SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing Inc. August 26, 1994 No. 1035 ====================================================================== 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 2400-115.2 bps V.32-34 v.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 ______________________________________________________________________ > 08/26/94 STR 1035 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """"""""""""""""" - STR INDUSTRY REPORT - COMDEX FALL'94 - PORN Chokes UK CPU - Internet Pizza? - Dylan SUES Apple - WinComm Pro Headache? - IBM Cuts Prices! - USR Ships V.34 - Hayes NewsNotes - Corel 5.0 Update - JAGUAR NEWSWIRE - STR Confidential! -* NEC GOING IBM-COMPATIBLE? *- -* ONLINE STALKING BILL PROPOSED! *- -* ORACLE LAUNCHES QUICKSTART *- ====================================================================== 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!" """""""""""""""""""""" With Labor Day right around the corner, it hails the closeness of Fall Comdex. Comdex Fall'94 is being termed "The World's#1 Information Technology Event. Comdex Fall'94 takes place this year in Las Vegas Nov. 14-18 1994. Known as the "Comdex Convergence", is made up of Network Computing, Multimedia, OEM Sourcing, Office Systems, New Media, Enterprise Computing, Mobile Computing and Communications. These are the main themes for this year's show. Today's computer and communications technology is converging on one central platform.. the personal computer. Over two thousand exhibitors showing thousands upon thousands of new products coupled with over one hundred seventy thousand attendees with an additional twenty five thousand International delegates makes the Vegas Comdex show the number one "IT" Conference. As such, the new goodies, as indicated above, will flow and show like never before. What a year this has been so far and still promises to be better. EditPro was talked about slightly last week. By now it should be available on your favorite service and/or BBS for your download pleasure. This is _the editor_ to replace the enemic Windows Notebook. EditPro, is our choice and we highly recommend it to you. Look for it and give it a try. The review/overview of EditPro by Ian Meade will be in next week's issue. 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 Paul Guillot 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 STReport, with its policy of not accepting any paid advertising, has over the years developed the reputation of "saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue. The Staff & Editors """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS """"""""""""""""""" IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I) =========================== Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #35 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. ******* General Computer News ******* ** Rand McNally Ships Map Software ** Rand McNally says it has started shipping TripMaker, a trip planning CD-ROM program for families and individuals arranging car trips in North America. The Windows software covers more than 640,900 miles of road and 125,000 cities and towns. It also describes recreational activities and attractions and provides detailed itineraries and maps. A Trip Guide wizard takes users step-by-step through the trip planning process. The software cross-references itineraries to pages in the Rand McNally Road Atlas. TripMaker has a street price of about $49. ** America Online Surpasses the 1 Million Mark ** America Online (AOL), claiming to the be the fastest growing consumer on-line information service, says it has surpassed the 1 million subscriber level. The company reported 900,000 users a month ago, and 800,000 in May. Analysts say that AOL appears to be growing 28% per quarter. CompuServe is believed to be the largest consumer service with 2.4 million, followed by Prodigy with 2.2 million users. But Prodigy counts multiple users per paying account, and it's believed that Prodigy only has 1 to 1.3 million paying customers. AOL is in third place with its 1 million paying customers. Delphi, fourth on the 'Big Five' online consumer services list, declined to give its user figures. Surprisingly, Genie, fifth on the list, is estimated to have 100,000 users. ** NEC Considers Going IBM-Compatible ** NEC Corp. has announced it may introduce IBM-compatible computer servers in Japan, a dramatic move that reverses a long-standing company policy of only selling machines that use NEC's proprietary technology. NEC is the only remaining Japanese computer maker that exclusively sells computers based on a chip and software it created. The rest have shifted to machines that are compatible with the IBM architecture, Intel microprocessors and Microsoft operating systems. ** Random House Makes CD-ROM Deal ** Book publisher Random House Inc. has struck a deal with educational software maker Knowledge Adventure Inc. to create, produce and market multimedia CD-ROM titles. Random House says it now will distribute Knowledge Adventure's cur- rent software titles, including the 3-D Dinosaur Adventure, Undersea Adventure and 3-D Body Adventure to bookstores. The first co-published title, due in stores by November, will be the Random House Kid's Encyclopedia, a CD-ROM multimedia encyclopedia designed exclusively for children ages 7 to 12. ** Oracle Launches Quickstart ** Quickstart, a $400,000 hardware-software product designed to speed the transition of financial computer systems from mainframe to open computing networks in no more than 120 days, has been launched by Oracle Corp. and SHL Systemhouse Inc. Reports say that Quickstart is available in the U.S. immediately for user groups of 16, 32 or 38. The price includes hardware, software, installation, and on-site education, training and support. ** IBM Cuts Prices Up to 27% on PCs ** First Compaq Computer Corp lowered its prices 22% last week, then IBM, this week, reduced prices on selected models of its PS/2, Value- Point, ThinkPad and PC Server lines by up to 27%. IBM officials said all models of the high-performance Server 95 family -- designed specifically for complex enterprise networks -- are included. Some specifics: -:- A Server 95 566 running on an Intel Pentium 66MHz processor with 1 gigabyte hard drive and 16MB ECC (Error Correction Code) memory, was $9, 802 and now lists for $8,647. -:- A PS/2 77 running on an IntelDX2 66/33MHz processor and with 8MB RAM and 270MB IDE hard drive, which was $3,235, lists now for $2,860, IBM said. -:- The ValuePoint Performance Series now can be had through IBM PC Direct for $2,075 for a system running on an IntelDX2 66/33MHz processor and with 8MB RAM and 360MB hard drive. Previously, the system could be purchased through this channel for $2,455. -:- The ThinkPad 510Cs color subnotebook, powered by IBM's fast 486BL2 MHz processor, which was previously available through PC Direct for $2,399, can now be purchased for $1,799. ** Nikon, Fuji Make Digital Camera ** A single-lens reflex digital electronic still camera that stores images in a high-speed memory card has been developed by Nikon Corp. and Fuji Photo Film Co. Reports say the card allows operators to use a personal computer to store and process images taken by the new camera, which, a Fuji spokesman says, will cut the amount of effort and time required for developing film. Fuji and Nikon "have separately developed digital cameras but there wasn't a (single-lens reflex) type before," the spokesman said. "It was too costly for us to develop a new camera separately, so we decided to cooperate." The developers say they expect the new camera to be especially useful to press photographers, and people in the medical profession, the fashion industry and the publishing business. ** US Robotics Ships New Courier Modem ** U.S. Robotics Inc. is shipping its first V.34 product, the Courier "V.Everything" modem. Reports say Courier products with a V.34 support are available immediately and that additional desktop products supporting V.34 will be shipped throughout the fall. ** Dell Rolls Out New Desktop PCs ** A new line of desktop PCs for business, including some powered by Intel Corp.'s Pentium microprocessor for less than $2,800, is being rolled out today by Dell Computer Corp. Reports say the Dell OptiPlex line is "aimed at large corporate and government buyers who want PCs that can easily be added to a network," adding Dell says the systems will form the core of its offerings for the next year. Vice President Doug MacGregor of Dell's desktop systems said "The key is to figure out what technologies are going to be relevant over the next year so our customers can catch the wave early and have a period of stability." The new models are the first from Austin, Texas-based Dell that have so-called Plug and Play capability, in which the computer automatically identifies a new accessory and reconfigures itself. Dell has also put new chipsets in the OptiPlex models that allow them to power down to 20 MHz after they have been idle for a short while. That exceeds the 30 MHz target of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star conservation program. The computer maker also equipped the new models with an Enhanced IDE feature that improves the speed at which data moves through circuits outside the main chip. A Pentium-based model with 90 MHz of processing speed, a 210MB hard drive and 14-inch monitor will cost $2,749. Dell also will begin selling a range of new 486-based models. One using the lowest-powered 486 33 MHz chip will cost $1,349, including monitor. ** CD-ROM Sales Soar ** The Software Publishers Association this week released figures from its CD Software Sales Report, which tracks sales of software sold on CD- ROMs. For the first quarter of 1994, the total sales of 73 reporting com- panies were $135.8 million, a 366% increase from $29.1 million in the first quarter of 1993. Unit sales were 4.44 million, a 256% increase from 1.25 million in the prior year's quarter. CD-ROM software sales in the final quarter of 1993 were $102 million on about 4 million discs, and accounted for half of the sales the SPA tracked in its CD Sales Program for all of 1993. Sales in the first quarter of 1994 were $135.78 million on 4.44 million CDs. ** Online Stalking Bill Proposed ** A Maryland congressman has proposed federal legislation against online stalking and harassment. Democrat Kweisi Mfume has introduced the proposed "Electronic Anti Stalking Act," which Communications Daily this morning reports is intended "to prohibit use of modem, telephone or other electronic device 'to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.'" Mfume told the newsletter his bill (HR-5015) responds to "numerous reports of harassing and threatening messages" on computer networks, adding that along with the benefits of "the information superhighway ... come the dangers of abuse and misuse." ** Marvel Distributes Comic Online ** The first edition of the new "Generation X" comic book is being dis- tributed online this week by Marvel Comics. It is making its debut in a new CompuServe forum. The 40-page comic book is available for downloading in the new Comics Publishers Forum (GO COMICPUB). Gary Guzzo of Marvel said in a public note there that the publication's premiere issue is being distributed electronically because "we felt that this comic book is about members of a generation that is navigating the superhighway by the time they utter their first words. Therefore, it made sense to us to debut this book in their language." Also, he said, "many of you who stay in touch with us have told us of your affinity for computers. We thought this would be an entertaining way to acknowledge that interest." Reports say that because the comic will take a long time to download -- an hour or more with a 9600 bps or faster modem -- Marvel indicates it has no plans to regularly distribute its products online. Says Marvel President Terry Stewart, "This should be seen as a pro- motion to make the world aware of the launch of a new product." Still, he added, "For right now this is a promotion or a marketing extension, but there's no doubt you'll begin to see more comics online." Observers say, "Many fans of Marvel's 'X-Men' comic book are sop- histicated users of computers, Marvel's research has shown. 'Generation X' is a spinoff product, involving a new generation of mutant heroes." Reports are that Marvel also will make the new comic available on America Online, GEnie and Internet after this week's debut on CompuServe. ** Bob Dylan Sues Apple Computer ** Singer/composer Bob Dylan has sued Apple Computer Inc., alleging the firm is promoting new software packaged like a CD recording and called "Dylan." According to a report in the trade paper Daily Variety, the suit also alleges Apple misrepresented facts to the U.S. Patent & Trademark office in its efforts to register the name and mark of its new program. "It says Apple executives had previously assured Dylan's legal counsel that the company's use of his name was only as an in-house code name for the new software program". ** Porn Photos Overload U.K. Computer ** After a British student stored hundreds of hard-core pornographic pictures in a computer at a United Kingdom university, the machine overloaded and shut down for two days. Reports are that the unidentified engineering student transferred the images from the United States via a modem and telephone lines. He has been severely reprimanded. Robert Barnes, administrative secretary at the University of Wales, said, "The abundance and profusion of the graphic material he invited into the system simply took up too much space, and it overloaded." _______________________________________________ > Corel Draw Fix List STR FOCUS! Draw5.0 Maintenance Release """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 8/05/94 Major Issues Resolved in Draw5.0 Maintenance Release ---------------------------------------------------- Draw ---- D1- Paragraph text not displaying in wireframe mode with some video adapters.RESOLVED D2- Intermittent functionality rotating objects on systems without coprocessors. RESOLVED D3- Error reading files containing artistic text with Overprint Outline RESOLVED D4- Improved speed in opening files with artistic text D5- Improved welding of text - multipath characters like D were being filled in. D6- Bitmaps now display correctly in Print Preview. D7- Problem reopening a file with PowerClips containing text . RESOLVED D8- Large number of styles with paragraph text could cause errors.RESOLVED D9- Error Reading File - Adding bullets to imported paragraph text . RESOLVED D10- Error message when saving System Info on non-networked systems. RESOLVED D11- Error message when using the Windows HP Plotter driver. RESOLVED D12- Errors Importing some monochrome .TIF files RESOLVED D13- Problems reading some EPS Placeable files. RESOLVED D14- Improved header information on EPS export. D15- Printing bitmaps to printers with error-diffusion no longer prints lines on image D16- Bitmaps now print across several pages when tiling. Paint ----- P1- Problems opening .PCD files RESOLVED P2- Added EPS export with clipping paths Chart ----- C1- Scatter Charts now have Data Analysis available. C2- Added progress meter for import to Data Manager C3- Excel 5 filter added. Move ---- M1- Corrected volume, channel and skipping problems with sound engine M2- Added Constant option to Cel Sequencer in the Cel field M3- Added Preview for Import Actor from bitmap. Trace ----- T1- Edit Image function now calls PhotoPaint Mosaic ------ Mo1- Improved printing times for printing thumbnails Mo2- Header and file info now included in thumbnail printouts _______________________________________ > Hayes NEWS! STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""" HAYES ADDS RIPSCRIP GRAPHICS TO SMARTCOM FOR WINDOWS Announces Version 1.1 --------------------- ATLANTA, GA, 17 August 1994 -- Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. today announced Version 1.1 of Smartcom for Windows which now includes RIPscrip Graphics Emulation. Version 1.1 provides the same capabilities as Smartcom for Windows 1.0, Hayes full-featured asynchronous communications software package for Microsoft Windows users, but now features an enhanced Calling Directory, Automatic Data/Fax Discrimination, Windows Socket Support, and a Smartcom Tools Icon in addition to RIPscrip Graphics Emulation. Popular on many bulletin board systems, RIPscrip Graphics Emulation allows users to view screens using text and graphics. RIPscrip Graphics Emulation can be used with bulletin boards that support the emulation to display screens using text and graphics, including on-screen buttons you can click to send commands to remote systems. Smartcoms Calling Directory now provides fast access to the phone numbers and custom settings used to call various remote systems such as bulletin boards. A feature included in Version 1.0, Calling Directory now appears immediately when users log on to Smartcom. Calling Directory also includes pre-defined Settings Documents for use in contacting popular information services. "Users and reviewers have identified Smartcom for Windows as the communications product that fills the void for an easy-to-learn graphical user interface --the feature that made Microsoft Windows so successful," Hayes President Dennis C. Hayes said. "With Version 1.1, weve added features such as RIPscrip Graphics and enhanced features such as Calling Directory -- making the program the best choice for the beginner or the expert." Smartcom for Windows now provides automatic data/fax discrimination for users who receive data and fax calls through the same modem. Smartcom for Windows also supports connections via third-party network software developed according to the Windows Sockets Application Programming Interface. This provides network connections, such as TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, AppleTalk, DECnet, and XNS when used with third-party software that is Windows Sockets Compliant. In addition to the functions formerly available through the Smartcom Custom program, the Smartcom Tools icon now provides access to new Share and Compact utilities. Share allows users to share buttons sets, keyboard layouts, scripts, and general configuration between communications sessions and Compact enables users to save disk space by compressing communications documents. Smartcom for Windows and the Smartcom Communications Editor enable users to customize keyboard control of the communications program and Editor. For example, users can select a standard terminal keyboard for Smartcom for Windows and use different keyboard assignments to implement familiar editing actions when using the Smartcom Editor. Smartcom was designed for use with high-speed modems, ISDN, Hayes ESP Communications Accelerator, local area networking, and third- party TCP/IP internetworking. Smartcom for Windows is a global program that enables multi-national organizations to standardize on one package using the option to load the language(s) of choice. The software interface supports five languages -- English, French, Italian, German, or Spanish. Smartcom for Windows 1.1 is available for US$79 and CDN$105. Smartcom for Windows 1.0 users can upgrade for US$29 and CDN$37 through Hayes Customer Support. Hayes Multi-User Software Licensing Program enables corporate, government, financial, and educational institutions to make 10, 100, 500, or 1,000 or more authorized copies of Smartcom for Windows for use at any user location, not just at one site. Customers who are interested in a multi-user license should contact Hayes. Smartcom for Windows 1.1 comes with Hayes Bonus Bundle, a package of software and coupons that enables users to "go online" immediately with popular online services such as America Online, CompuServe and GEnie. HAYES ENDORSES AUTHORITATIVE MODEM GUIDE ======================================== Official Hayes Modem Communications Companion by Caroline M. Halliday ATLANTA, GA, 12 August 1994 -- Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. is pleased to endorse an authoritative, third-party guide to online communications. Official Hayes Modem Communications Companion, written by Caroline M. Halliday and published by IDG Books Worldwide, is different from other such works in many respects. While this book very thoroughly covers the basics of PC communications, modems, and how to get started with online computing, it also gives additional helpful communications tips. Hayes worked closely with Ms. Halliday, who spent considerable time at the company's Norcross, Georgia, headquarters, interviewing R&D engineers, technical support staff and, in particular, Dennis C. Hayes. Aimed at beginners and intermediate users, it is most certainly not "yet another book on modems." In the Foreword, Mr. Hayes writes, "We have a unique perspective concerning what people want to know about using modems and computer communications. Our customer and technical support team members speak with more than one million modem users every year. I know firsthand that this type of interaction can build a huge information and knowledge base among Hayes employees. I say that because I answered the phones myself during our early years, and today I spend much of my time talking with customers and use what I learn from them to improve our products and our company. Now you can benefit from our years of experience and enjoy the exciting world of computer communications like never before." Smartcom for Windows LE, which is bundled with the book, is an asynchronous communications software package for Windows version 3.1 based on Hayes Smartcom for Windows. This easy-to-learn, easy-to-use, fully functional limited edition program uses the graphical interface of a Windows application. The Windows fax communications software enables users to send text or graphic documents from within any Windows application to fax machines or other fax modems anywhere in the world. Ms. Halliday has a degree in electrical engineering and writes books and articles for the PC industry. She is an active explorer of online information services and in her work makes this technology understandable to the small-business owner and home user. She is on the InfoWorld review board and is author of PC SECRETS, also published by IDG Books Worldwide. Official Hayes Modem Communications Companion is available from Hayes Customer Service, computer superstores and local bookstores for the estimated retail price of US $29.95 and CDN $39.95. Best known as the leader in microcomputer modems, Hayes develops, supplies, and supports computer communications equipment and software for personal computers and computer communications networks. The company distributes its products in over 65 countries through a global network of authorized distributors, dealers, mass merchants, VARs, systems integrators, and original equipment manufacturers. ### Hayes, Smartcom, Bonus Bundle, and ESP are trademarks of Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. For additional product information, customers should contact Hayes Customer Service: Telephone Online with Hayes BBS 404/441-1617 (U.S.) 404/729-6525 (ISDN U.S.) 519/746-5000 (Canada) +44 1252 775599 (Europe) +33 1 34 22 30 15 (France) +44 1252 812560 (ISDN Europe) +44 1252 775544 (Europe) +852 887 7590 (Hong Kong) +852 887 1037 (Hong Kong) +61 2 959 5287 (Australia) +61 2 959 5544 (Australia) ____________________________________________ > UARTS - FIFO STR InfoFile NEW Settings and Updates """"""""""""""""""""""""" Knowledge Base Title: Windows Support of the 16550 UART Document Number: Q119579 Publ Date: 22-AUG-1994 Product Name: Windows For Workgroups Product Version: 3.10 3.11 Operating System: WINDOWS ----------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.11 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= The universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) is an integrated circuit that contains the software programming control of the PC serial port. The 8250 was the original UART to ship with the IBM personal computer. This UART & the improved 16450 version are limited to one input register that holds only one byte at a time. These UARTs are not usually suitable for modem speeds greater than 9600 bits per second (BPS) because of possible input data overruns that can occur if a character is left in the input register when the next byte is received. The new 16550 UART allows reliable data transfer at high speeds with its 16-byte first in, first out (FIFO) input register. The FIFO feature can buffer up to 16 bytes at a time, which improves serial communications by preventing data overruns in applications that are 16550 aware. This article outlines the use and history of support for the 16550 in Microsoft Windows. MORE INFORMATION ================ Windows 3.0 and Earlier Versions -------------------------------- Windows 3.0 and earlier versions do not support the FIFO feature of the 16550UART. Instead, the UART remains in the 8250 UART compatibility mode, allowing a byte to be received at a time. If the incoming character isn't read fast enough by the computer, the byte is lost. Lost or "dropped" characters are likely to occur at speeds faster than 9600 bits per second (BPS). There are no UART-specific switches in the SYSTEM.INI file with Windows 3.0. NOTE: Third-party communications drivers (such as Turbocom by Pacific Commware) are available to add support for the 16550 FIFO feature in Windows 3.0. Windows 3.1, 3.11, and Windows for Workgroups 3.1 ------------------------------------------------- Windows 3.1 was the 1st version of Windows to support the FIFO feature of the 16550 UART for Windows-based applications. (MS-DOS-based applications run under Windows 3.1, 3.11, or Windows for Workgroups 3.1 do not support the FIFO feature.) The receive buffer (RX) is set by the serial communications driver (COMM.DRV) to 14 bytes. The transmit buffer (TX) is not enabled. [386Enh! Section SYSTEM.INI Setting: COM1FIFO=0 | 1 COM2FIFO=0 | 1 COM3FIFO=0 | 1 COM4FIFO=0 | 1 Default: Enable the FIFO if detected and the setting is not in the SYSTEM.INI file. Purpose: Specifies whether the FIFO buffer of a communication (COM) port 16550 UART is enabled (1) or disabled (0). If a serial port does not have a 16550 UART, this setting is ignored. If you set a numerical value other than "1" or "0" (for example, COMxFIFO=2 ), the setting is ignored, and the FIFO is enabled if detected. Using TRUE, FALSE, or any other non- numerical value sets the switch to "0" and therefore disables the FIFO. Example: The COMxFIFO= setting is not fully Boolean aware. To properly use these switches, use the following syntax COMFIFO=1 -or- COMFIFO=0 where is the number of the COM port you want to set. The SYSINI.WRI file from the Microsoft Windows Resource Kit for version 3.1 incorrectly identifies TRUE and FALSE as functioning with this switch. Page 196 of the Windows Resource Kit manual incorrectly identifies "On" and "Off" as functioning with this switch. Again, using any non-numerical value sets the switch to "0" and therefore disables the FIFO. These values are used by Windows for both standard and 386 enhanced modes. NOTE: Third-party communications drivers (such as Turbocom by Pacific Commware and KingComm by OTC Corporation) enable FIFO support for MS-DOS- based applications running under Windows. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 --------------------------- Windows for Workgroups 3.11 is the first version of Windows to enable 16550 FIFO support for MS-DOS-based applications running under Windows. In addition to Windows-based applications, your MS-DOS-based applications can now use FIFO to prevent data overruns without using a third-party communications driver. The Windows for Workgroups communications driver (SERIAL.386) can also use the transmit buffer (TX) of the 16550 UART. Previous versions of the communications driver use the receive buffer (RX) only. [386Enh! section SYSTEM.INI settings: In addition to the COMxFIFO setting outlined above, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 introduces two new settings, RXTRIGGER and TXFIFO. RXFIFO Setting: COM1RxTRIGGER=1 | 4 | 8 | 14 COM2RxTRIGGER=1 | 4 | 8 | 14 COM3RxTRIGGER=1 | 4 | 8 | 14 COM4RxTRIGGER=1 | 4 | 8 | 14 Default: 8 Purpose: Sets the number of bytes to enable for the receive FIFO buffer (RX) on the 16550 UART. Example: COMRXFIFO=8 where is the number of the COM port you want to set. NOTE: In general, you should not change the RXFIFO value. Increasing the value of RXFIFO to 14 causes fewer interrupts to be generated, but it also decreases the space in the remainder of the buffer to 2 characters. On a busy system, which may have an increase in interrupt latency (the time that it takes for an interrupt to be serviced by the CPU), this may cause characters to overrun the buffer. Likewise, decreasing the value for RXFIFO increases the number of interrupts generated, which could lead to interrupt saturation, negating the usefulness of the FIFO on a multitasking system. TXFIFO Setting: COM1TXFIFO=0 | 1 COM2TXFIFO=0 | 1 COM3TXFIFO=0 | 1 COM4TXFIFO=0 | 1 Default: 0 Purpose: Enables the transmit buffer (TX) on the 16550 UART. If enabled, 16 bytes are sent to the UART with each empty transmit interrupt generated. Example: COMTXFIFO=0 where equals the number of the COM port you want to set. NOTE: Enabling the transmit buffer (TX) may result in better system performance during a high-speed file upload. It does not affect downloads. Additional reference words: 3.00 3.10 50Z PS/2 modems docerr COPYRIGHT Microsoft Corporation, 1994. __________________________________________ > Thinkin' Things STR Review """""""""""""""""""""""""" EDMARK'S THINKIN' THINGS ======================== The Kids' Computing Corner -------------------------- Reviewed by Frank Sereno Thinkin' Things is an educational program for children ages four to eight. Thinkin' Things is intended to enhance children's abilities in abstract thinking and creativity. It is available for IBM compatibles and Macintosh computers. Requirements on clone machines are MS-DOS 3.1 or greater, 580k conventional memory, VGA graphics, a sound card, a mouse, and seven megs of hard drive space. For the Mac, requirements are a color Mac with four megs of ram and seven megs of hard drive space. This review will be of the IBM version and testing was done on 386 and 486 machines. Installation is accomplished by running the INSTALL.EXE program on the first disk. After the program has completed the transfer of all files to the hard drive, you will be prompted to select your sound card. Edmark does not recommend running Thinkin' Things from Windows but they do include a PIF file for launching the program. Unfortunately, the included PIF did not work on either of my test machines because it did not include the working directory of the program. This problem was easily corrected in the PIF Editor. The program is KidDesk aware. This allows the program options to be set for each individual in the family or classroom. The main screen features six boxes which can be clicked on to start one of six learning activities. One box shows Oranga the orangutan. His activity is called Oranga Banga. Another box shows a series of birds representing Feathered Friends. A box featuring a large bird named Toony Loon and a xylophone is the icon for the Toony Loon activity. A box showing a series of strange-looking creatures called Fripples represents the Fripple Shop game. A box with several spheres on it is the icon for the BLOX-Flying Spheres activity. The final activity is BLOX-Flying Shapes and it is represented by a box with polygons. Thinkin' Things also includes an adult section which is accessed by typing alt-control-A. The program can be set to monitor children's progress so that the difficulty is increased automatically or parents can set difficulty slides to the child's capabilities. Oranga Banga is an activity which promotes the improvement of memory by learning sound patterns, creativity by playing drum solos and auditory discrimination by learning to recognize the sounds of different instruments. Oranga has a complete drum set with a bass and snare drum, a gong, chimes, triangle and more. In Creativity Mode, the child uses a drumstick cursor to play the various percussion instruments. When he clicks on Oranga or the play icon, Oranga will play back the child's song. Unfortunately, Oranga does not keep the same beat drummed originally. Question and Answer Mode is entered by clicking on the question mark icon. Now Oranga will play a solo and child must repeat it. If the child has difficulty repeating the solo, Oranga will do it again more slowly. Once the child has mastered several solos, Oranga plays a celebration solo. For added difficulty, the child or parent may choose "lights out." With this option, Oranga plays his solos in the dark and then the scene reappears when the child attempts to repeat the solos. Clicking on the stop button will take the child back to the main screen. Negative feedback for incorrect answers is very gentle. Since Oranga is a musician, his positive feedback is fairly mellow and uses such expressions as "groovy" and "yeah." His various facial expressions as plays the instruments are very amusing and the animations are fairly smooth. Feathered Friends promotes the development of visual discrimination, recognizing and completing patterns, and using parts to create a whole. In Creativity Mode, the child has four choices in the categories of color, pattern, hat and shoes to create unique birds. In Question and Answer Mode, he will be presented with a pattern of several birds with one spot in the row being empty. He must choose the correct attributes for the missing bird to complete the pattern. In the early stages, he will only have to choose one attribute as the remainder of the bird has already been assembled. In later stages, he will have to choose all the attributes of the missing bird and the patterns become much more difficult to discern. If the child chooses wrongly, one bird will ask him to please try again as the computer removes one or more wrong answers. Continued incorrect responses will result in only the correct choices being left. Positive feedback is a simple thank-you along with an amusing animation of the birds moving off the screen to various sound effects. This activity will definitely make a child think and it is entertaining also. BLOX-Flying Spheres is an exercise in experimentation, creativity and music. The activity consists of various icons placed along the left side and bottom of the screen. Filling the main portion of the screen is a gradient background which gives the illusion of depth and distance with darker shadings. In the upper left corner, there is a box filled with colored spheres which may be placed on the background. Below that is a box containing musical notes which changes the music when pressed. Below that is an ear icon which turns the music on or off. In the lower left corner is the stop sign which returns the child to the main screen. Moving to the right, the next icon is an erase button which removes all spheres from the screen. Next is icon featuring a light bulb which is the Ideas icon. Nine different ideas are shown which the child may choose to build upon or try to make himself. The child can also save nine of his own creations by holding the shift key and a number key. The next icon is for changing the background among the thirteen different gradients. Next is the color icon which allows the child to cycle the background through 11 colors. The freeze icon stops the motion of all spheres. Next are three directional buttons which will force all the spheres to move either horizontally, vertically or randomly. The final icon allows the child to switch to a full-view screen. The child can catch spheres by clicking and holding them with the mouse. He can then set the sphere in motion by dragging the mouse in the desired direction and then releasing the mouse button. The sphere will move at a speed relative to that of the mouse. This exercise is very fascinating. I would like to note that the spheres never collide. Perhaps this concept of physics was considered too difficult for younger children to grasp. BLOX-Flying Shapes is similar in format to the Flying Spheres. This activity is meant to develop spatial awareness and foster creativity and experimentation in building designs. The child now has three different groups of polygons he can use to build his designs. The polygons can be spun on an axis, made larger or smaller, and be placed on top of one another. The three groups each have a set of nine ideas and the child can save nine for each group also. Each polygon has its own sound and the child can record new sounds for each polygon if you have a sound card capable of sound input. The icons are similar to Flying Spheres. In the upper left corner are the polygons. Below that are two green arrows to cycle through the three groups of icons. Below that is the microphone icon if your system has that capability and if it is enabled in the adult section. Next is the ear icon to turn on and off the sound. In the lower left corner is the stop icon for going back to the main screen. Along the bottom is the erase button for removing all the shapes from the screen. Then an idea icon shows the saved screens. An icon with triangles of increasing size allows the child to increase the size of all the shapes. A rotation arrow is next which will rotate all the shapes in one direction. Next is the freeze icon which stops all motion of the shapes. The three directional icons force all the shapes to move horizontally, vertically or randomly from the center of the screen. Last is the icon for switching to full-screen viewing. The possibilities for designs with this activity are endless. Just looking at some provided ideas was mind- boggling. The graphics were fairly good but the shapes with angled lines often had "jaggies." The next activity is Toony Loon, another musical activity. It is intended to help children recognize variance in pitch, strengthen auditory memory, remember and repeat patterns, and develop creativity in music. In Creativity Mode, the child uses the mallet-shaped cursor to create a song. Clicking on Toony or the play icon causes Toony to play the child's song. By clicking on the new icon, the child can cycle through five different xylophones. The chicken xylophone is very funny. In Question and Answer Mode, Toony creates a pattern of three or more notes and the child is asked to repeat it. If the child has difficulty recreating the pattern, Toony will play it more slowly. Negative feedback is very gentle as it is only a shake of Toony's head and being asked "Once again . . ." Positive feedback upon correct answers is very enthusiastic. When the child has mastered repeating patterns with the "lights on," he may then try with the "lights off." This will definitely develop a child's ability to recognize pitch. Toony's expressions are well animated and the only nit is that Toony's beak is not always in full sync with the audio. The final activity is the Fripple Shop. Children will learn Boolean logic, develop observation skills and learn to follow instructions. The Fripple Shop contains twelve Fripples which have various identifying features. Orders to purchase the Fripples are sent to the shop by telephone, fax machine and customers coming to the shop via the front door. Telephone orders have audible cues while fax orders have visual cues, but in person orders have both audible and visual cues. The child can wait for an order to come in from the three sources or he can click on one to get an immediate order. If there are no orders waiting to be filled, clicking on a Fripple will result in hearing a description of that particular creature. As the child progresses, discerning the correct Fripple becomes more difficult. For example, he may be asked to find a Fripple that either is red or has stripes but not both, or to find a Fripple with curly hair and spots but not big eyes. If the child clicks on the incorrect Fripple, he will be asked to try again. If he continues answering incorrectly, Fripples are removed from the store until only the correct answer remains. Negative feedback is very gentle. Positive feedback depends upon the method used for placing the order. Fax orders result in the Fripple leaving the shop to hop on the delivery truck. On a phone order, the Fripple will leave the shop for the truck. The customer will stay on the phone until it is delivered and then say a brief thank- you message. Each of the drop-in customers has a unique thank you. Some are more enthusiastic than others. The graphics in this section are very colorful. Animations of the Fripples leaving the store are fairly good but I was disappointed that the drop-in customers' lips and mouths do not move at all when they speak. Overall, the graphics are quite good. Some animation sequences could have been smoother. The sounds are very good. The music is varied and interesting. Musical sounds are very realistic. The voice acting is good and all speaking parts are comprehensible. The interface is good. Everything is click and point. Most of the activities have audible directions upon beginning that activity. I would like for a help icon to be available as well. In the BLOX activities, there is no audible help but these activities were designed for open-ended experimentation. Audible directions or instructions would probably stifle creativity in these activities. Play value is very good. When the children tire of the simpler activities, they will have infinite creative possibilities ahead of them in the BLOX activities. Educational value is also excellent. Thinkin' Things has a suggested retail price of $50 but it can be found at discounters for $35 or less. This program has excellent value and it would be an excellent addition to any software library. Graphics ----- 8.0 Sounds ----- 9.5 Interface ----- 8.5 Play Value ----- 8.5 Educational Value ----- 9.5 Bang for the Buck ----- 9.0 Average ----- 8.83 And I thank you for reading! ________________________________________ > A REVELATION! STR FOCUS! """""""""""""""""""""""" HIDDEN WORLD UNVEILED IN THE LOST VALE ====================================== So, You thought you'd been everywhere and seen everything while playing Ultimar VIII: Pagan. This fall you'll be able to explore a land you never knew existed in Pagan when you play The Lost Vale, the "add-in" game to the latest adventure in the Ultima series. ORIGIN plans to release The Lost Vale during the first half of the fall. In The Lost Vale, you'll discover a forgotten valley created hundreds of years earlier by the Titans of Earth and Water. The Titans imprisoned their enemies inside this hidden world, when they commanded the walls of the valley to rise in the largest tomb ever created. As the Avatar, you'll realize the secrets of this lost civilization could lead to powerful alliances in your ongoing struggle against the evil Guardian. You'll battle new monsters unique to The Lost Vale and you'll search for magic items and acquire increased stats you can use in the outside world of Pagan. There's the City of the Ancient Gods, which is suspended in clouds. There you'll look for advice that could help make you one of the most formidable beings to ever set foot in Pagan. The Lost Vale will add several hours of game playing to the world of Pagan. And since it's an "add-in" disk, you don't have to finish Pagan in order to explore The Lost Vale. Just install it and begin your journey inside this game within a game. Current system requirements for The Lost Vale are: IBM-PC, 486/33+ or 100% compatible system 6 MB of hard drive space Core game of Ultima VIII: Pagan installed on hard drive 4 MB RAM 256-color VGA graphics MS-DOS 5.0 or higher, mouse MUSIC (optional): Ad Lib, Sound Blaster, General MIDI or 100% compatible sound board SOUND EFFECTS (optional): Ad Lib, Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound board Expected retail price: $25-$35 ________________________________________ > WPWin 6.0a Enhancements STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ENHANCEMENTS IN WPWIN 6.0A ========================== Speed ----- Speed improvements have been made in the following areas: basic formatting, scrolling, printing, graphics handling, table manipulation and editing, importing WordPerfect 5.x documents, generate, document compare, outline, launching WordPerfect Draw, automation of ExpressDocs Templates, and opening large documents. Reliability ----------- Many changes have been made to improve the overall reliability of the product. Every effort was made to address reliability issues raised by customers. Printing -------- With the Windows or WPWin 6.0a (*.PRS) printer drivers, the printing of tables, borders, and bitmap graphics is much faster. Also, WPWin 6.0a now downloads ATM and TrueType fonts to PostScript and Hewlett-Packard printers, improving overall printing speed. Better Conversions ------------------ File and macro converisons have been improved to address the needs of WordPerfect 5.x users. Conversion of Fonts ------------------- In WPWin 6.0, converting WordPerfect 5.x documents to the WordPerfect 6.0 format would sometimes result in fonts not converting correctly. Fonts will now convert correctly if the same printer is selected in WordPerfect 5.x and WPWin 6.0a. In addition, round-trip compatibility from WPWin 6.0a to WPWin 5.2 and back to a WPWin 6.0a format will result in accurate font matching. Fonts ----- The last four fonts used are displayed at the top of the font list, accessed by clicking the font button on the Power Bar. This is similar to the existing capability to display the names of the four most recently used files on the Files pull-down menu. 256 Color Driver ---------------- If a problem is detected with a 256 color driver, WPWin 6.0a will advise you to add a /fl startup switch (for example, c:\wpwin60\wpwin.exe /fl) to the command line under Properties for the WPWin 6.0a icon. This will eliminate known problems with certain video drivers. DDEML.DLL --------- We are aware of conflicts with a Windows file, DDEML.DLL, dated 4/22/92. The correct version of this file should be found in the System directory (c:\window\system). If the version of this file (DDEML.DLL, 4/22/92) is found in the Windows directory, and the correct version is found in the Window s System directory, the file will be automatically deleted from the Windows directory. FEATURES -------- QuickCorrect ------------ This feature automatically replaces errors in mistyped or misspelled words. For instance, if you accidentally type "adn," it is automatically replaced with "and" as soon as you press the space bar or another word delimiter (comma, period, semi-colon, etc.). QuickCorrect can also automatically expand abbreviations on the fly. For example, you could type "wpc" and have "WordPerfect Corporation" appear as you press the space bar. QuickCorrect will also fix two initial caps such as "COrporation." QuickSelect ----------- WPWin 6.0a understands that you need the ability to select complete words, sentences, and paragraphs as well as individual letters. QuickSelect gives you the flexibility to select precisely the text you need. Click twice, holding the mouse down the second time, then drag to select word by word. Click three times and drag to select sentence by sentence, and click four times and drag to select paragraph by paragraph. In addition, WPWin 6.0a has always let you click in the left margin to select a sentence, and double click to select a paragraph, or use the right mouse button in the left margin for more QuickSelect options. Transition Advisor ------------------ Accessed from the Help menu, the Transition Advisor helps WordPerfect for DOS users make a smooth transition to Windows. The Transition Advisor displays keystrokes and commands from WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS and then shows how to perform the equivalent tasks in WPWin 6.0a. Also available is a WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS keyboard that retains familiar keystrokes as you work. ExpressDocs Templates --------------------- WPWin 6.0a includes a WPLite template which provides a scaled down menu and feature list, and several other templates: WPAmiPro, business card creation, workgroup, term paper, and an additional form letter template. In addition, to answer requests from the legal community, a pleading macro (PLEADING.WCM) and a pleading template (PLEADING.WPT) ship with WPWin 6.0a. This automated template guides you through creating a pleading document. Uninstall --------- The Setup Program includes an Uninstall facility which allows for a standard or custom uninstall of WPWin 6.0a. Improvements have also been made to the installation routine. Network Users ------------- WPWin 6.0a includes Universal Naming Convention (UNC) support and shareable paper size forms for Windows drivers. Encryption ---------- Password protection has been improved for compatibility with existing WPWin users and documents, as well as "case-sensitive" password protection. Button Bar ---------- The Button Bar feature, which allows you to attach frequently used functions or macros to on-screen buttons, helps you customize the way you work in WordPerfect. For easy integration with other Windows applications, WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows allows you to drag programs and files directly from the Windows File Manager to your Button Bar. Your Button Bars can display text, icons, or both, and can be displayed on any screen edge or as a floating palette. Three new Button Bars were added to WPWin 6.0a: Legal, Design Tools, and Utilities. Power Bar --------- WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows Power Bar gives you quick access to the features and functions you use the most to create your word processing documents. This tool gives you rapid access to everyday formatting features such as open, save, print, cut, copy, paste, undo, and font. You can also create a table, change your justification or line spacing, or bring up the speller, thesaurus, or grammar checker. The Power Bar suits your word processing needs because it is customizable and gives you 81 options to choose from. Status Bar ---------- The Status Bar is designed to give you key information about your document. You can choose from 18 different options to display on the Status Bar such as printer type, date, time, font, and page position. Each Status Bar field can be can be sized and moved, and you can select the display font. Double clicking on any of the Status Bar fields will open the dialog box associated with that feature. Document Templates ------------------ WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows includes over 70 pre-defined ExpressDocs templates for fax cover sheets, memos, form letters, expense reports, awards, newsletters, resumes, invoices, and calendars. Many of these templates are interactive and can prompt the user for specific information such as the name on a fax cover sheet. Templates can automatically pull up associated Button Bars, menus, keyboard layouts, styles, etc. You can modify the templates included with WordPerfect or create custom templates that suit your needs. Tables ------ The WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows Tables feature contains nearly 100 advanced spreadsheet functions such as formulas, numerical cell formatting, automatic recalculation, data fills, and named ranges. Tables can also be designed with dozens of borders, line styles, and fill patterns. In WPWin 6.0a, you can save table data to the clipboard with tabs that allow you to read data into a spreadsheet or save it as an ASCII (DOS) Text file. In addition, you can save table data to Quattro Pro format. QuickFinder ----------- QuickFinder capabilities are unique to WordPerfect and offer some of the fastest indexing and text retrieval in the industry. QuickFinder lets you search for files on more than one drive or directory at a time, either by filename or by specific keywords in a document, and gives you nearly instantaneous results. QuickFormat ----------- The QuickFormat feature in WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows lets you extract formatting or styles from your text in your document and quickly apply it to other text in the current document or another document. The mouse pointer changes to a paint roller and allows you to "paint" the formatting to selected text. QuickMenus ---------- Working in WordPerfect for Windows is easier with context-sensitive QuickMenus that are accessed by clicking the right mouse button in your document. For example, clicking the right mouse button anywhere in a document presents a QuickMenu to change fonts, spell check, or center text, while clicking in the left margin presents a menu to select text, change margins, or add comments to a document. Bullets and Numbering --------------------- The new Insert Menu in WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows allows you to select from predefined bullets and numbering styles. You also can create your own bullets and numbering styles and add them to the menu. Paragraph numbering in WPWin 6.0a is equivalent to the functionality found in WPWin 5.2 and is part of the Bullet and Numbers feature. Coaches ------- The Coaches feature is like a personal instructor that helps reduce the learning curve. A Coach simply walks you step by step through common tasks. You can either choose to have the task performed for you, or you can have the Coach teach you how to perform the task from within your document. In WPWin 6.0a, when you first launch WPWin 6.0a an interactive QuickStart Coach appears to give you an overview of the product. This will assist WordPerfect for DOS users, as well as users of other word processors such as Microsoft Word and Lotus Ami Pro as they make the transition to WPWin 6.0a. Drawing Tools ------------- WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows provides sophisticated drawing tools that let you create and edit graphics. You will find everything you need (Bezier curves, shading, and the ability to contour text on a curve) to make logos, letterheads, and other illustrations. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows also supports scanner devices through the TWAIN open industry interface. Charting -------- WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows can graphically present your numbers as a pie, bar, scatter, hi-lo, or area chart. You can create charts from the chart editor, a table, or an imported spreadsheet. File Management --------------- The File Open dialog box features powerful document management capabilities that let you quickly copy, move, rename, delete, and change the attributes of single or multiple files. The QuickList allows you to give a descriptive name to any directory or group of files. The QuickFinder provides some of the fastest indexing and text retrieval in the industry. Graphics and Borders -------------------- Including graphic images in your word processing documents is easy with WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows. The Image Tools palette gives you quick access to the editing tools so you can move, rotate, and size the image. You can wrap text on both sides of a graphic image and contour text around irregularly shaped objects. A wide variety of borders and fill patterns are included for graphic images, paragraphs, pages, columns, and table cells. You can easily save a graphic as a file from within WPWin 6.0a by selecting the graphic and choosing Save As from the File menu. Preview Windows --------------- Preview windows in dialog boxes allow you to see changes in your document before you make them. For example, you can see how columns, margins, or line spacing will look in your document before actually making the changes. Full WYSIWYG display in WPWin 6.0a displays character widths more accurately on screen, resulting in a truer graphical representation of fonts. Merge ----- WordPerfect's powerful Merge feature has been enhanced with an easy-to-use interface. The introductory Merge dialog box includes the three elements of a merge (date file, form file, and merge) with their corresponding Preview Windows. Abbreviations ------------- The Abbreviation feature replaces abbreviations that you place in your document with more information. You can replace your abbreviations with text, graphics, and formatting. Integration ----------- WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows makes it easy to access other file formats and programs. You can import DOS and Windows database formats (dBase, Paradox, Oracle, and more) and spreadsheet formats (Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, and Quattro Pro). You can also import and export leading word processing files. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows also acts as both an OLE client and server and supports DDE client and server links. A conversion for Professional Write files was added to WPWin 6.0a, as well as ODBC support, which provides direct support for Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. In addition, WPWin 6.0a now imports Lotus 1-2-3 version 4.0 format. Use WPWin 6.0a with IBM OS/2 2.1. The OS/2 Integration Tools Disk includes seamless integration with the OS/2 Advanced Workplace Shell and is available separately by calling (800) 321-4566. Ordering Information -------------------- Check with your local software reseller for pricing and availability. For Direct Marketing pricing, please call WordPerfect Sales Center at (800) 321-4566. System Specifications ù 4M RAM is required (6M or more RAM is recommended) ù Personal computer using 386 processor or higher ù DOS 3.1 or higher ù Windows 3.1 (running in enhanced mode) ù Hard disk with 26M disk space for standard package installation ù High density floppy disk drive ù VGA graphics adapter and monitor ù Mouse supported by Windows (recommended) For more information, please call WordPerfect Sales Center at (800) 451-5151 (US) or (800) 321-2318 (Canada). WordPerfect, the Novell Applications Group 1994 WordPerfect, the Novell Applications Group 1555 N. Technology Way Orem,UT 84057-2399 WordPerfect, WPWin, and QuickList are registered trademarks of WordPerfect Corporation within the United States and other countries. Button Bar, QuickFinder, QuickMenu, PowerBar, ExpressDocs, Coaches, WordPerfect Draw, QuickCorrect, and Transition Advisor are trademarks of Novell, Inc. worldwide. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. WordPerfect Corporation InfoShare Information Fax Service (800) 228-9960 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :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) 1994 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) > GroupWise 4.1 STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""""" GroupWise 4.1 ============= (This information is pre-release and subject to change.) GroupWise 4.1 is the electronic messaging component of the Novell GroupWare family of workgroup productivity software products. GroupWise 4.1 combines electronic mail, personal calendaring, group scheduling, task management, rules-based message management, and workflow routing into a single application. At release, the product line will include 12 client desktops, 4 remote clients, 10 server platforms, and 23 gateways, making it the most open and scalable solution in cross-platform, enterprise-wide electronic messaging. GroupWise 4.1 Clients ===================== GroupWise 4.1 Client software provides the user interface for the messaging system, allowing users to send and receive e-mail and phone messages, appointments, notes, tasks, each with attached forms, presentations, or documents. GroupWise 4.1 provides client support for 12 computing platforms, and with the exception of platform-specific features and interface requirements, all clients are identical in functionality and feature sets. GroupWise 4.1 Client/Remote Client for Windows GroupWise 4.1 Client for Windows runs on networked or modem-equipped PCs in the Windows environment. It has also been optimized to run under the OS/2 2.1 operating system. (Runs on an 80386 IBM-compatible PC with MS Windows 3.1 or an 80486 IBM-compatible PC with OS/2 2.1) GroupWise 4.1 Client/Remote Client for DOS The GroupWise 4.1 Client for DOS can be run from a shared network directory or from a local drive. A remote version of the GroupWise 4.1 Client for DOS is available for modem-equipped PCs. (Runs on an 80386 IBM-compatible PC) GroupWise 4.1 Client/Remote Client for Macintosh GroupWise 4.1 Client for Macintosh runs on networked or modem-equipped Macintosh computers. (Runs on a Macintosh or Power Macintosh running Macintosh System 7 or higher--System 7.1 Pro is recommended for AOCE support and System 7.11 for Drag and Drop support) GroupWise 4.1 Clients for UNIX GroupWise 4.1 Clients for UNIX run on networked UNIX work-stations. X-Window clients for each of the platforms below and a SunOS character-based client will be available when 4.1 initially releases. Character clients for the other platforms will be available within three months of the 4.1 release. Runs on the following UNIX platforms: Data General AViiON DG/UX 5.4.201 HP 9000 (700/800 series) HP/UX 9.01 IBM RS/6000 IBM AIX 3.2 SCO UNIX on Intel workstations SCO UNIX 3.2.4 Sun SPARCstations Solaris 2.3 Sun SPARCstations SunOS 4.1.3 (Solaris 1.x) Intel workstations NCR MP-RAS or Novell UnixWare GroupWise 4.1 Telephone Access Remote Client Telephone Access lets users use a touchtone telephone to access and respond to any message and calendar item in their message box, whether they use GroupWise 4.1 on Windows, DOS, Macintosh, or UNIX machines. (Runs on an 80486 IBM-compatible PC running OS/2 2.1 and requires at least one Dialogic board) GroupWise 4.1 Admin ------------------- The GroupWise 4.1 Administration program provides the messaging system administration capabilities, including installation and maintenance of the post offices (user message databases), server and gateway configuration, automatic directory synchronization throughout the 4.x components of the system, and electronic software distribution. The Admin programs, available for DOS and SunOS and packaged with the Client software, are fully plug-and-play compatible with all of the Client and Message Server platforms. GroupWise 4.1 Admin for DOS --------------------------- GroupWise 4.1 Admin for DOS is used to administer all components of the GroupWise messaging system. The 4.1 version introduces an incredibly simple and straightforward installation procedure. The DOS Admin program can be used for setting up the native UNIX GroupWise components either using NFS or major DOS/Windows emulators on UNIX. (Runs on an 80486 IBM-compatible PC) GroupWise 4.1 Admin for SunOS ----------------------------- GroupWise 4.1 Admin for SunOS can be used to administer all components of the GroupWise messaging system. (Runs on a SunOS 4.1.3 workstation with X-Window X11R5, Motif 1.2) GroupWise 4.1 Message Servers ----------------------------- A message server is required when one or more of the following five features are needed in a GroupWise 4.1 messaging system: (1) features of the client (such as Rules, Routing, Delayed Delivery, Expire After) that are enabled by the message server; (2) the system will have more than one post office (a group of workers where proxy access rights can be enabled); (3) the system will have more than one domain (a group of post offices); (4) the system will include gateways and other services (such as, access to the Internet via an SMTP gateway); or, (5) the system will run in its highest security mode. GroupWise 4.1 Message Server for DOS (Runs on an 80386 IBM-compatible PC) GroupWise 4.1 Message Server for NetWare Loadable Modules --------------------------------------------------------- Eliminates the need for a dedicated machine for message server activities as is the case with the DOS and OS/2 Message Servers. (Runs on an 80486 IBM-compatible PC with Novell NetWare 3.1x or 4.x) GroupWise 4.1 Message Server for OS/2 (Runs on an 80486 IBM-compatible PC with IBM OS/2 2.1 or higher) GroupWise 4.1 Message Servers for UNIX Runs on the following UNIX platforms: Data General AViiON DG/UX 5.4.201 HP 9000 (700/800 series) HP/UX 9.01 IBM RS/6000 IBM AIX 3.2 SCO UNIX on Intel workstations SCO UNIX 3.2.4 Sun SPARCstations Solaris 2.3 Sun SPARCstations SunOS 4.1.3 (Solaris 1.x) Intel workstations NCR MP-RAS or Novell UnixWare GroupWise 4.1 Gateways ---------------------- GroupWise 4.1 Gateways provide connectivity to a world of messaging systems, message transport protocols, and communications standards. They also provide valuable services such as faxing, message printing, paging, wireless connectivity, and telephone access. Gateways can be used to build the best messaging system that meets a company's needs. The following GroupWise 4.1 Gateways will be available: API Gateway (DOS, OS/2): provides access through a keyword text file interface to GroupWise messaging functions and directory services from other applications. Async Gateway (DOS, OS/2): asynchronous gateway that allows connections via telephone lines and modems to remote GroupWise users or sites. (UNIX versions are also planned.) cc:Mail Gateway (DOS): provides message exchange and directory synchronization with Lotus cc:Mail systems. (A gateway to Lotus Notes mail is also planned.) Fax/Print Gateway (DOS): allows GroupWise users to send messages to fax devices worldwide or to printers within their local or wide area network; also allows incoming faxes. Message Router Gateway (VMS): allows GroupWise users to exchange messages and document attachments to other e-mail systems connected to Digital Equipment Corp.'s Message Router. NGMHS Gateway (DOS, NLM): a Message Handling Service (MHS) gateway for compatibility with a SMF 70 or 71 NetWare Global MHS (NGM) server. OfficeVision/VM/PROFS Gateway (OS/2): Bi-directional e-mail, scheduling, and directory synchronization connectivity between GroupWise users and users on IBM mainframe OfficeVision/VM or PROFS systems. (A SNADS gateway for SNA-connected networks is planned.) Pager Gateway (OS/2): lets GroupWise users send messages directly to alphanumeric or numeric pagers and PCMCIA paging receivers. SMTP Gateway (DOS, all seven UNIX platforms): provides connectivity with Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) based e-mail systems and the global Internet. Telephone Access Server (OS/2): provides capability to send and receive GroupWise messages remotely with only a standard touchtone phone; important tool for mobile users. VMS Mail Gateway (VMS): provides connectivity with Digital Equipment Corp.'s VMS Mail. X.25 Gateway (OS/2): allows remote GroupWise users to send and receive messages using an X.25 network; also supports wireless remote GroupWise users with RAM Mobile Data's wireless data network. X.400 Gateway (OS/2): provides connectivity with X.400 (1984)- compatible public and private e-mail systems throughout the world; also allows the X.400 system to function as a long-distance message transport service to connect with remote GroupWise users. Suggested Retail Pricing ------------------------ Client/Admin Packs and Add'l Mailbox Licenses Resale Upgrade Trade-Up SRP SRP SRP Client/Admin Pack Windows $695 $245 $279 DOS $695 $245 $279 Macintosh $695 $245 $279 UNIX $695 $245 $279 Additional Mailbox Licenses 1-copy $135 $49 $55 5-copy $625 $219 $249 Volume Licenses (price per license) 20 to 49 $115 $40 $46 50 to 99 $105 $40 $46 100 to 499 $95 $40 $46 Message Server Packs Resale Upgrade Trade-Up SRP SRP SRP DOS $495 $175 $199 NLM $2,495 N.A. N.A. OS/2 $1,495 $525 $599 UNIX $1,995 $699 $799 Gateways Resale SRP Upgrade SRP API Gateway for DOS or OS/2 $295 $105 Async Gateway for DOS or OS/2 $495 $175 cc:Mail Gateway for DOS $995 $349 Fax/Print Gateway for DOS $2,495 $875 Message Router Gateway for VMS $5,995 $2,099 NetWare Global MHS Gateway for DOS $995 $349 NetWare Global MHS Gateway for NLM $1,495 $525 OfficeVision/VM Gateway for OS/2 $9,995 $3,499 Pager Gateway for OS/2 $3,995 $1,399 Pager Gateway & 50-user Motorola Site Connect Server $4,995 N.A. Pager Gateway & 500-user Motorola Site Connect Server $9,995 N.A. SMTP Gateway for DOS $2,995 $1,049 SMTP Gateway for UNIX $3,995 N.A. Telephone Access Server for OS/2 $9,995 N.A. VMS Mail Gateway for VMS $2,495 $875 X.25 Gateway for OS/2 $2,495 $875 X.400 Gateway for OS/2 $4,295 $1,505 Pricing is in US dollars and is subject to change without notice. For more information about GroupWise 4.1 products, please call GroupWise Sales Center at (800) 861-2507. WordPerfect Corporation InfoShare Information Fax Service (800) 228-9960 Title: Product Information Product: GroupWise 4.1 Number: 1628-8/94 1994 Novell, Inc. WordPerfect, the Novell Applications Group 1555 N. Technology Way Orem, UT 84057-2399 WordPerfect is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. ********************************************************************** 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!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" It's been a week from hell, going back to work after being on vacation for 4 of the past 5 weeks (worked a week in the middle of two 2-week vacations!). It'll take me a month to get back into the groove! Speaking of time, it goes by so fast these days. My wife Louise and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary this week and neither of us has any idea as to where the time has gone. Naturally, only I have gotten older - she's "still a babe"!! As you can tell, I haven't much to say this week. Or rather, I do, but little time in which to say it! The Connecticut AtariFest is this weekend and I'm trying to get ready for that, among other things. The show appears to be shaping up very nicely from what I have been hearing from some of the ACT people. I'm really looking forward to it, seeing old friends again and making some new ones. This is the best facet of the show - meeting those who you've only "seen" and "talked" to online. See you all at the show, and back here next week!! Until next time... Delphi's Atari Advantage! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (8/24/94) (1) SPEED OF LIGHT VIEWER V3.5 (6) MARCEL 2.34 (2) TOAD'S SYSINFO 2.0 (7) STIS 2 3D PICTURE CREATOR (3) MAZE COMBAT V.1.095 *(8) NEODESK 4 DEMO (4) GEMINI 1.999 - ENGLISH RSC *(9) 1ST GUIDE (5) DESKTRACKER 1.22 *(10) DARKLYTE ADVENTURE GAME * = 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 10.34) ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: SCES 94 EDITION) Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database. _________________________________________ > New "Speed of Light"! STR InfoFile! - SOL adds mono support! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" -/- Speed of Light supports MONO! -/- I just wanted to let everyone know that the next version of Speed of Light (version 3.7?) will support monochrome graphics modes. This is partially so that users can start from medium resolution. Basically, the dialog boxes no longer REQUIRE 16 colors, they just look better with them. I wanted to just switch to LOW resolution from medium res., but I tried, and GEM does NOT like to draw all 16 colors because even though the resolution is "Low res" the VDI still thinks it is in medium. So, I just draw all the dialogs and stuff in medium resolution (black and white) and then switch to low res only when drawing the image. As a nice side effect, this also means that SOL 3.7 will now work in monochrome modes (dithering is a must, of course!) So, if there are any monochrome users out there who wished they could use Speed of Light, check out version 3.7, to be released in a few weeks. Other features include a Slideshow option, some DSP JPEG code for Falcon, and many nasty bugs fixed. Speed of Light is Shareware, please register! -Stuart Denman StuSoft sdenman@cs.washington.edu ____________________________________________ > MasterBrowse Update! STR InfoFile! - MB at Version 4.7! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Below is a description and updates list by the author... August 20, 1994 M a s t e r B r o w s e 4 . 7 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Copyright 1993, 1994, Michel Forget Electric Storm Software There is a new version of MasterBrowse available! Using FTP, you can get the new version of MasterBrowse (when it is validated) from either of the following addresses: atari.archive.umich.edu (/atari/Newitems/mb47_bin.lzh) ftp.tu-clausthal.de (/pub/atari/Newitems/mb47_bin.lzh) Both of the FTP sites mentioned above can be accessed using a mail server, for those who do not have FTP access. The file will also appear soon (with the name MB47_BIN.LZH) on GEnie, Delphi, and CompuServe. In addition, the new version of MasterBrowse will appear at micros.hensa.ac.uk soon. For those who have never used MasterBrowse before, a detailed description of the program will follow the list of new features and bug fixes. MasterBrowse 4.5: NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now has even more powerful windowed dialog box editing capabilities. The following keys can be used inside a windowed dialog box: UNDO = Exit (Cancel) Return = Exit (Done) TAB = Next Editable Field Control + TAB = Previous Editable Field Shift + Left Arrow = Start Of Editable Field Shift + Right Arrow = End Of Editable Field Shift + Up Arrow = First Editable Field Shift + Down Arrow = Last Editable Field Control + Left Arrow = Start Of Previous Word Control + Right Arrow = Start Of Next Word Shift + Backspace = Delete From Start Of Field Shift + Delete = Delete To End Of Field Alternate + [UNDERLINED LETTER] = This will exit the dialog box as if you had clicked on the button containing the underlined letter. NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now has context sensitive online help, if you use the ST-Guide accessory. If the accessory is installed on your system, pressing the Shift + HELP key will cause MasterBrowse to instruct ST-Guide to open a window with information relevent to your current position. Since all of the information is external, this option does not affect the size of MasterBrowse at all, or how much memory it uses. The entire MasterBrowse manual is available (accessed by entering the help system while you are NOT in a dialog box). NEW FEATURE: When marking a block the SHIFT key can be used to "continue" a previously marked block. This means that the start of the block will remain the same, and you are only adjusting where it ends. NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now has an "Edit" menu; "Clip Block" is now "Copy" and "Open Clipboard" is now "Paste". This change was implemented so that MasterBrowse would be more compliant with existing (and future) standards. NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now has a "Delete" option under the "Edit" menu; it will delete the SCRAP.TXT file inside the clipboard folder. NEW FEATURE: The keyboard shortcut manager has been completely rewritten; you can now add & remove keypresses at will, and change the keyboard shortcut for ANY action (not just menu entries). MasterBrowse no longer makes any distinction between the left shift key and the right shift key. The interface to the keyboard shortcut manager has also been rewritten; it is now much more user-friendly! BUG FIX: Selecting "Skip" in the colour configuration dialog box will no longer cause MasterBrowse to set that colour to white. BUG FIX: If text or background color is changed, the window affected is now completely redrawn. NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now has a push/pop feature; this can be thought of as a temporary bookmark. You "push" (set) the position, then "pop" (unset and move to) the position. This is much faster than setting a bookmark because it does not cause a dialog box to appear on the screen. MasterBrowse 4.5a: BUG FIX: The file selector should not work correctly (again). BUG FIX: AutoSave Options will now always save the options to the path pointed to by MB_CONFIG. BUG FIX: If you have previously registered MasterBrowse, copy your USERINFO.DAT file into the new MasterBrowse directory. MasterBrowse will analyze the file; if it is valid, the "MasterBrowse Information" dialog box that is shown to unregistered users will not be shown to you. This did not work (at all) in the last version, for which I humbly apologize. MasterBrowse 4.7: NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse no longer uses an internal font sel; instead, it now interfaces directly with the Universal Font Selector, by Michael Thanitz. The Universal Font Selector is more reliable than the internal font selector previously used by MasterBrowse. The MasterBrowse Installation Program will copy UFSL.PRG to your AUTO folder automatically, so no extra effort on your part is required. NEW FEATURE: MasterBrowse now uses windowed progress displays, so loading a document no longer prevents other applications/accessories from executing in the background and it allows you to switch from one application to another while a document is being loaded. (NOTE: If you turn off progress displays, the loading speed will be markedly faster.) NEW FEATURE: To make using ST-Guide with MasterBrowse easier, you can now set the name of the ST-Guide accessory. To do this, create an environment variable called "HELP_ACC" and set it to the filename (no path and no extension) of the help accessory. Example: You would like MasterBrowse to use TEST.ACC, instead of ST-GUIDE.ACC. Add the following line to GEM.CNF: setenv HELP_ACC=TEST If you have Mag!X, you would add the following line to MAGX.INF: #_ENV HELP_ACC=TEST That is all that there is to it. In order, MasterBrowse will look for HELP_ACC, 'ST-GUIDE', and 'STGUIDE'. INSTRUCTIONS: The HyperText documentation has been improved to take better advantage of the power offered by the ST-Guide utility. BUG FIX: Selecting "Close All Documents" will now clear the list of open documents, so you can use the "Quick Access" feature without getting an error message. INSTALLATION: The MasterBrowse Installation Program: NEW FEATURE: If the destination path you specify in the installation path contains folders that do not exist, the installation program will now create them. NEW FEATURE: If there is no AUTO folder, the installation program will now create one on the boot device. NEW FEATURE: The destination path no longer needs to be terminated by a '\' character. BUG FIX: The file selector will no longer contain an invalid path specification if you double-click on an editable text field. NEW FEATURE: The installation program will no longer generate an error if the destination file exists during a copy operation. The old file will silently be erased. ________________________________________ > Fast Path 1.0! STR InfoFile - File Selector -> Path Selection Utility """"""""""""""""""""""""""" ==================== | Fast Path v1.0 | | Press Release | | August 15, 1994 | ==================== Trace Technologies is proud to introduce FastPath. Shipping date: AVAILABLE NOW! "A Straight Line- The shortest distance between two points." "FastPath- The shortest distance between two paths." Fast Path v1.0 - The Indispensable Path Selection Utility! Are you struggling with the system file selector, clicking here and there to get to your word processing folder or that favorite game? Sure, using an alternative file selector can be better, but have you found yourself wishing it had more predefined paths and extenders? Wish no more! FastPath, a demoware program by Keith Gerdes and Trace Technologies, works in conjunction with your system/alternative file selector, giving you unparalleled power and flexibility when it comes to quickly getting to the directory you need. When you need to get somewhere fast, you need the speed of FastPath. o Provides 34 user-definable paths in an attractive graphical user interface. Call FastPath as needed or have it automatically appear before the file selector. Select a path via the mouse or keyboard and you're instantly there, reaching distant points of your hard disk with ease. Paths can be defined, copied, moved, deleted or edited with point-and-click ease. Displays the current path being sent to the file selector along with the file selector prompt and filename specifications. o Remembers the last 4 paths used in the file selector, for instant recall. Combined with the above, you have 38 paths at your disposal. o Provides 38 user-definable extenders, one of which can be passed to the file selector to narrow the range of files displayed. o Save your favorite paths and extenders to disk for future use. o Full mouse and keyboard control. o Convenient Help screen. o FastPath can access CodeHead's powerful file maintenance utility, MaxiFile III, by a simple keypress if MaxiFile is resident as a desk accessory. o Works in all color or monochrome graphic resolutions with a minimum screen size of 640x200. 100% assembly. Uses as little as 22K of RAM. Compatible with all TOS versions and ST/STe/TT/Falcon models. o Strong support from one of the oldest developers for the Atari ST whose current product line includes Data Diet, Squish II, Data Rescue, Load Aladdin, TOS4TRAPv1 -and soon to be released- Missouri, Fast Menu and the Falcon030 Toolkit. o A demo version is freely available on online services. NOTE: Some features are not available in the demo version. The full version can be purchased for only US$10. Consult the next section for details. Purchasing FastPath: [NOTE: Canadian users- please see specific FastPath order info below.] Send US$10 plus shipping & handling. S&H: $3 in the U.S., $5 priority mail in the U.S., or $5 outside the U.S. Texas residents must add 8.25% sales tax. Please make payment by check (issued by a U.S. bank), U.S. funds money order (drawn on a U.S. bank), or postal money order. [NOTEs: GEnie gifts of time are NOT accepted. And no credit card order capability.] Payable to: Trace Technologies or Keith Gerdes Send to: Trace Technologies [FASTPATH] PO Box 711403 Houston, TX 77271-1403 What else do you get for your investment? -> Tech support and bug fix updates! -> Plus special discounts on future products. ==== Canadian users ==== In order to save you money and offer you quicker turnaround, I started a registration service with Howard Carson, a member of the Toronto Atari Federation User Group. Howard will take care of processing all Canadian orders- including user registration, money transactions and software distribution. Please note, tech support and all other support will still be the sole responsibility of TraceTech. The Canadian registration fee is $20 Cdn, total amount. Send all Canadian registrations to: Howard Carson #601-2904 St. Clair Ave. East Toronto, Ontario Canada M4B 1N7 And make all Canadian payments to: Howard Carson Howard accepts personal cheques and current account cheques drawn on Canadian banks and trusts, as well as MO's, drafts and cash. He will try to service registrants within 72 hours (for cash, M.O and draft/certified cheque customers), and within 10 days for personal cheque customers. '72 hours' and '10 days', refer to the actual elapsed period before an item is mailed/registered/applied (as appropriate). ==== Other currencies ==== If you wish to setup a distribution point for other currencies, please contact me. ==== Order Survey ==== 1) File selector(s) currently in use? 2) TOS version? 3) Computer model? 4) High density disk drive? This survey is optional and no item is mandatory- skip any you find objectionable. Your answers will simply be filed away for future reference. Customer support is available via: Phone: (713)771-8332 [weekdays 1PM-5PM Central Time] GEnie: Category 2, Topic 12 or K.GERDES Internet: k.gerdes@genie.geis.com Products mentioned are copyright by their respective owners. ___________________________________________ > A Little Bit of Atari Trivia! - From Delphi's Atari Advantage Forums """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Since the meaning of "Atari" was asked by someone, I thought I'd post what an old "Atari Age" mag had to say: In 1972, three partners (headed by Nolan Bushnell) founded Atari in Sunnyvale, CA. Their first choice for a name was actually "Syzygy" (the straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies), but that name was in use by another California corporation. Their next inspiration was to use terms from the Japanese game "Go" that they played constantly. They made up a list of Go terms and chose "Sente", which means "the upper hand". However, "Sente" was also in use. Their third choice was "Atari", which is when one player places the other in serious jeopardy. The Atari logo was designed by George Opperman in 1972. At the time, he was a freelance artist working for Atari and later he became head graphics designer for Atari's coin-op games. The logo basically represents a stylized "A". George stated that the symbol also depicts two opponents on opposite sides of a "pong" line. The symbol later became known as "fuji" probably for its resemblance to a mountain, and/or as a result of Atari's Japanese image. -/- GST Offers Publish It! Support -/- GST Software PLC, the original developer of the PC versions of Publish It!, has announced extended support for Publish It! users who may be affected by Timeworks Inc.'s business closure. GST Software says it's ensuring that Timeworks' Publish It! DOS and Windows users continue to receive full product support. Technical support is available immediately from GST's hotline at (612) 544-4890, or via CompuServe mail at 71351,332,. The company may also be reached in writing at P.O. Box 26204, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426. GST says that for the next three months there won't be any support charge to users of Timeworks' Publish It! products for Windows and DOS. The offer doesn't apply to Timeworks' Publish It! for Macintosh products, with which GST isn't associated. _______________________________________________ > Atari Virus Alert!? STR InfoFile! - Get Out the Penicillin!! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" From the USENET: *** VIRUS WARNING *** From: Date: Sun, 21 Aug 94 17:46:58 +0100 * Originally from Area 'N.NET.NOTICE' * Originally to All * Forwarded by Koos Kuil on 2:282/397, 21 Aug 94 18:03:50 Hello There! A few days ago a user named Cor Kalkman did upload me a Trojan Horse virus on my Bulletin Board. Watch out for a file named XCELL267.ZIP, 149811 bytes long. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The user describe it as an Excellent Virus killer better then AVK 6.3 and recognize a lot of bootsectors and link viruses but nothing is true. After unpacking 3 files are existing: XCELLENT.PRG (The Killer! ICE-Packed) XCELLENT.DAT (Looks like a data file but it's nothing more then an ICE-packed ZIP file with nothing more then the original pirated Euro version of PC-Ditto!) README.1ST (A text file with information) The virus killer doesn't work on TOS 1.4, TOS 4.02 (TOS 2.06 isn't tested) but it does his job with TOS 1.2 here. When NO HD is connected you'll get a message that you must reboot your computer because "there are some resident programs into the memory". If there's a HD it will cleanup all your files on it! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I've tried it with a Ram-disk on a Stand-Alone 1040 without HD and all my files are gone in the Ram-disk after running it. You'll also get a nice message that you're a complete idiot. One of my users has a clean HD now after downloading this file, many thanks to him for warning me about this ugly file. It's removed immediate from my BBS in Holland. All partitions from C: to F: are deleted after running. This message is also forwarded to some dutch echos, please be careful. Greetings, Koos --- JetMail 0.99beta8 * Origin: Willie's Atari BBS, Octopus Developement, Fido/NeST/FAN (2:282/397) Jaguar Section ============== > From the Editor's Controller - "Playin' it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Nothing's changed from my earlier comments this week other than we should start to hear a number of games going into production, any day now! There are also bits this week about some new titles being discussed by that Jaguar "shepherd", 'Yak' Minter. Some online discussions have been interesting and we've reprinted a few of them for your reading enjoyment. Let's get to it, while I finish packing for Connecticut and hoping I'll be able to keep up with the youngsters at the Jaguar competition!! Until next time... > Jaguar Tips and Facts Book! STR NewsFile! - Jag Book Announced! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Contact: Ron Beltramo Joe Harabin Atari Sandwich Islands Publishing (408) 745-8852 (808) 661-5844 For Immediate Release FANS OF JAGUAR VIDEO GAMES CAN LEARN THE LATEST TIPS AND TRICKS WITH "ATARI JAGUAR OFFICIAL GAMES SECRETS" First Authorized Jaguar Book Available December 1994 SUNNYVALE, CA (August 18, 1994) -- Fans of Jaguar video games -- the most technologically-advanced games on the market -- soon will be able to learn the best strategies for playing their favorite games with Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets. Hawaii-based book company Sandwich Islands Publishing will produce the strategy guide, the first Jaguar book written with the full authorization and cooperation of Atari. Written by Zach Meston (contributing editor to Video Games, Computer Player, and Tips and Tricks Magazines), J. Douglas Arnold, and Danny Han, Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets will feature: * Detailed strategies for the hottest Jaguar games on the market including: Tempest 2000, Aliens vs. Predator, Kasumi Ninja, Wolfenstein 3-D, Doom, Iron Soldier, Ultra Vortex, Club Drive, and many more * Previews of upcoming Jaguar releases * Interviews with Jaguar game programmers and a "tech specs" chapter written by Jaguar game developer Douglas Engel * A vivid design -- with hundreds of screen shots -- which conveys the excitement of the Jaguar's 64-bit power Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets will be available in December 1994 at a suggested retail price of $14.95. "Our secrets and strategies for Atari's library of superb games will make for a book that no Jaguar owner can afford to be without," said Joe Harabin, president of Sandwich Islands Publishing. Zach Meston, lead author of Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets, added, "It's an incredible thrill for me to work directly with the company that helped me sharpen my hand-eye coordination and get such a great job in the first place." Some of the tips included in Atari Jaguar Official Games Secrets already are available on Atari's popular Jaguar hotline (tel. 1-900-737-2827). The hotline is available 24 hours a day and costs only 95 cents per minute. (Children under 18 require parental permission.) 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. Jaguar, the most powerful multimedia system available, was recently named the industry's "Best New Game System" (Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware Systems" (Game Informer) and "1993 Technical Achievement of the Year" (Die Hard Game Fan). Jaguar also recently was given the European Computer Trade Show Award for "Best Hardware of the Year." Atari Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, California, manufactures and markets 64-bit interactive multimedia entertainment systems, video games and personal computers for the home, office and educational marketplaces. Sandwich Islands Publishing is a privately held company based on the the tropical paradise of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. It was formed in 1984 and has been producing best-selling video game strategy guides since 1990. Sandwich Islands Publishing's books are distributed in the U.S. and overseas, including Canada, Spain, and the UK. *** Jaguar is a trademark for Atari Corporation. Atari is a registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their owning companies. __________________________________________ > Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" -/- Downloadable Video Games Tested -/- NewLeaf Entertainment and Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. have announced that Blockbuster Video stores in Columbia, S.C., have started testing the Game Factory, a new system that allows retail stores to sell downloaded video games on reprogrammable cartridges. More than 200 video games for the Sega Genesis system are currently available in unlimited quantities in 10 Columbia area Blockbuster Video stores. The Game Factory system stores video game software electronically and then it downloads on-demand onto specially-designed reprogrammable video game cartridges. Once a game has been programmed onto a cartridge, it looks and plays like a standard video game cartridge. The blank cartridges can be reprogrammed an unlimited number of times, allowing retailers to customize their inventory of rental titles to match consumer demand. The system is being jointly developed and marketed by NewLeaf and its sister company, Fairway Technologies. "The Game Factory system gives customers in Columbia the games they want -- when they want them," says David Lundeen, president of NewLeaf Entertainment. The test will evaluate the Game Factory system's effect on video game rentals and customer satisfaction over a two to four month period. Columbia was selected because of its diverse market profile. NewLeaf Entertainment and Fairway Technologies are joint ventures between Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. and IBM Corp. ________________________________________ > Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr! """""""""""""""""""""""""" First Jaguar CD-ROM Titles Hinted at by Atari's Bill Rehbock and... Bill is a new dad in case you didn't know! Virgin are working on Creature Shock (CD-ROM, 1st Qtr 95 release); Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (Cart, by Christmas, maybe); Demolition Man (CD-ROM, maybe Christmas or early 95); and Cannon Fodder (Cart, should be for Christmas.) I couldn't attend CES this time, as my wife and I had our first child on June 22nd. -Bill @ Atari From CIS' AtariGaming Forums and the 'net, Dimitri LaBarge finds all kinds of interesting Jaguar tidbits! ----- Okay, the latest on AvP production, from Greg LeBreq: the programmers are polishing off the last of the sounds right now, so it doesn't look like it'll make it in to production this week, but quite probably next. (If you remember from W3D, sounds are always the last to be completed.) After the sounds are done, there's one step left, and it's an interesting insight to a lot of the delays on this title. The game needs to be submitted to 20th Century Fox for approval, and as Greg put it, they've been less than a breeze to satisfy. While that's not the best possible news, the game is very solid and there really shouldn't be much a problem in this area. More news as it happens... Dimitri ['Net Surfer] And...... First, a brief note from Jeff Minter on the status of VLM: it's currently in final integration with the CD-ROM unit. Save for a few minor tweaks, it is for all intents and purposes done. Now for the *interesting* news: Jeff Minter is about to start on Defender 2000. Dimitri ----- What do you mean "final integration with the CD-Rom unit?" Does that mean it is going to be BUILT-IN the Roms of the CD player???? ----- Yep, it's built-in and driven from the CD-ROM player. ----- A few minor tidbits that I thought you might like to hear: A lot of people who played CF at SCES (and saw it on tape) complained about the control system. Rebellion confirmed that the control was completely overhauled since then and is greatly improved (which made Yak very happy :>). Since Yak is back as an active poster (after being ill and having his PC blow up on him), I thought it would be nice to include his perspective on one of the hot Jag titles coming up: >>> > Lets hope it will be as good as promised. < - Oh yes, no doubt about that. I only saw Iron Soldier for the first time at CES, and I was just blown away. It ROCKS. It's awesome. It's big-time, bad-*ss fun and the coding is just brilliant - loads of polys really fast, lovely texture mapped helicopters... gorgeous. \ (:-) Moo Moo Moo / << High praise from the guy who currently holds the standard on coding excellence. ----- And, rumors of a buggy Brutal Sports Football are stifled! To All BSF and what really happened. All of the ROMS used to date, in all Jaguar games have been manufactured overseas and shipped back to the United States for assembly into the Jaguar cartridges. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks. Then the ROMS are sent to a company in San Jose CA and assembled into cartridges. This process can take 1 to 10 days depending on the quantity to be assembled and the manufacturing load of the cartridge assembler. When finished the assembler ships the cartridges to the publisher. The publisher distributes the cartridges into the marketplace. The ROMS for BSF were received by the assembler sometime during the last week in July. The assembler was to assemble the cartridges and have them available on August 2nd for shipment to Telegames. Sometime during the ROM chip manufacturing 7 bytes of code were changed rendering the entire chip run bad. None of the chips could be used. At this point Telegames had two choices: 1. To do another ROM run and delay the introduction of BSF 4-5 weeks. 2. To quickly secure as many EPROMs as possible and manufacture BSF for delivery ASAP. Telegames selected option 2 and the cartridges were delivered to distribution on August 9th. All cartridges in the market place today are EPROM versions. Telegames was not able to secure all the EPROMS needed to match the quantity of the intended ROM run and for this reason BSF is in short supply at this time. The EPROM version increased the manufacturing cost of the cartridge by at least $20 each and I doubt that any profits were made on the first run. (When complaining about the high cost of BSF you might want to take this into consideration.) Contrary to what Max quoted (Message #50547) there are no defective copies of BSF in the market and there is no recall. It will be 4-6 weeks until the next batch of BSF will be available. We have very few copies remaining and will be out of stock by the end of the week. If you want a copy E-Mail me now. For those of you wanting to contact Telegames directly, their phone number is: (214)228-0690, FAX number is (214)228-0693 and their US address is PO Box 1855, DeSoto, TX 75123. Dave Bits of Fun From CIS' Electronic Boutique's "expert", Steve Horn: Here is the complete Electronics Boutique release list for the Atari Jaguar as of 8-23-94: ----Alien vs Predator Atari 9/22/94 ----BattleWheels Beyond Games 9/30/94 ----Cannon Fodder Telegames 9/30/94 ----Casino Action Telegames TBA ----Air Car Wars Telegames 9/30/94 ----Club Drive Atari 9/30/94 ----Commando Microids TBA ----DOOM!!!!!!!! Atari/Id 9/30/94 ----Double Dragon V Williams Ent. 10/30/94 ----Dragon Bruce Lee Atari 11/?/94 ----Dragons Lair Ready Soft 9/30/94 ----Dungeon Depths Midnight Software 11/?/94 to 12/?/94 ----European Soccer Chall. Telegames 9/30/94 (maybe sooner) ----Evidence Microids TBA ----Flashback Us Gold 11/30/94 ----Grunge All Systems Go TBA ----Hardball III Atari TBA ----Hosenose & Booger Asg Tech. TBA ----Iron Soldier Atari 11/?/94 ----Kasumi Ninja Atari 9/30/94 ----Legions of the Undead Atari 11/?/94 ----Lester the Unlikely Dtmc 10/30/94 ----Lobo Ocean 9/30/94 ----Military Might Midnight TBA ----Pinball Fantasies 21st Century 09/30/94 ----Return to Zork Activision TBA ----Skid Marks Telegames 1/30/95 ----Soccer Kid Ocean TBA ----Space Wars Atari TBA ----Syndicate Ocean 10/?/94 ----Synergy All Systems Go TBA ----Theme Park Ocean TBA ----Tiny Toons Atari 11/?/94 ----Troy Aikman Football Tradewest TBA ----Ultimate Brain Games Telegames 9/30/94 ----Ultra Vortex Beyond Games 11/?/94.....this is gonna be a good one !!!!! ----White men can't Jump Trimark 10/30/94 Here are the titles that my rep tells are are on the way: ----Checkered Flag 10/01/94 ----Demolition Man 11/?/94 ----Assault/ Covert Operations 11/?/94 to 12/?/94 **** All Dates are subject to change without notice and represent the scheduled release dates provided to Electronics Boutique by the titles respective Vendor. To reserve a title at EB call your local Electronic Boutique, EBX or Waldens Software Stores. If in the VA/DC area and specifically the FairFax,VA. area call EBX at Fair Oaks Mall (703)385-0542. I realize that some titles have Atari as the vendor name when they are by another company. I'm not sure why our list has it listed this way but this is the information provided to me and I felt I should list it the same way you'd see it in your local EB store. I welcome any corrections or updates if they are friendly. Any Questions or updates can be sent to me here. Steve Horn ____________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Well, yet another week has come and gone. As we keep hearing about Atari's new baby, the Jaguar, I can't help but think back to the same type of hype many years ago over the "Jackintosh". That was the nickname given to the 520 ST in honor of Jack Tramiel. The industry was astounded at how any computer company could come out with such an amazing operating system in only six months. Heck, Commodore's Amiga had been in the works for almost two years and it came out after the ST. The real story would be less believable than Elvis leaving a UFO with the ST under his arm and giving it to the Bigfoot at his favorite Seven-Eleven. Well, okay, so the two stories would be neck and neck at the finish line. As the years went on, the same hype has been applied to the 1040, the Mega, the STe, the TT, and the FALCON030. They are all great machines, but, as an article in a recent Wallstreet Journal pointed out: In order to remain competitive, a computer company must come out with a new model every six months. And except for the 520-1040 machines, none of the models were released within six months of one another. But new models are only part of the story. A computer company also needs to support the machines in order to do well. Does a lack of support make the machines any less useable? No. But lack of support pushes buyers to other platforms. And developers follow the buyers... who follow the developers. Can you say Catch 22? I knew that you could. The company's lack-luster support hurts itself more than users or developers: Users and developers can always move to another platform if need be while the computer company is stuck with... itself. The computers are still as good as they ever were... it's the company that needs a jumpstart. Even though developers are coming out with very few new items for the ST/TT/Falcon machines, the existing software is good enough for many, and in some cases superior to the latest wizz-bang utilities for other platforms. One Floridian Graphic Artist comes to mind; she wanted a "good item selector for the Mac like Charles F. Johnson's Little Green File Selector for the ST". And I'd choose NeoDesk4 over WinDoze every time. And sound cards?? We don't need no stinkin' sound cards. Please don't ask me why I just typed this little missive out. Most of you already know about the situation. I guess that my point is that even though we're "orphans" we still use our machines productively and enjoy it. And isn't that really the important thing? Well, I've wasted enough space with this. Let's get on with the real reason for this column: All the great news, hints, and tips available every week on CompuServe. Let's get busy... From the Atari Computing Forums =============================== Terry Cano posts: "Even though there seems to be little support for tthe Falcon from Atari I've decided to purchase the bird anyway. Any suggestions on price, where to go and latest verision OS ?" Dazzz Smith tells Terry: "Latest TOS version for the Falcon is 4.04, make sure it has that, 4.01 has a few 'quirks' I seem to remember." Mike Mortilla adds: "Just about in your neighborhood is Mid Cities computers (Bellflower, CA). Their # is 310-867-0626. Tell 'em Mike from Santa Barbara sent you! :) You might also try TOAD computers 1-800-448-TOAD. A 1 meg Falcon from TOAD w/o HD is $799. A 14 meg system w/a HD goes for $1899. (HD size not listed.) TOAD also includes Multi-TOS, Atariworks, SpeedoGDOS, and a bunch of other programs and ACCs. The advantage to going to MID cities is that you can demo the Falcon and actually take it home with you! They're also, very nice folks." Marty Hall asks: "Any suggestions for a good Fax program for the ST?" Our own Atari Section Editor, Dana Jacobson, tells Marty: "STraight Fax is an excellent fax program. It's available from NewSTar Technoloy and the author is here online: Charles Smeton. Toad Computers is the distributor for the software." On the subject of problems running Atari's new Speedo GDOS v5, Mike Mortilla posts: Just when you though it was safe to boot-up your computer... I just got the latest version of Atariworks from TOAD and there is an apparent problem with it and Warp 9. At it's least annoying, you can't see selected text. At it's worst, it might be responsible for crashing the prog. Then again, I also installed SpeedoGDOS 5 at the same time and that might well be the problem. Come to think of it, when Works crashes, it won't boot up again until I re-boot the entire system, so it may well be Speedo 5 that is crashing. Anyway, what better reason to do a new, cool update of Warp 9?... ...I can easily go back to the old speedo version and would rather be able to use Warp 9 and wait for the fix." Brian Gockley tells Mike: "I will definitely upgrade to Speedo 5 when I get a chance, probably at the CT AtariFest this weekend (shameless plug). Can you tell us how it compares so far (aside from the Warp9 thing)?" Mike tells Brian: "Not having used Speedo before that (this is my first version) I have nothing to compare it to. But it adds true type and other fonts to the mix, so it should be very useful for that. Another "incompatabilty" is that it won't allow Smartdate to work in the Auto folder. My work around is to have Smartdate run as the auto "install" prog from the desktop. That seems to do the trick just fine. :) It'll be interesting to see where else incompatabilities are lurking when the prog is more widely distributed (read used.)" Bob Wilson adds: "On another service I have seen reports that AW bombs with SPEEDO 5 when you have a screen accelerator in use. There was also a list of at least 5 other major bugs when used with AW." Mike tells Bob: "Aha! That *IS* true but I didn't connect it with the crashes. Often (w/Warp 9) you can't see the selected text as being highlighted. I guess I'll disable Warp 9 in AW (which is the only prog I have that uses Speedo) and see if that helps the crashes." Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine asks Mike: "What version of Atari Works are you running? Are you using the same fonts (Speedo) only or True Type or PostScript Type 1 fonts? What machine are you running on?" Mike tells Albert: "It should be the most recent version. Toad Computers just got it in last week, but I'll check and get back to you. I have added one True Type font from CIS in the DTP Forum to see if it'll work, but the prog crashed many times before that. I'm on a 1040ST with 4 megs. Accs are: Pro Calc, RAMbaby, Control Panal, Warp 9 Acc and the Chameleon. Auto progs are: Speedo5, Warp 9, Outburst, Regacc, DCShowit, TOS14fix, and Poolfix. Regacc is needed to run DCShowit. My next move is to disable Warp 9 and see what happens..." Albert, always "the guy with things to try" when it comes to computer problems, tells Mike: "My first thought would be disable Warp9 which someone already suggested to you. You might also check your cache buffers and see if they are big enough to hold everything." Robert from Compo Software (the co-producer of Speedo GDOS) tells Mike: "Disabling Warp 9 should fix it. I know of problems blocking text with Warp 9 enabled, and I've heard of problems printing, but it shouldn't be bombing. Please note that these problems with Warp 9 are NOT due to SpeedoGDOS 5." CodeHead extraordinaire, Charles F. Johnson, posts: "Since you're blaming the incompatibility on Warp 9, I'm curious about something. I'm sure you're aware that there are thousands of Warp 9 users in the US. And I also know that we were _never_ contacted about any problems before SpeedoGDOS 5 was released. Was any consideration given to compatibility with Warp 9 during development of SpeedoGDOS 5? Did Compo test them together at all? Often, incompatibilities of this nature can be resolved simply by programming something in a slightly different way. Of course, that only happens if a company cares enough about their customers to do so." Gregory Whelchel tells us: "I am looking for suggestions on how to implement a large screen (1024 x 768 or larger) on a Mega STe and a Stacy. I know it can be done out of the box on a TT and with mods on both the Falcon and regular Megas, but have not heard of any methods for the other machines. I have heard of something from Gribnif called Crazy Dots. I think it is for the VME slot on a Mega STe. Does it work, and is it compatible with Cubase Score? Any ideas and/or sources would be welcome." That wildman from ST Informer Magazine, Brian Gockley, tells Gregory: "There are several video cards that work with the Mega, none with the STacy. As you mentioned, Gribnif has a Crazy Dots, but there is also Lexicors NOVA, Dover Research's ISAAC, and the CyberCube series from Cyrel. ST Informer Magazine has reviewed all but the last, and you could order the back issues." Out of the blue Mike Mortilla posts: "I have these lurking fantasies that someday either: 1- Some other persons or companies will pick up the flag Atari dropped and make the ST-Falcon line what it should have been all along, or 2- The computing community will realize that the Atari ST-Falcon line is capable of doing something NO other computer can do." Sysop Bob Retelle tells Mike: "Yeah, me too.. like the company where the employees get together and buy out the management and run the company profitably instead of all being laid off... All the Atari users in the world rise up and buy out Atari.. and do it right.." Greg Kopchak posts this... "For those who would like to know: The new version of Photo Show Pro in development will support ST/STe/TT030/Falcon030 computers with a single program. It will support a wide range of output resolutions, most in color or grey modes: ST Low (320x200, 16 colors)* ST High (640x400, monochrome) TT Low (320x480, 256 colors) TT Medium (640x480, 16 colors) TT High (1280x960, monochrome) ..and for Falcon modes, on an SC1224 or TV: 320x200, 256 colors or true color* 384x240, 256 colors or true color (overscanned)* 640x400, 256 colors or true color* 768x480, 256 colors or true color (overscanned)* On a Falcon with a VGA monitor: 320x240, 256 colors or true color 640x480, 256 colors 320x480, true color Any modes marked by an asterisk (*) can be recorded directly to video. Monochrome modes obviously can't do color, and true color modes don't do greyscale (use a 256-color mode for that, it looks better). All output modes can be aspect-ratio corrected for TVs. This is also useful for VGA monitors that won't adjust too well and always give a tall image. ScreenBlaster can, of course, be used for display purposes, but you won't be able to record directly to tape with it. I can honestly say that 768x480 true color mode looks *very* nice on the Falcon! The grey modes also look crisp, even in ST Low resolution. Oh, and you get full effects in all display modes, too." Brian Gockley tells Greg: "Sounds fantastic, I can't wait to see it on the big screen at the CT show. I've been a happy Moniterm monitor owner for years, it's great to see programs supporting that resolution!" Greg replies: "We may have some sneek peeks of the new version of Photo Show Pro with extended support for TT and monochrome monitors, but will be showing the Falcon true color and STe version at the show. We will also have Art For Kids and ExtenDOS 1.21 available for viewing. Make sure you check out the animation module for the Falcon Version of Photo Show Pro. It is by far the best FLI player for the machine. You will be impressed. See you at CAF in Bridgeport!" From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Jon Sanford asks: "Can you give me information on how to hook up a CDROM Drive to a Atari Mega 16 STe? I also want to use the same drive on a Mac PowerBook And a Dell." Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Jon: "Most SCSI CD-ROM drives work fine. The most popular is probably the Toshiba 3401B. It should be under $400 easily. For driver software you might look at ExtenDOS v1.2x which is available from many Atari dealers and It's All Relative also. I think the price is under $30 or so." Tom at ICD tells Jon: "If you don't already have a SCSI host adapter outside of your Mega STE, pick up The Link 2. It is an external type that will plug directly into the back of most external SCSI CDROM drives. It includes our own drivers and you can always buy extendos later if you don't like ours. Make sure that the connector on your SCSI CDROM unit is the centronics 50 type and NOT the new SCSI 2 type that is appearing on some of the newest drives. Otherwise, you will need an adapter cable." From the Palmtop Forum ====================== Andrew Hradesky reacts to someone mentioning the name "PSION": "Psion is a name I have not heard of since the TIMEX/sinclair days. What kind of palm top do they have?" Sysop Ron Luks tells Andrew: "Psion has the Series 3a, which is one of the hottest selling palmtops/PDAs in the world (if not THE biggest seller) We have an extremely active Psion section in this forum (section 7). Check it out." James Barger posts: "I recently bought an Atari Portfolio at an auction for $25 and would like to find some accessories or programs for it. If anybody has any or knows of a good source, please let me know." Sysop Judy Hamner tells James: "You got a good deal, James. The forum library is bursting with files including some very good programs for the Portfolio. I suggest that you start with PORT.FAQ. That should answer many of your questions. Check Section 17 for offers of items for sale by other forum members." Well folks, I know that it's a short column this week, but things are tumbling in on me, and I've got to get to them. Luckily, I've got my trusty ST to help me through it all. If you happen to be in the neighborhood this weekend, stop into the Connecticut AtariFest in Bridgeport CT and say hello to Dana and I. Or better yet, stay for our seminar on the past, present, and future of digital journalism. Tune in again next time and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING _____________________________________ > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - Columbia, MO DATASTORM TO SUPPORT RIP & TCP/IP ------------ In the tradition of responding to customer needs and requests, DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. is proud to announce its intent to incorporate TCP/IP support in the next interim release of PROCOMM PLUS for Windows. DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. is also proud to announce its intent to support the Remote Imaging Protocol (RIP) terminal emulation in PROCOMM PLUS for Windows. Current plans are to offer these enhancemente at no additional cost in the form of a Dynamically Linked Terminal (.DLT). However, no availability date for these features has been made at this time. The update will likely support the 2.0 RIP specification and be made available for download from the DATASTORM BBS and the DATASTORM Forum on CompuServe. No additional information is available at this time. Please stay tuned to the DATASTORM BBS (314.875.0503) or the DATASTORM Forum on CompuServe (GO DATASTORM) for more information as it becomes available. - Toronto, Canada DELRINA HAS HEADACHE WITH WINCOM PRO? --------------- According to our "tuned in" sources, Delrina is having a real "go" of it with WinCom Pro. It seems the consumers are not pleased with its behavior and performance. In fact, rumor has it that Delrina is, at this time, refunding sales almost as fast as they are selling this product. Additionally, its reported that there are "in earnest" plans to get the situation corrected as fast as possible. In the meantime, the WinCom Pro package is earning a "not so nice" reputation for Delrina. This reporter feels this is not fair as Delrina has another fine telecommuncations product on the market that is the "rave" of the Fax community. WinFax Pro v4.0 is quite popular and a huge success for Delrina. WinComm Pro is one that quite possibly may have fallen through the cracks and will soon be "perked" up. - Santa Cruz, Ca PIZZA HUT TESTS HOME DELIVERY VIA THE INTERNET -------------- Your next Pizza Hut pizza may be coming to you via the Information Super highway. Pizza Hut stated that recently began testing a new Internet pizza ordering system that allows computer users to order pizza and beverages with their computers. PizzaNet, as the system is called, is available through the World Wide Web portion of the Internet, and will provide users with product and price information with a user-friendly menu interface. "This could be the next big step in the pizza delivery business," Jon Payne, Pizza Hut's MIS Director of Point-of-Sale Development, said. "There's a huge, untapped market of computer users who are looking for different and exciting ways to use the Internet. PizzaNet will certainly appeal to them." """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "What?? Who Me??" """"""""""""""""" NO INDIVIDUAL RAINDROP EVER CONSIDERS ITSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FLOOD! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > 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 1295.00 - 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 =====******===== Syquest Removable 200mb 449.95 SCSI Drives(Priced Right!) All Size Platters Available 200mb (84.95) One Platter included with each Drive free! Bernoulli! Call for Prices! 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