SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing Inc. February 10, 1994 No. 1007 ====================================================================== Silicon Times Report International Online Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 R.F. Mariano Publisher-Editor ----------------------------------------- Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM-4 PM EST STR Publishing Support BBS Network System * THE BOUNTY BBS * FIDO 1:112/35 ~ ITCNet 85:881/253 ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:21/350 904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs-7 days 2400 -38.4 bps V.32-42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM-6 AM EST ----------------------------------------- Fido 1:112/35 The Bounty STR Support Central 1-904-786-4176 FNET. 620 : Leif's World ................1-904-573-0734 FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493 FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 MNET - Toad Hall BBS.....................1-617-567-8642 ______________________________________________________________________ > 02/10/94 STR 1007 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """"""""""""""""" - CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - 6 NEW Crays - IBM Outlet Open! - SUN Awarded Honors - Electronic Keys - Internet Thefts! - New Pentium Chip! - Apple Memories - Compaq->Subnotebook - OMNISCAN - Donohue & DTP - The Old Fishin' Hole -* EA & Broderbund Agree to Merge *- -* PCTOOLS WINDOWS 2.0 SHIPS! *- -* Viruses Invade Olympics System! *- ====================================================================== STReport International Online Magazine The Original * Independent * Online Magazine -* FEATURING WEEKLY *- "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports ====================================================================== STReport's BBS - The Bounty BBS, invites all BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the Fido/PROWL/ITC/USENET/NEST/F-Net Mail Networks. You may also call The Bounty BBS direct @ 904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are welcome to join the STReport International Conferences. The Fido Node is 1:112/35, ITC Node is 85:881/253 Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All computer platforms BBS systems are welcome and invited to participate. ====================================================================== CIS ~ AOL ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET USENET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ GENIE ====================================================================== COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers of; STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198 You will receive your complimentary time and be online in no time at all! "Enjoy CompuServe's forums; where information is at its very best! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" Talk about weather! The country is getting a pasting the likes of which hasn't been seen in decades! Hang in there dear hearts, it'll all be over soon. After all, Spring is really coming. New products are right around the corner and fancy new software is known to be the "order of the day". Word Perfect 6.0a is in the works, PC Tools for Windows version 2.0 is now in the pipelines and is it fancy! Wait till you see this one. Spring Comdex should be very interesting. On the to the issue, its a lengthy one but its all good reading. Enjoy and do let us know what you think of the presentations. Ralph.... """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""" Publisher -Editor """""""""""""""""" Ralph F. Mariano Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor, Current Affairs Section Editors """"""""""""""" PC SECTION AMIGA SECTION MAC SECTION ATARI SECTION ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------- R.D. Stevens R. Glover R. Noak D. P. Jacobson STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur Melanie Bell John Donohue Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Tim Holt Norman Boucher Harry Steele Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia Glenwood Drake IMPORTANT NOTICE """""""""""""""" Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: Compuserve................... 70007,4454 America Online..................STReport Delphi......................... RMARIANO BIX............................ RMARIANO FIDONET........................ 1:112/35 FNET........................... NODE 350 ITC NET...................... 85:881/253 NEST........................ 90:21/350.0 GEnie......................... ST-REPORT Internet.............RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS """"""""""""""""" IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I) =========================== Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #07 By: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. ******* General Computer News ******* ** EA & Broderbund Agree to Merge ** Software publishers Electronic Arts and Broderbund Software Inc. have signed a definitive agreement to merge by the end of May. The merger is subject to approval by the stockholders of each company and other cust- omary conditions. Broderbund, which produces education and personal productivity soft- ware, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts, which is best known for its interactive entertainment software in the PC and 16- bit video game cartridge markets. Operations of the two firms -- Broderbund's in Novato, Calif., and Electronic Arts' in San Mateo -- are to continue, a statement from San Mateo, Calif. ** New Crays to be Introduced ** Cray Research Inc. says new versions of its departmental supercomput- er line are expected to give six to 12 times more power for the same price. Cray officials say the volume shipments for the next generation of departmental supercomputers are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year. "Those machines are considered entry-level supercomputers and generally sell for under $1 million. Since entering that market in late 1991, it has received more than 220 orders." ** Sun Named Best-Run Computer Company ** Sun Microsystems Inc. has been named by Germany's Manager Magazine as the world's most successful and best-run computer company. The magazine, which is recognized as Germany's top business publication, joined forces with experts at the Boston Consulting Group to conduct a study of pub- licly traded enterprises in the top 14 industrial nations. While Sun ranked ninth among all businesses worldwide and fourth in the United States behind Home Depot, Intel and Motorola, it was recog- nized as the world's best-run computer firm. ** Feds Use 'Electronic Keys' ** Two federal agencies are controlling new "electronic keys" -- a tech- nology known as Key Escrow Encryption -- that unlock scrambled telephone and computer signals. This is the same encryption system formerly known as the Clipper Chip. Attorney General Janet Reno says the keys to the technology will be held by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology and the automated systems division of the Treasury Department. Reports say the decision allows law enforcement officials to maintain wiretaps and that the system uses a state-of-the-art microcircuit created by government engineers. "While it is a voluntary system, available to people who need to en- code messages, the high security of the system is expected to attract customers. The scrambling technology would be included in phones and computers by their manufacturers." "Procedures for scrambling this material are so sophisticated that, without a key system like that being instituted, the government would be unable to break the codes and read or hear these messages, a problem causing great concern among crime fighters." Reno told reporters the keys will be used only for lawfully author- ized wiretaps and that strict procedures are being set up to guard the keys. Here's how the system works: -:- Each device will have two unique numbers, or "keys," that would be needed by authorized government agencies to decode the transmissions. The keys are 80-bit codes unique to each device. -:- When a wiretap is required, written requests will have to be sent to both agencies certifying that the wiretap has been legally approved. -:- The two components for that particular encryption device would then be provided to permit the messages to be decoded. ** Internet Users Warned of Thefts ** Rumors on Internet say that users there need to change their pass- words because security has been compromised by rogue "sniffer" programs. The federally funded Computer Emergency Response Team issued a warn- ing last week that computer vandals have deployed a program that can copy down passwords used when Internet visitors log onto remote computer systems through the vast network. "Those passwords are then passed by the clandestine computer program back to the password thieves, who use them to log on to remote systems, posing as the legitimate users" CERT, in an emailed advisory to thousands of system operators, dec- lined to provide details of the incidents or to say if any computer files had been damaged by the Internet bandits, but "team members said they would send out upgraded software to remote nodes on the Internet to make them more secure in the future." ** Viruses Invade Olympics System ** Two viruses reportedly have been discovered in the Olympic Games' computer system in Lillehammer, Norway. The rogue programs reportedly were set to become active on the Games' opening day Feb. 12. The Oslo newspaper Dagbladet reported one of the viruses, named The Penetrator by its programmer, apparently was smuggled in from Sweden and placed in the Olympics computer system by a local employee. The German Deutsche Presse- Agentur news service reports, "The virus, when activated, was supposed to send a message by the Games mascots -- which would appear on the screens affected - - to International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch proclaiming: 'Lillehammer '94 - Hakon und Kristin have exploded. They have with a small virus caused great chaos in the Olympic computer.'" The wire service added, "It was not clear how much destruction the viruses could cause. Experts estimate that the possibility of a major data collapse being brought about -- for example, through destruction of the programs for the results of the various events -- are about 10 percent." Sven Strand, director of the Olympic computer communications system, confirmed to the Dagbladet that two viruses were discovered, but said he was optimistic they could be destroyed before the opening day. ******* PC Computer News ******* ** IBM Opens Factory Outlet ** IBM's first U.S.-based factory retail outlet will be opened Saturday by the IBM Personal Computer Co. unit at Raleigh-Durham's Triangle Factory Shops in North Carolina. The IBM PC Factory Outlet will offer select discontinued, withdrawn, reconditioned and returned PCs, displays, features and options at significant discounts. From the shop, which will occupy 13,000 square feet, products will come with a 15-day money back guarantee. While warranties vary by product, every item will come with an applicable IBM Statement of Limited Warranty. ** Intel to Introduce New Versions of the Pentium Chip ** Intel Corp said it will offer a version of the Pentium microprocessor that is 50% faster than its current chip, as well as produce a mid-range Pentium chip. Sources say, Intel will preview the new Pentium, which is called the P54C, at a technical conference. In addition, the company will unveil on March 7 a lower-voltage mid- range chip that will be most useful in laptop computers where its lower voltage will extend battery life. ** Compaq Claims Portable PC Lead ** Computer maker Compaq Computer Corp. says it has taken the lead in the portable PC market, jumping from fourth place in 1992 to the top of the list compiled by Dataquest researchers. Compaq cites initial 1993 Dataquest figures as showing it holds a 12% share of the worldwide portables market, up from 8.7% in 1992, meaning it has "hurdled past Apple, Toshiba and NEC, and outpaced IBM and all other portable PC vendors." ** Compaq Unveils First Subnotebook Computer ** Compaq Computer will begin selling its first subnotebook this week. The new Contura Aero is a 3.5-pound PC with a base price of $1,399. A 4.2- pound color version is due out next month for $2,199. The base monochrome Aero offers a 25MHz Intel 486SL microprocessor, a PCMCIA 2.0 expansion slot, 4MB of RAM (expandable to 12 megabytes) and an 84MB or 250MB hard disk. ** Lotus Offers Specially Priced 1-23/Organizer Bundle ** Lotus Development Corp. says it's now selling a $149 product bundle featuring the upgrade version of 1-2-3 Release 4.01 for Windows spread- sheet and the Lotus Organizer 1.1 personal information manager (PIM). The offer runs through May 15. The package is available to customers upgrading from either 1-2-3, a qualifying competitive spreadsheet or Organizer 1.0. Lotus notes that users can save as much as $395, based on the products' suggested retail prices. "This promotion provides an excellent opportunity for our customers to buy two leading Windows applications at an attractive price, if they act quickly. Both these products are designed to make powerful features easy to learn and easy to use, and they will help users be more produc- tive," says Jeffrey Anderholm, Lotus' director of spreadsheet marketing. ** IBM Cuts ValuePoint Prices ** IBM has cut prices by up to 19% on most recently announced ValuePoint products. The Valuepoint P60/D prices start at $4,149. In addition: -:- All models of the entry-level ValuePoint Si are reduced up to 13%, with prices starting at $749. -- Prices for the Multimedia for ValuePoint or MVP Series are reduced up to 10%. The MVP models start at $1,422. ** New 'Word 6.0 for Windows "Ignores" Competition ** Sources say that Microsoft's new blockbuster word processing program, Word 6.0 for Windows, is unable to convert a competitor's files. The Windows program with more features than users can count does not supply a filter for Lotus Corp.'s Ami Pro, another very popular award-winning word processing program. One disgruntled user is quoted as saying, "This is inexcusable in to- day's computing environment." ******* Mac Computer News ******* ** Apple & Oracle Collaborate ** Apple Computer, Inc. and Oracle Corp. have signed an agreement that will allow Oracle's Media Server product line to work with a set-top box based on the Macintosh. A set-top box receives multimedia information from a media server over phone or cable lines and presents that information to the user on his or her TV. The set-top box is operated through a remote control similar to that of any TV or VCR. Unlike a traditional cable box, the Mac-based set top product provides full interactivity. The two companies intend to deliver the unit on a trial basis sometime in the first half of 1994. During the trial, Apple intends to show how the system could be used to deliver video on demand, home shopping, interactive learning and other multimedia applications to consumers. ** New Quicktime Adds Music and Interactive TV Support ** Apple Computer, Inc. this week announced a new Macintosh version of QuickTime, its movie-making software. QuickTime 2.0 provides larger vi- deo at faster frame rates, support for music and support for interactive television applications. Apple says QuickTime 2.0 provides greatly increased performance, resulting in full-screen movies -- without the addition of any hardware -- closely resembling what viewers see on television. For example, on a Macintosh LC475, one of Apple's lowest-cost computers, 30 frames per second video is possible at a resolution of 320 by 240 dots. Full-screen video of 640 by 480 dots is possible at 15 frames per second. QuickTime 2.0 also allows professional-level video editing. The soft- ware includes support for time-code, 60 fields per second video and data throughput greater than 3MB per second, representing a 300% increase over previous versions of QuickTime. QuickTime 2.0 will run on any color-capable Macintosh running System 7 or 6.0.7. It requires at least 2MB of memory. ** PowerPC Macs to Offer DOS and Windows Compatibility ** Insignia Solutions of Mountain View, Calif., and Apple Computer Inc. announced that they have reached an agreement for Apple to include Insignia's new SoftWindows PC compatibility software on selected configurations of the Macintosh with PowerPC. Terms of the agreement and pricing weren't disclosed. SoftWindows will let Macintosh with PowerPC users run DOS and Micro- soft Windows applications on top of the standard Macintosh operating system. Apple plans to offer specific Macintosh with PowerPC configur- ations with SoftWindows pre-installed when it debuts the new RISC-based computers next month. Insignia also plans to distribute SoftWindows separately through its existing worldwide distribution channels. Depending on system configuration and applications, SoftWindows will offer Macintosh with PowerPC users Intel '386 and '486 performance levels. SoftWindows provides full DOS and Windows in standard mode, as well as built-in PC network support for Novell NetWare, LAN Manager, Banyan Vines, Windows NT Advanced Server and TCP/IP. SoftWindows is also compatible with of PC devices and systems, inclu- ding COM and LPT ports, floppy drives, memory systems, video displays and CD-ROM drives. ** New PowerPC Macs to Lead Low-End RISC Workstation Field ** Apple Computer will introduce its new line of PowerPC-based Macintosh systems on March 14, including several machines that top the performance of every major low-end RISC workstation in price/performance and beat out Pentium systems as well, claims a report in trade journal Open Systems Today. The report, based on internal Apple documents and industry sources, says the new line will thrust Apple into the PC workstation price war with RISC machines that outperform and underprice just about everything else on the market. One of the new machines tops all competing systems in SPECint92 price/performance, in SPECfp92 floating-point price/performance and in SPECfp92 straight performance. It also has the lowest list price, according to Open Systems Today. The machine beat everything in straight SPECint92 tests except for a DEC Alpha workstation, which was slightly faster, says the publication. But some users, analysts and software vendors questioned how much ap- peal the new machines will have beyond Apple's own installed base, despite Apple's intention to position them against Intel PCs. Starting at $2,000 for a Power Macintosh 6100/60, the new desktops are built around the PowerPC 601 microprocessor, which is rated at 60 SPECint92 and 80 SPECfp92. Besides the 60MHz model 6100, Apple will unveil a 66MHz Model 7100 started at $3,000 and an 80MHz Model 8100 starting at $4,500, according to sources and documents quoted in the Open Systems Today story. The models will come with 8MB of RAM, expandable to 72MB on the low- end model, 136MB on the midrange and 264MB at the high end. The low-end model has a 160MB disk, while the other models come with a 250MB disk, the story said. The low-end model has one expansion slot and a single SCSI interface, while the other models have three slots and dual SCSI channels. All three models support Ethernet. To lure PC users to the new Macs, Apple plans to offer DOS and Windows compatibility through Insignia Solutions' SoftWindows emulator, the story quotes sources as saying. The newspaper says performance will be at about the level of a 486 PC. Existing applications will run on the new Macintoshes through software emulation in the System 7 operating environment. As far as native applications, Apple is expected to have about 60 software vendors with applications either shipping or set to ship within 60 days of the hardware's introduction, sources told Open Systems Today. ** Rasterops Unveils Macintosh Graphics Accelerator Card ** RasterOps Corp. has announced the PaintBoard Professional -- a new addition to its line of Macintosh graphics accelerator cards. Priced at $2,199, PaintBoard Professional offers QuickDraw acceler- ation. The device provides 24-bit color support of large-screen monitors up to 21 inches in size at a resolution of 1,152 by 870 dots. RasterOps claims that, on average, the PaintBoard Professional deli- vers QuickDraw performance gains four times that of a Macintosh Quadra 950's standard internal video. It also notes that peak performance gains can exceed 44 times the level provided by the standard Quadra 950. RasterOps DSPro, an optional daughtercard, holds twin high-speed dig- ital signal processors (DSPs) to boost the performance of computation- ally intensive image processing functions such as Adobe Photoshop filters. The PaintBoard Professional preconfigured with DSPro costs $2,999. The daughtercard is available as an add-on for a $1,099. _________________________________________________ > STR InfoFile """""""""""" WORDPERFECT CORPORATION ADDS TECH DATA CORPORATION TO ITS PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL OREM, Utah * Feb. 8, 1994 * WordPerfect Corporation today announced it has broadened its distribution base by extending the company's current distribution contract with Software Resource to Tech Data Corporation. This action follows Tech Data's acquisition of Software Resource. "The expertise of Tech Data, with its VAR (value added reseller) niche, combined with Software Resource's consumer product emphasis, strengthens our existing distribution base," said Rod Brooks, vice president of channel sales for WordPerfect Corporation. "This new relationship will have a strong influence on the sales of WordPerfect Corporation's workgroup and business applications, and the WordPerfect Main Street consumer products line." WordPerfect Corporation offers a limitted number of contracts to major channel distributors. The acquisition of Software Resource by Tech Data allows WordPerfect Corporation to broaden its channel reach without increasing its number of distribution contracts. "WordPerfect Corporation recently reviewed Tech Data as a potential distribution partner and finds this acquisition very timely," added Brooks. Other key channel distributors of WordPerfect Corporation products include Ingram Micro, Merisel and Kenfil Distribution. ______________________________________________ > PC Tools Windows 2.0 STR InfoFile """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" PCTOOLS FOR WINDOWS VERSION 2.0 =============================== PCTW 2.0 ADDRESSES MOST CRITICAL USER PROBLEMS To help identify solutions for the three primary user problems encountered, Central Point turned to finely tuned research. In focus groups, the company asked experienced Windows users to evaluate over 100 potential new features for the new release of PCTW. This research helped the company develop a subset of the most important new features. Here's a brief look at some of the new and enhanced features in PCTW. - Protection against Crashes/Data Loss Crash Guard warns users when memory, disk space or system resources get low. - in time to prevent crashes. Native Windows DiskFix now supports DoubleSpace Drives. Complete Central Point Anti-Virus 2.0 for Windows and Central Point Backup 2.0 for Windows now included. - Enhanced System Control and full configuration assistance System Consultant analyzes the user's system and recommends changes then makes those changes automatically, with user approval. When the user edits system files, INI-Consultant is the ideal online tool. It is unique, offering plain english descriptions of cryptic DOS and Windows system files making it easier to understand and edit these files. - Faster Performance An improved Optimizer defragments the hard drive for the best possible performance, now supports MS-DOS 6 DoubleSpace volumes as well. Runs in the background also. - Enhanced File and Program Management. Improved Multidesk provides multiple, configurable desktops and now features AutoSync Folders and AutoSync Desktops that update automatically when files are changed or created. Because there is less clutter, users can find their data faster and thus, improve their productivity. The PCTW File Manager is enhanced with support for WYSIWYG viewers, PKZip 2.0 compression and an integrated Smartfind and Undelete. New animated tutorials make PCTW as easy to learn as it is to use. COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF NEW FEATURES -------------------------------------- CRASHGUARD ---------- Crashguard functions as a configurable resource gauge set. It offers both analog and digital readouts on memory, system resource and disk space use, enabling users to monitor heavy computing that could overtax and crash the system. Even better, the gauges can be set to provide an audible alarm at any warning level the user chooses. Crashguard also provides an integrated clock and calendar. SYSTEM CONSULTANT ----------------- Windows based systems have become larger and more complex. That increases the need for users to stay on top of system status. System Consultant reports on over 400 hardware, software and network parameters such as interrupts, benchmark testing, Windows Memory, processor, video and network users. More importantly, more than forty system specific recommendations provide configuration tuning tips for optimal performance. Those recommendations have been expanded in version 2.0, the System Consultant does more than suggest and explain changes, it performs the changes at the touch of a "Do It" button. INI CONSULTANT -------------- This NEW Feature, integrated into System Consultant, helps make sense of the confusing DOS and Windows system files and code that users may sometimes examine or edit. It provides an explanation of each line of code, defines acceptable parameters and offers suggestions for changes. OPTIMIZER --------- Optimizer helps resolve the most common performance problem in Windows; Hard Disk Fragmentation. Hard Disk Fragmentation results from DOS' inefficient, random system of storing clusters of data. From within Windows, Optimizer automatically defrags the drive, rearranging the clusters into a more logical order whenever the system remains idle for an extended period of time. With version 2.0, Optimizer now supports DoubleSpace compression and faster performance. SCRIPTOOLS ---------- The easy to use Macro System and batch language includes full recording capability, advanced tools such as dialog box creation, network scripting language and support for Dynamic Data Exchange. (DDE) This is the first of a mini-series that'll be presented here over the next few weeks. PC Tools for Windows Version 2.0 is HOT! Its very powerful, and... so far; Its quite sure footed. At this point, I'd recommend an upgrade to 2.0 in a heartbeat. Look for our subsequent articles about this new release from Central Point. So far, its very impressive! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo) Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ___ ___ _____ _______ /___| /___| /_____| /_______/ The Macintosh RoundTable /____|/____| /__/|__| /__/ ________________________ /_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/ /__/|____/|__|________|__/ /__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/____ Managed by SyndiComm /__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/ An Official Forum of the International Computer Users Group *** STReport available in MAC RT *** ASCII TEXT for ALL GEnie users! MAC/APPLE SECTION (II) ====================== Randy Noak, Editor Whew! There's a ton of useful and informative info in this week's Mac Report. First off, DTP Associate Editor presents an article about finding DTP clients, then Applications Associate Editor Steven Kiepe reviews the Omniscan Bundle, an all-in-one software/hardware combination and, finally, we present Apple's Time-Line. Perfect for settling arguments and bets. Don't forget to look for the premier issue of Mac Report Monthly early next week. > DONOHUE & DTP STR Feature """"""""""""""""""""""""" DONOHUE & DTP ============= by John Donohue HOW AND WHERE TO FIND DTP WORK ------------------------------ The following "ideas" are purely my own, and although they may not work for everyone, they have brought me some degree of success and on that basis ought to be worth a thought or try. My initial ideas of getting into the DTP business were to approach local printers who did not do their own typesetting and get some ideas, and let the conversation lead into "well, I do typesetting, let me do some work for you". Well the first printer I went to was very "don't call me, I'll call you". Off on the wrong foot right from the start. I really wanted to work with this print shop because he was close by (about 2 miles - but there's a good ending with this print shop). The second shop I went to (a "quick print" shop) saw me as a "savior", since he had all of his typesetting done almost 50 miles away and sometimes the turn around was 3 or 4 days for a simple business card. I offered him 24 hour turn around on business cards, letter heads, envelopes, etc. and 48 hours on most other jobs. Not much .... but I was on my way. By the way ... the first print shop I went to (the stand offish guy) started calling me every so often with small one liners (address changes, etc.). That was over 4 years ago. I currently do ALL of his typesetting, design layout, logos, etc., and I now work with 3 print shops - all within 10 miles of home. My bottom line with print shops is: get to know them. First off, just having an understanding of the printing "operation" can do nothing but help your business. Second, you will need to have material printed from time to time, and you will always be in a position to suggest a printer to a particular customer. It MAY be the little ammunition you need to get your foot in the door of a print shop. Many print shops have full time typesetters, layout type folks, but I've found that sticking your head in the door from time to time, just to let them know you're still around, helps. You never know when a print shop employee may go on vacation, come down with the flu, the shop gets "swamped" with work, or just plain get fired. Let the shops know you're available if they ever get into a jam. Lotsa shops (especially up north) may be unionized - and they may see you as a "scab". Be careful. The print shops idea CAN work. I've even offered to do some typesetting for a "new - hard to convince" print shop for 1 week for FREE. Yep, free. Just to let them know the quality of work I can produce. Ad Agencies - some of my biggest jobs to date have been run thru ad agencies. If you have a great collection of typefaces and clip art it helps. Schools - most schools I know produce a "newsletter". Some do them in house as part of a journalist class. But approach them. Alot of printed material comes thru the school systems, and most have to watch their pennies. Be competitive, but be fair. Golf and Country Clubs - Newsletters (more on them later), membership booklets, tournament fliers, Tee schedule sheets, shop signs, etc., etc. Restaurants - obviously menus. They are constantly changing them with prices, deletion of slow moving items, etc. Clubs/Organizations - ALL the "do good" clubs. Elks, Lions, American Legion, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! (join!!) .... most of them have newsletters and an old idea that still works is: approach the organization with the idea of "I'll put you're newsletter/bulletin together and deliver the final product for free". Make them aware that you will be selling ads to offset the print/design-layout costs and that they will have final say on the ads. All they need to do is supply you with the articles/photos. (See, you're now in a position to work with a printer as a "customer". Newsletters - I currently do 4 monthly and 3 quarterly newsletters, (one of the quarterly's is a 24 pager). Folks, newsletters can be very profitable (and time consuming for the first few, til you get in the groove with the client). An OCR/Scanner package helps tremendously. Think of the number of organizations that produce a newsletter. I've mentioned some above - many are internal for employees only, but here's a few other "possibilities". - Banks - Doctors (everything from Dentists to Vets) - Hospitals - Financial offices (CPA's, Stockbrokers, etc.) - Environmental clubs - Car dealers - Health clubs - Governmental agencies (DON'T be "afraid" to approach them) ... the list goes on and on, but there's a GREAT market for newsletters! The bottom line is this. When was the last time you went a day without seeing something printed. (Forget newspapers and magazines - they don't count). There is a TON of paper being run thru presses gobbling up ink. SOMEONE has to set those letters/photos/clipart, etc. on that paper. Why not you? ___________________________________________ > OMNISCAN STR Review """"""""""""""""""" OMNISCAN HAND SCANNING SYSTEM ============================= by Steven Kiepe As we travel down the overly-hyped information super highway, there increasingly is a need to transfer images and text from paper medium to the world of digital coding. The neighborhood newsletter publisher wants to be able to incorporate photographs and line drawings in their work. Home offices seek ways to automatically convert faxes and other printed material into directly readable text. The gotta have it folks view hardware and software novelties as near essential to getting maximum value from their computers. All of these concerns not withstanding, one of first considerations (besides finances) when buying a scanner is to review its intended use. Few users seeking to spice up the neighborhood newsletter can justify a $1000 to $2000 plus expenditure necessary to buy a flat bed color scanner. Additionally, as most users do not have a high-resolution color printer, the need for color scanning capability (even if it was available in a hand scanner) seems remote. Most users have a monochrome printer and accordingly, a monochrome or grey-scale scanner is the best bet. Because even greyscale flat bed scanners cost between $500 and $1300, there remains untapped the lower-end market of the occasional user. For these potential customers of scanning technology, the hand scanner is likely the best tool to fill their needs. One currently available hand scanner is the OmniScan system by Caere (part of a bundle of hardware and software). The OmniScan System Bundle -------------------------- The OmniScan system provides limited Optical Character Recognition (OCR), graphic scanning/manipulation, and fax generation/reception capability for the lower end of the user spectrum. For about $400 (street price) the system is aimed at being the jack of all trades for the home user although it is certainly the master of none. The hardware half of the bundle contains a hand held scanner and base power/interface unit. Software packages include OmniPage Direct v1.10 which is the lite version of OmniPage Professional OCR software; Image Assistant v1.11, the greyscale version of the higher end color graphics manipulation program; FaxMaster, a Fax interface (requires a fax modem, purchased separately) for sending and receiving greyscale faxes and OCR interpretation of the same; and in some bundles, you may also receive Kudo v1.0.7, an early version of a graphics librarian program. Physical Description and Requirements ------------------------------------- The OmniScan system comes in a large box containing the scanner and base unit, a single large user manual, three disks, and a series of coupon offers to upgrade to the professional or full-fledged versions of the software programs in the bundle (just add money). The scanner itself consists of a base unit about the size of a standard 5.25 inch external floppy drive and a large black scanning wand, significantly larger than others available in the Mac or DOS worlds. This scanning wand plugs into the base unit that connects to the SCSI port of your Macintosh. The scanner will image 256 shades or scales of grey from white to black (theoretically). The installation program installs all required programs, extensions, etc. into the necessary locations on your hard drive. Installation places several folders, extensions, resources and a few Apple Menu items into the system folder. Don't even think about hooking up the system if you don t have at least 8 MB of RAM exclusive of virtual memory. If you need to scan large objects or at high resolutions, expect to require significantly more RAM than that. Installation of the full OmniScan bundle (not including samples and tutorials) will take up about 6.2 MB on your hard drive. The system works well with System 7 and is 32 bit address clean. The scanning wand has a usable four inch scanning window although the unit s head is 6.25 inches wide. The scanner s length is another 6.5 inches with a set of rollers just behind the scanning window and again at the rear of the unit. This wide footprint makes the scanner very stable, and it tracks easily in a straight line. Even so, scanning against a straightedge is highly recommended. Unfortunately, the extra one and an eighth inches of dead space on either side of the scanning window makes it near impossible to scan text or graphics near a book s center binding. That impairs its utility for scanning from most paperbacks and many hard bound volumes as well. From the Beginning . . . -------------------------- The OmniScan system works within other applications. OmniPage Direct is used to scan and perform OCR of text directly into your favorite word processing document or into the Mac s clipboard. Similarly, the graphic scanning function works within a graphic manipulation program, in this case Image Assistant. FaxMaster works transparently in the background of nearly any Mac application, standing by to create fax files vice printed output. I began with a trial of the text scanning capability of OmniPage direct working within ClarisWorks 2.0 and WordPerfect 3.0. My system s test configuration was a PowerBook 165 8/80 coupled with a SuperMatch 17 color monitor, 245 MB external hard drive through a SCSI DOC SCSI adapter, NEC SilentWriter 95F Postscript 2 laser printer and of course the OmniScan. Thirty-two bit addressing was selected with either 8MB installed RAM or with installed RAM plus an additional 8MB virtual memory used. To accomplish OCR scanning requires the installation of the OmniScan init extension and the OmniPage Direct application. The application is listed in the Apple Menu, allowing drop down selection from within most word processors. The minimum application memory for Direct is 2.1 MB. Scanning can be accomplished from top to bottom or side to side. If scanning tables, left to right scans are recommended. In the 8 MB RAM configuration while working within ClarisWorks, over 11 linear inches could be scanned at 300 dpi. For those with data entry requirements wider than the 4-inch scanning window width, the program performs automatic stitching of sequential passes before commencing OCR. Unfortunately, despite owner s manual assertions to the contrary, the Direct program would not conduct vertical scans for stitching, instead only stitching horizontal scans. This precluded full page/full width scans from bound books as it was impossible to scan a full page without the positioning roller losing contact with the page before the scan window finished viewing the text. A call to Caere technical support indicated that they are aware of this defect and that it should be corrected in the next upgrade. Top to bottom scans (unstitched) were no problem. I must admit to being pleasantly surprised at the quality of the scan stitching. I noted that the invisible merging of the text scans was far superior to the merging of graphics passes (as will be commented on later). The OmniScan manual recommends text scanning at 300 dpi (unless very large text is used) or even 400 dpi for very small fonts. On the other hand, the manual addendum for Direct version 1.1 recommended text scanning at 200 dpi. I tried multiple approaches to this and found that in the sample scanning page supplied with the scanner, at 200 dpi there were 90 errors (represented by tilde characters) out of 210 words. At 300 dpi there were no errors save that hyphens (when scanning sideways) were not recognized. Vertical scans recognized hyphens without difficulty. After a few minutes of calculation, during which the system flashes pieces of the text it is trying to recognize (without allowing manual intervention) the text flows into the position of the cursor in the document you have open. If there are no open documents, the text will go onto the clipboard. An interesting aspect was that the text appeared in roughly the font size and style of the original, including italics and occasionally bold. Even mixed fonts and sizes on a single page (as long as they were simple) were rendered in close fashion. OmniPage Direct will recognize (with limited success) tables and, if scanning columns vertically, will ignore text scanned outside of the primary column. Considering that this is at the lower cost end of the OCR spectrum, the results were fairly impressive. Image Assistant GS ------------------ Another major scanning function of the OmniScan bundle is its graphic capability. Image Assistant GS scans 265 levels of grey that can be saved in many formats and compression routines. Limited image manipulation tools are available for use. These include standard cut/paste/fill and paint tools, lassos' that select all objects in either a freehand defined area or within areas defined by object edge contrast. Other tools include the ability to lighten or darken all or part of an image, create special effects including posterization and embossing of an image, and similar features. Scanning can be done either horizontally or vertically and this time the stitching feature worked from either direction. The graphic stitching feature is, however, significantly less accurate than that seen with text. Stitched scans tend to align closely through about half the image with significant deviation noted as the image lengths increase. There is no feature to allow manual intervention in stitch alignment. Scans were impressive in detail but the trueness of the greyscale rendition was poor. When scanning simple line art against a pure white background, the background was rendered as a significant shade of grey despite gamma and correction settings. Although this does ensure the inclusion of significant data for manipulation later (it is easier to use lightening to improve an image s appearance than it is to darken the same), it was annoying and neither the monitor nor scanner calibration features did much to affect the results. Only by greatly brightening the image was it possible to get the white background to appear white and then at the cost of turning dark black images to a medium shade of grey. It was impossible to scan line art directly as a bi-level image, instead the image was captured as a greyscale image and then converted based upon a 50% threshold setting. This seemed a very inefficient method of line art scanning. The conversion was, however, reasonably accurate. Image Assistant GS offers the option of selecting two different sizes of tools. It also has an enhanced assist mode that condenses the number of tools visible into a few categories, then leads you toward your desired effect a step at a time. The features of the normal and assist modes were both intuitive and appropriate for most needs. The program will also import color or greyscale TIFF, JPEG, and GIF images (to name a few) and convert them to 256 level greyscale for further manipulation. Fax and Fax/OCR Capability -------------------------- The final feature of the OmniScan bundle is the FaxMaster program. FaxMaster functions both as a system extension for sending and receiving faxes, using a chooser interface to print to fax from within any application. The application requires a minimum memory allocation of 2.7 MB RAM. It is capable of transmitting or receiving greyscale or halftone faxes and can be set up to automatically OCR incoming faxes as they are received. This feature is marginal in accuracy unless the sending station transmits the fax at fine resolution. Additionally, there is a high price to pay in terms of speed when automatically OCRing incoming documents. First, because fine resolution is selected, there is much more data to be translated and received. Second, each fax can take several minutes (up to ten) to be deciphered by the system. The solution is to OCR faxes or portions of a fax after the fact with the Faxmaster utility. The section of interest is highlighted on the screen by the user and then recognized. Don't get the wrong impression about the fax feature. You still must acquire a suitable fax modem to be able to send or receive faxes with the OmniScan system. The FaxMaster application is a reasonable system but, unless you plan to attempt optical character recognition of many faxes, the fax programs that usually come with each fax modem are likely to be as good or better than FaxMaster. Further, some people don t like having to go through the chooser to print to fax. Regardless, the system works adequately for most purposes. Conclusion ---------- The OmniScan bundle has several negative traits, most notably the size of the scanning wand relative to that of the scanning window. On the other hand, it offers many features not available with other scanners at twice the price. With a market price of about $398, it is an affordable solution for the needs of many home users and hobbyists. _____________________________________________ > STR MAC InfoFiles """"""""""""""""" APPLE COMPUTER, INC. TIMELINE January 1976 to December 1993 January 1976 - Steve Wozniak (26) is working at Hewlett-Packard and Steve Jobs (21) is at Atari. March - Wozniak and Jobs finish work on a preassembled computer circuit board. It has no keyboard, case, sound or graphics. They call it the Apple I. April - Wozniak and Jobs form the Apple Computer Company on April Fool's Day. - The Apple I debuts at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, CA. May - Jobs sells his VW van and Wozniak sells his Hewlett-Packard programmable calculator, raising $1,350 to finance production of the Apple I boards. - The Byte Shop computer store orders 50 Apple I boards. Jobs leverages the order to get credit so they can build the machines in Jobs' parents' garage. June - Apple retains Regis McKenna Advertising to represent Apple Computer. July - The Apple I board is released for sale to hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts at the Product price of $666.66. August - Jobs meets venture capitalist Don Valentine through Atari founder Nolan Bushnell. Valentine will refer Jobs to Mike Markkula, who had previously managed marketing for Intel Corp. and Fairchild Semiconductor. November - Apple's first formal business plan sets a goal for sales to grow to $500 million in ten years. As it turns out, the company will pass that mark in half the time. December - Apple I computer boards are sold through 10 retail stores in the U.S. January 1977 - Apple Computer is incorporated by Jobs, Wozniak and their new partner and chairman, Mike Markkula. In addition to plotting its marketing strategy, Markkula invests $250,000 in the fledgling enterprise. Additional financing will come later from a group of venture capitalists that include Venrock Associates, Arthur Rock and Associates and Capital Management Corp. - Apple moves from Jobs' garage to a building on Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, California. February - Markkula asks Michael Scott to accept the position of Apple's president. Scott becomes a driving force behind Apple during its fastest growing years. April - The new Apple II is unveiled at the first West Coast Computer Faire. It is the first Product personal computer able to generate color graphics and includes a keyboard, power supply and attractive case. - At the show Apple rents the largest booth and uses a large projection screen for demonstrations. Markkula walks the floor, signing up dealers. - The Apple logo as seen today is designed by Rob Janoff, art director for Regis McKenna Advertising. May - Regis McKenna Advertising launches its first ad campaign for Apple. Although advertising is initially aimed at electronics enthusiasts, Apple will soon become the first company to advertise personal computers in consumer magazines. June - The Apple II is now available to the general public. Fully assembled and pretested, it Product includes 4K of standard memory, and comes equipped with two game paddles and a demo cassette. The price is $1,298. Customers use their own TV set as a monitor and store programs on audio cassette recorders. - Monthly orders reach a $1 million annual sales rate. - First Apple shipped to Europe through an independent distributor called Eurapple. January 1978 - Apple moves into its new headquarters at 10260 Bandley Drive in Cupertino. Over the years, a campus of Apple office buildings will spring up around it. March - Apple introduces various interface cards for connecting to most printers. June - Apple's Disk II is introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show. It is the easiest to use, lowest priced, and fastest minifloppy disk drive ever offered by a computer manufacturer. It will make possible the development of serious software. Production at first is handled by just two employees, turning out 30 drives a day. - Apple announces telephone linkup services to Dow Jones for Apple II users. December - In only its second year, Apple is one of the fastest growing companies in America. Sales have increased tenfold, and its dealer network has grown to over 300. February 1979 - President Mike Scott declares that Apple should set an example for businesses everywhere, and issues a company-wide mandate: "No more typewriters." June - Apple II+ is introduced, available with 48K of memory and a new auto-start ROM for easier startup and screen editing for $1,195. - Apple Education Foundation is founded. Its goal is to grant Apple systems to schools that will develop new classroom software and integrate computers into the curriculum. - Apple's first printer, the Silentype, is introduced. - Apple announces a nationwide repair program featuring same-day service. - The first Dealer Council convenes. Designed to get dealer input without breaking the FTC rules on competition, it will be widely copied by other manufacturers in the personal computer industry. August - Apple II Pascal is released. October - Personal Software, Inc. releases VisiCalc for the Apple II. The spreadsheet is the first application to make personal computers a practical tool for people who don't know how to write their own programs. - The International Apple Core, an independent umbrella organization for user groups, is formed in San Francisco. December - Apple introduces a low cost, one-year extended warranty for all Apple products. - Apple II sales rate is at 35,000 units, up 400 percent from 1978. - Apple now employs 250 people working out of four buildings. March 1980 - Apple Fortran introduced. Proves to be a catalyst for high-level technical and educational applications. June - Regional support centers open in Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Irvine, CA; Carrollton, Marketing TX and Toronto, Canada. July - Apple opens a manufacturing plant in Carrollton, TX. Apple facilities now occupy more than half a million square feet of floor space in the U.S. and Europe. September - Apple III announced at the National Computer Conference. With a new operating system, a built-in disk controller and four peripheral slots priced at $3,495, the Apple III is the most advanced system in the company's history. - Apple opens a plant in Cork, Ireland and a European support center in Zeist, The Netherlands. November - Apple II chosen as the network access machine for EDUNET an international computer network for higher education and research. December - Apple goes public. Morgan Stanley and Co. and Hambrecht & Quist underwrite an initial public offering of 4.6 million shares of Apple common stock at a price of $22 per share. Every share is bought within minutes of the offering, making this the largest public offering since Ford went public in 1956. - Apple's employee count breaks 1,000. - Apple Seed announced, a computer literacy program that will provide elementary and high schools with computer course materials. - Apple's distribution network is the largest in the industry 800 independent retailers in the U.S. and Canada, plus 1,000 outlets abroad. January 1981 - R&D budget jumps to $21 million, three times more than the year before. - Apple announces a Loan-To-Own program for employees. Each employee can borrow an Apple II+ to use at home. After one year, the computer becomes theirs to keep. February - Mike Scott authorizes the layoff of 40 employees in an effort to streamline Apple's internal machinery. - Chiat/Day Advertising acquires the Apple account when it acquires Regis McKenna's advertising operations. - European headquarters open in Paris, France and Slough, England. March - Top management restructured. Mike Markkula replaces Mike Scott as president; Steve Jobs succeeds Markkula as chairman; Scott named vice chairman. - Apple Expo '81 is launched the company's first national merchandising roadshow. April - Accessory Products Division formed to handle production of printers, modems and other peripherals. May - Apple Language Card introduced. It allows Apple II users to run programs in either Product Pascal, Fortran or Pilot. - IEEE-488 interface card announced. Apple II computers may now be linked to over 1,400 scientific and technical instruments. - Second offering of 2.6 million shares of common stock is completed. July - Apple begins to air commercials featuring Dick Cavett as spokesman. - Manufacturing plant opens in Singapore. August - International Business Machines introduces the IBM Personal Computer. Apple greets its new competitor with a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal with a headline that reads, "Welcome IBM Seriously." September - Apple's first mass storage system, the 5MB ProFile hard disk is introduced, priced at $3,499. November - There are now about 3,000 Apple dealers worldwide, a third of which are authorized service centers. - First annual report notes that the Apple II installed base has grown to well over 300,000; that employees now number about 2,500; and that Apple has introduced over 40 new software programs this year. - Apple becomes a household name. Surveys show that public awareness rose from 10 percent to 80 percent in 1981. January 1982 - R&D budget increases 81 percent over last year to $38 million. - More than 100 companies are making personal computers. Apple has an installed base of more than 650,000 units; 10,000 Apple software programs offered by more than 1,000 developers; 60 companies producing Apple II peripherals. July - Apple Dot Matrix printer introduced for $2,195. August - Apple announces that U.S. Customs agents will detain and seize all foreign imitations of the Apple II. November - A new extended warranty program is announced and dubbed AppleCare. - AppleFesta showplace for more than 5,000 Apple-related products opens in San Francisco. December - Apple becomes the first personal computer company to reach $1 billion annual sales rate. It throws a "Billion Dollar Party" for employees. - Community Affairs office created to award grants to civic groups that deal with issues such as housing, drug abuse, the environment, employment, medical research, the arts, youth and the elderly. - Time magazine's "Man of the Year" issue is devoted to "The Year of the Computer." January 1983 - Apple IIe computer priced at $1,395 and Lisa computer priced at $9,995 introduced as well as several new peripherals. - Apple's European offices and distributors stage major events in 12 cities to launch new Marketing productsLondon, Paris, Zurich, Munich, Milan, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Brussels, Tel Aviv, Madrid and Dublin. February - Apple University founded to provide employee training programs. April - John Sculley, formerly president of Pepsi-Cola, elected Apple's new president and CEO. May - Apple enters the Fortune 500 at number 411 in under five years. - "Kids Can't Wait" program announced. Apple II computers will be given to about 10,000 California schools by September. June - The millionth Apple II rolls off the assembly line and is the first of the computers to be awarded in the "Kids Can't Wait" grant. July - Apple and General Electric Credit Corp. form the Apple Plan. Customers who qualify are given a credit Credit card to finance Apple purchases. September - EVA (Employee Volunteer Action) is created to match the skills of Apple employees with community needs. October - Certified/Registered Apple Developer Program created. November - AppleWorks, an integrated package containing word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications all in one, is introduced and will soon become the world's best selling software. December - Apple III+ computer announced and lists for $2,995. - ImageWriter printer introduced and lists for $675. - Apple sponsors a nationwide Computer Clubs competition for high school and K-12. January 1984 - Apple landmark "1984" commercial that introduces the Macintosh personal computer airs during the SuperBowl broadcast. This is the only time Apple will run the spot, but over the following weeks it is replayed by dozens of news and talk shows, making "1984" one of the most memorable ads in TV history. - Macintosh unveiled at Apple's annual shareholders meeting to be sold for $2,495. - Apple inserts a 20-page ad for Macintosh in major magazines and sets new records for readership and recall scores. - Apple University Consortium announced. Twenty-four leading colleges and universities agree to conduct major development programs with the Macintosh, and commit $61 million in sales to the project over a three year period. - A new factory, designed and built for the production of Macintosh computers, is officially opened in Fremont, CA. The facility is one of the nation's most automated plants and uses many Japanese manufacturing methods: robotics, just-in-time materials delivery, a linear assembly line, and an improved quality of life for workers. - The 300 and 1200-baud Personal Modems are introduced at $299 & $495. April - Apple IIc, priced at $1,295, introduced at the company's "Apple II Forever" conference Product in San Francisco. Two thousand dealers place orders on the spot for more than 52,000 unitsan industry record. - Development of the Apple III line is discontinued. - Scribe printer, priced at $299, is introduced. - National Accounts program is announced focusing on large volume purchasers in the Fortune 1000. May - Apple severs its ties with domestic manufacturer representatives saying it will build its own sales force to service the dealer network. - Manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland begins producing custom- language Macintosh computers for Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. July - Apple is elected to the Consumers Digest Hall of Fame for responsiveness to consumer needs. August - Apple IIc receives the 1984 Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) sponsored by the Product Industrial Designers Society of America. September - Macintosh 512K introduced at $3,195. October - Apple Grants department formed, encompassing Education Affairs and Corporate Employee Volunteer Action programs. November - Apple buys every advertising page in a special post-election issue of Newsweek. The issue's final, fold-out ad is used to launch "Test Drive a Macintosh" promotion. About 200,000 people take a Macintosh home for a free 24-hour trial. Advertising Age magazine names "Test Drive" one of the 10 best promotions of the year. - Two millionth Apple II sold. January 1985 - Super Bowl XIX: Apple covers Stanford Stadium with Apple-embossed seat cushions. Also runs a controversial new commercial titled, "Lemmings." - "The Macintosh Office" campaign is launched at the annual shareholder's meeting. Program stresses the significance of Apple's new LaserWriter printer priced at $6,999 and AppleTalk Personal Network priced at $50. Jobs introduces Apple's goal of connectivity to other personal computers and declares "detente with IBM." - Apple and Northern Telecom announce an agreement to network Macintosh computers over telephone lines of digital PBX switches. - Lisa officially renamed the Macintosh XL. - Apple shows up on magazines' best-of-lists for 1984: Sculley is named "Adman of the Year"by Advertising Age; Macintosh is named "Hardware Product of the Year" by Infoworld;and Jobs and Wozniak are named members of the "Best of the New Generation" by Esquire. - Best quarterly sales ever, but dealer inventories remain high after a disappointing holiday season. Amid the celebrations, John Sculley warns that the next few months will be "extremely challenging" for Apple. February - Jobs and Wozniak receive National Technology Medal from President Reagan at the White House. - Wozniak resigns to start a company that will develop products in the home video area. March - Apple and 28 independent developers dominate an issue of the WSJ with ads promoting "The Macintosh Office." - Apple IIe computers are enhanced with four new higher-performance chips. - The company's employee count hits all-time high of 5,700. - Manufacturing plants close for one week due to excess inventory. April - Apple announces a computer training scholarship program for elementary and secondary school educators. - Over 400,000 Apple IIc computers have been sold in the first year of production. - Macintosh XL (formerly called Lisa) is dropped from Apple's product line. - ImageWriter II, HD-20 hard disk and Apple Personal Modem introduced. June - Sculley announces a major reorganization. Work force reduced by 20 percent Corporate (1,200 employees).Operations are restructured along functional lines, not product lines. Manufacturing facilities are reduced from six to three plants. - Apple launches European University Consortium at Lund University in Sweden. - The First quarterly loss in the company's history is reported because of the cost associated with the reorganization. July - AppleLink telecommunications network goes into service, connecting Apple Corporate employees dealers, suppliers, developers, and vendors through electronic mail and information libraries. - Apple's Office of Special Education is created to identify the computer-related needs of disabled people and assist in the development of responsive programs. August - Apple takes a public stand against South African apartheid by discontinuing its selling activities in South Africa. - Apple's Placement Center created to find new jobs for employees laid off in the reorganizationcloses its doors, after successfully placing 90 percent of those who used its services. September - Steve Jobs resigns to start a new computer company. November - First Lady Nancy Reagan presents an Apple IIe to the College de Leman International in Versoix, Switzerland during the Reagan-Gorbachev summit. - Singapore manufacturing plant receives its country's National Productivity Award. - Education Advisory Council founded an opportunity for leading educators to help guide Apple's products and programs for schools. December - Apple buys 14 pages of advertising in USA Today for the Apple IIe and IIc. January 1986 - Macintosh Plus and LaserWriter Plus unveiled at the AppleWorld Conference in Product San Francisco, priced at $2,599 and $6,798. - Apple announces it will build a network of specialty dealers to service the education market. - U.S. schools given the opportunity to trade in old Apple, IBM, Tandy and Commodore personal computers for credits on the purchase of new Apple computers. - Academic Courseware exchange founded. A joint effort of Apple and Kinko's graphics, the program will distribute low-priced, university-developed Macintosh software through Kinko's copy shops serving colleges and universities across the country. - Apple forms a support program to promote communication between the company and nearly 600 Apple user groups nationwide. February - Apple purchases a Cray X-MP/48 supercomputer, valued at about $15.5 million. The system will be used to simulate future hardware and software architectures and accelerate new product development. March - Apple CentreSM dealerships open throughout the United Kingdom stores dedicated exclusively to selling Apple desktop solutions. April - Macintosh 512K is replaced with an enhanced version with more power and storage. The Macintosh 512K Enhanced sells for $1,999. - Educators are offered special rebates on computers for their personal use through a six month program called "An Apple for the Teacher." - Apple reduces number of authorized Apple dealers from 2,600 to 2,000. - Apple moves its advertising account from Chiat/Day to BBDO, which had previously handled the company's advertising abroad. - Apple introduces a KanjiTalk Japanese version of the Macintosh operating system. June - Collaborative effort is begun with the National Geographic Society and Lucasfilm Ltd. Product to explore the use of optical technologies (video and compact disc) in education. August - Apple Programmers and Developers Association (APDA) formed. September - Apple IIGS, with enhanced graphics, sound and expanded memory, priced at $999, as well as an enhanced Apple IIc are introduced. - Apple stages Open House events in shopping malls across the country. Hands-on demonstrations of computers and software attract thousands of first time buyers. - Apple opens a sales office in Washington, D.C. as part of a new marketing group that will focus on sales to the U.S. government at the federal, state and local levels. October - The press is invited to the Plaza Hotel in New York for a sneak preview of Apple's new TV commercials. Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert provide their own editorial reviews following the show. - Arabic Macintosh operating system introduced. December - Over 200,000 AppleTalk networks are now in place, making it one of the world's most preferred local area computer networks. - Apple is now selling into more than 80 countries worldwide. - 1986 Annual Report describes a full recovery from the prior turbulent year profits for the fiscal year close at record highs, 151% over the previous year; employment has nearly returned to pre- reorganization levels with about 5,500 employees worldwide; and Apple enjoys the industry's highest sales to employee ratio. January 1987 - Apple updates the IIe, priced at $829. - New desktop communications products including the AppleShare file server software and AppleTalk PC Card are introduced. They are priced at $799 and $399. March - A new generation of Macintosh personal computers is introduced at the AppleWorld Product Conference in Los Angeles. The Macintosh SE, an expandable Macintosh, is priced at $2,898 for a dual floppy configuration. The Macintosh II, with its open architecture, is priced at $3,898 for the basic system, and at $5,498 for one MB of RAM, one 800K floppy disk drive and one 40MB internal SCSI hard disk drive. - Apple introduces the "Apple Unified School System" and Apple's Education Purchase Program (EPP) in a shared commitment with educators to integrate computers into the learning process. April - Apple announces a two-for-one share split and declares its first quarterly cash dividend at $0.06 per share (post-split). - The National Special Education Alliance (NSEA) is formed to promote awareness of computer use by disabled individuals. - Apple announces plans to create an independent software company, to be known later as Claris. May - Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and Apple announce the joint funding of the installation of Macintosh personal computer systems in 100 Ronald McDonald houses across the United States. - Apple invests in Touch Communications, Inc. to support the development of Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) networking products for the Macintosh platform. June - Scholastic Software and Apple honor the U.S. Constitution with a National Archives exhibit. August - Apple unveils a host of new products at MacWorld in Boston. New software products include the HyperCard personal tool kit for organizing all forms of information, and MultiFinder, the first multitasking operating system for Macintosh. New hardware products include the ImageWriter LQ, priced at $1,399 and the AppleFax Modem, priced at $699. September - AppleFest is held in San Francisco to celebrate the Apple II family of computers. October - USA for Africa/Hands Across America and Apple announce an electronic network for combating hunger and homelessness. The pilot project will connect 50 organizations for the hungry and homeless throughout the state of California. - Apple donates $50,000 to this year's EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL Higher Education Software Awards Program. November - Apple introduces its VAR program strategy for 1988 and announces key contracts with Automatix, Inc., Du Pont Biotechnology Systems, Interleaf, Inc. and TechSouth, Inc. - Apple awards $1.1 million in computer grants to 25 primary and secondary schools nationwide in the second cycle of Apple Education Affairs' "Equal Time" grants program. The technology will be used to help students develop higher-level thinking skills. December - For the first time, Apple uses its HyperCard technology to distribute a 1987 HyperCard supplement on diskette for Macintosh personal computers. January 1988 - MacWorld Expo opens featuring 350 exhibitors and over 25,000 attendees, Corporate underscoring the acceptance of the Macintosh in business. John Sculley's keynote address stresses Apple's commitment to networking and connectivity. - Apple introduces the LaserWriter II family of desktop laser printers, priced at $6,599 Product for the LaserWriter IINTX, $4,599 for the Laser Writer IINT, and $2,799 for the LaserWriter IISC. - AppleShare PC is introduced, allowing users of an IBM PC or compatible computer to share and print information stored on an AppleShare File Server. Price is $149. - Digital Equipment Corporation and Apple announce a joint technology agreement to integrate Macintosh personal computers and AppleTalk networks with VAX systems. - Apple reports first billion dollar quarter in its history as net income rises 108 percent. February - Apple ships A/UX for the Macintosh II, which combines the Macintosh intuitive user Product interface with UNIX. Prices range from $8,597 for the entry monochrome system to $9,346 for the entry color system. March - Apple acquires Network Innovations to help build its networking and communications capabilities. - Apple and Texas Instruments announce the MicroExplorer computer system, an Apple Macintosh II computer equipped with TI's Explorer Lisp coprocessor board and software environment. This agreement with TI is one of Apple's largest value added reseller agreements to date for the Macintosh family of personal computers. - Apple introduces AppleCD SC, an optical storage device that gives access to huge Product amounts of information. Priced at $1,199, a single CD-ROM disc can store up to 270,000 pages of typewritten information. - Suggested retail price for the Macintosh Plus is reduced from $2,199 to $1,799. - Apple files suit against Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard to protect its Macintosh audio visual display. The lawsuit is seen as having industry wide implications regarding copyright laws. - Apple announces the opening of an employee childcare center. Apple's childcare center is supplied with Macintosh computers for administrative functions and as a teacher resource tool. Apple IIc and Apple IIGS computers are used for child learning. May - Apple and Quantum Computer Services introduce AppleLink-Personal Edition, an online communication and information service designed specifically for Apple II computer s. June - Apple acquires Orion Network Systems, Inc., which develops and markets IBM-compatible Systems Network Architecture(SNA) software products. August - Apple ships five products that expand and enhance its AppleTalk Network System: Product AppleShare File Server; $799, AppleShare Print Server, $299; Aristotle, $199; Apple II Workstation Card, $249; Apple IIG Workstation Software, $99; and Inter-Poll Network Administrator's Utility, $129. - Apple and Digital Equipment Corporation outline a joint development program for integrating their respective networking environments. - Apple celebrates HyperCard: One Year Later and announces new products at Macworld Product including the Apple Scanner, priced at $1,799; the Macintosh II 4MB RAM, 40MB hard drive configuration priced at $7,269, and the Macintosh II four megabyte memory expansion kit priced at $2,399. - The Challenger Center for Space Science Education, Apple Computer, Inc.,and the Houston Museum of Natural Science host the opening of the first Challenger Center, a place where children can learn science and math in a simulated space station. - Apple creates four internal operating divisions, each to function as independent operating units and headed by operating division presidents. They are: Apple Pacific, led by Del Yocam; Apple Products, led by Jean-Louis Gasse; Apple USA, led by Allan Z. Loren; and Apple Europe, led by Michael Spindler. September - Apple appoints eight nationally recognized educators as Educational Technology Consultants (ETCs) to help integrate technology into schools and prepare K-12 students for the 21st century. - A faster and less expensive Apple II computer is introducethe Apple IIc Pluat Product $1,099. GS/OS, an enhanced Apple IIBS operating system is available for $39. - Apple introduces the Macintosh IIx computer, priced at $7,769. It is the first Product Macintosh II computer to use Motorola's 68030 microprocessor and 68882 math coprocessor. It is also the first Macintosh to incorporate FDHDFloppy Drive High DensityApple's new 1.44MB floppy disk drive that can read and write to MS-DOS, OS/2 and ProDOS formats. - A new configuration is announced for the Macintosh SE. The new unit features two megabytes of RAM and an internal 40 megabyte hard drive. It retails for $5,069. October - Apple reports net sales of $4.07 billion and net income of $400.3 million for fiscal year 1988. January 1989 - Apple introduces high-performance Macintosh SE/30 that provides MS- DOS and O/S2 disk compatibility. Suggested retail price is $4369.00 - Apple announces new services for Apple development community. Apple Partners and Apple Associates Program are designed to provide greater convenience and improved services for Apple's growing and increasingly diverse development community. - Apple offers the Macintosh Programmers Workshop (MPW)3.0, a complete software Product development system for creating professional software application programs for the Macintosh family. - Apple acquires Coral Software Corp., which markets programming languages and artificial intelligence tools for Macintosh computers. March - Apple announces 21-inch Two Page Monochrome Monitor and 15-inch Apple Macintosh Portrait Display. Suggested retail prices $2149.00 and $1099.00 - Apple rolls out the versatile Macintosh IIcx with 68030 performance in a small-sized modular design. Suggested retail price $5369.00. April - Apple II Video Overlay Card is introduced. It provides video overlay capabilities for the Product Apple IIGS. - Apple introduces 32-Bit QuickDraw that allows Macintosh personal computers to process and display photo-quality documents, images and visualizations with exceptional color clarity. May - Apple announces Macintosh Communications Toolbox which extends the Macintosh System Software into the networking + communications environment. Macintosh - Apple announces seven core technologies to be included in future versions of system software. Core technologies include a new outline format,Inter Application Communications, Layout Manager, Updated Finder, Database Manager, New Print Architecture and Virtual Memory. June - Apple donates $2 million in computers to 23 schools to help at-risk students. - Apple unveils more than a dozen new networking and communication products to increase Macintosh compatibility in multivendor environments,including DEC, IBM, OSI and TCP/IP. - Apple launches desktop media marketing campaign (desktop publishing, desktop presentations and multimedia). July - Apple IIGS System Software 5.0 is announced. It is the first 16-bit operating system for the Apple IIGS that operates over the AppleTalk network system. - Apple sells all 3,423,792 shares of its common stock holdings of Adobe Systems, netting Apple $79 million. August - Apple announces the Apple FDHD SuperDrive now standard in all Macintosh SE computers and reduces the suggested retail price of all Macintosh SE 68000-based configurations by $300 in the U.S. September - Ian W. Diery joins Apple as senior vice president and president, Apple Pacific. Diery replaces Delbert W. Yocam. - Apple announces Macintosh Portable, a full-function Macintosh in a portable design, and Macintosh IIci, a high-performance version of the Macintosh IIcx, running at 25 MHz with built-in video. October - Apple announces earnings of $454.0 million, or $3.53 per share, for the year ended September 29, 1989, on revenues of $5.284 billion. December - Apple ships the CL/1 Developer's Toolkit for Macintosh and CL/1Server for VAX/VMS. Both provide a client-server platform for developing and running Macintosh applications that can have access to data residing on a variety of host platforms. - Xerox files suit challenging the validity of Apple's copyrights covering the Lisa and Macintosh computers' graphical user interfaces. Apple responds that the claims are without merit. - Apple, the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE), the National Alliances of Business (NAB) and Group W Television announces the Thanks to Teachers campaign, a nationwide teacher excellence awards. January 1990 - Michael Spindler, previously president Apple Europe, promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Allan Loren, previously president Apple USA, resigns. Sren Olsson, formerly vice president Apple Sweden & Europe North, promoted to president, Apple Europe. February - In response to slow U.S. growth, 400 employee positions mostly in General & Corporate Administrative and Apple USA Sales & Marketing are laid off. - Apple reduces U.S. prices on Macintosh SE, SE/30, and LaserWriter II printers. - Apple and KPMG Peat Marwick allign to provide system integration services for companies implementing executive information systems on Macintosh. March - Jean-Louis Gasse, previously president of Apple Products, resigns. R&D organization starts to report to Sculley. - Apple extends warranty for U.S. hardware products to one-year. - Apple rolls out a collection of high-performance Macintosh products: The "wicked fast" Macintosh IIfx, A/UX 2.0, and a new family of powerful display cards. The 40 MHz, 68030 IIfx is the fastest system Apple has ever developed. - U.S. District Court dismisses most of Xerox's lawsuit against Apple, which challenged the validity of Macintosh and Lisa copyrights. April - Earnings per share skyrocket 136 percent for the second fiscal quarter to $1.04. But revenues only increase eight percent. Gross margins are up due to strong sales of high-end systems and decreases in component costs. June - Apple announces at PC Expo that it will license AppleTalkthe company's Macintosh Product networking software. - HyperCard 2.0 debuts at Digital World. It sports more than 100 new features. - Robert Puetteat 24-year Hewlett-Packard veteran becomes President, Apple USA. July - Apple rolls out new line of low-cost laser printers: the Personal LaserWriter SC and Product Personal LaserWriter NT. - Apple legends Bill Atkinson, Andy Hertzfeld, and Marc Porat form a new spin-out company, General Magic. Apple becomes a minority investor in the new venture. September - Apple lists on Tokyo Stock Exchange. - Beta-quality version of System 7 ships to developers. October - Apple rolls out a suite of new low-cost Macintosh personal computers, the Macintosh Classic, the Macintosh LC, and Macintosh IIsi. The products are the first volley in Apple's aggressive new market-share strategy. The Classic, especially, meets with phenomenal initial acceptance. - Fiscal 1990 revenues surpass $5.5 billion. November - Spindler becomes President, Apple Computer, Inc. December - Apple rolls out HyperCard for the Apple IIGS. Product January 1991 - Apple announces plug-and-play Ethernet product family, including the Apple Ethernet LC card and the Ethernet NB card for NuBus Macintosh systems. - Apple petitions the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to let computers transmit and receive information over radio waves, paving the way for a new industry, called Data Personal Communications Services (Data-PCS). March - U.S. District Court dismisses arguments by Microsoft and Hewlett- Packard questioning the originality of Apple's Macintosh copyrights. Case moves closer to trial. - Low-cost laser printers introduced, including the StyleWriter and Personal LaserWriter LS. Apple also cuts prices on high-end laser printers. - Apple chooses Fountain, Co., as site for new manufacturing plant. April - Second quarter fiscal 1992 results announced: unit shipments up 85 percent on strong acceptance of new low-end products. Gross margins slip to 48.8 percent. - Apple says it will eliminate the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to clean circuit boards. May - Apple unveils the much-anticipated System 7 for $99, the newest upgrade to the Macintosh computer operating system. - Apple announces it will restructure the company over the next 12 months to reduce operating expenses. Apple's workforce is reduced approximately 10 percent. - Apple announces QuickTime, a new system software architecture for the integration of dynamic media for Macintosh computers. June - Apple ships a family of communication products that extend the ability of Macintosh to integrate with IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) environment. July - Apple and IBM sign a letter of intent to cooperate on major technology initiatives for the 1990s. August - Apple announces ten international language versions of System 7. - Apple USA rolls out Macintosh "Right Now Rebate," which offers immediate savings of up to US $800 on selected Apple Macintosh computers and printers. September - Federal District Court Judge James Ware enters judgment in favor of two former Apple officersA.C. (Mike) Markkula, Jr. and John Vennard in 1982 securities law violation case. - Apple announces that it plans to locate the Apple USA Customer Support Center in Austin, Texas and a new 60- to 80-person Module Repair Center in Fountain, Co. - Apple rolls out Beat-the-Backup day. Company donates 75 bicycles to be used by Apple employees for intercampus transportation. - At the Seybold computer publishing conference, Apple introduces a number of new imaging products: Apple OneScannersports revolutionary "one-button" scanning technology; Macintosh 21" Color Display complements the high-performance Macintosh personal computers; LaserWriter IIg andLaserWriter IIf , new laser printers. - Total Macintosh computer unit growth exceeds 60 percent for the full fiscal year, which ended Sept. 27, 1991. October - Apple, IBM, and Motorola finalize milestone technology alliance. The alliance consists of five distinct technology initiatives: 1.) better integration of Macintosh PCs into IBM's networks; 2.) a new family of RISC microprocessors for PCs and entry-level workstations; 3.) Power Open a new open systems environment derived from AIX (IBM's industry-standard version of UNIX); 4.) Kaleidaa new multimedia joint venture that will create and license new multimedia technology; 5.) and Taligent a next-generation operating environment based entirely on object-oriented technology. - Apple announces its Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface card for Macintosh personal computers in the United States and Canada. - At Networld in Dallas, Apple announces a new Token Ring 4/16 NB Card, for the Macintosh product line. It is the first product to emerge from Apple and IBM alliance. - Apple launches largest product introduction in its history at the Las Vegas Comdex show. Products include Macintosh Classic II, Macintosh Quadra 700 and 900, and a new line of notebook-sized computers, Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140 and 170. - Apple announces new environmentally-sensitive packaging and rolls out battery recycling program for customers worldwide. November - Apple announces it has appealed to the Court of International Trade, asking the court to reverse the imposition of a 62 percent tariff on active matrix flat panel displays. January 1992 - John Sculley outlines Apple's plans to create a new category of products personal digital assistants in major speech at Consumer Electronics Show. - MacWorld Expo in San Francisco features hundreds of new applications using QuickTime. March - Apple and Kodak announce that they are working together to integrate support for Photo CD images into future versions of QuickTime. - Apple announces a low-cost CD-ROM Drive; a powerful new Macintosh LC II; and two new products for MS-DOS/Windows personal computers the Apple OneScanner for Windows and the Personal LaserWriter NTR. - Apple and Sharp announce a joint license and development agreement for a new Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) product. - In an effort to reduce environmental waste and conserve natural resources, Apple sets up a program to help customers recycle used toner cartridges from Apple's laser printers. May - IBM, Motorola and Apple formally dedicate a new facility that will serve as the focal point of design and development efforts for the PowerPC family of single-chip, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessors. - Apple announces its new WorldScript technology, intended to transform the Macintosh computer into the first international PC through worldwide language support. - Continuing its expansion into Eastern Europe, Apple announces that it has signed distribution agreements with companies in Romania and Bulgaria to sell and market Apple products. - Apple introduces the high-powered Macintosh Quadra 950, a 33-MHz 68040 personal computer. - SOFTWARE AG and Apple announce an agreement that will enable customers to combine the client/server solutions offered by each company. - Apple announces MacX.400, MacODA, and MacOSI at Interop Spring '92. - At the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Apple unveils its revolutionary Newton Intelligence technology, which will be the basis for new products in the personal digital assistant category. June - Apple becomes a charter participant in the US Environmental Protection Agency's new Energy Star Computers program, a cooperative effort between industry and government to promote the development of computers that use less energy. - Apple and Toshiba announce an agreement to develop new PDA products in the multimedia player category. - Apple and Symantec announce a development and marketing agreement to provide a cross-platform application framework for Macintosh computers and Microsoft Windows-based PCs. July - As a result of a partnership between Apple and the Environmental Support Center, one hundred organizations working on environmental issues in the US are awarded personal computers and printers with a total value of over $330,000. - Apple completely eliminates CFC's from worldwide manufacturing operations. August - Apple improves the price/performance of its midrange PowerBook line by introducing the PowerBook 145. - Number of customers using System 7 reaches 4 million. - As part of Apple's EarthGrants project, Apple donates personal computer systems worth $613,000 to 19 institutions working on environmental issues around the world. September - Apple realigns its worldwide manufacturing and distribution activities. Fremont facility will be relocated to the Sacramento facility. - Apple launches the Macintosh Performa Line, a new family of computers designed for the consumer marketplace. With the introduction of the Performa line, Macintosh products are available for the first time through mass merchandisers and superstores. - Responding to customer requests for a wider selection of affordable, high-quality fonts, Apple introduces the Apple Font Pack. October - Apple begins direct mail order sales for the first time via The Apple Catalog. - Apple begins manufacturing market-specific products in India. - To further enhance the multimedia capabilities of its Macintosh computer family, Apple introduces the AppleCD 300. The portable and mid-range Macintosh lines are strengthened with the introduction of the PowerBook 160 and 180, Macintosh DuoSystem, Macintosh IIvx and IIvi, and Macintosh 14-inch Color Display. - Apple computers and LaserWriter printers rank highest in J.D. Power and Associates Business User Satisfaction Studies. Apple tops PC satisfaction index second straight year. - Apple announces the Apple Multimedia Program designed to spur the development of products such as interactive books, music and animated content. November - Apple announces QuickTime for Windowswhich brings sophisticated multimedia capabilities to people who use Windows computers. - Donald Norman, renown expert on human-focused design, joins the company as an Apple Fellow. December - Apple reaches its first $2 billion-revenue quarter . - By end of 1992, the PowerBook product family has won more than 30 top international awards from leading publications and trade shows. January 1993 - Apple unveils a collection of color and grayscale imaging products, including ColorSync color matching architecture, LaserWriter Pro series of workgroup laser printers, StyleWriter II personal printer, Apple Color Printer, and Apple Color OneScanner. The new Apple Adjustable Keyboard and new Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II are exceptionally easy to use because of ergonomic design and adjustability - Apple shows off alpha version of its first Newton product at Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. February - At Macworld Tokyo, Apple makes largest product introduction in the company's history: Macintosh Color Classic, Macintosh LC III, Macintosh Centris 610 and 650, Macintosh Quadra 800, PowerBook 165c, and the LaserWriter Select 300 and 310 laser printers. This is the first time Apple launches major products from a venue outside U.S. - Apple ships the ten-millionth Macintosh computer. - Apple introduces SNA-ps 5250 terminal emulator for IBM AS/400 system. It is the first product to be sold by both Apple and IBM. March - Apple introduces three new Apple Workgroup Servers60, 80 and 95. It also announces AppleSearch, a powerful new information access and retrieval service for Macintosh workgroups. - PowerCD, a portable CD-ROM drives that plays CD-ROM, Photo CD and audio compact discs, is unveiled at Hannover Fair. - International Data Corporation ranks Apple as the #2 personal computer vendor in Japan, behind the market leader NEC. - As part of a strategy to make Newton an industry standard, Apple begins licensing key technologies to other companies, including Sharp Corporation, Motorola, Siemens. - QuickTime multimedia software shipments pass the one-millionth mark. Since the product's introduction in January, 1992, more than 500 QuickTime applications have been announced by independent developers. - Apple introduces AppleDesign Powered speakersthe first speakers designed by a computer company specifically for users of computer and multimedia technology. April - Apple makes available its Japanese Language Kit, a new software product that lets people use Japanese characters on non-Japanese Macintosh computers. - Apple's net revenues for the second fiscal quarter were $1.974 billion up15 percent from the second quarter of the prior year. However, net income was $110.9 million down from the prior year's $135.1 million. An escalating industry price war erodes Apple's gross margins. - Asian Business SYStems (ABSYS) is appointed Apple's marketing arm for Kazakhstan and Central Asian Republics of the CIS. Apple also opens a marketing and channel development office in Mexico City. May - Apple introduces Open Database Connectivity software developers kit that enables Macintosh developer to build applications and drivers using Microsoft ODBC. - Apple delivers VITAL Technical Architecture Guides for information systems planning and development. - Apple reveals plans to make it possible for Macintosh software services and applications software to run on UNIX systems. Apple will collaborate with other Open Systems vendors consortia. - During the annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple demonstrates a prototype Macintosh computer running on an 80 MHz PowerPC 601 processor, achieving a new performance level in the industry. The company also demonstrates PowerPC-compatibility with existing Macintosh applications software. - Apple ships QuickDraw GX, its enhanced imaging services for System 7 system software to more than 15,000 Apple developers. - In a historic meeting, Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Computer, meets with Poland's President Lech Walesa, the former leader of the "Solidarity" movement. Woz, who's grandparents emigrated from Poland to the U.S., presents President Walesa with a Macintosh PowerBook. June - Two new models expand Apple's popular PowerBook seriesthe PowerBook 180c brings active matrix color to the top of the line, while the PowerBook 145B lowers the entry-level price by 25 percent. - Apple debuts two new printersThe low-cost and energy efficient Personal LaserWriter 300 and the Portable StyleWriter, designed specifically for PowerBook users. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officially releases the Energy Star emblem for display with energy-efficient computers and peripherals. Apple has more than 20 products that meet the EPA's the technical requirements. - Michael Spindler, formerly Apple's president and COO, is appointed CEO. John Sculley continues as Apple's chairman. July - Apple announces it will restructure the company cover the next 12 months to accelerate earnings growth. About 2,500 workers worldwide will be laid-off. - Apple ships the final beta-test version of its Apple Open Collaboration Environment AOCE) software. PowerTalk and PowerShare, the first products based on AOCE, enable network users to exchange electronic mail and documents. - New Macintosh models, Macintosh Quadra 840AV and Macintosh Centris 660AV bring together telecommunications, video and speech technologies on a desktop computer for the first time. August - The first product based on Apple's Newton technologythe Newton MessagePad handheld communications assistantis introduced at Macworld in Boston. 50,000 units are sold in the first 10 weeks. - Apple launches an advertising campaign on MTV, marking Apple's first direct response television effort to reach the college market. The company also debuts a series of print ads and TV commercials that ask "What's on Your PowerBook?" - Apple continues its aggressive price cutting to build sales momentum. Since April, Apple has reduced prices on a broad range of products. Unit shipments pick up significantly. September - Apple greatly expands business operations in the People's Republic of China. - Developer interest and support for Apple's Newton technology continues to gain momentum. Over 2,000 developers are working on new applications and titles. - Apple's net sales for fiscal year ending Sept. 25, 1993 are a record $7.98 billion. But, industry conditions continue to put pressure on Apple's margins. Net income is $86.6 million. October - System 7 Pro, an advanced version of the System 7 operating system for Macintosh personal computers is released. - Apple launches Software Dispatch, a 24-hour delivery system that lets Windows and Macintosh customers choose from more than 80 software applications on CD-ROM. - Revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter was $2.14 billion, the highest quarterly sales level ever achieved by the company. Unit shipments of Macintosh computers grew 36 percent, also reaching a new quarterly high. - John Sculley announces his resignation from Apple Computer. A.C. (Mike) Markkula is elected Apple's new chairman. - PhotoFlash software for the Macintosh computer , announced at the Seybold conference in San Francisco., simplifies the process of getting photos into documents. - Motorola delivers first silicon of the PowerPC 603, the second member of the PowerPC family of chips designed jointly by Apple, IBM and Motorola. - Apple streamlines product lines, announces a host of new Macintosh computer models that cost less, improves the performance of mid- range models, and continues to drop prices on many models. - Apple announces Macintosh TV, a product that combines an Apple Macintosh computer, television and CD-ROM stereo system into one compact, low-priced unit. November - After 17 years of active duty and 5 million units shipped, the Apple II product line is quietly discontinued. The Washington Post marks the event with an appreciation column, "One Good Apple: A Farewell to the Marvel at the Core of the PC Boom" - PowerBook notebook computer sales top one million mark. - Ingram Laboratories test results find that many new Macintosh computer models outperform comparably priced DOS systems running Windows 3.1. - New Apple Remote Access products allow individuals or workgroups to easily access information and services remotely over a variety of connections, ranging from telephone lines to cellular links. December - Newton MessagePad receives top product awards from PC Magazine, PC LapTop Computers Magazine, Fortune, Byte, Popular Science and Reseller Management magazines. Apple Computer, Inc. Corporate Fact Sheet - January 1994 Apple Computer, Inc. 20525 Mariani Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 996-1010 (General Public) (408) 974-2042 (Media, Industry Analysts & Consultants) AppleLink: APPLE.PR (Media, Industry Analysts & Consultants) Traded: OTC Market and listed on NASDAQ under the symbol AAPL, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the symbol APPLE, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol APCD Net Sales: Fiscal 1993 $7.977 billion Net Income: Fiscal 1993 $86.6 million Incorporated: January 3, 1977 Employees: Approximately 11,900 worldwide Installed Base: Over 13 million Macintosh systems Approximately 5 million Apple II systems Company Profile --------------- Apple Computer, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computer, server and personal interactive electronic systems and services for use in a wide range of markets. A recognized pioneer and innovator in high-technology products, Apple does business in more than 120 countries. It seeks, through technology, to provide people with easy and affordable access to information and computing power. Products, Services & Solutions ------------------------------ Apple Computer develops and markets a full family of products and solutions including Macintosh personal computers, the Newton family of personal digital assistants and the Apple Workgroup Server range. The company s AppleSoft division is responsible for developing leading edge system software products together with a range of software extensions and development tools. Additionally, Apple manufactures printers, monitors and scanners. Apple also provides a family of online services called eWorld, and creates a variety of networking and communication products which integrate Macintosh systems into different computer environments. Claris Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, is a leader in the market for personal computer application software across a variety of platforms. Research and Development ------------------------ Apple invests approximately 8 percent of its annual sales in research and development . The company s development activities reside in its 5 divisions: Personal Computer division, Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE), AppleSoft, Apple Business Systems, and Claris Corporation. Manufacturing ------------- Manufacturing facilities are located in Sacramento, California; Fountain, Colorado; Cork, Ireland; and Singapore. Distribution facilities are located in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. That's it for this week. Be sure and download Mac Report Monthly early next week. As always, please feel free to send your comments or questions to me at: America OnLine: STReportRN Compuserve: 70323,1031 GEnie: R.NOAK ********************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= STReport International Online Magazine is available every week for your reading pleasure on DELPHI. STReport's readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of a friendly community of enthusiastic computer users there. SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI ====================== Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI services via a local phone call JOIN --DELPHI -------------- Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002 then... When connected, press RETURN once or twice and... At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN. DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA. Try DELPHI for $1 an hour! For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only $5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan, where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum $10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry, this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! DELPHI-It's getting better all the time! ********************************************************************** ATARI/JAG SECTION (III) ======================= Dana Jacobson, Editor > From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Well folks, it's nice to be able to sit at this keyboard and have some energy to think and write without the need to get up and go to sleep!! January must have been "Let's get the Atari online magazine editors" month as myself and my counterpart at AEO are recovering, finally. Hmmm, maybe it's time to head to the warmer climates in the Southwest parts of the country - nah! Then again, with another snowstorm just starting to fizzle out here in the Northeast.... Anyway, let's get away from the weather and illnesses; this is an Atari column! It's amazing what you see everyday; and after awhile, some things begin to click. I've heard mentioned, at times, that when a particular subject that's been discussed in a highly positive manner starts to slow down, the negative starts to come out of the woodwork. Lately, I've seen exactly this type of behavior online with regard to the Jaguar. It's even crept into print magazines. What can be said negatively about the Jaguar? Very little, from what I've seen and heard. So, what's the problem? Well, it appears that the initial wonderment of the Jaguar has worn out with current users. And, if people don't already have one, they _may_ be taking a wait-and-see attitude for things to come - how fast and how many. Like most games, you play it numerous times and become "lethargic" with it in anticipation of something new. We've seen the Jaguar ads; and now they've disappeared except for some gaming magazines. We've heard about how well the test market areas have received the Jaguars, but we're all waiting for that national push. Essentially, everyone is waiting for the next Jaguar "item," whatever form it may take. I believe, that in gaming circles, we always want more; we can't get enough. Atari has the dubious honor of coming out with terrific products, pushing them for a short period of time, and then fade away. Some are wondering if this is happening all over again with the Jaguar. And then there are others who feel positive, and that this period of inactivity will be very short-lived and the push will start very soon. Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle. I realize that it's easy, with Atari's history, to be concerned. But, it's also easy to realize that the Jaguar has only been available for a little over two months. The Christmas season is always a good time for a new product to come out. Everyone is happy at that time of year, and it's not difficult for many to carry that emotion for weeks later. But we also have to realize that January is probably one of the slowest buying periods of the year for most people. Most purchases, especially toys (yes, the Jaguar is a toy, albeit an expensive one), have been made already to fill those Christmas lists. In addition to that, personal finances always seem to be strained during the holidays, so costly purchases are usually by necessity rather than pleasure. So, it makes sense that Jaguar activity is going to take a downward slide. So, when will this change? Word from Atari via some of the onlines, from folks such as Don Thomas and Bob Brodie, say the national rollout has begun. 10 additional major urban areas have been targeted and chains such as Babbage's and Electronic Boutique should be receiving product soon, if not already. The next available new game is slated for a March delivery, so that is disheartening for many awaiting new games. I'm certain that once these new target areas start seeing product; and the public becomes aware of it, the vocal activity will once again reach a high level of enthusiasm. Let's hope so!! Just to give you an idea as to what kinds of attitudes have been taken toward negativity, I've included a couple of posts from various online services. You can look at them and realize that frustration seems to have been the motivation. From a recent copy of InfoWorld magazine was this editorial. I cannot verify the contents' veracity, but others have claimed to have seen the same piece. Regardless, as you can see, the editor starts off depicting his article as a fantasy. I would surmise that what he's written is based on a personal attitude, not fact. Whether his "prediction" holds true in the future is anybody's guess. Mine would be that it doesn't hold much of a possibility. Here it is: "Here's another fantasy: Atari, having had a resounding lack of success so far in selling its Jaguar 64-bit video game machine, is getting Jaguar 2.0 ready to go this fall. The new box combines the Tom and Jerry video ASICs into one chip and replaces the 68000 with a PowerPC. What you get is a $250 home video game to which you can attach a SCSI hard disk and use it as an Oracle server. "Of course, Atari will screw it up, but there is always the prospect that somebody will buy out the Tramiel family and start running Atari like a real business. IBM would be a good choice, given that it builds the Jaguar for Atari and is moving into the TV set-top box business. I've heard that there is interest, too, from Sega, which could put a patent suit to rest with such a purchase, as well as pick up the technology." In another post, a user on Compuserve brought a rumor to the attention of the users, and looked to Atari's Don Thomas for a reaction: "Don, On the Prodigy BB there is a rumor circulating that IBM has cancelled their contract with Atari to produce the Jag. Supposedly, this information came from some of the IBM employees in North Carolina that work at the plant. I guess that if this is true, it would not be the worst thing in the world, since the Jag has proven itself as a superior game box. The only thing that would happen is a delay of the National Rollout. However, I suspect that this is only a rumor -- and I would like to put a stop to it ASAP. The problem with a rumor such as this on Prodigy is that there are probably hundreds of BBers monitoring that board. If you could address this quickly, I will get the information back to Prodigy. I realize that Atari can't be too concerned with what goes on in the rumor factory, because they will come and go, true or not, but this rumor has evidently caused some of the long time Atari stockholders to sell at a loss. Interestingly enough, this issue has caused some of the normal Jag bashers to come to the defense of the Jag. The problem with this rumor is that it fits into the "why has the National Rollout been delayed?" scenario and is therefore more easily accepted than the hundred of other untrue rumors that have come across the board. I would really like to put a stop to this immediately, if you can comment on it." Don Thomas' comments were brief, and to the point: "Bob, <> I doubt that heavily. I was in meetings with people as late as yesterday (Friday) in regard to diverting units to me from IBM for direct sales purposes as I need them. <> It is a superior box, but there is no kidding that there is much more to do. It is being done... you just can't enjoy the benefits of all those labors until the work is completed. <> The "National Rollout" as a distribution part has already begun. What I think everyone expects is to see it happen more aggressively and I don't think that will happen until more product is out there. I suspect a retail buying seasonal trend upward might be motivating too. This time of the year, a lot of retail orientated advertising pull back simply because people are paying off the bills they created before the holidays. <> Me too. <> We are. Sometimes a sound PR decision is to let rumors fizzle out on their own. People get tired of talking about the same things over and over unless there is some change. Every time a company responds, that can be enough change to keep the matter in perpetual motion. <> I think the big thing people expect is a "National Rollout" in the form of overwhelming advertising from border to border. We have started shipping product nationally. We are running ads in national gaming magazines. We are being conservative until we have a wider selection of software that all the early birds say is needed." -- Don Thomas Atari Corporation So, as you can see, "boredom" or even impatience tends to breed negativity. I think it speaks highly of Atari, and personnel like Don Thomas, to be available online and help waylay some of these rumors and correct errant information. Additionally, it helps us to make sure that what you read is based on facts. Without Atari's cooperation, we'd be sharing more rumors rather than having access to firsthand information. I know I'm tired of saying it as much as you're probably as tired of reading it, but computer-related news on the Atari front is rare. Word has it that the reported batch of TTs are ready. Where they're headed hasn't been noted, as yet. Not much else going on in the home front. Things have been hectic this week for me with evening meetings and partial double shifts at work. I've been lucky to get online the past couple of days, but as you can see, I did find a few interesting tidbits. From what I've heard from our roving CIS editor, Joe Mirando, his review of Gribnif Software's "Geneva" is just about ready. I think I heard it will be ready for next week's issue (right Joe??!). So, we're going to be quite short this week. I do recommend John Duckworth's "Fishin' Hole" column this week. Not only does he have a couple of whoppers on the line, but also includes a listing of Internet sources. You may want to save that info for future use; I hear the fishing is quite good in those waters!! Until next time...... Delphi's Atari Advantage Top 10!! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (2/9/94) (1) ST ZIP 2.4 (6) COMPUTER PATIENCE (2) LHARC VERSION 2.99 (7) TELECOMMUNICATIONS GLOSSARY (3) TOAD'S SYSINFO (8) JENS SENDS SHOCKER 2 (4) BRODIE CES CONFERENCE *(9) BOB BRODIE CONFERENCE 1/11/94 *(5) BRODIE FEB 4 CONFERENCE *(10) TWO COLUMN PRINTER RELEASE 6 * = New on list HONORARY TOP 10 The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently out-performing every other file in the databases. ST REPORT (Current issue: STREPORT #10.06) ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: VOLUME 3 - ISSUE 2) Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database. ________________________________________________ > The Old Fishin' Hole STR Feature """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" THE OLD FISHIN' HOLE ==================== -A Guide to the Online PD/Shareware Waters. by John R. Duckworth Come one, come all! Gather round for yet another edition of 'The Old Fishin' Hole'. Today you'll hear tales of a tiny mouse pointer which is able to lift windows to the top of desktops effortlessly, and a marvelous and amazing GEM compliant game which captivates it's audience for hours. You'll also receive...free of charge...a list of fabulous Internet FTP sites which house virtually every known public domain and shareware program available for Atari computers. Sound too good to be true? Read on... "Maus-Window v.1.25" by Thomas Binder, a German programmer, is a handy little utility which simply "tops" whatever window your mouse pointer is over when it stops moving. Some of you may say that this is hardly a new idea in the computer world. With "Maus-Window", Atari users can now have the convenience of auto-topping. This utility can be run as either a program (only useful in multi-tasking environments), or an accessory. Several default options may be set to take effect whenever "Maus-Window" is installed on the system. One option is to allow the utility to top a window only if the pointer resides within the work area of the window...this allows the user to manipulate window gadgets for those that are in the background. Another option will allow the user to choose whether the utility will top a window even if the new window completely covers the window which was previously on the top. Other options involve mouse movement and how "Maus-Window" will react, such as waiting for the mouse to stop before topping, and waiting for movement again in case another window was topped using keyboard shortcuts (otherwise the old window would just pop back up to the top). If this all sounds confusing, it really isn't...most of the setting should be satisfactory when the utility is first started. One interesting option involves "Maus-Window" to automatically raise the priority of the top window when run under MultiTOS. This is a wonderful small utility (which even comes with a smaller, 'lite', version) which I will never start my computer without. "Slartris" is a public domain tetris clone Thomas Schmidt (yet another great German programmer). "Slartris" is completely GEM compliant and should work on all Atari TOS computers. Since the game runs from within 2 windows (uniquely attached to one another)...it is playable when using MultiTOS, although system performance will probably be affected. A great feature of "Slartris" is the ability to play against a friend via midi hook-up. Although the game is completely in German (as well as the documentation file) it isn't too hard to figure out most option with a bit of trial and error.If you aren't yet tired of this game genre...give "Slartris" a try, the program is small and won't cost a great deal of download time. Since many of you have access to the Internet...I recently came across a list of anonymous FTP sites for Atari archives which I thought may be useful, in case you missed it when it was posted by Hallvard Tangeraas on the Usenet. A T A R I S T F T P S I T E S : USA: --- atari.archive.umich.edu...(141.211.120.11)..../atari/ f.ms.uky.edu..............(128.163.128.6)...../pub/atari/ archive.wustl.edu.........(128.252.135.4)...../systems/atari/ comp.binaries.atari.st/ cs.bu.edu.................(128.197.2.1)......./PC/ATARI-ST/ world.std.com.............(192.74.137.5)....../src/atarist/ CANADA: ------- aupair.cs.athabascau.ca...(131.232.10.8)....../atari/ NETHERLANDS: ------------ ftp.cs.ruu.nl.......(131.211.80.17)........./pub/ATARI-ST/ nikhefh.nikhef.nl...(192.16.199.1)........../pub/atari/ star.cs.vu.nl.......(192.31.231.42)........./pub/atari/ ftp.twi.tudelft.nl..(130.161.156.11)......../pub/atari/ FINLAND: -------- ftp.funet.fi........(128.214.248.6)........ /pub/atari/ GERMANY: -------- ftp.uni-kl.de.............(131.246.9.95)....../pub/atari/ ftp.uni-erlangen.de.......(131.188.1.43)....../pub/atari/ ftp.tu-clausthal.de.......(139.174.2.10)....../pub/atari/ ftp.uni-muenster.de.......(128.176.121.55)..../pub/atari/ athene.uni-paderborn.de...(131.234.2.32) ...../atari/ ftp.cs.tu-berlin.de.......(130.149.17.7)....../pub/atari/ pascal.math.fu-berlin.de..(130.133.4.50)....../pub/atari/ ftp.uni-regensburg.de.....(132.199.1.202)...../freeware/software/atari/ vax.ph-cip.uni-koeln.de...(134.95.64.1)...... /pub/atari/ ftp.germany.eu.net........(192.76.144.75)...../pub/comp/atari-st/ ftp.uni-stuttgart.de......(129.69.8.13)......./pub/systems/atari/ ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de......(131.159.0.198)......../pub/comp/ platforms/atari/ ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de......(137.226.112.172)....../pub/atari/ wowbagger.pc-labor.uni-bremen.de...(134.102.228.9)......../pub/atari_st/ ma2s2.mathematik.uni-karlsruhe.de..(129.13.115.2)........./pub/atari/ reseq.regent.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de..(129.187.230.225)../pub/comp/ platforms/atari/ UK: --- micros.hensa.ac.uk (148.88.8.84) .......... /micros/atari/ SWITZERLAND: ----------- ftp.isbiel.ch.....(147.87.2.27)............/atari/ FTP "mirror"-sites: ------------------- mirror.archive.umich.edu...(128.252.135.4) or (128.193.2.13) or (128.193.4.2) or (128.255.21.233) or (128.255.40.200) nic.switch.ch (130.59.1.40)............/mirror/atari/ (umich.edu, USA) archive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)....../mirrors/archive.umich.edu/atari/ (umich.edu, USA) src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1)........./packages/atari/umich/ (umich.edu, USA) src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1)........./packages/atari/uni-paderborn (uni-paderborn, GERMANY) That's all for this time...see y'all next week. Questions? Comments? E-mail: JDUCKWORTH@delphi.com. +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Old Fishin Hole Tackle Box * | +----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Maus-Window 1.25 | | Delphi: Atari Advantage- READ MAUSWIND | | Slartris | | Delphi: Atari Advantage- READ SLARTRIS | +----------------------------------------------------------------+ * The Tackle Box is meant to provide assistance in finding files mentioned in the column. It should not be considered a COMPLETE listing and is provided for convenience only. Delphi Atari Advantage files should be found in the Recent Arrivals section of the database until moved to their appropriate sections. _______________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Yet another storm has dumped its load of snow on my region of the country and we're all just about fed up with it. If anyone would like to take a portion of it away for us, you're more than welcome to it. We've gotten more snow this year that the last four or five combined, so don't feel bashful about coming back for seconds. Well at any rate winter doesn't want to let go of us so while the white stuff is falling outside, let's take a look at the info that's available every week right here on CompuServe. Well, let's get to it... From the Atari Productivity Forum ================================= Dan Rhea asks Dazzz Smith: "At the store I work at, we get a lot of folks from the UK and other parts of Europe coming in to buy equipment. I was wondering (and was asked this less than a week ago)... Will a standard USA v.32/v.32bis Fax/Modem work in the UK, or are there Telco restrictions or protocol incompatibilities? In other words, can a customer from London buy a US Robotics Sportster 14400 Fax Modem here in the US, take it back home to London, plug in in his PC and not have any problems getting it to work?" Dazzz tells Dan: "Ok the answer comes in two parts, 1. Mechanical, the modems in the USA have different adaptors to those here in the UK. so it would require either swopping the adaptor on the end or getting a switcher cable to plug into it and then into your phone line. Also you would have problems with the power supply. 2. Regulatory, all communications equipment should be BABT approved (Similar to your FCC, but telecommunications only) so it is illegal to use non approved equipment here in the UK, although it isnt illegal to buy it! So we have thousands upon thousands of non approved modems over here, since the chances of getting caught is so slight." Greg Wageman tells Sysop Jim Ness: "I missed the announcement about your "promotion" to SYSOP status. Congratulations. Seems like whenever I'm away from CIS for any length of time, something significant always happens. (Wasn't there something about a 'quake in L.A.?) (For the humor impaired, I'm a Northern Californian and couldn't possibly have missed the L.A. 'quake short of being comatose for a month.) I've been observing "interesting" behavior with QCIS at 14.4Kb. It seems that occasionally CIS just "stops". If I type ^C, I get the ^C menu, and then if I type a "1", things go on from there. The message base indicates that the pause could be anywhere, right in the middle of a message (typically). Also, the behavior at the end of a file transfer (the infamous "lost CR") changed when I changed baud rates. It seems that at 14.4Kb, the CR is lost, and the command QCIS sends is lost too: EXCEPT for the "bye" command, which is NOT ignored, but no logoff message is generated! Strange, very strange. I guess I should consider myself lucky to have a 14.4KB node locally. I'm still waiting for CIS to ship MacNav, or whatever they call it. It's out of stock. Here I am, waiting to spend more $ on CIS and they aren't even helping me. Heck of a way to run a business. :-)" Jim tells Greg: "Thanks for the congrats. QuickCIS cannot keep up at 14400, so I imagine there is some problem with flow control. From your description, CIS stops sending and never begins again. I have had similar problems happen, but usually when I am sending/posting a new reply. It gets sent at 14400, and CIS chokes, but only once in a thousand. I have to ^C to get out of it, and that message is never posted." Greg tells Jim: "It dawned on me that the behavior of QCIS after a download has changed each time I've changed buad rate -- from 2400 to 9600, and most recently from 9600 to 14400. When I went to 9600, that "extra CR" problem cropped up. Now that I'm using 14400, I seem to *need* the "extra CR" -- the next command the QCIS sends is ignored by CIS, with the sole exception of "bye", which causes CIS to hang up, but without the normal logoff messages! Really weird. I'm looking forward to a whole new class of problems with MacNav, if CIS ever ships it..." I'd like to add my congratulations to Greg's. Jim has been a constant source of information to CompuServe users for as long as I can remember. It's good to see the Sysop title in front of his name as recognition for his efforts. I guess that you could say that he got the title the old fashoned way... he EARNED it. Meanwhile, Dan Rhea continues the talk about using CompuServe with a range of baud rates: "The reason things are different at different baud rates is that CIS maintains a profile for each baud rate you call in at. And they don't talk to each other (i.e. settings at one rate don't affect the settings at another rate). I'll let Jim explain the details so far as QuickCIS applies. I just thought you would like to know the Why behind the problem/feature ." Bill Waggener posts: "I have seen references to programmers using the Atari to develop programs which were then "ported" to Windows. I have also seen some programs in the Forum which convert GEM resource files to Windows files. Has anyone written anything about porting GEM programs to Windows? I like the GEM environment but I would like to port some programs over to Windows. Any references to methods and possible software examples would be greatly appreciated." Sysop Dan Rhea tells Bill: "Since the systems are so different, the "conversion" is usually more of a re-write of the program. The way Windoze and GEM are structured are very different. Usually all you can port is the core of a program. The user interface usually needs to be re-done from the ground up. Assembly code is not portable at all. The Intel instructions are completly different (and a real pain in the... ah, you know what I mean ), from those used in Motorola 680xx processors. The only type of program that can be converted without much work is a TTP or TOS program. They are so much like DOS programs that I manage to use the same C source for both ST and IBM versions of my non GEM programs. I shudder at the thought of trying to write a GEM to Windows converter. It would be an enormous task even to go from IBM GEM to Windows. BTW... Basic ports pretty easy too." Bill tells Dan: "I thought as much...I have ported my C programs from the Atari to PC's and other machines without much trouble but a program for converting resource files caught my eye and made me wonder." Here's another instance that shows that computer users think about more than just computers. Greg Wageman posts: "As a confirmed person owned by a cat (no one ever "owns a cat"), I can speak from long experience (15 years) that cats are indeed more like humans than dogs, in that they consider themselves your equal. Personally I find this much more stimulating than the fawning admiration of a dog. Having a successful relationship with a cat is much like having a successful relationship with another human- there is much give-and-take, with compromise being the order of the day. Cats are good teachers of patience. :-) Contrary to some opinions, however, cats can be as loyal as dogs in their faithfulness and love, as long as it is a reciprocal relationship. My first cat, Athena, died of kidney failure last April. He was as good a companion as I could ever hope for, and I still mourn his passing. My remaining cat, Zonker, will be 15 in April. He's "helping" my wife with her Mac Powerbook as I type this. When he goes, we will most likely get another pair of kittens. I can't imagine this household without any cats underfoot." Beth Freeman tells Greg: "I'm sorry to hear about Athena, your cat. You sound like my cousin. She always got two pets at a time, to keep each other company, except she got two dogs. They kept each other company and got into trouble, too! My friend Ann's cat Meenoosh (I'm not sure if that's how you spell it) used to pick her kids up a the bus stop after school each day. She eventually made the fatal mistake of wandering onto Jerusalem Avenue (a main road and bus route). She got hit by a car or something larger. I saw her, and had to tell my friend the sad news. I don't think she suffered. I think a big bus hit her and that was it. We have a friend down at the pool, Irene, and she also agrees that the cat owns you, not the other way around. Meow!!!" Sysop Dan Rhea puts in a word for (or should it be against) us dog lovers: "Don't be fooled Beth, Dogs own thier people too. Cats are just a bit more assertive about the issue (as I type this, or try to, my dog is bumping my elbow with his cold wet nose... This means walk me now, or I'll torment you all night)." Beth agrees with Dan: "Yeah, dogs do let you know when they want something. We had neighbors with a black dog, and she would come over to where you were sitting and plunk her head on your lap (she was about knee high). That meant, "Pet Me!" Our dog used to love my grandmother. When she'd come back from one of her trips, the dog would run back and forth from my grandmother to under the grand piano, barking and barking. Well, she obviously knew what a special person my grandma was. My dog wasn't very good about screening my dates, though. Well, nobody's perfect, even dogs." Mitchell Porras asks: "I was wondering if someone can offer some advise? I downloaded a fineart GIF`s [omo47.gif,omo42.gif,and omo52.gif] and when i try to view them using GIFSHO.PRG nothing happens, Im able to view other GIF`s just fine. I find it hard to believe three files could be corrupted and think it must be something else. any advice would be appreciated." Sysop Bob Retelle tells Mitch: "This is just a guess, but I wonder if the GIF files you've been having problems with are using the "GIF89a" standard... most of the ST viewer programs will only show GIFs that use the older "GIF87a" format. If you have an ASCII text editor (like the Flash capture buffer, or EdHak), take a look at the first few bytes of the GIF files. (WHATIS should be able to do this too). If it says GIF89a in the first few bytes, you might be able to make the pictures viewable by changing the 89 to an 87 and resaving the file. Another solution would be to get a newer GIF file viewer like GEMVIEW." Mitch tells Bob: "I think I'll try the GEMVIEW. I seem to have the worst luck doing the smallest things on my 1040st. I must hold the record for the most locked up screens in the country. maybe you can answer another ?.I recently went to a computer show and they had programs running with computer generated images that have that metalic look [ex. the apple on NEWTONS APPLE a television show on catv] . i mess around with ANIMATOR,and NEOCHROME., which are probably outdated.but was hoping you could advise me of what kind of programs these are that produce these metal like images?" Bob explains to Mitch: "The computers those "metallic looking" images were drawn on have much higher resolution screens than the ST has, and can display a lot more colors at one time too... The reason they can get such a nicely shaded metallic look is that they can show many different shades of the same color right next to one another, so the color blends nicely around the curves of the objects, like the apple in the Newton's Apple picture. Unfortunately the Atari ST can only show 16 colors at one time, which is really not enough to get a good range of shades for those realistic effects. With some add-on programs like Spectrum 512, you can display more colors at once, so the effects are a lot more realistic, although still not quite as good as the higher-powered machines can do. The company that sold Spectrum 512 is long out of business, but you might be able to find someone interested in selling a used copy to play around with. Also, Lexicor sells some more high-powered graphics programs that can generate really nice images, but to really take advantage of them you'll need either a Falcon030 computer or a TT030 with a special graphics card." Bob Caroles asks for help: "I've got an ST linked to an old Megafile 20 and Megafile 30 and I think there may be some DMA conflict going on as I get 'Data may be damaged on drive...' fairly often. Since there is no external DMA switch on the megafile, is there something inside I can change, dip switches or something like that?" Mike Mortilla tells Bob: "The ID #s need to be 0 & 1. The Megafile is usually set to 0 so you need to set the SH 204 to 1. I've used the exact same setup for years with sucess but I have seen that message before." Domingo Alvear poses... "...a little mystery for you audiophiles. A friend of mine gave me a pair of speakers. They are three-way speakers with a tuned port. I can't figure out the brand. Looks like they are a pair of "generic" speakers. The name-plate states that they are Acoustic Monitor - Digital Ready speakers model db IV - Liquid Cooled. Very generic if you ask me. Anyway, here is the mystery. First, one speaker seems to have trouble keeping the midrange driver going. It looks to me to be related to the crossover controls because when I turn the knob marked "Mid Frequency Driver", I get lots of dirty noise. The midrange driver then comes back to life. The real mystery lies in the woofer. At all different volumes, the woofer will cut out for no reason at all. The speaker has a circuit breaker built into it, but that covers the whole unit. The weird part is that when I press the woofer ANYWHERE, on the cone, on the rubber part around the speaker, etc., it starts to work. Sometimes the speaker will continue to work when I stop pressing on it, other times it will stop working as soon as I release the pressure. What the heck is going on here? It's driving me nuts. I figure the speaker has just worn itself out enough that the magnet can't drive it, but it still seems weird to me." Mike Mortilla tells Dom: "I'd suspect that the coil is broken. When you press the speaker, maybe you're allowing current (normally the coils job) to vibrate the cone? I think a detached coil is fairly easy to repair. But the question is why did it become detached in the first place. Is it an 8 ohm or 4 ohm speaker? Hmmmmmmm?" Dom tells Mike: "I've been told this by another person as well, so my guess is this is the case. OK, so how do you fix it? :-) The label on the speaker says it is an 8 ohm speaker. Does that help?" Mike bursts Dom's bubble: "Well *YOU* don't fix it, but you have it done by a technician. Even someone who is good with a soldering iron probably wouldn't have the technical skill to do the job. Bottom line: Find someone who repairs speakers in your area. Yellow pages is a start... Sorry it's not a do it yourself problem." Sysop Dan Rhea adds: "Sounds like a Labtec knockoff to me. I can't think of a fix though. As cheap as these speakers are getting, it might be less work to simply toss them and get another set. If you don't mind spending $300 or so, Altec Lansing has a nice computer speaker set that has a sub-woofer, 2 inch tweeter and a 5 inch midrange. They sound incredible." From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Mike Mortilla Posts: "Today I saw an add in the local free paper for 2 Atari ST's with extra floppy drives & 2 hard drives, a color and a mono monitor *ALL* for $200! Arrrrrgh! I was about 10 hours too late to grab it!" Beth Freeman tells Mike: "Wow! That is cheap. However, there could be something wrong with the stuff, like one of the HD's is crashed or very small (like 20 meg). After years in the jewelry business I've learned that if it looks too good to be true, it usually isn't." Gregory Gauthier asks ICD: "I have a small problem that I am hoping you might help resolve. I have been attempting to obtain a SCSI FaST kit for my Dad's 1040st, and 40meg quantum hard drive, which I am told you folks are still making. I have tried to order the hardware from two different stores in the Chicago metro area who claim to carry your equipment, and also claim to support the ST. Well, this has been MUCH LESS than an enjoyable experience. The shop in Chicago, on Peterson Ave., called 'Software Plus', has had trouble contacting you, and at first I thought it was them. But, when I gave up on them, I began to try and contact you myself, and for several weeks I have not been able to talk to even ONE human being, and have yet to get a response to the messages. Well, this is my last attempt. I am leaving this message here, in hopes that you might be able to respond, and tell me how I might purchase your hard drive interface kit. If I haven't heard from you by monday, then I have already lined up a parallel to SCSI interface which I will purchase from ELEK-TEK, another Chicago concern which just happened to have ST equipment on hand." Howard at ICD tells Gregory: "Sorry to that frustration but I understand. We are still tryingg to get this voice mail system to work and lost a lot of messages during changes the setup (we try to recover them over the weekend, so you might get a call anyway...). You can reach me either here or at work by dialing my extension 241. But be aware that I am more away from desk than siiting there, so please leave a voice mail. Those I get for sure and we return calls (getting the messages is the more difficult part at this time)! Feel free to send your order via email too!" Mike Mortilla tells the CodeHeads: "I'd like to update my Warp 9 (v 3.75) to the current version. Can I send you a credit card number and you can send me a copy in e-mail? I seem to remember that was an option for a while. Thanks. I'm having a little incompatibility problem in a couple of programs with the current version and would really like to see them go away." Charles F. Johnson, CodeHead el Supremo, tells Mike: "Yes, you can order the Warp 9 upgrade through Email. What sort of incompatibility are you having?" Mike fills Charles in: "For one, my screen (in general) will flip colors and stay flipped when I use the mouse. It might be a problem with the Mandala module and I've gone back to the default one. But also in EditTrack (from Barefoot) the screen sometimes redraws without all the borders and such. Usually after I've run The Copyist DTP (Dr T). If I quit and re-run EditTrack it's usually fine, however. It may well be the other programs (or even SilkMouse) that is causing the problem, but whatever it is, I'm hoping that the Warp 9 upgrade will solve *ALL* my problems (including having to walk the dog in the rain!) Anyway, I'll e-mail you my credit card # and await the upgrade. Very cool way to do it!" Charles tells Mike: "Well, this is the first time I've ever heard of any of those problems being associated with Warp 9, so I'm afraid I can't tell you whether or not the latest version fixes them -- if indeed they are problems in Warp 9. We do test with SMPTE Track and have never seen the redrawing problem you mention, so it's possible something else in your system is interfering." Mike explains: "It only happens after I run Copyist DTP, so I think the problem may be in that prog." From the Palmtop Forum ====================== Terry Clayton asks about memory cards for the Portfolio: "I read some old messages and conference logs on GEnie that mentioned some FLASH RAM cards that a company named OPTROL was making for the Portfolio. Does anyone know if OPTROL still has these cards available. If so, what about current pricing and card sizes?" Dave Stewart tells Terry: "Yes [they are available]! I will email you some info on the FlashRAM cards ... 524K, 1 meg, 2 meg, and 4 meg sizes." Robin Ward tells us: "Well, I've downloaded lots of goodies, including PBASIC, UPDATE.COM, FM.COM, plus lots of other files. Now, in order to run PBASIC and the various '.BAS' files, I'm not sure how much RAM to put aside for C: drive (for storage of my app files and a few games...), PBASIC, and how much to leave available to RUN the various .BAS, .EXE, and .COM files. With my parallel interface, I can easily swap programs in and out of my PC to use, until I pick-up a RAMcard. But, I'm hoping some of you more experienced PORTers, can offer some ideas, or explain how the memory is adressed between usable RAM and RAMdrive. The spiral manual doesn't give too much detail, and PORT.FAQ doesn't point directly to a solution, either..." Well, off to play some PORTRIS...after, some work, that is! Hmm..." For anyone who doesn't know, PBASIC was written especially for the Portfolio by BJ Gleason. In addition to being one of the most visible and respected people in the Portfolio world, he is also "going for" his doctorate in computer science, and teaches at American University in Washington D.C. BJ is also a Sysop here on CompuServe with a reputation for going out of his way for anyone who asks for help. If you ever get the chance to see BJ at a computer show (there are still a few that cater to Atari machines), don't hesitate to step on up and say "hi". BJ is good people! Steve Morales posts: "Hi - would anyone happen to know what the BASIC command is for the "Beep" function on an Atari Portfolio? Any assistance greatly appreciated!" Atari's own Don Thomas (but don't let the fact that he works for Atari fool you... he's a great guy) asks Steve: "Are you using PowerBasic or PBasic?" Steve tells Don: "Turns out the what we need is the memory location for the beep function. We are compiling programs on other PCs and porting them over to the Portfolio. If we can find the memory location, then we may be able to use the 'poke' function to activate the beep." Now that's what I like to see: someone writing new programs for an Atari Computer... ANY Atari computer. Keep up the good work, guys. Well folks, that's it for this week. Tune in again next week, same time, same station, for another joy ride along the electronic highway with me. 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