ST Report: 13-Feb-98 #1406
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/20/98-05:55:50 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 13-Feb-98 #1406
Date: Fri Feb 20 17:55:50 1998
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Florida Lotto - LottoMan v1.35
Results: 02/07/98: three of six numbers with no matches
>From the Editor's Desk...
Editorials are sometimes so painfully unclear it's a wonder anybody
ever "gets the message". As one of many younger computer users two and a
half decades ago. (25yrs is a long time) I began on an 8bit wonder of a
computer with color graphics that at the time were stunning and sound with
music! (Atari800) I enjoyed it so much I stayed with the Atari platform
and all its incarnations of computers etc., until the platform was so dead
that others on the same platform began sniping at each other. It (the
entire scenario) was not a pretty picture.
As of 1987 I had, of course, migrated to a vibrant, very much alive
platform. (The PC MSDos Platform.) I am still here and luvin' it..
(Windows 98 now) Many have asked me. why, since I am so heavy into
graphics and midi music, I didn't go with a MAC. My answer is short and to
the point. At the time I was making the changeover, I had just been
severely burnt on a 680xxx machine. I wasn't ready for another,
uncomfortable "rotisserie ride". Besides, the Macs at that time were as
outrageous in price as they are now. I believe the MAC had a heckuva shot
at real marketshare,,, but they priced themselves "slap" outta reality.
Now I don't have an axe to grind or really give a hoot about another's
preferences in just about anything in life as long as it doesn't harm me or
mine. <g> So, when I mouth off about my past prefs as far as a computer
are concerned. its strictly for informational purposes. I enjoyed almost
every minute on the platform I learned computing and command line
cryptology on<g>. I have no real regrets other than perhaps the original
choice I made to stay on that platform out of some sort of misguided or
misplaced loyalty to a product. Especially when one loses their proverbial
butt! Yes indeed, I learned a great deal from those formative years.
After having met many wonderful people at each of the seminars I gave. I am
now in position to look back and see where I made some truly "enlightened"
decisions. Sometime in the future I'll tell ya about `em. Talk about
"setups"!
If you are still computing on a so-called "dead platform" and are
enjoying yourself. then, by all means stay there and have a ball! At the
same time, if you're there only because you feel you can't afford the
changeover, either in dollars or time to learn the new platform, stop
kidding yourself!! You can do it and the learning curve is a cakewalk.
You already have the basics down pat.. the rest is merely association and
that takes about a week. Gotta tell ya. 333Mhz mmx is impressive to say
the least.
Ralph...
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LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Dilbert Heads to TV
Dilbert, the comic strip hero of the office workplace, will soon become a
weekly prime time TV series. Dilbert creator Scott Adams and Larry
Charles, producer of such sitcom hits as Seinfeld and Mad About You, will
serve as executive producers of the animated series, which will debut on
UPN this fall. "Dilbert is a perfect fit for prime time animation," says
Adams. "The readers have been begging me to bring it to TV. It's exciting
to find the talent and resources to make it happen."
"Like the Dilbert strip, the television series will explore the surreal
subculture of the corporate world, with its rigid rules, rituals, languages
and customs, thereby revealing the absurdity of the society at large,"
notes Charles. According to the producers, Dilbert's modest home will be
seen in the series, along with familiar characters from the comic strip
including Dogbert, Ratbert, Catbert, the pointy-haired Boss, Wally and
Alice.
Microsoft Shifts Browsers Unit
Regulators already are sniffing the wind as a reorganization at Microsoft
Corp. brings the company's Internet browser business unit into the same
group as its Windows operating system. The move, company spokeswoman Heidi
Rothauser tells reporter Martin Wolk of the Reuter News Service, is part of
a shift to focus the company's efforts on two broad initiatives that
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has dubbed the "digital nervous system" for
business and the "Web lifestyle" for consumers.
As noted, Microsoft has been battling antitrust charges stemming from its
efforts in the Internet browser market. Says Wolk, "In reams of documents
and at a two-day federal court hearing last month, Microsoft has argued
that its Internet Explorer browser is an integral part of the Windows
operating system. But until the realignment disclosed Friday, the products
were handled by separate units under Group Vice President Paul Maritz, who
is in charge of platforms and applications."
Now, though:
O Microsoft Vice President David Cole will move to the company's
personal and business systems group, where he will oversee continued
O development of the browser.
O Brad Chase, a high-profile marketing vice president, also will move to
the personal and business systems group, which includes Windows, developer
relations and the company's BackOffice server applications for computer
networks.
O Bob Muglia, a vice president in charge of server applications, was
promoted to senior vice president in charge of the newly named applications
and tools group formerly headed by Brad Silverberg.
The company also created a new Web Essentials unit under Group Vice
President Pete Higgins, who is in charge of interactive media. The new
unit, under John Ludwig and Laura Jennings, will aim to consolidate the
company's Internet Services including its Internet "start" pages, Microsoft
Network, and Outlook Express, an electronic mail product, Wolk reports.
Rothauser said the goal of the Web Essentials unit is to "focus on a core
set of services and content that will make the web a powerful and essential
service for computer users," adding it had taken a lead role in the
company's shift to focus on the Internet beginning in late 1995.
Managers Want Separate Win, IE
A new InformationWeek survey of 200 information technology managers finds
that corporate America may not be eager to adopt the integrated Web
browser/operating system that Microsoft's upcoming Windows 98 and Windows
NT 5.0 releases will deliver. Contrary to Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill
Gates' assertions that customers want his company to integrate the Internet
Explorer Web browser into the Windows operating systems, the
InformationWeek research found that 34 percent of corporate information
technology (IT) managers want the browser to remain separate.
Another 28 percent of the respondents said they do want see the products
integrated, while 22 percent said they were unsure and 16 percent said they
don't care. The results closely mirror the results of a survey conducted by
InformationWeek last October. Last year, 37 percent said that they do not
want to see Explorer integrated into Windows. The survey also finds that a
year from now IT mangers feel that Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 will
overwhelmingly be the predominant operating systems deployed in the
enterprise. More than half (51 percent) said that Windows 95 will be the
most common operating system installed, 39 percent said it will be Windows
NT 4.0, while only five percent said it will be Windows 98 and another five
percent said Windows NT 5.0. To view the complete study, visit
InformationWeek's Web site at http://www.informationweek.com/bizint.
Remain Calm, Netscape Staff Told
Amid takeover speculation, employees of Netscape Communications Corp. are
being urged by CEO James Barksdale to remain calm and focused on their
jobs. As reported earlier, insiders say Netscape, facing ever more intense
competition from Microsoft Corp., may decide to sell some or all of the
company. Now The New York Times reports Barksdale has sent an e-mail
message to employees, saying, "These rumors are damaging to us and
extremely distracting." The paper says Barksdale also spoke to more than
2,000 employees last week, saying, "We have defied the odds before and we
can do it again." The web browser pioneer's stock jumped last week on
speculation Sun Microsystems Inc. or another technology company might buy
the company. Last month, though, Netscape posted a $115.5 million loss for
1997 and has plans to lay off 400 of its 3,200 workers.
AOL, CompuServe Realign
America Online today announced it is realigning responsibilities among its
senior executives and taking a series of restructuring actions at its
CompuServe unit that will lead to a cutback of 500 jobs there. In Dulles,
Va., AOL officials also told the Reuter News Service it will boost its
monthly charge for unlimited use of its service to $21.95 from $19.95, a
move termed necessary in order to keep pace with increased online usage by
its subscribers.
In other developments, AOL said it will:
O Speed up development of the next generation of CompuServe software,
known as version 5.0.
O Suspend work on a Web-based CompuServe service called "C."
O Review alternatives for Sprynet, CompuServe's Internet service
provider unit.
AOL said in a statement the 500 CompuServe employees affected by the
cutbacks will be offered "generous severance packages" ranging from six
months' to one year or more in salary, based on length of service with the
company. As reported, AOL has said it planned to continue to operate
CompuServe as a separate service headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
$9 Billion Software Offer Made
Business software maker Computer Associates International Inc. is offering
$9 billion in cash to buy Computer Sciences Corp., a computer services
concern. Reporting from New York, The Associated Press notes Computer
Associates had $4.5 billion in revenue last year while Computer Sciences
generated more than $5.3 billion in revenue last year from providing
services for a variety of computer systems used by business and government.
"The combined company," adds AP, "would employ more than 50,000 people and
generate annual revenues of $11 billion a year." Wall Street is
interested. Computer Sciences stock shot up 21 percent on the news before
easing somewhat, up $13.06 1/4 a share at $150.25 in midday trading today
on the New York Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, Computer Associates shares were
down a sharp 11 percent, or $6.43 3/4 at $51.62 1/2, on the NYSE. Computer
Associates says it made the offer in a letter to Computer Sciences'
Chairman/CEO Van B. Honeycutt.
States Hold Firm on Net Taxes
A showdown is imminent between state legislators and the federal government
over the lucrative issue of taxing the Internet. Writing for United Press
International, reporter Denise Kalette notes the National Conference of
State Legislatures is worried the proposed federal Internet Tax Freedom Act
could cost them revenue if it limits their ability to tax goods sold on the
Internet. As reported, a bill proposed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) would
impose a five-year moratorium on "discriminatory" Internet taxes, which
would apply only on the Internet. Elaborating on his proposal, Wyden said,
"If you buy sneakers in a store and pay 6 percent sales tax, the bill says
that if you buy them over the Internet, you pay 6 percent" rather than 10
percent.
He said the proposed "time-out" would:
O Allow new businesses to continue to grow on the Net, without getting
tangled in taxes and conflicting regulations from 50 states.
O Give state and federal experts time to work out a tax policy that
would share Internet revenue.
O Would avoid what Wyden says happened with the direct mail industry --
"20 years of nonstop litigation" -- over which states are entitled to
taxes.
Arkansas legislator Myra Jones says more and more companies are shifting
operations to the Net, adding she supports a moratorium but "the
interpretation" of the bill worries her because it might justify taking
more money from states. Also, U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota),
says the bill is so broadly written that it could snatch state money,
calling it "a goofy piece of legislation." UPI says 12 states and
localities now collect more than $50 million from Internet operations.
FTC Warns Junk E-Mailers
The Federal Trade Commission and postal inspectors say they have sent more
than 1,000 warnings to businesses suspected of sending illegal junk mail
and operating shady moneymaking schemes over the Internet. According to
The Associated Press, the largest categories targeted by the federal
enforcers are:
Chain letters, in which the e-mail recipient is urged to send some money to
a list of people, remove the last name on the list and add his own before
forwarding it to friends. Pyramid setups, in which participants put cash
into a pool with the promise that their money will multiply as more people
join.
AP says other e-mail solicitors receiving written warnings include those
offering "cash grants," deceptive diet and medical aids, credit repair and
"guaranteed" credit cards. Says the wire service, "Every day, consumers
forward about 500 e-mails they believe are fraudulent or deceptive to the
FTC for investigation." As reported, the FTC maintains an electronic
address -- http://www.uceftc.gov -- for such purposes. Consumers also send
volumes of unsolicited e-mail received to the U.S. Postal Inspection
Service.
Bill to Make Schools Block Smut
A bill introduced by Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain would specify that
schools and libraries wouldn't qualify for federally subsidized Internet
hookups unless they kept youngsters away from the smutty sections of
cyberspace. McCain, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is what
Associated Press writer Jeannine Aversa characterizes as "an ardent critic"
of the Federal Communications Commission's Internet subsidy program. As
reported, the subsidies come from payments imposed on telecommunications
carriers and some of their customers and provide schools, libraries and
rural health care specialists with discounted hookups to the Internet.
The McCain bill would require that as a condition for receiving a subsidy,
a school would have to certify that it was using screening software to
prevent children from accessing Web sites with indecent materials. The
measure does not recommend a specific screening device, but leaves it up to
schools to decide. Says Aversa, "A school in New York City, for instance,
might decide to use a screening technology that blocks out fewer Web sites,
while a school in Mesa, Arizonz, might opt for heavier blocking.
Commercially available software such as CyberPatrol, SurfWatch, NetNanny
and CYBERsitter have different standards for blocking."
Also, public libraries wanting subsidized Internet access also would have
to certify that at least one computer available for public use would be
equipped with screening software. The bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Ernest
Hollings of South Carolina, senior Democrat on the committee, told the wire
service, "It gives schools and libraries an added financial incentive to
filter children's access to the Internet when children are not under
parental supervision." Also signing on as co-sponsors of the McCain
legislation are Sen. Dan Coats, R-Indiana, and Sen. Patty Murray
D-Washington.
AP notes the subsidy program provides $675 million for schools, libraries
and rural health care providers for the first half of this year. The
subsidies are set to be disbursed for the first time in the spring.
"Supporters deny the bill infringes on the Constitution's guarantee of free
speech," says Aversa, "arguing that it doesn't directly force schools or
libraries to use screening technology. They said the courts have upheld
past efforts by the government to require people or groups to do certain
things as a condition of receiving monies through a federal program." But,
of course, as widely reported, but when Congress tried in a 1996
telecommunications law to restrict children's access to smutty materials on
the Internet, the U.S. Supreme Court threw the provisions out as
unconstitutional.
(The CONTROL FREAKS are at "IT" Again!!)
Israel Uses Web to Calm Fears
A site on the Internet's World Wide Web launched by Israel's military seeks
to provide information to jittery Israelis fearing an Iraqi attack in the
standoff over U.N. weapons inspections. Reporting from Jerusalem, the
Reuter News Service quotes an Israeli army spokeswoman as saying, "The site
includes information on defense-related issues including shelters, sealed
rooms, gas masks and provides phone numbers of information centers around
the country."
The site, located at http://www.idf.il, also includes facts and figures
about the Israeli Defense Forces. Reuters notes, "Israelis have packed
gas mask distribution centers fearing a threatened U.S. strike on Iraq over
U.N. weapons inspections could push Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to
unleash chemical or biological weapons on Israel."
The wire service notes the Israeli government initiated an information
campaign earlier in the week to try to reduce public anxiety. Says the
website, "The Israeli defence, civil defence and medical establishments are
ready for any eventuality and the protective kit, coupled with protected
areas/sealed rooms or shelters, offer excellent protection against
biological and chemical weapons."
Fraud Fears Threaten Net Business
Business on the Internet could soar from $2.6 billion in 1996 to $220
billion in 2001, but "consumers must feel confident that the Internet is
safe from fraud," the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission has told a
Senate panel. Citing remarks prepared for delivery to the investigations
subcommittee of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, United Press
International quotes FTC chairman Robert Pitofsky as saying his group has
filed more than 25 law enforcement actions against alleged fraud on the
Internet. Pitofsky, one of a number of witnesses testifying this week
about the Internet, is telling the panel the commission first held public
hearings about the problem in 1995.
"It concluded," says the wire service, "that consumer protection must be
coordinated, private and public officials must act in 'partnership,' and
consumers need to be educated 'through the combined efforts of government,
business and consumer groups.'" Pitofsky said that while alleged frauds
are dressed up in high-tech garb, most were just old-fashioned scams, such
as pyramid schemes, business opportunity schemes and credit repair scams.
'Trojan Horse' Detector Offered
Symantec Corp. says its Symantec AntiVirus Research Center has developed a
new Trojan Horse detection engine that's designed to address the growing
threat of this type of malicious code. Trojan Horses are programs that
appear to be legitimate but actually are designed to carry out malicious
activities when activated, such as stealing passwords or destroying data.
Symantec is offering the detection engine to users of its Norton AntiVirus
software.
According to the software publisher, pproximately 90 percent of Trojan
Horses found in circulation today are from online services. Significant
numbers of Trojan Horses are designed to steal a user's login ID and
password and then e-mail it to someone else who then makes use of the
account at the user's expense. Other Trojan Horses may display obscene
messages on the user's screen or delete the contents of their hard drive.
Users typically get Trojan Horses by downloading a program that seems
benign or promises the user something like free online time. Once it is
downloaded and executed, the malicious code begins to work. The difference
between Trojan Horses and traditional computer viruses is that Trojan
Horses do not replicate themselves and spread on their own. They can only
be transmitted intentionally via e-mail or disk or downloaded directly onto
a PC. This means that, unlike a traditional computer virus, users are
typically only affected once by a specific Trojan Horse.
Symantec says its Trojan Horse detection engine operates on a type of
signature-based scanning, pulling from a database of hundreds of previously
identified Trojan Horses. It compares a variety of carefully calculated
identities for each known Trojan Horse to potential malicious code on the
user's computer and deletes any offenders that match.
To guard against Trojan Horses, Symantec recommends that online users
should be wary of programs that make promises too good to be true in order
to avoid being attacked by a Trojan Horse. Also, users should not install
programs sent unsolicited through e-mail or sent by someone they do not
recognize.
PC-Enhanced Toys in the Works
Intel Corp. has signed a letter of intent with Mattel Inc. to develop
"PC-enhanced toys." According to a statement issued by the companies,
Mattel designers would work with Intel engineers "to combine toy design
know-how with innovative technologies to deliver fresh and unique play
experiences." "Smart playthings are the future of the toy industry," says
Doug Glen,
Mattel's chief strategy officer. "By teaming up with Intel, we intend to
combine the world's leading technology with the world's favorite toys.
The smarter and more interactive our toys become, the better we are able to
foster children's thinking skills as they play." "Interactive play has
always been one of the key drivers of personal computer technology," adds
Ron Whittier, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's content
group. "Our vision is to work with toy companies to enable this remarkable
new category of playthings that are more fun."
Intel to Offer 450MHz Pentiums
A new top-speed 450- megahertz Pentium II chip is to be rolled out by Intel
Corp. in the second half of the year. It will follow 350 and 400MHz chips
expected on the market in the first half of this year. Writing for the Dow
Jones news service, reporter Mark Boslet notes, "The planned lineup of
high-performance chips illustrates Intel's new strategy of designing and
adapting its processors for specific market segments, both at the high and
low-end of the market."
Boslet says the chipmaker also plans to release 233 and 266MHz Pentium IIs
during the first half of the year for personal computers selling at less
than $1,000. Intel Vice President Albert Yu, in charge of microprocessor
design, says the chips will sell at a "competitive price" and target a
market segment that has grown faster than expected. But, says Boslet, they
won't have some of the advanced technology planned for top-of-the-line
chips in order to keep costs down, including memory caches and faster buses
that transmit digital signals inside computers.
Also look for:
O The 400 and 450MHz chips also to include a Slot II architecture,
increasing their ability to interact with other processors installed in the
same computer.
O Intel to bring out a 333 megahertz Pentium II by the end of the year
for laptop computers.
Intel Unveils Graphics Chip
Chipmaker Intel Corp. is releasing its long-awaited I-740 graphics chip
designed to bring sophisticated three-dimensional images to mainstream
personal computers. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning,
reporter Dean Takahashi, says the chip "once again ... will make life
difficult for smaller competitors," adding, "This time, however, the chip
giant is moving into a market where dominance isn't a sure thing."
The paper notes the Federal Trade Commission already is investigating
Intel's business practices, "including exploiting its near-monopoly in
microprocessors to move into adjacent markets." Takahashi says the
regulators recently approved Intel's purchase of graphics-chip maker Chips
& Technologies Inc., "but pointedly reserved the right to re-examine the
deal later." The I740, to be placed on $189 to $249 circuit boards for PCs
that cost $1,500 to $2,500, includes two-dimensional graphics and video
features from Chips & Technologies.
"But the heart of the product," says the Journal, "is 3-D circuitry
developed by Real3D, a spinoff of defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.
that adapted technology used to create realistic scenes in military
simulation systems. (Intel controls 20 percent of Real3D.)" Analyst Peter
Glaskowsky at Micro Design Resources Inc. in Sunnyvale, California, told
the paper the I740 is the fastest product yet that combines multiple
graphics functions on a single chip, but it will have had a bigger jump on
competitors if it arrived last fall as originally scheduled, adding, "At
least two or three rivals will be faster." Takahashi says companies known
to be working on advanced 3-D products include start-ups Nvidia Inc.,
Chromatic Research Inc., 3Dlabs Inc. and 3Dfx Interactive Inc.
Sony Debus VAIO Tower Models
Sony Electronics has added two new models to its VAIO Tower Computer line.
The PCV-230 and PCV-210 feature Pentium II processors running at 300MHz and
266MHz, respectively. The systems are the first models in Sony's VAIO line
to debut at less than $2,000. The PCV-230 is priced at $1,999; the PCV-210
sells for $1,699. Standard features on the PCV-230 include 3D graphics
acceleration through a 64-bit Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), PCI audio,
64MB of SD-RAM, a 6.4 GB hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM drive, a 56K modem and
more than 30 software titles.
The PCV-210 features 32MB of SD-RAM, and a 4.3 GB hard drive. The rest of
its features are identical to the PCV-230. Both models include VAIO Space
II, Sony's proprietary application interface that gives users single-click
registration, information on pre-installed software and dynamic Web-based
technical assistance. Sony is also offering 90 days of free Internet access
with no credit card required. The promotion gives VAIO customers Net access
for up two hours per day, a maximum of 50 hours total. More details are
available on Sony's Web site at http://www.sony.com/pc.
ISO Adopts QuickTime File Format
Apple Computer Inc., IBM Corp., Netscape Corp., Oracle Corp., Silicon
Graphics Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. today announced that the
International Standards Organization (ISO) has adopted the companies' joint
proposal to use Apple's QuickTime File Format as the starting point for the
development of a unified digital media storage format for the MPEG-4
specification. The six companies now plan to collaborate with other
companies and industry bodies to further refine the specification and the
QuickTime file format, ensuring that MPEG-4 quickly gains market
acceptance.
"MPEG's decision to utilize the QuickTime file format for the MPEG-4
specification has huge benefits for users and the industry", says Ralph
Rogers, Dataquest's principal multimedia analyst. "This strategy will
leverage the broad adoption of QuickTime in the professional media space,
speed the creation of MPEG-4 tools and content while providing a common
target for industry adoption." The current MPEG-2 is the industry standard
for entertainment-quality video and audio and is the format of choice for
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting). MPEG-4
is an emerging digital media standard currently being defined by ISO's
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) that will enable users to select, view
and manipulate audio, video and other forms of digital content.
Tactile Mouse: What a Feeling!
A mouse-like PC peripheral that gives users the ability to physically feel
Web pages has been developed by Immersion Corp. Using a technology known
as "force feedback," the FEELit Mouse can realistically simulate physical
sensations that are presented to the user as forces applied to the device's
built-in handle. "When using the FEELit Mouse, the cursor becomes an
extension of your fingers," says Louis Rosenberg, Immersion's president.
"Anything the cursor encounters is felt as if you touched it with your
hand. And it feels profoundly real -- textures, surfaces, springs, liquids,
friction, magnets ... almost anything is possible."
Immersion has developed Windows software that allows the FEELit Mouse to
interact with Web pages accessed through Internet Explorer or Netscape
Navigator. The San Jose, California, company has also developed software
tools and a software protocol known as the FEELit API that can be used to
add sophisticated feel sensations to standard HTML files. "We are opening
a new channel of communication between users and computers," says
Rosenberg. "The FEELit Mouse has the potential to change the way people
think about computing, making the digital world of software tangible and
accessible. A well-designed Web page will no longer just look good and
sound good, it will feel good -- intuitive and satisfying, just like the
real world."
Immersion expects to begin shipping the FEELit Mouse by year's end for
about $139. Additional information is available on the Web at
http://www.force-feedback.com.
Geneva Agrees to Modem Standard
>From Geneva comes word the International Telecommunications Union has
agreed on a standard on 56K modems. The Associated Press notes,
"Manufacturers already produce modems that operate at that speed, but used
two competing standards that prevent their products from working with each
other." The wire service says modem makers have said they will quickly
adopt the new standard. The union said the agreement is expected to boost
modem sales significantly, to 75 million a year by the year 2000 from 50
million last year.
Enhanced Web Language Proposed
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Internet's standards-setting body,
has released XML 1.0, its recommended specification for an enhanced Web
document language. XML 1.0 is the W3C's first recommendation for the
Extensible Markup Language (XML), a system for defining, validating and
sharing document formats on the Web. A W3C recommendation indicates that a
specification is stable, contributes to Web interoperability and has been
reviewed and approved by W3C members. XML was created and developed by the
W3C's XML Working Group, which includes such key industry players as Adobe,
Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Netscape and Sun Microsystems, as well as
experts in structured documents and electronic publishing.
XML is intended to meet the requirements of large-scale Web content
providers for industry-specific markup, vendor-neutral data exchange,
media-independent publishing, one-on-one marketing, workflow management in
collaborative authoring environments and the processing of Web documents by
intelligent clients. XML fully supports both European and Asian languages.
"The commitment of strong competitors such as Sun, HP, Microsoft and
Netscape to work together on an open standard for information exchange has
been a remarkable demonstration of cooperation for the common good," says
Jon Bosak, Sun's online information technology architect and head of the
W3C's XML Working Group. "XML represents a key technical advance in Web
technology. It enables secure electronic commerce on an expanded scale thus
ushering in a new generation of distributed applications." For more
information on XML, visit the W3C's Web site at http://www.w3.org/XML/.
Volcanoes Revisited
(Forwarded via CompuServe Mail)
A few months ago we had lively discussion about forecasting volcanic
eruption, a notoriously difficult task. I was interested to receive the
following email a few days ago and pass it along for anyone who may be
interested in pursuing the techniques used. To my limited knowledge (very)
of volcanology, this is the only program of its type:
Dear Fellow Colleagues:
Starting this year, the Southwest Volcano Research Centre (SWVRC), as an
additional service to the volcanology community, is notifying the general
volcano community of the volcanoes that "ERUPTION" has forecasted to have
an event this year, 1998. "ERUPTION" has now been in development for over
nine years with many trials and tribulations. Since late 1996 however, and
to date, it has been reasonably accurate in its forecasting ability. The
forecasting accuracy of "ERUPTION" for 1997, for example, was 85.71% with a
reliability of 86.2%. Of the 28 eruptions of the categories that
"ERUPTION" monitors, 24 were correctly forecasted. "ERUPTION" is now out
of Beta testing.
This software programme is intended as an additional aid and diagnostic
tool and is not intended as the definitive concept in forecasting an
eruption of any particular volcano. It should be kept in mind that the
software package "ERUPTION" certainly, at this point, is in no way
infallible, and only as good as the data used in creating it. This
programme should not be used for volcanic hazard prediction or disaster
mitigation by the public at this time. Further, the "ERUPTION" software
package's intent is to forecast, to the nearest year possible, with
relevant available data, volcanoes about the world, primarily strato,
compound or complex type volcanoes, the next eruption event. Furthermore,
forecasting as used by "ERUPTION" has the notion of "may or probably' and
not will erupt. For further information about our research, "ERUPTION",
etc., we invite you to visit out website at the URL address of:
(Note: The character before ej76707 is probably a "tilde")
or contact SWVRC directly. All contact information is readily available
from our website under "Contact Info". The 1998 forecast can be found
under the "Volcano Research" icon. It is hoped that the projections of
volcanoes in your area of concern will be of interest and benefit to you.
Respectfully,
SOUTHWEST VOLCANO RESEARCH CENTRE
"R. B."
Dr. R. B. Trombley
Principal Research Volcanologist
e-mail: swvrc@usa.net
Corel Galleria Launches Language Center
Ottawa, Canada_ February 9, 1998_ Internet shoppers can now purchase
localized versions of Corel's award-winning graphics and productivity
software online at Corel Galleria. Corel has responded to the needs of
multilingual users by providing this easy and innovative way to access
language-specific software in North America. Partnered with Digital River,
Inc., a leader in electronic commerce, Corel Galleria offers online
shoppers a host of exciting stores where they can find Corel's full line of
English language software, over 80,000 royalty-free stock photos, screen
savers, reference materials, and more. Since its expansion in September
1997, Corel Galleria has experienced sales increases of 12-13 % per month.
"We are extremely pleased with the results of our partnership with Digital
River," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, president and chief executive officer of
Corel Corporation. "We recognized e-commerce as a rapidly expanding
shopping alternative and believe that offering localized software shows our
ongoing commitment to its continued improvement."
Corel's new Language Center will offer users the convenience of purchasing
shrink-wrapped versions of their favorite Corel software in a variety of
languages. Initial offerings include shrink-wrapped versions of CorelDRAW
and Corel WordPerfect Suite software in Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish,
Dutch, French, German, Italian, Traditional and Simplified Chinese,
Japanese and Korean. Localized products on Corel Galleria are available in
North America only.
Joel Ronning, president and chief executive officer of Digital River said,
"Corel's product breadth has allowed us to create one of the best commerce
sites on the web. Corel is one of the world's largest software publishers,
and they chose Digital River because our technology and experience has
enabled them to deliver their products over the Internet with confidence."
Coming Soon....
In the weeks ahead, online shoppers who visit the Photo Studio on Corel
Galleria will find some exciting changes. In addition to offering over
80,000 royalty-free images for download, the revamped Corelr Photo Studio
will include an array of photo collections organized around varying themes.
Shoppers on Corel Galleria will be able to choose from our Individual Photo
CD's, Corel's Super Ten Pack collections and the Corel Stock Photo
Libraries I- IV. Internet shoppers can also visit the USA TODAY Software
Marketplace at http://marketplace.usatoday.com where Digital River is
showcasing a selection of Corel products. USA TODAY is one of Digital
River's more than 100 on-line resellers now offering thousands of royalty-
free images and popular products such as CorelDRAW and Corel WordPerfect.
Corel Corporation
Incorporated in 1985, Corel Corporation is recognized internationally as an
award-winning developer and marketer of productivity applications, graphics
and Internet software. Corel's product line includes CorelDRAWT, Corelr
WordPerfectr Suite, Corelr Office Professional, Corelr WebMaster Suite,
CorelVIDEOT and CorelCADT. Corel's products run on most operating systems,
including: Windowsr, Macintoshr, UNIX, MS-DOS, and OpenVMS and are
consistently rated among the strongest in the industry. The company ships
its products in over 17 languages through a network of more than 160
distributors in 70 countries worldwide. Corel is traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (symbol: COS) and the NASDAQ - National Market System
(symbol: COSFF). For more information visit Corel's home page on the
Internet at http://www.corel.com.
Corel, WordPerfect, Presentations, CorelDRAW, CorelVIDEO and CorelCAD are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Corel Corporation or Corel
Corporation Limited. Sylvan and Sylvan Learning Systems Centers are
registered trademarks and Authorized Prometric Testing Centers and Sylvan
Prometric are trademarks of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., in the U.S. and
Canada. All product and company names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
LEXMARK OPTRA C
COLOR
LASER PRINTER
For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to
you that demonstrates LEXMARK Optra C SUPERIOR QUALITY 600 dpi Laser Color
Output, please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business
sized envelope please) to:
STReport's LEXMARK Printout Offer
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155
Folks, the LEXMARK Optra C has to be the very best yet in its price range.
It is far superior to anything we've seen or used as of yet. It is said
that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. The out put from the Lexmark
Optra C is worth ten thousand words! Send for the free sample now. (For a
sample that's suitable for framing, see below) Guaranteed. you will be
amazed at the superb quality. (Please.. allow at least a two week turn-
around).
If you would like a sample printout that's suitable for framing. Yes
that's right! Suitable for Framing. Order this package. It'll be on
special stock and be of superb quality. We obtained a mint copy of a 1927
COLOR ENGRAVER'S YEAR BOOK. Our Scanner is doing "double duty"! The
results will absolutely blow you away. If you want this high quality
sample package please include a check or money order in the amount of $6.95
(Costs only) Please, make checks or money orders payable to; Ralph Mariano.
Be sure to include your full return address and telephone number . The
sample will be sent to you protected, not folded in a 9x12 envelope. Don't
hesitate.. you will not be disappointed. This "stuff" is gorgeous!
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
"It doesn't get any better."
Adobe Wins Summary Judgment in Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
San Jose, Calif., (February 6, 1998) (Nasdaq: ADBE) - Adobe Systems
Incorporated today announced that a federal district court in San Jose has
ruled in Adobe's favor on its claim that certain fonts distributed by The
Learning Company (formerly Softkey International, Inc.) infringe Adobe's
copyrights. The judge's ruling analyzed one Adobe font, "Utopia," and held
that the developer, Paul King of Southern Software, Inc. ("SSI"), illegally
copied from Adobe's font software program, modified it, and licensed it to
The Learning Company who distributed it as "Veracity." Adobe believes the
ruling will apply with equal force to the more than 1100 other SSI fonts at
issue in the litigation, which were developed and licensed in the very same
manner.
"We are very pleased with the judge's ruling. This continues our record in
defending our intellectual property rights. The ruling in Adobe's favor is
a victory, not just for Adobe, but for typeface designers, large and small,
around the world," said Paul R. Anderson, Vice-President Type & Content.
Adobe was represented in this action by the Palo Alto, California office of
Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich.
Adobe Helps Small Businesses Stand Out
on the Web with PageMill 3.0
San Jose, Calif., (February 2, 1998) (Nasdaq:ADBE) -- For small businesses,
being on the Web provides an opportunity to grow revenues by directly
reaching customers at lower costs. Building a compelling Web presence,
however, can take time and resources that quickly diminish the return on
their Web investment. Today, Adobe Systems Incorporated introduced Adobe(R)
PageMill(R) 3.0 software, the solution for small businesses needing to
build a unique and professional-quality Web presence without sacrificing
day-to-day business resources. A free preview version of Adobe PageMill 3.0
is available now for download from Adobe's Web site at
http://www.adobe.com.
Adobe PageMill 3.0 joins Adobe's category-leading family of complementary
products, including Adobe Photoshop(R), Adobe PageMaker(R) and Adobe
Illustrator(R) software, extending the power and control businesses have to
communicate on the Web and in print. Adobe PageMill 3.0 enables users to
easily create a unique and compelling Web presence and features a complete
solution that integrates Web page authoring, site management and a limited
edition of the leading Web graphics tool, Adobe Photoshop.
"Adobe products have set the world standard for professional graphic
design, enabling millions of customers to turn their company's marketing
message into eye-catching, unforgettable content," said Kyle Mashima, vice
president and general manager of Adobe's Home and Office Products Division.
"With Adobe PageMill 3.0, small businesses now have a complete solution for
building Web content that delivers their company's message with clarity and
impact."
For small businesses, successful Web marketing includes being able to build
a unique and professional quality Web presence without a huge investment in
time. Adobe PageMill 3.0 provides the solution, enabling them to build
error-free, visually-interesting Web sites as quickly and as simply as
dragging and dropping. "We wanted to put our business on-line, so I
immediately turned to PageMill as a cost-effective, easy alternative," said
Michael Golebiewski, Webmaster for Schroeder's Bakeries, Inc., a 50-person
baked goods producer in Buffalo, New York. "With PageMill and Photoshop, we
easily learned how to produce the site we wanted, ultimately resulting in
orders from customers around the world. We also publish a printed
newsletter with Adobe PageMaker, which we intend to convert to Portable
Document Format using Acrobat software so we can deliver it to our
customers on-line. With Adobe products, we have the control to build and
manage the Web presence we want, all well within our budget."
Unlike other Web authoring tools, which can cause users to unknowingly
create Web pages only viewable in specific browsers and require end-users
to install and run complex server software, Adobe PageMill 3.0 makes the
task of creating and maintaining a compelling, error-free Web site fast and
uncomplicated. Key new features in Adobe PageMill 3.0 include:
Integrated Site Management
Adobe PageMill 3.0 gives users the power to manage their Web sites the way
they want. Adobe PageMill 3.0 software's complete site management
capabilities enable users to update graphics, links, text, animations and
any other elements across an entire site as simply as dragging and
dropping. Best of all, PageMill software's site management features do not
require users to install or run complicated server software.
Advanced Page Layout
Adobe PageMill 3.0 enables users to quickly and easily add advanced page
layout capabilities to their Web pages, such as borderless frames, as
simply as clicking and dragging a mouse. Visual feedback is instant and
automatic.
Error-free Web Pages
No business wants to create Web pages that their customers can't see or
that don't appear correctly in some Web browsers. Unlike other tools that
can create Web pages that won't display properly for everyone, Adobe
PageMill 3.0 ensures that the Web pages you create look the way you intend
in today's popular Web browsers. For advanced HTML editing, PageMill's
source mode passes HTML through "as is" to preserve specialized tags and
formatting.
Enhanced Support for Java and Multimedia
Creating compelling Web sites with Adobe PageMill 3.0 is as quick and as
simple as dragging and dropping. Users can embed, modify and preview
multimedia elements, Java applets and animated GIFs, directly inside the
PageMill editor.
Professional-quality CD Content
The Adobe PageMill 3.0 CD-ROM speeds the development process by providing
thousands of professional-quality Web graphics, animations, page templates,
Java applets and more -- all of which can be easily customized to build a
unique and compelling Web presence. Adobe PageMill 3.0 also includes
Photoshop LE, the limited edition version of the industry's leading Web
graphics tool.
Pricing and Availability
A free preview version of Adobe PageMill 3.0 software for Windows(R) 95 and
Windows NT(R) 4.0 is available now for downloading from Adobe's Web site at
http://www.adobe.com. PageMill 3.0 is expected to ship in March, 1998, with
an estimated street price of $99.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe Systems Incorporated develops and supports
products to help people express and use information in more imaginative
and meaningful ways, across all print and electronic media. Founded in
1982, Adobe helped launch the desktop publishing revolution. Today, the
company offers a market-leading line of application software and type
products for creating and distributing visually rich communication
materials; licenses its industry-standard technologies to major hardware
manufacturers, software developers, and service providers; and offers
integrated software solutions to businesses of all sizes. For more
information, see Adobe's home page at http://www.adobe.com on the World
Wide Web.
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
Flaw In Widely Used Security System
Suit Challenges Use Of Filtering
Software In Public Library
Netscape Looking For A Buyer?
Argentine Supreme Court Rules
Software Piracy Legal
Microsoft Moves Browser Unit Into
Windows Group
DirecTV Delays
Intel Inside Barbie
Spammers Warned By FTC
Senator Hatch Worries About
Microsoft "Proprietary Internet"
Clinton Administration Proposes
Transferring .Edu Control
Senators Offer Support For
Filtering Software
Power Computing Shuts Down
Web Profits Still Elusive
Microsoft To Use Collier's Content
In Encarta
AT&T Eyeing Cable-Net Venture
Indian Tribe Creates Web-Based
National Lottery
AOL Raises The Bridge And Lowers
The Water
Computer Associates Makes Hostile
Bid For Computer Sciences
Sprint Teams With EarthLink
QuickTime Accepted As Standard
Media Companies Eye Technical
Training Business
Kodak Invests In Internet Photo
Business
Virtual TV Studios
FLAW IN WIDELY USED SECURITY SYSTEM
A flaw has been found in a security system that has been used for a number
of years to control access to restricted areas in airports, prisons,
financial institutions, technology organizations, drug companies, and
government agencies. Apparently caused by a programming mistake, the flaw
could allow terrorists to gain control of the electronic badges authorizing
access to such areas. The FAA says it has "notified our field personnel
and they are examining the situation with airports that use this system."
(New York Times 8 Feb 98)
SUIT CHALLENGES USE OF FILTERING SOFTWARE
IN PUBLIC LIBRARY
The American Civil Liberties Union and a columnist for the San Francisco
Examiner are among eight plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of a
decision by a library in Loudon County, Virginia, to use filtering
software to block certain Internet sites from its publicly available
computers. The X-Stop software, which is intended to screen out obscene
material or sexually explicit language, is blocking sites that include
some mainstream newspapers, a Methodist church, a university women's
association, and a safe-sex page for teenagers. An ACLU attorney says:
"We should hold libraries to the higher standards of the First Amendment.
You simply can't block books that are constitutionally protected." The
chair of the library's board says: "The library has the right to choose
the material in its library. We could become the financers of
pornography." (AP 8 Feb 98)
NETSCAPE LOOKING FOR A BUYER?
Analysts are speculating that Netscape, which is embroiled in a heated
battle with Microsoft over the browser market, is seeking a buyer for all
or part of the company, and has held discussions with Sun Microsystems,
America Online, IBM, Oracle and others. All of these companies would like
to see Netscape succeed in its efforts to derail Microsoft's incursions
into the Web browser arena. Netscape's browser market share has fallen to
57%, down from 73% a year ago, largely due to Microsoft's success.
Industry observers say Netscape's best strategy would be to partner with
someone sooner rather than later, and not wait too long to sell, like Apple
and Novell. (USA Today 6 Feb 98)
ARGENTINE SUPREME COURT RULES SOFTWARE PIRACY LEGAL
Executives of Microsoft, IBM and Unisys are protesting a recent Argentine
Supreme Court decision ruling that antiquated copyright laws don't cover
computer software. Software makers point out that royalties aren't paid on
about 70% of the software sold in Argentina, resulting in roughly $165
million in revenue losses annually. A recent study by Price Waterhouse &
Co. indicates the biggest abusers are Argentine federal and local
government agencies and small private businesses. "There's no culture in
Argentina of assigning value to software," says a Unisys unit president.
(Wall Street Journal 6 Feb 98)
DIRECTV DELAYS
DirecTV's PCTV project is now slated for rollout in late 1998, about a year
behind schedule. The company has been working with Microsoft, but delays
in the release of Windows 98 have slowed progress on PCTV. DirecTV is now
working with Doctor Design Inc., which will develop a television-based
platform for the digital data product. "We're not necessarily waiting for
Microsoft," says a DirecTV spokeswoman. Meanwhile, the group manager for
Microsoft's DTV group says the project is still on course. "As far as
we're concerned, there's been no change in the relationship."
(Broadcasting & Cable 2 Feb 98)
INTEL INSIDE BARBIE
Intel is working with Mattel and other toy makers to develop technical
standards for creating interactive toys. The toys would hook up to a PC
and could be programmed to talk, for instance, by parents or children.
This latest move is part of Intel's strategy to expand the use of its
microprocessors beyond PCs used strictly for spreadsheets, word processing
and Net surfing. (New York Times 6 Feb 98)
SPAMMERS WARNED BY FTC
More than 1,000 "spammers," many of whom are suspected of being involved in
fraudulent schemes, will receive letters from the Federal Trade
Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection warning them to clean up their
act. The FTC is targeting people who send unsolicited junk e-mail
involving illegal chain letters, business opportunities that appear
fraudulent, credit solicitations and diet or medical products making
deceptive claims. Others who send e-mail advertising adult Web sites will
not be contacted by the FTC, which is traditionally responsible for
battling consumer fraud. If the spammers continue with their activities,
the FTC can request court orders to stop marketers' activities and freeze
their assets. (USA Today 6 Feb 98)
SENATOR HATCH WORRIES ABOUT MICROSOFT
"PROPRIETARY INTERNET"
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) is worried that
Microsoft may be trying to build a "proprietary Internet" that will
excluded competitors, stifle innovation, and invite government regulation
of global networks. Hatch told the audience at a seminar hosted by a
conservative think tank in Washington: "Vigilant and effective antitrust
enforcement today is preferable to the heavy hand of government regulation
of the Internet tomorrow." (Wall Street Journal 6 Feb 98)
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES
TRANSFERRING .EDU CONTROL
As part of the Clinton Administration's proposal to shift control over the
Internet from the government to private entities, it has suggested that an
unspecified nonprofit organization assume responsibility for overseeing the
".edu" addresses. Educom has offered to take over that process, and
President Robert C. Heterick, Jr. has pledged "a blue-ribbon panel" of
college presidents and chief information officers to determine which
applicants are eligible for the .edu designation. Educom is the only
organization to date to make a specific offer, and NSF officials have been
"encouraging," says Heterick, who adds, "We want to make sure that somebody
does it who has the best interests of higher education at heart." The
government's Internet plan can be found at
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/dnsdrft.htm . (Chronicle of
Higher Education 13 Feb 98)
POWER COMPUTING SHUTS DOWN
Power Computing Corp., which until last summer was the fastest-growing PC
company of the 1990s, has closed its doors, after failing to make the
transition from being an Apple Macintosh clone maker to a Wintel machine
maker. The company had stopped production of the Wintel machines in
December, citing parts shortages, but said it planned to start back up
early this year. According to a security guard at Power Computing
headquarters, "The show is over, the monkey is dead, and they've folded the
tent." (Tampa Tribune 9 Feb 98)
WEB PROFITS STILL ELUSIVE
Despite record Internet advertising revenues in 1997, most analysts are
predicting a wave of consolidations and failures this year, as revenues
continue to fall far short of the expenses involved in electronic
publishing. And even for those publishers tenacious enough to hang on, it
could still be another three or four years before they can expect to
realize a profit. "I think this is the year where the contenders will step
forward and the pretenders will step back," says the executive VP of
SportsLine USA. The problem boils down to too many Web sites chasing too
few ad dollars, and advertisers remaining wary of the new medium: "Many
people are expecting the big-brand advertisers like Coca-Cola and
McDonald's to pile in, but we find that this is not a great medium for
brand advertisers," says a Forrester Research analyst. (Miami Herald 8 Feb
98)
MICROSOFT TO USE COLLIER'S CONTENT IN ENCARTA
Microsoft is acquiring the rights to use content from Collier's
encyclopedia in its own Encarta CD-ROM. Encarta, which was Microsoft's
first big multimedia success, has become central to the company's strategy
to sell software to schools. "Collier's is in a league with Britannica and
Americana," says an encyclopedia analyst. "They call them the ABC of the
encyclopedia industry." Encarta has won praise for its use of video and
graphics, but has been criticized for its original decision five years ago
to use text from Funk & Wagnalls, largely regarded as a second-rate source.
(Los Angeles Times 9 Feb 98)
AT&T EYEING CABLE-NET VENTURE
AT&T is talking with top cable-TV companies about getting involved in an
Internet-cable-TV venture. The cable companies are considering merging
Time Warner's Road Runner Internet-access unit with @Home Corp., which is
backed by Tele-Communications Inc., Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc.
and Cablevision Systems Corp. Although executives warn there are still
numerous issues to be worked out, one familiar with the talks says, "We all
have a strong desire to do something here. There's always been a natural
alliance between long-distance and cable." (Wall Street Journal 10 Feb 98)
INDIAN TRIBE CREATES WEB-BASED NATIONAL LOTTERY
>From a five-year-old bingo hall and casino on a two-lane country road 25
miles from Spokane, Washington, the 1,400 members of the Coeur d'Alene
Indian tribe launched the Web-based "U.S. Lottery," which they call "the
first ever parimutuel lottery to be accessible both by telephone and
Internet." The attorneys general of Missouri and Wisconsin have sued to
block the activity, and Senator Jon Kyl (R., Arizona) has introduced a bill
to ban Internet gambling outright. Wisconsin attorney general Jim Doyle
says, "It's a crime in Wisconsin to solicit or retrieve a bet. The law is
very clear. If you do it by means of telephone, or telegraph, or the
Internet, you are violating Wisconsin laws. The Coeur d'Alenes have not
greater standing than a bookie sitting out in Minnesota receiving phone
bets from Washington citizens." (Washington Post 10 Feb 98)
AOL RAISES THE BRIDGE AND LOWERS THE WATER
In a two-punch move that has delighted Wall Street, America Online has
raised its subscription prices (from $19.95 to $21.95 a month) while at the
same time announcing a layoff of 50% of the 1,000 employees who had come
from the recent CompuServe acquisition and who have mostly been customer
service representatives. Industry analyst Michael Parekh says: "The
Internet needs to raise prices. None of the 4,000 Internet service
providers that want to grow their subscriber base can make money at
$19.95." (New York Times CyberTimes 10 Feb 98)
COMPUTER ASSOCIATES MAKES HOSTILE BID
FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES
Computer Associates, a leading supplier of software to Fortune 500
companies, is making a $9 billion bid for Computer Sciences, which supplies
consulting services to the same kinds of companies. If the takeover
succeeds, Computer Associates will be surpass Oracle in revenue and become
the No. 2 independent software maker after Microsoft. CA chief executive
and founder Charles Wang, who built the company through more than 60
acquisitions and many large layoffs, says there were won't be large layoffs
this time. (USA Today 12 Feb 98)
SPRINT TEAMS WITH EARTHLINK
Sprint has acquired a 30% stake in Internet access provider EarthLink, and
the two companies are combining their Internet services. In addition to
receiving $24 million in cash and $100 million in convertible debt
financing, EarthLink will gain access to Sprint's network, marketing and
distribution channels. EarthLink will provide services to Sprint's
Internet Passport customer base, and Sprint has pledged to deliver a
minimum of 150,000 new customers a year for five years. (TechInvestor 11
Feb 98)
QUICKTIME ACCEPTED AS STANDARD
The International Standards Organization has selected Apple's QuickTime
file format as the basis for developing a new specification, called MPEG-4,
to create digital, audio, and video content. MPEG stands for Motion
Picture Experts Group. The final specification of MPEG-4 is not expected
to be completed until 1999, so products based on the specification are not
expected until at least then. Apple does not expect big revenues from the
licensing of the QuickTime file format. (Wired News 12 Feb 98)
INTEL LAUNCHES 3-D CHIP
Intel Corp.'s new 1740 chip is designed to bring sophisticated
3-dimensional images to desktop PCs. It includes 2-D graphics and video
features from Chips & Technologies, Inc., which Intel recently acquired, as
well as 3-D circuitry developed by Real3D, a spinoff of Lockheed Martin
(Intel controls 20% of Real3D). An analyst at Micro Design Resources notes
that while the 1740 is the fastest chip of its kind currently on the
market, that situation won't last for long. "By the standards of what is
coming out this spring, it's not that impressive. At least two or three
rivals will be faster." Other companies working on 3-D chips include
startups Nvidia Inc., Chromatic Research Inc., 3Dlabs Inc. and 3Dfx
Interactive Inc. (Wall Street Journal 12 Feb 98)
MEDIA COMPANIES EYE TECHNICAL TRAINING BUSINESS
A new study out from Queensland University of Technology in Australia says
that major media companies don't really want to replace colleges and
universities as educators of students, but are more interested in supplying
the technology needed for distance learning programs. The one area where
corporations such as Microsoft, McGraw-Hill and News Corp. might want to
compete is in technical training, where many of them have already
established programs for employees. Meanwhile, technical training is also
attractive to academics, because it tends to be more profitable than
undergraduate teaching. The study is available at
http://www.deetya.gov.au/divisions/hed/ (Chronicle of Higher Education 13
Feb 98)
KODAK INVESTS IN INTERNET PHOTO BUSINESS
Eastman Kodak Co. is acquiring a majority stake in closely held
PictureVision Inc., which provides an online posting service for digital
photographers in direct competition to Kodak Picture Network. Both
services allow consumers to store and send their pictures over the
Internet, but PictureVision's service is typically faster than Kodak's.
Kodak plans to join the two services, and benefit from PictureVision's
quicker turnaround time. The company also plans to expand the service so
that it's available to people without computers via networked kiosks.
(Wall Street Journal 12 Feb 98)
VIRTUAL TV STUDIOS
If you're like most people, you haven't really noticed that a number of TV
anchor persons are now posed in front of sets that don't exist, except in
the mind's eye of computer graphics. Some examples: Discovery News,
WCBS-TV's 11 pm newscast, and ABC's 1996 election coverage, which was
produced in its entirety on a virtual set. Designer Dan Devlin, whose
set-design style tends to feature decoratively painted walls in mottled
colors, says: "The viewing audience at home should not be able to tell.
That's the key to good design." (New York Times CyberTimes 12 Feb 98)
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Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
fsereno@streport.com
The Kids' Computing Corner
Computer news and software reviews
from a parent's point of view
In the News
Comfy Licenses Sesame Street Characters For New Children's Phone
Comfy, Inc., a maker of children's computer peripherals, has announced a
licensing partnership with the Children's Television Workshop. They have
created an interactive toy telephone that uses speech recognition
technology to allow children to speak to the stars of Sesame Street and
play games on an included CD-ROM. The toy hooks up to the computers sound
card. By speaking into the phone or pressing numbers on the handset, kids
can converse with Elmo, Big Bird or Bert and Ernie and play games. The
suggested retail price is $49.
The interactive phone will be bundled with different CD-ROM character discs
that will include age appropriate material. If you want to learn more
about the phone or Comfy, Inc., check out the company's Web site at
http://www.comfyland.com
The Learning Company Proclaims "Codie" Award Finalists
The Learning Company has been informed that four of its products are
finalists for Codie awards for excellence in software design. The Codies
are awarded by the Software Publishers Association, the industry's leading
trade organization.
The programs nominated for awards are:
* Paint, Write & Play! for "Best Curriculum Software for Early
Education"
* Schoolhouse Rock: Math Rock for "Best Curriculum Software for
Early Education"
* Ultimate Writing & Creativity Center for "Best Educational
Software"
* Storybook Weaver DELUXE for "Best Educational Software Upgrade"
The awards will be announced at the SPA's Annual Spring Symposium, March 21-
23 in San Jose.
Carmen Sandiego Stars in New Math Adventure
Broderbund has released the newest edition of the Carmen Sandiego series.
This time, children must develop their math skills to foil the criminal
mastermind in Carmen Sandiego Math Detective. They will learn to solve
word problems as well as multiplication, addition, subtraction, fractions
and more. Designed for children in the fourth through sixth grades, the
game will develop numerous math skills and help kids to develop problem-
solving strategies.
You can visit http://www.carmensandiego.com for a great online resource for
game hints and for discount offers and product announcements on the Carmen
Sandiego software series. Carmen Sandiego Math Detective is available for
$39 at finer retailers everywhere.
Panasonic Interactive Ships Secret Writer's Society
Panasonic Interactive Media is now shipping Secret Writer's Society, an
interactive CD-ROM intended to teach seven to nine-year-olds the
fundamentals of effective writing. This fun, seven-level activity teaches
the five-step writing plan: planning, drafting, revising, editing and
presenting as well as proper grammar including capitalization, punctuation
and sentence structure.
Most of the program uses text-to-speech technology (the player is given
feedback for each word typed) to quickly teach children the basics. After
completing enough levels, children gain membership into the Secret Writer's
Society. This also includes access to a special Web site where children
can get more missions and send coded messages to other members.
Secret Writer's Society is retailing for $34.95 at many software outlets.
Video Highway Xtreme Preview
AIMS Labs has just introduced a product that has the promise to be the
Swiss army knife of video accessories. Just pop this Plug and Play card
into an open PCI slot in your computer, connect it to your video card and
then watch the games begin. This card combines so many features that it is
overwhelming!
The Video Highway Xtreme (VHX for short) offers a television tuner, an FM
radio tuner, still video capture and full-motion video capture all in one
card. You can watch your favorite TV show in a window or in its full-
screen glory. The tuner is Intel Intercast-ready for the latest in
interactive television and features Intel's Smart Guide, a program guide to
the 125 available channels. If you love to whistle while you work, you can
hear tunes from one of the 99 possible stations on the FM tuner.
If you are looking for a capture board, the VHX has many great features.
It has both RCA composite and S-video inputs. You can hook video game
consoles, DVD machines, video recorders or video cameras. You can create
digital still images or capture video at 30 frames per second. The AVI
files from real-time video capturing can be uploaded to Web sites or
transferred to removable media. Create presentations, slideshows,
demonstrations, home videos and more. Your only limitation is your own
imagination!
Another feature is the ability of the unit to work as an Internet
videophone. By connecting a video camera and the included VDO software,
you have a fully functioning videophone for live videoconferencing over the
Internet. Wouldn't this be a cool way to stay in touch with family and
friends as well?
The VHX has a suggested retail price of $129.95 and AIMS Labs is offering
a $30 rebate. This places the VHX in direct price competition with Play,
Inc.'s Snappy 3.0 and Snappy 3.0 Deluxe. The VHX offers many more features
for the price.
The card requires a Pentium 90 CPU, 16MB of RAM, an open PCI slot, Windows
95 DirectDraw and a video card with 2MB VGA memory
The Video Highway Xtreme is a very affordable and useful multi-featured
card. To find out if the VHX is as amazing as it press release, I hope to
do an in-depth review of this product in an upcoming issue.
Jason's Jive
Jason Sereno, STR Staff
jsereno@streport.com
Driver's Education `98
Windows 95 CD-ROM
Approximate Retail: $49.95
For all ages
Sierra Online
3380 146th Place SE, Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98007
(206) 641-7617
http://www.sierra.com
Over half of the automobile accidents in the US each year involve teenage
drivers. Many people feel this fact makes it clear most driver's Ed
classes are not very efficient. Some states are even contemplating raising
the driving age to eighteen. Politicians feel that drivers at sixteen are
not mature enough to operate a vehicle correctly. Perhaps, the large
classrooms and small amount of individual time may also be a part of it.
Sierra Online has recently published a title that gives the user a one-on-
one driving experience. Driver's Education '98 lets any would-be driver
exit the busy Driver's Ed classrooms and sit down in the comfort of your
own home, in front of your PC. This program is separated into individual
lessons. Each contain a virtual city with hundreds of possible situations
and detailed objectives. They also have short written tests which must be
passed before you may proceed unto the next lesson. All of this, and
Sierra even guarantees that you will past your test or you can get your
money back!
Driver's Ed '98 is broken down into lessons that deal with unique parts of
driving. Each lesson has two parts: A written and virtual. The written
section gives information that will be asked in the test for that unit.
The tests themselves are not very lengthy. They are usually five to seven
questions long. You have to read the written part to answer these
questions usually, but some are just common sense. If you miss just one
or two questions though, you must retake the test to pass the lesson.
The virtual test takes place in the virtual city. This city contains a
wide array of landscapes. It has busy streets, country roads, and
highways. Grading in this portion is done by the amount of mistakes you
make. You begin at one-hundred points and you are deducted for each
driving error you commit. For instance, failing to check your mirrors when
switching lanes or not checking intersections are small deductions. Enough
of these and you will have to take the virtual test again. Blowing red
lights or getting in accidents are huge deductions which require you to
take the virtual test again automatically.
When driving in the virtual city, you will see many kinds of automobiles.
Dodge Neons and classic Ford Mustangs are just a couple of the cars you may
spot while driving. Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and school buses
may also be seen during your sessions. The importance these vehicles are
crucial. You will need to know what to do when an ambulance comes from
behind you or a school bus stops in front of your car. All vehicles
prove to be helpful as well when you need to learn your right of ways
rules.
You may not be able to get a true feel of this game with the regular
version though. It was given a Deluxe edition of this program. Driver's
Ed '98 Deluxe also includes a Thrustmaster Grand Prix 1 racing wheel. This
seventy dollar wheel adds a lot of realism and makes the user more familiar
with the actual feel of steering when driving. However, this racing wheel
doesn't come with a pedal system. You have to use a pair of keyboard
buttons to accelerate and brake. It is still a good accessory over all.
One thing you should check first is your state's policy on getting your
license. Some states demand that a person takes a specified number of
classes if they are offered in their town. This only applies to driver's
under eighteen years old, but it varies from state to state. So for some
people, this program may not replace the actual classes, but it sure does
add to the learning experience.
I have to recommend this program to anyone that is or knows someone who is
planning to get their license soon. It offers a lot of information and the
virtual city is very fun to travel in. People who are not satisfied using
their joystick or keyboard may want to purchase the Deluxe Edition. The
wheel does add a lot to gameplay. So if you or someone you know is about
to embark on the great adventure we know as, driving, pick up Sierra's
Driver's Ed '98 or Driver's Ed '98 Deluxe today!
Program Requirements
Pentium with 16 MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA 256 color monitor, 1 MB PCI video
card, WIN compatible sound card w/DAC, Windows '95, 50MB free hard drive
space.
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STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The
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STReport International Online Magazine
Scenes from the upcoming realtime 3D game Montezuma's Return!
Montezuma's Return Game Overview:
Montezuma's Returnis a first-person realtime 3d action adventure game for
IBM PC compatible computers. It features real-time immersive 3D graphics
and fast action gameplay. The game is spiced with humor and many
full-motion video (FMV) interludes. Unlike other 3D games, the focus of
Montezuma's Return is jumping, puzzle-solving and obstacle maneuvering,
rather than destruction. Montezuma's Return will give hours of
entertainment for the entire family, and will offer excitement for even the
most experienced game player.
The Story:
The Year 1348. The Aztec war is near an end. King Montezuma's army has been
defeated and his empire has crumbled. Montezuma hid his treasures deep
beneath the ground underneath the Aztec grand temple. In desperation, he
assembled his greatest sorcerers together and instructed them to place a
curse upon the land which contains the treasure. From that day and for ten
thousand years forward anyone who set foot on this ground would be stricken
with the wrath of the curse. For even the soul of any trespasse would be
trapped within the walls of the temple forever. The king's sorcerers were
powerful, but were no match for the combined forces of the Spaniards and
the neighboring tribes. King Montezuma and his few remaining consorts
abandoned their land and were never seen nor heard from again.
Over the years, several groups have heard about the lost treasure of
Montezuma. Paying no heed to the curse, they have attempted to raid the
temple of its treasures. With one exception, all of these previous
adventurers have never been seen of again. In 1932 an aristocrat by the
name of Horace Armstrong Green assembled a team of 12 mercenaries in an
expedition to retrieve the legendary treasure. Horace was the only one of
the thirteen who returned, but he was not the same. Those who know him
reported that Horace spent his final days rambling on about zombies, aliens
and huge deformed rodents involved the death of his twelve compatriots.
Clearly affected by madness, he survived for three only weeks. An autopsy
concluded that his death was due to an infection of rare brain parasites.
The Year 1998. The adventurer, Max Montezuma (the only surviving direct
descendant of the legendary Aztec king) returns to the land of his
ancestors to claim the treasure to it's rightful heir. No one knows exactly
where he's from, and no one knows exactly where he's going, but one thing's
for certain - if there's danger and loot, Max will be there. Some people
think he's a bounty hunter, some people call him a mercenary, and others
say he's an international spy. Even when he's not looking for it, trouble
follows Max like a fly to a horse's tail in the summer and Max wouldn't
have it any other way.
Game Description:
Montezuma's Return is an immersive realtime 3D action adventure game for PC
CD/ROM. The game stars YOU as Max Montezuma, the daring adventurer and
rumored descendant of the legendary Aztec Emperor. Escaping from a doomed
flight, armed only with a flashlight, survival will be his first challenge.
Our hero must discover the secrets of a lost civilization while stranded on
an uncharted tropical island. It won't take long to find out that the
island is populated with many ghoulish opponents energized by an ancient
curse. As the plot unfolds, the player must restore the desecrated tomb of
his legendary ancestor thereby lifting the curse of the ancients. Along the
way, he'll encounter some friendly characters who will help him on his
mission. He'll also needs to discover the link between the ancient Aztecs
and a mysterious alien race! The game combines the best elements of
adventure games with jumping-climbing-fighting-swimming dexterity
challenges, all wrapped up and spiced with humor.
Utopia Technologies, Inc.
P.O. BOX 515764
Dallas, Texas 75251
www.utopiatech.com
Classics & Gaming Section
Editor Dana P. Jacobson
dpj@streport.com
>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
So, how many more weeks will pass before the Monica Lewinsky jokes
start to abate? If the current Washington "scandal" wasn't so stupid, it'd
be hilarious. With all of the current problems in the world, it's amazing
that this story still makes the headlines. And I'm helping to perpetuate
the topic by bringing it up here as well. Isn't anything sacred these
days? I apologize...
To my utter amazement (really!), we have very little to report to you
again this week. I think back on many discussions some local Atari users
and I used to have regarding Atari computers and Atari computing in
general. It seems like little has changed over the past 7 or 8 years.
True, Atari finally saw the light and gave up the ghost, but most
everything else has remained the same. Many of are still using Atari
computers while still holding out going PC or Mac; still "complaining"
about the dribs and drabs of hardware and software available (and
appreciating the STuff that does come out!); how the online community is
rapidly changing (from local BBS to online services to the Internet); and
whatever else seems to keep coming-up every other week.
So why do we stick with Atari? I can't answer that question very
well. I know why I continue my affinity for Atari computers and I'm sure
many still "in the fold" would state similar reasons. I feel that its
almost as much the "culture" of Atari users as it is the computing side of
things. It just feels better using Atari computers. Maybe it's because
I'm more of a hobbyist rather than a "power" user that keeps me in this
mode - I really can't say for sure. Maybe it's the feeling of being unique
that remains intriguing - of not succumbing to the mentality similar to the
one of buying a new car every couple of years, whether you need one or not.
Personally, I'd rather be driving a classic "Bug" than some of the new cars
on the road today! Same with computers, in my case. Both get me where I
want to go, when I want. It may burn more gas and oil that it used to; and
it may not get me there as quickly as it once did. But it's still fun to
drive/use. Sure, one of these days I'm going to want to buy a new car or a
peecee, but I can almost guarantee that the old car will be a second car;
and the Atari computers will continue to see some use. Long live Atari
[computers]!
Until next time...
JTS Announces $10 Million Financing Agreement
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- JTS Corporation announced the
completion of a $10 million financing line with NationsBanc Commercial
Corporation, a subsidiary of NationsBank. The company intends to use the
financing for working capital purposes.
"We are very excited to be working with NationsBank, one of the world's
leading financial institutions," said Joe Prezioso, Chief Financial Officer
of JTS. "This financing with allow us to expand first quarter production
to meet forecasted demand for our Champion II Desktop Product Family."
The new banking arrangement with NationsBanc provides for revolving
advances of up to $10 million. The advances are secured by accounts
receivables, inventory, as well as other company assets.
Gaming Section
PSX Ships 30 Million!
"Tetrisphere"!
"Montezuma's Return"!
"Nagano '98"!
Softbank - Microsoft Split!
And more!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
There are times that I wish that I had the ability to keep up with the
gaming world; there are also those times when I'm glad that I cannot! I
haven't set my Jaguar up since the move to suburbia. Just no time, as much
as I'd like to get reacquainted with some of my favorite games. I'd also
like to have one of the newer consoles just to see what all of the
commotion is about.
Week after week I see more and more news about new games coming out,
the new hardware being developed, and the continued growth of this
generation of console-gaming. It sounds fun. Sure, I'd still be happy
with my 2600; I used to love playing the classics (and will again
someday!). I'll dig out my Lynx and Jaguar eventually, as well. Will I
ever get a PSX or N64?
Possibly. If for anything, it would be to see what some of the hot
titles are all about; or, to see how some of the classics have been
translated over to this new generation of technology. But for now, I'm
satisfied in knowing that the console market is still going strong and I'm
enjoying the variety of news that's available. So, let's get to it.
Until next time...
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
Playstation Worldwide Shipments Reach 30 Million
FOSTER CITY, CALIF. (Feb. 9) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 9, 1998 - Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc., the Tokyo-based parent company for the North American
division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., announced that as of
Feb. 5, 1998, cumulative worldwide shipments of its PlayStation game
console had reached 30 million units.
The following is the breakdown: Worldwide PlayStation game console
shipments by region, as of Feb. 5, 1998
O North America (Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.): 10.75
million units
O Japan (Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.): 10.65 million units
O Europe: (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.) 8.60 million units.
"PlayStation is not only the market leader in North America, but is
extending its lead among all next generation video games systems on a
worldwide basis," said Kaz Hirai, chief operating officer, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. "As an illustration of the demand for the
PlayStation, we announced that as of the end of August 1997, we had shipped
20 million units worldwide. Now, as of February 5, 1998, just five months
later, we have shipped 30 million units worldwide." In addition to brisk
hardware shipments, PlayStation software also experienced phenomenal
growth.
As a result, the following is a breakdown for PlayStation software
shipments on a worldwide basis:
O Worldwide PlayStation software shipments by region, as of Feb. 5, 1998
O North America: (Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.) 59 million
units
O Japan: (Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.) 90 million units
O Europe: (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.) 50 million units.
"With the abundant library of high quality PlayStation games throughout
1997, we were able to deliver the widest range of choices to consumers all
year long," added Hirai. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets
and distributes the PlayStation game consoles in North America, publishes
software for the game console and manages the U.S. third party licensing
program.
Hasbro Interactive Awarded License to Produce Jeopardy!
And
Wheel of Fortune Interactive Games
BEVERLY, Mass., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Hasbro Interactive announced today
it has been awarded the rights to publish CD-ROM and Sony Playstation
versions of the top-rated television game shows "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of
Fortune." Hasbro Interactive will release the games this fall. The
agreement with Sony Signatures, Agent for Columbia TriStar Television, will
strengthen Hasbro Interactive's position as the leading publisher of
all-family interactive games, giving Hasbro Interactive the rights to two
of the hottest entertainment licenses in the computer games category.
"Columbia TriStar Television has presented us with a tremendous opportunity
to expand our family entertainment software business," said Hasbro
Interactive President Tom Dusenberry. "Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune have
delighted television audiences all around the world and we are thrilled to
give these classic TV game shows new life on the computer and the Sony
Playstation game console."
Since its inception two years ago, Hasbro Interactive has quickly climbed
to the top of the charts in the interactive games industry and is currently
ranked among the top-5 computer game publishers. (Source: PC Data) Its
first title, the Monopoly CD-ROM game, is nearing the one million units
sell-through mark, a milestone that has been attained by only a handful of
companies. In 1997, Hasbro Interactive expanded its development to include
games for the Sony Playstation Game Console.
"Hasbro Interactive's success in taking the most revered entertainment
brands to new heights in the interactive arena made them an ideal partner
in this exciting venture," said Peter Dang, Executive Vice President of
Licensing, Sony Signatures Licensing. "We are confident that this
agreement will result in the best possible translations of Jeopardy! and
Wheel of Fortune to the PC and Sony Playstation platforms and deliver a
whole new realm of entertainment for our fans."
Created by Merv Griffin in 1964, Jeopardy! is the number-one quiz show in
America. Since its 1984 debut, Jeopardy! has been the recipient of 18
prestigious Daytime Emmy Awards. The quiz show is produced by Columbia
TriStar Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, and is
distributed worldwide by King World Productions, Inc.
For over 14 years, Wheel of Fortune has entertained television audiences
old and young alike with its consonant-guessing, vowel-buying puzzle fun.
It is the top rated game show in 28 countries around the world, with more
than 100 million viewers tuning in each and every week. Wheel of Fortune
is produced by Columbia TriStar Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment
Company, and is distributed by King World Productions, Inc.
EA's Bonding With MGM Denies Goldeneye Sequel for Nintendo
Feb 10, 1998 (MULTIMEDIA WIRE, Vol. 5, No. 27) -- Electronic Arts' deal
yesterday to publish four MGM Interactive titles apparently shuts Nintendo
out of a James Bond license and a Goldeneye 007 sequel. MGM Interactive
parent Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM] licensed James Bond to Nintendo for 1997's
gargantuan-seller Goldeneye. But Nintendo was unable to come to terms with
MGM to publish a sequel to Goldeneye and talks have apparently been halted.
MGM Interactive, instead, will publish a game based on current Bond film
"Tomorrow Never Dies."
As a result, Nintendo will not publish a title based on Tomorrow Never
Dies, a Nintendo official confirms. But Nintendo says it is developing a
game based on the Goldeneye engine. MGM has not said which platforms its
Tomorrow Never Dies-based game will reach, but it is highly unlikely it
will reach the N64, says an MGM official. It is unclear why Nintendo would
deny an EA- distributed title access to its console.
Under the terms of the deal, EA will exclusively publish MGM titles
everywhere except North America. Financial terms were not disclosed. The
other games include PC and PlayStation title WarGames, which is based on
the 80s movie of the same name, 3D action strategy game Return Fire II and
fighting sports game Rollerball.
Take-Two Interactive Acquires Publishing Rights to
Montezuma's Return
NEW YORK (Feb. 9) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 9, 1998 - Take-Two Interactive
Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO, TTWOW) announced today that it has acquired
North American and European multi-platform publishing rights to the highly
anticipated realtime 3D action-adventure game Montezuma's Return from
Utopia Technologies, Inc. In addition, Take-Two has also acquired the
rights to publish the 8-bit classic Montezuma's Revenge on the Nintendo
GameBoy handheld gaming system.
Montezuma's Return is the long-awaited sequel to the enormously successful
Atari 800/Colecovision classic, Montezuma's Revenge. Released in 1984,
Montezuma's Revenge sold over 600,000 units across various platforms,
making it one of the Top 5 bestsellers of that time.
Take-Two plans to release Montezuma's Revenge on
the Nintendo GameBoy in July 1998.
Montezuma's Return, scheduled for release on the PC-CD ROM in August 1998,
recaptures the feel and magic of the original game while incorporating the
most advanced technologies of the present. Montezuma's Return features an
interactive 3D world allowing a full six degrees of freedom, stunning
graphics detailing over 65,000 colors, and over fifty hours of gameplay in
which the player must solve a series of challenging puzzles and participate
in immersive combat sequences. Ryan Brant, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Take-Two stated, "Take-Two is very pleased to be working with
Utopia Technologies and we look forward to making Montezuma's Return every
bit as successful as its classic predecessor."
H2O Entertainment Tetrisphere Sales Figures
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Canadian Corp News, FEBRUARY 6, 1998) -- H2O
Entertainment Corp. (H2O) is pleased to announce that Tetrisphere, H2O's
acttion puzzle game for the Nintendo 64 has sold over 335,000 in North
America to December 31, 1997. H2O's Tetrisphere was launched in late
August 1997 by Nintendo of America and is distributed across North America
through a network of over 14,000 retailers. H2O Entertainment Corp. is a
content provider of quality digital entertainment software. H2O
specializes in video game development for the Nintendo 64. H2O is
currently working on additional N64 projects.
Midway Home Entertainment Announces
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 for N64
CORSICANA, TEXAS (Feb. 10) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 10, 1998 - Midway Home
Entertainment announced today the Feb. 18, 1998 home video game release of
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 for the Nintendo 64. The announcement was made
by Byron Cook, president of Midway Home Entertainment. Produced as a
limited-edition title release, this supersonic, international, hockey
thriller captures the intense energy of the best-of-the-best going at each
other in the 1998 Olympic Hockey tournament. Midway Home Entertainment's
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 for the Nintendo 64 is packed with
next-millennium exclusive features that provide a sports video game
experience transcending all others. Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 is truly in a
league of its own!
The game is an officially licensed product of the Organizing Committee for
the XVIII Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, (NAOC) and the National Hockey
League Players' Association and is distributed in the United States under
authorization of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 is
playable in simulation or arcade modes. Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 boasts
the official colors of all 14 Olympic Hockey teams, and features real
rosters of all the NHLPA members participating in this historic event.
Among the hockey superstars representing Canada, thrill to the big time
play of Paul Kariya and Patrick Roy, while Mike Modano, Mike Richter and
Brian Leetch look to bring home the gold for the U.S.A. Mats Sundin and
Daniel Alfredsson play under the Swedish banner, while Valeri Kamensky and
Alexei Yashin hammer the puck for Russia. Olympic Hockey Nagano '98
includes player names and physical likenesses plus all the moves you'd
expect from a simulation and all the over-the-top action and excitement
found in an arcade.
Gamers can tear up the ice with their favorite Olympic players in fierce
gameplay on their choice of either arcade or regulation sized hockey rinks.
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 presents video gamers with the opportunity to
experience lightning-fast skating, blistering one-timers, and hard-hitting
body checks in international rivalries and adrenaline-pumping
best-of-the-best playoffs -- with full statistic-saving capabilities when
used in conjunction with the N64 Controller Pak(TM). In addition,
international player "cards" allow for up-to-the-minute accuracy in
statistics and trade information.
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 utilizes the full potential of the Nintendo 64
game system's state-of-the-art technology and gives players a truly
unforgettable, visually stunning, and lightning-fast authentic Olympic
hockey game play experience. The hockey players, ice rinks, and arenas in
Olympic Hockey Nagano '98 were created by using motion capture, 3D
animation, and texture mapping for a super realistic sports experience that
further enhances the "you are there" experience.
Featuring state-of-the-art real-time rendered, 3D environments, Olympic
Hockey Nagano '98 allows gamers to play and view the action from all
possible angles at 360 degrees. An intelligent-camera feature
automatically zeros in on important game-play moments, while a special
user-selectable camera mode allows players to view the action from the
angle of their choice. The Nagano Olympic hockey players themselves were
created as individual 3D models to provide each team player with
independent movement, and for a life-like look and feel, each model's
polygonal form was texture-mapped with uniform and facial details.
An extensive library of international hockey-specific skating moves was
created to animate the players in their own, unique and individual,
offensive and defensive positions; skating with or without a stick,
checking, penalty moves, face-offs, and forward and backwards skating. The
audio quality will also impress with digitized music, the better to play
each winning team's national anthem; a sports announcer calling out shots,
players' names, team names, and scores; plus the ambient noises of buzzer,
skating, slap shots, crowd roars, and athlete grunts and clashes.
"With the release of Olympic Hockey Nagano '98, Midway, under license from
the NHLPA and the Nagano 1998 Olympic Organizing Committee, has an
extraordinary opportunity to bring the Olympic spirit home to both hockey
fans and video gamers alike," said Cook.
Midway Home Entertainment Holds Position as Third Party Leader
CORSICANA, TEXAS (Feb. 12) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 12, 1998 - Midway Home
Entertainment confirmed today that the company sold more Nintendo(R) 64
games than any other third party publisher in 1997 based on NPD's TRSTS
1997 video game data. Furthermore, the industry report reveals that the
company has maintained the lead life-to-date for total third party units
sold since the debut of the Nintendo 64 console. The announcement was made
by Paula Cook, director of Marketing for Midway Home Entertainment.
Widely recognized as the leading third party publisher for the Nintendo 64
since the game system's retail debut in 1996, Midway released a total of
five N64 titles this past holiday season; the popular racers San Francisco
Rush Extreme Racing(TM) and Top Gear(R) Rally(TM), the sequel to 1996's
best selling N64 sports game The NHL(R) & NHLPA(TM) present Wayne Gretzky's
3D Hockey '98, the fighter Mace: The Dark Age(TM), and Mortal Kombat(R)
Mythologies: Sub-Zero(TM), the latest offering from the strongest franchise
in video game history.
All totaled, Midway has released ten titles for the Nintendo 64 with plans
for many more. Among the eagerly awaited titles scheduled for release for
the Nintendo 64 from Midway this year are Olympic Hockey Nagano(TM) '98 in
February, Quake(R) 64 and Rampage(TM) World Tour in March. Mortal Kombat(R)
4, Bio FREAKS(TM), Gex(TM) Enter The Gecko, Blitz(TM) and others are slated
for release later in the year.
As part of today's announcement, the company also revealed that it is
offering new, low, value prices on five of its titles for the Nintendo 64 -
the Gamer's(TM) Select Value Price program. Mortal Kombat(R) Trilogy,
DOOM(TM) 64, War Gods(R), NBA HangTime(TM), and Mace: The Dark Age(TM).
Under the terms of the program, these games will carry a $39.95 MAP. In
making the announcement Ms. Cook stated, "We are proud of our
long-standing position as the leading third party publisher for the
Nintendo 64 and are committed to continue our support for the system
through the release of many more great games and the Gamer's Select(TM)
Value Price program."
GT Interactive Signs All-Star Catcher Mike Piazza
NEW YORK (Feb. 12) BUSINESS WIRE - February 12, 1998 - Driven by winning
major league power, GT Interactive Software Corp. has signed Mike Piazza,
the Los Angeles Dodgers' All-Star catcher, to headline its first baseball
video game, Mike Piazza's StrikeZone. Debuting on the N64 this spring,
Mike Piazza's StrikeZone combines realistic simulation and arcade-style
game play.
"We are thrilled to have Mike Piazza on our team for the company's first
baseball title, and believe that the game will appeal to both die-hard
baseball fans and sports gamers alike," says Richard Burns, executive vice
president of Domestic Publishing for GT Interactive. "Mike Piazza's
StrikeZone combines the authenticity of Major League Baseball with
arcade-style game play, resulting in the most fast-paced and fun way to
experience baseball on the N64." GT Interactive is world-renowned for
their special brand of interactive entertainment software, and I am excited
to lend my baseball expertise to their premiere sports video game," says
Mike Piazza.
"Whether stepping up to the plate or protecting it, StrikeZone will provide
players with hours of big-league fun." Developed by Devil's Thumb
Entertainment, Mike Piazza's StrikeZone is an easy-to-learn, fun-to-play
combination baseball simulation and arcade-style game that will immerse
players in a 3D environment steeped in the subtle nuances and traditions of
America's favorite pastime. Mike Piazza's StrikeZone will be available
this spring for the N64 at a suggested retail price of $69.95. In
addition, a Windows 95 version of the game is planned for this fall.
Advanced Game Platforms Drive Sales of Home Market
NEW YORK (Feb. 9) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 9, 1998 - Worldwide sales of
hardware and software for the home interactive entertainment industry
surpassed $23 billion in 1997, with the United States representing nearly
40 percent of the total market, according to Access Media International
(AMI), a New York-based analyst firm. Propelled by the introduction of
more powerful 3D technology that has increased realism in game play and by
the promise of online play, the home interactive entertainment market is
growing faster in the United States than the economy and will exceed $18
billion in sales here within five years. In the most comprehensive
analysis of hardware, software and peripherals ever undertaken, AMI found
that:
The dedicated console market, comprised of the Sony PlayStation, Sega
Saturn and Nintendo 64 platforms, and their software titles and
accessories, is slightly larger than the dedicated game PC market, on a
dollar basis worldwide. In the latter category, no manufacturer dominates.
Global advanced interactive (GamePC and 32 bit and above) software accounts
for approximately $8 billion, or 35 percent, of the in-house interactive
entertainment market. In the U.S., software accounts for over $3.5
billion, or 34 percent, in retail sales volume.
O The dedicated console software market is 6 times larger than the PC
software market on a global basis, but only 2.5 times larger in North
America.
O The 1997 worldwide game controllers market accounted for just under 5
percent of the total market or close to $1 billion and the United States
accounts for close to 50 percent.
O Despite early disappointments, networked gaming has a bright future.
By the year 2002, online game revenues could approach $1 billion in the
United States alone.
Walter Miao, AMI analyst and principal author for the study, predicts
steady growth for all segments of the home interactive entertainment
market, with graphics capabilities the decisive factor in any coming shake
out. "The dedicated console manufacturers, especially Sony, have evolved
their platforms to a point where they provide 3D realism that competes with
the more powerful PCs and yet offer a box at a mass market price," Miao
pointed out. "Console products are also moving quickly to develop next
generation platforms that will integrate with the Internet."
Miao expects to see 128-bit console systems as early as 1999, depending
largely on moves by Sega, which is widely rumored to be developing a new
system which clearly has been delayed but might still be on the horizon for
late 1998 or 1999. Although sales of interactive home entertainment
software have grown steadily, no one console manufacturer or publisher
dominates the hardware segment, according to AMI's study. While three
players -- Nintendo, Sega and Sony have shared the console market, no brand
of PC system is widely known for gaming.
In software, the market is even further splintered. Of the Top 20
publishers of home entertainment software worldwide, for instance, the
largest company, Electronic Arts, represented less than 12 percent of the
interactive entertainment/edutainment market in 1996. Microsoft, the second
largest company, had 10.9 percent. Only one company outside of the United
States is represented in the Top 20, Infogrames, of Lyon, France.
Controller market revenues are climbing. AMI puts the retail market for
game controllers at $155 million in 1996. As might be expected, almost 70
percent of that revenue came from after market sales for the PC, which does
not ship with a game controller. The strongest growth category for both
the PC and the console was game pad/data gloves, which represented about 24
percent of total controller revenues.
While online games have not yet become a significant portion of the market
-- only 4.3 percent of total revenues in 1996 -- Miao feels that this
market will explode over the next five years, as hardware and software
issues, such as latency, or slow on-screen reaction to another player's
moves, are solved.
Real 3D Introduces StarFighter Graphics Accelerator Board
ORLANDO, FLA. (Feb. 12) BUSINESS WIRE - Feb. 12, 1998 - StarFighter Board
Powered by New Intel740 Graphics Accelerator Chip; Board Designed for
Mainstream Pentium Platforms Real 3D today announced the release of its new
family of 3-D/2-D/video graphics accelerator boards, the StarFighter(TM).
Named after the famed Lockheed F-104 StarFighter, the first aircraft to fly
at twice the speed of sound, the board delivers the industry's best
combination of graphics performance and image quality for mainstream PCs.
Powered by the new Intel740 graphics accelerator chip, which Real 3D
co-developed with Intel, the StarFighter is ideal for a range of markets
and users, including corporate desktop configurations, small business
desktop systems, small office/home office systems, computer game
enthusiasts and entry-level workstation systems. "The StarFighter sets a
new standard for graphics acceleration on the desktop," said Dr. Jon
Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Associates, a market research firm in
Tiburon, Calif., tracking digital media technologies. "Pay particular
attention to the image quality. Real 3D's experience with high-fidelity
simulation and advanced arcade graphics really shows with StarFighter and
underscores the fact that consumers and corporate users do not have to
settle for second-rate graphics on the desktop."
The StarFighter, available in both accelerated graphics port (AGP) and
peripheral component interface (PCI) configurations, offers integrated 3-D,
2-D, video support, TV, and DVD features. "Real 3D is a pioneer and
innovator of 3-D computer graphics technology," said Gerald W. Stanley,
president of Real 3D. "The military, Sega, and Intel all rely on proven,
high-quality 3-D graphics invented by Real 3D. Working closely with Intel,
we're bringing this vast experience and know-how to the mass market." The
StarFighter AGP is a fully-featured AGP2x implementation, meaning
StarFighter supports virtually unlimited high-resolution textures, which
deliver sharper visuals and more realistic visual effects. StarFighter
features an optimized 3-D pipeline to improve real-time 3-D quality without
impacting system performance. Support for Direct3D(TM) and OpenGL(TM)
simplifies software development.
Other features and benefits of the StarFighter board include:
O perspective-correct texture to preserve alignment and create realistic
depth;
O bi-linear MIP mapping to smooth the transition of objects from far
away to up close;
O Gouraud and specular shading to create realistic lighting effects and
highlights;
O alpha blending and fog to create interesting and realistic atmospheric
effects;
O anti-aliasing and dithering to eliminate jagged edges and flickering
at the edge of a scene;
O video scaling to provide crisp images at 30 frames per second;
O z-buff ering to reduce the calculations needed for hidden surface
removal; and
O stipple to accelerate cut-away patterns.
"Real 3D played a key role in helping Intel design and validate the AGP
specification because of our experience related to high-performance
graphics systems," said Ralph Nichols, vice president of products at Real
3D. "AGP enables faster graphics, pure and simple. StarFighter takes full
advantage of AGP features such as Direct Memory Execution and side-band
addressing. The StarFighter is AGP done right without question."
For users with Pentium, Pentium Pro, and Pentium II systems, StarFighter
PCI is the perfect upgrade board. Real 3D has designed an AGP-to-PCI bridge
chip that interfaces to the Intel740 and converts any existing PCI system
to AGP graphics performance with the addition of the StarFighter PCI board.
StarFighter AGP is available in configurations ranging from entry-level
boards with 4MB local memory to fully-featured performance boards with 8MB
memory, full video, TV in/out and hardware DVD. Pricing for the StarFighter
AGP board starts at $189.00 (suggested retail).
StarFighter PCI is available in configurations ranging from mid-range
boards with 4MB frame buffer and 8MB local texture to performance boards
with 8MB frame buffer, 16MB local texture, full video, TV in/out and
hardware DVD. Pricing for the StarFighter PCI board starts at $229.00.
Both the StarFighter AGP and StarFighter PCI will be available at the end
of the first quarter. To date, Real 3D has signed distribution agreements
with Pioneer Standard Electronics (Cleveland, Ohio), Forefront Graphics
(Toronto, Canada), Parallax Solutions (Plano, Texas), Performance Graphics
Ltd. (United Kingdom) and The 3D Shop (Norcross, Georgia). For more
detailed sales and distribution information, contact Real 3D at
800/393-7730 or email at real3dreal3d.com.
Softbank, Microsoft End Project
A computer game venture between Microsoft Corp. and Softbank Corp., a major
Japanese distributor of computer software, reportedly is being dissolved
because of slumping sales. In Tokyo, the Nihon Keizai business daily says
Softbank's move comes amid sluggish earnings growth at the three-year old
venture, called Gamebank Corp. Adds The Associated Press, "The company has
been hurt by weaker demand in Japan for personal computer hardware," noting
a Gamebank spokesman declined to discuss whether talks to dissolve the
venture have begun. AP says Gamebank was capitalized at $3.66 million and
is 60 percent owned by Softbank. Microsoft owns the remaining 40 percent.
The newspaper reports Softbank likely will buy the 40 percent stake held by
Microsoft within this year and restructure the company. The purchasing
price is estimated at $1.46 million.
Milia - More Games, Say Developers
CANNES, FRANCE, 1998 FEB 10 (Newsbytes) -- By Patrick McKenna, Newsbytes.
Too much multimedia and not enough games, said Foo Katan, managing director
of Bit Studios of London, when asked about Milia 98. Information and
edutainment developers and publishers are here in great numbers as
exhibitors and attendees, but the appetites of this year's crowd wanted
more excitement and more technologies.
Bit Studios is a developer of games for Nintendo, Sony Playstation, and
personal computers. Known best for Nintendo's Terminator 2 game, the Studio
hoped Katan would find a stronger gaming presence. "I think the show
producers want to have Nintendo, Sega, and Sony representation, but getting
these companies here is not easy," added Katan. Why should they be
represented at Milia 98? "Because game developers are the ones creating the
newest content, pushing the edges of hardware," he continued. "Computer
gaming earns billions of dollars in revenues per year and it is important
to have the field represented here. The exhibitors have good products, but
we are not seeing a lot of new, cutting edge technologies."
As for gaming, Katan said, "This is still a console world." According to
him, Nintendo and Sony are leading the race, with Sega holding a backseat.
Coming in fourth is game playing on personal computers. PCs are set to move
upward as a game platform, but every time PC technology increases, console
technology increases, said he. "It goes in cycles." Another element which
goes in an upward cycle is development costs. "Three years ago you could
make a 16-bit console game for $200,000," maintained Katan. "Now, you have
at least a million dollars to make a 64-bit game. Now you need musicians,
additional programmers, more testers; it is a serious business."
Perhaps the most expensive game to date is SquareSoft's Final Fantasy VII.
Katan said the game is rumored to have cost more than $20 million. "But
you need to know they quickly sold five million units worldwide for about
$50 each," said he. Katan also said there is shortage of talent, and
finding artistic people who know how to program is a constant mission for
his company. Along with talent, he said, Bit Studios looks for great
attitude and passion in new recruits.
Another reason for bringing more gaming to Milia is a future of faster
machines which will require more programmers and more designers. Katan
said today's consoles render 150,000 polygons per second. Around 2000 to
2002, he said we will see consoles which use multiple processors to render
three to 10 million polygons per second. For Katan, Milia could be the
European event where content developers learn about gaming opportunities
unfolding today and tomorrow.
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
Compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@streport.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Welcome back to my little column...
Well, mine plus an odd comment here and there on occasion. Last week
we saw a comment, a question actually, inserted asking something that had
clearly been answered only a paragraph earlier. Not only inappropriate, but
half-hearted to boot.
Inappropriate?? How so?? I use one ..no, five in our enclave. I am more
than satisfied with the manner in which my PC's run for me. About MB's
little problems; 10 to one. the machine that was crashing with the mouse
problem was due to a not so up to date mouse driver.. But then. its always
easy to point a finger at someone and give with a hearty ha-ha. Bottom
line. the PC is here to stay. even with all its warts. In fact, I
profoundly apologize if I've offended anyone's petunias. Sheeesh! rfm
Speaking of booting... Now that I've got this TT fully loaded with all
the programs and accessories that I had on my ST, STE, and MegaSTE (I know,
I know, I really should put more work into backing things up in some sort
of order), and now that I've got more memory than a lot of Pentiums have, I
decided to load and run everything I possibly could just to see how it
would work out.
Since Geneva effectively removes the 'six desk accessory limit' I
loaded every accessory I have on bootup. I'm proud to say that EVERY
accessory fit and ran perfectly. The downside was that it took quite a
while to load 38 accessories. Many of these were things that I either
purchased or downloaded and used only once or twice but decided to leave on
my hard drive in case I ever needed it again. It was quite interesting to
see such an interesting listing of accessories. Normally I boot with only
two or three accessories and about twice as many auto programs.
To continue the test, I proceded to load and run as many programs as I
could. STeno, STalker, Calligrapher, Flash 2, CAB, NEWSie, SoundLab, STZip,
SpeedOfLight, and several others all fit into about a third of available
memory, and all ran flawlessly, if a bit more slowly than usual. I am
assuming that by using MagiC as my operating system instead of Geneva I
could erase the speed deficit, but as I mentioned an issue or two ago, I
prefer Geneva over MagiC.
Now I'm not claiming that this kind of thing is necessary or even
desirable, but I had to see if it could be done. I figure that I could make
due very nicely with four meg of TT RAM and 2 meg of ST RAM (You need the
ST RAM for screen memory). This exercise in more-than-necessary program
loading reminds me of a line from one of the Star Trek movies... "Let us
re-define progress to mean that just because we CAN do a thing does not
mean that we MUST do that thing". Just because I can run every program that
I've ever purchased or downloaded, it doesn't follow that that is the only
way to use a computer... or even the best way.
While computers (even our Atari computers) are getting better and
better at multi-tasking, humans are still a single-tasking mechanism. As a
matter of fact, most people I know still have all they can do to manage ONE
computer task at a time.
Well, enough of this. Let's take a look at what people are talking about on
the UseNet.
From the comp.sys.atari.st NewsGroup
Charles Silver posts:
"I've been trying for many months to get STinG/ppp to work
for one of my ISP's, Telebyte. Finally, it works. With the
new MODULES posted 22JAN, with the new SERIAL.STX, and
RESOLVE.STX, all's well. I have STinG/ppp working with
JPS.NET, but Telebyte has always been a problem. Not now <g>!
Congrats Peter, I'm VERY glad to post this message as I
appreciate all your tireles upgrades and efforts to educate
all of us on the mysteries of TCP/IP."
Peter Rottengatter, the author of STinG, tells Charles:
"Thanks. I truly believe this time that with this release
all major ISP compatibility problems are gone. So everybody
who had problems in the past should try again, with the last
SERIAL.STX from the MODULE.LZH on my web page."
Neil Roughley tells Peter:
"I've had 'compatibility' problems ever since PPP was
supported by STinG. Today, with the latest binaries, I
finally got past 'initialising link' and everything seems to
be running great."
Greg Evans adds:
"Add my name to the list of growing STinG/PPP users! The
most recent download seems to have done the trick. The only
thing I have to do is toggle STinG active/inactive to be able
to use my normal tele program or CAB. Great job!"
Peter tells Greg:
"That's only if you too saved the modem port as active in
the 'Port Setup' CPX. Don't do that ! If you don't, you can
keep STinG active all the time."
On the subject of NVDI's print spooler, Malcolm Rigg asks:
"Can anyone tell me how to print with NVDI (4.11 R6) in the
background with Magic (5.03) or through a spooler? I see NVDI
creates a "SPOOL" folder but it doesn't seem to use it."
Roger Cain tells Malcolm:
"It tells you how to do this in the 'read.me' file on the
release disc. Basically you just include the line:
SPOOLPATH = C:\GEMSYS\SPOOL\
(or whatever) in your NVDI.INF file."
Malcolm tells Roger:
"I've done this but it doesn't seem to make any difference -
I still can't print in the background. I have tried using
several programs to print (eg. CAB 2 and IdeaList) including
one or two that have an option to print in the background but
it still doesn't make any difference."
Jo Even Skarstein tells Malcolm:
"As far as I know, there is a interupt-driven printer-device
available for MagiC. If you run this it installs something
like 'u:/dev/lp'. Configure NVDI to print to this file (using
the drivers-CPX) and you have background printing.
There is also a similar centronics device-driver for MiNT, I
use it with a 1Mb buffer and it works fine."
Curt Vendel asks for help with compressed files:
"I've downloaded several ST files which have .EXE extensions
to them, when I double click on them I can only Print or
View, when I view and look carefully I can see .IMG files
contained within. What compression format is this and which
program will decompress them?"
Bill Pike tells Curt:
"EXE is normally an [Executable] file. You may need to
change the extention to PRG or TOS or TTP to get them to run.
They could also be compressed executable files (these usually
have the decompressor built into the file and run just like a
regular file. Possibly the EXE is for TOS 2.xx or MultiTOS,
I am not sure."
Nick Bales adds:
"Sometimes .exe compressed files are just .zip files with a
little bit of autodecompress code. If that's the case, just
rename them to .zip and decompress them with STZip or
whaetever you're using. I did encounter an ..lzh file once on
a PC too."
David Cowderoy asks about upgrading to TOS 2.06 and high density
floppy:
"Any one know where in the UK I can get TOS 2.06, hardward
TOS switcher and a 1.44 floppy upgrade kit. I wonder if some
one will make an upgrade for 120mb floppy drives."
Nick Bales tells David:
"In th UK, look for The Upgrade Shop (01625 503448). They
should have all that.
There's no upgrade for LS120 drives at the moment, but you
can use a SCSI ZIP, so why bother?"
While you folks have heard me talk mostly about CAB and NEWSie for
cruising around the internet, there are other alternatives too.
"Other World" asks about one of them:
"Does anyone know what is happening with developemnt of
OASIS ?
I am still using version 2, which works very well, but still
with a slip connection, the ppp with this version I believe
is problematic.
It's just that I haven't seen a thread for ages about OASIS,
still with Newsie, CAB and ATARIRC, full internet access is
provided via Sting, which works very well and provides ppp
conection."
John Whalley tells Other World:
"Last time I checked the Oasis home page it had reverted to
being mainly a personal page for Phil Yeadon. There is
information still in a sub-page: PY has bought a PC and is
developing Oasis 3 for Win95. All the archives etc for Oasis
2 had been removed, with links to the Nest pages for support
and directions to Demon's FTP server for the files. Looks
like it's dead as the proverbial dodo.
It did have something of a bad reputation in the end due to
bugs/instability/high cost/poor support judging from posts
in here. I myself never managed to get it to work at all,
even the offline part was hopelessly buggy IMHO (on my system
at least). Definitely not worth registering for me. Shame
really, as Oasis 1 was promising and I used it from 1995 when
it was launched until a few weeks ago, despite its
limitations (eg having to revert to 1.33 from 1.35 to get a
working address book under MagiC, the broken newsreader
which ignored threading and broke threads for everyone else,
no built-in encoding/decoding of binaries etc).
If you want PPP you can use POPwatch/NEWSwatch/STinG with
Oasis 2 and ditch ICE which seemed to be a major problem in
itself. Another viable alternative is
POPwatch/NEWSwatch/STinG/Okami, which I recently switched to
from Oasis 1. Newsie is also viable and has many users in
here, though I prefer Okami for offline use."
Richard Elwell adds his praise for this combination:
"I gave up using the ICE part of Oasis2 last year and it was
the best decision I made for a while. And I continue to kick
myself for not making the change earlier. I now use Sting
with Gary Priest's POPwatch and NEWSwatch. They collect mail
and news which Oasis2 can read.
Gary Priest's software can be found on his website at
http://www.the-gap.demon.co.uk"
Vernon Enriques asks for help with CAB:
"Please tell me where I set my paths for CAB/OPTIONS/Cache
Folder? What is an .xbm file? Also under same menu option:
The Editor for email? is that your computer or the ISP's?"
John Whalley tells Vernon:
"Depending on your version, you use the Access paths entry
in the Options menu or a similar menu entry. First create a
cache folder somewhere convenient on your hard drive. You may
find that the install process (commercial versions) or
unzipping the archive (freeware versions) creates a cache
folder in the CAB directory. You can use this but you don't
have to. Click on the box for the cache path and select your
folder in the resulting file selector. Don't forget to set
some sensible values in the Cache setup dialog, too. See the
manual for advice on this.
An XBM is an X Bitmap graphic file. This is a monochrome
bitmap graphic, the Unix/X window equivalent of GEM .img
files. It's one of the two original standards for web
graphics (the other being GIF). JPEGs came later after
Netscape started supporting them, as I understand it. XBMs
aren't that common as being monochrome only they are a bit
limited. I think they were one of the two supported formats
due to the early web development being done in Unix
environments. You can use an external viewer for them but CAB
can also display them internally. Take your pick!
The E-mail Editor is on your computer. CAB works with a
TCP/IP connection, rather than a shell account which would be
the only way to use an editor on a remote machine such as
your provider's. You need a standard text editor (Everest for
example) so you can use mailto: links on web pages with CAB.
NB CAB only sends mail, it can't receive it. You will also
need to set some environment variables in your default.cfg
for STiK or STinG for CAB's mail to work:
EMAIL=you@your.isp.com SMPT_HOST=your.providers.mail.host
If you are already using a suitable mail program on your
Atari (eg Newsie, Okami with a little ingenuity(!), any other
which can take a mail URL as a parameter when being
launched), you can use that in conjunction with CAB for this
purpose and then keep copies etc as with the rest of your
mail. You need to set this in CAB's Internet clients dialog
box."
Stephen Christian asks for help with his TT030:
"I have a TT030 (with CaTTamaran) 16M TT RAM, 2M ST RAM TOS
chip set (TOS C301927-005)
I have an original 50M internal which works fine.
I recently purchased a Seagate ST32430N - Hawk, 2G
I want to replace my current (50M) HD with the new 2G HD.
When I disconnect the current internal and connect the 2G and
boot. All seems fine. I boot of a floopy with ADHI 6.061
which reports the drive as SCSI 0 - ST32430N. So all looks
good.
However when I run HDX (5.04 - if I remember correctly).
The program loads. So I choose format the drive light
continously flashes (upto this point it flashes as expected -
whenever accessed like when ADHI checks). On the screen it
says it's checking for devices. My machine isn't locked up
because I can move the mouse (a busy bee at this point.
However, it never gets to the point where I can select the
device to format (after hours!!).
If I run the same program with my old internal I can go
threw the same process but the device list comes up.
WHY!?!?!?!
Currently the jumpers are set as:
SCSI - 0
Enable Terminator - on
Parity Option - on
Terminator Power from Drive
This the defaut setting. I tried setting Parity Option to
off, but it made no difference.
Since I had no idea what Terminator Power from meant I tried
the 3 other settings:
Terminator Power to SCSI Bus and
Terminator Power from SCSI Bus.
I've played around with various terminator Powers and Parity
options. Rebooting after each. However, without any luck.
None of the pins are bent. I've also made sure pin one on
the mother board connects to pin one on the HD. I've even
tried 2 different ribbon cables... Both of which work fine
with the current internal. I only get a problem with the new
SCSI device.
Anyone have any sort of suggestion?
The fact the light keeps flashing when scanning for the
devices to me, indicates it see the device. However, it's as
if the device doesn't repsond "correctly" back. So it
requires the device for ever and ever (I've let this run well
over 4 hours).
The new HD is SCSI 2 fast but is SCSI compatible.
HELP! Please. I've already had to return a previous 2G HD
as it was just pain dead... (It didn't respond at all).
What am I missing?"
Roger Cain tells Stephen that what he's missing is...
"A modern driver!
Either buy HDDriver v7.xx or try out CBHD (PD). AHDI is just
too old to cope with modern devices."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. Tune in again next week, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
EDITORIAL QUICKIES
The Bitterness of Poor Quality.
Remains long after the Sweetness.
of the low price is forgotten!"
.unknown
STReport International Magazine
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STReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" February 13, 1998
Since 1987 Copyrightc1998 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1406
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