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GEnieLamp IBM - Vol.2, Issue 14
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|| |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE!
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~ PHIL SHAPRIO: Shareware Etiquette ~
~ AL FOSOLDT: Illiteracy Of Homonyms ~
~ PETER BOGERT: Profiles Charles Strom ~
~ BOB CONNORS: The Plain Vanilla Guide, Part 6 ~
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GEnieLamp IBM ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Vol.2, Issue 14
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Publisher.........................................T/TalkNET Publishing
Editor-In-Chief..........................................John Peters
Editor.................................................Bob Connors
Windows Editor .................................... Peter Bogert
~ GEnieLamp IBM ~ GEnieLamp [PR]/TX2 ~ GEnieLamp ST ~ GEnieLamp A2 ~
~ GEnieLamp MacPRO ~ GEnieLamp A2Pro ~ GEnieLamp Macintosh ~
~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE IBM ROUNDTABLE? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ May 1, 1993 ~
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] IBM ODDS & ENDS ......... [ODD]
Notes From The Editor. PC_Talk!
HOT TOPICS .............. [HOT] WHAT'S NEW? ............. [WHA]
Too Hot To Handle, Almost... New & Improved.
TIPS & HINTS ............ [TIP] THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE ... [GRA]
People Helping People. Rumors, Maybes and Mayhem.
MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT ....... [MES] HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
Word To The Wise. GEnie Fun & Games.
PROFILES ................ [WHO] TELETALK ONLINE ......... [TEL]
Who's Who On GEnie. Online Communications.
MULTIMEDIA AND YOU ...... [MUL] THE MIGHTY QUINN ........ [QUI]
Multimedia -- Spring '93 Random Access.
ASK DOCTOR BOB .......... [ASK] CowTOONS! ............... [MOO]
Gotta Question? 100% Lean.
REFLECTIONS ............. [REF] DOCTOR BOB .............. [BOB]
Communications. Plain Vanilla Guide to DOS.
GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE ..... [ELS] LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
Browsing GEnie. GEnieLamp Information.
[IDX]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
READING GEnieLamp GEnieLamp has incorporated a unique indexing
""""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier.
To utilize this system, load GEnieLamp into any ASCII word processor
or text editor. In the index you will find the following example:
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
[*]GEnie Fun & Games.
To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If
you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take
you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index.
MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed
"""""""""""" here in GEnieLamp, you will find all the information you
need immediately following the message. For example:
(SMITH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Smith's message, log on to page
475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this
message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two
or more messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58}.
ABOUT GEnie GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and
""""""""""" weekend access to more than 100 services including
electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news, entertainment,
single-player games, multi-player chess and bulletin boards on leisure
and professional subjects. With many other services, including the
largest collection of files to download and the best online games, for
only $6 per hour (non-prime-time/2400 baud). To sign up for GEnie
service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH.
Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99014,DIGIPUB and hit RETURN. The
system will then prompt you for your information. Need more information?
Call GEnie's customer service line (voice) at 1-800-638-9636.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "Bring the Pepsi and we be doin' the Aladdin thang! ;-)" /
////////////////////////////////////////// R.MARTIN22 ////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
By John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
CHANGES, CHANGES, CHANGES! Change is good, right? Well, I certainly
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" hope so, 'cause there is a whole lot of
changing going on here at GEnieLamp. I suppose the best place to start is
the changes that have taken place on page 515, our home, the GEnieLamp
RoundTable. (Keep in mind that many of these changes are happening as I
write this - the changes outlined below are subject to change!) First off,
the RoundTable is no longer a RoundTable but just a single page. Here's
the new menu you will find when on page 515:
GEnie GENIELAMP Page 515
Computing on GEnie Newsletter
1.[*]GEnieLamp IBM Magazine
2.[*]GEnieLamp Atari Magazine
3.[*]GEnieLamp Mac Magazine
4.[*]GEnieLamp MacPRO Magazine
5.[*]GEnieLamp Apple II Magazine
6.[*]GEnieLamp A2Pro Magazine
7.[*]FEEDBACK to GEnieLamp
8. Digital Publishing RoundTable
As you can see the bulletin board, libraries and information files are
gone and all that is available is the GEnieLamp Magazines, Feedback and a
gateway to the new DigiPub RoundTable. (More on that later.) On the
negative side, this means that Aladdin no longer works on this page. This
goes for previous GET THE LAMP scripts as well. On the positive side, our
resident script writer, Jim Lubin has come up with a new Aladdin script
which will be available in the DigiPub library as well as the Aladdin
support RoundTables within the next couple of weeks.
But The Big News Is... Now, instead of capturing GEnieLamp, you can
"""""""""""""""""""""" DOWNLOAD the magazine. No more waiting through a
long capture session! Just download GEnieLamp as you would any other file
here on GEnie. (We recommend Zmodem for best results.) If you prefer the
old method, just turn on your capture buffer and [L]ist the magazine to you
computer. (Again, this is in the planning stage and may not be implemented
in time for the May 1st issue release. However, the option to _download_
GEnieLamp is coming RSN!)
PLUS! Starting with this issue GEnieLamp Online Magazine is going to a
""""" twice a month publishing schedule. Now you can get your favorite
version of GEnieLamp (GEnieLamp ST, Mac, IBM and A2) on the 1st and the
15th of every month.
AND BEST OF ALL... ~ GEnieLamp IS STILL GEnie*Basic! ~
""""""""""""""""""
[*][*][*]
WHY A NEW ROUNDTABLE? The GEnieLamp RoundTable was originally set up
""""""""""""""""""""" primarily for the distribution of GEnieLamp
Magazine. Our secondary purpose was to promote and distribute other online
newsletters. But electronic publishing goes much deeper then just
magazines and newsletters. Therefore, we came to the conclusion that the
time has come for electronic publishing and hence, the Digital Publishing
RoundTable came online.
The Digital RoundTable (or DigiPub for short) is a GEnie*Value RT here
on GEnie for people who are interested in pursuing publication of their
work electronically whether here on GEnie or via disk-based media. For
those looking for online publications, the DigiPub library offers online
magazines, newsletters, short-stories, poetry, informational text files and
other various text oriented articles for downloading to your computer.
Also available are writers' tools and 'Hyper-utilties' for text
presentation on most computer systems. In the DigiPub bulletin board you
can converse with people in the digital publishing industry, meet editors
from some of the top electronic publications and get hints and tips on how
to go about publishing your own digital online book. As an added bonus,
the DigiPub RoundTable is the official online service for the Digital
Publishing Association.
(Whew!) Until next month...
John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
[*][*][*]
,_____ ,_____
(__ | (__ |
|| | | | |
( \ ^| |^^^^^^^^^^| |
/X ^^^ \
( \,,,,,,
<_=_________________________________>
Title: Never Bite a Computer Mouse Lying in the Sink
Medium: Phospor
Artist: Rod Martin
[EOA]
[ODD]//////////////////////////////
IBM ODDS & ENDS /
/////////////////////////////////
PC_Talk!
""""""""
FRONT ENDS: WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF... I, too, would like to see an
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "Aladdin/2". But what I want
even more than that is an integrated package that would manage multiple
online services. Why should I have to use Aladdin for GEnie, OzCIS for
CIS, and TE/2 for local BBS'es? There should be a way to provide a common
"roof" over all of one's online communication.
For instance, it would be great just to have a common way of reading
and archiving downloaded messages. And, the common platform would have
just one script language to learn.
Of course, there are fundamental differences in message organization
and protocols between online services. But I believe they could be
overcome with a solid, object-oriented design approach.
So, are there any roofers out there?
-- Scott (S.BARNES2, CAT6, TOP 32, MSG:12/M615)
>>>>> Scott, I can understand your desire, but I also know that what you
""""" are asking for is just another general purpose comm program with
scripts for doing offline message reading/replying. You can do that today
with any number of comm programs and make it work very nicely; but when you
go general purpose, you almost always loose something that a special
purpose tool provides. For instance, there used to be quite a few
one-size-fits-all programs that did spreadsheets, database, word
processing, communications, and has a kitchen sink; have you seen any of
them take over the market? I didn't think so.
The problem is that in order to make a program "fit" one application
really well, it isn't going to fit another application as well. This is the
one thing that keeps really good programs good. They fit the problem they
are trying to solve perfectly--and don't fit other problems very well at
all.
I believe one could define a set of interfaces to different services
that would allow you to have the same interface to all of them--for OS/2 it
would be somewhat easier than otherwise--but the size of the core logic for
each would probably only save you a little--the user interface and message
database code. Everything else would have to change.
(B.WITHNELL, CAT6, TOP32, MSG13/M615)
>>>>> I most definitly would LIKE :{) an OS/2 front end to GEnie. I use
""""" Aladdin now, but would like something that doen't eat the cycles
like this beast.
I wouldn't want an Aladdin ripoff, I would prefer to see a WPSGEnie
with containers for each RoundTable, said containers would have settings
for things like preferred Name for this particular RoundTable, what editor
to use when composing notes and messages, etc. There would be a container
with the each file in the software library represented by an object, to
download the file, drag the object from there to any directory on your hard
drive or maybe just select download of the menu of the object, if several
objects have been selected then a batch download would take place, if you
don't want the object cluttering the area - drag it to the shredder, and so
on. Again the message boards could be handled in a similar manner but would
need much more thought than I have currently given it, but there might be
folders for each topic category and within these folders for each topic,
the topic folders would contain either the message or a pointer to the
message on GEnie, on the menu of these folders might be an update (refresh)
command that would check the topic(s) for new messages, again dragging an
icon from the message area to another folder on the desktop would download
that message, (if it hadn't already been downloaded), or if dragged to the
shredder then the referece to the message or the message itself would be
deleted. If I had the time and talent I would want to build this or
something like it, but I have a job and it does not allow time for such
things. (J.TEAGUE, CAT6, TOP32, MSG:14/M615)
>>>>> I view the user interface as the paramount aspect of a
""""" communications program. There is so much information out there
that computer HAS to help you organize it as much as possible. Whether it
has to crack open a QWK packet or issue a "RAM NOR", the mechanical
vulgarities should be kept out of sight and out of mind. And, once data is
captured, the program should offer powerful classification and search
capabilities. Scripts will get the information to your computer, but after
that they aren't much help.
My idea is not to stifle special features and user customization, but
instead to encourage the same. Today's scripts work at the character and
line level. The tools should be extended to manipulate and route whole
messages, topics, threads, and files. This would extend the power of
scripts to those who don't care to dissect the format of topic headers and
prompts.
BTW, I'm not presenting this as any sort of easy program to write.
It's just an idea of how today's navigator programs could be improved upon.
-- Scott (S.BARNES2, CAT6, TOP32, MSG:15/M615)
>>>>> From the inputs, it looks like there is a lot of
""""" development--enough for a large group. Perhaps this could become
a joint venture where an interested group of programmers do basic OOD and
then work on implementation.
In fact, this could even be done on the RT as a pedagogical program
for those involved and those who wish to watch. It could even be the start
of something wonderful--the reintroduction of freely distributed software
(in the best traditions of the PC comunity). This would really best be done
in a topic in an OS/2 RT--once it starts up--but I suppose it could be
started here (the IBM RT, though not in this topic). Input from users
could make the requirements specification. We could then do a OOD, review
the OOD and start work on the base objects. If there were enough interest
from enough programmers, each one could put in just a couple of hours a
week. It would take a long time to produce that way, but the code could be
made Freeware and that assure the results benefit everyone, and nobody
could "steal" the effort of others for their own profit.
Any takers? (B.WITHNELL, CAT6, TOP32, MSG:16/M615)
[EOA]
[HOT]//////////////////////////////
HOT TOPICS /
/////////////////////////////////
Too Hot To Handle, Almost...
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
>>> Bulletin Board Hot Spots <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT 12, TOP 26, MSG:{144}.....Dell's Behavior
[*] CAT 12, TOP 26, MSG:{145}.....Greed vs Politics
[*] CAT 6, TOP 4, MSG:{513}.......Networking, Windows WG or OS/2?
[*] CAT 6, TOP 10, MSG:{258}......SYTOS Plus for Colorado Tape Drives (OS/2)
[*] CAT 10, TOP 2, MSG:{85}.......IBM Amiga Emulators
[*][*][*]
MICROSOFT PULLING A FAST ONE? Just want to say thay I think MS has pulled
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" a real boner. If you buy DOS 6.0 and use
have stacker installed, the only ways you can switch over to double disk
that comes with 6.0 is by wiping out your stacker drives and restore the
contents from backups after installing double disk, or, sending in a coupon
[and $5] and waiting 3-5 weeks for a conversion program to show up in the
mail. It's not included with DOS 6.0.
I paid full price last night to be the first on my block to get
DOS6.0. Then when I get home, I find out that I can't really use one of
the major advertised features for over a month.
Seems like a great way to win customers from the competition.
(M.GUIDRY, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:34/M615)
>>>>> I agree. I was dismayed at that also. I am only have Stacker on
""""" 1 drive so I just copied everything to another drive then copied
back after installing DoubleSpace.
The lastest 'quirk' I've found is running DOS 6 with Hyperdisk write
caching enabled. With earlier versions of DOS, Hyperdisk intercepted
Ctrl-Alt-Del and wouldn't let you reboot until all writes have completed.
Not with DOS 6 - just goes and reboots before my writes have taken place.
(AUSTIN, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:36/M615)
>>>>> This is a result of the stacker lawsuit against Microsoft. They
""""" could not ship the 'stacker conversion utility' along with DOS. By
shipping it seperately, it's a "seperate product" and that's what MS was
basically forced into doing because of the legal action against them by the
folks at stacker.
Not saying that this is a good thing or bad thing, or that stacker
was right or wrong to sue... Just trying to explain why they had to do it
this way. (SCOTTV, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:38/M615)
>>>>> Putting a virus checker in the OS is absurd... It just means that
""""" virus creators now have a single checker that they have to fool in
order to infect a huge percentage of the systems out there.
(DENNYA, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:39/M615)
>>>>> I agree Denny.. but people are so caught up in feature-itis that
""""" Microsoft pretty much has to include stuff like virus checkers to
encourage people to upgrade.
(G.K, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:40/M615)
>>>>> May I take a moment to explain why I am mad at Microsoft? It has
""""" nothing to do with a company being *very* good at what they
do...in fact it is just the opposite. Microsoft completely abandoned all
support for MS-DOS years ago, trying to shove Windows down our throats.
Since release 3.0 (which was when '84 '85?) Microsoft has added no new
novelty to the DOS environment. What I mean by that is that they simply
look around, see what utilities (That OTHER people developed and OTHER
people marketed) are becoming popular and they incorporate them into a
"fantastic" new version of DOS. Yes, Mom-and-Pop go out of business. But
the tactic that Microsoft is following is well known in the business world
-- its called follow-the-leader. How can the world's largest software
manuafacturer *possibly* get away with a follow-the-leader strategy?
Technical excellence? Nope. Quality? Nope. Marketing? you got it.
(T.COLE13, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:137/M615)
>>>>> Why is Microsoft pounding on Stacker? I can't believe what MS is
""""" doing. Microsoft approaches Stacker. Stacker says ok, we'll talk.
Microsoft analyzes Stacker product, puts technology into DOS 6 beta.
Stacker decides it doesn't want to do business with MS. MS says ok, but
still leaves Stacker's patented code in DOS 6 beta, contravening it's
agreement with Stacker. Stacker, for obvious and definitely very good
reasons, checks the new beta to see if their code is still in there and
sure enough it is! It embarasses Microsoft (and rightly so) for doing
something that is clearly wrong. MS pulls out code (admitting that it
infringes on Stacker's patent), then it hires an obscure math professor
from =Australia= over the Internet to find something to fight Stacker's
patent, who finds a 10+ year old patent that vaguely resembles the issue.
Microsoft now tells the US patent office that Stacker should have their
patent thrown away.
Now, you tell me. Do you think this is right? Do you think this
is ethical? -Juan
(J.JIMENEZ, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:840/M615)
[EOA]
[WHA]//////////////////////////////
WHAT'S NEW? /
/////////////////////////////////
New and Improved
""""""""""""""""
FINAL NT BETA VERSION SHIPS Final Beta Version of Microsoft Windows NT
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Ships to 70,000 Users Customer Input and
Extensive Testing Drive Product Improvement
REDMOND, Wash. - March 17, 1993 - Microsoft Corporation today
announced shipment of the second pre-release version of the Microsoft*
Windows NT* operating system to 70,000 customers and software developers.
The second beta contains significant improvements in the areas of
performance, application support, networking and hardware compatibility,
installation and ease of use. Windows NT is aimed at providing the power,
reliability and openness required for client-server computing.
Based on extensive customer, developer and industry feedback as well
as testing over the past one and one-half years, this version of Windows
NT represents the last milestone before the release of the final product,
which is anticipated for the second quarter of 1993. In tandem, Microsoft
is shipping the pre-release version of Windows NT Advanced Server, the
server edition of Windows NT -- ideal for building client-server solutions
in heterogeneous environments.
"In addition to the significant improvements in this beta, we re
pleased with the broad industry enthusiasm for Windows NT, including new
32-bit applications for the Windows operating system and broad hardware
support," said Dwayne Walker, director of Windows NT and networking
products at Microsoft.
Strong Customer and Developer Input Drives Improvements Microsoft has
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" achieved
significant improvements to Windows NT and the Windows NT Advanced Server
based upon comprehensive feedback from the 55,000 developers who have
licensed the Win32* Software Development Kit, 3,600 corporate customers,
and more than 400 VARs, integrators and consultants who received the first
pre-release version of Windows NT.
"From what I have seen of the second beta of Windows NT, Microsoft is
right on target with providing the user community with a powerful,
user-friendly 32- bit operating system that performs as expected and
intended," said William Bunch, systems manager for Stanley Bostich Company,
the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of fastening materials.
"This second beta version of Windows NT has undergone extensive and
constant stress testing," said David Cutler, director of development for
Microsoft Windows NT. "This is the best performing and highest quality
system we have produced to date."
Specific improvements in the second beta version of Windows NT
include the following:
* Performance. This version of Windows NT delivers higher
performance for all application categories. Under Windows NT,
applications for the MS-DOS* operating system and 16-bit
applications for Microsoft Windows can run up to three times faster
than the first beta release of Windows NT. Local file system
performance is up to 11 times faster. These performance benefits
extend to advanced applications -- Microsoft SQL Server for
Windows NT runs three times faster than Microsoft SQL Server for
OS/2*.
* Increased Application Support. Windows NT supports new 32-bit
applications for Windows as well as existing applications for MS-DOS
and Windows version 3.X. Windows NT provides integration to these
applications, with one set of fonts and printer drivers, complete
dynamic data exchange (DDE) and object linking and embedding (OLE)
functionality between 16-bit and 32-bit applications without any
specific configuration requirements. Each of the 55,000 software
developers who receive an update to the Win32 SDK will receive the
Software Compatibility Test to test applications for compatibility
with Windows NT.
* Intelligent Installation. Windows NT automatically detects
installed hardware including SCSI adapter cards and network cards
upon installation. When upgrading from Windows 3.1 to Windows NT,
the existing system settings, groups and associations automatically
migrate to Windows NT: previously loaded applications for Windows
are immediately available to users.
* Improved Networking Support. Windows NT offers complete and
powerful access to the network, including faster file and print
sharing, 32-bit mail and scheduling, and network DDE, along with an
OSF DCE-compatible RPC, Windows Sockets, Named Pipes, and NetBIOS
support for distributed computing. Microsoft is working with
industry members to provide additional connectivity, including
working with Novell - as demonstrated at InterOp - to provide
NetWare* support, DEC for X/Server support, SunSelect for NFS*
support, and Banyan to provide VINES* support for Windows NT.
Hardware Compatibility Windows NT supports a wide variety of hardware
"""""""""""""""""""""" platforms including single-CPU, Intel*-based PCs,
multiprocessor desktop systems and advanced multiprocessor servers, such as
Sequent s Symmetry*, as well as RISC processors such as the MIPS R4000* and
R4400, and DEC* Alpha AXP. Digital Equipment has reached an advanced
stage in its development of Windows NT for Alpha, and a timely release is
expected. To date, Windows NT has been tested and is compatible with 783
Intel uniprocessor systems, 13 multiprocessor systems and five R4000-
based systems. Windows NT is also compatible with a large number of
peripheral devices, including 268 printers, 44 SCSI devices, 12 display
adapters, 23 network adapters and more than 800 hardware platforms.
Windows NT Advanced Server To complement Windows NT on the desktop,
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Microsoft is also shipping the beta version
of Windows NT Advanced Server - the ideal server for client-server
computing on any network, including Microsoft LAN Manager, Novell*
NetWare, and Banyan* VINES. A superset of Windows NT, the Windows NT
Advanced Server provides centralized management and security, advanced
fault tolerance and additional connectivity, making it an ideal server for
downsizing, re- engineering and building new distributed client-server
applications. The Windows NT Advanced Server supports a broad range of
clients, including MS- DOS, Windows 3.X, Windows* for Workgroups, Windows
NT, OS/2, Macintosh*, and remote clients connecting over asynchronous, X.25
and ISDN lines. Integrated support for TCP/IP and NetBEUI as well as
support for other transport protocols provided by other vendors will ensure
that client-server solutions based on the Windows NT Advanced Server
integrate well in heterogeneous environments. Today, more than 75
client-server development tools are shipping for Windows NT and the
Windows NT Advanced Server.
New Users Will Benefit From Windows NT Complementing the existing
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Windows 3.1 and Windows for
Workgroups product family, Windows NT extends the benefits of Windows to
new users. Windows NT does not replace Windows operating systems
currently available but combines the benefits of a high-end operating
system with the ease of use, application integration and choice of leading
applications found in the family of Windows operating systems.
Windows NT is intended for the client-server computing market and
will be used as a commercial business workstation, a developer
workstation, and a high-end PC desktop for power-users.
"ComputerVisions early adoption of the Microsoft Windows NT operating
system highlights ComputerVision s increased commitment to providing
customers with cost-effective and complete CAE/CAD/CAM solutions," said
Don McInnis, vice president of ComputerVision. "We believe that Windows
NT will be very significant in the CAD/CAM marketplace, because of its
ability to run the kinds of powerful, computationally intensive
applications that were previously only available on high-end workstations."
The Windows NT Advanced Server will serve as a robust platform for
business application database servers, messaging servers, communication
servers, server- based vertical applications and many other server
applications as well as file and print sharing within a client-server
solution.
Training To help prepare customers, distribution channels, consultants
"""""""" and solution partners for the launch of Windows NT, Microsoft
has launched the Windows NT Inside Track worldwide training program. The
program is providing detailed information on installing and deploying
Windows NT to thousands of corporate customers, trainers, distributors,
VARs, integrators, dealers and consultants who will in turn hold their own
regional training events. More than 200 organizations were represented at
the first Windows NT Inside Track event in Seattle in February 1993.
Windows NT Inside Track events have also been held at multiple sites in
Europe and Africa and are forthcoming in Australia, Canada, India, Japan,
Singapore and South America.
"There s a real demand for education about Windows NT and its role in
the client-server environment," said Mike Osborn, director of engineering
services at CTR Business Systems, a corporate integrator in Portland,
Oregon. "The Windows NT Inside Track accelerated our ability to meet
customer demand to deliver in-depth technical training on Windows NT ahead
of the product. We re able to give our customers the information they
need to integrate Windows NT into their client-server plans now."
Availability
Microsoft and its solution partners, who are trained to support
Windows NT, plan to expand the second beta from 3,600 current sites to
15,000 sites worldwide.
In addition, the second beta and development tools are shipping at no
additional charge to the 55,000 current Win32 Software Development Kit
(SDK) customers. For more information, or to order the SDK, please call
Microsoft Developer Services at (800) 227-4679. The price of the SDK is
$69 for CD-ROM only, and $399 for CD-ROM plus printed documentation.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
[*][*][*]
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows NT,
Windows and Win32 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
OS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc.
NFS is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems, Inc.
Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Symmetry is a registered trademark of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
R4000 is a trademark of MIPS Computer Systems, Inc.
DEC is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
For more information contact:
Microsoft Corporation
Collins Hemingway
(206) 882-8080
Waggener Edstrom
Linda O Neill or Erin Holland
(503) 245-0905
MORE WINDOWS NT Windows NT is on schedule but in the final stretch of
""""""""""""""" beta there is the unknown variable amount of time needed
to fix customer reported problems. The 'official' rollout for Windows NT
is indeed at Windows World on May 24th. The question as yet unanswered is
whether Windows NT will be through the channel and on store shelves then.
Obviously, that would be nice but we are not going to sacrifice product
quality just to make an arbritrary date. If we need to take a few more
weeks and fix a few bugs we will take the time rather than ship a less than
robust product. (RDILL, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:860/M615)
THE MARCH BETA OF NT LIVES! Here's a few comments after a couple of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" hours of use:
- Compatibility with OS/2 Boot Manager is promised. Where is it?
Where is the doc? SETUP and the Disk Administrator recognize the
BootMan partition, but installing NT left me without BootMan, which
means I have to boot OS/2 off of floppies and reinstall BootMan.
I'm supposed to be able to boot NT from BootMan. We'll see...Thumbs
up on promises, thumbs down on reality.
- Drivers for tape drives and sound boards is much better. I was able
to back up my NT partition to my Tandberg 3820 SCSI tape drive, at
about the same speed of CPBackup 8.0 under DOS. The PAS-16 sound
board is supported! <rah!> Too bad I couldn't get it to work. <boo>
Video drivers are better. Still no 8514 or ATI drivers. There's a
generic VESA 800x600 driver. Thumbs mostly up.
- Speed is better (on my 486/33 local-bus system). It's still slower
than my Windows 3.1 setup and WIN-OS/2 3.1 under the December OS/2
2.1 beta, but both of those are running accelerated video drivers.
Thumbs up.
- Much more reliable. I was able to hose both the July and October
releases at the drop of a hat. The March release has gone several
hours without a crash. (I should hope so! 8->) Thumbs up.
- SETUP was much easier. Even a custom setup didn't prompt for enough
things. It's still not terribly user-friendly, though. For example,
I forgot to uncheck the "Set up network components" check box and
had to go through the network setup. It should be easier to back up
through the setup. Thumbs mostly up.
- Executable format has changed again. Argh! As many tools came out
between October and now, this is a major inconvenience. Now we have
to wait for companies to provide updates. Big thumbs down. (They
promise this is the last time. I'll believe it when I see it.)
LITTLE THINGS
"""""""""""""
- You can now have color *and animated* cursors. A Control Panel
applet lets you choose from a set of supplied cursors for different
modes (normal cursor, hourglass, sizing, etc). Neat effect. Just
what your average server needs. 8->
- The source code to DLGEDIT and SPY is supplied. Very nice, if only
as a study aid.
It's getting better. I don't know if Comdex is reasonable but they're
getting closer. I'll be installing it on a 386-40 soon, and I'll see what
the speed's like. //bob
(R.ARNSON, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:863/M615)
VIDEO BLASTER INFO Any of you folks ever buy a Video Blaster? I just
"""""""""""""""""" ordered one, it hasn't arrived yet. Judging from my
past experience with new toys I'll probably need some help. :)
(LYNDA, CAT14, TOP12, MSG:29/M615)
>>>>> First report: Easy to install! You need a BIG hard drive,
""""" though. One minute of film equals 23mg of hard drive. Luckily, the
computer we put this on has an almost empty 213mg HD. Now to try to
actually do something. :)
(LYNDA, CAT14, TOP12, MSG:33/M615)
>>>>> Lynda, Guess I'd be good for about 45 seconds! Have about 20mb
""""" left on my 105MB drive. Windows plus Corel Draw consumed about
45MB of that. Also confirms that I will have to add a drive before going
into video. (DIPLOMACY-1, CAT12, TOP19, MSG:101/M615)
>>>>> Fun report!
""""" The good news. Out here in the boondocks where I live TV
reception is so bad it's a joke! Yesterday I was finally able to watch
Star Trek TNG on the computer monitor with greatly improved reception by
hooking the VBlaster to the VCR. Unexpected fringe benefit. :)
The bad news. My husband's computer (the one the VBlaster is
installed on) has only a VGA monitor. He is starting to look longingly at
my SVGA. Not a chance!
(LYNDA, CAT14, TOP12, MSG:35/M615)
>>>>> Lynda, Will the Video Blaster capture live-action clips and not
""""" just stills? Also, will the Video Blaster accept input from video,
Laserdisk, videotape, CD-ROM, and videocamera sources?
(PROF.MARK, CAT14, TOP12, MSG:36/M615)
>>>>> Hi Prof Mark! Yes, it will capture clips as well as stills. That
""""" doesn't do me much good because the only way I'd have to store it
would be on the hard disk and that would get full in a hurry.
From the manual: You can use a video cassette recorder, videodisk
player, video camera, camcorder, or other NTSC/PAL-standard device as a
video source.
All I've tried is the VCR and a camcorder. I've gotten some really
nice stills and saved them in GIF format. Unfortunately they look pretty
bad on any other viewer I've tried them on, including Norton Desktops',
Magellan, and some shareware viewers I downloaded from here. I'm not to
concerned, it's not like I've even studied the various manuals yet. :)
(LYNDA, CAT14, TOP12, MSG:37/M615)
IT'S GRRRRRRRRREAT! Well, ladies and gentlemen, I've picked up my AL-II
""""""""""""""""""" today and have only the tiger to qoute: It's
Grrrrrrrreat! This baby absolutely does the job and more! Outstanding
print quality and ease of use. Had a bit of trouble at first printing a
couple of sample pages and noticing that the characters were not all coming
out dark (uneven density) and after a couple of shakes on the toner cart it
improved. However, that left some other portions of the page not come out
at all (left side, last 4 letters) but I cleaned the toner cart and it
seems to have fixed it.
(D.COLON, CAT15, TOP21, MSG:47/M615)
ZIPManager v1.1 (minor upgrade) has been posted & should be available for
""""""""""""""" download 3/25! A minor, but frustrating bug has been
fixed (I think it was the major cause of a lot of problems), and a couple
of small enhancements can be found in the new version. The old version has
been removed from the library. -Loring Rose
(L.ROSE11, CAT4, TOP38, MSG:6/M615)
STAC ANNOUNCEMENT Stac Announces First Full-Featured, Integrated Data
""""""""""""""""" Compression for MS-DOS 6.0
CARLSBAD, Calif., March 30, 1993 - Stac Electronics (NASDAQ:STAC), the
leading supplier of high performance data compression, today announced
Stacker 3.1 for Windows & DOS The latest version of Stac's award- winning
compression software achieves new levels of safety and ease of use by
taking advantage of special operating system features available for the
first time in Microsoft's new MS-DOS 6.0.
Stacker 3.1 replaces DoubleSpace, and seamlessly integrates the
Stacker LZS compression into the MS-DOS 6.0 operating system. Unlike
DoubleSpace, which is based on data compression technology which Microsoft
licensed from Vertisoft Sytems, Stacker 3.1 is also fully compatible with
earlier versions of MS-DOS.
With MS-DOS 6.0, Stacker 3.1 drivers are pre-loaded, no longer
requiring the Stacker commands in the CONFIG.SYS file. This eliminates any
risk of accidental deletion by the user. With Stacker 3.1, all DOS
commands work directly on Stacker drives, without modification: For
example, the DIR and CHKDSK commands can be used directly on Stacker
drives.
"The fully integrated Stacker 3.1 removes the one advantage that
DoubleSpace had over Stacker 3.0," said Gary Clow, founder and CEO of Stac
Electronics.
When used in conjunction with DOS 6.0, Stacker 3.1 achieves the same
level of integration into the operating system as DoubleSpace, Microsoft's
first-generation compression product.
Price and Availability Stacker 3.1 for Windows and DOS will be available
"""""""""""""""""""""" within 30 to 60 days of the release of MS-DOS 6.0.
Stacker will be available through retail channels at the suggested retail
price of $149.
An upgrade for all registered users of Stacker 3.0 for Windows and
DOS will be available in the same time frame, directly from Stac for $19.95
plus the cost of shipping and handling.
Stacker 3.0 units sold after March 30, 1993, will qualify for a free
upgrade with proof of purchase.
(JIM.LUBIN, CAT4, TOP4, MSG:557/615)
LATEST ATI ULTRA DISPLAY DRIVERS UPLOADED I just uploaded to Windows R/T
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Software Library file #1037
(NTB2_ATI.ZIP) which contains the latest ATI Ultra display drivers for
Windows NT Beta 2.
Adapters and Modes Supported
============================
The ATI drivers will run on the following boards:
Graphics Ultra
Graphics Vantage
8514 Ultra
Graphics Ultra Pro
Graphics Ultra Plus
Supported resolutions are: {640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 [256 colors]}
Graphics Ultra
Graphics Vantage
8514 Ultra
Supported resolutions are: {640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024 [256
colors]}
Graphics Ultra Pro
Graphics Ultra Plus
IF you have 2M video mem and the aperture enabled:
640x480 32 bpp [16,777,216 colors]
640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 16 bpp [65,536 colors]
The supported resolutions and pixel depths are conditional on there
being enough memory on the card. The pixel depth is conditional on the
DAC type on the display adapter. If you choose a resolution that is not
supported or your card has not been installed for, the miniport will
substitute one that is.
(RDILL, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:879/M615)
[EOA]
[TIP]//////////////////////////////
TIPS & HINTS /
/////////////////////////////////
People Helping People
"""""""""""""""""""""
HELP, I'M FREAKING OUT! We have an IBM Clone with Soundblaster. We
""""""""""""""""""""""" thought it was freaking out because, maybe, of a
conflict with the DFI Scanner board but we took it out and still the
computer periodically makes a loud, discordant humm from the sound card
which cannot be stopped except by re-booting. What would you look at next?
Art tried moving cards around so the sound card was not near the disc
controller. That helped. Now it just locks up 2-4 times a day instead of
every 20 minutes or so. -Karen
(A.JANSSEN, CAT2, TOP34, MSG:4/M615)
>>>>> From what you've said, unusual sounds, system locking up, and so
""""" on, it appears there is a memory or IRQ conflict somewhere. Seems
to be a lot of that lately. <g> What follows is a summary of an earlier
post on this subject.
Check the IRQ's, bios, and other memory addresses for all devices in
your system. The bios and memory addresses often need to be excluded from
use since memory managers don't always recognize them until the device is
used - which is too late. IRQ conflicts will cause rampant problems -
such as system lock up.
Look in your device manuals for bios addresses and other addresses.
For example, the memory requirements of an SVGA video card are greater than
straight VGA. Immediately exclude these addresses using whatever syntax
for your memory manager (usually X=nnnn-nnnn).
Identify the IRQ used by all devices and write these down. Look for
conflicts. If a conflicting device provides for alternate IRQ's, consider
changing it. Note however, that some devices have become a "de facto"
standard, such as the SBPro use of IRQ 7, and some software authors have
unfortunately hard-coded this information in their programs. Is the device
card "16bit" capable so you can put it into a 16 bit slot and take
advantage of IRQ 8-15? If so, this can provide you with another 4 or 5
open IRQ addresses.
If you use MS Windows 3.1, you have a utility called msd.exe. This
utility is in your windows directory and will give you a listing of "known"
IRQ and memory usage. This is a good start if you don't have the
information from the device manuals. It will also identify the standard
IRQs used for the system timer, clock, printers, etc.
This should give you a start Karen. -Les
(L.MCRAE2, CAT2, TOP34, MSG:5/M615)
[EOA]
[GRA]//////////////////////////////
THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE... /
/////////////////////////////////
Rumors, Maybes and Mayhem
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
NORTON UTILITIES VS. 7 Got a letter today from Symantic announcing
"""""""""""""""""""""" Norton Utilities vr 7. Now has hardware
diagnostics, improved SpeedDisk and now SpeedDisk, Disk Doctor and NCache
will work on compressed drives that use Stacker, SuperStor (Pro, too) and
Double Disk. Registered users can get the upgrade for $49. (List is $179,
$120- $130 for retail probably) It's also DOS 6 compatible. -Sam
(S.APPLETON, CAT4, TOP18, MSG:184/M615)
NEW VERSION OF WORDPERFECT Does anyone know if WordPerfect is coming out
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" with a new version of its OS/2 product? If
they are, does that product resemble most the DOS or the Windows version?
-Pat (P.BIRD1, CAT6, TOP7, MSG:375/M615)
>>>>> Version 5.2 is WP for Windows. However, Wordperfect for DOS
""""" version 6.0 is in the works; I believe it's expected this summer.
It will be a completely different beast--graphical, with a button bar, and
with lots of new features.
Thanks to WP Corp's cross-platform upgrade policy, if you own WP for
anything you can upgrade to its versions on other platforms for, as I
recall, $40. But don't take my word for it, the people in the WP RT can
give you exact prices and conditions.
(K.LAUX, CAT2, TOP9, MSG:182/M615)
>>>>> WP 5.2 for OS/2 will be a fairly straight port from Win 5.2 done
""""" using the Mirrors facility from Micrografx. WP 6.0 (A rewrite for
full native OS/2) is planned for year-end. The PM Chart mini-app is an
example of "mirrored" code. I got this information from the last WP
newsletter. Ami Pro/2 is due out soon (2nd quarter), according to Lotus.
-Jeff (J.ELKINS1, CAT6, TOP7, MSG:379/M615)
NT = NO THREAT?
"""""""""""""""
System configuration:
No name 486-50 clone
16 meg RAM
SB Pro
T128 SCSI & NEC Intersect CDR-73
Zoom 2400b Hayes clone
CMS 120 tape backup
EPL-7000 printer
500 meg storage
Trident 8900C with 1 meg RAM
I installed both march betas this week. OS/2 came 3/29, NT arrived
3/30. The OS/2 CD install while not as polished as NT's was painless, the
NT install painful.
I maintain OS/2 on a 50 meg extended FAT partition which I reformatted
for the March borg install. I created my two boot disks under OS/2 and
rebooted, installing w/o any hitches.
The improvements are widely broadcast at this point, but briefly:
The WPS is much faster.
The system INI files can now be copied,
making desktop recovery an easier task.
WinOS/2 is equal to or arguably better than Win3.1.
MMPM/2 events are allowed on a system level.
Running for 16 hours thus far I've had no crashes.
The NT install, OTGH took four tries before success. Initially, I
selected custom install, choosing the 256k 800x600 video drivers. Install
proceeded until the reboot to load the graphic portion. After the boot the
PC emmitted two short beeps followed by eight long ones. System hang, power
off. Reboot to garbled NT video screen.
Reboot to OS/2 floppy to use FDISK. (Make BM active) Rebooted to my
OS/2 maintenence partition. Cleaned my c: drive of all NT files &
directories.
Custom install, choosing the 256k 640x480 video drivers. Install
proceeded until the reboot to load the graphic portion. After the boot the
PC emmitted two short beeps followed by eight long ones. System hang, power
off. Reboot to complete the NT install, w/o problems.
Reboot NT, log on, then shutdown (probably not needed, just an OS/2
habit). No errors (beeps) on shutdown.
Reboot, then log on as administrator and select the disk manager tool,
making the BM partition active.
Reboot to BM, select OS/2. Text portion of load completes, but hangs
on the load of WPS.
Rebooted to OS/2 maintenence partition. Restore OS/2 INI files and do
CHKDSK /F. Reboot main OS/2 w/o problems.
Reboot BM, then NT. The screen response seems incredibly sluggish, so
after running a few 3.x winapps (seemed slower than 2.0 GA) I decided to
re-install with 640x480x16 drivers.
Reboot BM then OS/2. WPS hang again.
Rebooted to OS/2 maintenence partition. Restore OS/2 INI files and do
CHKDSK /F. Reboot main OS/2 w/o problems. Cleaned c: drive of all NT files
& directories.
Reboot with NT floppy. Custom install, choosing the 640x480x16 video
drivers. Install proceeded until the reboot to load the graphic portion.
After the boot the PC emmitted two short beeps followed by eight long ones.
System hang, power off. Reboot to complete the NT install, w/o problems.
Reboot NT.
Screen response was much better, a bit slower than 3.1 perhaps. NT
apps load quickly, Win3.x apps at about OS/2 GA 2.0 speed. The few 3.x apps
I tried (Quicken, Turbotax plus some shareware) worked w/o apparent
problems. Visual Basic apps didn't. No error message returned. I did not
investigate this further.
At this point the NT Tutorial was selected with the following crash:
The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction. CS:c000IP:1566
OP:10 15 c4 15 e4
The same error occured when I attempted to run any DOS or OS/2 16 bit
program.
Shutdown NT reboot OS/2. WPS hang. Repeat clean & purge <g>. Reboot
OS/2 and look on CIS for fixes. D/L ntdetect.com fix for NTVDM problem for
Cirrus Logic video. Apply fix (what the heck, it might work <g>).
Reboot NT. No cure :( Reboot OS/2. WPS hang <sigh>. Repeat OS/2
repair, reboot OS/2, un-apply NT fix.
Total time: six hours.
NT is no threat to the success of OS/2
(J.ELKINS1, CAT6, TOP8, MSG:525/M5615)
NEXT GENERATION TELIX? According to the last Telix plans from Jeff Woods
"""""""""""""""""""""" (deltaComm) in the Fido echoes, he's working on
the next generation Telix right now, with a hoped-for release date this
year. Apparently, he's planning on mouse control, drop-down menus, and the
like. Once it's out, Telix for Windows is planned next (which *should*
take care of multitasking). These will be commercial products, with a
reasonable upgrade price for registered owners of Telix (e.g., much less
than the retail price will be).
I don't remember ever seeing the word "fax" used.
(P.GRANZEAU, CAT23, TOP15, MSG:239/M615)
PENTIUM UPGRADE? Just so people are aware, the Pentium released this
"""""""""""""""" week is not the same chip that can be used in the
"Pentium Upgradable" systems out there today. The chip that was released
is the full 64-bit version and it will not work in "Pentium Upgradable"
systems. The version we are looking for is the 32-bit "SX" version, which
will be out this fall. (Although Intel isn't calling it an SX, just the
32-bit version.) -Peter Szymonik
(DIPLOMACY-1,C AT12, TOP19, MSG:101/M615)
MORE ON PENTIUMNS Pentiums are shipping in tiny quantities to
""""""""""""""""" manufacturers so they can do test production runs and
make sure all is well. "Mass" shipments aren't expected until May, and
there will likely be a large backorder situation until late 3Q 93.
The P24T (the 32/64 PentiumJr, or "8088^2") won't ship until at least
2Q 94, from what I've heard.
(DENNYA, CAT12, TOP19, MSG:106/M615)
[EOA]
[MES]//////////////////////////////
MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT /
/////////////////////////////////
Word To The Wise
""""""""""""""""
IBM PC RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 21
Message 269 Sat Mar 20, 1993
SCOTTV [Autodesk] at 21:10 EST
Steve,
Steve, I understand how you feel. I'd love it if my company had the
resources to support every OS and platform out there (of course it would
make my job, support, living hell, but...). But that's just not the way
the real world works.
All Vision / Long-sightedness / Long-range-thinking aside, it's
mostly a matter of resources. IF a company has the resources to do more
than just address the 'most important thing right now' then you can think
about long range stuff etc.
The problem is two fold; the first is resources, the second the pace
of the industry.
1) As we've discussed if you have limited resources you put them into
whatever gets you the most return, simple common sense. But wht
people often don't consider is,
2) The average 'life' of a video board is probably from 6 months to two
years at the outside. I don't mean how long the product will be in
use, but how long it will be SELLING on the shelves. Of that life,
unless you've got something REALLY special, I you can count on being
"king of the hill", IF you even make it to the top, for 6 months, or a
year at outside. And often top-o- the-heap time is much shorter. So
if some OS is not hot RIGHT NOW, then having drivers for it is not
going to help the sales of the current product. If it gets hot 6
months or a year from now then you can write drivers for the product
that you are selling WHEN that happens.
The solution is NOT to harp about "how many OS/2 users" there are out
there. The numbers might seem big to you, but frankly, compared to the
size of the DOS and Windows markets, they are miniscule. All you have to
do is look at what software people are buying, the lists are dominated by
DOS and Windows applications.
Nope, I think the way to get OS/2 support is to bend some manufacturs
ear in a nother way. Point out to him that since EVERYONE is ignoring OS/2
that there is a "captive" sales market there for the folks that DO address
it. Right now in the DOS or Windows World a vendor is fighting for a slice
of the pie amongst hoards of other vendors, and that's hard work. These
people need to realise that the OS/2 pie, while much much smaller, is
mostly just sitting there. And that with a little work they can get a
pretty BIG slice of that pie. Because it sure seems to me that you OS/2
users talk a lot to one another, and that you are ALL very un-happy about
the lack of support, and that IF you discover a good quality board (even if
it's say not the board with the best performance) that has GOOD OS/2
support, that you are going to tell every other OS/2 user about it, and the
group of you will literally 'flock' to purchase that product.
You see where I think most manufacturers go wrong is in assuming that
they will get the same sized slice of the OS/2 market as they do the DOS
market. But considering how few people are electing to participate in the
fight for the OS/2 pie, I think that logic is flawed. OS/2 support needs
to be presented as a "missed opportunity". Whoever gets in their first,
and does a good job will probably dominate that market for a significant
time to come.
[*][*][*]
IBM PC RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 21
Message 270 Sun Mar 21, 1993
STEVE.HIRSCH [64180] at 09:19 EST
Scott:
Yes, I couldn't have said it better. An adjunct to my point about
lack of OS/2 support being short-sighted is the fact that it is having a
peripheral effect on sales to DOS-Windows users. You are correct in
surmising that OS/2 users talk to each other! The OS/2 hardware echo on
Fidonet is EXTREMELY active. Almost every other message is a flame about
the p*ss-poor video driver support. A large percentage of these "flamers"
are consultants, VAR's and/or corporate types with purchase-decision
influence. I would venture to say that a much higher percentage of OS/2
users meet the criteria of "approves or recommends purchase of..." than do
Windows users - overall. Most of these individuals are SO fed-up with the
delays in 32-bit Mach support from ATI, to name a prime offender, that they
would never recommend or approve any further purchases of ATI products,
REGARDLESS of target platform (ie. DOS-Windows). If ATI does not think
this is hurting them, well, what can I say? They have their corporate heads
in the sand...
[*][*][*]
While on GEnie, do you spend most of your time downloading files?
If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin
Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of
what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area.
If you are serious about your IBM-PC, the GEnieLamp staff strongly
urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally
thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the
world.
[EOA]
[HUM]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
GEnie Fun And Games
"""""""""""""""""""
By Darrel Raines
[D.Raines]
ANNOUNCING THE BANANA PC In a new product announcement made to an
"""""""""""""""""""""""" audience of PC industry pundits that were
waiting with baited breath, the Banana PC was introduced with a host of
novel features and a price tag that will get some attention. The projected
price of the new computer: $1.59 per pound!
This new PC has a number of unique features that will put in on the
top of every Christmas shoppers list. The Banana PC is scheduled for
volume production starting in October. Its leading feature is the bright
yellow color of the exterior plastic. The small, infrequent black spots do
a lot to make the PC resemble its namesake in the fruit world.
In addition to its sporty new color, this computer comes complete with
the new and improved Banana Operating System Software (BOSS). With the
BOSS installed in your new computer, you can realize some new generation
commands that have never been available
on a personal computer before. For
example, the new command CONF will cause the PC to tie up your phone line
and be unavailable for about two hours time (this feature requires an
optional phone connection).
Many users will enjoy the new "Aroma feature". Scratching the plastic
case of the keyboard will produce the smell of ripening bananas for the
enjoyment of the happy typist.
Something completely new with this computer is the addition of
robotics in the form of legs and feet. This new feature allows the
computer to serve in a useful capacity as waiter when the aspiring
programmer would like a beer or Mountain Dew from the refrigerator.
However, the manufacturer does not warrant possible damage or loss from the
computer drinking said beverage.
Another key feature for this product is the removal of annoying
peripherals from the system. Never again will a user have to worry about
noisy printers, clunky disk drives or space-consuming hard drives. The
Banana PC eschews such nonsensical devices and any perceived benefits from
them. An opening in the front of the computer, resembling an old style
floppy drive, is just an esthetic feature to make users of older systems
feel at home. It also serves as theexhaust vent for the new "Aroma
feature" and the enhanced voice synthesis hardware.
Not to be outdone by older technology computers made by other "fruit"
companies, the Banana PC has the latest advances in voice synthesis and
recognition. Short training sessions with a microphone, yourself and a
loved one will have the new computer ready to go. At this point, it will
recognize your voice, ignore your verbal commands, and insult you in a
voice that you are used to hearing every day.
BOSS OPERATING SYSTEM FEATURES With the advent of fifth generation
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" software for your home computer, the
newest system software will have many new features never found on
computers before. A new filing system makes its debut with the Banana PC:
Magical Envelope Storage System (MESS). With this filing system, every
file created will be instantly lost in the mass storage area. You will
never have to worry about where you put a file again. No longer will you
have to dig through layer after layer of file folders. With MESS, you
start out with lost files. Industry experts are amazed at this
time-saving new feature.
Another break-through in computer power is the built-in software
contained on the Banana PC. An integrated Word Processing Suite is
available in ROM (Read-Only Memory). 15 different Word Processors are
available at the touch of a key. Each of the Word Processors is able to
exchange data with the others (common clipboard). You can even load files
directly into any of the 15 different programs without converting file
formats. Use the Programmer's WP for those coding tasks. Then switch over
to the Document WP for the instructions that go with your code. Finally,
jump to the Note WP to write down those ideas that come to you while
working. You may never need to buy another Word Processor again! Editor's
note: We were unable to run more than one of the Word Processors at a time
without expanding the 64 Meg memory of the base system. Our best
recommendation is to go ahead and get about 1 Gig of memory to start with.
That should last you at least a year, until lazy software manufacturers
catch up with that memory standard. [other editor's note: What?]
Parent Company and Availability Banana Computer, Ink. was formed to
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" develop and market this new computer in
1990. S. Sboj and S. Kainzow are the founders of the company. The initial
stock offering for Banana Computer, amazingly enough, coincided with the
announcement of the new PC. Stock prices have been soaring with the
initial market acceptance and advance orders.
Most corporate buyers of computers are concerned about purchasing
computers that are not at the leading edge of market technology. These
same buyers can purchase the Banana PC with confidence. It is guaranteed
to be old technology by the time it actually shows up at your office.
Banana Computer is firmly committed to making product announcements so far
in advance of delivery, that they will have announced the successor to a
computer BEFORE the computer itself is ever rolled off the assembly line.
One inside source at Banana Computer has been identified and asked to
comment on the mighty feature list indicated earlier in this story. "Yeah,
right", the engineer exclaimed. While asking for anonymity, the source
went on to say that "it would be nice if we could get the darn thing to
power on without burning out chips before the announced delivery date".
However, this newsletter is not trying to cast a disparaging light on
official company spokesmen. [Heh, heh. Oops.]
Banana PC's will be distributed through Sears stores nation-wide. You
can place advance orders by sending a certified check directly to any
Sears store or the computer manufacturer. When asked about Sears
participation in home computer sales, a local store official remarked:
"Why not, nothing else is selling in here."
[EOA]
[WHO]//////////////////////////////
PROFILES /
/////////////////////////////////
Who's Who On GEnie
""""""""""""""""""
By Peter Bogert
[P.BOGERT1]
>>> WHO'S WHO <<<
"""""""""""""""""
~ A Profile of Charles Strom ~
SysOp of the IBM RoundTable
This month I thought we would get to know Charles Strom, who is the Sysop
of the IBM RT that we all love. Charlie was kind enough to take some some
to answer some questions about a variety of issues relating to GEnie and
personal computing. Let's hear what he has to say:
[*][*][*]
GEnieLamp> Hi, Charlie. Thanks for being our "Interview of the Month."
""""""""" Tell us a little about yourself: a little background, what you
do for a living, how you got hooked up with GEnie, what your
computer set-up is like, etc.
Charles> I am a chemist by training and a University administrator during
""""""" the day. I built my first computer (an Imsai) in 1978 and was a
charter member of the first consumer information service. I
became their second sysop (when the concept of the RoundTable
first was developed) and ran a CP/M interest group there. When
GEnie was born, I was invited to host one of the charter R/T's,
specializing in IBM-compatible computing.
GEnieLamp> Being the sysop of such a large RT must have it's up and down
""""""""" times! What do you enjoy most about being the IBM RT Sysop?
Charles> I enjoy meeting and interacting with the wide variety of people
""""""" we can meet on GEnie. It affords a unique opportunity to learn
from others and to form on-line friendships.
GEnieLamp> Based on your observations in the RT messages, what is
""""""""" different about the IBM world today as compared to two or
three years ago?
Charles> The IBM workd has become increasingly commercialized. It is
""""""" very much big business compared to just a few years ago. There
presently is a basic shakeout taking place in the marketplace.
I believe we will see the continued success of a few giants and
the disappearance of those who cannot adapt quickly to the
changing situations.
GEnieLamp> I've asked each of the people who have been interviewed this
""""""""" question: As you look ahead, what do you feel is the factor
most likely to change the face of computing in the next few
years?
Charles> The continued development of graphic user interfaces (GUI's) is
""""""" making major changes in the face of IBM-compatible computing.
This is one of the most significant developments in the recent
past.
GEnieLamp> One of the most significant facets of the IBM RT is the file
""""""""" section. What are some of the most significant changes in the
type and quality of shareware that you see as compared to a
few years ago? Where do you think the shareware concept is
headed in the next few years?
Charles> Shareware continues to offer some of the most significant,
""""""" highest quality software available in the IBM marketplace. I see
this trend continuing. Shareware is a healthy industry segment.
As OS/2 and Windows NT mature, we will see a rapid expansion in
the shareware marketplace addressing these new platforms.
GEnieLamp> What commercial programs do you use most?
Charles> I use OS/2 a lot lately. I use Microsoft Word, Word for
""""""" Windows, Borland's Quattro Pro, TE/2 (a communications program
for OS/2) and of course GEnie's own PC Aladdin.
GEnieLamp> As RT Sysop, you no doubt hear quite a bit of feedback from
users. What do users want most from GEnie and the RT? Can
you shed a little light on any plans you have for the RT over
the next few months?
Charles> GEnie users appreciate our areas as timely sources of the
""""""" latest and greatest in shareware for the PC. They also look to
the BBS for a place to get fast answers to problems they may
experience installing or using a new application or operating
system.
GEnieLamp> What do you feel is the most under-used facet of the RT? In
""""""""" other words, what do you feel GEnie users have access to, but
are not largely taking advantage of?
Charles> I feel the BBS is underutilized as a good place for problem
""""""" solving and feedback.
GEnieLamp> You have developed the Windows RT as a spin-off of the IBM
""""""""" RT. That leaves this RT a bit more of a "DOS" oriented RT.
What do you see as the future of DOS?
Charles> DOS fills a very definite role and still serves the needs of a
""""""" majority of the users of PC compatibles. Judging from continued
DOS and DOS-compatible utility development, DOS has a long
history ahead.
GEnieLamp> DOS 6 is probably one of the hot items of discussion. What
""""""""" is your impression of the product?
Charles> DOS 6.0 is a mature product. It is basically an evolutionary
""""""" step in DOS development, bundling a variety of tools into a
single package. It is an excellent choice for the new user or
the user who has not invested a lot of time or money in
obtaining the plethora of utilities which are now built in to
the basic package.
GEnieLamp> Do you use either Windows, Windows NT or OS/2? If so, what do
""""""""" you like about them, and if not, what do you like more about
the plain old DOS interface?
Charles> I strongly believe in using those tools which exploit the
""""""" hardware to its limit. Features such as multitasking, protected
mode operation, print spooling, etc. as implemented in OS/2 and
NT are very attractive. I am using both platforms at present and
will probably continue to do so. I hope that we will see a
merger of the best features of both sometime in the future.
GEnieLamp> Thanks, Charlie, for your time. I know I - and many others -
""""""""" appreciate the work that you do to make the IBM RT a fun and
helpful place.
[*][*][*]
GEnieLamp Comments I am interested in Charlie's statement that the RT
"""""""""""""""""" message section is an underutilized forum for finding
help. What are you wrestling with with your computer (or perhaps how are
you and your computer wrestling with each other?!)? Why not take a look at
the thrill of victory (and some of the agony of defeat) that your fellow
users have found in the IBM RT.
Until next month,
Peter Bogert
[P.BOGERT1]
[EOA]
[TEL]//////////////////////////////
TELETALK ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
Online Communications
"""""""""""""""""""""
By Al Fasoldt
[A.FASOLDT]
>>> ILLITERACY OF HOMONYMS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Copyright 1993 by Al Fasoldt. All rights reserved.
A new kind of illiteracy is sweeping the country.
To give it a proper name, it's the illiteracy of homonyms - words that
sound the same as other words but are spelled differently. Some say it's
caused by the proliferation of spelling checkers used on computers, but
that's not the full story.
You see, most spelling checkers are abysmally dumb. They don't know
the difference between "bear" and "bare," or "do" and "dew." All that most
spelling checkers know is that "do" is spelled just as correctly as "dew"
is.
And that's where the disaster comes in.
Combine a bad speller (human variety) with a bad software program that
can't distinguish between the appropriate word and the one that is just
plain ludicrous, and you have the seeds of the new illiteracy.
A poem posted on the Internet, a worldwide computer network, shows
what I mean. Here it is:
"Spellbound"
by Pennye Harper
I have a spelling checker;
It came with my PC.
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I've run this poem threw it;
I'm sure your pleased too no.
It's letter-perfect in it's weigh.
My checker tolled me sew.
I've brought this problem up with other writers, and many of them say
the current reliance on spelling checkers has made most of us lazy. Instead
of looking up (and learning) a word we don't know how to spell, we just
keep typing away, confident that the spelling checker will catch our
mistakes.
This is probably true. But I look at it another way. Spelling is
supposed to be taught in school long before students do much writing on
PCs, so I don't think spelling checkers are to blame if we can't spell; I
think these brainless software programs are simply showing how poorly we
were taught at an early age.
I say "we" so that you don't get the impression that I am just talking
about kids. Adults have this homonymic affliction, too.
The other day, a distinguished publisher of how-to books sent me a
review copy of a book by a respected author. In the back of the book, he
explained how he had done most of the work on the book himself - even
producing the book's pages, ready for the publisher's press, on his own
desktop-publishing software and laser printer.
I hadn't read past Page 11 when I saw his first gaffe.
"Press the brake key," the book said.
There were other mistakes just like that throughout the book.
I had better things to do than wade through that sort of illiteracy,
so I put on the breaks and went back to my keybored. The book went into the
trash.
[EOA]
[MUL]//////////////////////////////
MULTIMEDIA & YOU /
/////////////////////////////////
Multimedia -- Spring '93
""""""""""""""""""""""""
By David Holmes
[D.HOLMES14]
MULTIMEDIA HAS ARRIVED Last year, "multimedia" seemed to be featured on
"""""""""""""""""""""" the cover of every major computer magazine. At
the time, it will still labeled as "coming soon" or called a very immature
industry. Well, multimedia has arrived (at least in a basic form), and
there's no going back.
While the "interactive entertainment" industry is still highly
disordered, adding multimedia to a PC is, for the most part, standardized.
The MPC label continues to grow in popularity, and stick ing with it will
prevent you from ending up with incompatible components. The hardware is
cheap, and software is plentiful.
The two main components of multimedia -- sound cards and CD-ROM
drives -- are of fairly high quality now, but more importantly, they are
inexpensive. Video, the next step in multimedia, has show n up in the form
of Video for Windows, but it will be some time before high-quality video
will be playing on your PC.
Sound Cards The old Sound Blaster standard is still with us, and it
""""""""""" doesn't seem to be leaving any time soon. Only a few of the
new sound cards do not offer Sound Blaster compatibility, and it is
something you should still look for. Games, especially, are not written
for Windows, thus they can only support a limited number of sound card
options.
The best-selling sound card right now is the ProAudio Spectrum 16,
and with good reason. This low cost (street price: $170) card is 100%
Sound Blaster compatible, supports 16-bit digital playback and recording,
and has a built-in SCSI interface. Its only drawback is that it uses FM
synthesis, a sound system that is (thankfully) being phased out in favor
of wave table synthesis. Media Vision is supposedly going to release a
wave table-based sound card later this year. Until then, though, they
have the new ProAudio Studio, which adds voice recognition software to
the basic card. (Current board owners can upgrade to the new software.)
Creative Labs makes the best known line of sound cards. Their latest
is the Sound Blaster 16 ASP. It offers an Advanced Signal Processor for
added power, but it still lacks a SCSI interface. Music generation is
again with FM synthesis, although a daughter card, the Wave Blaster, will
offer a Proteus-based synthesizer. The Proteus is a great sounding system,
but you could get the same results with any General MIDI synthesizer add-on
(such as the Roland SCC-1).
A constantly evolving sound card is the Gravis UltraSound. This card
is growing in popularity due to its $130 street price and great sounding
music, but the software drivers have yet to be perfected after dozens of
upgrades. Sound Blaster compatibility is offered through software
emulation only, so it still does not work with all software. The
UltraSound is a wave table based synth, and keeps its patch samples on the
hard drive, only loading them into its 256K of RAM when necessary. This
system may limit the number of different instruments that may be used at
any given time, although the card can be upgraded to 1 meg of RAM. Both
16-bit recording and any type of CD-ROM interface are options. Its Windows
drivers are less than perfect, and support from game companies has been
slow in coming.
One of the newest series of sound cards are those based on the ARIA
chipset. These are wave table-based synths, most offering Sound Blaster
compatibility and voice recognition. They are currently not all that
popular, but there may be as many as 20 of them on the market in the next
few months.
Roland is known for making great profession music equipment, but they
have also been making great sound cards since the LAPC-1. Its current
offering, the SCC-1, is a General MIDI sound card with excellent
instruments; however, it lacks a DAC, thus is must be used in conjunction
with another sound card. Coming soon is the TAP-10, which will be Sound
Canvas compatible and offer a 16-bit stere o DAC, as well as studio quality
reverb and chorus effects. This will probably be the second "professional"
MPC sound card, after the MultiSound. The TAP-10 will reportedly be out in
mid-May and ret ail for $599.
CD-ROM Drives Double speed drives are almost becoming the norm now, and
""""""""""""" for smooth full-motion video, they're almost a necessity.
At the same time, though, fully MPC compatible drives are breaking the $200
barrier.
Sony's 31A caddyless drive is almost becoming the new standard as most
low-cost multimedia upgrade kits now include it. It is fairly slow, with a
450 ms seek time, but it does fully support Kodak's Photo CD system,
including multisession discs.
NEC was the first to sell a double speed drive, and their MultiSpin
series is one of the best selling. They now include 256K buffers and Photo
CD compatibility. Other double speed drive makers include Texel and
Toshiba. Several other companies sell these units under their own names.
The NEC and Texel have seek times of 265 ms, and the new Toshiba 3401
series has an incredible 200 ms seek time and 330K data transfer rate.
Industry Support Perhaps the newest trend is sound support being added
"""""""""""""""" to the motherboard. Several companies will be adding
support later this year. Already most offer multimedia systems. Gateway
now includes a CD-ROM drive free with their popular 486DX2-66 system. More
companies are sure to follow as CD-ROM drives and sound support become
necessities, not just luxuries.
[EOA]
[QUI]//////////////////////////////
THE MIGHTY QUINN /
/////////////////////////////////
Random Access
"""""""""""""
By Mark Quinn
[NEWSIE]
"A Whole Buncha Milliseconds with Mark"
by Mark Quinn, DOA
GEnie address: NEWSIE
"When he sits around the computer, he really sits _around_ the
computer."
That sentence pretty much describes me. I'll admit it: I've tortured
my culinary sensibilities with McWendy's not-so-haute cuisine with the
worst of them. Richard Simmons would be aghast at the sight of my daily
repast.
While I'm baring my ASCII: I'm 6'5" (not 6'5" through, by the way,
but the jury is out as long as the light inside the refrigerator isn't)
tall, and when I was in high school and attended family gatherings, distant
male relatives would always ask me if I played football.
People have stopped asking me that. Instead they'll say something on
the order of "I've got a cousin about your size. Where do you buy your
clothes?". My father will take a close look at me and fade into a story
about someone he vaguely knew ten years ago who died in bed after about
nine heart attacks after they had quintuple- bypass surgery, the result
requiring bashing a gaping hole in the roof of the poor deceased person's
house, the services of a crane operator, a carpenter, and a large flatbed
truck with a "Wide Load" sign fluttering in the breeze on its rear.
I really shouldn't trivialize my plight and the plight of many others
who are ruled by their food. Then again, no one else should -- but does
that stop every dumbarse from recycling tired fat jokes for the burning
ears of overweight targets, waddling down the main aisles of KMarts across
the country? I've felt their dull barbs for most of my life, and my main
recourse is humor. My main course is a double cheeseburger with the works,
but my main recourse is humor.
I haven't always been obese. When I was 14 years old, I starved,
bicycled, and exercised my excess weight into temporary oblivion. I was
amazed at the easy way I became 'popular' with the jocks. One of them
asked me how I did it, and seemed quite surprised when I said, "I don't eat
anymore. I'm a one-serving kinda guy."
Then summer vacation came, and my weight slowly began to return --
along with the stares and the jokes. I can remember sitting in our living
room and scarfing down one peanut butter sandwich after another. Why?
I've often thought that I was so afraid of living up to everyone's
expectations that I took the easy way out: my old protective coloration.
I doubt it. The answer was that I was on the wrong kind of diet.
Starvation diets hardly ever work, as I've since been told.
So why don't I "buck up" and lose the weight again, the right way this
time? Hmm . . . here's the answer: I'm waiting for R. Simmons to
acknowledge my existence by selling his once-controversial "Deal-a-Meal"
package, long ago adapted for use on PCs, on the QVC shopping network.
Then some rotund hacker will give in and write a "cheat program" for
it, and I'll be able to eat all the chocolate cake and Haagen Daz (now in
version 6.0, I believe) I want.
Can you imagine the calls he'd get on the tech support line?
"Richard, this is Wanda. My husband got so desperate last night that he
ate the Deal-a-Meal disk, and wouldn't give me a byte. It was a
high-density disk, so he said he felt pretty full after it went down. Now
we have no program. Then he said he had some of the wallpaper in our
bedroom with ranch dressing, and swore it was delicious. What do I
doooo?!"
"Hang on, Wanda. (Lapsing into some sort of high-pitched shriek.)
'Help me, Wanda, help-help me Wanda'. We'll send you a backup. About the
wallpaper, ask your husband to send me a sample of it and if it's good
enough, I'll put it in my cookbook."
Now that my TV, VCR, and cassette deck have fallen to Sir
Richard, so far, only my computer remains unsoiled. There's a TV in the
computer room, though. But there is also a way out.
". . . I hold the fork", Simmons reads, racking up another fifty
or so sales.
"And I hold the remote control," I say.
[EOA]
[ASK]//////////////////////////////
ASK DOCTOR BOB /
/////////////////////////////////
Gotta Problem? Gotta Answer!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Bob Connors
[R.CONNORS2]
o 4DOS, NDOS, AND THE LOADHIGH COMMAND
o IS MY BATTERY DIEING?
Doctor Bob,
Is the MS-DOS 6 readme correct that 4.02 will fix the LH switch
problem? Or does one of the 4.01x versions fix this? Also, how do I
install over NDOS which I am using now?
Thanks,
Daniel
Hello Daniel,
My source tells me that 4DOS 4.02 fixes the LH switch problem
although he hasn't used it (he uses QEMM386). He does know that it is not
fixed in 4.01 though.
As to your second question, there are two ways to go about it:
1) Change the SHELL command in your CONFIG.SYS file to point
to 4DOS instead of NDOS. Since NDOS is a subset of 4DOS,
that should not affect things.
2) Another alternative is to rename 4DOS.COM to COMMAND.COM
and use that in your SHELL statement. I haven't tried it
(I don't use 4DOS myself) but my source has and,
according to him, it eliminates a whole lot of
configuration problems with applications.
Hope this helps but a word of caution, BACKUP!
-Doctor Bob
[*][*][*]
Doctor Bob,
I have a question about the IIGs battery. I have had my 'puter for
going on 5 years now, and never changed the battery. Lately, about 4 times
out of the last 50 cold boots, my computer lost all of my control panel
settings and went to default, except for the sound. It goes to the max.
Is this a symptom of my battery going on me or what? Any help would be
appreciated. Thanks for any help,
chevy chase (R.GELLOCK)
Hi Chevy,
What you describe does certainly sound like a weak battery to me. I
would suggest that you get it changed or, if you are technically
responsible (you know which end of the screwdriver has the blade) and you
know the details of your computer's innards, you might be able to do it
yourself.
If you do not know how to do it, then either take it to someone who
services the IIGS or check out the APPLE, A2PRO, or A2 RoundTables. There
is bound to be someone in one of those RoundTables who can give you the
necessary guidance.
-Doctor Bob
[*][*][*]
ASK DOCTOR BOB Do you have a question about operating systems, GEnie or
"""""""""""""" anything concerning computers? If so, you can get your
questions answered here in GEnieLamp by Doctor Bob. Any question is fair
game...and if the good Doctor Bob doesn't know the answer, he'll find
someone who does. Stop wandering around in the dark, send your question to
Doctor Bob in the Digital Publishing RoundTable bulletin board, CATegory
3, TOPic 3.
[EOA]
[MOO]//////////////////////////////
CowTOONS! /
/////////////////////////////////
100% lean ( )
/~~~~\ /~~~~\ | | /~~|~~\ \/~~~~\ /~~~~\/ | | /~~~~\
| | | | | | | || | |\ | `.
| | | | | | | | (o || (o | | \ | `-.
\____, \____/ \./ \./ | \____/ \____/ | \| \____)
\ /
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ / . No Skimming!
/ [MOO] By MIKE WHITE [MWHITE] (. .) . '
* Cows from Literature, ~~~
History, and the Arts
|\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/|
Volume I, Number 3 | |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| |
| | | |
| | o] [__] o][o | |
| | [o [o^] ~ | |
| | \ / /-------\/ ~ | |
| | || / | || ~ | |
| | * * ||----|| |: 0 | |
| | ~~ ~~ | | |
| | | |
|/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cubist Cows
~~~~~~~~~~~
attributed to Pablo Piccowso, 1881 - 1973
$
...---...
../ / | \ \.. $
./ / / | \ \ \.
$ / / / | \ \ \ $
/ / / | \ \ \
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$ \ | /
\ | / $
\ | /
$ \ | /
\ | /
\ | / $
\ | /
\ | /(__)
\|/ (oo)
/---++--\/
/ | || ||
* ||-++-||
~~ ~~
D. B. Mooper
Hijacked a Northwest Boeing 727
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 1971
(.....)
( ! ! )
\ ' /
/ \
/ \ CowTOONS? Stephen Litwin took us up
|\ /| on our offer and sent in this month's
| \|/ | CowTOONS selection.
( | )
\ | / If you have an idea for a CowTOON, we
| | | would like to see it. And, if we pick
] | [ .'''''''. your CowTOON for publishing in GEnieLamp
J..../ ' 0 we will credit your account with 2 hours
U of GEnie non-prime time!
Arnold Cowl-mer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Making a Perfect Cow Chip
By Steve Litwin
[S.LITWIN2]
[EOA]
[REF]//////////////////////////////
REFLECTIONS /
/////////////////////////////////
Thinking Online Communications
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Phil Shapiro
[P.SHAPRIO1]
As shareware becomes an increasingly popular channel for software
distribution, it seems fitting and appropriate at this time to review some
of the basics of shareware etiquette. As your mother so often told you as
a child, the rules of shareware etiquette apply equally to both shareware
users and shareware creators. Good manners and thoughtful behavior have a
uniquely wonderful reciprocalness to them.
Shareware etiquette starts with the shareware creator. Creators have
the obligation of politely informing shareware users that the software they
are using is being distributed on a try-before-you-buy basis. Shareware
notices should be concise and pleasantly phrased. It's entirely
appropriate to give tactful hints that further goodies await the kind souls
who send in the requested shareware fee. Please note that "starving
college student" humor can be acceptable if it's truthful, sincere, and
tasteful. Brevity, as always, is a must.
On the other side of the table, shareware users have the duty of
pleasantly reading the pleasantly phrased shareware notice. They have the
further duty of pleasantly understanding what the tactful and thoughtful
shareware message is saying.
Customarily, shareware users are granted two weeks to try out
shareware programs. If, after that time, they find the particular
shareware program does not meet their current needs, they have the duty of
pleasantly and thoughtfully formatting the floppy disk containing the
shareware. In the case of hard drive users, they have the duty of removing
the shareware entirely from their hard drive system.
Should they decide to keep, cherish, and foster the shareware, they
have the duty of sending in the shareware fee along with a suitably brief
but heartfelt expression of their gratitude and appreciation.
When sending in the requested shareware fee, shareware users are given
generous opportunities to earn extra-credit etiquette points. Extra-credit
etiquette points can be earned by including: 1) Suggested enhancements for
possible future versions of the shareware; 2) Ideas for new shareware
disks, and, 3) A self-address stamped envelope. To earn admiration far and
beyond the call of standard shareware etiquette, a stamped, self-addressed
floppy mailer might be included.
Kindly take note that shareware etiquette does not end with the
shareware fee being sent. Far from it. Upon receipt of the shareware fee,
the shareware creator has the duty of sending a timely, appropriately
phrased expression of gratitude. This expression of thanks need not exceed
two typed paragraphs. But at least two to three sentences must address the
particular comments included in the shareware user's letters. Shareware
etiquette frowns seriously upon the unchivalrous sending of mail-merged
form letters.
It's appropriate for shareware creators to express in their own words
how meaningful it is to them to have their faith in humanity renewed by the
kind and thoughtful sending of the requested shareware fee. Please - - -
no gushing sentiments, though.
The sending of extra software goodies to the shareware user is
entirely within the impeccable discretion of the shareware creator. But
here again, extra-credit etiquette points can be earned by going above and
beyond the call of duty. By sending extra software goodies, shareware
creators can help perpetuate a spiral of goodwill resonating out in ever
widening circles of trust and charity.
Please be aware that special etiquette rules apply to educational
shareware programs. If such shareware is being used primarily by children,
then the rules of shareware etiquette dictate that the children themselves
should write the thank-you letter accompanying the requested shareware fee.
Handwritten letters carry far more meaning than typed letters in these
circumstances. As usual, the expressions of gratitude needs to be both
heartfelt and brief. Handwriting, as usual, should be the child's very
best. Black or blue-black ink on white lined paper, thank you.
The rules of shareware etiquette have not fully developed to address
the question of what happens if the shareware fee letter is returned as
being undeliverable. We live in such a mobile society that such
eventualities happen far too often. In such cases, the kind and
considerate shareware user has an obligation to make reasonable efforts to
track down the shareware creator. Polite inquiries directed to one's local
users group, or on the national information services, are entirely
appropriate.
If reasonable efforts are unable to reveal the current address of the
shareware creator, a fitting course of action is to donate the money from
the returned shareware fee to a deserving local charity. In that way the
goodwill generated by the initial shareware creator continues to live on in
some other form.
By following the basic rules of shareware etiquette yourself, you can
feel enobled by your own role in carrying on a tradition that has served
computer users for several hundred years. How very fortunate we all are
for the shareware traditions our forefathers and foremothers passed along
to us in the early days of microcomputers.
-Phil Shapiro
[*][*][*]
[The author takes an interest in the social dimensions
of communication technology. He can be reached on
GEnie at: p.shapiro1; on America Online at:
pshapiro; and on Internet at:pshapiro@pro-novapple.cts.com]
[EOA]
[BOB]//////////////////////////////
DOCTOR BOB /
/////////////////////////////////
The Plain Vanilla Guide, Part 6
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Bob M. Connors
[R.CONNORS2]
>>> THE PLAIN VANILLA GUIDE TO DOS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Editor's Note This series of articles was originally published in
""""""""""""" TeleTalk Online Magazine and distributed via the now
non-existent T/TalkNETwork. Back issues of TeleTalk Online Magazine are
available in the GEnieLamp RoundTable Library (M515).
[*][*][*]
Welcome back to the DOS column. This is the sixth installment and if
you have followed this series since the start, you are well on your way to
being a DOS "power user." Last month, we got into a bit of advanced
input/output (I/O) redirection talking about the DOS filters, SORT and
MORE. This month, we will expand on what we have discussed by talking
about the DOS FIND filter and more information about SORT.
To illustrate these commands, we are going to actually create a small
database program through the use of batch files and the three filters. Let
us first start off by talking about the FIND filter.
There are a few utilities around, both commercial and public domain,
that allow you to find a file on a hard disk drive. These are quite useful
especially when you do not remember which directory on your drive contains
a file or even if you have deleted the file from the drive or not. FIND is
a similar utility that comes free with DOS that will let you find, in the
current directory or in a directory you specify, all files that have, as
part of their file name, the text you specify. Here is the complete syntax
for find (remember, anything inside "[ ]" is considered optional and need
not be included):
[d:path\]FIND [/V] [/C] [/N] "string" [filespec...]
Breaking it down:
d:path is the drive and directory path where FIND is located which is not
needed if the PATH command already points there.
FIND is the name of the program itself.
/V tells find to display any file name that does NOT contain "string."
/C counts the number of lines containing "string" and shows the total.
/N will cause the relative line number of each line containing "string" to
be displayed.
"string" is the text you are looking for in the filename and is case
dependent; that is, "EXE" is different than "ExE" since the latter has a
lower case character and the former does not. It must be inclosed in
double quotes.
filespec is the drive, directory path, filename and extension of each
file to be searched. It can include more than one filespec but each must
be separated by a space (wild card characters are not permissible). If no
filespec is specified, FIND defaults to all files in the current
directory. If no filename and extension is specified, then FIND will
default to all files in the specified drive and directory path.
Let's take a quick look at a typical directory and then see how find
works. I will use the root directory on drive C for this example and here
it is:
Volume in drive C is PC-DOS 3.2
Directory of C:\
DOS AUTO BAT AUTOEXEC BAT BBS BAT BOOT1 TXT
BRK DRV COMMAND COM CONFIG SYS DM EXE DMDRVR BIN
G7 COM G7 SYS G7-NEWS G7-READ ME G7COM
G7INSTAL BAT G7SYS GETCLK COM HELP BBS LOG EXE
NANSI BKP NANSI SYS NIL RESET COM SETCLK COM
25 File(s) 245760 bytes free
Assuming we are in that directory, issuing the command:
DIR | FIND "exe"
results in no files being found. This is because we asked for all
lower case characters and, of course, DOS shows all filespecs in upper case
only. Remember, the "|" is the DOS symbol to pipe or send the output from
DIR through the filter FIND.COM. What happens if we change the above
command to:
DIR | FIND "EXE"
We get the following display:
AUTOEXEC BAT 1916 3-05-89 10:35p
DM EXE 44096 8-27-86 10:24a
LOG EXE 9648 1-06-89 9:35a
Hmmm... interesting to see that AUTOEXEC.BAT is included in the
display, is it not? Reinforces the statement that "computers do what you
tell them to do, not what you want them to do." In order to eliminate
AUTOEXEC.BAT and show only the *.EXE files, we need to be more specific
with our "string." Instead of specifying "EXE" we need to specify ".EXE"
(note the period). This will give us a listing of only DM.EXE and LOG.EXE.
Big deal you say? Yes, I know we could basically do the same thing with
the "DIR *.EXE" command but remember, we can also combine FIND with other
redirection filters and/or symbols to do some interesting things that
cannot be done with DIR.
For starters, if you have been observant, you should have noticed
something different about these displays. DIR gives you the drive label
name and current directory name in the first three lines (line 3 is blank)
while FIND only gives you the names of the files it finds plus the other
file information. If we route this information to another file using the
">" I/O redirector, we can then use the file in applications or batch files
(redirection is exactly how I created the listing above. I sent it to a
file called "DIR.TXT" which I then merged with this document. You didn't
think I typed all that by hand, did you?). Stay with me as I am going to
show you exactly what I mean shortly.
Issuing the command DIR | FIND /C "7" gives this display:
15
Pretty straight forward. The "/C" switch tells FIND to count the
number of occurrences of "string" and to report the total. It did that,
right? Not much use to us that way though so let's try a different
approach. What will happen when we change the command to DIR | FIND /C/N
"7" (answer is below):
15
Eeek, the same result! An important lesson here, "/C" has priority
over "/N" and if you want "/N" you cannot use it with the "/C" parameter.
So I will try it with only the "/N" parameter and here is the display:
[13]CONFIG SYS 89 10-13-88 11:57a
[14]DM EXE 44096 8-27-86 10:24a
[15]DMDRVR BIN 5696 8-27-86 10:24a
[16]G7 COM 798 1-01-87 12:00a
[17]G7 SYS 1054 1-01-87 12:00a
[18]G7-NEWS 8980 1-01-87 12:00a
[19]G7-READ ME 1064 1-01-87 12:00a
[20]G7COM 4 1-01-87 12:00a
[21]G7INSTAL BAT 1152 1-01-87 12:00a
[22]G7SYS 15 1-01-87 12:00a
[23]GETCLK COM 116 1-01-87 12:00a
[24]HELP BBS 9327 3-27-88 9:29p
[30]SETCLK COM 116 1-01-87 12:00a
[32] 27 File(s) 249856 bytes free
Wait a minute! Why are all those files showing up when only 7 of them
have the number "7" in them? I'll tell you in a minute but first, look at
the display itself. "/N" tells FIND to show the relative line number for
each file that contains the search string and, as you can see, it does this
at the beginning of each line. I want to try one more thing by changing
that last command.
DIR /W | FIND /N "7" is the command and results in:
[7]DMDRVR BIN G7 COM G7 SYS G7-NEWS G7-READ ME
[8]G7COM G7INSTAL BAT G7SYS GETCLK COM HELP BBS
[11] 27 File(s) 249856 bytes free
Have you figured out what is going on here yet? If not (or even if
so), I will explain it. We told DOS to give us a directory with the output
of that command to be filtered by FIND. We told FIND to display the line
number for anything that contains the number seven. FIND is not very smart
and doesn't realize that you want it to only look at the file names and not
anything else. So, when each line of the directory is passed to FIND, it
will include any line that has the number "7" in it anywhere to include the
file size, date, time, or even the recap on the last line. Since each of
the lines contained the search string, they were listed in both of the last
two displays. If we only wanted the files that contain "G7" we would have
to issue the following command:
DIR | FIND /N "G7"
which results in:
[16]G7 COM 798 1-01-87 12:00a
[17]G7 SYS 1054 1-01-87 12:00a
[18]G7-NEWS 8980 1-01-87 12:00a
[19]G7-READ ME 1064 1-01-87 12:00a
[20]G7COM 4 1-01-87 12:00a
[21]G7INSTAL BAT 1152 1-01-87 12:00a
[22]G7SYS 15 1-01-87 12:00a
We are going to regress here for a moment. What would you do if you
wanted the same files displayed but you wanted them in ascending order by
file size (smallest to largest)? We could go out an buy Norton Utilities
or we could save our money and let DOS do it for us. In addition to the
FIND filter, we need to use the SORT filter also (covered partially last
month) to accomplish this feat. SORT will accept a parameter called an
"offset" which permits us to tell SORT the position we want to start the
sort on. Since the file size filed of a directory listing starts in column
16, we will use that as the parameter we will pass to SORT. Either of the
following commands will produce the listing following them:
DIR | FIND "G7" | SORT /+16
DIR | SORT /+16 | FIND "G7"
G7COM 4 1-01-87 12:00a
G7SYS 15 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 COM 798 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 SYS 1054 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-READ ME 1064 1-01-87 12:00a
G7INSTAL BAT 1152 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-NEWS 8980 1-01-87 12:00a
Do you know why either command will work? It makes no difference
which filter process the directory listing first except maybe for a little
speed difference. If SORT gets the DIR first, then it must sort *all* the
files before sending them to FIND which in turns filters out all the
unwanted files, displaying the rest. If we filter the unwanted files
first, then SORT has a few less files to have to SORT so we would see a
small improvement in speed. With a large file, the speed difference would
be important.
Try this command in one of your directories:
DIR | SORT /R
The parameter, /R, tells SORT to sort the files in reverse
(descending) order. Since you didn't specify an offset, column 1 is used
for the sort (the filename). Here is the result for my directory:
SETCLK COM 116 1-01-87 12:00a
RESET COM 16 10-19-84 10:01p
NIL 0 3-11-89 1:45p
NANSI SYS 2500 10-20-86
NANSI BKP 2500 10-20-86
LOG EXE 9648 1-06-89 9:35a
HELP BBS 9327 3-27-88 9:29p
GETCLK COM 116 1-01-87 12:00a
G7SYS 15 1-01-87 12:00a
G7INSTAL BAT 1152 1-01-87 12:00a
G7COM 4 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-READ ME 1064 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-NEWS 8980 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 SYS 1054 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 COM 798 1-01-87 12:00a
DOS <DIR> 3-15-88 8:50p
DMDRVR BIN 5696 8-27-86 10:24a
DM EXE 44096 8-27-86 10:24a
CONFIG SYS 89 10-13-88 11:57a
COMMAND COM 23791 12-30-85 12:00p
BRK DRV 503 11-30-85 10:41a
BOOT1 TXT 3 4-26-88 8:59a
BBS BAT 1916 3-05-89 10:35p
AUTOEXEC BAT 1916 3-05-89 10:35p
AUTO BAT 1555 12-21-88 1:30p
0F080A25 0 3-12-89 3:08p
0F080A1F 0 3-12-89 3:08p
Volume in drive C is PC-DOS 3.2
Directory of C:\
27 File(s) 249856 bytes free
Gee, that looks kind of funny, doesn't it? What are those two
strange files close to the bottom (0F080A25 and 0F080A1F)? They weren't
there before. They are temporary work files that DOS created when it
performed the sorting. No need to look, they are no longer in your
directory as DOS deleted them immediately following the conclusion of SORT.
Since they were there during the sort operation, they are included in the
DIR list. They were not included in the previous DIR lists because they
did not contain the string G7. Prove it to yourself by issuing the
following command (this assumes you are using the same directory I am...
you are, aren't you?):
DIR | FIND "G7" | SORT /R
Since you apparently lost your copy of my directory, here is what you
should have seen:
G7SYS 15 1-01-87 12:00a
G7INSTAL BAT 1152 1-01-87 12:00a
G7COM 4 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-READ ME 1064 1-01-87 12:00a
G7-NEWS 8980 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 SYS 1054 1-01-87 12:00a
G7 COM 798 1-01-87 12:00a
Well now that we have covered all the parameters you can use with
SORT and FIND (the only one we didn't cover was FIND's "/V" parameter but
it is pretty much self explanatory and you should experiment with it at
your leisure), what type of practical use can we make of the filters and
other redirection?
In the fourth installment of this series, I covered DISKCOPY and
DISKCOMP, two DOS utilities that allow you to copy diskettes and compare
the copy to be sure you have good copies. If you remember, when using
DISKCOPY with a two drive system, it prompts you to insert the source
diskette in drive A: and the destination diskette in drive B: and then
press <ENTER> when ready. Further, when the copy is done, it asks you if
you want to make another copy which requires you to enter a Y or N as a
response. Type the following in the order shown:
COPY CON DISKCOPY.KEY<ENTER>
<ENTER>
N<ENTER>
^Z<ENTER>
Now type the following in the order shown:
COPY CON DCOPY.BAT<ENTER>
DISKCOPY A: B: < DISKCOPY.KEY<ENTER>
^Z<ENTER>
The "<ENTER>" in each of these means to press the ENTER key, do not
type it literally. Now, with these files, you can automate a single disk
copy without having to answer the prompts. Just put the appropriate
diskettes in the appropriate drives, close the drive doors, and type
"DCOPY<ENTER>" at the DOS prompt. The DCOPY.BAT file tells DOS to begin
the DISKCOPY but to accept the file DISKCOPY.KEY as the input instead of
the keyboard. The first <ENTER> (on the second line of the first list)
responds to the prompt to press any key when ready to begin the diskcopy.
The "N<ENTER>" responds to the "Copy another diskette (Y/N)" prompt when
the diskcopy is done. The "^Z" marks the end of the file so DOS knows
there is nothing following and input returns to the keyboard. You could
shorten the name of the batch file to D.BAT and perform a disk copy in two
keystrokes (e.g., D<ENTER>). You can do similar things for any DOS
command/utility that requires user responses to prompts once you know what
to expect from the command or utility. DOS will even let you assign the
"D<ENTER>" to a function key for single key press operation (more on that
in a future column). It just gets easier and easier, doesn't it? While
you may expend some initial effort to set things up, it will save you time
over the long haul and, after all, that is what computers are supposed to
do, right?
Here is an example of how to setup a small database and manipulate it
using redirection and filters. We will make this an address database and
will include names, addresses, and phone numbers to include area codes. I
think this is something we can all relate to. You can expand it if you
want to include a date and code where the date is an event and the code
specifies what kind of event you are remembering (anniversaries, birthdays,
etc.) but I will just give you the basic address database described and
leave the rest to you.
The first thing we need to do is decide on our fields. Let's have
columns for last name (14 characters), first name (14 characters), street
address (20 characters), city (15 characters), state abbreviation (2
characters), zip code (5 characters), area code (3 characters), and phone
number (7 characters). So here is our record layout:
Field Name Starting Col Length
---------- ------------ ------
Last Name 1 14
Blank 15 1
First Name 16 14
Blank 30 1
Street Address 31 20
Blank 51 1
City 52 15
Blank 67 1
State Abbreviation 68 2
Blank 70 1
Zip Code 71 5
Blank 76 1
Area Code 77 3
Blank 80 1
Phone Number 81 8
We will create this file using a text editor or word processor that
is capable of saving the file without control codes (such as Word Star in
the non-document mode). We could use the DOS COPY command or the DOS
editor, EDLIN, but they do not usually show the position you are at while
text editors and word processors normally do. We will use this format in
next month's column to produce our database so keep it handy. This will
give me some time to generate a small database to use and I will show you
how you can manipulate it using everything you have learned so far. Ha!
You thought you had to buy dBase III+ or RBase to do these things, eh? Not
so, as you shall see. Until next month, TTFN!
[*][*][*]
Copyright (c) 1988 by Robert M. Connors
Permission to Reprint is granted provided
Copyright Notice is included in reprint.
QUESTIONS? Do you have a question or comment for Doctor Bob? Leave GE
"""""""""" Mail to R.CONNORS2 or you can reach him in the GEnieLamp
bulletin board (M515;1) or you can contact him on the BBS Wildcat!
Orphanage at 719-392-6631.
[EOA]
[ELS]//////////////////////////////
GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE /
/////////////////////////////////
Browsing GEnie
""""""""""""""
By Peter Bogert
[P.BOGERT1]
>>> EXPLORING THE GEnie UNIVERSE <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
OK. Your wife watches you at this screen for hours on end, and if
she is not as tuned into the value of GEnie as you are, she's probably
inclined to ask, "You seem to have a lot of fun on that machine, but WHAT'S
IN IT FOR ME???!!??" As you log on to GEnie, this oft-repeated scenario
again rears it's head:
"Lots," you coyly reply. "Why did you know that I can save us money
by using this machine?
"I've heard that before," she says, "and it usually ends up COSTING
money."
You break into a cold sweat remembering that you used the same
arguments to justify the larger hard disk, faster machine, better printer,
more colorful and (of course) easier on the eyes monitor, etc. "Well, it
is true. Remember that CD we bought the other week - what a dog. Wouldn't
it have been better to find out what's worthwhile and what's not? And how
about the movie we rented last weekend. The description on the dust jacket
forgot to mention that it is a guaranteed cure for insomnia."
"What's all this have to do with computers?"
"O.k. Well, just a few moments ago I spend a little time over on the
Music Roundtable of GEnie (you wonder if it would be condescending to tell
her that a Roundtable is a section of GEnie where a major topic is
discussed). I downloaded two files that I thought might be helpful."
You hand her printed copies of Video4.zip and Music4.zip, the latest
issues of video and music reviews available on the Music RT [See GEnie page
135]
"If we had read things like this, it might have saved us some time and
money. See what I mean?
The look in her eye tells you that you've scored a minor point. Don't
give up now. Get a few more while the opportunity is still present!
"And you know how your mother is coming in a few weeks and how you
complain that she gets in your way? Well, I've got some cross-stitch
patterns [see the Hobby RT - GEnie page 180] for her to look at. Maybe you
can keep her occupied with her favorite hobby while I, uh, you are occupied
with your favorite hobby - me!"
A roll of the eyes tells you that maybe you overestimated the power of
that last salvo. You decide to make one more try. As you turn back to the
computer screen, you say, "Oh, yeah, I also downloaded a file that fixes
the problems you've been having printing on the DeskJet [DK0774.ZIP in the
Microsoft RT (page 505)- library]. Now when you do your club newsletter
you won't waste time or paper. No need to thank me, though. I'm on GEnie
because of the service it provides for our family."
And so ends another discussion on the contributions computers make to
your family life. You smile proudly, knowing you convinced her, failing to
catch her "he's a computer addict" smile and shake of the head reflecting
in your monitor screen. You head off to the IBM RT to download that great
new file that was recommended in GEnieLamp, knowing that - at least for
this evening - you have been victorious and the exploration can continue.
Happy Computing!
/////////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "[Aladdin] allows me to participate in this message base, where /
/ I would not be able to afford it if I had to do my typing online, /
/ and gives me time to spend downloading the files I want." /
///////////////////////////////////////////////////// NTACTONE
////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
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