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Atari Online News, Etc. Volume 02 Issue 25
Volume 2, Issue 25 Atari Online News, Etc. June 23, 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:
Mario Becroft
Rob Mahlert
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Visit the Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi!
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=~=~=~=
A-ONE #0225 06/23/00
~ VMEbus Graphics Card! ~ People Are Talking! ~ Presario Colorized!
~ Porn Censorship Fails! ~ Rampage Through Time! ~ New Network Virus!
~ AOL Accounts Hacked! ~ Protect Your Password! ~ NGEN Racing!
~ MS' "dotnet" Strategy ~ Wanna Be A Millionaire ~ Heroes For GBC
-* Windows ME Out in September! *-
-* Lawmakers To Look at Online Casinos *-
-* Judge Sends Microsoft Case to Supreme Court *-
=~=~=~=
->From the Editor's Keyboard "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
It seems like Memorial Day was just a short time ago; and now the Fourth of
July is rapidly approaching! Are the days getting shorter?
The new lawn I recently put in is starting to take hold. It's amazing to
finally seem some green where previously all I saw was sandy soil. I'll
probably have to so some spot re-seeding, but I expected that would occur.
Now I have to plant a "ton" of plant bulbs that I recently received in the
mail - about two months later than expected! And I still don't have the
pool opened yet! Every time I've almost finished draining the water from
atop the pool cover, it rains again! Never fails! Maybe this weekend.
Not much going on in the technology world these days (other than the ups and
downs of the "dot-coms" - boring). Microsoft got a brief reprieve by having
its case sent to the Supreme Court. It will be interesting to see if that
court will hear the case, or send it back down.
Until next time...
=~=~=~=
VMEbus Graphics Card Progress
I don't usually send messages this frequently to my mailing list but I
thought recent events were worth a message.
After having done nothing on the VMEbus graphics card for about 6 months,
I have put something of a burst of effort into it during the last week.
Although it is not yet finished, it is now functional, and I am in fact
typing this message with a resolution of 800x600 pixels in true colour on
my TT (via the card)! All of the designs that I made about a year ago have
proved to work perfectly and everything has gone very smoothly so far.
There is still work to do, but the card has come a long way.
--
Mario Becroft
=~=~=~=
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@portone.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. What a crazy week it's been. Not in the
computer world so much, but in my personal life. Work, as always, takes
more time than I'd like it to.
I almost ended up stopping in and paying a visit to our publisher the
other day. I had to call on a customer not too far from his residence
and, if I hadn't been so pressed for time I would have stopped to check
out the lawn that has taken so much of his time lately. <grin>
Anyway, things have been hectic and I can't see any reason to believe
that they'll ease up any time soon. I guess it's just part and parcel
of the times we live in. That realization doesn't make it any easer to
cope with though. But it does help to know that I'm not the only one
feeling the pinch. Statistics tell us that the majority of us work more
than the "standard" forty hours per week these days.
Anthropologists estimate that it took our prehistoric ancestors about
twenty hours to hunt and gather everything needed for the week. These
days, it takes somewhere on the order of sixty hours to do the same.
That's progress, I guess.
Speaking of progress, let's progress to the news, hints, tips, and info
from the UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
====================================
Bengy Collins posts this tidbit about the next version of MagiC:
"One of the largest and perhaps most interesting rumor that has been floating
around is the upcoming network support in MagiC. Lately, we learned of the
possibility of the so called "MagiCNet" being MiNTNet compatible, thus
opening up a world of new internet software for MagiC users. Now we have
confirmed it with inside information. Here are some of the juicy details:
MagiCNet (Or MagiXNet, as it is written to the screen upon bootup) is almost
complete!
The package includes Device drivers, tools, test programs, and serial and
midi drivers, ethernet and the programmers socket library. The mentioned
'ethernet' is the authors Pocket adapter project for which he's ported the
software driver to both MiNTNET and MagiCNET. For you techies out there,
they are source compatible with only a few #ifdef MINTNET in the sources
because MagiC and MiNT kernels are completely different. LANCE, RIELB, DE600
and other drivers can be compiled fine, but have yet to be tested.
Already, MiNTNet versions of aMail and aFTP work great under the MiNTNet
overlay. (Tests were done by using a 'fake' MiNT cookie under MagiC)
Now that compatibility with MiNTNet is at a high enough level, work is
underway on a Dialer. The dialer will probably be pppd but with a modern GEM
interface. A GEM port configuration utility is also planned.
One last point worth mentioning: Although more tests need to be carried out
before this can be officially confirmed, early tests suggest that MagiCNet
actually runs faster then the 'real' MiNTNet!..
As more information is compiled it will be added to the MagiCNet page of
MagiC Online. (Not yet online)"
Edward Baiz tells Bengy:
"Interesting. I can hardly wait to give this a try. Is it going to be
commercial, shareware or what??? Nice to see this....."
Lonny Pursell jumps in and mirrors my own thoughts:
"Just curious how easy it is to set all this up? The one big
problem with MiNTNet is the installation. With IFusion what
is the benefit to running the MiNTNet version of Amail and
Aftp? I though the Atack guys made an IConnect OVL??
That comment I don't get. There is not that many GEM only
MiNTNet apps, so what you have is a lot of work that went
into something that will allow magic users access to
all the boring text based unix apps. Cool! :-)))
The very stuff most wish to avoid from what I gather.
I would bet a few might find this useful, but from what I've
seen in the past here not that many. If someone needs some
serious networking and wants to stay with magic, then
I guess they can try this package. Hope it works as advertised."
Bengy tells Lonny:
"Exactly, he is making a very easy installation programs etc. I only received
this info last night, and asked for more information, he was very vague..
But he did mention MagiC Users not wanting to type in ifconfig sl0 addr
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx dstaddr xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx mtu 150 link04 etc
etc to configure a serial port :-)
On the mintnet versions of programs... Yep, he just told me that as an
example of the compatibility and the fact that it is working already :)
The whole package will be freeware, so I think it's great. I think it will
be important for:
MagiC pre-installed in new milans
new milans now have ethernet cards
drivers available for mintnet..."
Mike Bedford asks about using I-Connect:
"When I log-on using I-Connect everything seems to work ok. The modem
display indicates that I've logged on (to Demon) as do the various
noises from the modem :-).
The task bar gets to the end of the sequence and the program then freezes.
The following messages are displayed
Status Get IP addresses
Command Service-Eintrage (there's an umlaut over the last a)"
Steve Sweet tells Mike:
"Service Eintrage and Proxy Eintrage equate to Service entry and proxy
entry.
It's the phase in the handshake where iConnect gets the IP numbers it
craves. I suggest you run Con-Info and see if those IP no's are
granted. Check through iConf dialogues for obvious errors, like have
you opted for a dynamic IP?."
Derryck Croker adds:
"Make sure that the running order of your HSModem components is correct.
Sockets.prg should run immediately afterwards.
Service Entry.
I don't know what entries you have in IConnect, but ISPs that I've set it up
for recently have needed very little work.
In the Modem page set your port and modem init (atz here)
Account - your login, password, ISP tel number and 0.0.0.0 as IP address
Login - just a "Done" with the PPP box ticked
DNS IP address - again 0.0.0.0 (the ISP should pass this detail)
Fill out the other boxes to suit Demon's details.
This should do it."
Lyndon Amsdon asks about RAM upgrades:
"I got this old marpet RAM upgrade board for an STFM. The STFM only
had 512k and the marpet board had two 256k simms on the board in the
two slots nearest the ribbon connectors to make 1mb of RAM.
Can I put 4 1mb simms in to get 4 mb, won't there be a problem with
the 512k RAM on the mother board being in parallel with some on the
marpet boards RAM.
I've got no manual for this board."
Derryck Croker tells Lyndon:
"Yes, there will be problems using four MEG. The installation you
already have should have one or two resistors with one end removed
from the PCB and wired to the +ve end of a nearby capacitor. Do the
same with the other resistor(s) in the same bank to disable the ST's
512K RAM.
I'm hazy on the exact details, but this should be enough to give you
the idea.
Peter West chimes in and tells Lyndon:
"Using small snippers or scissors cut the end nearest to the MMU chip
of the following resistors for the bank(s) you wish to turn off:
Bank 1 Bank 2
STFM Type I R61 and R60 R71 and R72
STFM Type II R90 R91 R93 R94
STFM Type III R61 R60 R71 R72
Mega 1 ST R68 R70 R148 R149
Bend up the cut end of each cut resistor and attach a wire that goes to
the +ve end of the nearby large capacitor."
Ric Easton asks for help with his modem:
"I have spent two happy years online with my 1040STE (4MB) until recently
when my service provider changed their modems over to some digital type.
I can no longer connect to them even though they say nothing should have
changed in the way of settings etc my end. They did say i needed a V90
compatible modem 56K. I have tried one of these but still no connection.
I suspect it may be the HSMODA06 driver I have for the modem does not
drive a V90 compatible modem.
Has anyone had a similar experience or have any ideas? Are there any
other modem drivers other than HSMODA06?
I would appreciate any help as it is driving me crazy having to use our
(new) PC for email and newsgroups etc. Pop watch is just so good at
viewing mail and cutting out the crap and long unwanted ones before
downloading and I never had any problem connecting with STinG."
Steve Stupple asks Ric:
"Have you tried HS Modem v7? if may sort the problem. I don't have any
problem connecting with a 28800 on my Atari's!!!! Or with ANY other ISP,
I've tried, with using it on a pc!"
Dan Ackerman tells Steve and Ric:
"Well I just wanted to add this little bit of information. It's my
opinion entirely and any similarity between it and reality I will leave to
the reader.
1. Most ISP tech people don't know the difference between LCP and
IPCP. In fact unless they have read the box of some canned piece of
software, they probably don't even know the words. (I've heard europe is
better than the US, so please keep that in mind as well)
2. Most experts on TCP/IP in the US are really only experts on
Microsoft's software installation and setup. I've had a few rounds with a
tech of somewhat national standing who makes 3 times what I do in a
year. And they inevitably fall apart quickly with him not understanding
basic bits of what he is supposedly a national level expert on.
3. Most PPP/SLIP is done through hardware solutions these
days. You would think this would help the ISP get their act together. In
truth I think it just means they felt justified to fire the few people
around that did know what they were talking about (I am not now and never
have been employed by an ISP)
4. The level of incompetence has reached the critical failing
point that they can't help an average user with a real problem with their
service. They frankly can't help as they've never been taught anything
about the subject. If it's beyond setting up DialUp Networking in
windows, it's beyond their education.
5. Learn some buzzwords and what they mean. Like TTL is time to
live. It is entertaining if nothing else. And will ensure when you
arguing with your ISP that at least one of you has some idea of the
subject. I have caught local ISP's throwing out buzzwords to try and
amaze me with their knowledge. It might have worked if I didn't know what
the words meant and realized that they obviously didn't.
6. Finally the solution. Look for another ISP. They are quite
possibly using a misconfigured ASCEND router and your chance of getting
them to fix it is little to nothing. I offered to fix a local one for free
after showing them that their national consultant who charges them $1000
hour didn't know his anus from his mouth. Needless to say my lack of
Microsoft Certification makes them worried. Idiots."
[Editor's Note]: My ISP recently switched to a nationwide dial-up
system, and I had to reconfigure things slightly to get anything to
work with it. It turns out that, while the old system used PAP, the new
system uses CHAP. Although Microsoft's stock dialer detects the
difference and adapts, none of the dialers I use do. When I called the
ISP to inform them of the difference and recommend that they make
mention of it. The customer support person, although very polite and
personable, didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about. Another
case in point, I guess.
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 - Want To Be A Millionaire 2
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 'Rampage Through Time'!
'Heroes' For GBC!
'Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn'!
And much more!
=~=~=~=
->A-ONE's Game Console Industry News - The Latest Gaming News!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Midway's Arcade Progeny ``Rampage Through Time"
Launches on the PlayStation Game Console
Midway Games Inc. announced that ``Rampage Through Time" for the
PlayStation game console will be available in retail outlets this week.
In this latest PlayStation installment of the popular arcade and home
console series, the ``Rampage" monsters are back with more destructive fun
including added locations, time periods and party-style mini-games that
feature classic gameplay.
While in hot pursuit of the evil time-traveling Doctor Scum, players get a
chance to take on the role of eight one-of-a-kind monsters to engage in
chaos as they demolish cities throughout time. This PlayStation version
also allows for three-player simultaneous action, which gives a whole new
meaning to the word ``destruction."
Players must accumulate power-ups in the form of bombs and, as monsters,
destroy all objects in their way. With separate building ``smash rounds,"
mini-games and boss levels to play, ``Rampage Through Time" is filled with
devastatingly devilish fun.
``The comical bedlam of the original `Rampage' is a strong presence
throughout this PlayStation release," said Helene Sheeler, vice president
of marketing for Midway. ``With new plot additions and added characters,
`Rampage Through Time' includes more exciting gameplay than ever before."
``Rampage Through Time" is being supported by a promotional giveaway that
will appear in the August issue of incite Video Gaming and online at
incite.com. Midway is also supporting ``Rampage Through Time" with an
advertising campaign that will appear in video game enthusiast and
mainstream consumer publications.
``Rampage Through Time" Key Features
* Party-style multi-player game that can support up to three players
simultaneously
* Eight ``Rampage" monsters to choose from including classic
favorites: Lizzie, George and Ralph
* Sixty building ``smash rounds" for players to wreak havoc
* Twenty unique settings throughout time including ancient Egypt
and the old West
* Twenty mini-games featuring classic game play with the ``Rampage"
attitude
* Climactic conclusion with fierce final boss
3DO Ships Heroes of Might and Magic for Game Boy Color
The 3DO Company announced that the Heroes of Might and Magic game for the
Game Boy Color is now available at retail outlets throughout North America
and online shopping sites. The Heroes of Might and Magic game transports
players to the fantasy world of Enroth where they must forge their kingdom
from the ground up. Players explore treacherous lands, build powerful
armies, and conquer the forces of evil in this innovative game of strategy
and fantasy.
``The Game Boy Color has been a phenomenal success among adults and
children alike," said Trip Hawkins, chairman and CEO of The 3DO Company.
``The very popular Heroes of Might and Magic game is a natural for this
platform, because it appeals to such a wide range of players."
The Heroes brand, developed by New World Computing, a division of The 3DO
Company, has earned high praise from leading publications, including a
``Readers' Top 50" award and a ``Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year"
award from PC Gamer magazine, as well as perfect score ratings and awards
from Computer Games Strategy Plus magazine and Cnet Gamecenter, among
others. The game also earned a ``Top Pick" selection from Family PC
magazine, and ``Editor's Choice" and ``Hall of Fame" awards from Computer
Gaming World magazine. The series has sold over 1.5 million units
worldwide, and has spent several months at the top of the Computer Gaming
World Readers' Poll.
Infogrames Jets NGEN Racing Into Stores
This Week On Sony PlayStation
Get off the road and into the air with Infogrames' PlayStation hit, NGEN
Racing. The title that begins shipping to most major retail stores this
week takes players to a whole new level of fighter jet-racing action. All
adrenaline junkies are invited to strap in and make a Mach 2 dash for
glory!
The year is 2012, in a new kind of underground sport, the world's most
advanced fighter crafts are modified and enhanced for extreme low-level
flights and are equipped with ultra sophisticated weapons. Players will be
thrown into the cockpits of up to 40 real-world fighter jets to compete on
23 gigantic racing circuits built in real world places as exotic as desert
canyons and arctic mountains. The more races you win, the more customizing
options you get to help make your plane into the ultimate racing machine.
Battle your way through the leagues to conquer the preeminent award of
Supreme Champion.
``The speed and handling of the jets in NGEN Racing is a fantastic
experience that will thrill racing fans and newcomers alike," said David
Riley, marketing director for Infogrames' San Jose Label. ``Add to that
visually stunning graphics, adrenaline-pumping jet racing action and fierce
multi-player competition and you have players captivated for hours on
end."
Featuring two control methods and two racing modes, NGEN Racing offers the
option of customizing the jets to fit the players' skill level. Arcade mode
and NGEN racing modes will allow players to choose between straight racing
and jet modified racing. In NGEN racing mode pilots buy, sell and modify
their jet aircrafts then compete in a series of races in order to win cash
to further their racing careers.
NGEN Racing also offers intense two-player action with head-to-head races
or a unique two-player feature called Powerball. The objective of Powerball
is to capture a blue glowing ball found in the center of the landscape
arena and to keep it as long as possible while your opponent tries to steal
it. Disabled weapons and speed hindrance are the detriments to having the
powerball. Using extreme flying skills is your only defense against your
opponent who has his weapons fully intact to help knock the powerball out
of your grasp. The player who has kept the powerball for the longest at the
end of the battle wins.
Developed by Curly Monsters, NGEN Racing also features TV-style replays, a
variety of offensive and defensive weapons, a precision 3D engine, and an
original soundtrack from popular European DJ, Matt Darey. NGEN Racing is
available at an estimated retail price of $39.99 and can be found at most
major retail outlets.
Activision Takes Players on a High-Speed Ride
Through Europe With the Release Of Covert Ops:
Nuclear Dawn for the PlayStation Game Console
Search, solve and destroy. The action-adventure genre goes high-speed when
Activision, Inc. ships Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn for the PlayStation game
console the week of June 19, 2000. Rated ``M" (``Mature") by the ESRB,
the heart-pounding game will be available in retail across North America
and carries a suggested retail price of $39.99.
Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn takes place on a new high-speed military train
that has been hijacked as it leaves St. Petersburg bound for Paris. In this
authentic military based real-time action-adventure game, players assume
the role of a NATO soldier who must rescue an ambassador and his family
from a group of terrorists and defuse multiple nuclear weapons before the
train reaches Paris.
``Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn's multi-faceted gameplay, stunning graphics,
real-world environments and life-like military missions make for an
exceptional and immersive ride," said Michael Pole, executive vice
president, Activision Studios. ``With multiple outcomes based on the
player's choices, the game is sure to captivate gamers across the board."
Produced by Sugar and Rockets, Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn draws players into
a compelling story that unfolds and changes based on players' actions. As
the train travels through 30 cities in 12 different countries, players are
challenged to master new skills as they jump, roll, sneak, climb and shoot
their way inside and outside more than 18 multi-level train cars.
Additionally, the game features 10 military weapons, multiple puzzles,
three mini-games tied to the storyline, seven different endings plus a
bonus mode and over 50 minutes of cinematic cut scenes that unveil the
twists and turns of the high-speed action-adventure.
'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition'
Challenges Players to Take The 'Hot Seat' on the
Playstation Game Console
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced the release of ``Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" for the PlayStation game console.
Following the style of ABC's most popular television phenomenon, ``Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" incorporates all the drama and
immersive fun of the TV game show, with hundreds of mind-bending questions
and all three Lifelines -- Phone-A-Friend, Ask the Audience and 50/50 --
all hosted by a virtual Regis Philbin.
``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" utilizes audio and video of
Regis Philbin, including instructions on how to play the game; questions;
right/wrong answers; phone-in banter; and of course, ``...is that your
FINAL answer?" Through a winning combination of clever writing, design and
high-production values, a virtual Regis Philbin comes to life, complete
with his charming wit and attitude, to host the game right in players'
homes.
``We are thrilled to bring 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition' to
the PlayStation game console," said Ami Blaire, director, product
marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. ``With the popularity
of the television game show and Regis Philbin as the host, 'Who Wants To Be
A Millionaire: 2nd Edition' is sure to become a huge hit among PlayStation
gamers."
``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" captures the drama of the
game show, beginning with the two-player Fastest Finger round. Four items
are displayed out of sequence on the screen, and the first contestant to
put these items in the right order in the shortest time advances to the Hot
Seat. Just like the television program, participants must answer 15
progressively challenging questions correctly.
Also as on TV, players can rely on three different Lifelines for
assistance: Ask the Audience, Phone-A-Friend and 50/50. Instead of polling
a live studio audience for Ask the Audience, ``Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire: 2nd Edition" uses an Internet poll conducted prior to the
release of the game. When Phone-A-Friend is selected, the game ``calls"
one of Regis' virtual friends. Sometimes the answers they give will be
correct, sometimes incorrect. Players must use clues in the answers to
figure out whether to rely on the advice or disregard it. The third
Lifeline is 50/50, which narrows down the correct answers to two choices.
Unlike the television version, should players lose the game, they can
always try again. With hundreds of questions available, the game provides
hours of nail-biting fun. The TV-like timing, tense music and right dose of
unique banter from Regis build non-stop excitement for the chance to become
a virtual millionaire.
Two consumer promotions will support the release of ``Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire: 2nd Edition" for the PlayStation game console. The first
promotion, ``Win A '$1,000,000' Sweepstakes," sponsored by Sony Computer
Entertainment America, gives consumers the opportunity to win one million
dollars. Consumers may participate by purchasing a specially marked copy of
``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" for PlayStation or by
sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: ``Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire: 2nd Edition" Sweepstakes, Game Piece/Rule Request, 1407
Airport Road, Suite 2034, Monroe, NC 28110. Participating contestants will
receive a game piece with a number printed inside, attached to the front
panel of the ``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" packaging. To
determine if they are the winner, consumers must visit www.playstation.com,
go to the ``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" game page, follow
the instructions to enter their game piece number and see if it matches the
winning number. One grand prize winner will receive one million dollars.
The second promotion is a retail promotion, sponsored by Kmart stores
nationwide. Kmart customers who purchase ``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire:
2nd Edition" for PlayStation will receive a calling card with ten minutes
of access to an additional Lifeline to be utilized while playing the game.
This Lifeline would be a direct connection to the PlayStation call center,
whose agents have answers to the questions available upon request. This
promotion will take place beginning July 10 through August 7, 2000. Kmart
calling cards are good while supplies last.
This Second Edition title of the ``Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"
interactive game follows the original PC-CDROM, which launched in November
1999 and became the fastest selling PC game of all time.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates ``Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire: 2nd Edition" ``E" for ``Everyone." For more
information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.
Ducati - Italian Style, Passion and Power Races to
the Sega Dreamcast, Playstation Game Console and PC
Acclaim Entertainment announced that it is set to publish a multi-format
video game based on Ducati motorcycles.
Developed by Attention To Detail (ATD), the game tentatively titled Ducati
is focused on the bikes, lifestyle and great tradition of the world's
premium motorcycle brand.
``Both Acclaim and ATD are in collaboration with Ducati to ensure that the
gameplay and styling accurately projects the revolutionary and desirable
Ducati feel," said Evan Stein, Brand Director at Acclaim Entertainment.
``Designed with the gamer in mind, the sophisticated game physics allow the
player to get a feel of the different handling of Ducati's bikes throughout
the classic Italian motorcycle company's fifty-year-old history."
Ducati contains two games in one: Ducati Quick Race and Ducati Life. In the
Quick Race Mode, single players climb through a simple arcade-style
progression and skill achievement is rewarded with faster and more
desirable bikes. There are three different difficulty levels in which to
race as well as eight initial tracks. The Ducati Life mode is unique in
that it offers single players a realistic simulation of the entire Ducati
bike range. Proof of skill rewards players with cash flow, which can be
used to enter more races and purchase more desirable bikes and upgrades.
Players can then tweak their hard-earned bikes until they are the ultimate
racing machines. The unique thrill comes when the player takes their tuned
bike and enters a challenge race against a friend - win and they get to
keep both bikes; lose and it's back to the garage empty handed. The game
also includes a Classic Showroom, which contains samples of Ducati bikes
from the 1950's to the present; the Ducati Showroom, featuring modern
Ducati bikes; and the Used Showroom, where gamers can purchase less
expensive, used bikes.
=~=~=~=
A-ONE's Headline News
The Latest in Computer Technology News
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
U.S. Appeals Court to Consider Microsoft Request
Microsoft won a small round in its battle against the Justice Department on
Monday, when the U.S. Court of Appeals agreed to consider freezing a lower
court order that forces the software giant to change its business
practices, but the victory may be temporary.
In fact, the narrow procedural ruling contained something for each side
and stopped far short of dealing with the lower court's order to break up
the company, a remedy imposed to stop Microsoft Corp. from abusing monopoly
power.
For example, the appeals court sided with the government and rejected
Microsoft's argument that the Justice Department and 19 states really have
separate case instead of a combined action. That decision helped simplify
matters for the government procedurally.
``This moves things along about a foot, with several miles to go," said
Robert Litan, vice president and director of economic studies at The
Brookings Institution. The appeals court's action is part of a complex
interplay between the government, Microsoft, the trial court, the appeals
court and the Supreme Court -- where the case is ultimately expected to be
decided.
Earlier this month, District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered
stringent conduct remedies to take effect Sept. 5 for Microsoft. He also
ordered a break-up of the company, but delayed action until all appeals
are complete.
Among other things, the conduct remedies require Microsoft to treat major
computer makers the same and permit them to customize how Microsoft's
Windows operating system appears on their screens. Microsoft also would
have to permit other software applications writers the same access to the
company's code that Microsoft's own software writers enjoy.
Microsoft asked the appeals court to freeze Jackson's conduct remedies
from taking effect, denying all allegations and telling the appeals court
it holds no monopoly.
The appeals court sided with Microsoft and decided it would consider the
question without waiting for Jackson. It set out a quick schedule, giving
the Justice Department 10 days to reply and Microsoft another seven to
comment.
``Clearly, we are pleased that the Appeals Court unanimously sided with
Microsoft and rejected the government's invitation to delay this
process," said Jim Cullinan, a Microsoft spokesman, from company
headquarters in Redmond, Wash.
But the victory may be short-lived. The government has asked Jackson to
certify the landmark antitrust case directly to the Supreme Court, under a
special law for Justice Department antitrust cases.
Microsoft told Jackson late Monday he should permit the case to go through
the appeals court, using arguments that seemed designed to appeal to the
high court rather than to Jackson.
For example, Microsoft told Jackson in its 11-page filing he had made so
many mistakes an appeals court needed to sort them out before bothering
the high court.
``Microsoft intends to challenge many of the court's findings as clearly
erroneous," Microsoft told Jackson of his decision.
There were so many areas in which he erred that, "Addressing those
subjects alone would require review of the 13,466-page trial transcript
and the 2,695 trial exhibits that comprise the record in these cases, a
time-consuming exercise the Supreme Court would not likely be anxious to
undertake."
Jackson has said in the past that he thinks sending the case straight to
the Supreme Court is a good idea.
The appeals court said it will suspend its schedule if Jackson sends the
case to the high court.
``We are very pleased with the court's ruling that it would stay further
proceedings if the District Court certifies the case for direct appeal to
the Supreme Court," a Justice Department spokeswoman said.
If five Supreme Court justices decide taking the direct appeal it will go
back to the appeals court. At that point, under the order issued Monday,
the schedule would pick up where it left off -- without counting the time
in between.
``This is a temporary victory for Microsoft," said the Brookings
Institution's Litan. ``They got what they wanted, which is to have the
circuit court hear the stay motion without waiting for Jackson to act."
But Litan said Judge Jackson ``can step in and rain on Microsoft's parade
by certifying the case directly to the Supreme Court. If that happens,
then the circuit court is basically in a holding pattern waiting for the
Supreme Court to decide what to do."
Judge Sends Microsoft Case to High Court
The judge in the Microsoft antitrust case sent the company's appeal
directly to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and suspended stringent business
restrictions of the software giant he had ordered to take effect in
September.
If the Supreme Court decides to keep the case, a resolution of the landmark
trial could come as soon as next year, as the government has urged.
Alternatively, the high court could send it to the U.S. Court of Appeals to
hear first, which Microsoft supports.
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered the break-up of
the company June 7 to prevent future antitrust violations, but suspended
the split until all appeals were finished.
Jackson also ordered temporary business restrictions that were to take
effect on Sept. 5.
In his ruling on Tuesday Jackson reversed himself on the conduct remedies
and said they were suspended ``until the appeal is decided" by the Supreme
Court, or until another appeals court reinstates them.
The conduct remedies would have required Microsoft to give software
developers greater access to the code behind its Windows personal computer
operating system. It would also have had to treat large computer makers
equally and allow them to customize how Windows appears on their screens.
``The decision to certify the case for potential direct appeal to the
Supreme Court was widely expected, but we're very pleased the court has
stayed the judgement pending appeal," said a Microsoft spokesman, Mark
Murray.
``This will allow our appeal to go forward promptly without unnecessary
disruption to consumers or the high-tech industry," he said in a telephone
conversation. ``We look forward to presenting our appeal and getting a
prompt resolution of the case."
Murray said he was confident Microsoft would win on appeal. The company has
already beaten the Justice Department once in the appeals court, in 1998,
getting a reversal of a Jackson decision in an earlier skirmish with the
government.
The Justice Department, too, expressed satisfaction with the judge's
decision and looked to the Supreme Court as its preferred venue.
``This decision affirms the Department's position that a quick and
effective remedy is necessary to resolve this significant case," the
government said in a statement.
It said the decision to suspend any remedy makes the prompt resolution by
the Supreme Court more urgent.
``Given the District Court's decision to stay the remedy during the appeal
process, the direct appeal to the Supreme Court is of particular importance
to the national interest," the statement said.
Judges may send appeals from antitrust cases brought by the government
directly to the Supreme Court when they find they are ``of general public
importance in the administration of justice," according to the law.
``The sooner a meaningful remedy is in place, the better it will be for
consumers and the marketplace by providing increased innovation, more
choices and better products," the Justice Department said.
Jackson ruled in his landmark decision that Microsoft violated the nation's
antitrust laws by using its monopoly power in personal computer operating
systems to intimidate customers into using its products instead of those of
rivals.
Microsoft, Government Agree on Supreme Court Dates
Microsoft and the government Thursday jointly proposed a timetable for
written arguments to the Supreme Court on whether the nation's highest
court should hear the software giant's antitrust appeal, bypassing the U.S.
Court of Appeals.
``The parties have agreed to a briefing schedule," said Seth Waxman, the
Justice Department's solicitor General, in a letter to the clerk of the
high court.
Waxman, the government's chief advocate before the Supreme Court, wrote
that the parties agreed that Microsoft will file with the high court on
July 26th, the government will answer on Aug. 15, and Microsoft will file
its reply -- if any -- on Aug. 22.
U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson found June 7 that the
company violated the nation's antitrust laws and ordered the firm broken in
two. But he has delayed the order -- including restrictions on Microsoft's
business practices -- from taking effect until all appeals are completed.
The agreement on the schedule was in contrast to a recent barrage of
competing legal briefs that preceded Jackson's order Tuesday to certify the
case directly to the Supreme Court under a law allowing such a course if
the matter is ``of general public importance in the administration of
justice."
Microsoft will argue that the case should first be heard by the U.S. Court
of Appeals, a court that has previously overturned Jackson in the company's
favor. The Justice Department and 19 states will argue that the case is of
general public importance and should be heard directly by the high court.
If at least four of the nine Supreme Court justices agree to hear the case
then the high court will hear it. Otherwise, the Supreme Court will send
the case down to the U.S. Court of Appeals, which had already agreed to
hear the company's appeal.
AOL Customer Accounts Hacked
America Online confirmed Friday that some of their employee accounts have
been compromised by hackers, and that the accounts were used to gain access
to and view details of some personal user accounts.
A spokesman for AOL, the largest Internet service provider, said the
company has ``employed extra security measures" to solve the problem.
``We are aware of these claims that a small number of employee accounts
have been compromised," said spokesman Rich D'Amato, adding that the
company was withholding further details of the exploit until an
investigation was completed.
The break-in, first reported early Thursday morning on Observers.net, a
site by former AOL volunteers, is performed by placing a malicious program
on an AOL employee's workstation. That program, referred to as a Trojan
horse, opens a hole in AOL's defenses allowing a hacker access into the
company's internal network.
Once there, the hacker can access the company's Customer Relations
Information System, which manages user accounts. CRIS is the keys to the
kingdom, revealing everything from the customer's name and address to
credit card numbers used for billing. The hacker can even take control of
the customer's account by changing the password.
Police Your Passwords, Or Become A Victim
These days, it seems like you need a password to gain entry into just
about everything, and for good reason. Passwords are the oldest, most
mature and most flexible security tool around. Yet they're also the most
often breached, though not because of inherent conceptual or technological
weaknesses. Despite years of experience, few people keep their passwords
secure, and few companies enforce policies that require them to do so.
Much like the lock on a front door, however, passwords always will be an
attacker's first target. As long as they remain insecure, any other
defensive measures are essentially useless.
Usually, the easiest way to get someone's password is simply to ask for
it. Penetration testing and independent studies repeatedly have shown that
most employees will readily give up their passwords to impostors posing as
help-desk personnel over the phone. In some cases, 90 percent of those
tested fell for the trick. Surprisingly, help desks are often just as
gullible, giving access to the same impostors posing as legitimate users
who have forgotten their password.
The lesson here is simple: Under no circumstances should users share their
passwords with anyone. IT staff, including help-desk staff, should never
have access to user passwords. If a user is accidentally locked out, the
old password should be reset and a new one selected or issued --and not
over the phone.
Selection and maintenance of passwords is not quite as simple. The best
passwords are the hardest to guess: long and random. I use 40-plus
character phrases as passwords --usually obscure, but memorable,
quotations. Moreover, unless users choose different passwords for each
separate account, and change those passwords regularly, the potential
damage from a single breach can be extreme. Such practices, unfortunately,
make it almost impossible for users to remember their log-in information,
which creates a strong temptation to write this data down --clearly
opening themselves up to hacker-type passersby.
One answer is the password safe. I cannot sing the praises of these apps
loud enough. Simple and inexpensive, they store log-in information in a
secure, encrypted file, allowing system administrators to enforce very
stringent rules for security while minimizing the impact on the end user.
The user still must remember a single password to open the safe itself,
but because it is never transmitted over a network, it is far more secure
than most. A safe of some sort should be a standard part of every desktop
install.
Finally, it is important to note that password policy cannot be merely
outlined in a training document; it must be enforced. End users see
security as a hassle, an obstacle between themselves and their computers.
But left to their own devices, they inevitably will expose their passwords
to attack.
New Virus Hits Networks, Could Overwhelm Servers
A computer virus that was dormant for nearly two weeks has awakened,
hitting several corporate networks and sparking security experts this
morning to upgrade warnings for the infection from "low" to "medium."
The so-called stages.worm virus has been found in email attachments in
messages with the subject lines "Funny" and "Jokes." Like the "I Love You"
and Melissa viruses, stages.worm replicates itself through IRC (Internet
Relay Chat) channels and Microsoft's Outlook Express email program.
The attachment shows up as LIFE_STAGES.TXT.
Vincent Gullotto, director of Network Associates' Anti-Virus Response Team
(AVERT), said this morning that about 50 customers reported seeing the
virus, although most said they found relatively few infected emails.
"We found the virus two weeks ago and assessed its risk as low," Gullotto
said. "But over the weekend we had a couple of large global corporations
report the virus, and then this morning numbers started to mount."
The virus does not destroy files or otherwise damage computer systems, he
added.
A notice posted on Symantec's Web site said that the virus could
potentially overwhelm email servers.
The LIFE_STAGES.TXT attachment is a Shell Script object file, according to
a report on the virus posted at Network Associates' Web site. Shell Script
files carry the extension "SHS," but the extension is not normally
displayed, making it easy to disguise.
Gullotto said computer users should not assume they can tell whether an
attached file is safe simply by looking at the file type. He pointed to
two other recent examples of disguised malicious files, Downloader and
Backdoor G2, which erroneously appeared to be video files with "AVI"
extensions.
The attachment includes a series of jokes about how dating changes as
people get older.
Lawmakers Battle Online Casinos
In a new effort against Internet gambling, lawmakers are proposing to choke
off the ability of online casinos to collect bets through the most common
methods of transferring money: credit cards, checks or electronic funds
transfers.
The measure opens a second front in what is proving to be a tricky battle
against Internet gambling, which has proliferated into a billion-dollar
industry.
Assistant Treasury Secretary Gregory Baer told the House Banking Committee
on Tuesday that the proposal is an ``innovative" approach to combating
Internet gambling. But he cautioned that advances in electronic commerce
could give the industry new methods to collect money.
``Any legislation restricting how people are going to get paid in the
future is going to be very difficult," Baer said. ``We are seeing a
revolution in payment in this country."
Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, the committee chairman, said the bill would
complement a separate measure, passed in the Senate and pending in the
House, to extend to the Internet the current federal ban on gambling over
the telephone.
That measure has been stalled numerous times by disputes over enforcement
and exemptions. Enforcement is difficult because many companies that run
virtual casinos are based outside the United States. And advocates of
pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, dog racing and jai alai won
exemptions in the bill, prompting the Treasury and Justice departments to
oppose it.
It took little time for similar disputes to arise on the first day of
hearings on Leach's bill, which he introduced with the ranking Democrat on
the banking committee, Rep. John LaFalce of New York.
Alexander Ingle, executive vice president of the New York Racing
Association, said the bill as written would cripple the horse racing
industry by stopping off-track betting.
And Assistant Treasury Secretary Gregory Baer took issue with the bill's
proposal to restrict U.S. funding to countries that allow a ``high level"
of Internet gambling. Baer said that step would interfere with efforts to
reduce poverty and grow economies in foreign countries.
Baer said the bill still could work, if credit card companies can be
persuaded to identify Internet gambling operators and cut off payments to
them.
But Rep. Marge Roukema, R-N.J., wondered aloud, ``If you don't have
enforcement, how do you have legislation?"
The popularity of online gambling, combined with the reach of the Internet
into homes around the world, are challenging the ability of states to
determine exactly what forms of gambling, if any, should be legal.
The River City Group, a consulting group for the online gambling industry,
said in a recent report that gambling is offered by nearly 700 Internet
sites operated by 200 different companies or government entities. The
report projected that Internet gambling will grow from $1.1 billion in
1999 to $3 billion in 2002.
Cybersmut Law Injunction Upheld
A federal law aimed at protecting children from online pornography will
probably be ruled unconstitutional, an appeals court said in upholding an
injunction against the measure.
The Child Online Protection Act requires commercial Web sites to collect a
credit card number or some other access code as proof of age before
allowing Internet users to view online material deemed harmful to minors.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Thursday the proof of age
requirement places an undue economic burden on publishers, who would have
to pay for a screening system and could lose users who did not want to
register.
It also said the act's definition of harmful material as that which
offends ``contemporary community standards" is impossible to enforce
because community standards vary, and Internet publishers do not know
where their users live.
'``Harmful to minors' means one thing in New York and another in a small
southern community," said David Sobel, lawyer for the Electronic Privacy
Information Center, one organization challenging the law. ``I think this
decision creates a real challenge to the advocates of Internet censorship.
I don't see a way that any censorship can survive given this decision."
The court said the law is not the least restrictive way to protect
children from harmful material, noting that parents can install blocking
software on their own computers.
Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Leonard I. Garth called the law ``Congress'
laudatory attempt to achieve its compelling objective of protecting minors
from harmful material on the World Wide Web," but said in the court's
34-page ruling that it will probably be ruled unconstitutional.
Other plaintiffs in the suit against the law include the American Civil
Liberties Union, the online publication Salon, the Philadelphia Gay News,
bookstores and sexual health publishers.
A Justice Department spokeswoman said it was too early to say whether
there would be an appeal.
Garth said Congress had not adequately addressed concerns that led the
Supreme Court to strike down an Internet censorship law passed in 1996.
The act currently under debate, passed in 1998, is limited to commercial
sites and defines harmful material as that which would offend
``contemporary community standards."
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. James Greenwood, R-Pa., said Thursday
that if attorneys decide more legal action on the current law would be
fruitless, he believes Congress will pass another version of the bill in
an attempt to meet the constitutional objections.
Greenwood said he believes the intent of the bill - to keep children out
of pornographic sites in the same way they are barred from adult
bookstores and X-rated movie theaters - is constitutional, although there
are technological difficulties in doing so.
``So far, what disturbs me is that the courts are erring on the side of
allowing the children in rather than making it more difficult for
adults," Greenwood said.
New Windows OS Due in September
Microsoft Corp. has finished work on the successor to the popular
Windows 98 home computer operating system and will officially release the
product on Sept. 14.
The new software, called Windows Millennium Edition, was sent to computer
makers on Monday, Microsoft said. It will be included on new computers
purchased after the launch date, and consumers will be able to purchase it
in stores as well.
A full-install version of the software will cost $209. People running
Windows 98 or Windows 95 who wish to upgrade can purchase the software for
$109.
The new operating system will include a number of new features, though
fewer changes in the underlying technology than in past upgrades. Windows
Me, as it is called, will feature a new Microsoft Windows Media Player,
which will help customers manage digital video and music on their
computers.
Microsoft has also improved Windows' maintenance, making computer error
messages easier to understand and creating safeguards against users
accidentally deleting critical files.
The new system also includes an upgraded version of the Internet Explorer
Web browser, and will feature step-by-step instructions for linking two or
more computers together into a home network.
Analysts who watch the company agreed that Windows Me was not as important
an upgrade as when Microsoft introduced Windows 95.
``This is very much evolutionary, and even then there's not too much
there," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst and partner in the venture
capital firm Dellet. ``You can download IE and the Media Player off the
Internet for free anyway."
Gartenberg said that some of Windows Me's appeal will be ``psychological"
in that computer users will upgrade simply to have the newest and best
software. And, analysts noted, there are some perks to the new OS.
``For a hundred bucks, it's kind of like getting a new computer," said
Rob Enderle, an analyst for the Giga Information Group. ``It's more
reliable, it'll make sure you can use the latest hardware, and you'll see
a performance boost."
Windows Me will be the last home version of Windows to be built using the
20-year-old Disk Operating System (DOS) technology. The successor to
Windows Me, due in 2001, will be based on the more stable Windows 2000
business system, introduced Feb. 17.
Compaq's Colorful 'Back-to-School' PCs
In a major revamp of the venerable Presario line, Compaq offers PCs with
changeable colors and easy upgrades.
Sounding more like a stationery store than a computer company, Compaq
Computer Corp. on Wednesday unveiled "back-to-school" PCs whose colors can
be changed after purchase.
Borrowing a page from Apple Computer Inc.'s iMac, Compaq said it will offer
buyers a choice of up to six colors when they purchase Presario 5000 and
7000 series desktop computers.
In a press release, Compaq said the Presario 5000 starts at $649 and
features Celeron and Pentium III processors and USB ports. Also included
are a CD-RW drive and 40X max CD-ROM drive, along with a DVD-ROM drive on
some models.
The Presario 7000, which starts at $960, adds two IEEE 1394 ports, a Sound
Blaster PCI audio card, AMD Athlon processors and a 16-megabit NVidia TNT2
graphics card.
Several models are available immediately, with others to ship throughout
the back-to-school season.
In other announcements, Compaq unveiled:
The Presario 1400 Series notebook, which includes a hot-swappable drive
bay for exchanging floppy, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or CD-RW drives. The system
starts at $1,499.
The 1800 series, which includes a 750 MHz Pentium III processor,
30-gigabit hard drive and high-speed Internet access. The 1800 Series
starts at $1,899.
A trio of monitors and the IJ600 color inkjet printer.
In addition to an array of colors, the new Presarios feature easy
upgrades, access to the customizable My Presario Activity Center Web site,
and a choice of Internet service providers.
The company said it was the most significant redesign of the flagship
Presario line since 1996.
Buyers will be able to change the color of their PCs with a free "snap-on
MyStyle Accent Color Kit," which includes a front panel, keyboard insert
and speaker grills, according to Compaq.
The PC colors are Smokey Quartz, Emerald Green, Ruby Red, Amber Orange,
Sapphire Blue and Amethyst Purple.
The machines owe another design debt to Apple. The Presarios feature
pop-off panels that provide easy access to memory, PCI slots and the hard
drive. In addition, the machines provide a "screwless" rail design that
allows easy swapping of storage devices.
An e-mail waiting light on the keyboard will notify users when new mail
arrives.
Microsoft Unveils New Internet Initiative
Microsoft Corp. on Thursday unveiled what it called its most ambitious
project since the Windows operating system, a so-called ``dot-net"
strategy to integrate its software with the Internet and make it easier to
swap information between computing devices.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and other executives unveiled prototype
``.Net" products such as computers that recognize voice and can answer
back, a digital book and notepad that can recognize natural handwriting and
connect to the Web and cell phones that let users dictate e-mail.
The .Net (dot-net) strategy ties together Microsoft's recent work in areas
such as hand-held devices, wireless computing, Internet television and
digital music and books. The technology would enable users to swap
information between such devices.
Gates said the first version of the dot-net technology would be rolled out
next year with a more robust version following in 2002. He said current
Microsoft products such as the Windows operating system and Office business
software would be retooled with dot-net functions.
``Next year you will see many of the services emerge, but it will be more
than two years out before all the services will be out there," Gates said.
Gates likened the initiative to the effort put behind the Windows operating
system that has been a cornerstone of the company's sprawling software
empire.
``There is a very strong analogy here between what we are doing now and
what we did with Windows," he said at a press briefing at Microsoft's
headquarters in Redmond.
He said the ``dotnet" strategy was much more important than its 1995
Internet strategy announcement that led to the development of its Web
browser.
``What we are talking about today is far more ambitious. It is a new
platform. It will affect every piece of code that gets written. There is
not a Microsoft product that isn't touched," Gates said. ``Our entire
strategy is defined around this platform."
The strategy is based around the so-called XML (extensible markup language)
technology that is rapidly becoming a standard for exchanging data between
different computers and networks.
``The impact of the Internet has been spectacular to date, but the pace of
innovation will accelerate over the next five years," Gates said in a
statement. ``Our goal is to move beyond today's world of stand-alone Web
sites to an Internet of interchangeable components where devices and
services can be assembled into cohesive, user-driven experiences."
The sweeping plan aims to fuse Microsoft's software with the Internet, even
as it battles the U.S. government's antitrust suit stemming from its
earlier attempt to do just that.
The new strategy is bound to come under scrutiny from analysts, lawyers and
judges seeking evidence that Microsoft is still behaving in ways that
landed it in legal trouble.
A federal judge has ordered Microsoft split in two to ensure it doesn't
further violate antitrust law. The judge found Microsoft used its monopoly
in the Windows operating system to harm rivals by bundling the browser into
Windows. But he has stayed the breakup and separate restrictions on its
business until the end of the appeals process.
=~=~=~=
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