SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing Inc. August 05, 1994 No. 1032 ====================================================================== Silicon Times Report International Online Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 R.F. Mariano Publisher-Editor ----------------------------------------- Voice: 1-904-783-3319 10am-4pm EST STR Publishing Support BBS Network System * THE BOUNTY BBS * ITCNet 85:881/253 JAX HUB ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:301/3 904-786-4176 MULTI-NODE 24hrs-7 days 2400-57.6 bps V.32-42 bis 28.8 Hayes Optima 28.8 V.FC Data/FAX USRobotics Dual Standard 28.8 V.FC Ready Fax FAX: 904-783-3319 12am-6am EST ----------------------------------------- Fido 1:374/147.3 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 ______________________________________________________________________ > 08/05/94 STR 1032 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """"""""""""""""" - CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - HP CUTS VECTRA $$ - CANON IX-4015 - MEDIASTUDIO SHIPS! - Kid's Typing Tutor - Frank's Reviews - Persuasion 3.0 MAC - Links PRO MAC - Eat My Photons! - EPSON 1200c Scanner - People Talking - Jaguar NewsLine -* MICROSOFT TO SELL MAC SOFTWARE! *- -* APPLE & SYSTEM 7.5 *- -* CD ROM Sales BOOMING! *- ====================================================================== 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 ITC/PROWL/USENET/NEST/F-Net/Fido Mail Networks. You may also call The Bounty BBS direct @ 1-904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps and users alike worldwide, are welcome to join STReport's International Conferences. ITC Node is 85:881/250, The Fido Node is 1:374/147.3, Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All computer platforms and BBS systems are invited to participate. ====================================================================== CIS ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET ~ CIX USENET ~ USPOLNET ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ AOL ====================================================================== 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!" """""""""""""""""""""" The Summer is half over and we are still looking at all sorts of new releases coming in left and right. It appears the software publishers have forgotten that Comdex Fall'94 is coming up fast. In any case, the new wares are certainly plentiful. Power and improvements unheard of till are becoming commonplace in the industry. Canvas, formally a pillar on the MAC platform, is now making substantial advances in the PC marketplace. Equally as powerful if not more so than its MAC counterpart, Canvas offers some of the most advanced features to be found on any platform. Its a top notch package for the PC. As the niche markets continue to wither on the vine, the MAC platform continues to enjoy its "surges". As such, one can expect there will be many with their "hopes on high". Smart wall street money has already made the subtle noise of "if they don't go PC, they don't go". Now, its up to the Apple people to have a go at it. My own opinion goes this way, we shall see Apple lean more and more toward the PC format and way of doing things in the coming years until such time as they are producing a totally PC Apple machine. That is my perception of "things to come". What's yours? 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. Niles J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur Melanie Bell Jay Levy Jeff Kovach Marty Mankins Carl Prehn Paul Charchian Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Tim Holt Norman Boucher Clemens Chin Eric Jerue Ron Deal Mike Barnwell Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller Craig Harris Allen Chang Dominick J. Fontana 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..................... 1:347/147.3 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 #32 By: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. ******* General Computer News ******* ** Atari Corp. Announces Second Quarter Results ** Atari Corp. this week reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 1994. Net Sales for the second quarter of 1994 were $8.2 million, a 43% increase over the sales for the second quarter of 1993 of $5.7 million. The increase in sales is mainly attributable to the sale of the Atari Jaguar 64-bit Interactive Multimedia System. Partially as a result of increased promotional and development expenses, the company incurred an Operating Loss of $3.9 million for the second quarter of 1994 as compared to an Operating Loss of $4.0 million for the same period of 1993. In addition, for the quarter ended 1994, the company experienced an exchange gain of $0.6 million, as compared to a $3.1 million loss on exchange for the same period in 1993. These exchange gains and losses together with other income and expense items resulted in a Net Loss of $3.4 million for the second quarter 1994 as compared to a Net Loss of $6.6 million for the same period of 1993. Commenting on the report, Sam Tramiel, president, said, "We are focusing our efforts on having between ourselves and 3rd Party Publishers 30 to 50 titles available for the Jaguar during the Christmas selling season. We have recently commenced volume shipments of 'Wolfenstein 3-D'. Retail sales for this title are very encouraging." ** CD-ROM Drive Sales Booming ** Dataquest Inc. researchers say shipments of CD-ROM disk drives are soaring, spurred by increasing home PC sales and advances in computing power and software. Analysts are quoted as saying worldwide shipments of CD-ROM drives will reach 17.5 million this year, far more than the 9.7 million shipped in all previous years. Reports say, "By the end of this year, nearly 20% of the world's 122 million desktop PCs will have a CD-ROM drive.... The market took off last year when 6.7 million CD-ROM disk drives were shipped." ** Sanyo to Offer High-End 3-D LCDs ** Starting in November, Japan's Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. is set to begin selling three-dimensional liquid crystal displays. Reports say the screens -- developed by Sanyo, NHK Engineering Services Inc. and Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. -- "enable viewers to see three-dimensional images on LCDs without using special glasses." The report adds, "Images from twin LCD projectors are separated into right- and left-side images with a special lens, resulting in three-dimensional perception." But these aren't low-end devices. CI says 40- and 70-inch models will cost $50,000 and $98,000 respectively. ** Multimedia Editor Ships ** MediaStudio, a desktop video editor combined with a suite of integrated multimedia tools, is now shipping from Ulead Systems. MediaStudio provides video capturing, video editing, audio editing, morphing, image editing, screen capture and visual management of media files. Ulead notes that MediaStudio, users can effortlessly capture video, audio and still images from a variety of external sources such as VCRs, laser discs, camcorders, scanners and Photo CDs. Once captured, users can touch-up individual frames, edit images, add text and even morph images or video frames to create exciting special effects. MediaStudio also helps users create and edit the soundtrack for their production. The product is provided on a Windows CD-ROM and includes over 400MB of clip media. MediaStudio's suggested retail price is $349. ** Kids Typing Software Offered ** The Software Toolworks is adding a new title to its typing instruction software line. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! For Kids is designed for children ages 4 to 8. The software publisher notes that the program features the young Mavis and her dog, Dizzy, set in the imaginative world of childhood. The program progresses from letter recognition through basic typing and keyboarding skills, as young students participate in little Mavis' adventures and escapades. Available on Windows floppy disk, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! For Kids has a suggested list price of $49.95. ** Microsoft to Sell Mac Software ** Microsoft Corp. will introduce versions of its Word, Office and PowerPoint software that will run on the new Power Macintosh PCs from Apple Computer Inc. Reporting from Microsoft's headquarters, reports say Mac versions of the applications will be available early next month and the Power Mac versions will be available in October. Microsoft also said it will introduce versions of its Excel software for the Macintosh and Power Mac. Microsoft Word 6.0 for the Macintosh and Power Macintosh, Excel 5.0 for the Macintosh and Power Macintosh and PowerPoint 4.0 for the Macintosh and Power Macintosh will each cost $339. (Current users can upgrade for $99, after a $30 rebate.) Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh will cost $499, though current users can upgrade for $259 after a $40 rebate. ** TI Offers New Laser Printer ** Texas Instruments has announced a new a 600 dots-per-inch, 12 page-per-minute printer called the microLaser PowerPro, which includes a 25MHz RISC processor with 16K cache. The $1,660 unit comes with 67 Adobe PostScript fonts, PCL 5 emulation, AppleTalk and high-speed parallel ports, 500-sheet paper capacity and 6MB memory expandable to 22MB. ** Hitachi to Boost Sega System ** Sega Enterprises Ltd. will get assistance from Hitachi Sales Corp. in selling its 32-bit Saturn home video game machine, due to hit the market in November. Hitachi Sales, an arm of electronics giant Hitachi Ltd., will set up a new firm, Hitachi Media Force, to market the Saturn. Officials say they expect the new company to sell more than a million units a year. The Saturn, which is built around Hitachi Ltd.'s 32-bit microprocessor, was developed jointly by Sega, Hitachi Ltd., Victor Co. of Japan and Yamaha Corp. ** Toshiba Cuts System Prices ** Prices for Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.'s Portege monochrome T3400/120 and color active matrix T3400CT/120 ultra-portable computers have been reduced. In a report Toshiba Corp. officials are quoted as saying: -:- The monochrome version is expected to sell for $1,299, down from $1,799. -:- The active matrix model is expected to sell for $2,499, down from $2,999. The systems are to be available through major resellers such as Comp- USA, Computer City and Office Depot. ** Apple Prepares for System 7.5 ** Apple Computer Inc. says it has more than 200 software applications slated to use the features of its new Macintosh System 7.5 operating system, which is to have its debut later this summer. Officials of the computer firm said the strong developer support follows the largest distribution of beta software in Apple's history. About 20,000 developers receiving early versions of System 7.5. Reports say the $134.99 System 7.5 is available in multipacks for groups of users and could serve as an upgrade for System 7.1 and System 7.0 Pro users at a reduced price. (Availability of Macintosh System 7.5 outside the United States varies by country, Apple said.) ** Claris Unveils Mac Organizer ** Claris Corp., Apple Computer Inc.'s software subsidiary, has unveiled its new Claris Organizer personal information manager (PIM) for the Macintosh. The company notes that the product gives business, home and education users a way to integrate their calendar, contact, task and notes requirements in a single application. Claris Organizer will be available from Claris this month in the United States and will be offered at an introductory price of $49. After Oct. 31, 1994, Claris Organizer will be offered at the suggested retail price of $99. Claris also reports that MacWrite Pro 1.5, the latest version of its Macintosh word processing software, is now shipping in a native version for Power Macintosh computers. The states that MacWrite Pro 1.5 for Power Macintosh has been recompiled to take advantage of the superior speed provided by the PowerPC chip. MacWrite Pro 1.5 for Power Macintosh handles tasks such as spell-checking, creating tables, text-wrap, desktop publishing operations and basic jobs such as cut-and- paste and scrolling two to four times faster than the fastest 68K-based Macintosh computers, according to Claris benchmarks. MacWrite Pro 1.5 for Power Macintosh costs $99. Current U.S. owners of MacWrite Pro 1.0 and 1.5 may upgrade to MacWrite Pro 1.5 for Power Macintosh for $29 plus shipping and handling. Current U.S. owners of earlier versions of MacWrite or other selected Macintosh word processing and integrated applications may purchase MacWrite Pro for $69. Claris also announced that ClarisDraw 1.0 is on schedule to certify and ship in native versions for Power Macintosh and 68K-based Macintosh computers this week. ClarisDraw is the upgrade to MacDraw Pro, and replaces the MacDraw family of general drawing programs. ClarisDraw provides all the power of MacDraw Pro and over 75 new features, says Claris. The company notes that ClarisDraw is built on a new code architecture that offers users intelligent features, increased performance, more flexibility and faster upgrades. ClarisDraw costs $399. Through Nov. 30, current MacDraw Pro users will be able to upgrade to ClarisDraw for $89. Users of MacDraw II, Claris Works and competing graphics programs can upgrade to ClarisDraw for $99. ** Canon Offers Color Portables ** The Innova Book 150C and 150OCT, Canon Computer Systems Inc.'s first 486DX2 color portable PC products, have been unveiled. The systems, which start at $2,399, offer built-in, multimedia-ready digital audio and enhanced graphic capabilities in a six-pound package, with passive dual scan color in the 150C and active matrix color in the 150CT. ** Interactive TV Plan Predicted ** Word is Macromedia Inc. and Microware Systems Corp. are set to announce technology to automate conversion of PC programs to run on interactive television networks. The Wall Street Journal reports the technology could cut the time required to convert multimedia PC programs for use on the networks to about a month at a fraction of the cost (currently about $500,000). Officials with Macromedia told the Journal the firm will start working with multimedia software developers next month to bring their CD-ROM programs to interactive television. The paper says Macromedia and Microware's partnership will finish by next March. ** Updated Harvard Graphics Ships ** Software Publishing Corp. reports that Harvard Graphics 3.0 for Windows, a major new release of its presentation graphics software, will become available at major resellers this week. Software Publishing says it officially shipped the product on July 22, 1994. The company expects to ship the German and Spanish versions this month, and French, Italian and Dutch versions by the end of September. The software publisher notes that Harvard Graphics 3.0 offers a range of new capabilities that focus on helping users create and deliver more effective presentations. Harvard Graphics 3.0 costs $395. Users of previous Windows or DOS versions of Harvard Graphics and users of competitive presentation graphics products can upgrade to Version 3.0 for $99. ** HP Cuts Vectra Line Prices ** Prices on Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Pentium-based HP Vectra XU PCs have been cut by up to 15%. The firm also has cut prices on its AdvanceStack network hardware line by up to 35%. In addition, HP has introduced two new HP Vectra PCs, including the HP Vectra XM2 PC series, a 486-based networking and graphics PC for corporate and advanced users, and three new HP Vectra VL2 PCs based on Intel's Pentium 60-MHz chip. According to HP, the cause of the price cuts for the AdvanceStack hubs, switches, bridges and remote site routers, is due to HP passing on cost reductions resulting from improved manufacturing efficiencies and expanded use of ASIC technology to achieve tighter circuit integration. ** FBI Searches for 'Agent Steal' ** A computerist who boasted to his friends about working undercover for the FBI now is being sought by that very agency in connection with high-tech crimes. Justin Tanner Petersen, who also is known as "Agent Steal," vanished last October. The Los Angeles Times reports the 34-year-old Peterson told friends the FBI was paying his rent and flying him to computer conferences to spy on other computerists. However, the paper also quotes court records as indicating Petersen fled after admitting to federal prosecutors he had been committing computer crimes during the time he was working with the government. Reports say Petersen, "described as a good-looking rogue partial to Porsches and BMWs who once promoted rock shows in the Los Angeles suburbs," allegedly broke into federal government computers and tapped into a credit card information bureau. The newspaper says Petersen also was involved in a scam to hijack radio station phone lines to win contests offering cars and trips to Hawaii as prizes. Reports say, "Petersen openly bragged about helping nail Kevin Mitnick, one of the nation's most infamous hackers, who once took the code name 'Condor.' Mitnick has been in hiding for almost two years to avoid prosecution for allegedly hacking into law enforcement computers and posing as an officer." In 1991, Petersen was arrested in Texas, where a grand jury returned an eight-count indictment accusing him of assuming false names, accessing a computer without authorization, possessing stolen mail and fraudulently obtaining and using credit cards. Curiously, when the case was transferred to California, it was put under seal out of concern for Petersen's safety and, according to reports, "the motion to seal states that Petersen, 'acting in an undercover capacity, currently is cooperating with the United States' in other investigations." Petersen eventually pleaded guilty to six counts and faced a sentence of up to 40 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. Sentencing was delayed several times. Then last Oct. 18, some 15 months after entering his first guilty plea, Petersen was confronted outside federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Schindler, who asked if he had committed any crimes while free on bail. After replying that he had, Petersen immediately fled after that meeting. ________________________________________________ > CANON IX4015 STR InfoFile A Professional Scanner at a Hobbyist Price! """"""""""""""""""""""""" CANON IX 4015 ============= Title: IX-4015 Main Unit Specifications Description: ------------ Type Flat-bed scanner Scanning Charge-coupled device Element (CCD) image sensor Lamp Type Xenon lamp Maximum 400 dpi x 1200 lpi Resolution Selectable Color: 12 to 800 dpi Resolution Monochrome: 12 to 1200 dpi Operation Color: 24-bit (256 levels) Modes Gray Scale: 8-bit (256 levels) or 4-bit (16 levels) Readout Delay Time 3 seconds or less {at 77 F (25)} Scanning Color: 20 seconds Speed** (US Letter/ A4 size @ 400 dpi) Monochrome: 10 seconds (US Letter/ A4 size @ 400 dpi) Maximum 8.5 in. x 11.7 in. (216mm x 297mm) Original Size or 8.5 in. x 14 in. (with optional ADF) Interface SCSI-2 (Canon IX-4IF) Adaptec & others w/Canon ASPI Driver Density Automatic background control/ Adjustment manual (255-level) Scaling 4-400% Options 20 Sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Color Transparency Reader Power Supply 100/115 VAC (50 to 60Hz) *** Within the next few weeks, a full review will be presented in STReport covering the fabulous new Canon IX-4015. The review will be comparing the Canon 4015, the Epson 800c and 1200c along with the HP Scanjet line. If you are considering a scanner purchase don't miss this highly informative comparative review. Stay tuned. ______________________________________ > Frank's Corner STR Review """"""""""""""""""""""""" Kids' Computing Corner ---------------------- "Bug Adventure" from Knowledge Adventure ======================================== by Frank Sereno Bug Adventure is a DOS program that is available on floppy diskette and CD-rom for use on IBM compatible computers with a 386 or higher CPU with 520k of free ram and color VGA or better graphics. The program can be run from Windows. Recommended options are a mouse, a sound card capable of digitized sound and a printer. Knowledge Adventure recommends this software for children ages 3 to 8 but children of all ages will enjoy this program. The suggested retail price is $69.95 for the CD-rom version and $49.95 for the diskette version. This review will be of the CD-rom version of the program. Installation was very easy. Simply log onto your CD-rom drive and run the install.bat file. You will have the option of installing the 386 or the 486 version of Bug Adventure. The 486 version offers better animations in terms of detail and smoothness if you have the necessary CPU power. The install program will ask if you wish to have 5 or 8 megs of data installed on your hard drive. Choosing 8 megs allows for quicker playback of the animations. You also have the option of setting up the program to start from Windows. This will create the necessary program group and icons. The program actually doesn't run in Windows, but temporarily exits Windows, runs the program in DOS and then returns to Windows when you exit Bug Adventure. Bug Adventure has six sections. Honeycomb Theater allows the child to watch any of 15 different movies. Be aware, some of these are of a violent nature showing bugs being eaten alive. The 3-D Bug Basement allows the child and a friend or parent to view six different bugs with the 2 pair of 3-D glasses provided with the program. If you have a dominant eye, you may have difficulty seeing the 3-D effect. By moving the cursor around the picture, different facts about that animal are made available to the child. Who Am I? is a game of identification. 8 small monochrome graphics surround a large color graphic which is a magnified portion of one of the smaller graphics. The child must identify the smaller graphic from which the larger image was culled. Can You Find Me? is a trivia game in which the child is shown 4 pictures of bugs and must click on one of these to answer a question. Bug Storybook is an animated picture book. After each page is read, the child may then click on individual words to hear them pronounced. And the main part of Bug Adventure is the Bug Reference. The Bug Reference is a cross-linked encyclopedia filled with graphics, animations, text and sound. The screen is divided into 4 main sections. The top section contains 7 small circle graphics with six representing different bug phyla and the seventh representing the bug world. Clicking on these will take the child to that part of the encyclopedia. On the left side of the screen is a scrolling text screen which is narrated in the CD-rom version. Clicking on a word in the text will take the child to the encyclopedia's index. On the right side is a large window containing the animation or graphic for the current article. Hotspots are located in the graphic which allow the child to jump to a related article. Along the bottom of the screen are the control buttons which consists of a magnifying lens for zooming or enlarging the graphic, a speaker to restart a narration or animation of the current article, a printer symbol for printing the text of the current article, a u-turn arrow to allow the child to go back to the last article and the fly swatter which exits to the main menu. A child or adult could spend hour upon hour simply wandering through the vast information contained in this program. Graphics are good. The animations are very smooth and fairly quick on a 486 but leave a bit to be desired on 386 machines. One disappointment is that when zooming on a picture, it merely expands the smaller image to the full screen, thus losing detail and clarity. If possible, Knowledge Adventure should consider linking higher resolution graphics to the smaller graphics for use as full screen images. Sounds are good. The digitized narration is very good. All the words are spoken quite clearly. The music used didn't impress me but perhaps it was a problem with my sound card. I would have liked for Bug Adventure to have had more insect and bug sounds. When the program points out that the cicada is the loudest insect in the world, it would have been a nice touch to have heard some cicadas singing. The interface is the point and click variety. The icons for the most part do not need explanation. Considering the program is advertised for children ages 3 to 8, more audible help should have been provided. In the game sections, negative feedback is quite gentle while positive feedback is very enthusiastic. Play value is very good. While this program is not a game, it is extremely interesting. It may not hold the attention quite as well with children under 5 or 6 years of age if they use the program without supervision, but I believe children ages 7 to 10 will be fascinated with all the facts contained in the Bug Reference. I have wandered around for several hours myself, learning little tidbits about the diminutive animals of the world. Educational value is outstanding on the fields of insects and arachnids. This program attempts to teach reading in the Storybook, but this is more of an added feature than a main goal. Bang for the Buck is good. This program uses over 200 megs on the CD-rom so the program is definitely enhanced over the floppy version. The biggest bulk of that space is used for the text narration of each article in the Bug Reference. This program carries a hefty price tag. I managed to purchase my copy for $39.95 (a savings of $30 off the MSRP) at one of the nation's larger computer retailers. If you are patient, Knowledge Adventure will no doubt be offering incentives such as rebates in a few months. A is currently offering discounts on Undersea Adventure. Graphics 8.0 Sound 8.0 Interface 7.5 Play Value 8.5 Ed. Value 9.0 Bang for the Buck 8.5 Average 8.25 ***---*** Of Note..... ------------ Bethesda Softworks first educational title, WORDPLAY FAIR is based on the universal premise that children learn most effectively when having fun. In WORDPLAY FAIR, the child enters the magical world of a festive fair where he/she visits any of six activities designed to develop various word skills, including spelling, definition and match recognition. As an added bonus, an Artificial Intelligence engine increases the challenge level to match the child's progress. Parents, teachers and children can easily create customized lists of words, definitions and example sentences, extending the game to maintain the child's interest. The quality of the graphics have been compared to old style Saturday morning cartoons as they were created by professional cartoon animators. THE CRITTER CLUB AT THE WORDPLAY FAIR is designed for children ages four through eight. REQUIREMENTS: ------------ IBM PC 386-33 and 100% compatibles. 4MB of RAM DOS 5.0 or greater HARD DRIVE VGA Graphics card and Monitor Supports Roland, SoundBlaster and 100% compatible sound cards Microsoft Mouse or 100% compatible. AVAILABLE September 1994 ** If you find these reviews to be informative and would like to reprint them in a newsletter for your usergroup or school newsletter, I would be honored. The only condition is that I be given credit along with Silicon Times Report. I would like to keep records of reprints for a confidence boost as well information for any software company I may contact. If you reprint an article, if possible please send a note via electronic or postal mail to the following addresses: FidoNet: Frank Sereno, 1:2235/10 Internet: frank.sereno@uti.com U.S. Postal Service Frank Sereno 528 West Ave. Morris, IL 60450-1768 As always, I thank you for reading! ___________________________________________________ > EPSON 1200C COLOR SCANNER STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" EPSON ANNOUNCES HIGH-RESOLUTION, LOW-COST SCANNING SOLUTION FOR MACINTOSH AND PC PLATFORMS System Offers Features of $3,500 Product for Under $1,500 ORLANDO, Fla., July 26, 1994 -- EPSON today announced a low-cost, very high resolution color scanning solution for Macintosh and Windows and DOS-based PC platforms. Targeted at professional graphics users at all levels, the new EPSON ES-1200C-Pro scanning solution includes a feature-rich flatbed color scanner offering up to 4800 dots per inch (dpi) resolution (2400 dpi for PC platforms), bundled with two top-performing software packages and appropriate cabling. First public demonstrations of the system are taking place here this week at the SIGGRAPH '94 conference. Epson's booth #1852 is located in the Orange County Convention Center. "The ES-1200C-Pro is the market's first color scanning system that offers the features and functionality of a $3,500 product for less than $1,500," said Karl Seppala, manager, emerging business, EPSON. "Professionals who use Macs or PCs and want to produce great-looking graphics in their publications won't find anything else like this at anywhere close to the price." Seppala noted that the ES-1200C-Pro adds to EPSON's extensive Macintosh and PC product lines, which include other scanning solutions; ink jet, laser, and dot matrix printers; portable and desktop PCs; and PCMCIA cards. The ES-1200C-Pro solution includes a flatbed color scanner with an optical resolution of 600 dpi. Resolutions from 50 dpi up to 4800 dpi can be achieved through software interpolation. (The ES-1200C-Pro for the PC achieves resolution up to 2400 dpi through software interpolation.) Use of 30-bit internal color technology enables recognition of more than one billion different hues, from which the best 24 bits are sampled and sent to the computer. The system also provides users with EPSON's unique single-or three-pass scanning capability so that the best quality scan is assured from any type of document. Both SCSI and bi-directional parallel interfaces are standard on the system for connections to two computers at once. In addition to the feature-rich hardware, ES-1200C-Pro users receive a software bundle that includes Adobe's Photoshop 2.5 (3.0 when available) and Kai's Power Tools 2.0 (version 1.0 for the ES-1200C-Pro PC configuration). For the Macintosh version, the ScanTastic plug-in module and desk accessory, Chrommassage, and SCSI system cabling also are included; for the PC configuration, a TWAIN driver, SCSI interface board, and SCSI cabling are included. SCSI ID and termination are built-in and user selectable. Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the ES-1200C-Pro, which will be available in August, is $1,499. The system is covered by a one-year warranty, extendable to two years by submitting a completed product registration and warranty card. Users who do not need to purchase the ES-1200C-Pro's software bundle may purchase a basic ES-1200C. The Mac configuration consists of the scanner and a Macintosh driver for an MSRP of $1,049. The PC configuration includes the scanner, TWAIN driver, bi-directional interface board, and bi-directional cabling, also for an MSRP of $1,049. The basic ES-1200C, ES-1200C-Pro and all EPSON products are supported through the EPSON Connection, the company's toll-free customer support and technical assistance line. For more information, call 1-800-289-3776 (1-800-BUY-EPSON). Tell 'em you saw it in STReport! ES-1200C SCANNING SYSTEM FOR PC'S --------------------------------- HIGH DETAIL 2400 DPI, 30-BIT COLOR SCANNING MADE AFFORDABLE The EPSON ES-1200C scanning system takes image processing to new heights. With up to 2400 dpi resolution and powerful built-in functions, the ES-1200C brings unprecedented quality and versatility to design and business applications. This complete scanning system provides 30-bit internal, 24-bit external, color scanning with superior resolution of up to 2400 dpi, delivering highly accurate image reproduction. Top performing image editing software is included, along with the cables and drivers to make scanning easy. The ES-1200C even has dual connections, so a Mac and a PC can use the same scanner. With full support for color, grayscale and black and white scans, the ES-1200C will provide crisp, clear images. The EPSON ES-1200C scanning system delivers the outstanding image quality demanded by today's graphics professional yet is priced for the everyday scanner user. Configurations to meet your individual scanning needs: ES-1200C-ProPC * EPSON ES-1200C color scanner * Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (3.0 when available) * Epson TWAIN driver * Kai's PowerTools * SCSI interface for the PC * SCSI cable ES-1200C-PC * EPSON ES-1200C color scanner * EPSON TWAIN driver Easily scan graphic images up to 2400 dpi: ------------------------------------------ High resolution allows you to catch fine detail in larger images, or to magnify small images while maintaining clarily. With 600 dpi optical resolution, and interpolation up to 2400 dpi, you can capture what you need without jagged lines or fuzzy borders. Increased image quality with 30-bit color scanning: --------------------------------------------------- 30-bit color scanning allows the scanner to recognize over one billion colors that it will sample down to the best 16 million, giving you the best image quality available in a personal scanner. EPSON'S exclusive TruePass technology: -------------------------------------- Provides built-in monitor and printer calibration. Scan full-color, gray scale or black and white images with one or three pass scanning for correct scans the first time. Scan multiple pages and transparencies: --------------------------------------- Optional transparency unit for 35mm slides, b&w negatives or transparencies and automatic document feeder available to scan multiple pages. Product Specifications - ES-1200C Scanning System for PC's ---------------------------------------------------------- Components ES-1200C-ProPC EPSON ES-1200C color scanner Adobe Photoshop 2.5 (3.0 when available) EPSON TWAIN Kai's Power Tools SCSI Interface for the PC SCSI cable ES-1200C-PC EPSON ES-1200C color scanner EPSON TWAIN Scanning Specifications Scanner type Flatbed color image scanner Sub-scanning method Movement of the reading head Photoelectric device CCD line sensor Document size 8.5" x 11.67" Light source Noble gas fluorescent lights Scanning resolution 600 dpi Main scan 600 dpi Sub scan 600 dpi 2400 dpi with interpolation Output resolution 50 to 1200 dpi Effective pixels 5100 x 7020 (600 dpi) Image data 10 bit per pixel capture converted to 8 bit Color separation By switching light sources (R, G, B) Gradation 8 bits/pixel Zoom 50% to 200% by 1% step Horizontal scan and vertical scan zoom can be independently set by software command Brightness 7 levels Reading sequence Monochrome: 1 pass scanning (Dropout color selectable from G, R, B) Color line sequence 1 pass scanning (G, R, B) Color page sequence 3 pass scanning (G, R, B) Scanning Speed Monochrome 2 msec/line (typ.) Color Line 7 msec/line (typ.) Color Page 16 msec/line Interface SCSI Bi-directional parallel Digital Halftoning Bi-level 3 modes (A, B, C) Dither 4 modes User specified 2 modes Gamma Correction CRT 2 modes Printers 3 modes User defined 1 mode Color Correction 4 modes Impact-dot matrix Color thermal Color inkjet CRT, user defined Reliability MCBF 100,000 cycles Environmental Conditions Temperature 40-95 degrees F(5 - 35 degrees C)operating Humidity 10 to 80% no condensation Electrical Specifications Voltage AC 100V to 120V Frequency 49.5 to 60.5Hz Power consumption 45W Dimensions Width 14.5" 368 mm Depth 22.5" 577 mm Height 6.5" 161mm Weight 26 lbs 12 kg (approx) Options Automatic document feeder B813011 Transparency lmit B813021 Interface Board B808012 Cable C1-9E-A Warranty One-year limited plus one-year extended warranty free when registration card is returned. SUPPORT EPS0N Connection information hotline U.S. 1-800-922-8911 Canada 1-800-463-7766 Faxback System 310-782-4214 Electronic Bulletin Board 310-782-4531 USA: Call 1-800-289-3776 for the nearest dealer location Epson America, Inc., 20770 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503 Canada: Call 1-800463-7766 Epson Canada, Ltd. 550 McNicoll Ave, Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2E1 Fax: 416 479-8571 Latin America: Call 1-305-265-0092 Epson Latin America, Inc. 6303 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 390, Miami, Florida 33126 Fax: 305-265-0097 Europe: Call (39)-2-262331 Epson PC Operations (Italy) Fax: (39)-2-2440641 Specifications are subject to change without notice. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation; TruePass and ES-1200C are trademarks and EPSON Connection is a servicemark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. EPSON offers an extensive array of technology products including ink jet, laser and dot matrix printers, color flatbed scanners, portable and desktop computers, and for the OEM market, a variety of component and electronic devices. Founded in 1975, Epson America, Inc. is an affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration, and energy efficiency. Epson America, Inc. is headquartered in Torrance, California. # # # Brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. ______________________________________________ > STACKER and DOS 6.22 STR InfoFile Going from Drivespace to Stacker 4 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ----------------------------------------------------------------- STACKER NOTE STACKER NOTE UPGRADING FROM MS-DOS 6.22'S DISK COMPRESSION (Applies to Stacker 4.0) STAC FAX 4017 (08-04-1994) ----------------------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND MS-DOS 6.22 is provided with a disk compression utility called DriveSpace. Stacker does not convert DriveSpace drives to Stacker drives. You may setup Stacker on a DriveSpace drive by uncompressing it and then running the Stacker Setup. SOLUTION 1. Uncompress the DriveSpace drive in accordance with the documentation included with the software. If you try to run the Stacker Setup before uncompressing the drive, you will receive the error message: "Cannot open x:\DBLSPACE.000". Setup will not give any error messages specific to DriveSpace. IMPORTANT Do not try to rename the DRVSPACE.XXX file to DBLSPACE.000 and convert the renamed file or rerun the Stacker Setup. You will lose data! 2. Run the Stacker Setup in accordance with the directions in the Stacker User's Guide. 3. After Setup, the system will restart. You will receive some error messages, and the Stacker drive may not load. This is easily corrected. 4. Change to the DOS directory. Type: ATTRIB -S -H -R C:\DRVSPACE.BIN DEL C:\DRVSPACE.BIN 5. Restart your system. Stacker will load and your system will start normally. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 Stac Electronics ______________________________________ > All "Not Happy" on the "Highway" STR FOCUS! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" GROUPS TRY TO KNOCK DOWN INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY'S TOLLBOOTHS ============================================================== By ASHLEY DUNN CTSY Delphi Info Services (c)1994 N.Y. Times News Service With a tangle of cut-rate electronics and a couple of computers, the free-netters of Buffalo, N.Y., are campaigning to bring cyberspace to the people. "We're built on the concept of community, not profit," said Jody Lebrenz, a founding member of the Buffalo Free-Net. "We believe that the minute you charge even $5, you're dividing people into haves and have-nots. Access should be free to the community, like a public library." The Buffalo Free-Net, a volunteer group of students, librarians and residents, is part of a small but growing grass-roots movement loosely known as community networks. Its mission: to provide computer users with local services like regional news and forums on community issues. But while some community networks have fees, free-nets are championing access without charge to the global computer web Internet. The free-access groups have opened an electronic portal that allows local residents to connect home computers, for the cost of a local phone call, to the Internet, which is now shared by an estimated 20 million people worldwide. Many free-access networks have set up computers in schools and libraries so that even those without their own equipment can reach the Internet for free. With fewer than 100 in existence, from Big Sky Telegraph in Montana to Ocean State Free-Net in Providence, R.I., the networks are at the moment just a blip in the cosmos. Most Internet users rely on private companies like America Online, a national service, and Pipeline, in New York City, to provide Internet access for fees that begin around $9 a month. But the free-access-network idea is spreading. Four more networks are being set up in the New York region, in White Plains, Albany, Rochester and Danbury, Conn. Organizers hope to provide access to everything from job listings to government programs. "The Common Council agenda is not available here unless you go to City Hall," said Diane Greenwald, a Danbury librarian helping to organize that city's free-access network, which is expected to be ready by early 1996. "We can have lots of local forums. Why not something for ethnic communities? This is the reincarnation of the public library in the computer age." To help develop community networks, including free networks, the federal government has committed $26 million this year in grants, for which it has received more than 1,000 applications; $100 million has been promised next year. Most free networks depend on state grants, donations and the largess of a university to pay for or supply computers, modems, phone lines and, sometimes, staff. They often piggyback off a nearby university, which pays the $5,000 to $25,000 for a high-capacity telephone line linking its computer system to the Internet. A leader of the free-access movement, Tom Grundner, who created the first such network in Cleveland in 1986, has organized the National Public Telecommunications Network, a consortium of 34 networks that aims to coordinate programs. For example, the network recently sponsored an event in which schools competed in math and sports, then posted scores on the Internet. Grundner's intent is to create a cooperative called the Corporation for Public Cybercasting, patterned after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A cyberspace PBS, he says, would serve as a clearinghouse for federal funds, help develop information services for local communities and lobby for community access. As the Internet has evolved from a low-cost computer network limited to researchers and students into a powerful tool of mass communications, free networks have found themselves at the heart of a national debate: should the public be guaranteed free access as the technology evolves? At the moment, no one can lay claim to the Internet, but the telecommunications and entertainment industries are beginning to build advanced communications systems that would put them in a position to control and charge for access. Earlier this year, 93 civil-rights and consumer groups drafted a letter to Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, chairman of the Senate subcommittee on communications, in support of open access. In June, Inouye proposed a bill that would provide some guarantee of public access. Other measures moving through Congress demand guarantees of affordable pricing and preferential rates for schools, hospitals, local governments and libraries. "There are always going to be niches for services that are in demand but can't be found any other place," said Heidi Kukis, spokeswoman for Vice President Gore. "The vice president likes to tell a story about a 90-year-old woman who refused to go to a nursing home until she was hooked up to a modem so she could communicate on Seniornet. This is a perfect example of why community networks will continue to exist even as the national information infrastructure expands." There is no pattern to how free networks are set up or financed. Seattle's is backed by the city, which has installed hundreds of computers in public libraries so residents can send electronic messages or tap into data banks. The Buffalo Free-Net has depended on donated services from the State University of New York at Buffalo and small state grants. In New York City, Neighborhood Houses of New York, a social-service organization, is sponsoring a community network of sorts with a plan to place scores of computer terminals with some free Internet access in settlement houses around the city. That the free networks exist at all is a result of the unusual economics of the Internet, which was created in the early 1970s by the Defense Department to allow researchers to exchange data. The system, at first paid for by the government, connected only researchers at universities, but eventually access spread. Universities began offering free access to students and researchers, who transformed it into a communications system that went far beyond what its creators envisioned. It was as a student three years ago that Lebrenz, one of the founding members of the Buffalo Free-Net, discovered Internet. "I literally spent six hours a day on the Internet for over a year just learning about it," he said. "As a librarian, I thought I had died and gone to heaven." Lebrenz and others decided to bring the Internet to Buffalo by tapping the university's connection and using donated equipment. The Buffalo Free-Net now has 8,000 registered users, who can dial up to see who is playing Saturday night at the Lafayette Tap Room downtown, review City Council agendas or sign on to Seniornet, the bulletin board system with information for the elderly. Survival, however, has been a struggle, the free-netters say. To begin with, even a small network needs staff to maintain computer systems and oversee operations. In Peoria, Ill., the Heartland Free-Net consumes $45,000 a year to keep its connection open for the 1,400 people a day who sign on, even with its free connection through nearby Bradley University. "The bottom line is that I don't know if we're going to survive," said Karen Eggert, executive director of Heartland. "I've been in a seat for four years where every few months you look around and don't have any money left." Free networks also have been squeezed by their own success. As small entities, they were little trouble for the universities that provided Internet connections. But as computer traffic has increased, many universities are now asking the free networks to pay their share of connection costs. The Buffalo Free-Net this year made its first payment, $7,500, for its share of the university's Internet connection. The Free-Net, which has set up computers in the public library for residents without equipment, has also spent $7,500 to $12,500 a year, raised through grants and donations, on operations. "We can't handle any more users," said James Finamore, another founding member. "We can't afford the phone lines or staff. It's just not the right way to run things." Grundner, the free-access pioneer, believes government grants and mandated access requirements will go only so far in preserving the networks, and their survival depends on finding a market niche. Despite the vast resources of the Internet, he says, local networks can fill an important role: providing a connection to what is most relevant to people's lives, their communities. "Community computing is about trying to keep people at home," Grundner said. "People have to realize that just dumping people onto the Internet isn't going to work." Transmitted: 94-08-03 23:12:11 EDT __________________________________________________ > COMING ATTRACTIONS STR Spotlight MULTIMEDIA DELIGHTS """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" COMING ATTRACTIONS ================== The year is 2306, and in this world, data is money: and, as always, money is power. You are a Netrunner for Black Sun Corporation, one of the five largest Mega-Corporations in the world. In order for the Corporation to maintain its predominance, it requires vast amounts of data. What data Black-Sun does not already have. it secretly steals from those who do. The key to these covert actions are the Netrunners. These cybernetically enhanced individuals navigate cyberspace, penetrating Corporate data defense systems by using guile or force...... ...Once inside the data grids of a Corporate matrix, a runner captures whatever data his employer deems significant, be it the Cyph-Lock codes to credit accounts, blueprints for new software, or the personal telephone longs of a Corporation's CEO. In addition to initiating such raids, Black Sun is often the target of Netrunners working for hostile Corporations. Therefore if is also the duty of a Black Sun Netrunner to protect the Corporation. Often your skills will be called upon to defend data by destroying invading runners. Since you operate in both an offensive and defensive capacity, you require the means to attack and defend. Your weapons is the Trace, designation DELTA-V. Strap yourself into the cockpit of DELTA-V and be ready for a fast-paced shoot-out in cyber space. The speed is breath taking as you fly down the grids of cyberspace trying to kill your enemies without crashing into the narrow walls. If your hand-eye coordination fails you for a moment it will be all over and you will die in a fiery inferno, Each mission is filled with new and more deadly targets. You never lose sight of the fact that you need those credits if you are going to gain new and more powerful weapons for your ship! As the Netrunner you control the most agile craft ever designed as your fly down the 256-color, 3D-Texture mapped landscape at speeds where thought and action are one and mistakes are paid for in blood! If you and your Trace vehicle survive, use your bonus points to modify its armor, firepower, or speed to suit your style. The jack back into the Net for another run! DELTA-V the hot, new flight-sim/arcade game from Bethesda Softworks will be coming to your favorite computer store or mail order firm in September. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS =================== IBM PC 386 or higher and 100% Compatibles MS or PC DOS 5.0 or higher. Hard Drive VGA/MCGA graphics card and monitor. Supports Joystick or Microsoft Mouse or 100% Compatibles. Sound Card support for SoundBlaster, and 100% SoundBlaster Compatibles, Roland. AVAILABLE September 1994 Also Coming soon to a PC near you..... The second chapter in the award-winning computer role playing series, THE ELDER SCROLLS: DAGGERFALL is both a sequel to The Elder Scrolls: ARENA and a totally stand-alone product. Set in the unique world of Tamriel, TES:DAGGERFALL take you on a special mission on behalf of the Emperor to quell a potential uprising in the royal court of Daggerfall. In TES: DAGGERFALL, the player may choose to follow any path or career in the vast, beautiful and dangerous world. If the player chooses to investigate the court of Daggerfall, stores of madness, unrequited love, dark sorcery, seduction, betrayal and a plot to recreate a powerful force from thousands of years past will be revealed. The player's action will ultimately determine the side which will wield such power. The fate of Daggerfall and the Empire of Tamriel hand in the balance. Incorporating a new, full 3-D, texture-mapped engine. TES: DAGGERFALL brings an added realism to the look and style of this Elder Scrolls sequel. Special new features: A fully-contoured landscape! Interact realistically with other characters both in dialogue and action! Visit totally believable, meticulously designed caves, castled, dwelling, highlands and lowlands -- even travel underwater and to alternate dimensions! Own property, ships and crafts, participate in the politics of guilds and other organizations and trade goods and services -- even smuggle! Create even more unusual and powerful spells than the much-praised original TES: ARENA SPELL MAKER could handle! Face a large, new menageries of monsters and enemies! Customize the enhanced menu and inventory interfaces, even create custom character classes! Listen to multi-channel, digitized sound effects and music! Participate in a vast number of large-scale complex quests! Create potions and magic items, as an extension of TES: Arena's Spell Maker! "Import" your TES: ARENA character into TES: DAGGERFALL! One of the novel features of TES: DAGGERFALL is its multiple ending scenarios -- unique feature for Computer Role Playing Games. Each potential ending is determined by the actions, goals and desires of the player. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS =================== IBM PC 386-33 or higher and 100% Compatibles DOS 5.0 or higher. CD-ROM Drive Hard Drive 4MB of RAM VGA/MCGA graphics card and monitor. Microsoft Mouse or 100% Compatibles. Supports most sound cards RECOMMENDED ----------- IBM PC 486/33 or higher and 100% Compatibles 8MB of RAM. Local Bus Video Card AVAILABLE February 1995 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :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) ====================== John Deegan, Editor (Temp) > Persuasion 3.0 STR InfoFile """"""""""""""""""""""""""" Aldus Announces; --------------- Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh ====================================== BOSTON, August 1, 1994-Aldus Corporation today announced a "native" Power Macintosh version of Persuasion 3.0, its pioneering cross-platform software application for creating and managing slides, overheads, and computer-based onscreen presentations. The new version has been recompiled and optimized to run in native format for the Power Macintosh. As a result, Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh runs two to four times faster than its counterpart on 68000-based systems. Persuasion 3.0 represents the fifth software package from Aldus to be released in native format for the Power Macintosh. Native applications are specifically written to take advantage of the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) based PowerPC processor upon which the Power Macintosh is based. "As the presentation graphics market continues to grow, users are becoming more sophisticated in the demands they are making on their software," said Natalia Iwach, program manager for Aldus Persuasion. "By releasing the Power Macintosh version of Persuasion 3.0, already a market leader for 68000-based systems, we are enabling our customers to utilize the superior performance of this new system in their presentations." Professional features Like its 68000-based counterpart, Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh is designed to meet the needs of the professional and semiprofessional presenters, who require an intelligent and unobtrusive interface, while at the same time require advanced features, such as extensive color, type and special effects controls. Key features in Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh include: --------------------------------------------------------------- o Easy to use interface. Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh features an intuitive interface with a floating toolbox and palettes that provide easy entry for novices, while increasing the efficiency of experienced users. Users can arrange the text, color, fill, line, and other palettes to be immediately accessible on the desktop without getting in the way of the program’s presentation views. In addition, they can preview an extensive selection of slide and chart styles. Upon selecting an AutoTemplate from the thumbnail preview, users are immediately taken to the slide view and presented clear prompts for creating titles, subtitles, bulleted text, and charts. o An OLE charting module for an array of charts and special effects. Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh offers extensive charting capabilities through its charting module - a full-fledged OLE application with a broad selection of 84 truly distinct but easy to reach chart types and a wide array of special effects. Both 2D and 3D (XYZ axes) chart formats are included, and are easily accessible through a gallery of colorful thumbnails. o Advanced precision controls for slide design and output. Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh features an array of precision tools and controls designed to assist the most advanced users with managing color and grayscale elements in presentations, as well as with editing and drawing. These range from sophisticated color models, to ruler guides. o Support for multimedia and onscreen presentations. Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh contains a variety of features that support multimedia and onscreen presentations, including access to a host of sound, animation, and digital video special effects that can be used to selectively highlight any element on a slide - graphics as well as text. Onscreen presentations can be freely distributed as runtime files and viewed on a Mac or PC using the updated Persuasion Player 3.0. The new Persuasion Player supports all of Persuasion’s advanced multimedia features, as well as onscreen annotations that can be saved with a Player file. Persuasion supports Apple’s Publish and Subscribe protocol, as well as object linking and embedding. Availability and pricing Aldus Persuasion 3.0 for the Power Macintosh will be available by the end of the third quarter of this year. Suggested list price in the United States and Canada is $495 (U.S.). Registered users of Persuasion 3.0 for the Macintosh can obtain an upgrade for $75. Registered users of Persuasion 2.12 or earlier can obtain an upgrade for $150. Upgrades are available directly from Aldus or Aldus dealers. For more information on Persuasion, to purchase the full retail version, or receive an upgrade, customers can call Aldus Customer Services at (800) 685-3543. Aldus Corporation 411 First Avenue South Seattle, WA 98104-2871 (206) 622-5500 Media contact: Belinda Young (206) 386-8819 Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors. Aldus, the Aldus logo, and Persuasion are registered trademarks of Aldus Corporation. Other product and corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to the owners's benefit without intent to infringe. ___________________________________ > LINKS Pro MAC STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""""" LINKS Pro Macintosh =================== Rivaled Only By The Game Itself ------------------------------- The most award winning golf simulation in software history has now been enhanced for the Macintosh. Power Macintosh users will appreciate the fact that it runs in NATIVE mode for unbelievable performance. Whichever Macintosh you have, LINKS Pro Macintosh provides the most realistic golfing experience possible. Access Software programmers have defined the state of the art in golf simulation. The MS-DOS version has received awards from every gaming major magazine as well as three of the prestigious Software Publishers Association CODIES. Every nuance and subtly is recreated with total accuracy. When you are playing LINKS Pro Macintosh you have the feeling that you are actually on the course. When you buy LINKS Pro Macintosh you don't just buy a computer game, you become part of the Links Family, enjoying the best there is in computer golf. There are many additional Links Championship Courses available to suit your every mood. New courses are being released about every six weeks, so you can literally play golf around the world. Of course our Technical Support department is there to help you. Toll-Free tech support can help you with any problem you might encounter. We stand behind our products, if for some reason you're not happy with one of our products we will do everything possible, including refunding your purchase price. Try it -- you'll like it. LINKS Pro Macintosh Product Information --------------------------------------- Product Category: Sports / Simulation Compatibility: Macintosh & Power Macintosh with 13" or larger 256 Color Monitors, Powerbooks: 180C, 270C, etc. Hardware Requirements: 4MB RAM or more Native Mode: Runs in NATIVE mode on the Power PC Macintosh! Copy Protection: NONE Sound: Fantastic true-to-life golfing sounds and commentary Hard Disk Space Needed: 4 MB Bundled Course: Harbour Town Price: SRP $69.95 ________________________________________________ > Link to the Future STR FOCUS! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Editorial --------- A Link to the Future ==================== by Bruce Carver, President We here at Access have always kept one eye on the present, and one on the future. We've been around quite a few years, the company's product line has evolved accordingly, but our prime agenda has always been to push the envelope. Every publisher must consider the existing hardware base, but it has been our hope that creating state-of-the-art products will nudge users toward the next upgrade. With our LINKS series, we have succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. Now, the time has come to take the next step. If you read the electronic entertainment press, you've heard about "Interactive Movies" for years. Since we all grew up passively absorbing content from the silver screen, what could be more exhilarating than actually participating in the storyline as its star? Unfortunately, this potentially explosive entertainment category has yet to break through. The problems seem to stem from so much of the creative and technical resources being expended on the "Movie," with very little left over for the interactivity. In some of these games, the player is stuck inside a control room, from which he can superficially interact with other characters, who get to do the funstuff like repulsing alien invasions or battling zombies. Then there are the "Interactive Movies" that put the player character inside a beautifully rendered, three-dimensional environment, but limit their movement and eliminate other characters with whom they might interact. We were well aware of the pitfalls involved in this genre when we set out to produce Under A Killing Moon, and we are proud to say that we believe we've licked them. In this game, the player-character can move freely within our virtual world. You are not forced to click on a destination, then view a tracking shot as the point-of-view closes on the location. This is a world one can move around in; soak in the details; then take care of business in a direct manner. I am proud of Under A Killing Moon for many, many reasons: our great stars, spectacular sets, and sophisticated storyline. But what I'm truly the proudest of is the way it plays. Pretty pictures and full motion video and wonderful tools, but as a fairly successful playwrite once observed: "The play's the thing." Access welcomes you to the next stage in the interactive entertainment process. Access Plans `Linksvention' -------------------------- We are proud to announce plans are in the works to hold a convention in order to introduce the newest version of LINKS to our many loyal fans. An exact date has not yet been set, but October is the most likely time period. The convention would convene on a Thursday morning and run through Saturday, for a three-night stay. Planned activities include a round or two of golf on the beautiful Bountiful course, workshops, and a tour of the Access facilities. Workshops will include a Q&A session with the LINKS Design Team, golf club hardware manufacturers, a trick shot golfer, a golf pro, and Access prez Bruce Carver. There will also be a LINKS tournament (using the new edition), and plenty of other events designed to keep LINKSters' hearts going pitter-patter. Our intention is to keep the price under $400 for singles or $600 for a couple, and that would include three nights at the chosen hotel and most meals. But right now, we need to know how much interest exists among our readers in such an event. If the Linksvention sounds like a good idea, please send a letter to the following address: Marketing Dept. Access Software 4910 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84116 Here Come the Linksters! ------------------------ It was an historic occasion, indeed; the First Annual Prodigy Links Convention convened on August 20, 1993 in Las Vegas, and the tall tales and simulated golf balls were flying! Some 35 of the LINKS elite got together at the Flamingo Hilton to swap stories, make (strong) suggestions as to future LINKS products, and generally enjoy one another's company. The origin of this group dates back several years, when a number of Prodigy users discovered a mutual interest in golf simulations, and LINKS in particular. Over the course of months of on-line chit-chat about high scores and which mouse produces the best stroke, friendships developed. Then, several months ago when Prodigy raised its rates, an entire segment of LINKSters moved, en masse, over to Delphi. How good are these folks at their chosen recreation? So good none of them would condescend to submit an entry to our Hole-in-One Club; onestrokers are nothing special to these hot hitters who shoot consistently in the high 40s and low 50s. Several of the best LINKS players in the world actually demonstrated their prowess on a computer brought in by Access for the occasion. Almost four hours into the gathering, Mike Rochman, aka "The Mayor of Delphi Linksville" opened up the floor to questions, which were deftly fielded by customer service honcho Mark Werner. The number one subject on everyones' mind? When will the new 386 EXE file be ready and what is the Links development team doing to make recorded games more realistic? There were also several consensus opinions on features which would increase the challenge of LINKS, including: shorten shot distances, increase the penalty for an over swing, and the use of "course conditions" instead of "green conditions." The suggested course conditions were Dry, Normal, and Wet. As is to be expected in any fandom, there were several attendees who had passed not only beyond an interest in real golf (many LINKSters have never played so much as a single hole), but even, gasp!, in LINKS itself! "I don't play LINKS much anymore," one convention-goer admitted. "But I still like the people." A good time was had by all, and several members expressed thanks to Access for staying in touch with its grass roots consumers and for bringing along all the course disks, golf balls, and t-shirts. LINKS Update ------------ By the time this newsletter gets printed, the newest LINKS Championship Course will be ready to ship, Castle Pines Golf Club of Castle Rock, CO. The world-class golf links was created by Jack Vickers and designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1981 and became host to The International in 1986. The International is a unique tournament featuring pros each year from all over the world. Castle Pines is a closed course but now with this LINKS Championship version, you can play Castle Pines anytime of the day or night. The LINKS 386 PRO Super VGA add-on Library has now grown to thirteen courses including Firestone Country Club, Barton Creek, Dorado Beach, Bayhill Club, Bountiful Golf Club, Troon North, Mauna Kea, Banff Springs, Pinehurst, Innisbrook Copperhead Course, and, of course, Pebble Beach. This is certainly the most requested course in LINKS history, and we're proud to announce that it has finally joined the LINKS Library. We've even added our first European Course, The Belfry, home to the prestigious Ryder Cup. Our master photographer Zeke McCabe is on location even as we write, shooting the next course Bighorn of Palm Desert, CA, which is slated for publishing sometime this June. The latest breaking news here at ACCESS (which you will want to pass on to all of your Macintosh friends) is the new LINKS Pro Macintosh due to be released this summer. This is our 386 Pro software converted and enhanced for Macintosh users. See! We do listen when you make a suggestion! Keep'em coming! Hole In One Club Swells ----------------------- When we suggested last issue that there might be some interest in a club for LINKS users who have shot a hole-in-one, well, we had no idea! Even as this is being written, letters continue to deluge our editorial offices from readers the world over, seeking Access to the hallowed ranks of the Hole-In-Oners. So, while these initial entries may not be complete, they represent the bulk of the first generation inductees: Jack & Ted Gibson Lansdale, PA Charlene & Stub Watkins Greeley, CO Bob Baeckl Bay City, CA Andy D'Andrea Farmington, CT Andrea D'Andrea Farmington, CT C L Lewis Kernersville, Lt. Lowell "Skip" Bailey Columbia, SC Linda Sowinski Cedar Grove, WI Buddy Poland, Jr Round Pond, ME John Huston Tom Brna Rick Elliott A J Penachio, Stamford CT A T Weaver, E Hartford CT Aaron Kempster, Redding CA Al Baker, Wilmette IL Alan Higgins, Calgary ALB Alan Miller, Beach ND Albert Somers, Sharon Hill PA Allen Siddle, Winnipeg MAN Andrew Gnoza, El Paso TX Andy Bayne, Markham ONT Anita Richard, Tyngsboro MA Anthony Rahe, Pine Bluff AR Bill D Burton, Indianapolis IN Barry Michlowitz, Bronx NY Bernie Holden, Nanaimo BC Bernie Profato, Niles OH Bill H Whitton, Williams Lake BC Bill Krause, New Hartford NY Bill Leib, Tinton Falls NJ Bill Rothwell, Lakewood CA Bill Schendel, Milwaukee WI Bob Epstein, Orchard Lake MI Bob Hood, Antioch TN Bob L Vernen, Spencer IA Bob Landucci, Fresno CA Bob Shnieders, St Louis MO Bob Tobin, Granby CT Brad Sharp, St Marys OH Brad Wilson, Richmond BC Brian Pearson, Pacific Grove CA Brian Wood, Dallas TX Bruce Bishop, Green Bay WI C C McWilliams, Houston TX C J Friend, Mtn Home ID Carl B Springer, Sacramento CA Carlos E Granier, Caracus Venezuela Charlie Bruno, Pittsburgh PA Chris Ralph, Hamilton ONT Christopher J Owens, Glens Falls NJ Chuck Baldridge, Colorado Springs CO Chuck Hammer, Carlsbad CA Chuck Lawson, Plainfield IN Chuck Leswing, Live Oak FL Chuck Rzeszut, Abilene TX Clayborne Lewis, Kernersville NC Cliff Johnson, Studio City CA Craig Vogel, Yonkers NY Daniel R Sileo, Louisville KY Darrel Barbato, Medwall MA Dave Bracchitta, New Rochelle NY Dave Foshee, Houston TX Dave Kaylor, Huntington IN Dave Lommen, Grand Forks ND David A Kopp, APO AE David & James Bouffard, Swanton VT David Henry, Laramie WY David I Falkner, Bossier City LA David Low, Brampton ONT David McKay, Nepean ONT David Mclaughlin, Dartsmouth NS David Preast , Ft Leavenworth KS David Rollins, Huntington Beach CA David Sargent, Fayetteville NC Deborah L Bowers, Knoxville MD Desmond Karmolinski, Ijamsville MD Dick Fish, San Jose CA Don E Smith, Louisville KY Don Johnson, Ladson SC Don Pask, North Bay ONT Dot Vieira, Edgewater FL Douglas D Shatto, Omaha NE Douglas Mueller, Morrisville PA Duane Peterson, Whitebear Lake MN Duane W Brady, Tacoma WA Dwight Beatty, Cuyahoga Falls OH Dwight W Sorensen, Kansas City MO E J Walter, Sagamore Hills OH E T Rutledge, Kennesaw GA Ed Radl, Round Rock TX Eddie Alexander, Cupertino CA Eddie Hoonstra, Tampa FL Edward Coleman, Layton UT Edward E Roe, Olympia WA Edward Polland, Round Pond ME Eric Webber, Artesia CA Erik Wiseman, Wayne NE Ernest D Roma, Hinckley OH Frank Bender, Laurel MD Frank S Fejes, University Heights OH Fred Bovdreau, Branchburg NJ Fred Bustin, Yarmouth NS G Burnham, Derby VT G M Kinshella, Edgewater FL G Ozegovich, Sykesville MD Gary E Parson, Waterloo ONT Gary Inzerilla, Castro Valley CA Gary Mitton, Cote St Luc QUE Gaston Otis, St Sulpice QUE George Egan, Beamsville ONT George F Cacchione, Hyde Park NY George Schroeder, Tigard OH Gerald S Gardner, Paulding OH Gerry Collins, Don Mills ONT Glen Berry, Calgary ALB Gordon Daniel, San Antonio TX Gordon Dinkel, Gainesville GA Gordon Isbell, Hillsboro OR Grant Leonard, Williamette NC Grant Leonard, Wilmington NC Greg Devino, Porte Vedra FL Greg Power, Halifax NS Henry Drummond, Bellingham MA Howard L Beverly, El Cajon CA Hoy H Middleton, Kansas City MO Hubert F Brunet, Cornwall ONT Hugh Trotter, El Paso TX I Harris Tucker, Cherry Hill NJ J D Dickerson, Bridgeton MO J F Taylor, Coquitlam BC Jack & Linda Sowinski, Cedar Grove WI Jack Deibler, Holly Hill FL Jack L Gibson, Lansdale PA Jack Sowinski, Cedar Grove WI James A Armbruster, Grosse Pointe MI James C Wood, Huntsville AL James Degoey, Reston VA James E Lovette, Winston-Salem NC James Wenzel, E Windsor NJ Jay Klassen, Sunnyvale CA Jay Mirasol, Chicago IL Jay Rimes, Kenmore NY Jean-Pierre Baril, Montreal ONT Jeff Jones, San Diego CA Jeff Kalish, Apopka FL Jeff Litwin, Swartz Creek MI Jeff Porter, Platte City MO Jeff Underwood, Charleston SC Jeffrey Robert Rintoul, Calgary ALB Jeffrey Rode, W Hartfort CT Jerry A Bittner, Jacksonville NC Jerry Agudio, Beaver Falls PA Jerry Garlisch, Pt St Joe FL Jerry Harris, Redmond WA Jim Allen, Hockley TX Jim Quinn, Scarborough ONT Jim Richards, Mt Pleasant MI Jim Steinwand, Maumee OH Joan McGinnis, Comox BC Joe DeGeer, Minneapolis MN Joe Rackleman, Folsom CA John Breuls, Willowdale ONT John Casper, New Berlin WI John Curtin, Wilton CT John Everest, Durango CO John F Izral, La Grange IL John Kosman, APO AE John Lane, Kirkland WA John Mosher, Henrietta NY John Neal Caresio, Coffeyville KS John P Upchurch, Oak Ridge TN John P Watson, Ft Collins CO John Spaise, McCloud CA Joseph D Nary, Strongsville OH Joseph D Scungio, Sarasota FL Joseph H Cotton, New Roads LA Joseph H Seanner, Fayetteville NC Joseph Ingemi, Peabody MA Joseph L Bolea, Newark DE Joseph R Ingemi, Peabody MA Karen Waldroff, Little Rock AR Keith Drinkwater, Norristown PA Keith Hardy, Huntsville AL Ken Carpenter, Vernon AL Ken Marra, Wayne NE Kenneth C Drews, Fresno CA Kevin J Clark, St Paul MN Kevin Larson, Ann Arbor MI Kevin Mysewski, Mukwanago WI Larry Ogledzinski, Naples FL Lawrnece Bolger, Saugus MA Leo P Schanke, Duluth GA Leo P Schanke, Duluth GA Leonard B Filson, Albany NY Les Wickersham, Castle Dale UT Lloyd Giardino, Bethel CT Loren E Kinner, Milwaukie WI Louis Osip, Modesto CA Lynette Ringel, Franklin TN Mark A Risk, Traverse City MI Mark Allen, Ft Worth TX Mark Ferguson, Reno NV Mark Fritts, Springfield OH Mark Johns, Owings Mills MD Mark Nickel, La Mesa TX Mark Schmitz, Pleasanton CA Marvin C Burgraff, Hurley WI Merle G Meisner, Somerset WI Michael A Ferris, Ballwin MO Michael A Keyser, Philadelphia PA Michael A Ricciutto, Hilton NY Michael D Gilmore, Greenbelt MD Michael Gazda, Rochester Hills MI Michael J Hewitt, Hubbards NS Michael LaRoss, Westmoreland NH Michael Malamud, Northbridge CA Michael Nary, N Royalton OH Mike Amundson, Winona MN Mike Dohehod, Alpharetta GA N E MacPhee, Rothesay NB Neal Smith, Rochester NY Nick Miller, Hinsdale IL Nicolai J Buchaca, San Diego CA Noel Hupe, Winnipeg MAN Norman A Kuehni, Madison WI Norman D Ovall, Maumee OH Pat Augustine, Lake City FL Pat Mowry, APO AE Patrick A Rosato, Lake Charles LA Patrick W Jones, APO AE Paul Gifford, Calgary ALB Paul R Giguere, San Ramon CA Pete Alo, San Diego CA Peter H Holl, Mission Viejo CA Peter Huebner, Redeer ALB Peter Marentette, Windsor ONT Pierra Huberdeau, Chateauguay QUE R Brett Ringler, Groveland IL R Fitzgerald, W Norauk GA R Vest, Hialeah HI Ralph DeLory, Rosemead CA Ralph Porter, Platte City MO Ralph Price, Phoenix AZ Ray Mitchell, Maple Ridge BC Ray Pascoe, Mabank TX Richard Daggett, Downey CA Richard James Musso, Davie FL Richard Lewis, Rockford IL Richard Negelschmidt, Ventura CA Richard Rydin, Long Beach CA Richard S Allen, Naugatuck CT Richie Homer, W Islip NY Rick SAnders, Basin WY Rick Standly, Poway CA Robert Baeckl, Bay City MI Robert Black, Waterloo ONT Robert Cross, Houston TX Robert E Phillips, Surrey BC Robert Farmer, Ft Lauderdale FL Robert Harrison, Long Beach CA Robert N Ehlert, Katy TX Robert Thompson, Macomb MD Robert W Whipple, Wichita Falls KS Rodney Claycomb, Davis CA Rody D Agmata, Waipahu HI Roger D Sparger, Manassas VA Roger Holloway, Mt Pleasant SC Roger Jimerson, Spartanburg SC Ron Mclendon, Winston-Salem NC Ron Spinuzzi, Highland Ranch CO Ronald Curtis, Winnipeg MAN Ronald P Webster, Riverhead NY Ronald W Lea, Wapella IL Roy E Merritt, APO AE Ruth E Middleton, Kansas City MO Scott Barnes, Lubbock TX Scott Jones, Lefroy ONT Scott M STrupinsky, Belle Mead NJ Scott Mandia, Middle Island NY Scott McLure, Atlanta GA Scott Posner, Livonia MI Scott Schroer, Oxford OH Serge Belanger, Charlesburg QUE Sharon Hutchinson, Peterborough ONT Stephen P Belcher, Naples FL Stephen Smith, Burlington ONT Steve Ashby, Colorado Springs CO Steve Barrett, Santa Rosa CA Steve Dallaire, Green Bay WI Steve Kirkland, Southgate MI Steve Riegle, Indianapolis IN Steve Smith, Baltimore MD Steve Wakeland, Pleasant Valley IA Stuart R Gibbs, Toronto ONT Stub Watkins, Greeley CO Syd Bigger, Escondido CA Ted M Brady, Westlake OH Ted S Yarnes, Sioux City IA Terry A Roof, 29 Palms CA Terry Armstrong, Wallaceburg ONT Terry Buckner, Stafford TX Thomas Drechsel, Bayreuth GERMANY Thomas Kukla, Mikado MI Thomas L Disher, Matthews NC Thomas Moresi, Philadelphia PA Timothy J Kroll, Kailua HI Timothy S Allen, Hamilton NY Tom Klepper, KI Sawyer AFB MI Tom Polezunski, Lansing IL Troy Gammon, Atoka OK Wade Lagle, Champaign IL Warren W Bettes, St Paul MN Wayne Hill, Delta BC Wesley Porter, Fullerton CA Wesley Porter, Platte City MO Wilbur Shepard, Delton MI William H Carlson, Phoenix AZ William Holder, Houston TX Willliam P Welch, Belleville IL Windell L Durant, Granbury TX Aaron Kempster, Redding CA Al Baker, Wilmette Special Notes: -------------- Nick Miller of Hinsdale, IL was our very first member and Ted Gibson, age 5, is our youngest. The best play-by-play of a Hole-In-One came from Michael Gilmore, who wrote: "Humbly submitted for your consideration is my entry for the Hole-In-One Club. The day: November 20, 1992. The setting: the picturesque #7 at Harbour Town, playing that day at 172 yards tee to pin. Selecting a 5-iron, I hit a slight fade that landed about 12 yards from the cup, bounced twice and then rolled in for my first ace!" The next time you shoot a single-stroker, send us a note with the following information: the version of LINKS used; the course you were playing; club used; and, if possible, a picture of yourself (these can not be returned). Send that info to: The Hole-In-One Club Access Software 4910 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. Access to Our Readers I own a copy of LINKS 386 PRO and was telling Cliff at Tech Support how much I enjoyed it and how impressed I am with the realism of playing the game on my computer. Frankly, I am amazed at how realistic this game is. I demonstrated it at a recent meeting of our church's "Computer & Investment Club," and the others there were equally impressed. You must have some competent scientists (I am a retired Physical Chemist) on board, as well as computer and programming experts. Part of my demonstration included rotating 180 degrees on hole #1 and bouncing a ball off the Clubhouse. Have you tried that? Louis D. Moore Jr. Kingsport, TN Actually, Louis, it's among the favorite pastimes of LINKSters everywhere. --ed. I'd like to compliment and thank the programmers [of LINKS 386 PRO] for creating a fantastic and realistic golf experience that I am able to enjoy during the cold off-season here in Toronto. Keep up the great work. And congratulations on the performance of the U.S. team at the Belfry this year, retaining the Ryder Cup for another two years. Adam Cherry Toronto, CANADA And welcome to the Hole-In-One Club, Adam. By the way, you can now test your own Ryder Cup skills on the LINKS Belfry Championship Course disk! --ed. I was pleased to learn of your SPA Award on `Computer Chronicles' [a television show] which I viewed on May 17th. This only proved what the proud owners of your LINKS software have known for years. G.M. Kinshella Edgewater, FL Actually, G.M., the SPA has also been aware of LINKS' quality for years - the win you mention was the third such award Access' LINKS products have won in the past three years. --ed. The first software program my husband and I purchased after buying our 486 PC was LINKS 386 PRO. We have been hooked on this program since the first day we installed it and played Harbour Town. We have added [several course disks]. We even added a Sound Blaster card to enhance the sounds! The elegant programming that went into creating these computer golf games makes each course challenging and fun to play over and over again. Andy and Andrea D'Andrea, Farmington, CT And welcome to the Hole-In-One-Club. --ed. Killing Moon Comes into Phase ----------------------------- The excitement's been building for almost a year now, but once UNDER A KILLING MOON hits the stores, you'll know the hype was justified. The third adventure in the Tex Murphy series, KILLING MOON represents a quantum leap over past efforts at creating Interactive Movies in terms of plot, production values, and game interface. The player is once again cast as the down-on-his-heels P.I. from MEAN STREETS and MARTIAN MEMORANDUM, but this time, there are no limits. Players will have full access to the virtual world of post-WWIII San Francisco; able to crawl under objects, in all directions, and even do a quick one-eighty at the sound of footsteps from behind. And if state-of-the-art virtual reality graphics and storyline isn't enough, how about a cast including Brian Keith, Margot Kidder, and Russell Means? Not to mention a cutting edge musical score and fully digitized speech. A KILLING MOON is rising - watch Access shine! ________________________________________ > PHOTONS! STR InfoFile """"""""""""""""""""" "EAT MY PHOTONS!" =============== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ---------------------- Eccentric Software Releases Eat My Photons! at MacWorld Expo 3D Game Even Hotter Than Boston in August (But it's a Dry Heat) Boston, MA, August 2, 1994 -- Eccentric Software today shipped Eat My Photons!(tm), a 3D, space combat and tank battle simulation game. A classic, cockpit-perspective shoot-em-up, "Photons!" is the fastest and most fluid 3D flight simulator ever created for Macintosh. The $59.95 game is available immediately. Native PowerPC and Windows versions are expected early next year. "This is a game designed for people who want to come home from a hard day at work or school, jump into a cockpit, and blow things up," explained Eccentric Software President David Goldstein, "You don't need three months of flight training to start having fun." Photons! features incredibly fluid, 3D graphics, stunning sound effects, an original musical score, and a choice between stellar or ground missions at every level. Ground missions plunge the pilot into a 3D tank battle over a fully textured planet surface, while stellar missions explode into a full 3D space flight simulation. "It's really two games in one!" boasts Mr. Goldstein. Best known for A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes(tm), its popular rhyming dictionary for Macintosh and Windows, Eccentric Software plans to announce a dozen new entertainment and education titles over the next ten months. Eat My Photons! is available at a special show price from the company's booth, Bayside #3514. Eccentric Software P.O. Box 2777 Seattle, Washington 98111-2777 Sales (800)436-6758 phone (206)628-2687 fax (206)628-2681 Electronic mail: Compuserve (73677,1537) America Online (xcentric) AppleLink (eccentric) Internet (xcentric@aol.com). Copyright 1994 by Eccentric Software. A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes and Eat My Photons are trademarks of Eccentric Software. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. ********************************************************************** 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 an extremely 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 20/20 Advantage Plan 20 Hours for Only $20! ----------------------------- Advantage Members have always enjoyed the lowest DELPHI access rates available. On the new 20/20 Advantage Plan, members receive their first 20 hours of access each month for only $20. If you happen to meet someone online or find some other diversion, don't worry because additional usage is only $1.80 per hour. 20/20 Advantage rates apply for access via SprintNet or Tymnet from within the continental United States during home time or via direct dial around the clock. Home Time is from 6pm to 6am weekdays. Access during business time carries a surcharge of $9 per hour. These rates apply for most services, but note that there are some surcharged areas on DELPHI which are clearly marked with a "$" sign. Who is eligible to take advantage of the plan? Any DELPHI member in good standing. Applications are reviewed and subject to approval by Delphi Internet Services Corporation. It's easy to join. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply online -- at any time -- for membership in the DELPHI 20/20 Advantage Plan. Your membership becomes active at 4 a.m. Eastern Time on the first billing day of the following month. The $20 charge will be billed to you at the beginning of the month to which it applies. Any portion of the 20 hours not used in any month does not carry forward into the next month. Advantage rates may be changed with 30 days notice given online. 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 the BEST Value and getting BETTER all the time! ************************************************************ ATARI/JAG SECTION (III) ======================= Dana Jacobson, Editor > From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" I had a number of ideas for this week's editorial, but time and this continued oppressive heat (sorry to mention the weather again!) has made it impossible to really sit down and put my thoughts "on paper" this week! I'm also saddened with the news of yet another prominent group of Atari developers (see below) make some serious decisions. I don't think that it's realistic at this time to think that things will get better for the computing side of Atari - at least in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, Atari's decision to focus on the Jaguar has some harsh repercussions for the computer community. We'll continue, as is our choice; but it just won't be the same without these valued friends... The "end of the summer" show schedule is really heating up (no pun intended!). The CAIN show is this weekend; and the CT AtariFest is three short weeks! Do your best to try and make one of these shows. STReport's Compuserve Editor Joe Mirando, and I, will be at the CT show, so please stop and say hello. More news about this and the CAIN show in this issue; and we'll have CT updates right up to the weekend of the show. Until next time.... ______________________________________________ Delphi's Atari Advantage! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (8/3/94) *(1) AEO: SCES 94 EDITION *(6) GEMINI 1.999 DESKTOP (2) NO LIMIT! (7) HEX MINES 1.2 (3) MOUNTAIN READER II *(8) TOAD'S SYSINFO 2.0 *(4) MARCEL WORD PROCESSOR 2.3 (9) STELLO 1.1 *(5) GUCK 1.8 *(10) GEMINI 1.999 - ENGLISH RSC * = New on list HONORARY TOP 10 The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently out-performing every other file in the databases. STREPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 10.31) ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO - VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10) Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database. ___________________________________________ > CAIN Atari Fun Fest! STR Show File! - CAIN Show THIS Weekend!! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: -*- CAIN ATARI FUN FEST 94 SHOW -*- CLEVELAND, OH (August 2, 1994) -- The Central Atari Information Network & Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG have announced CAIN Atari Fun Fest 94. The show will be held on Sunday, August 7, 1994 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The location of the show is at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 7637 Chardon Road, Kirtland, Ohio. Kirtland is just east of Cleveland. The show is open to the general public and admission is free. The main attraction of the show will be the Jaguar 64-BIT Interactive Multimedia System. Atari Corp. has provided three Jaguars and three Tempest 2000 cartridges to be demonstrated and then raffled off at the show. Other attractions at the show will be the Second Annual Cleveland Lynx-Up. The Lynx-Up will allow owners of the Lynx portable video game system to bring their Lynx and games to play multiplayer games with other Lynx owners. There will be five Atari user groups and close to ten dealers and developers participating in the show. Owners of all Atari computers will be able to find software for their computer. Also, owners of the classic video game systems such as the 2600, 5200, and 7800 will be able to find games for their system. CAIN Atari Fun Fest 94 is the first Cleveland Atari show in years. The show is being put together by organizations that will not be making a profit by this event. CONTACT: Fred Horvat, 216/729-0761. _____________________________________________ > ACT AtariFest '94! STR Show File! - CT Show In 3 Weeks!! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" With the biggest Atari Show in the U.S.A just one month away, we thought we'd give you a peek at the current (and growing) list of Atari companies who will be in attendance. We also expect our usually solid user group turnout, as well as a solid core of excitement around our Jaguar corner. Keep your eyes peeled for more info, but plan to be in Bridgeport, CT on August 27-28! 1994 CT AtariFest Committed Vendor list A & D Software -- Famous for the ground breaking Universal Item Selector, A&D also produces the flexible networking solution Universal Network, and the TOP selling Tax Wizard II. Since its inception, A&D has also marketed a number of other products, including Mega Check2, Spelling Sentry, GramSlam, Grammar Expert, and a variety of music software. THEY WILL BE INTRODUCING THE NEW ** WINTERTREE THESAURUS ** AT THIS YEAR'S SHOW! HAVE A THESAURUS AS A DESK ACCESSORY! Best Electronics -- The undisputed leader in Atari electronics, the BEST catalogue is now bigger than ever! Everything from RAM, Mice, and upgrade boards to 8-bit games, replacement parts and capacitors, it it goes with your Atari, BEST has it! chro_MAGIC Software -- Long a staunch music supporter, chro-MAGIC's Pianistics and Guitaristics have been widely praised as educational and compositional tools. With the launch of their memory expansion board for the Falcon - RAM Gizmo - chro-MAGIC is having "their best year ever." THEY WILL ALSO BE SHOWING THEIR NEW MULTISYNCH GIZMO AT THE SHOW WHICH ENABLES A FALCON TO DRIVE A MULTISYNCH MONITOR IN BOTH VGA AND RGB MODES. Computer Zone -- Southern Massachusetts' oldest Atari dealership makes their second appearance at CAF. Authorized for Falcon sales and service, look for great software sales as well. Corporate Computer Consulting -- Longtime Atari supporter Kevin Champagne brings his many years of experience to his own NEW Atari dealership. Kevin sold 40 Syquest drives at CAF '92, and will have all the latest hardware at great prices. Derric Electronics -- CT's favorite Atari dealership brings their giant collection of software to the tables. Look for old and new favorites and make an offer. East Hartford Computers -- Well known for his on the spot repairs, Tom Allard brings his solder and flux with him everywhere. If you're looking for a RAM upgrade or an accelerator, talk to Tom at the show! Fine Tuned Software -- New to the Atari scene, Fine Tuned is now the exclusive distributor of ICD's 8-Bit line of software and hardware. In addition, they have also bought out ST developer Newell Industries and now have a strong and well rounded product line. F.Y.E. -- For Your Entertainment is a local CT dealer that specializes in (you guessed it) FUN! High on their list of fun things is Atari's new Jaguar. Come see the latest games and peripherals from these dedicated gamesters! Fouch Software -- CAF '94 is proud to welcome Fouch Software to the fold, and are excited to see their new software titles. THEIR NEW MAILING MANAGER 2 WILL DEBUT AT CAF '94! Stop by and see "a workhorse business tool"! Gribnif Software -- By now, these folks need no introduction. However, let us remind you who created Neodesk, a revolution in Atari computing. Of course, they are also the folks who have finally brought simple reliable multitasking to the ST/TT/Falcon line, while bringing the GEM interface into the 90's with a dazzling array of new functionality. WELL BE PREPARED TO WITNESS THE DEBUT OF NEODESK *4*! Try formatting a floppy disk in the background! How about a trash can in every window! How about program groups, 3-d color icons, and more! ICD Inc. -- Ever since the 8-Bit days, ICD has been the hardware company that sets the standards: AdSpeed 16MHz accelerator, ADSCSI Hard Drive Adaptor, FAST Hard Drives, the LINK Hard drive adapter, SCSI Pro Hard Disk Utilities, all manufactured and supported to the highest level of quality. NEW AT THE CT SHOW, **CATBOX**, THE STANDARD FOR JAGUAR INTERCONNECTIVITY AND EXPANDABILITY. Come see their CD-ROM support, hard drives and all their professional tools. Lexicor Software -- One company that is heavily importing innovative products from Europe is Lexicor. Well known for their graphics programs such as Chronos and Prism Paint, Lexicor has also become one of the most successful importers of ST/TT/Falcon hardware in the past year. Their introduction of the Nova graphics card made a huge splash by being the first really powerful card at a reasonable price. THIS YEAR, THEY WILL BE DEMONSTRATING THE TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING NEW 68040 BASED COMPUTER CALLED *MEDUSA*. FULL EXPANDABILITY, TRUE COLOR, EXCELLENT COMPATIBILITY AND SPEED-SPEED-SPEED! Oregon Research Associates -- These authors of the all-time favorite Diamond Back backup program have evolved into a company with top flight products in a wide variety of fields such as music, painting, and video editing. Their Diamond Edge has fast become the *TOP SELLING* Atari hard drive utility. THIS YEAR THEY WILL BE INTRODUCING SEVERAL NEW PRODUCTS AT THE CT SHOW, INCLUDING A PHOTOSHOP TYPE IMAGE EDITING SYSTEM - TRUE IMAGE - AND A TOP END WYSIWYG WORD PROCESSING PROGRAM CALLED PAPYRUS. Don't miss their Falcon video editing system either! Software Spectrum -- Long a favorite spot for New Jersey Atarians, Software Spectrum has great deals on both hardware and software. Running both a storefront and a mailorder house, they have a computerized database of EVERYTHING ATARI! ST Informer Magazine -- The premier monthly magazine in the U.S., ST Informer is your best source for Atari information. With in-depth reviews, show reports and industry news, nobody gives you the straight dope like ST-I! Steinberg/Jones -- One of the oldest and most well respected names in the music industry joins us for the first time. Steinberg will astound you with *CUBASE* their powerful, industry leading music software, its MIDI control, its scoring abilities, its tape deck control and its ease of use. COME SEE THE NEW FALCON AUDIO - THE FIRST DIRECT TO DISK SOFTWARE THAT CAN HANDLE 16 TRACKS OF CD QUALITY SOUND - OUT OF THE BOX! Suzy-B's Software -- Nobody has a collection of PD and Shareware for the Atari computer line like Suzy-B's, now numbering in the !!10,000's!! All files are well described and up to date, plus, Suzy-B's is the ONLY software house to let YOU pick what goes onto your disk! Select from their titles only those programs you really want and Suzy-B's will custom make each order. NEW AT THE CT ATARIFEST, THE ENTIRE SUZY-B'S COLLECTION ON **CD-ROM**! Stop by and see for yourself. Toad Computers -- NOBODY DOESN'T KNOW TOAD! But if you've just crawled out from under a rock, let me tell you: they are the largest, busiest, best stocked, most innovative and nicest Atari people on the planet. If they don't have something, NOBODY does! They carry the full line of Atari computers, monitors and replacements parts, as well as third party hard drives, accelerators, video cards and YOU NAME IT! Volume means bargains, so be sure to stop by. Wizztronics -- Stop by and visit with the TOP ATARI HARDWARE INNOVATOR IN THE UNITED STATES! Wizztronics has been around for over ten years, and has taken a commanding lead in the accelerator wars with their new product line. NEW AT THE CT ATARIFEST, THE BARRACUDA 040, A REPLACEMENT CPU FOR YOU FALCON COMPUTER THAT GIVES YOU MORE SPEED, A WIDER BUS, ROOM FOR MORE RAM AND A VIDEO CONNECTOR. ALSO NEW ARE CASES FOR THE FALCON, KEYBOARD ADAPTORS TO LET YOU USE IBM STYLE KEYBOARDS AND THE SOON TO BE RELEASED VIDEO FUNNEL. If you want to see the future of Atari computing - it's available NOW! We'll have head to head competitions, seminars, door prizes and a raffle! Come out and see what everyone is so excited about! For further information call 203-332-1721. _________________________________________ > Atari's 2nd Quarter Results! STR Stock Report! - Better Than '93!! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ATC ATARI CORP. (AMEX) 1-AUG-1994 19:59 ATARI CORP. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 1994 RESULTS SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Atari Corp. (AMEX: ATC) today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 1994. Net Sales for the second quarter of 1994 were $8.2 million, a 43% increase over the sales for the second quarter of 1993 of $5.7 million. The increase in sales is mainly attributable to the sale of the Atari Jaguar 64-bit Interactive Multimedia System. Partially as a result of increased promotional and development expenses, the company incurred an Operating Loss of $3.9 million for the second quarter of 1994 as compared to an Operating Loss of $4.0 million for the same period of 1993. In addition, for the quarter ended 1994, the company experienced an exchange gain of $0.6 million, as compared to a $3.1 million loss on exchange for the same period in 1993. These exchange gains and losses together with other income and expense items resulted in a Net Loss of $3.4 million for the second quarter 1994 as compared to a Net Loss of $6.6 million for the same period of 1993. Commenting on the report, Sam Tramiel, president, said, "We are focusing our efforts on having between ourselves and 3rd Party Publishers 30 to 50 titles available for the Jaguar during the Christmas selling season. We have recently commenced volume shipments of 'Wolfenstein 3-D'. Retail sales for this title are very encouraging." Atari Corp. designs and markets interactive multimedia entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. ATARI CORP. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1994 1993 1994 1993 Net Sales $ 8,194 $ 5,719 $16,350 $15,869 Operating Income (loss) (3,887) (3,954) (7,259) (7,028) Exchange Gain (loss) 580 (3,072) 852 (2,341) Other Income (Expense) Net 168 195 2,560(A) 364 Interest (Expense) Net of Interest Income (259) 35 (478) 80 Income (loss) From Before Income Taxes (3,398) (6,796) (4,325) (8,925) Credit for Income Taxes -- 153 -- 264 Net Income (loss) $(3,398) $(6,643) $(4,325) $(8,661) Earnings Per Common and Equivalent Share: Net Income (loss) $ (0.06) $ (0.12) $ (0.07) $ (0.15) Weighted Average number of shares used in computation (B) 58,511 57,137 57,865 57,137 (A) Includes settlement of litigation. (B) Reflects the sale of 1,500,000 shares of common stock to Time Warner Inc. on April 19, 1994. -0- 8/1/94 /CONTACT: August J. Liguori of Atari, 408-745-2069 or 408-745-2173/ (ATC) CO: Atari Corp. ST: California IN: CPR SU: ERN ___________________________________________ > New Atari ST Guitar Program! STR InfoFile! - GEM Guitar Tool! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" From: Alan Richardson Date: Fri, 29 Jul 1994 09:07:45 GMT ********************************************* Announcing The Guitar Reference A Shareware GEM Guitar Tool for the Atari ST. ********************************************* At the moment the tool acts as a Scale Reference, and Tuning reference. The demo version of the tool is available from anonymous ftp at: micros.hensa.ac.uk in micros/atari/tos/o/o021/guitdemo.zip or www on http://mic2.hensa.ac.uk/ We will upload to other ftp sites in due course, but if you find out that your favourite site doesn't have it then feel free to upload the demo version. Details of the full version of the prog follow later, the demo version has all the features of the full version but is unable to save and load scales or tunings, or print. ************ Demo version ************ 5 scales in memory 1 standard E tuning in memory new scales and tunings can be created and manipulated but not saved ************ Full Version ************ =============== Scale Reference =============== Features: --------- 57 scales in the database new scales can be added scales can be edited scales can be displayed on screen at a variety of zoom levels scales can be displayed as text (showing each note name) or graphics scales can be automatically transposed into the following keys: A,A#,B,C,C#,D,D#,E,F,F#,G,G# scales can be printed out to hardcopy scales are displayed using the current tuning automatically root notes can be highlighted relative scales can be superimposed on the display ================ Tuning Reference ================ Features: --------- 46 tunings in the database tuning can be done through the soundchip or via midi new tunings can be added tuning is easily done with a mouse click ============ Registration ============ Registration details are given in the archive and costs 5 pounds. If you are a guitarist then I hope you will download it, try it, and hopefully enjoy it. Thanks, Alan -- Alan Richardson, Centre for Parallel Computing, University of Westminster 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1M 8JS Tel: 071 911 5000 Ext: 3586 Janet: richara@uk.ac.wmin Internet: richara@wmin.ac.uk __________________________________________ > Processor Direct Ad Info! STR InfoFile! - PD Cuts Back To Move Ahead! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" PROCESSOR DIRECT Advertiser Information Released July 28, 1994 For Immediate Release Processor Direct's second issue is on the way. Unfortunately, we have had to do some minor cut backs in the way of printing to make the numbers more realistic. Instead of printing at a larger "tabloid" type size, we are now printing at the more standard 8.5"x11". To make this up to our readers we are also including color pages inside the magazine and are printing the entire magazine on gloss paper. To those who sent in ads prior to this change, do not worry, your applications will still be honored at the sizes and prices listed in the June 8, 1994 (revision D) Media Package, and as a side effect you are now getting more ad space for less money. Hopefully this will make up for any potential inconvenience. Ad Rates: Price (Display) in inches Ad Type B/W Color Width Height -------------- -------- --------- ------- -------- Quarter Page $86.44 $138.30 3.65" 4.78" Half Page $158.47 $253.55 7.50" 4.78" Full Page $288.13 $461.00 8.10" 10.60" Inside Cover $320 n/a 8.10" 10.60" Double Page $500 n/a 16.60" 10.60" Color space is very limited and is sold on a first come, first serve basis. Ads mailed prior to July 25, 1994 will be honored at the sizes and rates noted in the June 8, 1994 Media Package (revision D) with the exception of full page ads which will be handled with the applicants individually. Applicants wishing to change their ad type will be credited the amount paid for the first ads towards the new space. Repeat discounts: Ads placed in multiple issues (not necessarily having the same content) at once have discounted rates. Please contact us for more information. First issue advertisers: If you placed an advertisement of any size in the first issue take 15% off the prices listed above. It is our thanks to you! Advertising Deadline: Physical Deadline: August 12, 1994 -- All materials and payment must be in our hands by this date. Please notify us prior to August 8, 1994 of your intent to place an ad via US or electronic mail. If you wish to place a color ad, contact us by voice to check to see if space is available. Status of Advertising: The appearance of Processor Direct's second issue is entirely dependent upon the support of advertising at this point. The printers are ready, the editors are getting ready to complete the last of the editing, and all of the readers are ready for the magazine to appear at the newsstands and in their mail boxes. The response to the first issue was tremendous in the way of magazine sales, however as one can tell the advertising wasn't quite so strong. Of course, we greatly appreciate those that did advertise. Basically, if we don't get enough advertising we will not be able to produce an issue. Make the readers happy and tell them about your product at the same time -- advertise. I'm a reader, what can I do? Tell your favorite developer or dealer to advertise. If you liked an ad of theirs you saw in the first issue, tell them that too. The Third Issue and Phantom Second: The June/July slot has been missed due to reasons beyond our control. This, of course, does NOT count against the number of issues sent to subscribers. The "real" second issue is presently going to be marked Volume One, Issue Two, August/September 1994. The third issue's release has been slated for the proper slot for bimonthly publication (being the October/November 1994 slot). News Items: If you have a news item you wish to have included in Processor Direct, contact us. In some cases pictures of products or logos can be included in items, so if available please send them with the information. Contact us at: USMail: Two Worlds Publishing, Inc. 3837 Northdale Blvd. #225 Tampa, FL 33624 Electronic: GEnie: P-DIRECT Delphi: pdirect Internet: pdirect@delphi.com or p-direct@genie.geis.com ____________________________________ > CodeHead Technologies Update! STR NewsFile! - CodeHead Cuts Back Ops! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" From GEnie, via the UseNet: Codehead support From: xxxxxx Date: 30 Jul 1994 19:57:42 -0700 This message was found on GEnie. The first message was edited and some page formatting was performed. xxx Category 30, Topic 18 Message 3 Sat Jul 30, 1994 MUSE [Tomas] at 04:16 PDT ...[info on Digitape deleted]... Friends, it's time to tell you that CodeHead Technologies, as you have known it, is no more. The people behind it, Charles, John and (lately) Tomas, the quality and dedication that drove it, these things are here and alive, make no mistake. However, the company that maintained a staff (of one) and provided telephone support are gone. Gone. It is no longer possible. We are all making a living in other ways. For the last four months I've been all alone at the office of Codehead (The redecorated attic of John and Julie's beautiful home), napping mostly, and maintaining the illusion. Pretty damned depressed, too. John has been working at Fox Studios with his wife Julie, doing the behind the scenes work on the music that accompanies the TV shows and movies you love. Charles has been gigging with Al Jarr... how DO you spell that... Ja row...? Jaroux...? Who cares? My CD collection is way downstairs... Me? I've taken a job in the health care business. I push paper across my desk, and try to maintain a Windows machine. Brother, I'd rather be singing in a bar somewhere... How I hate the 90's. And so it goes... And that's the way it is... And so, as we began, good evening everyone. ===Tomas=== Category 30, Topic 18 Message 6 Sat Jul 30, 1994 MUSE [Tomas] at 10:23 PDT Scotty, We'll all be here, just as before. The office will probably be unmanned, that's all. CodeHead products and updates will still be available but will be handled differently. Don't get too excited folks. I said "CodeHead as you've known it". Things are changing, that's all. ===Tomas=== ------------ Category 30, Topic 18 Message 8 Sat Jul 30, 1994 J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead] at 12:31 PDT Tomas's description of our current state is correct, although his terminology may have been a bit misleading. As he mentioned, there are no longer any "office hours" or anyone answering the phones. We'll still attempt to provide support in whatever manner possible, though. It was with a heavy heart that we had to cut Tomas's hours to two days a week (in late May). As this resulted in a serious cut in pay, he was forced to find another job. I'm happy that he was able to do so without a long period of unemployment. The absence of anyone in the office has not affected sales, since there have been none to speak of anyway. When there are no new computer customers, there's no reason for anyone to buy any existing software. The existing Atari users already own what they need and it doesn't make good business sense for us to develop any new software for the small core of users that are left. Sorry about the topic drift. This discussion really belongs in the CodeHead area, although I've been avoiding it because of the emotions that it may release. John [Editor's note:] I was, as you probably are at the moment, surprised (but not shocked) to read the above exchange of messages. Like many of you, I don't know where I'd be today without my collection of CodeHead's fine programs. Every day, when I turn on my computer, I use programs such as G+-Plus, MaxiFile, HotWire, CodeKeys, HotSaver, Warp 9, and Calligrapher Gold. It's truly a sad state of affairs knowing that we may never see a new CodeHead product ever again - at least on an Atari computer. I wish the CodeHeads - John, Charles, and Tomas - the best of luck in their current and future ventures. Maybe some day... __________________________________________ > Industry News & Tidbits! """""""""""""""""""""""" -/- Computer Viruses a 'Life Form'? -/- British scholar Stephen Hawking, who has spent much of his time thinking about the origins of the universe, says we ought to consider computer viruses to be a "life form." In a speech yesterday at Boston's Macworld Expo computer show on the nature of life, the Cambridge University physicist said a computer virus fits the definition of a living system, even though it has no metabolism of its own. Instead it uses the metabolism of a host computer and is parasitic. "I think computer viruses should count as life," Hawking said. "I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image." The Reuter News Service reports Hawking also warned of a new phase of life in the future, something he called "self-designed evolution." Humans may in the future use genetic engineering, he said, to extend life by designing human beings who are healthier, smarter and will live longer lives, "but once we've written the book of life, we'll start pencilling in corrections." Covering the same speech for United Press International, James Loewenstein reported Hawking predicted that by altering human DNA, "People will discover how to modify intelligence and (tone down) aggressiveness." At first, he said, scientists will alter DNA to fight diseases such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, which result from changes to a single gene. Hawking said it will take longer for scientists to learn how to manipulate human intelligence, because it is probably controlled by multiple genes. He said laws probably will be passed to restrict genetic engineering, but that some scientists will not be able to resist expanding the size of human memory or insuring resistance to disease. As a result, he says, a race of superhumans could cause "a major political problem" for normal humans, and set off a rivalry between the two groups. Eventually, he predicted, there will be "a race of self-designing human beings," who will continue to use genetic engineering to improve their makeup. UPI reports Hawking also said he expects some sort of space travel to nearby stars will take place within the next 200 years. Hawking was at the show to demonstrate a CD-ROM containing his 1983 hit book "A Brief History of Time." Says Reuters, "Using an interactive compact disk he was able to display on large screens a simulated conversation between Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein on the theory of relativity." -/- Allen Sells Half His AOL Stock -/- Billionaire Paul Allen, famed as co-founder of Microsoft Corp., has sold half of his shares in America Online, reducing his stake in the Vienna, Va., online service from 18 percent to 9.7 percent with the sale of 733,000 shares. "It was a good time to realize some of the profits he's made from the investment," spokeswoman Susan Pierson of Vulcan Ventures, Allen's Seattle, Wash., investment company, told The Associated Press. Allen, who began buying AOL shares when the company went public in May 1993, is said to have made a profit of about $27.9 million on the sale. At one point, he owned almost a fourth of the company, but the firm adopted a "poison pill" strategy to prevent a takeover. The 41-year-old Allen left Microsoft in 1983 after developing cancer, but remains part-owner and director. He now also is majority owner of Asymetrix Corp., Starwave Corp., Ticketmaster Corp., Interval Research and the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team. -/- Sierra May Sell Network Interest -/- Sierra On-Line Inc. is discussing the possibility of selling all its shares in the ImagiNation Network to AT&T Corp. Reporting from Bellevue, Washington, the Reuter News Service quotes officials with the games publisher as saying the talks include a possible multiyear publishing deal in which Sierra would provide entertainment and educational content to the network. The ImagiNation Network is an interactive online computer network owned by Sierra On-Line, AT&T and General Atlantic Partners. _______________________________________ JAGUAR SECTION ============== Wolf 3D, Brutal Sports Football, Atari's New PR Firm, Photo Contest, and much much more! > From the Editor's Controller "Playin' it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" As above, this has been a bad week to write editorials. However, I will give you some ideas that will appear in next week's issue. First on my mind is Wolf 3D. It's out and it can be found! We'll be reviewing this latest game next week. The big news in video gaming these past few weeks has been the new proposed ratings systems. Personally, I believe that this is a complete waste of time and foolish political correctness. When will it all end; or how far will it really go? Stay tuned - this is a hot one! Brutal Sports Football should be released sometime before our nest issue if all goes as planned. Look ahead to this one folks!! Also, if you haven't read it by now, check out our announcement for our "Promote the Jaguar" Photo Contest!! Win valuable prizes with a little imagination - all it will take is a winning photograph!! We've got a lot of news this week, so let's get to the gaming info! Until next time... __________________________________________ > Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Atari/Edelman Press Release Date: 7/27/94 Contact: Marivi Lerdo/Laura Paden Edelman Public Relations 415/433-5381 For Immediate Release --------------------- ATARI SELECTS EDELMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS TO MARKET LEADING EDGE VIDEO GAME SYSTEM SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 28, 1994) -- Atari Corporation, the company that created the video game industry, has hired Edelman Public Relations Worldwide to help market the Jaguar, its 64-bit interactive multimedia game system. Edelman Public Relations was selected because of its strong heritage in general consumer marketing and its savvy in marketing technology products to consumers. "To succeed in the video game business you need great hardware, great software and great marketing," explained Sam Tramiel, president and chief executive officer of Atari Corporation. "Experts agree we have the best hardware. We also have 150 developers, publishers and licensees creating great games for the system," he added. "Now we have an award-winning international public relations team on board to make this the year of the Jaguar." Edelman Public Relations, the sixth largest public relations firm in the world, has 27 offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Asia Pacific. The firm, which was named Agency of the Year by Inside PR Magazine, provides public relations services in a full range of specialty areas, including consumer product marketing, technology, health care, business and industrial, travel and tourism, public affairs, corporate and investor relations, the environment and event marketing. Edelman's clients include Del Monte, The Ford Motor Company, Toys 'R Us, Visa and others. The Atari account will be handled by consumer technology specialists in the firm's Mountain View and San Francisco offices in California. "We are pleased to be working for the company that created the video game industry and pioneered the use of 64-bit technology," said Richard Edelman, president and chief operating officer of Edelman Worldwide. The Atari Jaguar is the world's first 64-bit interactive multimedia home entertainment system and is the only video game system manufactured in the United States. Atari Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, California, designs and markets 64-bit multimedia entertainment systems and video games. GREAT LYNX ACCESSORIES by NAKI Here are some great Lynx accessories for all Lynx game players. Consider these items to extend the lifespan of your Lynx or to enhance your game play experience. ITEM DESCRIPTION PRICE =========================================================== 55616 Cleaning Kit for system and cartridges $ 7.99 55554 Replacement Cartridge Cleaning swabs (10pk) $ 6.99 55553 Replacement Cleaning Solution $ 3.99 55627 Rechargeable Power Pak with 6-Hour Battery includes adaptor AND charger! (attaches to back of Lynx) $ 39.99 55583 Pro Pouch Carry Case $ 14.99 55574 12volt Car Adaptor $ 14.99 * all prices subject to change or correction For ordering information, call NAKI International toll free at 800/824-6254. Dealer inquiries welcome. Tell them Atari sent you. SEATTLE SCIENCE CENTER TESTS HOW VISITORS HANDLE 64 BITS! ----------------------------------------------------------- For those of you who live in the Seattle area, you may wish to stop by the Pacific Science Center anytime between now and Sunday, August 21st. The 7th Annual "CBS This Morning"/ KIRO-TV Toy and Video Game Test. The event highlights the hottest stuff that will be promoted during the holiday shopping season... Yes that includes the only 64-bit gaming system available anywhere... the Atari Jaguar. If you have that thirst for new Jaguar software (who doesn't?), you will want to see for yourself how much work is being put into upcoming games. Stop by the Science Center during normal visitor hours and check out the Video Game Test. By special arrangement, Atari has provided a few E-proms for this test and we would love to have you provide CBS and KIRO feedback on what you see. Stop by once each week and see a new assortment of games with each visit. During the first week, see Alien vs. Predator, Checkered Flag and Brutal Sports Football. The second week features Iron Soldier, Bubsy, Ultra Vortex and Club Drive. Return the third week to see Zool 2, Ruiner, Rayman, Double Dragon V and Kasumi Ninja. By the way, Iron Soldier and Rayman were surprise hits at the recent Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. The Pacific Science Center is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon and the 7th annual Toy Test is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. If you are already a Jaguar owner, check it out to show your support and play the new games (most of them are almost complete too!). If you are not yet a Jaguar owner, here's your chance to see why you will be soon. _________________________________________ > Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Contact: Diane Carlini Ron Beltramo Edelman Public Relations Atari Corporation (415) 968-4033 (408) 745-8852 For Immediate Release JAGUAR VERSION OF WOLFENSTEIN 3D RESTORES ORIGINAL PLOT, UNLEASHES THE POWER OF 64-BIT TECHNOLOGY The 64-bit technology of the U.S.-made Jaguar flexes its muscle once again SUNNYVALE, Calif. (August 1, 1994) -- Wolfenstein 3D, a contemporary cult favorite on the PC platform, now is available on the industry's most advanced video game system, the award-winning Atari Jaguar. "Fans of Wolfenstein 3D were disappointed with the Super Nintendo version of the game," explained Jay Wilbur of ID Software, the company that created Wolfenstein 3D. "In both the original Wolfenstein 3D and the 64-bit Jaguar version, the player assumes the role of William J. 'B.J.' Blazkowicz as he blasts away the Nazi enemy," he added. "But Nintendo insisted on watering down the game and turned it into a generic shoot 'em up romp against generic bad guys." "Wolfenstein 3D continues to be a favorite of PC owners," stressed Atari Corporation President Sam Tramiel. "We wanted to be faithful to the original plot while exploiting the Jaguar's 64-bit technology to take the game to a higher level." With the Jaguar system's cutting-edge graphics and resolution, game players experience "you are there" perspectives. They have unlimited character movement in a virtual war zone and can call upon a complete arsenal of weapons, including flamethrowers, machine guns and rocket launchers. Players can conduct six missions with 30 levels of bullet-riddled mayhem -- a guaranteed challenge for even the most seasoned player. "The smooth and fast graphics of Wolfenstein 3D for the Jaguar system are the best I've seen," said Zach Meston, author of the upcoming book, Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets, and a contributing editor to Video Games Magazine and Wired. "Unlike versions for other systems, Jaguar's Wolfenstein 3D has realistic bullets, realistic blood, digitized sound and real 3D action." Wolfenstein 3D retails for $59.99 and is available at Electronic Boutique, Babbages and other electronics and toy stores nationwide. Since its release, the Atari Jaguar 64-bit game system has been named the industry's "Best New Game System" (VideoGames Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement of the Year" (DieHard GameFan). The Jaguar is the only video game system manufactured in the United States. More than 150 developers are currently preparing titles for the Atari Jaguar. Wolfenstein 3D is one of approximately 30-50 games scheduled to be released in time for the holiday buying season. Some of the Jaguar titles expected before year's end include Alien Vs. Predator, Doom, Kasumi Ninja, Iron Soldier, and Troy Aikman Football. Atari Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., designs and markets 64-bit interactive multimedia entertainment systems and video games. ============================================================ BRUTAL SPORTS FOOTBALL - ARCADE ACTION If you like action, but reckon that chainsaw massacres are for grannies' tea parties, then you'll have to play Brutal Sports Football. Play "league", "knockout" or "unfriendly tournaments", but play to stay alive! This is football with a whole new set of rules... THERE ARE NO RULES! Choose 1 or 2 players, 11 different teams, head to head or all out combat. Any way you play, count on masses of pick ups, laughs and blood-red blood. This is an all action, bone crunching, foot stomping, no holds barred game of mutant football where heads literally roll and "injury time" means just what it says. Brutal Sports Football is proudly presented by Telegames as the world's first third-party game available for the Atari Jaguar. [1 or 2 players] $69.95 U.S. (Telegames/JA100) _____________________________________________ > Jaguar Easter Eggs/Cheats/Hints STR InfoFile The Inside Track! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" [Editor's note:] Look for a "tip of the week" to help you in your quest to successfully complete your favorite Jaguar game. We'll try to provide you with helpful hints and an occasional "cheat" to make it by those trouble spots! We'll begin this regular series with next week's issue. > Jaguar Online STR InfoFile - Online Users Growl & Purr! """""""""""""""""""""""""" /-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/ * * J The STReport "Promote the Jaguar" Photo Contest J A Win a Jaguar tee-shirt _and_ A G An Official In-Store Atari Jaguar Banner!!! G * * J ____ ____ ___ ____ ___ __ / J A / / / / ` / / / / / / / ` / A G / /---/ / __ /___/ / / / /__ / / G * \ / / / / / / \\\ / / / / / / * J \/ / / /___/ / \\\ /___/ /___ /___ \__/ * J A \\\ A G \\\ G * * /-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/-STR-/- What would you do to promote the Jaguar? Do you have an idea that could be expressed on film? STReport wants to see it. And, we're ready to reward the person (or group) with the best idea, in picture format. That's right, just send us a photograph of how you would promote the Jaguar! You'll also need to send us your name and address, of course. 1st Prize will be an official Atari Jaguar tee-shirt AND an official in-store promotional Jaguar banner! 2nd prize will be a Jaguar tee-shirt (identical to the one above). 3rd prize will be a "JAG RULES!" rubber stamp which is normally available exclusively from Artisan Software! Photographs will be judged and prizes will be awarded by the Atari/Jaguar editor of STReport, Dana Jacobson. All photographs must be received by September 20, 1994. The winners will be announced in STReport online magazine, in the issue scheduled to be released on Friday, September 23, 1994. To be eligible, please submit a clear photograph (color preferred) of your idea. Also include your name and address with the photo! All photographs submitted will become the property of STReport; they will not be returned to you. Contest is valid in the United States and Canada only. Employees of Atari Corporation and staff members of STReport or Amiga Report are not eligible to win. This contest is void where prohibited by law. Send your photograph, your name and address to: Jaguar Photo Contest STReport International Online Magazine 1121 Saratoga Street East Boston, MA 02128-1225 USA Again, 1st prize includes a Jaguar tee-shirt and a Jaguar banner! The tee-shirt is 100% cotton. It's a black crew-neck shirt with the Atari Jaguar name on the chest. On the back is the famous Jaguar logo. The banner is the same as you've seen at your favorite Jaguar dealer. What? You haven't seen one? Well, it measures 4 feet wide and 2 feet tall! The Jaguar logo consists of those piercing yellow Jaguar eyes above the dark red Jaguar, claw marks and all! These banners are collector's items which are almost impossible to get anywhere! Rumor has it that this one may have been discovered in a rare cache somewhere in the bowels of Sunnyvale. And it can be all yours! Show it off proudly on the wall of your room or fly it out your window! All of your friends will want one, but only you will have one. It's awesome! JAG RULES! The 2nd prize consists of the Jaguar tee-shirt, as described above. The 3rd prize is the official "JAG RULES!" rubber stamp! Use a bright red ink pad (not included) for a vivid 2.25" by 1.5" image of JAG RULES in the impact of the Jaguar logo type style. Use it as an economical way to advertise your enthusiasm of the Atari Jaguar. Stamp your letters and your envelopes. Stamp your arm as a tattoo. Stamp your money. Stamp school notebooks and post-its. Writing a letter to your favorite software company? Stamp it! Sending a birthday card to your best friend? Stamp it! Dropping a postcard to your brother at school? Stamp it! Let everyone know you're a Jaguar gamer. After all, in the empire of high technology entertainment systems, JAG RULES! For an example of the JAG RULES logo, call the CATscan BBS. Dial 209/239-1552. Download file: JAGRULES.ZIP. File is ZIP'd and requires PKUNZIP to decompress. Or, call your favorite online service to find it! Need a tip to help you start thinking of some ideas? Drop us a line in E-Mail to either DPJ on Delphi, 71051,3327 on Compuserve, D.JACOBSON2 on GEnie, or Internet mail at dpj@delphi.com. Or, call us at Toad Hall BBS at (617)567-8642 and leave a private message to Dana Jacobson. Are you still here? Grab that camera and start taking some pictures! One of them may just be the winner! Credits: STReport and its staff would like to thank Atari Corporation for its generous donation of the banner and tee-shirts. __________________________________________________ > 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 week has come and gone and, as the summer drags on, the heat and humidity don't seem so bad anymore. What does seem as bad is the state of the Atari developer. In the past few months, several prominent developers have had to either discontinue or scale back support for Atari computers... and, when you get right down to it, who can really blame them? Atari itself has orphaned the ST/TT/Falcon computers. While you will never hear Atari say that outrightly, they have discontinued the computers. The lack of support will accomplish exactly what an announcement to that effect would have done. Atari has, as they have often said, redirected all of their attention and resources to the Jaguar, their hot new game machine. One thing can be said for certain: If they have done a good job at nothing else, they have at least done a good job of concentrating on the Jaguar... just search through this column for a post by Marty Hall and you'll see what I mean. Well, I guess that there's no use crying over spilled bytes... let's get on with the hints and tips available every week right here on CompuServe. From the Atari Computing Forum ============================== Marty Hall posts this piece of bad news: "I called Atari today for some info on my problem with CD-ROMS, Emulators, etc., and it took me Five ( 5 ), Wan, too, tree, foea, FIFE! people before I got anyone that even knew what an ST was!!!! This guy, reluctantly, spoke with me about what I was trying to do and had some suggestions ( Go to your local dealer --- buy an IBM --- Yes--- " BUY AN IBM. "!!! ) Other comment left me with absolutly NO DOUBT that the ST, Falcon, TT or what ever else you have sucks hind tit when stack up against the Jaguar. Hell. we're the ninth pup or odd man out..... There's just no place for us to get nourisment and don't bother calling home cause your room has been given to your kid sister! Ya know, I'm not a hacker and have no desire to be, but I started with these Atari's with my first Atari 400 and have worked my way up. I like'um. I like the way they do things. I DON'T like Windoze and I have NO desire to learn commands but til today I have successfully resisted the urge to buy IBM and/or clone. After todays call, it's gonna be hard to do........ Yes, it was an eye opener................" Kevin at PG Music asks Marty: "Hmm... and you were actually *surprised*???" Marty tells Kevin: "No, not really. I KNEW but just never had it shoved in my face before. Really, stop and think about it - FIVE people before I got one that knew what an ST was!!!!! Nah, I knew. I didn't want to. But I knew." Dieter Messy posts: "I don't have an ATARI computer and I only know few things about it. BUT! My brother recently has bought a second-hand ATARI 1040 STF with a monochrome monitor SM 124. For reasons that I don't understand he didn't get a users manual with the machine. So he always asks me about "how computers work", because I am a PC user since 1988. That's why I have to put foreward some questions here in this forum hoping to find some real ATARI specialists, who can help me (my brother): 1. The operating system TOS (I think that stands for TAMIEL OPERATING SYSTEM, doesn't it?) seems to be at a very old level (the machine is from 1985!!!). I heard that one can upgrade the OS via a ROM-chip. What would be the recommended OS-level to upgrade to and can that be done easily (plug-in or solder)? 2. The monitor has very big black "margins" (ca 3 cm) around it's visible area of display (forgive a german trying to write english!), that means: I think that the active display size is very small compared to the actual tube size of the monitor. Is that normal or is there any way to adjust the width and the hight of the display area? I couldn't find any knobs at the monitor. 3. Is there any good book to buy for someone who has a computer like that, which explains basic handling and perhaps some hints from experienced users?" Dazzz Smith tells Dieter: "1) Yes if its an early machine, a new TOS would be useful, the latest one you can get is TOS 2.06, it would be a soldering job though. 2) Yes that is normal, although you can tweak the pots inside the monitor, the best thing for increased resolution is the Overscan mod (More soldering!)" 3) There are several user written guides, but i'm not sure how easy they would be to get hold of nowadays, there are a LOT of Atari users in Germany, you might be better off looking for a German BBS to get specific help in your country." On the subject of using DOS-formatted high density disks on a Falcon030, Sysop Bob Retelle posts: "The disk format between IBM and Atari is exactly the same except for the very early TOS version formatted disks (and that was pretty close anyway). I also wouldn't worry about the serial number.. MS-DOS randomizes the numbers based on an 8 digit hex number, which gives an awful lot of different numbers. The chances of getting two exactly alike in a row are very remote. You should be able to use those IBM pre-formatted disks with no problems at all. As for the number of bytes reported, I'm not sure how it's coming up with that total. High Density disks are also known as "2 Meg" disks, because that's their unformatted capacity. Once they've been formatted, and all the "overhead" bytes have been written, their capacity is closer to the more common "1.44 Megs". Did you check the disks before using them to see what a blank disk was reported as having..? The only reason I can think of for your wanting to re-format any disks on the Falcon is to assure complete compatibility with your own particular floppy drive. And that would only be a concern if your drive was out of alignment enough that it had trouble with disks formatted on other drives. (I usually don't bother with the expense of pre-formatted disks, since I can format them under OS/2 at the same time I'm doing something else, like being online here... I just leave the formatter "bar-graph" in the corner of the screen so I can keep an eye on how the format is progressing, then switch back and pop the next blank in...)" Rob Rasmussen asks Bob: "You mentioned being able to format disks with OS/2 while doing something else on the computer. This is something I would love to do with Geneva. However, since Maxifile doesn't seem to format HD disks I have to use the desktop formatter (I don't have any others), and with Geneva I can't use the normal desktop. Once I get Neodesk 4 maybe I can do this." Bob tells Rob: "This is all pretty hazy, since it's been a loooong time.. but there was a "background formatter" for the ST that would format disks while you did something else.. I *think* the reason I didn't use it was that it took too much memory back when all I had was 512K.. and by the time I upgraded the memory in my ST I'd gotten a hard drive and didn't need to worry about floppies as much. It was an ACC, as I recall.. although the name of the program is completely gone from my memory.. (I've really come to love true multi-tasking... right now all OS/2 is doing is re-compressing some GIF files in a different DOS session while I type this in another one, but it's saving me a lot of time.. I'd otherwise have to find something else to do while the computer was tied up with the pictures...)" Jon Sanford jumps in and "heckles" Bob: "Other than reading Doc. instructions on one computer and running the program on the other.. I can't imagine my singletasking brain dealing with multitasking. I have a hard enough time attending to one thing at a time." Bob gives Jon a... "a good example of how multi-tasking can be really helpful.. I'm working on a book (with Jim Ness..!) that will be a "CompuServe directory", and right now I have one window open for QMPro (telecom program), and another for MicroSoft Works for a database of all the Forums and the services they offer... They're both running at the same time, and I can switch between them with a single mouse click to enter new data as it scrolls up the other window.. saves having to write it all down and enter it later after logging off. Also, I can switch to the database and finish updating one entry while CompuServe is moving me to the next Forum, instead of watching the screen and waiting for the next prompt. I can download a new list of all the Forums while saving the database, or browsing back through it looking for spelling errors... All that could be done one thing at a time, but it really helps to be able to double-up and save time... It all works very naturally... without the multi-tasking, I'd just be online here with a notepad by the side of the keyboard.. when I saw something I wanted to keep, I'd write it down manually on the notepad, and later enter it into the database... With the multitasking, I can just type the info directly into the database while the terminal program is still logged into CIS... Most of what I do with the multi-tasking is stuff you wouldn't want to spend a lot of time thinking about anyway... stuff like formatting disks, or compressing graphics files... you just start the program and then switch into something a lot more interesting while the computer slave does the boring work..." Jon tells Bob: "I guess I am in "if it ain't broken don't fix it" mode . in relation to multitasking. I've worked with the AtariSTe Mega16 and its set of software long enough so that it all works very smoothly. OTOH the Mac Power Book which Ive had almost a year is still giving me fits. I could run both machines at the sametime.. theoryitecly getting more done faster. but except for reading docs on one and running the prg on the other, I never do. I am learning how to let work stack up. so that the stuff that i don't get to gets forgotton & i can keep adding more to the stack. The key here is. 'the best of intentions'." Jody Golick posts: "I know this may not be the best location for this question but this forum has been "home" for so long and I think Atarians (or ex-Atarians) will understand me better than PC'ers (DOSers? Winders?). And I am hoping there is someone who has gone through the same experience as me... I have recently been forced to switch my non-musical computing from my trusty (not rusty) ST to a PC notebook. Lucky me. :( But I find the Windows utilities so lame compared with what I have come to take for granted in Atariland. Specifically, I am looking for a more comprehensive replacement for the File Manager - something up to the high standards of MaxiFile - and a really good text editor - I use Edhak on the ST. (When I have asked these questions to PC people they look at me blankly.) Suggestions?" Mike Mortilla tells Jody jokingly: "Go back to Atari." Sysop Ron Luks tells Jody: "Norton Desktop is a superb replacement for File Manager. I just had to gedt a PC myself and its the only thing that makes life livable. Ron (still typing this on my trusty Atari)" Ron Bielman asks about the D.E.K.A. keyboard adaptor: "Hey, Atari users! I am having a problem that I hope someone can help with. I recently purchased a D.E.K.A. Keyboard Interface, and though it works pretty well, and the IBM (yuk) keyboard IS nicer than the Atari unit (Mega ST2). The problem is that from time to time, with (seemingly) no reason, the keyboard spits out numbers to the screen...8's, 6's, etc.. the short term fix is to stab the ESCape key. This stops the chars from cluttering up the screen, for a while anyway. I have tried setting up the DEKA for various configs, changing the jumpers around, and tried setting up the keyboard for AT and XT emulation, but it won't work at all under AT emulation. Anyone out there with a DEKA that has had similar problems, and fixed it? I would really like to hear back from you!" Brian Gockley of ST Informer tells Ron: "Wizztronics has bought the technology for the DEKA, call them in NY for more information." John Damiano of Transierra tells Ron: "I have one and it would randomly simulate mouse clicks. There is/was a fix for it. I think I had to add some capacitors to it. I'll look in my files and try to find any notes I might have made. Mine works great now. I have had it a couple of years. I use a Northgate keyboard with my 4 Meg ST (not a Mega ST) at work." George Randolph posts: "If anybody has the answer to the following questions, please let me know. Thanks in advance. 1) How can I Upgrade from an ATARI STe with NOTATOR and UNITOR to a FALCON machine running NOTATOR LOGIC? 2) Is the LOG3 (Hardware) a must, in order to run with NOTATOR LOGIC, or can I use my old UNITOR? I need SMPTE IN/OUT. 3) Is there any good proffesional DIGITAL recording program that runs on the FALCON, together with NOTATOR LOGIC? 4) How can I upgrade my NOTATOR LS 3.1 to a NOTATOR LS 3.2? 5) If there is any technical information on the FALCON, please send it to me." Good old Brian Gockley tells George: "Contct the company and find out about there latest deal: E-Magic P.O. Box 771 Nevada City, CA 95959 1-916-477-1051 They are offering FREE upgrades!!!" Neil Newman tells George: "Notator Logic has now been upgraded to V2 which includes direct to disk digital recording, the program is now called Logic Audio and is available for the Falcon - although I'm still exploring its many capabilities like sync-ing a vocal track to a midi sequence, I'm very impressed with it. Although it can be run on a 4 meg with internal hard drive, to do any real heavy duty work like an album, and also to work in 8 tracks of audio you need a falcon with 14megs and a big hard drive like 1 to 2 gigabyte which is expensive. The hard disk must have an access speed of 12ms and data through port of 1.2meg per sec, formatted using gemdos and then HD driver should be ADHI 3 compatible. You need the log 3 key which is you get when you return your old dongle when upgrading - you don't mention what country your in, if your in Australia contact Riven at Electric Factory in Victoria 03 4805988 SMC in NSW 047 516196 or Paragon Computers in Perth WA 09 2213216. If overseas check out your nearest music shop. I'm not experienced with unitor but its fits into the Log 3 key but I think you have to have a modification done to it or somthing like that. To allow up to 8 track input you need "Soundpool" which is a digital interface which hooks up to the Falcons DSP port, I don't know how to get it as yet." Well, I guess that it's time to reminisce a bit. Kris Gasteiger posts: "...Speaking of early computers... My first computer was this plastic thing from Edmund Scientific, mechanical, programmed by slipping plastic sleeves onto sliders. I think it had a four bit bus, and four bits of output. I learned about binary from it... To run a program, you had to cycle this lever back and forth. Talk about stepping through a program!" Sysop Bob Retelle tells Kris: "I think I actually remember seeing that mechanical computer in the Edmund catalogs..! It was one of those things I always wanted, but never could quite afford... it looked interesting to play with though.. I also always wanted a "Brainiac" computer... that pre-dates the one in the Edmund catalog by quite a few years.. it consisted of a board with several round disks on it... you'd "program" it by adding or removing bare jumper wires to certain areas of the disks.. then when the disks were turned, they'd make contact with the board they were mounted on in the proper sequence.. Talk about crude... but fascinating..!" Kris tells Bob: "I got that plastic thing as a christmas present, and had a blast with it for a couple of weeks... I wonder if it ended up in the attic at my folks place... I bet it would be quite the collectors piece these days! Brainiac? Sounds like a Superman super villian! Were the jumpers electrical, or mechanical in nature? I vaguely remember an analog computer with dials to program it, but I doubt it was the Brainiac." Bob tells Kris: "The "Brainiac" computer was electrical... essentially just an embellishment on the very simple kind of toy where you would have a row of paper fasteners down both sides of a sheet of cardboard, with hidden wires joining pairs of the fasteners.. Then you'd have a series of questions (for example) down the left side, with a row of answers down the right side, with the object of matching the right answer with each question. You'd have a battery and light (or buzzer) connected to wires out the front that the "operator" would touch to the question and their choice of answers, and if correct, the light or buzzer would signal their success... The Brainiac was similar... the round discs were calibrated with numbers along the outer circumference so they could be turned and aligned with pointers on the "substrate" of pegboard. The pegboard had metal contacts which could be "programmed" for each "application" by moving them to different holes beneath the disks, then the disks had metal jumpers (like unfolded paperclips) that went between holes on the disks depending on the "application"... Then when you turned the disks and lined up the numbers on their outer edges with the pointers on the pegboard, a complete circuit would be made through the metal contacts and wires to light up the "answer"... You'd be hard pressed to call it a "digital" computer, but it wasn't analog either.. Like I said, crude.. but fascinating..! (I think I actually may have the original advertising flyer for the Brainiac around somewhere, with a picture of it... I never throw anything away, and my fascination with computers can probably be traced right back to that flyer... :)" Well folks, it's that time again... time to say goodbye for another week. C'mon back next week, same time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "Just Lookin' Around..." """"""""""""""""" "IF YOU HAVE TRIED TO DO SOMETHING AND FAILED, YOU ARE VASTLY BETTER OFF THAN IF.... ...YOU HAD TRIED TO DO NOTHING AND SUCCEEDED." """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings * """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" --------------- ABCO Incorporated ================= P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 Est. 1985 1-904-783-3319 1994 SUMMER SPECIALS NOW IN EFFECT! EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!! --------------------- ABCO manufactures custom storage devices! INTEL 32 BIT 486/66, VLB w/Math CoProcessor 8MB ram upgradable to 64MB 1MB SVGA VESA VIDEO CARD Sound Blaster Compatible Stereo Sound Card DOS 6.2 - Windows for Workgroups 3.11 Included 256K CACHE - 1.44/1.2 FLOPPY Drives, Mouse & 101 deluxe Keyboard 340MB IDE hd - 2 SERIAL, 1 PARALLEL, 1 GAME PORTS 250W POWER SUPPLY TOWER SYSTEM - 14" SVGA 1024x768, NI 28dpi Monitor 66Mhz, S&H Incl 1495.00 - 695.00 with order, balance COD Other higher powered packages available or, design your own! 100Mhz - Pentium Call for value added pricing! Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail =====******===== Canon FAXPHONE50 Fully Programmable w/auto papercutter Full 1 yr Warranty - 150.00 Syquest Removable 44-105-270mb SCSI Drives(Priced Right!) All Size Platters Available One Platter included with each Drive free! Bernoulli! Call for Prices! Diamond Speed Star 24x/Pro SVGA/VGA Video Card w/1-2mbVRAM Diamond Stealth/Pro & Viper ISA/VLB 1-2mb - Call for Prices Greatly Enhances Windows SPEED and EFFICIENCY Diamond High Performance Sound Cards Available Soundblaster Cards and compatibles 8 & 16 bit Creative Technologies' Sound Blaster 16 SCSI & Sound Blaster AWE 32 SUPER Sound Card Pro Audio Spectrum STUDIO 16 - 16bit - Midi - Audio Recognition Top of the Media Vision PAS Line - True Multi-Media IDE Super IO cards & 16550 UART 2 & 4 Port Cards SCSI ADAPTER CARDS & SCANNERS COLOR & MonoChrome Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" COMPUTER STUDIO =============== WESTGATE SHOPPING CENTER 40 Westgate Parkway -Suite D Asheville, NC 28806 1-800-253-0201 Orders Only 1-704-251-0201 Information FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" EAST HARTFORD COMPUTER ====================== 202 Roberts St. East Hartford CT. 06108 1-203-528-4448 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MEGABYTE COMPUTERS ================== 907 Mebourne Hurst, TX 76053 1-817-589-2950 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SAN JOSE COMPUTER ================= 1278 Alma Court San Jose, CA. 95112 1-408-995-5080 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CompuSeller West ================ 220-1/2 W. Main St. St. Charles, IL., 60174 Ph. (708) 513-5220 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (DEALERS; to be listed here FREE of Charge, please drop us a line.) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport International Online Magazine -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- AVAILABLE ON OVER 20,001 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" August 05, 1994 Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-94 All Rights Reserved No.1032 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors/staff of STReport International Online Magazine. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein may not be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without prior written permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of STReport and STR Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible in any way for the use or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""