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GEnieLamp IBM - Vol.2, Issue 16
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|| |||||| || || |||||| RoundTable
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|| |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE!
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~ NEW GENIE RATES INFORMATION & BREAKDOWN ~
~ HOT Messages From The IBM Bulletin Board ~
~ PROFILES: DAVE THOMAS: Sysop for the Word Perfect RT ~
~ NEW CUT & PASTE SCRIPT: Get_The_Lamp! ~
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GEnieLamp IBM ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Vol.2, Issue 16
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Publisher.........................................T/TalkNET Publishing
Senior Editor............................................John Peters
Editor.................................................Bob Connors
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GEnieLamp IBM Staff: ~ Peter Bogert ~ Brad Biondo ~ Tippy Martinez
~ David Holmes ~
~
~ GEnieLamp IBM ~ GEnieLamp ST ~ GEnieLamp [PR]/TX2 ~ GEnieLamp A2 ~
~ GEnieLamp MacPRO ~ GEnieLamp A2Pro ~ GEnieLamp Macintosh ~
~ GEnieLamp Newswire ~ LiveWire Online ~
~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~
GE Mail: GENIELAMP Internet: GENIELAMP@GENIE.GEIS.COM
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>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE IBM ROUNDTABLE? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ June 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] REFLECTIONS ............. [REF]
Who's Who On GEnie. Online Communication.
THE MIGHTY QUINN ........ [QUI] ASK DOCTOR BOB .......... [ASK]
Random Access. Gotta Question?
CowTOONS! ............... [MOO] GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE ..... [ELS]
Cows From Literature. Browsing GEnie.
ADD ALADDIN ............. [ADD] LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
Cut & Paste Scripts. 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 ////
/ "Yikes, I stay offline for 4 days and rates change, /
/ the topics go nuts, and I run out of coffee!" /
/////////////////////////////////////// P-DIRECT ////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
By John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
>>> TOP OF THE PAGE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""
TOP OF THE PAGE If you haven't heard, the flagship issues of GEnieLamp
""""""""""""""" (GEnieLamp IBM, Mac, ST and A2) has split into two
issues, released on the 1st and the the 15th of every month. The issue on
the 1st will concentrate on message highlights, news and general
information. The second issue will bring you the latest greatest programs
from the libraries and recent press releases as well as other GEnie bits &
pieces of information.
WHAT, YOU MISSED THE MID-MONTH ISSUE?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[IN THE DIGIPUB RoundTable / M1395;3]
1358 SLP9305B.ASC GEnieLamp ST
1357 ILP9305B.ASC GEnieLamp IBM
1351 MLP9305B.ASC GEnieLamp Macintosh
1349 ALP9305B.ASC GEnieLamp A2
NOTE TO SCRIPT USERS For Aladdin readers we have included the new
"""""""""""""""""""" GET_THE_LAMP script in this issue of GEnieLamp IBM
and ST. With this script Aladdin will log on to the GEnieLamp page,
capture one (or more) of the issues and then either hang up or go on and do
an autopass 1 or 2. See ADD ALADDIN [ADD] in this issue for details. For
Macintosh readers a new version of GEnieLamp Module v3.01e has been
released that will allow you to download any and all issues of GEnieLamp
Mac/MacPRO and the other platforms -- up to 8 at a time -- from page 515
and the new DIGIPUB RT library at 1395. This module is available in the
DigiPub Library. (File #1384 GENIELAMP MODULE 3.0.2)
AND THE BIG NEWS IS... GENIE ANNOUNCES NEW PRICING:
"""""""""""""""""""""" SIMPLER, MORE AFFORDABLE AND, AS ALWAYS,
THE BEST VALUE ONLINE
Rockville, MD, May 24,1993 -- GEnie, GE's consumer online services, today
announced a new pricing stucture that reduces hourly connect rates by 50%.
Since its inception in 1985, GEnie has led the industry in value and its
new pricing structure continues to reflect this.
Effective July 1, GEnie's non-prime time connect rate drops to $3.00
per hour, a reduction of 50% from the current rate. The monthly fee has
been restructured, and moves from $4.95 to $8.95, for which up to four
hours of non-prime time access to most GEnie services, such as software
downloads, bulletin boards, email, an Internet gateway, multi-player games
and chat lines, are allowed without charge. There will, however, no longer
be free unlimited non-prime time access to a core of basic services.
According to GEnie General Manager, John Barber, "Consumers are
demanding greater value in virtually all services they purchase. Computer
online services are no exception. Several of our competitors have
addressed this market trend earlier this year. On new pricing gives
customers the best value for a wide array of services."
GEnie subscribers have access to 150,000 software files for
downloading, the largest selection of any online service in the industry.
Further, GEnie offers unparalleled selection in world-class multi-player
games, making it the online service of choice for avid players.
"We used to offer only a small portion of services at our best price
level. Now the customer can sample almost everything we have, from
downloads to games, bulletin boards to an Internet gateway," said Barber.
"The four hours included in the monthly subscription fee will cover all the
monthly usage of more than 85% of our members and the low hourly connect
rate beyond that is within reach of virtually everyone."
GEnie in the online information service of GE Information Services
(GEIS), a division of General Electric Co., USA. GEnie and GEIS are
headquartered in Rockville, MD.
An Open Letter to GEnie Subscribers From John Barber, General Manager of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" GEnie: On July 1st, a new pricing
structure goes into effect at GEnie. It's a big day for us -- the result
of months of planning, number-crunching, monitoring and maneuvering around
the competition.
And once again, we're looking forward to showing the online community
that no one offers a better value than GEnie.
We have to admit that over the last few months, it's been difficult to
watch the other major online companies, one after another, proclaim that
their new prices make them "the ultimate value."
But rest assured, we do not intend to give up our leadership position
as the best value online.
GEnie has always offered its subscribers the best combination of
sophisticated services, information, entertainment -- and affordability.
And we've done it once again. Starting July 1st, GEnie will offer you
the lowest hourly connect time of all the major online services; combined
with a highly-competitive monthly subscription fee; and credit each month
for up to four hours online.
Effective July 1st, this is GEnie's new U.S. pricing structure:
- Our monthly subscription fee becomes $8.95 a month.
- Our standard hourly connect rate drops to $3.00 an hour.
- And every month, you'll get a credit for up to 4 hours of
standard $3.00 connect time.
It's about that simple. For our Canadian and international PDN
customers, a complete price chart follows at the end of this letter. It
also contains the fine print regarding prime time, baud rates, etc., so
it's worth taking some time to look over.
SIMPLY BETTER You might notice one more important benefit to our plan.
""""""""""""" We kept it simple. It's easy to understand, easy to live
with.
For starters, we've simplified the pricing. All the services formerly
in GEnie*Basic and in GEnie Value are now treated equally, and available at
the same low price -- $3.00 an hour in non-prime time.
Multi-player games, downloading, computing bulletin boards, real-time
conferences -- they're all just $3.00 an hour. (Half what you've been
paying for GEnie Value services!)
GEnie*Basic services, yes, they're now included in the $3/hour group,
too. GE Mail -- it's $3.00 an hour, with no limit to the number of
messages. Internet Mail is now $3 an hour, with no registration fee. And
don't forget. You also get a credit for up to four hours of $3/hour time,
every month.
OK, NOW WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MY MONTHLY BILL? Let's cut to the chase.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" This is what everyone
really wants to know. The answer is -- for the majority of our users, it
means very little change at all, or a change for the better.
When we started working on the price change, we studied the usage
patterns of our active members to see who would be affected, and to what
extent. We concluded that more than 85% would see about the same or lower
bills at the end of the month.
For the people who like to keep to a strict budget each month, this
plan offers a lot of flexibility and a broader range of services than
before.
You have a set subscription fee. And for that fee, you get a credit
for four hours of standard connect time to spend just about anywhere on
GEnie.
There's no asterisk-chasing to make sure you haven't strayed into
Value services. Less worry of credit card shock. You can even explore
areas of GEnie you thought you couldn't afford before.
For the active users who spend significant hours a month on GEnie,
especially in the former GEnie Value services, you should see a tremendous
savings. The hourly rate is half what it was before -- and the best in the
business!
Now -- who will see prices rise under the new system? Generally
speaking, anyone who's accustomed to making unusually heavy use of
GEnie*Basic services will have to change his or her usage to keep monthly
bills down.
SO WHY CHANGE? Maybe you're wondering why we're bothering to change the
"""""""""""""" rate, if so few people are affected. After all, GEnie
has had flat fee pricing for three years now.
Well, we did it for a couple of reasons. With our new pricing, we can
continue to stay competitive in the marketplace, and we can continue to
improve our service to you.
We found that, under the former pricing, a small number of our
customers were making heavy demands on our service -- demands which began
to outpace our infrastructure and capacity. The result was a level of
performance that pleased no one. Not you. Not us. And yet, while other
companies were eliminating or reducing their flat-rate access, we were
holding to ours.
Something had to change. And a price restructuring was the best
solution for the majority of our users.
Now, with the new rates, no one group of members is unduly favored;
GEnie can continue to stay highly competitive among online companies; and
we can continue to improve our service to you.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORKS There are other changes involved here
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" besides our prices. "Staying
competitive" means offering you better products, better service and better
system performance.
Right now, we have a number of improvements in the works. We're
developing new front-end software packages for Windows and Macintosh
systems -- look for more on that over the coming months. We're making
technical improvements to enhance our performance and speed. We'll be
adding new services soon, along with new bulletin boards and of course,
we'll continue to update our software libraries with more valuable files.
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE GEnie has always been the very best service for
"""""""""""""""""""""""" people who really enjoy being online, and who
expect great products and the best value for the time they spend with us.
That's not going to change. In fact, this new pricing structure
should make it even easier for you to enjoy everything we have to offer.
We're looking forward to seeing you online.
Sincerely,
John Barber
General Manager, GEnie
>>> G E n i e P r i c i n g <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(Effective July 1, 1993)
+-----------------+----------------------+
GEnie Services | U.S. (U.S.$) [5]| CANADA (CAN $) |
+-----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------|
|Monthly Subscription Fee | $8.95/month | $10.95/month |
+-----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
|Hours Credited Per Month [1] | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4 hours |
+-----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
|Hourly Connect Charge | $3.00/hour | $4.00/hour |
+-----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
|GEnie Premium Services |Prices vary per individual service. |
| |These include: Charles Schwab Brokerage |
| |Services (not available in Canada), Dow |
| |Jones News/Retrieval (R), The Official |
| |Airline Guides Electronic Edition (R) |
| |Travel Service, QuikNews clipping |
| |service, Telebase Investment |
| |ANALY$T (SM),ARTIST (R) gateway. |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------------------+
Additional Charges (where applicable) [4]
+-----------------------------+----------------+-----------------------+
|Prime Time Surcharge [2] | $9.50/hour | $12.00/hour |
+-----------------------------+----------------+-----------------------+
|9600 Baud Surcharge | $6.00/hour | $8.00/hour |
+-----------------------------+----------------+-----------------------+
|Communications Surcharge: | | |
| 800 Service [3] | $6.00/hour | -- |
| Extended Network | $2.00/hour | -- |
| SprintNet | $2.00/hour | -- |
| Datapac | -- | $6.00/hour |
+-----------------------------+----------------+-----------------------+
| [1] Credit for up to 4 hours of standard $3.00 U.S. ($4.00 CAN$) |
| connect time. Hours credited apply to current month only. |
| [2] Prime-time: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. local time on weekdays only. The |
| prime-time surcharge is in addition to $3/hour charge. Prime- |
| time surcharge is waived for selected holidays. Residents of |
| Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Arizona and Puerto Rico, please verify |
| hours with GEnie Client Services. |
| [3] "800" Service surcharge waived at 9600 baud. |
| [4] State taxes will apply in some areas. |
| [5] International PDN subscribers billed in U.S.$ at U.S. rates. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Canadian Rates GEnie Services subscribers in Canada will also enjoy a
"""""""""""""" substantial price reduction. A new monthly rate of
$10.95 CAN$ with 4 hours of free non-prime time access to most GEnie
serives is being established by the Canadian distributor of GEnie Services.
The hourly non-prime time connect rate in Canada is also being reduced to
$4.00 CAN$ per hour.
>>> THE BOTTOM LINE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Information Services Comparison ~
WHAT ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE? GEnie is now a better deal then ever. But
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" just how good of a deal is it? Let's take a
By Jim Lubin quick look at how GEnie stacks up against the
[J.LUBIN] other major online players.
ASCII Text-based Services
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
o General Electric Network for Information Exchange (GEnie)
o Compuserve Information Service (CIS)
o National Videotex Network (NVN)
o Delphi
Graphic Front-end Required
""""" MS-DOS or Macintosh Only
""""""""""""""""""""""""
o Prodigy
o America Online (AOL)
>>> Comparison of Non-Prime Usage <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
+---------------------------------------------+
Service | $/month | Hrs incl.| 2400 baud | 9600 baud |
|---------+----------+-----------+------------|
GEnie | 8.95 | 4 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
CIS #1 | 2.50 | 0 | 12.80 | 22.80 |
CIS #2 | 8.95 | *[1] | 8.00 | 16.00 |
NVN | 5.95 | *[2] | 5.00 | 5.00 |
Delphi #1 | 10.00 | 4 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Delphi #2 | 20.00 | 20 | 1.80 | 1.80 |
Prodigy #1 | 7.95 | 2 | 4.80[4] | 4.80[4] |
Prodigy #2 | 14.95 | 2[3] | 4.80[4] | 4.80[4] |
AOL | 9.95 | 5 | 3.50 | ? |
+---------------------------------------------+
[1] - includes unlimited connect-time in 30+ basic services
[2] - includes unlimited connect-time in 70+ basic services
[3] - includes unlimited connect-time in 170+ core services
and 2hrs of plus service
[4] - 0 to 3hrs $4.80/3+ to 6hrs $4.20/6hrs+ $3.60
+---------------------------+
| 10hrs/month | 20hrs/month |
|-------------+-------------|
GEnie | 26.95 | 56.95 |
CIS | 48.95[5] | 88.95[9] |
NVN | 35.95[6] | 60.95[a] |
Delphi | 20.00[7] | 20.00[b] |
Prodigy | 29.35[8] | 43.75[c] |
AOL | 27.45 | 62.45 |
+---------------------------+
[5] - plan #2, 5hrs basic/5hrs extended service
[6] - 5hrs basic/5hrs premium service
[7] - plan #2
[8] - plan #2, 5hrs core/5hrs plus service
[9] - plan #2, 10hrs basic/10hrs extended service
[a] - 10hrs basic/10hrs premium service
[b] - plan #2
[c] - plan #2, 10hrs core/10hrs plus service
Additional Notes On Services
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
GEnie - rates effective 7/1/93
CIS - rates current 5/26/93
NVN - rates current 5/26/93
Delphi - rates current 5/26/93
Prodigy - rates effective 7/1/93
AOL - rates current 5/26/93
[*][*][*]
o GEnie & AOL include sending & receiving of Internet mail at no
additional cost.
o CIS basic does not include bulletin boards, software libraries
or real-time conferances.
o Prodigy does not offer software libraries or real-time
conferances.
o NVN basic does not include software libraries, real-time
conferances or computer related bulletin boards.
[*][*][*]
On a closing note, are you are as confused about Internet as I am?
Since we will all soon have access to Internet, it's now time to jump in
with both feet and find out just what all the excitement is about. Watch
for our special report on Internet in the July 1st issue of GEnieLamp.
until next time... John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
[*][*][*]
___________________________
/ /////////////////////// / \ TITLE : Don't Falcon's
/ /////////////////////// //_/ EAT Mice?
/ _______________ // / \ MEDIA : Phospor
/ '--------------' / / | ARTIST: Rod Martin
/ ############### ### ### / / /
/ ############### ### ### / / _/
\___________________=___=__\_/ /
/ /
(__ |
\_____/
[EOA]
[ODD]//////////////////////////////
IBM ODDS & ENDS /
/////////////////////////////////
PC_Talk!
""""""""
WHAT THE HECK DOES NT STAND FOR ANYWAY?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
>>>>> Depends entirely on who you ask. <g> Microsoft says it means "New
""""" Technology".
(K.LAUX, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:909/M615)
>>>>> Based on my personal experiences (zero DOS support & no help from
""""" MS - flames for reporting problems though...) NT stands for "No
Threat" (for OS/2). Consider a 28 meg required swap file! -Jeff
(J.ELKINS1, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:910/M615)
>>>>> No threat for OS/2 is right. NT in my book stands for "Naive
""""" Technology" because they think NT will replace OS/2, OS/2 will not
go away especially now since 2.1 is coming which is can running Windows 3.1
and DOS applications better than NT can. -Stewart
(S.HYDE, CAT21, TOP40, MSG:914/M615)
>>>>> According to May 11th PC-Mag that arived today NT means
"""""
NewWave Takeover
Norton's Troubles
Never-ending Trek
Next Terror
Nefarious Titillion
Nice Toy
(S.HYDE, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:918/M615)
>>>>> I heard NT meant "Not There" (due to its repeated schedule slips).
"""""
(T.COLE13, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:919/M615)
DOWN & DIRTY I have no mechanical skills to speak of and have never
"""""""""""" opened either of my two computers, (Panasonic Executive
Partner portable-1986 model-and a Bondwell Laptop-1990 model) to inspect,
much less provide TLC. Nevertheless, I have been using a vacuum cleaner on
all external surfaces, particularly over the ventilation areas, the
keyboard, and the opening to the floppy disk drive. I try to do this every
few months, before any problem arises. When from time to time the Panasonic
freezes, a vacuuming seems to correct whatever problem exists. Is this self
delusion, or is the use of a vacuum cleaner a recognized form of preventive
maintenance of computer hardware?
(G.ALTER, CAT12, TOP16, MSG:1/M615)
>>>>> Jerry, keeping any electronics equipment clean certainly
""""" contributes to its longevity. Dirt can cause heat build-up (by
blocking ventilation ports), sticking of mechanical devices such as disk
drives and keyboards, and the like. You would be shocked if you saw the
dust and dirt built up in some of the desktop machines I have opened.
(STROM, CAT12, TOP16, MSG:2/M615)
>>>>> Speaking of dust and dirt in PC's... I once found a spider living
""""" in my PC, with a nice web to boot, nicely filling in the gap
between the power supply and the disk drives. I cringe at the thought of
what he was living off of (no traces of any other critters inside,
fortunately) -Greyjack
(GRAYJACK, CAT12, TOP16, MSG:3/M615)
>>>>> Now that's a serious bug in your computer:-)
"""""
(JOHN.DENNING, CAT12, TOP16, MSG:4/M615)
TEXT EDITOR HELP
""""""""""""""""
> I am new to GEnie and have a question. I need to get a text
> editor/reader that can handle very large files. Does anyone have
> any recommendations? I need something that will allow me to read,
> browse, edit a file that is 700k plus. Thanks for all
> suggestions.
In order of preference, I'd suggest the following:
1. TSE from SemWare
2. Brief
3. VI from MKS
All of these are capable of handling large files. I use TSE myself,
and find it a very good editor. However, I'll take any odds you want to
give that there are people here that use Brief, and like it too: it's right
up there with TSE. VI is a bit of a funny animal, it takes a lot longer to
learn, but once you do it's got all the capabilities of the others, albeit
in different ways sometimes.
Also, read the reviews here (mine included) with the following thought
in mind: people tend to be very supportive of their own favorite editor.
Oh yeah - TSE is still in a pre-release version, I got it on a special
offer from Semware, if you don't want to live on the "bleeding-edge", you
might want to wait till they have an official release. If you're interested
I can post their address / phone number here. -dg
(DAVID-CPM, CAT2, TOP15, MSG:26/M615)
[EOA]
[HOT]//////////////////////////////
HOT TOPICS /
/////////////////////////////////
Too Hot To Handle, Almost...
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
>>> Bulletin Board Hot Spots <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
WHO WILL BE THE WINNER? The Windows and Windws NT folks have moved to
""""""""""""""""""""""" the Windows RT (pg 1335). I figured I would let
you OS/2 folks alone. Soon the open market will decide the real winner.
No amount of caterwalling here will make much difference.
I do find it interesting that IBM is worried enough about Windows NT
to start a negative ad campaign against the product even before the retail
release ships.
(RDILL, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:924/M615)
MOVING UP TO 6.0? If you're considering upgrading via MS-DOS 6.0, listen
""""""""""""""""" up. I made the mistake of falling for the marketing
hype by buying the upgrade. =Big mistake=. It only took about twenty
minutes or so to complete installation, and eveything seemed great. As
soon as I typed in the double space command to double my HD capacity, I
surrendered 40k conventional memory =:o. Not good.
I'm already working with a serious handicap, given that I'm
constrained by my 286 board. Aside from DOS itself, I cannot kick any of
my drivers upstairs, so each takes up a little space in conventional
memory. Prior to installing the upgrade, I would usually have about 575k
after load-out. Once I typed in that magic word I was down to 535k. After
a ramdisk, I'm down to just about 512k. Indeed, some of my software
wouldn't run at all. What's the lesson here?
**** If you have a 286 PC, and have been thinking about upgrading, be
advised, you will loose a significant about of your conventional memory.
Even worse, it is a real hassle to get it back. I found I had to format
the HD, then restore all the files--mega time wasted. ...Stick with
MS-DOS 5.0 and you will not be sorry. Just hang in there, something better
is bound to find its way into the market. -Woody :(
(P.WOODS1, CAT21, TOP49, MSG:157/M615)
PKZIP BUG? Interesting thing happened today. I found that there's a way
"""""""""" to consistently get a corrupted PKZIP self-extracting file.
The way I did it was to take the MS DOS supplemental disk sfx and run it. I
wanted to recompress usign 2.04G. So I then created a new ZIP file and ran
ZIP2EXE on it.
If I use the -j option the .EXE file is -always- corrupted. About 5
of the files fail the crc check on extraction. If I don't use the -j option
the files are extracted just fine. Weird. -Juan
(J.JIMENEZ, CAT4, TOP15, MSG:177/M615)
PARADOX AND OS2? I just asked Borland over at the other network and they
"""""""""""""""" said they had no plans for Paradox for OS2 unless OS2
catches on. Therefore I am not investing any money in Paradox myself for
the moment but I am trying to learn C so I can write my own stuff. My
database needs are not that sophisticated for now. I got a product called
Databoss that is a code generator. It makes DOS programs, and I am hoping
to be able to use that as a basis and port to OS2 someday. Alternatively,
there are the Borland container classes. Also check out Programmer's
Paradise for other stuff.
(AQIL, CAT6, TOP7, MSG:395/M615)
>>>>> I am amused (as well as surprised at a firm like Borland, for whom
""""" I have great respect) that software publishers are still "waiting
to see if OS/2 is going to catch on". It is time for them to wake up and
smell the roses. OS/2 is a success and is here to stay. The message
traffic here is testament to this fact.
(STROM, CAT6, TOP7, MSG:396/M615)
>>>>> 4/19/93 InfoWeek: Information Week has learned that the Social
""""" Security Administration will sign a deal fo 70,000 copies of OS/2,
one of the largets single purchases of an operating system ever and an
endorsement that seems certain to endow the 32- bit desktop system with
badly needed market cachet. Indeed, it may be a classic case of history
repeating itself; according to IBM folklore, it was SSA in the 1930s that
bailed out IBM out of the depths of the depression by purchasing a large
quantity of punch card equipment.
Cool. Can't wait for it to show up on my desk. <g> -John
(JOHN.PF, CAT6, TOP8, MSG:555/M615)
PC TOOLS FOR WINDOWS, NOT SO HOT? I just loaded PCtools for Windows at
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" work after reading all the rave
reviews here and in the journals. Well... I guess I just really liked the
way PCshell worked, even in Windows as a DOS app. It was so easy to use the
View, Locate, and then manipulate the files with the shell. I stuck with
the old Version 6 menus because of the quick access to shortcut keys and
switchable function keys accessable by a quick click of the mouse. What I
miss most is the Speed search aspect that would take me right to the
directory I wanted. (With almost 200 directories and subdirectories it is
important!). I don't know, I've got a thirty day warranty to turn in the
Windows and go to PCTools 8.0a. Anybody else out there feel this way?
(J.BLAKE14, CAT4, TOP22, MSG:679/M615)
>>>>> I also am a bit disapointed with pc tools for windows. I want my
""""" directory manager program back. After using a program for a few
day I decided I didn't like it and wanted to remove the whole thing in one
easy stroke. After looking through all the file management utilities for
about half an hour I gave up. In many ways I wish I could find my copy of
5.5. It was the best version that I used.
(M.BANKS, CAT4, TOP22, MSG:680/M615)
[EOA]
[WHA]//////////////////////////////
WHAT'S NEW? /
/////////////////////////////////
New and Improved
""""""""""""""""
WORDSTAR 7.0 USERS, TAKE NOTE For you Wordstar 7.0 users, William Pitt
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" has a new book out for it called
COMMANDING WORDSTAR. From some of the articles he has written in WPUG's
SCROLL newsletter, the book should be pretty good. You can order it here
from Micro Computing (or whatever the store's name is) at 20% off; I did
today. It costs $23.95. Also, in a recent SCROLL people talked about how
in a fax poll taken by PC Computing magazine this january, the second most
popular word processor was our own WORDSTAR! It is about time.
(K.ROHRER, CAT2, TOP16, MSG:75/M615)
BACKMASTER UPDATE Got the following from the BackMaster BBS on April,
""""""""""""""""" 20th, 1993. Hope that this answers some of the
questions that have been going about concerning whether it is vapourware or
what.
STATUS UPDATE OF BACKMASTER BackMaster is OUT of its holding pattern.
The March OS/2 2.1 Beta has numerous fixes in it. Two of which will
allow us to finish development. We will be busy "putting the pieces
together" over the next couple of weeks. All of the features for version
1.0 are in place and any new features will be held for later versions
and/or revisions.
The next Demo and Beta will have the tape support enabled although the
demo will not have data compression available. We expect to have the next
demo and beta available within a couple of weeks (barring any new
problems).
This does however bring several of questions.
First 'Will BackMaster still support OS/2 2.0?'
The answer is yes and no. If IBM releases a CSD to patch 2.0 with the
2.1 corrections then YES, BackMaster will work on 2.0.
Second 'How will I get these CSD's if released?'
We will make available any public release CSD's from IBM on this BBS.
(With IBM approval)
Third 'Should I get the March 2.1 Beta?'
Yes! For Backmaster to work correctly, you will need at least the
March 2.1 Beta. Besides, it seems to work well. BE SURE to read any IBM
readme files in the beta!
I will be compiling a list of FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) about
BackMaster. It will be available in the text file area soon.
Thank you for your patience and support!!!
Michael Airhart
Tech Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course they mean their file area, not GEnie's.
(J.POLK, CAT6, TOP10, MSG:261/M615)
>>>>> From my understanding, Backmaster will only support floppy disks
""""" and Colorado tape drives. It will specifically _not_ support SCSI
tape, flopticals not optical drives, and there is not schedule for
deployment of such features. It sounds like it will not fill most folks'
needs. Too bad.
(STROM, CAT6, TOP10, MSG:262/M615)
NEW OS/2 JUST ABOUT READY! It seems the OS/2 RT is almost done. Check
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" out page 1400 if you are curious. I don't
think we're supposed to start topics there yet, though.
(BROOKE, CAT6, TOP21, MSG:36/M615)
>>>>> The OS/2 R/T is due to open real soon. I doubt it will coincide
""""" with Monday's 2.1 announcement, but then real 2.1 product won't
either (hee hee). We are planning to have a significant IBM presence both
in terms of rtc guests and permanent support. I'd prefer not to give
specifics until everything is nailed down 100%.
(STROM, CAT6, TOP21, MSG:39/M615)
[EOA]
[TIP]//////////////////////////////
TIPS & HINTS /
/////////////////////////////////
People Helping People
"""""""""""""""""""""
CONSIDERING WORDSTAR? Wordstar has certainly had its ups and downs, while
""""""""""""""""""""" WordPerfect has been steadily improving...
If you are deciding which one to go with, take a good look at the newest
WordStar: V7.0. It has a GUI interface, mouse support (about time), a
choice or 2-menu types, four help levels, a totally new macro language with
plenty of them built-in, supports hundreds of printer, fax capabilities,
include pix format graphics (automatically converts almost any format you
feed it), text & data conversion using Star Exchange, totally configurable
screen, change almost every parameter, page preview that beats out every
other DOS word processor out there (& is it fast!), and a whole lot more.
You can't beat it, especially for the $89.00 upgrade charge. Wordstar
Intl. also just bought out a graphics company, so you can expect to see
this capability steadily improving. Also, for you WOrdstar users, there is
an excellent users' group called WPUG (Wordstar Word Processor Users'
Group) that puts out an excellent newsletter 6-times a year.
Their phone number is: 305-274-0099. If you want an further info,
e-mail me. Their address is: W/PUG P.O.Box 16-1443 Miami, FL.
33116-1443
(K.ROHRER, CAT2, TOP28, MSG:48/M615)
FOREVER SPINNING I have a question regarding Norton Desktop for Win, I
"""""""""""""""" have the line to use Smartcan in my autoexec bat file,
but when it reaches that portion of the autoexec.bat file, my hard drive
just spins continually... any answers or help on how to fix this problem?
I end up having to reboot with a sys floppy, and changing my
autoexec.bat files around to allow NOT using Smartcan, but I'd rather fix
the problem instead of ignoring it, as I can't use my memory manager using
the current simplistic start files :-) Thanks for ANY help!
(G.D.EDWARDS, CAT3, TOP20, MSG:292/M615)
>>>>> It sounds like maybe the MAP file which SMARTCAN maintains has
been corrupted. You can try removing it from your autoexec, then deleting
the entire smartcan directory from the file pane (you will have to change
the filter to show hidden and system files first to even see the SMARTCAN
directory). Then exit windows. Next, find and delete the SMARTCAN.INI file
(either in the root directory or in NDW directory). Finally manually type
in SMARTCAN and set your basic options. You should now be able to reinsert
SMARTCAN in your autoexec file and reboot. -DennyB
(D.BORUCK, CAT3, TOP20, MSG:296/M615)
SO, WHY CAN'T I? If MS-DOS 6.0 data compression is built into the DOS
"""""""""""""""" kernel now, and you can choose which DOS kernel OS/2
uses (e.g. 4DOS), why can't you use MS-DOS's kernel which includes data
compression? -Bruce
(B.BARTEL, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:925/M615)
>>>>> You cannot use DOS 6.0's data compression under OS/2. OS/2 uses
""""" its own file system, regardless of whether you are running an
OS/2, Win- OS/2, or DOS session. This is one of OS/2's strengths. You could
run dual boot and have a spearate partition compressed with DOS 6.0, but it
would be useless to OS/2. P.S. Compression is not built into DOS 6.0's
kernel -- it is a separate utility. You could run DOS 6.0 as an OS/2 VDM,
but not with DOS 6. native compression. Stacker should be out for OS/2
soon, and DCF/2 is a package already available.
(STROM, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:926/M615)
NOW WHAT DO I DO? My wife's hard disk crashed. It was replaced by a
""""""""""""""""" technician and the new one was brought up to speed.
So far, so good. Well, my wife does TWO backups using DOS's backup
utility. She runs a daily backup on separate diskettes that backsup
changed files. She also runs a monthly complete backup. She was using
MS-DOS 2.1's Backup which saves each individual file to diskette, slightly
modified, and adds a BCKUPID.@@@ file to each diskette.
Okay, DOS 3.3 can handle this old format. (She's running 3.3 now).
But here is my problem. She accidently did a daily backup on April 2 on
the monthly diskette #1. So when I try to restore the full backup, I get
diskette #1 and then RESTORE ends, thinking it is finished. Is there a way
to restore the other 30 diskettes??? There they sit and her files are in
there, but how to get them?
(D.KENADY, CAT13, TOP6, MSG:47/M615)
>>>>> To get the rest of the files from the other disks, just skip the
""""" first disk. You will get a warning about the disks being out of
order, but you should be able to tell it to continue anyway. This should
work fine to recover the files that are not at all on the first disk.
(B.WITHNELL, CAT13, TOP6, MSGZ:49/M615)
MACINTOSH GIF'S ON A PC I have rec'd several Gif's in Mac binary format
""""""""""""""""""""""" and can't read them with my PC. Are any
programs avilable via shareware or elsewhere that can convert the headers
on the files so that I may view these Gif's. Thanks for the help. -Glen
(G.STATON2, CAT2, TOP25, MSG:172/M615)
>>>>> No. File Name Type Address YYMMDD Bytes Lib
""""" ----- ------------------------ - ------------ ------ ------- ---
31980 ALCH161.ZIP X JIM.LUBIN 930221 479524 14
Desc: Image Alchemy graphic view/coverter
It can handle the following formats:
TARG file HSI PALette file
PCPAINT/Pictor Macintosh PICT2 file
AutoLogic file Alpha Microsystems file
ADEX file MTV Ray Tracer file
Binary file Silicon Graphics Image file
XBM file PCX file
CALS file HP PCL file
Dr. Halo CUT file PDS file
QDV file Cubicomb PictureMaker file
Encapsulated PostScript file Q0 file
Erdas Image file HSI Raw file
Freedom of the Press file RIX file
First Publisher file HP RTL file
GIF file AVHRR file
Gem VDI Image file Sun Raster file
GOES file Scodl file
IFF/ILBM file SPOT Image file
Picture Maker file TIFF file
Vivid IMG file QRT file
JPEG/JFIF file Utah Raster Toolkit (RLE) file
HSI JPEG Windows Bitmap (BMP) file
Jovian VI WordPerfect Graphic file
PBM file XWD file
Stork file XPM file
It can be used to view and convert between formats. The shareware
version can only handle images up to 640x480.
(JIM.LUBIN, CAT2, TOP25, MSG:173/M615)
>>>>> I'm still having a problem with reading GIF's created on a Mac. I
""""" downloaded Alchemy image/viewer, Fastgif and Macall. I keep
getting the message that it is not a graphics format. If I read the header
end I get a bunch of garbage and then GIF87a and more garbage.
(G.STATON2, CAT2, TOP25, MSG:175/M615)
>>>>> There is a utility in the download library here called SHOWMACB
""""" that will remove the header. You can also do it with a text editor.
Just remove the first 128 characters from the GIF file. The file should
start with GIF 87a or GIF 89a, just delete everything before that. Make a
backup copy first in case something gets farkled.
(G.SWALLOW, CAT2, TOP25, MSG:176/M615)
3337 MACSHO.ARC X FPREFECT 870216 63000 342 3
Desc: TRANSLATES MAC GRAPHICS TO MSWINDOWS
[EOA]
[PRO]//////////////////////////////
PROGRAMMER'S CORNER /
/////////////////////////////////
Programmers Only!
"""""""""""""""""
HELP FOR C BEGINNER I have a very basic question: I am just beginning to
""""""""""""""""""" learn C. I already have an OS2 compiler (gcc). The
different compilers themeselves seem all pretty good, but the question
becomes, what do you get with them, for how much? Borland has the IDE; IBM
will have a big library; presumably IBM will also have the better
documentation, at least for the PM API, etc. Borland right now is selling
their package very cheap. The SOM pre-compiler can be bought separately, so
that is not an issue.
I presume that one can use any library with any compiler. Similarly,
one can use any class template with any C++ compiler? Or does one need the
source code for the class to do this? Or can you create object code and
just link it in?
Will IBM make their library available separately? Like I said I am a
raw beginner here, and have no actual experience yet using classes - I am
trying to learn C first - but I may have to make a buying decision sooner
then I have the knowledge myself to make it. Any help would be appreciated.
(AQIL, CAT6, TOP33, MSG:40/M615)
>>>>> The whole point of a library is to make it possible to use code in
""""" executable form without the source code. Yes, you can use class
libraries without the source, all you need is the header files that have
the interface to the classes. You can even extend the classes via
inheritance and have the new class work without having source for the base
class.
(B.WHITHNELL, CAT6, TOP33, MSG:41/M615)
LOOKING FOR A GOOD DEAL How much is a good price for a c compiler for
""""""""""""""""""""""" OS/2?
(R.VILLA2, CAT6, TOP33, MSG:42/M615)
>>>>> $0 is the best price I know of. That's for the GNU C/C++
""""" compiler, which I am very happy with. For details, download the
emxst document from the library (search for "emxst" to find the file
number).
Next in line is somewhere around $15 for the beta version of the IBM
compiler (it comes with the beta version of OS/2 2.1 on CD-ROM).
Then comes about $150 for the Borland C/C++ compiler for OS/2.
(BROOKE,CAT6, TOP33, MSG:43/M615)
>>>>> The GNU and the PDK ($20, BTW) don't have hardcopy docs, Borland
""""" does. Borland is fully supported, GNU isn't. GNU is the nly one
to have source code for the compiler. Borland has an IDE with integrated
debugger. Borland's includes the Resource Workshop. The PDK has a set of
class libraries for PM development.
A lot of plus and minus data, but in the long run I'd say the best
recommendation I could give is that I've got all three--what I use is
Borland C++ for OS/2.
(B.WITHNELL, CAT6, TOP33, MSG:45/M615)
>>>>> You can currently get the Beta 4 IBM C++ compiler on CD-ROM for $20
""""" The compiler is slower than Borlands compiler but does have several
adbantages. It supports the Pentium optimizations and exceptions. It also
contains a well-extensived ICLUI Class library which is extremely extensive
and supports all of CUA '91 features plus a new control call Canvas
controls.
Canvas controls are neat, you nolonger need dialogs with Canvas
control and the controls in the canvas can be reprosition portional to
others on the control. It is really neat stuff and I believe this new
control is designed for multi-lingal applications.
On pricing, the latest Beta newletters stated that the C++ compiler
will be competely price. Which most likely means around $150 which would be
a great deal since it is a very powerfull compiler, debugger and class
libraries. -Stewart
(S.HYDE, CAT6, TOP33, MSG:46/M615)
OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING BOOK I found a great book that teaches the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" concepts of Object-Oriented
Programming. The title is "Concepts Of Object-Oriented Programming" by
David N Smith, ISBN 0-07-059177-6. The publisher is McGraw Hill and the
price is $24.95. This is the most lucid book I've seen on the subject. I
highly recommend it!
Here is the table of contents:
Part 1 - Introducing Objects
Chapter 1 - Characteristics
Chapter 2 - Objects
Chapter 3 - Smalltalk
Chapter 4 - A First Example
Part 2 - OOP Concepts
Chapter 5 - Classes
Chapter 6 - Class Date
Chapter 7 - Inheritance
Chapter 8 - Inherited Methods
Chapter 9 - Using Inheritance
Chapter 10 - Abstract Classes
Part 3 - Applying OOP
Chapter 11 - Designing With Inheritance
Chapter 12 - Employee Pay
Chapter 13 - Checkbook Example
Chapter 14 - LatOrLong Example
Part 4 - Summary
Chapter 15 - Summary of Concepts
Chapter 16 Summary Of Benefits
Chapter 17 - Where From Here
Part 5 - Appendices
Appendix A - Further Information
Appendix B - Procedural Programming
Appendix C - Glossary
Notes
Index
Run, don't walk, to your nearest technical book store and buy this
baby!!!!!!!
(E.GRRANTL, CAT18, TOP39, MSG:12/M615)
SMALLTALK I found an interesting article in the April 19th, 1993
""""""""" Business Week (pg.111). It talks about American Airlines
creating a complex system to help track and dispatch crew and other
resources for 2,600 interconnecting flights a day. A three programmer team
wrote it with Smalltalk in eight months and discovered only two errors.
It also says: "Smalltalk experts are in such demand on the Street
(Wall Street) that the best of them command as much as $2000 a day". Wow!
(E.GRANTL.J, CAT18, TOP39, MSG:13/M615)
>>>>> That's the funny thing about SmallTalk. It is incredibly flexible
""""" and it makes program development one order of magnitude easier
than just about any other programming language. Yet, it is unknown to the
average person. So, while a proud few are creating super-applications in
a third of the time with a fourth of the bugs, the rest of the world is
grinding away with other, much more difficult languages.
I've always recognized SmallTalk as THE programming language to know.
I mean, the basic "Hello World" program in SmallTalk for Windows is ONE
line long, and that includes the window and OK button!! If that is not
convincing enough, I don't know what is!!. However, there is soooooooo
LITTLE literature out there, especially on Digitalk's Windows and OS/2
products, that it is no wonder that 95% of the people out there know
nothing about it.
And that has been the problem all along. Those who take the chance
and invest their time and money resources in SmallTalk, are rewarded with
fast prototyping and even faster complete application delivery. However,
that investment can be quite high initially (comparing it to learning other
languages), because you pretty much have to take formal courses and go out
of your way to find information. The prices Digitalk charges for their
products don't help either!! In the long run, that investment pays off
quite well, though. -Chago
(A.SANTIAGO3, CAT18, TOP39, MSG:14/M615)
[EOA]
[GRA]//////////////////////////////
THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE... /
/////////////////////////////////
Rumors, Maybes and Mayhem
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
PENTIUM - BOOM OR BUST? Last month's mags had articles on the Pentium --
""""""""""""""""""""""" this month, I saw the first ad. Jeez. It's not
even really out, and Intel has ads for it already (this was in the June
BYTE). Now, the weird thing is that ads are usually for enticing people to
buy a product. However, the rumors are that Intel will not be able to make
many Pentiums at first, that they can hardly keep up with the demand for
486's, and that any Pentium fabrication will take up some of the capacity
for making 486's (which probably have a higher profit margin for Intel).
Also, part of the multipage ad is titled "What do you need?". This section
goes on to explain that ". . . for all but the most demanding users, the
answer is still an Intel486 CPU-based system."
"Hooo boy! Here it comes! The Pentium. It's got the latest
technology, and it's fast, fast, fast. Boy, is it fast. Let us tell you
how fast it is. [Two and a half glossy ad pages later . . .] Yep, it's
THAT fast. Of course, you don't really want one of these. You should buy
a 486 instead. A 486DX- 33, maybe a 486DX2-66 -- yep, that's plenty for
you."
I'm bemused.
(BROOK, CAT12, TOP19, MSG:119/M615)
MORE PENTIUM TALK There was an article in PC/Computing on the new
""""""""""""""""" Pentium chip. It said that software companies were
getting their programs ready to make use of it by recompiling them to use
it's features. Microsoft said they would fix their products, starting
with compilers, language products, etc. SQL Server for Windows NT will a
priority along with future versions of Windows.
What does OS/2 have to do? Nothing. OS/2, as a 32-bit operating
system, is already ready to use the Pentium.
Now why do they say that OS/2 will always play catch up? It doesn't
sound like that to me. -Pat
(P.BIRD1, CAT6, TOP8, MSG:556/M615)
>>>>> As I understand things, the Pentium chip is upward compatabile
""""" with previous intel chips, any software which ran on the older
chips will run just fine on the Pentium, and just as fast if not faster.
The new chip has some strange double pipelining logic, there are
actually two cpu's processing instructions. If the instructions are
aranged such the results of each instruction are not required by the
subsequent instruction, the chip can process two instructions in the time
it would normally take to do one. When people talk about the need to
recompile code for the pentium, they mean using a compiler that arranges
instructions so that this double pipelining works to maximum advantage.
They do not mean the code must be recompiled to run properly.
(K.CORBIN, CAT6, TOP8, MSG:557/M615)
[EOA]
[MES]//////////////////////////////
MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT /
/////////////////////////////////
Word To The Wise
""""""""""""""""
IBM PC RoundTable
Category 21, Topic 48
Message 913 Wed Apr 21, 1993
J.ELKINS1 [Jeff] at 18:29 EDT
============================================================
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
============================================================
I had a dream:
Monday, 10 AM -- Chicago, Illinois -- Start-up software developer Cuisine
International announced CUISINENET, the first internetworking program to
seamlessly integrate word and food processing. Called a breakthrough for
small restaurants and snack bars, Cuisine Chairman Mark Meigs confidently
predicted sales of thousands of copies with shipments soon to begin.
Monday, 4 PM -- New York -- Cuisine International shares closed sharply
higher on announcement of new CUISINENET product.
Tuesday, 9 AM -- Redmond, Washington -- Microsoft Chairman William H.
Gates, III announced that Microsoft Food for Windows would soon enter beta
testing. Gates described the product as the first of a projected family of
products to include Food for Windows, designed for small commercial dining
establishments; Personal Food for Windows, designed for home kitchens;
Portable Food for Windows, designed for lunchboxes; and, of course, at the
high end, Food for Windows NC (Nouvelle Cuisine) designed for large
institutional dining rooms. Asked by a reporter about CUISINENET, Gates
said that he had never heard of the product, but was not surprised by it,
because the software business is highly competitive, and Microsoft has to
compete on the merits with many strong competitors, as the FTC had recently
concluded.
Tuesday, 3 PM -- Chicago, Illinois -- An angry Mark Meigs showed reporters
a copy of the nondisclosure agreement signed by Bill Gates, under which
Cuisine International had informed Microsoft a year earlier about plans for
CUISINENET. Meigs said that in hindsight, he should never have signed the
agreement, as the only thing he learned from Microsoft was that Gates was
considering making changes to Windows.
Wednesday, 9 AM -- Redmond, Washington -- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
announced that Microsoft would soon publish specifications for the Windows
Open Kitchen Architecture (WOKA), a series of design specifications to
permit manufacturers of toasters, ranges, and other kitchen appliances to
integrate their products into the forthcoming Microsoft Food for Windows
line. Asked about reports of a nondisclosure agreement with Cuisine
International for a similar product, Gates said that the other product was
really at most a niche product, and would probably have less functionality
than the food-related features that Microsoft would be building into the
new Unsaturated FAT File System which would be part of DOS 7.0. Gates said
that he doubted there would be much interest in a dead-end solution that
would not be able to keep up to date with advances in WOKA. Gates added
that over 11,000 manufacturers of kitchen appliances were already having
serious discussions with Microsoft
about WOKA, and that he expected almost
all important eaters of food to standardize on the WOKA environment.
Wednesday, 10 AM -- Redmond, Washington -- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
announced that he would be giving the keynote speech at the American Bakers
annual convention on "Nutrition at Your Fingertips." Gates played down
speculation that he would use the Bakers convention to introduce Microsoft
Food for Windows, saying only that alpha testing was proceeding ahead of
schedule, and the product would be shipped when it was ready.
Wednesday, 11 AM -- Redmond, Washington -- Microsoft Corporation announced
that its Chairman, William H. Gates, III, had made a donation of over $250
of personal funds to the Cordon Bleu to begin an endowment fund for the
Bill Gates Professorship of Advanced Cookery. The famous French cooking
school confirmed that it had agreed to be a beta site for the much
discussed Food for Windows application sweet.
Thursday, 9 AM -- New York -- PCWeek Magazine reported in a copyrighted
story that it had obtained a copy of correspoence from Microsoft to Cuisine
International, demanding that the small developer of kitchen software cease
using the Cuisine name, as it infringes on the trademark for Microsoft Food
for Windows NC. Microsoft added that Chairman Mark Meigs would also have
to change his own name as Mark infringed a copyright on the Windows Edit
menu, Meigs infringed the trademark on Meigs Field in Microsoft Flight
Simulator, and Chairman infringed the trademark on Bill Gates's title which
he had acquired with personal funds from Mao's estate. Also, Microsoft
advised that while the company did not actually have to move out of
Chicago, use of the name on press releases infringed a trademark on Windows
4.0
Thursday, 4 PM -- New York -- Cuisine International stock closed at 0-bid,
1/16-asked.
Friday, 9 AM -- ? -- An anonymous spokesman for an unnamed Midwestern
software developer announced the discontinuation of operations. Undescribed
legal problems were cited as the reason. Others speculated that a failure
to appreciate the competitive nature of the software business may have led
to the company's sudden collapse.
Monday, 9 AM -- Microsoft Internal Mail
From: billg To: mikem Re: Food Program
Please see if you can reassign one of the 3,000 engineers from the OS/2
virus development project to do a feasibility study on a food-related
program. Not sure what it would do. Low priority.
[*][*][*]
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 Jonathan Whitcomb
[J.WHITCOMB3]
PRESS RELEASE Date: 11 May 93 19:54:20 GMT From:
""""""""""""" noao!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.
edu!howland.reston.ans
Subject: It could happen...
To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu
[*][*][*]
SUNNYVALE CA: In a groundbreaking move, Atari Corporation and Commodore
""""""""""""" have announced a joint venture into the personal computer
arena. The former competitors claim to have realized the futility of
trying to compete against each other for "niche" markets and have decided
instead to "team up and have a go at Big Blue."
The new computer is called the "Atiga", and is said to combine
elements from both the ST and Amiga lines, as well as several new features.
For starters, the new machine will be based on the Intel 80286 processor.
"The 68000 family is dead," claims Atari's Bob Brodie. "The original plan
was to make the Atiga PC compatible, but about halfway through the project
Jack Tramiel decided on a new operating system based on the HP-41 handheld
calculator." Text is entered in a modified RPN (Reverse Polish Notation)
in which words are entered first and then all punctuation is added at the
end of a sentence. "It's much faster when you get used to it," claims
Brodie.
In addition, the Atiga is said to borrow sound and MIDI capabilities
from the Amiga line and graphic capabilities from the Atari ST. "We wanted
to build on the Amiga's success in the music market and the ST's popularity
with video production companies," said a Commodore spokesman.
The Atiga will be available in two configurations. The first is a
one piece model with integrated monitor, keyboard and CPU. The one piece
model ships with no RAM, though an Atari spokeperson mentioned that he
thought that RAM boards might be provided by third party manufacturers at
some future date.
The second configuration features a CPU and a unique Direct To Brain
(DTB) interface. Although still in early testing, the DTB interface is
connected to the user via two probes and I/O is established through a
combination of brainwaves and biorhythms. One probe is attached to a
collar fitted around the user's tongue, but spokepersons would only giggle
when asked where the second probe was connected. When asked about the RAM
configuration the spokespersons replied "Yes, that's correct," and broke
into hysterical laughter.
In an unusual move, the two companies have announced the availability
date of the computer to be three weeks ago, with production scheduled to
begin by next fall. In the meantime, a media blitz is planned to start
immediately with print ads in supermarket tabloids and video spots in
trailers for adult videos. "We're really excited about this one," said the
Commodore spokesperson. "Yes sirree Bob." "What?" replied Brodie.
*********************************************************************
*Jonathan Whitcomb, Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh, North Carolina*
* UUCP: whitcomb@aur.alcatel.com GEnie: J.WHITCOMB3 *
*********************************************************************
[EOA]
[WHO]//////////////////////////////
PROFILES /
/////////////////////////////////
Who's Who On GEnie
""""""""""""""""""
By Peter Bogert
[P.BOGERT1]
>>> WHO'S WHO? DAVE THOMAS! <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Sysop for the Word Perfect RT ~
Our interview for this month is Dave Thomas, who is the Sysop for the
Word Perfect RT, located at page 521 on GEnie.
GEnieLamp> Tell us a bit about yourself, Dave, such as how
""""""""" you got into computing, and how to got involved
with GEnie.
WP.Dave> In spring of '83, while visiting my sister in
""""""" Washinton state, I went off to a Radio Shack
special sale to look at a telephone answering
machine. After coming home with the TRS-80 PC-1
pocket computer, I discovered that I had found my
niche after passing through two other professions
in the previous thirty years. Moving rapidly to
the TRS-80 Model 100, I became a professional
SysOp on another service in fall of 1983.
A major change of my situation on the other
service lead to my accepting Traveling Software's
offer to manage the Laptops RoundTable for them
here on GEnie in February of '87. Later, GEnie
administration asked me to head up the
WordPerfect RoundTable, which Ted McKosky and I
opened for business in January 1989. At that
time, I'd not used WordPerfect at all. The main
reason that I mention that is to underline the
point that I'm a professional SysOp and make no
claim to being an expert in WPCorp products,
though I've learned a tremendous amount in the
past four years.
GEnieLamp> WordPerfect is the best-selling Word Processor
""""""""" available today. Strong cases can be made for
Microsoft Word and AmiPro, but WP outsells them
both. What do you think makes WordPerfect such a
popular program?
WP.Dave> There is little doubt that WPCorp's very strong
""""""" Customer Support program continues to be a major
factor in WordPerfect's popularity. Though I've
little experience with any other major word
processor, it strikes me that WPCorp's offering
of an F-key driven application was mighty
attractive as compared to a battery of Ctrl-key
sequences harking back to CP/M days. With the
advent of pull-down menus and the Graphic User
Interface, WordPerfect has continued to retain
its lead due to high customer loyalty and the
leading Customer Support program in the industry.
GEnieLamp> When WP51 for Windows was released, it received
""""""""" mixed reviews. Some suspected that there was a
bit of a half-hearted commitment to the Windows
platform. WP52 for Windows made some significant
improvements, but then along comes WP60 for Dos,
due June 28th, from what I hear, that does
virtually all that WPWIN does. There has been a
good deal of discussion in the computer rags
about the questionable future of DOS. But WP
seems to have made a major commitment to the DOS
platform with WP60. Why do you think they have
made such an effort to move a graphics interface
into the DOS environment?
WP.Dave> Keep in mind that I'm not affiliated with WPCorp
""""""" and can make no claims of special "insider"
information. Often some of our members have
information that I don't have due to their
particular associations. That said, I'll make
some observations that make sense to me.
Hardware requirements for any/all Windows
applications seem to be on the steady increase,
making it very difficult for small business and
even some very large corporations to stay with
the "leading edge of technology", to say nothing
of the individual end user struggling at home.
Those folks add up to millions of potential
customers for an advanced word processor that
does not require a tremendous monetary
expenditure for hardware.
Look at the system requirements for WordPerfect
6.0, and them compare them with those for Windows
products: Minimal for WP 6.0 is an 80286 system
with 450KB of free conventional memory with 7MB
hard drive space available; optimal for WP 6.0 is
an 80386 system with 520KB free conventional
memory with 15MB hard drive space. On the other
hand, requirements for Windows applications are
regularly listed as being 4MB of RAM when, in
fact, 8MB is a far more reasonable necessity. In
addition, a fast hard drive with better than 20MB
free is needed to install Windows and just one
application.
Thus, it appears to me that WPCorp is offering a
word processor that can meet the needs of many
millions without their having to expend funds for
hardware improvements.
GEnieLamp> Tell us a bit about WP60.
"""""""""
WP.Dave> All I know about WordPerfect 6.0 is contained in
""""""" the two files WP60.TXT and RELDAT60.TXT in the
WordPerfect RoundTable's Software Library. As
yet, I've not even seen a demonstration much less
had hands on experience.
However, interpolating from the fantastic work
WPCorp programmers did with Presentations 2.0, a
magnificent DOS product with full graphics
interface, the new WordPerfect 6.0 will be
magnificent.
GEnieLamp> What would you consider to be 3 or 4 of the
""""""""" best/most essential utilities available in the
files libary to enhance the use of WP?
WP.Dave> We have some mighty fine macro packages as well
""""""" as utility programs in our Software Library; it
helps to have some fine developers online,
including David Seidman, Ken Fackler, Alan
Kaplan, Jerry Stern, and Greg Schweitzer.
Herewith the most useful four:
4048 WPTOOL52.ZIP
Desc: Latest WP Utilities by Seidman
4052 FACMAC4.ZIP
Desc: Excellent macros for WP5.1/DOS
3862 BOOKWIN1.ZIP
Desc: BOOKBILD/WIN-Pamphlets in WPWIN 52
1325 WPMAC516.ZIP
Desc: WP 5.1: Over 100 super fine macros!
GEnieLamp> The opening banner for GEnie this week states
""""""""" that there are now 500 volumes of clip art. Tell
us a bit about them, and are they usable for
people who don't have WordPerfect?
WP.Dave> Ted McKosky, assistant SysOp, has done a
""""""" Herculean miracle in researching, scanning,
editing, and publishing a wide variety of clip
art images specifically for WordPerfect users.
All of our CAVOL [Clip-Art Volume] are in *.WPG
format; the total runs well into the thousands.
However, any user may easily convert *.WPG files
to *.TIF, *.PCX, or whatever they may desire.
Our files CAVOLCAT.ZIP and CAVOLIDX.ZIP contain
catalog descriptions of each of the first 500
volumes and an alphabetical index running to over
900 entries respectively. From "abbey" to
"zoology" there are many images for everyone.
GEnieLamp> WordPerfect Corporation is known for WP, but it
""""""""" also has developed some other programs. Tell us
a bit about the other major products they produce
for the IBM. What is your assessment of them?
WP.Dave> Presentations 2.0, a combination draw, paint, and
""""""" graphics presentations program, is one fantastic
program---a DOS program with a highly usable and
easily grasped graphics interface. No other DOS
package can approach it must less beat it.
GEnieLamp> I have asked all of the people I have interviewed
""""""""" a few questions about the state/future of
computing. I'd like to have your input on these
matters as well. First, what would you say has
had the biggest impact on the face of personal
computing in the last two years? Second, what do
you think will be the most significant
improvement/change over the next two years?
WP.Dave> Pundit, I am not. Very likely a successful
""""""" Windows program has had the most impact in the
software arena, while Intel's 80486 technology
made the deepest impression in the hardware
field.
In the next few years, the Pentium will have an
impact for the little man in that the 80486
series will become much more available at prices
enabling the small businesses to jump from 80286
[and even 8086] technology straight into solid,
practical hardware. The major software
developments will be centered more on smoothing
out interface problems rather than any really
startling developments.
GEnieLamp> Let me ask one of those "if you were stuck on a
""""""""" desert island" questions. If you had $1000 to
spend on software, and you had to outfit a
computer so that your software would keep you
going for a while, how would you spend it?
WP.Dave> Writing the definitive survivor's account
""""""" wouldn't take much more than WPCorp's
LetterPerfect program; keeping track of minutia,
flora, fauna, and such could be handled well with
WPCorp's DataPerfect.
However, perhaps the most useful investment to
keep from going bezerk would be to expend all the
remaining funds on every one of Apogee Software's
advanced adventure games, starting with the
Commander Keen series. ;-}
GEnieLamp> Thanks, Dave, for your time. I had a great time
""""""""" interviewing you, and I know our readers will
enjoy your comments.
WP.Dave> Many thanks for the opportunity to play John
""""""" Dvorak for the day.
[EOA]
[REF]//////////////////////////////
REFLECTIONS /
/////////////////////////////////
Thinking About Online Communications
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Phil Shapiro
[P.SHAPIRO1]
>>> ONLINE EDITING <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""
In the years ahead it's likely that fee-based online editing services
will become increasingly popular on the national information services. Yet
as the fee-based online editing services establish themselves as being
immensely useful, non fee-based "peer" editing will likely grab strong
root, as well.
Peer editing might be defined as any feedback given to professional
colleagues or personal friends. The "editing" aspect of peer editing need
not concern itself with the grammar or mechanics of the writing. Just as
useful is feedback about the general tone. Also useful are subtle pointers
and friendly suggestions.
A good example of such peer editing crossed my desk just last week. A
colleague of mine had written a business letter and wanted feedback as to
its tone and phrasings. This "cold call" business letter was carefully
crafted to establish first contact with potential customers.
While the phrasing of the overall letter was generally warm, the lead
sentence did not establish emotional contact with the reader of the letter.
Reading the lead sentence on its own could leave a reader wondering what
the purpose of the letter was all about.
Once these subtleties were pointed out to the author of the letter, a
quick and easy revision of the lead sentence was made. Had the author not
sought the feedback of peer editors, it could have been possible that his
letter would have missed its mark.
How was this social gaffe overlooked by the author of the business
letter? It had never occurred to the author to try reading the lead
sentence of the letter in any way other than the way it was intended by
him. But the underlying meaning of the sentence was not clearly implied in
the chosen words of the sentence. The emotional tone of the lead sentence
was flat and neutral - - - and therefore ambiguous.
Rule number one of business letter writing: Never start a business
letter with a flat and neutral sentence. Unless, that is, you're hoping to
elicit a flat and neutral response.
Another instance of peer editing crossed my desk a few months ago. In
this instance an author of a magazine article made use of a peer editor to
review an article written for a national computer publication.
While scrutinizing the rough draft, the peer editor caught a stray
remark that could possibly have harmed the article's chance of publication.
A quick deletion of the stray remark saved the author's hide, now all the
wiser for having sought feedback from a peer editor.
The beauty of online peer editing is that it takes very little effort
to courtesy copy two or more persons to elicit feedback on one's rough
draft. If two or more peer editors make similar suggestions for changes in
the rough draft, their concurrent opinions carry far more weight than each
of their individual suggestions.
When such concurrent suggestions from peer editors are independently
offered to an author, the force of these suggestions carries all the weight
of consensus opinion. Authors can then choose to act on the basis of this
consensus opinion.
Or they can choose to disregard consensus opinion - - - at their
peril.
In this Information Age, people with strong writing skills will have a
marked professional advantage over those with less developed communication
skills. And those persons with established peer editing networks of
friends and colleagues will have a marked advantage over those without such
networks.
The good news is that online peer editing will result in a general
raising of writing standards. This is not to say that shoddy and sloppy
writing will never get published. But that with appropriate and effective
peer editing, no person need fear putting a literary foot in the mouth.
The moral of all this? The time is eminently ripe to start building a
peer network of friends and colleagues. You'll be glad you did when you
need to get quick feedback on an important piece of writing. The end
result is that your own writing will combine the best ideas of three, six,
or even twelve minds.
Which is a powerful idea in its own right.
How can I be so sure? Eleven other people told me so.
[*][*][*]
[The author takes a keen interest in the social dimensions
of communications technology. He can be reached on GEnie
at: p.shapiro1; on America Online at: pshapiro]
[EOA]
[QUI]//////////////////////////////
THE MIGHTY QUINN /
/////////////////////////////////
Random Access
"""""""""""""
By Mark Quinn
[NEWSIE]
"A Whole Buncha Milliseconds with Mark"
by Mark Quinn, DOA
GEnie address: NEWSIE
>>> The Calm After The Computer Wars <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Nineteen-eighty-five and eighty-six were particularly exciting years
for us. I was still living with my parents then, and I was constantly on
the modem with my soon-to-be significant other. Many of our conversations
centered around which one of us would be the first to own what BYTE
referred to in its hardware review as a "graphics engine", the Atari 520
ST.
What could have been better? My budding romance with my now-S.O.
coincided with a budding romance between thousands of computer owners and
the second generation of PCs. These 16-bit lovelies seemed to be a quantum
leap above their ancestors, machines based on 8-bit Motorola or Intel CPUs.
Many people who had purchased Atari, Commodore, or Shadio Rack systems (as
I had) three or four years earlier and still used their computers were
ready for the new generation of "user-friendly" computers.
I wasn't just ready, I was absolutely frothing-at-the-mouse mad about
the Atari ST. In '86 I even got into some heated arguments with Amiga
owners. One teenager in particular saw the Amiga 1000 as the cross between
a status symbol and the Rosetta stone, and was very pleased when he 'got me
to admit' that the computer was better at some applications. These
juvenile 'computer wars' raged on BBSs across the country. It was almost
as if thousands of young computer owners were parents of gifted children
that were locked in combat, the outcome deciding the fate of the computer
revolution. I don't know how many times I heard that the other computer
was ". . . okay for games, but for any serious work you'd better get a . .
.". Then there were arguments directed not at the hardware, but at the
company. Arguments about bad business practices, jibes at eccentricities
shown by key players in the wars -- users who were so enamored of the
sophistication of their machines weren't showing much intelligence of their
own.
And neither did Commodore and Atari. The cry of "bad marketing"
haunted both companies. Many industry analysts said Commodore's efforts
were "too little, too late", and that Atari spent "too much time courting
the European market". Users who had sunk thousands of dollars into their
STs were outraged when Atari devoted their resources to selling video game
systems such as the Lynx. Both companies lost money and downsized. There
was even talk of selling STs in Russia. Oh, there were _lots_ of
unfulfilled promises, primarily from Atari. We waited for this box and
that one to be shipped -- few were.
We all know what happened. I'm typing on the 'winner' of the PC wars:
an IBM clone. (I am probably getting resounding boos from people who own
Ataris, Macs, or Amigas. No matter.)
No one said the best platform won. No one said there _was_ a best
platform. Yes, some people will tell you there was one, but that attitude
is part of what misdirected us (and more importantly, misdirected Commodore
and Atari) from what should have been the real issue: working together to
ensure that today's information appliances delivered what the Tramiels once
promised: "Power Without The Price".
[EOA]
[ASK]//////////////////////////////
ASK DOCTOR BOB /
/////////////////////////////////
Gotta Problem? Gotta Answer!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Bob Connors
[R.CONNORS2]
Doctor Bob,
The problem is with MSDOS Shell telling me I also have a B: floppy
drive. If I select the B: drive my A: drive responds (likewise if I select
the A: drive).
It's not really a problem; it's just weird. And a bug on someone's
part.
Mike
Mike,
Actually, it is not a bug.
DOS has _always_ allowed you access to the B: drive. If you only have
one floppy installed, it is designated as A:. While at the DOS prompt, if
you type "DIR B: then DOS will turn on drive A: and give you the directory
as if it was B:. This is regardless of DOS version. However, no disk
utility ever said you had a B: drive available until the DOS Shell for DOS
6.0; nevertheless, it was always there. -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 GEnieLamp RoundTable bulletin board, CATegory 3, TOPic 2.
[EOA]
[MOO]//////////////////////////////
CowTOONS! /
/////////////////////////////////
Cows from Literature,
History, and the Arts
"""""""""""""""""""""
Volume I, Number 4 (((__)))
(.:)
By Mike White /\ /\ \/-------\
[MWHITE] ~~/\~~ || || \
~~ ||-||-|| *
~~ ~~ ~~
Chernobyl Cow
"""""""""""""
Nuclear accident mootation
USSR April, 1986
(__) *
(oo) /
/~~~~~~~~~~\ /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\
~~~~~~~~~~\ * USA * /
/\_/\ /''''''''''''''''''''''''''''\
( o"o ) / \
/-------~~-o-~~ .....Meeeoooo ( (=) ================== (=) )
/ | | / \ /
* ||-----|| \_____________________________/
\# \# ```````````````````````````
Persian Cow
~~~~~~~~~~~
Desert Storm, 1991
(__) Watch for another thunderin' herd of
_ (oo) Moo Fun from Mike White in the next
{_}====O / \/ \ issue of GEnieLamp.
(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
\ / If you have an idea for a CowTOON, we
| Sandra Day O'Cownner | would like to see it. And, if we pick
| | your CowTOON for publishing in GEnieLamp
| | we will credit your account with 2 hours
Supreme Cowrt Justice of GEnie non-prime time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1981 - ____
[EOA]
[ELS]//////////////////////////////
GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE /
/////////////////////////////////
Exploring GEnie
"""""""""""""""
By Peter Bogert
[P.BOGERT1]
HOME OFFICE AND SMALL BUSINESS RT Tucked away between the pages of GEnie
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" is a gem of a RoundTable called the
HOSB RT. HOSB stands for Home Office and Small Business RT, and while you
might think that this is a section for Entrepreneurs only, you'd be missing
a great deal of helpful information and a number of fine files if you
didn't plan to make a periodic excursion.
Discussions and files are not just computer-related, though there are
plenty of computer issues addressed. You'll also find discussions of legal
and practical issues relating to owning and operating a small business or
running a home office. Before you dismiss this section as one that is not
related to your interests or needs, let me suggest a tour that might change
your mind and make the HOSB RT a regular part of your GEnie stomping
grounds.
File #4056 is a 24k article written by Jack Nimershein, taken from
Home Office Computing. The file, entitled "Featr493.crs" deals with
maximizing your laser printer use: adding memory, printer sharing, font
issues, and adding on postscript options.
File #4089 ($WIZ10S.ZIP) claims to allow you to "get control of your
household bills regardless of your financial situation." The file
description presents a file that seems to do every- thing short of actually
earning the money to pay your bills! The program claims to take the place
of pencil & paper and "complicated accounting and checkbook programs."
HOLD11.ZIP is a great little free-form database or Personal
Information Manager. My own experience is that PIM programs tend to want
you to organize information the way THEY dictate. Hold-Anything will allow
you to easily set up a procedure for tracking odds and ends of all kinds,
and printing out lists of the information you save. The shareware price
for this outstanding little program is $19.00. It is file #4116 and only
94K of download time.
For those of you who are font-aholics, file #4135 (FONTJD.EXE) is a
program (214K) that allows you to create and edit your own soft fonts.
This program, written by John Derrickson, will allow you to add different
features to your soft fonts. If you enjoy tinkering with font materials,
you'll find this to be both educational and productive.
Of course, files are not the only reason for visiting the HOSB RT. If
you are currently running - or looking to begin - a small business or
cottage industry, there are dozens of people who can share experience and
give advice. The active message base provides small business users with a
way of interacting with people who understand their unique problems - and
who often can suggest solutions.
There isn't time to make another stop in our travels, but next month
we're going to book a trip to the Gaming RT and visit one of the most
active RT's on GEnie. See you there!
[EOA]
[ADD]//////////////////////////////
ADD ALADDIN /
/////////////////////////////////
Cut & Paste Scripts For Aladdin
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Aladdin Script By Jim Lubin
[J.LUBIN]
o GET_THE_LAMP SCRIPT: New menu, new download, new script!
o IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CURRENT ALADDIN USERS!
TURBO-ALADDIN! One complaint that I have received over and over again
"""""""""""""" from GEnieLamp readers is about getting GEnieLamp via the
slow, error-prone method of listing/capturing the magazine. Well, we have
come up with a solution that I think you'll love. Instead of capturing the
issue, you can download the Lamp just like you would any other file found
here on GEnie. But we didn't stop there. Jim Lubin has come up with a new
Get_The_Lamp script that will download one or more of the GEnieLamp issues
off of page 515. It also has the option of doing an Autopass 1 or 2 after
logging off.
What Does It Do? When executed from within Aladdin, the Get_The_Lamp
"""""""""""""""" script will log on to GEnie, go to page 515 and download
the issue(s) automatically. After doing so, the script will then either 1)
Log off (depending on your "Stay" status in Aladdin) or move to a
GEnie*Basic page or do an Autopass 1 or 2.
The Get_The_Lamp script has an option which will allow you to get the
magazine(s) at a preset time. You also have the option of doing an
autopass 1 or autopass 2 if you like.
Sound good? Just "cut out" the script below and follow the
installation procedures found at the end of this article. Any problems,
comments or whatever, send GE Mail to GENIELAMP or JIM.LUBIN.
{Note: This is a reprint of the Add Aladdin article which appeared in the
May mid-month issue of GEnieLamp IBM and ST. -ed.}
>>> GET_THE_LAMP! <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""
~ cut here ~
Script # Get_The_Lamp!
Echo off
;Get_The_Lamp V.2.0
;By Jim Lubin [JIM.LUBIN] - 5/12/93
;Set string 9 to [drive:][path\]
;Example: setstring 9 "c:\aladdin\text\"
;path *MUST* end with a backslash "\" or "" for current directory
SETSTRING 9 "" <===[R] default directory to save files
clear
note ""
note " GEnieLamp - Computing on GEnie Newsletter"
note ""
note " <1> [*]GEnieLamp IBM Magazine "
note " <2> [*]GEnieLamp Atari Magazine "
note " <3> [*]GEnieLamp Mac Magazine "
note " <4> [*]GEnieLamp MacPRO Magazine "
note " <5> [*]GEnieLamp Apple II Magazine"
note " <6> [*]GEnieLamp A2Pro Magazine "
note ""
note "Select 1 or more:"
getstring 0
if string 0 is ""
goto end
endif
:get_pass
Note ""
Note "Perform Auto-pass 1 or 2 after capture?"
note "(press <RETURN> to skip Auto-pass)"
Getkey 4
If string 4 is "1"
Goto get_time
Endif
If string 4 is "2"
Goto get_time
Endif
If string 4 is "^M"
Goto get_time
Endif
Goto get_pass
:get_time
Note ""
Note "Enter Time To Begin (24-hour format HH:MM)"
Note "HH:MM (or <RETURN> to begin now)"
Getstring 1
if string 1 is ""
else
note ""
note "Waiting Until %1 To Begin Capture of %0"
if string 4 is "^M"
else
note "and perform Auto-pass %4"
endif
note " (or press any key to begin now)"
waituntil %1
endif
commandmode on
log on
if string 0 has <1>
setstring 2 "2"
call capture
endif
if string 0 has <2>
setstring 2 "3"
call capture
endif
if string 0 has <3>
setstring 2 "4"
call capture
endif
if string 0 has <4>
setstring 2 "5"
call capture
endif
if string 0 has <5>
setstring 2 "6"
call capture
endif
if string 0 has <6>
setstring 2 "7"
call capture
endif
if string 4 is "^M"
log off
else
perform %4
endif
goto end
:capture
if currentlinehas "P 515?"
sendcommand "%2"
else
sendcommand "M515;%2"
endif
if currentlinehas "P"
else
sendcommand "D"
sendline "4"
waitfor "file."
zmodem download "%9"
waitforprompt
endif
return
:end
if online
sendcommand "M1"
endif
Endscript
~ cut here ~
>>> HOW TO ADD THIS SCRIPT TO ALADDIN <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Installing The Script First of all, you will need to separate this
""""""""""""""""""""" script from the magazine. To do this, just load
this magazine into any word processor or text editor, and cut or block this
script file out to it's own separate file and save it as LAMP02.SCR. (Our
thanks to Ed Perrone, Sysop, Astrology RT for these quicky instructions.)
Aladdin IBM Before you can use this script, you must add it to Aladdin.
""""""""""" You only need to do this once, and then the script will be
available every time you run Aladdin. Use the following procedure:
1. Copy LAMP02.SCR into the Aladdin directory on your computer.
2. Start Aladdin.
3. At Aladdin's Main Menu, on the bottom right-hand side of the
screen, you'll see a listing of scripts already contained in
Aladdin. The scripts will be numbered from 3 through 9.
4. Select a script number into which you will load this script. If
you have empty slots in the script listing, use one of them. If
all the slots already contain scripts, you'll have to delete one
of them before you can add this one. (If you have version 1.0 of
this script, delete it and replace it with this new version.)
5. Jot down the script number you've selected so you don't forget it.
6. Press F7 to enter Aladdin's script editor. The listing of scripts
will now be on the upper right of your screen.
7. If you need to delete an existing script to make room for this
one, press D. Then press the number of the script you wish to
delete. Aladdin will delete the script. (If you don't need to
delete an existing script, then skip this step.)
8. To add the new script to Aladdin, press A. Aladdin will place you
into the script editing window and display a "skeleton" new
script.
9. Press CTRL-Y several times to delete all the text that's displayed
in the editing window.
10. Press CTRL-K (Aladdin will beep), then press R. A dialog box
will open requesting a file name. Type LAMP02.SCR, then press
<ENTER>. Aladdin will read the script file into the editor.
11. Press CTRL-PgUp to move to the beginning of the script.
12. The first line of the script will read, "Script # Get_The_Lamp!"
Replace the "#" with the script number you'll be using (the
number you jotted down in step 5). THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT!
13. Now press <ESC> to save the script. When Aladdin finishes saving
the script, you'll be back at the script editor menu. Press
<ESC> again to return to the Aladdin's Main Menu. The new script
should now be listed in your list of Aladdin scripts -- and it's
ready to run!
AMI/ST ALADDIN
""""""""""""""
o Under the "File" menu, click on the "Edit User Script" option.
This will load in your current script file.
o Position the cursor at the end of your script file. Now, using the
"Paste File" option under "Edit" add the new script file.
o Change the # in the line SCRIPT # to reflect the script number
you've previously noted. For example, if you have already
installed 3 files, the line would like like this:
Script 6 Get_The_Lamp
o ESC to save
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I M P O R T A N T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
If you use PC Aladdin version 1.62 or lower AND you check for new
files in the IBM PC RoundTable Software Library, PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE!
Due to an error in PC Aladdin, the software library code will be
unable to record any files with a file number greater than 32,766. The IBM
PC Software Library exceeded that number several days ago. If you try to
use a "check for new files" option, Aladdin will act as if no new files
were found.
We are working to correct the problem as quickly as possible, but in
the meantime we advise you to discontinue checking for new files in the IBM
software library (only; no other libraries have reached that file number)
which will help reduce your online charges. (Aladdin will go through the
motions of checking for files, but it will not record them.)
When the problem is corrected, you will be able to resume checking
for files from where you last left off, you will not miss any files.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience this will cause. We
are working as quickly as possible to correct the situation, and will make
ever effort to make sure that all affected users are notified as soon as
the correction is made available.
(D.KOZINN, CAT1, TOP25, MSG:1/M110)
////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "How could I have overlooked the config? We would be in /
/ deep doodoo without GEnie & Aladdin." /
/////////////////////////////////////////// K.OLSON10 ////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
/////////////////////////////////
GEnieLamp Information
"""""""""""""""""""""
o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnieLamp
o GEnieLamp STAFF: Who Are We?
o ASK DOCTOR BOB!
GEnieLamp Information GEnieLamp is published on the 1st and the 15th of
""""""""""""""""""""" every month on GEnie on page 515. You can also
find GEnieLamp on the main menus in the ST (475), Macintosh (605), IBM
(615), Apple II (645), A2Pro (530), Unix (160), Mac Pro (480), Geoworks
(1050), BBS (610), CE Software (1005) and the Mini/Mainframe RoundTables.
GEnieLamp is also distributed on CrossNet, Internet, America Online and
many public and commercial BBS systems worldwide.
GEnieLamp pays for articles submitted and published with online GEnie
credit time. Upload submissions in ASCII format to library #42 in the
DigiPub RoundTable on page 1395 (M1395;3) or send it to our GE Mail
address, GENIELAMP.
We welcome and respond to all GE Mail. To leave comments, suggestions
or just to say hi, you can contact us in the DigiPub RoundTable (M1395) or
send GE Mail to John Peters at [GENIELAMP] on page 200.
On Internet: GENIELAMP@GENIE.GEIS.COM
U.S. MAIL
"""""""""
GEnieLamp Online Magazine
Atten: John Peters
5102 Galley Rd. Suite 115/B
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
>>> GEnieLamp STAFF <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""
GEnieLamp o John Peters [GENIELAMP] Senior Editor
"""""""""
ATARI ST o John Gniewkowski [J.GNIEWKOWSK] Editor
"""""""" o Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] ST Staff Writer
o Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] ST Staff Writer
o Richard Brown [R.BROWN30] ST Staff Writer
o John Hoffman [JLHOFFMAN] ST Staff Writer
o Al Fasoldt [A.FASOLDT] ST Staff Writer
ATARI ST/TX2 o Cliff Allen [C.ALLEN17] Editor/TX2
""""""""""""
ATARI [PR] o Bruce Faulkner [R.FAULKNER4] Editor/GEnieLamp [PR]
""""""""""
IBM o Robert M. Connors [R.CONNORS2] Editor
""" o Peter Bogert [P.BOGERT1] IBM Staff Writer
o Brad Biondo [B.BIONDO] IBM Staff Writer
o Tippy Martinez [TIPPY.ONE] IBM Staff Writer
o David Holmes [D.HOLMES14] IBM Staff Writer
MACINTOSH o James Flanagan [JFLANAGAN] Editor
""""""""" o Richard Vega [R.VEGA] Mac Co-Editor
o Dan "Remo" Barter [D.BARTER] Mac Staff Writer
o Tom Trinko [T.TRINKO] Mac Staff Writer
o Bret Fledderjohn [FLEDDERJOHN] Mac Staff Writer
o Bill Garrett [BILL.GARRETT] Mac Staff Writer
o Chris Innanen [C.INNANEN] Mac Staff Writer
o Paul Collins [P.COLLINS] Mac Staff Writer
APPLE II o Darrel Raines [D.RAINES] Editor
"""""""" o Phil Shapiro [P.SHAPIRO1] A2 Co-Editor
o Mel Fowler [MELSOFT] A2 Staff Writer
A2Pro o Jim B. Couch [J.COUCH2] Editor
""""" o Nate C. Trost [N.TROST] A2Pro Staff Writer
o Jim Maricondo [A2PRO.DYAJIM] A2Pro Staff Writer
ETC. o Jim Lubin [J.LUBIN] Add Aladdin
"""" o Scott Garrigus [S.GARRIGUS] Search-ME!
o Mike White [M.WHITE25] Cowlumnist/Asst. SysOp
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 and send your question
to Doctor Bob via GE Mail to GENIELAMP or R.CONNORS2.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the
following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and
include the issue number and author at the top of each article
reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to
registered computer user groups and not for profit publications.
Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and
does not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or staff of
GEnieLamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.
Include the following at the end or the beginning of every reprint:
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
(c) Copyright 1993 T/TalkNET Online Publishing and GEnie. To join
GEnie, set your modem to 2400 baud (or less) and half duplex
(local echo). Have the modem dial 1-800-638-8369. When you get a
CONNECT message, type HHH. At the U#= prompt, type:
XTX99014,DIGIPUB
and hit the [return] key. The system will then ask you for your
information. Call (voice) 1-800-638-9636 for more information.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
[EOF]
