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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 02 Issue 38
Volume 2, Issue 38 Atari Online News, Etc. September 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
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:
Rob Mahlert
Kevin Savetz
Donald A. Thomas, Jr.
To subscribe to A-ONE, send a message to: dpj@delphi.com
and your address will be added to the distribution list.
To unsubscribe from A-ONE, send the following: Unsubscribe A-ONE
Please make sure that you include the same address that you used to
subscribe from.
To download A-ONE, set your browser bookmarks to one of the
following sites:
http://people.delphi.com/dpj/a-one.htm
http://www.icwhen.com/aone/
http://a1mag.atari.org
Coming Soon:
http://a1mag.b-squared.net
Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=atari
=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0238 09/22/00
~ Complete Antic Library ~ People Are Talking! ~ FalcAMP Upgrade!
~ Qualcomm Laptop Gone! ~ Atari AUN Auctions! ~ Rebellious Nullsoft!
~ King Book Honesty Drops~ The New (ME) Millenium ~ STemBoy For Atari!
~ Unconventional 2000! ~ PlayStation2 Games! ~ Pentium 4 Next Month!
-* Germany Won't Tax Internet! *-
-* AOL Refutes Instant Messaging Rivals *-
-* Web Privacy Tools Detailed in Senate Guide *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
For a change, life at work this past week hasn't been too "painful" to
handle. While the news wasn't the best (healthcare premiums skyrocketed,
budget is still a major issue, etc.), the stress levels were actually low
for a change. Well, there's always next week!
Summer is officially over and I turned 49, both in the same week! My wife
and I closed the pool last weekend; it seemed like yesterday that we opened
it! Would you believe that neither of us used it this year?! It did get
some limited use by friends, but we just never seemed to get a good
opportunity for a relaxing swim. Next year should be better. Turning 49, I
guess I'm on the brink of officially being old! <grin> And I remember when
turning 30 was considered old! I can't believe that this is my 25th college
reunion; or that Woodstock was over 30 years ago! Sheesh...
Well, let me hobble over to my rocking chair, contemplate the summer that we
seemed to have missed, and figure out where all the years went!
Until next time...
=~=~=~=
Complete Antic Magazine library Now on the Web
The Digital Antic Project (http://www.atarimagazines.com) is proud to
announce that the full text of every issue of Antic Magazine is now
available on the Web. Devoted to the Atari 8-bit and ST computers, Antic
magazine published 88 issues from April 1982 through July 1990.
This site launched with two issues on July 27, 1996. More than four
years later, the project's volunteers uploaded the final issue. The site
includes 1,700 articles, 2,400 images, and 1,600 downloadable program
files, using more than 100 MB of disk space. More than 30 volunteers
have contributed time to the project.
Although the Digital Antic Project has reached an important milestone,
the effort is far from over. The volunteers have already begun
digitizing two more magazines published by Antic Publishing: STart,
which focuses on Atari ST computers; and Antic Amiga Plus, which focuses
on the Amiga platform. (People interested in donating time or magazines
to the cause are encouraged to send e-mail to savetz@northcoast.com.)
--Kevin Savetz
Curator of the Digital Antic Project
FalcAMP Upgrade & CAST Plugin
StGhost and Splash of Sector One has made a new major upgrade
to FalcAMP. It can now stream mpeg-music from internet and play
it in real time.
Works with any Falcon030, stock or with accelerator cards.
(CT1,CT2,Nemesis and AB040 all tested and known to work).
Also supports optional external audio clock. Requires a STiK
compatible TCP/IP stack for internet radio use. (STiK/STiNG,GlueSTiK)
http://deunstg.free.fr/sct1/falcamp/
Atari Auctions on Atari-Users.Net
The Auction area on Atari-Users.Net is now Re-Opened!!
Now you can include an image of the auction item.
Rob@atari-users.net
http://www.atari-users.net
--
Atari-Users Network
Atari Chat, Forums, Links, Webring, Classifieds and Auction.
http://www.atari-users.net
New Gameboy Emulator for ST
Bodo Wenzel announced on the ATOS site the release of his program
STemBoy, a Game Boy emulator for the ST. It's an open source GPL
project.
http://apollo.spaceports.com/~bodo4all/atari/stemboy.htm
Unconventional Downloads
The 8-bit software/demos released of the Unconventional 2000 show
are available for download, as well as photos of the event.
http://unconventional.atari.org
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
For the first time since A-ONE began publishing, there will be no "People
Are Talking" column this week. Joe was finally "cornered" with his mouth
open and not able to utter a word. Some major root canal work has left our
Atari newsgroup columnist in no mood to listen to people talking! <grin>
Stay tuned next week when I'm sure Joe will relate his agonizing experience!
=~=~=~=
->In This Week's Gaming Section - PlayStation2 Games! 'Orphen'!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 'Sky Odyssey'! 'Tony Hawk'!
ESPN MLS Game Night!
And much more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Orphen: Scion of Sorcery to Launch
Simultaneously With the PlayStation2
Activision, Inc. announced that Orphen: Scion of Sorcery will launch on
October 26, 2000, day-and-date with the new PlayStation2 computer
entertainment system. The DVD-based game is being developed exclusively for
the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and will take full
advantage of the system's technological and graphical advancements to
deliver crisper, cleaner graphics and a more immersive gameplay experience.
Orphen: Scion of Sorcery will be one of the first action role-playing games
available at the launch of the new hardware system and has been rated ``T"
(Mild Animated Violence -- ``Teen" -- content suitable for persons ages 13
and older) by the ESRB.
Based on a popular Japanese anime television series, Orphen: Scion of
Sorcery is set on the mystical Chaos Island and challenges players to
escape by unraveling the island's many mysteries. As they embark on their
quest, players assume the main role of Orphen and along the way will be
able to play five additional characters and three different storylines each
with unique challenges.
``Activision is firmly committed to maintaining its console market share by
having two titles tied closely to the launch of the PlayStation 2 computer
entertainment system -- Orphen: Scion of Sorcery and Sky Odyssey," states
Ron Doornink, President and COO, Activision, Inc. ``Orphen: Scion of
Sorcery's rich story driven gameplay and breathtaking graphics set the
stage for the game to be a stand out action role-playing game for the
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system."
Developed by Shade, Inc. and produced by Kadokawa Shoten and ESP, Orphen:
Scion of Sorcery immerses players in a fantastical story in which they must
run, climb and jump through a variety of beautiful environments including
underground caverns, giant castles, and dark forests. As they travel
through the game, players will encounter 30 different stunningly detailed
monsters and nine bosses, each with their own unique attacks and strengths
and weaknesses. The action-packed gameplay is laced with hundreds of
puzzles and secrets that challenge players to utilize over 30 spells and
weapons. Additionally, beautiful anime movies further enhance the game's
compelling storyline.
Activision Announces Sky Odyssey as Second Title
for PlayStation2 Computer Entertainment System
Activision, Inc. announced that it has acquired the North American
publishing rights for Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc.'s action-adventure
flying game, Sky Odyssey for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment
system. Sky Odyssey, which will launch with the first wave of titles for
the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, joins Orphen: Scion of
Sorcery as one of Activision's premier titles for the new platform.
Utilizing the technological advances of the PlayStation 2 computer
entertainment system to deliver sharp detail, accurate physics and deep
horizons, Sky Odyssey places gamers in spectacular aircraft from the past
and present. Easy to learn but difficult to master, the game challenges
players to complete a variety of action-packed missions that include such
feats as refueling while atop a speeding train to landing on
aircraft-carriers on the open seas.
``We are proud to continue our association with Sony Computer
Entertainment, Inc. with Sky Odyssey. The title will be one of the handful
of games available for new PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system
during the holiday season," said, Ron Doornink, president and COO,
Activision, Inc. ``Sky Odyssey takes full advantage of the hardware's
advanced technological and graphics capabilities, and is the only true
flight game for the new platform."
Sky Odyssey allows players to soar into the wild blue yonder, braving
ever-changing weather conditions as they earn their pilot's wings. As they
undertake over 40 diverse and challenging missions, players must master and
complete such varied objectives as flying through underground caverns and
into a mine pit, rescuing a wayward hot air balloon and flying through
waterfalls. As they complete the missions, gamers will be retrieving
missing pieces to an ancient map; the completed map will lead to the game's
final destination. As they fly across massive detailed 3D maps, from
tropical islands to perilous mountain peaks, players will take the controls
of more than 10 different types of aircraft, including several hidden ones.
Each of the aircraft, from the Sword Fish Mk. I Biplane to the stealth jet
and the F4U Corsair, has it's own distinct handling. The game rewards
players for increasing their flying skills by allowing them to win
performance-enhancing upgrades and fully customize their aircraft's
appearance and flight dynamics.
Adding to Sky Odyssey's replay value are five different gameplay modes --
Adventure Mode, Free Flight, Sky Canvas, Target Mode and Training Mode --
that allow virtual pilots to perfect their navigational skills. In Sky
Canvas Mode, players use a smoke generator to draw pictures in the sky,
while in Target Mode they practice their accuracy by flying through targets
suspended in the air.
THQ Ships 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' for Game Boy Color
THQ Inc. announced the release of ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for Game
Boy Color. Licensed by FOX Interactive and developed by GameBrains the game
is based on the television phenomenon, ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and is
now available at major retail outlets nationwide.
``'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' has continued in its popularity on the WB
network year after year; with over 4 million viewers a week, it ranks No. 3
among all other WB shows," said Germaine Gioia, vice president, licensing,
THQ. ``We're excited to bring the same pulse-pounding action to 'Buffy the
Vampire Slayer' fans of all ages onto the Game Boy Color."
``Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for Game Boy Color allows players to explore
eight familiar environments from the show including the Old Mansion, the
Sunnydale Zoo and the Cemetery. As Buffy, players fight demons and destroy
vampires. The game also features story sequences that allow the player to
interact with characters from the show's cast including Willow, Xander,
Anya, Giles, Cordelia and Angel.
Additionally, Fox Interactive has previously announced that they are
publishing a ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer" game for the PlayStation,
Dreamcast and PC gaming platforms. Developed by Southern California-based
The Collective, the ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer" games will be available in
Spring 2001.
Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater2 Rides
Onto Store Shelves on September 20, 2000
The ultimate skateboarding game is back -- bigger and better than before --
with the release of Activision, Inc.'s Tony Hawk's Pro Skater2 for the
PlayStation game console. The sequel to last year's blockbuster console
title, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, the game resets it's own standard with its
innovative gameplay. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 will be available at retail
stores nationwide beginning September 20, 2000 and has been rated ``T"
(Mild Animated Violence and Mild Language -- ``Teen" -- content
suitable for persons ages 13 and older) by the ESRB.
Additionally, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater has been selected for inclusion in
Sony Computer Entertainment America's ``Greatest Hits" series, which
features the best-selling PlayStation game console titles ever. As part of
the series, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater will be repackaged with the ``Greatest
Hits" green stripe and will carry a suggested retail price of $19.99. The
``Greatest Hits" title is slated to hit retail shelves in North America
beginning the week of September 18, 2000.
``Activision established itself as a leader in the action-sports category
with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. To date, we have shipped more than two million
copies of the game worldwide, and expect that the game's popularity will
continue to grow as part of the 'Greatest Hits' series. Tony Hawk's Pro
Skater has remained on NPD's TRSTS top-10 best-seller list since it's debut
last October," stated Dave Stohl, executive producer, Activision Studios.
Stohl added, ``The release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 reaffirms
Activision's commitment to creating high-quality, cutting-edge
action-sports games. Not only does Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 expand on all
the ground-breaking features of the original, the game clearly sets a new
benchmark for the action-sports genre."
Developed by Neversoft Entertainment, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, allows
players to skate with the skills of Tony Hawk, the most legendary pro of
all time, or as one of a ``dream team" of 12 pros including Bob Burnquist,
Steve Caballero, Kareem Campbell, Rune Glifberg, Eric Koston, Bucky Lasek,
Rodney Mullen, Chad Muska, Andrew Reynolds, Geoff Rowley, Elissa Steamer
and Jamie Thomas.
Featuring a comprehensive roster of pro skaters, an intuitive control
scheme, an innovative skatepark editor, total character customization and
enhanced skating physics, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 delivers the most
authentic and cutting-edge skateboarding experience of all time. The game's
increased number of tricks and combinations -- including manuals, new
grabs, grinds, inverts and lip and nollie tricks -- challenges players to
master new skills as they work their way up the skateboarding ranks.
Adding depth and replayability to the game is the most advanced skatepark
editor ever attempted in a video game. The real-time 3D editor allows
gamers to build their own dream parks from scratch. Players can see exactly
how their park will look in the game as they plot out a course using a
variety of parts -- ramps, rails, obstacles and quarterpipes. Once a level
is laid out, it can be saved to a memory card and shared with friends.
Additionally, a total character customization feature allows gamers to
modify the pro skaters' clothing and trick sets, or build an entirely new
character from scratch.
Players can ollie and grind in a variety of international real world
settings, including skateparks and locations in New York, Marseille, and
Philadelphia. Each environment is littered with secret areas, short cuts,
ramps and interactive objects allowing players to trick off of just about
everything in sight.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2's offers a variety of multi-player modes via
two-player split-screen including a brutal tag mode, trick attack,
graffiti, HORSE and two player free skate. A replay mode allows players to
view highlights of each run. Additionally, the game contains the first
playable demo of Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX the most cutting edge and freestyle
BMX gaming experience.
Activision Signs New Road Champs BXS Stunt
Biking Title for Game Boy Color
The #1 miniature selling die-cast toy bike series, Road Champs BXS, is set
to ride onto the Nintendo Game Boy Color when Activision, Inc. releases
Road Champs BXS Stunt Biking this holiday season. Gamers and trick-stick
bike riders will experience the most vigorous freestyle BMX game ever for
the Game Boy Color. Road Champs BXS Stunt Biking has been rated ``E"
(Everyone - content suitable for persons ages six and older) by the ESRB.
Developed by HotGen Studios, the game features an unprecedented 64 levels
of stunt biking action and challenges players to test their high-flying
skills on 27 different courses. Players select from eight BXS riders and
pull off over 50 unique tricks from the four disciplines of freestyle BMX
-- flatland, street, vert, and dirt. Road Champs BXS Stunt Biking also
features four different modes of play including career, which lets players
move up through the ranks, from amateur to pro as they attempt to win the
ultimate title -- BXS Champion. Other single-player modes include single
run, training and tournament.
``We are excited to bring the #1 BMX toy license to the Game Boy Color
platform," says Michael Pole, executive vice president, Activision
Worldwide Studios. ``Road Champs BXS trick-stick bikes from JAKKS Pacific
have been top sellers since the franchise launched last holiday season. The
strength of the license coupled with the exceptional talent of HotGen
Studios will allow us to deliver the ultimate Game Boy Color BMX stunt
biking game."
``Activision and HotGen Studios are the perfect partners to launch the
licensing program for our Road Champs BXS line," remarked Stephen Berman,
president and COO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. ``Activision's worldwide marketing
power, together with the extraordinary video gaming expertise from HotGen,
will drive the Road Champs BXS Stunt Biking Game Boy Color game at
retail."
``It has been wonderful working with JAKKS Pacific and Activision," said
Fergus McGovern, CEO of HotGen Studios. ``Together we are building a great
gaming experience based around the BXS brand. We look forward to future
games with this property."
Interplay Announces Wild Wild Racing for PlayStation2
Interplay Entertainment Corp. announced plans to release Wild Wild Racing,
one of the most exciting racing titles available for next generation
systems. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment
system, Wild Wild Racing allows players to compete in all-terrain vehicle
races in various countries around the globe. Developed by Rage Software,
Wild Wild Racing will be available for the North American
PlayStation 2 launch in late October.
``We are very excited to have Wild Wild Racing shipping during the
PlayStation 2 launch window," said Brian Fargo, CEO of Interplay
Entertainment. ``Wild Wild Racing takes advantage of the advanced
capabilities of the PlayStation 2 and furthers our commitment to develop
and publish great console product."
Wild Wild Racing will feature five race locations: USA, India, Iceland,
Mexico and Australia and utilizes the advanced PlayStation 2 graphic
technology which allows for varied weather conditions, as well as, day and
evening racing. Players will ``strap into" one of nine specially designed
off-road vehicles, with multiple upgrades and a total of 22 different
handling models. PlayStation 2 owners will scramble up steep mountain
passes, ``kick up dust" in hot desert sands, while experiencing one of the
most exciting off road games ever produced.
In addition to the main off-road race circuit, Wild Wild Racing includes a
series of special challenge features that allow the player to upgrade and
access new vehicles. The game also features exhibition races and time trial
modes, along with exciting new challenge modes including ``Quest,"
``Skill" and the highflying ``Stunt" mode which is the ultimate test as
players launch into death-defying maneuvers.
Interplay Entertainment currently is developing a number of exciting new
PlayStation 2 products including MDK2: Armageddeon shipping this Winter,
and Run Like Hell shipping next summer.
For more information on Wild Wild Racing, please visit the official website
at www.interplay.com/wwr.
3DO Ships Army Men: World War Land, Sea, Air
for the PlayStation Game Console
The 3DO Company announced that it has begun shipping the Army Men: World
War - Land, Sea, Air game for the PlayStation game console to retail
outlets throughout North America and online shopping sites. A brand new
triple threat set in the war-torn plastic world of the best-selling Army
Men(r) series, the Army Men: World War - Land, Sea, Air game takes the
ongoing battle to new fronts.
Previously fought on solo fronts, the Green Army's battle for survival now
takes on heroic proportions as players fight for freedom on the ground, vie
for superiority in the skies, and initiate devastating naval strikes
against the enemy in this all-new comprehensive conflict. Havoc reigns on a
global scale, as the Tan Army mobilizes its forces for an all out assault
on friendly territory. Brave Green grunts must man the trenches in the face
of overwhelming odds to defend their country and honor through 3 campaigns
set in the most remote parts of the planet, including steaming jungles,
hostile waters, and desolate mountain passes.
Drastic times call for drastic measures, requiring recruits to redirect
their energy into the use of unstoppable new vehicles such as the bomber,
assault raft and battle carrier, which come loaded down with an virtually
endless stockpile of never before seen special weaponry. Totally realistic
AI now powers enemy forces, so prepare to give that gray matter a workout;
it'll take much more than a souped-up arsenal to lay hyper-intelligent
opponents low. Plus one to two players will go gonzo for the enhanced
multiplayer mode, which includes support for capture the flag games that
feature multiple computer controlled enemy units.
``Real world generals deserve to see the big picture in times of war, not
just the individual conflicts upon which the history books are written,"
said Trip Hawkins, chairman and CEO of The 3DO Company. ``With the Army
Men: World War series and Land, Sea, Air in particular, we're expanding the
scope of players horizons -- not just onto a global scale, but into the
heavens, beneath the depths of the sea, and beyond as well."
ESPN The Games Scores a Goooaaaalllll With First
Title for PlayStation ESPN MLS Game Night
ESPN The Games kicks away the competition with the release of ESPN MLS Game
Night, the first ESPN the games title for PlayStation. Utilizing the
highly-acclaimed soccer game engine and integrating the wit and insight of
the Worldwide Leader In Sports, ESPN MLS Game Night allows players to use
their favorite MLS star or customize their own player to pass, shoot, and
score their way to MLS glory. Endorsed by Colombian sensation Carlos
Valderamma of the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the game boasts a bi-lingual feature
that offers play-by-play, in-text game, and menus in both English and
Spanish. Capturing all the spirit and excitement of the world's most
popular sport, ESPN MLS Game Night shoots into stores September 20th with a
suggested retail price of $39.99.
GAME FEATURES
ESPN MLS Game Night is the first to include complete and updated rosters
and stats for all 12 MLS teams, as well as 53 International teams. While
competing in MLS or International style play, gamers are treated to
authentic ESPN graphics and statistical information along with play-by-play
commentary by ESPN announcer Bob Ley, and the distinct voice of Louis
``Gooooaaaalllll" Tapia. Other features of the game include:
* Award- Winning Game Engine
* New Create-a-Player Customization
* Innovative Game Play Options
* Unprecedented Team Management
* Bi-lingual for Spanish-speaking fans
Acclaim Brings Sega Enterprises' Smash Arcade
Game F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa Home
Acclaim Entertainment announced that the company has distributed the Sega
Dreamcast version of the highly-praised arcade racing simulation F355
Challenge: Passione Rossa to stores. The game features online components in
addition to the popular racing modes of the original. Acclaim currently
holds distribution rights for F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa in North
America and Europe.
``Acclaim is pleased to have partnered with Sega to distribute this
impressive racing simulation," said Evan Stein, Brand Director of Acclaim
Entertainment. ``F355 Challenge has set a new benchmark for racing games,
providing gamers with the true-to-life thrills of driving a Ferrari."
F355 Challenge is a highly realistic racing simulation featuring the F355
Challenge racing car. The game boasts extraordinarily smooth graphics,
gorgeous circuit visuals and unprecedented car control. The game contains
six circuits, all of which are accurately modeled, including stadiums with
detailed graphics. F355 Challenge incorporates an in-depth training mode
featuring an auto-braking system and voice and visual guidance. After the
race is complete, players are given the data on their racing line, time,
RPM, speed and gear selection.
F355 Challenge's Internet capabilities allows gamers to download
competitors' race times via an Internet service provider. The races are
accurately represented through the use of ``ghost cars." Anyone can log on
to race, and up to 16 players can compete in the same race where the top
eight scorers advance. Gamers can store and maintain their network ranking
scores in the Driving Data mode. Top ranking scores can also be uploaded to
a server. Gamers can also compete in split-screen races by engaging in the
Versus Play mode.
Replicating the thrills of its beloved arcade counterpart, F355 Challenge
boasts several modes for single-player racing enjoyment, including: Arcade,
a checkpoint style race similar to the original arcade version of F355
Challenge; Championship, where gamers compete for the combined highest
score; and finally, Single Play, another arcade-style mode where the gamer
is not restrained by time limits. The result is a game which attempts to
bring gamers closer than ever before to experiencing the real thrill of
F355 Challenge racing.
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE Guest Column! - Microsoft "Sucker"?!
The New (MS) Millennium
By Donald A. Thomas, Jr. (c)2000
(http://www.icwhen.com)
Those who label me as a sucker are too frequently correct with their
assertion. In spite of a lack of assumed fanfare, Microsoft launched Windows
Millennium last week. Yes, those two statements go together like O.J.'s
infamous courtroom glove test. I enthusiastically bought Windows ME and
installed it on my home computer. Bottom line: I've earned my sucker badge
all over again.
Other than annoying system crashes I am not able to readily defend my urge
to own the latest version of Microsoft's OS. As far as the crashes go, I
always solve old problems while creating new ones. Of course I saved some
money by buying the "promotional upgrade", but even that offer stung me
quite a bit. You see, the upgrade is valid only for users of Windows '95 or
Windows '98. The key here is that it doesn't matter that you legitimately
own these products; you have to be using them.
Several years ago, I found that my system needed a lot of upgrades to catch
up to the times. So, I humbled myself, beseeched my wife to loosen the
family purse strings and bought a new IBM Aptiva from Costco. (Yes, I know.
The Aptiva was another act of a true suckerism.) At the time, it was
exciting. I was up-to-date again with a Pentium II, generous RAM, sizable
hard drive, nifty sound and I/O features like USB. But it wasn't long that I
discovered that upgrading a video card to a motherboard equipped with a
built-in video card and a CD-ROM to a machine that didn't even have the
right bay doors for it was more than a nuisance. Eventually, I replaced the
motherboard and the case. Now, only the primary hard drive is from the
original Aptiva machine.
Then, with an impressive marketing splash, Microsoft launches Windows 2000.
This promises to be the most impressive OS of all time. Rock solid. It never
crashes. Well, word is that the proverbial "blue screen of death" (BSOD) has
died. This OS, based on the NT architecture is so good, it is only
recommended for professionals and businesses. I'm a professional. Wow. I've
got to get that!
Installing Windows 2000 forced me to grow up a lot. Many of my games were
shelved and I had to wait months before peripheral suppliers such as Lexmark
realized that a lot of Windows 2000 users wanted to connect their economical
Z11. I learned a lot about drivers. I learned a lot about how companies
support users of a "business-based" OS. I learned how Windows 2000 liked to
set me up as multiple users. But, eventually and after about three complete
installs, I flushed my system of residual Windows '98 problems and was
up-to-date with a product named after the year I was actually living in.
For the record, Windows 2000 does crash... BSOD and all. A lot. Mind you, I
do run a lot of applications that are graphics intensive, but supposedly the
system is designed to handle it and it usually does. Usually.
Along comes Thursday, September 14, 2000. Windows Millennium hits store
shelves. I own Windows '98 Second Edition through upgrades off my original
installation of Windows '98 from my Aptiva. I qualify for an upgrade saving
about $50. Right?
My first disappointment is that Windows 2000 talked me into reformatting my
C: drive in an NTFS format instead of a FAT 32. Without regard to what those
terms may really mean, I knew I had to format my primary drive back to Fat
32. To accomplish that, I entered the BIOS set-up screen at boot-up and set
the machine to boot first from CD-ROM. I then used my Windows 2000 disc to
completely reinstall Windows 2000 using its hard drive set-up function to
reconfigure the drive in the desired FAT32 format.
Now, mind you that Windows 2000 is Microsoft's most recent OS release and
without regard to differences in intended target market, it seems really
strange that Microsoft's most active customers cannot upgrade directly from
one OS to another. That means I must now install Windows '98 so that Windows
Millennium will qualify me for the upgrade during the install process.
Installing Windows '98 is a hassle, but it's mostly just a matter of eating
up time. Right? Wrong.
The Aptiva I own(ed) does not supply a Microsoft Windows '98 installation
disc, it supplies a system "Recovery Disc" with a licensed copy of Windows
'98 integrated into it. Remember that the original Aptiva does not exist in
its original form. I upgraded the motherboard. That understandably means
that IBM will not support me any longer, but does that mean I lose my rights
to the copy of Windows '98 that I legitimately own? Apparently yes because
the Recovery Disc can tell that I am not using the original motherboard. It
refused to install. IBM doesn't care. Microsoft doesn't either.
So, in a home where we own more than one computer, finding a Windows '98
installation disc is not impossible. But it is odd that I we own all these
Microsoft products and upgrades and I am being forced into a needlessly time
consuming upgrade. I install my wife's copy of Window's '98 on my machine
and endure the entire installation procedure all over again. Read, write.
Read, write, reboot. Read Write. Ahh, how I often long for an OS-built into
RAM like my beloved 32-bit Atari home computers.
It took about 12 plus man-hours to upgrade to Windows Millennium. I didn't
experience any system crashes until CompuServe's software refused to
cooperate. Everything else loaded fine.
Now that it's all said and done, I'm looking for all the new features I
have. The package seems no different than my original Windows '98
installation after it was updated by Microsoft's free downloads and updates.
I did notice that the machine shuts itself off again when it is supposed to.
For some reason I had to do that manually in Windows 2000. I also regained
my dialer icon in the system tray that was lost during a recent Windows 2000
crash recovery. Other than that, I feel that I paid $50 for an unknown set
of Windows '98 internal upgrades. I suspect mostly to fix original system
bugs more than anything else.
The kitchen toaster still works... It has yet to show signs of needing an
upgrade of any kind. I suspect if they offered one, I'd be a sucker and buy
it.
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Web Privacy Tools Detailed in Senate Guide
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch on Wednesday touted
``identity scrubbers," self-destructing e-mail and other online privacy
protection tools as an alternative to stepped-up policing of the Web.
Releasing a consumer guide to state-of-the-art ways to curb personal data
giveaways, the Utah Republican said protecting online privacy was a ``very
hot issue and it's going to get hotter."
``We've got to find a way to live with it -- and that ain't easy," he
said, referring to the lack of consensus in Congress over updating privacy
laws for the digital age.
The 31-page handbook, ``Know the Rules, Use the Tools," says many
consumers have the mistaken impression that their conduct on the Internet
is anonymous.
In fact, the vast majority of Web sites collect ``personally identifiable
information" from visitors, notably by placing electronic tags called
``cookies" on their hard drive, the booklet pointed out.
``Cookies" may store names, credit card numbers, e-mail addresses,
shopping preferences and more based on technology that tracks Web surfing.
Companies use such data for targeted marketing, customizing sites and
gathering data for resale.
Once a ``cookie" is in place, the user's Internet browsing software checks
each time a site is visited to see if relevant data has been stored on the
computer's hard drive, speeding up the page downloads and tailoring them to
suit.
More controversially, ``cookie technology could track and enable the sale
of information regarding an individual's Internet research on sensitive
matters, such as a medical condition," the handbook said.
Hatch, in a preface to the guide, said he hoped consumers "will be
empowered to protect the privacy of their personal information in
accordance with their individual needs" once aware of new tools like
``cookie-cutters" that allow the rejection of unwanted tracking devices.
Likewise, he said he hoped consumers would demand ``the level of privacy
they desire from Internet businesses" once informed about the issues.
``This would enable the marketplace, rather than burdensome government
regulation to address privacy concerns," he wrote.
The guide, prepared by committee staff, was released at a "Privacy
Technology Fair" in the U.S. Capitol that showcased many of the new
products described in the booklet.
Among these were ``identity scrubbers," or tools for surfing the Internet
anonymously. In this category, the booklet listed products developed by
Privada, Incogno SafeZone, Zero-Knowledge Systems and Anonymizer.com.
Also showcased was ``Disappearing Email" developed by Disappearing Inc., a
product that lets a user send and receive e-mail that becomes unreadable
after a predetermined period.
iPrivacy, which is teamed with the U.S. Postal Service for pilot projects
to begin later this year, demonstrated private e-commerce software that
lets users surf, shop, receive correspondence and take delivery of goods
shielded from the gathering of click data through creation of proxy
identities.
American Express displayed a product known as Private Payments that lets
cardholders make online purchases using a random, unique number for each
transaction.
Microsoft, whose Windows operating system is the face of computing for most
users, demonstrated privacy-enhancing cookie management features for coming
Internet Explorer Web browser version 5.5.
The enhanced Microsoft cookie controls will prompt users, by default, when
a third party -- a site other than that being visited -- attempts to place
or read a cookie on the user's hard drive.
The Senate panel's staff said it was not endorsing any of the specific
technologies detailed in the booklet, which is available at
http://judiciary.senate.gov/privacy.htm.
Updates of the booklet are planned and other technology companies are
welcome to submit their products for inclusion, the committee staff said.
Privacy Group Slams Web Tracking "Cat"
The Privacy Foundation released a report today criticizing a new Web
device that has the ability to track people while they surf.
In an expected blow to the maker of the "CueCat," a digital bar-code
scanner being sent to millions of consumers this fall, the Denver-based
foundation called for DigitalConvergence to remove a personal tracking
feature within the device. It also asked the company to disclose more
details about how information collected will be used.
"The Privacy Foundation has serious privacy concerns with the CueCat,"
said Richard Smith, a well-known privacy expert and chief technology
officer of the foundation. "We are asking the company to fix the service
now, before it is in widespread use."
Consumers can use the cat-shaped devices to scan bar codes within articles
or advertisements in print and be automatically linked to related Web
sites. Hundreds of thousands of the CueCats are being given away to
consumers through partners such as RadioShack and Wired and Forbes
magazines.
As previously reported, privacy advocates have been investigating the
scanner and its ability to snoop on consumers. Researchers say the device
makes use of an identifying serial number that could trace the actions of
an individual and create a detailed database on a specific device's usage.
"This puts the company in a very powerful position to track people," Smith
said. "And the question is, what happens with your information at the
other end?
"Frankly, the company has not been very forthcoming about their
practices."
Outcry against the product comes a week after a security breach at
DigitalConvergence's Web site exposed about 140,000 consumers' names,
email addresses and ZIP codes, raising the concern of many new members and
privacy advocates.
DigitalConvergence, a privately held company based in Dallas, said it is
not tracking personally identifiable information, and customer
registration information--which includes name, email address, gender, age
and ZIP code--is retained only for the purposes of general demographics.
"There is no personal tracking feature in the device and in our software,"
said Michael Garin, chief operating officer of DigitalConvergence. "And
the only information that we can track is aggregate data. We do not know
the identity of any individual in our system."
On the issue of notification, Garin said the company added a pop-up window
today that says during the registration period that "we cannot and do not
track personal information."
But some have questioned the motives of the company's subsidiary,
DigitalDemographics, which "is responsible for the creation and analysis
of the largest consumer database that provides the unique combination of
Web tracking with all forms of media," according to its Web site.
Information in the database is aggregated data from broadcasters,
publishers and educators.
AOL Refutes Instant Messaging Competitors' Arguments
America Online Inc. accused opponents of the Time Warner Inc. acquisition
of trying use the Federal Communications Commission to obtain agreements on
instant messaging software that benefit the rivals.
Peter Ross, an outside lawyer for AOL, told a FCC lawyer during a Sept. 6
conversation that competing makers of software that allows real-time online
chats have failed to make the case for conditioning the merger on the
issue, according to an FCC filing made available on Friday.
AOL's instant messaging function (AIM) is one of the most popular features
on its system and rival services want their clients to be able to chat with
AOL subscribers. Standards for interoperability are being developed by a
joint task force.
The rivals ``make plain through a litany of remedies they seek that their
real grievance is not with potential AOL Time Warner conduct, but with
their pre-existing desire to gain interoperability to AIM on their terms,"
according to a letter describing the discussion with Darryl Cooper, an
attorney in the FCC's cable services bureau.
The agency is weighing whether the transfer of media giant Time Warner's
broadcast licenses to the world's largest Internet services provider, AOL,
is in the public interest.
Instant messaging companies like CMGI Inc.'s Tribal Voice have met with the
FCC as well and argued that the agency should force the two companies to
allow customers of rival companies to communicate electronically with AOL's
users before the merger can be completed.
AOL argued that the FCC has no jurisdiction over instant messaging because
the agency does not regulate the Internet and interoperability as a
technical matter is a year away.
``There's no way anybody can debate whether instant messaging is a
communications service or not. And if it is a communications service, then
there certainly is an argument that can be made that the FCC clearly has
jurisdiction," said Ross Bagully, chief executive of Tribal Voice.
However, opponents to the merger admit the instant messaging function is an
Internet service that is given away for free and ``fail to demonstrate that
IM would nonetheless constitute a distinct product market," the AOL letter
said.
In a Sept. 5 filing made by Tribal Voice and iCast Corp., they argued that
IM capability offered through interactive television, including the
recently launched AOL-TV, should be regulated as a cable service.
AOL countered that that argument would force the FCC to regulate e-mail,
Internet service and any other feature of interactive television offered
over cable lines.
``What we're looking for in instant messaging in reality already exists for
e-mail," Bagully said in response. ``Any communications service that is
open and interactive works well and the public interest is served."
AOL Subsidiary Program Removes Ads
A subsidiary of America Online is again biting the hand that feeds it, this
time creating a program that can remove advertising from AOL's popular
Instant Messenger software.
AIMazing is the latest product from San Francisco-based Nullsoft Inc.,
whose founder Justin Frankel seems to revel in being a rebellious thorn in
his parent company's side.
The software add-on was available for download on the Nullsoft Web site on
Thursday, but AOL, which bought Nullsoft for $86 million last year,
downplayed its impact.
``It's simply a visualization program for users of Winamp and AIM," said
AOL spokeswoman, Tricia Primrose. ``The point is moot on this because we
don't have paid ads on the space." Winamp is a computer music player, and
AIM is the dominant Internet instant-messaging program, with 64 million
users.
AIMazing is the second Nullsoft program this year that would appear to
interfere with AOL's business efforts.
On March 14, Frankel posted Gnutella, a file-sharing program that can be
used to freely trade MP3 music files, software and movie clips online.
The unauthorized project was quickly taken offline once AOL got wind of it,
but Gnutella's brief availability provided enough time for people to
download it and make it available on dozens of mirror Web sites.
Today, various permutations of Gnutella based on Frankel's original are
widely available on the Internet. Frankel was unavailable for comment
Thursday.
Last month, Nullsoft was forced by its parent to deactivate an MP3 search
engine on its Web site that allowed users to find and download authorized
and unauthorized song files.
Even Nullsoft's mainstay program, the Winamp MP3 music-playing software,
appears to run counter in principle to AOL goals.
AOL is still working to acquire Time-Warner and its vast collection of
music publishing resources. But Winamp and Gnutella give computer users the
tools to download, trade and play Warner's music for free.
``It's very clear that at the same time (Frankel) is embracing (AOL's)
money, he is thumbing his nose at the establishment," said Alan Alper, an
analyst with Gomez Advisors in Lincoln, Mass. ``Ultimately, you have to
obey the law of whoever is providing the butter for your bread."
AOL will likely put up with Frankel's mischievous software inventions in
order to have access to cutting-edge technology Nullsoft's developers
produce, Alper said.
For its part, AOL wouldn't talk about its relationship with Frankel, which
it called an internal personnel matter.
Pentium 4 to Debut Next Month
Intel will release the Pentium 4 on Oct. 30, according to sources close to
the company--not a moment too soon for the battered chipmaker.
The Pentium 4, which will initially come out at 1.4 GHz and 1.5 GHz, will
serve as the cornerstone of the company's processor line for the next
several years. The chip will first appear in high-performance desktops,
but later migrate to servers, workstations, notebooks and subsequent
generations of processors.
Formerly code-named Willamette, the Pentium 4 is based on an entirely new
architecture. The Pentium III, Intel's current flagship, derives from an
architecture originally revealed with the Pentium Pro in 1996.
The new chip will give Intel an opportunity to break out of a cycle of
product miscues. Since the beginning of last year, the company has lurched
from one problem to another, despite growing revenues and profits.
About a year ago, for example, the company had to delay an enhanced
version of the Pentium III. When the chip finally came out, demand became
overwhelming, and Intel found itself faced with a shortage that continues
to linger.
This year, the company had to recall the 1.13-GHz Pentium III as well as
budget computers because of a flaw in a chip called the Memory Translator
Hub. Other products, including the long-awaited Itanium chip for servers,
were delayed. Meanwhile, rival Advanced Micro Devices grabbed market share
with its Athlon processor.
The company dropped another bombshell yesterday when it said revenue for
the third quarter would be substantially lower than expected, an
announcement that has pummeled the company's stock.
Intel has said the Pentium 4's "NetBurst" feature will improve how
computers handle tasks--such as data encryption or video compression--that
have grown in popularity with the Internet.
"It will be the highest-performing processor for PCs," Albert Yu, senior
vice president of the Intel Architecture Group, said in a recent
presentation on the chip. "We're moving into streaming video; speech has
become much more commonplace than a year ago. Peer-to-peer (networking)
has been around for a long time, but it is now being recognized as the
computing paradigm of the future."
Overall, the architectural changes will lead to better performance for
multimedia applications but incremental improvement with standard desktop
applications such as word processing, according to analysts.
"In the short term, there is going to be an incremental improvement, but
the big news here is that the P4 is going to give Intel a lot of headroom
in the future, not just for the fall but for 2002 and beyond," Linley
Gwennap, principal at the Linley Group, said last month.
On the financial side, however, the Pentium 4 won't be an easy play for
Intel. The chip will measure 214 square millimeters, making it more than
twice as large as current Pentium IIIs. Generally, the larger a chip is,
the more expensive it is to make. Intel will shrink the chip next year.
The company has said it will manufacture "hundreds of thousands" of
Pentium 4s this year.
Universities Rebuff Call to Ban Napster
Saying open access to information trumped copyright fears, several major
U.S. universities including Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology have rejected a lawyer's demand they bar students from using the
Napster song-swap software, officials said on Friday.
Los Angeles attorney Howard King, who represents recording artists
Metallica and Dr. Dre in copyright infringement lawsuits against Napster,
sent letters to about a dozen U.S. universities this month asking them to
ban access to the wildly popular service from campus computers.
But officials at a number of universities declined the request, saying
while they do not condone copyright infringement, they would not take the
step of limiting access to the Internet.
``MIT has had a long history of providing its faculty, staff, and students
with uncensored access to the Internet and its vast array of resources,"
James D. Bruce, MIT's vice president for information systems, said in a
letter to King.
``As an educational institution providing its community of users with
Internet access, we do not monitor or bar access to use of the Internet."
Stanford concurred, saying it ``was unaware of any requirement that it
invade and monitor specific usage by its faculty, students and staff of
such online services."
``Be assured that Stanford does not condone copyright infringement, and is
mindful that the rapid development of technology poses challenging issues
in this regard," William Abrams, a lawyer representing the university,
wrote.
He said Stanford would take appropriate action if informed of a specific
instance of copyright infringement.
Several other major universities, including Harvard, said they needed more
time to determine their position.
The suit brought by Metallica and Dr. Dre is separate from a larger legal
action against Napster Inc. by the Recording Industry Association of
America (RIAA), which represents some of the top recording companies in the
nation, including Seagram Co. Ltd.'s Universal Music, Bertelsmann AG's BMG,
Sony Corp.'s Sony Music and Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Music Group and EMI.
But they both revolve around the question of technology and copyright
infringement and have focused in part on college campuses, where students
have thronged to online services that allow them to trade personal
collections of recordings stored in MP3, a digital compression format used
to convert music on CDs into computer files.
A recent study by research firm Gartner Group Inc. found that 34 percent of
50 U.S. colleges and universities surveyed had banned students from using
Napster. But other song swap services continue to proliferate.
University administrators have taken different approaches to the issue.
Some, including Yale and the University of Indiana, banned access to
Napster earlier this year after they were named as co-defendants in the
rock musicians' suit against the service.
But others are resisting, saying they should not be forced to police
students' computer use.
``This is not a statement of support for Napster, nor are we condoning
copyright infringement," said Bob Harty, a spokesman for Georgia Tech.
``To unilaterally block access to a site is an overly blunt response to
this issue and we believe that it constitutes an unwise policy."
While the universities' rebuff marked a temporary setback for Metallica,
Dr. Dre, and other recording artists opposed to Napster, the larger
question of the song-swap services' future will head back to court soon.
Opening arguments in the RIAA's Napster case have been set for Oct. 2 after
the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco stayed a judge's order
that would have pulled the plug on the service.
FBI Investigates Missing Laptop
Authorities tried Monday to determine if the suspicious disappearance of a
laptop computer belonging to the chief executive officer of Qualcomm Inc.
was a simple case of thievery or an act of economic espionage.
Laptops, because of their value and small size, are frequent and obvious
targets for theft but the disappearance of a computer belonging to CEO
Irwin Jacobs from a hotel conference room in Irvine instantly became a top
priority for local authorities, police Lt. Sam Allevato said.
``The possibilities are a random commercial theft all the way to industrial
espionage ... and anything in between," Allevato said. ``We're still
trying to assess what we have."
The FBI has begun an investigation at the request of Qualcomm executives,
said Cheryl Mimura, a spokeswoman for the bureau's Los Angeles office.
Qualcomm declined to comment on the investigation.
The San Diego-based company is a leader in wireless technology - a boom
market of the burgeoning telecommunications revolution - with $3.9 billion
in revenues last year. It designs and produces chips for wireless
communications devices and holds hundreds of patents whose royalties
provide it with the bulk of its earnings.
Jacobs left the computer unattended on a podium or an adjoining table in
the Hyatt Regency-Irvine ballroom on Saturday for 15-20 minutes when he
stepped down to talk to a small group of people after addressing about 90
members of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
People with access to the area included journalists and others registered
at the conference, hotel staff and possibly others, said Byron Calame,
SABEW's president and a deputy managing editor of The Wall Street Journal.
Jacobs told people at the conference that the IBM laptop, which he had used
for a slide show-type presentation focusing on Qualcomm's wireless
telecommunications technology, contained proprietary information that could
be valuable to foreign governments.
Authorities disclosed little about the investigation. Irvine police turned
it over to the department's economic crime unit, which has experience with
high-tech theft cases, and planned to meet with Qualcomm security officials
on Tuesday, Allevato said.
The case, he added, could turn out to be simple - a thief spotting what
appeared to be a quick and easy opportunity. ``Theft of laptops from hotel
conference rooms is not an uncommon crime," Allevato said.
First Palm Virus Spreads, Kills Programs
Get ready for a new era in computer vulnerability.
The first virus to infect a handheld organizer was reported on Friday in
the form of a tiny file that rummages through Palm Inc. handheld computing
devices, ruining their capabilities.
While the virus, called Phage, seems not to have spread widely, one virus
expert said he expects the destructive file to be shared among virus
writers and given even greater capability to disguise itself and spread.
``It's the first real virus for any PDA ever, meaning that it actually is a
virus with the capability to spread further," said Mikko Hermanni
Hypponen, the manager of anti-virus research at Finland-based F-Secure
Corp. A PDA is a personal digital assistant.
Other destructive files, called trojan horses, have affected handheld
devices, but unlike viruses do not spread as easily.
Hypponen said viruses such as Phage are often disguised as computer games
or pornographic images on Internet newsgroups and chatrooms.
``No doubt they're already sharing the source code for this virus," he
said.
A spokesperson for Palm said the company had just heard about Phage and was
evaluating its impact.
Phage, which can be downloaded in seconds even from a slow Internet
connection, makes the screen go blank for a second as it runs, according to
Hypponen, who said the virus was anonymously transmitted to F-Secure.
During that period it attaches virus code to every program on the Palm,
though it does not affect database files.
Users can inadvertently spread the virus by transferring applications to
other Palm devices through an infrared port.
The only way to return the Palm's capabilities is to restore programs from
a backup -- not a default option on Palm devices -- or to download and
re-install all applications.
Data files, such as phone numbers and calendar entries, are by default
backed up.
In May, a computer virus dubbed the ``Love Bug" swept the world, shutting
down e-mail systems at major companies and government agencies.
The virus spread through email, sending a copy of itself to anyone in a
user's address book.
Hypponen said it is only a matter of time before a similar virus is written
for handheld computers, sending malicious programs over wireless Internet
connections.
Online Honesty Drops for King Books
As Stephen King prepares to post the third installment of his online serial
novel ``The Plant," it appears fewer people fear the horror writer's
threat to pull the plug if they don't pay.
Most fans are obeying the honor system and sending King $1 for each
installment downloaded from his Web site. And some still are sending in
extra bucks to cover freeloaders.
But the latest numbers showed that just under 70 percent of those
downloading ``The Plant" paid for it. King has set 75 percent as the
minimum for him to continue after part three, which will be available on
his Web site Monday.
``We're a little confused about what's going on with that," said King's
assistant, Marsha DeFilippo.
The story, begun and based in the 1980s, is about a vampire vine that takes
over a publishing company.
King's people still were trying to nail down how many have downloaded the
first two parts successfully, so the payment estimate could change.
DeFilippo said 172,004 people had paid for part one and 74,373 people had
paid for part two by Sept. 13, the last date figures were available. In a
message to readers posted on his Web site, King speculates on possible
reasons for the decline, including a slip in interest and technical
difficulties.
``There is undoubtedly some thievery and bootlegging going on, but Marsha
and I believe the real problem may lie elsewhere," King said.
Some readers have downloaded the story two or three times to different
formats, such as PCs and handheld electronic organizers, but paid for only
one download. Similarly, people have ``lost" the story in computer crashes
and downloaded again without paying, DeFilippo said.
Another is that many struggled to download the second part. Though no
specific problem was pinpointed, King's camp has since switched its
download company to Amakai Technologies and has eliminated much of the
difficulty, DeFilippo said.
E-mails were sent to readers who paid for part one inviting them to take
part in a survey about the experience, and 87 percent of the 28,000 people
who responded said they didn't realize part two was available. About 96
percent said they would download part three, she said.
King said part three will be the last if the payment numbers don't go back
up to 75 percent. But there is still hope for hooked readers.
He is considering offering subsequent parts with a pay-first requirement
``as a response to those who have been honest," DeFilippo said. Also, if
he continues, the parts will be longer and will cost $2 instead of $1.
After part eight, they'll be free.
King has written through part five and is getting attached to the story.
``He's gotten excited about it. It's like visiting an old friend again,"
DeFilippo said.
Germany Won't Tax Internet
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday ruled out a tax on Internet use that
critics said would stifle the development of the Web in Germany, Europe's
biggest economy.
In a speech to business leaders, Schroeder quashed a new Finance Ministry
rule floated last month to tax businesses every time employees use company
computers for private Internet surfing.
``Private use of the Internet in the workplace is tax-free," he said at
the World's Fair in the central town of Hanover. And people who use their
own personal computers to log onto the Internet for work are entitled to
tax breaks, he said.
Telecommunications and computer firms had criticized the government for the
tax plan, arguing
that it would be a bureaucratic nightmare that would
discourage many people from becoming familiar with the Internet.
Still, the government will push ahead with new rules to protect
intellectual property rights, Schroeder said.
Many companies are upset with plans to levy a tax on the makers of
equipment such as high-speed modems and CD-burners that can be used to copy
protected material. The proceeds would go to rights holders such as pop
stars and authors.
Schroeder stressed the government's commitment to seeing every school
online by the end of next year, even though only one in three schools
currently has access to the Web. He said more adults - especially the
jobless - must learn about the Internet.
Government and industry leaders have been scrambling to solve a chronic
shortage of skilled workers in the country's information technology sector,
a key source of new jobs in a country struggling to shake off high
unemployment even during an economic upswing.
As a short-term measure, the government is trying to attract foreign
computer experts by offering 20,000 temporary work permits.
=~=~=~=
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