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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 03 Issue 18
Volume 3, Issue 18 Atari Online News, Etc. May 4, 2001
Published and Copyright (c) 1999 - 2001
All Rights Reserved
Atari Online News, Etc.
A-ONE Online Magazine
Dana P. Jacobson, Publisher/Managing Editor
Joseph Mirando, Managing Editor
Rob Mahlert, Associate Editor
Atari Online News, Etc. Staff
Dana P. Jacobson -- Editor
Joe Mirando -- "People Are Talking"
Michael Burkley -- "Unabashed Atariophile"
Albert Dayes -- "CC: Classic Chips"
Rob Mahlert -- Web site
Thomas J. Andrews -- "Keeper of the Flame"
With Contributions by:
Kevin Savetz
Pascal Ricard
Rob Mahlert
To subscribe to A-ONE, send a message to: dpj@atarinews.org
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
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Now available:
http://www.atarinews.org
Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=atari
=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0318 05/04/01
~ Web Sales Tax Mulled! ~ People Are Talking! ~ ERS Now Shareware!
~ Napster Meaning Holds! ~ GFA Basic Challenge! ~ Luna Text Compiler!
~ Let Game Wars Begin! ~ Free Software Threat! ~ MyMail Update Out!
~ Surprise: It's Win2002 ~ New Chip Technology! ~ PaCidemo Area Updated
-* Surprise, It's Windows 2002! *-
-* Internet Privacy: Just An Oxymoron? *-
-* Napster Replaces Apology With A Warning! *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Well, the warm weather is upon us, finally! It may even be a little too hot
(a couple of record temperatures already this week), but I'm not
complaining! The yard is almost clean, but I still have a little brush to
clean up. Some flowers are blooming, the grass has turned green, and the
trees are budding. This weekend should be productive with my finishing up
some of the clean-up and getting ready for more planting. My favorite time
of the year!
I was down in Maine last weekend to see my father and his new puppy. I
still can't believe that my brother got him a puppy - a pit bull puppy! I
have to admit, it's a gorgeous dog and really playful. I just hope that he
stays that way! It was to be in Maine again and to see my father. He's
doing well, for those of you who have asked. Me too. I hope to have him up
here for a visit when I take some time off at the end of the month.
It's been fairly quiet this week, at home and at work. Probably the calm
before the proverbial storm! It's nice though; I hope it lasts for awhile.
And, I have a much-needed and long-awaited vacation in a few weeks, so
that's something to look forward to have.
Until next time...
=~=~=~=
Eric Reboux Software Available Via Europe Shareware
Eric Reboux Software (http://ers.free.fr) is now in the
Shareware Europe catalog. The 1st program to join the list
is WinFrame, a new windframe for MagiC (6 and up).
This one is a rewritten one, allowing more customization
than just a redesign of the widgets.
Coming soon: Find It, Direct (a new desktop).
http://ers.free.fr
LTC Available Via Europe Shareware
Hi all,
The text compiler for Luna is available.
This software is a companion program for Luna. It is able to manage
projects including several text files (programming, webmastering...).
Registration is now possible via Europe Shareware and the price is
17.00 Euros.
More info:
http://www.europe-shareware.org/atari/logiciels/ltc.html
Bye,
P. Ricard (ES)
PaCidemo Area - Totally Revamped
The website about SainT & ST demos has been updated:
- The design has been modified.
- New sections (FAQ about SainT, listing by name of authors) and more
demos have been added.
- Today, the site offers 170 Mb of ST demos. Hope it will reach 200 Mb
before the holidays.
http://pacidemo.atari.org
STELLA v2.7 Beta (Image Database) Available
Sven Steinbeck reports on http://www.atari-home.de/ that a beta version of
STELLA 2.7 is now available at
http://www.thomaskuenneth.de/download/beta1.lzh
More information (in german) can be found at
http://www.thomaskuenneth.de/de_stella.html .
STELLA is a picture database for managing large collections of images.
Not to be confused with Stella (http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~bwmott/2600/)
an open source atari VCS 2600 emulator.
New Telnet BBS on Real Atari!
Greetings all!
Well, I have put my TT030 to good use, installed Linux on it, wrote a new
BBS program for it and connected it to the net.
Check it out by telnetting to jybolac.dyndns.org on port 520. Here is the
URL as well:
telnet://jybolac.dyndns.org:520.
You will be logging in to my TT directly.
If you would like to join the BBS, log in as user 'new'. I am still working
on several of the features, like allowing the user to define preferences
and menu styles, but I would like to open it up to everyone. And, all
comments and suggestions are welcome. Since I wrote the software myself, I
can change anything easily. I am hoping that the software will work under
MiNT as well as Linux, but that has not been tested yet as I don't have
MiNT.
Thanks, Chris
http://jybolac.virtualave.net
telnet://jybolac.dyndns.org:520
GEM GFA-Basic Editor Challenge
This is a programming challenge to anyone who can come up with a routine
that will convert ASCII into GFA-Basic's tokenized file format.
The idea is simple. I take pledges from users who are willing to donate to
this cause. Whoever ends up coding this routine will be given all the
pledges. The goal is to then use this routine to create a new GEM based
Editor for GFA-Basic.
Please see the site for rules and other information:
http://www.bright.net/~atari/html/gfa_gem.htm"
GSExec v 1.30 Released
GSExec the Gem Script Executor is now up to version 1.30. Recent changes
include an expanded run time library and support for dialogue boxes and
Popup menus.
URL: http://www.netcologne.de/~nc-beckerha3/gsexecd.htm
(translated into English via free translations)
http://fets3.freetranslation.com:5081/?Language=German%2FEnglish&Url=www.netcol
ogne.de%2F%7Enc-beckerha3%2Fgsexecd.htm&Sequence=core
AtarIRC v 1.16 Available
Lonny Pursell reports on http://www.atari.org that he has released a
version 1.16 of AtarIRC.
Main change is a bug fix for a situation that occurs under Geneva.
URL: http://www.bright.net/~atari
MyMail Version 1.30 Released
New version of MyMail (1.30) at erik's homepage.
- Lots of bugfixes
- Faster code
- New popup menus
URL: http://www2.tripnet.se/~erikhall/programs/mymail.html
UPX 1.08 Has Been Released - Featuring a Native Port to Atari/TOS
HETSET reports on http://www.atari.org ...
UPX is a free, portable, extendable, high-performance executable packer for
several different executable formats. It achieves an excellent compression
ratio and offers very fast decompression. Your executables suffer no memory
overhead or other drawbacks."
The 1.08a version feature now a native port to atari/tos.
URL: http://upx.sourceforge.net/
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors.. Another week has come and gone, and
Mother Nature has decided to give Uncle Dana a taste of what he's
anxious for... SUMMER.
For my part, I can't wait for this hot weather to subside a little bit
and for spring to be like it's supposed to be... gradually getting
warmer so that you can ease into summer. There's nothing worse than
going from unseasonably cold weather to unseasonably warm weather.
Spring will also give me a chance to work on my latest project. I
mentioned a while back that I was going to make my own telescope, right
down to grinding the mirror myself. Well, I've got just about
everything I need to get started on the mirror and all I really need is
the time to get going on it.
I joined an email list dealing with making telescopes. I'm amazed that
there are so many people interested in making telescopes instead of
just buying one.
There are all kinds of things that you need to know and all kinds of
things you have to take into account. But, as with most things in life,
there are usually many ways of achieving the same result. And also as
with most things in life, there are those who completely ignore every
possible avenue to the desired end except for their own.
It really struck me as odd that within this group of pilgrims upon the
path less travelled there are those who simply cannot countenance any
method other than their own. I won't get into any of the particulars
because I know that, while it may sound like an incredibly cool project
to me, others simply don't care about making a telescope. And that's
fine. That's what makes us what we are. There's nothing wrong with
thinking 'different'. As a matter of fact, that's what causes progress.
Socrates, DaVinci, Edison, and Einstein all thought 'different'.
Different is not always right. Different is not always wrong. It simply
IS.
The whole situation reminded me of the computer world. It's not just
the "My OS is better than your OS" thing, but the "This program is
better than that program" thing as well. I sometimes think that we've
all forgotten about individuality and personal preference.
Try this sometime: Do something you normally do, but try doing it in a
different way. Take another route to work; pan fry those porkchops
instead of using that breaded coating. Just do something to keep your
mind from turning to cement. Our minds are like the rest of our
being... they get stuck in a rut and get comfortable. Comfort is the
worst thing that can happen to intellect. The most creative solutions
normally come out when all the "usual" stuff fails or there is no other
option.
Well, I'll step down off my soapbox now so that we can get to the news,
hints, tips, and info from the UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================
Hallvard Tangeraas asks for opinions about which computer to use:
"I need some help determining which ST I should get for a project of mine
involving taking the main board out of the casing, adding all sorts of
additional hardware (MIDI and other stuff), then finally placing it all
inside a 19" rack case. This is going to be my specialized MIDI
computer, but will of course be used as a standard ST as well.
Now, I had planned on using a Mega-ST 4 for this purpose which I have,
and contains a built in IDE controller, but as there's no DMA sound (and
most sample playback software needs DMA capable hardware) as well as
hearing that many early Megas had problems with their cartridge port I'm
considering getting another machine for the project instead.
The choice it seems lies between an STe or a Mega STe (forget the TT or
Falcon as the MIDI software I'm going to use only runs on STs).
As I've never actually used a Mega STe I need some help from someone who
has, so I can figure out if it really is something I can use.
A comparison between the two shows these differences:
Mega STE STE
-------- ---
8/16MHz 8MHz
16K cache -
68881/82 co-processor -
separate kbd - (will use Mario Becroft's QWERTYX with
a PC keyboard/mouse)
clock - (will add a "Mega clock" board inside)
VME-bus -
HD disk drive - (will build a HD/DD interface and use
an AJAX controller instead of the
WD-1772)
2 x modem ports - 1 x modem port (19.2Kbaud), but fitted
with "RSVE" to increase its speed.
(will add an ST_ESSC board which gives
me two additional modem ports:
"modem-2" and "serial-2"
1 x high speed serial
or LAN port -
That, it seems, are the main differences, now let's go through these
features one by one:
a) 8/16MHz vs. 8MHz speed
"Notator SL" which I'm using for MIDI sequencing can only run at 8MHz
anyway, but does the 16MHz mode really make it such a faster machine for
applications which can handle it? Is it worth having?
b) 16 Kbyte cache
I take it this also improves the speed, but does it make a big change?
Again, Notator SL needs to have this switched off, so it's only useful
for other applications in my case.
c) possibility to add a 68881/68882 co-processor.
What is this actually used for? I guess that the software needs specific
support for this processor? What kind of software is it useful for?
Number crunching applications perhaps?
d) VME-bus
I don't know much about this other than it can house a graphic card like
the one Mario Becroft is working on, to get hires colours.
Again, this is of no use with most MIDI software (Notator SL needs
standard hires mono), and all in all it's pretty expensive.
For viewing colour pictures I have my Apple Macintosh anyway, so I'm in
no desperate need to get hires colour support for the ST.
But if I was to use such a card, what kind of applications would support
it?
e) Two modem ports
I'm a little confused here as the specs I've found don't say anything
about what kind of serial ports are used on the Mega STe. Speed? Port
names? Connector types?
I've already gotten hold of an "ST_ESSC" board which gives me an
additional 2 modem ports on any ST.
"Serial-2" (115200 baud) and "Modem-2" (38400 baud) with those small
9-pin connectors (not sure if those are the correct speeds, but I think
so).
In addition to this I also have this "RSVE" circuit which will connect
to the standard STe modem port making it possible to use higher speed
modems than the 19200 baud limit given by the original design.
Not sure if the speed limit is 38400 or 115200 baud.
My question to all of this: with the mentioned hardware solutions: what
will the differences be to a Mega STe?
f) High-speed serial port or LAN port.
What does this mean? Is there a switch on the back of the machine where
you choose to use it as either a third modem port, or as a LAN port?
Which modem port are we talking about? Serial-1? Modem-1?
And what can the LAN port be used for? Are there any practical
applications for this? Could I for example connect my Apple Mac and the
Mega STe together to transfer data between them?
If yes, is there a way to do this with extra hardware in the STe?
So all in all, what do you suggest I do?"
Frank Szymanski tells Hallvard:
"Be careful. There are early MSTEs that don't have the necessary AJAX
chip to support a HD drive and more important they need a replacement
GAL chip which is very hard to find nowadays (perhaps BEST has some of
them). So try to find one of the MSTEs that already have HD support
included.
And some STEs/MSTEs have a wrong chip that produces noisy DMA-sound. I
once had such a machine and it was very annoying. It took some time to
find out what causes this sound and then it took some extra money to
replace the chip (fortunately they are all socketed).
If you do not plan to upgrade your system (processor upgrade) I would
recommend the MSTE, in any other case try to get a STE instead. BTW, I
had both machines."
Joseph Place asks about the difference between 50 and 60 Hz:
"I was wondering if someone would explain the 50Hz/60Hz video on the
STE. I am not a very "high tech" atari user, but I am using my
revived STE for most everything now (internet, etc.), and having a
great time with it.
I have found that there are several programs that will cause the video
to scroll, unless I use a 60Hz patch, but this does not work for all
programs. I haven't been able to find a lot of information on this."
Patrice Mandin tells Joseph:
"50/60hz refresh rate is set at address 0xFFFF820A, bit 1.
bit 1 = 0 for 50hz
bit 1 = 1 for 60hz
...GEM programs do not change it, only games and demo
set it for their needs. If your video is scrolling, it means your
monitor does not support one of the frequency. Recent TV support both
rates."
Erlend Pettersen asks about printer drivers for Calamus:
"I recently bought a second hand Atari Falcon 030, with loads of
equipment.
Among the programs that came with it, was Calamus 98 SL (or something
similar). It's a nice program, which I would like to use a lot more.
However, I have no way of outputting stuff from it; I don't have a
suitable printer-driver for it. In other words, I need a printer-driver
for my Star LC-10. Does anyone know where I can get one?
As an alternative, can I "print" to Postscript or PDF-files instead, and
then print them out using my Windows-based computer? (This would be a
preferred solution, in fact, since I could occasionally my friends
ink-based printers instead of my old, noisy but reliable dot-matrix
printer.)
I know very little about Atari-computers, so please keep your replies on
an understandable, not-too technical level."
Ken Springer tells Erlend:
"I don't know anything about Star printers. Does the LC-10 emulate any
of the supported printers?
If you have the correct module, you can "export" your file as a
postscript file. But it will have to be printed on a printer that
understands postscript commands. I've only had to do this once, so I
don't know how reliable it currently is. My project was rather simple."
Erlend asks Ken:
"What module do I need to export it? I have a program on the PC that
lets me print Postscript-files on regular printers."
Ken replies:
"You need the Bridge module. I haven't kept up with Calamus
development, but I sure would like to own the current version. SL98 is the last
version I purchased, only money has kept me from buying a newer version.
As someone posted here, it's a tough program to learn. I started with
version 1.06, and it took me two weeks to get the printer to print
something. <G> But if you want printing power that blows word
processors away, this is a great program for that.
It all depends on what you want to do. If you want to do term papers,
letters, mass mailing using mail merge, I'd recommend Papyrus. (I've
got version 5 of that program.) But if you want to do professional
output, such as small magazines, multi-page newsletters, Calamus and
DA's Layout is the only way to go these days on this platform, it seems
to me. And I don't think Layout is being developed any more, although I
have used it for certain projects where it was better suited than
Calamus.
At least Calamus is still being developed, and it is available for
Windows and Macs."
Al Hartman asks about using a ZIP drive:
"Is there some shareware or commercial driver to allow a ZIP 100 to
work on an Atari ST?
This may be the least expensive solution for me to get a working mass
storage solution for my ST.
I have never been able to win an Auction on eBay for a HDD or ICD
Controller. People just bid them up a little too high."
Dr. Uwe Seimet, the author of HD Driver, tells Al:
"You need additional hardware for that. Woller Systems sells a ROM port
adapter for this purpose.
If I remember the price correctly this is not cheaper than using a SCSI
adapter for the ACSI port. And it is definitely much slower as far as
transfer rates are concerned."
Well folks, that's it for this week. Tune in again next week, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying
when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
=~=~=~=
->In This Week's Gaming Section - Let The Game Wars Begin!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Gauntlet Dark Legacy!
Dragon Warrior VII!
And much much more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Let the Game Wars Begin
Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft want to take gaming into the mainstream, and
they'll fight it out along the way.
Whether consumers like it or not, millions of them perhaps even you will
soon find themselves in the middle of a full-fledged war. It will be a
battle for the hearts and minds and pocketbooks of all those interested,
even mildly so, in playing video games on high-tech consoles plugged into
their television sets.
The first real salvo was fired by Sony about six months ago when it
released Play Station 2, at the time the most advanced game console on the
planet. Early this year, Microsoft offered a preview of its entry, Xbox,
which promises to be even more powerful.
And when video game makers and retailers meet next month in Los Angeles
for the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo is scheduled to
unveil its latest and most powerful game machine, GameCube. It is being
primed to challenge PlayStation 2 and Xbox when all three consoles, each
with unique features and capabilities, fight it out this fall during the
holiday buying season.
The three companies are preparing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars
to promote their game machines, with Microsoft alone declaring that it
will spend $500 million over an 18-month period to market Xbox.
"Ultimately, this is going to be a very competitive environment," said
Robert Kotick, co-chairman and chief executive of Activision Inc., a major
maker of video game software. "And I think the amounts of money that will
be spent among all three companies on marketing and advertising is going to
create awareness and interests and have a lot of new consumers coming into
the marketplace."
The struggle has already claimed a high- profile casualty. Sega
Enterprises, a pioneer in the $7.4-billion-a-year video game industry,
announced earlier this year that it would stop making its Dreamcast game
console. But even with Sega out of the picture, the battle among Sony,
Nintendo and Microsoft is looming as the biggest ever in the industry.
PlayStation 2, a $299 black box with a heavily machined look, is a known
quantity. By the fall it will have been on the market for about a year and
will have, by far, the deepest inventory of games. Sony executives note
that game developers, many with a loyal following, are designing
second-generation games that take significantly more advantage of Play
Station 2's capabilities. Some game industry analysts say that could
provide an important advantage over competitors that will reach the market
with only their own first- generation games.
Sony, which has sold about 2.7 million PlayStation 2 consoles in North
America and another 7 million overseas, seems committed to relatively
older players. Play Station 2 is the only game console that can play DVD
movies right out of the box, for example. And both the console's styling
and the types of games offered action-adventure, role-playing, sports seem
geared to teenagers and young adults.
Xbox, which is bulkier than PlayStation 2, exudes a sort of no-nonsense
quality, which generally appeals to teenage boys and young adults, video
game experts say. And Microsoft executives acknowledge that Xbox, which is
expected to cost about $300, is aimed at players 16 to 25 the same
demographic group that has been playing the company's games on PC's.
Xbox's internal architecture makes it the most powerful game console
coming to market this year. It can play DVD movies, too, but only with the
help of a low-cost add-on package. Microsoft also announced recently that
Xbox would be able to play its games in Digital Dolby 5.1, a feature
designed to impress older players, who are most likely to have the audio
hardware to take full advantage of it. And Xbox has advanced features for
online game play.
On the other hand, Nintendo, which has had much of its success with
younger players pre-teenagers and teenagers who gravitate to its Pokemon
games rather than the harder-core games available on its competitors'
machines appears to be positioning GameCube for a similar market.
For one thing, the console's boxy look somewhat resembles a child's
lunchbox with its strap handle, and prototypes have been shown in bright
colors. (In fact, the design has been criticized. Frank O'Connor,
executive producer of DailyRadar.com, an influential online gaming news
site, said it looked childish, like "Barney's handbag.")
The console is expected to cost $150 to $200. It will not play DVD movies
or audio CD's, as the other game consoles will.
While executives for all three console makers said they recognized that
their machines would have core audiences, all said that their companies
wanted to expand those audiences. The industry's holy grail is to make
video games mainstream entertainment; they want the game console to become
as ubiquitous an add-on for television sets as the videocassette recorder.
This is the era, said Billy Pidgeon, an analyst for Jupiter Media Metrix,
an Internet research company, in which the gaming industry is "bringing
video gaming to the mainstream rather than the niche gamer."
But many consumers, and even the most dedicated video game players, say
that all the frantic positioning, claims and counterclaims about what the
consoles can actually do are making them uncomfortably anxious.
"It kind of makes you crazy," said Rodney Smith, a 27-year-old video game
player who was one of the first people to buy last holiday season's
hard-to-find PlayStation 2. Mr. Smith, who lives in the Bronx and works at
a Starbucks coffee shop in Manhattan, said he was taking a hard look at
whether to buy an Xbox when it was released in the fall. "It comes down to
one thing," he said. "You want to have the best machine that can play the
best games."
Ah, yes, the games. Even executives within the three companies acknowledge
that the differences among the consoles expressed in terms like processor
speed and polygon rates may mean less than the quality of the games they
play.
Jim Merrick, the technology director at Nintendo, said the individual
machine's specifications "mean nothing to the end user." Game consoles
that are promoted as having very powerful components can turn out to be
"somewhat less than the sum of their parts," he added.
Perrin Kaplan, vice president for corporate affairs for Nintendo in the
United States, said the relationship between the console hardware and the
games it plays was much like the relationship between a movie theater and
the films it shows.
"People go to a theater because they want to see a certain movie," Ms.
Kaplan said. That, she added, bodes well for Nintendo because the company
has made many of its most successful games itself.
Ms. Kaplan said the GameCube would be a "mass consumer product" that was
expected to take advantage of Nintendo's well- known knack for producing
games, like the Mario and Pokmon series, that feature memorable (and
marketable) characters.
Nintendo also appears committed to departing from its practice of
packaging its games in cartridges for the new machine. Instead, GameCube
will use a proprietary DVD system developed by Matsushita, the parent
company of Panasonic. The optical disc system uses a three-inch disc, much
smaller in size and storage capacity than a standard DVD optical disc,
which is used for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
While using the Matsushita optical disc system is expected to lower the
overall production cost of the GameCube significantly, it also prevents
the machine from doubling as a player of DVD movies and audio CD's.
But the GameCube is expected to pack a number of tricks that its
competitors will not have. One of the most compelling, company officials
said, will use Nintendo's vastly improved GameBoy, called GameBoy Advance
and scheduled for release in the United States on June 11. GameCube has
been designed to permit GameBoy Advance players to plug directly into
GameCube. Once the stand-alone, hand-held GameBoy Advance is linked, it
can function like a super game controller, Mr. Merrick said.
Joe Fielder, the Internet site director for Gamespot.com, an online game
magzine, said the game console maker that can either produce or line up
highly successful game designers to produce hits, preferably exclusive
ones, was most likely to triumph. In that respect, Mr. Fielder said,
Nintendo has some advantages as the maker of iconic games like the Mario
and Zelda titles.
But good games with popular characters are not everything. Sonic the
Hedgehog, for example, could not save Sega. In recent months, Nintendo has
also been courting older players with more risqu games like Conker's Bad
Fur Day.
Other game analysts and makers say that Microsoft's Xbox has built-in
advantages for game designers, especially those who have successfully
designed games for the large personal computer market. According to some
PC game developers who have used DirectX, a graphics standard that
Microsoft developed for PC games, it is relatively simple to design games
for Xbox, which uses a variation of DirectX.
Some game developers say that it is difficult to design games for
PlayStation 2. Jack Tretton, senior vice president of Sony Computer
Entertainment America, recently conceded that it might be difficult to
write game code for PlayStation 2. "Anything very good is difficult," he
said.
But whether or not they were difficult to design, a slew of PlayStation 2
games that industry watchers say may be some of the best ever made for any
console are scheduled for release late this year, just when the game
console war is expected to be at its most combative. They include Solid
Gear Metal 2: Sons of Liberty, by Konami, and DOA 3: Hardcore, by Tecmo.
When Mr. Pidgeon, the analyst, was asked if he could pick a probable
winner, all he could say was, "Right now, it's up in the air."
Time-Honored Franchise Returns With Gauntlet Dark Legacy
Exclusive Four-Player Cooperative Gameplay and
Dynamic New Features Recreate Gauntlet Series
Midway Games Inc. announced that Gauntlet Dark Legacy, a 3D version of the
Gauntlet videogame franchise, shipped to retail on May 1 for the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.
Redefined for PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Gauntlet Dark
Legacy introduces a variety of fascinating characters, masterfully crafted
worlds and next-generation features and includes a game design that allows
four-player cooperative gameplay. Players battle through dangerous realms
using exotic magical powers and weapons to vanquish hideous creatures,
search for treasure, evade traps and embark on legendary quests.
``Gauntlet is a classic, time-honored franchise that has been a favorite
among gamers for years," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing,
Midway. ``Gauntlet Dark Legacy builds upon the steeped Gauntlet tradition
with dynamic new features and a unique cooperative-style gameplay."
Players choose from eight characters including a Jester, Sorceress, Dwarf
or Knight. Each character possesses special turbo attacks and deadly
combination moves for battle, along with countless magic potions, powerful
weapons and magical shields. Four magical realms with power-ups, which
include Ice, Town, Sky and Dream, add to a total of eight worlds that await
Gauntlet Dark Legacy's characters. Throughout each mystical realm, players
must find obelisks, rune stones and countless other items, while confronted
by more than 50 different enemies and challenging bosses.
Gauntlet Dark Legacy Features
* Cooperative Teamwork: Gauntlet's four-player mode introduces an
unprecedented level of cooperative gameplay for a PlayStation2
Action-Adventure game
* Role-playing Adventure: Advance characters with combat and adventure
experience - bigger, badder, faster, stronger
* Numerous Characters: Eight Different Playable Characters: Warriors,
Valkyries, Archers, Wizards, Jesters, Sorceresses, Dwarves and Knights
Secret Characters: Over two-dozen secret characters with eight
different split personalities to unlock
* Massive Gameplay Worlds: Mountain, Desert, Forest and Castle plus Ice,
Town, Sky and Dream. Venture where only legends dare tread with more
than 50 evil enemies, challenging evil bosses and countless potions,
power-ups and secrets to uncover
* Advanced Combat: Each of the eight different characters pack unique
combo moves and turbo attacks
* PlayStation2 Graphics: Masterfully crafted worlds, powered by the
PlayStation2 graphics engine and the most extensive display of
cinematics ever for the franchise
Japan's Best-selling PlayStation Game Console
Title Ever 'Dragon Warrior VII' From Enix Will Hit
the U.S. This Year
Enix America Inc. confirmed what has long been anticipated - that Dragon
Warrior VII for the PlayStation game console will ship in North America
later this year. Released in Japan as Dragon Quest VII in August 2000, the
title sold more than two million copies in its first three days, and to
date, has already sold more than four million units making it Japan's
best-selling PlayStation game console game ever. Across all platforms,
Dragon Warrior VII ranks as the third best-selling video game in Japan of
all time.
``Thousands of North American fans have been asking each day if and when
Enix will release this epic RPG," said Paul Handelman, president of Enix
America. ``These dedicated fans have petitioned us, created elaborate fan
web sites and an extensive Dragon Warrior community. We are now thrilled to
tell the Dragon Warrior community that Dragon Warrior VII is riding across
the Pacific in an RPG tsunami created by over four million Japanese fans."
An epic game of magnificent proportions, Dragon Warrior VII follows the
adventures of the hero, his mischievous friend Prince Kiefer and the feisty
Maribel who discover that their island home holds more than peace and
tranquility. Solving time-traveling puzzles transports the trio back in
time where they discover lost continents. Once in the past, it is
imperative that they solve the mysteries of the continents in order to save
the future. Accomplish this task and the world will be complete. Fail, and
the lost lands and their inhabitants will be forever doomed.
Enix has upgraded the graphics of the Dragon Warrior series in Dragon
Warrior VII to utilize the power of the PlayStation game console to create
3D rendered backgrounds and fluid combat animation. Fans of the series will
note, however, that the depth of story and engrossing RPG experience of
Dragon Warrior VII remains true to other recently released titles in the
series, including the hit Dragon Warrior I & II and the forthcoming Dragon
Warrior III and Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 for Game Boy® Color.
Dragon Warrior VII was created by the masterful trio of Yuji Horii (game
design), Akira Toriyama (character and monster design) and Koichi Sugiyama
(music). For fans hoping to get some early insight into the game, Enix has
today launched the official Dragon Warrior VII web site located at
www.enix.com.
Eidos to Ship Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition May 9
Special Version of Ion Storm's Award-winning
First Person Adventure Game Available Next Month
Eidos Interactive announced that it will ship a special edition of Deus Ex
-- its award-winning first-person adventure game created by Ion Storm
Austin. The Deus Ex: Game Of The Year Edition will be available in stores
beginning May 9th.
The Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition features an updated version of the
engaging single-player game as well as an all-new multiplayer feature. The
new multiplayer feature allows each player to create and customize a
character to match his or her gameplay style, providing a new kind of
deathmatch experience. The Deus Ex: Game Of The Year Edition also contains
a Software Development Kit that allows gamers to create new single or
multiplayer missions with the same tools used by the developer. Gamers can
also create stand-alone Deus Ex missions, build 3D maps from scratch or
modify existing ones. Also included is a music CD featuring over 30 of the
best tracks from the soundtrack remixed for higher audio quality.
``Ion Storm Austin has created a monumental game experience in Deus Ex,"
says Paul Baldwin, Vice President of Marketing for Eidos Interactive. ``We
are extremely proud to release this special edition of Deus Ex, which adds
new experiences to the original, making this a must-buy for every PC
gamer."
In Deus Ex, gamers play the role of J.C. Denton, a rookie anti-terrorist
agent with UNATCO -- the UN Anti-Terrorist Coalition. J.C.'s a
nano-technologically augmented man with remarkable abilities, and he's
charged with investigating terrorist activity in and around New York
concerning a plague called the Gray Death. The plague has no cure and the
only known treatment is Ambrosia, which is in short supply. J.C. has to
make sure the terrorists don't divert supplies of Ambrosia from the people
who need it. But as J.C. battles the terrorists, he finds that they aren't
as bad as he's been led to believe and he begins to question some of his
orders. Everyone seems to have an agenda and J.C. must decide whom to
trust. Eventually, J.C. ends up on the outs with UNATCO and is caught in
the middle of a situation far bigger than he ever expected, as various
figures and groups vie for nothing less than control of the world.
Deus Ex has received over 30 ``Game of the Year" accolades from numerous
industry and fan publications, including ``Game of the Year" from PC Gamer
Magazine, ``Best PC Game of 2000" by the British Academy of Film &
Television Arts (BAFTA), ``PC Action/Adventure Game of the Year" and ``PC
Innovation in Computer Gaming" from The Academy of Interactive Arts and
Science.
Interplay Proudly Announces Hunter: The
Reckoning for Xbox; Vampire Hunters Wanted: It's
Time to Save the World
Digital Mayhem, a division of Interplay Entertainment Corp., proudly
announced that Hunter: The Reckoning is currently in development for the
Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Hunter is a thrilling
action-adventure game based on the mysterious characters and spine-tingling
fiction found in the popular role-playing game Hunter: The Reckoning and
the mystifying World of Darkness universe in which it is based. Developed
by High Voltage Software, Inc. for Digital Mayhem using the AtlasTech Game
Engine(TM) licensed technology, and based on the popular license from White
Wolf Publishing, Inc., Hunter: The Reckoning is scheduled to ship Q1, 2002.
``Hunter is one of those rare licenses that is perfectly tailored for
gamers worldwide," said Interplay CEO Brian Fargo, ``Xbox, with its
advanced technology and features, is the perfect platform for this
ambitious project. We are delighted to announce Hunter as our first
exclusive Xbox title."
``We believe High Voltage and Digital Mayhem will bring their our own brand
of creativity and gaming expertise to this unique license," stated Jim
Molitor, Division Director for Digital Mayhem, ``With Hunter, gamers will
experience the pure fun of an advanced Xbox action game while also being
immersed in the rich fiction of White Wolf's World of Darkness."
Played from a third person perspective, Hunter immerses players in the
nightmarish setting of the modern day Hunter. Denizens of the night
disguised as everyday mortals co-existing with other society members plague
this macabre world. Players thrust into this world soon learn that they
have the ability to see these creatures for what they are and are compelled
to destroy them in order to save humanity from the threat of eternal
darkness. Players will assume the role of one of four Hunter characters,
each imbued with supernatural abilities that become more diverse and
powerful as players progress through the game. Hunters are also able to
find and make use of Glyphs, glowing symbols on the ground, which enhance
their ability to combat the undead.
``We are very pleased to be partnering with Interplay and Digital Mayhem on
this extraordinary property," stated Kerry Ganofsky, Chief Executive
Officer of High Voltage. ``We believe our definitive efforts will result in
the ultimate action-adventure experience for Xbox."
Throughout the game's many gothic environments, including a prison
execution chamber, a ghoulish cemetery, and a chilling train station,
players will face down over 30 creature variants from bloodthirsty vampires
to unstoppable legions of the walking dead. To help slayers battle their
prey, Hunter features an arsenal of weapons including swords, shotguns,
axes, and flamethrowers.
Additionally, Hunter supports cooperative four-player multiplayer. The game
dynamically scales its difficulty to accommodate the number of players in
the game. In cooperative mode, players will interact with one another
allowing them to battle the undead and heal fellow Hunters that have fallen
prey to the deadly creatures.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Ships Spec Ops
Ranger Elite, Sequel to the Best Selling Budget
Title for the PlayStation Game Console
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. announced that Spec Ops Ranger Elite,
the sequel to its hugely successful Spec Ops Stealth Patrol, has shipped
and is available in stores nationwide.
Spec Ops Stealth Patrol has sold over 800,000 units, according to NPD TRST
data, since its introduction in April 2000, making it the number one
selling budget title for PlayStation in 2000.
The Spec Ops theme, consisting of numerous missions of a two-man team going
deep undercover behind enemy lines where they encounter much peril during
combat in desert and jungle warfare environments, has been a consistent
top-ten seller on the PlayStation platform over the past three months.
``The Spec Ops brand has been a tremendous success and we anticipate Spec
Ops Ranger Elite to continue to satisfy the insatiable demand for this
franchise product," said Sam Houser, Vice-President of Worldwide
Development of Take-Two. ``We believe that Spec Ops Ranger Elite will
further solidify Take-Two's position as a leader in budget software for the
PlayStation and shows that we can develop hit products across full and
value price points."
Kelly Sumner, Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two, said, ``Spec Ops has
shown that there is a very exciting business opportunity with a PlayStation
budget range and we expect to continue to exploit this as the PlayStation
demographics evolve."
THQ Announces ``Star Wars Jedi Power Battles" for Game Boy Advance
THQ Inc. announced ``Star Wars Jedi Power Battles" for Game Boy Advance.
Based on the popular LucasArts property, ``Star Wars Jedi Power Battles"
marks the first Game Boy Advance product announced under THQ's
multi-property publishing agreement with LucasArts. Currently in
development by HotGen Studios, ``Star Wars Jedi Power Battles" is
scheduled for worldwide release fall 2001.
``As the No. 1 third-party Game Boy Color publisher, we are well positioned
for success on Nintendo's new Game Boy Advance system with 15 titles
launching this year," stated Germaine Gioia, vice president of licensing,
THQ. ``We are delighted to be working with LucasArts in bringing `Star Wars
Jedi Power Battles' for Game Boy Advance to millions of `Star Wars'
enthusiasts and gamers alike."
``We look forward to `Star Wars Jedi Power Battles' for Game Boy Advance as
an extension of the successful PlayStation and Dreamcast product
launches," stated Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. ``THQ's proven
track record in the handheld arena makes them the ideal Game Boy Advance
publishing partner for LucasArts' high-profile properties."
In ``Star Wars Jedi Power Battles," players can battle in single- or
two-player mode with the power of the Force as they fight off legions of
battle droids, destroyer droids, assassins and other familiar creatures
from the ``Star Wars Episode I" worlds. True to the ``Star Wars" universe
with authentic characters, locations and weapons, gamers fight as Obi-Wan
Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn or Mace Windu, all powerful Jedi Knights.
Players will fight through 10 exciting levels of progressively challenging
gameplay, gaining power boosts, new moves and enhanced capabilities.
Players will put their Jedi skills to the test as they help protect the
Galactic Republic from the greedy Trade Federation in ``Star Wars Jedi
Power Battles" for Game Boy Advance.
Hold On True-Believers ... Activision's Spider-Man
Makes Its Debut On Sega Dreamcast and Swings Into
Retail Stores Nationwide
He ensnares super-villains with the sling of a web and now Marvel's
Spider-Man is coming to wield justice on Dreamcast with the North American
launch of Activision, Inc.'s ATVI Spider-Man.
The game, which has shipped to retail stores, carries a suggested retail
price of $39.99 and has been rated ``E" (``Everyone" -- content suitable
for persons ages six and older -- with Animated Violence) by the ESRB.
The first Dreamcast free-roaming, 3D action/adventure game based on the
most recognized super hero of all time, Spider-Man challenges players to
web-sling, wall-crawl, fight and use ``Spider-Sense" to battle evil-doers.
Gamers must utilize Spider-Man's super strength, web-shooters and superior
wit to protect the innocent as they help solve a variety of puzzles and
defeat super-villains.
``The enhanced graphics capabilities of Dreamcast will bring the comic book
world of Spider-Man to life like never before," said Larry Goldberg,
executive vice president, Activision Worldwide Studios. ``From wall
crawling and web-slinging to Spider-Man's danger-detecting 'Spider-Sense,'
Dreamcast gamers will now be able to fully experience the myth and mystery
of being this renowned super hero."
Spider-Man for Dreamcast features a fully-immersive, intriguing storyline
that gamers can experience through 34 action-packed levels. From
hair-raising police chases, all-out brawls with lizard men, stealth
missions, gamers battle through familiar Spider-Man comic book locales
including the Daily Bugle, Times Square and a New York bank.
Players will utilize all of the classic Spider-Man web defenses from
trapping and yanking to impact webbing, as well as attacks like web dome and
web spikes to battle enemies. In addition, players can swing from
place-to-place, ambush enemies from above or below, crawl on buildings,
ceilings, walls and use the always-handy ``Spider-Sense" to detect danger
from afar.
Spider-Man for Dreamcast was developed by Treyarch LLC to take full
advantage of the platform's expanded video capabilities.
Dark Cloud Emerges Onto the PlayStation2
Action-Packed Role-Playing Game Immerses Players
in an Epic Adventure Of Rebirth, Revival and
Renewed Hope
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced the May, 29 2001 release
of Dark Cloud, a stirring, 3D action-adventure role-playing game (RPG)
available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.
Featuring a strong character-driven story with six playable characters,
Dark Cloud takes full advantage of the power of PlayStation 2. Combining
traditional exploration and battle elements with real-time strategy,
world-building and puzzle-solving gameplay, Dark Cloud will take gamers by
storm, delivering a graphically spectacular and truly imaginative adventure
this spring.
The epic tale of Dark Cloud will captivate gamers as they undertake the
role of Toan, an innocent young hero who witnesses the horrifying
destruction of his world when the evil ``dark cloud" is unleashed,
wreaking havoc across the land. Toan awakens only to discover that the
world has been plunged into darkness; he is visited by a mysterious figure
known as the Sprit Emperor, who bestows him with the power to rescue the
world. As the sole witness and survivor of the turmoil, Toan must bravely
embark on an epic journey to rebuild the villages in the world while
rescuing townspeople, battling monsters, restoring life and faith and
unlocking the secrets of the land.
``Dark Cloud is an incredibly compelling narrative, realistically brought
to life by the technological capabilities of PlayStation 2," said Ami
Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc. ``With its beautifully-rendered graphics, imaginative characters,
strategic gameplay, real-time interactivity and powerful storyline, this
creative new offering will surely fulfill the appetites of gamers looking
for something refreshing and original."
Dark Cloud introduces an innovative new gameplay mechanic called
``GEORAMA." This unique element enables players to create, build and
customize a fully interactive, three-dimensional world, and allows them to
roam immediately through their newly constructed environments, all in
real-time. As Toan, gamers will travel across vast lands uncovering clues
for rebuilding the villages and unlocking hidden secrets. By utilizing
predetermined objects such as trees, rivers, wells, homes and staircases,
as well as hundreds of other items including treasures, magic spells, keys
and vehicles, players can reconstruct the lush landscapes. Each community
must be recreated accurately, as this will directly influence the
prosperity of the environments, triggering clues for the player and
unveiling pieces of the storyline as they progress.
Variable weather and time-of-day conditions add another strategic component
to developing and managing the landscape. As the time of day and the
weather begin to alter, items in the environment, events and conversations
are also subject to change. Certain characters may be more willing to offer
assistance during the daytime, for example.
Players must pay careful attention to all of the characters they encounter
on their quest, as their assistance is essential to restoring the land.
Dark Cloud allows gamers to unlock six different playable characters
located throughout the universe, each with their own specific abilities and
unique weapons. The game features a detailed weapons system, allowing
players to change and increase their weapon strength. In addition, Dark
Cloud contains many different types of real-time battles, encouraging
players to strategically consider their opponents' strengths and weaknesses
when planning attacks. Each playable character can also maintain up to 10
fully customizable weapons at one time.
Dark Cloud was released in Japan to critical acclaim last December. For the
upcoming U.S. release, the Dark Cloud development team has enhanced the
game further, adding additional content that amounts to a 30 percent larger
game overall. New improvements to the U.S. edition include: a total new
battle system, extra weapons, new monsters, enhanced enemy artificial
intelligence (A.I), an additional event battle in which pushing the right
button combinations at the right time can mean the difference between
success and failure, a completely new dungeon level with one hundred extra
randomly generated maps and much more.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Dark Cloud
``T" for ``Teen."
EA GAMES Creates James Bond 007 In...Agent
Under Fire for the Playstation 2
Giving Bond fans a fresh new reason to cheer, EA GAMES is in development
with the latest interactive entertainment title based on MGM and Danjaq's
blockbuster international superspy, James Bond. James Bond 007 in...Agent
Under Fire(TM) for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system will
deliver a unique and complete action, stealth and driving experience that
thrusts the player into the deceptive and exciting world of secret agent
007. The game will feature an all new and original single player storyline
-- written exclusively for the platform -- while staying true to the Bond
legacy by delivering all the furious action, stealth, whirlwind driving,
state-of-the-art gadgets and sophisticated spy-craft that 007 fans crave.
As Bond, the player must defeat the evil criminal mastermind Malprave, head
of a rising terrorist organization that is bent on ruling the world with
their clone technology and army of clones. Helping players along the way in
Agent Under Fire will be the gorgeous Zoe Nightshade and a cast of familiar
characters. Each of the more than 10 exotic locations around the world will
contain a generous offering of challenging, well-balanced missions and
objectives.
Agent Under Fire gives players the option of blasting their way through
each level using high tech weaponry, quietly relying on spy-craft tricks
and state-of-the-art gadgets as well as nerve tingling stealth to
accomplish mission objectives - or both. The driving levels will feature an
array of 007-inspired exotic cars and automotive combat from the Bond
movies. Only through the clever utilization of Q-lab weapons and gadgets
along with Bond-style wit, will the player be able to thwart Malprave's
plans...and get the girl.
Key features will include:
* Engage in a completely immersive first person Bond experience built
exclusively for the PlayStation 2 console.
* All new, original single player storyline that builds on the Bond
legacy with villains and allies, both new and familiar.
* Three well-balanced gameplay style experiences for the single player:
action, stealth and driving.
* A full arsenal of Q-lab weapons, gadgets and autos for the player to
utilize.
* Fast, fluid action and spy-packed gameplay inspired by the 007 films.
* Enormous, detailed 3-D environments that can only be experienced
through the eyes of Bond.
* Single and multiplayer modes support for up to four players.
Agent Under Fire will utilize next generation console technology to help
bring life to the full environmental physics and detailed 3-D environments,
such as a massive deep sea oil rig set atop a secret underwater base. The
game will feature rich and highly detailed graphics, such as strikingly
beautiful women, and the thrilling Bond moments that distinguish the 007
films from all others.
Acclaim Max Sports Announces Dave Mirra Freestyle
BMX 2 for the PlayStation 2 Computer Entertainment
System, NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Xbox Video Game
System from Microsoft
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. announced that Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 is in
development for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, NINTENDO
GAMECUBE and the Xbox video game system is slated to ship to national
retail outlets in Fall 2001. This much-anticipated sequel to the original
hit game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX is also being developed by Z-Axis.
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 is the only game to feature ten time World
Champion and 11 time X Games medallist Dave Mirra, and 2000 X Games
Champion Ryan Nyquist. As in the first game, other top BMX pros will be
included to round out the action.
``This is a great extension of the Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX brand," said
Steve Felsen, Director of Brand Management. ``This raises the bar for
extreme sports games of any kind as the gamer can literally create his own
experience using our new custom Rider and Park editors and the hugely
successful trick modifier from the first game."
In Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, players create their own rider and choose
their own sponsors. Players then complete a variety of challenges to
progress through the game and earn the respect of fellow riders. The
ultimate goal is to unseat Dave Mirra as the top BMX rider.
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 offers players eight new fully interactive game
environments that are four times as big as those in the previous game and
integrate traffic systems with moving vehicles, fellow riders and
pedestrians. This franchise's open trick system defines the word
'freestyle'. There will be 1,500+ tricks possible in the game, more than
any other BMX or skateboarding game. In addition, the raucous soundtrack
features new cuts by top artists. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 features 10
multi-player games, including the Bikathalon, which gives riders the chance
to muster all the multi-player games into one huge competition.
Developed by Z-Axis, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 is shipping later this year
for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, NINTENDO GAMECUBE and
Xbox video game system from Microsoft.
TDK Mediactive Ships 'The Land Before Time: Great
Valley Racing Adventure' for the PlayStation Game Console
TDK Mediactive, Inc. announced that it has shipped ``The Land Before Time:
Great Valley Racing Adventure" for the PlayStation® game console. The
first racing game to star the popular dinosaurs from Universal Home
Entertainment Productions' best-selling animated video franchise, ``Great
Valley Racing Adventure" features spectacular 3D environments and
compelling gameplay in an exciting, nonviolent game for young children and
families alike.
``We're pleased to contribute this fun and engaging racing game to 'The
Land Before Time' franchise," said Vincent Bitetti, chief executive
officer of TDK Mediactive. ``'Great Valley Racing Adventure' features the
popular dinosaur characters and combines colorful race courses and weather
effects to create a memorable experience. This is a game that kids will
simply love."
``Vision Scape Interactive has done a great job working with TDK Mediactive
producer David Artuso to create a fun and competitive racing game that
captures the charm and delight of 'The Land Before Time' characters and
environments," said Peter Gould, vice president of product development at
TDK Mediactive. ``It's a great addition to our 'Land Before Time'
PlayStation lineup."
``'The Land Before Time' is one of our most popular and cherished
franchises," said Nancy Cushing-Jones, president of publishing rights,
Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. ``TDK Mediactive has developed a
unique and innovative interactive product that both parents and children
are sure to enjoy."
``Great Valley Racing Adventure" isn't a conventional racing game. Young
dinos must gallop, jump, dodge, and use stone slabs and ice to slide
through the courses, grabbing Treestar power-ups along the way. The
cast of dinosaur characters includes Littlefoot, the lovable long neck
apatosaurus; Cera, the bossy three-horn triceratops; Ducky, the naive
duckbill swimmer saurolophus; Petrie, the comic flyer pterodactyl; and
Spike the ravenous spiketail stegosaurus.
``Great Valley Racing Adventure" includes the following features:
* Eight single-player obstacle courses and eight two-player racetracks.
* The ability to race against the computer or compete with a friend.
* Magnificent 3D environments.
* Weather effects add an extra visual dimension to gameplay.
* Variable skill levels suitable for younger children.
Now available nationwide, ``The Land Before Time: Great Valley Racing
Adventure" is rated E for Everybody and retails at $19.99.
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Congress Mulls Internet Sales Tax
Congress must soon decide whether to keep the Internet a largely tax-free
shopping zone or pave the way for states to collect sales taxes on most
online purchases.
There is little doubt lawmakers will extend a moratorium expiring this
October that bars taxes on Internet access and prohibits taxes that single
out the Internet. The bigger question: What do to about sales taxes? While
laws in 45 states say those taxes are owed, they rarely are collected.
At stake are billions of dollars in revenue for state and local governments
as well as tax fairness between traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and
their Internet and catalog competitors.
Congress' General Accounting Office has estimated that uncollected sales
taxes on Internet purchases could cost the states $12.5 billion in 2003.
Remote sellers, meanwhile, say complying with thousands of different taxing
jurisdictions would create a costly new burden - and could lead to
imposition of more taxes in the future.
``This is a complicated and controversial issue," said Sen. Byron Dorgan,
D-N.D., sponsor of a bill providing a way for states to
eventually collect
Internet sales taxes. ``It's a tax that is already owed. The question is
how you work it out so the consumer can more easily pay it."
The taxes are not collected now mainly because of the Supreme Court, which
has ruled that a business must have a physical presence - such as a
warehouse, a retail store or an executive office - before a state can
require sales tax collections on out-of-state purchases. Few states have
tried to force their citizens to pay the tax from remote sales on their
own.
In the Senate, negotiators have tentatively agreed on an extension of the
moratorium through 2006. The measure would also expand states' sales tax
collection authority, but only if at least 25 states simplify their own
multiple tax rates. Congress would still have to give final approval to the
new system.
``What we're working on is if a state is allowed to do this, there would be
one rate," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sponsor of one leading bill. ``I
think you can do a lot of harm to e-commerce by setting up a maze of
taxes."
The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to consider Internet tax
legislation as early as Thursday. ``I think we're very close to
agreement," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the committee chairman.
Some 32 states are in formal discussions at developing a streamlined sales
tax collection system, according to the National Conference of State
Legislatures. In 25 states, legislation has been introduced to simplify tax
rates in anticipation of congressional permission to collect the taxes.
Vice President Dick Cheney recently endorsed extension of the moratorium on
Internet access taxes and taxes that single out the Internet, but the Bush
administration is taking a cautious stance on sales taxes.
``The groups are working passionately to reach a compromise, and we are
encouraging it and monitoring it," said Mark Weinberger, assistant
Treasury secretary for tax policy.
A coalition of retailers and shopping centers, including Wal-Mart, is
lobbying for sales taxes to apply equally to all sales. Many Internet
businesses are much more willing than in the past to accept such a system,
as long as the compliance burdens are not too great.
``It's the biggest sea change of the debate," said Jeffrey Friedman,
partner on electronic tax issues at the KPMG accounting and consulting
firm. ``At one time, the idea of states extending their reach was a
nonstarter."
But there are fears among some that once states get the authority to
collect sales taxes, which would grant new audit authority, some could
attempt to impose license fees, corporate income taxes or franchise taxes
on business activity.
``It puts business in the middle of revenue grabs between the various
states," said Mark Nebergall of the Software Finance and Tax Executives
Council.
Some lawmakers view new state collection powers as essentially a tax
increase, which would face an especially tough road in the Republican-led
House.
Rep. Billy Tauzin, chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said he does
not sense ``any will in the political gut" to tackle the issue of state
sales taxes, but agrees the states should be given a chance to prove their
case.
``I think people would like to keep this thing on the burners so states are
encouraged to work this out," said Tauzin, R-La. ``I really don't see us
doing much more than extending the current law."
Is Internet Privacy an Oxymoron?
Outgoing Yahoo! chief executive officer Tim Koogle might not have thought
that Internet privacy was a contradiction in terms. But that was before he
was "outed" by The Washington Post for using a screen name to participate
in auctions -- on eBay.
Now this story has many interesting threads, starting with what the heck
is the CEO of a direct competitor doing bidding and buying on eBay? (The
adjunct question might be, how long until eBay uses this fact in a
commercial?)
There's also the question of timing. Apparently, Koogle was in a shopping
mood shortly after stepping down from the helm at Yahoo! -- causing a
seven-hour trading halt in the process -- because on that day, he bought a
US$130,000 Aston Martin and a Versace wallet, according to the Post.
But what's most interesting is Koogle's response to the revelation that he
was the man behind the "Virginiadude" screen name. Specifically, the Post
said that Koogle replied in part: "I don't appreciate this invasion of
privacy."
Welcome to the Internet, Tim.
The fact is that Koogle, like everyone on the Internet, was lulled into a
false sense of security and privacy. A fake screen name seems like just
the trick to shop, visit scandalous sites, even send e-mails to all sorts
of people -- anonymously.
But it's simply not real privacy. Any enterprising investigator can dig
back to the original source and find out the truth.
It's easy to forget that, though. We read message boards where everyone
has a screen name: some outlandish, some barely scrambled versions of
their real names.
In fact, some people don't even bother covering their tracks anymore,
either due to boldness, a false sense of security or just plain laziness.
I recently covered a story about layoffs at a provider of online 401(k)
programs. The tip was sent via an unsigned e-mail, but the e-mail
signature bore the name of a competitor of the downsizing company. A quick
check of the management profiles revealed just who had sent the tip.
Most of the time, though, our Web identities are shielded as a matter of
practicality. In a corporate setting, there is comfort in numbers: Who has
the time to screen the millions of e-mails bouncing around the server,
even if many of them are personal in nature or bawdy in content and
therefore against the rules?
But Koogle got a reminder and we should all take it to heart. In fact, his
lesson was learned fairly cheaply. While a potential embarrassment to
Yahoo!, it got little attention -- perhaps even because of his pleas for
privacy.
The fact is that everyone wants to believe in online privacy, but so far
it's like believing in Santa Claus. After all, what solid proof do we have
that online privacy exists?
The Toysmart situation was supposed to be a turning point. But destruction
of the failed e-tailer's customer list did not ease privacy concerns.
Instead, the opposite has happened. Dot-coms have gone about changing
their privacy policies to specifically say that once a company or a
division is sold or merged, all bets are off. In other words, e-tailers
are reserving the right to sell our names, e-mail addresses and shopping
histories.
Anyone with an e-mail address knows that someone out there is selling your
information to the highest bidder -- and there appear to be many sellers
and buyers. So why should we continue to believe in online privacy?
And yet we do. And we continue to be surprised when policies are changed,
either to erode protections or slip in clauses that preserve the status
quo that personal data is a commodity.
As long as we blindly believe the myth that all is well on the Interent
privacy front, there won't be any changes to make it a reality.
Napster Replaces Apology with Warning
Last week Napster apologized to its users for "overblocking" -- preventing
songs not covered by the music industry's copyright infringement lawsuit
from being traded. After a favorable court ruling on Friday, however, the
file-swapping company appears to be easing some of its filtering efforts.
The apology was replaced over the weekend by a stern warning to users that
those who attempt to subvert the file filtering mechanism would be
summarily excluded from the service.
"Clearly it's filtering far more than their previous efforts -- in fact,
more than they intended," Webnoize analyst Ric Dube told NewsFactor
Network.
Dealing Napster a minor, if temporary, victory on Friday, U.S. District
Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel told the record industry plaintiffs that
they must not only supply Napster with the artists and song-titles they
believe are being illegally shared on Napster, but also at least one
Napster file name.
The decision greatly increased the burden on the record companies, and
observers say it will allow Napster to breathe a little easier.
As a result of Patel's ruling, Napster is "scaling back" its recently
invigorated filters, said Dube, who covers the digital music industry for
Webnoize.
Patel suggested the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) could
go back to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals if it doesn't agree with her
reading of the Appeals Court's most recent ruling on the requirements.
Patel also rejected the RIAA's request for stricter remedies against
Napster, saying she'd wait until hearing a report by A.J. Nichols, the
technology expert she assigned to evaluate how well the filters are
working.
Earlier this month, Patel chastised Napster, calling its filtering efforts
to date "disgraceful."
Perhaps in anticipation of its next appearance in front of Patel, Napster
had implemented much more powerful filters last week. The apology for
over-blocking was taken down over the weekend, however.
It was replaced with a message stating that the company's latest filtering
efforts attempt to "screen out the wide range of variations in artist name
and song title that result in noticed works continuing to appear on the
Napster index."
And, while many of the variations are a result of individual users naming
their files, Napster specifically warned those trying to subvert its
filters by using "Pig Latin" or other evasive measures.
"Users found to be employing such evasive techniques will receive a
warning, and those who continue to share such files will be blocked from
using the Napster service," the company warned.
Napster began filtering songs after Judge Patel ordered the company to do
so in March. But the use of Pig Latin and other coding and decoding
schemes had made the company's efforts to comply with the court order a
monumental task.
As of Thursday, Napster said it was blocking 1.75 million files, according
to published reports.
The California-based Napster is attempting to maintain its user base,
while complying with the court's orders, in anticipation of the launch of
its paid download service this summer.
The Napster case has fueled a flurry of activity in the Internet music
world, with the announcement of several new ventures by music industry
players that will offer legal music downloads on a subscription basis.
Judge: Labels Wrong on Napster
A federal judge said the record industry has misinterpreted a key appellate
ruling in the case against Napster Inc., and must do more to help the
file-swapping service prevent millions of music fans from trading copyright
songs.
U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel's memorandum effectively means that
for now, Napster's interpretation holds - that the record labels must
identify at least one infringing file on the ever-changing network before
Napster is obligated to remove copies of the song.
Napster says it has been doing the best it can to remove any infringing
songs brought to its attention, but this has proved exceptionally
difficult, since Napster users constantly make them reappear under
different names. This week, Napster began using even stronger screening
technology in an attempt to comply with court orders that copyright
material be removed.
Patel has described Napster as an out-of-control ``monster" that should be
shut down if the company can't make its filters work. But her memorandum
Friday notes that it remains the record labels' burden as well as Napster's
to identify specific infringing song files.
Patel invited the Recording Industry Association of America to ``seek
clarification in the court of appeals" if it disagrees with her legal
analysis.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Patel's July order that
Napster remove all copyrighted works from its file-swapping site, but with
several key caveats. The appellate court said the record industry trade
group must ``provide notice to Napster of copyrighted works and files
containing such works available on the Napster system before Napster has
the duty to disable access to the offending content."
Patel ruled Friday that the record labels' interpretation, that they need
only tell Napster to remove a song by a specific artist - that they don't
have to identify any infringing files - ``requires reading more into the
paragraph than the Ninth Circuit has made apparent."
Napster's interpretation: as well as the artist and title, it needs at
least one file name showing that the song is actually being traded.
Otherwise, Napster must search for hundreds of thousands of variations of
artist and title combinations that may not be on the network in the first
place.
``It is the only way that we can maximize the effectiveness of the
filtering of noticed works that are actually on the system," Napster
attorney Robert Silver said.
A recording industry spokeswoman sought to downplay Patel's analysis.
``Napster still needs to comply with the order," said Amy Weiss.
As of Thursday, Napster said it was blocking 1.75 million possible
combinations of artist-and-title names and variants. Napster has made it
impossible to search for many titles in the first place, effectively
blocking 85 percent of the songs users try to trade. On Thursday alone, the
filters screened out 1.6 billion files, the company said.
Patel invited both sides to submit more guidance on how Napster might
prevent newly released songs from appearing on the site, and noted that her
own ``neutral technology advisor," A.J. Nichols, is studying the
technological issues in the case.
``The court will reserve making any findings regarding the relevant
technology until it has reviewed Dr. Nichols' report," she said.
Microsoft Declares War on 'Free Software' Model
Microsoft on Thursday declared war on the Linux operating system and other
rival software that share their basic instruction codes with the public,
saying the ``free software" movement poses a fundamental threat to
commercial intellectual property rights.
Craig Mundie, senior vice president of the world's largest software
company, blasted the open source philosophy as impractical for businesses
like Microsoft in a major address at New York University, and pushed
Microsoft's own more limited "Shared Source" partnering approach.
``Fundamentally, the thing that informs our choice is this belief in
protecting our intellectual property," Mundie said. "The really big
difference is there's not as much focus (in open source models)...that you
have to make a business out of this."
Open source, with roots in scientific and academic information sharing, is
a software industry tradition through which source code -- the underlying
instructions of a program -- is made freely available for use or
modification by developers. No one claims ownership or holds a copyright.
The philosophy, which became a commercial phenomenon in the 1990s as a
popular way of building software to manage Web sites, is seen as a major
alternative to Microsoft's careful guarding of its source code Windows as a
trade secret.
In recent months, Microsoft executives have turned up the heat against the
open source philosophy. On Thursday, Mundie introduced Shared Source as
Microsoft's rival strategy.
Microsoft gives developers access to its crown jewels, the Windows
operating system source code, so they can develop new products or fix
glitches. But the company retains ownership of the software code as its
intellectual property.
Mundie's speech, heralded as a major position statement, blasted the open
source movement using more forceful language than the typically ambiguous,
jargon-filled phrasings of a software executive.
He described the open software movement as ``flimsy," "flawed,"
jeopardizing property rights and threatening to undermine the software
industry, a key economic growth engine.
``We recognize that Open Source Software (OSS) has some benefits such as
the fostering of community, improved feedback... and debugging," Mundie
said. ``But there are significant drawbacks to OSS as well."
Open source software creates greater dangers of security risks, software
instability and incompatibility and could force valuable corporate
intellectual property into public hands, Mundie said.
In recent years, open source development has captured the imagination of
millions of programmers across the globe as a new way of working outside
the orbit of Microsoft, which had previously dominated computer software
design.
Spearheading the development of Linux, the best known of the open source
software systems, were companies such as Red Hat Inc., VA Linux and Caldera
Systems Inc.
Since 1999, International Business Machines Corp., the world's biggest
computer company, has thrown considerable financial backing behind open
source software. Other top computer hardware and software makers have
joined in.
By contrast, Microsoft has considered open source as a challenge to its way
of doing business. The company identified it as a major threat to its
business during the federal trial where it was found guilty last year of
antitrust violations.
Mundie took aim at the General Public License, a basic agreement under
which open source software is distributed.
He likened the GPL, which rejects traditional copyright in favor of open
sharing of any software design changes, to failed dot-com business models
of the past.
``(Supporters of the GPL) ask software developers to give away for free the
very thing they create that is of greatest value, in the hope that,
somehow, they'll make money selling something else," Mundie said.
Open source programmers typically rely on selling custom programming or
consulting services rather than selling software licenses.
Mundie said Microsoft has made its source code available since 1991, first
to academic institutions, then to close hardware partners and more recently
to major corporate customers. More than 5 million programmers now have
access to Microsoft's underlying code, he said.
Mundie said that Microsoft would be expanding its Shared Source effort to
additional countries and to independent software companies in the coming
months.
Brad Kuhn, vice president of the Free Software Foundation, the group behind
the General Public License, said Microsoft was trying to confuse the
difference between commercial software and proprietary software controlled
by one company.
Kuhn said Microsoft pays lip service to the open source philosophy in order
to tap the energies of a wide network of programmers but uses those efforts
to create software that it alone owns and controls.
``They're trying to trick the issue and change it," Kuhn said.
Ken Wasch, president of the Software & Information Industry Association
(SIIA), a Washington D.C.-based trade group that has been highly critical
of Microsoft's business practices, said Microsoft was trying to incite fear
among businesses considering using open source software to run key
operations.
``It is safe to say that Microsoft shares certain, but not all,
(programming code) and only does so when it is in the best interests of the
company, not in the interest of dynamic innovation within the industry."
Microsoft Names, Delays Windows 2002
Microsoft has gone back to the calendar to name the upcoming server
version of Windows--but the company has given itself six more months to
get the product out the door.
Microsoft announced Monday that it has chosen the name "Windows 2002" for
the operating system that will supplant Windows 2000 Server, Advanced
Server and Datacenter--the versions that run the powerful networked
computers called servers. Windows 2002's close cousin, Windows XP, is
intended for use on desktops, laptops and workstations and is the first of
the products Microsoft based on the software code-named Whistler.
Using "2002" carries on a date-oriented naming tradition that began with
Windows 95 but that Microsoft veered away from for its upcoming Windows
XP, short for "experience."
But Windows 2002 likely will arrive later than hoped--possibly by the end
of 2001, a spokeswoman for Microsoft said, but more likely in the first
half of 2002.
Last October, Microsoft said in a statement that versions of Whistler--now
known as Window XP and Windows 2002--"are expected to be generally
available in the second half of 2001."
The delay carries on a tradition of delayed operating system releases that
has plagued Microsoft as well as its competitors.
"If there have been any major releases of a Windows operating system that
have shipped on time, I am not aware of them," said Robert Francis Group
analyst Michael Dortch. "Any information technology executive with more
than four months' experience has probably already planned for this."
The Whistler versions of Windows are key for Microsoft as it tries to
create software that's less crash-prone.
For the first time, nearly all its operating systems will be spawned from
the same code base--even "embedded" versions for devices such as video
poker machines or set-top boxes. Only Windows CE for portable devices such
as handheld computers comes from a separate lineage.
Currently, Microsoft's position is more complicated. Windows Millennium
Edition for home users is based on the lineage that led through DOS to
Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98. On the other hand, Windows 2000
for servers and business desktop computers is an extension of the Windows
NT lineage.
Windows XP will be the first home computer product to be based on Windows
NT.
For Windows 2002, Microsoft decided to stick with the calendar-based
naming convention because of its familiarity to corporate computing
personnel. "It seems prudent to continue with a similar naming paradigm,"
Bob O'Brien, group product manager for the Windows .Net server marketing
program, said in a statement.
The slipped schedule is in response to comments from customers, Microsoft
said. "Microsoft is very focused on listening to customer feedback, and
feels strongly about not shipping the product until customers tell them
they are ready," a spokeswoman said.
One of the major features coming with Windows 2002 is easier use of Active
Directory, a Microsoft feature that keeps track of computers across
company networks and what they can do, said Summit Strategies analyst
Dwight Davis. A delay might hold up adoption of this feature, but
otherwise is unlikely to affect Microsoft too much, he said.
"It's not as significant a release relative to Windows 2000 as Windows
2000 was to Windows NT," Davis said. The step is more minor--more like the
step from Windows 95 to Windows 98.
Microsoft said Monday that Windows XP will include a version designed for
Intel's upcoming 64-bit CPUs, the first of which is named Itanium and is
due to arrive in computers by the end of June.
IBM Says Developed Technology for Producing Smaller,
Faster Computer Chips
International Business Machines Corp said it has developed new transistor
technology that could enable production of a new class of smaller, faster
and lower-power computer chips than currently possible with silicon.
IBM said its researchers have built the world's first array of transistors
out of carbon nanotubes -- tiny cylinders of carbon atoms that are 500
times smaller than today's silicon-based transistors.
"This achievement is an important step in finding new materials and
processes for improving computer chips after silicon-based chips cannot be
made any smaller -- a problem chip makers are expected to face in about
10-20 years," it said.
It went on to say that studies its researchers have carried out prove that
carbon nanotubes can compete with silicon in terms of performance.
Mac User Group Events Coming to Macworld New York
Apple's User Group Advisory Board, in association with Macworld Expo, is
offering special discounts and free registration to Mac user group (MUG)
members for this summer's Macworld Expo in New York.
The board is a group of leaders who run successful user groups in their
communities. The group is chartered with providing feedback and advice to
Apple on issues related to User Group Program.
Regarding Macworld New York, Mac User Group members can register for a free
Exhibits Only pass (a US$29 value). They can also get 15 percent (about
$194) off a Conference Package by using the User Group Priority Code. The
priority code for both offers can be obtained from an Apple authorized
Macintosh User Group leader.
The User Group Advisory Board is also encouraging user group members to
attend User Group University New York, a one day conference for Apple user
group leaders. A third User Group Breakfast has been added to the Macworld
New York event schedule. Finally, special room rates are available at The
New Yorker hotel for MUG members. You can get details on all these events
and offers at the MUG Center Web site.
MUGs are good places for making new friends, finding Mac-loving buddies,
boning up your technical expertise, finding solutions to technical
problems, and sometimes finding a good deal on used hardware. For more info
on MUGs, and to find the location of the one nearest you, go to Apple's
User Group Web page.
MWNY 2001 will run July 17-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in
New York. You can register by June 18 to save up to $150 on the on-site
registration prices. For complete pricing and registration info, go to the
show's registration site.
=~=~=~=
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