ST Report: 24-Sep-93 #939

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 09/27/93-09:21:45 AM Z


From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 24-Sep-93 #939
Date: Mon Sep 27 09:21:45 1993


                            SILICON TIMES REPORT
                            ====================
                       INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
                       =============================
                                                        
                                    from
                         STR Electronic Publishing
                                     
                                     
 September 24, 1993                                               No. 9.39
 =========================================================================
                                      
                            Silicon Times Report
                       International Online Magazine
                            Post Office Box 6672
                     Jacksonville, Florida  32221-6155
                                                        
                                R.F. Mariano
                             Publisher - Editor
                 -----------------------------------------
                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EST
                                                        
                 STR Publishing Support BBS Network System
                             * THE BOUNTY BBS *
                FIDO 1:112/35 ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:21/350.0
                    904-786-4176  USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days
              2400 - 38.4 bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard
                     FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
                 -----------------------------------------
        Fido 1:112/35 The Bounty STR Support Central 1-904-786-4176
          FNET. 620 : Leif's World ................1-904-573-0734
          FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493
          FNET. 460 : The Atari ST Connection......1-209-436-8156
          FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981
 _________________________________________________________________________


 > 09/24/93 STR 939  "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
   """"""""""""""""
 - The Editor's Desk      - CPU INDUSTRY REPORT    - STR Confidential
 - KODAK NewsLine         - Glendale Overview      - POWER PC to Debut
 - People Talking         - INTELLISYSTEM          - ABOUT IRQs
 - PC/IBM NEWS            - MAC/APPLE NEWS         - ATARI/JAG NEWS

                     -* COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CD ROMS! *-
                      -* VERBATIM TO SELL OPTICALS! *-
                        -* NOVELL EMBRACES UNIX! *-
                                      
 =========================================================================
                   STReport International Online Magazine
                The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
                           -* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
                 "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
      Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
             Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
 =========================================================================
 STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate
 in the Fido/PROWL/ITC/USENET/NEST/F-Net Mail Networks.  You may also Phone
 The Bounty BBS  direct @ 904-786-4176. Enjoy  the wonder and excitement of
 exchanging  all types  of  information relative  to  computers, worldwide,
 through  the use  of excellent  International Networking  Systems. SysOps,
 worldwide,  are welcome  to join  the STReport  International Conferences.
 The Fido Node is 1:112/35, ITC Node is 85:881/253 Crossnet Code is #34813,
 and the "Lead Node" is  #620.  All platform's BBS systems are  welcome and
 invited to participate.  Support your favorite computer Today!
 =========================================================================
      CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ NVN  ~ FIDO ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET
        USENET ~ CIX  ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ GEnie
 =========================================================================
                                                     
     COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
                             to the Readers of;
                                      
                   STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
                   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"

                         NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!

                CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198

                  You will receive your complimentary time
                                    and 
                        be online in no time at all!

               WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (September 24)

                        COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CDROMS!
       COMPUSERVE INTRODUCES 14.4 SUPPORT FOR THE PRICE OF 9600 BAUD!

                     14,400 BPS INTRODUCED IN 10 CITIES

                        ACCESS AVAILABLE FROM RUSSIA

      CompuServe  access is now available in Moscow for  speeds up to 2,400
 bps through an Infonet  local dial-up number. The  communication surcharge
 is $11 per  hour at any time.   SprintNet access  up to 2,400  bps is also
 available  in  Russia,  Indonesia  and Kuwait,  with  a  $49.70  per  hour
 communication surcharge.  

      CompuServe  now  offers  14,400-bps  access  capability  in ten  U.S.
 cities: Cambridge, Mass.; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; New  York;
 Newport Beach,  Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia;  Rochelle Park, N.J.;
 and Santa  Clara,  Calif. This  service  will  be offered  in  other  U.S.
 locations within the next year, and will eventually be extended to Europe.

      Pricing for 14,400-bps  access is the same as  for 9,600 bps: $16 per
 hour  for  Standard  Pricing  Plan  members,  and  $22.80  per  hour   for
 Alternative Pricing Plan members.

      The 14,400 bps service supports V.42 error correction and requires  a
 V.32bis modem. To log  on at 14,400 bps  using the CompuServe  Information
 Manager,  enter the  Session Settings  and change  the bps rate  to either
 14,400 or 19,200. If  you have problems logging on, change the  modem type
 to the Hayes Compatible (default) setting.

      For more  information about  using 14,400 bps, GO  FEEDBACK or  visit
 CompuServe's software support  forums (GO  CISSOFT). To obtain  the 14,400
 local access numbers,  GO PHONES. To read more about  CompuServe's pricing
 plans, GO CHOICES. The information areas are all included in  CompuServe's
 basic services.

 Download file  MGIF42.ZIP from  LIBRARY  14 of  the Atari  Arts Forum  (GO
 ATARIARTS) for an extremely  fast monochrome GIF viewer for ALL ST's, TT's
 and Falcon's.  Tons of  new features  added in  this  version, to  include
 JPEG/JFIF view of  files. faster and more accurate dithering,  support for
 GIF 89a's as well, plus a lot more.

 This  program displays  GIF and  JPG  pictures so  well, it's  nearly like
 having  a mono  equivalent of  Photochrome.   Due  to the  technique used,
 pictures look best when viewed from 4-6 feet from the screen.

 The history  of Atari  is posted  as file ATARI.TXT in  LIBRARY 17  of the
 Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) (from the Internet system).

 The second set  of "20  QUESTIONS" submitted  by Atari  Forum members  and
 answered  by Atari Corp  (specifically Bob Brodie, Bill  Rehbock and James
 Grunke) is available for download as file 20Q_02.TXT in  LIBRARY 15 of the
 Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS).

 See files OMEGA_.ZIP and OMEGAF.ZIP in LIBRARY 12 of  the Atari Arts Forum
 (GO ATARIARTS) for a very well done European demo for the STE and TT. Well
 worth the download time.

 Download  file JAPANE.ZIP from  LIBRARY 4 of the  Atari Productivity Forum
 (GO  ATARIPRO)  for a  program  which  makes it  possible  to  display the
 Japanese and  input single-byte katakana,  double-byte katakana,  hiragana
 and more than ten different series  of special symbols which  are assigned
 to symbol keys.

 Download file DRIVRS.LZH  from LIBRARY 11 of  the Atari Vendors Forum  (GO
 ATARIVEN) for  the latest  PageStream import modules.   Updated 10-AUG-93.
 This  archive contains ALL  of the import modules  currently shipping with
 PageStream 2.2b.   Included  are  new Illustrator,  EPS, and  TIFF  import
 modules.
                               
                     THE PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
                           HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
                 OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION

            "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"

        "ENJOY CIS'  ATARI FORUMS WHERE CENSORSHIP IS A DIRTY WORD!


  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                                                     

 > From the Editor's Desk             "Telling it like it is!"
   """"""""""""""""""""""

      In this issue you will not find a single reference, other than this
 editorial, to the "Lexicor/STRT/IAAD" Fiasco.  Or, the Nathan & Darlah
 Show and its being accused of "Conflict of Interest" by Lexicor.  These
 topics are being fully researched through all available and viable
 conduits and as soon as further data is compiled, a full report of our
 findings will be made available.  STReport deems it necessary to do so as
 a result of all the diversionary and flatulent activity coming forth in
 the online community.  Most of which seems to be coming from those who
 would not want the real and truthful representations to be known.  
 As such, the research has begun and will be presented shortly.
   
      In the past week, we've seen a number of other distracting,
 diversionary issues projected to the forefront by those who can only be
 seen as N & D supporters.  Shamefully, we find other "non-biased" members
 of the press surfacing and/or seemingly making claims of "ignorance of the
 issues" while, at almost the same time, offering outspoken opinions about
 the issues.  Their opinions obviously reflect their apparently being fully
 "briefed" by those who seemingly wish to have Lexicor remain "ostracized"
 ..thus attempting to justify their blatant and highly questionable
 actions, statements and activities.  
   
      On another "front" we see where the blurb from last week's issue
 about the Jaguar being late has been interpreted by some as "really
 saying" the "Jaguar will fail".  NOT!  This is pure tripe.  STReport
 stated the "Jaguar will miss Christmas".  That's exactly what was said and
 nothing more.  Although in the same blurb we did make an error.  STR had
 listed LA as being one of the cities slated for early distribution of the
 Jaguar, it should have stated San Francisco. 

      Recapping, STR reported the Jaguar would be late, NOT a failure as
 some, (whose obvious agendas are showing), have been parading about
 saying.  Atari's Brodie, when asked about the Jaguar item in STReport did
 not at all deny the report but instead, seized the moment to further
 denigrate the professional perception of Atari by offering, as a reply,
 ridicule of STReport.  Please accept our apologies for his unprofessional
 behavior and representation of Atari.  

      Further, we calmly noted the editor of a "company voice" publication
 is apparently desirous in making another of Atari's misfortunes into a
 "circus" by asking for wagers on "when the Jaguar will appear".  Its
 "vaguely apparent" he has little or no idea of the differences between
 "appearing" and "being in distribution".

      (As an aside, how many recall the time when a statement made about a
      particular product "shipping" was made valid by the company as it was
      shipped from one company executive to another!)  

      Once again; the Falcon's appearance on dealer's shelves in quantity
 will be delayed until _after Christmas, 1993_.  Solid shipments of product
 are not expected until the first quarter of 1994.
   
      Lastly, and far more relevant to the times, STReport is embarking on
 a series of articles looking into the monitor marketplace.  We intend to
 place emphasis on the quality rather than price break of the monitors. 
 The endeavor will encompass several months if not more.  Additionally a
 single high powered program will be used on all the monitors and the same
 basic system will be employed.  The first article will appear next week.


                                              Ralph....


 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""


                ** STReport International Online Magazine **

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                          ELECTRONIC HOME DELIVERY
                                                        
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 an  attached  file  are  provided  on  page  200  on  GEnie  (Type  M200).
 Downloading E-Mail utilizes the very same transfer protocols as the  GEnie
 RT Libraries,  so there is   little  or no difference between  downloading
 from a Library and downloading an attached file (also called F-Mail).

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 Saturday evening  and will  be available  to you  immediately.   It simply
 appears in your E-Mail queue!

 Wait no more for the REAL news and FULL information from the wonderful and
                   sometimes wacky world of computing...

              Ask for your STReport deliveries to begin today!

                    *** 379 SUBSCRIBERS AND GROWING! ***


  STReport's Staff                      DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
  """"""""""""""""

                             Publisher - Editor
                             """"""""""""""""""
                              Ralph F. Mariano


           PC DIVISION         AMIGA DIVISION           MAC DIVISION
           -----------         --------------           ------------
           Roger D. Stevens    Robert Glover            R. ALBRITTON

                      Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus

  STReport Staff Editors:
  """""""""""""""""""""""
           Dana P. Jacobson    Michael Arthur           John Deegan
           Lucien Oppler       Brad Martin              Judith Hamner
           John Szczepanik     Dan Stidham              Joseph Mirando
                     Steve Spivey        Doyle C. Helms
                      

  Contributing Correspondents:
  """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
           Michael Lee         Richard Covert           Scott Birch
           Brian Converse      Oliver Steinmeier        Tim Holt
           Andrew Learner      Norman Boucher           Harry Steele
           Clemens Chin        Neil Bradley             Eric Jerue
           Ron Deal            Robert Dean              Ed Westhusing
           James Nolan         Vernon W. Smith          Bruno Puglia
                                                                    
                              IMPORTANT NOTICE
                              """"""""""""""""
      Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
                               via E-Mail to:

                  Compuserve................... 70007,4454
                  Delphi......................... RMARIANO
                  BIX............................ RMARIANO
                  FIDONET........................ 1:112/35
                  FNET........................... NODE 350
                  ITC NET...................... 85:881/253
                  NEST........................ 90:21/350.0
                  GEnie......................... ST-REPORT


 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""



 > CPU STATUS REPORT                 LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS 
   """""""""""""""""
                   
  

  
                  Computer Products Update - CPU Report
                  ------------------------   ----------
                 Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
  
                                Issue #39
  
                             By: John Deegan
  
  
    COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CD-ROMS - In Columbus, Ohio, CompuServe Inc. an-
 nounced this week a project with Metatec Corp. to publish a multimedia 
 extension of the information service on CD-ROM disk beginning in the 
 first quarter next year.
  
    CompuServe and Metatec told reporters the project will enable those 
 with CD- ROM-equipped computers to receive constantly updated online 
 information enhanced by audio and video components.
  
    "Potential content," observers said, "includes a graphics and sound-
 enhanced version of CompuServe's electronic shopping service, an 
 interactive magazine and multimedia extensions to some of CompuServe's 
 most popular databases and special interest forums."
  
    Said CompuServe President Maurice Cox, "This alliance with Metatec 
 allows us to help define the consumer information services of the 
 future. We can use our extensive network and database capability with 
 the multimedia capabilities of CD- ROM to deliver a broad array of new 
 services to CompuServe Information Service members."
  
    Cox said the project is an opportunity to combine online services 
 with CD-ROM-based information and to have an interplay that makes the 
 best use of each medium's strong points.
  
    "With faster transmission speeds and wider bandwidth," said Cox, "we 
 will add substantial value and quality to the information our members 
 receive. This is the first important step in making CompuServe available 
 through multiple media channels."
  
    Metatec, which is based in nearby Dublin, Ohio, produces Nautilus, a 
 multimedia magazine published monthly on CD-ROM for Macintosh and 
 Windows platforms and featuring text and software.
  
  
    VERBATIM TO SELL IBM OPTICALS - Verbatim Corp. has agreed to make and 
 sell 650mb and 1.3gb 5.25-inch optical disk cartridges for the IBM 3995 
 Optical Library Dataserver products and IBM 0632 CB Models Multifunction 
 Optical Drives.

    Verbatim says the deal makes it the distributor of IBM brand WORM 
 media in the U.S., Canada and most of Latin America. The media will be 
 sold through Verbatim's distribution sales force. In addition, Verbatim 
 will set up a telemarketing unit to handle inquiries and provide 
 service.


    NOVELL EMBRACES UNIX SYSTEM; MICROSOFT REACTS, CUTTING PRICES - 
 Saying it is committed to making the Unix operating system open to the 
 industry, network maker Novell Inc. said it will make UnixWare available 
 for other computer platforms besides Intel-based PCs.
  
    Novell officials are quoted as saying the firm will integrate its 
 UnixWare operating system with its NetWare PC network operating system 
 as an alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT.

    Within hours, Microsoft announced it will eliminate the charges 
 (normally $35,000) for the NT client software that links PCs together on 
 a network.

    Observers said, "The move means users of Microsoft's new Windows NT 
 Advanced Server software will need to pay only a flat fee of $1,495 per 
 server computer. Software for 'client' software, which had cost up to 
 $39 per user, will be free."


    IBM POWERPC CHIP MAKES ITS DEBUT - The PowerPC chip -- created by 
 IBM, Apple Computer Inc. and Motorola Inc. to challenge chipmaker Intel 
 Corp. -- makes its debut this week in four new IBM workstation 
 computers.

    Another version of the RISC (reduced instruction set computing) chip 
 is expected to find its way into an Apple system in the future.

    The four desktop and servers for networks introduced today also come 
 with new graphics capabilities. They will be available next month with 
 prices starting at about $7,600.

    IBM also is introducing three more powerful workstations based on a 
 RISC design of its own, called Power2. "They fit at the top end of the 
 RS-6000 line," says AP, "with prices starting at $64,500 for a deskside 
 version and a server for networks beginning at $127,000."


    AT&T, NEC TO JOINTLY DEVELOP ASIC CHIPS - AT&T and Japan's NEC Corp. 
 have signed an agreement to jointly develop application specific integ-
 rated circuits (ASIC) by June 1995.

    ASIC chips are semi-custom- made to meet a user's specific need by 
 combining standardized integrated circuit (IC) cells.

    The AT&T and NEC have already jointly developed basic technology to 
 use 0.35 micron width lines and the next step is to apply this tech-
 nology to product developments, said an NEC spokesman.


    ATARI APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND ADVERTISING - Atari 
 Computer Corp. announced this week that Terrence Valeski, a 22-year 
 veteran in consumer electronics marketing, has joined the Sunnyvale, 
 Calif.-based company as director of marketing and advertising for 
 Jaguar.
  
    Valeski's immediate responsibility will be to execute the national 
 roll out for Jaguar -- Atari's new high performance gaming system. He 
 reports directly to Sam Tramiel, president of Atari.
  
    "We are very pleased that Terry has joined Atari. His experience is 
 invaluable to us," said Tramiel. "Developing strong relationships with 
 retailers and developers as well as communicating with consumers will be 
 critical to our success as we get ready to market and distribute Jaguar 
 worldwide."
  
    In an industry dominated by foreign companies, U.S.-based Atari an-
 nounced this summer that it has developed a high-performance, 64-bit 
 home video game system called Jaguar, capable of delivering faster and 
 more powerful video games to the home market. Atari will be made in 
 America and has signed IBM to manufacture the Jaguar in its Charlotte, 
 N.C. plant.

  
             __________________________________________________



 > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine          The wires are a hummin'!
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
         
          
              
                            PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
                            =====================
             
              
 On CompuServe
 -------------
 compiled by
 Joe Mirando




      Hidi ho good neighbors and neighborettes.   Its time again for us  to
 make  the rounds on CompuServe to pick  up on some of the news, hints, and
 tips to be found there.

      I  guess  that  with all  the  hubub  about health  care  reform  the
 president and  vice-president haven't had  the time to take me  up on last
 week's offer to show them what a real information  highway looks and feels
 like.  And I'm still waiting to hear back on my idea of giving  CompuServe
 users tax credits.  Hey!... maybe we can use those tax credits to help pay
 for our share of the national health care plan... Naaahhh.

      Well, let's  get on with the column.   Oh, before we  do, remember to
 write to  your congressmen and senators and tell them to vote "yes" on the
 'CIS/Tax Voucher Bill'.  And now... on with the show.



 From the Atari Productivity Forum
 =================================



 Rob Rasmussen posts:


 "My Supra FaxModem all of a sudden will not get a dial tone when I
 try to call CIS. After I double click on a number to call in Flash's
 dial directory, the modem clicks and dials, but there was never a dial
 tone so of course it doesn't connect. The TR (terminal ready)
 indicator displays, and during dial the "DIAL" indicator lights up, as
 does "OK". There was lightning here the other day. The computer and
 modem were not turned on, and the modem's AC is plugged into a strip
 with surge protection. Could this be caused by it getting zapped
 through the phone line? Could I get it fixed or is it fried?"


 Bob Retelle asks Rob:


 "How are you calling in now..?

 Are you using your ST with a different modem..?

 If that's the case, then your ST is OK..  (big sigh of relief)

 Is the ST also plugged into the surge suppressor..?

 Unfortunately, just being turned off sometimes isn't enough to
 protect against a nearby lightning strike.  Physically unplugging
 everything is the best protection against lightning (except for a
 direct strike that burns your house down...)

 I recently had an I/O card in my PC damaged by lightning that reached
 through the modem without harming it, but blew out the input buffers
 on the I/O card.

 Luckily a new multi-I/O card was only $17..

 From your description of the symptoms, it's likely that the input
 buffer chips in your modem gave their lives to protect the rest of the
 modem.

 The output functions seem to be alive, but the modem is not sending
 anything back to your computer.

 If you type  ATO  in a terminal screen to the modem, do you hear the
 modem "pick up the phone" and hear the dial tone from the modem's
 speaker..?

 If so, then commands are getting through to the modem from your
 computer (which is true from what you said was happening.. it WILL try
 to dial),  but if you can hear the dial tone,  and the computer
 doesn't, then nothing is getting back from the modem.

 (In my case I could actually dial out and connect to CompuServe, but
 nothing ever got back to my screen...)

 To make a loooong message short, it's very likely that you *might* be
 able to save the modem by replacing the buffer chips."


 Myles Cohen asks Rob:


 "Could it be...I'm only clutching at straws, mind you...could it be that
 your configuration has changed in some way..."


 No word yet, folks, but we'll keep you informed of Rob's quest for an
 answer.

 Boris Molidyi asks Charles F. Johnson of CodeHead Software:


 "Off subject, any chances of having MultiDesk compatible with graphic
 cards that do not have Line-A?"


 Charles tells Boris:


 "The latest version of MultiDesk (v3.4a) _is_ compatible with
 graphics cards that don't support Line A; all Line A calls have been
 replaced with VDI calls.  Version 3.4a has been available for over a
 year now."


 Boris tells Charles:


 "Hmm, I believe that I have the latest version, and it does not work
 with Crazy Dots II, and Gribnifs said that it's because of Line-A
 calls...  Strange."


 Rick Flashman of Gribnif Software jumps in and tells Boris:


 "Our copy of MultiDesk is most likely not the most up to date one (CT
 show, I think), I would trust what Charles said, as Line-A is no big
 deal to remove (in the sense that as the programmer, Charles would
 know if any Line-A was left in). Check your version number and compare
 it with what he said in his message."


 Peter Joseph asks:


 "Folks, what's the fastest reset-proof ramdisk around?  I've been
 using Maxidisk that I got here and it's performed flawlessly for years
 and does some kind of compression thing so you can get more in it than
 usual, but I get the feeling it's not the fastest thing around.
 Sheesh, you'd think I'd leave well enough alone. :)"


 Robert Aries tells Peter:


 "When I installed the TEC card in my 520st, the ramdisk I had been
 using stopped working.  I experimented and found that Maxidisk was the
 _only_ PD reset-proof ramdisk that worked with TOS 2.06 (well, the
 only one I saw, anyway). You're right about its speed; it's actually
 slower than my hard drive because it's doing its
 compression/decompression thing.

 So I'm waiting with you for any other responses to your query!"


 Sysop Bill Aycock (of CAL/WHATIS fame) tells Robert:


 "I've found the CodeHead Ramdisk (from their Utilities disk) to be
 solid with all the TOS versions I've used, and it's one of the fastest
 (if not THE fastest). No realtime compression, though..."


 Carl Barron jumps in and posts:


 " Code_ram works, 1 prob. with TOS 1.06 & possibly later toses is esc
 from desktop to reread files displayed, causes 2 bombs, does so
 without fail zilch loaded except code_ram 4 meg 1040ste.  Weird...
 Used sparsely with TT & !auto loaded so I may have to test it there.
 Vers. circa apr.92."


 Bill Aycock tells Carl:


 "That's an odd error! I haven't run into it (even on a 4 meg STe),
 but then again with HotWire and UIS I don't often open disk windows on
 the desktop..."

 Robert posts:


 "...I'm sure the Codehead stuff is the best.  Thing is, I already
 have similar stuff that I'm using.  Not as good but workable for now."


 When Peter asks if the CodeHead Ramdisk is reset-proof, Bill Aycock
 replies:


 "Yup, sure is. A fact which has saved me a lot of work on several
 occasions. :-) Plus, it doesn't need a 'double boot' when it starts
 up."


 Peter asks:


 "Tell me again what it's called and where to find it, please."


 Bill tells Peter:


 "The CodeHead Ramdisk is available on the CodeHead Utilities Disk.
 It's a normal commercial item, so you should be able to get it from a
 dealer, or direct from CodeHead. (Ask Charles Johnson, 76004,2232, for
 more info on that part.)"


 Sysop Jeff Kovach tells us:


 "Another ramdisk that will still work with TOS 2.06 is L-RAM, which
 is part of L-UTILS by Keith Ledbetter.  I believe it is available here
 in the file libraries."


 Robert Aries tells Jeff:


 "Thanks Jeff.  I downloaded the L-UTILS and the ramdisk does indeed
 function with TOS 2.06.  Curiously though, I have to deal with a
 "double boot".  This seems to be the case no matter where the ramdisk
 is in the auto folder.

 Also, I'm wondering if I need the L-CACHE program that's included;
 doesn't TOS 2.06 do some disk caching?"


 Jeff explains it to Robert:


 "The double booting with the L-UTILS ramdisk is part of its
 installation process, there's no way around it.  Guess I've been using
 it so long that I forgot to mention it.

 As far as the disk-caching goes, I don't use L-CACHE.  I'm not
 aware of TOS 2.06 doing any disk caching, but I'm not certain.  I
 believe disk caching is a function of the hard drive utilities you
 use.  I use ICDs HD utilities which allow you to set several different
 types of disk caches. I don't believe the Atari HD utilities have this
 feature, and I have no idea about Supra HD utilities.

 I'm sure you'll find the L-UTILS ramdisk to be reliable and
 trouble-free. I too used Maxidisk for a while, but I found it to
 occasionally corrupt data stored in it after HEAVY use."


 Robert posts:


 "I suppose I can live with the double-booting.  At least I know it's
 normal and not some weirdness with my system or TOS.

 As far as disk caching, I have ICD software for my Link which I
 haven't installed yet.  I assume that's equivalent to what you're
 talking about? Right now I'm using Atari's software with my Megafile
 30 but I just bought a floptical & the Link from Purple Mountain
 Computers."


 Matt McNeely tells us:


 "I am looking for dealers of Atari computers either in my local area
 (Boston,Ma) or anyplace in the USA,also is the 1040ST still made?"


 STReport's own resident Bostonian, Dana Jacobson tells Matt:


 "Try The Computer Zone in North Attleboro, MA (near Providence, RI).
 I don't have the number handy, but can get it if you don't want to
 call Information.  Other than that, I believe there may be a dealer or
 two in the western part of the state.  The 1040ST is not being made,
 nor are any of the ST/STe series.  although there may be some
 available somewhere.  Atari discontinued them. The current line
 supported are TTs and Falcons."


 Chris Gray posts:


 "I thought 530 STFMs were still being made? (probably 1040 STes,
 too)."


 Bob Retelle tells Chris:


 "It's hard to tell exactly what models Atari is still
 producing.  We've heard that the  520STFM was "re-introduced" in the
 UK, but Bob Brodie has recently said that the Falcon030 is Atari's
 "entry level" system now."


 Rafael Mardones asks about revamping his old machine:


 "I have a very old ST 520 with an external 400Kb floppy. Does anybody
 know how to upgrade the floppy to a 720 (o better) one?"


 Sysop Bob Retelle tells Rafael:


 "The double sided 720K drive mechanism used in the Atari SF314 drives
 is exactly the same as most IBM PC 3.5 inch floppy drives.

 The only difference is the way Atari used the write protect line to
 determine whether the disk had been changed or not.

 Some drives seem to work with no problems at all, and some work, but
 have problems telling when you put a new disk in the drive.

 I've never made the upgrade myself, I just bought the Atari SF314
 drives.

 I think we might have had some text files about how to do the upgrade
 yourself in the Software Libraries, but they're so old that they might
 have been replaced by other files by now..   I'll see if I can find
 anything.. or maybe some of our other members might have some info
 that would help...


 Oops.. I see that I omitted an important bit of information...

 The ST uses the same drives as IBM systems do, as long as you obtain
 a 720K drive.  The most common drive in IBMland now is the 1.44
 Megabyte style, which *might* work, but I can't confirm that it
 does for sure.

 Early STs like you have cannot be directly upgraded to the 1.44 Meg
 drives, although there is at least one third-party high density drive
 kit available.

 You should be able to obtain a 720K drive mechanism for around
 $50-$75 that will work with your 520ST."




 From the Atari ST Arts Forum
 ============================



 John Bonavita asks:


 "What happened to the Falcons?  I know that they were released but does
 anyone outside the Atari community know about them?"


 Bill Devonshire posts:


 "Actually I have heard that they are selling very well.  In Toronto,
 as much out of the way as you want to get, they are selling steadily.
 The main problem is not selling them but getting them to sell.  They
 are up to about sixty sales in last few months.  as well , I have
 talked to a dealer in the States that says they have moved about 600
 of them.  That's good news! Hey, don't count this machine out before
 its even started.  I think we hyped ourselves way in advance, (with
 the help of an early release schedule).  The developers are only now
 getting a handle on the power of this beast, and it is a powerful
 beast.  I have seen a list of software titles from Holland that would
 spin your head, at least 200 new releases in the wings and on the
 shelves for the Falcon.  Everything from GCR to Flight simulators!
 Those who get on this band wagon are in for a ride.  Those who haven't
 taken a ride on this machine cannot comprehend the Falcon's abilities.
 Anyhow, things are far from dead, they are just beginning,..."


 Sysop Bob Retelle tells Bill:


 "I don't think the original post here indicated that the Falcon was
 "dead"...  invisible sounded more like it.

 Of the Falcons that you know of, are there an appreciable number of
 *new* Atari owners among them, or are they mostly people who know
 about the Falcon because they previously owned other Atari models..?

 We *really* need a lot of NEW owners in the market..."


 Bill tells Bob:


 "You are right, invisible is the word!  From the numbers, I
 would think that most of the sales have been to the tried and true.  We do
 need NEW people coming in, but if the OLD ones don't buy, I don't think
 that any new ones will either.  It would seem that the majority of
 advertising for the prowess of the Falcon comes from the user rather than
 the creator.  It really is too bad that it was released before a good base
 of software was out there for it.  It gives the impression of
 invisibility.  Right now the real work is throbbing under ground.  But
 soon it will be popping up."


 Sysop Ron Luks asks Bill:


 "Did the "Dealer in the states" say that his store had sold 600
 Falcons, or that 600 Falcons had been sold in the states?"


 Bill tells Ron:


 "The dealer said 600 from his store (but maybe he's the only one
 getting orders :-) ) (there's that double chin again)  Anyway, it
 would be in line for the numbers of present Atari users seeking out
 and purchasing Falcons.  As well, this dealer has a software company
 with about 10 titles coming due for release on the Falcon."




 From the Atari Vendors Forum
 ============================




 Beat Koch asks:


 "Does the company VersaSoft still exist, and if so, do they still
 support and further develop dBMAN for the ATARI platform? What would
 be the current release number?"


 Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Beat:


 "I think the most current version of dBMan is 5.3.  VersaSoft still
 exists."


 CodeHead John Eidsvoog gives a very nice explanation of what a
 print spooler is:


 "The purpose of a spooler is to grab printer information as fast as the
 computer can send it, without waiting for the time it might take the
 printer to accept the data.  If the application sending the printer data
 is
 very slow or your printer is very fast, you won't notice much effect
 from the spooler, since the data will pour right through the spooler
 out to the printer as soon as the computer sends it.  Also, if you
 fill the spooler, printing will proceed at the speed of the printer
 until the computer has sent all of its data (as you surmised).  This
 is how all spoilers work, although some are more efficient than others
 (none more efficient than the CodeRam spooler).

 The documentation for the Spooler Manager is in the #4 release notes
 (additional printed pages).  If you don't have this documentation,
 call our office and we'll arrange for you to get it.  It should have
 been included in the CodeHead Utilities package or upgrade.

 The SPOOLER.PRG is old and outdated, even though we still include it.
 You should use the spooler in the CodeHead RAM Disk, because it is
 reset-proof and it communicates with the Spooler Manager.  When you
 reinstall the RAM disk with a different sized spooler, the change
 takes effect immediately.  The memory is reserved at the top of
 physical memory."


 Peter Joseph has a question or two more for John:


 "Does the spooler work with TOS 2.06?  Or maybe what I should ask is
 why TOS 2.06 doesn't interact well with the WordPerfect spooler.  Does
 Warp9 interfere with this also?  I know there is a WP patch on the
 Warp9 disk, but that's for Multidesk right?  I don't have Multidesk."


 John tells Peter:


 "Compatibility between most of our products and MultiTOS is pretty
 much at a stand-still.  We're not sure it's possible to achieve
 compatibility with MultiTOS in its current state."


 Tom Mynar jumps in and tells John Eidsvoog:


 "That's OK.  I would need a TT to really run it well anyway.
 There's quite some delay even in typing in Flash when it's running on
 my T25.

 Perhaps Atari will smarten up (yah, and pigs are right now flying out
 my butt) and re-package Geneva.  But then we'd have to get Word
 Perfect and others back involved...

 I bought the TEC MegaBus board from you at the Atarifest and I love
 it.

 I have a suggestion and a question.

 Could you use another means for the pin 28/20 wire connections.  In
 the EPROM sockets on my Mega 4, these wires were VERY loose.  I bought
 a header pin thingie from Best Electronics at the show and soldered
 your wires to that.  It provides a much better connection using the
 resistance of the entire socket to hold onto.

 I have Warp9 version 3.75 and Multidesk version 2.0.  Should I upgrade
 ? I'm also now running SpeedoGdos with some Migraph products as well
 as Atari Works.  Should I upgrade your above products for SpeedoGdos ?
 I as of yet have had no problems, but I wanted to be sure."


 Charles F. Johnson tells Tom:


 "Thanks for the suggestion on the TEC boards.  We'll mention it to
 the German manufacturers next time we communicate with them.

   Yes, you should upgrade both Warp 9 and MultiDesk -- Warp 9 because
 our just-released version 3.80 is compatible with SpeedoGDOS (v3.75
 wasn't), and MultiDesk because version 2.0 wasn't completely
 compatible with Warp 9."


 Tom takes the opportunity to ask Charles:


 "Since you're a TOS expert.  How many of the fix-it files I had in my
 AUTO folder are needed for TOS 2.06 ?  I have: FOLDR100.PRG,
 TOSFIX.PRG and TOSFIX.PRG."


 On the subject of Warp9 version 3.8 being Falcon compatible, David
 Hagood asks:


 "When you say it's compatible with the Falcon, do you mean a Falcon
 running TOS or MultiTOS?"


 Charles tells David:


 "This release of Warp 9 is not compatible with MultiTOS; it is
 compatible with the version of TOS built into the Falcon.  We're still
 looking into the MultiTOS situation; we're hampered by the fact that
 most of our usual debugging/development tools also refuse to run under
 MultiTOS.

 In the meantime, for our customers that need a multitasking
 environment, Gribnif's Geneva looks pretty good -- and it's much more
 compatible than MultiTOS, not only with our programs but with a
 broader range of programs across the board."


 Now that's what I call a good product!  How many times have you seen
 a vendor go out of their way to mention someone else's product that
 directly competes with Atari's?

 I've been using Geneva since its beta release and can tell you that
 it is a wonderful program.  The beta version is at least as polished
 as many "final versions" of software on any platform.  It's faster
 than MultiTOS, and it's much more compatible.  Thanks, Gribnif.

 I guess that one good turn deserves another, so Rick from Gribnif
 tells Charles:


 "...Actually to expand upon that, Warp 9 works
 "perfectly" with Geneva.  We use it all the time.  Therefore, we highly
 recommend it."

 Rick is correct also.  Warp9 and Geneva work well together.  It's a
 combination that is hard to beat.  Try them out and see.




 From the Atari Portfolio Forum
 ==============================



 Francis Shrago tells us:


 "I am a student who studies in manchester and lives in London. I
 intend to use the Atari if bought mainly for typing in my lecture
 notes, and then transferring them on to my PC. Please could you tell
 me:

 a) If this is a good idea

 b) Where & how much to get pay for the portfolio

 c) What else I can do with the portfolio other than writing text etc"


 Sysop Ron Luks tells Francis:


 "I've heard from a lot of students that use the Portfolio as a
 note-taker. It should do very well for you.  I'm sorry but I don't have
 any suggestions for getting the best price in London, but perhaps some
 of our UK members can jump in here.

 The Portfolio is a computer that runs a multitude of software.
 There is no limit to what you might do with the unit and I would
 suggest that you just browse thru the library files in this forum and
 look over some of the programs we have available for downloading."


 Peter Bennett tells Francis:


 "I'm not a sysop here but I may be able to help as I run a business in
 the UK which deals exclusively with the Portfolio, its hardware and
 software (both commercial and PD & Shareware) - however that makes my
 opinion pretty biased!  ;-) . To answer your questions:

 a) The Portfolio is ideal for the use you describe. It is small
 enough to carry in your pocket, but still has a keyboard which is very
 reasonable to type on.  The screen font is large enough to read
 clearly and it has a good battery life.  To transfer to a PC you need
 an accessory, the parallel peripheral which, as well as allowing you
 to print files directly from the Portfolio, also comes with the
 software necessary to transfer files to an IBM-compatible PC. There
 are other file transfer solutions but this is the cheapest and least
 hassle.

 b) We are currently selling new Portfolio's for 119.95 UK pounds
 (*including* VAT & P+P) which is probably the cheapest you can usually
 get one in the UK.  However, some shops are selling off their stock
 (eg. W H Smith were recently) and if you are lucky enough to find one
 you can pick one up for as low as 99.95 UK pounds including VAT. From
 us, the parallel peripheral is an additional 42.50 UK pounds including
 VAT & P+P. You will also need a file transfer cable (another 11.50 UK
 pounds from us). If funds allow, a memory card is a useful addition
 for saving files.

 An alternative would be to check out the computer magazines for
 second-hand models as you can often pick up a bundle of Portfolio,
 parallel peripheral, file transfer cable and AC adaptor for around the
 99 pound mark.

 c)There is *so much* you can do with a Portfolio that I couldn't
 really start here! Other forum members may chip in, but check out the
 libraries here for over 1000 Portfolio related files. There is a
 'frequently asked questions' file PORT.FAQ which is worth downloading.
 Also if you send us your address by email, we can send you a
 catalogue. We also produce a bi-monthly newsletter on
 all-things-Portfolio. David E Stewart who also frequents this forum
 produces a Portfolio magazine called Re:Port, also bi-monthly and each
 issue comes with a disk of unique Portfolio software.

 Hope this is of some help. Our address is:

 The Portfolio Connection
 Bucklands Cottage Wallingford Road
 Cholsey Oxon
 OX10 9HB Tel/Fax 0491 836880"


 Bill Osburn tells Francis:


 "That is exactly what I use my PORT for.  I type in the notes,
 transfer it on my PC via a Card Drive, then import it into
 WordPerfect.  I produce some slick homework that way.  They're great
 on tests, too!"


 Sidney Ripkowski tells us:


 "My port has impressed me yet again.

 I just had to change the batteries, first time since last January.  I
 use it regularly to keep track of todo's, and access the ramcard
 frequently.  I don't know why, but the batteries lasted 9.5 months this
 time.

 The only secret may be:  I plug it into AC power AS SOON AS I get
 home, and unplug JUST BEFORE I leave.

 I am waiting for the ramcard battery to die, I haven't changed it
 since August 1992.  It still works!

 Just thought I'd share this mileage excerpt with any newcomers to the
 Port arena."


 JF Davington teases Sidney:


 "Quite impressive but..., do you really unplug-it once in a while
 ;-)."


 Peter Bennet asks:


 "I've had a request from a client as to whether it is possible to
 import Portfolio address book files into the Clarisworks database. I'm
 at a bit of a loss as I am unfamiliar with the MAC.

 I know that many databases import information in comma-delimited
 format and, if my memory serves correctly (which it doesn't that often
 ;-)), I believe there is a small utility in the libraries to convert
 .adr files to comma-delimited - so this may be a solution."


 JF Davington tells Peter:


 "I don't know if one already exists in the libraries but I was
 working on one for the Port in Pbasic.  I hit a snag when writing a
 subroutine to strip the phone number off the first line in .ADR files
 and put it in its own field.  Other than that it works fine but it
 simply puts each individual line in quotes and separated by commas.  I
 asked BJ to look into the bug but he has been very busy lately.  If it
 helps I can upload it now but it wont separate the phone number."


 Peter tells JF:


 "Thanks for your reply and offer. He has not yet got to the point of
 being able to connect his MAC and Portfolio (he is considering the
 Pocket MAC file transfer software from DIP - I'm not sure if its
 available in the US) but wants to import .adr to Clarisworks when it
 is connected. Hopefully, by the time he's got the file transfer up and
 running, your program will be ready anyway (that's optimistic of me,
 isn't it? <G>"


 Brad Barclay asks:


 "Is there anyone out there in either Canada or the US who has a
 catalogue of Portfolio peripherals?  I'm in need of a few things,
 such as a carrying case, a serial interface kit, any other goodies
 I can lay my hands on.  I am also considering supplying Portfolio
 systems to any of my employees who are interested (which just about
 all of them are)."


 Sysop Ron Luks tells Brad:


 "David Stewart of Re:Port should be able to help you with
 accessories."




 Well folks, we've come to the end of the "show" for this week.  Be sure to
 tune in  next week, same time, same station.  Be ready to sit back in that
 comfortable chair, kick your shoes off, relax and listen  to what they are
 saying when...


                             PEOPLE ARE TALKING

              ________________________________________________



 > IRQ INFO STR Feature                      Getting to know IRQs
   """"""""""""""""""""

                              IRQ CONFLICT.TXT

                        Paul Heim, CIS ID 74066,635


      Two  of the  most typical  causes of problems  in getting  a terminal
 program to run properly these  days are COM Port and IRQ conflicts.  Let's
 see what is meant  by an IRQ or COM Port conflict,  and what we can do  to
 avoid and correct such a conflict

      COM  Ports are  the Input/Output Ports used  by the  computer to deal
 with  serial devices such  as modems, plotters, mouse  and other pointers,
 etc.   An IRQ  is an  Interrupt Request Line which  is a  way to interrupt
 whatever the  computer is  doing in order to  handle something  important,
 such as a characters coming in on the serial line.

      Without  special  equipment  we  can  normally  make  four COM  Ports
 available.  These are called COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4.

      Each of these  COM Ports has a BPA (Base Port Address).   This is the
 address  to which  signals for the COM  Port are  sent.  Likewise  each of
 these COM  Ports is serviced  by an IRQ.   The normal arrangement  in most
 (non-PS/2) types of computers) is as follows:

                      COM PORT ADDRESS TABLE (NON/PS2)

                 Port              IRQ              BPA
                 ----              ---              ---
                 COM1             IRQ4            Hex 03F8
                 COM2             IRQ3            Hex 02F8
                 COM3             IRQ4            Hex 03E8
                 COM4             IRQ3            Hex 02E8

        (The PS/2 and its clones do this differently for COM Ports
        after COM 2, but if you have a PS/2 or compatible you
        probably already know about the differences!)

      ******************************************************************
      *   The not-to-be-forgotten rule is that no two serial devices,  *
      *   such as modem and mouse, can use the same COM Port OR the    *
      *   same IRQ at the same time.  It just won't work, and sooner   *
      *   or later will bring you grief.                               *
      ******************************************************************

 If you will  look at the  above Table, you can  immediately see the  first
 trap, put there by the  original IBM architecture.  Sure enough, COM Ports
 1 and 3 both use IRQ 4.  COM Ports 2 and 4 both use IRQ3.

 In a practical sense this means that we cannot use COM1 and  3 at the same
 time, and  we cannot use COM2 and COM4 at the same time, IF we continue to
 have them serviced by the IRQ as  listed in the standard table.  We may be
 able to use them at the same time IF we change the IRQ that services them.
 More on that later.

 We are thus limited, it  would appear, to really just two COM Ports  if we
 are to  avoid IRQ  conflicts resulting  from the  use of  a single IRQ  to
 service two COM Ports.

 When we first install our  new computer we are often presented with one or
 more COM Ports built  in by the manufacturer, and made available  for easy
 access  on the rear  of the  computer as  Serial Ports COM1 and  COM2, and
 using IRQ4 for  COM1 and IRQ3 for COM2.   All fine and  dandy.  We can put
 our mouse or other  pointer device on one, and  our external modem on  the
 other.  No conflicts, as  you can see from the table  above.  On the table
 above, place a check mark in front of the COM Ports which are "built  in",
 and  therefore "in use", and to which we can attach something, even if you
 don't attach  a  mouse or  modem  or  something  else to  them.    If  the
 manufacturer only  supplied one external COM  Port, then place a  check in
 front of it.  It is "in use" whether you attach something to it or not.

       Parenthetically, we should note that on some computers there is
       a separate Mouse Port for a "PS/2 type" mouse.  If we have such
       a Port, even better.  Attach your PS/2 type mouse to this special
       Port, use the PS/2 Mouse Driver furnished by the Mouse manufacturer,
       and relax, because this PS/2 type Mouse does NOT use one of the
       two Serial COM Ports above, and does NOT use either IRQ3 or IRQ4.
       Such a "PS/2 type" mouse or pointer device typically uses IRQ12.

 We are,  in any  case, using  COM1 IRQ4  (or COM2 IRQ3)  for our  external
 modem. Tell Procomm that the modem is on COM1 (or COM2) and Procomm, which
 knows the standard IRQ and BPA for COM1 (or COM2), has no problems.

 Ah, you say, but I have an "internal modem", not an "external" modem.

       An internal modem is a little more than an external modem.  It is
       also a new Serial COM Port as well as a modem.  It has its own UART
       and must be told what COM Port number it is, what IRQ to use, and
       what its BPA is.  (The UART is the chip that does the sending and
       receiving from the CPU to the Serial line.)

 The manufacturer may only have provided COM1, and if so on the Table above
 you  have only  checked  COM1 as  in use,  and COM2  is available  for the
 internal modem.   So you  can configure  the internal  modem, through  dip
 switches or jumpers, to operate on COM2,  IRQ3, BPA Address 02F8, and  all
 is well.  No conflicts.  Place a check mark in front of COM2  in the Table
 above.  COM2 is now in use.

 But if there are two "built-in" COM Ports, our problems begin.  We already
 have  "built-in"  Ports  COM1 and  COM2,  so the  internal  modem  must be
 assigned to a different COM Port, because COM1 and COM2 are checked as "in
 use" because they are there, whether or not anything is attached to them.

       Some computers offer the ability to "disable" a "built-in" COM
       Port.  If you can do that, then do so, and remove the check mark
       in front of that COM Port in the Table above, and install your
       internal modem for that "built-in but disabled" COM Port and at
       that COM Port's standard IRQ and BPA.

 Because we have COM1 (and IRQ4) and COM2 (and IRQ3) in use, we must choose
 another COM Port  number and assign  another IRQ to service  it.  We  have
 COM3 available  on the  Table above as  our next "in  sequence" COM  Port.
 (More on "in  sequence later".) Of course  COM3 wants to  use IRQ4, so  we
 need to find a different IRQ, an IRQ that is there in  the computer but is
 not being used.  Do we have one?

       In the normal computer there is almost an IRQ for every task.
       We have seen that there are two for the COM Ports.  There is one
       for our LPT1 (Printer Parallel Port 1.  And there is one for
       LPT2 (Printer Parallel Port 2).  Fortunately for us we do not use
       a second printer.  We can "steal" its IRQ, which is IRQ5. How do
       we find these IRQs and learn what they are attached to?  You
       probably have a utility such as the Norton, or the MSD program
       furnished with Windows.  These can tell you about the IRQs in your
       computer.  In some very extreme cases IRQ2 (which is cascaded to
       the second 8259 OIC chip in some computers) can be used, though
       some early machines used this for the hard drive.

 Having found  a spare  IRQ (IRQ5)  that is not  in use,  we configure  the
 internal modem (usually with dipswitches or jumpers on the modem board) to
 be COM3, serviced now by IRQ5, at the standard BPA address of COM3.  Check
 COM3  in the Table  above, noting that  in your computer it  uses IRQ5 now
 instead of IRQ4 as normally used.

        If we have still another serial device to configure, perhaps a
        second internal modem, then we have to go through the whole
        procedure again to find another free IRQ to use for this device
        to avoid a conflict with the normal IRQ3 (which is assigned to
        COM2), UNLESS we can disable the builtin COM2.  Perhaps this
        time we will be forced to use IRQ2. IRQ2 is mentioned above,
        but is not the most desirable choice of you can find another free
        IRQ in its place.

 If  we are using  a DOS Version of  Procomm PLUS we  must be  sure to tell
 Procomm PLUS that it is to use IRQ5 for COM3 (at Modem Port Assignments in
 the Alt-S  Setup program).  (This  is not  possible in  the old  shareware
 Procomm 2.4.x.)

 If  we  are using  Windows we  must  tell Windows  about  this use  of the
 different   IRQ   (IRQ5)    by   changing   things    at   Windows/Control
 Panel/Ports/Advanced.  Procomm uses the Windows comm driver, and that comm
 driver gets it  information from SYSTEM.INI which  is written to, in  this
 case, by Control Panel.  You  can write it yourself in SYSTEM.INI, if  you
 are comfortable doing so.  SYSTEM.INI should contain something like  this,
 in its  [386Enh] Section, IF you  have three COM  Ports with  the internal
 modem  setup  as above.    (This is  certainly not  the  complete [386Enh]
 section.)

                               [386Enh]
                               COM1Irq=4
                               COM1Base=03F8
                               COM2Irq=3
                               COM2Base=02F8
                               COM3Irq=5
                               COM3Base=03E8

 Earlier  we deferred discussion of a  few cautions about all  of this that
 should be mentioned.

 DOS has a  trick or two up  its sleeve.   When you boot  the computer, DOS
 creates an equipment list "scratchpad" into which  it enters the BPA (Base
 Port  address) of the COM  Ports.  But it  ONLY lists the BPA addresses of
 the first two COM Ports, COM1 and COM2,  not the BPA addresses of the COM3
 and COM4  if you have  them.   While Procomm, "Interrupt Driven",  doesn't
 need the BPA addresses of COM3 and COM4 for normal operation, it MUST have
 them for Host  Shell (in the DOS  Version) on these Ports.   In Host Shell
 Operations Procomm  redirects things to and  from the COM  Port, and to do
 this it must know  the BPA address of the COM Port  you are using.  So  at
 boot we must find  someway to enter the address of COM3 (or COM4, or both)
 in the equipment list "scratchpad".

 The 2nd  surprise comes when COM  Ports are installed but NOT in numerical
 sequence (e.g. 1, 2, 4 with no 3, or 1, 3, 4, with no 2).  DOS and Windows
 may just shift the installed COM Ports to the left to fill up the  blanks,
 thus creating  a situation  where a COM Port  address is  not where it  is
 supposed to  be.  Try  always to install COM Ports  in numerical sequence.
 Again there are ways to fix this.

 There are  utilities to correct both  of these problems in  one step.  The
 file COMPRT.COM  in Library  2 of the Datastorm  Forum, a  self-extracting
 archive,   should  be   obtained  and   de-archived,  and   the  contained
 COMPORTS.COM  used at  each boot to  write the addresses of  the COM Ports
 (above  COM2) into  the  scratchpad  area.    Just  add  a  line  in  your
 AUTOEXEC.BAT file to run COMPORTS at boot.  This does what DOS should have
 done  and doesn't.  The problem  can also be avoided  by instead running a
 little  DEBUG script at boot which  "fills in the spaces"  to prevent this
 shift to the left  for missing COM Ports.  In  a non-PS/2 environment with
 standard COM Port  BPA addresses, create a DEBUG script  named COMPORT.SCR
 in your root directory as a standard ASCII text file as follows:

                    E 0:0400 F8 03 F8 02 E8 03 E8 02
 
 In  your AUTOEXEC.BAT  add  the  line "DEBUG  < COMPORT.SCR"  without  the
 quotes. When run at each boot, this will add the standard BPA addresses of
 COM3 and  COM4 in the "scratchpad  area" so there  are "place markers" and
 the whole business can't "slip  left" and mess things up.  It simply does,
 once again, what DOS should have done and didn't.

 You may also  take note that some Video  boards may make use of an  IRQ or
 BPA  that is normally assigned to COM Ports, thus rendering the associated
 COM Port unusable.   The Diamond Stealth, for example, uses the BPA of COM
 4 while using IRQ2.  Some ARCnet cards can cause the similar problems.

 While we are here let's  mention that there are two common types of serial
 port  connectors for  modems.  One  is the DB25 family  connectors with 25
 pins, and the  other the DB9 family with 9  pins.  For proper operation of
 Procomm all 9 wires are needed in the DB9 family, and wires  1-8 and 20, a
 total of 9 conductors, must be run through on the DB25 connectors.  If you
 are forced to use  a 25 to 9 pin adaptor, make  sure that it carries all 9
 wires through.

 The Windows Terminal  program has its COM  Port configured through the use
 of the  Define Serial Port dialog box in Terminal,  and this is written to
 WIN.INI.

 Now, what was that "never-to-be-forgotten" rule again? Do you see how  and
 why we have managed to avoided breaking it?

                                     -end-



 ************************************************************************* 

                             IMPORTANT NOTICE!
                             =================

      STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the
 ST Advantage on DELPHI.   STReport readers are invited to join  DELPHI and
 become a  part of  a  friendly community  of enthusiastic  computer  users
 there.


                           SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
                           ======================

       Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
                   DELPHI services via a local phone call

                               JOIN -- DELPHI
                               --------------

                Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
                                  then...
                 When connected, press RETURN once or twice
                                   and...
                At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.

      DELPHI's  Basic Plan offers access  for only $6.00 per  hour, for any
 baud rate.   The $5.95 monthly  fee includes your first hour  online.  For
 more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is
 a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA.

                         Try DELPHI for $1 an hour!

      For a  limited time,  you can become  a trial member  of DELPHI,  and
 receive 5 hours of evening and weekend  access during this month for  only
 $5.  If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of
 the calendar month with  no further obligation.  If you keep  your account
 active,  you will automatically  be enrolled in DELPHI's  10/4 Basic Plan,
 where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a  month for a minimum
 $10 monthly charge, with  additional hours available at $3.96.  But hurry,
 this special trial  offer will expire  soon!   To take  advantage of  this
 limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636.  Press <RET> once or
 twice.   When  you get  the Password:  prompt, type  IP26 and  press <RET>
 again. Then,  just answer the questions  and within a  day or  two, you'll
 officially be a member of DELPHI!  

                 DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!

                                      
 *************************************************************************


 > INTELLISYSTEM STR InfoFile           Voice Response Expert System
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""



                       INTELLISYSTEM PRODUCT OVERVIEW
                       ==============================


 The IntelliSystem is a  Voice Response Expert System. It has been designed
 to automatically answer and resolve a significant percentage of the  calls
 coming into support centers. The exact information that customers need  is
 contained in its knowledge base. Customers can access this knowledge using
 a touch tone telephone, via a LAN or modem. The solutions can be delivered
 immediately over the phone,  fax'ed directly to a caller's fax machine, or
 displayed on a computer screen.

 The  knowledge base  is set  up to  simulate the  way a  technical support
 representative interacts with a caller to diagnose a caller's problem.  It
 will  ask several questions to  the caller, going from general to specific
 to  identify the  solution needed. The  time to arrive at  the solution is
 generally under four minutes. If  the resolution is not  found, the caller
 can be  escalated to a live  support representative, and  a summary of the
 caller's session  can be reviewed by the representative to  enable the rep
 to continue troubleshooting with reduced talk time.

 The  intelligence built  into Intellisystems'  patented  rule-based expert
 system, allows a  caller to quickly  arrive at  a solution  for even  very
 complex problems. Average  time-to-resolution is under four minutes. Every
 answer  a caller gives to a prompt is remembered. This information is then
 used to determine  which questions  or information will  follow. Extensive
 system reports facilitate improvement of the knowledge base in response to
 changing conditions.

 A valuable feature of the IntelliSystem is that diagnostic sessions can be
 saved  at any  time, allowing  a caller  to hang  up, perform  a suggested
 procedure or obtain  requested information, then call back and  resume the
 session where it was left off.

 The IntelliSystem consists of three major components:

 1.  The knowledge  base  which contains  domain-specific  information. The
 knowledge base  can be created,  reviewed and maintained on  a stand alone
 PC. It can even be distributed separately on a diskette.

 2. The  inference engine  which does the reasoning.  It makes  assumptions
 about  how  to  solve  a  problem, given  domain-specific  information. It
 manipulates the  information stored in the  knowledge base and information
 provided by the user to derive a solution to a problem.

 3. The user interface which can  be the touch tone telephone, a modem or a
 PC on a LAN. The user communicates  with the knowledge base by  responding
 to  prompts. The  answers  determine  what questions  or  information will
 follow.

 The IntelliSystem  phone server is built  on an AT  bus personal computer.
 Digitized  voice  processor boards  for  up to  24 lines  per  system, are
 supplied by  IntelliSystems as  part  of the  system license.  For  larger
 configurations, multiple 24-line systems can be configured together.

 The IntelliSystem  has become  an essential part of  the customer  support
 centers of major high technology companies such as Central Point Software,
 PowerUp Software, SunSoft, Corel, Aldus, Adobe,  Dell, Apple, and Fujitsu.
 It  allows  customers  to  diagnose  their own  problems  and  receive the
 information they  need to  use their products,  24 hours  a day,  7 days a
 week.


                  POWERFUL INTELLISYSTEM OPTIONS

 The IntelliSystem has a series of options that allow further leveraging of
 the  information in  the  product  knowledge base  and provide  a  logical
 extension to the phone interaction.

 INTELLIFAX

 This feature  provides an "Intelligent  Fax Retrieval"  capability to  the
 system. Making use of the inference capability  of the expert system,  the
 IntelliSystem will determine the exact fax document that a customer  needs
 to resolve a difficulty, request the fax machine phone number to which the
 document should be sent and then deliver it within a few minutes.  Support
 representatives can also initiate fax delivery requests from their own PCs
 by simply entering the document  number and the customer's fax number in a
 software utility  provided with IntelliFax. Both  DOS and Windows versions
 are provided. 

 Applications  of  this feature  include  the  delivery  of: specifications
 sheets,  requirement listings  (H/W,  S/W, Memory,  etc...),  error codes,
 supplementary   manual   information,   application   notes,   schematics,
 troubleshooting procedures, setup parameters, etc. 

 The  IntelliFax option  may  also be  setup  to  prompt the  caller  for a
 specific fax document  number before requesting the fax phone  number. The

 specific document will then be scheduled for delivery. The purpose of this
 capability  is to  allow callers  to obtain a  document whose  number they
 already know or to request a list of available fax documents.

 SESSIONVIEW

 Although the IntelliSystem has excellent problem-solving capabilities, not
 all callers will find a solution in the knowledge base. For those callers,
 the IntelliSystem  "escalates" the call to  a live support representative.
 SessionView  allows the  information that  the IntelliSystem  has gathered
 during an  interactive session with a  caller to be  transferred to a live
 representative.

 The   representative  can   then   pick  up   troubleshooting   where  the
 IntelliSystem left off.  This benefits the caller,  because he or she does
 not have  to restate  the problem, and benefits  the support  organization
 because of the productivity gains associated with reduced "talk time"  for
 support representatives.

 The SessionView summary is stored  in simple ASCII text files on a network
 server.  The files  are written  by the  IntelliSystem  as the  session is
 concluded and the caller  transfer is initiated.  These files may then  be
 accessed  immediately  via  a  small  "display"  program  on  the  support
 representative's PC.

 MODEM ACCESS OPTION

 This feature  provides an  added dimension to the  system knowledge  base.
 Through a connection  via modem or stand-alone serial terminal,  users can
 proceed through an IntelliSystem diagnostic session by answering questions
 presented on  their  computer  screen.  The  information they  require  is
 presented after  a brief  interactive  session with  the system.  It  also
 allows users  who do not have a touch-tone phone (or prefer a screen based
 environment) to access the same knowledge base. 

 KNOWLEDGEVIEW

 KnowledgeView provides visual access to the same knowledge base as that on
 the  IntelliSystem Phone  Server. It  allows the  running of  a diagnostic
 session on any stand-alone PC or workstation on a  network. It is designed
 to operate on a PC  LAN of the type  usually found in a  Technical Support
 Department or Help  Desk. The program presents a menu  driven environment,
 and  establishes a consultation  session with the user.  By entering their
 answers to the screen  prompts, support staff  are led to the  information
 they need  to resolve a particular  problem. KnowledgeView is particularly
 helpful in environments  where new hires or seasonal personnel  are taking
 support calls,  as it helps to  make them more  productive sooner in their
 training cycle. 

 KnowledgeView can also be used to assist in the  design and testing of new
 knowledge  bases by allowing  verification by users (domain  experts) in a
 network   environment.  It  allows  them  to   become  familiar  with  the
 information  on the IntelliSystem,  making it easy for  them to contribute
 suggestions for additions and improvements to the knowledge base.

 The IntelliSystem knowledge base and KnowledgeView could be distributed on
 a diskette  or CD ROM to major corporate customers,  distributors or field
 offices. This further leverages the knowledge base and provides users with
 a  ready-made  diagnostic utility  to  allow  troubleshooting  of problems
 before having to place a call into a call center.

 INTELLISYSTEMS INC.  - RENO, NEVADA   1 (800)  637-8400  Call  for DEMO or
 Information (c) Copyright Intellisystems Inc. - 1989,90,91,92,93




 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

      Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
                      Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
               Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
                          Wait for the U#= prompt.

                  Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.

          GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
            Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
                                                        
                                                         
  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 | Welcome to the GEnie - MUG RT
 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |   The GEnie - Macintosh Users Group RoundTable
 |   ============================================
 |______________________________________________________________________.
 |=[]==================== Tonight in the RTC ===========================|
 .__________________________________..__________________________________.
 |=[]====== Hosted by... ===========||==== Top 10 Downloads - 06/93 ====|
 |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""|
 | Kent Fillmore ............ DRACO ||  29096 TIDBITS#180/14-JUN-93     |
 | Tom Weishaar ............. TOM.W ||  29113 CD-ROM TOOLKIT UP INFO.   |
 | David W. Reid .. (Unk) DAVE.REID ||  29080 STAR TREK CLOCK.SIT       |
 | -{  SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS  }-  ||  29089 ICONDESIGNER3.0.SIT       |
 | Education .... (Rob) R.WHITELOCK ||  29106 DELTATIME 1.1.0.SIT       |
 | Mac Hardware .. (Nick) N.PASSINO ||  29092 RADIOACTION.SEA           |
 |                   "J" (W.GLENN1) ||  29062 FILE BUDDY 1.6.2.SIT      |
 | Games ......... (Bart) MAC.GAMES ||  29059 BUTTONPAD V2.0.SIT        |
 | Telecommunity ..... (Kent) DRACO ||  29093 ZTERM-11-FAQ.TXT          |
 | PowerBooks... (Doc) D.E.JOHNSTON ||  29099 CD-ROM TOOLKIT 1.0.1 UPD  |
 | ----{  SOFTWARE LIBRARY  }-----  || ________________________________ |
 | Chief Librarian: RANDY.SIMON     || *** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***    |
 | Asst Librarian: (Steve) S.MACK   || For COMPLETE info ..and TIPS on  |
 | Asst Librarian: (Anne) ANNE-INDA || d/ling be sure to read: item #4  |
 | Asst Librarian:  P.VALIQUETTE    || p605 - "About The RoundTable"    |
 !__________________________________!!__________________________________!
 .__________________________________..__________________________________.
 |=[]===== Weekly RTC Schedule =====||=[]===== Help Desk Schedule ======|
 |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""|
 |        (All Times Eastern)       ||         (All Times EDT)          |
 |                                  ||                                  |
 | Educational Mac Mon. 9:45pm Rm 3 || Rm 1   Mon-Fri    9:00pm-12:00am |
 | Hackers Nite M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 || Rm 1   Sunday    10:30pm-12:00am |
 | About PowerBooks Tue 9:45pm Rm 2 || ________________________________ |
 | HyperTalks (M480;2) 10:30pm Rm 1 ||    To enter the GEnie-MUG RTC    |
 | Telecommunity   Wed  9:45pm Rm 2 ||         type MOVE 605;2          |
 | Macintosh Games Wed 10:30pm Rm 3 |!__________________________________!
 | Macintosh H'ware Thr 9:45pm Rm 2 |.__________________________________.
 | Hackers Nite M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 ||=[]==== Online Servant RTC =======|
 | Sunday Night Fights  9:00pm Rm 3 ||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""|
 |                                  ||   Every 2nd Sunday of the month  |
 |  Type M605;2 to enter the RTC    ||  in the MacPRO RTC, page 480;2   |
 !__________________________________!!__________________________________!

 GEnie-MUG NEWS  issue #28  talks about  changing minds,  PowerBook  memory
 installation tips, tricks,  peeks, pipples and pointers, ClarisWorks users
 united,  Macintosh   SE  sunk   pictures,  PowerBook   SCSI  black  magic,
 deskwriters, and  door-to-door salespeople  and other special  characters.
 Curious? It won't hurt---just select option #5 on the next menu!

   /--------------------------------------------------------------------\
   | * GEnie-MUG NEWS *              for the week of 9/20/93 - issue 28 |
   |--------------------------------------------------------------------|
   | What's Hot and Happening This Week In GEnie's Macintosh User Group |
   \--------------------------------------------------------------------/
               GEnie-MUG News Editor: Eric Mueller (DLAND.ERIC)
              entire contents copyright 1993 by Eric C. Mueller

 WELCOME to the GEnie-MUG RoundTable newsletter! This quick  bulletin gives
 you  an  idea  of  what's  cooking  in  the  GEnie  Macintosh  User  Group
 (GEnie-MUG). I'm  Eric Mueller, and  I write this file every  week so that
 you  can  find the  action  in GEnie-MUG:  the latest  controversy  in the
 bulletin board, the hottest files in the library, and the hippest chats in
 the RTC  rooms. I'm always  interested in your comments on  this file, and
 would love to hear them.

 If  you're  new  to  GEnie or  GEnie-MUG,  you  can read  about  GEnie-MUG
 (including  information on what GEnie-MUG  has to offer and  the layout of
 the system)  by typing "M 605;4". Additionally, the GEnie-MUG help desk (a
 live hotline) is  available six days a week in  the GEnie-MUG RTC (type "M
 605;2" then choose room 1). For more information and  a schedule of times,
 type "M 605;4".

 GOT DEM POWERBOOK MEMORY BLUES? It's not unheard of... upgrading PowerBook
 memory isn't  always a piece  of cake. Some memory  distributors include a
 free videotape with  the memory  you buy,  explaining how  to install  the
 memory into  your PowerBook! But if  you don't have  a VCR---or  you don't
 want to go out and buy memory just for a silly tape---you can find out all
 you need to know right here on GEnie-MUG! This Tuesday night, we're having
 a  conference to talk about  PowerBook RAM installation. Have you done it?
 Are you going to do it? Come and talk about it, either way. You're invited
 to join Doc Johnston  at the  PowerBook RTC, Tuesday,  September 21st,  at
 9:45 p.m. Eastern time. (To visit the GEnie-MUG RTC rooms, type "m605;2".)

 CHANGE  YOUR MIND  OFTEN? It's  okay on  the Mac,  because you  can almost
 always click "Cancel" or press command-period to stop what's going  on....
 but notice  I said  "almost."  When you  launch  an application  from  the
 Finder, you're kind of stuck with whatever you've started, and you have to
 wait until the program completes launching, and then pick "Quit." This can
 be  quite a  wait, if  you accidentally  launch something  like PageMaker.
 However, all  that  has  changed, with  the  development  of BAIL,  a  new
 utility. With Bail, you have three seconds  to abort the launching of  any
 application. As the application loads,  you can click the  mouse to "bail"
 back to the Finder. If you change your mind a lot---or accidentally launch
 PageMaker often (hey, it  could happen!), check out  BAIL, file #30151  in
 the GEnie-MUG libraries. (To get to the GEnie-MUG libraries, type "m605;3"
 and then "6" to download a file.)

 CLARISWORKS  USERS, UNITE...  oh, wait,  it looks  like you  already have.
 According to information in the GEnie-MUG bulletin board, the  ClarisWorks
 User  Group  is crankin' right along, with truckloads of  useful, powerful
 ClarisWorks  tips, tricks, picks, pocks and pooples (...with apologies  to
 Beagle Bros).  In other  words, if  you're a  ClarisWorks user,  there's a
 group of others  just like   you who  are swapping  information on  making
 ClarisWorks do  things that will amaze  and astound you.  Never feel alone
 again; never  be the lone  ClarisWorker in the crowd. Find  out more about
 the  CWUG---read GEnie-MUG  bulletin  board category  2  ("SOFTWARE: Daily
 Business"), topic 49 ("ClarisWorks"),  messages 45  through the end of the
 topic and find out for yourself.

 MAC SE PICTURE SUNK? It is for GEnie-MUGger Leigh Lundin, whose Mac SE/30
 monitor  is doing  some strange things.  It seems that the  picture on his
 SE/30 has sunk down into the lower left corner of the screen, placing part
 of the image tucked down  behind the plastic holding the monitor in place.
 What's  a Mac  user to do?  Leigh popped the case,  looking for adjustment
 dials and knobs,  but came up empty-handed.  He's turning to GEnie-MUGgers
 across the nation for help, in category 20 ("MACINTOSH: 512/KE, Plus, SE &
 Classic"), topic 16 ("Monitor Problems"). Can you help him out?

 SCSI CONNECTIONS are a  black art,  that much we  agree on.  But when  you
 factor  in PowerBooks,  you're talking  about  summoning  demons from  the
 depths of... well, okay, maybe it's not  that bad, but there is  something
 particularly  heinous  about   attaching  SCSI  devices  to  a  PowerBook.
 GEnie-MUGger Kirk  Hollingsworth is  trying to  attach a  standard SyQuest
 (removable-cartridge) drive to  his PowerBook  170, with little  luck. Doc
 Johnston, our resident PowerBook guru  and all-around good guy,  suggested
 an entire  checklist of PowerBook SCSI  tips; a  checklist that should  be
 etched in stone, I  think. If you're having  PowerBook SCSI problems,  see
 category 25 ("MACINTOSH: PowerBook"), topic 4 ("Mac PowerBooks"), messages
 273-275. And good luck!

 DESKWRITERS ACROSS THE nation are  wondering what the best paper is to use
 with their HP  DeskWriter printers, and the  answer is... we're  not sure.
 Actually, the answer is more specific than that: some papers definitely do
 not work  well (those with  low rag  content), and some papers  definitely
 work fabulously  (those with  high  rag content,  of course!).  What's  in
 between?  Photocopy paper,   laser paper, and more.  GEnie-MUGgers talk it
 out  in   category  33  ("HARDWARE:  Output   Hardware"),  topic  33  ("HP
 DeskWriter"), messages 86 through the end of the topic.

 DOOR-TO-DOOR  SALESPEOPLE are  still  out there,  hawking  everything from
 cookies to Fuller brushes to salvation, but what about life insurance? You
 don't see many of those door-to-door life insurance guys anymore, and it's
 probably because  GEnie-MUG has the  market cornered  for life  insurance,
 Mac-style! Available in the GEnie-MUG libraries now, MacLifeInsurance is a
 set of  two Control  Panels that  protect your  work from system  crashes,
 accidental deletions, power outages, disk corruption, and other disasters.
 The first  Control Panel, MacLifeInsurance-FileSaver, protects  you at the
 file level  by automatically saving files  for you.  (You can specify  how
 often   the   file   should   be  saved.)   The   other   Control   Panel,
 MacLifeInsurance-KeySaver,  protects  you at  the  'keystroke  level,'  by
 recording  every key you press so  that you'll always be  able to retrieve
 your work,  no matter what  happens to  your Mac. Don't  take chances with
 your work;  get MacLifeInsurance.  The monthly premiums  are... free!  The
 only cost involved is downloading the file,  number #30098 in the GE-  MUG
 libraries. Enjoy, and work healthy!

 LOOKING  FOR  A  SPECIAL  character, but  can't  stand  the  Keycaps  desk
 accessory?
 Keycaps is useful sometimes,  but it's a drag when you want to check out a
 font fast: opening and closing the desk accessory, changing fonts from the
 menu, looking at the keyboard map and trying to  figure out what the right
 key  combination is to select a special character can be a hassle! Instead
 of doing  all that, check out  POPCHAR, a cool  extension to  automate the
 process.  With POPCHAR,  you can  click in  the corner  of the  screen, no
 matter  what application  you're  in, and  instantly---POOF!---all  of the
 characters in the font are displayed.  You can click one of them,  and the
 character will be  typed for you automatically! No  muss, no fuss, no ring
 around  the  Font Manager.  Interested?    Check out  file  #30173  in the
 GEnie-MUG libraries, post-haste!

 THAT'S  ALL  for  this week.  Until  next  week,  continue  to  soar  with
 Macintosh!

           ______________________________________________________




 > MAC Mania! STR Editorial
   ------------------------

                                 Mac Mania
                                 =========

 by Randy Noak, Editor, MAC Report


      WHAT! A Macintosh column in STReport? Yep.  After all the ST in
 STReport does stand for Silicon Times and Macs are full of silicon.  Hmmm.

 Anyhow, beyond that tenuous connection, many Atari users are moving to the
 Macintosh platform.  Since System 7 and GEM share a common ancestry,
 anyone using an Atari will find moving to the Macintosh a relatively
 painless procedure.  Notice that I said, "relatively painless"? There are
 just enough differences to make life, umm, interesting, and to, hopefully
 make this column interesting, and informative reading.  In the weeks
 ahead, I'll be doing my best to entertain and inform any STReport readers
 thinking of moving to, or already using, Macintosh computers.   I've been
 told that I can write about whatever I wish, so this _could_ be very
 interesting.  Besides pontificating on whatever subject I feel like, I may
 do a question and answer thing, summarize some on-line stuff, tell you
 about Mac things I receive from the US Postal Service (and maybe some
 non-Mac things too), review a software package or two, grab some freebies
 at trade shows, and whatever else I think might be beneficial to STReport
 readers.  So here goes!

      So that we might get to know each other a little, I thought I might
 give you a little background info on myself.  I started computing way back
 in the days of the Atari 400.  16K and a 410 Program Recorder.  Those were
 the days.  NOT! From there, I went to a 1040 ST with  an extra external
 floppy drive.  Eventually, I ended up with 2.5 megs crammed in that small
 1040 case and a 20 meg hard drive.  A real "power" system.  I learned
 PageStream and Touch Up and all the Atari programs I needed to  get my
 publishing business off the ground.  Even though those programs were good,
 I found my self wishing that I could do more.  I moved up to an Atari
 TT030, but even though it was fast, it still lacked features that I wanted
 (such as 8-bit graphics), and the software still wouldn't let me do some
 basic things (leader tabs) that I needed.

      As I read about DTP and graphics programs for Macintosh computers, I
 realized that Macintosh software had the features I desired, so I picked
 up a Spectre GCR cartridge to enable me to fill some of the holes in my 
 Atari programs with the plethora of features available in Macintosh
 programs.  It didn't take me long to realize that, for the most part,
 Macintosh software far surpassed Atari software in both features and ease
 of use and I began to lust after a "real" Macintosh.  I waited, knowing
 that eventually, prices would come down to my personal point of
 afford-ability.  As it turned out, I waited, and waited, and waited, and
 waited as Apple introduced new machines that either didn't have the
 features I wanted or cost too much.  Finally, Apple introduced the LC III.

 At last, a system that I could afford (sort of), that had the 
 "horsepower" to do what I wanted it to do .  I priced  LC III's at my
 local dealer, checked the mail order prices and bought a Performa 450 from
 Sears.  The 450 is the same as an LC III (68030, 25mHz, 4 megs, built-in
 8-bit video), but includes a monitor, keyboard, mouse, fax modem, and
 lotsa pre-loaded software, including Claris Works that is extra when
 buying an LC III.  The price was good and, of course, my Performa is
 backed by Sears.   No worries about service there.  I've since added an 8
 meg SIMM (to bring me up to 12 meg memory), a Syquest drive and a CD-ROM
 drive, and I plan to add a video SIMM to give me 16-bit color. 
 All-in-all, I'm pretty happy with my system.

      I've been learning software since I bought my Mac, and it's been a
 lot of fun.   Learning some of the ins-and-outs of Aldus PageMaker 5.0,
 Adobe Illustrator 5.0 Deluxe, Color It, Datebook and Touchbase Pro, and
 Claris Works among others has given me a good understanding about the Mac
 GUI, I think.  I reactivated my Compuserve account, and have been using
 Compuserve Navigator to, well, navigate Compuserve.  I've gotten an
 America OnLine account and have been checking out that service as well. 
 I'm still on GEnie, of course, and anxiously await for the long-promised
 Mac version of Aladdin to arrive.  In short, I've been busy.

      I'm constantly amazed by the friendly and knowledgeable (and
 ex-Atari) people that I've met in the Mac areas of all the services, but I
 guess that's just part of the Mac "thing".  Support, friendliness, new
 software, service.  What a platform!

      Well, enough about me.  Now it's your turn to let me know about you. 
 Let me know what you'd like to see in this column.  Tell me what type of
 Mac you're using and what your interests are.  Please feel free to send 
 your comments or questions to:

 Compuserve: 70323,1031
 GEnie: R.NOAK

          ________________________________________________________



 > FRAMEMAKER STR InfoFile                  More Than 100 New Features
   """""""""""""""""""""""



                  FRAME TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES FRAMEMAKER 4
                 FOR UNIX, WINDOWS, AND MACINTOSH PLATFORMS


 More  Than 100  New Features  Add Power  and Ease-of-Use  to Award-Winning
 FrameMaker

 SAN JOSE, CA, September 13, 1993 - Frame Technology(R) announced today the
 release  of FrameMaker(R)  4, its  next-generation writing  and publishing
 software for  UNIX,  Windows,  and  Macintosh  platforms.    FrameMaker  4
 includes over  100  new features  and enhancements  designed  to  increase
 users'  productivity  for   producing  demanding  business  and  technical
 documents.

 FrameMaker 4 provides a complete solution for companies that can no longer
 meet their publishing needs using traditional word processing and  desktop
 publishing products.

 FrameMaker 4's new  features are designed to add more  flexibility, power,
 and ease-of-use to the product. Specifically, these new features fall into
 five major categories:

 *       Improved user interface

 *       More powerful formatting tools

 *       Advanced color and graphics support

 *       Improved information management capabilities

 *       Extensible architecture

 FrameMaker  4  is targeted  at business  and  technical  professionals who
 create,   manage,  and   distribute  "demanding"   documents.  "Demanding"
 documents  typically have  a  long lifecycle,  are frequently  revised and
 updated, and  contain complex  document content  and formatting. Important
 elements of  these  documents  include  multiple  chapters,  automatically
 numbered  sections, tables and illustrations, cross-references, footnotes,
 indexes, and multi-level tables of contents.

 Examples of demanding  documents range  from business plans  and financial
 reports  to  books, manuals,  and  procedure  guides.  Increasingly, these
 documents  are being  written  and published  in a  collaborative,  multi-
 platform environment.   Often they require constant revision and updating,
 and  are  distributed  electronically  to  save  time  and  money.     The
 single-user desktop publishing and word processing models of the 1980s can
 no longer adequately address the complex publishing requirements  of these
 documents. But FrameMaker 4's publishing model enables multiple authors to
 collaborate  on    demanding  documents  in  a  networked,  cross-platform
 environment    and   distribute   these   documents   electronically   for
 cost-effective on-line viewing.

 SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-PLATFORM AVAILABILITY
 =============================================
 The  introduction  of  FrameMaker  4  marks  the  first  time  Frame   has
 simultaneously released  a product on leading  UNIX and  desktop platforms
 including  Sun and HP  workstations running X/Motif, the  Apple Macintosh,
 and PCs running Microsoft Windows. Unlike any other writing or  publishing
 application, FrameMaker 4  files can  be shared  transparently across  all
 these  platforms,  with no  file conversion.  FrameMaker  conforms  to the
 native  user interface  on which it  runs so users can  work with familiar
 menus and commands. In addition, FrameMaker takes advantage of the  unique
 capabilities of each platform by supporting platform-specific features.

 NEW FEATURES
 ===============
 FrameMaker 4  provides a  rich writing  and editing  environment, advanced
 color capabilities, automated page layout, long document handling, and the
 ability  to easily  incorporate complex  graphics and  multimedia elements
 into  documents.   FrameMaker  4 also  includes a  context-sensitive  Help
 feature that uses hypertext  links to guide users through its on-line Help
 system.

 Frame has redesigned the FrameMaker 4 user interface to  improve access to
 frequently-used features, making the product easier to learn and use.  For
 example, FrameMaker's menus can  be customized to support different styles
 of  working. Users can view complete  menus, quick menus (a  subset of the
 complete menus),  or even  customized menus. By adding  flexible menus  to
 FrameMaker 4,  VARs (Value Added Resellers) and  system administrators can
 customize FrameMaker to meet specific user needs.

 A new  C-based Applications Programming Interface  (API) enables corporate
 in-house development  organizations, systems integrators, and  third-party
 software  developers  to   create  powerful   application  extensions   to
 FrameMaker 4. Details regarding a Frame Developer's Kit (FDK) and  Frame's
 new API certification program for VARs will be announced at a later date.

 Other new features of FrameMaker 4 include:

 *       A document comparison feature that provides a detailed
         comparison report on the differences between two versions of a    
         document

 *       Enhanced color support for PANTONE(R), CMYK, RGB, and HLS color
         models

 *       The ability to easily prepare and print spot and process color
         separations, including process color separations of Encapsulated
         PostScript and DCS color images

 *       An easy-access Formatting ruler to quickly select paragraph
         alignment settings such as left-, center- or right-alignment,line
         spacing, and tab settings

 *       Styles by example, a method that enables users to design
         paragraph formats visually and store them in a catalog for future 
         use

 *       Automatic placement of side- and run-in heads

 *       A Quick Access bar that provides single-click access to the
         most commonly used commands (Mac and Windows only)

 *       Arbitrary rotation of text and graphics

 *       A built-in Thesaurus

 *       Eight different dashed-line patterns

 *       Improved hypertext commands and automatic generation of
         hypertext links

 As with  previous versions, FrameMaker 4  incorporates timesaving features
 such  as   intelligent  tables,   FrameMath(TM),  conditional   text,  and
 electronic distribution of documents using FrameViewer(R).

 Files created in FrameMaker 3.0 are directly usable with FrameMaker 4; all
 formatting is completely preserved.

 UPGRADE INFORMATION
 =======================
 FrameMaker 4 will be available in U.S. and International English,  French,
 German, and Swedish versions. The product is available through  authorized
 U.S.  dealers,  value-added  resellers,  and  international  distributors.
 FrameMaker  3.0  customers  with  a  currently  active FrameMaker  Support
 Subscription (FSS) will automatically receive the  FrameMaker 4 upgrade at
 no cost. Customers who  purchased FrameMaker 3.0 after August 15, 1993 are
 eligible to receive a no-cost upgrade to FrameMaker 4.

 NORTH AMERICAN PRICING & AVAILABILITY
 =========================================
 FrameMaker  4 will be available  in late September for PCs running Windows
 and Apple  Macintoshes at a  suggested retail price of  $895. FrameMaker 4
 will also be available in  late September for Sun  SPARCs and compatibles,
 and Hewlett- Packard computers running X/Motif at a suggested retail price
 of $1495 for a personal license, and $2595 for a shared license. 

 Upgrade  pricing  for  Macintosh  and  Windows platforms  is  $199.   UNIX
 Personal license  upgrades  including 1  year  of  technical  support  and
 upgrades  are $895($695  through 12/31/93).  UNIX Shared  license upgrades
 including 1 year of technical support and upgrades are $1295($995  through
 12/31/93).

 For international  pricing and  distribution  information, please  contact
 Frame International Ltd. (011) 353-1- 8429-566.

 FRAME TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
 ==================================
 Frame Technology  provides award-winning  writing and  publishing software
 for  the  creation and  distribution of  demanding business  and technical
 documents.  Frame's products are compatible across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX
 platforms,  enabling  companies  to increase  productivity  by  leveraging
 valuable  corporate data.  Frame Technology  is a  publicly-traded company
 (NASDAQ:FRAM) located  at 1010 Rincon Circle,  San Jose,  California 95131
 USA.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION
 ========================
                              Frame Technology
                                Carol Kaplan
                               (408) 428-6143

                            Copithorne & Bellows
                                Steve Jursa
                               (415) 966-8700

 Frame  Technology,  FrameMaker,  FrameViewer,  and  Frame  are  registered
 trademarks,  and FrameBuilder,  FrameMath, and  Frame Developer's  Kit are
 trademarks of  Frame Technology Corporation.  All other product names  are
 trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.


              _______________________________________________



 > Atari News STR FOCUS!
   """""""""""""""""""""



                         WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ATARI?
                         ==========================


 By Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
 Editor Emeritus

 A compilation of some of the more interesting questions and answers from 
 the 9/3/93 "Dateline Atari! with Bob Brodie" conference  on the GEnie ST 
 RT.  Captures of the conference were furnished to STReport by one of our 
 readers.

 In short, most of Bob's introductory comments were devoted to the Jaguar 
 and Lynx.  There are two new Lynx titles in stock, Lemmings and Jimmy 
 Connors Tennis. Lemmings is a conversion of the computer game and allows 
 the Lynx's colors to show their true power.  Jimmy Connors Tennis is a 
 4-meg tennis game with digitized sound.
  
 Two other games, Malibu Bikini Beach Volleyball and Ninja Gaiden III are 
 due to start in production and it's hoped that Eye of the Beholder might 
 be out by Christmas.
  
 Even before the first Jaguar has reached the shelves, it is attracting 
 attention from many different fronts.  Retailers, media, techies and 
 developers are all showing great interest in the Jaguar.  While Atari 
 was pushing the Jaguar as a home entertainment system, others are seeing 
 the Jaguar in different ways - using it as a main board in coin-operated 
 video games, Virtual Reality, and more. One person even wondered about 
 hooking the Jaguar up to the Falcon [Atari has no plans to do this yet].
  
 When asked if Atari planned to go into Europe with the Jaguar, Bob said 
 that Atari has plans to move into Europe in the first half of 1994.  It 
 is expected that London will be first, followed by Paris and Frankfurt.
  
 What about dealers like Toad Computers?   While Bob admitted that Atari 
 hadn't solidified their dealer plans yet, he felt that dealers like Toad 
 would be able to buy Jaguars after the holidays. The initial introduc-
 tion would still be in NY and San Francisco.
  
 The Jaguar production is still on schedule.  Sam Tramiel was in North 
 Carolina when the first pilot production run units came off of the line.

 What about the Lynx? Atari decided to postpone the summer promotions for 
 the Lynx and make a combined effort when the Jaguar comes to market. Ads 
 for the Lynx will be coming out then.  Atari will be using the Jaguar as 
 "leverage" to get stores to also carry the Lynx.  While it won't be on a 
 1-to-1 basis (you gotta take one Lynx for each Jaguar you buy) it should 
 result in the Lynx being on more store shelves. Bob feels that the Lynx, 
 and its games, will soon be back in stores like Electronic Boutique - if 
 they aren't by now.

 A developer asked why they should develop for the Jaguar instead of the 
 more established Sega and Nintendo machines.  Two of Bob's reasons for 
 developing for the Jaguar were. Power, more power than any other compar-
 ible system on the market will allow the developer to create games that 
 can only be dreamed of on other systems, and Price. Aggressive pricing 
 along with advanced technology. [Editor's Note: Another reason is that 
 with the Jaguar you can get in on the ground floor - on the other sys-
 tems you'll just be a face in the already over-crowded crowd.]

 One of the reasons that Bob thinks programmers and technicians are imp-
 ressed with the Jaguar is the ability of being able to write directly to 
 the hardware with no operating system to hinder them.

 Some of the other questions asked were about CD Rom games, would the CD 
 Rom drive work on other Atari computers, what about a battery backed 
 Jaguar, what type of monitor does the Jaguar RGB port work with, and is 
 there a keyboard attachment for the Jaguar.

 Currently all games developed for the Jaguar will be cartridge products, 
 unlike the card types available for the Lynx, with the CD Rom games 
 expected to be available next year. The CD ROM drive for the Jaguar "is 
 designed to fit into a special spot on the Jaguar case, and plug into 
 the cartridge port."  Not only that, but the player has a "pass through" 
 cartridge port, so you can play games on cartridge while the CD Rom 
 drive is installed. Currently a battery backed system is being discussed 
 and is possible in the future. As far as the type of monitor needed, Bob 
 said, "the Jaguar is incredibly versatile in the way that it handles 
 video. There are plans to have an accessory that will handle composite 
 RGB output." Bob did not know of any plans for a keyboard attachment but 
 he did say "there will be a DSP expansion port, that is envisioned as 
 being something that interactive media (including modems) could take 
 advantage of."

         Now for some Falcon and TT related questions and answers

 What about advertising and promotion for the Falcon?  With PC sales be-
 ing so bad, Atari has changed its plans and will use its resources to 
 give the Jaguar the "big push". Once the Jaguar is a success, then Atari 
 will use some of those profits to promote the Falcon.  Bob said, "How-
 ever, we are still committed to the Falcon. We believe in it, and intend 
 to support it."

 There are plans in the works for a higher end Falcon [Ed Note: maybe 
 the Falcon040?] but nothing that can be announced yet.

 The original LDW deal fell through but Atari is still investigating its 

 options.  Bob thought that Blackmail, the voice mail program for the 
 Falcon, was still awaiting FCC approval.

 There is no specific Falcon VAR program available. Atari makes sure the 
 VAR is legitimate and treats them like a normal dealer.

 Until Atari's 14 meg memory upgrade boards are ready, Bob recommends the 
 Ram Gizmo board from Chro-Magic Software.  For those who want a 14-meg, 
 no HD configured Falcon, Atari has no plans to produce one but you can 
 create your own by buying a 1-meg, no HD Falcon and adding the Chro-
 Magic RAM Gizmo.
  
 Will there be any problems due to DRAM price increases? Bob didn't think 
 that would be a problem for the Falcon or Jaguar.  He felt that most of 
 the increases in DRAM prices to be artificial. That the US semiconductor 
 companies are again a major factor, and with Apple's sales slump, there 
 will more than enough DRAM product available for other companies.
  
 Can the Falcon access the Atari Laser Printer, SLM605?  Bob didn't know 
 why the SLM-to-Falcon interfaces haven't shown up yet and what the hold-
 up is. The reason the DMA port on the Falcon was eliminated was to bring 
 the Falcon "more in line with the standards that the rest of the comput-
 ing world" is using.  That's why they also did away with the floppy disk 
 port on the Falcon.

 People ask why the Falcon was built with a 16mhz rate. According to Bob, 
 "the reason that we used a 16Mhz 030 was because of the way that our 
 system works. We don't just rely on the CPU in order to make the system 
 work. We have an DSP chip, DMA, and FPU chip that are all available to 
 take the workload off of the CPU."

 Have the new lot of TT's arrived yet?  There's still no answer on how 
 many are expected, when they'll arrive and any changes that might have 
 been made to them.
  

              ________________________________________________



 > NOVA CARD NEWS! STR InfoFile              NOVA SPECS and UPDATE NEWS!
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""




 NOTICE:

                          SPECIAL NOVA CARD UPDATE
                          ========================


 Announcement from Lexicor Software Corp.
 ----------------------------------------


      The NOVA  Mega and the NOVA VME 16M now have the same price of 599.99
 U$D. The  price for the SUPERNOVA  has not changed  and will  cost: 999.99
 U$D.   The 32K Graphic  Card is only  available on Special Order  and will
 cost 429 U$D both the Mega  and the VME. For these Card's there may be  an
 added handling Price.

 Shipping cost are excluded from these prices.

 Technical Specifications
 ------------------------


 NOVA Megabus 16M
 ----------------
 Maximum Frame Rate        : 90Mhz
 Video RAM                 : 1 Megabyte
 RAMtype                   : DRAM
 Maximum Color's           : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit)
 Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1024x768 in 256 Color's
 Maximum Resolution (15bit): 768x512
 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 640x400
 Virtual Resolution        : YES
 Automatic REZ Switch      : YES
 Upgradable                : YES
 VDI for 24bit             : YES
 VMG                       : YES
 HARDWARE Accelerator      : NO


 NOVA VME 16M
 ------------
 Maximum Frame Rate        : 90MHz
 Video RAM                 : 1 Megabyte
 RAMtype                   : DRAM
 Maximum Color's           : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit)
 Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1088x832 in 256 Color's
 Maximum Resolution (15bit): 800x600
 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 640x480
 Virtual Resolution        : YES
 Automatic REZ Switch      : YES
 Upgradable                : YES
 VDI for 24bit             : YES
 VMG                       : YES
 HARDWARE Accelerator      : NO


 SUPERNOVA
 ---------
 Maximum Frame Rate        : 135MHz
 Video RAM                 : 2 Megabytes
 RAMType                   : VRAM
 Maximum Color's           : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit)
 Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1280x1024
 Maximum Resolution (15bit): 1024x768
 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 800x600
 Virtual Resolution        : YES
 Automatic REZ Switch      : YES
 Upgradable                : YES
 VDI for 24bit             : YES
 VMG                       : YES
 HARDWARE Accelerator      : YES


 For more information check  our previous  releases on the  NOVA Card.  The
 Virtual Resolution are  programmable via the VMG. The  VDI of the NOVA has
 proven to  be very  compatible with our Software  and many  other Software
 applications as well.

 There  is  also a  NOVA  Special disk  available soon  that has  some NOVA
 Specific program's on it, including NOVA Mines,  the game, and the special
 Calamus  SL driver  that will  enable  Calamus SL  to  run in  15/16bit in
 15/16bit color mode.

                                                   Yat Siu
                                              Lexicor Software Europe



                      LEXICOR SOFTWARE CORP.
                        1726 Francisco ST.
                        Berkeley, CA 94703

                        Phone 510-848-7621
                        FAX   510-848-7613



      _______________________________________________________________



 > NVN NEWS & UPDATES! STR FOCUS!
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""



                       NVN - IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER!
                       ==============================



 Effective Immediately, the non-prime rate will be lowered from $5/hour  to
 $3/hour, and this includes 9600 baud access!  That's right, you'll be able
 to  download, conference and  use other Premium services  for only $3/hour
 during non-prime time.  A lower rate wonUt be found anywhere for 9600 baud
 access!

 NVN  will begin  to bill prime  and non-prime rates according  to the time
 zone in  which your call  originates.  That  is, you'll no  longer have to
 remember to dial in according to Central time.  In order to implement this
 change and more accurately reflect our costs, the prime time hours will be
 changed  (on September 1) to 7:00am-6:00pm  in your time zone.   Using the
 NVN Network will be more convenient than ever!

                    You can join NVN one of two ways...
              By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services)
                     or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092.


                               NVN HIGHLIGHTS
                               --------------

  1. For the newcomers....
  2. *** COMING SOON ---> *** LOWER RATES *** AND OTHER EXCITING CHANGES!  
   3. We have some NEW Forum Commands for you; that's just the beginning!
  4. The Business Opportunities Handbook is now online!
  5. If you shop by mail, this service is for you...
  6. The Computer Networking Forum opens its doors...<GO NETWORKING>
  7. Where to look for that book...
  8. There are 16 conferences every night in the Soap Opera Forum...
  9. Come to the Gala Opening! The Soap Forum Sunday, at 10pm EDT!
 10. Calling All Chatters! Successful Chatline VIP Club Continues!
 11. WARGAMERS! Speak live to Scott Hamilton of ADC Fame on the 28th...
 12. Hidden treasure? Yes, if you are digging for a wealth of information.
 13. Tune in to Sitcom Trivia in the TV Forum on Sundays, 10pm EDT!


         _________________________________________________________


 > GLENDALE OVERVIEW STR SHOW NEWS
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""



                             Glendale - 1993


 Compiled by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
 Editor Emeritus

 This year STReport didn't have any of its staff at the Glendale show, so 
 this report is a compilation of what has been said online, told to us 
 over the phone and via Email by people who did attend, and various other 
 misc. sources.

 The annual Glendale Atari show was held last weekend.  While attendance 
 was down considerably from previous years - 1375 for this year, 2500 for 
 1992 and 3500 for 1991 (thanks to John Nagy for these figures) - reports 
 say that folks who did attend had a great time.  One comment heard was 
 that it was like an meeting of old friends.  Exhibitors say that sales 
 were very brisk, satisfying, and in many cases, exceeded expectations.
  
 Atari was there in full force - Bob Brodie, Mike Fulton, Eric Smith, and 
 Bill Rehbock - and there were plenty of Falcon's to be purchased.  Bob 
 and Mike were kept busy answering questions.  There was some disappoint-
 ment in that Atari had no new product announcements or demos, and there 
 was nothing was said (publicly at least) about a Falcon040.
  
 Atari had a developers meeting on Friday night before the show. Reports 
 say that over 50 people attended the meeting. Atari promised better dev-
 loper support. Some of that support will come in the distribution of de-
 veloper software on CDRom (resource editor, assembler, etc.)

 To help developers, both old and new, there is a new programmers refer-
 ence manual available. 'The Atari Compendium' by Scott Sanders covers 
 all versions of TOS, from TOS 1.0 to TOS 5.0, will be a big help to 
 software programmers. [Bob Brodie confirmed that there is a 5.0 version 
 of TOS that is already in developer release.]

 Sales were brisk with  many exhibitors reporting selling out of all of 
 the product they brought well before the show ended. Gribnif said they 
 sold out of their new GENEVA, a multi-tasking system, halfway through 
 the second day of the show - and they originally thought that they had 
 brought too many copies. But all in all, upgrade sales far exceeded new 
 version sales. Reports say that the Codeheads had to make up more of 
 their Warp 9 upgrade disk.

 Migraph had a booth and showed their new ColorBurst Color Hand Scanner 
 for the Falcon030. ICD had a special limited edition Super Link Package. 
 The package included all that you need to a variety of SCSI, or IDE if 
 you own a Falcon, devices to your computer.  ICD reported selling out of 
 their accelerator boards and had to take back-orders.

 There were several dealers there, some - like Toad Computing - coming 
 all the way across the country.  Mid-Cities (a L.A. based retailer) had
 quite an impressive booth with a fake smoke filled volcano (the first
 release of smoke gave everyone quite a surprise, including Rick who was
 releasing the smoke). The Computer Network promises to be more competitive
 with THEIR booth next year. These two retailers have a very good
 reputation  for getting along, helping each other (like matching prices 
 instead of knocking down an extra dollar) as well as having such spirited
 competition in the booth design from year to year. [Thanks to Tom Mynar,
 ACAOC President, for this information.]
  
 Two major hardware developers who were expected to show, didn't make the 
 show, much to the disappointment of many attendees. Lexicor was supposed 
 to be in the Mid Cities booth showing their products but their represen-
 tative, Ringo Monfort, at the last minute was unable to attend to attend 
 due to a personal matter.  Lexicor apologizes to all of their customers 
 and promises that they will make it up to them in the future.

 To make it up to his customers, Lexicor president, Lee Seiler, said that 
 at a future date, Lexicor will be putting on a 2-3 day, 24-bit applica-
 tion show at the Mid Cities showroom. During this show, Lexicor will be 
 offering low prices on most of their products - and maybe have some new 
 and exciting stuff to show.  Some "blow your socks off" stuff.
  
 The other no-show was Jim Allen [Fast Tech]. Many folks were disappoin-
 ted that Jim wasn't able to come, they were hoping to get a glimpse at 
 his long-awaited TinyTurbo accelerator board.
  
 There were many more developers and dealers at the show, along with many 
 prominent members of the Atari community - more than I have the time or 
 space to mention (forgive me if I left you out).
  
 Everyone that we spoke to said that the show was very professionally 
 done and except for one minor incident, everything went off well.  Kudos 
 to all of the folks who spent many hard hours of their time making the 
 show the great success that it was.


             __________________________________________________



 > KODAK NEWSLINE STR InfoFile
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""



                    NEW  WRITABLE CD PRODUCTION STATION
                      INCLUDES WORLD'S FIRST 6X WRITER


 WIESBADEN,  Germany,  Sept. 22-Eastman  Kodak  Company  today  unveiled an
 automated CD  writing station built around  a new disc  writer.  The Kodak
 PCD Writer  600  records  at a  rate  six times  that of  conventional  CD
 recorders, making it the world's fastest CD recorder.

 The Kodak  Writable CD Production Station provides  automated recording of
 individually customized Writable  CD discs or multiple copies of  the same
 disc.  The station can automatically write as many as 75 discs. 

 The Kodak Production Station provides a data output system that is faster,
 cheaper and  with  less environmental  impact than  systems outputting  to
 paper  or most  any other  storage media.   The  station consists  of four
 components:

 *    The Kodak PCD  Writer 600, the world's fastest CD  writer/reader, has
 transfer  rates up to 900  KB per second and allows users  to write a full
 "63-minute" CD in about 10 minutes

 *    The Kodak Disc Transporter automatically inserts and removes Writable
 CD media  from the  PCD Writer  600.   The transporter includes  input and
 output spindles that hold up to 75 discs each 

 *    Kodak Writable CD Publishing Software provides the system control and
 batch  programmability  to record  information as  easily  as  printing or
 copying  onto tape.    The software  features multi-session  recording  in
 standard industry  formats.   The initial product  will be  Sun UNIX 4.1.x
 supporting  SUN IPX.,  and  SPARC 2  &  10  platforms.   Kodak  will offer
 software  products that  support RS  6000's and  other  popular publishing
 platforms based on market needs

 *    Kodak  Writable  CD  media  with  the  InfoGuard  Protection  System,
 available  in   63-minute  (580-megabyte)  and  74-minute   (680-megabyte)
 capacities, offer unique  data protection features.  And Kodak's  bar code
 feature provides easy tracking and identification through production.

 To support this  new station, Kodak will begin  selling "bulk packs" of 50
 stacked Kodak Writable  CD Media.  For  convenience, Kodak will market the
 packs in recyclable compact containers.

 Cost, Speed Benefits

 The Kodak  Writable CD  production station  is designed  to serve a  broad
 range  of  applications,   including  CD-ROM  and  CD  audio,  publishing,
 information distribution and data archiving.  It can produce large numbers
 of individual Writable CD discs,  or batches of identical CDs, at rates of
 about six fully written discs per hour. 

      Advantages of the Kodak Writable CD Production Station versus a  line
 printer include:

 *    Speed-360  pages a second with the PCD Writer  600, compared to about
 140 pages a minute using a high-speed line printer

 *    Media   costs-Kodak  Writable   CD   discs  cost   about   $25  each,
 approximately 1/100th the cost of  paper needed to output  the same amount
 of data

 *    Distribution costs-A disc can  be sent through conventional mail with
 a few stamps, compared with the shipping costs for reams of paper

 *    Random access-CDs give  users fast, random access to data,  that lets
 users analyze information more conveniently than analog media allow

 *    Environmental benefits-Writable CD  discs, which reduce large amounts
 of paper, can be recycled

 "Any  computer user who needs to store or distribute large data files will
 benefit from using  the Writable CD Production Station," said  Fred Geyer,
 general manager  and vice  president, Kodak CD Imaging.   "From  satellite
 telemetry to  corporate reports  to the  latest multi-media presentations,
 any  large data  file can  be output  efficiently and  inexpensively using
 Writable CD technology."

 Production Station Features

 The heart of the station is the Kodak designed and manufactured PCD Writer
 600.  The Writer 600 provides a number of features to ensure accurate data
 recording:    automatic disc  calibration;  built-in  error  detection and
 correction firmware; and  "direct read during write,"  which ensures  that
 the CD is being written properly.

      Other writer features include a bar code reader designed for use with
 Kodak's Writable  CD Media and expandable  buffer memory (from  1 MB  to 8
 MB), and electronic upgrade capability of the Writer's firmware. 

      The  entire Writable  CD production  station fits  on a  tabletop and
 incorporates an  automatic, self-switching power supply  for worldwide use
 without special accessories. 

 Media Features and Benefits

 The system provides  optimal performance when used with Kodak  Writable CD
 Media.  Kodak Writable CD  Media have a number of features as part  of the
 InfoGuard Protection System:

 *    A  carefully selected dye chemistry  that resists  fading from light,
 heat, and humidity

 *    A protective coating that resists scratches, dirt, rough handling, or
 other common mishaps that may damage the disc's readability

 *    A unique  identification number-printed in human-readable  form along
 with a corresponding machine-readable bar code for tracking, indexing, and
 security

 Availability

 Kodak expects to market the Writable CD Production Station through systems
 integrators,  OEMs  and value-added  resellers  beginning  in  early 1994.
 Detailed pricing will be available in the 4th Quarter 1993.


                      KODAK SIGNS FIRST KODAK PICTURE 
                          EXCHANGE IMAGE PROVIDERS


 Stock photo agencies are first participants in new on-line image service

 ROCHESTER,  N.Y., Sept. 13-Fourteen stock photo agencies have selected the
 Kodak Picture Exchange to market images for lease to advertising agencies,
 publishers, and graphic design firms.  These  will be the first  providers
 to market images through Kodak's new on-line imaging service network.

 The Kodak Picture Exchange links image buyers with images from some of the
 finest stock agencies  and image providers.   Expected to be  available in
 the United States in the fall of 1993, the service will be among the first
 to provide  quick and  convenient  global access  to vast  collections  of
 images. 

 Subscribers   will   access    the   Picture   Exchange    with   standard
 telecommunications  network and  computer  platforms,  including Macintosh
 computers and  the Windows  operating  system.   Subscribers will  have  a
 choice of  image search routines-from simple keyword and phrase entries-to
 sophisticated expert search routines using over forty image attributes.

 Benefits  to  Picture Exchange  image  providers  include  expanded market
 reach, 24-hour customer access, reduced risk of lost or damaged originals,
 and  improved  customer  communications.    Kodak  Picture Exchange  image
 providers  also can  respond to  customers faster.   The  Picture Exchange
 image data base will improve archive management for image providers.

 Advancements  in  image  telecommunications,  digital  storage,  computing
 costs, and  image digitization enable the  Kodak Picture Exchange  to be a
 cost  effective image distribution  marketing channel.   Kodak's  Photo CD
 technology is key to economic image digitization for the Picture Exchange.

 "We are  delighted  to have  signed  some  of the  most  recognized  image
 providers  in the  industry," said  Fred Geyer,  general manager  and vice
 president  of CD  imaging at  Kodak.   "These  firms  are using  the Kodak
 Picture Exchange to further improve the level of service they offer  their
 current and prospective customers.  Technology is changing the way  people
 store, search, retrieve, and access images, and these providers are in the
 lead."

 The  Kodak Picture Exchange  represents Kodak's vision for  a global image
 transmission services network, similar to text and data networks.  It will
 link  the  suppliers  of  images,  such  as  stock  photo  agencies,  news
 organizations, museums, universities, corporations, and archives, with the
 customers  they  service.   These  include  advertising  agencies, graphic
 designers, publishers and researchers.

 Representing Quality and Diversity

 Each of 14 photo stock  agencies who have an initial commitment of between
 5,000 and  20,000 images to the  Kodak Picture Exchange  are recognized as
 suppliers of some of the finest images  in the industry.  These  providers
 include the following agencies.

 Animals Animals/Earth Scenes-over 800,000 wildlife and nature images.

 Archive  Photos-over 5,000,000  images, including news  photos, Hollywood,
 engravings, and drawings.

 Light Sources-over 100,000 photographs,  including medical, children,  and
 New England images.

 PhotoBank,   Inc.-over  300,000   photographs,  including   world  travel,
 automobile, food lifestyle, industrial and medical images.

 Ewing Galloway-over 2,000,000  images, including historical and  nostalgic
 photographs.

 FPG  International-One of  the largest  and oldest  stock agencies  in the
 world with over 6,000,000 images,  serving clients in advertising, design,
 retail, travel, decor and editorial industries.

 Hulton Deutsch Picture Library-over 15,000,000 images, described by Harold
 Evans as "the greatest library of photojournalism in Europe."

 The  Image  Works-over 400,000  photographs,  including  images  of humor,
 family, education, health  care, occupations, culture, travel, recreation,
 and historical personalities.

 International Stock-over  1,000,000 images,  including worldwide   travel,
 model  released people  and  lifestyles, corporate,  industrial,  medical,
 health, computer graphics, food , sports, scenics, and animal images.

 Photo  Researchers-over  2,000,000   images,  including   photomicroscopy,
 medicine, high technology, and the sciences.

 Profiles  West-images  include  recreational,  such  as  skiing,  mountain
 biking, whitewater, and the American West.

 Ro-Ma  Stock-features  fresh  images  of  exotic  landscapes, patterns  in
 nature,  plants,  flowers  and  animals,  as well  as  backgrounds,  macro
 photography, art, sciences, and people involved with nature.

 The Stock Shop, Inc.-photographs including medical images.

 Tom Stack and Associates-images of flora and fauna of the world, including
 underwater and ecological images.

 The Kodak Picture Exchange  will allow people to  use existing phone lines
 and  standard modems  to  access  images from  their desktop  computers  .
 Subscribers will conduct  fast online searches and will review  and browse
 low resolution images.  Once image users have selected the images they may
 want  to use  in an  ad or  publication, they  submit the  request to  the
 appropriate image provider.  This is done electronically through the Kodak
 Picture Exchange.   The  photo  stock agency  will negotiate  image  lease
 rights and prices directly with the image user, as is currently done.

 Software will be available  for Macintosh and Windows users.  Prices  will
 be announced in the fall, when the service  is expected to go online.  For
 more information  on the  Kodak Picture Exchange, consumers  can call  the
 Kodak Customer Assistance Center at 800-KPX-USER (579-8737).


                      KODAK ON-LINE PICTURE EXCHANGE 
                    SERVICE TESTED AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

 HOLLYWOOD,  Calif.,  Sept.  13-Eastman  Kodak  Company  today announced  a
 three-month  pilot of  a  new  application of  Kodak's new  on-line  image
 service  called the Kodak  Picture Exchange.  The  application, called the
 Eastman Exchange, is designed to assist Hollywood studios in the selection
 and evaluation of film production sites.  The application  will consist of
 a private image database of key national locations using the Kodak Picture
 Exchange.

 The  Eastman  Exchange's  image  database  will  comprise digitized  still
 photographs of film sites compiled by state film  commissions.  During the
 test period, images will be provided by state film commissions in New York
 and  Arkansas.  Test program participants  will include Disney, Universal,
 Warner Brothers, and Twentieth Century Fox studios.

 Film producers will have immediate access to these images through standard
 telecommunications networks  and computing  platforms, including Macintosh
 computers and the Windows operating system.   Location scouts can 
 research images  on their  computers using simple key  words and  phrases.
 More  detailed  searches  also  can  be  conducted  using  over  40  image
 descriptors.    Producers  can  review,  browse, and  even  print  out low
 resolution images on the spot.

 Currently, film producers need to contact state film commissions by  phone
 in order to discuss  and obtain photographs of specific sites.  Commission
 employees  must search,  process, and  mail out  the images  to producers.
 This can be a timely and expensive process for both parties.

 The Eastman Exchange pilot application and Kodak Picture Exchange services
 are consistent with  the benefits provided by  the Kodak Photo CD  System,
 which allows for cost effective storage of images on compact discs.

 "We view this venture an important example of the value of the Kodak Photo
 CD System  and the Kodak Picture Exchange to businesses  today," said Phil
 Vogel, Manager of Worldwide Marketing, Kodak Motion Picture and Television
 Imaging.   "By offering this  pilot program to our customers,  we hope not
 only to  reduce the costs for  location searches, but  also to  expand the
 number of sites that studios can access and vice versa."

 If proven successful, Kodak plans to offer the use of the Eastman Exchange
 as  a cost efficient  service to film commissions  and studios nationwide.
 Future applications for the Eastman Exchange could be used for talent and 
 prop searches as well.


 (Note:  Kodak and InfoGuard are trademarks.)
 Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State Street, Rochester, N.Y.  14650, 1993


 
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