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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 02 Issue 51
Volume 2, Issue 51 Atari Online News, Etc. December 22, 2000
Published and Copyright (c) 2000
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:
Ullrich von Bassewitz
Kevin Savetz
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To download A-ONE, set your browser bookmarks to one of the
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Now available:
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Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=atari
=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0251 12/22/00
~ People Are Talking! ~ Happy Holidays!!!!! ~ Vision 4.0b!
~ cc65 Cross-compiler! ~ FCC May Pressure AOL! ~ Kriz Virus Returns!
~ Censorware Disabled! ~ Bit Bopper Freeware! ~ New LTC Out!
~ Dot-Biz Battle Looms! ~ "Evil Dead" Ships! ~ Bugs and Taz!
-* States Approve Net Sales Tax *-
-* Rivals Oppose AOL Instant Messenger *-
-* Microsoft Unveils Embedded Whistler Beta! *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Happy Holidays to you all!! If you're like me, you'll probably be
scrambling this weekend to do some last-minute shopping. My wife and I have
everything for friends and relatives; it seems like every year the last bit
of shopping seems to be for each other! So, we'll see what happens over the
weekend. I'm sure we'll be in good company, wandering the myriads of
shopping malls.
We're both on vacation next week, so that should be interesting. I don't
think we've both had the same vacation time for about 10 years! We'll be
visiting family and friends on and after the holiday; and just getting stuff
done that we've been putting off due to lack of time. And, we'll get some
time to relax.
Otherwise, it's been a quiet week. The technology news has been somewhat
limited the past few weeks. Other than the continuous stories about more
and more dot-com companies failing, and the computer industry itself slowing
down, there hasn't been too much to discuss. And perhaps the holiday season
is also a typical slowdown period for businesses in general. We'll see what
the new year brings. Wow, it's almost 2001 - the new millennium!
As per my habit, please take the holiday spirit to heart. Be careful and
remember your fellow man. This is a time for office parties and family
gatherings. Be responsible! If you're going to drink, be prepared not to
drive! The life you save may be mine.
Until next time...
=~=~=~=
Bit Bopper Is Now Freeware
O'WONDER, the creators of BiT BOPPER, an Audio Driven Video Synthesizer
have made the following announcement:
"Five years after the Falcon was withdrawn by Atari in 1995,
we continue to receive enquiries regarding BiT BOPPER, and are
very grateful! However, we no longer have staff to support the
product. As a result, you may download the software for FREE,
but with NO support..."
http://www.owonder.com/bitbopper/falcon/download/index.html
VISION 4.0b Available
VISION 4.0b is now available and fixes some little bugs from 4.0a.
A Swedish translation is also available.
http://vision.atari.org
or
http://www.multimania.com/jlusetti
LTC Version 1.83 Available
A new Version of LTC (Luna Text Compiler) is available.
New Hypertext and much bug fixes are included.
http://www.myluna.de
cc65 2.6.0 (C Cross-compiler) Released
I'm proud to announce version 2.6 of CC65, a C cross-compiler /
cross-assembler combo for 6502 systems.
CC65 has C and runtime library support for many of the old 6502 machines,
including:
- The Commodore C64, C128 and the C16, C116, Plus/4 machines.
- The CBM 600/700 family (programs run in bank 1).
- Newer PET machines (not 2001)
- The Apple ][ (library support by Kevin Ruland
<kevin@rodin.wustl.edu>)
- The Atari 8 bit machines (thanks to the Atari team)
- GEOS for the C64 and C128 (GEOSLib by Maciej Witkowiak
<ytm@elysium.pl>)
The libraries are fairly portable, so creating a version for other 6502s
shouldn't be too much work.
New in this version:
* All bugs mentioned on the bugs web page for version 2.5 are fixed.
* Several new commands/features for the assembler, including a repeat
statement and target specific character sets.
* More 65C02 support.
* Module constructors/destructors (assembler/linker).
* `const' is honored in most places now, `const' data goes into the
RODATA segment by default.
* Lots of larger library routines rewritten in assembler for speed and
size (heap management, printf family).
* New object dump utility.
* New disassembler and assembler --> HTML converter (beta!).
* New low level disk I/O module for the Atari, thanks to Christian
Groessler, <cpg@aladdin.de>.
* New mouse routines for the Atari machines by Christian Groessler and
Freddy Offenga, <F.Offenga@student.kun.nl>. The mouse routines for
the C64 are now debugged and should work (but still beta).
* Other stuff.
There is still no support for the following features:
* Floats and bit fields.
* File routines on most systems. The 8 bit Ataris are the first
machines that do have full file I/O support (besides the ACE port
which was dropped some time ago). Please note that the complete CBM
family doesn't have file I/O support!
* The 80 column mode on the C128 is not supported by the conio library.
Available packages:
As usual I will provide the complete sources and several binary packages,
including RPMs for RedHat Linux. Linux is the primary development
platform, so the sources do compile out of the box on Linux machines.
Please note that there are now separate RPMs for the compiler proper and
the target specific libraries. To develop for one of the predefined
target systems you need the compiler RPM package *and* one of the target
machine packages.
Binaries for DOS and and Windows will follow or may already be available
at the time you read this. OS/2 packages will again be available, but
since there are almost no downloads for OS/2, so the host platform may
get dropped in the near future (again).
Download:
More information information and a download link, please visit the cc65
web page at:
http://www.cc65.org/
Thanks to all who sent feedback and suggestions and of course to anyone
who helped developing cc65!
--
Ullrich von Bassewitz
uz@musoftware.de
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Well, the holiday season is well and
truly upon us. This is the first Christmas since my mother-in-law
passed away. It's been tough on my wife and, therefore, on me. There
simply are no words to ease the pain or to reassure. All one can do is
to persevere. Being an Atari user, I've gotten good at that.
I've always seen the holidays as a time to take stock of what you have.
Both materially and spiritually. I don't claim to be religious or even
spiritual, but for each of us there must be a point where we look back
and say either "I've done okay" or "Boy, have I messed up". I find
that, if I take a good hard look every so often, I can "take my
medicine" in smaller doses. <grin>
So happy holidays to you and yours no matter what your beliefs (or
disbeliefs). Take advantage of what this time of year has to offer.
And no matter how much fun you're having, please, please, please...
party responsibly. A moment's merriment isn't worth all the possible
regret.
Okay, okay, enough of the moralizing. Let's get on with the news and
stuff.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================================
Bengy Collins posts:
"The official English Poll, which will determine the fate of the "XTOS"
Project by Medusa Computer Systems/switzerlandhe is now online at
http://magicos.de/survey.html
The Developers are coming along nicely, so the only main hurdle to get
over is the 500 willing buyers.
The German version can be found on the official homepage:
http://www.xtos.de
--
Other MagiC Online (http://magicos.de) Site news:
The st-computer articles, translated by Jens Hatlak, are now available
on MagiC Online, as the official st-computer homepage no longer has an
English section.
The entire Links.atari.org pages by Benjamin Kirchheim have been
updated on both the links.atari.org webpages and the mirror on MagiC
Online."
Chris Wilkinson tells Bengy:
"If 500 buyers is the only hurdle to get over then why aren't many specs
available. The survey is not entirely necessary also, because if Medusa
have any 'smarts' about them they will use current industry standards
etc...to keep the burgeoning cost down...and not worry about what we the
potential buyers (rightly or wrongly) think should be used in the new
machine...its common sense you see...
Also, what IS the likely cost of the XTOS machine going to be?
Without knowing WHAT I'm saying yes to buying, and not knowing
HOW MUCH I'm going to pay for WHAT, I'm not going to say 'yes'.
I think Medusa have a cheek to ask us to commit to something we
know ... nothing about..."
Lonny Pursell tells Chris:
"Some of those thoughts crossed my mind as well. I am not so
sure it's just "Medusa" and I think directing comments solely
at them is jumping the gun just a bit. The Medusa site has
not changed at all and you would think if they were the driving
force behind it, something would appear there. At minimum
a link to the poll? I tried to read translations of the
german text and I got the impression someone else is building
this and Medusa is involved?
I would buy a new machine solely from Medusa, I've just don't it.
Personally I'd like more information as to it's origin before
drawing any real conclusions. If you look at Medusa's past
they just design a machine, put it out there, set a price and
if you can't afford it... well, you can't afford it. ;-)
So can someone provide more information as to the combined
efforts going into this machine? Bengy? You are hosting the
poll can we get the entire site translated?!"
Bengy replies:
"I suppose they want to get a feel of what it will take for Atari-fans
to buy the machine. For example, a large number of people have demanded
built-in midi ports as standard..
Once again, the specs are not available because they are not
determined.. If everyone says, using the example above, that MIDI ports
are of prime importance, that will effect both the cost of the machine
and midi being built in. However detrimental you believe this method to
be, this is the path that they have chosen.
Notice they are not asking "will you buy it: yes or no". They are asking
what you would be willing to pay, and with what options that price you
name includes (and just as important, what it does not include). The
closest the poll comes to asking you if will buy the machine or not is
the price field: If you will not buy it, you have the option of
entering $0."
Tim Conrardy asks for Falcon help:
"I have a Falcon, and when I am not working on my midi stuff, I would
like to play a good Excellent Graphic Oriented game, preferably a Space
fly-around- shoot em up type game. Good sound too.
Can anyone point me to a Falcon-specific game (s) that are on the net
(freeware, shareware, postcardware, etc.)that meets these requirements?
HEY...even us Atarian Midi-ists gotta shoot'em up in Space !!"
Shiuming Lai tells Tim:
"When run on a Falcon the in-game music is generated at a higher sample
rate than the STE, too. Apart from that it's also a great game with
excellent graphics and sound and based in space."
Dan Ackerman adds:
"Dave Bagget also did a Falcon version of his asteroids game. It
had nice graphics and sound. I know a version of it is available at
the old umich archives if no where else. I also think there were a
bunch of Falcon games released recently out of germany and some of them
had a space motif.
If you want a really stupid game with lame graphics then you can try my
old game Astropanic94. <grin>"
Artur Stachon asks about a hard drive for his Falcon:
"Can you use any laptop HD on a falcon? Any brand? Any size? Is the
internal HD only IDE or is it SCSI too?"
Clayton Murray tells Artur:
"Several years ago, I tried putting a Western Digital IDE 2.5" in
my Falcon, but despite my trying everything on my ICD utilities
disk, I could not get the Falcon to see it. So I asked Tom Harker
at ICD if he had any ideas, and he said:
"You cannot use IBM or WD IDE hard drives with the Falcon. Try Quantum
or Seagate. I have had good success with the Quantum "Europa series 2.5
inch IDE drives and the Falcon. It is a problem in the timing of the
command frames that makes them not work with the Falcon."
I also asked Chris Crowchuck(?) at Computer Direct, and he said:
'With the IBM drives, they report wrong sector and interleaving etc.
under HD Driver. You can set these settings yourself and have HD Driver
create a boot sector that should work. You are best to avoid IBM and
Western Digital though for sure.
We have had success with the Maxtor, Seagate, Fujitsu and Quantum drives.'
I'm now using a 1.08 gig Toshiba 2.5" IDE drive in my Falcon.
Works great.
I don't know if that helps, but at least I can now feel good
about saving all those emails from different companies."
Peter West adds:
"I fitted an IDE 3.5" 6.4 GB IBM-DTTA-350640 drive into my Falcon in
place of the original 2.5", using the ABS/Mario adapter for the
connections, and have had no problems so far under HDDRIVER! (FX
Fingers crossed /FX)."
Tony Cianfaglione asks about partition limits:
"Are there limits to the amount of partitions in TOS 2.06?
The reason I ask this is that a friend has 2 Mega ST4's (one has 2.06)
and it will not read his Megafile 30 with the partitions contained on it
whereas his other ST4 with a newer TOS (3?) sees the partitions and can
access them. The Megafile, is located in the scsi chain, after a
Metafile with 10 partitions on it.
Does TOS 2.06 have a limit on partitions (eg..10)?"
Greg Goodwin tells Tony:
"Yes, 14 (C-P).
This [your problem] is almost certainly a software problem, but I have
only used Megafiles as single items on the chain, so I don't know how
to help you."
Steve Sweet asks about news server problems:
"Is anyone else getting news server problems?. I started getting errors
about 3 days ago, then reports that suggested my index files were shot,
so I deleted them and all i got was a truck load old group tripe and a
few new one's.
Whilst looking into it I discovered that bun.com and skynow.net have
the same IP no's for their various servers. Is this because they use
the same sources or are IP no's standardised in some way?.
What software are you using on both machines to drive the HD?"
Lyndon Amsdon tells Steve:
"I'm not sure but they may use supernews as their news server like
mine. Try resolving the IP number to find the name of it using one of
the utilities out there. Sting tools comes to mind."
Fritz-Ulrich Siewert asks about reading ST floppies on a PC:
"I can't read ST-formatted Floppies on my PC, and the Vgaread-Program
won't help.
Any suggestions? I dislike the thought that I must copy everything onto
PC-formatted disks on the ST!"
Steve Sweet tells Fritz-Ulrich:
"I use a program called DC format 3 in which you can have the pc bit
written to the disk. What's more it'll even allow for extended formatted
disk to be read and written via pc, yep you can use more space:)
The program is available from my LaST PD web site:
www.last-pd.co.uk
Edward Baiz asks about accessing "secure" web sites:
"Is it possible to use an Atari computer on WWW and access secured
sites?"
Thomas Knecht tells Edward:
"[This may be a] Rather poor option (and maybe not exactly what you're
asking for) is requesting web pages at https addresses via e-mail sent
to a web-by-mail server. www4mail supports this since recently by
version 2.4p4 running at www4mail@wm.ictp.trieste.it . Form submission
should be possible there, though reliability seems to be low."
Ekkehard Flessa adds:
"It is, provided you use MiNT+MiNT-Net. The appropriate cab.ovl with
ssl-support can be found at http://www.netppl.fi/~jasivu/files/.
There are also some new ports of openssh and openssl to be found on the
spareMiNT pages at:
http://wh58-508.st.uni-magdeburg.de/sparemint/html/packages.html."
John Oakes adds his thoughts:
"Recently I had trouble with Draconis bombing me, when accessing
amazon.co.uk. I eventually sussed my problem, but I use it for ordering
from amazon with no problem. I think the secured site problem may stem
from linking to https sites. this does trip up on certain software.
On Linux lynx web browser it has the same problem of access to https,
but with the lynx-ssl it's like knives through butter."
Chris Simon jumps in and posts:
"I use CAB at home and have set up some secured sites in work. In the
past, CAB has been able to provide the username and password dialog
but for some reason always failed to authenticate properly and the
dialog keeps reappearing without allowing access.
I've just tried it again now and for some reason CAB now bombs when
trying to access a secured page!
Try it yourself to see what happens in your browser. Go to
http://admint.bangor.ac.uk and select any of the sites listed under
"Restricted Access". (I suggest the Card Enquiry or Prospectus
Enquiries ones).
Of course, you haven't got a valid username and password, but at least
you'll be able to ascertain whether your browser actually works and asks
you for a username.
However, sites that use server-side scripting coupled with HTML forms
to submit user names and passwords should work OK, but I haven't got
any examples of those."
Well folks, that's it for this week. Have a happy, healthy, and of
course, a safe holiday. Come back next week, all bright-eye and
bushy-tailed, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
=~=~=~=
->In This Week's Gaming Section - 'Evil Dead'! 'Thunder Tanks'!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 'Bugs & Taz'! NCAA Final Four!
'The Bouncer'! 3D Ultra Pinball!
And much more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THQ Ships `Evil Dead: Hail to the King'
for Popular Sega System
Fans of Cult Classic Horror Film Play
Out Ash's Nightmares on Dreamcast
THQ Inc. announced the release of ``Evil Dead: Hail to the King" for Sega
Dreamcast.
Following the recent successful launch of ``Evil Dead: Hail to the King"
for Sony PlayStation, the game is based on the ``Evil Dead" movie trilogy
that earned a cult following among millions of horror fans with its gory
effects, campy humor and ultra-cool hero, ``Ash," played by Bruce
Campbell. Campbell is back to reprise his signature role in ``Evil Dead:
Hail to the King" where he returns to the infamous cabin in the woods to
battle deadites on a quest to save his girlfriend, Jenny.
Developed by Heavy Iron Studios, ``Evil Dead: Hail to the King" invites
players into an authentic ``Evil Dead" survival horror adventure with full
support from film creators Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell.
``Evil Dead: Hail to the King" is now available at major retail outlets
nationwide.
```Evil Dead: Hail to the King' takes advantage of the increased power of
the Dreamcast by offering players enhanced graphics," stated Scott Krager,
executive producer, THQ. ``We have faithfully captured the look and feel of
the `Evil Dead' films, and now players can immerse themselves in their own
`Evil Dead' adventure."
``The response from `Evil Dead' fans has been amazing," stated Alison
Quirion, senior marketing manager, THQ. ``They feel as if the game
represents a lost episode justly serving the horror film series. In
addition to great gameplay capability, the taunt-at-will command with Ash's
infamous one-liners feels like a bonus for enthusiasts and is well worth
the sticker-price alone."
In ``Evil Dead: Hail to the King," players assume the role of Ash, the
chainsaw-armed hero from the ``Evil Dead" trilogy, in a story that
continues the ongoing saga of the Necronomicon ex Mortis, otherwise known
as `Book of the Dead.' When Ash returns to the cabin in the woods, he is
faced with the challenge of battling more than 20 startling enemies
including deadites, skeletons, and even Evil Ash with freedom to move and
attack with multiple weapons simultaneously.
Gamers are offered fully upgradable weapons including the axe, rifle,
shotgun and chainsaw in combat. Huge environments include a blend of
favorite ``Evil Dead" settings and brand new locations that serve to
expand the ``Evil Dead" universe. Offering a wide variety of enemies,
puzzles and settings, the story unfolds with several in-game and
pre-rendered sequences.
``Evil Dead: Hail to the King" for Dreamcast mixes the fun of a campy
horror movie with intense combat sequences and clever puzzle-solving. This
horror classic will also be released on PC CD-ROM early 2001.
3DO Ships 'World Destruction League: Thunder
Tanks' for PlayStation2 Computer Entertainment System
The 3DO Company announced that the ``World Destruction League: Thunder
Tanks" game for PlayStation2 computer entertainment system shipped on
schedule to retailers, just in time for Christmas.
The press worldwide is raving about the stunning graphics and multi-player
mayhem of the ``World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks" game. GameSpot,
one of the largest online gaming sites said, ``With excellent graphics,
numerous control options, solid sound, and fun gameplay, the PS2 version of
the game looks as if it could be the best tank game that 3DO has ever
published." Imagine's PlayStation Magazine was equally glowing in their
praise of the game: ``...its environments and tanks are already looking
super-sharp and move at a brisk framerate. Its numerous special effects,
such as a real-time motion blur and weather changes, are also certain to
put the system through its paces. More impressive yet, all of the
structures in the game can be realistically decimated in real time -- they
actually crumble where you shoot them, and can even be 'cut in half' with
artillery fire." Silicon Magazine chimed in with, ``Picking up where
Battle Tanx left off, World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks is a beast.
The PS2 hardware allows WDL's developers to really flex some graphic
muscle."
``This is the start of something big for 3DO," said Trip Hawkins, chairman
and CEO of The 3DO Company. ``'Thunder Tanks' is the first of numerous
impressive PlayStation 2 titles that we will be releasing over the next six
months. We're really excited to be in on the ground floor for this
incredible gaming platform."
The ``Thunder Tanks" game is the ultimate in spectacle entertainment. It's
an ``over the top" tournament where the contenders battle it out using
tanks. This mega-event is broadcast on the fictional WDL television network
throughout its post-apocalyptic society. The match-ups take place in
battle-stages in famous locations all around the world. While the WDL has
outrageous attitude, over-done action, and trash-talking commentators, the
competitors take it very seriously...they'll stop at destroying nothing in
order to win the championship title.
The ``Thunder Tanks" game for the PlayStation 2 console is playable by up
to four people (using the Multitap) and features an all-new,
high-resolution engine that displays incredibly crisp graphics with better
textures and more color depth. Texture usage includes tracks in the dirt
and shell and scorch marks on buildings. The Thunder Tanks game also
utilizes anti-aliasing, extensive light sourcing and dynamic lighting. It
also pushes the limits of amazing special effects with a spectacular
nuclear blast effect that will blow entire cityscapes into debris, swept up
in the direction of the expanding blast. The game also features smoking
wreckage, sparking metal and debris clouds from collapsing buildings.
Square Announces Release Dates for Two
PlayStation 2 Computer Entertainment System Games
The Bouncer and Driving Emotion Type-S Due Out
Early Next Year
Square Electronic Arts announced the release schedule for two highly
anticipated PlayStation2 titles due out early next year. The Bouncer, an
action fighting game will hit U.S. store shelves March 2001. In addition,
Square will launch Driving Emotion Type-S, a high-speed driving game on
January 30, 2001.
``We are very excited to bring to market The Bouncer and Driving Emotion
Type-S for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system," said Jun
Iwasaki, president of Square Electronic Arts. ``Our development team has
set extremely high benchmarks for itself resulting in the delivery of games
that will raise the industry's bar in the areas of graphics and gameplay.
Whether consumers want a high-speed driving or action role playing
experience, they will be blown away with these two titles."
The Bouncer combines heart-pounding action with Square's trademark
storytelling skills and role-playing game (RPG) elements. The story begins
at a bar as a bouncer named Sion is beginning his shift for the day. A
quiet morning is abruptly interrupted when a break-in occurs and the
intruders manage to kidnap Sion's friend Dominque. This begins a dangerous
rescue mission, as Sion and his fellow bouncers travel far and wide in
search of Dominique's kidnappers. In addition to the game's bilingual
(English/Japanese) voiceover dialogue and fluid
gameplay-to-full-motion-video transitions, The Bouncer offers a complete 3D
environment that allows battle to take place anywhere and high resolution
graphics that capture fine details like realistic facial expressions and
real life tatoos on the characters. All features are made possible by the
PlayStation 2 system's enhanced processing power and new DVD format. The
Bouncer features three different game modes including Story, Versus,
Survival and allows for up to four simultaneous players in the multiplayer
Versus mode.
Driving Emotion Type-S is a driving simulation game that immerses players
in the experience of high-performance sports car racing. The game
accurately recreates the feeling of racing at top speeds with
high-resolution graphics and in-game physics that detect handling,
suspension techniques and collisions. The game also allows for air, weight,
gravity and resistance, all of which must be factored in as players race
toward the finish. For Driving Emotion Type-S, Square garnered the licenses
to such exotic car manufacturers as Porsche and Ferrari, letting players
race with the real-life representation of these high-performance cars.
The Bouncer and Driving Emotion Type-S are compatible with the
DUALSHOCK2 analog controller. Both games carry a suggested retail price
of U.S. $50. The Bouncer is rated ``T" (Teen) and Driving Emotion Type-S
is rated ``E" (Everyone).
Infogrames, Inc. Whirls Famous Cartoon Characters
to Stores This Week In Bugs Bunny & Taz Time Busters
America's Favorite Hare and Devil Go
Back in Time in Truly Innovative
Two-Player Cooperative Game on Sony PlayStation
Get in your time machines! Infogrames, Inc. officially announced that Bugs
Bunny & Taz Time Busters will arrive in stores next week on the PlayStation
game console. Join the gyrating tornado of intense whirling action and the
wisecracking, carrot-munching hare as they team up in a wild adventure
through time!
While on duty as the top pest controller for ``Jet Age Pest Control,"
Daffy Duck accidentally breaks Granny's time regulator and is thrown back
in time with the core of the machine, a precious gem. It is up to our
heroes, Bugs Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil to bring back this gem and
restore the time order. To do so, this unlikely pair will have to travel
through four different eras and outsmart some of the toughest Looney Tunes
adversaries around, including Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd, Nasty Canasta,
Babba Chop, and Count Bloodcount.
``Bugs & Taz are two of America's all-time favorite cartoon characters,"
said Jeff Nuzzi, director of marketing for Infogrames, Inc.'s I-Stars
Label. ``With the unique cooperative play option, kids can team up and
enjoy hilarious hare-raising action for hours on end!"
In the latest Looney Tunes adventure game, players will experience original
gameplay through cooperative play -- in single player mode, players can
choose to be either Bugs or Taz and switch between them to conquer
different obstacles, or team up with friends in two-player mode and
complete the adventure together. Adding to the fun, players will lead Bugs
and Taz through four exciting Looney Tunes inspired time periods to acquire
the all-important gem -- The Aztec Era, the Viking Era, the Arabian Nights,
and Transylvania. Players can enjoy over 30 levels of sporting contests,
quests, boss encounters, and daredevil chases!
Developed by Artificial Mind and Movement in Quebec, Bugs Bunny & Taz Time
Busters is available at an estimated retail price of $19.99 and can be
found at most major retail outlets. A personal computer version of Bugs
Bunny & Taz Time Busters will also be shipping to stores next week.
Activision Hits the Road With Walt Disney World
Quest - Magical Racing Tour For the Nintendo Game
Boy Color
Activision, Inc. and Disney Interactive give gamers the run of Walt Disney
World Resort in Walt Disney World Quest -- Magical Racing Tour. A
four-wheeled racing romp through some of the most popular Disney theme
parks and water parks, Walt Disney World Quest -- Magical Racing Tour is
rated ``E" by the ESRB and is currently available for the Nintendo Game
Boy Color for a suggested retail price of $29.99.
``Walt Disney World Quest -- Magical Racing Tour allows children of all
ages to take the magic of Disney theme parks with them wherever they go,"
said Larry Goldberg, executive vice president, Activision Worldwide
Studios. ``With fun tracks, authentic music and humorous power-ups, the
game is sure to entertain children of all ages."
A multi-vehicle racing romp, Walt Disney World Quest -- Magical Racing Tour
takes players on a high-speed tour through 13 action-packed fantasy tracks
based on popular Walt Disney World Resort theme park attractions and water
parks such as Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rock 'n Roller
Coaster and Typhoon Lagoon. Tasked with finding all the pieces of a giant
fireworks machine, gamers play as their favorite Disney friends, including
Chip 'n Dale, Jiminy Cricket, and 11 additional characters.
Around every turn there are secret treasures, hidden tracks and speedy
power-ups to help players stay far ahead of the competition. Because every
second counts, gamers can launch a variety of fun objects at the
competition such as frog spells, teacup mines and flying acorns to spin
them out of control and gain an advantage.
989 Sports' NCAA Final Four 2001 Drives to the
Hoop With the Only College Basketball Action
Available for the Playstation2 Computer
Entertainment System
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced that NCAA Final Four
2001 from the 989 Sports development team takes to the court on December 19
as the only college hoops game available for the PlayStation2 computer
entertainment system. Utilizing the power of the PlayStation 2, gamers will
experience the most realistic game in the series to date through
intricately-detailed arenas and player models that are scaled to actual
player height, weight and body style and include such detail as tattoos and
facial animations. Gameplay that blazes at 60 frames per second provides
incredibly authentic animations that have been motion-captured from former
college stars. ESPN's Quinn Buckner play-by-play call, real college fight
songs and crowd chants, and arenas designed from actual blueprints further
capture the intensity of college basketball.
NCAA Final Four 2001 takes fans through the rigors of a full college season
with more than 300 Division I-A schools representing 31 different
conferences, from the powerhouses to the Cinderella-producers. Fight for
the league title and follow the ``Bubble Watch" feature as players track
their team's progress towards a berth in the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Each
team in NCAA Final Four 2001 runs its offense and defense similar to the
style of play of each college. Team-specific playbooks allow players to
execute trademark strategies including Florida's full court press,
Arizona's three-point offense and Temple's stifling match-up zone.
``NCAA Final Four 2001 is the only way to enjoy intense, true-to-life
college hoops on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system," said
Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. ``The 989 Sports team has utilized the PlayStation 2 system's
power to crank up the college realism through detailed players, arenas and
animations plus school-specific fight songs and chants that offer the
intensity and true spirit of Final Four tourney action."
More than 1,000 motion-captured moves including an array of dunks, shots
and steals, as well as new passes including the one-handed bounce pass, no
look pass and behind-the-back dish make NCAA Final Four 2001 look like the
real thing. Adding to the authentic experience, the game incorporates
movements from former college basketball stars such as California's Jason
Kidd.
Further complementing the features college basketball fans expect, ESPN
announcer and former Indiana star Quinn Buckner returns to call the action
with brand new commentary paired with TV-style presentation complete with
multiple camera angles and pop-up statistics. Adding to the fun is
comprehensive stat tracking for teams and individual players in 32
different categories plus awards including first and second team
All-American, National Player of the Year and Conference Player of the
Year. All new Artificial Intelligence results in the most advanced computer
opponents ever implemented into a college basketball game, while an
improved Touch Shooting Meter(TM) gives players more control of shot
accuracy.
NCAA Final Four 2001 for the PlayStation 2 Key Features:
-- Only college basketball game compatible with the new PlayStation 2
computer entertainment system
-- All-new 3D player models scaled to actual height, weight and body style
and even include such minutiae as tattoos, t-shirts under jerseys and
facial animations during games
-- More than 300 Division I-A teams from 31 different conferences
-- College arenas designed to mirror their real-life counterparts
-- Play-by-play commentary by ESPN college basketball announcer Quinn
Buckner
-- Real college atmosphere with animated crowds, cheerleaders, chants and
fight songs
-- The "Touch Shooting Meter" provides 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
-- More than 1,000 motion capture moves by former college standouts (and
current NBA pros) along with 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 while
inbounding the ball (when legal)
-- Authentic college-specific playbooks
-- "Bubble Watch" feature gives the gamer updates on team performance
during the season-long run to the NCAA Tournament
-- Icon Passing(TM), Icon Cutting and Icon Switching returns to
give the gamer ultimate control of his players on both offense and
defense
-- Features all Division I-A conferences including such favorites as the
Pac-10, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big East, SEC, Big Ten, Big Sky, Big West,
Ivy League, Conference USA, Missouri Valley, MAAC, Northeast, Southern,
Sun Belt, TransAmerica, WAC, West Coast, Mid Continent and Mid-American
-- Awards -- first and second team All-Americans, National Player of the
Year and Conference Player of the Year
-- Four game modes: Tournament, Exhibition, Season and Arcade
-- Four gameplay settings -- Freshman through Senior
-- Supports the DUALSHOCK 2 analog controller for ultra-realistic
experience
-- Up to eight players can play with Multi Tap (for PlayStation2)
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NCAA Final
Four 2001 ``E" for ``Everyone."
Sierra Delivers New Hoyle Card Game
Excitement and Portable Pinball Thrills
Sierra On-Line, Inc. announced that Hoyle Card Games and 3-D Ultra Pinball:
Thrill Ride are now available for Nintendo Game Boy Color and headed for
store shelves just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. Hoyle Card
Games and Thrill Ride are excellent holiday choices for handheld
enthusiasts, frequent travelers or anyone looking for a new game for the
Game Boy Color system.
``With more than 11 million Game Boy Color handheld systems sold in the
U.S., the market place for new games for the whole family is growing
tremendously," said Steve Van Horn, senior vice president and business
unit manager for Sierra. ``The popularity of both pinball and card games
make Hoyle Card Games and Thrill Ride great additions to our Game Boy
product offering by bringing new 'family favorite' games onto additional
entertainment platforms."
Hoyle Card Games Game Boy Color Feature Overview
Hoyle Card Games for Game Boy Color, the latest product in the best-selling
Hoyle® game series, gives players endless hours of fun at their fingertips
with favorite card game variations from Hoyle, the card game experts. The
game features:
-- Fourteen challenging games including Crazy 8's, Cribbage, Gin Rummy, Go
Fish, Hearts, Old Maid, Spades, War and six variations of Solitaire
including Free Cell, Golf, Klondike and Pyramid.
-- Endless replay and quality graphics.
-- Fourteen Hoyle characters to play against.
-- Multiplayer capabilities for two people on a single unit, or
head-to-head using a Game Boy Game Link cable.
-- Perfect entertainment for business and leisure travel.
-- Authentic Hoyle rules with game hints and tips.
-- Easy-to-use interface and adjustable skill levels from novice to the
expert gambler.
3-D Ultra Pinball: Thrill Ride Game Boy Color Feature Overview
Pinball fanatics won't have to worry about tilting this game or digging in
the couch for extra quarters to try this virtual pinball favorite, 3-D
Ultra Pinball: Thrill Ride is perfect portable pinball featuring:
-- Fourteen unique pinball tables total with amusement park themes
-- two main tables and twelve mini-events.
-- Reflex-testing multi-ball events.
-- "Nudge" or "shake" table controls.
-- "Rumble Pak" option to simulate flipper and bumper collisions.
-- Bright, colorful and challenging tables.
Available now at the MSRP of $29.95 each, Hoyle Card Games and 3-D
Ultra Pinball: Thrill Ride for Nintendo Game Boy Color can be
ordered online at www.sierra.com .
EA SPORTS Ships F1 CHAMPIONSHIP Season 2000
for the PlayStation 2
Jump into the cockpit, start your engine and get into the game with F1
CHAMPIONSHIP Season 2000, released Wednesday by Electronic Arts for the
PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. The first 2000 season Formula
One title available for the next generation console, F1 CHAMPIONSHIP Season
2000 provides the definitive Formula One racing experience.
F1 CHAMPIONSHIP Season 2000 gives the PlayStation 2 gamer their first
chance to race head-to-head in a 4-player split screen mode with the
PlayStation 2 multitap adapter, a compelling multi-player experience on a
single console. In addition, up to 22 players can race in a turn based time
trial mode representing any driver from the 2000 season grid, including
Championship winner Michael Schumacher and promising newcomer, Jenson
Button.
Taking advantage of the new technological capabilities of the PlayStation 2
console, F1 CHAMPIONSHIP Season 2000 marries high-resolution visuals,
high-speed gameplay and advanced race dynamics, involving the player in
spectacular crashes such as car flips, spins and rolls with accurately
modelled damage effects. With in-depth behind the scenes technical support
from the Orange Arrows and Benetton Formula One teams, gamers are able to
enter the world of Formula One racing with detailed realism.
``We have created the most detailed and visually stunning Formula One game
to date," said John Rostron, executive producer for F1 CHAMPIONSHIP
Season. ``Every track has been accurately recreated including individually
modeled tire walls and sponsor hoardings reflecting each race on the 2000
season. Each car has been designed by an ex-Formula One designer and is
accurate down to the smallest detail. And the damage model enables
spectacular crashes; you can even see the carbon fiber where the paint has
been rubbed away or exposed during a collision."
Adding to the realism, gamers can now experience the intense pressure of a
Formula One pit stop. Utilizing EA SPORTS advanced motion capture
technology and the body dynamics of real life Benetton pit stop mechanics,
EA was able to create a full 22 man pit stop featuring complete nose-cone
and tire changes.
Formula One fans will be fully immersed while racing with a full broadcast
presentation. The replay camera positioning on the tracks has been directed
by Formula One race director Keith McKenzie, the winner of the 1999 FIA
award for best Formula One broadcast coverage. Using the PlayStation 2
engine, players will receive genuine broadcast camera replications
including on-board camera images as well as pre-race introductions by real
life TV presenters such as ITV's Jim Rosenthal (UK), Jean-Louis Moncet
(France), Kai Ebel (Germany), and Ivan Cappelli (Italy).
F1 CHAMPIONSHIP Season 2000 is available on the PlayStation, PC and the
PlayStation 2 and is rated ``E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. The game has a
suggested retail price of $49.95 for PlayStation 2 and $39.95 for
PlayStation and PC.
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
U.S. May Up AOL Merger Ante
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly requiring
America Online (AOL) to open its instant messaging system to rivals before
giving final approval to the merger between the Internet service provider
(ISP) and media giant Time Warner.
An FCC staff recommendation would require AOL to make its instant
messaging service -- with more than 60 million users -- interoperable with
at least one other ISP's instant messaging service when using Time
Warner's cable lines, according to published sources.
The rumored requirement may revive a long-standing fight among major ISPs
over the instant messaging issue. Last year, AOL was accused of closing
access to its instant messenger service while Microsoft Corporation
attempted to propogate its Microsoft Messenger service.
Some saw approval from the FCC as a given after the US$183 billion merger
between AOL and Time Warner won the go-ahead from the U.S. Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) last week. The FCC, currently in talks with both
companies, is the mega-merger's final hurdle, although the five-member
commission could impose its own requirements prior to clearance.
As a condition of its approval, the FTC forced Time Warner to open its
cable lines to AOL competitors -- a stipulation that resulted in a deal
with EarthLink last week. AOL representatives would not comment other than
to say that the merger is on track for completion early next year.
AOL maintains a giant lead over other ISPs with its Instant Messenger
(AIM), and has come under attack for allegedly trying to keep it that way.
The company cites security concerns as the reason for its reluctance to
open the system to users of other messaging services.
However, AOL has teamed with companies such as EarthLink and MindSpring to
bring more users into its own messaging system. The instant messaging
battle reached its height in July 1999, when AOL electronically blocked
messages from users of Microsoft's Messenger.
Microsoft, now a partner in a coalition of companies offering
interoperable instant messaging, continues to call for an instant
messaging standard that would be compatible with all the major ISPs.
Instead of opening up its message service entirely, the FCC would
reportedly allow AOL the option of adopting an industry standard that
would make its system interoperable with others.
The FCC is also reportedly considering a requirement that would prevent
AOL and Time Warner from discriminating against rivals in the new
company's delivery signals and content for interactive television.
Deferring to the findings of the FTC in its approval, the FCC is not
expected to attach any requirements dealing with AOL competitors' access
to Time Warner's cable lines or shared ownership of those lines with
AT&T.
Rivals Oppose AOL Instant Messenger
Companies that compete with America Online in the growing market for
instant messaging are making last-minute pitches for conditions on the
company's merger with Time Warner. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is among
those lobbying the government.
As the Federal Communications Commission inches toward a final decision on
the $111 billion marriage of AOL and Time Warner, a deal announced almost a
year ago, rivals are stepping up efforts to extract concessions they say
would promote competition.
Companies, including ExciteAtHome, Microsoft and AT&T, are urging the
agency to require AOL to work toward making its instant messaging service
operate with their systems.
Microsoft's Gates has even made personal calls to members of the Federal
Communications Commission on the subject, according to documents made
public Tuesday.
The lobbyists want customers to be able to send real-time short messages to
each other even while using different services. That would make instant
messaging similar to how people now communicate using different e-mail
providers or make a phone call over more than one telephone network.
On Tuesday, instant messaging providers met with FCC members and staff to
press them to attach requirements to AOL's merger.
The FCC staff already has recommended an instant messaging condition to the
five commissioners. That recommendation, however, would apply more narrowly
to advanced instant messaging services offered over Time Warner's cable
lines and would require AOL only to make its system work with one other
provider, according to sources familiar with the review.
Rivals are pushing for a broader standard that would let customers of all
other providers send messages to AOL users.
The current recommendation ``falls short of the need for consumers to be
able to communicate seamlessly across platforms," said Estela Mendoza of
ExciteAtHome.
Gates emphasized similar points in phone calls to FCC Chairman William
Kennard and two other commissioners last week, the documents made public
Tuesday said.
Gates stressed that without having to satisfy conditions on the merger, AOL
will be able to further strengthen its position in the market. AOL already
boasts about 140 million registered users through its AIM and ICQ services.
Gates also noted that instant messaging is evolving into more than just a
text service. It can support audio and video teleconferencing and could be
a key feature in interactive television that allows consumers to access the
Internet through their TV sets.
Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who heads the Senate Commerce subcommittee on
communications, urged the agency in a letter Tuesday to ``prevent the
Balkanization of this new service and all its potential."
Earlier this month, AOL Chairman Steve Case met with Kennard and various
agency staff members to argue that other companies are gaining footholds
quickly in the instant messaging market. He also said any attempt to
intervene in how the service is delivered could stifle innovation and
growth, according to company filings.
Company executives have said they want to make their systems work with
other providers but first need assurances that security and privacy of
consumers will be protected.
AOL and Time Warner received antitrust approval for their deal last week.
The FCC is expected to act by year's end or early January.
States Approve Sales Tax Plan Aimed at Internet
A coalition of U.S. states voted unanimously on Friday to approve a plan to
simplify their sales tax codes, with an eye toward eventually capturing
revenue from Internet and catalog sales.
With three states not present, member states of the Streamlined Sales Tax
Project voted 26-0 to send their plan on to state legislatures in hopes
that some will pass it into law in the 2001 legislative session.
Nine other states participated as observers in the telephone
conference-call vote.
``Hopefully, this will provide what we need to get going," said Charles
Collins, a North Carolina tax administrator who co-chairs the group.
The plan calls for states to simplify their tax codes to make it easier
to collect revenues from Internet and catalog sales, which are estimated
at $600 billion and expected to grow exponentially in the next few
years.
States are currently prohibited from collecting taxes from businesses
outside their jurisdiction by a 1992 Supreme Court ruling and by Congress'
three-year moratorium on new Internet taxes, which is set to expire in
October 2001.
Many state and local authorities say this prohibition pinches public
revenues and unfairly discriminates against "bricks-and-mortar" retailers
that are subject to sales tax.
Businesses point to the maze of state and local regulations governing
sales taxes as a reason why such taxes are impractical.
The plan calls for third-party companies to determine and administer the
sales tax on each transaction in a manner similar to credit-card
companies.
The recipient's address would determine the tax jurisdiction.
Although the plan allows states some flexibility to determine what items
should be taxed, it must be passed in essentially the same form among a
number of states in order to be effective.
Between six and eight states are expected to take a look at the plan
this year, Collins said.
The plan will also be sent to the National Governors' Association and the
National Association for State Legislatures for review, but Collins said he
did not expect either group to change it significantly.
MS Unveils Embedded Whistler Beta
The company further breaks up its Windows 2000 successor and releases new
development tools to push Whistler into new markets.
Microsoft said on Monday that it has begun shipping to approximately 100
partners and customers the first beta version of its Whistler Embedded
product.
Whistler Embedded makes Whistler, Microsoft's successor to Windows 2000,
available as a set of discretely licensable modules. Whistler Embedded is
being designed to run inside devices such as advanced set-top boxes,
routers, and Windows-based terminals.
By further dividing Windows into components and offering tools targeted at
embedded systems developers, Microsoft is hoping to build market share for
Windows as the system software that runs inside devices, not just inside
PCs and servers.
Currently, Microsoft markets two of its products as embedded operating
systems: Windows NT Embedded 4.0 and Windows CE 3.0.
"We will always have these two embedded offerings," said Microsoft lead
product manager Deanne Hoppe.
She said Windows CE will continue to be targeted at smaller-footprint,
memory-constrained devices that may or may not run Intel processors, such
as Pocket PC-based devices and MSN Web Companions.
Windows NT Embedded/Whistler Embedded is aimed at Intel-based devices that
typically require the full set of Win32 application programming interfaces
and full implementation of Windows networking.
IDC analyst Al Gillen noted that Windows CE competes head-to-head with
other "hard-core" embedded operating systems, such as Wind River Systems'
VxWorks and embedded versions of Linux, more than Windows NT Embedded or
Whistler Embedded does.
"Microsoft calls this (Windows NT Embedded/Whistler Embedded) 'embedded'
because it's not designed to be configured by the end user," Gillen said.
Windows NT Embedded/Whistler Embedded are bigger and more
resource-intensive than are most embedded operating systems, he added.
Embedded versions of Windows have a host of competitors from established
companies such as Wind River and comparative newcomers advocating Linux.
Microsoft has a different financial approach from these companies, though.
Embedded operating system companies typically receive a large fraction of
revenue from the consulting and support fees required to customize the
operating system and other software for the device being designed.
Microsoft, though, charges a fixed fee for the programming tools needed to
adapt Windows to the device being built, then charges manufacturers for
each device sold, Hoppe said. This approach is the polar opposite of most
embedded Linux companies, such as Red Hat or Monta Vista Software, which
charge only for development and support costs.
For those customers who require greater support than what's available out
of the box, Microsoft relies on partners such as Bsquare and VenturCom,
Hoppe said.
It took Microsoft nearly 1 1/2 years from the time it released Windows NT
4.0 to deliver a commercial embedded NT 4.0 offering.
Because of the time lag, Microsoft decided against releasing a version of
Windows 2000 Embedded and instead jumped straight to Whistler.
With Whistler, Microsoft's stated goal is to cut to 90 days the time that
developers will need to wait for Microsoft to ship Whistler Embedded after
it ships its other Whistler releases.
Microsoft has said it plans to ship at least the desktop version of
Whistler in the latter half of 2001.
In late October the company delivered Beta 1 of Whistler, the code upon
which Whistler Embedded is based. If Microsoft delivers on time, Whistler
Embedded should debut by late 2001 or early 2002.
Along with Beta 1 of Whistler, which recipients should receive by early
January, beta testers will get two new embedded-development tools.
In addition to Target Designer and Component Designer, Embedded Whistler
testers will receive Database Manager, which allows developers to import
their custom components into the Whistler database repository; and Target
Analyzer, which allows developers to identify dependencies between the
operating system and required device drivers.
Online Free Speech Group Disables Censorware
Internet-based anti-censorship group Peacefire released a download on
Monday that disables so-called "filtering" software on PCs. These filters
are commonly used on school and library computers to block access to
certain Web sites, most often those containing pornography or hate
material.
The free program, available on the organization's Web site, is a simple
executable file that reportedly targets, then thwarts, a host of
commercial filtering applications including Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny and
SurfWatch. Users are then able to access any site they wish.
Although the download works on individual PCs, it will not operate on
computers running Linux or the Mac OS. However, Peacefire Webmaster
Bennett Haselton told news sources yesterday that his group is already
preparing the next generation of disablers, designed for computer
networks.
Haselton said that Peacefire timed the release of its anti-censorship
software to protest legislation recently passed by the U.S. Congress that
would require public schools and libraries to install filtering software
in order to receive federal funding for computers and computer
applications. President Clinton is expected to sign the bill within a
matter of days.
Several civil liberties organizations have already blasted the proposed
legislation as unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
said in a recent press release that it plans to challenge the bill on
grounds that it grossly violates the First Amendment.
Meanwhile, Haselton expects to find filter developers scrambling to design
patches to combat Peacefire's program. Haselton intends to update the
Peacefire program in response.
Filtering advocates decried Peacefire's actions as a victory for the
pornography industry, which, they say, will enable impressionable children
easy access to graphic sexual content.
Net Nanny spokesperson Nika Herford told news sources that Peacefire's
efforts only damage the group's cause.
Said Herford: "The more they do this type of stuff, the more it gives you
impetus to legislate."
Peacefire's Haselton rebutted Herford's notion, arguing that "the
government has the impetus to legislate regardless of what we do."
Peacefire calls filtering software insidious because it does more than
simply keep smut out of children's reach. According to its research,
filtering software "blacklists" other Web sites to which its designers are
possibly opposed.
Moreover, none of the software tested permits potential purchasers the
ability to see which Web sites are being blocked without going through an
arduous trial and error process.
Peacefire contains a partial list of Web sites censored by filtering
software. For example, Cyber Patrol blocks users from viewing both the
Stop AIDS Project Web site and Nizkor.org, a site devoted to Holocaust
research.
A Web site devoted to the works of St. Augustine has erroneously been
blocked by many filtering programs because of the frequent recurrence of a
Latin word that is extensively used out of context on porn sites.
Even Time magazine has found itself a target of a filtering program. In
1997, soon after the magazine published an article indicating that
filtering software CyberSitter had a "propensity to block sites like the
National Organization for Women and newsgroups devoted to discussions of
gay politics," a research librarian discovered that CyberSitter would not
allow her to read Time's article online.
A Time correspondent wrote: "We're left with a queasy feeling: censorware
filters out not only smut, but also discussions about how effective the
[anti-smut] programs are."
Battle Heats Up Over Dot-Biz Web Address
An independent Internet company has asked the U.S. government to resolve a
dispute over who has the rights to license the ``.biz" suffix on Internet
addresses.
The Atlantic Root Network Inc., a Virginia Beach, Va.-based Internet
registry, filed a motion with the Commerce Department Monday alleging that
the Internet's governing body overstepped its authority when it approved
the .biz suffix for use last month.
Atlantic Root said in its motion that the Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers (ICANN) has no right to award the .biz registry to
another company because Atlantic Root has been licensing .biz addresses
since May of this year.
ICANN officials were not available for comment.
ICANN's board of directors approved seven new domain names when it met in
California last month. Existing domains such as .com, .net, and .org will
be joined by the likes of .coop, .museum and .biz. sometime next year.
Control of the .biz domain was awarded to JVTeam, a joint venture between
Washington networking company NeuStar Inc. and Melbourne IT, an Australian
domain registry.
Under an alternative
addressing system, Atlantic Root has licensed 1,200
.biz addresses since last spring, addresses that could be duplicated when
the ICANN-approved domains become available in February 2001.
``It will fracture the Internet, and it's already causing chaos," Atlantic
Root President Leah Gallegos told Reuters on Thursday.
Gallegos said one domain, hotsex.biz, has already been offered up for
auction on eBay even though another hotsex.biz is registered with Atlantic
Root.
Atlantic Root acquired its rights to register .biz names from the Open Root
Server Confederation, a group that espouses a more egalitarian approach to
domain names and has approved many more domains for its alternative
addressing system than ICANN currently allows.
But most computers cannot view .biz addresses without modifying settings on
their computers or at their Internet service provider.
Some members of the confederation, including Gallegos, say that ICANN
represents the interests of big business and government at the expense of
independent operators.
``It's a power grab," Gallegos said. ``ICANN wants to control the
Internet."
ICANN has recognized other domains that exist outside of its addressing
system. At its meeting last month, ICANN board members decided not to
approve the domain .web for use because it was already administered by
another company.
ICANN officials were not available for comment.
Kriz Virus Makes Return Appearance
'Tis the season for nasty viruses. This one trashes PCs on Dec. 25 and
spreads by piggy-backing on other viruses.
Kriz, a year-old computer virus, may be coming back for Christmas this
year, thanks to its ability to piggyback on other viruses and spread with
them.
The Kriz virus, also known as the W32.Kriz, is based on the CIH virus,
which damaged computers worldwide when it was triggered on April 26, 1998.
Anti-virus software maker Symantec on Tuesday warned users to scan their
computers before Christmas and released a free tool to scan for the virus
and remove it.
"Worms by their nature propagate pretty quickly," said Marian Merritt,
group product manager for Symantec. "And when they get on a computer with
Kris, they start spreading that."
Symantec and other anti-virus software already scan for the virus in their
stand-alone programs.
The Kriz virus spreads to a computer when the user opens up an infected
file, changing the basic program that runs the operating system, known as
the kernel. The virus also infects other programs on the computer's hard
drive and any mapped drives, leaving open the possibility that the virus
could travel across company networks.
"Remember," said Symantec's Merritt. "It may have spread itself to all
your executables, but you are only a carrier of the virus. The real
payload hits on December 25."
When the virus triggers, it overwrites all files on the computer and then
attempts to erase the software foundation of the PC, known as the basic
input-output system, or BIOS. While the BIOS attack only occasionally
works, the other attacks can be extremely destructive.
Symantec-rival Trend Micro Inc. believes the virus would not spread very
far, but warns that its ability to combine with other viruses could change
that.
Both Trend and Symantec reported that the virus has infected two other
worms: Happy99.worm -- also known as W32.Ska -- and W32.hllw.bymer.worm.
"Kriz is a destructive virus, but a really slow infector," said Joe
Hartmann, anti-virus researcher for Trend. "Yet, it's now infected a
mass-mailer, so now you have a destructive virus that's also a mass
mailer." In the past 24 hours, Kriz ranked No. 8 on Trend's Worldwide
Virus Tracking Center in terms of how many files the virus had infected.
The tracking center is a real-time database of the types of viruses found
by the Trend's online House Call scanner.
In North America, the virus ranked No. 6 for file infected. Despite that,
the virus has not spread very widely yet, and is known to have infected
about 50 computers in the last 24 hours. Because the tracking center only
tracks viruses that have infected users of Trend's online service, the
actual number could be much greater.
The Kriz virus is essentially a copy of the CIH virus, which was created
in 1997 by Cheng Ing-Hau of Taiwan. CIH fizzled in its first year, and a
variant that struck every month died out quickly. However, the annual
variant did significantly more damage when it was triggered in April 1998.
=~=~=~=
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