Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Amiga Update (1996-09-20)
-=========================================================================-
_ __ _ <>_ __ _ ||
/\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || Amiga Update -News and Rumors
/__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || (An Occasional Newsletter)
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ ||
BACK FOR THE FUTURE ||
-=========================================================================-
AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga Technologies, GmbH
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
960920
V I S C O R P P U R C H A S E S H O U L D B E F I N A L T O D A Y
R E V I E W O F T E R M I T E T C P
A . T . P U B L I C B E T A T E S T
N E W S F R O M H A G G E & P A R T N E R
N E W L O C A T I O N F O R A M I G A Z O N E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This issue's articles:
So, what have we discovered today about the VIScorp purchase of A.T.? In a
word - nothing. Some comments below.
We do have the promised review of Termite TCP. We'll say this much up
front - there are few pleasures finer than reviewing a first rate,
professional product.
Amiga Technologies has instituted a new policy which should please many
Amiga owners and developers. New upgrades to portions of the operating
system are being placed on their FTP server, for public beta testing. This
is a very progressive idea and a quite good one. Details are below.
German firm Haage & Partner has a few good ideas of their own to share
with you. Do you have an idea for a "killer" Amiga software product? They
have programming tools for you to use in writing it. Once complete,
contact them about sales. Sounds like a thorough approach to us. We have
their press releases below.
Once again, the Amiga Zone, a favorite meeting place on-line for the Amiga
community, is changing its home. We have a press release below from the
long time master of the Amiga Zone, Harv Laser. We've even left his
shameless sales pitch intact. (Geesh Harv, this happens every five years,
regular as clockwork. Enough already!)
We hope you enjoy this issue.
Brad
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
T H E B I G D A Y ? ? ?
Today (or yesterday, depending on how you count one month) was the end of
the one month extension in the purchase of the Amiga by VIScorp. We've
been sitting on a few stories for a bit, hoping to bring you the late
breaking news. Unfortunately, there's been nothing to report all day. The
only thing we've come up with was a rumor from Germany that a local radio
station had an Amiga story. It was apparently a short news item that the
Amiga was returning to America, or something to that affect. Seems
unlikely that this would be covered on radio, but stranger things have
happened. There was a two line notice from VIScorp on the 18th stating
that the purchase was "ongoing" and more news would be revealed when it
could be publicly mentioned.
Given that we have nothing right now, we're going to distribute the
newsletter as is. We'll follow up with a special report if something breaks
soon.
Brad
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
T E R M I T E T C P R E V I E W
By Brad Webb
Back in issue 960723, we promised a review of the networking program
(or "stack") Termite TCP. It's taken a while to get to that point, but
here we are. The "Amiga Update" staff has been using Termite TCP for some
time, and we're quite pleased with it.
Termite TCP (TTCP) is a commercial program available from Amiga dealers
or directly from Oregon Research. It claims to be easier to install and
use than earlier Amiga networking products, and it is. Considerably.
We found Termite TCP to be just slightly more involved to install than
MIAMI (reviewed in issue 960723). However, Termite TCP does not require
you to also obtain and install a PPP device program, as MIAMI does, so that
probably makes up for the difference. TTCP uses the Amiga Installer
program to make the installation itself painless. Once installed, you
start the program and enter some data into forms. The data is obtained
from your Internet Service Provider at the time you obtain your account.
You can then dial your ISP's phone number, and let TTCP write a "log on
script" for you. From that point forward, you sign on to the Internet by
starting the program and clicking on the "online" button. It can't get
much simpler than that.
The only difficulty we experienced with the program was one that can also
crop up with any other modem based networking package. That was entering
the proper modem initialization string. The default string forced our
modem, a Supra Fax Modem, to operate at a data transfer rate of 19.2 K baud
between the computer and the modem. This precluded the use of the faster
28.8 K baud data rate to the internet itself. Changing the modem string to
a simpler AT&F2&D0 cured the problem. In other words, you may have to
fiddle with your modem string, but you might need to do that regardless of
product used. Your modem's manual should help you.
Speaking of manuals, TTCP's manual is outstanding. Besides the
instructions you need to get on line, there are excellent sections on most
of the strange and wonderful things you'll find once there. This includes
Archie, Gopher, the World Wide Web, the IRC and a whole lot more. All this
information is contained in a section called "Reggie's Guide to the
Internet" and is written so a non-techie can understand it. It's worth
considering Termite TCP just for the manual. (Reggie is apparently the
cartoon termite found all over the packaging and manual cover.)
Termite TCP is a more complete networking package than others for the
Amiga. Besides the manual, Termite TCP includes an FTP (File Transfer
Protocol) and Telnet (a network based virtual terminal program). You will
likely find uses for both of these pieces, especially the FTP program.
While there are standalone versions of both that can be obtained and used
with other Amiga networking packages, it's all here with Termite TCP. Only
the difficult to install AmiTCP is as complete.
Finally, we need to say a word about "IBrowse". You can purchase a
package which adds "IBrowse" to the programs already noted. Besides a
clever name, "IBrowse" is currently the most capable web browser you can
find for the Amiga. If you want the latest features, they're mostly all
there. The only important one missing is support for frames. As I write
this, no Amiga web browser supports frames well. In my experience, the
less feature-packed "A-Web" browser is faster and somewhat more stable than
"IBrowse", but both are fine programs. "IBrowse" can also be purchased by
itself if you're using a different networking package.
Our overall opinion? Termite TCP is a first class winner. Get it and you
should be very happy with the purchase. If problems do arise, Oregon
Research has a help line for registered users for 90 days after purchase.
Help is also available by FAX, letter or e-mail during this period. You can
obtain extended help beyond 90 days if necessary. This is a first rate
product and should be welcomed warmly by the Amiga community!
Price for Termite TCP is 69.95
With the addition of "I-Browse" 119.90
Oregon Research has been offering reduced-price limited-time bundles if
orders are placed directly. Contact them at (503) 620-4919 to find out
what's currently available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A M I G A O S M O D U L E S F O R P U B L I C B E T A T E S T
Amiga Technologies publishes beta software for Public Testing
Bensheim, September 1996
Source: AMIGA FTP-Server
Amiga Technologies has made certain V43 OS-Beta-Modules available on their
FTP-Server to help avoid bugs and compatibility problems early on by
reaching a wider audience for early software testing.
Currently available:
* A new SetPatch (requires OS 2.04) to correct some problems in currently
available OS ROMs.
* An improved FastFileSystem (requires OS 3.1)
* Some improved device drivers (require OS 3.1) with ATAPI support
(currently A4000T)
With these improvements it will be possible to use your Amiga with:
* hard disks with a capacity of more than 4 Gigabytes, and
* partitions larger than 2 Gigabytes.
Manufacturers of appropriate devices and software are asked to take note of
the New Style Device Standard (please check the AMIGA Developer CD) and to
implement it in their device drivers. Feedback and reports on test results
are very welcome. It is desirable that this standard be widely supported
and implemented soon to avoid incompatible developments in this area.
It is planned to make further developments publicly available such as
this for early beta testing.
Thanks to Kevin Hisel and Heinz Wrobel for translation help !
Copyright 1995-1996 by AMIGA Technologies GmbH
Send comments to <webmaster@amiga.de> - Date: 13.09.96
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
N E W V E R S I O N S O F S T O R M C + +
PROFESSIONAL C(++) DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE AMIGA
StormC STARTER for ONLY US$ 169,-
Rosbach, 12. September 1996. HAAGE & PARTNER Computer announces new
STARTER version of StormC.
This version is especially for students and novices to ANSI C and C++ at a
SRP of US$ 169. This package offers all the advantages that make StormC
the best choice for programming the Amiga: integrated development system,
visual project manager, fast source editor with syntax colouring, very fast
ANSI C and C++ compiler, optimizing linker and the outstanding run-time
system.
StormC STARTER makes programming the Amiga easier and more effective.All of
its components are designed for ease-of-use. StormC is a two-in-one
compiler system that offers both current C standards: the well known ANSI
C and the modern C++ standard (according to AT&T 3.0) for object oriented
programming (OOP).
New Version 1.1 of StormC
We also released version 1.1 of our new StormC development system in
August. It has got a lot of new features and enhancements and it is the
first international version. The program is localized in English, Italian,
French and German and the manual is available in English, German and soon
in French too. The international demo of new version 1.1 is available on
our homepage and on AmiNet (biz/demo).
Coming Soon: International Version of StormWIZARD
One of the most time-consuming parts of programming is creating a Graphical
User Interface (GUI) for the program. For that we offer an easy-to-use
graphical GUI editor, called StormWIZARD. Using this editor will save a
lot of programming time and get you a nice and OS-compliant GUI.
StormWIZARD will be available in English by the end of September at US$ 69.
The latest demo is available on our homepage and on AmiNet (biz/demo).
Future Plans
We are also working on a special version of StormC for the upcoming PowerPC
boards for Amiga from Phase 5. Development is getting along well and we
intent to show you a pre-version at COMPUTER 96 in Cologne (November 15 to
17). At this show there will also be a demonstration of the new OS from
German company proDAD, called p-OS and we will present a special version of
StormC for p-OS development too.
For all these reasons StormC is the development system for the future of
the Amiga. StormC supports development for current AmigaOS and the next
generation PowerPC Amiga and p-OS systems.
We develop to PowerUp the Amiga!
(c) 1995/96 HAAGE & PARTNER Computer GmbH, Rosbach, Germany
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/haage_partner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
P R O D U C T S W A N T E D
{While we were at it, we picked up this interesting announcement from the
good folks at Haage & Partner. Brad}
HAAGE & PARTNER
Wanted:
New Products for Distribution
We are always looking for new products to distribute them in Germany,
Europe or worldwide. We are a fast growing company and we can offer you
things like:
* powerful project management to support your development
* good programming tools ;-)
* connections to many of the best Amiga programmers to solve programming
problems
* powerful marketing and distribution worldwide
* dealers and distributors worldwide
* connections to the most important companies like Phase 5, ProDAD (p-OS),
Eagle, AT, VisCorp, PIOS, ...
When you have a product that should be offered to the Amiga community or
when you are developing or planning a product - then you should speak to
us. We are very interested in good products that will support the future
of Amiga.
If you are interested in these things, please contact us- we are waiting
for YOU: Here I am !
We develop to PowerUP the AMIGA !
(c) 1995/96 HAAGE & PARTNER Computer GmbH, Rosbach, Germany
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/haage_partner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
N E W H O M E F O R A M I G A Z O N E ( A G A I N ! )
Sept. 20, 1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (By Harv Laser)
THE AMIGA ZONE MOVES FROM PORTAL TO CALWEB INTERNET SERVICES
For over ten years the Amiga Zone has been an online resource, home,
community, oasis, for Amiga owners.
For over ten years I've made my living running the Zone and supporting
Amiga users all over the USA, Canada, and the world.
Five years ago when American People/Link pulled their own plug, we had to
find the Zone a new home and we found a good one on the Portal Online
System.
Well, it's happened again. Portal has informed all of its customers that
its ten year history as an online service and Internet provider is coming
to an end on Sept. 30, 1996. This is very sad, it's short-notice, and the
decision is completely out of my control, but it's also irreversible.
Portal is changing its entire business plan from being an ISP to selling
an accounting system to other online services.
So be it. It's sad, but like I said, the Zone went through this before
and now we'll go through it again, and come out the other side better and
wiser.
THE AMIGA ZONE IS MOVING TO CALWEB INTERNET SERVICES. CalWeb
[http://www.calweb.com] (http://www.calweb.com) is a two year old Internet
provider located in Sacramento, CA. It has a good sized customer base, and
very knowledgeable support staff.
It's also run by a long time Amiga owner who has been a friend of mine for
many years.
The world of modeming has changed much in the last ten years. In 1985 you
had very few choices and you had 1200 baud. These days, everyone and his
dog has an ISP running and a web page
But the vast majority of those providers don't know an Amiga from a hole
in the ground, and could care less about Amiga owners. Say "AWeb" or
"IBrowse" to them and they'll say "Omega? Amoeba? What? Huh? They still
make those things?"
CalWeb is different because it's the new home of the Amiga Zone.
In October 1996, a new custom front-end menued system will be added to
CalWeb to host the Zone. It'll have features for Zone users that neither
Plink nor Portal ever had nor were they willing to add.
The tradition of a friendly online Amiga community, run by long time Amiga
owners, users and lovers will continue.
Message bases, huge file libraries (we plan to move over the 20,000+ files
we have on the Zone on Portal to CalWeb, MANY of which you'll never see on
Aminet or anywhere else), live nightly chats, vendor support and our famous
prize contests will continue.
We've given away tens of thousands of dollars worth of Amiga prizes in the
last ten years. No one else even comes close.
I urge any and all of you who were on Plink, or who are now on Portal or
who may have left Portal.. or even if you were never on either but used or
still use another online service to join CalWeb for the Amiga Zone. I
personally promise you the best online Amiga community we can possibly
build. You will not be disappointed.
CalWeb has arranged a special signup offer for you!
Call:
1-800-509-9322
or
1-916-641-9320
or telnet to calweb.com, login as "guest", and follow the prompts.
You can join CalWeb for US$19.95 flat, a month.
CalWeb takes major credit cards or you can establish a monthly invoiced
account if you don't have plastic.
The signup is FREE.
To get this deal you must say "THE AMIGA ZONE SENT ME" when you call or
signup online.
I hope to see lots of you join CalWeb. You can telnet into it from
anywhere for no hourly charges at all. Your $19.95/mo fee covers
everything and also gets you ten meg of storage which includes hosting your
own personal web page. Naturally, when the Zone opens there, you'll have
unlimited use of all of its features and areas. Never a "money meter"
clock to worry about.
Your personal or business CalWeb Web pages are maintained by you via FTP.
It's pretty slick. You can make a net connection to the server with any
Amiga FTP client, put your files onto it, the permissions are automatically
set (no "chmod-ing" required!) and flip to your running browser and see the
changes instantly.
The Amiga Zone's new home is already up at:
http://www.amigazone.com
running on CalWeb's server. Ckeck it out!
Please feel free to write to me at harv@amigazone.com or
harv@cup.portal.comif you want more information.
Remember to say "THE AMIGA ZONE SENT ME!" when you join.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Please plan to join us in the Amiga Zone on CalWeb!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amiga Update on the net: recent issues available in html format at:
http://www.sharbor.com
All back issues available (ASCII text only) at:
http://www.globaldialog.com/AdventureCentral/AU.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1996 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified.
-=========================================================================-
_ __ _ <>_ __ _ || Brad Webb/AmigaUpdate
/\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || webb@malamute.med.ge.com
/__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || bandr@globaldialog.com
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ ||
-=========================================================================-
