising compatibility or performance.
All new 32-bit applications designed for Windows 95 offer fully preemptive
multitasking and can use multiple threads of execution.
OS/2 provides a non-default option to run 16-bit Windows applications in
separate, preemptively multitasked sessions. However this comes at great
cost in terms of memory - since a copy of Windows 3.1 is loaded for each
application - and compatibility because OLE-based applications cannot
exchange information when run in separate sessions. If the separate
session option really provides tangible benefits worth its costs, why is
it not enabled by default in OS/2? OS/2 is not compatible with any of the
32-bit applications designed for Windows 95, and which run with preemptive
multitasking.
Bottom line: Windows 95 adds significant value in running 16-bit Windows
applications including an improved user interface, better robustness,
greatly increased system resource capacity, 32-bit printing, networking,
disk I/O, multimedia, communications components, and more.
Q10: Are there any caveats to multitasking Win32 applications under
Windows 95?
A10. Yes. In its effort to maintain a high degree of backward
compatibility while simultaneously minimizing the RAM requirements of the
operating system, Microsoft has chosen to rely on its existing, Widows
3.1-era USER (window management) and GDI (Graphics Device Interface)
modules rather than create new, 32-bit versions. In order to utilize this
older, 16-bit code in potentially preemptive (with regard to Win32
applications), 32-bit multitasking environment of Windows 95, Microsoft
was forced to serialize access to USER and GDI. As a result, only a
single Win32 or Win16 program can access these critical modules at any
given time. This hurts application performance on heavily loaded systems
as programs are forced to "line-up" and wait for a chance to execute a
USER or GDI routine. All USER calls (for both16 and 32-bit applications)
are serialized and handled by the 16-bit code, while the majority of GDI
calls are similarly handled (the other 50 percentage handled by newer 32-
bit routines).
Bottom Line: Windows 95's multitasking is best described as "preemptively
challenged."
Microsoft:
Windows 95 provides excellent multitasking of 32-bit applications while
maintaining compatibility with 16-bit applications designed for Windows
3.1. Windows 95 provides this high-level of compatibility by running 16-
bit Windows applications the way they were designed to be run, using time-
tested, proven code for compatibility and lower memory requirements. The
result is good cooperative multitasking and fast performance with 16-bit
applications plus great preemptive multitasking of 32-bit applications.
For users that require a high level of compatibility with 16 and 32-bit
Windows applications, plus the option to run 16-bit Windows applications
preemptively, Microsoft offers Windows NT.
OS/2, which has a significant amount of 16-bit code itself, requires more
memory to run 16-bit Windows applications, and runs them slower than
Windows 95. OS/2 also adds compatibility problems if its preemptive
option is used, and is totally incompatible with 32-bit Windows
applications designed for Windows 95 and Windows NT.
Bottom line: Windows 95 and Win32 applications provide smooth preemptive
multitasking.
Q11: What happens to Windows 95's multitasking when you run a mixture of
application types?
A11: It reverts to a cooperative multitasking model. Windows 95's
continued reliance on the single system VM model of Windows 3.1 places the
operating system's multitasking capabilities at the mercy of the lowest
common denominator: the 16-bit Windows application. Whenever a Win16
application is running, the operating system's multitasking capabilities
are compromised by the need to allow such programs to execute
"undisturbed" for as long as they require. As a result, when multitasking
a mixture of applications - Win16 andWin32 - true preemptive operation is
impossible since, at any given time, a16-bit application may require
exclusive control of the CPU. Worse still, since the Win16 application is
typically executing a portion of the 16-bitUSER or GDI code - access to
which must be serialized among processes -all other processes, including
Win32 applications, are blocked from executing. The net result is what
would be best described as "semi-preemptive multitasking.
Bottom Line: When Win16 applications enter the mix, Windows 95 takes on
an alternate personality: Windows 3.1.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 runs both 16 and 32-bit applications simultaneously and allows
multitasking both types of applications. When a 16-bit application is
executing on Windows 95, it s control of the CPU lasts for only a very
short time, after which time is allocated to other running applications on
a preemptive or cooperative basis depending on the application. The user
experience, in most cases is that all applications run essentially at the
same time, regardless of whether they are 16 or 32-bit. Readers who are
concerned about this can try a simple test: print a long document from
Microsoft Word 6.0 (16-bit), while performing a copy of a large file using
the Windows 95 Explorer (32-bit). Both operations will proceed smoothly
and simultaneously to completion. As users migrate to 32-bit
applications, multitasking becomes even smoother.
As stated above, OS/2 provides a non-default option for running 16-bit
Windows applications preemptively, but this option requires significantly
more memory (so applications run slowly), and introduces compatibility
problems such as the inability to use OLE to exchange data between
applications. OS/2 will not run 32-bit Windows applications at all so
users cannot take advantage of their superior multitasking if they use
OS/2.
Bottom line: Windows 95 runs existing 16-bit applications on top of new
32-bit system components, which provide smooth operation along with the
preemptive multitasking of new 32-bit applications..
Q12: Does Windows 95's multitasking resolve any of Windows 3.1's
multimedia-related deficiencies?
A12: Not really. Windows 95's inconsistent multitasking performance - a
byproduct of the single System VM model - compromises its performance as a
serious multimedia production platform. Complex .AVI clips break up
noticeably when a significant I/O strain is placed on a Windows 95 system.
Even simple operations, like opening an application program, can have a
negative impact on multimedia playback.
Bottom Line: You still can't play multimedia and do heavy I/O
simultaneously.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 s new 32-bit multimedia subsystems give a tremendous boost to
its playback performance, making even full screen full motion video
playback possible on high end systems. Among the many improvements in
this area are an improved, swappable and tunable CD-ROM cache, 32-bit
video CODECs, game development tools, plus high-performance graphics and
disk I/O. The May 1995 issue of NewMedia magazine was particularly
enthusiastic about the multimedia improvements in Windows 95, stating The
potential benefits - especially to multimedia - of a 32-bit, multitasking,
multithreading system are mind-blowing.
Already, multimedia titles for Windows 3.1 far outnumber and outsell
titles for OS/2 (go into any software reseller and try to locate even one
OS/2 multimedia title). Windows 95 is receiving a high-level of attention
and investment from multimedia ISVs who are eager to take advantage of
Windows 95 s multimedia improvements, so there will soon be a large number
of games and titles designed specifically for Windows 95 (these
applications will not run on OS/2 at all).
Bottom line: Windows 95 offers significant improvements in all areas of
multimedia performance.
ABOUT WINDOWS 95'S RELATIONSHIP TO DOS
Q13: Does Windows 95 really do away with DOS?
A13: No. Windows 95, though touted as a "completely new, 32-bit"
operating system, is in fact still based on DOS technology that dates back
to the early1980s. Under Windows 95, even Win32 applications rely on at
least a few data structures within the real mode DOS environment (most
notably, they all maintain real mode PSPs). Despite Microsoft's claims to
the contrary, Windows 95 is highly sensitive to the configuration of a
PC's real mode DOS environment. If, for example, the available
conventional memory in the System VM - the DOS virtual machine where all
16-bit Windows applications and some Windows 95 codes executes - dips
below a certain level, Windows 95 will report out of memory" messages
when you try to open additional Win16 or Win32programs. This is unrelated
to the well known System Resources phenomena, and the only real solutions
are to either replace as many real mode device drivers as possible with
VxDs or to invest in a third party memory manager to optimize the pre-
Windows 95 DOS environment.
Bottom Line: Windows 95 can be viewed as DOS/Windows with a new interface
and some new VxDs.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 employs new 32-bit code in all areas in which it produces
performance and/or robustness improvements, and uses time-tested, proven
16-bit code in some areas for compatibility and reduced memory
requirements. To provide compatibility that allows 32-bit applications to
exchange data with 16-bit applications and device drivers, Windows 95
continues to use data structures such as the MS-DOS PSP. It is highly
unlikely that users would ever run out of real-mode memory under Windows
95 since each application only allocates one 256 byte PSP (out of 655,360
bytes of real mode memory), nor are any additional MS-DOS memory managers
required. Virtually all of the things that take up conventional memory
under Windows 3.1 (network, CD-ROM drivers, sound drivers, etc) are now
implemented as 32-bit protect mode components in Windows 95. So there is
even less of a chance that real mode memory will become an issue. For
example, a typical system which has device drivers for a CD-ROM drive,
SCSI card, network card and protocols, and sound card will still have over
600K free conventional memory since all of those device drivers are now
32-bit and loaded into protect mode memory.
OS/2 employs 16-bit code in performance-critical areas such as the file
system and network components. OS/2 also exhibits lower compatibility
with 16-bit Windows applications than Windows 95, even though it runs them
using 16-bit Windows 3.1 code. OS/2 is also totally incompatible with 32-
bit applications designed for Windows 95 and Windows NT. So, not only is
OS/2 compromised by the use of 16-bit code in performance-critical areas,
it has poor Windows application compatibility as well.
Bottom line: Windows 95 is the only operating system that provides 32-bit
power while retaining a high level of compatibility with real-mode device
drivers and existing applications.
Q14: What is Single MS-DOS Application mode and how does it affect other
running applications?
A14: Microsoft touts Single MS-DOS Application (SMA) mode as its ultimate
solution to any and all DOS compatibility complaints. SMA is essentially
real mode DOS, except that instead of booting DOS and then loading
Windows, the order has been reversed: you first boot Windows 95, then
"unload" it as the machine is reset into the real mode of SMA. This
indeed eliminates virtually all remaining DOS application
incompatibilities since the PC is no longer running in V86 protected mode
- it has been reset to real mode, loaded with a copy of DOS, and left at a
command prompt. What Microsoft doesn't like to admit, however, is that to
invoke an SMA-dependent application is to essentially shut-down Windows 95
- all running applications are closed, network connections are severed,
and VxD support for peripherals like CD-ROM drives disappears. To
maintain these functions you need to add real mode DOS device drivers to
your system and then configure them via the SMA dialog box. And since
Windows 95 is no longer running, any users who are connected to shared
resources on the system are disconnected when it enters into SMA mode.
Bottom Line: SMA is really only a viable solution for home users and
other non-networked environments.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 provides the MS-DOS Mode compatibility feature for running MS-
DOS applications (typically games) that require absolute control over the
hardware of the PC. Microsoft tested approximately 1,300 of the most
demanding MS-DOS applications under Windows 95, and found that only one in
ten require the use of MS-DOS Mode. If a real-mode device driver is
required to run the MS-DOS Mode application, it can be specified and
automatically loaded via a CONFIG.SYS and/or AUTOEXEC.BAT file unique to
that application. Windows 95 will suggest the use of MS-DOS Mode
automatically for applications that are known to require it, or when
applications perform certain operations - so users do not have to perform
special operations to run their applications. Windows applications, which
are the vast majority of applications sold and used, do not require MS-DOS
Mode. OS/2 also provides a way to boot MS-DOS when an MS-DOS application
does not work under OS/2, but it is far less convenient, requiring the
user to issue BOOT /DOS, run their application, and then type BOOT /OS2 to
return to OS/2.
Bottom line: Microsoft has done the extra work that allows Windows 95 to
run even poorly behaved MS-DOS applications, significantly improving MS-
DOS application compatibility over Windows 3.1.
Q15: How does Windows 95 handle real mode DOS device drivers?
A15: Windows 95's dependency on the real mode DOS environment undermines
the product's ability to support DOS applications. Because Windows 95
relies on an "image" of the pre-Windows 95 boot-up environment when
creating the System VM, and because subsequent DOS virtual machines are
similarly based on this boot-up image, Windows 95 users are forced to load
any required real mode device drivers as part of the original boot-up
CONFIG.SYS file. The ramifications of this limitation are significant:
each and every DOS session under Windows 95 contains a running copy of,
and surrenders valuable conventional or upper memory to, real mode device
drivers. This is true even if the drivers are not required or desired in
a particular DOS session.
Bottom Line: There's no way to load a real mode driver into a specific DOS
session -- it's an all or nothing proposition.
Microsoft:
Windows 95 does not depend on real mode MS-DOS device drivers. Windows 95
is however, compatible with existing real-mode drivers if they are
required for a particular device. Windows 95 is the only 32-bit operating
system that retains compatibility with existing real mode device drivers.
This means that users can continue to use devices with Windows 95 even if
they do not have 32-bit device drivers. Device drivers loaded via
CONFIG.SYS are available to all DOS sessions since that is what users
expect, not wishing to maintain multiple CONFIG.SYS files. Most users
will run few if any real-mode drivers since Windows 95 provides a large
selection of new 32-bit drivers that support most popular devices. In
fact most users won t even need to maintain a CONFIG.SYS file.
OS/2 does not allow the use of real-mode MS-DOS device drivers for network
cards, sound cards, graphics adapters, CD-ROM drives, or other devices
that users need to run under OS/2. This means that users often cannot use
a particular device under OS/2 since its device support is not as
comprehensive as that of Windows 95. OS/2 also requires users to maintain
a complex and large (often over 200 lines) CONFIG.SYS file when adding or
removing device drivers. The ability to have multiple copies of
CONFIG.SYS files under OS/2 adds even more complexity for minimal benefit
- most users would never take advantage of this feature .
Bottom line: See question 14.
KEY CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS FOR A PC OPERATING SYSTEM
Windows 95 is the result of input from thousands of customers representing
all types of uses from end user to corporate IS manager. The criteria that
emerged from discussions with those groups is summarized below.
Performance:
Customers want to run their applications with the best performance,
using the fewest resources. Windows 95 provides better performance than
OS/2, across the entire range of RAM and processor configurations.
Applications:
Customers buy an operating system to run their applications - pure
and simple, and they want a wide choice of high-quality applications
designed for the operating system. During the first quarter of 1995, 78%
of all applications sold worldwide were Windows-based, while less than 1%
were OS/2-based. ISV support for native OS/2 applications has always been
very low, and few, if any OS/2 applications are likely to be offered by
typical software resellers. Over 200 new 32-bit applications designed for
Windows 95 are part of Windows 95 launch co-marketing programs. These
applications represent a huge commitment to Windows 95 by every major ISV.
Compatibility:
Customers want to know that the operating system they chose will run
on the hardware they have, with the applications they have today, plus
those they buy in the future. Windows 95 runs almost all existing 16-bit
Windows and MS-DOS applications, and provides a platform for new 32-bit
applications designed specifically for Windows 95 which are now under
development at all major ISVs. OS/2 has significant compatibility
problems with 16-bit Windows applications, and is totally incompatible
with the new generation of 32-bit Windows applications.
Ease of Use:
Users of all types want their operating system to be easy and
efficient to setup, learn, and use. Windows 95 has many features designed
for enhanced usability such as Wizards, a great help system, the Start
Button and task bar and many others. OS/2 is difficult to install, and
has two totally different user interfaces: the OS/2 WorkPlace shell, and
the Windows 3.1 UI. PC World and PC Computing each conducted usability
tests comparing Windows 95 to OS/2 and Windows 3.1 in their August 1995
issues. In both tests, Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 proved to be
significantly easier to use than OS/2.
Strategy/Future:
Customers make a large commitment when they choose an operating
system and they want to know that the product will be supported and
enhanced for many years. Windows 95 and Windows NT, which share many
design features and the same programming interface, are Microsoft s
operating systems for today and the future. There is no question that
these products are and will be well supported and enhanced by Microsoft
and ISVs. OS/2 has never garnered the level of industry or customer
support that is necessary to ensure its future viability.
For more information on Windows 95 s design and feature set please
download the Windows 95 Reviewer s Guide from our web site
(www.microsoft.com/windows).
Win95 FACT SHEET STR FOCUS!
Microsoft Windows 95
More Power, More Freedom, More Fun
With the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system, you can unlock the
potential of your computer. So you can work even easier and faster.
Explore exciting new possibilities. And make it all more fun.
For years, millions of people worldwide have relied on MS-DOS, Windows,
and Windows for Workgroups operating systems to help them work better and
accomplish more. Now and for years to come, people will go even farther
with the next-generation successor to these systems-Microsoft Windows 95.
For computer users everywhere, it's a giant leap forward.
With the Windows 95 operating system, the things you do now are easier and
faster. The things you've always wanted to try, from electronic mail to
Internet connections, are now possible. And Windows 95 makes computers
more friendly and accessible, so whatever you do, you enjoy it more.
The first thing you'll notice is a redesigned graphical interface that's
not only dramatically simpler to use, but more efficient and more
customizable as well. Plus, configuring Plug and Play-compatible modems,
CD-ROM drives, and other peripherals isn't just easy, it's automatic with
new Plug and Play technology in Windows 95.
You also gain easy access to a whole new world of possibilities. Windows
95 offers enhanced multimedia, more powerful features for laptop users,
integrated and seamless networking, and support for traveling the
"infobahn."
<Picture: Upgrade Box>And because Microsoft Windows 95 is made to run the
new generation of 32-bit programs, you can take advantage of powerful new
features such as preemptive multitasking and multithreading that let you
perform several actions at the same time. Windows 95 also runs your
current MS-DOS-based and Windows-based programs in a more stable
environment.
Did we mention fun? Windows 95 offers larger, smoother video and enhanced
support for fast action games. And every day, an easier, more efficient
way of working takes the frustration out of computing. And puts back the
satisfaction.
All of which makes Microsoft Windows 95 one of the biggest improvements
ever to come to PCs in general-and to your PC in particular.
The Start button is always visible. Click it anytime to use the full power
of Windows 95 for opening programs, file management, system maintenance,
and far more.
The taskbar makes switching between multiple programs simple. Each time
you start a program, a button for it is placed on the taskbar. When you
want to use any program, just click its button.
Plug and Play can free you from manually setting up hardware devices.
Windows 95 detects and configures Plug and Play-compatible devices
automatically.
Long filenames make it easy to find what you're looking for. Names can be
up to 250 characters.
Windows 95 works with the hardware and software you already have, so you
can get the most from your current applications for the MS-DOS and Windows
operating systems.
Increase your productivity with faster disk and file access and faster
printing.
Windows 95 virtually installs itself-you select a few on-screen options
and the rest is automatic.
Customize and use resources efficiently. Just click the right mouse button
anywhere, and a menu appears with the most common commands to use with the
object at hand.
Even network installation is simplified with built-in client support for
NetWare, Windows NTTM Server network operating system, and Windows for
Workgroups. Windows 95 also supports all major network transport driver
standards.
Windows Explorer makes your system remarkably easy to navigate by giving
you a graphical view of everything on your computer. And that makes
information easy to find.
AN OPEN DOOR TO DOING MORE.
Accomplish several tasks at once. Running 32-bit programs, Windows 95
offers preemptive multitasking and multithreading and runs programs in
their own memory space.
With built-in Microsoft Exchange Inbox, you can send and receive e-mail
and faxes via one universal inbox.
Sign on to The Microsoft Network,* the exciting new online service that
gives you Internet access, e-mail, the latest news, reference information,
and more.
Easily connect to your organization's network from anywhere. Built-in
Dial-Up Networking takes the complexity out of remote computing, so you
can connect one simple way, no matter where you are.
Make your laptop computer even more convenient. Windows 95 equips it with
a wealth of helpful features, including Briefcase for automatically
updating files between two PCs, Plug and Play support for PC cards
(PCMCIA) and docking stations, and Battery Meter.
INSTEAD OF WORKING AT IT, YOU CAN ENJOY IT.
Windows 95 takes the frustration out of computing with its improved
interface, wizards to assist with common tasks, and a more powerful Help
system.
Faster, smoother video makes Microsoft Windows 95 awesome for multimedia
programs and games.
Multimedia titles of all kinds are easy to use with AutoPlay. Just pop in
an AutoPlay CD and it runs automatically.
PERFORMANCE FEATURES
FOR WORKING EASIER AND FASTER
Start button
Taskbar
Great support for existing MS-DOS- and Windows-based applications
Plug and Play
Long filenames
Letter MS-DOS support without MS-DOS
Faster file and disk access; faster printing
Easy installation
Right click for pop-up command menus
Out-of-the-box compatibility with NetWare and all major networks
Supports all major network transport driver standards
Windows Explorer enhanced file management tool
FOR MORE POSSIBILITIES
32-bit preemptive multitasking and multithreading
Microsoft Exchange Inbox
The Microsoft Network Dial-Up Networking
More convenient laptop computing
FOR MORE FUN
Faster, smoother video
AutoPlay
Enhanced support for fast action games
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES
FOR MORE USE BY MORE OF US
Customizable fonts, sizes, colors, and mouse pointers for people with low
vision
StickyKeys, MouseKeys, FilterKeys, and SerialKeys for people with limited
dexterity
ShowSounds and SoundSentry for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Accessibility features easily adjusted through the Control Panel and
taskbar
User profiles and time-outs make these features safe and convenient for
public and multi-use machines
SPECIFICATIONS
TO UPGRADE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS 95, YOU NEED:
Personal computer with a 386DX or higher processor running the MS-DOS
operating system version 3.31 or later and Microsoft Windows version 3.0
or later or OS/2 version 2.0 or later
4 MB of memory (8 MB recommended)
Typical available hard disk space required: 35-40 MB (actual requirements
will vary based on features you choose to install)
One 3.5" high-density disk drive or CD-ROM drive VGA or higher-resolution
graphics card
OPTIONS:
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Modem/fax modem
Audio card/speakers for sound
TO ACCESS MICROSOFT EXCHANGE INBOX
AND
THE MICROSOFT NETWORK:
8 MB of memory
20 MB of additional hard disk space
Modem required for The Microsoft Network*
Note:
System requirements for Windows 95-based programs may exceed system
requirements described above for Windows 95. To get the full benefits of
preemptive multitasking requires exclusive use of 32-bit, Windows-based
programs such as those products bearing the Designed for Windows 95 logo.
90-DAY, NO-CHARGE SUPPORT.
In the United States and Canada, count on 90-day, no-charge support (toll
charges apply) for all issues other than networking.** Outside the United
States and Canada, contact Product Support Services at the Microsoft
subsidiary office that serves your area.
The easiest Windows yet. The improved interface of Windows 95 plus its
32-bit architecture make working with the system simpler and faster. Easy
mobile computing. Wherever you are, Dial-Up Networking makes it simple to
connect your laptop or other PCs to remote networks or online services.
Faster graphics and enhanced sound support help you get all the fun and
excitement from multimedia programs, including today's hottest games.
*The software to access The Microsoft Network is a feature of Windows 95.
Access to and use of The Microsoft Network requires payment of a separate
fee. **Networking issues are defined as setup, installation or usage of
Windows 95 in a networked environment. This includes LAN or server-based
setup, network administration, dialing into a computer, connecting to the
Internet via a service provider, using MSN, and using e-mail or fax from
within Windows 95. Support services vary outside the United States and
Canada. For information on support in other locations, contact your local
M i crosoft subsidiary. Microsoft's support services are subject to
Microsoft's then-current prices, terms, and conditions, and are subject to
change without notice. (c) 1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.
This data sheet is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, Bookshelf,
Encarta, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and the Windows logo are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
S t a tes and/or other countries. Pentium is a trademark of Intel
Corporation. OS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation. NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA
OS/2 WARP; Another LOOK SEE STR Spotlight
In comp.os.os2.advocacy, gordon@lab.lwpi.com (Gordon Letwin) wrote:
In an earlier posting to c.o.o.a I promised a posting about OS/2's
recent past and future. Originally I'd planned on posting this on Aug 24,
but real life events are foreshadowing things so I'll post a bit early.
IBM doomed OS/2 2.0, in terms of a successful desktop system, almost from
the start. The folks at Microsoft realized this; we were always amazed
that so many folks at IBM didn't. I speak here not of the faceless low
level drones at IBM but the senior guys who are - for the most part -
pretty smart guys.
By successful I mean by either of two metrics:
1) successful in market penetration. To run on enough desktops
that developers would consider writing for it first.
Heck, to run on enough that developers will consider writing
for it *at all*.
2) successful financially. If it turns an acceptable profit then
that by itself is generally sufficient. But note that a
2 or 3 billion dollar product needs to turn a *big* profit -
400 million net, maybe $1 billion a year in gross sales.
Sure, the product can be "successful" as an O/S layer for machines
dedicated >to custom apps, such as airline reservation terminals. Of
course, *anything* that can support a custom app can be successful in this
role. I'm sure that there are still Pick machines out there. But this
role is uninteresting because it fails to meet either of the two above
criteria. IBM will never earn back even a fraction of the billions blown
on OS/2 by selling it into this niche. I'm not even confident - although
this is admittedly out of my area of expertise - that they can even run a
positive cash flow selling to such a small market.
What was OS/2's problem? Why was it doomed? Because it's main attraction
was as an engine to run MS-Windows applications. The problem is one of
standards, and one of critical mass. Standards are of incredible
importance in the computing world. They're critical in other domains that
folks don't often think about. Your HiFi CD player, for example. It
plugs into your preamp. And that plugs into your amp. And that connects
to speakers.
Each of those can, and usually does, come from a different manufacturer.
The RCA connectors, and the signal levels themselves, are standardized.
Standardization is a big plus in the computer field. You're much better
off having thousands of products and vendors compatible with a single
standard, even a mediocre one, than having dozens of products, one or two
each for each of a dozen fragmented standards.
For example, I bought a Tektronics 222 scope. It has an RS232 port on
it to upload and download waveforms. It came with a floppy disk with
driver software on it. For which processor and OS was the software
written?
And what was the disk format? Guess. The fact that it's not hard to
guess is exactly my point. If there were 5 standards for PCs then
that software would cost 5 times as much and it just wouldn't exist at
all.
Note that even the RS232 port itself is a standard. And an inferior one;
sending stuff at 9600 baud over a 7 wire connection is a travesty by
modern standards. But it's a travesty that all machines can understand.
So this is the classic chicken and egg problem. Who will buy OS/2 when
it has no apps, and who will write apps then no one has bought OS/2?
A fundimental problem. When Microsoft and IBM first came out with OS/2
1.1 we expected the 640k limit to drive us over this barrier. The
thinking was that because living in 640K was so terribly painful folks
would upgrade to OS/2 1.1 and buy all new OS/2 apps because the pain was
too great. The knowledge of that reality would cause app writers to
invest in writing the apps, and the feedback engine is started up, if
a little slowly.
The miscalculation came about with the 386 coming out sooner than we
expected. And then various folks writing DOS extenders for the 386,
which took a lot of the pressure off of the 640K barrier. When the
386 did come out earlier than expected and we saw what was happening,
Microsoft wanted to abandon OS/2 1.0 before it was released and work on a
386-only version, one that would be able to emulate more than one DOS box
and do a better job, at that. But, as you'll remember, Compaq was the
first to have a 386 box; IBM was slow to follow suit. IBM was strong in
286's and weak in 386's, so they was strongly opposed to dropping the 286
in favor of leapfrogging to the 386 and they insisted that we stay the
course for the 286.
Another problem that came up here was that IBM didn't want us to use the
windows API for the graphical environment under OS/2. Many key folks
inside IBM had always hated Windows. IBM had this crazy thing called
TopView, it was a character oriented windowing scheme and not very good.
Bill Gates, myself, and some other folks made several trips to Boca Raton
to try to explain to those guys why a character oriented windowing scheme
was obsolete before it was even written, but to no avail. One of IBM's
most major problems is that although their top guys may be smart, they
aren't techically savvy. And their low level guys are often neither.
IBM doesn't promote on the basis of your skills and ability; they promote
on the basis of seniority and other secondary factors. So the guy
who makes these decisions often doesn't know what he's doing. And he
doesn't know that he doesn't know, because his peers are equally
butt-ignorant too. So these guys can never figure out how other folks,
including but not limited to Microsoft, keep doing better! Must be dumb
luck, they think. I always agreed that it *was* dumb luck. If you catch
my drift... :-)
So the technical guys to whom we made our presentation thought that
a crude character oriented interface (and the other major problems
that I've since forgotten) was good enough. It said "IBM" so people would
have to buy it. And their very senior managers couldn't understand our
argument, and their own folks said that we were wrong, so that was that.
Topview died a very quick death and Windows, while not a red hot success
at the time, did reasonably well. I don't understand the internal
personalities, etc., but the upshot was that several key people at IBM
would turn livid at the mention of Windows. So one of the "costs" of
doing OS/2 with IBM was - as a form of punishment - that OS/2 would
*not* have a windows API. The windowing API, in fact, would be designed
by some IBM guys. This was their revenge.
We thought that this was stupid - refusing to run
these hard-won windows apps, shooting ourselves in the foot before OS/2
was even coded! But it was the price for getting IBM on board and we
figured that - with IBM and Microsoft together, and the 640K crunch
looming, that the success of OS/2 would appear so inevitable to the ISVs
that they'd write for it anyhow and the success feedback would be started.
Now you know why the OS/2 windowing API even puts the screen origin at
a different corner! They wanted to be as different from Windows as they
could as a matter of personal vendetta.
OK, as we know, the 640K pressure was helped a lot by DOS extenders,
386 machines quickly took over from 286 machines, and IBM and MS were
left with a product that wasn't going anywhere fast. We also didn't
have application critical mass. So we started on OS/2 2.0, together,
a couple of years later than we should have. THis would be a 386
version, have good multiple DOS boxes, and hopefully pull the fat out of
the fire. At roughly the same time our windows group - which was not
our prime focus - was working on a 386 version, as well.
The windows product - 3.0 - came out and did very well indeed. IBM
was unhappy. They were unhappy cause they thought we were being disloyal
to OS/2 by writing a competitor. And they were shitting bricks because it
was their old enemy Windows - the ones that a lot of IBMers
told there bosses would never be a success! MS's reaction to the Win 3
success was to say that OS/2 had to support the Win 3 API - that we'd
then have a "low end" kernel - windows - and a high end kernel - OS/2 -
to run the app base. IBM said that we either had to stop development of
windows - not just as an OS/2 API, but completely - or
we were fired from OS/2 the OS/2 project.
We still believed OS/2 2.0 could be made a success. But Win 3.0 was
*already* a big success. It seemed just stupid to us to kill a healthy
animal in the hopes of nursing a sick one into recovery! So given that
choice, we kept Windows and IBM kicked us out of the OS/2 team. Also
note that IBM insisted on no Windows API in the product, so we'd have
to drop Windows and abandon the apps. We'd seen how hard it was to
build windows critical mass and to just shoot all of those apps,
and all of those ISVs, and all of those users seemed completely out of
the question.
It's extremely ironic that within a few months, IBM was announcing that
OS/2 2.0 would support the Windows API! It was for that that they
kicked us out! It was clear that there are a lot more emotions then
intellect running things over there, when they'd make a decision, let
it drive a terrible divorce, and then un-make the decision a little while
later!
Why was IBM doing these random things? I dunno; they never invited me to
their inner stragegy meetings. But I'd guess that they were driven too
much by hatred of Windows, hatred of Bill Gates, envy at MS's success,
etc. The hatred and envy of many of IBM's folks - even senior folks - is
well documented in various books and articles. It's my opinion that they
let their emotions cut off their noses to spite their faces. Their first
goal wasn't for OS/2 to succeed, it was for Microsoft to fail.
But here's the problem with OS/2 in a market where Windows has been
very successful and has a big share. Win 3.0 had the critical
market share, and OS/2 didn't. OS/2 could be a good platform to run
Windows programs, but very few vendors would write for the OS/2
API. Why write for OS/2 and sell into a world of 5% of machines, when
you can write for the Windows API and sell to *all* of them, OS/2
included!
If OS/2 had some good features - like HPFS :-) - then folks could get
the advantages while running Windows apps, you didn't need to use
the OS/2 API to take advantage of HPFS, or the shell, or whatever.
So there's no strong motivation for ISVs to hurt themselves by writing to
the OS/2 API. What hurt the good news for OS/2 is that - with it's WIN
3.0 support - it could run from a massive pool of applications and
therefore be an interesting system to some customers, even in it's
infancy. The bad news is that there'll never be a significant number of
apps using the OS/2 API.
So OS/2 could have a successful career as a "high end" windows en
gine.
So that does IBM do? They come out with their infamous "Curtains for
Windows" campaign! Microsoft controled the Windows standard. By that
I mean that if we say that future versions of our OS's are going to
have some new features - such as OLE - people take that seriously.
Whereas if IBM decides to extend the Windows API - which they could
easily do, from a technical standpoint - people know that only a small
percentage of machines will be able to support that extension, so they
won't use it, and it languishes.
It's extremely hard to do development work on an operating system when
someone else controls the standard. "Control" in this case is a matter
of public perception. For example, Microsoft was once very big in the
Unix world. In fact, we considered it our candidate for the future
desktop operating system, when machines got powerful enough to run
something good. We were the worlds biggest seller of Unix systems. DOS
was, when we first wrote it, a one-time throw-away product intended to
keep IBM happy so that they'd buy our languages.
The UNIX contracts were all done when Bell Labs was regulated and couldn't
sell Unix into the commerical marketplace. So although they wrote it
and were paid royalties, they couldn't develop it in competition to us.
But after a few years that changed. Bell was degregulated and now they
were selling Unix directly, in competition to us! They might sell it for
cheaper than we had to pay them in royalties! But that wasn't the real
killer, the real killer was the Bell now controlled the standard. If
we wrote an API extension that did X, and Bell wrote an incompatible one
that did Y, which one would people write for? The ISVs know that AT&T
was a very big company and that they'd written the original, so they'd
believe that AT&T controlled the standard, not MS, and that belief would
then define reality. So we'd always just be waiting for what AT&T
announced and then frantically trying to duplicate it.
Bill Gates knew, right away, that there was no strong future in Unix for
us any more. Fortunately at that time, DOS was taking off and we were
learning, along with everyone else, about the power of standards. So the
primary OS team - the Unix guys - joined with the secondary OS team - the
DOS guys - and the earliest versions of OS/2 were born. (This was before
IBM came on board, so it wasn't called OS/2!)
So to get back to the main track, IBM has a product which could become
a successful windows executive. But they don't control the windows
standard, Microsoft does. So a wise company would enter into some kind of
formal or informal relationship with MS. MS would be helped by the
presense of this high end windows executive - it makes the windows API
more attractive - and a cooperative venture would be born. But instead,
*unbelievably* - IBM challenges us publicly to a fight to the death!
"Curtains for windows", indeed! Yes, IBM could add WIN 3.0 support
because they had the WIN 3.0 source code, but their contract which gave
them that source was due to expire soon! The entire survival of OS/2 as a
product depends upon that contract, and their nasty ads, their character
assasinations (Hi, J. Soyring!) and their "curtains for windows" didn't
leave much chance of our ever extending their contract!
Why do this crazy thing? Again, I speculate that they let their envy
at our success, and their anger over their own past failures, warp their
thinking. They wanted to hurt us more than they wanted to help
themselves. Also, IBM grew up in the days when it had a stranglehold on
the industry and they dreamed of returning to that stranglehold. The
Microchannel was intended to achieve that, but it failed. Now if they
could own the only OS standard they could use that to leverage their
hardware and regain dominance in both fields. The brilliance of the
prospect of returning to their past glories blinded them to the fact that
it wouldn't work.
So that's where Microsoft has been sitting for the past two or three
years. Every few months I read some c.o.o.a and I marvel at all of
the folks there that just don't get it. They argue about how OS/2 now has
a 3% market share, or is it 5%, and they think that that means anything.
It's like two race cars - one with hundreds of gallons of gas - and
a 20 lap lead - and the other way behind with only a cup of gas. And
it's proponents are crowing that it's slowly gaining!
Also, I see folks argue about the sales figures that show that OS/2 apps
don't sell worth a darn, try to deny the fact that there aren't very many
widely interesting OS/2 apps available. Nobody seems to understand why
there aren't - and won't be - big draw OS/2 apps available. And people
think that the "5%" penetration number contradicts the "no OS/2 apps sold"
number. Every time I'd marvel at how folks could just look at it in the
face and not understand what that means.
It means that OS/2 is selling, however well it does, as a Windows engine.
That's why some number of copies have been sold, but very few OS/2
API apps were sold along side.
So OS/2 is a windows engine, and that engine is going to jump the tracks
each time an improved Windows ships. It will take IBM two or three years
to reverse engineer the new stuff, and by that time MS will have it's
*next* release out. You can't establish your own direction, and you can't
play catch up. It's just an untennable position. MS refused to get into
that position with AT&T, yet IBM burned all of it's other bridges *before*
it crossed them. The only way to live in that kind of a situation is to
cooperate with the company that controls the standard, not slander and
belittle it.
The only thing that interested me about this was making bets with my
friends on how long it would be before Lou Gestner wised up. Mr. Gestner,
whom I don't personally know, is clearly a very sharp guy. But he was a
cookie salesman and didn't understand the kind of dynamics I've discussed
above. He had to take the word of underlings - guys who spun crazy
tales of somehow overthrowing Microsoft, IBM regaining it's rightful
position as ruler of the world, "curtains for windows", and the
incredible profits that would come from an IBM stranglehold. It sounds
good if you don't understand the real underlying dynamics, and IBM
desparately needs major new profit centers, so these guys convinced
Gestner to support them.
But, as I've said, while Gestner was ignorant, he isn't dumb. And he
won't be ignorant forever. Eventually he'll come to realize that
the OS/2 emperor has no clothes. So me and my friends would occasionally
speculate when that might be - 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, etc.
There was no doubt *what* would happen, it was just a matter of *when*.
Clearly, Gestner has reached that point. First, note that IBM said that
they weren't even going to try to modify OS/2 for the new WIN95 APIs.
That means that they don't want to launch a 2 year product because
they figure there'll be nothing there in 2 years to run that API.
IBM has to run behind Microsoft playing "catch up", and they've stopped
running and are walking slowly, panting. This is a critical sign.
Secondly, Gestner is saying publicly that the OS battle is the "previous
battle" and that groupware is now where he should fight. I won't argue
with that, but this is as clear a statement as you'll ever find that
they've given up on OS/2 as a mainstream desktop system. It's not
curtains for windows, but curtains for OS/2. For anyone who has eyes to
see, IBM has thrown in the towel on OS/2 as a mainstream, successful
operating system. They'll continue to support it for the folks who are
using it as a dedicated platform. But that won't go far or for very long,
IMHO.
There are two problems. First, it's my uneducated guess that they can't
even turn a positive cash flow developing it for dedicated platforms.
Even if they just write off the billions blown, IBM is not an efficient
developer and they'll have a hell of a lot of programmers writing and
supporting it. At one time in the past IBM might have lost money for
10 years as a strategic move to increase customer confidence in IBM
support. But as their mainframes start melting seriously IBM won't be
able to afford such luxuries. It's my guess - and again, I admit that
this is outside of my area of expertise - that there'll be a lot of
scouts-honor promises, but that after a few years of loosing money
IBM will phase out of OS/2 altogether, one way or another. Note that they
*have* to spend a lot of money developing it, even for this niche.
Otherwise stuff like NT - which is so much cheaper because of the larger
number of copies - is too attractive. NT, for example, would have the
latest technology and a stagnant OS/2 wouldn't. NT would have the latest
tools and compilers, and a stagnant OS/2 wouldn't. So even as a niche
system, OS/2 can't be just milked, it has to continue to undergo
development. And it will be damned hard for anyone, especially IBM, to
make money doing that.
So, in a few nutshells, that's it. IBM doomed OS/2 years ago when
they said it was "us or them". Folks at MS walked around with their
mouths hanging open for days - we couldn't believe that IBM was that
dumb. And now you see the result. OS/2 is dead as a general purpose
operating system. And I, for one, am highly skeptical of it's longevity
as a dedicated platform.
Gordon Letwin
not a Microsoft spokesperson
p.s. - please note that all of this is my personal opinion. I don't
set or participate in Microsoft strategy, I'm just a programmer.
None of this represents Microsoft's view of the situation, either
formally or informally.
Editor Note:
Looks like all is not quite right in Warped land... its a shame. It
also appears that they are taking some kind of weird delight in letting
the World know the Red Chinese Government is using El Warpo. If it were
I, I would fastidiously _hide_ that factoid as best I could.
Thank God the Reds decided to release Harry Wu.
They're still an oppresive, hateful government. Just ask those in
forced slavery manufacturing textiles and all sorts of dry goods for less
than a bowl of food per day. The really sad part is most of those in this
"forced slavery" are either political prisoners and children.
The slimey Entrepreneurs (some Americans included) who are taking
advantage of this human misery should be sent there to live and stripped
of their citizenship. They are Americans not to be proud of. They also
cast a grey pall of disgrace upon the rest of the USA and especially those
who died bravely fighting the Chinese Communists. Come on Pres. Clinton..
Newt G.? ? Bob Dole?? Why is this great nation allowing this to happen?
And Clinton wants to send Hillary to _visit_ the principals of the Chinese
Government?? Isn't that literally giving tacit approval to the Chinese
Reds of their ongoing nefarious violations against human rights?
The OS/2 WARP Corner STR Feature
This week, we are previewing a hot piece of OS/2 software from Stardock
Systems called Object Desktop.
ENHANCE OS/2 WITH STARDOCK'S OBJECT DESKTOP
by Matt Hite
While most of the mainstream software industry is busy preparing for
the arrival of Windows 95, Stardock Systems has been hard at work
giving OS/2 Warp a new-and-improved look. Called Object Desktop,
Stardock is hoping that this facelift will do for OS/2 what Norton
Desktop did for Windows.
Object Desktop is described as a set of new "objects" which integrate
seamlessly into the existing Workplace Shell, providing an enhanced
operating environment. Because of the object-oriented design of OS/2,
not only can additional objects be created, but the default "stock"
objects can be altered in both appearance and behavior. Object Desktop
does both, effectively offering a 3rd party upgrade to an already
superior operating system.
PERFORMANCE
When folders are opened in OS/2, the Workplace Shell individually
retrieves each icon from their various locations on the hard disk and
displays them. The icon retrieval time is usually brief, but is
comparatively slower than the equivalent action in Windows. The
HyperCache feature attempts to address this shortcoming -- frequently
used folders can be cached so their contents are always held open in
memory, providing instantaneous access. Another speed improvement is
the HyperDrive option. Instead of searching the system for the icon
associated to a data file, HyperDrive will attempt to make its best
guess based on the file extension. After these icon "predictions" are
displayed, HyperDrive can then optionally use the standard Workplace
Shell icon retrieval facilities to correct any erroneous guesses.
INTERFACE
Object Desktop provides folder objects with a new look. Typically,
OS/2 opens a new folder object when accessed from a parent folder.
This can lead to a chaotic and disorganized desktop. A new browse mode
option decreases desktop clutter by repopulating the currently active
folder with the child folder's contents. Two new buttons are also
added to the folder object's window frame. The folder traversal button
(denoted by a left arrow icon) allows the user to easily move back up
the folder object hierarchy. The other button (a prominent "X")
permits one-click closing of folder objects. A status line also
appears at the bottom of the window frame, denoting the number of
objects occupying the folder and the amount of physical space (in
kilobytes) they consume.
UTILITIES
The Control Center utility provides a visual representation of system
usage, which includes memory, drive, and swap file usage graphs. A
miniature CPU-usage line graph and digital clock is also shown on the
Control Center console. Another console feature is the Object Browser,
which is similar to the Windows 95 "Start" menu. Its user-adjustable
menus provide easy navigation through an object's hierarchy to launch
an application, eliminating the need to open folder objects on the
desktop. For example, my browser includes the folders I access most
frequently, such as the Drives folder and the System Prompts folder.
Virtual work areas can also be managed from the Control Center. Using
the virtual desktop manager, applications and folders can be opened in
their own work-area. Switching desktops is simple -- just click on the
thumbnail representation of the work-area. Virtual desktops aren't for
everybody, but for those of us whose monitors are stuck in a low
resolution, they can be helpful. New archive template classes are also
included with Object Desktop. Creating an archive is as simple as
dragging the ZIP template onto your desktop and copying files into the
new folder. And because all OS/2 file associations will remain intact
when browsing an archive, access to an object's appropriate viewer or
application requires only a double-click.
To make access to applications from the Launchpad more organized,
users can opt to use Stardock's Tabbed Launchpad. With these tab
headings, programs can now be arranged into categories. As each tab is
clicked, the icons are updated to reveal the items associated with the
category heading.
If you don't like a launchpad cluttering up valuable screen space,
short-cut keys can be assigned to program objects. However, the real
power of this feature is the ability to associate multiple objects to
one hot-key. I use this feature to login to my Internet service
provider and download my email. By assigning both programs to the same
hot-key, I can effortlessly start it all in the background and save
myself a few mouse clicks.
To manage files, folders, and other objects, Stardock has included an
Object Navigator utility, which resembles the Windows 95 Explorer and
provides quick, easy access to the directory structure of each drive.
The Navigator possesses much of the same abilities as OS/2's Drives
object, but organizes and displays directory information in a more
intuitive and useful fashion. Not only can you launch programs from
within the Navigator, but objects can be moved, copied, shadowed, and
shredded using the buttons along the window border. And since this is
all integrated into the Workplace Shell, file associations are fully
supported. For those of us who like a simple and easy way to maneuver
around the desktop and file directories, the Object Navigator proves
to be an elegant alternative.
THE CHALLENGE
If Windows 95 poses a threat to Warp, it's not because it is more
powerful or more stable; people may simply find Windows 95 more
visually appealing. But Stardock has succeeded in meeting Microsoft's
challenge by transcending the forthcoming Windows 95 interface. Object
Desktop is more than a suite of applications and operating system
enhancements -- it is what OS/2 advocates have been waiting for all
these years.
This review was based on a beta copy of Object Desktop. The release
version will begin shipping in late August of 1995. Stardock Systems
can be reached at (313) 453-0328 or via Internet email at
wardell@ibm.net. Matt Hite is a freelance writer. He can be
contacted at sexchoc@netcom.com.
[Thanks to Matt Hite for granting us permission to reprint ths
article. It can be found on the Internet at
http://www.mother.com/iomag/io795/objdesk.html]
As always, direct any feedback to our editor, Ralph Mariano, at
rmariano@delphi.com, or directly to me at mike.restivo@np.newpower.com
Happy Warping!
The Registration Myth STR FOCUS!
Microsoft Windows 95 Registration Wizard
Q & A
Summer 1995
Q: What is the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system Registration Wizard?
A: The Windows 95 Registration Wizard is simply an electronic version of
the paper-based registration card that will ship in the Windows 95 product
box.
Q: Must I use the Registration Wizard?
A: No. You may use the paper registration card if you prefer. And just
like paper-based registration, online registration is completely optional.
Q: How does the Registration Wizard work?
A: The Registration Wizard helps you step by step through the process of
registering your copy of Windows 95. The wizard helps you provide the
same information that you would fill out using the paper registration
form. For example, the wizard starts by asking your name, company name,
address and phone number. It then gives you the option of sending
information about your computer system s configuration (such as the
processor type, amount of memory and hard-disk space) and your hardware
peripherals (such as your network card, CD-ROM drive and sound card). The
wizard also asks if you d like to send information about the applications
on your system.
The wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about your system
configuration, because it automatically queries the system registry of
your computer and displays a list of your computer s configuration
information. You can see all of the information, and you can choose to
send or not send it.
Similarly, the wizard makes it easy for you to provide information about
the applications you use, because it checks your local hard disk for the
names of commonly used programs and lists on the display the names of the
ones you have (a maximum of 12 are listed). You review the list, then
choose to send or not send the information.
Q: What is the difference between registering online and filling out the
paper registration form?
A: Online registration can be more accurate and convenient. It
eliminates the need to write answers on a card and mail it. The wizard
also checks your local computer and fills in some answers for you to
review, so that you don t have to guess or look up system-configuration
and application information. The wizard also conveniently sends the
information to Microsoft Corp. via MSN The Microsoft Network, eliminating
the need for the information to be manually entered into a database once
it reaches Microsoft.
Q: Can I choose to send some, but not all, of the information requested
by the wizard?
A: Yes. For example, you do not have to send the system-configuration
information. It is completely optional. In fact, unless you explicitly
choose to send the information, the wizard does not send it.
The same is true for the information about the applications on your
system. You must choose to send the information, or the wizard does not
send it.
Q: How is the information sent to Microsoft?
A: The information you choose to send to Microsoft is transmitted via
MSN.
Q: Do you have to subscribe to The Microsoft Network to use the
Registration Wizard?
A: No. You do not have to be an MSN subscriber to register online, and
using the Registration Wizard to register your copy of Windows 95 does not
make you an MSN subscriber. Signing up for The Microsoft Network is a
separate process.
Q: Why does Microsoft need the system-configuration and application
information?
A: The information helps Microsoft build better products and provides you
with better product support. Information about users systems such as
memory and hard-disk space, and the presence of a CD-ROM drive helps
Microsoft understand customers configurations and therefore design
products that meet the majority of users needs. Knowing your exact
system configuration and the applications you run makes it easier for
product-support specialists to provide fast, accurate telephone responses
to your questions.
Like paper-based registration, online registration enables Microsoft to
send you information about Microsoft programs that are tailored for your
needs and interests. Just as with paper-based registration, the online
registration information stays at Microsoft and is never provided to other
parties. Occasionally, information may be sent to you about non-Microsoft
products or programs when appropriate, but you can check a box in the
wizard if you wish never to receive such materials.
Q: Why should I register at all?
A: Registration is optional. However, registering your software brings
you a number of benefits. These benefits often include qualifying for
special Microsoft product offers and upgrades to new versions of the
software at special prices or at no charge, in addition to improved
product support.
Q: Can I see exactly what information is being sent to Microsoft when I
register online?
A: Yes. The wizard is carefully designed to allow you to easily see and
review all the information before it is sent. For example, the dialog
boxes about system configuration and applications do not support scroll
bars. This eliminates any possibility that information scrolled out of
view could be transferred without your knowledge.
Q: If I choose to cancel out of online registration, will I have another
opportunity to register?
A: Yes. The Online Registration button is displayed on the Welcome
dialog box for Windows 95 until the registration process is completed.
Once registration is successfully completed, this button disappears.
Q: Does the Registration Wizard track serial numbers or registration
information about the user s registration of other products?
A: Not at all. It also does not query computers on a local or wide area
network.
Q: Is this Microsoft s way of tracking down illegal copies of products?
A: No. The Registration Wizard is not designed to be an enforcement tool
of any kind and does not capture any information that would be useful in
tracking illegal software. For instance, the information that is
collected does not include serial numbers or other registration
information about products installed on the hard disk. Thus, the
Registration Wizard is not useful for fighting software piracy.
Q: Do other companies offer online registration facilities?
A: Dozens of companies in the computer software and hardware industries
offer online registration facilities like the Windows 95 Registration
Wizard. These companies include IBM, Compaq Computer Corp., PROCOMM,
CompuServe Inc. and America Online Inc., to name a few.
Q: Do any other Microsoft products use this technology?
A: Windows 95 is the first Microsoft product to offer online registration
as an option for the convenience of customers. We anticipate using this
technology in future products. In fact, we plan for online registration
to be offered in other Microsoft products soon.
Q: How does the information sent to Microsoft during online registration
differ from that sent in by paper-based registration?
A: The information basically is the same, and it is used in the same
manner by Microsoft. Online registration simply uses the system to check
the configuration and installed applications and offers you that
information, which makes it easier for you to respond precisely to the
registration questions.
Q: Can I be sure that additional information will not be sent
accidentally to Microsoft from my hard drive or memory?
A: The Registration Wizard sends no information without your explicit
permission. Information cannot be sent accidentally from your hard drive
or memory. The Registration Wizard uses a memory buffer that is first
cleared of all information (initialized to contain all 0s). Your
registration information is copied into the buffer one string at a time
copying only the exact information you see on the display. There is no
way for the Registration Wizard to upload information that you did not see
on the display.
If you want to view the exact information gathered during your online
registration, you can view the REGINFO.TXT file found in the C:\WINDOWS
directory of your local computer.
Q: Can I remove the wizard from my computer if I want to?
A: Yes. Your network administrator also can remove the Registration
Wizard during batch setup of Windows 95-based computers.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
WILDCAT 5 THE ANNIHILATOR STR FOCUS!
Mustang Software, Project Annihilator
Preliminary Information Sheet
August 22, 1995
Interactive Multimedia Reaches the On-line Application Market
Mustang Software is developing a system to empower the corporate,
business, small office and hobbyist community to offer full on-line
multimedia to customers, staff and prospects. The development name of
the project is Annihilator and it has entered beta testing at several
hundred locations. It is targeted for release between Thanksgiving and
the end of the year as Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95 and Windows NT.
Annihilator is a true Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server application
designed to provide a BBS- based solution for a broad range of
customers. It delivers an exciting interactive multimedia experience for
callers by allowing the system operator to make use of familiar
multimedia tools, including JPEG and GIF editors, for customization of
the caller interface. For backward compatibility all aspects of the
system are accessible via standard ANSI connectivity but when accessed
using the free remote client, the caller is greeted with an exciting
multimedia experience. The support engine for offering remote graphics
to the caller is included at no additional cost, and the remote
graphical client suite is slated for free distribution.
Annihilator takes full advantage of the new multitasking in Windows 95
and the robust server operations in Windows NT to provide a solution for
every online need. The Windows 95 platform has been selected to support
small to medium load systems while the Windows NT platform was chosen to
provide high performance on-line solutions utilizing its single and
multi-processor support.
True Client/Server Technology
The Bulletin Board System arena is the latest market segment to be
courted by advertisements touting the benefits of "client/server"
technology. However, upon closer inspection, "client/server" is often
used to refer to the use of a proprietary remote program (the client) to
dial into a BBS application (the server). While the use of a remote
graphic client is an exciting aspect of many of the newer BBS
technologies including `Annihilator', it does not represent true
client/server functionality at the application program level, the
location where its true power can be unleashed.
So What is Client/Server?
Client/server, at its simplest level, is an architecture that involves
client processes requesting service from server processes.
Client/server computing recognizes that those client modules need not
all be executed within the same memory space, that is, the processes
that distribute the information need not all be a part of the same
single program. Separation of the client and server modules provides
improved security and performance. By implementing a BBS with a core
information server, and routing that information using a number of
application clients at the sysop's location, a system can be established
that delivers more information at greater speed, even on a single PC
running Windows 95.
Isn't It Complicated?
Client/server can be as simple as running two or three familiar programs
on a single PC or as intricate as a multiple-PC network running several
applications on each PC. The beauty of client/server model is that once
you understand the relationship between the different executable
programs (the clients and the servers) you can set it up in any of
several ways that best meet your needs.
The client/server model of Annihilator above is a simple setup with the
server and all clients running on a single PC. The computer can operate
under Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation or Server. This configuration
offers the most compact system and allows for total management from the
single BBS computer.
An alternative to operating all client executables on a single PC is to
distribute the processing over a Microsoft Network. The server
executable runs on a Windows NT (workstation or server) PC while the
client modules can be run on either the server PC or networked PCs
running either Windows 95 or Windows NT. The advantage of separating
some client operations from the server is increased power through
distributed processing. For example, in an extremely active system the
sysop may find it advantageous to establish three PCs, one for the
Server and TCP/IP connectivity, including WWW access, and two others,
each running a rack of 32 modems with its own copy of the Modem
Controller Client.
Use of the client/server model provides a number of advantages:
32-bit Windows multitasking means no additional multitasking software
is needed and 16-32 lines can be run easily without loading multiple
copies of the BBS.
The entire BBS configuration in our client/server model can be
modified even while in full operation, but only by authorized
personnel. The system server accepts change requests and implements
them as soon as usage permits.
The number of inbound sessions on a single computer is significantly
increased. Thanks to the enhanced multitasking of both 32-bit Windows
platforms, a much larger number of connections is possible on any
given PC. As inbound access (via modem, telnet, HTTP, etc.) reaches
the processor limits for any given PC, additional client PCs can be
added which communicate automatically with the server. Clients for
modems, HTTP, telnet and other activities can be operated on a single
PC or on a variety of additional systems, depending on load.
This new generation BBS can truly isolate the core of the host
activities, providing secure, private system access even to local users.
The server portion of the system is established in an area on disk with
restricted user access. The server controls all access to messages,
files and other system information. Requests are submitted to the server
by all support programs and third-party utilities through an easily
adopted application program interface (API). This methodology has the
added advantage of allowing the actual BBS program-flow code to be
written in wcCODE and to be fully customizable.
True Client/server technology provides total flexibility. It allows the
sysop to offer a BBS on a desktop platform and to expand the system
capabilities as desired.
Standard Annihilator Modules Included With Every BBS Create a Foundation
Server module
This module provides the base functionality for processing all
database and configuration requests through a published API structure.
Local or LAN Client
This module is included with every package and is used by anyone
connecting at the host PC. It can also be used by anyone on the
network for local login. It is an ANSI text connection. Note that the
Graphical Client used for remote connection also can be used locally
for a graphical local connection.
Online Client
This module is included with every package and answers the phone for
all dial-in lines. It can present the BBS information to a caller in
ANSI, ASCII or in full graphics when called with the free remote
graphical client.
QWK Echo Client
This module is included with every package and handles QWK mail
exchange processing between the host and other BBSs.
TAPI Client
This module is included with every package and provides a link to the
Windows Telephony Application Program Interface. It talks to
TAPI-aware add-on cards or hardware that offer ISDN, X.25 or other
connectivity.
Graphical Remote Client
This module is a set of freely-distributable Windows programs for
callers to experience full multimedia when connected. This program
suite operates on Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT and any OS/2
release with Windows support. It can also be run locally, over a LAN
or via a telnet connection. The core language of the remote graphical
client is HTML, the language of the World Wide Web.
Optional Annihilator Modules Increase Client/Server Power
UUCP Client [wcGATE]
This optional module handles dial-up Internet email and newsgroup
support. It includes a dial-out program and mail tosser, allowing
callers to send and receive Internet email and newsgroup messages. It
also supports feeding messages to downline nodes.
Internet Package
This optional accessory package handles TCP/IP support and includes
several individual clients. Note that many of the modules included with
the Internet Client Package operate as clients to the BBS host, but act
as a server to the wider Internet connection:
Telnet Module
This module handles inbound telnet, connecting callers to the BBS
when they connect from a remote internet site. In this mode it acts
as a telnet server. With the Telnet module installed the BBS also
supports outbound telnet sessions requested by callers, connecting
them to other locations on the internet. In this mode the BBS acts as
a telnet client for the caller. Inbound telnet connections support
ANSI, ASCII and the graphical remote client interface.
FTP Module
This module handles inbound FTP file requests and functions as a FTP
server. Requests can be made anonymously for a restricted file set,
or using a name and password on the BBS for FTP access to files based
on the caller's access profile.
WWW Module
This module provides BBS connectivity to callers connecting using a
WWW browser. It functions as an HTTP server that dynamically creates
HTML files for file and message data and is fed by a set of display
files in HTML format customized by the sysop.
IRC Module
This module provides a link to internet relay chat to expand the live
discussion capabilities of the BBS. It functions as an irc client for
callers. Note that standard inter-node chat is supported without
this module.
SMTP Module
This module provides support for simple mail transfer protocol
messaging and acts as a server for SMTP. It provides the link to
allow callers to send and receive internet email.
NNTP Module
This module provides support for network news transfer protocol
messaging and acts as a NNTP client to process mail from an Internet
NNTP server (many providers offer nntp mail services). It provides
the link to allow callers to read and reply to usenet newsgroups.
[end of Internet Package items]
MAPI Client
This optional module provides a link to the Windows Mail Application
Program Interface. It provides a mechanism to exchange messages
between any application that supports MAPI such as Microsoft Mail,
cc:Mail, Lotus Notes, etc. With MAPI support the sysop can easily
establish a single repository for all messages by routing e-mail to
Microsoft Exchange or any favorite mail package.
CODE Development Package [wcCODE]
This optional package is a new, enhanced high-speed 32-bit development
language so powerful that all standard BBS functions are written in
it. The CODE package allows the sysop to create custom BBS operations
and programs to be run by the caller.
Source Code
For total customization of all online activity the wcCODE source for
all BBS functions is available for purchase. (Requires wcCODE)
Database (SQL) Client
This optional module provides full remote connectivity to distributed
database processing using the SQL standard.
Reports Client [wcPRO]
This optional module provides extensive reporting on BBS usage and
activities.
Billing Client [wcBILLING]
This optional module provides a complete billing for pre-pay or
post-pay systems.
How Do I Set Up a Client/Server BBS?
The configuration of Annihilator is very similar to the DOS Wildcat! BBS
except that all configuration programs are 32-bit graphic Windows
applications. Once you have run the installation and configuration
programs you maintain the BBS using other Windows applications that
provide functionality similar to the DOS Wildcat! MAKEMENU, MAKEWILD,
MAKEQUES, wcFILE, and other support programs.
How Do Callers Connect?
There are several methods for callers to connect to your Annihilator
(Wildcat! 5 ) BBS and several types of presentation:
Dial-in modem callers using a standard comm package receive standard
ANSI screens, just like WC4.
Dial-in modem callers using the Graphical Remote Client package
receive a full graphical HTML presentation. The BBS main "page" and
all other informational pages such as bulletins, etc. are created by
the sysop as HTML (www) documents using any HTML editor.
Telnet in connections using a standard telnet or comm package receive
ANSI screens, just like WC4.
Telnet in connections using the Graphical Remote Client package
receive a full graphical HTML presentation.
FTP inbound connection requests can log in as "guest" or "anonymous"
for limited file access as set by the sysop, or can log in as a BBS
user with the correct password for full file lists based on BBS access
profiles.
HTTP inbound can be made using any browser (Netscape, Mosaic, etc.)
and will receive dynamically generated HTML pages for files and
messages, with other information and a main "page" prepared by the
sysop as HTML documents.
What Internet Services Can I Offer?
Your callers can make use of a number of Internet services if they
dial-in using the Remote Graphical Client. By connecting to you over a
standard phone line they are able to telnet to any other internet
location, they can ftp to any other location and they can surf the World
Wide Web (because our Remote Graphical Client is a web browser). We hope
to add the ability to offer PPP connectivity as well, but the
implementation may not be available until after Christmas.
What Hardware Will I Need?
Annihilator was designed to provide a platform for everything from a
single line BBS to a 1,000 line corporate connectivity server. The same
set of client/server modules are used in all installations.
For a simple one or two line BBS the easiest installation platform would
be a 486/66 PC with 8 MB of memory running Windows 95. The standard
communications ports in the PC can be used and the sysop just needs to
run the Server Module and the Modem Client. Minimize these two programs
on the desktop and your BBS is operational. To login locally you run
the Graphical Client for a full graphical BBS session.
As the BBS expands the sysop might add a multiport card from Digi,
Comtrol, Stallion, Equinox or any other manufacturer that offers Windows
95 or NT support. A 4-16 port card can be installed in the same 486 PC
to increase line count and the only additional hardware changes might be
to add additional memory to 16 MB. The same Modem Client will handle the
additional lines with the installation of a line count increase module.
Further expansion of the BBS can be accomplished in many ways. As line
count increases the power of the PC can be increased to handle the added
load by moving to a Pentium 90-120 MHz CPU. With the technology
available today it is entirely possible to operate a single-box PC that
can address hundreds of incoming lines and other connections by taking
advantage of the multi-processor capabilities of the Windows NT
platform.
For those that would rather make use of a LAN environment for BBS
connectivity the Annihilator project also has a solution. By using
Windows NT (Server or Workstation) the sysop can establish a server PC
that handles the core server duties and separate PCs for different
aspects of the remote connection. Each Client module can be operated on
a networked PC running Windows 95 or NT, and will communicate with the
server PC automatically. No messy drive mappings and no specific
Networking components are required, other than those that come with
Windows NT (workstation or server) and Windows 95. This type of
distributed processing system really make sense for large systems with
several different types of access, including local, TCP/IP, modem, X.25
and ISDN. Different client processes can be run on less-powerful PCs
depending on their load.
What about Novell Networks?
Annihilator is totally compatible with NetWare. A workstation PC in a
NetWare LAN can run Windows 95 or Windows NT and operate the complete
BBS. Other LAN PCs can access the BBS using the Local/LAN client.
Although the BBS PC can access files located on the NetWare Server
drives, it is recommended that all BBS files be located on the PC that
operates the BBS Server Module, with the possible exception of the
downloadable files, which can be located anywhere on the LAN.
The sysop can set up BBS clients on other PCs on the LAN providing the
BBS server module is on a PC running Windows NT and the other client PCs
run Windows 95 or NT. The same cabling for NetWare connectivity is
automatically used by the Windows networking to share BBS client/server
data using NT's routing technology.
Can it Run Doors? Annihilator supports DOS-based doors on all port
connections, and includes a program for DOS program redirection.
However, operation of 16-bit DOS doors does limit the number of lines
that can be supported on any given PC. Programs specifically written in
the new 32-bit wcCODE are an exception, and do not cause this system
degradation.
Doors do not require any modification and operate in their own memory
session for each node. Door operation is virtualized, a process that
isolates the door itself from the port, and prevents it from knowing
whether it is talking to a standard com port, a DigiBoard or a telnet
connection. All doors all think they are talking to a standard COM 1.
Release Information and Pricing
No specific release date has been set for project Annihilator, but the
target date is between Thanksgiving and year end. The majority of the
program modules are expected to be available in fourth quarter `95 but
some optional modules will not become available until early 1996.
Pre-release CD Special
A special Pre-Release Annihilator CD will be made available in
mid-September for $49. Only 5,000 copies of this special CD release
will be mastered, and they will be distributed solely as an
instructional and informational exercise. Although the BBS on the CD
program will be operational, it is not intended to be used as a
commercial BBS because it will not have completed testing nor will it
include full printed documentation.
The Pre-Release Annihilator CD has two functions:
Provide an early introduction to new technology for leading-edge
sysops.
Establish eligibility for a staggering price discount on the purchase
of the full product release.
Those who purchase a copy of the CD and invest the time in learning the
new technology ahead of time will be rewarded with a 75% discount off
the purchase price when Annihilator is released. Wildcat! BBS sysops who
elect not to participate in the Pre-Release Annihilator CD special will
be eligible for a 66.6% (2/3) discount. The following table outlines
the expected manufacturer's suggested list price, the Pre- Release
participant discount and the Wildcat! sysop discount:
Product MSRP* 75% off* 66.6% off*
Availability
M2 (two + local) $149 $37 $49 4th qtr. `95
M16 (16 node) $349 $87 $115 4th qtr. `95
M32 (32 node) $699 $174 $230 4th qtr. `95
8 Pack Node Inc $199 $49 $65 4th qtr. `95
UUCP Client (dial) $149 $37 $49 4th qtr. `95
Internet Pkg. $799 $199 $265 4th qtr. `95
MAPI Client $799 $199 $265 early `96
CODE Language $149 $37 $49 4th qtr. `95
BBS Source Code $799 $199 $265 4th qtr. `95
SQL Database Client $799 $199 $265 early `96
Reports [wcPRO] $149 $37 $49 early `96
Billing Client $149 $37 $49 early `96
* MSRP - Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price; 75% off - to participants
in the special Pre-Release Annihilator CD program; 66.6% off - to any
Wildcat! sysop with a valid registration number
The CD will include an unlimited line count program, a dial-up UUCP
client, Internet support for telnet in/out, ftp in, and email/newsgroup
message tossing. It will also contain the wcCODE Integrated Development
Environment and source code for the BBS operation.
To obtain a copy of the CD contact MSI direct at 800-999-9619.
The current DOS version of Wildcat! will continue to be supported and
updated by its own separate team of engineers. We have no current plans
for a native OS/2 BBS system and do not anticipate such development in
the foreseeable future.
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
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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
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
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/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
________________________________________
/_______________________________________/
MAC/APPLE SECTION John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
IS THIS FOR REAL? STR SOUND OFF A TRUE PICTURE OF SOUR GRAPES!
This writer for the Orange County Register really did an emotional tirade
on Windows 95. We all need to send him e-mail about his article. His
e-mail address is: number6@ocr1.freedom.com. Let's counter his emotion
with facts and education.
ANALYSIS: Take Your Windows PC and Toss It; Macs Are Clearly Superior
By Stephen Lynch
The Orange County Register, Calif.
Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News
Aug. 19--What's on my PowerBook? Well, whatever it is, you can be sure I
can find it. Which is more than I can say for Windows -- where
user-friendly operating system is an oxymoron.
Yet Apple is scoffed at, sneered at, reviled by Ivy League Ph.D.
candidates for whom sadomasochism is the fine art of DOS. Through bullying
and intimidation, they have convinced a population that the road hard
traveled is the road to heaven -- electing one of their own, Bill Gates,
tollman.
Apparently a good print job or modem connection is an accomplishment
unappreciated without a good afternoon of reconfiguring your system.
Now there is Windows 95, in which Microsoft blatantly rips off the
Macintosh operating system in an effort to reinvent the wheel. It's like
Marco Polo coming back from China with pasta, and then Italy taking the
credit for the rest of history.
Inside Apple, officials have started using the slogan Windows 95 is
Macintosh 89. Seeing as how Microsoft has finally started incorporating
plug and play and hierarchal menus into its operating system, I'd say
Windows 95 stole Macintosh 89.''
Like many of Apple's converts, I love my Mac more than I love my friends.
The computer's certainly more reliable, hardly ever snips at me, never
makes fun of me (unless I easily configure its sound system to spout
taunts) and fits into my trunk. My friends won't fit in my trunk unless
I'm committing a felony.
For you PC slaves still unconvinced that easy-to-use does not mean stupid,
I use Microsoft's own crown jewel as argument. Windows 95, the most
overhyped sequel since Batman Forever, is Gates' concession to simple.
Suddenly there is a Recycle Bin to easily delete files (the Macintosh
Trash Can). There is a friendly Start button from which programs can be
launched (the Macintosh Apple Menu). Shortcuts can be created on the
desktop for easy access (an imitation of Mac aliasing). Gates cribbed his
classmate's notes so thoroughly I'm surprised he remembered to change the
name of the program.
The reason for all this thievery is simple -- Microsoft knows it cannot
attract new customers without an easier interface, or ever hope to shake
faithful Apple users from their Macintoshes with Windooze 3.1.
Truth is, they're never going to be able to convert the Mac users. I, for
one, am required to use Windows 95 for my job. But my sanity requires my
PowerBook 520. My portable is useful. It's fun. It's easily configured to
elicit soundbites from The Prisoner and screen savers from Star Trek. It
doesn't have an operating system that eats up most of my hard disk space.
And in the same month that Microsoft unveiled an operating system that
takes a fortnight to load, Apple unveiled the PowerPC 9500, which moves
like a jackrabbit on hot asphalt.
So why do PC users make up more than 80 percent of computer owners? Why is
there such a blatant prejudice against Macintosh users? My theory --
there's a secret coalition of corporations (the same one that had JFK
killed and introduced New Coke) that pays off journalists to keep the
Windows machine alive.
After all, without such a product, how would all those training, repair,
hotline companies survive? Microsoft has generated a cottage industry of
people who fix bugs.
Therefore I call on all Mac users to take to the superstores and toss
Pentiums off the roof like Yankees at a tea party. With our PowerPCs in
tow and our single-button mouses a-clicking, we can rout that toll troll
and introduce the world to simple nirvana.
Give me Macintosh or give me death. Stephen Lynch can be E-mailed at
number6(at)ocr1.freedom.com
STR Mail Call "...a place for our readers to be heard"
STReport's MAILBAG
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
SERVICE NEEDS A TUNEUP?
Subject: #109242-Sell on other service - Msg Number: 109258
From: Frank Heller 74544,2214
To: RICHARD RIVES 76031,1247
Forum: ATARIPRO Sec: 01-Forum Business
Date: 20-Aug-95 14:43:36
Richard:
As a former GEnie subscriber, I must say that it is true that the Atari
section is decently active and reasonably well run, by the sysops there.
Unfortunately, Alladin won't really help, as the up/downloads are
unbearably slow and, in spite of the custom front end that Alladin (if it
were bug free) might provide, it is still an archaicly S L O W system.
Let's face it, GEnie is years behind the times. The Midi and music
sections were the main reason I joined and then subsequently left. The
sections were run by (for the most part) uncaring, snotty and incompetent
weasels who couldn't upload a user file if there lives depended on it. In
a one year (that's right, ONE YEAR) search, only 20-30 files were uploaded
into the midi section...and that was done by an ATARI sysop helping out. I
miss the Atari section...but I just couldn't tolerate the system. Just
thought I'd tell this little story.
Regards,
Frank Heller
BUGS in WARP?? ..Really??
Date: 08-21-95 Msg # 9169
From: JERRY BURSZTYN Conf: (121) ITCSysopOpsE
To: BILL LANSCHE Stat: Public
Subj: More stable Read: Yes
OK, now I know why my board was being so unstable in the short past. SIO
1.52 had a nasty little bug that would not reset the DTR/DSR. Now that I
am running 1.53, my board is a LOT more stable.
Also, I just received the new service pack for OS/2 Warp (XR_W009.*DK).
This fixes a LOT of bugs (45K in a text file list |>) and the one that
caught my attention the most is a fix that repairs HANGS on Pentiums,
DX4's and newer DX2/66's. I so, I will benefit because I use a DX4. And
after that, I really will be more stable.
See, I strive to be better. So, I can say that even though my board was
unstable, I am WORKING to get it all fixed.
Tina on the other hand, perpetuated trouble. |> Had to inject that |>
Pall
=== [Team OS/2] / [iMAGe] / PRICE-LESS COMPUTERS ===
E-MAIL:pall@getnet.com (85:823/607)
ATARI/JAG SECTION Dana Jacobson, Editor
From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
I've been having a ball playing around with a CDROM on the Falcon,
when I've been able to find a few spare minutes. Imagine a 600+ meg
hard drive partition, loaded with software. Or, imagine the same thing
loaded with clip art, pictures, animations, and more. Amazing - it's
something Atari users should have been able to use years ago.
I was hoping to have a review of a couple of the CDs that I've
been looking at, but some weird split-shift hours at work made my
productive "leisure" hours almost negligible this week. I'll keep
working on it, though.
Atari users who either use multiple platforms, or moved over to
the PC side of things will enjoy knowing that a Gemulator for
Windows 95 has just arrived. So, if you want the new OS, but still
want to use Atari software, Gemulator 4 is for you. We've got the news
of this new product from Darek Mihocka, below.
Speaking of Windows 95, after all of the hype, it's amazing to see
the number of articles on television, newspapers, and magazines that
are covering this product. What's even more amazing is how much
negative coverage this product is getting! The product may be a good
one, most say, but what a typical user will need to accommodate this
new operating system is the problem. I won't pretend to understand PCs
and Windows 95 - I can't. But, after reading a number of these
articles, I'm glad I'm not faced with the decision to upgrade!
Until next time...
Gemulator 4! STR NewsFile! - Gemulator For Windows '95 Debuts!
GEMULATOR 4 Atari STE Emulation Card For Windows 95
===================================================
August 21, 1995
For additional product information contact Darek Mihocka at:
Branch Always Software
14150 N.E. 20th Street, Suite 302
Bellevue, WA 98007, U.S.A.
Phone: 206-236-0540
Fax: 206-236-0257
America Online: BRASOFT
Compuserve: 73657,2714
GEnie: BRASOFT
Internet: brasoft@halcyon.com
MSN: BRASOFT
World Wide Web: http://www.halcyon.com/brasoft/
Introducing Gemulator 4
-----------------------
Branch Always Software is proud to introduce Gemulator 4 For Windows 95,
the world's first Atari ST and Atari STE emulator designed specifically
for use on the new Windows 95 operating system. Gemulator 4 turns your
PC into an Atari clone with many of the features of a high end Atari
Mega ST or Atari TT030 computer, yet it allows you to run Atari ST and
STE software in a window right on the Windows 95 desktop, side-by-side
with Windows and MS-DOS programs.
Gemulator 4 is the latest product in our family of Atari 8-bit and
Atari ST emulators. Branch Always Software was the first to release an
Atari 130XE emulator for MS-DOS last year (PC Xformer 3.0), the first
to release an Atari ST emulator for MS-DOS (Gemulator 1.0) in 1992, and
now the first to offer an Atari STE emulator for Windows 95.
If you have Internet access or use an online service, you can browse
our Internet World Wide Web page at http://www.halcyon.com/brasoft/ to
see a screen shot of Gemulator 4 running on the Windows 95 desktop. Our
web page also has an up-to-the-minute computer dealer listing as well
as additional product information about Gemulator 4 and PC Xformer.
Gemulator 4 emulates all of the standard Atari STE video modes and
supports 360K and 720K Atari floppy disks. It also supports CD-ROM,
high resolution Super VGA and Moniterm graphics modes, up to
14 megabytes of emulated Atari ST memory, up to 4 modems and 3 printers,
STE hardware emulation including blitter chip emulation, 4096 colors,
stereo sound, and more.
The Gemulator 4 emulation card plugs right into any 8-bit or 16-bit
ISA slot in your PC and comes pre-installed with TOS 2.06. Additional
sockets on the card allow you to plug in earlier versions of TOS (such
as TOS 1.0 or TOS 1.4) for compatibility with very old Atari ST
software. Once the card is plugged in, simply copy the Gemulator 4
emulation software to your Windows 95 desktop and double click the
Gemulator 4 icon. Various settings, such as the amount of Atari memory
being emulated, the hardware mode (Atari ST or STE), configuring the
printer and modem ports, and other options can be changed on-the-fly
with an easy to use dialog box and a few mouse clicks. No AUTOEXEC.BAT
or CONFIG.SYS files to edit, no .INI files to edit, no MS-DOS to mess
with, period!
With Gemulator 4 For Windows 95, you can run your favorite Atari ST and
STE applications, such as Pagestream 2, Calamus SL, Word Writer, GFA
Basic, FLASH!, Tempus II, Prism Paint, Neodesk, Degas Elite, Laser C,
and hundreds of others.
You can pay $900 for Calamus SL for Windows, or you can use your
existing Calamus SL on Windows 95 now. Which would you prefer? Waiting
for Pagestream for Windows? Keep waiting! Most Atari software will
never be ported to Windows. With Gemulator, it doesn't have to be!
Pricing and availability
------------------------
The English language version of Gemulator 4 For Windows 95 begins
shipping August 24 and will be available from Atari computer dealers in
the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Australia by September 1.
German, French, and Dutch versions will also be available within a few
months. See ads in Atari World, ST Informer, ST Applications, and other
magazines for detail
s.
The list price of Gemulator 4 for Windows 95 is $219.95 U.S. complete,
which includes the emulation card, emulation software, a 40 page
manual, and TOS 2.06 ROMs installed. In the U.K. the price is 159 UKP
complete. Due to fluctuating exchange rates, prices in other countries
will vary, so call your dealer.
Existing users of Gemulator 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, or 3.0 can upgrade to
Gemulator 4.0 for only $59.95 directly through Branch Always Software
or participating Atari dealers. TOS 2.06 ROM upgrades are also
available for about $60.
Beware of imitators. Other Atari emulators now on the market cost up to
3 times as much as Gemulator 4 and may run slower. Some don't even use
real TOS ROMs. None offer the list of features that Gemulator does.
Gemulator was the first and is still the best Atari ST emulator on the
market.
Hardware requirements and performance
-------------------------------------
Gemulator 4 runs on any 486 or Pentium based PC with at least
8 megabytes of RAM, an 8-bit or 16-bit ISA card slot, and which is
running the released version of Windows 95. We recommend using a
"Windows accelerator" type VGA card for best performance. A mouse,
modem, printer, joystick, and sound card are all optional but
recommended to make full use of Gemulator's features.
Gemulator 4 does not run on 286 or 386 based PCs, nor does it run
MS-DOS, Windows 3.1 or OS/2 Warp. A Windows NT 3.51 compatible version
of Gemulator 4 will be available in a few weeks.
To get an idea of what kind of speed to expect from your PC, the
following list shows the speed of the PC's processor and the
corresponding approximate emulation speed of Gemulator 4 when running
on Windows 95:
486 (25 to 33 MHz): 8 MHz 68000 (e.g. Atari 1040ST)
486 (66 to 75 MHz): 16 MHz 68000 (e.g. Mega STE)
Pentium (60 MHz): 16 Mhz 68030 (e.g. Atari Falcon)
Pentium (90 to 100 Mhz): 32 Mhz 68030 (e.g. Atari TT)
As with a real Atari computer, you can use software accelerators such
as NVDI, Quick ST, Warp 9, or Turbo ST to increase Gemulator's
performance considerably.
Feature list
------------
Gemulator 4 for Windows 95 is not just our old Gemulator for MS-DOS
running in a window. Many features have been greatly improved from
earlier versions of Gemulator and several brand new features have been
added:
EASE OF USE: Gone are the restrictions of the earlier versions of
Gemulator for MS-DOS and Windows 3.1. There is no longer a GEMUL8R.INI
file to edit, no CONFIG.SYS file to edit, and no AUTOEXEC.BAT file to
edit. No MS-DOS commands to type in. All settings are now configured
with simple easy to use menus and dialog boxes. Just double click on
the Gemulator icon on your Windows desktop and a few seconds later the
Atari GEM desktop is running in its own window.
HARD DISK and CD-ROM SUPPORT: Gemulator 4 breaks the old 32 megabyte
partition barrier found in all versions of TOS. Any disk partition on
your PC, including CD-ROMs and ones that are larger than 32 megabytes
in size, can be accessed by the GEM desktop and by Atari programs.
Partitions compressed with DoubleSpace, DriveSpace, Stacker, and other
disk compression utilities are fully accessible. 1 gigabyte hard disk
partitions? No problem. Since not all Atari ST software is written to
run with large hard disk partitions, Gemulator 4 also has a "virtual
disk" mode which is compatible with earlier versions of Gemulator. In
this mode, your Atari files are stored on four 32-megabyte Atari-only
partitions which behave exactly like a real Atari hard disk. Virtual
disk mode is set up automatically and does NOT require reformatting
your hard disk.
FLOPPY DISK SUPPORT: Gemulator 4 still allows you to read and run your
old Atari ST floppy disks, formatted by older versions of TOS, as well
as boot disks and 1.44M PC disks. We now include a utility which
re-writes the boot sector of the floppy disk to make it MS-DOS
compatible. This allows you to then read your floppy disks from other
Windows 95 programs. Gemulator 4, for legal and technical reasons, does
not support copy protected disks.
VIDEO SUPPORT: Unlimited screen size! The GEM desktop can grow to as
large as your Windows desktop. So now you can take advantage not only
of 640x480 and 800x600 color modes, but also use 1024x768, 1280x960
(Moniterm mode), and even higher resolutions. Most well written GEM
software will run in all these modes.
MODEM AND PRINTER SUPPORT: Modem baud rates from 110 to 115200 baud are
now supported, allowing you to use your high speed 14.4k or 28.8k baud
modem with your Atari ST terminal software. All serial ports (COM1
through COM4) are supported. All printer ports (LPT1 through LPT3) are
now supported.
STE FEATURES: Other Atari emulators offer only the basic functionality
of an Atari ST. Gemulator 4 has most of the sound and video support of
a Mega STE, including emulation of stereo sound, 4096 colors, and the
blitter chip.
TOS ROM SUPPORT: All ST and STE TOS ROM versions including TOS 1.6,
1.62, and 2.05 are now supported, in addition to TOS 1.0, TOS 1.2,
TOS 1.4., and TOS 2.06 which were supported by earlier versions of
Gemulator. The TOS ROMs that you plug in are what Gemulator 4 runs, and
the Gemulator card includes additional sockets for plugging in multiple
versions of TOS. TOS 2.06 is what is recommended for use with
Gemulator 4 and what it is optimized for.
Why Gemulator 4.0 on a PC is cheaper than a real Atari!
-------------------------------------------------------
If you currently use an Atari ST, STE, Falcon, of even a TT, then you
are not getting the full potential out of your Atari ST and STE
programs. Why? Because your Atari computer is based on a 10 year old
design that places severe limits on such things as the maximum amount
of memory in the computer, the speed of the serial ports, the size of
the hard disk partitions, the capacity of your floppy disks, and the
screen resolution of the monitor.
The Atari ST, Mega STE, and even the Falcon computers still have a
built-in maximum screen resolution of 640x400 or 640x480 pixels. Your
ST or STE also requires the use of two monitors, one for color and one
for monochrome. To achieve higher screen resolutions such as 1024x768
and 1280x960 requires yet another monitor, a special video card, and
special software drivers, which together can easily cost from $500 to
$1000 more.
To be able to use the industry standard 1.44 megabyte floppy disks used
by today's Macintosh and PC computers requires installing a new floppy
disk drive in your ST, another $100 cost. To add more memory beyond the
4 megabytes that most STs allow requires complicated memory expansion
boards costing many hundreds of dollars more. To install the latest
TOS 2.06 into an Atari ST requires a $140 expansion board. A CPU
accelerator? At least another $200.
As you can see, it can easily cost well over $1000 to upgrade an
existing Atari ST or STE computer to the point where it becomes usable
and can run power applications such as Calamus SL. That same money
spent upgrading an ST is enough to buy a brand new 486 or Pentium
based computer!
With Gemulator 4, you get the best of both worlds: the familiar Atari
GEM desktop running your familiar Atari applications, while having a
computer that not only costs less than a real Atari computer but also
runs Windows 95.
Gemulator 4 dealers
-------------------
The following dealers will have Gemulator 4 For Windows 95, with
TOS 2.06 ROMs, available for sale by September 1. Many also offer
all-in-one 486 and Pentium systems which have Windows 95 and
Gemulator 4.0 (with TOS 2.06) pre-installed:
U.S.A
-----
ATY Computer
3727 13th Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
phone: 510-482-3775
fax: 510-482-3775
email: a.yu@genie.geis.com
systems: basic 100MHz Pentium, $840 and up
B & C Computervisions
1725 De La Cruz #7
Santa Clara, CA 95050-3011
phone: 408-986-9960
fax: 408-986-9968
Godfather Computer
1177 Quarry Lane, Suite E
Pleasanton, CA 94566
phone: 510-174-6809
fax: 510-417-8787
email:ercorp@aol.com
web page: http://www.netrep.com/home/GODFATHER/
systems: K-PONE 75 MHz Pentium, 8 meg RAM, 545 meg disk, monitor,
$1599 and up
Run PC
524 West Laurel #2
Fort Collins, CO 80521
phone: 800-326-2344
phone: 970-493-5565
fax: 970-493-5571
systems: 66 MHz 486, 8 meg RAM, 420 meg disk, $1395 and up
Toad Computers
570-F Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146
phone: 800-448-TOAD (8623)
phone: 410-544-6943
fax: 410-544-1329
web page: http://www.toad.net/pc/systems.html
systems: 80 MHz 486 and 75 MHz Pentium, 8 meg RAM, 560 meg disk, $1799
and up
Xanth Computers
14100 N.E. 20th Street #105
Bellevue, WA 98007
phone: 206-643-9697
systems: 66 MHz 486, 8 meg RAM, 500 meg disk, call for pricing
CANADA
------
Falcon Systems
330 6th Street
New Westminster, B.C. V3L 3A8
phone: 604-522-2915
fax: 604-522-2721
systems: 486 and Pentium based systems, call for pricing
RGB Data
100 Dyke Rd.
E. Passage, NS B3G 1K2
phone: 902-465-2321
fax: 902-465-9966
Scarborough Computers
3331 Sheppard Ave. E.
Scarborough, Ont. M1T 3K2
phone: 416-491-3139
fax: 416-491-3280
systems: 486 and Pentium based systems, call for pricing
UNITED KINGDOM
--------------
FaST Club
7 Musters Road
Nottingham N2G 7PP
phone: +44 0115 945 5250
fax: +44 0115 945 5305
System Solutions
17-19 Blackwater Street
London SE22 8RS
phone: +44 (0181) 693 3355
fax: +44 (0181) 693 6936
16/32
173 High Street
Strood, Kent ME2 4TW
phone: +44 (01634) 107 788
fax: +44 (01634) 295 895
AUSTRALIA
---------
Music Graphics
P.O. Box 357
Belgrave 3160
phone: +61 (03) 754 8588
fax: +61 (03) 754 8101
systems: 486 and Pentium Olivetti systems, call for pricing
See our World Wide Web page for the latest product information,
product screen shots and demos, and the dealer listing.
Product support
---------------
Branch Always Software provides free phone support on weekday mornings,
as well as email support over the Internet and online services.
Gemulator cards are replaced free of charge up to 30 days after
purchase if you find that yours does not function properly, although
to date less than 1% of the more than 3000 Gemulator cards currently
in use have failed.
Bug fix and maintenance upgrades of the Gemulator 4 software will be
provided free of charge. All Gemulator 4 users who purchase or have
purchased either the Gemulator 4 Beta, Gemulator 4 for Windows, or
Gemulator 4 for Windows 95 will receive a free maintenance upgrade
release of Gemulator 4 for Windows 95 in the mail during the month of
September. Additional maintenance upgrades will be available via email
to users of the Internet or online services.
Branch Always Software has also exhibited at dozens of Atari shows and
user group meetings over the last 7 years. This year we have already
shown Gemulator 4 at the Toronto, Sacramento, and Indianapolis
Atarifests and will be doing so again October 7th at the Dallas show.
We hope to see you there.
JAGUAR SECTION
JaguarCD Ships...Quietly...
CATnips! Video Gaming Decline?
WMCJ Tips! And much more!
From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
I must say that I am somewhat disappointed, but not surprised, at
the lackluster release of the JaguarCD. Yes, it started shipping
yesterday. Will we be able to buy it in the next couple of days?
Unlikely. It will probably take a week or so before the bulk of the
units make the dealer shelves - it does take some time for it all to
happen.
It's also unfortunate, or fortunate depending on your viewpoint,
that there won't be the 6-8 additional CD games available at the same
time. Atari was committed to the August 24th ship date; the games were
supposed to be ready, but are not, as far as we know. Look for
September for the games we were expecting these last few days of
August.
Also, expect the hype to pick up within the next couple of weeks.
The quiet shipping of the CD unit may be a letdown, but I understand
that there will be some major promotions starting in early September.
So yes, we're a little down, but I think that will be overshadowed in
the next few weeks.
It's my impression that the JaguarCD's release was going to be a
public lose-lose situation. They could have either held back the
release to wait for the games and incur the userbase's wrath' or they
could ship the unit with the available pack-ins and wait for the
eventual release of subsequent games. Not a great choice, but under
the circumstances, the pack-ins, VLM, and Myst demo should keep us busy
long enough to wait for the other games - providing that those games
arrive soon!
At any rate, I can wait a little while longer as I have enough
cart games to keep me busy for a long time! I'm waiting for the
JaguarCD more as a result of anticipation than anything else at the
moment. Stay tuned here for the news as it happens!
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 $29.99 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $29.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $29.99 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 $39.99 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $39.99 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 $49.99 Virgin/C-West
Syndicate $69.99 Ocean
Troy Aikman Ftball $69.99 Williams
Theme Park $69.99 Ocean
Sensible Soccer Telegames
Double Dragon V $59.99 Williams
J9009E Hover Strike $59.99 Atari Corp.
J0144E Pinball Fantasies $59.99 C-West
J9052E Super Burnout $59.99 Atari
White Men Can't Jump $69.99 Atari
Flashback $59.99 U.S. Gold
VidGrid (CD) TBD Atari Corp
Blue Lightning (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp
Available Soon
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
Ultra Vortek $69.99 Atari
Flip-Out TBD Atari
Rayman TBD UBI Soft
Power Drive Rally TBD TWI
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
CatBox $69.95 ICD
Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp.
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
-/- Uncertain Game Market Seen -/-
The health of the video game will depend on how well four "next
generation" systems fare over the next two years, says a new report
from DFC Intelligence of San Diego.
The report notes that in 1994 video games and entertainment
software for PCs generated $4.3 billion in U.S. revenues. This was down
slightly from 1993's $4.4 billion. The video game hardware market took
a more significant dip in 1994, declining 18 percent to $1.5 billion.
"The market will not pick up until the next generation hardware
systems start to gain momentum," says David Cole, DFC's president. Cole
states that there are four separate systems that could rejuvenate the
market: the Sega Saturn, the Sony PlayStation, the Nintendo Ultra 64
and 3DO systems.
Unfortunately, it could take over a year for the new systems to
gain momentum. DFC forecasts that in 1995, software revenue will be
down 14 percent, while the number of hardware units sold will be down
36 percent. Cole claims that the 1995 holiday season is shaping up to
a major disappointment.
"The 16-bit market will decline sharply in 1995 and nothing has
come along to replace it," he says. "The next generation systems are
starting to look good, but still suffer from high price points and
limited software availability."
Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles
Game Title Date Game Type MSRP Publisher
Air Cars TBA Racing/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Alien vs Predator NOW Role Play/Adventure $69.99 Atari
Alien vs Predator CD 2/96 Role Play/Adventure TBD Atari
Arena Football 10/95 Sports TBD V Reel
Assault 2Q/95 Action/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Atari Kart 11/95 TBD TBD Atari
Att. of Mut. Penguins 10/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Baldies (CD) 9/95 Action/Simulation TBD Atari
Batman Forever (CD) 4/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Battlemorph (CD) 9/95 Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Battlesphere 9/95 Space/Combat TBD 4-Play
Battlestar 11/95 Space/Combat TBD ?
Battle Wheels 2Q/95 Racing/Combat TBD Beyond Games
Black ICE/White Noise 12/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Blue Lightning (CD) NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Braindead 13 (CD) 10/95 Action/Adventure TBD ReadySoft
Breakout 2000 11/95 Puzzle TBD Atari
Brett Hull Hockey (CD) 11/95 Sports TBD Atari
Brutal Sports Football NOW Sports/Combat $69.99 Telegames
Bubsy NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Cannon Fodder NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Virgin
Chas Barkley Basketball 9/95 Sports TBD Atari
Checkered Flag NOW Racing $69.99 Atari
Club Drive NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Commando (CD) 11/95 Action (3D) TBD Atari
Commander Blood (CD) 11/95 RPG TBD Atari
Creature Shock (CD) 8/95 Adventure/Sci-Fi TBD Atari/Virgin
Cybermorph NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Dactyl Joust 11/95 Action TBD Atari
Dante (CD) 6/96 Action TBD Atari
Deathwatch 11/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Defender 2000 10/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Demolition Man (CD) 9/95 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's Lair (CD) 8/95 Adventure TBD Ready Soft
Dragon's Lair 2 (CD) 10/95 Adventure TBD ReadySoft
Dreadnought (CD) 2Q/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Dune Racer (CD) 1/96 Racing TBD Atari
Dungeon Depths 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Evolution: Dino Dudes NOW Puzzle/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Fight For Life TBA Combat TBD Atari
Flashback NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 US Gold
Flip-Out 8/95 Puzzle TBD Atari
Formula Racing (CD) 12/95 Racing TBD Atari
Frank Thomas Baseball 4/96 Sports TBD Atari
Gotcha! 1/95 ? TBD ---
Hardball Baseball 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Highlander I (CD) 11/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Highlander II (CD) 2/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Highlander III (CD) 4/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Horrorscope 2Q/95 Combat TBD V Reel
Hover Strike NOW Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Hover Strike CD 9/95 Action/Combat TBD Atari
Hyper Force TBA ? TBD Comp. West
Ironman/XO-Manowar 4/96 Action TBD Atari
Iron Soldier NOW Action/Strategy $59.99 Atari
Iron Soldier II (CD) 1/96 Action/Strategy TBD Atari
Jack Nicklaus Golf(CD) 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Kasumi Ninja NOW Combat $69.99 Atari
Magic Carpet (CD) 12/95 Action/RPG TBD Atari
Max Force 9/95 Action TBD Atari
Mindripper (CD) 2/96 Adventure TBD Atari
Mortal Kombat 3 4/96 Fighting TBD Atari
Myst (CD) 8/95 Interactive Novel TBD Atari
NBA Jam T.E. 12/95 Sports TBD Atari
Phase Zero 10/95 Action/Arcade TBD Atari
Pinball Fantasies NOW Arcade $59.95 Comp. West
Pitfall 9/95 Arcade TBD Activision
Power Drive Rally 8/95 Driving TBD TWI
Primal Rage (CD) 12/95 Fighting TBD TWI
Rage Rally 2Q/95 Racing TBD Atari
Raiden NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Rayman 9/95 Action/Adventure TBD UBI Soft
Redemption (CD) 11/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Rise of the Robots (CD)11/95 Action/Arcade TBD TWI
Robinson's Requiem (CD) 9/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Rocky Horror Inter.(CD) 4/96 Adventure TBD Atari
Ruiner Pinball 9/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Sensible Soccer NOW Sports Telegames
Sky Hammer (CD) 12/95 Flying/Action TBD Atari
Soccer Kid 2Q/95 Sports TBD Ocean
Soul Star (CD) 9/95 Action/Sci-Fi TBD Atari
Space Ace (CD) 9/95 Space/Combat TBD ReadySoft
Space War 9/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Starlight BowlaRama CD 10/95 Simulation/Sports TBD Atari
Star Raiders 2Q/95 Space Simulation TBD Atari
Sudden Impact 12/95 Action TBD Atari
Super Burnout NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Supercross 3D 9/95 Sports TBD Atari
Syndicate NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tempest 2000 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Thea Relm Fighters (CD)10/95 Action/Fighting TBD 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 Vortek 9/95 Action/Adventure $69.99 Beyond Games
Val D'Isere Skiing... NOW Sports $59.99 Atari
Varuna's Forces (CD) 11/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
VidGrid (CD) NOW Puzzle/Music Video TBD Atari
Wayne Gretzky NHL (CD) 12/95 Sports TBD TWI
White Men Can't Jump NOW Sports (w/Team Tap) $69.99 TriMark
Wolfenstein 3D NOW Combat/Action $59.99 Atari
Zero 5 1/96 ? TBD ---
Zool2 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
[Editor's note: Titles, scheduled release dates, and prices are
verified from Atari - all subject to change]
Jaguar Easter Eggs/Cheats/Hints STR InfoFile - Solving Those Riddles!
We've been getting a lot of e-mail from readers who have been
frustrated trying to figure out the Super Dunks for White Men Can't
Jump. Well, we gave you one of them a few weeks ago, but you wanted
more! So, here are a couple more of them, but we'll hold back giving
them all to you!
As it turns out, white men actually can jump, and all of the white
male characters possess the same Super Dunks. They are described here,
along with the proper button presses to activate them. Remember that
the button presses must be done quickly, and while the "B" action
button is held down. When the "B" action button is released, the
player will perform the Super Dunk. Timing is critical to getting off
the more complex Super Dunks.
The following Super Dunks are for all white male characters.
A. To perform the SIMPLE slam, press the D-PAD LEFT.
B. To perform the SPIN-FLIP slam, press the D-PAD DOWN TWICE.
C. To perform the POWER slam, press the D-PAD RIGHT, THEN DOWN.
D. To perform the BEHIND-THE-BACK slam, press the D-PAD LEFT, THEN
DOWN.
E. To perform the SEE-SAW-SPIN slam, press the D-PAD RIGHT, THEN UP,
THEN LEFT.
3. All of the males with tank tops characters possess the same Super
Dunks. They are described here, along with the proper button presses
to activate them. Remember that the button presses must be done
quickly, and while the "B" action button is held down. When the "B"
action button is released, the player will perform the Super Dunk.
Timing is critical to getting off the more complex Super Dunks.
The following Super Dunks are for all males with tank tops
characters.
A. To perform the SIMPLE slam, press the D-PAD down.
B. To perform the SIDEWAYS slam, press the D-PAD LEFT.
C. To perform the TWO-HANDED slam, press the D-PAD UP TWICE.
D. To perform the UNDER & IN slam, press the D-PAD DOWN, THEN UP.
E. To perform the REWIND & ROTATE slam, press the D-PAD RIGHT, THEN
DOWN, THEN LEFT.
[Courtesy of Lance Lewis, at Atari]
Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (95.08.23)
It's here! D-Day! No, I'm not talking about Windows'95. I'm talking
about the Jaguar CD-ROM. This morning, Ted Hoff gathered us together
and was grinning big time as he verified that the final pack-ins were
being delivered and the boxes would roll off the packout lines just as
predicted. Ted feels a peripheral as important as the CD-ROM should be
blessed by the retail buyers by sending the first units off the line to
their attention. Another batch will be shipped ahead of his arrival to
New York to host a formal press presentation next week.
In the past four weeks, orders from retailers for the CD-ROM have
exploded and Atari will ship in quantity as soon as ample quantities
of the complete packouts have been amassed. Unlike some of our software
releases in the past when only pre-orders are fulfilled, Ted is
demanding that delivery schedules to retailers are timed to be
equitable and as fair as possible. The CD-ROM should be available
nationwide within just a couple of weeks! Yea!
FlipOut! will be shipping this Friday. I think it will be a surprise
hit. We will see. <g>
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New Jaguar Book Contest from Atari Explorer Online....
It has a black glossy cover, with peering yellow eyes. It's full of
cool stuff. It even includes a few AEO interviews. Now =you= can win
an author signed copy of Sandwich Islands' "Atari Jaguar Official
Gamer's Guide."
How? Atari Explorer Online Magazine is holding a contest, of sorts.
It's the "AEO 'Read Between The Lines'" contest. It's easy to enter,
and you could win a copy of the book that shows (among other things):
[ ] Just WHERE that darn Motion Tracker in Alien Vs.
Predator is located.
[ ] How to lower the drawbridge over the Big Pit O'Acid in
Level 3 of Doom.
[ ] Exactly the path needed to complete the final level of
Zool 2.
[ ] Cheats, Codes and Funny Captioned Fotos of eighteen
Jaguar games.
How to Enter....
E-Mail a tip about a Jaguar game to AEO <aeo.mag@genie.com> before
Midnight CDT (UTC-5) August 31, 1995. (Please put the word "Contest" in
the subject line!! AEO regularly receives dozens of EMails every day,
and it would make the sorting job easier!)
=Any= tip for =any= Jaguar game will suffice. (Don't know any tips?
Make one up! This contest is well named.)
Two tips will be selected in a random drawing of all entered tips. The
winning entries will be notified, and their entries will be published
in the next issue of AEO, due out the weekend of September 2, 1995.
All submissions will be considered the property of Subspace Publishers,
and may be used in future issues of Atari Explorer Online Magazine.
Void where prohibited. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Get those tips in NOW!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hey if you're a kid or know any kids between the ages of 8 to 14 years
of age AND they have access to Web Domains within the wonderful world
of the Internet, tell them about KIDSCOM. KIDSCOM is a new wholesome
way kids can learn, participate in surveys, exchange ideas on the
"Graffiti Wall" and even win prizes. To visit KIDSCOM, steer your Web
Browser to http:\\www.kidscom.com.
KIDSCOM currently includes Jaguar news including screen shots AND soon,
kids can win cool Jaguar stuff too!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kristine Chambers tells me that "Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands" (the
CD descendent) looks really good. For you audiophiles, the left/right
stereo has been corrected <g> and there's a whole bunch of exciting new
improvements over the cart-based game that is available now. Kristine
said I could share some of them with you...
In the new CD version, there are full motion video sequences including
a real cool intro, between mission scenes and an exciting end-of-game
reward. There are 10 entirely new missions and 2 brand new terrain
types. A new rendering engine allows lighting effects on the texture
mapped terrain as well as more efficient overall coding and animated
terrain textures. There are high-resolution terrain textures for new
missions and a new control panel so the user can customize flying
physics of the craft. Gamers will discover improved flying with
smoother movement physics and there will be CD quality music during
gameplay.
"Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands" will be available by the end of
September according to Kristine. Based on what she tells me, the new
game will be a natural for those who love the cart based game and it
will offer a lot of appeal for those who felt the original game may
have been a bit hard to control. Get on the pre-sell lists now!
I know it's off topic, but my wife treated me to an unusual get-a-way
this past weekend. On Friday, she drove us to Wine Country (Napa
Valley, CA) and we checked in to what I later learned was one of the
region's highest rated Bed & Breakfast (Foothill House). On Saturday
she rolled me out of bed at 4:30 a.m. to take a hot air balloon ride
at dawn across the valley. There is no effective way to describe the
beauty, courtesies and pleasures of where we stayed or the nice times
we had, so I won't even try. Let me just tell you to book the best
bed & breakfast in Calistoga, call 800/942-6933. Insist on the Quail's
Roost cottage for at least two nights. You can also have them book
reservations at any one of the nicest nearby restaurants for dinner.
There are several. If you go all out and want the best balloon ride,
call 707/944-4408. Tell them you want to ride the balloon named "Lucy"
and you want it piloted by "Sonoma Bob". Feel free to tell them that
Don and Lynn Thomas promised the time of your life!
Stay tuned for a lot more Jaguar-related news coming soon. There are
some exciting releases scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
BTW, we know it may be frustrating if you're anxiously waiting for the
CD-ROM. This long awaited peripheral is being distributed very
carefully so that as our retailers and the gamers receive quality
merchandise that passes stringent Quality Assurance tests rather than
simply loading them in overnight sacks for the sake of just being fast.
I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get my hands on one too...
I never did get to finish any of the games I started at E3. <g>
From CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forums:
Sb: Ultra64 Expensive!
Fm: Daniel Skelton 73742,464
To: All
I just picked this up from Simon over on the Video Games+ forum, a
message that he in turn captured from the WWW site for IGOnline
(Intelligent Gamers Online).
"First NU64 titles announced: Kyoto-based Nintendo Co. Ltd. has
shattered their Ultra Famicom silence by announcing the first two
titles for their much-hyped 64-bit game machine. According to company
officials (source: Nikkei English News), Nintendo will release a Mario
title and a Final Fantasy RPG for the system, which will be released
in Japan this December. The two games, both very popular on the 16-bit
Super Famicom and Super NES platforms in Japan and North America, will
retail for about 10,000 yen (U.S. $110) each. Many of Nintendo's recent
$70 SNES titles have sold for roughly the same yen price in Japan.
The video game manufacturer has, according to the Nikkei English News,
teamed up with 12 firms outside of Japan and five domestic software
developers to make games for the new machine. Although release dates
have yet to be decided, Nintendo continues to claim that the machine
will cost less than 25,000 yen (U.S. $275) in Japan and under $250 in
the United States."
In short, U64 + 1 game = $360!
Jaguar + 1 game = $210
I think we can all do THAT math.
Dan Skelton
Antique Videogame Aficionado and Proud Jaguar Owner
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Well folks, it's official. Windows 95 is out the door. What has been
called biggest marketing push in the history of the computer industry is
just starting. Now it's time for we non-Intel users can sit back and
watch what happens.
Is Windows 95 a good product? Of course it is. Is it as good as all
the hype? Probably not. I'm sorry Mr. Gates, but in order to live up
to all this hype, Win 95 would have to make me breakfast in the morning,
dinner at night, and do things that I can't mention here. But that's
okay. Software, like a person (most people, anyway) matures.
Throughout the next week or two, the real abilities, necessities, and
shortcomings of this cult-inspiring product. Prices of hard drives and
memory chips/simms/what-have-you are expected to rise as folks find out
how to get the most from MicroSoft's latest offering. Now this isn't a
slam at the product, it's simply a statement of fact. Win 95 will be
most useful on computers with large hard drives and at least 12 meg of
RAM. So if you're in the market for a bigger hard drive or more memory,
go out and get it now. And when all the people you know who got Windows
95 start talking about what they've got to do in order to get the most
out of it, you can say "Yeah, I heard about that in my favorite ATARI
column.
I just heard the MicroSoft commercial for Win 95 (really, just this
minute). I question the decision to use a theme song that contains the
phrase "you make a grown man cry".
As Norm Crosby used to say: "A word to the wise is deficient".
Now let's get on with the reason for this column... All the great news,
info, hints and tips available every week right here on CompuServe.
From the Atari Computing Forums
===============================
Mark Kelling posts:
"I just uploaded a new version of Ghostscript to the library.
Hopefully, this will be of interest to some users.
I did run into a problem when trying to type in the description. The
system kept complaining of the description being over the limit, but
would not allow me to make any changes to the text. What you ended up
with as a description is going to be a surprise. This is what I
intended:
The Latest update to Ghostscript, the "FREE" PostScript (R)
interpreter for the ATARI ST line of computers. This version, 312B,
gives full GEM window control over the programs functions (you can now
change output devices and res with a mouse click!). A very nice update
to a great program
Please note: This file expands to over 1MEG of files. You _MUST_ use
the Questor LZH program to unpack it (other expanders complain of
"too many files"). Also look for new font files."
Sysop Ron Luks tells Mark:
"I'm looking for the new upload right now and cant locate it. Did the
upload seem to go correctly other than the description problems?
(Fortunately, uploading to the libs is free)"
Mark replies:
"Everything went OK with the upload, got a normal response, but then
had the problems with the description. Maybe I didn't finish it
properly and CIS dumped it?...
I just finished reuploading GhostScript 312. Everything went fine
tonight! I will also post the improved font files to go along with the
update as soon as I retrieve them.
Most likely the problem last night was my ST. I'm working with a
recently resurected MEGA4 and it still is giving me fits. The power
supply got fried and although the new supply got me up and running,
I think some other components may have also got zapped!
Thanks for your time checking into the upload."
Christian Roth asks Mark:
"Does Ghostscript handle EPS files as well? Does it make use of NVDI
and its scaling abilities? Does it support Speedo and TrueType fonts?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Chris:
"GhostScript only handles PostScript Type 1 fonts. You can print EPS
files I believe but I have not tried it myself. It works with Warp 9 so
I would assume it should work with NVDI without any problems. To scale
the picture via NVDI I am not sure since I have not used it.
You can scale the drawing/picture using the postscript scale command.
x y scale
To scale the picture to 70% of its original size.
.70 .70 scale
To scale the picture 110% of its original size.
1.10 1.10 scale
You can change the x and y values independently so you can have some
very interesting results. Such as ....
.30 .70 scale
One would have to edit the postscript file to set the scaling values."
Chris replies:
"I guess it's not easy digging into PostScript.
hmm Type 1 fonts - looks like a new adventure to me <g>."
Albert adds:
"PostScript is not too hard to learn it just takes time. Two good
books on the subject include ....
Learning PostScript: A Visual Approach by Ross Smith
ISBN: 0-938151-12-6
PostScript Language Reference Manual by Adobe
ISBN: 0-201-18127-4 (also known as the "red book")"
On the subject of CompuServe Information Manager, Hans Kummer posts:
"I...am interested in a cim for ATARI. So I went through many forums
to find a documentation of HMI, the 'window-language' of CompuServe.
But I just can get the full documentation when I find a software house
that will develope my program. And 'cause I don't know whether I could
realize such a program, it's impossible to try it out only. It seems
that compuserve isn't interested in new and cheap cim's for alternative
systems. So what else can we do, since ATARI does nothing
themselves?--I don't know..."
Chris Roth tells Hans:
"Me too. I was always interested in a cim for atari, and compuserve's
restrictive policy in this case always annoyed me. I can't imagine that
it would be very difficult for a professional programmer to realise a
cim. But compuserve even goes so far that it hides the protocol and
just provides programming toolkits for developers. They never made one
for the ataris. So they simply claim that there's no such toolkit
available for the atari and therefore a cim development not possible.
Regarding this it's no miracle why the internet is so succesful,
providing possibilities for various platforms. Sure, we had to wait a
long time for a www browser, but finally it seems that now we're going
to see them soon. So, a cim would easily have been possible in the
meantime.
I guess there would be a lot more (atari) users within compuserve, at
least in Germany. Meanwhile, the internet is going to make it..."
Ronald Buneo asks:
"Does anyone know of a program that will double or increase hard drive
space? Is there a PD or shareware program for this?"
Albert Dayes tells Ronald:
"There are a couple compression programs out there. One is from
HiSoft/ORA and another is from Keith (former Double Click software). I
do not recall the names of the products unfortunately. You might wish
to check with your Atari dealer for specifics. Hopefully someone will
jump in who has used on the above products for details."
Paul at Double Click Software tells Albert and Ronald:
"The product is Data Diet that Trace Technology (Keith) is now
supporting. I believe it's up to version 2.0? His number is (713)
771-8332."
Simon Churchill posts this:
"...These system's are known to be distributed from the following
companies which are both based within the United Kingdom.
MEDUSSA T40:
System Solutions
Windsor Business Centre
Vansittart Road
Windsor
SL4 1SE
Tel: (01753) 832212
Fax: (01753) 830344 (Numbers for U.k. Add international number as
needed)
EAGLE SYSTEM:
Gasteiner
126 Fore Street
Upper Edmonton
London
N18 2XA
Tel: 0181-345-6000 or 0181-345-6868 International code add as
above.
Hope these guy's can give you the latest low-down on thier new
machines."
Good ol' Simon also posts this on the subject of accelerators for the ST
series of computers:
"One of the best compatable accelerator boards I know of and use is
the T28 and T36 series. They are basicly a 68000 running at Txx, so
a T28 is a 28Mhz and the T36 is a 36Mhz version. Most ST's except the
T28 and a few will except the T36, but some mods are normaly required.
These board's are designed for the STFM, Mega ST and STE. There is no
mention of the Mega STE being able to use the STE's board, you would
need to contact the distributor and ask them if it's possable to fit.
They also have a 64K fast cache memory on board which can be switched
on the fly and the speed of the system can be reduced back to the
normal 8Mhz by switching a switch and reseting the computer. As a
68000 is used there is NO compatability problem's with program's or
hardware.
My STFM has a T28 in it and this increases the speed of the CPU to 300%
Gembench) and 337% if I install GEMRAM and other util's which put TOS
in memory. (Don't ask me why this should increase the CPU, I think
it's just gembenches multiply test's.)
To install these board's your simms MUST be 100nano second's or faster
as although the buses stay at 8Mhz they have a higher demand put on
them and the memory HAS to keep up.
The T board's are also compatable with Cubase and Notator Logic, these
programs use critical timed event's and with complete compatability
with the T board mean's MIDI user's get that extra speed neede when
editting there work.
There are also the PAK 68/3 accelerator boards, these are 32Mhz 68030
boards and have 32K cache with 32bit wide TOS. There is also an
optional FPU chip and it is possable to have the board's running at
40Mhz and 50Mhz!!
Minimum TOS for these board's is 2.06, 3.06 is recommended. The
speed by gembech is 775%. This is just over twice that of the T
boards. However the price for twice the speed is TWICE the price!
Also being a 68030 CPU makes some program's cripple quickly so some
oftware is inevitable. However your machine would be heading along the
Falcon's 68030 chip set and some of the newer program's would run
happily on a PAK board.
There is a software accelerator called NVDI and this can REALLY speed
up the screen display. For example my ST at normal 8Mhz has 100% CPU
and 100% Graphics, With a T28 AND NVDI installed (+ utils) The CPU is
337% and graphics is at 1057%. YES, that's over TEN times faster
screen updates! And with a cool CPU running 3.5 times faster, your ST
becomes a dream machine.
Hope this is of interest."
Well folks, I'm going to keep this short and end here so that, with the
extra Win 95 info that I'm sure will be included in this issue, you
won't have to download a HUGE file.
So tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be ready to
listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
A "Quotable Quote" A true, "Sign of the Times"
"PACKWOOD WANTS PUBLIC HEARINGS..
THAT'S OK, THE HILL IS USED TO...
WITNESS INTIMIDATION!!"
STReport International OnLine Magazine
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STR OnLine! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" August 25, 1995
Since 1987 Copyright 1995 All Rights Reserved No. 1134
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