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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 01 Issue 38
Volume 1, Issue 38 Atari Online News, Etc. November 19, 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:
Kevin Savetz
Carl Forhan
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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
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To download A-ONE, set your browser bookmarks to one of the
following sites:
http://people.delphi.com/dpj/a-one.htm
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Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=atari
=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0138 11/19/99
~ D-Bug Site Is Reborn! ~ People Are Talking! ~ COMDEX Reports!
~ ANALOG #5 Now Online! ~ Where's George, $1? ~ FunLove Virus!
~ Infogrames Gets GTI ~ AOL Requires Ratings! ~ Twisted Metal 4!
~ Doom V0.20 Available! ~ Sony Plans Handhelds! ~ PC Alternatives
-* Gates Talks About The Future *-
-* FCC Issues High-speed Web Decision! *-
-* Windows NT Service Pack 6 Update Has Bugs! *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Brrr! It's been colder than normal here in New England the past couple of
weeks! I'm not ready for this; I need a slower transition from fall to
winter!
There's still discussions going on regarding the Microsoft antitrust case.
It's far from over! Still no rulings on what antitrust laws were broken,
but that will likely occur soon. In an interview from Comdex, Gates has
stated that he hasn't ruled out any resolution except one that would
restrict Microsoft's Windows development. However, there appears to be some
discrepancies about his resolution ideas as presented by anonymous high-
ranking Microsoft people. I don't believe we'll know what, if anything,
Bill Gates will settle on until the judge comes out with his final rulings.
Comdex was held this past week and the buzzword for the show was PC
alternatives: handhelds, etc. Has the desktop PC reached its peak? There
seemed to have been a lot of debate over that topic. I guess we'll just
have to wait to see what new technology is waiting to bust out in the coming
months!
Next week is Thanksgiving for those of us in the U.S. This is one of my
favorite holidays. Not just because of its historical value, but because
it's a day when friends and family get together to share a terrific feast
and offer thanks for so many things. I think this will be the first time in
many years that we won't be celebrating at our home this year. It's going
to feel very strange not to have leftovers to pick over for days after the
holiday. I'm still debating whether or not to prepare a turkey dinner for
my wife and I for after the holiday! We'll see just how much I want
leftovers! In any case, have a terrific holiday!
Until next time...
Issue 5 Now At Digital ANALOG Archive
ANALOG #5 is now on-line in the Digital A.N.A.L.O.G. archive at
http://www.cyberroach.com/analog
Articles include:
-Display List Programming
-Player Missile Graphics
-Laser Disk
-various game/software reviews
-custom Asteroids Controller
Enjoy,
-CyRo
Doom v0.20 Available
This new version now has dynamic system routine chosen. So one
can add new system routines to control keyboard, mouse, joystick,
video and sound. I hope it will run on all Atari machines with
320x200x8 bits or higher display.
As usual, any help will be appreciated to improve the engine
(sources are available!)
URL: http://www.multimania.com/pmandin
D-Bug Menu Renaissance
Finally the D-Bug site is reborn with most importantly menus 1-157
back online!! That equates to around 260 disks!
http://dbug.atari.org
Kevin Savetz <savetz@northcoast.com>
Moderator of news:comp.sys.atari.announce
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Well, I'm making another change (or trying)
in doing this column.
This week, I'm trying to compose this column on that new whiz-bang laptop
of mine without using Windows98. I guess you could call this my
Linux-inaugural column.
I've finally gotten Linux to work on the laptop and, despite the immense
differences between Win98 (or TOS, for that matter), I like it a lot.
For any of you who've used MiNT, the file system is very similar. I haven't
had the time to do any kind of scientific benchmarks yet, but Linux really
seems to be faster than 98. It could be just me, or it could be that it is
a more efficient system.
Now I know what you're saying... "What the heck does any of this have to do
with Atari computers?"
Well, in and of itself... nothing. But I do intend to install Linux on my
TT as soon as I'm familiar enough with Linux to do it right the first time
(I've re-installed Linux on the PC somewhere on the order of half a dozen
times...so far).
I really can't think of a better pairing than my TT and Linux. First of all,
Linux is what is known as "open source". That means that the source for the
operating system itself is easily available. This might not sound like a big
deal unless you like hacking around in all that code, but it really does
come in handy if you need to add abilities to the operating system. In that
case, you simply grab the source code, add the module that you need and
recompile it. It's more involved than that, but that's the general idea.
Another highpoint is that as long as you can find programs for your 'flavor'
of Linux (that'd be the M68K version for the TT) you can run them without
worrying about whether your machine is an Atari or an Amiga or whatever.
While the M68K version of Linux isn't the most popular, it is an option.
Well, I'll keep you posted on my adventures in Linux. You never know when
you might want to take a look for something new and exciting.
Now let's get on with all the news, hints, tips and info available on the
UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================================
Paul Matthews asks about using MagiC and Kobold:
"I am using the UK version MagiX 6.1, NVDI 5 and Kobold 2.5, everything
works fine except that I cannot get Kobold to take over copying etc. I
have entered the Kobold ENV statement, copied Kobold to all different
directories etc - MagiX just says Kobold is not installed. It will work
if it is installed as an accessory. I prefer not to load it this way.
What is it with the MagiX 6 you get a version 4 manual and a text file
that tells you bugger all. What are the main differences between the
versions 5 & 6.1. Does ASH have an English version of its website?"
Steve Sweet tells Paul to....
"Try installing Kobold as an accessory and tell me if it works, if it
does not then it is probably because Magic is hard coded to look in
the environment for a kobold whose filename represents its version
no, IE Kobold_3. There was a program in my archive that would convert
some programs who behaved this way."
Paul Flieshman asks about Falcon030 ROMs:
"Hi all. I am currently rebuilding a heavily modified Falcon, and I have
a bit of a problem. It is originally a German machine...so TOS is in
German.
Hmmmm. I can read a bit of German, but obviously I would prefer to be
able to change it to English. My instinct says that I probably would
have to change the ROM for an English one. Does anybody know better, or
have a better solution.
Or even a knackered Falcon with an English ROM?"
Daniel Dreibelbis tells Paul:
"Good news!
You won't have to change the ROM, as the Falcon was designed with an
NVRAM scheme which actually has available to it a number of languages
including English! All you need is a program that will allow you to access
the ROM and change your language. Be careful though, as fooling around
with certain settings could lock up the Falcon.
I believe Uwe Seimet did a program a few years ago which allowed you to
do this."
John Garone adds:
"ICD makes (made) program's which not only change the desktop language
but also sets the country the keyboard was made in (important so a keypress
will enter what is printed on the key itself; different configs)."
Dr. Uwe Seimet adds his own thoughts:
"The Falcon ROM supports several languages right from the start. You can
change the language and the keyboard layout with tools like BOOTCONF:
http://home.nikocity.de/nogfradelt.atari_english.html"
Mark at Particle Salad asks for help:
"I have several Jaz drives that are Atari formatted that I need to get
the data out of. I haven't sold my Falcon yet, so I COULD go through
the trouble of setting it up, finding a copy of HDDriver, and copying
them across to a new drive.. but I was hoping to avoid that.
The question is, is there a Mac or Win program that will allow me to
read these cartridges directly? I believe MagicMac will work.. true?
Anything for the PC? Anything inexpensive?
Does anyone have a used and unneeded version of whatever software that
will work they'll sell to me?
Thanks for the help.. these are very valuable songs I need to get off
the jaz drives!"
Folkert Rienstra tells Mark:
"Go to www.emulators.com and look for Gemulator Explorer.
Reads Atari and Apple disks on a PC. Freeware, restricted
to copying one file at a time. They also have a commercial version
under an other name that again comes free with one of the
Gemulator packages."
Mark tells Folkert:
"THANK YOU!! The Gemulator Explorer worked perfectly.. I'm so happy to
have my songs back."
Brian Van Tilborg asks:
"Is NEWsie still being developed?"
Sean Barbieri tells Brian:
"I asked John (Rojewski) recently the same question and he said he is still
developing NEWsie and version 0.96 he said may possibly ready approx.
December sometime pending beta testing etc. Which is great news as I feel
the same as you about NEWsie."
Brian Van Tilborg comes back and asks about mICQ:
"I just downloaded Dan Ackermans Micq 4.3 from his webpage.
I ran STing and loaded Micq, it appears that it may work, but I don't know
as it disconnected me right away.
Now before you start helping me, I must say that I don't even know
what Micq is (hey I use Atari and I am not Mint setup) so I just wanted to
try it to see what it does.
So first tell,
A) What exactly does it do. I assume it is similar to IRC and FRAC.
Yes I know I live in a CAVE:-).
B) I have read both readme files and cannot find any commands. Do these
appear when the prg. runs?
C) How do I get this to work without bombing?
Lonny Pursell tells Brian:
"Micq is not directly related to MiNT. However the version you
selected is ported from the linux world. I use the same program
but ported to MiNT. I do not know what changes Dan had to make to
get to work outside the unix environment. It may be looking for
some config file? The MiNT version looks for .rcmicq I think."
"Dogs19" asks about that Y2K thing:
"I need to reiterate my previous question from a few weeks back,
apparently it wasn't understood properly...
I know that because the ST has no internal clock there's no reason it
should conflict with Y2K and not boot or act weird. My question concerns
a FA*ST ICD 85MB hard drive I have that DOES have an internal clock.
Does anyone know if this formerly standard ST hard drive will quit
working or do something funny when Y2K hits?
I ask, because I no longer have my ST, but have many files stored on
that HD in a closet. If there's a fear that they may become irrevocably
damaged after New Year's, then I want to get my hands on an ST quickly,
copy the files from the drive to floppies, and store them on my PC.
So, to reiterate, does anyone know if Y2K will conflict with/screw up
(because of the internal drive) the files on my Seagate/ICD hard drive?
Any help would be much appreciated. And if there's anyone in the New
York area who has an ST running and would be willing to allow me to hook
up my hard drive to copy files off of it soon, I'd be greatly indebted
to you."
Dan Ackerman tells Dogs:
"If the drive has been sitting in your closet for years, then the
battery is probably already dead on the clock. The only possibility of
you having a problem with the drivers (something I doubt would happen)
would only occur if the clock was still working. More than likely if you
ever boot the drive up the clock will say it's 1985 or whatever the
default time was on the ST, I frankly don't remember anymore.
They can't be damaged if the drive isn't turned on. If at sometime in the
future you want to start this drive up, and are fearful of a y2k bug.
Simply open the case and remove the battery for the clock. There is no
mistaking it. Looks like an oversized watch battery. Without a battery
(dead battery or no battery), the controller will have no way of knowing
what year it is.
... I don't think you need to worry. I'd help you but I live about 10
hours away from NYC, even taking the speed limit liberally.
I'd say don't worry about it. The battery was probably dead years ago.
Even good batteries of that style don't last much beyond 7 years."
Derryck Croker adds:
"The short answer is that you won't have any trouble with this drive
come 2000.
The clock that's built into it was meant to be read by ICD's hard
disk booter, and used to set the ST's clock. I don't know of this
clock is Y2K compliant, but that's another question.
If you want to copy the files off this drive to a PC then you will have
to disconnect the ribbon cable from the back of the mechanism, and
hook it up to the SSIC bus in your PC."
Okay folks, I saved the coolest news for last. Dan Ackerman posts:
"I just found out via Maus Net via Place2be, that Mr Rojewski has
made a javascript client for the Atari. Has anyone tried it yet?"
Sylvain Perchauc tells Dan:
"Yep, works fine :)
but it's a stand alone software...
Can't be set as a CAB module.
But the author must be encouraged, that's a great work!"
I haven't tried it yet folks, but the fact that it CAN be done bodes well
for us. It's not the be-all and end-all as far as web access is concerned,
but let's face it... it's a pretty cool!
Well, 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 - "Twisted Metal 4"! NBA Live 2000!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" James Bond! "Supercross 2000"!
Infogrames Acquires GT Interactive!
"Ready to Rumble Boxing"!
And much more!
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"Another NB Presentation"
A-ONE Special Report
Atari founder, Mr. Nolan Bushnell, agreed to attend CG Expo '99 to be
honored as an icon of the entire video game industry. But, within a cloud
of controversy, his personal assistant, Ms. Loni Reeder withdrew his
promise to attend and has all but disappeared from the public eye. Ms.
Reeder publicly issued an explanation that CGExpo organizers were engaged
in "inappropriate actions", however, she was never able to validate those
claims in spite of her persistent promises to do so on a popular classic
games newsgroup.
A number of rumors emerged as to why a man of Nolan's stature would promise
a group of energetic college grads to attend their show. Ms. Reeder had
explained to some that promises were made and later broken. In other
arenas, Loni suggested that the promoters purposely misled her about
available and reserved show space. One source suggested that Nolan's
picture from a trade show was posted on CGExpo's official web site
( www.cgexpo.com <http://www.cgexpo.com> ) and that the text mentioned that
Nolan reaffirmed his attendance to CGExpo while at the show. Reportedly,
Loni didn't know the picture had been taken and was upset that she was not
first asked before it was posted. Yet another report stated that Loni was
unhappy that CGExpo promoters were unable to return her mail promptly.
In 1998, Mr Rich Tsukiji hosted World of Atari at the Holiday Inn Boardwalk
in Las Vegas. Mr. Bushnell had promised to attend that show, but Ms. Reeder
withdrew his attendance from that show as well. Publicly, Ms. Reeder stated
that Nolan's withdrawal was based on insults against Nolan when the show
promoters tried to solidify a schedule while he was there. According to the
promoters, however, none of the ideas tossed out were requirements and they
fully anticipated Nolan to pick and choose which activities he would attend
or suggest new ones. One report indicated that Nolan's withdrawal came after
it was made clear that show promoters could not pay exorbitant appearance
fees.
The principal players behind CGExpo '99 are essentially three people: Mr.
John Hardie, Mr. Keita Iida and Mr. Sean Kelly. All three are young,
ambitious individuals who were swept away by the appeal of early video
games and computers. Classic video gaming is a passion to these
individuals. They plan their vacations around game-related events, drag
their family and friends to electronic swap meets and garage sales and
invested a lot of personal time and money to share their interests with
others. Soon after World of Atari, the three organized a follow-up show on
their own. Not only did they obtain Mr. Bushnell's endorsement, but they
also landed dozens of other names and groups such as Mr. Ralph Baer, the
true father of Pong; the Blue Sky Rangers; Hasbro Interactive, Digital
Eclipse, Nyko Technologies and many more.
All said and done, they lost money, but they surpassed all reality-based
expectations. Almost 700 people attended over the two-day event at Jackie
Gaughan's Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They brought together
celebrities of the industry and hosted a landmark event that pleased almost
everyone who attended. Nolan did not appear. In fact, although Ms. Reeder
predicted disaster and called show sponsors to dissuade them from
participation, attendance and commitments continued to rise. Some keynote
speakers indicated that they were actually relieved to learn that Mr.
Bushnell was no longer planning to attend.
A-ONE magazine has found out that Nolan is re-emerging with another chapter to
his legacy of business ups and downs. The newest one is called Uwink.com
Inc. ( www.uwink.com <http://www.uwink.com> ). The company profile found at
their web site is vague at best, but of particular interest is the team
roster found at http://www.uwink.com/team.htm
<http://www.uwink.com/team.htm> . Topping the list is Mr. Bushnell himself.
He is touted as the creator of Pong and the father of the videogame
industry. (Actually, Mr. Ralph Baer invented Pong style games long before
Nolan ever did.) At the bottom of the list is Ms. Loni Reeder. Ms.
Reeder's background is described as having had 12 years of experience,
however, no accomplishments during that time are named.
An interesting omission to the team is the name of Mr. Curt Vendel. Mr.
Vendel, who hosts the Atari Historical Society at www.atari-history.com
<http://www.atari-history.com> . Vendel tried hard to restore Nolan's
original agreement to attend the show. He had befriended Loni by finding
her a Furby before Christmas, 1998. Although many of Vendel's online tactics
bringing the two sides together were less than professional, Curt's efforts
were apparently admired by Loni and Nolan. Reportedly, Nolan promised a job
to Curt in his new business venture.
Immediately following Loni's announcement that Nolan would not attend
CGExpo'99, a grassroots effort was initiated to reach Nolan and warmly
welcome him to reconsider. But the doors slammed shut. E-mail to Nolan
appeared to be censored. Phone calls were thought to be intercepted.
Access to Nolan completely disappeared, but frequently followed-up with an
abrupt message from Ms. Reeder that Nolan was a very busy man. A search
commenced to find alternative means to reach Nolan, but none were found.
In an effort to follow-up this story, A-ONE magazine found that the
registration for the www.uwink.com <http://www.uwink.com> domain appears
to have been made by Nolan himself. The listing may be found at
http://www.register.com/whois-results.cgi?domain=u-wink.com
<http://www.register.com/whois-results.cgi?domain=u-wink.com> . It contains
what is believed to be Nolan's home address in Los Angeles. Those who
retain an interest to reach Nolan might try sending correspondence directly
to his attention.
UWINK.COM INC. (U-WINK-DOM)
13515 Bayliss Road
LOS ANGELES, CA 90049
Phone: 310-471-5850
Fax: 310-471-0756
CG Expo promoters have also been relatively quiet lately, but they have
promised a new show for the new millenium. Perhaps Nolan can break away
from Uwink.com Inc. to attend CGE2K. <wink>
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Sweet Tooth is Back and Badder Than Ever in All-New Twisted Metal 4
989 Studios announced Monday that Twisted Metal 4, the latest installment
in the multi-million selling Twisted Metal series for the PlayStation game
console, is scheduled for release tomorrow. Twisted Metal 4 will blaze onto
the vehicular combat scene with all-new demolition derby-style gameplay
action and a twisted new storyline.
``The Twisted Metal franchise created the car combat genre on the
PlayStation," said Jeffrey Fox, vice president, marketing, 989 Studios.
``Twisted Metal 4 is an explosive addition to the impressive Twisted Metal
franchise with all-new twisted characters, expansive multi-level game
environments, revamped and greatly enhanced graphics, along with advanced
gameplay features."
In Twisted Metal 4, players crash through eight gameplay environments using
20 all-new revved-up vehicles, each with a unique weapon. Equipped with
these heavily-armored vehicles, players patrol and explore each of the vast
3D environments, destroying anything that crosses their path. Players can
also create their own vehicle by customizing the body style, size, special
weapon, paint pattern, battle cry and call sign.
Using advanced arcade gameplay physics, Twisted Metal 4 allows players to
race up ramps, land death-defying jumps and sideswipe other cars. Bizarre
and twisted weapons help players reach their goal. To add to the twisted
mayhem, Rob Zombie and Cypress Hill provide in-game music tracks. Zombie is
also a playable character - Dragula - in the game.
Twisted Metal 4 Key Features
-- New gameplay features include: new storyline, battlegrounds,
weapons, vehicles and characters
-- Eight interactive battlegrounds designed by the master of evil
himself -- Sweet Tooth-- the maniacal clown
-- Eight additional hidden levels made especially for wide-open
combat at full throttle
-- More than 20 wicked new characters and vehicles with all-new
weapons including Nuke Mobile, Roach Coach and Rob Zombie's
Dragula
-- Nine hard-core level bosses challenge victors to intense battles
-- Advanced arcade vehicle physics optimize vehicle suspension,
performance and handling
-- Full character and vehicle customization allows players to build
a sick ride by choosing their vehicle's size, body style,
weapons, call sign, battle cry and paint pattern. Characters and
vehicles are also savable to a Memory Card for maximum replay
value
-- Reflective, detailed graphics depict instant damage to cars and
environments
-- Slammin' soundtrack promotes maximum mayhem: Rob Zombie, Cypress
Hill, Cirrus, Ghoulspoon, One Minute Silence and Skold
-- Multiplayer madness for up to four players with the Multi-Tap
-- Supports Analog and DUALSHOCK gamepads
Electronic Arts Ships Highly-anticipated
Tomorrow Never Dies for the Playstation
World Renowned Secret Agent 007... Bond, James
Bond... Arrives on the Leading Console System for
the First Time
Electronic Arts announced the release of Tomorrow Never Dies, the
highly-anticipated James Bond title for the PlayStation game console from
MGM Interactive.
Tomorrow Never Dies is a third-person action title that builds off the plot
of the blockbuster movie bearing the same name, while adding new twists and
turns through a series of unique gameplay features for a complete Bond
experience. This PlayStation-only title marks the first time the James Bond
franchise is available for the leading console system.
``We are very excited to bring James Bond to the PlayStation," says Albert
Penello, product manager at Electronic Arts. ``The franchise is a natural
for the PlayStation platform given its compelling characters, action-packed
sequences and ingenious gadgets. It is without a doubt that Tomorrow Never
Dies delivers the most complete and exciting Bond experience to PlayStation
gamers."
In the game, the player takes on the role of James Bond as he tries to
thwart megalomaniac media mogul Elliot Carver. A wealthy media baron,
Carver is attempting to start World War III by convincing the British and
Chinese that they are making hostile advances towards each other. Through a
series of missions and objectives, as well as help from recognizable movie
characters, Bond steps into action to expose Carver's evil plan. Players
will encounter several Artificial Intelligence (AI) characters from the
movie including Paris, Q and Dr. Kaufman, as well as new AI enemy types
that react to audible and visible cues. Gamers will also take on the role
of Wai Lin, the sexy Chinese secret agent, in a more advanced level as well
as seeing her assist Bond as an AI character in other missions.
Tomorrow Never Dies delivers a well-balanced Bond experience through its
unique gameplay approach. The game offers three different game modes -- on
foot, driving and skiing -- as well as a third-person perspective from
which the player fully sees the fluid movement of the Bond character when
executing moves and techniques. Such techniques include a 360-degree tuck
and roll, dive and fire attacks and stealth oves. The game features a
total of ten different mission levels, comprised of sub-levels that vary
between the different game modes. Each of the levels are set in a variety
of locations based on and/or inspired by the movie, including Military
Outpost, Arms Bazaar, Carver Media Center, Hotel Atlantic, Ski Ridge and
Stealth Boat in Ha Long Bay. In addition, players will see a series of
in-game cinematic transitions, using real-time 3-D and footage from the
film.
True to the Bond movie legacy, the game features more than a dozen fully
interactive gadgets and weapons, including such Q-inspired masterpieces as
cufflink lasers, sticky mine detonators, rocket launchers, satellite
up-link cameras and laser painting missile targets. Special weapons effects
include infrared goggles to see in the dark, zooming first-person sniper
rifles for long istance targeting and a spy camera to take photos.
Tomorrow Never Dies for the PlayStation is co-publishee by Electronic Arts
and developed by Black Ops Entertainment, pursuant to an agreement with
Danjaq, LLC and Eon Productions Limited, the producer of 19 James Bond
films including ``Tomorrow Never Dies." The game is single-player only and
offers two levels of difficulty, Agent and 007, to help cater to gamers of
all different types. In addition, Tomorrow Never Dies is Dual Shock(TM)
compatible.
The games carries a "T" (Teen) ESRB rating and MSRP of US$ 49.99. More
information on Tomorrow Never Dies can be found on the EA product web site
at www.tndgame.com.
There will be a companion CD soundtrack, Tomorrow Never Dies: The Original
Score to the Video Game, available later this month from Chapter III
Records. The CD will consist of a total of 17 different Bond-themed
"electronica" tracks, all of which are original Tommy Tallarico scores
from the game. Tallarico is a game industry veteran best known for
compiling video game soundtracks. The CD will be available for direct
purchase via the product web site at www.bondmusic.com, followed by retail
outlets starting on January 12, 2000.
Sega Sports NBA 2K for Sega Dreamcast Sets an All
New Standard in Realistic Basketball Action
Sega Sports has done it agaii!
Continuing to create genre-busting sports titles, Sega Sports has redefined
basketball games with "Sega ports NBA 2K" for the 128-bit, Internet-ready
Sega Dreamcast videogame console. "Sega Sports NBA 2K" incorporates an
unsurpassed level of detail throughout each aspect in the game. Gamers can
see the facial expressions of players, fully animated crowds, and realistic
player moves and reactions in gameplay. The game features exact replicas of
all arenas, playbooks designed by the NBA and four-player multiplayer
support. ``Sega Sports NBA 2K" is available at retailers nationwide for
$49.95.
Developed by Visual Concepts for Sega Sports, ``Sega Sports NBA 2K" is
jam-packed with industry firsts. ``Sega Sports NBA 2K" features more than
1,300 motion captured moves, which allows for a wider array of more
realistic dunks, passes and true-to-life animations. Other firsts include
fully animated benches, crowds and coaches and incredible graphic detail.
Gamers can see players' eyes blink, their bodies move as they breathe and
every detail down to Allen Iverson's cornrows and tattoos. In true Sega
Sports style, ``Sega Sports NBA 2K" is a breakthrough title in the genre.
``Sega Sports' goal is to create the most realistic sports videogames on
the market. We've done that with 'Sega Sports NFL 2K' and now we are
raising the bar even higher with 'Sega Sports NBA 2K,"' said Greg Thomas,
vice president of product development, Sega of America. ``It is important
to give players a totally redefined gameplay experience on Sega Dreamcast
and 'Sega Sports NBA 2K' is undoubtedly a game that will deliver that
experience."
``Sega Sports NBA 2K" features all 29 teams, in architecturally correct
arenas. The heart and soul of the realism in ``Sega Sports NBA 2K" lies
with the players themselves. As players knock down big slam-dunks, they
will let out a victorious yell. They will even stare down defenders, salute
the crowd after taking it to the hole and grimace in pain when injured.
Players also have all of their personal accessories including armbands,
goggles, and headbands.
Crowds also add to the realism because of their constant activity. People
drink sodas, stand up, cheer and move about, which adds greatly to the
ambiance of being at a true NBA game. If the opposing team is shooting a
free throw, the crowd will yell and stomp their feet to distract players.
The game also features interactive benches -- a first in a basketball game.
As players make a dunk or a great play, those on the benches will stand up
and cheer.
Just as breakthrough as the graphics is the actual gameplay. ``Sega Sports
NBA 2K" boasts highly advanced artificial intelligence, which contributes
to making it as authentic as an actual NBA game. Teams have real
play-calling tendencies, so the Bulls will run a triangle offense, west
coast teams will play a fast break game, while east coast teams will tend
to play a half court offense with more banging inside. Players who rebound
well excel at them in the game and players who shoot well from long-range
will be three-point threats. Throughout the game, coaches will yell out
plays to their teams, just as they do on the court.
By motion capturing real NBA players, Sega Sports has hit its mark in its
attempt to re-create the unique qualities of each position. Sega also
enlisted the help of real NBA coaches to make sure each play looks exactly
right. Individual 3D player models were used to differentiate NBA player
positions and gameplay reflects true-to-life physics -- smaller players
will truly have difficulty posting up against the big men in the NBA.
Backing down a defender feels realistic, as it takes time to get down and
muscle your way in. On offense, players with a mismatch will actually call
for the ball.
Players can perform slick on-court moves such as touch passes, alley oops,
clearouts and ball swipes. Instant replays, which look like true TV
sequences, show every detail in a dunk from player reactions to movements
in players' bodies as they swerve or come down for a landing. Gamers can
even see the seams of the ball as it goes through the hoop and the swishes
of the net. Shooting the rock Sega Dreamcast style is just that good!
``Sega Sports NBA 2K" features a variety of playing modes. In Exhibition
Mode, gamers can play with any two teams in the league; Quick Start Mode
brings players straight to tip-off with two randomly selected teams. Season
Mode allows gamers to take their team through a full season, while tracking
the player and team stats. The game also features Playoffs and Practice
modes.
Create-A-Team allows gamers to create customized teams based on rosters,
trading, line-ups or with imported information from a friend's Visual
Memory Unit (VMU). The Fantasy Draft feature puts players in the driver's
seat at the NBA draft. Gamers can choose to draft for any team and even
view other team's picks.
``Sega Sports NBA 2K" has an extensive Create-A-Player feature that goes
far beyond anything ever seen before. Gamers can now adjust every detail
from the bone structure, the size of the nose and ears and the body size.
Players can also make hilarious ``freaks of nature" to play on their team
by creating a player with a giant head and extra long arms. Also adding to
the fun, gamers can utilize the VMU to obtain information on the game or
specific players unseen by their competition. The VMU displays messages to
gamers after they throw down big dunks, 3-pointers or last second shots. It
also provides players with information on energy levels of players,
specific shooting percentages and who is in foul trouble.
``Sega Sports NBA 2K" is officially licensed by the National Basketball
Association and endorsed by NBA All Star and 1998-99 scoring leader Allen
Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers guard and Sega Sports spokesperson. The game is
now available at retailers nationwide or at www.sega.com.
Electronic Arts Ships NBA Live 2000, the World's
Only Interactive Basketball Game to Feature NBA
Legend Michael Jordan
Electronic Arts Tuesday announced it shipped NBA LIVE 2000 for the
PlayStation and Nintendo 64 gaming consoles, as well as for the PC.
NBA LIVE 2000 is the only interactive basketball game featuring Michael
Jordan. In addition to being in the game, Jordan is featured with 1999 NBA
Finals Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan in EA SPORTS' worldwide packaging
and advertising campaigns.
``EA SPORTS and Michael Jordan represent the highest quality to me, so it's
a real honor to be featured on the cover of NBA LIVE 2000 with Michael,"
said Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs. ``I've been playing the NBA LIVE
games since NBA LIVE 95. This year's one-on-one option together with the
chance to play against great NBA legends -- including Michael -- makes NBA
LIVE 2000 the deepest, best basketball game on the market today."
Now in its sixth year with 18 industry awards for excellence, EA SPORTS'
NBA LIVE franchise is the best-selling basketball game series with
worldwide sales of more than eight million units.
In an EA SPORTS worldwide exclusive, more than 50 of the greatest NBA
legends of all time are included in the PC and PlayStation games. Game
players can compete against five All-Star teams from the 50's, 60's, 70's,
80's and 90's to see how the historic greats stack up against today's
teams. Using current NBA players or legendary players, fans can also play
one-on-one on an outdoor court. The classic match-ups are endless: Dr. J
vs. Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan vs. Bill Russell, Shaq vs. Wilt Chamberlain
or Allen Iversen vs. Earl ``The Pearl" Monroe.
``NBA LIVE 2000 is the most feature-packed game we've ever created," said
Stan Chow, producer of the game and a member of the NBA LIVE development
team since 1994. ``We've got more features than ever before, but more
importantly we have created a game that thinks, plays and reacts like real
NBA basketball thanks to years of hard work by our expert development team.
There are a lot of basketball games on the market today, but not one comes
close to the depth of game play options EA SPORTS delivers."
NBA LIVE 2000 also features:
* NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves whose
high-flying dunks were motion-captured for use in all versions of the
game.
* Internet play that allows PC users to compete against NBA LIVE fans
from around the world.
* Revolutionary FACE IN THE GAME(TM) technology that allows PC users to
put their own faces in the game to live out their ultimate NBA
basketball dreams.
* All new transition sequences for fouls, injuries, high fives, knuckle
touches and free throws that bring the user closer to the players and
the emotion of NBA basketball.
* Signature player moves like Tim Hardaway's (Miami Heat) crossover
dribble, Glenn Rice's (Los Angeles Lakers) three pointer and Reggie
Miller's (Indiana Pacers) fadeaway jumper.
* Extensive season mode options for fans who want to call the shots from
the front office. The General Manager mode for the PlayStation game
console lets users play up to ten seasons while the Franchise Mode for
the PC game allows users to play up to 25 seasons.
* Color commentary provided by two-time NBA All-Star Reggie Theus (TNT),
who joins play-by-play commentator Don Poier (Vancouver Grizzlies).
* Songs by funk legend George Clinton and hip hop artists Run DMC,
Naughty by Nature, Rahzel and Tzant. The NBA LIVE 2000 orchestra also
provides original in-game music.
A Game Boy Color version of NBA LIVE 2000 is scheduled to ship in the
winter of 2000. The suggested retail price for NBA LIVE 2000 for the PC and
the PlayStation game console is U.S. $39.95; the Nintendo 64 version is
U.S. $49.95. Consumers may purchase the game directly at the EA Store
(http://eastore.ea.com) or by calling EA Direct Sales at 1.800.245.4525.
The game carries an ESRB rating of ``E" (Everyone).
NCAA Final Four 2000 Returns to the PlayStation
With More Than 300 Division I-A Teams, All-New 3D
Graphics and Unprecented Gameplay
989 Sports announced Monday that NCAA Final Four 2000, the next installment
in 989 Sports' college basketball videogame series, will be available
Wednesday for the PlayStation game console. NCAA Final Four 2000 will be
the most comprehensive college basketball videogame available, boasting
all-new 3D graphics, more than 300 Division I-A teams from 31 conferences
and playbooks that have been designed specifically for each school, with
input from Georgia Bulldogs head basketball coach Jim Harrick.
NCAA Final Four 2000 features a new state-of-the-art 3D player model
created by using the latest ``skinning" technique. This new technology
generates graphics more than twice as detailed as those in last year's
NCAA Final Four '99, and delivers the most realistic player model in both
appearance and movement. To further increase the realism of the game,
motion capture animation was used to incorporate the movements of college
basketball stars; most notably former Duke All-American Trajan Langdon,
former Kansas All-American Paul Pierce and former California Berkeley
All-American Jason Kidd.
``Last year's NCAA Final Four '99 was a big hit for college hoops fans
because of the authentic gameplay and extensive number of schools included
in the game," said Jeffrey Fox, vice president, marketing, 989 Studios.
``NCAA Final Four 2000 goes to the next level with superior graphics,
awesome new features and even more exciting college action. Quite simply,
this game is incredibly fun to play."
New college-specific playbooks were designed with the assistance of Jim
Harrick, University of Georgia head basketball coach. Each team in NCAA
Final Four 2000 runs its offense and defense similar to each college's
style of play. Players can also select their favorite team and compete for
a conference championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA 64-team
tournament. (Teams not fortunate enough to win their conference can keep an
eye on the new ``Bubble Watch" feature to see if they will be going to the
Tournament).
In addition to these new features, NCAA Final Four 2000 is loaded with all
the options and atmosphere college basketball fans come to expect. ESPN's
Quinn Buckner returns to the announcing booth with brand new commentary.
The ``6th Man Meter" is back with more power to fire up the home crowd.
New animations provide the gamer with every possible scenario, including
coaches barking orders from the sidelines, players congratulating each
other and the ability to pass after starting to shoot.
NCAA Final Four 2000 features former Duke All-American Trajan Langdon on
the package.
NCAA Final Four 2000 Key Features:
-- More than 300 Division I-A teams from 31 different conferences
-- All-new 3D player models scaled to actual height and weight
-- Play-by-play commentary by college basketball announcer Quinn
Buckner
-- New animations include players congratulating each other, coaches
yelling orders from the sidelines, the ability to pass after
starting to shoot, put-back slam dunks and the ability to run the
baseline when inbounding the ball (when legal)
-- New college-specific playbooks designed with help from Georgia
head basketball coach Jim Harrick
-- New "Bubble Watch" feature gives the gamer updates on how well
his team is doing during a season
-- Real college atmosphere with animated crowds, cheerleaders,
chants and fight songs
-- Icon Passing, Icon Cutting and Icon Switching returns
to give the gamer ultimate control of his players on both offense
and defense
-- Individual and team stats in 32 different categories
-- Awards -- First and second team All-Americans, National Player of
the Year, Conference Player of the Year
-- Four gameplay settings -- Freshman through Senior
-- The "Shot Meter" is back to give the gamer complete control over
player shooting abilities
-- The "6th Man Meter" returns to fire up the home crowd and help
the home team make shots
-- Motion capture animation by former college standouts (and current
NBA pros) Cleveland Cavaliers' Brevin Knight and Trajan Langdon,
Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce, Orlando Magic's Charles "Bo" Outlaw,
Los Angeles Lakers' Robert Horry and Phoenix Suns' Jason Kidd
-- Four game modes: Tournament, Exhibition, Season and Arcade
-- Up to eight players can play with Multi-tap adapter
Electronic Arts Ships EA SPORTS Supercross 2000
for the PlayStation
Electronic Arts Thursday announced the release of EA SPORTS Supercross
2000 for the PlayStation gaming console. EA SPORTS Supercross 2000 is the
latest franchise in the best-selling EA SPORTS interactive sports video
game line. The game launches in conjunction with Electronic Arts
sponsorship of the EA SPORTS Supercross Series, the world's premier
supercross racing series.
EA SPORTS Supercross 2000 features a sophisticated physics model not found
in other motorcycle racing simulations. It allows gamers to throw the bike
forward while maneuvering table-top jumps using their body weight for
control, then slide forward in the saddle to carve sharp ``berms" giving
much more control over rider and bike unlike other motorcross simulations
where the bike and rider are one unit.
Supercross enthusiasts will enjoy authentic supercross stadium racing on 21
different tracks, including each of the 14 stadiums featured in the EA
SPORTS Supercross Series. Each track from the EA SPORTS Supercross Series
was built with the actual track blue prints and accurately recreates all
the towering table-tops, whoops sections, and triple jumps the tracks
featured in real life. Good lines in supercross are essential as racing
changes as the track topography degrades with use, forming ruts and
grooves. The EA SPORTS development team went to great lengths to ensure
that changing track conditions were accurately recreated in the game.
Racers will not only need to adapt to the changing conditions from track to
track, but the race conditions during each race if they hope to dominate an
entire Supercross season. Riders can start on any of five simpler Amateur
tracks to develop a riding style before taking on the pro tracks.
``EA SPORTS Supercross 2000 was developed with the die-hard supercross
racer and fan in mind," said Dave Davis, producer at Electronic Arts.
``Whether racers are going for a quick single race on one of the Amateur
tracks or competing for the EA SPORTS Supercross Series Championship, EA
SPORTS Supercross 2000 is the ultimate vehicle to live out the supercross
fantasy without the risk of injury."
The game features 24 of the world's top Supercross and Freestyle Motocross
riders including: Jeff Emig, Mike LaRocco, Larry Ward, Damon Huffman, Doug
Henry, Greg Albertyn, John Dowd, Jimmy Button, Mike Brown, Kevin Windham,
Sebastian Tortelli, Robbie Reynard, Brian Hughes, Mike Craig, Tim Ferry,
Jean-Sebastien Roy, Steve Lamson, Heath Voss, Lance Smail, Phil Lawrence,
Pedro Gonzalez, and Mickael Pichon.
The game also includes 1998 MX Freestyle World Champion Mike Metzger and
Brian Deegan, who designed a custom freestyle track design in the game. The
freestyle jump-off mode features an extreme jumping competition on any of
three freestyle environments. Riders will be able to emulate favorite
freestyle riders performing a host of difficult jump maneuvers including
pancake whips, cordovas and heel clickers.
Player options are numerous and include several types of single player and
head-to-head competition. Gamers may choose a quick race, race an actual
Supercross season, or compete in a freestyle jump-off contest. Dozens of
stunt jumps including nac-nacs, whips, heel-clickers, and the superman are
available in all modes. Riders can customize their bike setups and
difficulty settings for a custom experience.
EA SPORTS Supercross 2000 features TV-style presentation with two-man
play-by-play featuring actual ESPN2 announcers Art Eckman and David Bailey.
An exclusive StuntCam picture-in-picture feature allows you to see your
awesome stunts in a TV-style display as they happen. The game's soundtrack
features an exclusive track from MxPx's next album and other hard-hitting
songs from, The Living End, Pulley, All, and 40 Watt Domain.
Midway Poised for Another Knockout with Ready 2
Rumble Boxing on Multiple Platforms
It's round two for Ready 2 Rumble. Midway Home Entertainment Inc. Monday
announced that it is shipping Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for Nintendo 64,
PlayStation game console and Game Boy Color. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing, a huge
success on the Sega Dreamcast system, features the most famous voice in
boxing, Michael ``Let's Get Ready to Rumble" Buffer, and mixes
arcade-style boxing action with tongue-in-cheek humor.
``Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for the Dreamcast has been a top five seller since
the system's launch," said Paula Cook, director of marketing for Midway
Home Entertainment. ``The excitement surrounding the game has been great
and we are happy to bring the hard-hitting action to all of these
platforms."
In Ready 2 Rumble Boxing, players can compete as one of 16 boxers (10 on
the Game Boy Color), each with their own fighting style. Each boxer is
hyper-realistic with an unlimited number of punch combinations and
over-the-top boxing styles. Players can compete in arcade-style mode,
contending for a championship belt, or play head-to-head. Ready 2 Rumble
Boxing also features Championship Mode, in which players take on the role
of boxer and manager, assuming control of managing money used to sign
boxers and buy equipment for the gym. Players use the equipment to train
and build up power, speed, stamina, punches and durability.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces PlayStation
Software Lineup for First Quarter Year 2000
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced Thursday a strong software
line-up for the first quarter, year 2000. Software titles scheduled for
release in the months of January, February and March include:
-- TOMBA!2 The Evil Swine Return -- Jan. 18, 2000
-- Colin McRae Rally -- Feb. 15, 2000
-- Hot Shots Golf 2 -- March 7, 2000
All three titles will be available exclusively for the PlayStation game
console.
``Our varied base of PlayStation consumers are always looking for
interesting new software titles, and with our strong first quarter line-up,
we are definitely giving them much to look forward to in the new year,"
said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment
America.
``With a PlayStation in more than one out of every five households in the
United States, it is important that we continue to deliver quality software
for a broad audience. This will be especially true early next year, when
the millions of new gamers who will purchase a PlayStation during this
holiday season will begin building their software library."
TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine Return
Evil swine beware... Tomba is back and he's in 3D! TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine
Return, available Jan. 18, 2000, will feature everyone's favorite
pink-haired jungle-boy, who returns in full 3D to embark on an all-new
imaginative adventure.
This time the menacing swine have kidnapped Tomba's girlfriend, Tabby, and
Tomba must gather all of his strength and courage to save her and defeat
the evil pigs once and for all.
TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine Return, the follow up to last year's
highly-acclaimed Tomba!, features improved 3D graphics and classic
platform-style gameplay intertwined with role-playing game (RPG) elements,
creating a deeper, richer platform game full of humor, discovery and
exploration.
The game also boasts a new, smoother learning curve -- with two paths to
follow, young gamers will be taken on a whimsical journey without a hitch,
while more complicated sub-quests will challenge the most experienced
gamers. TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine Return delivers a terrific sense of humor,
with zany characters and fantastical environments.
Tomba totes a great selection of weapons including a black jack, boomerang
and heavy-duty hammer, and acquires a variety of suits and robes that allow
for an assortment of new moves. Gamers will find themselves continuously
unveiling hidden paths, battling humorous yet challenging enemies, and
encountering numerous tasks.
TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine Return comes from the creator of Tomba!, Mega
Man, Ghouls and Ghosts and Breath of Fire, and from the producer Tokuro
Fujiwara of Street Fighter and Bio Hazard, one of the best-selling
PlayStation games of all time. TOMBA! 2 The Evil Swine Return was
developed by Whoopee Camp Co. Ltd.
Colin McRae Rally
Colin McRae Rally, launching Feb. 15, 2000, is an off-road racing game that
will offer racing enthusiasts dizzying new heights of realism and fun.
Exclusively licensed by world class rally driver, Colin McRae, the game
will challenge players to power-drive more than 12 of the world's best
rally cars, including Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla WRC, Mitsubishi Lancer
E4 and the Audi Quattro.
Players can choose from five different camera angles as they race through
48 of the most amazing international tracks, encountering extremely
challenging driving surfaces such as ice, mud and more.
Known as ``The Flying Scotsman," McRae is one of the world's most exciting
rally driving talents around and offers his expertise during the in-game
Rally School training. Throughout the game McRae's real-life co-driver,
Nicky Grist, offers extensive in-game audio navigation that will assist
with the challenging areas of these off-road courses.
Colin McRae Rally will truly challenge even the best racers' driving
skills.
Hot Shots Golf 2
Launching March 7, 2000, Hot Shots Golf 2 offers arcade-style golf gameplay
that captures the true spirit of one of the world's best-loved sports, down
to the tension and frustration of the being on the greens. Building upon
the success of the original Hot Shots Golf, the sequel is a blast to play
and offers impressive 3D graphics, award-winning gameplay and all-new
playable characters.
Each individual golfer has been carefully designed with his or her own
idle, par, bogey and eagle animations, and each has distinct abilities that
will keep players on the course for hours trying to master each one.
In Hot Shots Golf 2 gamers can play six different modes including Match
Play, Stroke Play, VS Mode, Training Mode, Miniature Golf and an all-new
Tour Play Mode, where players can win and upgrade their golf gear. Gamers
can choose from six completely different ``world-class" courses offering a
challenge to golfers of all handicaps.
With the realistic feel to the swing and flight trajectory to the ball, Hot
Shots Golf 2 is packed with challenging gameplay for players of all skill
levels.
Infogrames Entertainment to Acquire Controlling
Stake in GT Interactive Software to Create One of
the Foremost Interactive Entertainment Companies
Infogrames Entertainment S.A. Monday announced it has reached an agreement
to acquire control of GT Interactive Software, a US-based company for a
total investment of $135 million. This development effectively transforms
the landscape of the global video games industry. As a result of this
transaction, Infogrames will rank as one of the top interactive
entertainment companies worldwide.
This transaction is intended to benefit the shareholders of both companies.
As a result of this transaction, GTIS will have enhanced financial,
distribution and managerial resources and will remain listed on NASDAQ. In
GTIS, Infogrames acquires an interest in seven award-winning internal
development studios, among which are Humongous Entertainment, Cavedog
Entertainment, WizardWorks and Reflections.
Through this transaction, Infogrames will be able to expand its impressive
product offerings of such franchises as Mission Impossible, Test Drive and
Looney Tunes to include GTIS best-sellers like Driver, Deer Hunter, Blues
Clues and Abe's Odyssey. This transaction continues Infogrames' global
expansion by firmly establishing it in the North American interactive
entertainment market, estimated to reach $7 billion in sales next year.
Infogrames Agreement with GTIS
-- Infogrames will purchase 33.4 million GTIS common shares from the
founding Cayre family for $25 million, implying an average price of
75 cents per share. The Cayre family has also committed to provide
Infogrames with a proxy for the 1.3 million shares that will still
be owned by the Cayre family upon closing of the transaction.
-- Infogrames will purchase 28.6 million newly issued shares for
$50 million. Infogrames will also purchase a convertible note from
GTIS for approximately $60.5 million, which will be convertible into
GTIS common shares at $1.85 per share for a total of 32.7 million
shares. As part of the consideration for the $60.5 million convertible
note, Infogrames will acquire and surrender to GTIS the $10.5 million
junior debt owned by members of the Cayre family.
-- GTIS will issue a new $50 million convertible note to funds managed by
General Atlantic Partners, in exchange for $30 million in preferred
stock and a $20 million subordinated note held by General Atlantic
Partners. The note will be convertible into GTIS common shares at
$4.00 per share. In addition, General Atlantic Partners will transfer
to Infogrames warrants for the purchase of 4,500,000 GTIS common
shares.
Following this transaction, Infogrames will hold approximately 70% of the
outstanding common stock of GTIS, assuming conversion of Infogrames'
convertible notes. Infogrames will also have the right to appoint a new
board of directors. As part of the transaction, GTIS' bank syndicate has
agreed to amend its credit agreement with GTIS.
Infogrames founder and Chairman Bruno Bonnell said, ``This transaction
demonstrates our commitment to making Infogrames the No. 1 player in this
market. In the past two years, we have demonstrated our ability to purchase
and turn around such companies as Ocean in the UK and Philips Media's
European assets. Similarly, I am confident that Infogrames can drive GTIS
back to profitability."
GTIS Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Tom Heymann noted: ``Joining
Infogrames, a proven world leader, will add value for our shareholders. It
is the right move for our company and it opens a new chapter for GT
Interactive Software. There are great synergies between our catalogs, which
feature such best-selling titles as Driver and Infogrames' Mission
Impossible and Test Drive franchises. Also, I would like to emphasize the
key role played by the Cayre family in facilitating this transaction; their
acceptance of a price for their shares that is significantly below the
price at which Infogrames is investing in the company will benefit both
shareholders and employees by allowing them to participate in a new stage
of GTIS's development. " Effective immediately, Bruno Bonnell and Thomas
Schmider, Infogrames' Chief Operating Officer, will actively participate in
refocusing GTIS operations with Tom Heymann. In a related development,
Infogrames announced the appointment of Pierre Sissman to the newly created
position of president of Infogrames' European operations, thereby
permitting Messrs. Bonnell and Schmider to devote proportionally more of
their time to North American operations. Mr. Sissman joins Infogrames after
an 11-year career with various Walt Disney Company units in Europe, most
recently as Executive Vice President of The Walt Disney Company (Europe).
Mr. Bonnell added: ``I am really excited about the opportunity we have to
re-energize this company, which has so much potential. The combination of
our companies' product offerings, together with a restructured distribution
network, should greatly benefit both sets of shareholders."
Mr. Heymann noted: ``Infogrames' investment will enable us to capitalize
more effectively upon our great mix of products, which include Driver and
Deer Hunter, two of the best-selling titles in the world over the past four
months."
This transaction is expected to be slightly accretive to Infogrames'
earnings before goodwill amortization for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2000. Infogrames expects that with the benefit of a full year of combined
operations, and improved efficiencies implemented by the new management,
the earnings of Infogrames will be enhanced before and after goodwill
amortization in the year ending June 30, 2001.
Both companies intend to explore new opportunities afforded by this
association, including in the areas of distribution and marketing.
Since its founding in 1983, Infogrames has attained critical mass through a
carefully planned strategy combining internal growth and acquisitions in
all the key global interactive software games markets. In June 1999 the
company acquired privately held publisher Accolade in San Jose, Calif., for
$60 million and merged its operations with Infogrames' existing
distribution network to create Infogrames North America.
Additional details regarding today's deal will be announced in the coming
weeks. Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the company will
grant Infogrames registration rights covering the shares of GT Interactive
common stock to be issued to Infogrames.
AOL Requires Games To Have Ratings
America Online Inc. plans to require games played on its service to be
rated by an independent trade group and will not carry games rated
``adults only."
The Entertainment Software Rating Board has rated nearly 6,000 standard,
off-line games but so far has made few inroads to online game playing,
said Arthur Pober, ESRB executive director.
``This is an exploding medium, one where people want to have
information," he said. ``This is the first time we've gotten support
from a major entity like AOL" for online game rating, he said.
The independent ESRB was established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital
Software Association, the trade group
representing computer and video
game makers. It gives games rating designations from ``Early Childhood"
to ``Adults Only."
AOL said none of the games currently on the site would be removed when
the policy is enacted. ``We don't carry adult content," said Ginny
Wydler, director of standards and policy at AOL.
But Ms. Wydler said displaying the rankings would allow parents the same
control they have over video games distributed for PCs or game consoles,
which are much more likely to carry rankings.
The ESRB launched a national education campaign last week aimed at
helping parents pay more attention to the rankings, which industry
officials have said are largely ignored.
AOL, the world's largest online service with 19 million users, said the
policy would be fully implemented by March 1, 2000.
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE Gaming Online - Online Users Growl & Purr!
"""""""""""""""""""
7800 Monitor Cart
AtariNews would like to report that the elusive 7800 monitor cartridge
may go back into production soon if there is sufficient demand from
customers. The 7800 monitor cartridge was a low end development system;
it had 6KB of RAM battery backed up for any 2600 game you developed, and
16KB of RAM for the 7800. A large developer manual was also included.
The 7800 monitor cart was produced under license from Atari a number of
years ago; and only about 100 are known to exist.
Video 61 has the rights to the product, and would like to hear from
customers who would be interested in purchasing this package. List price
is expected to be near $100 since this is a custom cartridge. Please
send an email to Lance at Video61@webtv.net, or see the below web site
for more info on Video 61 and their products.
http://www.atarisales.com
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Gates Refuses to Rule Out Microsoft Break-Up
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, in a published interview, refused to rule
out breaking up his company to settle a government antitrust suit, but a
spokesman said on Monday the company rejected a break-up.
Gates said that although he wants to settle, he would oppose any deal that
would restrict the company's freedom to design Windows and assure its
consistency. But in the interview with Time magazine he twice refused
discussion about a solution that might involve breaking up the software
giant.
``I can't go down the path of saying what the settlement would be," Gates
replied when asked about breaking up Microsoft Corp. so that the Windows
computer operating system would be made by a separate company.
In a follow-up question, Gates was asked if Windows must be part of
Microsoft. ``In terms of discussing the details of a settlement, I can't
do that," he replied.
Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray, asked about the interview, said, ``We
have said throughout this process we don't believe there is any legal or
logical basis for these extreme proposals, such as a break-up or a
confiscation of Microsoft's intellectual property, and our position on
that is completely unchanged."
While Gates did not talk about breaking up the company, he was specific in
rejecting other remedies as the basis for a settlement.
He said he did not like limiting what the company can do to Windows and
that any settlement must preserve the ``principle ... (that Microsoft is
free) to add features to Windows."
Gates also said that making the Windows secret source code public, a
remedy suggested by some, would be bad for consumers. If the code were
public, people might modify it and make it inconsistent, he said.
It would be bad if ``when people buy Windows they don't know what is in
it," he said.
Gates said he wants to be able to assure that computer makers show Windows
on their opening screens in a consistent way. Otherwise, he said, ``it
can't make sense for consumers."
But U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson found that Microsoft had
not been consistent in this and had often acted simply with the aim of
maintaining its monopoly on the Windows computer operating system.
Jackson, in his ``findings of fact," said Microsoft had used monopoly
power to hurt consumers and other companies.
Legal scholars and others say the judge's eventual ruling is sure to go
against Microsoft, given his findings of fact.
That ruling, and later imposition of remedies, could be forestalled by
settling the case with the Justice Department and 19 states, which sued
the company last year. Microsoft may also appeal any ruling the judge
makes.
One motivation for the company to settle is that if the judge rules
against Microsoft, it will put the company at an immediate disadvantage in
private antitrust suits against it.
Even if it were to appeal an adverse ruling by Jackson, other firms could
use the judge's decision in their own suits to establish that Microsoft
was predatory monopoly.
Gates Talks of 'Any Resolution' for Suit
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, asked if he would fight to prevent a
breakup of his company, said in a television interview on Wednesday he was
willing to discuss ``any sort of resolution" to a landmark antitrust case
brought by the government.
Gates's comments fueled speculation among legal experts about what a
settlement of the case might look like, but a Microsoft spokesman said he
has recently talked to Gates and the chairman believes a break-up would be
both bad and unwarranted.
A federal judge found this month that Microsoft abused monopoly power to
harm consumers and competitors. The judge's findings will serve as the
basis for a later ruling on whether Microsoft broke the law and his
eventual imposition of remedies to correct any problems he may find.
Gates was asked twice on ABC's ``Good Morning America" whether he would
be open to a break-up of the company.
Asked about people who wondered if he was considering breaking up the
company, Gates initially replied: ``Those people are really off the
mark."
But then he was pressed and asked: ``I think (people) expect you to say,
'I am going to fight tooth and nail any attempt to break up the company.'
Is that true?"
Replied Gates: ``I don't see how a lot of things that are being discussed
would benefit consumers. That's what this all comes down to in the final
analysis. We are very serious about any sort of resolution that could come
along. We'll sit and be willing to discuss that. People who speculate
about penalties are really off the mark at this point."
That comment -- that he is serious about and willing to discuss any sort
of resolution -- went further than his remarks published in Time Magazine
earlier this week about how far the company would be willing to go to
settle the case.
A Microsoft spokesman said that Gates remained opposed to breaking up the
company.
``Having talked to Bill throughout the past 10 days I can assure you that
he believes that any sort of dismantling of the company or confiscation of
our intellectual property would be a bad thing for Microsoft, bad for
consumers, bad for the U.S. economy and bad for millions of Microsoft
shareholders," spokesman Mark Murray said.
The ABC interview question, answered via remote hook-up from the Comdex
trade show in Las Vegas, served as a follow-up to the much-publicized Time
interview in which Gates twice refused to rule out breaking up the company
to settle government antitrust charges.
The case was brought by the Justice Department and 19 states, which would
all have to sign off on any settlement.
In the earlier interview, Gates said that he would like to settle but
opposed any deal that would restrict the company's freedom to design
Windows, assure its consistency, and defend its brand identity.
But when it came to talking about a break-up he ducked the question from
Time: ``I can't go down the path of saying what the settlement would be."
One motivation for the company to settle is that if the judge rules
against Microsoft, it will put the company at an immediate disadvantage in
private antitrust suits. Firms can use the finding of monopoly power in
private suits against Microsoft.
Judge to Hear More Oral Arguments in Microsoft Case
The judge in the Microsoft case will hear oral arguments in February to
help him decide whether the company violated the nation's antitrust law,
lawyers involved in the case said after meeting with him Thursday.
District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson met privately with representatives
of Microsoft Corp. and 19 states and the federal government to lay plans
for the next phase of the trial.
Earlier this month, Jackson found the facts of the case are that Microsoft
used monopoly power to harm consumers and competitors. Based on those
facts, Jackson will next decide whether Microsoft's actions violated the
law and what remedies may be appropriate.
Jackson had already set the dates for written briefs. On Thursday, he
limited the size of the briefs and said he would allow the oral
arguments.
The government's brief, due Dec. 6, and that of Microsoft, due January 17,
are each limited to 70 pages. The government's reply brief, due Jan. 24,
and that of Microsoft, due Jan. 31, are each limited to 30 pages. Oral
arguments will follow in February.
Asked if discussion of other subjects had come up during the meeting, one
lawyer said that the judge ``did not say anything extraneous."
The lawyer said that during the 20-minute session there was "the kind of
chit-chat about weather and personalities and the things that you have
with people who have lived six months together and then haven't seen each
other for a couple of months."
FCC Issues High-Speed Web Decision
Hoping to accelerate the spread of high-speed home Internet connections,
federal regulators voted Thursday to require telephone companies to share
their lines with other businesses offering data services.
The Federal Communications Commission decision could ultimately mean more
competition in consumer choices for high-speed Internet service and at
lower costs, officials said.
``Prices should decline, services should improve," declared FCC
Commissioner Susan Ness.
The decision could make it substantially cheaper for upstart businesses to
compete with telephone companies in providing connections dozens of times
faster than today's dial-up modems.
Currently, local telephone companies, such as the regional Bells and GTE,
can offer high-speed Internet services to subscribers on the same lines
they provide their regular voice service.
But for outside businesses to come in and sell Internet connections to a
consumer, they must buy a second line from the telephone company into the
consumer's home.
That means businesses competing with the local phone companies must spend
about $20 to $23 for each second line. And customers who want different
providers for their voice and data services need to have two lines at
home.
Newer data companies say the FCC decision will help put them on a
competitive equal footing.
``The FCC is really going to unleash all the benefits of competition for
residential users," said Michael Olsen, deputy general counsel of
NorthPoint Communications, which provides data services mostly to
businesses. The company plans to boost its marketing next year by setting
up kiosks at Radio Shack so consumers can sample the high-speed
connections.
Dhruv Khanna, general counsel of Covad Communications Inc., said his
company hopes to offer high-speed connections at less than $40 a month
because of the decision.
After the vote, FCC Chairman Bill Kennard said the agency would monitor
the market to ensure residential customers benefit.
Local telephone companies balked at the decision, saying the market
already is competitive and shouldn't be regulated any further.
``These companies are in no way 'impaired' by current arrangements and are
already doing very well in the marketplace," said Bruce Posey, U S West's
senior vice president for federal relations and regulatory law.
Local telephone companies also have expressed concern that if a consumer
has a problem placing a call, companies will have to determine which
service is responsible.
The FCC requirement goes into effect 30 days after it is published in the
Federal Register. Companies will then have to hammer out pricing
agreements for the cost of splitting the line. If they are unable to do
so, the parties could go to state regulators for arbitration.
Comdex Show to Feature PC Alternatives
Next week, when the computer industry makes its annual pilgrimage to Las
Vegas for Comdex, the industry's biggest trade show, much of the buzz will
be on gadgets and software that are alternatives to the standard personal
computer.
Ironically, after U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson decided last
week that Microsoft Corp. used its monopoly power to harm consumers and
crush competitors, there will be more alternatives to PCs running Windows
than ever on display.
Bill Gates, the software juggernaut's chairman and chief executive, is
giving the kickoff keynote address on Sunday night. Analysts expect Gates
to talk about Microsoft's much-anticipated Windows 2000 operating system --
due next February -- his vision of the industry, and perhaps some
references to the recent ruling.
While many of the over 200,000 attendees at Comdex will likely be
discussing Microsoft's legal woes, they also will be checking out demos
of the long-delayed Windows 2000. And this year, they will have the
opportunity to see the alternative Linux operating system, which is being
featured at an adjacent Linux Business Expo, a major coup for the renegade
software.
``This is going to set a record for alternatives to Microsoft," said Rob
Enderle, an analyst with Giga Information Group in Santa Clara,
California.
Sun Microsystems Inc., a developer of servers, workstations and software
for networked computing, plans to tout its recent acquisition of Star
Office, a free suite of office applications, that competes with Microsoft's
Office.
Sun Chairman and Chief Executive Scott McNealy will give a keynote address
on Wednesday, and Sun will give away copies of Star Office at the show.
Sun, which doesn't typically exhibit at Comdex, will demo its new Sun Ray,
a book-sized appliance for accessing the Internet and corporate networks.
Another novel addition will be Sony Corp., and a keynote address on Monday
by Nobuyuki Idei, Sony's president and co-chief executive. Idei is expected
to talk about his vision of a networked home and demonstrate the new
Playstation 2, which is not due in the United States until next year's
holiday season. Filmmaker George Lucas, Sun chief scientist Bill Joy and
others will participate in Idei's keynote.
The Playstation 2 video game console is expected to have connectivity
ports for Internet access, a player for digital video disks and hard disk
drive for data storage. It is already instilling fear into Microsoft, which
is reportedly developing its own home video game system code-named the
X-Box.
But video game consoles are not the only threat to home PCs. National
Semiconductor Corp., which earlier this year exited the PC processor
business due to intense competition, is hosting an Information Appliance
Pavilion where 15 companies will be showing devices based on its new Geode
chip, such as AOL's TV set-top box for accessing the Net, AOL TV.
One pavilion will show products using Blue Tooth wireless technology
that allows incompatible devices like pagers or cell phones from firms
like Motorola Inc. and Ericsson to communicate with notebook computers.
"Blue Tooth is about having all of your devices become a meta-device, where
one is accessing data from another," said Tom Henderson, a principal at
ExtremeLabs, an Indianapolis consulting firm. ``The products are just
starting to roll out."
One of the most popular handheld devices will have its own booth, 3Com
Corp.'s PalmPilot. And Nokia is demonstrating cell phones that can
access the Internet that will be available in the United States in the
first half of 2000.
PCs, though, are not standing still and have been evolving into many new
designs and functions, and some companies have morphed their own products
into appliances. This week, Compaq unveiled a sleek silver and black device
for accessing the Net, priced at $499, called the iPaq, for corporate
customers.
``I don't know if they have heard the first shot of the digital appliance
revolution," said John Dodge, editor of PC Week. ``The PC isn't dead. I
think the discussion of whether the PC is dead, is dead. The PC will be
with us a long time."
While the PC keeps evolving, Corel Corp. is hoping that it can inspire
further change with a user-friendly version of Linux for the PC desktop.
Linux has made big inroads into the network server market, but for
consumers, it is too difficult for most computer users who are used to
Windows.
Corel will launch its distribution of Linux, called Corel Linux, with an
improved user interface and instant messaging software called Jabber.
Developed as an open source project, Jabber is now supported by Webb
Interactive Services.
Finally, the most celebrated programmer in the open source community,
Linus Torvalds, the Finnish programmer who created the core of Linux,
the Linux kernel, will give a keynote address Monday night, in another
huge validation of Linux.
It is rumored that Torvalds may take the wraps off his current employer,
Transmeta Corp., one of the most secretive start-up companies in Silicon
Valley. Transmeta is believed to be developing a processor to compete
with Intel.
Transmeta is headed up by David Ditzel, a former Sun chip designer, and
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is one of its investors. The Santa
Clara, Calif.-based company, founded about four years ago, is so
secretive its Web site simply says ``This Web page is not here
yet!...but it is Y2K compliant."
Microsoft's Gates Shows New Devices for Web
Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Gates showed off his
company's new scaled-down Internet appliance to a standing-room crowd at
the Comdex computer trade show, where the personal computer is no longer
the star.
Gates, in his kick-off keynote address at Comdex, showed a small appliance
called the MSN-based Web Companion, which Microsoft has designed, as he
discussed how the Internet will become more personal.
The Web Companion is a small textbook-sized device that runs Microsoft's
Windows CE software, and connects to the Internet, using Microsoft's MSN
Internet service.
Microsoft's new device, and others like it, will be part of a future in
which homes have multiple devices accessing the Internet from every room,
Gates predicted. These devices will range from PCs to Internet appliances
to wireless handheld devices and cellular phones.
The MSN-based Web Companion is expected to be available sometime in the
second half of 2000. Companies such as Acer Inc., Philips Electronics
Inc., Thomson Consumer Electronics and Vestal USA, a unit of the Turkish
consumer electronics company Vestel, will be developing them for use with
the MSN service.
The devices are expected to range in cost from free to around $200.
Bundling deals will be offered similar to those offered by other computer
makers and online service providers, where the user gets a system or an
Internet appliance at very low cost in exchange for signing up for three
years of Internet service.
In his speech, Gates also talked about how the Internet will move from a
static model to a more interactive one, where users can access favorite
Web sites to get exactly the information they need, on a wide range of
devices.
Gates's keynote address at Comdex was his first major public appearance
since his company was found to be a predatory monopolist in a preliminary
ruling by U.S. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson in a landmark antitrust case
nine days ago.
A standing-room-only crowd gathered in a ballroom at the Venetian Hotel in
Las Vegas to hear the world's richest man discuss his vision of the
industry's future.
Gates's keynote address on Sunday night has been a tradition in recent
years at Comdex, the industry's biggest U.S. trade show, where over
200,000 attendees are expected to visit over one million square footage of
showroom floor space.
Gates also gave a demonstration of Windows 2000, Microsoft's long-delayed
upgrade of its Windows NT operating system for corporate and network
computers. He showed a Web site running on five different servers all
running Window 2000, in an effort to show the stability of Windows 2000.
Windows 2000 has been in development for many years and was once expected
to be shipped at the end of 1997 as an update to Windows NT version 4.0,
which was released in July 1996. It is now expected to go on sale Feb. 17.
Sony Plans Hand-Held Computers
Sony Corp., a longtime pioneer of consumer electronics, wants to
stretch its leadership into computing in part by pushing new hand-held
gadgets that don't use Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Sony instead chose the Palm operating program to run the basic functions of
the devices, which could allow people to view videos, listen to music and
organization information.
Monday's agreement is a setback to Microsoft Corp. and is the latest
evidence of Palm's growing clout as an operating system alternative that
can further the ambitions of large manufacturers such as Sony. The Palm
hand-held computer has gained loyal adherents for reliably handling
relatively simple functions, such as maintaining address lists or checking
e-mail.
As part of the deal, Palm, a unit of 3Com Corp., agreed to adapt its
operating system to Sony's Memory Stick removable storage medium, which
Sony is fighting to get widely accepted for storing and transferring data,
sound and images among a variety of gadgets and computers Memory Stick,
about the size of a stick of gum, is mainly used in just Sony products,
including digital cameras and Vaio personal computers.
Sony, like most of the technology industry, remains a strong advocate of
Windows to run the basic functions of desktop and laptop computers. But
Microsoft's Windows CE, a lightweight version of the desktop operating
system, has lagged in the fast growing market for small computing devices.
In another recent slight, mobile phone giant Nokia agreed last month to use
the Palm operating system in a next generation of ``smart" phones that give
people access to the Internet.
Even though a federal judge has depicted Microsoft as a monopolist, such
deals point to a future direction in computing that may be dominated by
several operating systems, not just Windows. In addition to the Palm, the
Linux operating system is catching on in new home gadgets that let people
access the Internet.
``(The Sony agreement) is a vast disappointment for Windows," said Richard
Doherty, an industry consultant who heads the Seaford, N.Y.-based
Envisioneering Group. ``I'm sure there were some fists pounding the tables
at Microsoft."
A Microsoft official played down the Sony deal, saying that Microsoft was
striving to improve Windows CE by making it simpler.
``It's an announcement we have to pay attention to," said Rogers Weed,
director of marketing for Microsoft's productivity appliances division.
``(But) it doesn't change what we need to do with Windows CE."
The company is hardly idle. On Sunday here at the Comdex computer show,
chairman Bill Gates unveiled new ``MSN-enabled Web companions" that are
expected to be available by next summer.
While Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft is one of the industry's most
aggressive negotiators, Sony had strong incentives to sign up with Palm
in talks begun earlier this year with 3Com.
Getting Memory Stick accepted is crucial to Sony's plans to leverage the
breadth of its products. Additionally, a new version of Memory Stick
will store only copyrighted music and videos, which is important to
protecting the royalties Sony earns from its music and movie units.
Palm is free to adapt its software to rival removable storage media made
by such companies as SanDisk and Toshiba. But Sony said several dozen
other manufacturers on Monday also agreed to adapt their gadgets to
Memory Stick.
In a keynote speech Monday at Comdex, Sony chairman Nobuyuki Idei stressed
the company's unique strength across three major computing methods: digital
TVs and set-top boxes; mobile computing and cameras; and video-game
consoles.
Recently, Sony has won praise for the design of its slim, silvery Vaio
laptop. It is expected to break new ground next year when it introduces
PlayStation 2, which in addition to game-playing will let users watch
movies, listen to music, surf the Web and even exchange e-mail.
Sony officials said it is too early to say what hand-held devices it would
develop using the Palm system, or when they would be sold.
Firms Wrestle With Resilient FunLove Virus
Antivirus companies have found a new computer virus called FunLove that's
easy to detect but hard to remove.
FunLove infects Windows-based computers across networks and brings the
concept of evading antivirus software to a new level of resiliency, said
Symantec Antivirus Research Center director Vincent Weafer.
Once it infects a computer, it resides in memory and reinfects files as
fast as antivirus software can clean them, he said. In addition, the
virus weakens the security of a system, making it easier to attack, he
said.
Symantec's ordinary antivirus software can't eradicate the virus on
Windows NT machines, so a special program must be used, Weafer said. On
Windows 95 and 98 machines, it's relatively simple to remove, he said.
On Windows NT, the virus resists any attempt to shut it down.
The FunLove virus itself is relatively harmless because it doesn't destroy
files but rather adds data to files, making them gradually get larger and
larger, Weafer said. The virus adds the name of the obscure rock band Fun
Loving Criminal into the files, said Russian antivirus company Kaspersky
Lab.
Several companies have reported infection by the virus, mostly in Europe
but also in the United States and Canada, he said. It was first observed
Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the new Bubbleboy virus has made it to Web sites, though there
have been few if any reports of actual infections, Weafer said. The author
of the virus posted copies at several Web sites on Monday, as well as
sending it to antivirus companies. Now the author has posted an updated
version, Weafer said.
Bubbleboy, which isn't particularly dangerous itself, spreads by email
but, unlike predecessors such as the Melissa virus, can infect a computer
when a person only opens an email.
Windows NT Update Carries Bug
A software update for Microsoft's Windows NT operating system introduced a
bug that could potentially cripple Lotus Notes unless companies compromise
network security.
The bug in Windows NT Service Pack 6 prevents users from accessing Lotus
Notes without administrator rights--the highest and broadest level of
access typically reserved for network managers. Companies generally
restrict user access to prevent security breaches or catastrophic
accidental changes to PCs or servers.
The bug puts companies that have applied the service pack in a bind,
possibly forcing them to grant users temporary administrator privileges
in order to use Lotus Notes.
Microsoft periodically releases service packs as a way of adding
features to Windows NT 4 or fixing bugs.
The Redmond, Washington-based software maker is advising customers using
Lotus Notes not to apply Service Pack 6 until a fix is released later
this week.
Web Site Shows Where Buck Stops
If you find yourself wondering where the heck your money went, now there's
a way to find out.
An Internet site called ``www.wheresgeorge.com" - in honor of the president
whose likeness graces the $1 bill - tracks U.S. currency as it changes
hands from city to city.
Bills marked with ``www.wheresgeorge.com" have been through Ryan's
Produce in Albany, N.Y., and the tax collector's office in Coffey County,
Kan. A marked $100 bill bought a nail gun in Lorton, Va., and at last
report was 20 miles away in Sterling, Va.
``I didn't think it would be as addicting as some people are finding it,"
site creator Hank Eskin said Friday. ``It's something out there on the
Internet that's not porn, and it's not selling anything. It's pure fun. I
think people appreciate that."
The record starts when someone enters the serial number of a bill at
www.wheresgeorge.com and marks the bill with the Web site address. About
3.5 percent of them will be logged again by someone else as they change
hands, Eskin said.
Someone with the nickname ``Adam" claims to have entered 65,051 bills
into the site and has heard about 4,955 of them - a success rate of 7.6
percent.
``The ones ($1 bills) seem to get most of the hits," said Colleen Marsala,
who has marked and logged about 1,300 bills in her spare time.
``I've seen mine spent in bars, fast-food places," she said. ``I read
where one was used to pay for a hooker."
The hits are real, Eskin maid. Three digits of the bill's serial number
are masked by the site to prevent bogus entries.
Marsala, who lives in suburban Pittsburgh, said she has been logging
bills since August and has read of their travels as far as California.
Money has fascinated her since childhood when she stamped money with a
cartoon horse to see if she would get it back. She said she got one bill
back at a movie theater.
As of Saturday, the Where's George Web site claimed 68,392 people had
entered 1,025,076 bills, totalling $6,005,796.
Eskin pays for the site by selling advertisements and rubber stamps with
the Internet address on them. The 34-year-old electronic commerce
consultant from Boston said he started Where's George last year to
practice his Web page design.
Some of the $1 bills have been logged at six different places since the
site went updin December, Eskin said.
``I've actually been surprised at how slow money travels. It could go
just thred miles in two months," he said.
Defacing U.S. currency is a crime, but federal law defines ``defacing"
as altering a bill so much that it cannot be used.
Edward Sheehan, a spokesman for the U.S. Treasury Department's Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, said that while it is legal to write on U.S.
currency, ``we discourage people from doing that. It is best to have the
notes pristine."
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