Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Silicon Times Report Issue 1245
Silicon Times Report
The Original Independent OnLine Magazine"
(Since 1987)
November 08, 1996 No.1245
Silicon Times Report International OnLine Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
A subsidiary of
STR Worldwide CompNews Inc.
R.F. Mariano, Editor
Voice: 1-904-292-9222 10am-5pm EST
STReport WebSite http://www.streport.com
STR Publishing Support BBS
THE BOUNTY INTERNATIONAL BBS
Featuring: * 5.0GB * of File Libraries
Mustang Software's
WILDCAT! Client/Server BBS
Version 5 95/NT
Featuring a Full Service Web Site
http://www.streport.com
Voted TOP TEN Ultimate WebSite
Join STReport's Subscriber List receive STR through Internet
MULTI-NODE Operation 24hrs-7 days
Analog & ISDN BRI Access 904-268-4116
2400-128000 bps V. 120-32-34 v.42 bis
ISDN V.34 USRobotics Courier Internal I-MODEM
FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs
BCS - Toad Hall BBS 1-617-567-8642
11/08/96 STR 1245 The Original Independent OnLine Magazine!
- CPU Industry Report - Corel Draw 7 Ships - Acrobat a Winner!
- Comdex Fall'96 - WEB TV Backers - Net Links Lenders, IRS
- Tracking Smart Cash - Net Election Nite - FCC Rejects Telsat Bid
- WugNet Highlights - People Talking - Dana's Tidbits
Apple "Clarifies" New OS Reports
Lexmark Debuts Low-Cost Printer
Samsung Develops 1GB DRAM Chip
STReport International OnLine Magazine
Featuring Weekly
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
STReport's BBS - The Bounty International BBS, invites all BBS systems,
worldwide, to participate in the provision and distribution of STReport for
their members. You may call The STReport Home BBS, The Bounty @ 1-
904-268-4116. Or obtain the latest issue from our WebSite. Enjoy the
wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative
to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of the Internet. All
computer enthusiasts, hobbyist or commercial, on all platforms and BBS
systems are invited to participate.
** WEB SITE: http//www.streport.com **
CIS ~ PRODIGY ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ~ AOL
IMPORTANT NOTICE
STReport, with its policy of not accepting any input relative to content
from paid advertisers, has over the years developed the reputation of
"saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product
evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers
interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further
pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the
years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers
make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the
information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously
endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight
forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue.
The Publisher, Staff &
Editors
Florida Lotto - LottoMan v1.35
Results: 11/02/96: 6 of 6 numbers, 5 three number matches
From the Editor's Desk...
The Elections are over and now.. One thing that's good news though Al
"The Mouth" D'Amato has closed, dropped or, otherwise abandoned his "probe"
(witch hunt) of the White thing. They ought to find a way to investigate
this guy. there are some lurid stories back in Queens County NY everyone
would love reading. Back to computing news..
Comdex Fall '96 is creeping up on us once again with a veritable
guarantee that this year's edition is bringing plenty of information about
the Universal Serial Bus and the goodies designed for its use. Then comes
the new software and software updates. Hardware is a whole `nother story.
The big news these days are "NCs" Net Computers. About that spectre..
The Net Computer Craze.. As I see it; It's days are already numbered.
(As in 666) Who. in heaven's name would want their applications remotely
run from a central point?? This is, in our opinion, a ludicrous concept in
two major ways. First, it plays right into the sticky hands of "controls
freaks" the world over. and second, is there any one of us who can say,
without hesitation, that the telephone connections available to most of us
are all that reliable. In a quick but very blunt summary, the Net Computer
is for the birds. Its fairly obvious the market its intended for is, sad to
say, the "techno bimbos" of this world. Once they realize they spent good
money on a dead end "gimmick Internet device". they will more than make
themselves heard. Its sad to see a number of reputable companies getting
involved in the "Net Computer" "Grab Bag." More on this pending debacle
next week.
Ralph....
Of Special Note:
http//www.streport.com
STReport is now ready to offer much more in the way of serving the Networks,
Online Services and Internet's vast, fast growing site list and userbase.
We now have our very own WEB/NewsGroup/FTP Site and although its in its
early stages of construction, do stop by and have a look see. Since We've
received numerous requests to receive STReport from a wide variety of
Internet addressees, we were compelled to put together an Internet
distribution/mailing list for those who wished to receive STReport on a
regular basis, the file is ZIPPED, then UUENCODED. Unfortunately, we've
also received a number of opinions that the UUENCODING was a real pain to
deal with. So, as of October 01,1995, you'll be able to download STReport
directly from our very own SERVER & WEB Site. While there, be sure to join
our STR list.
STReport's managing editors DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Editor
Dana P. Jacobson, Editor, Current Affairs
Section Editors
PC Section Mac Section Beginner's Section
R.F. Mariano J. Deegan Lloyd E. Pulley
Gaming & Entertainment Kid's Computing Corner
Dana P. Jacobson Frank Sereno
STReport Staff Editors
Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin
John Szczepanik Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando
Doyle Helms John Duckworth Jeff Coe
Steve Keipe Victor Mariano Melanie Bell
Jay Levy Jeff Kovach Marty Mankins
Carl Prehn Paul Charchian Vincent P. O'Hara
Contributing Correspondents
Dominick J. Fontana Norman Boucher Daniel Stidham
David H. Mann Angelo Marasco Donna Lines
Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith
Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller
Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt
Ron Satchwill Leonard Worzala Tom Sherwin
Please submit ALL letters, rebuttals, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
CompuServe 70007,4454
Prodigy CZGJ44A
Delphi RMARIANO
GEnie ST.REPORT
BIX RMARIANO
AOL STReport
Internet rmariano@streport.com
WebSite http://www.streport.com
STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Apple 'Clarifies' New OS Reports
After grabbing headlines around the world yesterday with talk that it would
create a new operating system written from scratch, Apple Computer Inc. now
says the world must have misunderstood the comments of Chairman/CEO Gilbert
Amelio. As reported last week, Amelio was said to have told investors at
the American Electronics Association conference in Monterey, California, the
new operating system would leapfrog Microsoft Corp.'s competing family of
Windows software and be available as early as 1998, adding, "When you are
the minority player in the marketplace, as we are, you need something other
than market share to distinguish yourself."
However, in a "clarification" released last night from Cupertino,
California, Apple headquarters said Amelio actually "spoke about the general
future of operating systems," adding, "Contrary to the claims made in
several media reports, he did not announce a new operating system strategy
for Apple, nor make any new statements about microprocessor or product line
direction." Apple says, "At no point did Dr. Amelio signal a change in
direction for Apple's Mac OS strategy."
Adds the statement, "Apple did not announce a new operating system strategy.
Apple has stated that it will release incremental upgrades to the Mac OS and
is in the process of finalizing its long term operating system strategy and
will announce this by early 1997." Last week's reports quoted the Apple
chief as indicating the company would abandon the overhaul of its Macintosh
operating system, an effort code-named "Copland."
However, the later statement said, "Technologies previously worked on in the
Copland project will be integrated into future releases of the Mac OS. It is
wrong to characterize Apple's current OS development efforts as 'starting
from scratch.'"
High-Speed ISDN Modem Unveiled
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. says it plans to offer a new high-speed
ISDN modem this December. The company, based in Norcross, Georgia, notes
that its ACCURA ISDN unit features a maximum data throughput of 460K bps.
According to Hayes, the ACCURA ISDN supports up to six external analog
devices for sending data, fax or voice transmissions over a single ISDN
line, eliminating the need for redundant analog service. The product also
offers Windows 95 Plug & Play support and a Windows-based configuration
utility. "We're delivering a product for the '90s and beyond that will
satisfy any ISDN user's need for speed, functionality and ease-of-use," says
Bob Meara, Hayes' senior product manager for ISDN.
Hayes Ships Speedy PC Card Modem
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. has announced the availability of the
OPTIMA 336 for PCMCIA, its new 33.6K bps PC Card modem. The unit is priced
at $249. The Norcross, Georgia, modem maker has also cut the price of its
OPTIMA 288 for PCMCIA with EZjack and OPTIMA 288 for PCMCIA with standard
cable connector from $289 to $249. Additionally, current OPTIMA 288 for
PCMCIA users can download a 33.6K bps upgrade from Hayes Web site
(www.hayes.com) free of charge.
Pathfinder Personal Edition Opens
Time Inc. New Media says its Pathfinder Personal Edition Web service is
available now to all CompuServe members. The service will become available
to other Internet users starting Monday, November 18. For non-CompuServe
members, Pathfinder will charge a $4.95 monthly or $29.95 yearly
subscription fee for Pathfinder Personal Edition. As part of an
exclusive licensing agreement announced earlier this year between Time Inc.
New Media and CompuServe Inc., members of CompuServe's three branded
services -- Csi (formerly the CompuServe Information Service), WOW! and
Sprynet -- will be able to access Pathfinder Personal Edition at no
additional charge.
Pathfinder Personal Edition is a continually updated personalized online
news and information service. It is the only site on the Web that includes
material from Time Inc.'s magazines -- including TIME, Money, Sports
Illustrated, People, Entertainment Weekly and Fortune -- as well as The
Netly News and more than 30 newsfeeds, including the Associated Press,
Reuters, S&P Comstock and SportsTicker. Users can create their own online
custom editions tailored to their individual interests, or select from a
series of Pathfinder Editors' Editions, which are produced daily. These
Editors' Editions focus on topics of special interest, including news,
sports, money and business, entertainment, health and technology.
"What sets Pathfinder Personal Edition apart from other web sites and online
news services is leading edge technology combined with the world's best
editing and reporting," says Paul Sagan, President and Editor of New Media
at Time Inc. "When we created Pathfinder just over two years ago we set out
to find innovative ways of bringing news and information to an audience on
the Internet. The launch of Personal Edition is the next step, because it
brings users a personalized view of the world enriched by Time Inc.'s first-
rate journalism."
"Today's announcement clearly illustrates the advantage to consumers of
being part of a commercial online service like CompuServe," says Denny
Matteucci, CompuServe's president of interactive services. "Not only will we
pay the subscription fee for our members to take advantage of Pathfinder
Personal Edition, but we are also making it available to all of our members
first -- an exclusive value that no one else can match."
GO PATHFINDER [via CompuServe] for more information on Pathfinder Personal
Edition.
Internet Explorer for Mac Tested
A beta test version of its Internet Explorer Version 3.0 Internet browser
for the Apple Macintosh has been released by Microsoft Corp. It is available
for free over the Internet. Apple Vice President Heidi Roizen of the
computer maker's developer relations department told the Reuter News
Service, "Roughly one out of four Internet users accesses the Internet from
a (Macintosh-based) computer." The new Mac IE, which will be issued in a
final form by year's end, can be downloaded from Microsoft's World Wide Web
site http://www.microsoft.com/ie/). Microsoft released Internet Explorer
3.0 for its Windows 95 operating system in August, and a version for the
older Windows 3.x was finalized last month. An earlier version of the
Internet browser for the Macintosh system was released in April.
New Keyboard Developed
Darwin Keyboards Ltd. has developed a new keyboard that aims to simplify
both Web surfing and using PC software applications. The LaunchBoard is a
customizable keyboard that hot-links 15 function and DOS keys to specific
Web sites and applications. With the LaunchBoard, a single keystroke lets
users check out favorite Web sites and start or switch between applications.
"While most users have a long list of bookmarked Web sites, they typically
visit only five or six on a regular basis. In addition, most computers are
loaded with dozens of applications, but only a few are used every day," says
Allan Lichtenberg, co-founder of Darwin Keyboards, which is based in San
Francisco. "By putting these frequently-used Web Sites and applications
directly on the LaunchBoard, users can organize their cluttered computing
environments."
Besides logoed LaunchKeys, the LaunchBoard includes generic keys for a wide
range of categories. These keys include: Word Processor, Web Sites,
Spreadsheet, E-mail, Internet Service Provider, Personal Information
Manager, Fax Software, Graphics Program, Games and Financial Software. The
$69.95 LaunchBoard comes in Win 3.1 and Win 95 versions. A software-only
version, priced at $39.95, turns an existing keyboard into a LaunchBoard.
Darwin Keyboards' Web site is located at www.darwinkeyboards.com.
Gateway Offers Office 97 Upgrade
Gateway 2000 Inc. has begun offering coupons for no-charge upgrades to
Microsoft Office 97 Professional Edition on CD to customers who buy a
portable or desktop computer package that includes Microsoft Office 95
Professional Edition. The upgrade will be sent to customers at no charge
following Microsoft's release of Office 97 Professional Edition. Microsoft
Office 97 Professional Edition will include a suite of Microsoft business
applications, a streamlined user interface and tools for creating links to
the Internet. "This powerful 32-bit application suite is particularly well
suited to our Pentium Pro systems," says Rob Cheng, Gateway's vice president
of marketing.
Rockwell to Work on Modem
An alliance to develop a 56-kilobit-per-second modem has been firmed by
industrial conglomerate Rockwell International Corp. and Ascend
Communications Inc. Reporting from Seal Beach, California, United Press
International notes Rockwell and modem industry leader U.S. Robotics have
recently announced plans to ship the new devices, which carry nearly twice
as much data as the current top-of-the-line 28.8-kilobit modems, in January.
Also, AT&T spinoff Lucent Technologies has announced it will release a chip-
set designed to power a 56-kbps modem.
In the Rockwell deal, Ascend promises it will be the first remote access
vendor to deliver on the promise of providing 56K bps technology. Said
Ascend President Mory Ejabat, "We believe this technology can open the door
for a new generation of high-performance Internet and remote-access
applications, so our goal is to provide the most robust implementation and
the earliest deployment." UPI says the companies pledge the Ascend/Rockwell
modem will include a single-step conversion process of the analog signal to
a digital format, making the transmission clearer and faster than other
proposed 56K bps products.
Fujitsu Plans DVD-Driven PC
The world's first personal computer with an internal digital video-disk -or
DVD -- drive is being launched by Japan's Fujitsu Ltd. Reporting from
Tokyo, the Dow Jones news service says the new desktop computer model is one
of several new additions to Fujitsu's FMV Deskpower series. "All the
models," says DJ, "feature Pentium microprocessors made by Intel Corp.,
running at speeds of 133- to 200-megahertz, and feature multimedia
capabilities." DVD is a next-generation storage medium with a capacity of
up to 14 times that of compact disks, and is expected to eventually replace
videotape as well as CDs.
Iomega Readies Notebook Zip Drive
Iomega Corp. wants to place its popular Zip drive inside notebook computers.
The Roy, Utah, company says it's working on a new, slimmer Zip model. The
device will be 12.7 millimeters thick, allowing it to fit inside most
notebook computers replacing the traditional 1.44MB floppy drive. The Zip
drive stores up to 100MB of information. Iomega says the new drive will be
available to notebook computer makers by the second half of 1997.
Samsung Develops 1GB DRAM Chip
Samsung Electronics Co. say it has developed the world's first one gigabit
dynamic random access memory (1G DRAM) chip. The South Korean company notes
that it invested approximately $272 million to develop the ultra-small
device, capable of storing information equivalent to over 8,000 newspaper
pages or 400 still pictures. The 1G DRAM will be commercially available in
2002, with full scale production in 2005, says Samsung. "As the first to
successfully develop a fully working die of 1G DRAM, Samsung expects to
maintain our leadership position in the world memory product market until
early in the next century," says Y.W. Lee, president of Samsung
Semiconductor. "1G DRAM will play a key role in future generations of
personal computers, HDTV and multimedia products."
Lexmark Debuts Low-Cost Printer
Lexmark International Inc. has introduced a new sub-$200 color ink-jet
printer. The Lexmark 2030 Color Jetprinter, provides a sleek, futuristic
design and no buttons, since it is automatically activated and operated
entirely through interactive on- screen Windows displays. The $199 unit also
offers a 600 by 300 dpi and dual color and black ink cartridges. It prints
at up to three pages a minute in black draft and up to one page a minute in
draft color.
"The 2030 Color Jetprinter is the easiest color inkjet printer in the world
to use, making it ideal for student and home applications," says Matt
Zimmer, Lexmark's worldwide manager for product strategy. "Students can
print out everything from homework assignments to color reports to t-shirts
and greeting cards in the comfort of their home or dorm room and avoid the
common frustration of having to trek to school computer centers and battle
for a printer." The Lexmark 2030 Color Jetprinter is slated to become
generally available next week.
Web TV Backed by Six Firms
Oracle Corp.'s technology will be used by at least six major consumer
electronics firms in their appliances for tapping into the Internet from the
home. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Don Clark
says licensees of Oracle's Network Computer design include Thomson Consumer
Electronics, which said it will sell a $300 device under the RCA brand by
the spring of 1997 that will plug into televisions to let consumers cruise
the World Wide Web.
Also, Funai Electric Co., a major Japanese VCR maker, said it will sell a
$500 device by December that will work in homes or offices. Analyst Josh
Bernoff at Forrester Research notes there is still skepticism about living-
room access to the Internet, telling Clark that hurdle includes low
resolution of television screens and relatively slow communications
connections.
"Even Lawrence Ellison, chairman of Oracle," says Clark, "has publicly
questioned how many people will want to view Web pages on TV screens and has
recently stressed the use of network computers in business."
Nonetheless, firms are rushing in to the Web TV market. WebTV Networks Inc.
of Palo Alto, Calif., already has developed set-top boxes being marketed by
Sony Corp. and Philips Electronics NV. Amd Diba Inc. of nearby Menlo Park
also has announced agreements to sell Internet appliances.
Clark says Oracle's Network Computer Inc. subsidiary is betting on two major
trends. "The popularity of electronic mail could justify purchasing an
inexpensive piece of hardware," he writes. "Also, service companies
increasingly will broadcast personalized news and other information over the
Internet, so consumers won't have to try to find their way around the Web."
Other Oracle licensees include Akai Digital, of Japan, that said it will
ship a $349 device in the first quarter of 1997; Acorn Computer Group PLC,
of Britain, which is shipping devices in Europe for the home and office; and
Uniden Corp., which plans to introduce in 1997 a wireless device for tapping
into the Internet. And, Proton Industrial Electronic Co., of Malaysia, said
it will sell a $499 set-top device in 1997's first half, the Journal
reports.
U.S. Robotics to Cut Jobs
"A couple of hundred" jobs will be eliminated by modem market leader U.S.
Robotics Corp., though the spokeswoman confirming that report yesterday
declined to specify the exact number or what areas of the company would be
affected. "In terms of actual elimination of positions, it's a couple of
hundred of people," spokeswoman Karen Novak of Skokie, Illinois, company
told the Reuter News Service. "It's a process of managing our growth."
Novak said the company also is laying off people for performance reasons,
but those positions could be refilled. U.S. Robotics employs about 6,000
people and Novak said the number losing their jobs will not reach 600.
"It's not more than single digit (percent) of overall headcount," she said.
Analysts note the number of job cuts will be small compared with the 3,000
new jobs created at the company during the past year.
Site With Parole Info Criticized
Privacy issues are arising in New Jersey over a new Internet site that is
supposed to help the state's crime victims keep tabs on convicts coming up
for parole, a simple list with names and sentences. Critics question
whether it goes too far to bring online information about inmates trying to
rehabilitate their lives. In Newark, Lenora Lapidus of the American Civil
Liberties Union of New Jersey told Associated Press writer David Wilkison,
"There are concerns about the broad scope of the dissemination and the ease
with which this information can be obtained." Still, says AP, the ACLU
isn't expected to challenge the World Wide Web site
(http://www.state.nj.us/parole) in court.
"There is no apparent violation of inmates' constitutional rights -- the
information is public and doesn't include an address or other personal
information," says the wire service. Industry groups said they knew of no
other states posting similar information on the Internet. Jim Turpin of the
Lanham, Maryland-based American Correctional Association said, "The public
has a right to know and be protected, but the person also has a right to
rehabilitate his life. The question is, where do you draw that line? How do
you balance that?" The state Parole Board created the site in May to
provide victims, advocacy groups and anyone else with the inmate's name,
crime and sentence, where he is being held and who sentenced him.
German Firm Closed by Junk E-Mail
An unusual increase in the amount of junk e-mail has brought a German online
service to its knees. Reporting from Bonn, the Reuter News Service says
customers of Deutsche Telekom's online service T-Online complained over the
weekend of a blackout in the company's mail services. Some T-Online users
said they had not been able to send or receive e-mail for the past three
days.
Says Reuters, "The increasing use of e-mail by a broad public has given rise
to companies that offer to send unsolicited electronic advertising via e-
mail to millions of unsuspecting Internet surfers. A highly improper
activity in the world of Internet ethics, such 'spamming' of cybernauts is
frowned upon.
Corel Corporation
Ships
CorelDRAWT 7 !
For Immediate Release
OTTAWA, Canada - November 4, 1996 - Corelr Corporation and its subsidiaries
today began shipping CorelDRAWT 7 . Designed for Windowsr 95 and Windows
NTT 4.0, the latest version of Corel's award-winning graphics package is
feature-enriched and optimized for productivity, power and precision. The
three main applications - CorelDRAWT, Corel PHOTO-PAINTT and CorelDREAM 3D
- all rank in the top of their categories and together make a complete
graphics solution. CorelDRAW 7 carries a suggested list price of $695 US,
with an upgrade price of $249 US for users of any version of CorelDRAW from
either the Windows or Macintosh platform. Corel VENTURAT and Corelr Office
Professional 7 users will also be able to take advantage of this upgrade
price.
"The graphics package that everyone has been anticipating is now shipping -
and right on time," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, president and chief executive
officer of Corel Corporation. "Beta testers have heaped praise on CorelDRAW
7 for months and now its everyone's chance to get a first hand look."
"By creating a revolutionary user interface that provides intuitive access
to unparalleled power, along with improved memory handling and faster file
open, save, import and redraw, the development team has produced an elite
package for any discerning graphic designer," added Dr. Cowpland.
"I'm normally one to be a bit cautious with any new software release, but
CorelDRAW 7 is different. By the fourth beta, I had already removed
CorelDRAW 6 from my system - that's how stable and robust I have found the
new release to be," said Rick Altman, host of the International CorelDRAW
User Conference and editor-at-large for Corel Magazine. "I created a
blueprint of our conference ballrooms - 20 feet by 60 feet - and did the
whole thing in about one hour, all the way down to the 1 centimeter pin
configurations of our video cables. Screen redraw and general performance
was to die for."
Corel Corporation
Incorporated in 1985, Corel Corporation is recognized internationally as an
award-winning developer and marketer of productivity applications, graphics
and multimedia software. Corel's product line includes CorelDRAWT, Corelr
WordPerfectr Suite 7, Corelr Office Professional, CorelCADT, CorelVIDEOT and
over 30 multimedia software titles. Corel's products run on most operating
systems, including: Windows, Macintoshr, UNIX, MS-DOS and OS/2 and are
consistently rated among the strongest in the industry. The company ships
its products in over 17 languages through a network of more than 160
distributors in 70 countries world-wide. Corel is traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (symbol: COS) and on NASDAQ-National Market System
(symbol:COSFF). For more information visit Corel's home page on the Internet
at http://www.corel.com. Corel and WordPerfect are registered trademarks
and CorelDRAW, CorelVIDEO, Corel VENTURA and CorelCAD are trademarks of
Corel Corporation or Corel Corporation Limited. All products mentioned are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
COMDEX DIRCTORY STR Infofile S&S Public Relations Listing
To: Comdex Attendees
From: Melissa Rabin/Lauren Finkelman
S&S Public Relations, Inc.
76225.2252@compuserve.com
Fall Comdex is fast approaching once again, and S&S is working to bring you
some of the hottest product introductions at the show! We've enclosed
summaries from a variety of our clients that highlight what they have in
store for you.
We look forward to seeing you in Vegas!
COMDEX FALL'96
LAS VEGAS
Alphabetical Listings
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216 (LVCC)
Best Data Products Booth S4073 (Sands Convention Center)
DriveSavers, Inc. Booth S5741 (Sands Convention Center)
Guillemot International Booth S2681 (Sands Convention Center)
Logicraft Information Systems, Inc Booth M6445 (Sands Convention Center)
MIDI Land, Inc. Booth S3650 (Sands Convention Center)
NetPhonic Communications Booth H265 (Hilton)
PictureTalk, Inc Booth P5336 (Internet Innovators
Pavilion)
Raritan Computer, Inc. Booth L5000 (LVCC)
Sejin America Booth S4447 (Sands Convention Center)
Convention Center Listings
Las Vegas Convention Center
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216
Raritan Computer, Inc. Booth L5000
Sands Convention Center
Best Data Products Booth S4073
DriveSavers, Inc. Booth S5741
Guillemot International Booth S2681
Logicraft Information Systems, Inc. Booth M6445
MIDI Land, Inc. Booth M3650
Sejin America Booth S4447
Hilton
NetPhonic Communications Booth H265
Internet Innovators Pavilion
(located across from the LVCC and Hilton)
PictureTalk, Inc. Booth P5336
Product Category Listings
Hardware
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216 (LVCC)
Best Data Products Booth S4073 (Sands Convention Center)
DriveSavers, Inc. Booth S5741 (Sands Convention Center)
Guillemot International Booth S2681 (Sands Convention Center)
Raritan Computer, Inc. Booth L5000 (LVCC)
Software
Guillemot International Booth S2681 (Sands Convention Center)
Logicraft Information Systems, Inc. Booth M6445 (Sands Convention Center)
NetPhonic Communications Booth H265 (Hilton)
PictureTalk, Inc Booth P5336 (Internet Innovators Pavilion)
Multimedia
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216 (LVCC)
Best Data Products Booth S4073 (Sands Convention Center)
Guillemot International Booth S2681 (Sands Convention Center)
Peripherals
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216 (LVCC)
Best Data Products Booth S4073 (Sands Convention Center)
MIDI Land, Inc. Booth S3650 (Sands Convention Center)
Raritan Computer, Inc. Booth L5000 (LVCC)
Sejin America Booth S4447 (Sands Convention Center)
ADI Systems, Inc. Booth L216
(Las Vegas Convention Center)
ADI Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Taiwan-based ADI Corporation, one of
the world's leading manufacturers of display monitors and terminals. Last
year, ADI introduced the exciting MicroScan 17X, a unique 17-inch pivoting
monitor that allows users to pivot the monitor between portrait and
landscape mode to view documents full screen. This year ADI will introduce
another innovative monitor, the Duo.
DUO is a new, space age looking 17-inch multimedia monitor that looks as
good as it performs. The DUO is the first multimedia monitor for the PC
that offers a built-in surround sound system. It's ultra-high resolution
features a VESA display of 1024x768 at an exceptional 85 Hz. And, the DUO
comes with a matching Windows 95 keyboard and mouse as well as changeable
color giving the monitor an overall look of art for the desktop.
Best Data Products Booth S4073
(Sands Convention Center)
Best Data Products is unveiling their new Smart One Personal Video
Conferencing Kit, a 33.6 Kbps modem with video conferencing software and a
video camera -- the Smart One Digital Color Camera, video conferencing
software and a camera -- the Smart One TA-128, a new ISDN terminal adapter
-- and a variety of other products, including new 56Kbps modems, that are
sold under the company's Smart One brand name.
The Smart One Personal Video Conferencing Kit includes all of the hardware
and software needed to transform a Windows PC into a total desktop
video-conferencing workstation. The kit provides affordable, color video
conferencing for the small office/home office, small business, and today's
scattered families. At only $299, the kit is within the budget of virtually
all computer owners. The kit includes the Smart One Digital Color Camera, a
full 24-bit digital color video camera that plugs right into the parallel
port of a personal computer; the Smart One 336SP, a Plug-N-Play Internal
Data/Fax/Voice Speakerphone modem; microphone; all necessary hardware; and a
comprehensive suite of video and communications software including H.324
compatible video conferencing, multimedia photo, and movie creation software
The Smart One Digital Color Camera is a full 24-bit digital color video
camera that plugs right into the parallel port of a personal computer. At
$199 MSRP including software, the Smart One Camera is the most affordable
color digital camera available. The Smart One Digital Color Camera installs
easily through the parallel port of the computer, without any special
hardware and is bundled with H.324 compatible video conferencing, multimedia
photo and movie creation software.
The TA128 ISDN Terminal Adapter is a full-featured, low cost TA128 is ideal
for web surfers and Internet professionals seeking to take advantage of ISDN
capability at an affordable ($195 MSRP) price. Bundled with the TA128 is a
comprehensive suite of Internet, Communications, Mail, videoconferencing,
and utility software that allows buyers to fully capitalize on the power of
the ISDN terminal adapter. The TA128 is compatible with standard BRI ISDN
lines, which provide two 64 Kbps "B" channels. The sophisticated software
included with the TA128 enables users to assign each channel to be used
separately, or to be combined to achieve 128 Kbps throughput with multi-link
PPP. The TA128 includes V.42 compression to permit even faster data
transmission up to 512Kbps!
DriveSavers, Inc Booth S5741
(Sands Convention Center)
Come see the company known as the "super heroes" of the digital world!
DriveSavers, the data recovery experts, is the "ER" for damaged and battered
computers. DriveSavers has had extraordinary successes in recovering data
from drives which have been burnt, crushed, smashed and drowned. You can
see the entire "Museum of Disk-asters" showcasing the blackened, charred,
mangled and barely recognizable remains of computers from which they have
retrieved data. You can also see the Gallery of Famous Celebrities who were
rescued by DriveSavers! DriveSavers is an extremely reputable company who
can recover data from all major operating systems oftentimes within 24 to 48
hours!!! This is a great opportunity to meet the DriveSavers engineers and
to see the computers they've brought back from the dead!
For the more technically-oriented, DriveSavers will be introducing
revolutionary, new MicroTrac data recovery processes that can be used to
recover information from 50 and 100 gig drives. As drives become smaller in
physical size and larger in capacity, the new magneto resistive heads are
reading information off of more dense track patterns. These 50 and 100 gig
drives have extremely tight density patterns which makes the data more
difficult to retrieve should anything happen to disable the drive.
DriveSavers has been developing and perfecting a whole new set of
skills/specialized proprietary tools and techniques to recover data from
these massive hard drives. DriveSavers engineers will be available to
answer questions about this cutting-edge technology!
Guillemot International Booth S2681
(Sands Convention Center)
Guillemot International is debuting the latest generation of sound cards
that will turn computers into home theaters and computer users into sound
engineers. The two cards, the MAXI Sound 64 and the MAXI Sound 64 Home
Studio, provide the latest PC sound technology for gamers, desktop
musicians and recording artists. Both the MAXI Sound 64 and MAXI Sound 64
Home Studio provide wavetable synthesis with 64 voice polyphony. 425 actual
instrument and 128 MIDI sounds are stored in the 4 MB ROM along with 97
variation sounds and 200 drum sounds for the highest quality sound
generation available from any sound card today. Listeners may adjust the
effective position of the quadraphonic sound in all directions to obtain the
ultimate "3D" effect from the 4-channel surround sound.
Also being shown in the Guillemot International booth are a variety of
titles from Ubi Soft Entertainment including:
Ubi Soft's POD is blazing new trails with Intel's MMX technology. The new
sci-fi racing game for PC CD-ROM incorporates Intel's ground breaking new
MMX technology and sets a new standard for speed, responsiveness and on-line
multi-player gaming possibilities. Featuring trailblazing graphics and
special effects, customizable cars and the option to link up to eight
simultaneous players over the Internet, or intranet, POD is one of the first
games developed with the new Intel protocol. One key benefit of the MMX
technology is the ability to eliminate system sluggishness when a multitude
of variables are on screen, offering faster game action than ever possible
before. The use of MMX technology also allows the game's real-time, 3D-
generated images to achieve unparalleled acceleration in graphics, video,
picture processing and sound. The results include skid marks that remain
after you make them, clouds that cast shadows on the ground and "smoking"
tires from skids and fast turns. The skies change according to the weather
and time of day, and the skies, vehicles and buildings all look as other-
worldly as if they came straight out of science fiction. Come by to get the
inside scoop on why POD and MMX Technology are driving the future of gaming!
Knowledge is power--even for a super hero! That's what kids will find in
Amazing Learning Games with Rayman as they take on the role of Rayman, a
lovable goofball who must read, count and spell as he battles his way
through mind bending landscapes on his way to rescue the Magic Book of
Knowledge from the evil Mr. Dark. This new PC CD-ROM for ages 6 to 10
marries the wacky world of the blockbuster action/adventure game Rayman with
1,800 math and grammar exercises that are seamlessly woven into the game
play. The program offers such exciting challenges, involving adventures
and intense action that children hardly even realize that they're learning
as they play.
Get ready to rock and roll with Classic Rock Guitar, Volume 1, a dynamic CD-
ROM guitar instruction program that teaches intermediate playing skills
through songs by all-time rock greats like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and
Stevie Ray Vaughn. Designed to give guitarists the individual instruction
they need to move past basic playing and onto a performance level, the
program features eight classic songs that went either platinum or gold,
including "Hey Joe", "Dust In The Wind", "Blackbird", "Sweet Home Alabama",
"Wild World", "Life By The Drop", "Blowin' In The Wind" and "No Woman No
Cry."
Logicraft Information Systems, Inc.
Booth M6445 (Sands Convention Center)
Logicraft is a worldwide developer, integrator, and manufacturer of complete
CD-ROM networking and optical storage management solutions for the DOS,
Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT and Mac environments. Logicraft will be
exhibiting a number of new technologies, including:
CDexecutive 2.0 (exhibited in NSM Booth S4567 Sands Convention Center) is an
advanced CD-ROM networking software that enables shared CD-ROM access from
Windows NT servers. This re-engineered version enables information and
system administrators to group individual platters or collections of CD-ROMs
as consolidated file shares under a single drive letter on Windows NT
servers, over-coming the 26-drive letter limitation and greatly expanding
the sharing capability of NT. The version also adds jukebox support to
permit sharing of a virtually unlimited number of CD-ROMs, has the ability
to run CD-ROM volumes off SCSI hard drives for faster data access, shares
CD-ROM applications over mixed networks and includes other new features that
expand on the cataloging and automating volume swapping offered in the
original release. In addition, the product adds NFS support for UNIX
clients.
CD-hfs for NT (exhibited in the Microsoft Pavilion Booth V1 LVCC) is the
first third party file system supported by Microsoft to provide the
Macintosh user with the ability to access native HFS and ISSO 9660 apple
extended CD-ROMs via Windows NT servers. Inherent in the design of the
product is the ability to coexist with Microsoft's standard CDFS file
system. It allows PC and Mac users to share CD-ROM databases each in their
own native format without any hardware modifications or configuration
hassles.
CDcentral (exhibited in the Microsoft Pavilion Booth V1 LVCC) is a remote
access solution for Logicraft's LanCD networking software that enables
remote users to access centralized CD-ROM applications from any desktop.
The product consists of LanCD servers networked to WinFrame servers running
Citrix WinFrame remote control software and LanCD's WinFrame client
software. The remote user connects to the central system via modem, low
speed WAN or over the Internet to access a desired CD-ROM application.
CDcentral enables organizations to consolidate CD-ROM resources from several
divisions into one central CD-ROM library.
Virtual CD-ROM (exhibited in the Logicraft Booth M6445 Sands Convention
Center) is an innovative CD-ROM emulation software product that makes it
possible to run any Window 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows NT CD-ROM application
directly off a hard disk, even without a CD-ROM drive. Virtual CD-ROM
enables users to build identical images of CD-ROMs into hard disks and
subsequently access these "virtual CD-ROMs" to run their applications. The
product is ideal for laptop and notebook users who want the ability to take
essential CD-ROM applications on the road without a CD-ROM drive. It allows
users to run multiple CD-ROMs of their local hard drive as well as to access
applications up to 3 times faster than from a 4X CD-ROM drive.
MIDI Land, Inc., Booth S3650
(Sands Convention Center)
MIDI Land, Inc. is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of high-
performance multimedia speakers, microphones, headphones and other
accessories.
MIDI Land, Inc. will introduce a new three-way multimedia speaker system
that provides a truly exceptional listening experience. Utilizing QSOUND to
deliver dynamic multidimensional audio, 55 watts of output power, and a
separate tweeter, midrange and woofer, the new speaker system, Mli-370Q,
provides outstanding sound quality. The QSOUND Virtual Audio circuitry
processes the sound, removing the artificial restrictions normally
associated with two speakers. QSOUND dynamically expands the listener's
perception, immersing the listener in a realistic totally three-dimensional
environment.
MIDI Land will also debut the Mli-S25 Plus, a new multimedia satellite
speaker system that provides an extra-wide frequency response and stunning
sound from two full-range stereo satellite speakers and an extended-base
subwoofer. The impressive solid bass is enhanced by ducted dual air ports in
the subwoofer enclosure. Mli-S25 Plus provides 18 watts of power from the
satellites and a full 25 watts form the sub-woofer for 43 watts of total
output power. Magnetic shielding in the satellite speakers protects
computers, disk drives, and monitors from electromagnetic interference,
allowing the speakers to be mounted anywhere without concern.
NetPhonic Communications Booth H265
(Hilton)
NetPhonic Communications' Web-On-Call Voice Browser opens the Web to phones
(even cellular phones) and fax machines and allows access to internal and
external Web sites by anyone, anytime, WITHOUT a computer! Installed on a
Web server, Web-On-Call reads Web pages over the phone and provides several
document retrieval options including fax and e-mail, giving callers
up-to-the-minute information access. With Web-On-Call, web servers become
the common delivery platform for all information fulfillment needs,
including IVR (Interactive Voice Response), web browsing, and faxback.
Web-On-Call Voice Browser is the only software that joins Internet and
telephony networks to provide universal access to information residing
on Web sites. All you need to access a Web-On-Call site is to make a simple
telephone call from a touch-tone phone, cellular phone or a fax machine.
Currently available for the Sun Microsystems SPARC computers, at Comdex
NetPhonic will be announcing the SGI and Windows NT versions of Web-On-Call.
PictureTalk, Inc Booth P5336
(Internet Innovators Pavilion)
PictureTalk , Inc. is dedicated to providing practical, affordable software
to improve the way people communicate. PictureTalk software allows a user
on a PC or Macintosh to present whatever is on his or her desktop to other
users on PCs or Macintoshes over the Internet or corporate Intranets. The
software conveys desktop imagery in real time, continuously adapting
compression rates and transcoding algorithms to suit the performance of each
system and the network. PictureTalk software offers a convenient way to
provide lossless imagery of any desktop data--text documents, graphics,
slides, animation--to other users on TCP/IP networks in real-time.
PictureTalk will make significant announcements at the show including:
A JAVA client--which expands supported PictureTalk client platforms to
include NCs (such as JavaStation), Unix WorkStations (thru X11-Windows
support), game stations, PDAs, set top boxes, etc. The JAVA client adds to
PictureTalk's position of supporting the broadest array of end-point devices
with the most flexible, cross-platform communication solution in the
industry.
The new PictureTalk 1.3 version release adds meeting moderator controls for
better management, scalability and security for very large meetings such as
corporate broadcasts, training, and events. It allows for control using a
multi-tiered set of passwords so the user can present, chat, point or see
other profiles. The 1.3 version also adds audit trail capabilities for
better resource management.
The Server-Server Software will allow the PictureTalk software to uniquely
scale to thousands of users by providing intelligent servers within
corporate network infrastructures that can assist in communication.
(PictureTalk will provide additional information on Server-Server at the
show.)
Raritan Computer, Inc. Booth L5000
(LVCC)
Raritan Computer, Inc., founded in 1985, designs, manufacturers and
distributes high quality KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) switch and related
products that provide connectivity and central control of multiple computer
systems. Raritan will be unveiling the following products at Comdex:
CompuSwitch provides low-cost, reliable control of up to 4 PCs, any
combination of PS/2 and AT systems, from a single keyboard, monitor and
mouse. CompuSwitch uses Raritan's proprietary emulation technology, which
dedicates individual keyboard and mouse emulators to each PC. Every
connected PC "sees" its own keyboard and mouse all the time to preserve
flawless system booting and operation. CompuSwitch allows small to
medium-sized businesses to manage their network servers, internet servers,
multiple workstations, bulletin board system, and computer test benches.
MasterView is an on-screen menu that simplifies the identification of the
multiple computers managed under the company's MasterConsole KVM
(keyboard/video/mouse) switch. MasterView is an add-on hardware that allows
users to assign identifying names to each computer connected to the
MasterConsole and then to select the computer to be worked with from a
pop-up menu on the controlling monitor. Previously, connected computers
could only be identified by a number with a digital LED display that
appeared on the MasterConsole front panel. MasterConsole is a high-end KVM
switch that control any mix of two to 64 PCs, Macs, and Suns from one
keyboard, monitor and mouse.
Sejin America Booth S4447
(Sands Convention Center)
Sejin America, a leading worldwide supplier of keyboards, mice, and
keyswitches, is announcing the FreeBoard Beamer, their latest plug-and-play
wireless keyboard for Windows 95. The new keyboard emits a broad infrared
beam to the front and both sides to ensure reliable operation no matter what
direction the keyboard is facing. Designed for extra-comfortable use both
on desktops and in the lap, the keyboard is ideal for normal keyboarding,
business presentations, SOHO, PC/TV, training and education.
The keyboard utilizes Sejin's FreeBoard technology for reliable, error-free
operation and long battery life. The embedded numeric key pad, inverted-T
cursor arrows, separate insert and delete keys, and 12 function keys provide
a full 104 key functions with only eighty-six full-sized keys, saving
valuable space. The keyboard also provides a trackball and associated
mouse-click buttons. The carefully "human engineered" keyboard design
maximizes productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort. Palm
rests under the trackball and mouse-click buttons allow the user's hands to
be fully relaxed when "mousing," whether the keyboard is on the desktop or
in the lap. The FreeBoard technology offers "fool-proof" operation when the
keyboard is moved and even momentarily blocked during operation. The
FreeBoard protocol ensures that no character can be omitted or
unintentionally repeated when the infrared signal is blocked and prevents
freeze ups or loss of synchronization with the system. Great for surfing
the web at home on the sofa or playing games from the comfort of your
favorite chair in your living room -- the keyboard uses state-of-the-art
infrared technology, operates as well as standard cabled keyboards and mice
and opens up the world of computing to a whole new "wireless" world.
Special Notice!! STR Infofile File format Requirements for Articles
File Format for STReport
All articles submitted to STReport for publication must be sent in the
following format. Please use the format requested. Any files received that
do not conform will not be used. The article must be in an importable word
processor format for Word 7.0.. The margins are .05" left and 1.0"
Monospaced fonts are not to be used. Please use proportional fonting only
and at eleven points.
ú No Indenting on any paragraphs!!
ú No Indenting of any lines or "special gimmickery"
ú No underlining!
ú Columns shall be achieved through the use of tabs only. Or, column
format in Word 6-7 Do NOT use the space bar.
ú No ASCII "ART"!!
ú There is no limits as to size, articles may be split into two if
lengthy
ú Actual Artwork should be in GIF, PCX, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMF file formats
ú Artwork (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.)should be sent along with the
article separately
ú Please use a single font only in an article. TTF CG Times 12pt. is
preferred. (VERY Strong Hint)
If there are any questions please use either E-Mail or call. On
another note. the ASCII version of STReport is fast approaching the "end of
the line" As the major Online Services move away from ASCII.. So shall
STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The amount
of reader mail expressing a preference for our Adobe PDF enhanced issue is
running approximately 15 to 1 over the ASCII edition. Besides, STReport
will not be caught in the old, worn out "downward compatibility dodge" we
must move forward. However, if the ASCII readership remains as high, rest
assured. ASCII will stay. Right now, since STReport is offered on a number
of closed major corporate networks as "required" Monday Morning reading..
Our ascii readers have nothing to worry themselves about.
Many grateful thanks in advance for your enthusiastic co-operation and
input.
Ralph F. Mariano, Editor
STReport International Online Magazine
Acrobat a Winner STR Focus
Adobe Acrobat Reader Software
Passes the 10 Million Mark
Customer Downloads From Adobe Web Site Exceeding 20,000 a Day
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:
ADBE) announced today that its Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) Reader software has
exceeded distribution of 10 million copies worldwide as the result of
strong demand on the World Wide Web. Bundled with products from leading
industry vendors including Apple Computer, Inc., CompuServe, IBM, Lotus
Development Corp., Netcom On-Line Communications Services Inc., Silicon
Graphics, Inc., and Sun Microsystems Inc., Adobe Acrobat Reader software is
widely used by businesses to easily and effectively distribute documents
electronically. Vendors bundling Acrobat Reader join the increasing number
of companies using Acrobat software to deliver final form electronic
documents on the Internet, corporate networks, CD-ROM and other digital
media. On the World Wide Web alone, the growing popularity of Acrobat
software has resulted in excess of 20,000 downloads a day of Acrobat Reader
from AdobeUs Web site. Acrobat software can help customers save time and
money by enabling them to quickly and efficiently share documents over the
World Wide Web, corporate Intranets, CD-ROM, e-mail and other media, without
having to learn new authoring tools or reauthor existing information into
other formats. Through support of the Netscape(TM) Plug-In API and
Microsoft(R) ActiveX(TM) controls, Acrobat Reader 3.0 provides seamless
integration with popular Web browsers, enabling customers to access and view
PDF files directly within their browser window.
"Using Adobe Acrobat to publish our publicly available financial documents
on the Internet has reduced the document delivery process from days to
minutes. We can do this with virtually no cost of reauthoring to deliver
documents in a globally accepted format, PDF," said Gregory Smith, director
of Corporate Finance and Systems at Sallie Mae. "We have improved the
quality of our service by making these documents available almost
immediately to anyone on the Internet, anywhere in the world. In addition,
we are reducing the time and money spent responding to inquiries and
mailing documents around the country and the world."
"Acrobat is the only solution that allows Fidelity to electronically deliver
documents that retain the look and feel of our printed materials which
extends our brand awareness and recognition on the Internet," said John
Noble, senior marketing manager, Fidelity Investments Electronic Channel
Development Group. "Acrobat documents are as robust as paper delivery, but
offer a substantial cost advantage in areas like printing, storage and
mailing costs with electronic distribution versus traditional media."
Acrobat Reader software allows customers to view, navigate and print
electronic documents in the Portable Document Format (PDF), an open file
format that preserves the fidelity of documents across all major computer
platforms and printers. Supporting Windows(R) 3.1, Windows NT(R) and
Windows 95, Macintosh(R), SunOS,(TM) Sun(TM) Solaris(R), HP-UX, Silicon
Graphics(R) IRIX(TM), AIX(R), OS/2(R), LINUX and MS-DOS(R) systems, Acrobat
Reader is widely available for free through the Internet or bundled with
products and services from a variety of software and hardware vendors.
Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe Systems Incorporated develops and supports
products to help people express and use information in more imaginative and
meaningful ways, across all print and electronic media. Founded in 1982,
Adobe helped launch the desktop publishing revolution. Today, the company
offers a market-leading line of application software and type products for
creating and distributing visually rich communication materials; licenses
its industry-standard technologies to major hardware manufacturers, software
developers, and service providers; and offers integrated software solutions
to businesses of all sizes. For more information, see AdobeUs home page at
http://www.adobe.com on the World Wide Web.
NOTE: Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
ActiveX and Windows NT are trademarks and MS-DOS, Microsoft and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft in the U.S. and other countries.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Sun and SunOS
are trademarks and Solaris is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems,
Inc. IRIX is a trademark and Silicon Graphics is a registered trademark of
Silicon Graphics, Inc. AIX and OS/2 are registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation.
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
LEXMARK OPTRA C
COLOR
LASER PRINTER
For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to
you that demonstrates LEXMARK Optra C SUPERIOR QUALITY 600 dpi Laser Color
Output, please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business sized
envelope please) to:
STReport's LEXMARK Printout Offer
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155
Folks, the LEXMARK Optra C has to be the best yet. It is far superior to
anything we've seen or used as of yet. It is said that ONE Picture is worth
a thousand words. The out put from the Lexmark Optra C is worth ten
thousand words! Send for the free sample now. (For a sample that's suitable
for framing, see below) Guaranteed. you will be amazed at the superb
quality. (please, allow at least a two week turn-around).
If you would like a sample 8«x11 printout that's suitable for framing. Yes
that's right! Suitable for Framing. Order this package. It'll be on
special stock and offer superb quality and originality. We obtained a copy
of a 1927 COLOR ENGRAVER'S ADVERTISING YEAR BOOK. Our Scanner is doing
"double duty"! The results will absolutely blow you away. If you want this
high quality sample package please include a check or money order in the
amount of $6.95 (covers expenses only) Please, make checks or money orders
payable to; RFM. Be sure to include your full return address and telephone
n
umber . The sample will be sent to you protected, not folded in a 9x12
envelope. Don't hesitate.. you will not be disappointed. This "stuff" is
gorgeous!
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
"Another Global Gorilla": BT To Buy MCI
Apple Targets New Price Cuts At Business Users
New System Links Lenders, IRS
Tracking Smart Cash
Western Governors University: "Same Impact As GI Bill"
DoubleClick Is Watching
Young Adults See The Net As Passthrough
FCC Rejects Telesat Bid
Will Surfing Cure Children Of Excessive Attention Spans?
Court Says AOL Has Right To Restrict Unsolicited E-Mail
Apple Says It's Sticking With Mac OS And PowerPC
Surge In Online Users Predicted
IBM, Intel Team Up On High Power NCs
NUMA Boasts "Quantum" Performance
Compaq Counts Your Options
Campus Computer Leasing Gains In Popularity
Oracle Sees Its Developer/2000 As Key To NC Success
Scottish Courts Tackle Hyperlink Issue
Apple Operating System Set For A Makeover
Internet On Election Night
Tera Technology Challenges Supercomputer Industry
Computer Crackers Adopt New Strategy For Break-Ins
Judge Stops N.Y. From Letting Fox Use City Cable Station
Alarm Guard For Laptops
"ANOTHER GLOBAL GORILLA": BT TO BUY MCI
British Telecommunications is about to buy MCI Communications for as much as
$21 billion. The combined companies will have an annual revenue of $35
billion and operations in 70 countries. Industry analyst Gary Miller
says: "You really only have had one internationally recognized global player
and that's been AT&T. Now you have another global gorilla." MCI will
continue to operate under its present name. (Washington Post 2 Nov 96)
APPLE TARGETS NEW PRICE CUTS AT BUSINESS USERS
For the second time in two weeks, Apple Computer has cut prices on one of
its major product lines, announcing reductions of between 9% and 30% on its
Power Macintosh business machines. Last month, Apple slashed prices by 20%
on some of its home-oriented Performa computers. The new prices will make
the Apple products more competitive with those based on the Wintel
architecture. "Apple is getting a little more realistic with its prices,"
says an International Data Corp. analyst. (Wall Street Journal 1 Nov 96 B3)
Meanwhile, the operating system that Apple is targeting for a 1998 release
will run on a variety of chips and will be far less complex than its
current systems. Chairman Gil Amelio says the new OS will run some older
applications but will have a totally new core of software code. (Investor's
Business Daily 1 Nov 96 A6)
NEW SYSTEM LINKS LENDERS, IRS
The Internal Revenue Service is developing an electronic program to link
mortgage lenders with the IRS, allowing them to exchange e-mail comparing
stated earnings on the mortgage application with actual tax return
information for the previous couple of years. If the cross-check turns up a
more than $10,000 discrepancy between the earnings claimed on the
application and those declared for tax purposes, the IRS has the option of
pursuing the loan applicant via an audit. IRS has targeted the system at
self-employed borrowers, who often declare high earnings in order to
qualify for a larger loan, but lower earnings when it comes to paying taxes.
"Who knows what their real incomes are?" asks one mortgage broker. (St.
Petersburg Times 2 Nov 96 D5)
TRACKING SMART CASH
A senior Justice Department official has urged makers of smart carts to
include a mechanism for tracking transactions over a certain dollar amount.
Assistant Attorney General Robert Litt also called for "sensible limits"
on how much value can be stored or transferred on a single card or PC. The
government hopes it can Work with industry without stifling smart card
development, and without compromising individual rights. "We don't want to
dictate how these features are designed, but there are certain reasonable
parameters that industry should build into their systems," says Litt. (BNA
Daily Report for Executives 29 Oct 96 A24)
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY: "SAME IMPACT AS GI BILL"
Educom Vice President Carol Twigg says that "the impact of the Western
Governors University is being compared to the impact of the GI Bill after
World War II. The ideas being advanced are having that kind of impact on
traditional universities." Western Governors University is a "virtual
university" project formed by a coalition of thirteen states in the West.
The leaders of the effort have been Governors Roy Rohmer of Colorado and
Mike Leavitt of Utah. (Chicago Tribune 28 Oct 96)
DOUBLECLICK IS WATCHING
New York-based DoubleClick enables advertisers to target their sales efforts
very narrowly, based on information derived from Web surfers who visit the
60-some sites participating in DoubleClick's venture, including Quicken,
Travelocity, Virtual Comics and Books That Work. To do this, DoubleClick
exploits "cookie" technology -- a file created each time an Internet user
visits a Web site. If that Web site is one of DoubleClick's affiliates,
the cookie also contains an ID used to create certain profiles, which can
then be used for marketing other products. In the future, DoubleClick
anticipates taking this technology a step further by offering cross-
matching services that could identify, say, visitors to an opera page who've
also visited a hi-fi page, providing a great marketing list for a seller of
a surround sound CD of "The Magic Flute." It also envisions a time when its
information would be used to filter out advertising banners for Web visitors
who don't opt to click on them after three or so visits. "After the
thirdtime you're wasting your money," says DoubleClick's cofounder. "It's
banner burnout." (Forbes 4 Nov 96 p342)
YOUNG ADULTS SEE THE NET AS PASSTHROUGH
A recent Forrester Research report estimates that there are 5 million
Internet users in the 18- to 24-year-old range, logging on primarily to
exchange e-mail, surf the Web and do school work. Of least interest to this
age group are online banking, news gathering, and Web-site building. The
report notes that young adults "lack the zeal" of older Internet users and
warns that this demographic group could become quickly bored with online
activities: "As soon as the hoi polloi arrive online, cutting-edge young
adults will flee in search of the next big thing." (Chronicle of Higher
Education 1 Nov 96 A25)
FCC REJECTS TELESAT BID
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has rejected a $1.2-billion bid
by Telesat Canada and American partners to use satellites in Canadian
orbital slots to relay broadcast signals to both countries. Telesat 's
president says the FCC move will not deter Telesat from bringing direct-to-
home TV to Canada. (Toronto Globe & Mail 30 Oct 96 B6)
WILL SURFING CURE CHILDREN OF EXCESSIVE ATTENTION SPANS?
Yale computer scientist and author David Gelerntner says "it is ludicrous to
suppose that Internet access will fix or even address" the main problems of
education. "Everyone knows what you do with the Web: You surf, sliding
from site to site at the click of a mouse button. Exactly which problem
will Web-surfing attack? Our children's insufficient shallowness?
Excessive attention spans? Unhealthy fixation on in-depth analysis?
Stubborn unwillingness to push on to the next topic until they mastered the
last? We need less surfing in the schools, not more. The Web is a great
source of pictures -- are we trying to cure our children of excessive
interest in the written word? Depraved indifference to glitz and snazzy
graphics?" (Weekly Standard 4 Nov 96 p14)
COURT SAYS AOL HAS RIGHT TO RESTRICT UNSOLICITED E-MAIL
A federal district judge in Philadephia has ruled that America Online may
block mass marketing firms from sending unsolicited mail to AOL
subscribers. Rejecting arguments that America Online is a public forum,
Judge Charles R. Weiner said that mass mailer Cyber Promotions Inc. "has no
right under the First Amendment" to reach AOL subscribers with e-mail
advertisements sent over the Internet. An America Online attorney says the
ruling that AOL is not a public forum means that the company may enforce its
own restrictions on speech and behavior when people are communicating over
its computer network. (Washington Post 5 Nov 96 C01)
APPLE SAYS IT IS STICKING WITH MAC OS AND POWER PC
Apple says that some informal "general statements" made by CEO Gil Amelio
"about what an operating system in 1998 should have" were misunderstood by
observers who incorrectly concluded that the company as abandoning the
Macintosh operating system in favor of a new operating system. Not true,
says Apple -- which has been fighting hard to fight misperceptions by the
media and "industry observers." (The company gained $25 million in the
last quarter even though Wall Street had predicted a loss of $37 million.)
An Apple spokesman said: "We are not abandoning the Mac OS and we remain
committed to the PowerPC platform." (Computerworld 4 Nov 96 p2)
SURGE IN ONLINE USERS PREDICTED
A new study by Inteco Corp. predicts that 13.5 million new households will
sign up for online services within the next year, with 42% of those
households still needing to buy their first computer. The poll of 2,660
households also yielded a surprise finding -- online usage among households
with income above $25,000 has declined, from 9.8 million earlier five
months ago, to 8.7 million now. The total number of online households in
the U.S. is pegged at 15.2 million. (Investor's Business Daily 4 Nov 96 A6)
IBM, INTEL TEAM UP ON HIGH POWER NCs
IBM and Intel are working to put their own spin on the network computer
concept, claiming that their Advanced Manageability Alliance will produce
low-cost computers that can link users in companies to corporate networks.
At the same time, IBM and Intel stress that their brand of NC will be no
less powerful than today's PCs -- still allowing users to store data on
hard drives, load software and perform a variety of individual functions.
(St. Petersburg Times 4 Nov 96 p15)
NUMA BOASTS "QUANTUM" PERFORMANCE
Sequent Computer Systems' new NUMA-based computers can crunch numbers at six
times the speed of Sequent's current generation of machines, says the
company's CEO. NUMA (nonuniform memory access) technology enables
microprocessors to access memory much faster than other approaches that link
numerous microprocessors, such as massively parallel processing. One
result is that Sequent's NUMA machine can combine up to 252 Pentium Pro
processors, whereas most high-end multiple processor computers cobble
together only 16 to 30 microprocessors. The Sequent machines initially will
be priced around $250,000 -- far less than the mainframes that they could
replace. An information services manager at Unocal describes the new
machines' performance as "quantum... phenomenal." (Wall Street Journal 4
Nov 96 B6)
COMPAQ COUNTS YOUR OPTIONS
A key component of Compaq CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer's strategy when he took over
the company in 1991 was to make the most of its "options" business --
peripherals such as the 17-inch monitors that many computer users are now
demanding, as well as networking cards and modems. The strategy has enabled
Compaq to keep its profits up in a business where the margins on PCs have
shrunk to bare bones minimums. Profits on peripherals are roughly double
those of basic PCs. "We're an options company attached to a computer
company," says the head of Compaq's commercial PC options division, which
boasts its own engineering, marketing and manufacturing staff. (Forbes 4
Nov 96 p352)
CAMPUS COMPUTER LEASING GAINS IN POPULARITY
As colleges and universities attempt to cope with the short life-span of
"state-of-the-art" technology before it's ruled hopelessly obsolete by
students and professors, some are turning to computer leasing as a way to
stay current while being flexible with respect to changing technology
needs. "Institutions are realizing that technology changes so fast that
leasing may be a tool to manage that change," says a computer administrator
at UNC-Chapel Hill. While businesses have exploited the advantages of
operating leases for years, enabling them to write off the payments as
business expenses, many educational institutions prefer "capital leases,"
where the equipment is financed at much lower interest rates and then
acquired at the end for practically nothing. (Chronicle of Higher
Education 8 Nov 96 A23)
ORACLE SEES ITS DEVELOPER/2000 AS KEY TO NC SUCCESS
Oracle has developed a new software tool to stimulate sales of its low-cost
network computers. Developer/2000 for the Web is designed to perform the
difficult task of converting companies' existing software into Java code
automatically -- a feature that industry experts say could have a big impact
on the popularity of NCs. "If it's true, it's fascinating," says an
analyst at Summit Strategies. "But it's a little too close to magic for
me." The software is expected to be available in February. (Wall Street
Journal 4 Nov 96 B6)
SCOTTISH COURTS TACKLE HYPERLINK ISSUE
The Shetland Times, one of two online newspapers that cater to the 24,000
residents of the Shetland Isles off the coast of Scotland, has filed a
summons in Scotland's supreme civil court, preventing its competitor, the
Shetland News, from using hyperlinks to jump from its Web site over to the
Shetland Times' site. On Oct. 24, the court granted a temporary judgment
requiring the Shetland News to remove all links to the Shetland Times Web
site. "This is an argument over whether a publisher on the Internet retains
copyright in any material once it goes `online.' My view is that by
incorporating our copyright material into his news service he infringes on
our copyright. The technical process by which this is achieved is
irrelevant," says the editor of the Shetland Times. "I think the Times
will have a difficult job persuading the court of copyright violations,"
says a London-based attorney, who predicts that if the court rules in favor
of the Times, it will have a global impact on the free flow of information
over the Internet. (BNA Daily Report for Executives 1 Nov 96 A13)
APPLE OPERATING SYSTEM SET FOR A MAKEOVER
Apple Computer is hinting that it's considering a major shift in its
operating system strategy, possibly as a result of its negotiations to
acquire Be Inc., which has developed its own powerful new operating system.
Be's founder is a former Apple research director. Although no announcement
has been made, Apple CEO Gil Amelio has said that "there are things we can
learn" from Be's work, and that "in that spirit, we would be delighted to
work with them in any way we can." Apple emphasizes that whatever it
decides to do, a primary consideration will be to provide "continuity" for
current Macintosh users. (Wall Street Journal 7 Nov 96 B6)
INTERNET ON ELECTION NIGHT
Most of the World Wide Web sites reporting the results of Tuesday's U.S.
elections experienced a total usage only slightly higher than normal
weeknight traffic levels, and up-to-the-minute results were usually obtained
more easily through TV or radio than over the Net. One Internet service
provider executive said that "as a source of information for the election,
I'd say the Web has a ways to go," but added that "the Web idea is great
because you can home in on a specific race and you don't have to wait for
the television newscasters to get around to it." (New York Times 7 Nov 96
A12)
TERA TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES SUPERCOMPUTER INDUSTRY
Tera Computer Co. has worked for the last nine years on developing a new
design for future generations of supercomputers based on a proprietary
microprocessor that the company claims could turn massively parallel
processing on its head. Tera's system design enables its computers to run
at their peak speed about 95% of the time, as opposed to the typical
supercomputer that cranks up to top speed only 10% to 15% of the time. While
conventional supercomputers rely on chips to handle no more than a handful
of instructions, or threads, at a time, Tera's chips can juggle 128 threads
simultaneously: "Our machine doesn't sit and wait around for any data,"
says a Tera VP. And Tera's systems do not suffer from the law of
diminishing returns that other massively parallel systems do -- while other
computer makers must add more chips to achieve faster speeds, the added
complexity of coordinating all those operations results in decreased
performance per chip. Tera claims that its chips are impervious to this
degradation -- if one of its chipsets can do one billion floating-point
operations per second, 256 can do 256 gigaflops. (Business Week 11 Nov 96
p73)
COMPUTER CRACKERS ADOPT NEW STRATEGY FOR BREAK-INS
Recent attacks on computer systems have adopted a new strategy for cracking
security codes, exploiting the way that imperfect computers implement
encryption systems in the real world. Scientists at Princeton University
and Bellcore have been working together to discover how they can force a
computer or encoding chip to err in its calculations while encrypting a
message and, at the same time, leak information about the message being
encrypted. One way they found to do this is by irradiating the chip, and
then by comparing a number of error-ridden encryptions with a single
flawless one, they discovered they were able to crack virtually any public-
key system. Their technique was carried a step further by researchers at
the Weizmann Institute in Israel, allowing them to decipher the secret key
from a 56-bit Data Encryption Standard algorithm with little trouble, using
"differential fault analysis." This doesn't mean that encryption doesn't
work, says Richard DeMillo, a member of the Bellcore team. "It's a matter
of recognizing vulnerability," and doing something about it. (Science
Magazine 1 Nov 96 p716)
JUDGE STOPS N.Y. FROM LETTING FOX USE CITY CABLE STATION
A U.S. district judge in Manhattan has issued a ruling preventing New York
Mayor Rudy Giuliani from giving one of the city's cable channels over to
the use of Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Channel, despite the wishes of cable
operator Time Warner, which prefers the Fox rival news service (and Time
Warner subsidiary) CNN. Judge Denise Cote said that "the city's purpose in
acting to compel Time Warner to give Fox one of its commercial channels was
to reward a friend and to further a particular [politically conservative]
viewpoint." Giuliani, who plans to appeal the ruling, says that the judge
"temporarily makes Ted Turner [CNN founder and No. 2 executive at Time
Warner] the czar of programming and says nothing can be done about it. He
decides what news programming is on. He pretty much has limited it to his
own news programming, trying to eliminate all competitors." (New York
Times 7 Nov 96 B15)
ALARM GUARD FOR LAPTOPS
Innovative Security Products has come out with a $50 Alarm Guard that works
in much the same way that parent-child beeper systems do -- if the paging
device in your pocket and the other one on your laptop get too far apart,
both pieces start shrieking bloody murder until you deactivate the system.
(Chronicle of Higher Education 8 Nov 96 A1)
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.
EDUPAGE is what you've just finished reading. To subscribe to Edupage: send
a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type:
subscribe edupage Marvin Minsky (assuming that your name is Marvin Minsky;
if it's not, substitute your own name). ... To cancel, send a message to:
listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: unsubscribe
edupage... Subscription problems: educom@educom.unc.edu.
EDUCOM REVIEW is our bimonthly print magazine on learning, communications,
and information technology. Subscriptions are $18 a year in the U.S.; send
mail to offer@educom.edu. When you do, we'll ring a little bell, because
we'll be so happy! Choice of bell is yours: a small dome with a button,
like the one on the counter at the dry cleaners with the sign "Ring bell for
service"; or a small hand bell; or a cathedral bell; or a door bell; or a
chime; or a glockenspiel. Your choice. But ring it!
EDUCOM UPDATE is our twice-a-month electronic summary of organizational news
and events. To subscribe to the Update: send a message to:
listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: subscribe
update John McCarthy (assuming that your name is John McCarthy; if it's
not, substitute your own name).
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
The CAUSE organization's annual conference on information technology in
higher education is scheduled for the end of this month in New Orleans. The
conference will bring together administrators, academicians and other
managers of information resources. For full conference information check
out <http://cause-www.colorado.edu > or send e-mail to
conf@cause.colorado.edu.
ARCHIVES & TRANSLATIONS. For archive copies of Edupage or Update, ftp or
gopher to educom.edu or see URL: < http://www.educom.edu/>. For the French
edition of Edupage, send mail to edupage-fr@ijs.com with the subject
"subscribe"; or see < http://www.ijs.com >. For the Hebrew edition, send
mail to listserv@kinetica.co.il containing : SUBSCRIBE Leketnet-Word6
<name> or see < http://www.kinetica.co.il/ newsletters/leketnet/ >. For
the Hungarian edition, send mail to: send mail to subs.edupage@hungary.com.
An Italian edition is available on Agora' Telematica; connection and/or free
subscription via BT-Tymnet and Sprint (login: <agora) or via telnet
<agora.stm.it; mail: <b.parrella@agora.stm.it for info. For the Portuguese
edition, contact edunews@nc-rj.rnp.br with the message SUB EDUPAGE-P Seu
Primeiro Nome Seu Sobrenome. For the Spanish edition, send mail edunews@nc-
rj.rnp.br with the message SUB EDUPAGE-E Su Primer Nombre, Su Apellido.
Educom -- Transforming Education Through Information Technology
STReport's "Partners in Progress" Advertising Program
The facts are in... STReport International Online Magazine reaches more
users per week than any other weekly resource available today. Take full
advantage of this spectacular reach. Explore the superb possibilities of
advertising in STReport! Its very economical and smart business. In
addition, STReport offers a strong window of opportunity to your company of
reaching potential users on major online services and networks, the
Internet, the WEB and more than 200,000 private BBS's worldwide. This is
truly an exceptional opportunity to maximize your company's recognition
factor globally.
(STReport is pronounced: "ES TEE Report")
STR Publishing's Economical "Partners in Progress" Plans!
Take Action! "Discover the REAL Advantage"
of STR's EXCEPTIONAL AND HIGHLY ECONOMICAL
"Partners in Progress" Program.. Call Today!
STR Publishing, Inc. (STR, STReport, CPU Report);
ú maintains a commitment to utilizing the power of the Internet and Web
to keep computer users, worldwide, both private and commercial,
informed of new trends in equipment, upgrade reports and future
planning.
ú offers highly informative Hardware and Software Reviews, Press
Releases, hands-on stories, user experiences and show reports.
ú presents the NEWS about new hardware, new software and how-to
publications within HOURS of its being made public.
ú is dedicated to keeping the users informed of what your company has to
offer at incredibly, almost the moment its offered!
Take full advantage of STReport's Exciting "Partners in Progress" Programs!
MAXIMIZE your Company's Presence Worldwide. TODAY!
Eighth Page - $200.00 per month Quarter Page - $400.00 per month
Half Page - $800.00 per month Full Page - $1200.00 per month
Your company's color ad, as described by you and designed by us, will appear
in STReport International Online Magazine. STReport is published and
released weekly on Fridays Evenings. All sizes based on a full color, eight
and a half by eleven inch page.
Email us at or, for quick action call us at:
VOICE: 904-292-9222 10am/5pm est FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs Support BBS
DATA: 904-268-4116 or, write us at:
STR Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205
STR hopes you will take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity to
provide information concerning your company and your product line to
Computer Users, world wide via STReport International Online Magazine (Since
1987). And, at the same time, helping to keep the very best Independent
Online Magazine available each and every week for many years to come.
USRobotics leads the way STR Infofile
U.S. Robotics x2 Technology: Technical Brief
x2 is a new transmission scheme developed by U.S. Robotics that
achieves line speeds of up to 56 kbps. This technology can take
advantage of compression schemes such as V.42 bis, to further
increase throughput. This paper explains x2 in detail.
U.S. Robotics x2 technology allows modems to receive data at up to
56 Kbps over the standard, public switched telephone network
(PSTN). x2 overcomes the theoretical limitations imposed on
standard, analog modems by exploiting the digital connections that
most Internet and online service providers use at their end to
connect to the PSTN.
Typically, the only analog portion of the phone network is the
phone line that connects your home to the telephone company's
central office (CO). Over the past two decades the telephone
companies have been replacing portions of their original analog
networks with digital circuits. But the slowest portion of the
network to change has been the connection from your home to the
CO. That connection will likely be analog for some years to come.
x2 requires no changes to the wiring and equipment that are
already in place. All that's required to convert a service
provider's U.S. Robotics Total Control digital modems, NETServer I-
modems or MP I-modems is a software upgrade. U.S. Robotics calls
the modems that have a direct digital connection to the PSTN x2
server modems. Likewise, converting a Courier V.Everything analog
modem to an x2 client modem is as simple as downloading new
software. (In addition, some Sportster modems can be upgraded to
x2 by swapping a memory chip.)
Why V.34 Wasn't the Final Word In Throughput
V.34 modems are optimized for the situation where both ends
connect by analog lines to the PSTN. But today it makes sense to
assume that service providers have digital connections to the
PSTN.
The PSTN's Optimization for Voice Hinders Data Communications
The PSTN was designed for voice communications. By artificially
limiting the sound spectrum to just those frequencies relevant to
human speech, network engineers found they could reduce the
bandwidth needed per call, increasing the number of potential
simultaneous calls. While this works well for voice, it imposes
limits on data communications. Remember that the PSTN was
optimized for voice traffic.
V.34 Modems Are Optimized for End-to-End Analog Connections
Even though most of the network is digital, V.34 modems treat it
as if it were entirely analog. V.34 modems are incredibly robust,
but they cannot make the most of the bandwidth that becomes
available when one end of the connection is completely digital.
V.34 was built on the assumption that both ends of the connection
suffer impairment due to quantization noise introduced by analog-
to-digital converters (ADCs).
Anatomy of a V.34 Connection
Noise Introduced by Quantization of Analog Signals
Analog information must be transformed to binary digits in order
to be sent over the PSTN. The incoming analog waveform is sampled
8,000 times per second, and each time its amplitude is recorded as
a PCM code. The sampling system uses 256 discrete 8-bit PCM codes.
Because analog waveforms are continuous and binary numbers are
discrete, the digits that are sent across the PSTN and
reconstructed at the other end approximate the original analog
waveform. The difference between the original waveform and the
reconstructed quantized waveform is called quantization noise,
which limits modem speed.
Quantization noise limits the communications channel to about 35
Kbps. But quantization noise affects only analog-to-digital
conversion -- not digital-to-analog. This is the key to x2: If
there are no analog-to-digital conversions between the x2 server
modem and the PSTN, and if this digitally connected transmitter
uses only the 255 discrete signal levels available on the digital
portion of the phone network, then this exact digital information
reaches the client modem's receiver, and no information is lost in
conversion processes.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
Signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of link performance arrived at
by dividing signal power by noise power. The higher the ratio, the
clearer the connection, and the more data can be passed across it.
Even under the best conditions, when a signal undergoes analog-to-
digital conversion, there's a 38 to 39 dB signal-to-noise ratio
(the "noise floor") that limits practical V.34 speeds to 33.6
Kbps.
Let's spell this out step by step:
1. The server connects, in effect, digitally to the telephone company
trunk.
2. The server signaling is such that the encoding process uses only the
256 PCM codes used in the digital portion of the phone
network. In other words, there is no quantization noise
associated with converting analog-type signals to
discrete valued PCM codes.
3. These PCM codes are converted to corresponding discrete
analog voltages and sent to the client modem via an analog
loop circuit - there is no information loss (see the graphic,
"An x2 Connection" below).
4. The client receiver reconstructs the discrete network PCM
codes from the analog signals it received, decoding what the
transmitter sent.
Upstream and Downstream Channels: Asymmetric Operation
x2 connections employ one bidirectional channel, upstream and
downstream. The x2 client modem's downstream (receive) channel is
capable of higher speeds because no information is lost in the
digital-to-analog conversion. The x2 client modem's upstream
(send) channel goes through an analog-to-digital conversion, which
limits it to V.34 speeds.
x2 Encoding in More Detail
As discussed above, data is sent from the x2 server modem over the
PSTN as binary numbers. But to meet the conditions of point two
above, the x2 server modem transmits data (eight bits at a time)
to the client's ADC at the same rate as the telephone network
(8,000 Hz). This means the modem's symbol rate must equal the
phone network's sample rate.
An x2 Connection
x2 Modem Connections
During the training sequence, x2 modems probe the line to
determine whether any downstream analog-to-digital conversions
have taken place. If the x2 modems detect any analog-to-digital
conversions, they will simply connect as V.34. The x2 client modem
also attempts a V.34 connection if the remote modem does not
support x2.
The x2 client modem's task is to discriminate among the 256
potential voltages, to recover 8,000 PCM codes per second. If it
could do this, then the download speed would be nearly 64 Kbps
(8,000 x 8 bits per code). But, it turns out, several problems
slow things down slightly.
First, even though the network quantization noise floor problem is
removed, a second, much lower noise floor is imposed by the
network DAC equipment and the local loop service to the client's
premises. This noise arises from various nonlinear distortions and
circuit crosstalk.
Second, network DACs are not linear converters, but follow a
conversion rule (-law in North America and A-law in many other
places). As a result, network PCM codes representing small
voltages produce very small DAC output voltage steps whereas codes
representing large voltages produce large voltage steps.
These two problems make it impractical to use all 256 discrete
codes, because the corresponding DAC output voltage levels near
zero are just too closely spaced to accurately represent data on a
noisy loop. (Note: Each network PCM code corresponds to a DAC
voltage level.) Therefore, the x2 encoder uses various subsets of
the 256 codes that eliminate DAC output signals most susceptible
to noise. For example, the most robust 128 levels are used for 56
Kbps; 92 levels to send 52 Kbps, etc. Using fewer levels provides
more robust operation, but at a lower data rate.
Requirements
x2 requires the following:
1. Digital at one end.
One end of an x2 connection must terminate at a digital circuit,
meaning a "trunk-side" channelized T1, ISDN PRI, or ISDN BRI.
Line-side T1 will not work because additional analog-to-digital
and digital-to-analog conversions are added. In a trunk-side
configuration, once the user's analog call is converted to digital
and sent through the carrier network, the call stays digital until
it reaches a U.S. Robotics server modem through a T1, PRI or BRI
circuit.
2. x2 support at both ends.
x2 must be supported on both ends of the connection, by the client
modem as well as by the remote access server or modem pool at the
host end. Typically, the remote user will be using a U.S. Robotics
Sportster, Courier, or Megahertz modem dialing into a
U.S. Robotics MP I-modem, NETServer I-modem, Courier I-modem, or
Total Control Enterprise Network Hub.
3. One Analog-to-Digital conversion.
There can only be one analog-to-digital conversion in the phone
network along the path of the call between the x2 server modem and
the client modem. If the line is a channelized T1, it must be
"trunk-side" and not "line-side." With line-side service from the
phone company, there typically is an additional analog-to-digital
conversion (this limitation is described below).
U.S. Robotics Advantages
U.S. Robotics Equipment Already Deployed Allows Digital
Connections Digital modems, such as those in the Total
Control Enterprise Network Hub, already process digital signals
straight from digital lines. x2 drops cleanly into this
configuration. U.S. Robotics server equipment can be software
upgraded to x2. Companies that do not currently manufacture
digital modems will need to invest considerable time and effort to
develop them.
U.S. Robotics Modems Being Shipped Today Are Upgradeable to x2
All U.S. Robotics products that currently support software
downloads can be easily upgraded to x2. U.S. Robotics designs its
own high-performance modem data pumps, using digital signal
processors (DSPs). x2 upgrades are seamlessly integrated into
these designs.
Glossary
amplitude A measure of the distance between
the high and low points of a
waveform.
analog-to-digital A device that samples incoming
converter (ADC) analog voltage waveforms, rendering
them as sequences of binary digital
numbers. Passing waveforms through
an ADC introduces quantization
noise.
basic rate An ISDN line that provides up to
interface (BRI) two 64-Kbps B-channels and one 16-
Kbps D-channel over an ordinary two-
wire telephone line. B-channels
carry circuit-oriented data or
voice traffic while D-channels
carry call-control signals.
call-control Operations associated with
signaling establishing and tearing down
virtual circuits through a network.
For example, dialing.
central office The facility at which individual
(CO) telephone lines in a limited
geographic area are connected to
the public telephone network.
digital-to-analog A device that reconstructs analog
converter (DAC) voltage waveforms from an incoming
sequence of binary digits. Does not
in itself introduce noise.
digital signal A processor that is optimized for
processor (DSP) performing the complex mathematical
calculations inherent in processing
digital signals. A discrete DSP may
be reprogrammed. A DSP integrated
in a chipset typically contains its
own ROM and cannot be reprogrammed.
line-side T1 A T1 that undergoes at least one
analog-to-digital conversion in the
path between the x2 server modem
and the PSTN.
primary rate A four-wire ISDN line (or "trunk")
interface (PRI) with the same capacity as a T1,
1.544 Mbps. PRIs contain 23 64-Kbps
B-channels and one 64-Kbps D-
channel. The D-channel carries call-
control signaling for all the B-
channels.
pulse code A technique for converting an
modulation (PCM) analog signal with an infinite
number of possible values into
discrete binary digital words that
have a finite number of values. The
waveform is sampled, then the
sample is quantized into PCM codes.
quantization The process of representing a
voltage with a discrete binary
digital number. Approximating an
infinite valued signal with a
finite number system introduces an
error called quantization error.
signal-to-noise A measure of link performance
ratio (SNR) arrived at by dividing signal power
by noise power. Typically measured
in decibels. The higher the ratio,
the clearer the connection.
T1 A four-wire digital line (or
"trunk") with the same capacity as
a PRI line, 1.544 Mbps. T1s contain
24 DS0s, each of which carries 56
Kbps (call-control signaling is
carried within the DS0).
trunk-side T1 A T1 line that has a direct digital
connection to the phone network,
and therefore undergoes no analog
conversions in the path between the
x2 server modem and the PSTN.
x2 client modem A modem equipped with x2 software
that is attached to a standard
analog telephone line. In order to
connect at x2 speeds (32-56 Kbps),
the device at the other end of the
connection must be an x2 server
modem that is attached to a trunk-
side T1, BRI, or PRI line.
x2 server modem A digital modem equipped with x2
software that is attached to a
trunk-side T1, BRI, or PRI line.
Client modems must be equipped with
x2 software in order to connect at
x2 speeds (32-56 Kbps). Current
products that can act as x2 servers
include the Total Control
Enterprise Network Hub, NETServer
I-modem, MP I-modem and Courier I-
modem.
WUGNET Highlights STR Focus
News from WUGNET... from PRNewswire...
ú Photodex Announces Public Beta for Award Winning Multimedia CompuPic32
Viewer - 32 Bit edition. Global Beta Support on WUGNET's WINUSER FORUM
ú WEBMASTER FORUM LAUNCHED ON COMPUSERVE WUGNET Offers the First Web-
based IRC Server ConferenceRoom to CompuServe Members
ú WinZip 6.2 Zip Utility Released on CompuServe Award Winning Zip Utility
Now Supports Additional Internet File Formats and Includes WinZip
Self-Extractor Personal Edition
Photodex Announces..
Public Beta for Award Winning Multimedia CompuPic32 Viewer - 32 Bit edition
Exclusive Beta available on CompuServe in WUGNET Windows Users Forum
MEDIA, Pa., WUGNET, the Windows Users Group Network, and Photodex
Corporation today announced the exclusive open beta of CompuPic32 (CPIC32),
the powerful graphics viewer that offers powerful image optimization for
graphic professionals or novice users, from Photodex Corporation. The beta,
available exclusively on WUGNET's Windows Users Forum (GO WINUSER), offers
use of CompuPic32 prior to public release, and prizes for the best feedback
suggestions.
CompuPic32 brings intuitive, optimized and multi-tasking image viewing and
editing capabilities to the desktop of any user, regardless of their
experience with images and graphics -- There is nothing to learn, just
click and view! Whether you need to view a graphic file, play a sound or
video file, visually browse thumbnails of your files, enhance that old
family photo, organize pictures into a picture index or cut & paste all or
part of a graphic into another Windows application -- CompuPic32 is the only
tool you will need.
CompuPic32's exclusive multi-tasking capability fully exploits the power of
Windows 95/NT. Now users can generate thumbnails, create picture indexes,
print or copy/move files in the background -- all while continuing to view,
browse, edit and convert their graphic/multimedia files. In summary, NO
MORE WAITING!
CompuPic32 will be made available to WUGNET members in CompuServe's Windows
Users Forum (GO WINUSER). The Windows Users Forum is a global online
resource for CompuServe's Windows users, offering exclusive files, beta
test opportunities, featured discussions with book authors, journalists, and
vendors. In addition, the forum features an exchange of news and opinions
covering all Windows environments, including Microsoft @ Deadline, Internet
Gizmos, Windows @ Deadline, Windustry Trends, Industry Roadkill and a
special new section covering Microsoft's new hand held Windows operating
system CE, code named Pegasus. The WINUSER Forum is currently offering
several open public beta test programs including Quarterdeck's WebCompass
2.0.
"The Photodex development team did an incredible job in bringing their
Windows 16 bit edition to the Windows 32 bit platform. The increased
performance and newly added features will make CompuPic32 an essential
tool for every Windows NT and Windows 95 desktop user," says Joel Diamond,
Technical Director of WUGNET. "WUGNET is pleased to host Photodex's
CompuPic32 beta on WINUSER because their product represents state of the art
32 bit image viewing and features. Members who participate in the beta will
benefit from the excellent technical support provided by our online staff."
"We are very pleased to be working with WUGNET exclusively on the first open
public beta for CompuPic32, especially as CompuServe users move into the 32-
bit world with CompuServe 3.0." said Scott Schinlever, President of
Photodex. "CompuPic32 will be the standard in graphics viewing and file
management. Once you use CompuPic32, with its exclusive multitasking
capability and the fastest jpeg reader available, it is difficult to go
back to other graphic utilities that make you wait."
The full product will be available for purchase directly from Photodex for
$39.95. Focused on "try before you buy" software sales, Photodex offers
an unlimited risk-free trial period, where CompuPic32 is fully functional.
CompuPic32's small download size allows for a fast and efficient download,
and is one-half to one-third the size of similar programs. Installation
occurs in under one minute, and the built in help gets users up and running
instantly.
Registered CompuPic users don't have to hassle with getting updates. With
the one year free upgrade policy, users can download updates of CompuPic32
from the Internet or major on-line systems and install them instantly,
without having to contact Photodex. Registered users don't even have to re-
enter their passwords, it's all automatic.
About Photodex Corporation.
Photodex, founded in 1987, develops innovative imaging and multimedia
applications that help users around the world use their media files
effectively and creatively. The company's award-winning products include
CompuPic Viewer/Multimedia File Manager, Picture Factory, Graphics Display
System and a wide variety of products and utilities licensed to publishers
such as Broderbund, Expert Software, IBM, Maxis and T/Maker. For more
information point your browser to http://www.photodex.com.
WEBMASTER FORUM LAUNCHED ON COMPUSERVE
WUGNET Offers the First Web-based IRC Server ConferenceRoom to CompuServe
Members
Media, PA., --WUGNET, the Windows User Group Network, announces the launch
of their WEBMASTER Forum and the availability of WebMaster Inc.'s Internet
Relay Chat (IRC) chat server, ConferenceRoom from CompuServe. The
WEBMASTER Forum is CompuServe's newest technical special interest group for
Windows professionals operating a Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 95 web
environment and related compatible 32-bit add-on technologies, such as
VRML, NEWS, Database, and Chat.
One of the first technologies to be showcased on the WEBMASTER FORUM is
ConferenceRoom, the first fully functional IRC server for Windows NT and
Windows 95 that differentiates itself from other web-based chat systems by
allowing the seamless addition of real-time chat into web pages.
ConferenceRoom is a cost- effective and easy-to-use business solution for
distance learning, virtual meetings, and client support. It is also an
ideal environment to chat with other professionals and friends.
ConferenceRoom will be made available to CompuServe members via a file
available from the WEBMASTER Forum's file library download area. The fully
functional 45-day test-drive version of ConferenceRoom will allow
CompuServe members to thoroughly evaluate the product, receive expert
technical support, and discuss the product with WUGNET's online staff and
Forum members.
"The WEBMASTER Forum provides an opportunity for end-users to get a leg up
on the latest and greatest technology," said Howard Sobel, WUGNET's
Executive Director. "ConferenceRoom is a great example of a technology
that empowers end-users and corporations alike through the integration of
web and chat."
"We are very pleased to be working with WUGNET to offer CompuServe members
their favorite application: chat," said Mark Owen, chief technology officer
for WebMaster Inc. "ConferenceRoom is the application to bring chat
functionality to the Web."
The full product will be available for purchase directly from WUGNET.
About WebMaster Inc.
WebMaster Inc. is a privately-held, Santa Clara, California based software
company specializing in Windows NT-based Internet server solutions. The
company's products set a new standard for functionality, price/performance
and ease-of-use. WebMaster Inc.'s software is distributed through OEM's,
web site/software developers and direct sales. WebMaster Inc. provides a
cost-effective suite of web server products for web site development and
administration. Products include solutions for network news, Internet
Relay chat and Internet commerce. For more information please contact
WebMaster Inc., 1601 Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Santa Clara, CA 95050,
or point your browser to http://www.webmaster.com/.
WinZip 6.2 Zip Utility Released on CompuServe
Award Winning Zip Utility Now Supports Additional
Internet File Formats and Includes WinZip
Self-Extractor Personal Edition
BRISTOL, CT -- WinZip(R) 6.2, the leading Windows Zip utility, is now
available to CompuServe's global Windows community in the Windows Users
Group Network (WUGNET) Windows Utility Forum (GO WINUTIL). The Windows
Utility Forum is the official support area for WinZip on CompuServe.
WinZip 6.2 now supports the UUencode, BinHex, and MIME formats frequently
used for Internet email. These formats allow users to send and receive any
format file (games and other programs, application data,
video, audio, etc.) by Internet mail.
Among the other new features is WinZip Self-Extractor Personal Edition,
which simplifies file distribution by allowing users to create executable
files that unzip themselves. WinZip's new "Favorite Zip Folders" facility
organizes downloads and all other Zip files into one convenient list that is
sorted by date, making it easier to locate all Zip files, regardless of
where they came from or where they are stored.
"Nico Mak Computing continues to pack more power and utility into this
package with every upgrade. Their attention to the needs of the online
community makes this product a continuing hit with CompuServe and Internet
users," said Howard Sobel, Executive Director, WUGNET.
"Most of the new features in WinZip were designed with the growing audience
of Internet and email users in mind," said developer Nico Mak. "Many email
users have been confused by UUencoded, BinHex, and MIME files, and WinZip
6.2 makes it easy to decode these formats. In addition, the new Favorite
Zip Folders feature simplifies management of Internet downloads."
Key product features include:
ú Built-in support for many file formats, including ZIP, TAR, gzip, Unix
compress, UUencode, XXencode, BinHex, and MIME.
ú Windows 95 features, including long filename support and shell
integration. (All other features work on Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and
Windows NT.)
ú An optional Wizard interface that steps the user through the process of
unzipping and/or installing software distributed in Zip files.
ú Support for self-extracting files, which are ideal for sending Zip
files to users who may not have an unzip utility.
About WinZip
Best known for providing a familiar Windows interface for ZIP files, WinZip
allows users to manipulate ZIP files and other popular archival/compression
formats without a complex command line interface. The first Windows 95
version was released in August, 1995; the first Windows 3.x version was
released in 1991. Recent WinZip awards include:
ú 1996 PC Magazine "Best Utility" Shareware Award
ú 1996 Windows Magazine "Win100" Award
ú 1996 PC Computing "Best of the Internet" Award for compression
ú 1996 Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine "Readers Choice Award"
In previous years WinZip was a finalist for the PC Computing 1995 MVP Award,
and was voted "Best Utility" at the 1994 annual Shareware Industry Awards,
and won the Windows Magazine Win100 Award in 1993.
Requirements
The 32-bit version of WinZip requires Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51 or
later; the 16-bit version requires Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups.
While no other programs are required for operations involving ZIP, gzip,
TAR, Unix compress, UUencode, XXencode, BinHex, and MIME files, some
optional features (e.g. virus scanning) require one or more external
programs Details are included in WinZip's on-line help.
Pricing and Availability
WinZip 6.2 is now shipping. Individual copies are priced at $29, including
postage and handling. Both the Windows 95/NT and Windows 3.1 versions are
shipped on the same disk and are covered by the same license agreement.
For credit card orders, visit the WinZip home page (www.winzip.com) or call
the Public Software Library at 800-242-4775. Quantity discounts and site
licensing are available.
Fully functional evaluation copies can be downloaded from the WinZip home
page (www.winzip.com), the WinZip BBS on Microsoft Network, or from the
Windows Utility Forum (GO WINUTIL) on CompuServe.
For further information about WinZip, contact Nico Mak Computing, Inc. at
P.O. Box 919, Bristol, CT 06011, send Internet mail to support@winzip.com,
or visit the WinZip home page: http://www.winzip.com
WinZip is a registered trademark of Nico Mak Computing, Inc. Other product
and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
CONTACT: Joel Diamond of WUGNET, 610-565-1864 or fax, 610-565-7106,
joeld@wugnet.com, or Nico Mak Computing, support@winzip.com.
CONTACT: Howard Sobel of WUGNET, 610-539-6160, or fax, 610-565-7106,
howards@wugnet.com, or Scott Schinlever of Photodex Corp., 512-406-3027, or
fax, 512-452-6825, or sschin@photodex.com
About WUGNET
Launched officially on CompuServe in 1989, the organization provides
technical support through over 40 Windows-centric online forums with
special interest areas in operating systems, the web, shareware, games,
international, and software development. For more information point your
browser to http://www.wugnet.com. WUGNET works closely with the commercial
and shareware software development community to raise awareness for best of
breed innovative software within its online Windows communities. WUGNET
selects a shareware pick of the week featured on the Microsoft and WUGNET
Shareware Pick of the Week at www.microsoft.com/windows. Windows NT and
Windows 95 software vendors are invited to contact WUGNET to participate in
public and secure private beta test programs with CompuServe's Windows 95
and Windows NT members. Contact Larrym@wugnet.com or 804-671-1782.
Additional Windows software support resources include the electronic
edition of Microsoft's Windows 3.x Resource Kits and the System Engineer
configuration management tool. WUGNET's books, published by IDG Books
Worldwide, are comprehensive practical reference resources designed to help
users in all advanced topics of Windows configuration, communications,
networking and the Internet. The titles include: Windows 3.1 Connectivity
Secrets (ISBN:1-56884-030-6), Windows 3.1 Configuration Secrets (ISBN:1-
56884-026-8) and Internet Gizmos for Windows (ISBN:1-56884-451-4). All
trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Dvorak Passes the Flame. STR Infofile
NavCIS and OUI now brought to you by
Peak To Peak Services & Development, Inc. !!!
On November 4, 1996, Peak To Peak Services & Development, Inc. acquired
NavCIS and OUI from Dvorak Development. Peak To Peak <P2P> will be
continuing the development and upgrading of NavCIS and OUI to keep current
with the ever-changing challenges of CompuServe and the Internet USENET
newsgroups.
We bring much experience to the field of online navigation. Our company,
while still small, has a core group of people who have been associated with
NavCIS and OUI since the products' beginnings. We are very interested in
hearing from you! We want suggestions, ideas for new features, input and
anything that you think might help us to craft superior products for
CompuServe and USENET newsgroups. In that light, please submit suggestions
and input to SECtion 8 <Suggestions> on the Peak To Peak forum <GO FRM-240>.
We will closely track your input and, in time, have a suggestion list in
LIBrary 8 so that you can see what others have suggested. We will also have
an Internet email address for input. Keep an eye on the forum's NewsFlash
for the address when it becomes available.
For the time being, we are not set up to handle telephone technical support.
We appreciate your patience in this area as we anticipate telephone support
capabilities shortly. We will announce the availability of phone support as
soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please feel free to post
messages to the Peak To Peak forum or to Navcis@dvorak.com or
Oui@dvorak.com. These will be forwarded to the support folks at P2P and the
addresses will be replaced with direct access within two weeks <mid-
November>. Watch the forum's NewsFlash for details!
For now, our Technical Support policies are:
1 day per week forum support <GO FRM-240>. We strive to answer questions
on the same day posted.
2 Fax to 303.604.9498. This will be monitored 7 days a week from 9:00
a.m. to midnight. It is imperative that you include your email address
on all faxes as we will first try to resolve your problem via email.
We will need to know the version of NavCIS or OUI that you are using, a
detailed explanation of the problem that you are encountering and what
operating system you are running under. Most support problems can
easily be solved in email or on the forum. Faxes received without
email return addresses cannot be responded to.
3 Our new Dedicated email support request UID, 72662,736. This UID will
be monitored 7 days a week between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Mountain
Time. We reserve the right to move messages posted to this UID onto
the Peak To Peak forum so that other users may benefit from the
answer.
Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to a great future
together!
Copyright by Peak To Peak Services & Development, Inc. 5 November 1996
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
Skill Traps
Memorex Entertainment Series
Ages: Kids to Adults
$14.95
N-TK (Entertainment Technology), Inc.
Cerritos, CA 90670
Program Requirements
OS: Windows 3.1
CPU: 386
HD Space: ?
Memory: 4 MB
Graphics: 640 x 480, 256 colors
CD-ROM: Double-speed
Audio: Windows-compatible sound card
Other: mouse
review by Angelo Marasco
Skill Traps, part of the Memorex Entertainment Series produced by N-TK, is a
collection of four challenging strategy and logic games. It is rated for
kids to adults and I've found that it satisfies both.
The four games are interesting, challenging and fun, in varying degrees of
course. They include Beetle Run, Quarry, Ronnie's Resort and Wordmix. Each
was a real mind bender in its own right.
For me, Ronnie's Resort is the most challenging game in the collection.
Your goal is to help Ronnie get to the beach for a swim. First, though,
Ronnie needs his inner tube. This isn't nearly as easy as it sounds.
The path to the inner tube and beach is a grid pattern. It consists of
rock walls, beach balls, streams, shuffle boards, bridges, trellises and
lawn
chairs to block the way. You must figure out how to use the moveable
items to make a path through the stream or around the beach balls to the
inner tube then to the beach. Although my kids claimed that they solved all
thirty of the puzzles, I strongly suspect that they relied heavily on the
"solution" button. I couldn't solve any! Thank goodness that there is an
easily accessible "reset" button, too. One wrong move and you lock a key
item into a position where it is immovable. This happened to me plenty of
times. Ronnie's Resort is guaranteed to be many, many months of fun for
anyone in your family.
Have you ever wanted to know more about beetles but just could not find the
time to do the research? Not with all that time you have to spend at the
computer (playing computer games of course)? Well, thanks to Beetle Run you
can have your cake and eat it too!
Beetle Run is played on a board of blocks that you spin into any of four
positions with the mouse. Each block has a little piece of the beetle's
path in it. At the beginning of each level the game gives you information
about beetles. Then you have six seconds to prepare for some great fun.
The object of the game is to move the blocks around to create a continuous
path for the beetle to follow. You receive points for each block that the
beetle successfully passes through. Some blocks give you bonus points and
you can double your point accumulation by pressing the "fast" button.
As the beetle passes through a block, that block turns off and can't be used
again until the beetle passes off the board. At successive levels you lose
the use of some blocks that adds to the challenge. I spent a lot of time
with Beetle Run because I thought that it was the most fun of the four
games.
Quarry is a game where you move blocks to make spaces for your miners to
move across the mine to the elevator. You can move any column of blocks in
which you have a miner present. Watch out, though. When moving blocks to
open a path, you may also open a path for some of the computer's miners and
allow them to get closer to their goal. This isn't a really big thinking
game but playing it is fun. Quarry isn't nearly as challenging as Ronnie's
Resort or Beetle Run.
Wordmix is the computer version of an age-old game. You choose the word you
want to play with and then try to make as many words as possible out of the
letters available in the word you've chosen. The neat thing is that the
game tells you how many words it is possible to make from your original
word. However, some words that the program lists are so obscure and
unfamiliar that it was actually frustrating to play. Wordmix is not one of
my favorite games. I really thought that it was boring, on top of being
frustrating and I couldn't wait to close it out after only a few minutes of
play.
The graphics in Skill Traps are good but not spectacular. I wasn't happy
with the fact that the view in Ronnie's Resort is all from overhead,
although I really can't think of any other way to do it. Quarry's graphics
reminded me of any number of old EGA computer games. I feel that N-TK could
do a lot better with the graphics here.
The sounds in this entire program were strange and not very attractive.
Usually a CD-ROM game has lots of quality sound to offer because of all the
space available on it. Not so here. The sounds don't seem to have anything
to do with the games. It's almost as if most of them were thrown in as an
afterthought.
The interface in Skill Traps is good. Navigating through the program is
easy. There are lots of options and all are available with just one click
of the mouse. Two things did bother me in Ronnie's Resort, though. First,
you can only move Ronnie around by using the cursor arrows on the keyboard.
I prefer to use the mouse for things like this, but that option is not
available. Second, there were some very disconcerting delays in the game
that affected the playing of the game. Several times during each game there
were delays in the game's response to the cursor arrow keys. Consequently I
tended to hit the key one or two times too many. Only one wrong move can
ruin an entire puzzle for you and force you to start from the beginning,
which happened to me several times. Considering that the minimum system
requirement is a 386 processor with 8MB of RAM and I tested this software on
a 486 with 8MB, I feel that these delays are uncalled for.
The play value of Skill Traps is extremely high. I keep coming back to it
to play Ronnie's Resort and Beetle Run because of the level of challenge in
these games. My kids keep returning to it too, despite their claims of
having conquered Ronnie's Resort.
At a retail price of $14.99 the bang for the buck of Skill Traps is
extremely high. Yes, it does have some problems. No, it's not perfect.
However, with fun and challenging games like Ronnie's Resort and Beetle Run
on it and even mediocre games like Quarry and Wordmix, it is still a
bargain. If you and your children are looking for some good brain teasing
games then you should definitely add Skill Traps to your software
collection.
Leonardo The Inventor 2.0
For Windows 3.1 and 95, and Mac
about $30
For Ages 8 to Adult
SoftKey
One Athenaeum Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Program Requirements
OS: Windows 3.1
CPU: 486/25
HD Space: 1 MB
Memory: 8 MB
Graphics: 640 x 480, 256 colors
CD-ROM: Double-speed
Audio: 16-bit sound card
Other: mouse
reviewed by David H. Mann
Leonardo The Inventor chronicles the life, works and inventions of Leonardo
Da Vinci during the Renaissance period. It tells of the artist's
associations, thoughts, and influence on his time and ours. It also tells
an uncolored story of a sometimes troubled, sometimes brash, but always
inquisitive Renaissance man. The program is complete in its execution and
makes an excellent reference piece for any collection.
The program has nine sections and includes an extensive introduction as well
as games and animations of some of the pictures and inventions. The
sections are hyperlinked to pictures, video, animation and text on related
subjects. Add sound, narration, and beautiful classical background music
and you have a multimedia package that the whole family can enjoy.
The Introduction gives you a fifteen page annotated history of Leonardo Da
Vinci. Inventions shows the practical and impractical inventions and
drawings that Leonard created. The program shows some in 3D graphics that
allow 360 degree rotation while other images are in 2D animation. The
Gallery is a collection of the actual drawings of Leonardo's invention with
his own notes on how to implement them. Biography gives an outline of
Leonardo's birth, life, works, associations and death. The Database uses
hypertext links to join everything together. You can click on a subject and
get it instantly. The Timeline associates his birth, inventions, paintings,
sculptures and death to other important events occurring at that time.
Works shows photos and/or names of artistic pictures and drawings. It lists
where they are located in the world today or when they may have been
destroyed or stolen. Bibliography is a list of books used as sources to
compile Leonardo The Inventor. The games include Icarus which is a flying
game where the player uses one of the inventions to dodge obstacles. A
second game is Treasure Hunt. This game tests your knowledge of Leonardo's
life and works. It rewards correct answers with treasure animations. The
last game is Flee The Fortress. You have to use clues and your wits to
escape a 3D fortress designed by Leonardo. The games are all challenging
and fun. Leonardo The Inventor also includes a whimsical interactive
animation of the Mona Lisa that you have to see to believe.
Leonardo The Inventor is an excellent program that includes all of the
aspects that a multimedia package should contain. It's fun, educational,
informative and gives an excellent insight to one of the greatest geniuses
in history.
Gaming & Entertainment Section
with Atari User Support
Editor Dana P. Jacobson
From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
I don't have much to say this week. IN the "real" world, it's been a
hectic and interesting week. The elections took over the headlines for most
of the week and most everything else was on a back burner, if appearing at
all. We have some interesting update news from Missionware Software
regarding Flash II. Some JTS updates, reader feedback and Atari Computing
magazine news, and user group news. A nice assortment for everyone this
week. Let's get to the news this week; hopefully the coming week's "real
world" activity will slow a bit so I can put some provocative comments
together for you. <g>
Until next time...
Atari Classic's Jim Hood Passes Away
Fm: Bob Woolley 75126,3446
To: All
I regret to inform the Atari community that Jim Hood, a principle in the
current Atari Classics, a charter member of the San Leandro Computer Club,
and a great friend, passed away on Friday, November 2nd from respiratory
failure as a result of complications encountered in his battle with cancer.
He leaves a wife, Cindy, and a grown son, Nathan. A talented wit and a joy
to be around, we will miss him terribly.
Bob Woolley
FLASH II v3.02 STR Infofile Now shipping version 3.02!
FROM:
MISSIONWARE SOFTWARE
354 N. Winston Drive
Palatine, Illinois 60067-4132
United States of America
phone 847-359-9565
Missionware Software is pleased to announce the release of version 3.02 of
Flash II. This is our tenth update! Flash II originally went up for sale
in April of 1992. Version 3.02 adds a number of new features, as
highlighted below. Flash II is the update to the most popular Atari ST
telecommunications program ever! It's available exclusively from
Missionware Software and at an affordable price!
Flash II is completely rewritten by Paul Nicholls of Australia. It's easy
and fast to use for the telecommunications beginner or pro! What's so new
and good about Flash II version 3.02? The following list highlights a few
of the many changes that will make your on line time even better:
ú Flash II is fully multitasking capable. The program easily multitasks
under such operating systems as MultiTOS? (trademark of Atari
Corporation), Geneva? (trademark of Gribnif Software) and MagiC?.
ú All elements of the program are contained within GEM windows including
both editors and the terminal. That means that Flash II can, by
itself, do all file transfers in the background.
ú A new Auto Learn DO function is included that makes making logon and
other navigation scripts easy and automatic.
ú A new menu structure is used in version 3.02 that confirms more rigidly
to the official Atari standard.
ú Version 3.02 includes 2 editors! One editor is specifically designed
to be used as a capture buffer (just like the old editor) while the
other is designed to be used as a type ahead window or command window
(or both). While these editor functions are dedicated to a specific
use while online, you can use them as separate editors while off line
for any text editing purpose you desire.
ú The Atari standard clipboard is now supported in 3.02 meaning that you
can easily cut and paste text between both windows or between Flash II
and other applications.
ú A new Edit menu replaces the old Block menu and includes all standard
editing functions, such as Cut, Copy and Paste.
ú A new Window menu permits easy control over access to the windows.
ú Default transfer paths can now be saved!
ú Automatic saving of capture after logoff is now included.
ú A mini-BBS function is now included!
ú There are many more new features to Flash II version 3.02 too.
Other features of Flash II include:
ú Fully Falcon030 compatible!
ú Fully DirecT40/60 compatible!
ú Enhanced DEC VT Terminal emulations including the ability to swap the
functions of the Delete and Backspace keys for conformance to standard
DEC terminals.
ú Full support for text-based Internet access using shell programs such
as telnet, NN, tin, ftp, gopher, archie, lynx, etc.
ú Enhanced ANSI terminal and graphics. Blinking characters are now
supported in version 3.02.
ú Full support for all Atari serial ports on TT030 and MegaSTe as well as
baud rates up to 153600.
Terminal mode now displays either the real time clock or a timer.
1. DO script files compatible with older versions of Flash!
2. All macros use the familiar Flash DO script format!
3. Easily setup the parameters for each BBS you call...this includes
4. everything from ASCII upload/download options to baud rate!
You can program up to 20 individual and separate macros for each BBS plus an
additional 10 global macros !
Displays RLE & GIF pictures either on or off line! You can also save or
load these pictures for later review!
Supports the following terminal types: TTY, VIDTEX, VT52, ANSI, VT100,
VT101, VT102, VT200, VT300 & PRESTEL.
Includes full support for RTS/CTS. This mode can now be turned on and off
by the user.
Includes Automatic Answer mode!
Includes Auto Boards mode - Preselect the board(s) you wish to dial and when
Flash II is launched either manually from the desktop by you, or
automatically by some other program launcher, Flash II will wakeup and dial
the board(s) you've got selected. It will also wait for the proper time to
dial these boards.
Supports the ST, IBM and DEC character sets, including IBM/ANSI graphics
characters!
Supports the following upload/download protocols: ASCII, Xmodem, Ymodem,
Ymodem-G, Zmodem, Modem7, WXmodem, CIS B, Kermit and SEAlink! And all of
these protocols are built into the program...no external modules required!!!
Zmodem supports the selection of AutoStart and Streaming options for both
upload and downloads. If you prefer to use an external Zmodem protocol with
Flash II, you can now force Flash II's Zmodem autostart mode to off. For
BBS' that don't support "streaming", this too can now be turned off.
ú Logs all on line time and calculates your approximate costs for you!
ú New version written in assembler! Fast!
ú Runs on all ST, STe, TT030 and Falcon computers!
ú Supports "Install Application". You can create a DO script that
ú can be used to launch Flash II from the desktop and force it to
ú dial up and go online for you, all automatically!
ú Now includes "Edit Boards", a brand new program which lets you edit,
cut, copy, paste and sort your board slots outside of Flash II.
Missionware Software's upgrade policy remains the same for the new Version
3.02! We will continue to upgrade any old version of Flash! (copyright
Antic Software) for just $35 US, plus $4 shipping and handling (US and
Canada), $8 worldwide. Or, you can purchase Flash II, version 3.02
outright, for only $59.95 US plus the shipping and handling charges
applicable to your area.
You can also upgrade any old version of Flash II (pre-3.00 release) to our
new version 3.02. We're offering an "Easy Budget" upgrade which includes a
new program disk and a short 40+ page manual. This manual describes the new
features found in 3.02. (Your old Flash II manual suffices for all other
program information.) The cost of this upgrade is $15 plus $3 shipping and
handling ($6 worldwide). For those of you that want or need our all-new,
fully updated, 3.02 manual, you can purchase our "Full Upgrade" which
includes the new 250 page manual and program disk. The cost of this upgrade
is $30 plus $4 shipping and handling ($8 worldwide).
To order, or for more information, contact:
Missionware Software
354 N. Winston Drive
Palatine, IL 60067-4132
United States of America
phone 847-359-9565
This is an open letter to Atari Users Groups, their officers, and all past
and current Atari users. Admittedly my mail list is old, so please forward
this on to others who might be interested. I have re-sent this to my old
mailing list due to the responses from my previous mailings. My apologies
if you have already received this mailing.
AUNT(Atari Users of North Texas) is now releasing a monthly disk/html
combination newsletter/disk of the month(ADOM-AUNT Disk Of the Month). We
started in September and this has been an idea that is growing in strength
and popularity. Following our show we realized that ADOM can be much better
if we open it to others to use, contribute to, and distribute. What we are
envisioning is a collaborative effort, each group contributing material in
the form of articles of topical interest, software reviews, and other
technological commentaries. There's no box here. If it's interesting we
will run with it.
ADOM currently has regularly showings of
ú feature articles
ú beginners page
ú web site picks and reviews
ú Atari web sites
ú software reviews - Atari PD programs
ú Windows PD programs
ú bi-monthly Astronomy piece
We want to at the very lest capture regional interest.
The September ADOM took 3 High Density disks(it was big), but usually is a
one or two disk affair in HTML format. The audience is Atari users that
also use Windows and Macs at work who share technological interests. We
have offered the disk to members at $5.00/month in addition to a regular
paper newsletter(this may change). My suggestion to contributing groups is
to do something similar to bolster their treasuries. AUNT will not charge a
dime to contributing user groups for the content distributed over the
internet.
Please respond with ideas and thoughts. The October ADOM and AUNT Newsgroup
is available for public comment at http://www.startext.net/homes/aunt).
Please feel free to send people our way, but please do not re-distribute
ADOM w/o getting permission from AUNT first (which is only a matter of
tracking).
lwebb@FastLane.NET
Lonnie Webb
http://www.FastLane.NET/~lwebb
Another Atari Magazine STR Infofile This one looks good
Hi Dana !!
I thought you and the readers of the Atari section of STR would like to hear
about the news from the UK surrounding the Atari scene. It was great
reading through the letter you printed from Don Thomas in STR 1242. What
was also interesting was the feedback from people, especially one guy who
wrote that he used to subscribe to ST Format, the UK's Atari magazine from
Future Publishing, which has now gone to that great magazine rack in the
sky.
Atari Computing is a new printed magazine that is published by Mike
Kerslake, who has nothing whatsoever to do with Future Publishing. At the
recent Atari shows, copies of the mag sold very fast, with an automatic sell-
out by early afternoon. We're still on the lookout for more readers from
overseas - and remember, Atari Computing is a much better magazine than ST
Format ever could be. We're onto a winner here ....... and we know it !!
Here's the press release ...
Press release October 1996
Mike Kerslake, a magazine publisher with over fifteen years experience has
teamed up with Joe Connor, ex Reader Disk/Public Arena editor for Atari
World to create a NEW printed Atari magazine called Atari Computing. The
first issue was launched at the recent Atari shows in London and Birmingham
and completely sold out both days! Delighted by the response we've reprinted
Issue 1 so if you want to get your hands on this collectors item and join
the queue for Issue 2 you need to move fast.
Issue 1 featured contributions from respected and well known Atarians
including Graeme Rutt, Jon Ellis, Nial Grimes, Mark Baines, Denesh Bhabuta,
Kev Beardsworth, Colin Fisher-McAllum, Harry Sideras, Howard Carson, Xav,
Carl Lufgren, Thomas Binder, Al Goold, Chris Good, Ed McGlone, Roy Goring,
Neil Martin, Richard Spowart, Chris Holland and Steve Llewellyn.
We've also signed a deal with the two leading disk based magazines,
AtariPhile and Maggie to publish regular sections within the magazine. If
you've never seen a disk magazine before we think you'll be amazed to find
out how much you've been missing!
The Atari Computing launch issue included:
News and gossip put together by Graeme Rutt.
Reviews:
ú HD-Driver - by Jon Ellis
ú Deadlands - by Nial Grimes
ú Kandinsky v2.5 preview - by Kev Beardsworth
ú E-Copy - by Colin Fisher-McAllum
ú CoSTa - by Neil Martin
ú MagiC v4 - by Kev Beardsworth
ú MagiC v5 preview - by Thomas Binder
ú PD/Shareware reviews of AudioCreate, CPU MOD, Pysgham, Start Me
Up!, ST-Guide, The filler, CoMa, AppLine, Graph, STD Codes,
Maggie 20, Croft Soft Newsletter, 7up, Warp, Maggie 20 and
INcontrol reviewed by Joe Connor,
Denesh Bhabuta, Carl L$fgren and other reviewers.
Features:
ú Music and MIDI primer - by Ed McGlone
ú RSC file editing - by Mark Baines
ú NeST primer - by Harry Sideras
ú BBS primer - Colin Fisher-McAllum
ú DIY project to add joypad to STe - by Xav
ú Hard disk primer - by Howard Carson
ú User group reports co-ordinated by Al Goold
ú Guest sections:
ú AtariPhile
ú Maggie
ú Calamus User
ú Reader disk including ST-Guide, MagiC utilities and GEMTrek
Letters, obituaries for Atari, ST Format and Atari World Q&A
section, our team of experts are kept busy!
And there's more!
Background
Following the closure of Atari World earlier this year it was announced ST
Format, the last surviving UK newsstand publication, has also closed. It's
the end of an era in the UK which for the first time since 1987 has no Atari
newsstand presence. The men in grey suits are telling us to move onto other
platforms but hang on a minute, let's take stock of the situation...
ú Atari machines can be purchased and repaired on a shoestring
ú Atari machines can produce superb printed output
ú Atari machines can surf the Internet and run BBSs
ú Atari machines can form the nucleus of a digital music studio
ú New software of better quality than ever before is still being
released!
That doesn't sound like a dead platform! The Atari platform has been
emulated by just about every other platform, we're owners of cult machines!
Have you ever noticed ex-Atarians animatedly talking about the 'Good old
days' it's a feel good factor missing from all the current machines. We
don't need a new platform but we do need information and a printed magazine
is undoubtedly the best way to ensure we see in the millennium!
Apart from a darn good read the other thing most of us like is some new
software to play with. The Reader Disk concept offers all readers the chance
to get their hands on the hottest new software around along with exclusive
versions not available anywhere else. We intend to offer one Reader Disk to
accompany each issue, buy it or not, the choice is yours! What we need, now
more than ever before, is your support. It's going to be tough to keep going
so we're initially planning bi-monthly releases, but this could change, it's
really up to you! Instead of wishing us luck post a cheque to order your
copy today!
Ordering
As we're sure you'll appreciate launching a new magazine is a risky business
and our print run will be conservative - we don't expect to keep a stock of
back issues for long. We're not a newsstand publication so don't bother
looking in the shops. The Atari platform needs this magazine and we need
your subscription so do yourself and us a favor, take out a subscription or
order an evaluation copy today!
Subscriptions
Many of you (and most of us) lost money following the Atari World debacle
and we're determined not to make the same mistake. Atari Computing
subscriptions are refundable at any time. Cancel your subscription in
writing and we'll return any outstanding credit to you, minus a deduction to
cover our costs.
United Kingdom
Send cheque/PO made payable to the 'Atari Computing Group' to:
Atari Computing Subscriptions
73 Bentinck Drive
TROON
Ayrshire
KA10 6HZ
Scotland
Here's the subscription details:
All prices in UK Sterling where $ = British Pounds
ú (one time only)
ú Evaluation Copy UK * Europe * Other
ú Magazine only $ 3.00 $ 3.50 $ 5.00
ú With Reader Disk $ 5.00 $ 5.50 $ 7.00
ú Three issue
ú Subscription UK * Europe * Other
ú Magazine only $ 9.00 $11.50 $13.00
ú With Reader Disk $15.00 $17.50 $19.00
Local distributors have been appointed in many countries. Please contact
your local distributor directly if listed below and let us know if you
experience any problems. Please DO NOT subscribe direct to the UK if a
distributor local to you is available.
- Germany
Thorsten Butschke
Email: Thorsten_Butschke@s.maus.de
- Sweden
SAK Sk$ne
$ngelhomsg 12
214 22 MALMO
Sweden
Email: sven.bornemark@p56.dada.ct.se
- US
Richard Tietjens
Email: RichardX_Tietjens@ccm.jf.intel.com
- Canada
Computer Direct
10338-59 Avenue Info and Support:(403)496-2488
Edmonton, Alberta 24 Hour Fax Line:(403)496-2489
Canada. T6H 1E6 Toll Free Orders:(800)547-9203
Email: info@compdirect.com
Internet: http://www.compdirect.com/
- New Zealand
Mario Becroft
Email: mbecroft@tos.ak.planet.gen.nz
- Australia
Peter Kelly
Email: pmkelly@teaching.cs.adelaide.edu.au
- Norway
P$l Monstad
PM data
S3nden$lia 27
N-4200 SAUDA
Norway
Tel/Fax: +47 52 78 34 13
If you're outside the UK
ú Make certain your payment is *in Sterling* drawn on a *UK* bank
address
ú The following methods work:
ú International Bank draft/cheque in Sterling
ú Eurocheque made out in Sterling
ú International Post Office cheque payable in Sterling
ú Cash, Sterling, in a registered letter!
Submissions
We're always on the lookout for talented new contributors so if you've got
an idea for an article please do get in touch.
Contacts
General Inquiries
Atari Computing
"Rois Bheinn", Overton Crescent,
Johnstone,
PA5 8JB
Scotland
Email: ataricomputing@cix.co.uk
Netmail: 90:100/315.0@nest.ftn
Subscription inquiries
Atari Computing Subscriptions
73 Bentinck Drive
TROON
Ayrshire
KA10 6HZ
Scotland
Email: ataricomputing@cix.co.uk
Netmail: 90:100/315.0@nest.ftn
Editorial only
(Review material and letters for inclusion in the magazine) Atari Computing
Joe Connor
65 Mill Road
Colchester
CO4 5LJ
England
Email: ataricomputing@cix.co.uk
Netmail: 90:100/315.0@nest.ftn
Who are we?
Atari Computing is financed by the Atari Computing Group, based on CIX, and
dedicated to supporting the Atari platform - We're delighted with the
response to Issue 1 and working hard on Issue 2!
Regards
The Atari Computing Group ACG
--- ScanMail 0.70
* Origin: STAG on 42BBS (90:100/315)
--
Richard Spowart
felice@rushden.demon.co.uk
JTS Offers Cost-effective 2GB Hard Disk Drive
New Offerings Extend The JTS Line of HDD Products Beyond The Well Accepted
1.2 Gigabyte Palladium JTS Corp. (AMEX:JTS), a world leader in the
development of ultra-slim hard drives and portable storage solutions, on
Monday announced the availability of the Champ C2000-3AF, a competitive 2GB
hard disk drive targeted toward the burgeoning desktop market.
The high-capacity Champ is now shipping through JTS' worldwide network of
distributors and is currently under qualification at several desktop PC
OEMs. The company also is producing a 1.6GB version, the C1600-3AF. "With
our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Madras, India, we are
extremely well positioned to meet the market needs for 2GB hard disk
drives," said Tom Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of JTS
Corp.
"Our facilities offer high quality volume manufacturing capabilities at a
low cost of production." "JTS' focus on the mainstream desktop PC market in
conjunction with its low-cost manufacturing capabilities in India should
establish the company as a viable supplier to the desktop market," said John
Donovan, general manager and storage industry analyst for TRENDFOCUS Inc.
The new Champ series offers average seek times of less than 14msec, disk
rotation speed of 4500RPM, a 128K multi-segmented cache buffer, DMA Mode 2,
Fast-ATA-3 and PIO Mode 4 interface for transfer rates of up to 16.6MB/sec.
Industry-leading triple burst on-the-fly ECC (Error Correction Code)
increases data integrity at high throughput rates. Embedded servo [sic]
eliminates the need for thermal recalibration and provides for continuous
throughput of data making these drives ideal for multimedia applications,
while the low acoustics provide whisper-quiet operation. The Champ hard
disk is encapsulated to lock in quality, protect against handling and ESD
damage, improve drive reliability and provide for easier installation. By
encapsulating the drive, the installer is able to handle the unit on all
surfaces without touching the PCBA.
This technology also reduces electromagnetic radiation interference to and
from the unit. The MTBF is an industry-leading 500,000 hours and the Champ
series is backed by a three year warranty. JTS Corp., with headquarters in
San Jose, was founded in 1994 to design, manufacture and supply enhanced-
capacity hard disk drives for the notebook and desktop personal computer
market. JTS offers an innovative line of ultra-slim 3.0-inch disk drives
that provide higher capacity and lower cost per megabyte than competing
drives in the portable computer market.
JTS Corporation Completes 15 Million Private Financing
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- JTS Corporation (AMEX: JTS) today
announced the completion of a $15 million private financing involving the
sale of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred
shares are non-voting. They are convertible into JTS's common stock at the
current market price or a discount from the market price at the time of
conversion and have an annual dividend rate of five percent.
Tom Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer of JTS Corporation (the
"Company") commented on the financing, "The completion of this financing
provides us with adequate working capital to reach our targeted production
schedules for the remainder of this fiscal year. I'm pleased to report that
we met our production plans for the third quarter of this year.
We shipped 221,000 units this quarter, up from 118,000 drives, or
approximately 8,000 drives per week, in the second quarter of this year. The
Company commenced production of our 3.5 inch hard drives for desktop
computers in our factory in Madras, India in October of 1995. We are
currently manufacturing up to 25,000 drives per week and expect to reach
weekly shipments of 40,000 units by the end of the calendar year and 50,000
units by the end of our fiscal year ending 2/02/97. During the quarter JTS
introduced three new 3.0 inch hard drives for the portable market place --
including the industry's first ultra slim 1GB hard disk drive. The Company
also began shipping new 1.4GB and 1.6GB, 3.0 inch drives."
"We expect to announce our second quarter results in more detail in
approximately two weeks, however, I am pleased to report that we met our
sales target of $30 million, up from $16 million in the second quarter of
this fiscal year. We still expect that our sales in the fourth quarter of
this year will more than double the sales that we will report for the third
quarter of this year. The Company anticipates revisiting the capital market
later this year or early next year, and assuming a successful completion of
another financing of similar size, we expect that in the first quarter of
fiscal 1998, ending April 30, 1997, we will ship over $100 million in hard
drives," added Mitchell.
JTS Corporation was founded in 1994 to design, manufacture, and supply
enhanced capacity hard disk drives for the notebook and desktop personal
computer market. The president and chief executive officer of JTS, Tom
Mitchell, is formerly the president and chief operating officer of Conner
Peripherals and co-founder, president and chief operating officer of Seagate
Technology. JTS merged with the Atari Corporation on July 30, 1996.
Except for the historical information contained herein the discussion in
this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially
from those discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's limited operating
history; the need for additional financing; the uncertainty of market
acceptance; the highly competitive market; the Company's ability to achieve
initial volume shipments of a 1 gigabyte 3-inch drive; the Company's
dependence on its relationship with Compaq Computer; its dependence on a
single manufacturing facility and those risk factors discussed from time to
time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (333-06643), in addition to
those discussed elsewhere in this press release. SOURCE JTS Corporation
From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
As earlier, I have little new to say personally this week. It was an
unusually hectic week and I haven't been able to put anything together. I
will say that it's been fairly quiet on the console gaming front. Still no
word from Telegames regarding the pending new games, other than nothing has
changed with regard to dates ª the games are still due to arrive. I hope to
have more definitive news by next week.
Until next time...
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
PlayStation Worldwide Shipments Hit 9 million Units
Monthly Production to Reach One Million Units
in November & December
TOKYO, October 31, 1996 -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today that, as a result of continued strong consumer demand,
shipments of its consumer game console, PlayStation, have reached nine
million units worldwide (as of 31 October 1996). To meet this rapidly
growing global market demand, SCEI will increase PlayStation hardware
production at its manufacturing facilities in Japan to one million units per
month in November and December.
Following is a breakdown of the number of units shipped, as of October 31,
by region:
ú JAPAN; Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. - 4 million units shipped
ú NORTH AMERICA; Sony Computer Entertainment America - 2.8 million units
shipped
ú EUROPE; Sony Computer Entertainment Europe - 2.2 million units
shipped
STATEMENT FROM KAZ HIRAI, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SONY COMPUTER
ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA REGARDING INCREASED WORLDWIDE PLAYSTATION PRODUCTION
"One year after the North American launch, consumer and retailer demand for
the PlayStation has never been higher. In fact, monthly sales in the U.S.
for PlayStation hardware and software have doubled since the recent launch
of Nintendo 64 (TM). With accumulative North American PlayStation hardware
shipments of 2.8 million units, and the announcement that worldwide
production will increase to one million units monthly to meet the tremendous
global demand, we're very well positioned to maintain our two-thirds share
of the North American next generation video game marketplace."
Sony Computer Entertainment INC. Announces New
PlayStation Model for Japan
SCPH-5500 To Be Available From November 15 At Suggested Retail Price Of
19,800 Yen. Console Packaged With One Game Controller, New AV Cable and
Power Cable TOKYO, October 31, 1996 -- To further expedite the increased
production of PlayStation hardware, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today the November 15, 1996, introduction of a new PlayStation
consumer game console, SCPH-5500. The new console, to be introduced to the
Japanese market, will carry a suggested retail price of 19,800 yen
(consumption tax not included). The new model has been designed for
manufacture with a reduced number of parts as compared to earlier models, in
order to achieve mass scale production.
The simplified internal design of the new model, including the unification
of video connection output terminals into a single AV multi-output jack,
will result in a 30 percent increase in manufacturing productivity. This new
configuration will facilitate SCEIs increased production demands towards
year-end, as well as any future requirements. SCEI will also introduce, as
part of a special sales campaign, a new memory card triple pack, SCPH-1170.
The pack will include three memory cards for use with PlayStation, and will
go on sale on November 15, 1996, at a suggested retail price of 4,000 yen
(consumption tax not included). The single memory card pack, SCPH-1020, will
continue to be available at the suggested retail price of 2,000 yen
(consumption tax not included).
With the continual introduction of new and exciting PlayStation software,
the total number of PlayStation titles in Japan is expected to exceed 600 by
year-end, with a number of new role playing games as well. The new memory
card triple pack is yet another illustration of SCEIs commitment to making
PlayStation THE game console for the entire family to enjoy.
Psygnosis' Destruction Derby 2 Crashes Its Way
FOSTER CITY, CALIF. (Nov. 6) BUSINESS WIRE -Nov. 6, 1996--Psygnosis
announces the release of Destruction Derby(tm) 2, the sequel to the
company's wildly successful Destruction Derby(tm) title for the Sony
PlayStation(tm) game console. Resprayed, rebuilt and retuned, Destruction
Derby 2 features a whole new helter-skelter collision course of crumple
zones and advanced 3D graphics that will provide driving game fans with a
new dose of unlimited thrills, excitement and adrenaline-pumped action.
Joining the spectacular smashes, crashes and open-arena demolition action
that made the original Destruction Derby one of the best-selling racing
games for the PlayStation in 1995, will be seven longer, wider and more
intense race tracks, flying shrapnel, an improved 3D racing model, new
banking sections on the open arena "Bowl" and the ultimate in destruction,
the "Death" bowl.
"Destruction Derby 2 clearly illustrates Psygnosis' capability to deliver
some of the best racing action ever seen on the PlayStation game console,"
said Mark Beaumont, senior vice president, Psygnosis, Inc. "The game will
be supported by a comprehensive print and broadcast media program including
national in-theater advertising via ScreenVision in December, and a solid
radio campaign on the Howard Stern show at launch. It's the type of title
that can boost hardware sales for the holiday season."
In addition to longer, wider and hillier new tracks, Destruction Derby 2
will feature spectacular 3D crash sequences, where cars will actually flip,
roll and cartwheel in real-time before biting the dirt. Upon impact, gamers
will see dramatic new special effects, including shooting flames, flying
sparks and huge vehicle parts propelling through the air. Destruction Derby
2 also includes a pit area where drivers can repair damaged vehicles and get
back on track.
Players can choose from four racing styles -- Wreckin' Racing, Stock Car
Racing, Destruction Derby and Time Trials. They can also join the
Championship League and battle it out over a full racing season or pick from
other tactical options, such as Tag Racing, MultiPlayer, Duel or Team Pairs.
Psygnosis' Destruction Derby won rave reviews year-round from the gaming
press, including "Best 32-Bit Racing Game" in GamePro magazine's 1996
reader's choice awards. Now, gamers can get behind the reckless wheel again
in Destruction Derby 2.
Nintendo Wins Reversal
A $253 million patent infringement verdict against Japan's Nintendo Co. Ltd.
has been overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Reporting from Redmond,
Washington, the Reuter News Service notes Alpex Computer Corp. maintained
Nintendo and its unit Nintendo of America Inc. violated a patent Alpex held
since 1977 by selling the Nintendo Entertainment System, a home video game
system, in the United States. However, the appeals court has unanimously
decided Nintendo's patented technology was different substantially from the
technology covered by Alpex's patent. Reacting, Chairman Howard Lincoln of
Nintendo of America Inc. said that with interest, the judgment would have
been worth close to $300 million had the company been forced to pay. "It's a
complete victory," he said. "I think our nightmare with these folks is
over."
Alpex sued in 1986, alleging the Nintendo Entertainment System game device
used a patented "bitmapping" display technology patented by two Alpex
engineers. In 1994, a U.S. District Court jury agreed and ordered Nintendo
to pay a 6 percent royalty on each of the more that 35 million game units
sold in the United States.
However, now a three-judge panel of the appeals court in Washington, which
handles patent cases, says in a 16-page decision it found a "lack of
substantial evidence to support a finding of infringement either literally
or under the doctrine of equivalents."
Reuters' Martin Wolk notes Alpex patented its technology in the 1970s and it
was used in early-generation video games made by Mattel, Atari and Coleco.
The company later won patent infringement settlements from Sega Enterprises
Ltd. and others.
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. I had thought of using this column as a
soapbox for talking about what's gone on during the election but I'll bet
you're as fed up with it as I am. One thing I cannot go without saying is
how disappointed I am in David Brinkley. He has, in a span of minutes,
destroyed what has taken him fifty years to build. I don't care whether
he thought the camera was on of off, or if he had finally had enough and
decided that the american people were as sick and tired of it all as he was
and that we should hear his actual thoughts. Do any of us actually care
that Bill Clinton is a bore or why this is so? Does it actually tarnish the
presidency more than sanctioning break-ins or illegally supplying arms to
rebels? We've had three presidents in the past twenty years that have done
much worse than just bore us but David, the elder statesman of television
journalism, has saved his private thoughts on them for his memoirs.
Everything from "I'm not a crook" to "There was no guns for hostages deal"
to "Read my lips" has numbed us into an apathetic haze and a simple lack of
creativity incenses Mr. Brinkley? It really is a shame all around. Well,
enough about that.
Another week has sped by already in our little neighborhood and it's time
again to check out what's going on in the Atari area on CompuServe. While
the level of activity is higher than it has been the past several weeks,
it's still not what it once was. Of course, that's understandable. Atari
hasn't made a computer in several years. It stands to reason that if there
are no new users coming into the market and there are folks moving on to
other platforms either because they need the speed and all of those pretty
bells and whistles or because they want to stay at the 'cutting edge' of
technology, then the userbase is going to shrink and developers are going
to find it harder to develop for this platform and still make money. This
is the first curve in a vicious cycle that simply spirals down into
obscurity. The second curve is when prospective new users get a chance to
buy a used Atari computer and don't because there is no new software being
written for it. Let's face it, other than MagiC and a few other programs
enjoying a relatively minor success, there isn't much on our platform to
crow about.
Not much to crow about at all... except for the users, that is. I can
honestly say that past and current users of TOS are a special breed for
some reason. It's true that users of other platforms like the Amiga also
display this 'specialness' from time to time, but the difference is 'once
an ST user, always an ST user'. I was on another service <gasp> the other
day and ran into a few folks that were at one time ST users along with
several 'reformed' Mac user and a couple of former Amiga users. We got to
talking about computers from the good old days, and before anyone was able
to mention which machine they used to use, I had picked all of the former
ST users out simply by noticing their attitude. While they fondly remembered
their STs, the former Mac and Amiga users had the "boy, I'm glad I don't
use THAT machine anymore" attitude and it showed in the memories of their
early days of computing.
Why is it that the ST market was blessed with these hearty souls? I haven't
a clue. But they are the major reason that I'm still here. They are also
the reason that the remaining developers are still here too. While none of
these developers has any realistic hope of becoming rich by selling ST
software, they stay because there are still folks who appreciate their
efforts and see the value and utility in their products.
There are those who have recently asked if we have 'said good bye' to Atari
and have asked us to write in to news shows asking for a segment on the
history of Atari. I'm sorry, but Atari said good bye to us quite a while
ago. And I don't remember them writing in to news shows and asking for a
segment on the users that made their fortunes for them and put them on the
cover of every computer magazine available in those early days. This is
the company that took a great idea for a computer and proceeded to literally
kill it through neglect and subtle abuse. They then did the same thing
with its younger siblings, the Lynx and the Jaguar.
So go ahead and write to that news show and ask for a segment. But ask for
a segment on why, several years after this company has stopped
manufacturing computers, there are so many talented and intelligent folks
still using them. Or about why the SEC was never able to find the time to
adequately examine accusations of stock manipulation and 'stock surfing'.
I have immense respect for the individual that originally asked us to write
in, but I can't bring myself to agree on this one. It's just wrong.
Well, I've had my say. Now let's see what others are saying on CompuServe.
From the Atari Computing Forums
On the subject of CompuServe's name change Albert Dayes asks:
"...When did the name change from CIS to CSi?"
Sysop Jim Ness tell Albert:
"About a month ago, CompuServe (the online service, as opposed to the
corporation that owns CSi, WOW, and Sprynet) announced that from now on
they were calling themselves "CompuServe Interactive", or CSi. I guess
that was because "CompuServe Information Service" was no longer a good
descriptive name."
Sysop Ron Luks tells Sysop Jim:
"My personal prediction is that they will drop the names WOW!, CSi, and
Sprynet in a couple of weeks and go back to using "CompuServe" for
everything. Any takers? [grin]"
James Spielman tells Jim Ness:
"I think that's the point; CI$ sold out to Micro$oft and anybody that isn't
"M$-compliant" is considered not worthy of respect. Yes, I received the
CD thingy, but I'm using CIM for OS/2 on my PC! CI$ dumped further
development of _that_ as well."
Jim tells James:
"I think I saw something that said OS/2 development was going to continue.
Maybe I'm thinking of the navigator program that logs in automatically and
gathers messages. It's called "Golden Compass.""
James replies:
"Yes, I've seen/read other talk along that line also. What I've heard is
CSi (so I use that, now?) is actually _working with_ (!) the Golden Compass
people at Creative Systems. If true, I'm sure they can do a better job
than CSi, assuming CSi gives them the info they need! I'm not sure of
current situation, though. (I've downloaded the GCP demo, and it is
powerful. I plan on purchasing the full prod. when I get a bit of spare
change!)"
Sysop Jim adds:
"CompuServe dropped its own "offline reader" program, in favor of a handful
of third party products such as Golden Compass. In fact, Csi paid those
developers to make sure they included certain sysop capabilities. It's
worked out well for everyone."
Jerry Coppess asks for help with a file that he downloaded:
"I have downloaded the file MPLYR216.ZIP three times and STZIP has told me
three times to "keep cool". I do not ususally have problems with downloads
and I am getting the correct number of bytes. Could someone
check it out?"
Joe Villarreal tells Jerry:
"Use a disk/file editor and remove the Windows95/MSDOS garbage at the
beginning of the file. "PK" should be the begining of the file. Make sure
it's an editor that handles binary files; a pure ASCII editor won't work."
John Trautschold of Missionware Software posts this tidbit:
"Missionware Software is releasing an upgrade to Flash II - our current
version is now 3.02 and works with all versions of the MagiC operating
system.
You'll soon be able to find the following files in the library:
F302_PR.TXT Press release for 3.02.
FLS302D.LZH Demo version of 3.02
F302UP.LZH Upgrade program to upgrade v3.00 or
3.01 to 3.02."
John and company are one shining example of the developers I mentioned
earlier. If you are in need of a terminal program, these are the folks to
talk to.
Meanwhile, Alvin Baligad asks for help with his new Syquest removable hard
drive:
"Anyone using a SyQuest135 EZDrive, I just got an EZDrive for my Falcon030,
but it isn't recognized at boot up. The terminator plug for being the last
machine on the SCSI chain is not plugged in, but I didn't use one for the
HD I had before getting the EZDrive, and I never had a problem with it."
Frank Heller tells Alvin to simply...
"Put the terminator plug back in."
George Iken adds:
"In most cases, the termination isn't really that critical, but when it is
.. things just don't work the way they ought to without that terminator.
Try that with the terminator plugged in. What utilities are you using. ICD
lets you use any SCSI ID and it can find it even if there is a gap. Say
you have the EZ135 set at ID 2, no problem. But the Atari Hard Drive
Utilities want to find ID's in a sequence and won't read beyond a gap, so
if 2 is the only device connected, it won't find it. Set the device to 0
and it's ok."
Dan Parrish comes at the problem from a different angle:
"You will need a newer version of your Hard Drive utility. I think the
latest version from ICD will read the EZDrive. Supposedly HDUtility from
Germany will read the EZDrive. I would suggest contacting Toad Computing
to find out the best way to connect your EZDrive."
Mario Perdue posts this for...
"...anyone who's interested. I checked with Telegames and they confirmed
that Breakout 2000 was still on schedule for an early December release. If
you'd like a little more information, go to Telegame's web site at
www.telegames.com The Breakout 2000 page on the Telegames site is the only
site that I know of posting screen shots from the final version of the
game. Check it out if you're interested."
On the subject of video game consoles, Dana Jacobson posts:
"And not only is it too late to make X-mas sales (jaguar of yesteryear!),
but you can bet that Sony and Sega will be offering sales prices and other
promotions to further attract users. Nintendo, like the Jaguar back when,
will be surprised that lack of product will be a major factor in
disappointing sales and additional success for the other players."
Well folks, that's it for this week. Tune in again next week, same time,
same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
Good night, David
EDITORIAL QUICKIES
Useful Acronyms
PCMCIA People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms
ISDN It Still Does Nothing
APPLE Arrogance Produces Profit-Losing Entity
SCSI System Can't See It
DOS Defunct Operating System
BASIC Bill's Attempt to Seize Industry Control
IBM I Blame Microsoft
DEC Do Expect Cuts
CD-ROM Consumer Device, Rendered Obsolete in Months
OS/2 Obsolete Soon, Too.
MACINTOSH Most Applications Crash; If Not, The Operating System
Hangs
STReport International OnLine Magazine
[S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport
HTTP://WWW.STREPORT.COM
AVAILABLE through OVER 200,000 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE
All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of
The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and
Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the
editors/staff of STReport International OnLine Magazine. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must,
without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number
and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein may not
be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without prior written
permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication, is believed
reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of STReport and STR
Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and contributors are not and
cannot be held responsible in any way for the use or misuse of information
contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
STR OnLine! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" November 08, 1996
Since 1987 Copyrightc1996 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1245
