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Silicon Times Report Issue 1237
Silicon Times Report
The Original Independent OnLine Magazine"
(Since 1987)
September 13, 1996 No.1237
Silicon Times Report International OnLine Magazine
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09/13/96 STR 1237 The Original Independent OnLine Magazine!
- CPU Industry Report - Epson Color Printer - Dvorak NEWS
- AOL Slapped Down - NEW MS Publisher - PANIX Paralyzed
- Corel PDA Soon - WEB Suit Dismissed - DELL CUTS $$$
- CA MD Busted! - People Talking - Jagwire
Apple Unveils WebScanner
Maxtor Lays Off Up to 200
IRS SCRAPS CYBERFILE
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Editors
Florida Lotto - LottoMan v1.35
Results: 9/07/96: 4 of 6 numbers, three 2 number matches
From the Editor's Desk...
Well now, its Friday the thirteenth! How well I know. This afternoon
at approximately 3pm my System Registry gains almost a megabyte in size... I
am now beginning to finish up the issue... its 8pm. It took roughly five
hours to save my butt. If I could only have my hands around the throat of
whomever devised this registry thing. As fate would have it, my regular tape
B/U program is giving me a fit... so there is/was no emergency restore. It
had to be done the old fashioned way.... format - install W95 - install TBU
software - restore files... But there is a catch wit this software... it
balks at doing over writes of files in use... so naturally it isn't worth a
squirt in restoring registry files. Like I said ... I don't know what I'd
give to be able to put my hands around the throat of the urchin who devised
this registry thing.
Another Hurricane has breezed right on by us. I kid you not. This
lovely town of ours is charmed. I must admit I'm tired and will make this
short. A host of new software is due in the next sixty days from almost
every direction. Its creeping up on Fall Comdex. Some of the new software
has already arrived and its mahvelous! We'll be writing about the new
goodies in the next few weeks. So stay tuned.
Of Special Note:
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Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Editor
Dana P. Jacobson, Editor, Current Affairs
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R.F. Mariano J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson
Portables & Gaming Kid's Computing Corner
Marty Mankins Frank Sereno
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Doyle Helms John Duckworth Jeff Coe
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David H. Mann Angelo Marasco Donna Lines
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STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
AOL Weighs Junk E-Mail Options
America Online is reportedly considering its alternatives after a federal
court judge ordered it to stop blocking junk e-mail from a Philadelphia
company. "We have a number of options," America Online attorney Michael Grow
told the Reuter News Service. "We're weighing them right now." Grow added
that the company hoped to have a decision later Friday.
On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Weiner ordered America Online
not to block e-mail from Cyber Promotions Inc., pending a November trial on a
lawsuit Cyber Promotions filed against the online service. Junk e-mail is a
rising concern among online services and their subscribers, many of whom find
themselves inundated by unsolicited messages.
Phone Scam Involves 809 Number
Phone industry officials are warning consumers across the country not to
return calls to the 809 area code unless they know the caller. In a
statement from Everett, Washington, GTE officials says scam artists are
trying to get around U.S. regulations governing pay-per-call service in the
900 area code by operating overseas and using an 809 number as a pass-through
to 900 number service.
Says the statement, "Customers report that they are receiving 'urgent' or
'important' messages on their answering machines telling them to call a
number beginning with the 809 prefix. When they dial the number, they reach
a long recorded message. When their phone bill arrives there is a huge charge
relating to the call." GTE public affairs manager Marilyn Hoggarth
commented, "Not all numbers in the 800 prefix series are toll free."
Judge Rules on Web Jurisdiction
Putting up a site on the Internet's World Wide Web doesn't in itself subject
someone to being sued anywhere in the country, a federal judge in New York
has ruled. U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein has dismissed a
trademark-infringement suit filed by the operator of New York's famed Blue
Note jazz club against a Columbia, Missouri, music club of the same name.
"The issue in the pretrial ruling," wrtes reporter Paul M. Barrett in The
Wall Street Journal this morning, "was whether the Missouri club's World Wide
Web site -- an address on the international computer network known as the
Internet -- provided a basis for the New York club to sue in federal court in
New York. Judge Stein said it didn't."
Observing that the owner of the Missouri club used his Web site to promote
his establishment locally, the judge ruled, "Creating a site, like placing a
product into the stream of commerce, may be felt nationwide -- or even
worldwide -- but, without more, it is not an act purposefully directed
toward" New York. Reacting, Robert Bourque, a New York lawyer for the
Missouri Blue Note club, told the paper, "What Judge Stein's ruling means is
that the operator of a regional business can't be hauled into court in a
remote place just because somebody thinks they've been hurt by a Web site."
But attorney Dorothy Weber, representing the New York Blue Note, says her
client now will take its suit to a federal court in Missouri, asserting that
jurisdiction should have been found in New York because the Missouri club's
Web site specifically allowed Internet users to jump by hyperlink to the New
York club's Web site. "In any event," writes Barrett, "the New York club
intends to argue in its refiled suit that its registered trademark to the
Blue Note name is being damaged and 'diluted' by the Missouri club's Internet
activity."
Weber contends customers are being confused and that in one instance, someone
who wanted to buy 20 tickets in New York had sent a check to Columbia,
Missouri. Meanwhile, the Journal notes Stein's decision is far from the last
word on jurisdiction. For instance, the federal appeals court based in
Cincinnati recently came to a different conclusion in a similar case
involving CompuServe. There, the appeals court ruled CompuServe could file
suit in its home state of Ohio seeking a ruling that it hadn't infringed the
copyrights of an Internet user from Texas who was creating software for
CompuServe subcsribers. Barrett reports, "The appeals court emphasized that
the Texas defendant had targeted his activities at Ohio -- a fact that
distinguished the CompuServe case from the Blue Note dispute in Judge Stein's
eyes."
Study: Cyberspace at Crossroad
Cyberspace is at a crossroad, according to a new study issued by Yankelovich
Partners Inc. The Norwalk, Connecticut, market research firm's study reveals
that while online growth continues at a "breathtaking rate," it is declining
compared to last year. Between May 1994, and May 1995, "cybercitizenry"
doubled, says the study. During the same period, the annual average growth
rate eased to 50 percent. However, the study predicts the growth rate will
decline to 20 percent by year-end unless there is either a widespread
movement among businesses to give employees online access or the costs of
access tools such as computers and modems dramatically fall.
Another red light identified by the study is the declining average number of
hours spent online in a month. Between May 1995 and May 1996 average online
time fell by 25 percent, from just over 16 hours to 12 hours. "Slower growth
and declining usage suggest marketers need to look beyond the faddish
curiosity that has so far characterized online's evolution. Marketers now
need to identify compelling new reasons for people to log on and new ways of
sustaining existing cybercitizen interests," says J. Walker Smith, managing
partner of Yankelovich Partners. "Consumers and marketers embraced cyberspace
in 1995 without necessarily questioning why. The time has come for marketers
to demonstrate a return can be made from online investments. Unless this
happens, marketing dollars will be kept where they can be seen and measured
for effectiveness."
Lexmark, Polaroid Form Alliance
Lexmark International Inc. and Polaroid Corp. have announced an alliance to
pursue the joint marketing and development of high-definition color image
printers and consumables worldwide. The companies say the alliance
establishes a framework for the sales of matched combinations of products
through existing channels, joint development of new hard-copy imaging systems
for the home and office and enhancements to the compatibility of the
companies' products.
"There is a rapidly growing demand for the combination of digital imaging and
high-quality color ink-jet printing," says Marvin . Mann, chairman and CEO
of Lexmark. "The technologies developed by Lexmark and Polaroid mesh well
and this agreement is just our first step in bringing affordable,
high-quality color photo reproduction to the office and home markets." Adds
Gary DiCamillo, chairman and chief executive officer of Polaroid, "The
alliance with Lexmark is an important milestone in Polaroid's strategy for
digital imaging. In recent years Polaroid has introduced a number of
high-performance, value-added products for digital imaging, including a
digital camera, film and print scanners, color film printers and LCD panels
and projectors. With this alliance, we expect to continue to expand that
product lineup, so Polaroid can more fully address the imaging needs of the
digital generation.
Packard Bell Resolves Suit
Remaining legal issues with the attorneys general of 22 states have been
resolved by Packard Bell Electronics Inc. related to its sale of PCs that
have recycled components from returned computers. Reporting from the
company's Sacramento, California, headquarters, the Dow Jones news service
quotes Packard Bell as saying it is company policy to disassemble all
returned systems, including those returned by retailers in boxes which have
never been opened, and re-test components at the factory to newly
manufactured standards before allowing any component to be recycled into
systems sold as new. The wire service notes that in the first settlement,
Packard Bell agreed to label the outside carton of computers with components
from a previously sold computer as such.
"Packard Bell will pay $70,000 to each of the 22 states for their respective
costs and attorneys' fees," DJ says. "No fines or penalties are involved and
no litigation has been or will be filed against Packard Bell." In the other
matter, which involves recycled parts in personal computers sold through
military post exchanges and to government agencies, the suit was dismissed
and Packard Bell was released from all claims and allegations. "While
denying any wrongdoig," says Dow Jones, "Packard Bell agreed to pay $3.5
million as part of the settlement. No fines or penalties are being paid by
Packard Bell."
'Intel Inside' Logo to Change
The ubiquitous "Intel Inside" logo marking new personal computers made with
Intel Corp. is being given a new look. Starting in January, it will sport a
flash of color. The Reuter News Service reports, "That flash - a corner of
orange, pink, yellow and green on the edge of the logo's traditional grey
plane with the blue circle -- will mean the PC holds an Intel microprocessor
with multimedia-enhancing MMX technology. Intel's plans to build MMX
technology into microprocessors for shipping in January and thereafter."
Intel says Pentium processors with MMX features render graphics and audio and
video 20 percent to 50 percent faster and clearer than Pentium processors
without MMX. "Indeed," adds Reuters, "a movie he showed from the monitor of
an MMX holding-PC looked almost as good as television quality." Intel CEO
Andrew Grove told the wire service, "This is the first change in the basic
Intel processor architecture since the 286. It is the next step in the
evolution of the PC." He said it coincides with changes in typical uses for
the PC to today's popular uses for multimedia applications and Internet
connection.
National Semi Loses $207.6 Mil.
A loss of $207.6 million -- or $1.51 a share -- for its first quarter ended
Aug. 25 has been reported by chipmaker National Semiconductor Corp.
Reporting from the firm's Santa Clara, California, headquarters, United
Press International says the loss includes pre-tax charges of $285.6 million
for spinning off its Fairchild lines and the acquisition of PicoPower,
compared with earnings of $73.5 million in the year-ago quarter.
Sales were down to $566.1 million from $698.8 million. UPI notes that
National Semi has been trying to concentrate its efforts on its more
profitable products, following the departure of top executive Gilbert Amelio
in February to head Apple Computer. The company filled the chief executive
officer slot in May with industry veteran Brian Hallam of LSI Logic.
Hallam told the wire service, "The Fairchild spinout was a logical step in
focusing the company and ensuring its long-term health. In addition we took
some major cost-cutting actions throughout the corporation and we believe we
are now better positioned going forward. Bookings showed improvement
throughout the quarter, but we will maintain guarded optimism for a while
longer before declaring a trend."
Maxtor Lays Off Up to 200
Some 150 to 200 employees are being cut by computer-components producer
Maxtor Corp. later this month. The Milpitas, California, company currently
has a worldwide work force of 4,800 employees. Maxtor officials told the
Reuter News Service the majority of jobs will be cut at its Longmont,
Colorado, facility. The company makes information storage products for
desktop and mobile computer systems.
IBM Not Interested in Olivetti
IBM says it isn't currently interested in taking over the loss-making
personal computer business of struggling Italian information technology
group Olivetti. In Cernobbio, Italy, Lucio Stanca, chairman of IBM Europe,
told the Reuter News Service, "In business affairs one can never say never.
If the right opportunity presents itself we might think about it but for now
there is no contact." Olivetti's PC business lost 200 billion lire in 1995
and some 10 billion lire in the first half of 1996, but Olivetti chief
executive Francesco Caio has said that Olivetti would continue to streamline
its PCs business and has not said directly that the company was looking to
sell it.
Microsoft Publisher Updated
Microsoft Corp. has updated its Microsoft Publisher low- end desktop
publishing program to include several new features, including the capability
to design personal Web pages. Microsoft Publisher 97 also helps users create
newsletters, greeting cards, letterheads and a wide range of other printed
documents. On-screen wizards guide users through the process of developing
both print and online documents.
The software's 5,000-image Clip Gallery now supports OLE objects, including
video clips and sounds, in addition to clip art and digital stock photos.
Users can also download additional content from a Web site. "Our design
goals for Publisher 97 were to continue to make powerful functionality easy
to use and discoverable," says Alex Loeb, a product unit manager at
Microsoft. "Users will find it even easier to create professional-looking
print publications and to extend the automated design capabilities to the
World Wide Web." Microsoft Publisher 97 is set to arrive in stores in
October for $79.95.
Toshiba Desktop PCs Make Debut
Toshiba America, a long-time force in the notebook computer field, has
unveiled its first desktop PC line. The company's home-oriented Infinia
series comes in sleekly styled mini-tower cnfigurations with silver accents.
Buyers can choose from a 133MHz, 166MHz or 200MHz Pentium processor, hard
drives ranging up to 3GB and 16MB or 32MB of EDO memory (expandable to
128MB). An on-screen interface offers one-touch access for checking telephone
messages, making a phone call, playing a favorite CD or tuning into the
system's TV or FM radio.
The Infinia PCs sell for between $1,699 and $2,799 and are now available at
CompUSA and Best Buy stores. "The computer has evolved from being strictly a
business productivity tool to its role today as a personal productivity
appliance," says Tom Scott, general manager for Toshiba's computer systems
division. "With solutions such as Infinia, consumers can use their home PCs
to leverage the power of knowledge to manage their business and home affairs,
communicate, educate and entertain."
Corel Plans to Enter PDA Market
Corel Corp. says it plans to enter the personal digital assistant market with
a sub-$500 unit that it hopes to ship by mid-1997. Besides standard
scheduling, contact management and voice annotation capabilities, Corel's PDA
will allows users to browse the World Wide Web, prepare notes using either a
keyboard or handwriting recognition, and send and retrieve e- mail. Users
will also be able to synchronize their databases with the office or home base
while online or connected to a keyboard docking station. All applications,
including the Web browser, will be written in Sun Microsystems' Java
programming language and will allow users to run Java applets downloaded from
the Internet. The open-standard operating system, which will allow
third-party developers to write their own programs for the system, will be
embedded as a kernel into the PDA with the Java Virtual Machine running on
top of that kernel. "We are cutting new ground with this product in that it
will be a complete software solution," says Michael Cowpland, Corel's
president and CEO. "With an open-standard operating system, access to the
Internet and the ability to fax and e-mail messages or synchronize data
through a regular telephone line, our PDA will indeed be unique in the market
place."
Apple Unveils WebScanner
Apple Computer Inc. says its new Apple Color OneScanner 1200/30 is the first
flatbed scanner for the Macintosh market to offer optical character
recognition (OCR) to HyperText Markup Language (HTML) conversion. The
computer maker notes that the capability is the result of an exclusive
software bundling agreement with Xerox for its TextBridge 3.0h software. With
the scanner, users scan a document, apply OCR and drag-and-drop HTML to their
Web authoring application within Apple's new OneScanner Dispatcher software.
The $850 Apple Color OneScanner 1200/30 offers a 600 by 1,200 dpi optical
resolution and a 4,800 by 4,800 dpi interpolated resolution. The unit
provides 30-bit depth color, which recognizes over 1 billion hues. "The Color
OneScanner 1200/30 offers integrated Web authoring capabilities and supports
positive and negative film scanning with negative-to-positive automated
conversion (with optional Transparent Media Adaptor)," says Kathi Fox,
director of product marketing for Apple's imaging peripherals systems unit.
IBM Developing Cyberphone
A portable telephone with a built-in personal computer capable of showing
images and text from the Internet is being developed by IBM. Visiting a
computer trade fair in Tokyo, IBM Vice President Robert Stephenson told
United Press International the phone can retrieve home pages and e-mail from
the Internet and optically project their images onto a mirror built into the
lower part of the phone. UPI says the images will appear larger than actual
size due to the mirror's expanding effect, adding the cyberphone also has a
built-in device similar to a mouse that can be easily manipulated by the
user's thumb. The wire service notes IBM already has developed a tiny hard
disk, capable of storing 100 megabytes of information, which will be built
into the phone.
Matsushita Licenses Zip Technology
Iomega Corp. has licensed Japan's Matsushita Communication Industrial Co.
Ltd. to manufacture and sell Zip drives. Under the agreement, Matsushita is
granteda nonexclusive worldwide license to produce Zip drives and sell them
under Matsushita's brand names as well as to original equipment
manufacturers. Roy, Utah-based Iomega says Matsushita plans to begin
production later this year. Iomega's Zip drive stores up to 100MB of data on
a removable floppy-like disk. "This licensing agreement is significant to
our overall strategy of establishing Zip as a worldwide standard," says Tony
Radman, Iomega's senior vice president of strategic business development.
Time Warner Cable Project Debuts
In Akron, Ohio, the new Road Runner online service from Time Warner Inc.
makes its debut this week, using an existing cable television system to
provide high-speed computer links to the Internet. The Associated Press
calls this the largest service to-date to use a coaxial/fiber-optic cable TV
system already in place to provide connections more than 100 times faster
than telephone lines. President Tim Evard of the Time Warner division
overseeing the Road Runner rollout told the wire service, "This is not a
test," adding that more than 2,000 cable TV subscribers are on a waiting list
for the Road Runner computer connection in the Akron-Canton area.
Time Warner expects to expand the service into Portland, Maine, this year,
and then in San Diego in early 1997. For subscribers, the cost is $39.95 per
month for unlimited Internet access, plus network storage space for a
personal World Wide Web page and a collection of Time Warner information
services. Analyst Robert Wells, senior analyst for Lennox Research in
Boulder, Colorado, comments, "The whole world is watching northern Ohio now.
Time Warner is really carrying the ball for the industry." Evard declined to
discuss how many subscribers the company needed to turn a profit, but said
the business would work well with less than 10 percent penetration, or 30,000
customers.
IBM to Offer Office Net Computer
IBM is set to offer its first "network" computer, a low-cost device aimed at
replacing personal computers, targeting not the home market but corporate
settings. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Bart
Ziegler says this means IBM "will be among the first computer companies to
make good on a promise that has been setting the industry buzzing for months
-- a cheap device that would link people to the Internet as well as provide
typical applications such as word processing and spreadsheets."
On Big Blue's plan to go for the business market, rather than the consumer
sector that other network computer akers are eying, Ziegler says IBM's model
in many uses "will replace decades-old 'dumb' terminals that allow corporate
employees to tap into mainframes and minicomputers." Due out later this
year, the new machine is expected to be priced below $700 without a monitor
and will allow users to browse the Internet's World Wide Web as well as
connect to whatever applications a company uses. The black-colored device, at
8-by-10-by-2 inches, resembles a laptop computer sitting upright, the Journal
says.
"The devices also are expected to be cheaper than PCs for a company to
maintain," writes Ziegler, "as they contain fewer parts and software can be
updated centrally instead of manually on each desktop. IBM, in fact, will
claim their cost of ownership is less than half that of PCs over a five-year
period, executives said. But some users may balk at not being able to load
their own programs." The Journal says the machine contains one of IBM's
PowerPC chips, but that most of the processing will take place at a distant
server linked to it through a high-speed corporate network.
Says Ziegler, "IBM plans a series of network PCs to further its
"network-centric" computing strategy, which is designed to play to its
strength in big central computers while circumventing the need for Intel
Corp. microprocessors and Microsoft software on the users' desktops."
PC Spare Parts Net Launched
PC Service Source Inc. has launched PC Service Net, a real-time
Internet-based ordering and information retrieval system for PC spare parts.
PC Service Source says the system is designed to give service providers
control over the entire parts acquisition transaction, including real-time
access to pricing and availability, access to account and order status,
reporting features and, in October, warranty claims processing. PC Service
Net has a sophisticated keyword look-up capability, offering added
convenience for users that do not know their part number.
"The results of a month-long PC Service Net testing period have proven that
the system mets the stringent requirements for usability and stability while
exceeding customer expectations for functionality, says Mark T. Hilz,
president and CEO of PC Service Source. Dallas-based PC Service Source is
the world's largest supplier of service logistics to service providers and
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the PC industry.
IBM Forms Online Banking Unit
Joining with 15 major banks, IBM is forming a computerized banking network
that it says could represent more than half of the 60 million households in
North America's retail bank population. Reporting from New York, United
Press International says that early next year the Integrion Financial Network
will offer a broad range of interactive banking and electronic commerce
services to banks in the United States and Canada.
"Participating banks can rapidly deliver secure, convenient and reliable
electronic banking services for the fast-growing segment of the population
expecting to participate in electronic commerce over the Internet and other
electronic channels," UPI reports. Joining IBM, initial owners of the system
include ABN AMRO, Bank of America, Comerica, First Chicago, KeyCorp,
NationsBank, PNC Bank and Royal Bank of Canada.
"Each bank will be able to determine the manner, branding and format of the
services so they're consistent with their existing operations," says the
wire service. Banks that want to offer their customers access to their
services through the public Internet "still face significant security issues
around transmitting payments and other sensitive private information," UPI
comments. "Integrion's answer is to provide public Internet access and
parallel private-network access while addressing security and privacy issues
in interactive banking."
Home PC Market Seen Soft
The home PC market may be softening, according to a retail industry market
researcher. The NPD Group of Port Washington, New York, says that just over
2 percent of households plan to buy a PC during the next six months. By
comparison, about 4 percent of households surveyed at this time last year
said they were planning a computer purchase. NPD measures both consumer
intent to purchase computer hardware for at-home use and actual sales at
retail.
"Last summer, consumers were geared up to buy a PC as Windows 95 and its
compatible software were about to be introduced, so some decline in intent
was expected," says Greg Starzynski, NPD's vice president of retail
relations. "However, we now have seen two consecutive quarters in which the
'intent rate' has dropped significantly. The sales decline in the
springshowed consumers followed through on their intent not to buy, and the
latest decline does not bode well for the home market during the current
quarter."
Study Finds People Put Off PC Buys
A new Dataquest Inc. study finds that many people who said in 1995 that they
planned to buy a PC within a year held off on the purchase. A Dataquest
survey conducted in July 1995 showed that 15 percent of U.S. households
planned on buying a PC within one year. But a new survey of the same
participants shows that only 32 percent actually purchased a PC in the nine
months following the original survey.
"Clearly the high cost of PCs and their perceived relevance to many
American's lives continued to be an obstacle to consumer PC purchases during
last year's somewhat disappointing holiday buying season," says Van Baker,
director of demand side research for the San Jose, California, market
research firm. "We have begun to see new, lower-priced entry-level consumer
PCs during the second half of 1996, and we expect to see some exciting new
systems in the fall that should provide the industry with an excellent fourth
quarter," he adds.
The new survey finds that slightly more than 41 percent of repeat/replacement
buyers purchased their next PC during the survey period. However, only 26
percent of prospective first-time buyers actually bought a system. The two
reasons most given by this market segment for not buying were that a PC did
not fit into the family budget, and that the household did not need one or
was not interested.
California Doctor Charged With Porn
A Palo Alto, California, doctor has been arrested on charges of child
pornography. Authorities say the case may be only the beginning as they
attempt to unravel what they believe is a large computer-based ring. Dr.
Roger Mason Levin was arraigned yesterday on charges of possessing child
pornography as well as illegally distributing prescription medicine.
Writing in San Jose, California, Mercury News, reporter Cathie Calvert says
Dr. Levin was taken into custody ner his Menlo Park home Friday afternoon by
Palo Alto police Detective Michael Yore, who led the seven-month probe of the
case. The doctor was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on a warrant
accusing him of four felony and four misdemeanor charges related to
possession of child pornography, providing drugs illegally and obtaining
controlled substances by fraud.
Authorities allege thousands of pornographic images have been retrieved from
Levin's personal computer and that other local arrest could follow. "I'm
not sure what you'd call prominent, but these are people who'll be very
unhappy (to learn) about Roger's arrest," the detective told Calvert. Police
still are sifting through hundreds of video tapes, photographs and computer
disks found in a search of Levin's home and office, said Yore, who added,
"It's a huge case -- the FBI is getting involved."
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Product/Accessory Part Numbers
EPSON Stylus COLOR 200 C199011
Black ink cartridge S020047
Color ink cartridge S020097
EPSON letter size coated paper for
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20 sheets 720 dpi letter size paper
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USA: Call 1-800-463-7766 for the nearest dealer location.
Epson America, Inc. 20770 Madrona Ave, Torrance, CA 90503
Canada: Call 1-800-463-7766 Epson Canada, Ltd.
550 McNicoll, Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2EI Fax 416-498-4574
Latin America: Call 1-305-265-0092 Epson Latin America Inc.
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Specifications are subject to change without notice. Epson is a registered
trademark and EPSON Stylus is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation; EPSON
Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and
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Star Emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
Copyright 1996 Epson America, Inc. CPD-3552 50M 8/96 CG
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
Judge Tells AOL To Stop Blocking Junk Mail
Scientologists Fight For Copyright Protection On Net
Hughes Seeking To Expand Satellite Empire
IBM Ups The Ante In Banking, Network Computing
Copyright Law Archived On The Net
New Angle On Web Surfing
Netscape Targets Intranet Market
Congress, Not The Courts, To Resolve Copyright Issues
Sega Opens Virtual Theme Park In Europe
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Wired World Will "Diminish National Sovereignty"
Web Site Suit Dismissed
Banks Join IBM To Offer Home Banking Services
FlashPix Are No Flash-In-The-Pan, Says Sculley
Toshiba Offers New Line Of Desktop Systems
Dell Slashes Server Prices
Bell & IBM Sign Deal
Corel's New PDA, WordPerfect for Java
Oracle CEO Predicts Phone Companies Will Offer NCs
Internet Archive
Cracker Attack Paralyzes Panix
IBM Global E-Commerce Alliance
Network Solutions Contemplates Public Offering
IRS Scraps Cyberfile
Faster, Cheaper Alpha Chips From Digital
Speedier Modems From U.S. Robotics, Rockwell
U. Of Arizona Forms Alliance With Lucent Technologies
Iomega Signs Zip Drive Licensing Deal With Matsushita
MCI Targets Mid-Size Businesses
SGS-Thomson Takes Aim At DVD Piracy
CNN Sends News Briefs To Pagers
IBM Voice-Recognition Software
JUDGE TELLS AOL TO STOP BLOCKING JUNK MAIL
Pending a trial scheduled for mid-November, a federal judge has ordered
America Online to refrain from blocking delivery of unsolicited e-mail sent
by Cyber Promotions Inc. AOL had refused to accept messages from sites used
by Cyber Promotions because they were the source of hundreds of thousands of
unwanted mail delivered to AOL subscribers. AOL is appealing the judge's
order. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 7 Sep 96 E3)
SCIENTOLOGISTS FIGHT FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ON NET
Police investigators in Helsinki say the Internet "anonymous remailer" site
anon.penet.fi was shut down partially because of a copyright dispute with
the Church of Scientology (and not because the site was a primary conduit
for child pornography, as was previously reported). The Church of
Scientology, which has been successful in convincing the courts that its
teachings are validly copyrighted material, was pursuing an individual who
used the anonymous remailer site to post Scientology texts without the
Church's permission. The operator of the site decided to close it down
rather than reveal the individual's name to Helsinki police. The Church
says it was not opposing the existence of the server: "We have no opposition
to there being anonymity for private, consensual communications. What we
oppose is using anonymous servers for the purpose of permitting criminal or
other unlawful acts." (New York Times 6 Sep 96 C2)
HUGHES SEEKING TO EXPAND SATELLITE EMPIRE
General Motors' Hughes Electronics Corp. is pursuing deals with two satellite
companies that would greatly expand the company's global footprint at an
estimated cost of $4 billion. Hughes is negotiating a $3 billion acquisition
of PanAmSat, which already spans 98% of the world and by 1998 plans to have a
total of eight satellites offering a variety of electronic feeds. A
separate arrangement with Nethold, a Netherlands-based supplier of satellite-
television services, would cost an additional $1 billion. "Hughes is making
a very, very big statement" about its interest in dominating global services
for television, video, telephone and data services, says a British satellite
consultant. The proposed satellite and broadcast system would be second in
size only to Intelsat, the international satellite consortium. (Wall Street
Journal 6 Sep 96 A3)
IBM UPS THE ANTE IN BANKING, NETWORK COMPUTING
IBM has formed a consortium comprising more than a dozen major banks, aimed
at providing consumer banking services over the Internet. The alliance,
dubbed the Integrity project, will be owned equally by IBM and each of the
partners. Financial institutions will be able to use IBM's worldwide private
network in addition to the Internet to enable customers to do their banking
online. (Investor's Business Daily 9 Sep 96 A21) Meanwhile, IBM unveiled
its $700 Network Station, which is expected to hit the shelves later this
year. It is the first network computer to be offered by a major computer
maker. Other NC manufacturers include Acorn Computer, Akai Electric, Funai
Electric, Idea, Olivetti, Uniden and Wyse Technology. (USA Today 6 Sep 96
B1)
COPYRIGHT LAW ARCHIVED ON THE NET
The Stanford University library is working with the Council on Library
Resources to compile an electronic archive of information on copyright law
in an effort to keep educators and others aware of the ongoing debate over
the "fair use" doctrine. The Stanford site < http://fairuse.stanford.edu >
contains the full text of court decisions, legislation and international
copyright agreements, as well as related articles on the topic. (Chronicle
of Higher Education 6 Sep 96 A42)
NEW ANGLE ON WEB SURFING
BroadVision's new Web site, called The Angle, features the company's One-To-
One intelligent agent and WebPoint content management technologies. "What
intranets are looking for are ways to help users of their site get
information they need, and are entitled to, quickly and efficiently without
too much surfing," says the company's CEO, who touts his service as an
efficiency-booster for corporate technology managers. Unlike its rival,
Firefly, which is used to direct music seekers to selections they might like
based on similar buyers' tastes, the One-To-One agent software is built on
rule-based reasoning. BroadVision is considering licensing Firefly's
technology, which uses a personalization algorithm to identify trends among
users and personal tastes, to expand its offerings. (Interactive Age
Digital 4 Sep 96)
NETSCAPE TARGETS INTRANET MARKET
Netscape's new AppFoundry offers a collection of canned applications
developed by other companies for Netscape's intranet software suite. "We
see AppFoundry being the first jumpstart kit for intranet development," says
Netscape's director of server product marketing. AppFoundry software
includes a job- listing program from Austin Hayne Corp., and software for
managing sales and marketing data from Sage Solutions, Inc., as well as
basic development tools from Next Inc. and Borland International Inc. "Most
of these applications would be considered examples to work from," says a
Gartner Group analyst. "No one gives away the store." Still, "This helps
solve the chicken-and-egg problem cropping up as companies build intranets -
- that they need applications and tools to make them useful," notes a Yankee
Group analyst. (Investor's Business Daily 9 Sep 96 A6)
CONGRESS, NOT THE COURTS, TO RESOLVE COPYRIGHT ISSUES
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is shifting gears in its drive to
resolve electronic copyright issues, and is now working with members of
Congress to develop a legislative solution to the issue of online service
provider liability, which has been a sticking point in efforts to pass new
copyright legislation. "We are looking for a way to define the nature of
the provision of mere telecommunications services, for which
telecommunications providers should bear no liability for copyright
infringement. We are trying to define where the dividing line is between
someone who actively engages in the provision of information versus someone
who is a mere conduit," says a senior legal counselor for the PTO. The PTO
originally believed these issues could be resolved through the court system,
but now says it will work with Congress and industry to develop legislative
solutions. (BNA Daily Report for Executives 4 Sep 96 A4)
SEGA OPENS VIRTUAL THEME PARK IN EUROPE
Sega, the Japanese games group, and Trocadero, a U.K.-based entertainment
company, is opening Europe's first interactive theme park as a retail and
entertainment complex in Piccadilly, London. Segaworld combines virtual
reality and advanced computer graphics to create interactive entertainment
instead of the movement on which traditional theme park rides rely. Sega
already operates two such parks in Tokyo and plans to open other ones in
Sydney and elsewhere. (Financial Times 7 Sep 96)
WHERE WIZARDS STAY UP LATE
The NY Times Sunday Book Review says the Hafner/Lyon book on the origins of
the Internet ("Where Wizards Stay Up Late") compiles a great deal of much-
needed information and "shows just how striking an innovation and
collaboration the Arpanet really was. One central focus of the book
(excerpted in the Sep/Oct Educom Review) is the contribution of the
brilliant psychologist and computer scientist J.C.R. Licklider, who
predicted an era when "human brains and computing machines will be coupled
... tightly, and ... the resulting partnership will think as no human brain
has ever thought and process data in a way not approached by the information-
handling machines we know today." (New York Times Book Review 8 Sep 96 p19)
WIRED WORLD WILL "DIMINISH NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY"
A leading Clinton Administration official on information security and
cryptography matters says that traditional notions of sovereignty, national
security and warfare will be undermined by the year 2020, when the whole
world is "wired" and e-cash is the norm. The result will be less powerful
governments in relation to criminal organizations such as the Mafia and
international drug cartels, says Michael Nelson, who adds that organized
crime members are already some of the most sophisticated users of computer
systems and strong encryption technology. In addition, computer crackers
will pose a more significant threat. In response, Nelson advocates resolving
the issue of whether unauthorized access of a computer is an "act of
trespass" or an "act of war," and prosecuting the intrusions accordingly.
(BNA Daily Report for Executives 6 Sep 96 A14)
WEB SITE SUIT DISMISSED
A federal judge in New York City has dismissed a trademark-infringement
lawsuit filed by the operator of the Blue Note jazz club against a Columbia,
Missouri music club of the same name. The Blue Note music club had used its
Web site to promote its business locally, the judge observed: "Creating a
site, like placing a product into the stream of commerce, may be felt
nationwide -- or even worldwide -- but, without more, it is not an act
purposefully directed toward (New York)." "What Judge Stein's ruling means
is that the operator of a regional business can't be hauled into court in a
remote place just because somebody thinks they've been hurt by a Web site,"
says the Missouri Blue Note club's attorney. The New York Blue Note plans to
refile its suit, arguing that its registered trademark to the name "Blue
Note" is being "diluted" by the Missouri club's use. (Wall Street Journal
10 Sep 96 B10)
BANKS JOIN IBM TO OFFER HOME BANKING SERVICES
IBM and seven large banks (NationsBank, Banc One, Bank of America, First
Chicago NBD, Fleet Financial, Keycorp, and PNC) have created a venture
called Integrion to compete with software companies such as Microsoft and
Intuit that provide home banking services. NationBank's president said that
if the banks hadn't joined this project, "we ultimately would be reduced to
commodity providers, and our own brands would disappear." Integrion will
develop standards for transactions but will contract most of the actual
processing. (New York Times 10 Sep 96 C2)
FLASHPIX ARE NO FLASH-IN-THE-PAN, SAYS SCULLEY
Live Picture, which counts former Apple Chairman John Sculley as one of its
investors, is hoping that its FlashPix technology will set the standard by
which all photographs will be stored on computers. FlashPix technology is
designed to trim the amount of time it takes to work with color pictures on a
PC, by making it ossible to work with only a small portion of the image file
and still generate high-quality results. Although FlashPix faces
competition from several PC software products already on the market, Sculley
predicts FlashPix will do for high-quality color images what desktop
publishing did for black-and-white layout. The technology also has an
Internet tie-in -- rather than sending an entire picture file across the Net,
users can send just a sampling of the file. Live Picture is collaborating
with Eastman Kodak, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard in its FlashPix venture.
(Wall Street Journal 9 Sep 96 B8)
TOSHIBA OFFERS NEW LINE OF DESKTOP SYSTEMS
Toshiba, best known for notebook computers, is now offering a line of desktop
machines called Infinia, made to operate like computer appliances, with
features such as radio-style dials to turn up the volume and push buttons to
control other computer operations. Infinia computers can play CDs, serve
as a phone answering machine, and receive TV and radio broadcasts. (New
York Times 10 Sep 96 C6)
DELL SLASHES SERVER PRICES
Dell Computer has priced its new line of computer servers as much as 50%
below comparable models. The new machines are based on Intel's Pentium Pro
processors and start at $3,799. (Wall Street Journal 9 Sep 96 B8)
BELL & IBM SIGN DEAL
Bell Canada and IBM Canada have signed an agreement worth hundreds of
millions of dollars to swap key Canadian operations. IBM will take over
data processing for Bell, while Bell will assume control over the operations
of IBM's data communications networks for such customers as Air Canada and
the National Bank of Canada. (Toronto Globe & Mail 10 Sep 96 B1)
COREL'S NEW PDA, WORDPERFECT FOR JAVA
Corel has developed a new generation of personal digital assistants (PDAs)
and is now seeking a manufacturer for the units. The Corel PDA will allow
users to browse the Web, do e-mail, etc. (Ottawa Sun 10 Sep 96 p18)
Meanwhile, the company will offer a public beta version of Corel WordPerfect
for Java later this month. The new WordPerfect for Java is written entirely
in Sun Microsystems' Java programming language and will be available at
Corel's home page < www.corel.com >. (Inform
ation Week 2 Sep 96 p24)
ORACLE CEO PREDICTS PHONE COMPANIES WILL OFFER NCs
Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison is predicting that some phone companies
will begin consumer trials of Internet appliances sometime during the next
six months, with the appliance being distributed to phone customers along
with communications services for one monthly fee. But Ellison warns that to
make the venture a success, phone companies will have to make surfing the
Web as simple as using a telephone. (Wall Street Journal 10 Sep 96 A7)
INTERNET ARCHIVE
A group of history-conscious Web surfers have created a nonprofit
organization to log and document information on the Web and make it
available for future historians. "We don't know what early TV looked like,
because no one was recording it," says the Internet Archive's president. "No
one knows in any real way what the Web looked like a year ago." The archive
can be found at < http://www.archive.org >. (St. Petersburg Times 9 Sep 96
p8)
CRACKER ATTACK PARALYZES PANIX
Repeated attacks by a computer cracker have virtually shut down New York's
Public Access Networks Corp., better known as Panix. The attacks have
overwhelmed the computers' capacity to respond to requests for an
"electronic handshake" by sending as many as 150 bogus requests a second.
"This is the first major attack of a kind that I believe to be the final
Internet security problem," says a Lucent Technologies Internet security
expert, who says he "has been waiting" for just such an event. Internet
computers have no quick way of distinguishing these bogus requests from
real ones, and even when security software is upgraded to ease the problem,
the crackers could respond with even more intense assaults. "There's going
to be the usual arms race," predicts the Lucent security expert, between
improved security measures and crackers' ability to disable them. (Wall
Street Journal 12 Sep B1)
IBM GLOBAL E-COMMERCE ALLIANCE
IBM has forged an alliance with Washington, D.C.-based Universal Business
Exchange (UNIBEX) to offer companies in various parts of the world access to
a secure electronic system for doing business with each other. The alliance
hopes to make international commerce easier for organizations using different
languages and different customs to communicate and trade. One key service
will be the ability to issue and administer electronic signatures on a
global basis, with UNIBEX administering the process and IBM providing the
technology. Other members of the alliance include the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, Deloitte & Touche, Dun & Bradstreet, Simon & Schuster and Chase
Manhattan Bank. The members will collaborate on content, services,
distribution channels and technology. (Investor's Business Daily 11 Sep 96
A5)
NETWORK SOLUTIONS CONTEMPLATES PUBLIC OFFERING
Network Solutions Inc. (NSI), the Herndon, Va., company designated by the
National Science Foundation (NSF) since 1992 to register Internet domain
names is showing signs of wanting to make a public stock offering. Critics
predict a furor among the Internet community if the company makes money from
"public funds," but NSF spokesperson Elizabeth Gaston say there is nothing
in the contract to preclude the company from taking such action, and NSI
chairman Michael A. Daniels says: "If anybody stops to think about it, the
original basis for Netscape was software developed in a government-funded
research project." (New York Times 12 Sep 96 A1)
IRS SCRAPS CYBERFILE
The Internal Revenue Service has pulled the plug on "Cyberfile" -- a system
designed to allow PC users to file their tax returns electronically over the
Internet. The agency has already spent $17.1 million of the $22 million
budgeted for the project. The IRS says it is "still committed to the concept
of from-home filing" and is expected to announce an alternative strategy in
the next couple of months. (Wall Street Journal 12 Sep 96 A2)
FASTER, CHEAPER ALPHA CHIPS FROM DIGITAL
Digital Equipment Corp. will debut a high-speed, third-generation Alpha
microprocessor that runs twice as fast as the current 500 MHz Alpha chip.
(Wall Street Journal 12 Sep 96 B4) Meanwhile, next year Digital will unveil
a low-priced Alpha geared toward the PC market. The new chip, developed in
collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Corp., will run about $400 and will
be more powerful than the lowest-priced Alpha chip available today.
(Investor's Business Daily 12 Sep 96 A7)
SPEEDIER MODEMS FROM U.S. ROBOTICS, ROCKWELL
U.S. Robotics and Rockwell International are planning new modems with speeds
up to 56 kbps a second, almost double the speed of the fastest rate now
available. The new devices should be available by the end of the year,
although their top speed initially may be less than 56 kbps. (Wall Street
Journal 12 Sep 96 B11)
U. OF ARIZONA FORMS ALLIANCE WITH LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES
The University of Arizona and Lucent Technologies have formed the UA/Lucent
Technologies Alliance for Learning. The Alliance will collaborate on
creating a "virtual classroom" and designing instructional software tools
and collaborative environments based on users' personal learning styles,
interest and real-world needs. In addition, the Alliance plans to develop a
user-friendly multimedia administrative system and integrate UA's telephone,
data and video equipment and services into a multimedia network connecting
buildings, homes and businesses. (The Heller Report Sep 96)
IOMEGA SIGNS ZIP DRIVE LICENSING DEAL WITH MATSUSHITA
Iomega Corp. has signed a deal with a unit of Matsushita Electric Industrial
Corp. allowing Matsushita to produce compatible versions of Iomega's popular
Zip drive. The additional production capability is expected to boost Zip's
bid for becoming the industry standard for removable drives. Currently,
seven major vendors are using the Zip drive in some of their PCs. (Wall
Street Journal 11 Sep 96 B4)
MCI TARGETS MID-SIZE BUSINESSES
The new networkMCI Enterprise Management service will build, manage and
maintain desktop computer networks for mid-size businesses, enabling them to
cut their annual computing costs as much as 70%. Clients pay a flat annual
fee of $2,700 per computer. The company figures it costs businesses
somewhere between $6,000 and $12,000 annually per desktop user. (Wall
Street Journal 12 Sep 96 B4)
SGS-THOMSON TAKES AIM AT DVD PIRACY
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics has developed a computer chip that prevents
would-be DVD pirates from making unlawful copies of movies from digital
video disc players. The chip scrambles the disk's coding if it's duplicated
on a VCR. (Investor's Business Daily 11 Sep 96 A6)
CNN SENDS NEWS BRIEFS TO PAGERS
Becoming the first major news organization to distribute its content through
wireless technology, CNN in Atlanta will provide national and international
news, sports scores, weather reports, stock prizes, almanac information, and
a news quiz to 600,000 alphanumeric pagers distributed by Dallas-based
PageNet. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 12 Sep 96 F1)
IBM VOICE-RECOGNITION SOFTWARE
IBM has developed voice-recognition software that can be used by
radiologists to prepare their reports. Running on a Microsoft Windows NT
operating system and a PC with a 200-megahertz Intel Pentium processor, the
software will recognize about 25,000 English words spoken in a conversational
tone, and system accuracy can be improved by training it to recognize an
individual's speech pattern. The system costs $12,000-15,000 and will be
useful in other specific disciplines where many of the same technical phrases
are repeated frequently. (New York Times 12 Sep 96 C)
Edupage is written by John Gehl (gehl@educom.edu) & Suzanne Douglas
(douglas@educom.edu).
Voice: 404-371-1853, Fax: 404-371-8057.
Technical support is provided by the Office of Information Technology,
University of North Carolina.
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
The CAUSE organization's annual conference on information technology in
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conference will bring together administrators, academicians and other
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Educom -- Transforming Education Through Information Technology
Memory Lane
Last Week's picture was of Charles F. Johnson, an accomplished professional
musician. Charles recently completed an extensive tour with Al Jerrau. He
also is an experienced programmer and the "other half" of Codehead Software.
He was correctly identified by Margaret Tinsdale of California.
ú Each week, we'll present a different new photo for our readers to
identify.
ú Tell us who or what is in the photo.. then send us your answer to;
photo@streport.com
ú The first correct entry will be published in the following week's issue
along with the new photo to be identified.
NavCIS 1.8 STR Focus Dvorak to make the best BETTER!
Dvorak Development proudly announces
NavCIS v1.8 Upgrade with NavSprite
Off-line navigation never looked so good, or did so much, so easily!
(excerpt from included help (.hlp) file authored by Dvorak Development)
Many of you have been asking us for the next version of NavCIS... we're happy
to say, "version 1.8 is well under development". Read this carefully so you
can take advantage of the special pre-order upgrade offer and purchase the
new version of NavCIS and our new product --NavSprite-- at a substantial
discount.
NavCIS v1.8 and NavSprite offer you a powerful combination -- the ability to
get your data from CompuServe, and the ability to see that data in a truly
useful way. Imagine being able to keep track of stocks, breaking news
headlines, current weather, waiting e-mail, new files released on your
favorite forums, and much more, without having to lift a finger! Better yet,
regardless of what you're doing... NavSprite can show you the info you want
in a handy mini data window that can be placed wherever you want!
Special Notice!! STR Infofile File format Requirements for
Articles
File Format for STReport
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STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The amount
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not be caught in the old, worn out "downward compatibility dodge" we must
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Many grateful thanks in advance for your enthusiastic co-operation and input.
Ralph F. Mariano, Editor
STReport International Online Magazine
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
The Kids' Computing Corner
Computer news and software reviews
from a parent's point of view
Bug Explorers
Windows/Macintosh Hybrid-format CD-ROM
MRSP $34.99
for ages 4 and up
N-TK
18000 Studebaker Rd
Suite 200
Cerritos, CA 90703
310-403-0043
http://www.mrxsoftware.com (Memorex Software)
Program Requirements
IBM Macintosh
OS: Windows 3.1, Windows 95 OS: System 7.0
CPU: 486SX/33 CPU: LCIII
HD Space: 2 MB HD Space:
N/A
Memory: 8 MB Memory: 8 MB
Graphics: 640 by 480 with 256 colors Graphics:
256 colors, 13" monitor
CD-ROM: Double-speed CD-ROM: Double-speed
Audio: 8-bit Windows compatible sound card
Other: mouse
reviewed by Frank Sereno
Kids love bugs. If it crawls, squirms or buzzes, children will try to catch
it. Bug Explorers is a fun and light-hearted approach to entomology that
encourages children to use their natural curiosity about bugs to learn. This
program has nine activity areas to delight and educate your child in this
well-rounded package. It includes exercises that teach the alphabet,
counting, deductive reasoning and music skills.
The main screen shows nine bugs that are the links to the activities. Just
click on a bug and off you'll be on your way. Winston the walking stick is
the host for a multimedia exploration of bugs. Just click on the bugs to
view informative movies about each one. A child could spend many hours
visiting the different insects. Next we have Buzz the spelling bee. He
offers two movies for your child's viewing pleasure, one on insect physiology
and another on flowers. He has three learning activities. You can pick
objects whose names begin with certain letters to learn the alphabet and
expand your vocabulary. Another activity is a variation of Hangman.
Finally, he will show an object and the player must spell it. Scout the ant
is the link to the bug identification game. A magnified portion of a bug
will be shown in the center of the screen while smaller, whole pictures
surround it. Scout will describe the animal in some detail, then the player
must chose the matching picture.
Radar the dragonfly is the key to playing a concentration game. Sixteen
cards are turned faced down. Players have the option of matching identical
pictures or matching the name of a bug to its picture. Buttercup the
Butterfly is the player's link to a collection of QuickTime movies of bug
collectors showing their insects. Lady Bugg is the host for the Bug Toon
Network, a selection of classic cartoon shorts that you can view. Daddy-O
Spider teaches art appreciation in Daddy-O's Art Studio. He has three
activities. Daddy-O Dots is a connect the dots game that helps children to
learn how to count. Number Fun is a paint by numbers activity that helps
children to learn and recognize numbers. His final activity is Bugs to
Color. Children expand their creativity by making their choice of colors for
the paintings.
Flash the Snail is the host of the Puzzle Path. He has three different types
of puzzles for players to solve. First, he has a scrambled puzzle that you
can click on squares and move them to the proper position. In the second
type of puzzle, you take pieces from off the board and place them on the
grid. This has two options. In younger child mode, the program will
highlight where to place each piece. In older child mode, you must answer a
question correctly to place the piece. The final puzzle asks you to mix and
match body parts to make a particular bug or you can just create exotic bugs
for your own entertainment. The final activity area is hosted by Ludwig Von
Cricket. This area features music. You can play and record your own
compositions using a variety of musical instruments including piano, flute,
cow, pig and dog! You can also learn songs from the songbook or you can play
a follow the leader game.
Bug Explorers allows children to learn at their own pace. It features
learning through discovery and exploration. It is not a bug encyclopedia,
but more like a learning tree. Children can explore branches at their own
leisure. The program is filled with lots of interesting information but it
cannot be accessed directly by a search engine. If you are looking for that
type of program, you should consider Knowledge Adventure's Bug Adventure.
The QuickTime videos are a bit grainy and the sound synchronization is bad.
The still graphics are very attractive with bright colors and much detail.
The sound portion of the program is very entertaining with some great songs
and wonderful narratives. The interface is very simple to use. The program
has many games that should prove entertaining across a broad range of ages.
It is also features a varied and well-rounded educational content. The
program is not limited to a study of bugs, but also includes music, spelling
and math activities.
On the negative side, while the cartoon shorts are very entertaining, they
are very misinforming. These old cartoons are based on exaggeration and I
feel that parents and teachers will have to explain to young children that
termites cannot eat a house in half a minute!
Overall, Bug Explorers is a good value. It provides plenty of bug
information along with fun activities. If your young children are fascinated
by creepy crawlies and flying insects, then Bug Explorers will be a welcome
addition to your software library.
Ratings
Graphics 7.5
Sound 9.0
Interface 9.0
Play Value 9.0
Educational Value 8.5
Bang for the Buck 9.0
Average 8.6
Computer Gaming & Entertainment Section
STReport Feature
Dana Jacobson, Editor
From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
This has been a busy and disappointing week. As you'll read further
along in this section, the Boston Computer Society (BCS), the oldest and
largest computer users group, has folded after 19 years of operation.
Although a member myself for just the past couple of years, the BCS has been
an influence on my Atari computing experience. I've known many BCS/Atari
members since 1987, when I started using my ST for telecommunications and
called the BCS/Atari BBS and other BCS-affiliated boards. In fact, I have
incorporated the BCS/Atari groups and BBS-sponsorship into my own personal
BBS for the past two years after the old BBS went offline.
But more importantly, it was through my interaction with BCS members
that I got my first experience with an AtariFest. A number of people from
the various Boston-area Atari groups got together to put on an Atari show in
Boston. The BCS had sponsored an incredible Atari show in 1987 (one of the
largest shows ever sponsored for Atari users in the U.S.) and it was felt
that another one was long overdue. With the BCS backing the show, we worked
together to organize and put on a terrific show two or three weeks before the
WAACE show that year. We didn't know what having these two shows so close
together was going to do each other, but it turned out it didn't hurt either
show's attendance. Both were incredible that year; that was my first WAACE
show, as well! What an experience, though. I tried to make every Atari show
on the east coast after that. The only ones I missed were the Asheville
shows - just a little too far to drive. But I did make all of the
Connecticut and WAACE shows until they stopped. But, the New England
AtariFest '90 in Boston will always be a personal favorite - thanks to the
BCS and a few of us who worked hard together to make it happen.
The other BCS major event that I will always remember was Atari's
unveiling of the Falcon030 computer. Meeting or seeing again many Atari
luminaries such as Sam Tramiel, Bill Rehbock, Richard Miller, James Grunke,
Bob Brodie, and others was memorable. And, I'll never forget Sam's "We've
learned from our past mistakes..." speech; I still have that tape! Those
were the days... The BCS supported every computer platform and niche
specialty, even after being orphaned. Although I only really cared about the
Atari side of the organization, the BCS played an integral role in many
computer users' lives. Its heyday gone, it's no longer. But, there are the
memories...
Until next time...
BCS History! STR Focus
Boston Computer Society Ends 20 Year History of Service;
Mission Accomplished
BOSTON, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of The BostonComputer
Society (BCS) last night unanimously voted to cease theoperations of the
non-profit organization and dissolve the corporation. The Board reached this
tough decision after discussions with members and a review of the past and
future role of the Society.
In announcing the decision, Arthur Nelson, Chairman of the Board, said "The
Boston Computer Society has succeeded in its original mission of helping
thousands of early adopters and new users understand and use computers. For
almost twenty years, the BCS has occupied a pivotal and influential position
in the history and growth of personal computers, both in this community and
nationally."
While the BCS as a legal entity will dissolve, some of the individual
elements of the BCS may form new organizations, or may join with other
existing groups. Today the BCS is stopping all programs and services
operating out of its Cambridge and Waltham offices. Electronic Services,
including members' e-mail accounts, will continue for 30 days. The Society
hopes to arrang with other user groups and companies to offer its members a
variety of alternative services and programs to ease the transition for them,
and will communicate those offers directly to its membership within a few
weeks.
Frank Smith, Interim Executive Director, commented "The Boston Computer
Society activists, staff and Directors over the last 20 years should take
great pride that their efforts have contributed so profoundly to the growth
of the personal computer industry and to helping so many individual users."
Boston Computer Society Logging Off
WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The Boston Computer Society, the world's
oldest and largest computer organization, is disbanding immediately, the
group said Thursday. The Waltham, Mass., based BCS said it was founded at a
time when there was a vacuum of information and services for personal
computer users, but now, 19 years later, it says it has "succeeded in its
mission."
Since the group was founded by then 13-year-old high school student Jonathan
Rotenberg, computers have gone from playthings for brilliant nerds to
essential tools in society. Contributing to the decision to dissolve was a
sharp decline in dues-paying members that has led to acute financial
problems, said interim Executive Director Frank Smith.
The group had a peak membership of 31,000 in 1989, but now has an estimated
18,000 members. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, BCS lost $125,000
and had a net balance of zero, Smith said. "Membership is dropping because
fewer and fewer people are finding the BCS relevant," Smith said. BCS also
offered dozens of classes and meetings, ran a computer bulletin board and
published three magazines.
The society had the reputation as the place to go to see the latest in
computer software and hardware, and major corporations had used BCS meetings
to make major product announcements. "The simple answer is the BCS started
when there was a vacuum of information and services for PC users," Rotenberg
said. "That vacuum has now been filled, starting with the Internet, and
hundreds of publications, support built into software and systems,
consultants and on-site experts." Board member Louise Saccoi said that what
happened is that "When I joined the BCS, the mission was to demystify
computers. Computers are demystified."
New Nasties STR Infofile
Info on Two New Atari Viruses: Pharaoh & Carpe Diem
From: Richard Karsmakers (cronos@worldaccess.nl)
Below you will find descriptions of two new viruses that have appeared on the
Atari platform, analysed and included in the "Ultimate Virus Killer" version
6.9 in the past few days. This has been posted earlier, but some people have
requested this info to be re-posted. So here goes...
Name: Official name of the virus. When several different versions of one
virus exist, their difference is indicated by one additional character - "A"
for the earliest or most widely spread version, "B" for the next, etc.
Type: The description of the virus fitting the most common virus
classification.
Discovery date: The date when the virus was earliest reported to be seen. If
the discoverer is known, his/her name is added between brackets.
Virus can copy to drive(s): This indicates to which drives the virus can copy
itself. "Current drive" implies that the virus copies to the drive that is
currently in se of the ones listed.
Virus attaches itself to: Here it is mentioned which system vector(s) the
virus attaches itself to. When indicated to be 'undocumented reset-proof',
this refers to the undocumented method for programs to become reset-resistant
through the $12123456 method.
Disks can be immunized against it: Informs of whether a virus cannot be
immunized against, or whether it can be immunized against. In the latter
case, it is indicated how one can immunize against it. The format of the
immunization method is: Offset (hexadecimal), Byte/Word/Longword, and the
hexadecimal value expected at that offset.
Disks can be immunized with UVK: Indicates whether or not a particular
virus' immunization was capable of being including in the "Ultimate Virus
Killer" advanced immunization method.
What can happen: Lists the effect that the virus is programmed to cause to
occur.
When does that happen: Specifies when the above will happen (ahem).
Reset-proof: Tells you whether or not the virus can survive a warm reset.
Can copy to hard disk: Tells you...er...well...this is pretty obvious,
actually.
Remarks: Here all the other things worth mentioning are summed up.
Virus #94
Name: Pharaoh Virus.
Type: Memory-resident reset-proof bootsector call virus.
Discovery date: Spring 1996.
Virus can copy to drive(s): Current floppy drive (A or B).
Virus attaches itself to: Hdv_bpb, resvector and undocumented
reset-resistant.
Disks can be immunized against it: Yes, though it is not known exactly how.
Immunizable with UVK: Very likely. It copies to none of the immunized disks I
tried to have it infect.
What can happen: Noise is made, as well as a high frequency sound.
When does that happen: After five copies have been made.
Resetproof: Yes.
Can copy to harddisk: No.
Remark: A particularly devious virus, which uses two 32-bit random values to
double-encrypt itself. It can also start at 13 different locations in the
bootsector, and the initial instruction can be one of 2048 different ones.
This results in a total of (2^3) * (2^32) * 13 * 2048 different versions
that it can make of itself (when multiplied that's 4.9112611*10^23...). It
is also MS-DOS mimicking.
It was sent to me anonymously, with an Arnhem (Netherlands) postmark. The
virus is Falcon-compatible but does not copy to high density disks. As it
fiddles around with BPB FAT values, programs such as "FCopy" and "Knife ST"
may fail to operate properly on infected disks because they may find the
manipulated BPB values hard to swallow.
It is also known as "The Curse Virus" or "Klatwa Virus" (this is Polish for
"Curse", and was used to make it appear as if it was written in Poland).
Disks once infected with the "Pharaoh Virus" will never be completely regular
because of the virus having rearranged various values in FAT and BPB. Copy
all files you need to retain off them, then perform a soft or hard format,
and copy the files back.
Virus #95
Name: Carpe Diem Virus.
Type: Memory-resident reset-proof bootsector virus originating from a Trojan
Horse.
Discovery date: Spring 1996.
Virus can copy to drive(s): Current floppy drive (A or B).
Virus attaches itself to: Hdv_bpb, resvector, vbl and undocumented
reset-resistant.
Disks can be immunized against it: No.
Immunizable with UVK: No.
What can happen: The text "BO[BJOF" appears at the top left of the screen.
Your computer can crash. When does that happen: The text is displayed 2048
vertical blanks after system start-up (on a 50 Hz colour monitor that would
be after about 40 seconds). The crash can (and will) happen any time after
that. Resetproof: Yes.
Can copy to harddisk: Yes, but only in a file form ("~.PRG", see below).
Remark: This virus has an interesting history. It originally came in a ZIP
archive called "CARPDIEM.ZIP". It contained a file called "CARPDIEM.PRG"
(normally 91,750 bytes in size) and a small text file with the contents
"Sease the day, and run this great falcon enhanced game!!" (sic). Upon
running this 'game', nothing would appear to happen (though a quick eye would
see the text "Ruth Marcs Development Inc. (Dedicated to the memory of Lucky
Lady)" flicking on and off the top of the screen). The 'game' wouldn't run,
and the desktop would be displayed again. The virus, however, would have
installed itself in memory and on the current floppy disk, and would have
written the "~.PRG" file (see below) in C:\AUTO\. Useless, the
"CARPDIEM.ZIP" file and related items would be thrown away. So this virus
actually arose from what is commonly known as a "Trojan Horse". Even if
you'd get rid of all virus occurrences on floppy disks, the "~.PRG" file
would reinstall it[self] on floppy every time you reboot. Likewise,the
floppy version of the virus would reinstall the "~.PRG" file! So it is quite
impossible to let the "Ultimate Virus Killer" on its own completely get rid
of the virus for you.
HOW TO PROPERLY GET RID OF THE "CARPE DIEM VIRUS".
You have to remember that, on an infected system, there are a potential
number of three copies of the virus: One on your floppy disk, one in the
hard drive C:\AUTO\ folder and one in memory.
These are the steps:
1) First you have to reboot without a disk, or with a disk that is guaranteed
to be virus free. Turn your system off for half a minute. This will get rid
of two of the possible three copies of the virus in your system (in memory
and on floppy). Make sure the floppy disk is write-protected.
2) Turn your computer back on. Press [CONTROL] during the booting process.
This way - at least with the Atari hard disk driver - the hard disk will be
installed and accessible, but the programs in the \AUTO\folder will *not* be
executed. If you have another hard disk driver installed, simply try to
bypass hard disk installation altogether (pressing [CONTROL], [LEFT SHIFT]
and [ALTERNATE] simultaneously usually ought to do the job) and install the
hard disk driver from floppy. This, too, will not install any of the \AUTO\
folder programs. If you have a Claus Brod hard disk driver installed, all you
need to do is simply boot off another partition, like D:.
3) Now you have to get rid of a file called "~.PRG" in the \AUTO\ folder of
hard disk partition C:. It can't be located anywhere else. Unfortunately,
the file is hidden. That means you can't delete it until you can see it,
and you can't normally see it. There are probably quite a few ways to delete
it:
i) With "GfA Basic". Go into "direct mode", "chdrive" to drive C and "chdir"
to the \AUTO\ folder. Now, with "files", you can display the full directory,
including hidden files. You can now use the "kill" command to delete
"~.prg".
ii) With the alternative file selector "Selectric". Turn the "display
hidden" option on, and smply delete the file from "Selectric" itself.
"Selectric" can be started from the desktop, without needing to start it
from the AUTO folder. You might have to switch to a higher resolution
first, though.
iii) In the absence of the two options mentioned above, you can use any
command line interpreter (such as "COMMAND.PRG"). These may not allow you to
delete the file, but this is no problem. Using the "ren" command you can
rename the file, for example to "file.xxx". This will not remove the file
from the \AUTO\ folder, but will render it completely harmless - after all,
only programs with the "prg" extension are executed when the \AUTO\ folder is
invoked.
4) Now, with a clean and uninfected system, you can get rid of all
occurrences of the virus on all your floppies with the "Ultimate Virus
Killer".
IMPORTANT: The floppy-based version of the "Carpe Diem Virus" is recognised
without further ado. To recognize the tiny (1024-byte) "~.PRG" file from the
link virus check (both the "CARPDIEM.PRG" mother file and the "~.PRG" file
are recognised, regardless of what name they might currently have) you have
to set the lowest limit of the link virus check to 1 Kb (this will cause only
files below 1 Kb not to be scanned). By default, this value is set to 3 Kb,
which would cause the "~.PRG" file to be skipped. The lowest link virus
check limit can be altered by means of the "UVK.CNF" file (see the
appropriate manual section). A line containing ".001" (without the quotes)
added at the end of the file (using a text editor, for example) will do the
job.
Richard Karsmakers cronos@worldaccess.nl
C.R.I.M.E. Development; "Twilight World" Magazine; WWW-MMM
P.O. Box 67, 3500 AB, Utrecht, Netherlands
"Who is General Failure and why is he reading my disk?"
Show Circuit STR Show News
Deuce Atari Show
DEUCE 96 Press Release
The Atari Users of North Texas (A.U.N.T.) once again is hosting our Atari
Computer Exposition in conjunction with the monthly DFW Xchange
Corporation's Xchange Saturday activities at the beautiful Infomart
facilities in Dallas, Texas. DFW Exhange Underground Computer Expo (DEUCE 96)
will take place on Saturday, October 12 starting at 8:30 AM and running until
4:00 PM. The Xchange Saturday activities and DEUCE 96 are open to the general
public and admission is free.
The Xchange Saturday is a monthly computer extravaganza which draws several
thousand computer enthusiasts together to share their computer interests and
enjoy some of the best computer hardware and software buys in north Texas. Of
course, this October is special for us Atarians because many of our finest
developers and dealers are participating in the activities.
The Dallas Infomart facility, a replica of the famous 1895 World Fair Crystal
Palace, is located in the heart of the Dallas Commerce District at 1950
Stemmons Freeway (I-35E). The facility is leased by the DFW Xchange
Corporation each month to provide a community service to all computer users
in the Metroplex area. The Atari Users of North Texas is one of many
participating user groups that help support this community service by sharing
our Atari computer interests, general computing expertise and providing users
assistance to our local Atarians and the general public.
For more information regarding DEUCE 96 you can contact David M. Acklam at
(214)242-9655 or on-line at d.acklam@genie.com. You can also contact Lonnie
Webb on line at http://www.fastlane.net/~lwebb.
The Couragous Few STR Spotlight
IC Magazine - The Final Arrangements
Launch Date!
Issue One will now be released on 30 September 1996
A fortnightly printed newsletter dedicated to the Atari ST platform of
computers in the UK. Each issue will be approximately 3 A4 pages and
available through subscription only. The name of our publication will be IC
magazine (Independent Computing), which is appropriate because of the way the
Atari users are now only supported by a network of small businesses and
relatively free from the major multinational corporations.
The magazine's format
At risk of losing potential customers I've felt it important that the
magazine takes an unusual format, so that it compliments other available
magazines and diskzines instead of simply splitting readerships between us.
Therefore, I have decided that it will be available. Due to high costs of
regular distribution and lack of financial backing, the magazine will
initially be little more than a newsletter - only three A4 pages and self
mailing. The magazine will black and white and produced entirely on an Atari
ST running Calamus 1.09n, although the software will hopefully be upgraded
soon to SL.
Content
Due to its frequency, IC magazine will be largely news-based, although many
ideas have been received for possible features and regular columns. These
include: falcon coverage, s/ware and h/ware reviews, adverts, interviews,
general articles, programming, games, beginners, MultiTOS, Mint, help with
applications such as STik and Mintnet and comms/internet articles.
Costings and price
Whilst we have tried to keep prices down, and as we succeed in more
cost-cutting we shall push the extra funds back into improving the magazine,
the first three issues will be run to the following costs:
price of publication 50p
production costs 20p
distribution costs 20p
this leaves 10p to be re-invested in the magazine
I-C magazine will be available only as a 3 issue subscription for #1.50
Circulation. I am primarily concerned with getting the magazine up and
running and improving the editorial content and production routines. The
first three issues will thereforehave a low average distribution of just 15
people.
We should then be ready for a distribution drive to push the magazine's
circulation to 100 people per issue, then in the next three months to 500
people. In a years time we hope to be reaching over two thousand readers
every issue.
Subscription Rates
UK
1 issue 50p
10 issues #5
Other countries
This will have to be calculated. If you live outside the UK and would like
to subscribe please contact me immediately.
Subscription Application Form (please complete and return)
I would like...
{ }1 issue (50p)
{ }10 issues (#5)
...of IC magazine (please tick appropriate box).
Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone number:
Payment should be made by cheque for #sterling to 'M. Townsend'. Address:
Matthew Townsend, 117 Oakridge, Thornhill, Cardiff CF4 9BY. or for more
information Email: mabb23@dial.pipex.com
Please note - we reserve the right to refrain from publishing any issue
without prior notice. In this case, refunds would be made to a sum that is
seen as appropriate by the publisher. If I do not consider there to be
significant response to this notice I will definitely not go to press. In
other words, this magazine needs your support or it won't get off the ground.
Hope to hear from you soon, thank-you.
The Way It Was STR Feature
Newsbytes NewsReel - 12 Years Ago This Week
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 4 (Newsbytes) -- By Nick Gorski.
Twelve years ago this week these Newsbytes stories were filed: The Travails
of Tramiel; IBM Markdowns; Portable or Mobile?; and Tough Times For Robots.
These stories were taken from the extensive archives at the Newsbytes Website
at http://www.newsbytes.com
Jack Knows Jack!
Jack Tramiel of Atari issued his first public statement since taking over
Atari, and it was a dramatic one. In a written press statement, Tramiel
urges us to watch Atari become "a world leader" in the electronics world by
offering products at "rock bottom prices." In an all-out attack on Apple and
IBM, Atari will offer 8-, 16-, and 32-bit computers, the latter will be
priced below the Apple MacIntosh. Tramiel promises to have the machines ready
for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. Just how he is
going to do that, nobody knows. Clive Smith of the Yankee Group in Boston
believes it will be accomplished through a licensing deal with an outside
firm. There were o specifics on the new Atari computers offered by Tramiel's
press release. Atari also announced it is lowering the price of the Atari
800XL home computer (currently priced at $300) to a price competitive with
Commodore's 64. Meanwhile, Tramiel is pressuring Atari's former parent
company, Warner, to pay back the company's old debts. Several suits have been
filed to collect payments. Tramiel wants $50 million cash from Warner. SF
Chronicle reporter John Eckhouse says Warner is ready to pay to keep Tramiel
quiet.
Everything Must Go
IBM's high-end mainframe computers are on sale. Discounted 10 to 16 percent
are the 308X line of processors and disk drives. Sale prices amount to
$810,000 compared to $960,000. Everybody's now waiting for Honeywell,
Control Data, Sperry and Burroughs, among others, to slash their mainframe
prices. Analysts say IBM started the price war because of dwindling
competition. Storage Technology and Trilogy have dropped out of the
IBM-compatible mainframe arena. Only Amdahl and National Semi are still
making big-ticket IBM-compatible machines. In other IBM news, IBM confirmed
to the Knight-Ridder News Service that its prototype model of the PC/AT
computer was stolen from the Boca Raton, Florida facility months before it
was announced. Just how the unit was stolen, or why it was stolen, remains a
mystery. "We have no suspects," says IBM spokesman Rick Scott. Nor, he says,
does IBM have any reason to believe somebody is copying the computer...yet.
Portable, Mobile, Lugable?
Whatever you want to call those computers-to-go, here are a couple of surveys
to help. InfoCorp of Santa Clara predicts the portables will grow from $1
billion to $16 billion in sales by 1989. That translates from two million
sold this year to 13 million sold by 1989. Dataquest is a bit more
conservative. The San Jose-based company forecasts 5.5 million units sold by
1989. Just what is mobile or portable? Here's the Dataquest definition: It
must have its own power supply, a flat panel display of at least eight lins
by 40 columns, a standard language and interface, a full keyboard, and at
least 32 kilobytes of RAM.
The Birth of T2?
There's something of a strike against robots going on in the Soviet Union.
According to a report by Pravda, automatons are stacked in Soviet warehouses
because workers don't want to have anything to do with them.
Says a report in Reuters, "More than 25,000 robots have been produced in the
Soviet Union in the past three years...but output exceeds demand because
managers ignore orders to robotize production lines." The anti-technology
attitude may even get violent. The report claims many of the robots are
protected by wire fences and other security measures to protect them from
sabotage.
Jaguar Section
"Atari" Moves Again - The Final One?
Progress(?) Report! And More!
From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
It's interesting when hearing from people that you haven't talked with for
months on end, or even longer, when rumors start to turn into facts. A few
weeks ago, Kid's Corner Editor Frank Sereno passed along a few articles that
he came across on the Internet from a magazine (?) called The Happy Puppy
Press. There were rumors among the articles related to what was happening to
Atari around the time of the merger with JTS. The way in which the article
was written was very misleading and confusing. And, some of the information
that it contained "corroborated" a lot of things that I had heard, but was
unable to confirm.
These past few days, it's been busy at Atari's "new" headquarters on South
Mathilda Avenue. I emphasized "new" because Atari is no longer at that
address - they've moved again, to the JTS facilities. More changes? It's
pretty much confirmed that Jack Tramiel no longer has anything to do with the
day-to-day operations of Atari; John Skruch represents the only person with
any responsibility for Atari (in the U.S.). Atari U.K. is supposedly also
"active". The other three remaining "Atari" employees will be based at JTS.
It's my impression that they will be doing "JTS things" rather than anything
related to Atari. The Tramiel sons were "out" of the JTS circle of events
with the merger, and not part of any Atari functions, as well.
It appears that JTS is absorbing the remaining Atari staff, for what that's
worth, into the daily activities of JTS functions. A few weeks ago, I had
learned that John Skruch's primary responsibilities were relegated to
licensing duties. What functions in addition to those is unknown to this
editor. And what role Atari U.K. has is also unknown. But, as has been
reported in the past few weeks, Atari is gone. Tens of thousands of
remaining Jaguars, "x" number of remaining JaguarCDs, and "y" number of
remaining Jaguar carts and CDROMs lay in a warehouse. Anyone spot a newly-
built landfill on the outskirts of Sunnyvale? No, there isn't one (that I
know of!), but wouldn't it be interesting...
Anyway, it's obvious that there's little going on in the Jaguar arena these
days. While there are efforts going on to try to release some of the
finished Jaguar games collecting dust, Jaguar news has basically ground to a
halt. There will likely be occasional news and possibly a game or three to
report on when they ever see the light of day. My point? I'm currently
considering what to do with the Jaguar section of this column. In all
likelihood, barring any miracles, I'll move it into a general gaming or
entertainment area of STReport. In that fashion, we can cover ALL of the
gaming consoles in one centralized area. I say all, but likely it will
primarily covering the major players in the console marketplace today: the
Playstation and Nintendo 64. The Saturn is still a player, as well. This is
all in the discussion phase right now, but we will keep you appraised of its
progress. I hate not being able to focus on the Jaguar, but frankly, there's
little to talk about. I do see spurts of activity on the horizon with things
like Towers II, Breakout 2000, and even Battlesphere - but those items are
going to be few and far between, if at all. Rest assured, the Jaguar will
remain the favorite.
Until next time...
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
Sony Ships Nearly 2M PlayStations
Sony Computer Entertainment America reports that it has shipped close to 2
million PlayStation game consoles since the unit's introduction a year ago,
making PlayStation the best-selling next-generation video game platform.
Adding to Sony, the company and its third-party publishers have shipped
approximately 9 million pieces of software. "The PlayStation game console
is one of the most successful new products that the Sony Corporation has
introduced during the company's entire 50 year history," says Shigeo
Maruyama, chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Mitsubishi, Sega Start Net Games
A joint venture to provide game services using computer networks is being
launched by Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Sega Enterprises Ltd.
Reporting from Tokyo, the French Agence France-Press International News
Service quotes Mitsubishi officials as saying the company would take a 53
percent stake in the venture, called Virtual Game Centre KK, with Sega
holding 47 percent. The officials say the venture will have capital of
$917,000. "Those with access to electronic mail links can access the
venture's computer games, permitting personal computer owners to play with
other users," AFP reports.
Games Change Immune System?
A leading British researcher reports experiments show playing computer games
can briefly lift your immune system. Reporting from Birmingham, England, the
Reuter News Service quotes Dr. Phil Evans as telling the UK's largest annual
science festival that laboratory tests on volunteers asked to perform complex
mental arithmetic or test their skills in computer games showed their immune
systems were briefly "up-regulated."
However, Evans, studying how the immune system reacts to the challenges of
everyday life and fights off disease, said the effect was short-lived,
lasting only minutes. Speaking to a news conference at the British
Association festival, Evans said, "The immune system is constantly
fluctuating ... it is constantly going up and down and what it is trying to
do is maintain a balance. It would be premature to say we know what every
regulation upwards or downwards means ... But it is important to put a brake
on people who say that stress constantly down-regulates the system."
Evans said he used "up-regulates" rather than "boosts" to avoid giving a
misleading impression of the effect of challenges such as computer games,
adding the discovery could eventually help explain the link between stress
and illness. Says Reuters, "Instead of the common belief that major events
like divorce or bereavement depress the immune system, Evans said the effect
of such major crises could be to damage the immune system's ability to
regulate itself both upwards and downward." But research still is
preliminary, he said, adding, "We don't know much about it, what is exciting
is that in some circumstances (the immune system) does actually have an
upward regulation."
Jaguar Online STR InfoFile - Online Users Growl & Purr!
What an appropriate section for the following discussion and editorial
comment! Online activity, primarily on CompuServe's Atari gaming areas and
occasional Atari newsgroup areas, still "rages" over the recent inquiry by
Computer West's Peter Curry to obtain e-mail and fax numbers for Atari/Jaguar
dealers.
In and of itself, this appears to be an innocent request. And, I'm certainly
not trying to imply that it's anything more than that. However, the manner
in which the information was requested, along with the veiled comment of
"secrecy", people have reacted negatively. Of course, there are also those
who have taken on the role of "yea-sayers". Naturally, "debate" has ensued.
The key word in all of this is the "manner" in which the request was made. I
seriously doubt that anyone is concerned that Peter Curry, or any other third
party person, wants to continue to sell Atari/Jaguar products. No one can
fault anyone for wanting to see published, or publish themselves, any new
games for the Jaguar. Or the remaining Jaguar inventory with Atari. What
Peter Curry is contemplating is unknown except likely those he has been
contacting.
If he can't say, or would rather not - say so and make it undeniably clear.
Answer calls and e-mail and be up-front. By not doing so, the secrecy and/or
lack of information will lead to needless speculation and negativity. What's
the big deal, many have asked? That's simple. For how many years have Atari
users been led to believe that all is well and to maintain faithful - Atari
will be there for the userbase? Perhaps Curry is being overly cautious - who
can blame him? But, his repeated messages asking for help and unanswered
messages can only leave behind a bad taste and a sense of caution by those
who have seen these messages. And naturally, there's also a sense of
pessimism.
I believe Curry's intentions are honorable. And I also believe that those
who have reacted negatively would believe the same had Peter's requests been
made differently, and more openly. Let's hope that Peter has something
positive to report soon so we can all have something upbeat to look forward
to in the Jaguar arena.
Publisher Opinion
RE: Curry & Harker;
Last week I expressed my impressions relative the "Peter Curry Affair".
Unfortunately, 4Play's fearless leader and owner Tom Harker decided to "chime
in" to belittle my opinion and comments. Could it possibly be Harker & Co.
Have something to do with Curry's shtick too? Its sad to see a previously
recognized front-runner stoop to such low levels as common badmouthing. Our
comments and opinions are based upon our impressions, observations and the
input of our readers. Many had expressed serious doubts as to the validity
of "anything coming forth" relative to the Curry requests with his now
infamous "I've Got a Secret" noise.
Tom, here is more of my opinions just for you. After all, you earned
it. It seems your troll, T-Bird has yet to learn that his mouth has, single-
handedly, engendered more animosity toward 4Play and anything it has offered
or preached about offering. Further... Battlesphere... aka "BS" where is
it?? (The Initials seem to fit just right) What's up with the RSN babble
we've been reading hearing and seeing for the last umpteen months?? Talk
about vaporware this thing has to be "mother of all gas attacks." While I'm
at it.... what's with the name of the group?? 4Play tends to remind one of
the Hugh Hefner, Larry Flint set.... Why such a name?? Further, do you
really condone T-Bird's foul language on the Internet and the sick hammering
of Don Thomas on Genie?? For someone who's been around the business for as
long as you have been, the goofs you seem to have surrounded yourself with
leave a great deal to be desired. I might make one further observation...
the failure of the Jaguar to make serious market penetration can also be
heavily attributed to the lack of timely delivery on the part of third party
developers of promised products. The litany of which seemed to go on
forever. Of course, I do not expect that you or some of your cronies will
agree with this premise. After all, its so much more comfy to put all the
blame on the Tramiels.
Had Curry, for example, briefly outlined his plans for the now dead
Jaguar Console Platform, an entirely different and far more positive reaction
would certainly have resulted. Now, through the "grapevine" stories such as
a Jaguar Game Console with one controller and a pack-in game for $60.00.
Curry blew it... This deal (if its true) is a joke. It belongs in the heap
right along with all the Atari Press Releases. The heap is labeled
"kindling". If Curry would have been more "up front" these rumors would not
be running rampant now.
Oh well such is life... Curry will learn something from all this. As
for myself.... I can tell you this.. Had Curry been up front or, at least
returned phone calls, I most certainly would have supported his efforts to
continue support for the Jaguar. Perhaps he did me a favor. You see, I
never really believed the Jaguar was a true 64 bit gaming console. It may
have had the specs, but from its performance it NEVER lived up to the hype.
Maybe it really should be allowed to quietly Rest In Peace.
RFM
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
compiled by
Joe Mirando
CIS ID: 73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Boy, I'll tell you, it's been a slow week
here in the Atari Forums. I just hope that it's because everyone is either
on vacation or, like me, so busy that there just hasn't been time to post.
Heck, I've been so busy at work that I haven't even had time to reply to a
few friends who often send me email or programs that they've found on the
internet. I greatly appreciate their continued contact and friendship and I
hope that they don't get mad at me for slacking off.
One of those friends has just gotten several software-based Atari ST
emulators for PCs. He promised to give me a quick overview and let me know
what he thinks about them. And of course, when he tells me, I'll
tell you!
So, anyway, let's take a look at what _is_ being said right here on
CompuServe.
From the Atari Computing Forums
Will Dwinnell posts:
"You might be surprised to know that the Microsoft Network is moving from a
proprietary interface (that worked only in Win95) to an HTML interface, a
lot faster than CIS or AOL or Prodigy are... In fact, the switchover might
be completed by September, from what I hear." Actually, I believe that both
AOL and CompuServe are doing this as well."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Will:
"Microsoft expects a switch over by September? What year?? <grin> Seriously
it will be interesting to see how all online services work in the future
considering the internet."
Sysop Jim Ness adds his thoughts:
"CIS definitely is, and we expect to see some sort of "sample" of the new
interface by early next year. And, when I visited MSN yesterday, they
offered a sneak peak at their new interface - but the page crashed. CIS has
licensed the MSN technology, so there will be some similarities. I expect
each will tailor the look to differentiate themselves."
Last week Carl Katz asked about sending data files in email. He received
several replies telling him about the "Send Binary File" email option for
use on CompuServe. Then Sysop Bob Retelle asks Carl:
"Are you trying to e-mail the MIDI file to someone here on CompuServe, or are
you mailing to an Internet address..? Binary files CAN'T be e-mailed over
the Internet... you have to convert them to an ASCII format, using a
utility called UUENCODE first, then the receiver has to use UUDECODE to
return the file to its original form.
(The reason for all of this is that some hosts on the Internet which might
have to pass your e-mail along to its eventual destination can only handle 7-
bit data words.. not 8-bit binary data. By encoding the file into ASCII,
the data is converted into 7-bit characters which can pass through those
hosts correctly.) It's a pain, but it does work." Actually, there is a
program for the ST called ESSCODE64 that not only uses UUEncoding, but also
the newest format, MIME. MIME not only turns data into text, but also
compresses it so that it takes less space. This one is my choice for
sending data over the internet in email.
Anyway, Carl tells Bob:
"It was over the internet that I tried. I successfully sent myself a MIDI
file through Compuserve and am glad that you have confirmed my suspicions
about not being able to Email MIDI files through to the net."
Carl also asks:
"Does anyone have the number for TOAD computers. I'm trying to replace the
main drive on an old ST1040F (with the large eject button if I need to be
specific). I believe they have a 1 800 number."
Our friend and cohort, Dana Jacobson, delivers the info to Carl:
"David Troy --- ToadNet Information Services [dave@toad.net]
Toad Computers, Inc. (800) 448-8623 Orders
America's Atari Source (410) 544-6943 Info
WEB: http://www.toad.net/ (410
) 544-1329 FAX
FTP: ftp://ftp.toad.net/ (410) 544-6999 BBS"
How's that for complete information?
Over in the Atari Gaming Forum, Joe Ekaitis asks:
"So, what's the verdict on Tempest 2000 PC? Is it on the way to "a store
near you!" or on the way to the morgue?"
Fred Horvat tells Joe:
"I personally don't have a boxed copy but early 96 dealers were selling them
via mail order. I believe Video Game Liquidators was one such place.
Contact an Atari dealer and ask for it."
Well folks, I told you that posts had dropped way down. That's about it for
this week. Tune in again next time, same time, same station, and be ready
to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
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