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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 03 Issue 05
Volume 3, Issue 5 Atari Online News, Etc. February 2, 2001
Published and Copyright (c) 1999 - 2001
All Rights Reserved
Atari Online News, Etc.
A-ONE Online Magazine
Dana P. Jacobson, Publisher/Managing Editor
Joseph Mirando, Managing Editor
Rob Mahlert, Associate Editor
Atari Online News, Etc. Staff
Dana P. Jacobson -- Editor
Joe Mirando -- "People Are Talking"
Michael Burkley -- "Unabashed Atariophile"
Albert Dayes -- CC: Classic Chips
Rob Mahlert -- Web site
With Contributions by:
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=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0305 02/02/00
~ Sega Dumps Dreamcast! ~ People Are Talking! ~ AllAdvantage Gone!
~ Windows95 Support Ends ~ Consumer Sentinel Site ~ PowerBook G4 Ships!
~ AOL's "Hey You" Virus! ~ Napster Charges Users! ~ AOL Spam Scam!
~ Microsoft Files Papers ~ Wireless Playstation? ~ Gnutella Slows Down!
-* eBay Implements New Policies *-
-* Strong Internet Privacy Bill Filed! *-
-* Infogrames Closes Hasbro Interactive Deal! *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Well, last week I was fuming over my problems with my desktop peecee. I did
manage to resolve the printer problems. I brought the machine back to the
dealer and they eventually resolved my floppy drive problem (bad cable,
somehow). But, when I got it home, the floppy drive didn't work again.
This weekend, I plan to take it apart again and hopefully find that it's
just a loose cable and I can get it going again. There's no way I want to
walk into that shop again with my tower under my arm!
Slowly, I'm rebuilding the system back up again. Essentially I have to re-
load everything that will not run from where it currently resides on the
drive. Fortunately, all of my data files and other non-program files are
intact, for the most part. It's a matter of moving stuff around and
deleting corrupted files as I replace them. One major pain. I have the CD-
burner working, so you can bet that I'll be saving a LOT of stuff to CDs!
I'm ready for Spring! I'm now officially sick of the snow and cold
temperatures for this year! I can take it for awhile, but then I start
thinking of warmer weather. I wonder if receiving gardening catalogs has
anything to do with it! I'm ready to go but apparently nature won't
accommodate me! Hmmm, I wonder how Puxatawney Phil made out on GroundHog
Day (as I write this a day early!). Six more weeks of winter?
Until next time...
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Well, it's a heck of a thing, but another
week has come and gone. The weeks just seem to fly by these days. It
must be a sign that I'm getting older. Nah, can't be. <grin>
Those of you who read this column regularly know that I'm always
talking about how we're going to hell in a handbasket and that society
is doomed because people are getting more and more stupid. I often use
the proliferation of Intel based computers and the voters of Palm Beach
county as examples.
Well, this week the world went out of its way to prove my point. I
ordered some things online and had them shipped the most cost-effective
way. The most cost-effective way just happened to be UPS.
Unfortunately, the vendor decided to require a signature (stupid choice
number one, since the total cost including shipping was under $25.00).
Since both my wife and I work there was no one here to sign for the
parcel. I filled in the portion of the note left by UPS to ask that the
parcel be re-routed to my father-in-law's house, since he's retired and
usually at home during the day. This is something that UPS allows for,
and shouldn't be a problem.
The following day, there was no sign of any kind that UPS had been back
to our house, so I fully expected to get a call on the third day from
my father-in-law, telling me that the package had arrived.
Much to my surprise, I arrived home on the third day to find a "final
delivery attempt" note from UPS. "The parcel will be returned to the
sender within the next five days" was the message. Now I have to take
time off of work to take care of their screw-up, and probably lose more
money in salary than the parcel is worth. But that, as they say, is
life.
I know, I know. These people are under a lot of pressure. I know
several people who work for UPS, and they're always under the gun. But
let's face it... now I have to basically do their job because someone
else messed up.
I hate to single out the good folks at UPS because most of the time
they do an outstanding job and I've got a lot of respect for both the
company and the employees, and mistakes can indeed happen anywhere. But
this is the most recent example, so it stands out in my mind.
Ever since the first of our ancestors discovered that you could make
tools and prevail over nature instead of the other way around,
evolution stopped being what nature had intended. Well kiddies, it's
time to skim the gene pool.
We all feel that way sometimes, I guess. Each generation thinks that
the following generation is going to destroy everything that the older
generation has accomplished. It's been said that Socrates thought that
of Plato's generation, and Plato's generation thought it of Aristotle's
generation. I don't personally believe that, but the fact that it's
said at all proves my point.
So if the belief that things are "going to hell" is simply a by-product
of an aging generation, then I'm simply a victim of society. Ain't it
funny how _I_ am a VICTIM of society and everyone else is the
problem??? Gawd, I AM getting old. <grin>
Well, enough of this. Time for the news, hints, tips and info from the
UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================================
'Chris' asks about hard drive size:
"What's the biggest drive I can use with an STe? I've got a 1g and a
500Mb in a case with a CD-ROM. Using HDDriver 7.01 it only sees the
500Mb and CD. Mind you I can't seem to see the 1g on my Falcon so maybe
it's knackered?"
'Mark' tells Chris:
"I could be wrong but I think we have approached this from the wrong end.
When we talk about the limitations on size of partitions we should
remember that this is TOS and NOT the driver/partitioning software such
as HD driver, ICD, etc. Even if TOS can not use the partitions the
software should still see the unit, this is more likely to be a hardware
problem.
Ideas could be termination, parity, ID or simply not plugged in properly,
there may also be a very small number of STEs around with dodgy DMA
chips (very unlikely).
Early TOS could only see up to 16 MB on a partition, later they improved
this along with a number of other problems such as folder depth, etc.
There are many patches out there but I think that modern drivers such
as Hddriver will replace and patch these areas for your (could be wrong).
The type of interface that you are using would be helpful?
Version of HD Driver? TOS Version (maybe)?"
Alyre Chiasson asks about serial ports on the TT:
"I have read that port 2 on the TT can supports speeds up to 56K
whereas port 1 cannot. I purchased a 56K modem and hooked it up to port
2. I have tried setting the Sting Port settings to Modem 2 and well as
the General Port settings to Modem 2 but they revert back to Modem 1
even after a save. I have also changed the modem reference in the
Dial.scr file to Modem 2. All of this results in a failure to connect
with the modem. Anyone get this combination to work or can suggest what
I should change? By the way, it does work on port 1 but at a slower
speed - in other words the modem is okay."
Dan (The Man) Ackerman tells Alyre:
"Use Serial 2 if you can, if you have a video card installed and
lost the ports go to a good electronics store and get a 9 pin serial
port back plane adaptor and hook it back up. You'll be much happier.
And if STiNG continues to give you problems with it, I can suggest
you try STiK2 as I use a 56k modem on my serial2 port with a dte of
230k everyday on my TT with STiK2. But then again I think that my
machine is very similar to one of the programmers machines."
Jerry Martin asks about converting GEM metafiles:
"I have been banging my head against a brick wall lately. It appears the
GEM-Metafile format exists in two formats: one supported by the Likes
of ArtWorx and Calamus, and another supposedly the 'GEM standard' which
is supported by Papyrus, Gemgraph and others.
The files show colour loss when imported across the 'boundary' -
Papyrus shows ArtWorx/Kandinsky metafiles as only black and white,
while GemGraph files import with the colours all messed up into
ArtWorx/Kandinsky.
This is a horrific situation.
As the image data is all intact, the only problem seems to be in colour
mapping, definition.
I guess it wouldn't really be too difficult to produce a converter
which would alter the colour values appropriately?
Anyone out there want to take up the challenge?
This really is an unacceptable situation, and a program of this ilk
would be most appreciated...
It turns out that Rom-Logicware have agreed to look into the
possibility of getting ArtWorx compatibility incorporated into Papyrus.
Great news!!!
However, the utility might still be very useful. Anyone who wants to
include e.g. GemGraph GEM metafiles in Kandinsky/ArtWorx documents (or
modify them) will have the same trouble with colours. So there is still
a need for this application as a 'first-aid' patch until the GEM
standard can be finally set to rest!
I just want to compliment both Ulli Ramps of Rom-Logicware and Oliver
Buchman of ASH for their willingness to help on this! You definitely
don't find this level of support/concern for users on other platforms!"
Steve Sweet looks for a way to sort NewsGroup stuff:
"Does anyone know of an application that will allow me to sort
group list from newsgroups servers into alphabetic order?.
When I get the whole list from the IP its all nicely sorted, but as the
list gets appended it gets a bit of a mess and can cause some problems.
If there is no specific software to do this then I lay it down as a
challenge to the Atari coding fraternity to come up with something.
The interface wont have to be anything special, a TOS windowed prg will
do that preferably makes a backup before it gets busy. If you want to
get flash then a list that allows deletion of chosen groups and maybe
even some search facility would be a nice touch."
Martin Byttebier tells Steve:
"Try a-to-z
A-Z (pronounce A-to-Z) is a GEM program to sort a text
file from A to Z (or vice versa). Supports: GEMJing,
BubbleGEM, OLGA (Client/Server), ST-Guide and VA_START.
Bilingual release (German/English).
The author is Matthias Jaap.
WWW: http://www.penguin.atari-world.com/ "
Bob King asks about keyboards for the Milan:
"Some time ago I mentioned a fault (1s repeating whenever I touched it)
on my Milan Keyboard, an NEC. I mentioned this to the service guy in a
small computer service shop. 'Oh that's always happening, its your
membrane breaking down'. He then went on to describe other symptoms. So
I bought a Genius keyboard for ?11.00. Fault cured, much better tactile
keys AND a wrist and palm rest. Point of message is to show an often
forgotten advantage of Milan --- it's use of standard PC parts. He was
able to show me some SCSI cards with the correct chip set, but a bit
pricy, so I'll shop around a bit!!
BTW anyone know a program to make the Caps and Num lock LEDs light up,
they do work when the keyboard is polled at boot."
Peter Slegg tells Bob:
"My CapsLock LED works ok but the NumLock key is meaningless to TOS
since I don't think even the Milan version uses the numerical keypad
as cursor keys.
I never understood why this facility is still available on PCs it's
just a nuisance. But then we are dealing with the people who added
extra keys to use the menu !!!"
Harry Sideras adds:
"... If you use the excellent MenuInfo then you can get a Caps Lock
indicator in the menu bar, if that helps..."
Well folks, that's it for this time around. 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 - Sega Dumps the Dreamcast!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Infogrames Closes Hasbro Deal!
Phantasy! Oni! Action Man!
Wireless Playstation?! And more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Sega Dumps Flagship Dreamcast Game Machine
Japan's Sega Corp pulled the plug on its Dreamcast game machine on
Wednesday, announcing it would suffer a record loss by ending production of
the loss-making console in March in a dramatic refocusing on video game
software.
The world's third-biggest maker of game hardware and software said the
shutting down of Dreamcast will generate $689 million in extraordinary
losses, leading to a record net in the current year to March 31.
Analysts applauded the end of the 128-bit Dreamcast as a crucial step
toward profitability for a company facing four straight years of losses,
but they said the size of the special loss was bigger than the 50 billion
yen most had expected.
Dreamcast, launched in 1999 equipped with a 56K modem that connected users
to games, chatrooms and online tournaments, faced fierce competition from
smoother, faster machines rolled out by rivals Sony Corp and Nintendo Co
Ltd.
Sega said it would stay in the software business, throwing a lifeline to
Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters and games that became synonymous
with the world's first Internet-compatible video game machine.
``The hardware business was becoming a heavy burden to the company," said
executive vice president Hideki Sato. ``By shifting away from it and into
the software business, where we are stronger, we will aim to get back in
the black in the next year."
It accepted 85 billion yen in gift funds from Sega president Isao Okawa to
help offset losses.
Operating losses from the hardware division were expected to balloon to
43.5 billion yen in the current business year from 38.4 billion yen a year
earlier, the company said, adding that Dreamcast sales fell 44 percent
short of an initial goal.
In the business year to March 2000, its hardware division earned 23 percent
of total sales and contributed to 95 percent of its total operating loss.
``This is positive in a sense that bleeding is finally going to be
staunched," said Hajime Yagi, senior portfolio manager at Meiji Dresdner
Asset Management.
Sega said it will now focus on providing game software content and
entertainment titles to other video game makers, including Sony, Nintendo
and Microsoft Corp, whose new game console system ``XBox" will be launched
this fall.
The company also said it agreed with Sony to cooperate in online games and
other network-related services.
Sega's shares have surged 57.9 percent since last week on relief that the
company appeared set to cut its losses on Dreamcast and play to its
perceived strengths by supplying games to other makers. In the same period,
the benchmark Nikkei index slid 1.3 percent.
Sega said it will trim its workforce to the minimum level needed for
operating a content business, and would consider cutting back or divesting
its European and American operations as well as affiliated enterprises.
It said it expects to sell nine million software titles this business year
and boost that by 50 percent next by selling games designed for other
machines.
It plans to develop by the end of this year game content for Palm Inc.'s
handheld computers, which last year enjoyed a dominant share of more than
70 percent in the fast-growing U.S. hand-held computer market.
Rival game software maker Electronics Arts Inc said that Sega will face a
tough struggle to provide software for other platforms, because it would be
handicapped by unfamiliarity with the programming requirements of rival
consoles and the long development cycle for video games.
``They're starting from scratch," said John Riccitiello, president and
chief executive of EA, which is the top game vendor for Sony's PlayStation
2 in the U.S.
``It's not quite as though this is GM saying we'll make BMWs, but it's the
same kind of proposition," said of the rival gamemaker. ``They may look
like BMWs, but I doubt if they'll drive like BMWs."
Infogrames Completes Hasbro Interactive Acquisition
International computer game publisher Infogrames Entertainment SA today
announced the completion of its acquisition of PC game publisher Hasbro
Interactive. Infogrames first announced plans to acquire Hasbro
Interactive in early December.
The deal, valued at US$100 million, puts one of the most formidable brands
in the computer game industry under Infogrames' control. Infogrames gains
more than 250 new titles under the deal, with licensing access to 600
Hasbro franchises. Hasbro's marques include Atari, MicroProse, and the
Games.com domain. Infogrames also obtains a long-term licensing agreement
with Hasbro Inc., giving the French publisher exclusive rights to publish
interactive games based on current and future Hasbro properties.
Infogrames' North American concerns include popular Macintosh game and
utilities publisher MacSoft. Last summer, MacSoft entered into a thirteen
title licensing deal with Hasbro Interactive which secured them rights to
publish Mac versions of popular casual games like Scrabble, Jeopardy and
Monopoly, among many others. It is unknown at this time as to how the
merger of Hasbro Interactive into MacSoft's parent company will affect
future licensing plans, but all signs up until now have pointed to a
positive outcome.
Calling Hasbro Interactive "an ideal partner," Infogrames chairman and
CEO Bruno Bonnell said that the two companies' shared vision made them a
natural fit.
"The completion of the acquisition is extremely exciting for us, as it
fits perfectly with our corporate strategy of building the premier
publisher of digital interactive entertainment for the whole family,"
said Bonnell.
Hasbro Interactive is expected to utilize the Infogrames name and
branding strategy immediately. More details about how the company will
be integrated into Infogrames are expected to be provided in the coming
weeks.
Rival Gamemaker Sees Sega Struggle with Other Boxes
Sega Corp will struggle if it decides to abandon production of its own game
console in order to provide software for other platforms, a leading rival
warned here on Tuesday.
Although Sega is recognized as a great game developer, the company would be
handicapped by unfamiliarity with the programming requirements of rival
consoles and the long development cycle for video games, the chief
operating officer of Electronics Arts Inc. told Reuters.
``It's not quite as though this is GM saying we'll make BMWs, but it's the
same kind of proposition," said John Riccitiello, president and chief
executive of the rival gamemaker. ``They may look like BMWs, but I doubt if
they'll drive like BMWs."
Industry analysts expect Sega to announce it will stop production of its
loss-making Dreamcast game machine as soon as Wednesday, despite official
denials from the struggling game maker.
Sega has said it is in talks to supply game software to its two major
rivals -- Sony Corp, which makes the PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Co Ltd for
its Gameboy Advance devices.
EA, the top game vendor for PlayStation 2 in the U.S., rose to become the
No. 8 gamemaker for the console in Japan in 2000 and has its sights on
becoming at least the fifth largest player in that market over the next few
years, Riccitiello said.
Sega's expected move would position the Japanese company as a more direct
competitor to EA in the market for PlayStation games, but it would have to
contend with the 18 to 30-month software development cycle that was
standard in the industry, he said.
``They're starting from scratch," he said.
EA had a 35 percent market share in Europe in PlayStation 2 games at the
end of December, but lacked a breakaway title like Madden NFL, the football
game that became the best-selling offering for the console in the U.S. last
year. Riccitiello also said sales of PlayStation 2, which ran into
production delays after its March release, were hurt in Japan by the lack
of compelling new games developed specifically for its enhanced
capabilities.
``There's still yet to be a killer app," he said. ``People don't buy a
game console as living room art, they buy it because they want to play
games on it."
Sega's Smash Pack Delivers Value Plus
Hours of Fun to Dreamcast Gamers
Limited Edition Sega Dreamcast Bundle Showcases 12
of the Greatest Sega Games Ever Made
Now, the Sega Dreamcast videogame console has even more to offer consumers
than a great price, multi-player online gaming and 200 innovative titles!
Sega® of America announced the ``Smash Pack" Bundle which combines the
powerful Dreamcast console with 12 of the greatest Sega games ever made --
all on one disc. The ``Smash Pack" is currently available at the low price
point of $179.95.
The ``Smash Pack" bundle features over 80 hours of exciting gameplay
including popular Sega characters from titles such as ``Sonic the
Hedgehog," ``Vectorman," ``Altered Beast," and the previously unreleased
and highly anticipated Dreamcast version of Virtua Cop 2. The ``Smash Pack"
bundle has a genre for everyone including RPG, Action, Adventure, Puzzle,
Shooter, Sports, and more. The complete list of titles in the ``Smash Pack"
is as follows:
* ``Sonic the Hedgehog" -- The original adventure featuring Sega's blue
mascot takes players zooming through eight exciting zones.
* ``Vectorman" -- Morph into a train, a drill, and a lightening fast
dune buggy as you save Earth from the evil Warhead.
* ``Altered Beast" -- Resurrected by Zeus himself, players assume the
role of an ancient warrior that can transform into a ferocious beast
and rescue Zeus' daughter from the God of the Underworld.
* ``Golden Axe" -- Team up with a friend to slash monsters, cast
spells, and ride bizarre animals as you both attempt to save the
kingdom!
* ``Revenge of Shinobi" -- Deadly attacks and powerful ninja magic
are on your side as you go up against the evil Neo Zeed army.
* ``Streets of Rage 2" -- Players assume the role of four distinct
characters, each with their own special moves, as they try to save
Metro City from Mr. X's gang.
* ``Columns" -- This addictive and brilliant jewel-laden puzzle
game will keep you coming back for more.
* ``Phantasy Star 2" -- Considered a landmark title, gamers will be
able to play the first RPG in the renowned `Phantasy Star' series.
* ``Shining Force" -- Knights, mages, dragons, archers, samurai and
werewolves clash in the turn-based trailblazer that launched the
legendary strategy-game series.
* ``Wrestle War" -- Totally exclusive, bone crushing wrestling
action straight out of Japan!
* ``Sega Swirl" -- Don't let Sega Swirl's simple premise fool you,
this one's as addictive as they come.
* ``Virtua Cop 2" -- Take on the crime syndicate and blast the bad guys
in this action-packed thriller.
``Sega has an incredible legacy of great content," said John Golden,
director of product marketing, Sega of America. ``Combining the appeal of
these titles with a game system as powerful as the Dreamcast makes the
Smash Pack an incredible value for consumers."
The ``Smash Pack" Bundle will be available at all participating retailers
in January for $179.95.
Phantasy Star Online, the First Global Online
Console RPG, Lands On Sega Dreamcast
For the first time in history, a video game breaks all limitations of
lanaguage and time to unite gamers on a global scale! Sega of America, Inc.
announced the release of ``Phantasy Star Online" for the 128-bit,
Internet-ready Sega Dreamcast video game console. This multiplayer RPG
allows thousands of players to interact, form teams and embark on mystical
and monster-filled missions in real-time. Using a language converter and a
special Internet clock, ``Phantasy Star Online" delivers a world that is
easy to navigate while interacting with friends from around the world.
Created by world-renowned developer Yuji Naka, ``Phantasy Star Online"
expands on the ever-popular ``Phantasy Star" franchise by sculpting the
universe into a revolutionary online gaming experience.
Set in the future and utilizing elements of the legendary ``Phantasy Star"
series, ``Phantasy Star Online" begins with a scout crew descending from
space to investigate an explosion on the planet Ragol. By assuming the role
of a fully customizable character -- including profession, race and
appearance - players must unite in packs of four to solve the mystery of
what triggered the explosion and what happened to the previous crew who had
already arrived on the planet. This game can be played offline, online or
both, with computer generated mission companions if necessary. ``Phantasy
Star Online" completely eliminates language barriers by using a universal
translation system. This makes it possible for gamers from all over the
world to play together seamlessly. Players choose from hundreds of pre-set
phrases and sentences, which are then instantly translated into Japanese,
English, Spanish, French, or German. Players can also communicate through
the use of ``Hot Keys," which are commonly used phrases or words pre-set
on either the keyboard or controller.
``Phantasy Star Online" runs on a universal time system that makes it easy
for gamers to meet online. Using the ``beat" time, created by Swatch,
gamers will have no problem meeting for gameplay regardless of time zones
or geographical borders. Beats eliminate time zones and geographical
borders by dividing up the virtual and real day into 1000 ``beats."
``'Phantasy Star Online' is bringing the first truly global gaming
experience to console players around the world," said John Golden,
director of product marketing, Sega of America. ``Breaking the barriers of
language and time, and supporting thousands of players at a time, 'Phantasy
Star Online' delivers unlimited gaming possibilities."
``Phantasy Star Online" supports the Dreamcast Keyboard, and is currently
available at www.sega.com and at retailers nationwide for the suggested
price of $49.99. The game is rated ``T" for Teen.
Oni Ships For Mac, PC, PlayStation 2
Gathering of Developers has announced the release of Bungie Software's
long-awaited 3D action game Oni. The game has been released simultaneously
for the Mac, PC and PlayStation 2. Gathering of Developers is publishing
the game for the Mac and PC. Some gamers have been able to get their hands
on the title early, as some resellers got their stock over the weekend and
set out copies early.
In Oni, players assume the role of Konoko, a special agent on a mission
to overthrow Boss Muro and his Syndicate, an organized crime ring that
deals in illegal technology. The game is set in a sprawling metropolis
of the near future, in a setting of environmental devastation and a
government run amuck. It's up to Konoko to discover what secrets her own
shrouded past holds -- she's not sure who she can trust or what the
truth is, but she'll find out.
Oni is a 3D action game rendered in a third-person perspective. Although
the game superficially resembles other third-person action titles like
the Tomb Raider series, which emphasizes platform jumping skills and
other feats, Oni's emphasis is on hand-to-hand combat between Konoko and
her enemies. Players learn new combination moves and gain access to new
and more powerful weapons as the game progresses. Alas, there's no
multiplayer mode for Oni -- it's a single-player game only.
Gathering of Developers CEO Mike Wilson hopes that Oni will have widespread
appeal both to hardcore gamers and to the gaming market at large.
"Bungie Software has created a stunning game that takes action/adventure
to the next level and features a hard-core action heroine main character
who breaks the stereotypical 'gaming babe' mold," said Wilson.
System requirements for Oni call for a PowerPC-equipped Mac operating at
300MHz or faster; Mac OS 8 or higher (it's Carbonized for OS X, as well);
64MB RAM; 800MB available HD space; 3dfx Voodoo2 or ATI RAGE Pro graphics
card or better; CD-ROM. The game carries a suggested retail price of
US$39.99. The game carries an ESRB rating of "T" for "Teen."
Rights to publish Oni were sold to Take Two Interactive Software last
summer as part of Bungie Software's acquisition by Microsoft. Take Two
had owned a 19.9 percent share of Bungie prior to the acquisition.
Gathering of Developers is a subsidiary of Take Two Interactive
Software. Take Two subsidiary Rockstar Games is publishing Oni for the
Sony PlayStation 2 video game console.
Square Ships DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S for the
PlayStation2 Computer Entertainment System
The Game Marks Square's U.S. Debut on the
PlayStation2 Computer Entertainment System
Square Electronic announced the release of DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S for the
PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S is a
driving simulation game that immerses players in the experience of
high-performance sports car racing and is the first title from Square for
the PlayStation 2. The game features detailed realistic recreations of over
40 fully licensed cars including those from such high-profile manufacturers
as Porsche, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.
``DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S is a milestone title for Square as it marks our
first endeavor on the PlayStation 2," said Jun Iwasaki, president of
Square Electronic Arts. ``We are thrilled to bring the SQUARESOFT name to
the PlayStation 2 with a title that offers fast-paced action and stunning
graphics."
DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S provides players with a complete sports racing
experience by accurately recreating the feeling of racing at top speeds. In
addition to Porsche, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, Square has garnered the rights
to license cars from other manufacturers such as BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi,
Subaru, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota and TVR. The featured cars include exact
replications of the interior and exterior of the vehicles based on data
from the manufacturers. This gives each car its own distinct look, handling
characteristics and allows players to experience the true thrill of racing
behind the wheel of such exotic cars as the Porsche Boxster S or the
Ferrari 360 Modena.
Further enhancing the simulation experience, DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S
features high-resolution graphics and accurate in-game physics that fully
utilize the advanced processing capability of the PlayStation 2. The
breathtaking graphics of the game include features such as surroundings
reflected in the body of the car and a realistic glare of head and brake
lights as diffused through the driver's windshield view. During races,
players experience physics that simulate precise handling and suspension
techniques unique to each vehicle which are influenced by air, weight,
gravity and resistance.
Players can select from four racing modes -- Arcade Type-S, Line Training,
Time Attack, Versus Mode -- and can also select the Assist Level. Vehicles
will perform and control very realistically in the Simulation level, while
the Normal level will be more forgiving. Players can ultimately choose from
ten different racetracks including real Japanese tracks like the Suzuka and
Tsukuba circuits. All cars in the game feature fully customizable
transmission, suspension and brakes that can be tailored according to
preferred driving style. Players can also change the body color of selected
vehicles before any race.
DRIVING EMOTION TYPE-S is compatible with the DUALSHOCK2 analog
controller. The game carries a suggested retail price of U.S. $50 and an
ESRB rating of ``E" (Everyone).
THQ Ships ``Championship Motocross 2001 Featuring Ricky Carmichael"
THQ Inc. announced the release of ``Championship Motocross 2001 featuring
Ricky Carmichael" for PlayStation.
Based on the growing sport of motocross and featuring the reigning 250cc
National Outdoor Champion, Ricky Carmichael, ``Championship Motocross 2001
featuring Ricky Carmichael" is now available at major retail outlets
nationwide.
``Ricky Carmichael dominated the 250cc class in the 2000 Outdoor National
series with a record-setting nine wins," said Germaine Gioia, vice
president, licensing, THQ. ``We're thrilled to see Ricky's talent and
popularity skyrocket and to be bringing the best in motocross racing and
freestyle action to the millions of motocross fans and gamers looking for
the definitive motocross experience on the PlayStation."
``Championship Motocross 2001 featuring Ricky Carmichael" for PlayStation
features 28 real motocross riders, including the sport's top racers and
freestylers: Mike Larocco, Jeff Emig, Greg Albertyn, Carey Hart, Mike
Cinqmars and more. The game offers 24 tracks in motocross, supercross and
freestyle including the National Outdoor Championship Series and the THQ
U.S. Open.
With 3-D track environments and Funcom's proprietary RMD+ physics system,
``Championship Motocross 2001 featuring Ricky Carmichael" redefines the
standard for motocross on the PlayStation by delivering realistic and
responsive rider dynamics both on the ground and in the air.
``Playing the game with the fans at the pro and amateur events over the
past few months has been a blast," said Ricky Carmichael, who recently
seized his fourth consecutive National Outdoor Championship title. ``It's
awesome to see how well the game is doing and all the great things fans are
saying about it."
THQ Ships "Action Man" for Game Boy Color
THQ Inc. announced it will release ``ACTION MAN: SEARCH FOR BASE X" for
GAME BOY Color on January 30.
Licensed by Hasbro Interactive, ``ACTION MAN" toys and merchandise are a
hit with kids after the debut of the ``ACTION MAN" television show and toy
line. Developed by Natsume, ``ACTION MAN: SEARCH FOR BASE X" will be
available on January 30 at major retail outlets nationwide.
``'ACTION MAN' merchandise has exceeded $1 billion in retail sales
worldwide in the last five years," stated Alison Locke, executive vice
president, North American Publishing, THQ. ``'The ACTION MAN: SEARCH FOR
BASE X' missions are a perfect fit for the GAME BOY Color demographic."
``The 'ACTION MAN' product line has been wildly successful in Europe and we
expect its appeal to our target demographic to be just as successful in the
U.S.," said Tom Dusenberry, president and CEO, Hasbro Interactive. ``THQ's
expertise in the handheld arena will make 'ACTION MAN: SEARCH FOR BASE X'
for GAME BOY Color the perfect compliment to our PC and PlayStation 'ACTION
MAN' adventures."
``ACTION MAN: SEARCH FOR BASE X" for GAME BOY Color features seven levels
with more than 15 missions for gamers to enjoy as they assume the role of
the GREATEST HERO OF THEM ALL. As ``ACTION MAN," players must find and
arrest DR. X before he uses his top-secret weapon against the world.
``ACTION MAN" can use devices such as his Electronic Magnetic Pulse,
longbow, sonic explosions and flashlight to explore through missions
including a jungle, a mine, a snow base and even a moon base.
``ACTION MAN" is a realistic hero who pairs extraordinary athletic ability
in extreme sports with superior intelligence and a sixth-sense called the
AMP FACTOR to combat evil around the globe. The cutting-edge ``ACTION MAN"
CGI programming made its debut of weekly episodes on Fox Kids Network on
Saturdays.
Wireless Playstation on the Horizon
The bestselling video-game system of all time may soon be coming to a cell
phone near you.
In a bid to bring together i-mode wireless technology and the Playstation
gaming juggernaut worldwide, Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo and Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. signed separate agreements Monday with
DoCoMo's six alliance partners to jointly develop and market mobile
network services and applications that combine the two technologies.
Under the terms of the agreements, DoCoMo and Sony will share their
service know-how with DoCoMo's partners, which will market the new
services in their business domains in Europe, North America and Asia.
DoCoMo's partners include AT&T Wireless Group, Hutchison Telephone Company
Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Limited, KG Telecommunications Co., Ltd, KPN
Mobile N.V. and Telecom Italia Mobile.
The new agreements will build on an August alliance between DoCoMo and Sony
to bring wireless Playstation to market in Japan.
In addition to developing a new network service to blend i-mode's and
Playstation's technology, the companies said they will work to create an
interface between mobile Internet devices and Playstation consoles, and to
create an interface between Playstation, a gateway server and content
providers' servers.
Such developments have the potential to let users play video games with
each other using Internet-enabled wireless devices, especially as
next-generation wireless technology revs up data speeds.
DoCoMo said it will encourage content providers to take advantage of the
new service, with the goal of gradually expanding the content selection for
users.
DoCoMo's i-mode technology has soared in popularity in Japan, signing up
17 million subscribers in just 22 months. The service offers users color
screens, graphics, games and information services -- and analysts report it
is leaving WAP (wireless application protocol), the more limited wireless
standard now offered in the United States, in the dust.
Earlier this month, DoCoMo announced a three-party alliance with KPN Mobile
and Telecom Italia Mobile, giving the company a foothold in Europe. I-mode
will be launched later this year by KPN and Telecom Italia, DoCoMo said,
targeting more than 30 million subscribers of the companies in Belgium,
Germany, Italy and The Netherlands.
Sega to Provide Games to Palm Handhelds
Japanese video game maker Sega Corp. on Wednesday said it would develop
games for Palm Inc.'s handheld computers by the end of the year.
Peter Moore, president and chief operating officer of Sega of America, said
the games would likely be geared toward handheld devices with wireless
connections, so that consumers can download games either on a pay-per-play
basis or via subscription.
``The quality of games has not been up to par recently...," Moore said in
a conference call. ``But once we start applying our development effort to
bring characters like Sonic (the Hedgehog) to a Palm, I think you will see
the business model open up immediately."
The company did not provide details on pricing or specific games for the
Palm devices, saying only that more information would be released in coming
weeks.
Sega made the announcement at the same time that it revealed it would move
out of the hardware business by pulling the plug on its flagship Dreamcast
video game console.
The game maker will stay in the software business, providing Sonic and
other characters and games to platforms developed by its competitors,
including Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2.
Rival game software company Electronic Arts Inc. has said it will not focus
on games for handheld computers.
U.S. sales of personal digital assistants, such as the popular Palm Pilot,
more than doubled in 2000, according to industry data, in sharp contrast to
slack growth in the personal computer market. Palm dominated with a market
share of 78 percent in 1999, according to research firm NPD Intelect.
Sega's Moore said Palm users will increasingly seek out compelling games
for the handheld devices.
``The ability to get quality games moving forward in either premium
pay-for-play or a subscription-based model is becoming more relevant to
that consumer," he said.
``As a result, we are working on a business model that will allow Palm
owners, particularly those that have a wireless connection, to be able to
subscribe to something like 'Game of the Week."'
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Microsoft Attacks Antitrust Case, Judge's Behavior
Microsoft on Monday filed final papers in its antitrust case appeal, saying
its behavior had been lawful, the trial court judge biased and his order to
split the company in two unjustified.
In a 75-page reply to a government filing earlier this month, the Redmond,
Wash.-based software giant said it detected several concessions by the
government that much of Microsoft's behavior was lawful.
``Whatever remains of plaintiffs' case after these concessions does not
amount to a Sherman Act violation, and is certainly not sufficient to
justify breaking up Microsoft and imposing other extreme relief,"
Microsoft said.
Oral arguments are scheduled for Feb. 26-27.
District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson found that Microsoft holds
monopoly power in the market for personal computer operating systems with
its Windows product and illegally used that power, including integrating
its Web-browser into Windows to combat Netscape.
On June 7, Jackson ordered that the company be broken up to prevent future
antitrust violations and set other remedies, all of which he suspended
pending appeal.
The U.S. Department of Justice, 19 states and the District of Columbia
have asked the appeals court to uphold Jackson's findings and the split
order.
Microsoft said Jackson should be reversed entirely, but that if any
matters remained, Jackson should be removed from the case because of his
extraordinary comments about the proceedings.
``The district judge's public comments about the merits of the case...are
indefensible," Microsoft said.
The company took particular offense at Jackson's comparison of Microsoft
with gangland killers, according to a new book about the Microsoft case by
an author who spent time with the judge during and after the trial.
In Monday's filing, the company also quoted portions of the government's
Jan. 12 filing in an effort to back its argument that it legally
integrated its Internet Explorer browser into Windows. The appeals court
questioned the role of the judiciary in designing software when it sided
with the company in a related case in 1998.
``The district court specifically found aspects of Microsoft's conduct in
developing a Web browser and offering it to OEMs (original equipment
makers, i.e. computer makers) and users with Windows to be lawful," was
one of the government's sentences that Microsoft highlighted.
But a look at the Jan 12. filing showed the government distinguishing
between legal product changes and illegal behavior, prefacing the sentence
noted by Microsoft with: ``The court distinguished between lawful
pro-competitive design changes and anti-competitive actions relating to
design features."
The government had wanted the Supreme Court to directly hear the company's
appeal, but the high court sided with Microsoft and sent the case to the
lower appellate court.
A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on Microsoft's latest
filing.
How forcefully the new Republican administration of President George W.
Bush will pursue the Microsoft case is still unclear. Attorney
General-designate John Ashcroft told nomination hearings this month he
would look carefully at the case and rely on the expertise of the Justice
Department.
In any case, the states have said they plan to vigorously pursue the case
all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said Monday he looked forward to oral
argument. ``We stand by our brief and Judge Jackson's conclusion that
Microsoft violated state and federal antitrust laws, thwarted competition,
and harmed consumers," he said.
AOL Spam Smells Like Scam
Many America Online subscribers received bogus e-mail on Friday
informing them that they may have won a prize from the giant Internet
service provider, and asking them to enter their screen name and password.
The world's largest ISP said that it certainly was not behind the e-mail,
which told users "Congratulations (You've Won)," and linked them to a Web
page that appeared to be an AOL site, complete with an e-mail address for
AOL Time Warner chairman Steve Case.
The page included the AOL logo and features such as "AOL Net Find" and "My
News," but the e-mail address to Case was not functional.
AOL is reportedly investigating the origin of the e-mails, whose sender is
listed as "Wooouuuu." The company did not say how many AOL users received
the e-mail or how many responded and volunteered the requested personal
information.
Users who proceeded to the e-mail's linked page saw the message: "Dear AOL
Member, We at AOL are now selecting random users to win prizes, and you
were one that we picked, we pick 10 members each month! To claim your
prize, just fill in the information below!"
Filling in a screen name and password led to another Web page, which had
an Ad Council banner advertisement for Recruiting New Teachers, Inc.,
reading, "Your information has been received."
The last page also included a link to the "Free Webmasters Resource,"
which led in turn to DK3.com, a Danish Web resources company.
AOL stressed its message to users that the company will never ask members
for passwords or billing information. AOL users are repeatedly told on
e-mail and other AOL screens that they should not give out their
passwords.
The company, which is not running any kind of random-selection prize
program, was unsure how many AOL users had responded to the bogus e-mail,
which may turn out to be a scam aimed at getting subscriber information or
access to AOL accounts.
AOL has come under fire in the past for the amount of spam -- unsolicited
commercial e-mail -- that its users receive. While it is unclear whether
any criminal charges might emerge from Friday's e-mailing, there have been
a number of cases in which the line between spam and scam has become
blurred.
A recent e-mail hoax claimed Microsoft would pay users US$5 per forwarded
e-mail message in a test of the software giant's e-mail tracking system.
Microsoft denied it, calling the Internet chain letter campaign a spam
promotion.
And instances still exist of the "Good Times" e-mail, which began hitting
inboxes as far back as 1994. The hoax message tells users about a virus on
AOL called "Good Times," adding that the message should be forwarded to
friends as a warning.
While the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) readily admits it cannot
stop spam, which could constitute a violation of free speech, the
commission has indicated that it will work with law enforcement to
aggressively pursue and prosecute cases of fraud resulting from illicit
e-mail.
In a report issued earlier this month, the FTC said it has facilitated
legal action against hundreds of Internet scam artists who use e-mail, as
well as direct mail and faxes, in their plots to defraud Web surfers.
EBay to Hide Member E-Mail Addresses
Online auction house eBay Inc. will soon start concealing the e-mail
addresses of its customers, making it more difficult for junk-mail senders
to harvest the information.
The new system also will make it harder for users to wrap up their deals
outside eBay - and lock the company out of its fees. A new warning will pop
up about such deals, which are prohibited by the company.
Ebay receives hundreds of complaints each week from customers who receive
unsolicited e-mail, or spam, after using the online bidding system,
spokesman Kevin Pursglove said Thursday.
``It's one of the biggest sources of complaints that we get," he said.
Anyone registered on the site can currently view e-mail addresses by
clicking on a seller's or bidder's username. Registration is free and takes
only a few minutes to complete.
Under the new system, to be deployed over the next few weeks, users who
want to contact buyers or sellers will only see the recipient's username.
They will enter their message in a form, rather than send their own e-mail
message.
``That message will be sent to the recipient, but the sender will not see
the recipient's e-mail address," Pursglove said.
Though the company's computers are automatically forwarding the e-mail,
eBay will not monitor the content of the messages, he said. And any replies
to the original message will contain the sender's address.
``At that point, it is the decision of the recipient to disclose their
e-mail address," Pursglove said.
The new policy was receiving mixed reviews on Internet message boards. Some
suggested making the policy optional. Others feared what would happen
should the company's e-mail servers crash.
``How reliable is their e-mail forwarding system going to be?" asked one
user on the AuctionWatch discussion board. ``I don't want e-mails that were
sent an hour before the auction closed to be delivered 10 minutes after it
closed."
Senator Introduces Strong Internet-Privacy Bill
Senator John Edwards re-introduced a bill on Monday that would require Web
sites to get permission from visitors before tracking their movements
online.
The North Carolina Democrat's bill stakes out an aggressive position in the
debate over Internet privacy, requiring Web sites to reveal their use of
technology that commonly runs in the background without the knowledge of
the visitor.
The bill was first introduced last October. It has no co-sponsors.
Many commercial Web sites place a piece of computer code, or "cookie," on the
hard drives of visitors, allowing them to be tracked as they browse the
site.
Observers say Congress will pass some sort of bill protecting Internet
privacy rights this year.
Most other bills that have been introduced focus on misuse of personally
identifiable data, such as phone numbers and zip codes, collected from Web
surfers, and do not address the use of cookies.
Edwards' bill would require Web sites to first get permission from visitors before
using cookies or other tracking technologies.
Businesses would be required to disclose what information they gather,
allow visitors to view and correct the data, and safeguard the information
from unauthorized access.
``This legislation is a reasonable way to help Americans regain some of
their lost privacy," Edwards said in a statement. "We must find ways to
keep confidential personal records confidential."
U.S. Launches Fraud-Fighting Web Site
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unveiled a new Web site Monday
designed to educate consumers on the prevalence of online fraud and theft.
The "Consumer Sentinel" Web site will offer information compiled from over
300,000 consumer complaints that have been lodged with the FTC.
Approximately 80 public and private organizations have already contributed
this data to the Web site's underlying database. Contributors include the
Better Business Bureau (BBB), the National Consumer League and the United
States Postal Inspection Service, as well as several international
agencies.
"There's strength in numbers," said Jodie Bernstein, who directs the FTC's
Bureau of Consumer Protection. "We hope consumers will find the site
informative and helpful."
According to the FTC, the new Web site has already partnered with 250 U.S.
and international law enforcement agencies. Consumers will also be able to
access the new site to determine whether their local law enforcement
agencies are associated with Consumer Sentinel and to file complaints
about any online crime, such as fraud or identity theft, perpetrated
against them.
In addition to providing hard data on computer crime, the Web site breaks
down the information by region, cost and frequency of occurrence, and the
location of companies most frequently cited as being responsible for such
violations.
The FTC's press release unveiled some startling information about online
identity theft. The agency found, from statistics compiled for the year
2000, that while only 12 percent of victims of identity theft admitted to
having a personal relationship with the perpetrator, a whopping 62 percent
had at least some knowledge of the identity thief.
"This [Consumer Sentinel] site will let consumers in on fascinating data
about fraud and deception, including the latest fraud trends, specific
scams, dollars spent, and information about how to recognize and avoid
fraud and deception," said Bernstein.
iDefense's director of special intelligence projects, Ben Venzke, told
NewsFactor Network that "one of the key things for consumers is knowing
and understanding what fraud looks like or how a scam feels, because many
of them look similar and have similar characteristics."
"If someone walked up to you on the street wearing a trench coat holding
dozens of [Rolex] watches and told you he was selling them for US$20
apiece, you're going to know that it's a scam," Venzke told NewsFactor.
"People don't seem to have that sort of street-savvy yet on the Internet,
though they're developing it at a rapid pace."
Consequently, Venzke believes the real value in Web sites such as the
FTC's lies in their ability to increase public awareness and provide
consumers with a place to go if something doesn't feel quite right. There,
Venzke added, a consumer may access the Web site and see if the offer fits
the descriptions of other scams.
However, Venzke noted that Web sites such as the FTC's also require
consumers to take the initiative in doing the research. In today's
fast-paced world, people often don't have the time or the willingness to
do so. Scam artists know this, and take advantage of it.
"We're so determined and so eager to get a good deal that we often
overlook obvious warning signals, putting scam artists right up there with
top marketers in determining consumer needs," Venzke concluded.
Sweepstakes Site Awards Its Last Prize
Sweepstakes site AllAdvantage.com has shuttered its Web site, joining the
list of failed businesses littering the dot-com landscape.
Hayward, Calif.-based AllAdvantage said on its Web site that it has pulled
programs that paid people to surf the Internet--thereby ensuring they
viewed advertisements--because "the advertising and capital markets have
changed so fundamentally that it is now impossible to continue our
infomediary incentive programs and benefits."
AllAdvantage's site said the company will not sell, lease, distribute or
disclose personal information to third parties. Sweepstakes winners and
members who have reached the payment threshold will be paid.
AllAdvantage could not immediately be reached for comment.
Since it was founded in 1999, AllAdvantage had sought to offer daily
sweepstakes, promotions or cash to Web surfers who allowed the company to
collect personal data about their online shopping habits and who used its
Web browser. Advertisers then paid the company to reach people interested
in their products.
Although many sweepstakes Web sites received a big boost in Web traffic in
September 2000, AllAdvantage had become plagued by difficulties by the end
of the year. Nielsen/NetRatings said the number of visitors to
AllAdvantage's Web site significantly dropped; traffic in June hit 2
million visitors but fell about 266 percent by December to 547,000
visitors.
The company went through several rounds of layoffs in the past year.
AllAdvantage cut 150 employees, or about 35 percent of its 230-person work
force, in November. In July and August, the company shed nearly 160
employees in efforts to trim expenses.
As recently as October, AllAdvantage said its business model was sound.
Analysts, however, were unfazed by the company's demise.
"I'm not surprised" about the shutdown, said Christopher Todd, an analyst
at Jupiter Media Metrix. "I think we saw it coming for quite some time."
To avoid being swept into the dot-com downdraft, Todd said sweepstakes
sites must focus their efforts on serving advertisers as well as
consumers. By paying people to surf, analysts said companies such as
AllAdvantage were working from a shaky business model.
"Magazines don't pay people to read a magazine," Todd said. "They charge
people because paying people to look at advertising is not necessarily an
effective model."
Napster To Start Charging
Internet music business Napster Inc. plans to start charging subscription
fees by June or July this year, Bertelsmann AG chairman Thomas Middelhoff
said Monday.
``We carried out market research among 20,000 Napster users. The
willingness to pay is given," the head of the Germany media company said
during the World Economic Forum in Davos
Bertelsmann, parent of the BMG music unit, signed a watershed cooperation
deal with Napster in October. It's trying to bring the Internet music site
together with other players in the industry in an effort to legitimatize
the popular Web site.
Earlier this month, independent record label TVT Records announced it was
dropping its lawsuit against Napster, becoming the second such record label
to do so after Bertelsmann itself.
However, much of the world's recording industry remains at loggerheads with
Napster, a web site where registered users can swap music files free of
charge.
The industry says the Napster model is a breach of copyright and results in
a loss of royalties for the artists and the recording companies.
By changing to subscriptions, however, Napster runs the risk of losing its
users to other online companies that continue to provide music exchange at
no charge.
Napster is in talks to enlist other record companies, including the four
other majors Sony, EMI Group, Warner Music and Universal.
The Redwood, Calif.-based Napster claims millions of users, including 1.6
million users online at any one time.
Analyst Eric Scheirer of Cambridge, Mass.- based Forrester Research said
the plan had potential, but a few things need to be worked out first.
``There are people that are ready to pay out there," Scheirer said.
However, he said Bertelsmann would need to offer more than simply BMG
artist content to convert Napster users to a paid service solution. Titles
from all labels would need to be included among the selections to make the
endeavor a success.
``Music fans really want the opportunity to choose from the entire body of
recorded music," Scheirer said. ``If we want to raise the price we're
going to have to raise the opportunity."
Napster officials did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking
comment.
Gnutella Spreading Itself Thin
Slow downloads and sign in procedures that only a true geek would
understand have put a damper on what could have been a monster success
story.
Predictions that Gnutella would quickly offer an effective file-swapping
alternative to Napster have proven premature, with the technology's own
developers admitting more work is needed before it will take off as a way
to trade free music and other digital wares.
Complaints of slow downloads and relatively complicated sign-up procedures
have dampened enthusiasm for Gnutella, which is still waiting for major
fixes after nine months in the open-source development tank. By contrast,
Napster's popularity has continued to explode despite the threat of a
court-ordered shutdown that could put it out of business any day. That
decision has been stayed since late July pending an appeal.
"Gnutella is not for mainstream users who don't understand what an IP
address is," said Ric Dube of digital music industry watcher Webnoize.
"Lack of speed only discourages a person once they figure out how to use
it. But first they have to figure out how to use it."
With Napster hogging the file-sharing spotlight even as the clock ticks
down on its legal status, Gnutella developers are rattling the cage with
new releases and the promise of a major upgrade.
Complicating the software program's future is a development effort that
has branched down several different paths. Two updates were announced last
week for two separate variations, for example, although neither promises
to solve the stickiest problems facing the so-called peer-to-peer system.
Recent new arrivals include
Bearshare, a Windows Gnutella client that was
unleashed Wednesday. Its developers say the new version reduces, but does
not solve, traffic jams on the network.
Gnotella 0.93, meanwhile, made its debut Tuesday, adding graphics to watch
the progress of file transfers, a temporary download directory, and
bandwidth throttling to help ease network jams.
Far bigger advances are promised soon in still another version of the
software, although no release date has been set.
J.C. Nicholas of GnutellaWorld said his coterie of computer whiz kids have
solved the application's slow-to-a-crawl network speed and the
steeplechase it takes to use the application.
Long on hype, but short on specifics, Nicholas promises the "Internet
earthquake" that he's calling Gnutella2 to be out "soon."
The file-swapping community has been down this blind alley before. When it
first was introduced, Gnutella's hype far outshined its performance. By
some estimates the file-swapping program that says it's bulletproof from
any copyright lawsuits has been downloaded about 1 million times. Compare
that to Napster's 50 million clients sitting on computer hard drives.
Even Gnutella fans say the technology is maddeningly slow to use, with
slower computers on the network dragging on download and search speeds.
Trying to get onto the network involves knowing more about computers and
the Internet in particular than most in the mainstream can bear.
For a few days in July, it appeared the software program was going to be
the dominant file-swapping force, when a judge ordered that Napster be
shut down. Downloads picked up at the various Gnutella sites. But the
momentum died July 28, when a higher court lifted the injunction against
Napster.
Nicholas said his group is about to change all that.
"We are looking for an Internet earthquake that will bring a whole new
view of the Internet, and a lot of good for humanity," Nicholas wrote in a
series of e-mails.
He said his team of developers is readying its first upgrade, which
apparently comes with an even bigger dose of bravado than before.
"I think this is going to be one of the greatest revolutions since Linux,"
Nicholas wrote. "It will revolutionize the way we exchange information on
the Internet."
Nicholas wouldn't reveal just how Gnutella2 has managed to deal with
slower computers on the network. But others in the Gnutella community
speculate it involves limiting the number of messages going around the
network, which at times takes up to 60 percent of the bandwidth.
Some developers have suggested, as well, that Gnutella could use software
already available to create "super peers" for those slower computers. The
"super peer" would serve as a proxy on the network for the slower
computers. The computers would still get what they want but not act as
speed bumps.
Nicholas wrote that Gnutella2 will tackle another pitfall: being able to
expand.
"Right now, the problem with Gnutella is its scalability," Nicholas wrote.
"We are working on a Gnutella that could support 20 million people and
more."
Nicholas said Gnutella2 will also include a plug-in that will borrow the
spare hard drive space of computers in the network and turn the collective
into a supercomputer.
The practice is known as "distributed computing." Its poster child is
SETI@home, which is run by the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
SETI@home is a plug-in that sits on an individual's computer. When the
computer isn't in use, the plug-in will borrow the hard drive space to
analyze radar data.
But it's eternal life, not extraterrestrial life, that Gnutella will
search for. Gnutella has three other projects in mind, the first to sift
through existing research to find out what causes cell death, Nicholas
says.
Two things Gnutella doesn't have to improve are its hype and its swagger.
Gnutella is perhaps the only major outlaw file-swapping player left
standing without being tethered somehow to the Recording Industry
Association of America or some of its members. Napster and media monolith
Bertelsmann, which owns one of the five record companies suing Napster for
piracy, have reached an agreement. They will drop their part of the
lawsuit if Napster turns itself into a pay-for-use model.
Scour Exchange shut down and filed for bankruptcy protection after it was
sued by the motion picture and recording industries over its file-sharing
service.
Other pioneers, such as MP3.com, have also reached agreements with the
record labels. The company has paid more than $150 million to the RIAA to
settle a series of copyright infringement lawsuits and in exchange got
licensing agreements.
Although some services are dancing with record companies, Nicholas writes
that Gnutella2 is going to make the record companies angrier still.
"The music industry is really scared that digital music becomes
uncontrollable. Obviously, people want it free," Nicholas writes. "The
music industry has to find another business model. If they don't react
quickly, they may be dead by next year."
Apple Ships PowerBook G4
Apple product marketing VP Phil Schiller told financial analysts on
Wednesday that the company is now shipping its new PowerBook G4 laptops,
and that it's on track to ship its 667MHz and 733MHz Power Mac G4 systems
by the end of February. Those were two highlights of the semiannual
meeting, which also featured a presentation by CEO Steve Jobs. The laptops
have been shipping since Monday, Apple said.
Jobs kicked off the meeting by repeating many points he made during his
keynote at Macworld Expo. He discussed the new PowerBook G4 and Power Mac
G4 systems, as well as iTunes, iDVD and Mac OS X. He also touted Apple's
vision of the "digital lifestyle," with the Mac serving as a hub for a new
generation of digital appliances.
In a Q&A session with analysts, Jobs made the following observations:
* Asked when the new SuperDrive might be included in the iMac product line, Jobs
said he expected this might happen in 2002. "We need to make more of them and
get the costs down," he said. He added that the iDVD software bundled with the
SuperDrive is very consumer-friendly. "It's usable by pros as well, but
consumers will use it," he said.
* Jobs expects that some of Apple's PC competitors will eventually offer the
SuperDrive in their own systems, but he said that Apple will be the largest
supplier, and maintained that its rivals will have a tough time developing the
software needed to use the product. "The software is harder to replicate than
the hardware," Jobs said. "This is hard stuff to do." Touting Apple's
engineering resources, he noted that the company has about 1,000 people each
in software and hardware development. "We have tremendous depth of talent," he
said.
* Jobs said the company's "Digital Lifestyle" vision, while "very important" to
consumers, also has appeal for professional users. For example, the company's
Final Cut Pro software, designed for use with DV camcorders, primarily appeals
to professionals. Although iTunes has largely consumer appeal, he noted that
the Mac dominates the professional recording industry. Ad agencies and other
creative users, he said, are excited about the new iDVD software because it
allows them to put client presentations on DVD media. Those who need to create
commercial DVD products, he said, can use the new DVD Studio Pro software.
* Jobs blamed most of the company's recent financial woes on the slowing
economy. "We don't know what macroeconomic hand we're going to be dealt this
year," he said. "We'll have to play the hand we're dealt." He noted that most
of Apple's PC competitors are also seeing revenue shortfalls. "In my opinion,
we're just beginning to see the ripple of that," he said, noting that Apple
has begun to cut expenses in some areas. Working in Apple's favor, he said,
are its loyal customer base and the large number of professional Mac users,
which Apple--with its latest hardware--is counting on to make up a bigger
percentage of sales in 2001.
* Asked what Apple is doing to attract more Wintel users, Jobs said the company
is trying to provide "the most aggressive products we can," notably the new
PowerBook, which he said has already attracted some Wintel users, even in the
corporate market. But he said that in the current market climate, Apple and
other PC makers will be focusing primarily on increasing sales to the
installed base.
* Jobs declined to comment on reports that Apple plans to open a retail chain.
"I can't talk about initiatives we haven't announced yet," he said. "You'll
hear if we have anything to announce in that regard."
* Reiterating a point he's made earlier, Jobs said that the transition to Mac OS
X will take about a year and follow a bell curve, with some applications and
early adopters coming on board in the spring, followed by a large number in
the summer and some stragglers in the fall. As for when people should switch
to the new OS, Jobs said "there is not one answer," suggesting that users wait
until their most-critical applications have been Carbonized. This will be day
one for some customers, spring for more and summer for most, he said. "It
depends on the portfolio of apps they use."
* Asked about Apple's pricing strategy in the face of aggressive pricing by PC
competitors, Jobs said that Mac products, with their high level of innovation
and added value, will naturally cost more than many competing products. "It
costs a little more to build a better product, but our customers have
signalled to us that that's the product they want to buy," he said. "We
believe we're delivering far superior products and with more innovation."
* Asked about the prospects for the G4 Cube, Jobs said that the Cube has found a
market among high-end consumers "who care about design and want a product that
is quiet, small and beautiful in their living environments." Most Cubes are
being used in the home, and a high percentage of customers also buy a
flat-panel display. However, he said the Cube market was smaller than Apple
anticipated when it first developed the product.
* Jobs said that Apple is looking at the market for Internet appliances, but he
said that companies in this space face some enormous challenges. For example,
with their limited storage and expandability, he said, digital appliances are
not easily adapted to new Web technologies. "You might be able to get
three-fourths of the Web sites today, but it may decline to half by next year
and a third by the year after that," he said. The PC, he said, "is a pretty
tough competitor to these devices." Answering another question along the same
lines, he said it's "too premature to give a yea or nay."
* Asked if Apple plans to develop new Internet applications, Jobs said that
iTunes is a good example of one. Users, he said, have been "blinded into
thinking that the browser is the same as the Internet." He noted that e-mail,
not browsing, is the most popular Internet application. "The browser is lousy
for e-mail," he said. "You can think of iTunes the same way," allowing access
to Internet content through a specialized interface rather than a browser.
* As Apple previously announced, only the 533MHz model is available in a
dual-processor version, but Schiller said that MP configurations of the 667MHz
and 733MHz systems will appear when the chips are in greater supply. In some
cases, he said, users with MP-optimized applications will get better
performance from the dual 533MHz system than a single-processor 733MHz system.
MP performance will improve even more, he said, under Mac OS X.
* Software engineering chief Avie Tevanian and OS X product manager Ken Bereskin
provided an overview of Mac OS X, covering much of the same ground that Jobs
covered in his Macworld Expo keynote. Tevanian said the OS is on track to ship
on March 24. Later, during a Q&A session, he said that Apple has doubled the
number of paid, registered Mac developers during the past year, indicating a
great deal of developer interest in the new OS.
* Operations VP Tim Cook told the analysts that the percentage of first-time Mac
buyers in the company's customer base is higher in Europe and Japan than in
the U.S. As a result, Apple plans to increase the number of "touch points"
(retail opportunities) for Mac products overseas. However, in the U.S., Apple
will focus this year on improving the quality of the buying experience, he
said. In some cases, this will mean cutting channel partners who are not
providing a good experience, while increasing in other areas. He added that
Apple is now taking aggressive steps to improve its standing in the education
market, noting that education sales stabilized between Q4 2000 and Q1 2001.
Apple plans to place a greater emphasis on selling
"solutions"--hardware/software bundles--rather than "boxes," which have lower
profit margins. Apple also plans to boost its online sales efforts overseas;
Cook noted that 90 percent of Apple Store sales come from the U.S.
* Chief financial officer Fred Anderson discussed Apple's challenges during the
past year, covering the megahertz gap, inventory problems, slow Cube sales and
difficulty in the education market. He repeated his projection that Apple will
turn a profit in the current quarter, and expects to see progressively
increasing profits and revenues in Q3 and Q4. The company's goal is to build
gross margins--the amount earned on each Mac sale--to more than 25 percent,
eventually raising this to 27 percent. Short-term, Apple also wants to rebuild
its revenue base to or above $1.5 billion per quarter, or $6 billion per year,
he said, increasing this further to $2 billion per quarter over the next 12 to
18 months. Apple plans to increase investments in strategic areas and does not
anticipate across-the-board layoffs, he said, but may cut expenses in other
areas, such as travel and cell phone use. "We don't want to mortgage the
future," he said. "Because we are an innovator, our most im! portant resource
is our talent."
* Asked about what steps Apple might take to prevent the kind of channel
inventory glut it saw last year, Anderson said that the circumstances around
Apple's problems were unique: Apple, he said, had made numerous product
announcements, including a new product line (the Cube) at a time when the
economy was slowing and the company was facing other challenges. Earlier, Cook
said he wanted to further reduce channel inventory to four weeks from the
current five-and-a-half, but that this will take several quarters.
* Asked for his views on the economy in general, Anderson noted that he's not an
economist, but studied it in school, prompting laughter from the analysts. He
noted that while the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates, it typically
takes several months for this to have an impact on the economy. However, he
doesn't foresee a deep recession, predicting that the economy will see an
uptick this October.
The event featured some technical difficulties, as Jobs had trouble
controlling a PowerPoint presentation, prompting several requests to a
technician named Wayne. Asked by an analyst if Wayne would still have a
job on Thursday, Jobs quipped that he would--but not if the glitches had
happened during the Macworld Expo keynote.
Microsoft Phasing Out Windows 95
For Windows 95, the end is here.
Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that Windows 95 will become an
asterisk in terms of sales. One of Microsoft's most popular products among
both consumers and businesses, the operating system is still in use at
many corporations today.
The licenses that let most computer makers incorporate the OS in new
computers expired Dec. 31. As a result, Dell Computer and other computer
makers no longer install the OS on new computers except under special
circumstances.
"Beginning January 01, 2001, Dell is no longer licensed to factory install
Windows 95," states an "end of life" notice on Dell's Web site.
In addition, Microsoft is not offering the OS under new volume licensing
agreements that it sells directly to medium-sized to large businesses,
according to company representatives. The only place that the OS is still
being sold is in the "original equipment manufacturers' distribution
channel," the network of distributors, dealers and small manufacturers.
However, sales have dwindled.
"Windows 95 is definitely a legacy, discontinued program. None of the
systems coming from the manufacturers has Windows 95 anymore. Everything
has either Windows 2000 or 98," said Mark Romanowski, vice president of
services for Long Island City, N.Y.-based dealer Jade Systems.
Still, Romanowski added, it's not impossible to obtain the OS. "We may
blow (the pre-installed operating systems) away and put in Windows 95 or
NT 4, if that's what the customer wants and they're uncomfortable with
Windows 2000," he said.
Even then, anyone who has purchased a copy of Windows 95 through a dealer
or even a Windows 95 computer from a small manufacturer has had to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/support/faq/availsupport.asp pay for
technical support calls since last fall. With Windows 98, a customer gets
two free calls from Microsoft and often more from the dealer.
Windows 95 has been one of Microsoft's most successful OS releases. The
company released the software with a worldwide marketing frenzy in the
summer of 1995. TV ads pulsing to the haggard Rolling Stones hit "Start Me
Up" flooded the airwaves. Lighted images of Microsoft's logo were
projected upon skyscrapers. A virtual army of golf shirt-clad Microsoft
employees were dispersed globally to distribute copies to computer fans
who lined up at midnight to buy copies of it.
To some degree, the OS lived up to its hype and created a more enhanced
Internet experience. And in a relatively short time, it became a standard
operating system for corporate computers.
"If you look at Windows 95, it was a quantum leap in difference in
technological capability and stability," Gartner analyst Neil MacDonald
said.
Phasing out products, even ones that enjoyed a brief status as a pop
culture phenomenon like Windows 95, is part of the tech landscape. Windows
95 doesn't work with a number of new devices coming on the market, so its
exit from the market is inevitable.
Nonetheless, the decision to phase it out contains a financial motive for
Microsoft, MacDonald said. The company wants customers to upgrade to
Windows 2000, the OS for business computers released last year that is
designed to replace Windows 95 as the business OS of choice.
Windows 2000 adoption has been slower than anticipated. With Microsoft
making Windows 95 difficult to obtain, customers will naturally gravitate
toward Windows 2000, or at least toward Windows 98, he said.
Microsoft uses other methods to encourage customers to shift as well,
MacDonald said. Microsoft Office 10, the company's latest application
package, is not compatible with Windows 95, he said. Microsoft also will
not provide bug fixes after Dec. 31 of this year, which encourages
migration.
"If you are a business, it becomes a risk-management decision when a
vendor says that they won't provide anymore bug fixes or security fixes,"
MacDonald said.
People really burning for Windows 95, of course, can get it. Dell, for
instance, will sell the OS through its custom integration service. To get
that service, though, customers must order at least 25 PCs, said Dell
spokeswoman Anne Camden. Dell also charges an additional fee for burning
in the custom software.
Dell, however, will not "support," or provide consultation or
troubleshooting, on Windows 95 installed on machines bought after Dec. 31
of last year. For help, customers will need to call Microsoft, which will
charge for the call.
Customers with licensing agreements for Windows 95 signed before the end
of last year can also continue to buy the OS as permitted by the contract.
The legacy of Windows 95 can be seen in Microsoft's balance sheets. The OS
jump-started years of growing revenue and profits for Microsoft and
introduced computing to millions. Ironically, the OS also contributed to
the feeling of anticlimax that grips the company today. Simply put,
Windows 98, Windows Me and some other successors have not been as
impressive. Customers aren't upgrading just to get the new OS.
"There is not a whole lot of difference between Windows 95 and Windows 98
and Windows 98 and Windows Me," MacDonald said. "How many bells and
whistles can you continue to add before no one cares?"
Computer Virus Says 'Hey You' to AOL Users
A password-stealing virus that says "hey you" instead of ``I love you"
hit users of AOL's Internet service, a software security firm said on
Thursday.
Software security firm McAfee.com Corp. said on Thursday the virus, which
it said spreads through e-mail and installs itself on users' systems, posed
a ``medium-risk" for AOL users, and cautioned them to be careful with
attachments to e-mails.
``The most virulent strain, ``APStrojan.qa," spreads through email and
installs itself on users' systems, while attempting to steal AOL version
4.0 and 5.0 user account names and passwords, and forward them," said
Mcafee.com in a statement. ``It then attempts to replicate itself to active
AOL screen names listed in the infected user's Buddy List," it added,
referring to AOL's system for users to store frequently used e-mail
addresses.
``We take the report seriously and are clearly monitoring the situation but
we haven't seen a significant increase in the number of users hit," AOL
spokesman Andrew Weinstein said.
He said it's a known virus and has been around for about a year. ``Our top
priority is to protect our users and we do that by educating them about how
to keep them secure from trojans and viruses."
Last May, the ``love bug" hit millions of computers around the world,
enticing e-mail recipients to open e-mail attachments with the phrase ``I
love you."
There were no available details on how many AOL users were hit by the ``hey
you" message. AOL said it was not taking any extraordinary precautionary
measures.
While variants of the virus have been circulating for nearly a year,
McAfee.com said it has recently noticed an increase in infected computers
by users who are scanning their personal computers at the McAfee.com site.
This virus may be received by email as an attachment named "mine.zip,"
with a size of 77,855 bytes and with the subject line ``hey you,"
Mcafee.com said.
The copy within the email forwarded reads, ``hey I finally got my pics
scanned...theres like 5 or 6 of them...so just download it and unzip it ...
and for you people who don't know how to then scroll down ... tell me what
you think of my pics OK?"
=~=~=~=
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