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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 01 Issue 21
Volume 1, Issue 21 Atari Online News, Etc. July 23, 1999
Published and Copyright (c) 1999
All Rights Reserved
Atari Online News, Etc.
A-ONE Online Magazine
Dana P. Jacobson, Publisher/Managing Editor
Joseph Mirando, Managing Editor
Atari Online News, Etc. Staff
Dana P. Jacobson -- Editor
Joe Mirando -- "People Are Talking"
Michael Burkley -- "Unabashed Atariophile"
Albert Dayes -- CC: Classic Chips
With Contributions by:
John Hardie
Troy Cheek
Richard Karsmakers
Carl Forhan
To subscribe to A-ONE, send a message to: dpj@delphi.com
and your address will be added to the distribution list.
To unsubscribe from A-ONE, send the following: Unsubscribe A-ONE
Please make sure that you include the same address that you used to
subscribed from.
To download A-ONE, set your browser bookmarks to one of the
following sites:
http://people.delphi.com/dpj/a-one.htm
http://www.icwhen.com
http://a1mag.atari.org
http://homestead.dejanews.com/ssag
Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=atari
=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0121 07/23/99
~ People Are Talking! ~ Apple's iBook A Hit! ~ CG Expo News!
~ SETI@home - Team Atari ~ JagFest Video Is Ready ~ NFL Xtreme 2
~ UVK 2000 Support Site! ~ MS Offers Mac Browser! ~ Tellme Networks
~ 'Lara Croft' To Return ~ DVD Takes Spotlight! ~ Bristol Layoffs
-* AOL Offers Free Access To UK *-
-* Anti-spam Group Steps Up Campaign! *-
-* Bristol Loses Antitrust Suit to Microsoft! *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
It's been really humid the past couple of days and this weather just doesn't
agree with me. It's difficult to sit here in a sauna-like study working
diligently putting A-ONE together with perspiration dripping from every
pore! So, I'll be mellow this week with no provocative editorials or awe-
inspiring tales of yard work. <g>
Until next time...
R.I.P.
John Fitzgerald "John-John" Kennedy, Jr.
Salute!
For Immediate Release
Atari STuff Summer Giveaway Continues!
The Atari STuff website is giving away free Atari hardware and software
every month this summer.
July: 520STe with 4MB RAM and ICD AdSpeedSTe. Winner was Chris Green
of Tampa, FL. Congratulations, Chris!
August: NEC 1X Compact External SCSI CD-ROM Reader. Comes with cable
and software (ExtenDOS Pro) for use with Atari Falcon030. Add the
ability to read standard CD-ROMs to your Falcon. Drawing to be held
on August 15, 1999.
September: Vidi-ST and Vidi-Chrome hardware and software for the
Atari ST/STe. Do live video grabs at 320x200x16 greyscale or color
stills at 320x200x512 on an ST or 320x400x4096 on an STe. Drawing to
be held on September 15, 1999.
To enter, visit the Atari STuff website at http://www.cheek.org/atari
and look for "Click Here to Enter Giveaway!" Drawings are held on the
15th of each month. A winner will be chosen from entries received
during the previous 30 days. Merchandise is provided on an "AS IS"
basis and is shipped free within the United States by US Mail. Extra
postage, fees, taxes, or other expenses are the responsibility of the
winner. One entry per month per person, please.
Troy H. Cheek, Webmaster of Atari STuff
http://www.cheek.org/atari.htm
atari@cheek.org
Atari ST/TT/Falcon "Ultimate Virus Killer 2000" Support Site
From: Richard Karsmakers <richard@fortysecond.net>
The "Ultimate Virus Killer 2000" is the industry standard virus killer for
the Atari ST/TT/Falcon platform. The program has been around for well over
a decade, and with the latest release (8.1) it's turned shareware.
There is now an official "UVK 2000" support site where you can download the
program, find descriptions of all Atari TOS-platform computer viruses (and
their symptoms) and more. It's located at http://uvk.atari.org.
PRESS RELEASE
=============
July 20, 1999
PLAINVILLE, CT
It was announced today that there will be a SETI@home group composed of
current and former Atari 8/16/32 bit computer users for the purpose of
analyzing radio telescope data for signs of possible signals from an
extraterrestrial intelligence.
SETI@home is a unique concept in the world of science. SETI (Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence) research has been hampered not by the
ability to collect data, but by the paucity of computing power to
analyze the data generated.
SETI@home links hundreds of thousands of personal computers around the
world into what is, for all intents and purposes, the largest
super-computer in existence. Using the computing power of these personal
computers to analyze SETI data for the next two years, the project
breaks new ground in the scientific community's use of the internet.
Each personal computer runs a program to analyze SETI data, which
downloads the data from the internet, analyzes it, sends the results
back via the internet, and retrieves another batch of data to analyze.
While there is currently no version of this software for Atari
computers, many within the Atari community share a keen interest in this
research and have put their PCs or Macs to work for the project.
Team Atari is a group within the SETI@home project composed of some of
these users, and has to date dedicated more than 4500 hours of CPU time
to the project.
According to Team Atari founder Joe Mirando, "Atari users, both past and
present, are exactly the kind of people who are drawn to this type of
project. Not only is there a chance of answering the question of whether
we are alone in the cosmos or simply one island community in a vast sea
of life, but it is also at the forefront of computing 'philosophy'.
We've known for years that multiple CPUs would be a good way to tackle
large amounts of data that require intense analysis or calculation, but
the implementation has been difficult."
"With the arrival of this project," continues Mirando, "the scientific
community and the computing world at large will be able to see the
benefits of internet computing and how large, complex problems can be
parceled out to individual remote computers to achieve results that
rival or surpass anything that even the most advanced 'traditional'
super-computer can produce."
"My only regret," says Mirando, "is that we probably won't see an Atari
version of the SETI@home software. The analysis is of such intensity
that even a 366 MHz Pentium II computer takes an average of 18 hours to
fully analyze a block of this data. Even with the amazing add-ons and
enhancements available to today's Atari user, the amount of time
required to analyze this data would more than likely be staggering. I
have, however, asked the project administrators about the possibility of
porting the software (which has so far been ported to Unix, Linux, OS/2,
BSD, and several other platforms) to the Atari line of computers, but as
yet there has been no reply."
There is no special skill or scientific aptitude required to participate
in the project. The software does all of the required analysis. The user
may even elect to allow SETI@home to connect to the internet on its own
to submit finished data and retrieve new data for analysis.
Users interested in participating in the SETI@home project can access
information about the project at the following URL:
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Statistics, membership, and other information about Team Atari can be
found at:
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/cgi?cmd=team_lookup&name=team+atari
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Another week has come and gone, and I'm
no more comfortable with my new Pentium II than I was when I first got
it.
I had always said that, in my opinion, emulators like PacifiST,
Gemulator, TOS Box, and WinSTon were somewhat foolish. If you decide to
jump platforms, just do it. There's plenty of software out there for
other machines, right? The likelihood that you'll be able to find
software that you're at least comfortable with must be pretty high.
Well...
I've tried three times recently to get both Netscape Messenger and
Microsoft Outlook to gather posts from the UseNet for this column, and
no matter what I do, these top-of-the-heap offerings fall short.
I've taken quick looks at other newsreaders as well, and they simply
don't give me the ease of use and flexibility that NEWSie does.
Things are pretty hectic for me right now but rest assured that as soon
as I have the time I'm going to install one of the aforementioned
emulators and get NEWSie, CAB, and several other of my favorites running
on that spiffy new laptop PC.
The speed of the PC is really impressive. Gemulator, running GEM Bench
shows a speed of about 30 times a stock ST. Of course there are
noticeable slowdowns in a few graphics functions, but all in all it
beats the bejeebers out of even my TT. Now if Derek could find a way
to add TT resolutions to the darned thing... <grin>
Well enough of that. Let's take a look at what's being said on the
UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================================
Starting things of on the lighter side, Dr. Clu posts:
"I like the trend of the animal names in the Atari systems, however, the
earlier systems (pre-1990) did not seem to adhere to the same animal
names. So at this time, I would like to make some suggestions on names
we can call our computers.
Starting with the Atari ST/TT line of computers. So far we have a bird
theme going here with the Falcon, Sparrow, (Phoenix) and Milan, so let's
expand the theme a little.
STork (Atari ST line of computers)
TiT (TT, just add an "i", actual bird name)
Sparrow (Falcon prototype)
Falcon
Milan
Phoenix (legendary "soon to be released" computer)
Next we visit the 8-bit line of computers. Based on the usual nickname
of the Atari 800 (The Hippo machine) we will base the animal based names
off land animals. So in order it would go something like this:
Turtle - (Atari 400 - allusion to the "turtle graphics")
Hippo - (Atari 800 due to shear size)
Mule - (Atari 600XL) (Was going to call this an "Ass") :)
Stallion - (Atari 800XL)
Rhino - (Atari 1200XL)
Mammoth - (Atari 1450XL)
Emu - (Atari 65XE XE's given land based bird names
Ostrich - (Atari 130XE since they were a transition to the ST)
Penguin - (What an Atari ST becomes when emulating an Atari
8-bit. Slow, but only because it's out of it's
element.)
Game systems have taken a cat-like name. Suggestions would be helpful at
the moment, but taking a BACKWARD progression we could deduce the
following...
Tabby - Pong System
Calico - 2600 Game System
Persian - 5200 Game System
Cougar - 7800 Game System
Panther - Prototype system between 7800 and Jaguar
Lynx - 16 bit/hand held Game System
Jaguar - 64 bit game system
Cheetah - The upcoming Nuon System? ;)
So folks, let me know what you think. Are they fitting names or what
would you suggest?"
Mack Hine tells Dr. Clu:
"Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that the " dodo " isn't added to
that list in the future. <grin>"
Graham Thornton adds his own thoughts and suggestions to the list:
"[I] Like the idea, but i'd like to continue the bird-theme and make some
alternate ( and slight irreverent ) suggestions for the 8-bit line - a
few of these are borrowed from the original.....
Atari 400 Dodo - there used to be a lot of these around.
Atari 800 Albatross - what it became to Atari Inc. after Commodore
introduced the cheap-to-produce, high profit margin C64.
Atari 1200XL Turkey - you need an explanation for this one?
Atari 600XL Bat - small, ugly and of questionable use.
Atari 800XL Starling - you always see at least one and usually more
at every garage/car boot sale.
Atari 1400XL Parrot - Looks nice and it talks too!
Atari 1450XLD Bald Eagle - very impressive - but have YOU ever seen one
in the flesh?
Atari 130XE Penguin - nice design, but environments where it could
thrive were diminishing.
Atari 65XE Pingu - a baby Penguin
Atari XEGS Ostrich - maybe if we stick our heads in the sand Sega
and Nintendo will just go away.
Atari 800XE Big Bird - okay, so now this is just getting silly."
John Garone asks:
"Would anyone know if there is a program for the Falcon to render .BMP
extensions? (Pics, I assume!)"
Mike Kerslake tells John:
"Image Copy views, prints and converts BMP picture files to just about
anything, and of course it runs just fine on a Falcon!"
Vassilis Papathanassiou posts this most welcomed piece of information:
"[While] Checking for any translations in the filesys folder, I found
out that the complete project is finished! To me this is the greatest
news for years. A GREAT GREAT thanks to Peter West for this tedious work,
John Whalley for hosting the project and everyone else that helped to get
(at last) english documentation for MagiC. Thanks again."
Pascal Ricard tells Vassilis:
"Sorry to add just a line but you said it all. You just took the words
from my fingers.<smile> Thanx a lot to the translators. (well, 2 lines
<grin>."
Peter West tells Vassilis and Pascal:
"It's nice to be appreciated! BTW, there is still one file to come - a
README that simply describes what the files are; I am still trying to
sort out one or two inconsistencies with the author. Enjoy!"
Uli Linn asks:
"Is there any software to read Atari ST Disks with a WIN95 or WIN98 PC?"
Oliver Schildmann tells Uli:
"Download GEM Exchange at http://www.emulators.com."
Douglas Lithgow posts:
"Many years ago, I decided I wanted an ST emulator. At the time, I
remember downloading one from the Net, but it asked me to obtain TOS from
an existing Atari. I have one, but I could not be bothered with the
hassle, so I forgot all about it.
However, I have regained the interest, especially as I believe old
favorites like Carrier Command, etc are out on the web.
Is it still a case of obtaining the TOS yourself, or is there an easy
way/method to emulate the ST on a P133?"
Richard Davey tells Douglas:
"ftp.fatal-design.com/pub/tos/
also http://lgd.fatal-design.com for games and
http://winston.fatal-design.com for a very decent and still updated ST
emulator for Windows (or) http://pacifist.fatal-design.com for a DOS
based one (that works under Windows by the way)."
Nick Bales tells Douglas:
"Yes the easy way is to run tosdump.prg on the ST and copy the file over
to a disk. What's the hassle with that? You can also get TOS rom images
on the net too, but it's illegal."
Ashley Seabrook asks for help with AniPlayer:
"Intrigued by Aniplayers ever-increasing list of features, I downloaded
the package from the authors site and decompressed it with no problems,
but the installation program, SETUP.APP, crashes my TOS 4.04 4MB
Falcon030 with two bombs every time. I've tried a clean bootup too, but
with no success. This has happened with the last two versions I have
downloaded - including the most up to date, v2.07. Am I missing
something really obvious here, and if so, can somebody put me right?
Without installing it correctly I can only use the program in French, and
my French isn't very good at all."
Ronald Hall tells Ashley:
"I don't use the setup routine either. I'm sure its in the docs
somewhere, but all you have to do is go into the /docs folder in Aniplay
and you will find an /english folder. Copy "N_FRENCH.TXT" to your main
Aniplay folder, as well as copying the "ANIPLAY.HYP" file to your
ST-Guide folder (usually C:\GUIDES), and you should be set. Check out the
rest of the text files in the /english folder as well.
Oops, the docs say to put "ANIPLAY.HYP" into the main ANIPLAY folder!"
Ashley tells Ronald:
"It helps a lot, thanks. At some stage I had moved all the files over,
but I hadn't run Aniplayer as I assumed that the setup program would
still need to be run. We've been having a fair bit of hot weather here
recently, so I'll blame it on the heat. <smile>"
Didier Mequignon, the author or Aniplayer, tells Ashley:
"Oh sorry! [A] better solution is to copy N_FRENCH.TXT (directory
english) in Aniplayer directory. This file contains english texts. After
you can copy ANIPLAY.HYP in the same directory or your user directory for
ST-GUIDE.
Joachim Formallaz is the author of GEM-Setup (made on MagicMac).
GEM-Setup works fine on my FALCON (TOS 4.02 or Magic), but now I have a
CT2 and normal mode isn't 100% compatible :-( Sometimes some bus errors
(2 bombs) are not detected. I use an MMU-patch, but this patch works only
in turbo mode (and with fast-ram)... For install OLGA and variables,
GEM-Setup uses different files Newdesk.inf, Magic.inf, olga.inf, etc..
So please, send me your configuration (with a Sysinfo) or send a mail to
Joachim at this address: jfornall@stud.ee.ethz.ch"
Finally, as you may have read earlier, I started "Team Atari" on the
SETI@home web page. Those of you not familiar with SETI@home can read
about it there. I post:
"I just started 'Team Atari' on the SETI@home home page. If you're an
'Atari person' and have access to a PC, Mac, or Linux machine, and want
to join in the search for signals from an extraterrestrial intelligence
join up!
For those who haven't heard of SETI@home, I'll explain a bit:
SETI@home is a novel idea in the realm of the Search for ExtraTerrestrial
Intelligence. What it does is allow your computer to analyze data
generated by the Arecibo Radio Telescope in it's spare time. A screen
saver program downloads a piece of data from the internet, analyzes it,
forwards the results to the server (located at the University of
California at Berkeley, I believe), and gets another piece of data to
analyze.
So far there are more than 800,000 people participating in this venture,
which in effect makes SETI@home the world's largest super computer. To
date this project has put in more than 29,000 YEARS of CPU time looking
for a signal that might be from an extraterrestrial intelligence.... and
it's only been up and running for about eight weeks! The project is
scheduled to run for two years.
Unfortunately there is no version of this application for the Atari line
of computers. But if you still consider yourself an Atari Person even
though you use a PC or Mac (either instead of or in addition to your
Atari) and want to join in the search, go to the web addresses listed
below, download the screen saver, and join Team Atari.
We Atari users have always been pioneers, haven't we? Well what better
way to continue that spirit could there be than to join SETI@home? We've
often been told that we're "out there", right? Well wouldn't it be cool
to help detect the first intelligent signal from 'out there'?? And it
would be even cooler if that first signal said "Atari Rules!"? <smile>
I had thought about asking the managers of this project to consider
producing a software version for Atari computers, but I doubt that the
end result would be worthwhile. A 366 MHz Pentium II PC takes
approximately 18.5 hours to completely analyze a piece of data. Even a
souped up TT or Falcon would take considerably longer (although the
Falcon's DSP might help).
In addition to the versions I've mentioned already (PC, Mac, Linux) there
are also other versions available, and the web pages are available in 20
different languages.
If you're interested, go to the following site and read about the
project, results, and how to join...
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
If you want to add your computing power to Team Atari, go to this site:
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/cgi?cmd=team_lookup&name=Team+Atari"
Ronald J. Hall asks:
"... how hard would it be to port the Linux/Unix version to MiNT? We'd
have an Atari version then. Another point to consider is that most
MiNT'ers are using TOS machines that have been greatly
enhanced/updated..."
I tell Ronald:
"It's entirely possible that it could be ported over. The only problem
is that, because of the nature of the data, they do not release the
source to anyone. All of the ports are done by them, So if they decide
that an Atari port is worth doing (and they might very well decide
against it), THEY would be the ones to do it."
Chris Crosskey asks:
"I have to agree here...as soon as the Tempest arrives I'll be switching
OS's finally from good old TOS to whichever of MiNT or Linux supports it
first....I would be happy to to be a part of the SETI thing with my
Falcon........imagine the fun we could have if it was an Atari that found
the first positive result!"
I tell Chris:
"No argument there, Chris. It would be the coolest thing in the world to
be able to say that it was an Atari that found the first possibly non
natural signal from 'out there'.... well, that would be the SECOND
coolest thing. The first would have to be being able to say "MY Atari
computer found it". <grin>
I'm all for petitioning the project for an Atari port, I just don't know
of how much use it would be. There are several ports for Unix and Linux
already, so they would probably be able to port it over in fairly short
order.. if they have the manpower to get it done. I'd just like to
mention that, above and beyond the import of the project itself, the idea
of linking computers over the internet to form what is basically one
'virtual super computer' opens up a whole new realm of computing options.
It looks like that old chinese curse has been placed squarely upon our
shoulders:
'May you live in interesting times'.
Well, back to looking for ET's phone number. <grin>"
Yann Lossouarn posts:
"I saw that there are a lot of computing time dedicated to Fast Fourier
Transforms. Perhaps a DSP-optimized version would be interesting for
Falcon030 owners?"
Mark Davies tells other team members:
"I'll try and get the software installed on one of our super Sun Unix
workstations at work so the Team Atari should start to move up the
rankings for number of units completed."
I reply to Mark:
"Ya-Hoo! I'll bet that one of those workstations would lay some tracks
compared to the average PC, huh?
Now... anyone have a Cray or MIPS machine just laying around?? <Laughing
Out Loud>"
Gary Priest posts:
"I've been a bit quiet on the Atari front lately. In fact most of the
names in this conversation, I don't even recognize. How quickly the Atari
world changes (I've only been absent 3 months or so). Anyway, seeing this
thread, and the fact there is a Team Atari, prompted me to join. I've
added my 80 work units, and 1500+ hours of CPU time to your cause. Shame
it's on my PIII and not my Falcon!
A Falcon DSP version of the seti program would be cool, even if it was
just a command line one like the WinNT or Unix ones. No need for fancy
graphics. I really can't see the guys at Seti having the knowledge to
code an Atari version though, to be realistic. <frown>"
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
=~=~=~=
->In This Week's Gaming Section - 'Lara Croft' to Return!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" DVD Games Wow 'Em! CG Expo News!
'NFL Xtreme 2'! JagFest Video!
And much more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Get Ready For More Lara
Eidos revealed exclusive, first information to GameSpot and videogames.com
about the next Tomb Raider game, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. The game
will be available on the PC and PlayStation and is expected to be released
in November. As can be predicted Lara Croft will return, but this time, the
entire game is set in a single location, Egypt, and stretches back (while
moving forward) to the original Tomb Raider roots, emphasizing gameplay and
story in a single, jointed theme. The story this time has Lara, as an
archeologist, traversing a timely millennium story that uses astronomy and
mythology to push the gameplay forward.
According to Eidos, "The title returns Lara to the cloak-and-dagger
intrigue of Northern Africa developed in the still-popular original Tomb
Raider game." Besides reaching back to what the company believes made
players enjoy the game in the first place, Core is improving upon gripes
gamers may have had in the past, found in the game's difficulty level,
graphics, and lack of cohesiveness at times.
Particularly of note is the work Core has put into the game's engine.
The Last Revelation will be, according to developers, almost completely
seamless. Other points, according to Eidos, "New programming routines
allow levels to dissolve into cinematic cut-scenes and full motion video
(FMV). Loading screens are eliminated, making the adventure a continuous
experience. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation¹s redesigned inventory
system replaces traditional inventory rings with an easier-to-use
interface allowing items to be combined, collected and stored. The new
inventory also features Lara¹s diary, which includes her personal notes
from each adventure and a location map that players can access for hints
and tips.
Application of the transformed system will give new life to puzzle
elements - a key feature of Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation."
The new game will be much more focused on the environment at hand and you
won't be jumping around from scenario to scenario as you did in TR III.
And likewise, these scenarios will be much more akin to the original game,
in terms of the setting-tombs and such. And the gameplay? More puzzles
(some very much like board games). Less platform-jumping.
You'll also have more environmental objects to interact with, meaning
enemies and inanimate materials. And what will Lara look like? Eidos says
much better. She will appear fully-skinned -- without breaks between the
polygons that make up the figure -- and more detailed than before. And
she'll have new moves. Eidos calls The Last Revelation an amalgamation of
all other Tomb Raiders. We have much, much more in store for you, so keep
checking back for more first information on the game.
NFL Xtreme 2 Takes Arcade-Style Football to Next Level
With Real NFL Player Faces, Movements and Taunts
989 Sports' NFL Xtreme 2 Delivers More Outrageous Taunting,
Hard-Hitting, Fast-Action, Arcade-Style Football To The PlayStation
989 Sports(tm) announced that NFL Xtreme(tm) 2, the sequel to last
year's popular NFL Xtreme(tm), will release tomorrow on the PlayStation
game console.
Licensed by both the NFL and Players Inc, this year's NFL Xtreme 2 is
equipped with more than 350 real NFL player animations, real player faces,
outrageous taunts, lightning-quick gameplay and high-impact blows.
``This year, the NFL Xtreme 2 development team recorded the real sounds and
voices of numerous marquee NFL players," said Jeffrey Fox, vice president,
marketing, 989 Studios. ``More than 125 real taunts will be in the game,
making NFL Xtreme 2 the most entertaining arcade-style football videogame
on the market."
The NFL players recorded for NFL Xtreme 2 include a virtual who's-who of
All-Pros, such as Broncos RB Terrell Davis, Packers WR Antonio Freeman,
Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith, Rams RB Marshall Faulk, Bengals QB Akili Smith,
Vikings DT John Randle, Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp, Raiders DT Charles
Woodson, Falcons CB Ray Buchanan and Bills DT Ted Washington.
With all of the NFL teams and players, unlimited passing behind the
line-of-scrimmage and no penalties or out of bounds, this is a new way for
gamers to play football. Incredible animations intensify the gaming
experience: gamers can make outrageous tackles, perform insane hits and
conduct more than 150 celebrations. In addition, NFL Xtreme 2 offers
lightning-quick play selection -- three times as fast as last year's
version of the game.
The stunning graphical presentation in NFL Xtreme 2 boasts a 400-polygonal
player model (four times the amount of polygons used to create the
award-winning NFL GameDay(tm) `99 player models), delivering gigantic and
exceptionally-detailed 3D players that look like they are ready to jump out
of the television. Even players' faces are texture mapped to capture the
true appearances of hundreds of NFL stars and their mouths move in sync
with the audio taunting.
NFL Xtreme 2 also incorporates NFL player movements that were motion
captured to enhance the gameplay realism. Players motion captured for NFL
Xtreme 2 include Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jerome Bettis, Minnesota Vikings
DT John Randle, Oakland Raiders WR Tim Brown and DT Charles Woodson, New
York Giants CB Jason Sehorn, Seattle Seahawks LB Chad Brown, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers FB Mike Alstott and LB Hardy Nickerson, Jacksonville Jaguars WR
Jimmy Smith and Cincinnati Bengals QB Akili Smith.
NFL Xtreme 2 Key Features:
-- Arcade style, five-on-five, open eligibility, no penalties,
hard-hitting football videogame action
-- More than 20 NFL players were recorded to provide authentic
taunts
-- More than 700 real player faces captured. Player mouths move in
sync with taunts
-- New lightning-quick play selection
-- Unbelievably fast gameplay speed -- three times as fast as last
year
-- All 31 NFL teams and stadiums (including the Cleveland Browns and
Tennessee Titans)
-- First downs at each 20-yard line and midfield
-- Individual scaling, weight and height on each player
-- More than 150 celebration animations including: hand stands, back
flips, roundhouse kicks and break dancing
-- More than 350 animations from real players at 400 polygons per
player (3D graphics/high resolution game presentation, including
player shadows)
-- Outrageous animations include: jerseys being torn away, front and
back flips, throw-tackles, stiff-arms, one-handed catches, juke
moves, high steps and shoulder charges
-- Players celebrate after touchdowns, sacks, big hits and first
downs
-- Ball carriers high-step, execute spin moves, hurdle, stiff-arm,
shoulder charge and front flip over the pile
-- Gigantic linemen and linebackers with bulging biceps and thighs,
sleek receivers and DB's with tall, wiry builds
-- All-new unlimited passing behind the line-of-scrimmage
-- Water/snow/grass splashes with every stride of the players
-- Injuries (players limp when injured)
-- Dynamic camera angles and views
-- Realistic sound effects include ringing bells, a freight train,
cuckoo clock chiming and players' grunts and screams
-- Play in Exhibition, Season or Tournament modes
-- Licensed by the NFL and Players Inc
Brett Favre Leads the Drive for Acclaim Sports' NFL Quarterback Club 2000
Three-Time NFL MVP Re-signs for Award-Winning Video Game Franchise
Acclaim Sports announced that it has re-signed Green Bay Packers'
quarterback Brett Favre to an exclusive multi-year endorsement deal. For
the third consecutive season, Favre will serve as the spokesman for Acclaim
Sports' NFL Quarterback Club video game franchise. The latest edition,
NFL Quarterback Club 2000, is scheduled for release in August of 1999 for
the Nintendo 64, with the Sega Dreamcast version shipping later in the
Fall.
``It's great to be part of two sports teams with winning traditions - the
Green Bay Packers and Acclaim Sports," commented Favre. ``NFL Quarterback
Club is the most realistic football game on the market and I'm proud to
continue my association with the series."
As part of the new agreement, Favre will continue to contribute input to
the NFL Quarterback Club game development as well as appear on all
advertising, packaging and in-store merchandising. Favre also stars in the
upcoming NFL Quarterback Club 2000 national television spot, which was
filmed in early July at Favre's alma mater, University of Southern
Mississippi.
``Brett Favre has been instrumental in helping elevate NFL Quarterback Club
to the leadership position among next-generation football video games,"
stated Mike Jerchower, Acclaim Sports senior marketing manager. ``We are
thrilled to continue our relationship with a player of Brett's star
caliber."
Favre, who is a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player Award recipient, was
the leading vote receiver among all NFL players in a recent ESPN/Chilton
poll asking sports fans to name their favorite professional athlete.
NFL Quarterback Club 2000 is being developed by Acclaim Studios Austin,
creators of the award-winning All-Star Baseball and NFL Quarterback Club
series. The game features all 31 NFL teams and over 1500 players, as well
as third generation Ultra Hi-Rez(TM) graphics, including real-life player
faces and over 1200 motion-captured animations created with the help of
several elite NFL players. A new Pin-Point Passing(TM) system gives players
unprecedented control over their quarterbacks, and sophisticated artificial
intelligence and game strategy, designed with the help of NY Jets offensive
coordinator, Charlie Weis, provides the ultimate challenge to even hardcore
gridiron gamers.
Iwerks and Infogrames Announce Long Term Agreement to Bring Games to Life
High-Tech Entertainment Leader Joins Video Games Leader to Produce
Specialty Films for the Theme Park and Giant Screen Markets
Iwerks Entertainment, Inc., an international leader in high-tech
entertainment attractions, announced a long-term agreement with video
games giant Infogrames to develop and distribute ride simulation, theme
park attractions and Large Format films based on popular Infogrames titles
including ``Independence War." Infogrames is the producer of some of the
most popular video games in the world and has agreements with Looney Tunes
Interactive for development of games based on their popular characters and
with Paramount Interactive for games including ``Mission Impossible."
``This alliance will enable Iwerks to bring an even higher quality of
well-known brand films to our clients and audiences worldwide," said
Chuck Goldwater, president and CEO of Iwerks. ``Working with the dynamic,
creative and experienced business team at Infogrames, we are raising the
level of the out-of-home entertainment experience that Iwerks is so
well-known for." The first project will be the development of a 3D
simulation film based on ``Independence War," the extremely popular game
set in the year 2268.
In the game, the player is placed in the position of a young Navy
commander facing the challenge of ending a centuries-long guerilla war in
which colonists are fighting for independence from Earth. In the simulation
film being produced by Iwerks, audiences will become part of the story as
they experience the actions of the Navy commander.
``This first collaboration is in line with Infogrames' global strategy,
which has its roots in video games and its future in digital
entertainment," said Bruno Bonnell, Infogrames' CEO. ``Infogrames has
created `Independence War' with the idea of creating a unique futuristic
world which has attracted thousands of fans around the globe. The
partnership with Iwerks brings this masterpiece to simulation ride
enthusiasts."
``Independence War" received numerous awards and top review scores from
leading magazines. ``Independence War Deluxe" will hit store shelves
next month. Distribution rights for ``Independence War" and all future
Iwerks/Infogrames productions will be exclusive to Iwerks for use in
ride simulation attractions at amusement parks and other location-based
entertainment destinations. As part of the arrangement, Iwerks has a
right of first refusal on all new Infogrames ride simulation, theme park
attractions and Large Format film productions based on Infogrames
extensive library of titles.
Future titles being considered include Infogrames' newest release
``Outcast" and ``Alone in the Dark," an earlier Infogrames game.
DVD Takes Spotlight At Annual Video Industry Meeting
As the home video industry holds its annual industry show this week, all
eyes are on digital versatile disks, or DVDs, and whether the technology
can breathe new life into the maturing home video market.
After nearly two decades of dominating home entertainment, the stalwart
video cassette is being challenged by DVD, which can deliver crisp
digital sound, pictures and even text and Internet links.
Other technologies such as the CD-ROM, the video compact disk and the
laser disk all failed to drive the VCR out from under America's
television sets, but industry players said DVD looks like it has a good
shot at doing just that.
``Instead of all these different formats, it's all coming to a head and
funneling into one thing, and that's DVD," said John Georgopolous, founder
of Georgopolous Design Associates which creates interactive menus for DVD
movies. Although the number of DVD players are a tiny fraction of the
hundreds of millions of VCRs, their dynamite sales growth has surprised
many in the industry.
``So far DVD has been one of the most explosive new home entertainment
technologies of all time," said Steve Ramirez, vice president for
sell-through and DVD at New Line Home Video, a unit of New Line Cinema
under Time Warner Inc.
Ramirez cited figures estimating that more than 4 million machines would
be in homes by the end of the year, up from earlier figures of just 2.5
million units. While revenue growth from video cassette sales and rentals
has lingered around 10 percent a year, DVD sales growth is counted in the
triple digits.
``Currently DVD represents maybe less than 10 percent of total
sell-throughs, but that growth rate will almost double in each of the
next 3 to 5 years," said David Bishop, president of MGM Home
Entertainment.
DVD is also expected to get a boost from the recent demise of its cousin,
Divx, a disposable version of the format that was scrapped by its creators,
Circuit City Stores Inc., after dismal customer response.
``The biggest impact of the Divx issue is that a lot people were sitting
on the fence waiting to see which technology would make it into the next
decade, and the market has resolved that question," Ramirez said.
Enthusiasm for what is billed as the interactive medium for the next
century was evident among executives of companies participating in the
annual show by the Video Software Dealers Association in Los Angeles.
Internet retailer Amazon.com, which launched its online video sales service
last November, saw DVD titles capture the five top selling movies by
January. ``DVD is definitely on a very aggressive growth curve, faster than
CD players, faster than VHS," said Jason Kilar, Amazon's group product
manager for video. ``It's safe to say that you'll see that kind of trend
going forward."
At 4,000 movies, the number of DVD titles is dwarfed by the 65,000
available on video cassette, but film studios have moved swiftly to
release biggest and best-known movies on the disks at a $20-$30 price
that is competitive with tapes.
One of the biggest selling points of DVD is the ``V", which used to stand
for ``video" until developers replaced it with "versatile" to reflect the
format's spectrum of uses.
Upcoming versions of DVD players will enable consumers not only to watch
movies but to play games and log on to the Internet to get more
information about a film or music title.
``A few extra features that appeal to consumers' interest with games and
the Internet will tip DVD over the edge and make it the new mass market
phenomenon," said Richard Miller, chief executive of privately held VM
Labs Inc., which has developed technology giving more multimedia features
to DVD machines.
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE Gaming Online - Online Users Growl & Purr!
"""""""""""""""""""
For Immediate Release
Contact Keita Iida and John Hardie
info@cgexpo.com
408-983-0953, 516-568-9768
http://www.cgexpo.com
PROMINENT INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES
ENDORSE CLASSIC GAMING EXPO '99
VALLEY STREAM, NY (July 14, 1999) -- A prolific line-up of leading
interactive entertainment companies will be sponsoring this year's Classic
Gaming Expo '99 to be held on August 14-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contributing to this year's event are Hasbro Interactive, Inc., Nyko
Technologies, Inc., Telegames Inc., Next Generation Magazine and Digital
Eclipse Software Inc. Their financial and promotional support has proved
valuable in aiding the show coordinators to organize what is touted as the
greatest gathering of industry legends, historic gaming artifacts and
classic gaming fans.
"We are thrilled by the continuing level of interest that CGE'99 has
garnered among some of the market leaders in electronic entertainment," said
John Hardie, co-promoter of the show. "The contributions, product for prizes
and giveaways, and public relations assistance helps ensure that Las Vegas
will be the center of the electronic gaming universe during the month of
August."
Hasbro Interactive is a division of Hasbro, a worldwide leader in the
design, manufacture and marketing of toys, games, interactive software,
puzzles and infant products. With its vast repertoire of classic board games
and the recent acquisition of Microprose and Atari, Beverly,
Massachusetts-based Hasbro Interactive is focused on bringing simple yet
addictive gameplay to all members of the family. "With modern updates of
such classics as Frogger, Centipede, Q*Bert and Pong, we are bringing simple
yet timeless gameplay to both classic gaming fans and to a whole new
generation of players," said Tom Dusenberry, President of Hasbro
Interactive. "We are proud to sponsor Classic Gaming Expo '99. Nowhere else
could we hope to reach such a group of Atari loyalists with the message that
Atari is back and that the gameplay the company pioneered goes on."
For the second consecutive year, Nyko Technologies will be a prominent
co-sponsor of the show. The privately held marketer of innovative game
accessory products rocked and rolled last year's event by using the venue to
debut its Classic Trackball controller for the PlayStation. Nyko will once
again exhibit its extensive line of products at Classic Gaming Expo. "We
are delighted to again be involved in such a wonderful show," said Robert J.
Rienick, Nyko's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Classic gaming fans
are among the most savvy consumers of videogame products, and they recognize
the quality and innovation that goes into every Nyko product. This is our
chance to promote our line of peripherals while at the same time paying
tribute to those who have supported us through the years."
Telegames is a group of multi-national operations that are involved in all
aspects of video games and computer software. The Lancaster, Texas-based
company is involved in online and direct mail retail, wholesale
distribution, publishing, licensing and contract development. It also stocks
a large inventory of classic videogame systems and software, including Atari,
Coleco, Intellivision, Nintendo and Turbografx-16. Telegames also plans to
sell its products at CGE'99, including exclusive re-releases of the hit
Atari Jaguar cartridges, "Worms" and "Iron Soldier II."
With an enormous subscriber base for its print magazine and the fact that
it's online site is part of the largest online video game network, Next
Generation was an ideal choice to partner with CGE '99 to aid in promoting
the event. In addition to financial contributions, Next Generation has been
prominently running CGE'99 articles and press releases throughout the show's
promotional period.
Digital Eclipse, a developer, publisher and distributor of interactive
software titles for PC, Macintosh, Playstation and Game Boy Color, is well
known throughout the classic gaming community as the leader in the
development of classic software titles. The Emeryville, California-based
company has been responsible for the production of such titles as Atari
Arcade Hits 1 & 2 and Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits for various formats
and Klax, Paperboy, Joust/Defender and 720 for Game Boy Color. "Considering
the large number of classic titles that we develop each year, deciding
whether to sponsor Classic Gaming Expo '99 was a no-brainer," said Mike
Mika, Technical Director of Digital Eclipse and a noted expert in the field
of software-based emulators of classic 70's and early-80's consoles,
coin-ops and computers. "Not only are many of our products geared toward the
classic game player, but we're big fans of classic games ourselves. We're
delighted to be a contributor to Classic Gaming Expo '99."
Conceived and coordinated by two of the individuals responsible for
coordinating last year's highly successful "World of Atari" event, Classic
Gaming Expo is the industry's only annual show that is dedicated to
celebrating the roots of electronic entertainment, bringing together
industry pioneers, gaming enthusiasts and the media for the ultimate in
learning, game-playing and networking. Classic Gaming Expo is a production
of CGE Services, Corp. (www.cgexpo.com)
John Hardie
Co-Promoter, Classic Gaming Expo '99
info@cgexpo.com
http://www.cgexpo.com
Atari Gaming Headquarters
http://www.atarihq.com
Classic Gaming Expo '99 News Update
Hello Everyone,
A lot of exciting things are planned for CGE '99 and we've been hard at work
trying to put together one heck of a show for our attendees. We decided to
send out this news update to clue everyone in on the latest happenings.
First we'd like to welcome our new sponsor, Digital Eclipse. If you don't
know, these are the guys responsible for many of the great classic
compilations and conversions that came out from Midway, Hasbro, etc.
We now have well over 50 special guests that are planning to attend the
show. Check out the show page at http://www.cgexpo.com for all the latest
info.
Also be sure to check the latest list of vendors to see who's been added.
*** Great News ***
Due to continued demand for CGE '99 we have changed our pricing as follows.
We have extended the $27.50 price until the end of July. All those that
register after July 31st, will have to register at the door. We have also
reduced the price of on-site registration to $35. Show hours are Sat. 9-6
and Sunday 9-5. All attendees need to pick up their name badges at the CGE
'99 registration desk.
Here's a list of some of the super things we have in store for everyone...
- Hasbro is planning to hold spur-of-the-moment Pong tournaments throughout
the day. If you're in their booth at the right time, you might just get
picked to compete.
- Midway has decided to make CGE '99 one of the stops on their Hydro-Thunder
Arcade tour. Walter Day of Twin Galaxies fame will be hosting the tour for
Midway.
- Walter will also be organizing and running the CGE '99 tournament area.
Aside from the two regular contests, if you beat the high score on one of
the arcade machines or home system games Walter will enter you into the next
edition of the high-score book.
- Billy Mitchell, the first perfect score holder on Pac-man, will be at the
show with his machine showing the attendees how the pros do it.
- Eric Bacher, of Alfred Challenge fame will be releasing his second 2600
game called "Pesco". Similar to Alfred Challenge, Eric will sell 40 CGE '99
commemorative editions of the game with color label, instructions, and box.
The game will also be availale later in the month in B&W label, etc.
- Eric's friend, Igor Barzilai, will debut his new 2600 game as well. Igor
will sell 50 copies of "Merlin's Wall" in special CGE '99 editions.
- Eric has also created a secret game that will not be sold, but he will be
running a contest at one of the game stations with this game. Stop by and
let Eric know what you think and maybe win a prize.
- Carl Forhan of Songbird Productions will be releasing 2 new Lynx products
at the show.
- Telegames USA has indicated that they will have at least one new Lynx
product available.
- Tim Arnold of the Las Vegas Pinball Collector's Club will have a raffle
with all proceeds going to charity. Aside from coin-op flyers and other
goodies, the grand prize will be your choice of a full-size Missile Command
or Rip-Off arcade machine plus free shipping in the U.S.
- CGE '99 will also see the re-release of the book, ZAP! The Rise and Fall
of Atari. CGE Services Corp. has inked a 5-year exclusive deal with
McGraw-Hill for rights to re-print Zap.
- A special screening room has been set-up for previewing the current video
documentaries being released by Howard Scott Warshaw and Cyberpunks
Entertainment.
- World-renowned Caricaturist, M.C. Sturman, will be on-hand at various
hours throughout both days to put your image onto our special Classic Gaming
Expo '99 backdrop. Prices are very reasonable at $5 for a B&W image or $10
for color.
- The CGE '99 museum is shaping up to be the best yet. Look for tons of
systems on display, both released and unreleased, as well as rare and
prototype software, memorabilia and other neat items. Some of the new
highlights since last year's museum include the Color Vectrex, Odyssey 3,
Intellivision 1 Computer, and loads of software like 2600 & 5200 Tempest,
5200 Asteroids, 5200 Super Pac-man, and many others.
If you have questions, comments, or would like further information on
Classic Gaming Expo '99 please feel free to contact us at:
info@cgexpo.com
Special thanks to all the sponsors, vendors, guests, and attendees for their
support and help. We look forward to meeting everyone and having a great
time.
Sincerely,
The CG Expo Staff
JagFest '99 Video Is Ready!
Send in your orders now, the JagFest '99 video is ready to go!
Details on http://jagfest.atari.org. Order form on
http://songbird.atari.org.
Sincerely,
Carl Forhan
Songbird Productions
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Microsoft Cleared Of Antitrust Violation
A federal jury in Connecticut Friday found that Microsoft Corp. did not
violate U.S. antitrust law in a suit brought by a small Connecticut
software company.
While the eight-member jury found the world's leading software company
liable for violating Connecticut business laws, it awarded nominal damages
of only $1 to the plaintiff, Bristol Technology Inc.
``We are very pleased with the decision," Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla
told Reuters. ``This is a victory for the entire software industry, in
upholding the fundamental right of protecting your intellectual property."
Danbury, Conn.-based Bristol said it was considering whether to appeal.
``Obviously, we are very disappointed in the verdict," Bristol Chief
Executive Keith Blackwell said.
``This is a complete victory for Microsoft," David Tulchin, a lawyer for
Microsoft, told Reuters. ``The jury's awarding of nominal damages was their way
of giving something to Bristol, but obviously in a way that is a victory
for Microsoft."
The jury began its deliberations Wednesday afternoon, and announced the
verdict at 1:25 p.m. EDT. It came after a U.S. District Court trial in
Bridgeport, Conn., that began on June 3.
Closely held Bristol, which has about 70 employees and $8 million in annual
revenues, had sought up to $263 million in damages from Redmond,
Wash.-based Microsoft.
Bristol alleged that Microsoft violated U.S. antitrust law by refusing to
negotiate a new contract for Windows source code.
It also claimed that Microsoft illegally leveraged its monopoly power in
personal computer operating systems to monopolize markets for operating
systems in technical work stations and departmental servers.
But in the five-minute verdict read aloud by the court clerk, the jury
found that Bristol did not prove any of the alleged antitrust violations.
However, the jury found that ``Microsoft did engage in deceptive acts or
practices in its trade or commerce under Connecticut law," and awarded
total damages of $1.
``The court will enter a judgement at a later time, in writing," U.S.
District Judge Janet Hall told the jury after the verdict was read.
Once the judgement is entered, Bristol has 30 days to appeal, in the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York City.
Microsoft had called Bristol's case ``meritless" all along, and said that
Bristol was simply following a "sue-Microsoft-for-money business plan."
Microsoft lawyers called the case a mere contract dispute, and the six-week
trial featured a videotaped deposition by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Bristol makes a product called Wind/U, which acts as a bridge between
developers writing software for computers based both on Microsoft's Windows
and on the competing Unix operating system.
Bristol's original contract to license Microsoft source code -- the
blueprint that tells computer programmers how a software program works --
expired in September 1997.
The Connecticut case was the first to receive a verdict in the three
separate antitrust actions around the country facing Microsoft.
The trial was unrelated to federal charges still pending in federal court
in Washington, D.C. The government alleges that Microsoft holds monopoly
power in Windows operating systems, and that the company illegally used
that power to compete unfairly.
A ruling is not expected in the U.S. government case for several months.
In addition, Utah-based Caldera Inc. accuses Microsoft of using unfair
tactics to destroy a competitor to Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system. A
trial is expected to start early next year.
Bristol Technology Announces Layoffs
Bristol Technology Inc. may be shrinking after losing a federal court
battle against Microsoft Corp., but the tiny software company isn't ready
to give up its fight.
Last week's unfavorable verdict in U.S. District Court has forced the
small software maker to cut 17 jobs, or 20 percent of its 70-person staff.
The Danbury-based company, with just 70 employees and $8.7 million in
revenues last year, sued Microsoft in August, claiming that the industry
leader was trying to crush competition by preventing access to its source
code - software blueprints - for Windows NT. Bristol spent more than $1
million to prepare its case for trial.
But the jury on Friday found that Microsoft did not violate antitrust
laws in its dealings with Bristol. It did find that Microsoft committed
a deceptive act that violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act,
but awarded Bristol just $1 on that claim.
``We're working hard here to keep the company going," said Bristol CEO
Keith Blackwell. ``The culture here is people work hard anyway. That will
continue." Blackwell said Bristol intends to pursue Microsoft in the U.S.
Court of Appeals. He said the first legal step will likely be to request a
retrial.
``We still believe in the case, as much as the day we started," Blackwell
said. Bristol makes a software product called Wind/U, which allows programs
written specifically for Windows to be converted to run on computers with
different operating systems such as UNIX.
From 1994 to 1997, the two companies had a contract under which Microsoft
provided Bristol access to source code for an earlier version of Windows
NT. Bristol filed its lawsuit after they were unable to reach an agreement
on a contract for the newest versions.
The six-week trial in U.S. District Court pitted Bristol, a little-known
company, against the Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft with 27,000 employees
and $14.48 billion in fiscal 1998 revenues.
Blackwell said Bristol will continue to service existing Wind/U customers.
But Wind/U, which provides Bristol with 80 percent to 90 percent of its
revenue, will become outdated without the new Windows source code, he said.
The company is working to develop new products for software developers to
make up for the anticipated loss in revenue, Blackwell said.
``It's forcing us to back up and start over," Blackwell said.
AOL To Offer Britons Free Access
Freeserve, the biggest Internet service provider in Britain, didn't exist
a year ago. It boomed with a simple, irresistible come-on: no connection
charge, no monthly fee.
Since Dixons Group PLC launched Freeserve in September, it has signed up
1.2 million customers, rocketing ahead of America Online Europe to become
No. 1 in the United Kingdom.
Now AOL Europe is striking back, with a free service of its own.
The company announced plans Monday for a new service, Netscape Online,
aimed at thrifty, cyber-savvy subscribers.
``Its a new segment, a new slice of the Internet pie in the U.K.," said
Andreas Schmidt, president of AOL Europe, a joint-venture between America
Online and German media group Bertelsmann AG.
Schmidt denied AOL's move was a response to the surge in business enjoyed
by rival Freeserve, but the abundance of service providers offering free
Internet has clearly had an impact. He estimated that more than 100
Internet service providers - from farmers to soccer clubs - now offer free
access in Britain. The spread of such services has added some fizz to the
Internet market in Europe, where only 9 percent of households are now
online - compared to more than 30 percent in the United States.
Why the difference? One big reason is European telephone companies charge
per minute, even for local calls, while most Americans have unlimited
access to local numbers. AOL subscribers in Britain currently pay British
Telecom, the nation's main phone company, up to 2.40 pounds, or $3.75, per
hour to use the Internet.
So-called ``free" Internet services make their money three ways - from
sharing in telephone revenues as subscribers dial up, from advertising, and from a cut
on any purchases made via the Internet.
Some subscribers also pay fees to get technical help; with Freeserve, it's
50 pence, or 78 cents, per minute. AOL UK, a subsidiary of AOL Europe, will
match that fee when it launches Netscape Online on Aug. 19.
Freeserve eliminates connection charges and monthly fees for its subscribers,
who now number more than 1.2 million - twice as many as AOL UK.
Telephone charges matter even in a place like Finland, where the total cost of
using a telephone is less than in the United States, notes Noah Yasskin, an
analyst for Jupiter Communications, an Internet consultancy company with
offices in London and New York.
``When you have metered access, usage is still less," Yasskin says.
Dixons, one of Britain's biggest electronic goods retailers, wasn't the
first to enter the free-service market, but with its strong brand
identification and national network of hundreds of stores, it has been far
and away the most successful.
AOL UK said it will offer Netscape Online in conjunction with its existing
AOL and CompuServe brands, which target families and business customers,
respectively.
Schmidt refused to say when AOL's free service was likely to turn a profit
and declined to say whether AOL planned to offer free service to
subscribers elsewhere in Europe.
``We have made no decision to do so, but obviously it's a possibility," he
said.
Freeserve chief executive John Pluthero predicts that e-commerce - selling
goods and services on the Internet - eventually will be the industry's big
moneymaker.
AOL, Sun Microsystems Announce Name
The alliance between two of the largest Internet players in the world, Sun
Microsystems and America Online Inc., announced today that its brand name
will be iPlanet.
Just 100 days after its launch, the group's president, Mark Tolliver, said
the alliance now has more than 300 customers, all of them companies doing
business online. He said the brand name will help customers identify their
products.
Sun and AOL began their joint effort earlier this year, after AOL bought
Netscape Communications. The Alliance had been nicknamed the ``dot com"
software company. It is aimed at giving companies tools, software, and
services to take their businesses online.
Company officials would not release initial revenues, but said they want to
become ``the industry's first $1 billion pure play Internet software
company."
New Apple Laptop Has Fans in Frenzy
Apple Computer Inc. has yet to reveal its mysterious new laptop computer,
let alone start to sell it. But judging from the anticipation in the Mac
community, Apple's latest surprise promises to be another sales splash -
extending the company's comeback and shaking up portable design
just as its
iMac personal computer prompted the industry to rethink the clunky beige
desktop.
``They could have another blockbuster on their hands," said Tim Bajarin,
an industry consultant who heads Creative Strategies Research
International, in Campbell, Calif. ``There is an amazing amount of
anticipation and excitement around this machine."
There are obstacles to another Apple best seller, including potential
production problems and a worldwide shortage of flat-panel screens, which
could drive up Apple's costs.
But industry buzz over the laptop's expected design, price and performance
is accelerating ahead of a keynote speech on Wednesday by Apple co-founder
and acting chief executive Steve Jobs, at the MacWorld trade show in New
York. Jobs is expected to unveil the computer during his address.
While Apple is keeping a characteristic tight lid on details prior to the
show, industry watchers and customers expect the machine to make a strong
design statement that borrows generously from the enormously popular iMac.
The jellybean-shaped desktop was introduced by Apple last August and comes
in five colors. Strong sales led the company last week to report its
seventh straight quarterly profit, and have pushed up Apple's share of
retail desktop sales to 6.7 percent in May, double that of a year ago,
according to the ZD Infobeads research firm.
Like the iMac, the Apple laptop is expected to use translucent plastic so
the user can faintly see the machine's inner circuitry. Less certain is
whether it will come in several colors, or whether the edges will be
rounded in subtle homage to the iMac's casing, which sports a built-in
monitor.
But the laptop promises to break convention with rival machines, which
generally look like thin boxes and are used mostly by traveling
professionals. If priced affordably, a snazzy portable could potentially
become a status symbol among students and everyday desktop users, analysts
say.
``It should be a design that will bring wolf whistles of appreciation from
men and women," said Richard Doherty, who heads The Envisioneering Group
industry consultancy, based in Seaford, N.Y.
Indeed, the laptop is expected to be priced hundreds of dollars less than
Apple's PowerBook laptop for professionals, introduced this past spring
starting at $2,000. Apple doesn't currently sell a laptop aimed at
consumers.
Cheaper laptops are available elsewhere at under $1,000, but they are
mostly off-brands that use outdated technology.
Some major Mac purchasers already are concerned about potential supply
shortages.
Dartmouth College, for example, has contacted Apple salespeople to see if
its roughly 1,200 freshman can get first dibs on the laptop when it comes
out. iMacs were a big seller this past year at the Ivy League school, which
requires incoming students to have a computer and gives them discounts on
purchases.
``It's widely rumored that Apple will sell out their product line" of
laptops, said Larry Levine, Dartmouth's director of computing.
If the new portable takes off, it could help Apple crack a new technology
market - people who are intrigued by laptops, but are reluctant to buy them
because of the price and stodgy design.
Only 37 percent of laptops owned in the United States are used in homes,
with the rest used in workplaces, according to ZD Infobeads. That compares
to about half of all desktops used in the home.
Even though Apple has yet to reclaim its glory of the 1980s, when one out
of every four desktops sold was a Mac, it continues to have great influence
in the PC industry.
But nothing's certain. While Apple has shown a knack for using design to
lure newcomers to technology, the laptop offers a bigger hurdle.
A few years ago, problems with Apple production led its laptops to overheat
during use, costing the company money and credibility. Modifying the
traditional design of the computer casing could prove difficult, since
squeezing components into such a small space is a challenge in itself.
In addition, a worldwide shortage of flat-panel screens, which use liquid
crystal instead of electron beams to show text and images, could drive up
component costs and hurt Apple's ability to make money on a low-priced
laptop.
Apple Unveils 'iMac-To-Go' Notebook Computer
Apple Computer Inc. Wednesday introduced its highly anticipated consumer
notebook computer, an eye-catching iMac-to-go with built-in wireless
Internet capabilities.
``There has been a lot of speculation and a lot of rumors -- and I get to
end them today," Apple interim Chief Executive Steve Jobs said of the
long-awaited computer, which he unveiled halfway through his keynote speech
at MacWorld, Apple's big New York trade show for the Macintosh faithful.
The new iBook portable, priced at $1,599, is a six-pound computer offered
in two translucent colors -- blueberry and tangerine -- as well as in
white. It plays off the success of Apple's hit iMac desktop machines
introduced a year ago, and responds to demand for an ``iMac to go," Jobs
said.
The two-toned iBook will be available in September -- still in time to
catch some of the education market, Jobs said. Apple is targeting both
consumers and schools with the new notebook, which fills a hole in its more
streamlined product line.
Keeping with a tradition of innovation, Apple's new portable computer
provides untethered Internet access for home and schools via AirPort, its
specially designed wireless link to local computer networks. Cupertino,
Calif.-based Apple has worked with Lucent Technologies Inc. for about 18
months to develop the wireless technology.
``There has never been one (a portable) designed for the consumer market,"
Jobs told Reuters in an interview.
Jobs said the iBook was the first portable designed with built-in wireless
capability and pointed to the antenna that runs around the screen.
The iBook, a sort of flattened iMac, has a carrying handle, a full-sized
keyboard, a 12.1-inch active matrix screen, a 300-megahertz PowerPC G3
processor, a built-in CD-ROM, a 3.2-gigabyte hard disk drive, a 56K modem
and other features.
The AirPort includes a wireless networking card for $99 that fits in a slot
under the keyboard and a base station that looks like a space ship, which
costs an additional $299. Ten iBooks can share one base station and can be
as far away as 150 feet, which will make computing in the classroom much
easier. The battery life for the notebook is about six hours.
During a demonstration of the machine's wireless capability, Jobs typed in
a Web site on the iBook and started to carry the notebook across the stage,
drawing some cheers as the audience realized there were no wires. Jobs
brought out a hula hoop and encircled the iBook to ensure everyone got the
point.
``It's the ultimate education machine," said Lou Mazzucchelli, a Gerard
Klauer Mattison & Co. analyst. ``They look like they came off the space
station in 2001 ... I would not be surprised if its pre-orders exceed that
of the iMac."
Still, analysts said that they expected Apple to be constrained in
manufacturing the iBooks, and that bigger volumes likely would be available
in the December quarter.
``I think they eventually have another blockbuster on their hands. The
overall design is very cool-looking, and I think it will catch the fancy of
consumers," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies Inc. in
Campbell, Calif.
Not every MacWorld attendee agreed, with some balking at the
higher-than-expected price.
``I'm not that impressed; it's too much money," said Tony Esposito, a
counselor who works on an older Macintosh who came to MacWorld to look at
new machines.
But Apple noted that International Business Machines Corp.'s lowest-cost
notebook goes for $1,799, and the iBook is faster than some portables
costing as much as $3,000.
Analysts said the iMac, which was launched at $1,299 into a market offering
PCs priced at less than $1,000, has been a success because of its novel
design and easy-to-use features.
Wednesday, Apple also unveiled a service known as QuickTime TV (QTV), aimed
at providing the highest-resolution audio and video programming. It is
available over the Internet through the Apple Computer web site at
http://www.apple.com.
The service requires new Apple software and relies on a special high-speed
delivery service from up-and-coming Web content distributor Akamai
Technologies of Cambridge, Mass.
Programmers on the QTV network include Walt Disney Co.'s ABC News, Disney,
and the ESPN sports networks, as well as music programmers The Knitting
Factory, a New York-based club, RollingStone.com, Viacom Inc.'s VH1 and
Virgin Radio.
The keynote address began with a slightly younger-looking, clean-shaven
Jobs, wearing his standard blue jeans and black turtleneck. As he stood on
the stage, hands clasped, over-emphasizing the ``insanely great" products
Apple would introduce, it dawned on the audience that they were seeing
actor Noah Wyle, who played Jobs in the TNT movie, ``Pirates of Silicon
Valley."
``He did a wonderful job of portraying all my quirks and idiosyncrasies,"
Jobs said later, adding that he called Wyle himself to ask him to come to
MacWorld. Jobs said he did watch the movie, which is not always a
flattering portrayal of both Jobs and Gates. ``It could have been more
accurate," he said.
Apple's Jobs Upstages Himself At MacWorld Show
Apple Computer interim chief Steve Jobs, known as a master showman, managed
to upstage himself Wednesday at Apple's big MacWorld trade show.
The keynote address to the giant trade show in New York began with a
slightly younger looking, clean-shaven Jobs, wearing his standard blue
jeans and black turtleneck shirt.
As Jobs stood on the stage -- hands clasped, over-emphasizing the
``insanely great" products Apple would introduce -- it dawned on the
audience that they were looking at actor Noah Wyle, who played Jobs in the
TNT cable television movie ``Pirates of Silicon Valley" and is a member of
the cast of the hit TV show ``ER".
``He did a wonderful job of portraying all my quirks and idiosyncrasies,"
Jobs said in an interview later, adding that he called Wyle himself to ask
him to come to MacWorld.
Jobs, who has been interim chief executive of Apple for nearly two years,
said he watched the movie, which presents a not-always-flattering portrayal
of both Jobs and Gates.
``It could have been more accurate," Jobs said.
Ex-Netscape, Microsoft Execs Make Deal
Microsoft and Netscape may be two of the Internet's fiercest rivals, but
you wouldn't know it by the way some former top executives are joining
forces.
James Barksdale, chief executive of Netscape before it was bought by
America Online Inc. in March, and Brad Silverberg, who formerly led
Microsoft Corp.'s Internet strategy, are financing a new startup in Silicon
Valley, Tellme Networks Inc.
Barksdale and Silverberg, along with most of Tellme's roughly 20 employees
- many formerly from Microsoft and Netscape - are contributing a total of
$6 million as ``seed money." Despite being called Tellme, the company is
vague about what it wants to sell, beyond saying it plans a service that
will change the way consumers use the traditional home telephone.
``It's a 120-year old device. It's not very sophisticated in the ways you
find information and people," Barksdale said a telephone interview.
Executives say they are vague because don't want to set expectations high
for a product that isn't expected to come out for another year. But they
say the experience of working on opposite sides of the Internet software
wars may come in handy when making fresh inroads into a new high-tech
realm.
Tellme is expected to announce the investment on Monday.
Tellme was founded by Mike McCue, former vice president of technology at
Netscape, and Angus Davis, former product manager of Netscape's
Communicator Internet software.
In April, Hadi Partovi, lead program manager for Microsoft's Internet
Explorer browser, made headlines when he joined the company co-founded by
his former arch-enemies at Netscape.
All three are under 30, and Angus is 21 years old.
It is the Barksdale Group's third investment since Barksdale left Netscape
and started the outfit to invest in Silicon Valley startups.
Microsoft Plans Mac Browser, E-mail
Microsoft Corp. will bring out new versions of its Internet Explorer
browser and Outlook Express e-mail software for Apple's Macintosh computers
this fall, with features aimed at the growing number of home buyers of
Apple's iMac machines.
Both products will have features not currently available in the software
versions for personal computers running Microsoft's Windows operating
system, said Ben Waldman, general manager of the Macintosh business unit at
Microsoft.
Microsoft made the announcements in conjunction with Apple's semiannual
MacWorld show in New York City today. Two years ago, Microsoft invested
$150 million in Apple and the two longtime enemies announced an alliance to
share software innovations.
Both new products will be available as free downloads from Microsoft.
Waldman declined to give a specific release date, other than in the fall.
The new Internet Explorer 5.0 Macintosh Edition will include a new
rendering engine, Tasman, to speed the loading of graphics. It also will
have Auction Manager, to allow users to track multiple Internet auction
sites simultaneously and automatically. Although there are existing
programs to monitor online auctions, no program currently works across all
the auction sites, Waldman said.
Apple has long argued for simplicity and ease of use in its Macintosh
computers, especially in its iMac line. The new computers, a hit with
consumers, come in bright colors and are designed to be as unintimidating
as possible.
Microsoft, often criticized for bloating software programs with complicated
features and arcane instructions, has taken note of Apple's success,
Waldman said.
``We thought there was a lot more to do to make programs easier to use and
give people more functionality," he said.
Outlook Express 5.0 will include ``Smart Attachments," a feature aimed at
taking the headache out of e-mailing files in different software formats.
The variety of text and graphics formats used by different programs can be
bewildering for e-mail users, especially if documents are attached as
separate files to e-mail messages. Often, the recipient lacks the proper
software package to view the document, or can't even determine the right
software to use.
Smart Attachments automates the process, with no need for users to learn
complicated terminology or procedures just to read their mail, Waldman
said.
Outlook Express 5.0 also will have a junk mail filter to deal with unwanted
commercial e-mail, and new technology to simplify setting up e-mail
accounts. Microsoft also promises a ``plain-English error log," to explain
in nontechnical terms what happened when things go wrong.
Microsoft also announced a new edition of its Word 98 software for iMac
customers, again aimed at the home market. The $99 package - after a $30
rebate - includes 5,000 clipart images, special software to create greeting
cards, and sample greeting card paper.
U.S. Internet Naming Group Drops Proposed $1 Fee
The U.S. government's handpicked successor to oversee the Internet's name
and address system announced Monday that it would drop a proposed $1 per
Internet site name fee after fierce criticism erupted from Congress and
public advocacy groups.
The non-profit Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which was
selected last year to administer the global network's critical naming
system, made the move ahead of a congressional hearing on July 22 at which
lawmakers were expected to be sharply critical of the proposed fee.
In a letter from the corporation's temporary chairman, Esther Dyson, to the U.S.
Commerce Department, the group also pledged to stop holding its board
meetings in secret and to move quickly to establish an elected board of
directors.
Last month, House Commerce Committee chairman Tom Bliley sent the
corporation and the Commerce Department a letter blasting the fee and
demanding information about ICANN's decision-making procedures.
The Commerce Department quickly agreed with some of Bliley's critique and
asked ICANN to set aside the $1 fee.
In her letter, Dyson argued that the $1 per name fee, which could raise up
to $6 million a year or more, was appropriate and necessary. But ICANN
agreed to set aside the proposal because of the current controversy, she
said.
``If ICANN is to continue, it is simply not possible to abandon the
cost-recovery mechanism that has been produced by the consensus-development
process and replace it with nothing," Dyson said in her letter. ``We have
decided to defer the collection of the registrar fee, and to create a
taskforce ... to review the options for fair and workable cost-recovery
mechanisms." Bliley and others had charged that the $1 per name fee was a
form of taxation that ICANN lacked authority to levy.
Until last year, the Internet's naming system, which assigns unique
addresses to every site on the Internet and helps route traffic to intended
recipients, was overseen by a government contractor and Network Solutions
Inc.
As part of a move to privatize management of the increasingly commercial
Internet, the Clinton administration adopted a plan last year to phase out
government oversight and transfer control to a non-profit group backed by
industry.
The administration selected ICANN, with an appointed board of directors, to
oversee the system and ordered the group to move quickly to establish a
board elected by Internet users and companies.
The corporation was also told to generate its own funding mechanism and to
begin instituting competition for the registration of Internet names in the
popular .com, .org and .net domains.
Jousting Over Internet Addresses
The Clinton administration threatened anew Thursday to end its lucrative
contract with the company that assigns and manages most of the world's
Internet addresses.
A lawyer for the Commerce Department warned that the government will end
its exclusive deal with Network Solutions Inc. unless the company reaches
agreement with the new non-profit organization taking over management of
many of the Internet's technical functions.
``If we hit a stone wall, we've got to do it another way," Andy Pincus,
Commerce Department general counsel, said during a congressional hearing.
But Pincus, sensitive to the uncertain impact the move could have on the
stability of the Internet, cautioned that negotiations were continuing. ``I
don't think we're up against the wall."
In what's become a tumultuous power struggle affecting the increasingly
critical Internet, the government is in the midst of turning over
management to the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers, or ICANN, which the government helped organize.
Since 1992, Virginia-based contractor Network Solutions has coordinated the
Internet's most important functions and registered more than 5 million
addresses with the ``com", ``net" and ``org" suffixes.
Under current plans, Network Solutions ultimately will compete with others
assigning the world's Internet addresses - which each cost $35 annually to
license - but it alone will continue to maintain the world's master list of
those addresses, called its registry, which lists more than 5 million
addresses with these top three suffixes.
The company's chief executive officer, Jim Rutt, also testifying before a
House Commerce subcommittee, bristled at the suggestion that the government
could replace his company as the one controlling the Internet's
all-important registry, which he said belongs to Network Solutions.
``We don't believe they have the legal right to do so," Rutt said. But he
added later that the groups were ``all working in good faith to get there.
I really do think we'll get there, and it will be soon."
Pincus originally warned in a letter earlier this month that Network
Solutions could lose its responsibilities over the registry, but he
acknowledged such a move ``would be extremely destabilizing for the
Internet and therefore quite harmful to its development."
Shares of Network Solutions dropped Thursday by $5.38, down nearly 7
percent, although it also announced record net revenue of $47.5 million for
the second quarter, ending June 30. It was the company's 11th consecutive
quarter of rising profits.
Republicans organized Thursday's hearing to question ICANN about some of
its policies. ICANN has held closed-door meetings and previously announced
plans to charge companies and consumers $1 for each Internet address they
register.
ICANN's interim chairwoman, Esther Dyson, sought to assuage lawmakers by
promising to defer the controversial fund-raising plan. She also promised
that to open ICANN's August meeting to the public, but not necessarily
future meetings.
Republicans also disclosed a March 31 e-mail from ICANN's lawyer, Joe Sims,
in which Sims had urged a Justice Department lawyer, Chris Kelly, ``to
increase the level of pressure" on Commerce officials negotiating to force
Network Solutions to work closely with ICANN.
``Chris said that was already under consideration," Sims wrote.
The Justice Department is investigating Network Solutions for possible
antitrust violations.
Group Steps Up Anti-spam Campaign
A coalition of anti-spam activist groups on Thursday will deliver a
database containing 150,000 unsolicited e-mail messages to Congress and
the Federal Trade Commission, an official of one of the groups said
Tuesday.
The move is aimed at helping the FTC track down online con artists by
gleaning information about the spammers from the messages, according to
Ray Everett-Church, legal counsel for the Coalition Against Unsolicited
Commercial E-mail (CAUCE). The activists also hope to spur Congress to
pass new anti-spam legislation.
The groups said in a statement on their spam-gathering project that they
are backing a measure proposed by Rep. Gary Miller, a California
Republican, that would allow Internet service providers to hold spammers
liable for up to $25,000 a day in damages for unsolicited commercial
e-mail sent through their systems. The spam mail was collected from
Internet users over the last two months on the Spam Recycling Center Web
site sponsored by CAUCE along with ChooseYourMail.com, the Forum for
Responsible and Ethical E-mail, and SAFEeps.
"The overwhelming response to the Recycling Center and the questionable
nature of the spam we've received tells me that the spam problem is
growing," said Ian Oxman, president of ChooseYourMail.com, an "opt-in"
e-mail marketing firm, in a statement.
CAUCE members were eager to participate in the project, in the hopes that
it will give the FTC and Congress new tools to fight spammers,
Everett-Church said in an interview.
"We saw a real outpouring of participation from CAUCE members," he said.
The messages consisted mainly of pitches for get-rich-quick schemes,
pornographic Web sites and companies looking for people to help them
send even more spam, Oxman said.
"Not only is spam damaging the Internet infrastructure, but it's clearly
a favorite advertising vehicle for sleazy and abusive businesspeople,"
CAUCE vice-president John Mozena said in a statement. "It's the new
favorite tool of those who abuse and defraud consumers."
Miller, the California Congressman, is scheduled to provide more details
on his proposed legislation during a press conference Thursday.
=~=~=~=
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