Silicon Times Report The Original Independent OnLine Magazine" (Since 1987) November 17, 1995 No. 1146 Silicon Times Report International OnLine Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 STR Electronic Publishing Inc. A subsidiary of STR Worldwide CompNews Inc. R.F. Mariano, Editor Featured in ITCNet's ITC_STREPORT Echo Voice: 1-904-268-3815 10am-4pm EST STReport WebSite http://www.streport.com STR Publishing Support BBS THE BOUNTY INTERNATIONAL BBS Featuring: * 5.0GB * of File Libraries Mustang Software's WILDCAT! 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WEB SITE: http//www.streport.com CIS ~ PRODIGY ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET ~ CIX ~ USENET USPOLNET CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ PROWL ~ FNET ~ AOL Florida Lotto _ LottoMan v1.35 Results: 11/10/95: 2 matches in 2 plays From the Editor's Desk... Thanksgiving is almost upon us. This year, there's much to be thankful for at this address. After the events of last year, my Sons and I will be especially thankful this year. We can only hope and pray your Thanksgiving Holiday is equally as warm and filled with family love as ours will be. Comdex has done it again. The flow of new goodies is overwhelming. Computerists the world over have another year's bounty to choose from. Between the new updates and totally new programs and hardware goodies. they'll be busy for some time to come. Of the reviewers will too. Santa Claus is also going "high tech" this year. More now than ever before.. STReport is now offering WebSites and listings for users. 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While there, be sure to join our STR list. In any case, our current Internet mailing list will continue to be used for at least the next eight weeks. Each of our readers will have by then, received their information packet about how they may upgrade their personal STR News Services. STReport's managing editors DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Editor Dana P. Jacobson, Editor, Current Affairs Section Editors PC Section Mac Section Atari Section R.F. Mariano J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson Portable Computers & Entertainment Marty Mankins 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 Vincent P. O'Hara Contributing Correspondents Dominick J. 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Send your subscription to: BBS Press Services, Inc. 8125 S.W. 21st Street Topeka, KS 66615 Or, to order by phone, Please Call: 1-913-478-3157 (Voice) 1-913-478-9239 (Data) 1-913-478-1189 (FAX) Checks, Mastercard & Visa ok, Please include Full Name, Address, home Number, Card type, number & expiration date when ordering. If by mail, please _sign_ your personal order. STReport Headline News LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson Borland, Sun Make Java Deal Software publisher Borland International Inc. has formed an alliance with Sun Microsystems to develop products based on the latter's Java programs for Internet access. Reporting from Scotts Valley, California, United Press International says the new alliance calls for Borland to work on developing "tools" that can be used to set up customized applications running on Java programs. The product is code named Latte. Borland Vice President Paul Gross told the wire service, "This agreement with Sun will enable Borland to deliver high quality development solutions to the exploding Internet market. We believe that Java's platform- independent capabilities will drive its acceptance as a distributed computing development environment and create a need for high performance, rapid application development tools. " As noted earlier, Sun's Java software is designed to simplify use of the Internet's World Wide Web and it has been actively promoting it over the Internet in order to encourage adoption of it as a standard. UPI says Java is designed to allow companies to set up better-looking Web home pages, adding, "Rather than the current offering of text and an occasional photo, the program allows companies to feature moving pictures and a constantly updated stream of information, such as stock ticker prices or multiplayer games." The wire service also comments that Borland has been "scrambling to stay profitable amid brutal competition for customers" from such companies as Microsoft Corp. and IBM's Lotus Development Corp., selling off assets in recent years to focus on database software development. Softbank Acquires Ziff-Davis Japanese software distributor Softbank Corp. and an affiliate have agreed to acquire Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., the largest U.S. publisher of computer and high-tech magazines, for $2.1 billion. Ziff-Davis publishes several major computer magazines, including PC Magazine, Computer Shopper, PC Week and MacUser. The acquisition creates the computer industry's largest integrated magazine publisher and trade show organizer. Softbank, which is also a leading computer magazine publisher in Japan, recently acquired the COMDEX computer industry trade show company. Softbank President and Masayoshi Son says the company aims to publish 1,000 titles by 2005, compared to 130 in 1995. Seagate Buyout of Conner OK'd Antitrust regulators with the Federal Trade Commission have cleared disc-drive maker Seagate Technology Inc.'s proposed $1.04 billion buyout of rival Conner Peripherals Inc. Reporting from Scotts Valley, California, United Press International notes the merger, which will make Seagate the world's top producer of drives, still must be approved by stockholders of both companies and by the Commission of the European Union. "The two companies" combined share of the booming market for drives is about 35 percent," says UPI, "and will move Seagate into the business of tape drives -- used to back up disc drives -- and software for managing memory in computer networks." Packard Bell Amends Compaq Suit In new charges, Packard Bell Electronics Inc. has accused rival Compaq Computer Corp. of falsely labeled shipping cartons on some of its notebook models as made in America though they were produced overseas. Reporting from Sacramento, California, the Reuter News Service says the new allegations amend an October suit in which Packard Bell seeks damages for false advertising and violation of the Lanham Act that prohibits misrepresentation of the origin of goods. Packard Bell also is asking the court to issue an injunction mandating the truthful labeling of Compaq product to show its actual country of origin. As observed earlier, the suit is part of a long running legal battle between Compaq, the nation's largest computer maker (shipping 1.49 million in the third quarter), and Packard Bell, the fourth ranked manufacturer (with 835,000 units shipped in the same quarter). "The legal disputes date back to the spring of this year," Reuters notes, "when Compaq sued Packard Bell, claiming the company sold computers as new when in fact they contained used parts. The October suit filed by Packard Bell against Compaq claims Compaq falsely described Packard's return policies and misled customers in comparing the two companies." Netscape Completes Collabra Buy For $185.5 million in stock, web browser publisher Netscape Communications Corp. has completed acquisition of closely held Collabra Software Inc., a producer of a groupware program that competes with Lotus Notes. From Netscape's Mountain View, California, headquarters, the Wall Street Journal reports this morning the company issued 1.85 million shares of its stock to acquire Collabra. Collabra publishes Collabra Share in the groupware category of software intended for networked computerists. Officials with Netscape have said their employer plans to weave Collabra Share with the Netscape Navigator program for browsing the Internet's World Wide Web. Meanwhile, in Nasdaq Stock Market trading yesterday, Netscape topped $100 a share for the first time since going public in August, closing at $100.25, up $1.25. Netscape Sets Stock Split Netscape Communications Corp. says its board of directors has approved a two-for-one stock split, subject to stockholder approval. A special meeting of the company's shareholders is scheduled for Jan. 23, 1996, for the purpose of approving the split and doubling the number of common stock shares. Upon completion of the split, Netscape will have approximately 81 million common stock shares outstanding. Netscape has achieved stratospheric growth in its 19 months of existence. The company's Web browser tool has become the most popular tool for surfing the Internet's World Wide Web. Netscape is based in Mountain View, California. LAN of the Future: Data/Voice Link Multimedia personal computers can have all the special calling features of an office telephone when connected to a new phone system designed by AT&T Corp.'s office systems unit. The Wall Street Journal reports from New York that on Monday, AT&T will announce that its engineers at Bell Laboratories have designed hardware and software for linking the data and voice networks, allowing two people collaborating at their multimedia desktop computers to call and hear each other. The two colleagues could collaborate and then one of them could transfer the other to a third person at another workstation. Voice mail, call-waiting, and other features are also available, sources who have seen the new AT&T product told the Wall Street Journal. 1-Gigabit DRAM Alliance Set IBM, Siemens, Toshiba, and Motorola have announced plans for a four-way alliance to develop future generations of highly advanced semiconductor chips, including a 1-gigabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device. The announcement builds on an existing high-tech alliance among IBM, Siemens, and Toshiba that developed a 256-megabit DRAM. According to plans unveiled by the four companies, the new alliance will continue to develop and enhance existing 64- and 256-megabit chips and cooperate on next generation 1- gigabit DRAMs. A 1-gigabit device will offer four times the memory capacity of a 256-megabit chip, making possible the storage of 100,000 double-spaced pages of typewritten text on a single chip. While 4-megabit and 16-megabit DRAMs are currently available in the marketplace, the semiconductor industry is pushing to develop ever more sophisticated memory devices for use in power-hungry systems, such as powerful personal computers and workstations, as well as high-definition digital video, multimedia and telecommunications systems. Motorola researchers are expected to join development teams from IBM, Siemens, and Toshiba, which have been working on high-density memory chip development for several years at IBM's Advanced Semiconductor Research and Development Center in East Fishkill, New York. The alliance is an outgrowth of separate long-term elationships among the companies. IBM Sets Chip Mfg. Expansion IBM Corp. has announced plans to expand its microelectronics business by investing $1.4 billion at existing chip-making facilities in Essonnes, France and Burlington, Vermont. The investment in Essonnes, totaling about $1 billion, is for manufacturing 64-megabit DRAMs using .35 micron process technology. IBM notes that a single 64-megabit DRAM can store over 6,000 pages of double-spaced typewritten text. Over time, the new mission in Essonnes is expected to employ more than 1,000 people. The $400 million investment in Burlington will add .35 and .25 micron technology for manufacturing microprocessors, embedded controllers and other logic chips, including leading-edge multimedia devices such as IBM's new Mwave media processors and MPEG-2 video encoders and decoders. "Multimedia chips will play a key role as computing power migrates to large networks. They are an important element of our business growth," says Michael J. Attardo, general manager of IBM's Microelectronics Division. "We'll continue investing to grow our capacity, leverage our leadership in process technology and expand our position in the rapidly emerging consumer and communications semiconductor segments." In April, IBM announced $1 billion for capacity expansion worldwide, including Burlington; Essonnes (in a joint venture with Siemens); East Fishkill, New York (in a joint venture with Cirrus Logic called MiCRUS); and Yasu, Japan. In August, IBM and Toshiba announced plans to build a new $1.2 billion, .35 micron, 64-megabit DRAM plant in Manassas, Virginia. IBM says program commitments represented by all of these investments total more than $3 billion to be spent over the next several years. New Storage Plans Researched High-speed holographic data storage systems holding many times the information of today's largest magnetic hard disk drives are the goal of a new research alliance by the University of Dayton's Research Institute, IBM, Stanford University and others. In Dayton, Ohio, university officials told United Press International the potential applications are enormous, ranging from satellite communications to high-speed digital libraries. They added that the optical storage system could hold more than 12 times the information of today's largest magnetic hard disk drives and maintain data input and output rates more than 10 times faster than now possible. "As part of a five-year, $32 million program," the wire service says, "UDRI will work with Texas Instruments, the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute to develop a reference beam spatial light modulator for holographic data storage systems." Steve Gustafson, UDRI senior research scientist and an associate professor of electro-optics, elaborated, saying, "To do that, we use micromirrors so small that 10 of them would fit across a strand of hair. These mirrors move up and down like a trampoline and are designed to enable optical interference in the crystal that stores the data." Gustafson notes that holographic data storage uses lasers to store information as "pages" of electronic patterns within the volume of the special optical crystal. Because a million or more data bits are placed on each page and thousands of pages can be stored in material no larger than a small coin, he said, holographic systems offer the possibility of compact devices holding trillions of bytes of information. Also, since there are no moving parts and all the information on each page is accessed simultaneously, the technology also has the potential for very rapid access to any of the stored data at speeds more than 10 times faster than is possible today. Camera Firm Claims CD Breakthrough Officials with the California- based optical storage division of famed Japanese camera firm Nikon say their researchers have found an answer to the problem that causes erasable magneto-optical disk drives to take twice as long to write as to read. Computergram International this morning quotes those at Nikon Precision Inc. in Belmont, California, as saying the delay is caused by the need for a separate erase cycle before the write, and it means that write transfer speeds are only 50 percent of the rated read speed. "The company's answer," says CI, "is a technique it calls 'direct overwrite,' which uses Nikon's light intensity modulation to vary the intensity of the laser -- presumably between that required to generate enough heat to erase and that required for a write, and plans to offer it in 5.25- inch drives that store 2.6Gb." CI says the company claims a read and write transfer rate approaching 4MB per second. "The drives will be fully read- and write-compatible with the several million 1.3GB 5.25-inch magneto-optical platters in use worldwide," says the newsletter, adding that Nikon and Hitachi Maxel Ltd. jointly are working on production of the medium. Nikon says its plan for direct overwrite has been submitted to the International Standards Organization and that it expects it to become a worldwide standard. Eight-Speed CD-ROM Upgrade Ready Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc. is offering the 8X Multimedia Upgrade Kit 800, a product that allows users of double-, triple-, quad- or six-speed CD-ROM drives to upgrade to eight-speed CD-ROM drive technology. The 8X Multimedia Upgrade Kit 800 contains an eight-speed CD-ROM drive, an interface card, Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1996 Edition and cables that are compatible with any sound card. The IDE eight-speed drive provides a 1,200KB per second transfer rate, an access time of 230ms and a 256KB buffer. The drive is both Photo CD and Multisession XA-compatible. "The 8X Multimedia Upgrade Kit 800 provides an easy and affordable way for users to upgrade their system hardware to the latest in CD-ROM technology at a price that compares to standalone 6-speed drives," says Paul Nahi, director of product marketing for Diamond, which is located in San Jose, California. The kit, available now, is priced at $399. Newton to Offer Two-Way Messaging Two-way wireless messaging is being developed for the handheld Newton 2.0 platform in a joint project by Apple Computer Inc., RadioMail Corp., Motorola Inc. and Ardis Co. Reporting from San Mateo, California, this morning, the Reuter News Service says the service will enable users to send and receive email and send graphic images to fax machines among other applications. Look for the service to combine "the power of the Apple MessagePad, the Motorola Personal Messenger 100D Wireless Modem Card, the Ardis wireless network and RadioMail's gateway services," Reuters adds. Common IBM-Apple Platform Agreed On IBM and Apple Computer Inc. say they have agreed on details to develop new machines able to run each other's operating software. The announcement, made at the Comdex computer trade show in Las Vegas, comes a year after the two companies first proclaimed their intentions to develop a common platform. They say they hope to offer an alternate industry standard to the PCs that use Intel Corp. chips and Microsoft Corp. software. Business writer Catalina Ortiz of the Associated Press says the firms, along with Motorola Inc., have released specifications of hardware based on the PowerPC microprocessor, which the three developed. Joe Guglielmi, general manager of the Motorola Computer Group, told reporters at the show, "The PowerPC platform offers the first truly open model of computing spanning from low-cost portables to high-end servers and workstation systems. The significance of this is tremendous." Ortiz says machines conforming to the "Common Hardware Reference Platform" should be on the market in the second half of next year. "Instead of one, common, operating system," she adds, "the new PCs will run the Macintosh OS and IBM's OS/2. It also will run UNIX, used widely for workstations, and Windows NT, Microsoft's heavy-duty OS." Apple Buys 5.1% of American Online Apple Computer Inc. has exercised a warrant and acquired a 5.1 percent stake in America Online, paying $12.5 million for 2 million shares of the Vienna, Virginia, online service. Reporting for the Reuter News Service, writer Eric Auchard says some analysts think the move signals that Apple may be moving to dispense with eWorld, its own proprietary online service. Analyst Bruce Lupatkin of Hambrecht & Quist told the wire service that eWorld, despite praise for its easy-to-navigate interface, has failed to make its mark as a broad-based online service brand. Soundview Financial analyst John Maxwell added, "At this junction, (Apple) probably won't admit it, but eWorld isn't going anywhere." Apple acquired the warrant, reported in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with a software and licensing agreement it signed with AOL in December 1992. Acquisition Rumors Swirl Acquisition rumors are once again sweeping the PC industry. The latest reports have IBM Corp. making a bid for Novell Inc., and IBM and Hewlett-Packard Co. making separate offers for Apple Computer Inc. The Reuter News Service says IBM CEO Louis Gerstner is declining to comment on the reports. "I have no comment on rumors," Gerstner told reporters at the company's booth at the COMDEX/Fall computer industry trade show. "You know that I have no comment on speculations." Apple, HP and Novell representatives also declined to comment. Trade journal Infoworld, citing sources close to Apple, says IBM is offering between $70 and $75 per share for Apple while Hewlett-Packard is interested in a swap of between 0.8 and 1.1 shares of HP stock for each Apple share. Based on Monday's closing prices, HP's bid would be worth between $74.70 and $102.71 per share. Jobs, Oracle Discuss Projects Word is NeXT Computer Inc. chief Steve Jobs has advised Oracle Systems Corp. on ways the two companies can work together. The San Francisco Chronicle reports Jobs has been advising Oracle chairman Larry Ellison on a possible alliance with Apple. "While he has not been specific, a licensing alliance with Oracle could be part of that strategy," according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports Oracle also has discussed with Apple the prospect of using software from its Newton product for a computer that would cost just a few hundred dollars and be able to access the Internet and other electronic networks. Most Influential Execs Named For a record third time, Computer Reseller News has put Microsoft Corp. Chairman and CEO Bill Gates at the head of its annual Top 25 Most Influential Executives list. Gates has been a part of the computer industry trade journal's list for all but one of the past 13 years. He's the only individual ever to have topped the list more than once, also claiming the No. 1 position in 1986 and 1991. "With the launch of Windows 95 this year, Gates captured the mind share of more than just those familiar with PC technology," says Robert Faletra, Computer Reseller News' editor-in-chief. "His influence is deeply rooted in this industry and now in the general population." " 2. Andrew Grove, CEO and president, Intel Corp. " 3. Lewis Platt, chairman and CEO, Hewlett-Packard Co. " 4. Eckhard Pfeiffer, CEO and president, Compaq Computer Corp. " 5. Chip Lacy, co-chairman and CEO, Ingram Micro Inc., and CEO, Ingram Industries Inc. " 6. Louis V. Gerstner Jr., chairman and CEO, IBM Corp. " 7. Eric Benhamou, chairman and CEO, 3Com Corp. " 8. Marc Andreessen, vice president, Technology, Netscape Communications Corp. " 9. Craig Goldman, chief information officer, Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. " 10. Larry Ellison, chairman and CEO, Oracle Corp. " 11. Steve Ballmer, executive vice president, Sales and Support, Microsoft Corp. " 12. John McKenna, president, Entex Information Services Inc. " 13. Jeff Vinik, manager, Fidelity Magellan Fund, Fidelity Investments " 14. Jeff McKeever, chairman and CEO, MicroAge Inc. " 15. Dick Sanford, chairman and CEO, Intelligent Electronics Inc. " 16. Steve Raymund, chairman and CEO, Tech Data Corp. " 17. Robert J. Frankenberg, chairman and CEO, Novell Inc. " 18. Mike Pickett, chairman and CEO, Merisel Inc. " 19. Beny Alagem, president and CEO, Packard Bell Electronics Inc. " 20. Scott McNealy, chairman and CEO, Sun Microsystems Inc. " 21. Ed Anderson, president and CEO, CompuCom Systems Inc. " 22. John Roach, chairman and CEO, Tandy Corp. " 23. Robert Palmer, chairman and CEO, Digital Equipment Corp. " 24. Robert E. Allen, chairman and CEO, AT&T Corp. " 25. Mike Spindler, CEO and president, Apple Computer Inc. AT&T to Plug In 110,000 Schools AT&T says it will spend $150 million to help connect the 110,000 public and private elementary and secondary schools in the United States to the Internet by year 2000. According to the Reuter News Service, the plan, called the AT&T Learning Network, begins next spring and includes free dial- up Internet access, 100 hours of free usage and free "browser" software to navigate the Internet's World Wide Web. The wire service adds that teacher support includes technical assistance to ensure services are installed and working properly; online mentors and access to teachers who have used technology successfully in classrooms; a model for collaborative online projects, and lesson plans to help integrate technology and extended communications into classes. The program also will provide three months of national voice messaging, allowing schools to broadcast messages to parents and pupils. "Once schools surpass the free usage threshold," says Reuters, "they will still receive discounted rates on Internet and messaging for the remainder of the five year program." AT&T says the project will be expanded to include libraries next year. Mexican BBS Leads to U.S. Jail A federal court has sentenced a businessman and a prostitute to jail for selling child pornography by computer from Mexico. It is the first case in which operators of a foreign bulletin board system have been prosecuted in the U.S. for child porn. Robert A. Copella, former vice president of research and development at Rand McNally Corp., was sentenced in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, yesterday to 5 1/2 years in prison. Pamela J. Kneeland received an 18-month sentence. Associated Press writer Jeffrey Gold reports that Copella told U.S. District Judge John Bissell he got Kneeland off crack cocaine and helped start the bulletin board to give her a livelihood off the streets. Said Copella, "I tried to help her out and it didn't work out the way either of us wanted to. I made a terrible mistake. I chose the wrong path." However, prosecutors and Kneeland's lawyer contend Copella took advantage of a woman who was socially and physically immature. Said Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Krappa, "Mr. Copella's motive was pure greed." Judge Bissell appeared to agree, calling Copella "warped," saying he was guilty of "grossly unacceptable conduct," and adding Kneeland "was ripe for the picking by a manipulator. Although an active and knowing participant to a degree, Ms. Kneeland is a victim." Says Gold, "Copella and Kneeland met on a Chicago street in April 1993. He was 49, the father of three and an internationally recognized expert in security devices for airline tickets and baggage. She was 24, addicted to crack, and had been arrested about 35 times the year before for soliciting. They moved in together. Prosecutors say they soon began distributing child pornography on a computer bulletin board from a phone line billed to Copella's address in Northbrook, Illinois." The wire service says the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Attorney's office began tracking Copella when a Customs agent in Newark learned about the Illinois operation in March 1993. Copella and Kneeland moved to Mexico in 1994, reopening their BBS, which they operated for about six months before Copella was arrested in San Diego in September 1994 after an 18-month investigation. Kneeland was arrested two weeks later outside the federal courthouse in San Diego, where a hearing for Copella was scheduled. AP notes that possession or transmission of pictures, in any form, of children engaging in sexual activity is a federal offense. Authorities have not disclosed how much money the operation generated, but Special Agent Phillip Padlo of the Customs Service said the BBS charged $10 for five days of downloading and browsing, to $250 for a year's access. N.Y. BBS Closed in Novell Raid Equipment operating a Brooklyn, New York, bulletin board system called the Pits BBS has been seized in a raid by U.S. marshals and members of software publisher Novell Inc.'s anti-piracy team. According to a statement from Novell's Provo, Utah, headquarters, the firm took the action "in response to illegal distribution of its copyrighted software." Novell said the raid came after it filed a civil suit last month in the U.S. District Court in New York. "Following the raid," says the statement, "the BBS operator, Pierre Barkett, agreed to settle the lawsuit by forfeiting his equipment and consenting to a $200,000 judgment." Novell said its investigation, launched last May, "revealed that the Pits BBS had for several years been offering users access to illegal copies of copyrighted software programs, including Novell's PerfectOffice suite." Adds the statement, "Barkett told Novell investigators that he knew about Novell's reputation for aggressively pursing and shutting down pirate bulletin board systems, but did not know that PerfectOffice was a Novell product." Felony Charges Brought in Piracy Two felony counts of fraud and trademark violations have been brought against a Californian allegedly ran a big computer-software-piracy operation in L.A. The Wall Street Journal says bail has been set at $250,000 for Thomas Nick Alefantes, who was arrested last week following a raid at his home by investigators from the Los Angeles County district attorney's office and software-industry antipiracy sleuths. The paper quotes participants in the raid as saying authorities seized an estimated $1 million in illegally copied software, high-speed duplicating equipment and $15,000 in cash. Software-industry officials and computer- crime experts told the Journal they believe Alefantes's operation is one of the biggest of its kind ever seized. Alefantes -- known in some computing circles as "Captain Blood" - is accused of selling and renting stolen software through advertisements in trade publications and a mail-order business. CEO Carol Bartz of Autodesk Inc. told the paper, "We believe our losses over the past five years from this man's alleged activities add up to millions of dollars, so we are extremely grateful" for his arrest. She said illegal copies of its automated- design-software programs, which the company sells for $4,000 each, were found at Alefantes's house during the raid. UK Man Jailed For Making Virus A 26-year-old Briton has been jailed for 18 months after being convicted of creating a computer virus. Christopher Pile, who dubbed himself "The Black Baron," is said to be the first person in Britain to be jailed for such an offense. The Reuter News Service quotes Judge Jeremy Griggs in the court in Exeter in southwest England as saying millions of pounds' worth of damage could be caused when Pile copied programs and games, infected them with a virus and then put them back on computer bulletin board systems. "Those who seek to wreak mindless havoc on one of the vital tools of our age cannot expect lenient treatment," Griggs said. "Once Pandora's Box is opened, like Pandora's, it can't be closed." Reuters says Pile, a self- taught computerist, created viruses Pathogen and Queeg, based on expressions used in a cult television series, Red Dwarf. The detective who tracked down Pile told the court the viruses were the most sophisticated he had ever encountered. "What made them doubly dangerous," says Reuters, "was another virus, an encryption engine he called Smeg, which could be attached to the other viruses, scrambling them every time they were run." Prosecuting counsel Brian Lett told the court many of the viruses were detected within days of use, but they could not be defined and cleansed because of the Smeg cloaking device he had created to disguise the virus. Lett alleged the defendant acted deliberately and maliciously, and that his actions remain potentially damaging, adding, "Some further damage is probable and its extent incalculable." Prosecuted under the 1990 Computer Misuse Act for creating and planting computer viruses, Pile admitted five unauthorized accesses to facilitate crime and five unauthorized modifications of computer materials between October 1993 and April last year. Reuters says he also admitted inciting others to contravene the Act via a BBS. The Kids' Computing Corner by Frank Sereno First, I'd like to apologize to the publisher and to you readers for not completing any reviews this week. I have several reviews in the works and hopefully they will be ready for the next issue. Since Thanksgiving is next Thursday, I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday in advance. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Of secondary importance is the great feast many will eat or the holiday sales on the following Friday. It is a day to thank your deity for what is good in your life and to thank your family and friends for being part of your life. I've been blessed with a wonderful family and some great friends. One person who deserves a special tip of the cap is my friend Bob Wysocki who uploads each issue of this magazine to AOL. He uploads the ASCII and PDF versions of each week's issue to the E-zines file area. But more than that, he helps lift the darkness that sometimes colors my soul. Last week's Andy Rooney routine did have some benefits. I received a letter with some tips to avoid a recurrence of a tape restore operation nightmare in Windows 95. This is from Bill Halvorsen: "I just happened by the STR article where you told of your restore nightmare. I had the same thing happen, and now `I think' I know what the problem is (not that I can explain it very well, but maybe you'll get the idea). First, when I have to restore, I do a quickie minimal installation of '95 from CD (have real mode drivers on my emergency boot diskette) so I can get the restore program. Then on to the tape. Now the important part is that when the restore is done, you get an error about a problem restoring the registry. Ignore that. But the important thing is SHUT DOWN immediately and reboot. You mentioned that you went on using your system. If you did, you were `running' on the `minimal' registry without any of your data from system.dat or user.dat because didn't reboot. Then the first thing you did that affected the registry, wrote a new copy, and overwrote the backup (.da0 I think). You're basically sunk at that point. Two things you can do, ignore that registry error message but at any and all costs, just OK that dialog and immediately exit Windows and reboot. As a total fail-safe you run a backup to floppy of your system.dat and user.dat every time you do a backup. Bill Halvorsen, who once owned an ST (great machine at the time, but the company was vapor)." And that's all for this week's extremely brief article. Remember the e-mail address is fsereno@matrix.uti.com and I thank you for reading. Stonekeep The Wait is Over The Experience Begins Irvine, California-- For those who were betting that Stonekeep(TM) would miss its November 8th street date, it's time to pay up! After over four years in development, a budget of just under five million, and the talents of more than 200 individuals, Stonekeep has arrived. "What we wanted to do was take the role-playing genre to the next level, to create an experience that was pure. No buttons, no icons, just a pure screen that allowed you to totally immerse yourself," said Brian Fargo, CEO of Interplay. Using innovative technology, Stonekeep draws the player into its dark reaches so completely the player will forget it's just a game. The player's feet will walk the ancient corridors and his hands will wield weapons of metal and magic. Battle disembodied foes, rescue allies from evil, liberate a massive dragon from bondage and discover an experience more realistic than anything ever imagined. "It's the hundreds of details, from the graphics and sound to the intuitive interface, which went into making Stonekeep that creates the suspension of disbelief experienced when playing it," explains Michael Quarles, producer of the project. "We had a vision for Stonekeep and we didn't want to miss that mark." In Stonekeep, the highly advanced interface allows for an environment of unparalleled realism in which 3-D rendered dungeons and creatures combine with live actors and stunning special effects. Detailed scriptwriting creates characters that think, act and react depending on each person's style of play. An intelligent journal accompanies the player in his quest, automatically mapping the player's path, the characters encountered and important clues heard along the way. State-of the-art 3-D sound effects, an original music score and beautiful cinematic sequences integrate into the experience that is Stonekeep. Stonekeep was produced by Interplay's Michael Quarles. Michael Quarles' other production credits at Interplay include Star Trek: 25th Anniversary(TM) and Clayfighter(TM) for the Super Nintendo (R); Entertainment System. Mr. Quarles began his career at Interplay as the lead programmer on Battlechess(TM) and Wasteland(TM). Available on CD-ROM, Stonekeep will run on any 486SX 33Mhz or better with DOS 5.0 or newer and at least 8 Mb RAM. A CD-ROM drive, 40Mb free hard- drive space, 256-color VGA card, a Microsoft or compatible mouse and a Sound Blaster or compatible sound card are required. Interplay has released three back-to-back top-10 titles this year: Descent, Virtual Pool and Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep. The developer/publisher has added Frankenstein: Through The Eyes Of The Monster and Stonekeep to the stream of products this fourth quarter. Delrina NewBits STR Focus Delrina Ships WinFax PRO 7.0 for Windows 95 World+s Most Popular Fax Software Delivers Benefits of Communications Under Windows 95 with More Robust and Reliable Faxing; Over 100 New Faxing Features, Functional Improvements, and Usability Enhancements Comdex/Fall 95, Las Vegas, NV -- Sands Convention Center Booth #3544 -- November 13, 1995 -- Delrina Corporation (NASDAQ:DENAF, TC:DC), the world+s leading supplier of PC communications software for Windows, today announced the general availability of its much awaited WinFax PRO 7.0 for Microsoft Windows 95. WinFax PRO 7.0 is a fifth generation product that takes full advantage of the new Windows 95 operating system, adding a host of new features, functionality and benefits. The product is designed to attract the non-technical mass market to computer-based faxing, while providing all the necessary "power" features for more advanced users. A New Generation of PC Fax WinFax PRO 7.0 continues to set the standard by which all other PC fax software is compared. The new version raises the level of PC faxing to a new plateau with over 100 new fax-based features, functional improvements and usability enhancements that include: ú The ability to transmit up to 1/3 faster, saving users time and money, especially on long distance faxes. ú The ability to fax high quality gray scale images, such as photographs with devices like the WinFax Scanner, for better looking faxes. ú The ability to define recurring fax transmissions that are sent automatically, saving users from repeating tedious tasks. ú Automatic hard copy confirmations of transmissions, so users can easily track faxes, and for billing purposes. ú New fax preview and annotation capabilities that are easier to use and enable the user to ensure the fax they are sending looks the way they want it to. ú Enhanced cover pages, with an easier to use cover page designer and a greater variety of business-oriented cover pages. ú An enhanced database engine that provides faster access to phonebook entries and transmission logs for easier fax management ú The new award-winning Xerox TextBridge 3.0 OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine for more accurate conversions of faxes to text. Realizing the Benefits of Communications Under Windows 95 WinFax PRO 7.0 is Windows 95 logo+d, meaning it takes advantage of all the new communications capabilities of the Windows 95 platform. WinFax PRO 7.0 is rearchitected 32-bit, multi-tasking, multi-threaded code, which delivers faster, more reliable fax communications that run completely in the background, even while running other computer-intensive applications. Now users can load a big application without worrying that their fax will be interrupted. WinFax also includes the ability to receive faxes in the background using a mini receiver (Delrina CommBar), so users do not have to load the full application, thus saving on system resources. In addition, WinFax PRO 7.0 takes advantage of Plug +n Play (through Unimodem) for easier fax modem installation and configuration, and is able to seamlessly share the communications port with other communicating applications (through TAPI). It includes full OLE 2.0 (Object Linking & Embedding) support for easy integration with other applications, so for example, users can drag and drop a document from Explore on to WinFax PRO (in the task bar) to fax it out. Delrina CommBar sits on the desktop and reports the communications status of the computer. Like the flashing red light on a telephone that indicates messages are waiting, CommBar enables the user to see all waiting messages -- faxes, e-mails, and voice messages -- directly from the Windows 95 desktop without having to launch and check each application separately. Further, since communications now run in the background, users may not know what is actually going on. CommBar provides an instant snapshot of on going or current communications activities, such as the progress of an inbound fax. Easier To Learn and Use WinFax PRO 7.0 has a refined user interface based on Microsoft Office conventions (the product is MS Office compatible), which provides consistency, ease-of-use, and reduces the learning curve between WinFax PRO 7.0 and other Office compatible applications such as Word 7.0, Excel 7.0, and Powerpoint 7.0 for Windows 95. WinFax PRO 7.0 also includes a send fax Wizard that steps the novice user through the task of sending a fax. Integrated Messaging Combined with the other components in Delrina CommSuitea 95, WinFax PRO 7.0 enables the user to manage mixed message types: faxes, voice messages (through Delrina+s TalkWorks option that provides voice mail, telephony and fax-on-demand with +voice-enabled+ modems), e-mail and paging notification. Under CommSuite 95, WinFax PRO 7.0 administers each of these messaging types in their own unique way by adapting its own interface and offering the full functionality for each message type. It also integrates with other client messaging software through MAPI, so WinFax capabilities can be directly accessed by, for example, Microsoft Exchange and vice versa. Under CommSuite 95, WinFax PRO goes a step further by enabling users to use these mixed messaging types pro-actively with its rule-based autoforwarding feature. For example WinFax PRO can notify the user upon receipt of an urgent fax (identified by the fax CSID or Caller ID) by pager through its built-in paging notification. Pricing and System Requirements Delrina WinFax PRO 7.0 has a suggested retail price of US$129 (Cdn $159) and includes Delrina+s no hassle 60-day money back guarantee. Users with any previous version of WinFax PRO can upgrade for only $49.95 (Cdn $69.95) or WinFax LITE for $59.95 (Cdn $79.95). WinFax PRO 7.0 is also included in Delrina CommSuite 95, which includes the TalkWorks telephony option, Delrina Cyberjack 7.0 (suite of Windows 95 Internet tools), and WinComm PRO 7.0 (general purpose data communications program). WinFax PRO users can upgrade to CommSuite 95, which list for $179 (Cdn $229) for $69.95 (Cdn $89.85) or from WinFax LITE for $79.95 (Cdn $109.95). WinFax PRO 7.0 requires a minimum 486-based PC running Microsoft Windows 95, a compatible fax modem, 8MB RAM (16 MB recommended) and 25MB hard disk space for a full install. More US Federal Agencies Expand their Use of Delrina FormFlow Enterprise-Wide GTSI and Loral Select FormFlow for Air Force+s Desktop IV Contract and Army+s SBIS Contract Editor's Summary: ú Organizations such as Air National Guard (ANG), Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) adopt enterprise- wide licensing of FormFlow with their respective 31,000, 30,000, and 5,000 user license acquisitions ú Government Technology Services, Inc. (GTSI) selects FormFlow for their $655 million Air Force Desktop IV (DTIV) contract ú Loral Federal Systems Group (formerly IBM Federal) selects FormFlow for Army+s $474 million Sustaining Base Information Services (SBIS) contract ú Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) completes FormFlow Filler acquisition of 25,000 users from Navy's Desktop Companion contract through GTSI ú FormFlow is now available to US Federal Government customers through nine multi-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts WASHINGTON, DC and TORONTO, Ont. -- November 13 1995 -- Delrina Corporation (NASDAQ:DENAF, TSE:DC), the leading supplier of electronic forms to the US Federal Government, today announced that its industry leading Delrina FormFlow has been selected by Government Technology Services, Inc. (GTSI) and Loral Federal Systems Group (formerly IBM Federal) for the Air Force+s Desktop IV (DTIV) contract and the Army+s Sustaining Base Information Services (SBIS) contract. FormFlow+s inclusion on these contracts facilitates its broader distribution, allowing more government agencies to take advantage of the opportunity for cost reduction and increased productivity through the implementation of electronic forms. FormFlow enables organizations to replace their paper forms with electronic versions, allowing users to fill in those forms on their computers and process them electronically. In addition, FormFlow lets organizations automate many of their existing business activities through its powerful form application development environment. GTSI is one of two prime contractors for Air Force+s $1.4 billion Desktop IV program. Effective November 7, 1995, DTIV was modified to include FormFlow and is effective through February 1998. SBIS, a $474 million ten year contract, was awarded to IBM Federal, now Loral Federal Systems Group, in June 1993. GTSI Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Systems Division, Alan Lawrence, said, "Delrina's electronic forms products have been a huge success within Department of Defense [DoD] agencies as indicated by GTSI's sales in excess of 500,000 user licenses on Navy's Desktop Companion contract alone. GTSI's belief in this technology is further demonstrated with the recent inclusion of FormFlow on Air Force's Desktop IV contract, NASA's SEWP contract, the NIH Electronic Computer Store contract, and our GSA schedule." "FormFlow's addition to the Desktop IV and SBIS contracts continues the strong partnership between Delrina and our Federal Government customers," said Teddy Rosenberg, General Manager, Delrina Electronic Forms Business Unit. "The growing demand from the Federal Government and the high visibility of FormFlow within DoD reaffirms Delrina's leadership position in this marketplace and our depth of experience as the technology pioneer of electronic forms automation." Both contracts include the FormFlow Starter Kit and FormFlow Filler quantity packs up to 1000 users. They are available without limit to DoD agencies and, in addition, DTIV is available to Civilian agencies. FormFlow's Continued Success in US Federal Government Since 1992, Air Force, Army and other DoD agencies have used Delrina's electronic forms products to create more than 1,000 DoD-level forms. This has dramatically driven the use of FormFlow throughout DoD. Of particular importance is the trend in the way FormFlow is used. While many desktop users perform only electronic fill and print functions, a growing number of organizations such as Army's Personnel Information Systems Command (PERSINSCOM) and Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) based in Ft. Sam Houston, have taken more advanced steps with FormFlow to implement sophisticated form applications with workflow routing capabilities. The Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) recently completed acquisition of 25,000 FormFlow users from Navy's Desktop Companion contract through GTSI, and is now distributing FormFlow enterprise-wide throughout their organization. Jonathan Futrell, Delrina's Director of Federal Sales, stated, "Enterprise licensing is quickly becoming a preferred method of software acquisition, distribution and control. We have already seen this trend with several large organizations such as Air National Guard (ANG), MEDCOM, and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) with their respective 31,000, 30,000, and 5,000 user license acquisitions." The Department of Defense is expected to expand its use of FormFlow as facilitated by the DTIV contract, the SBIS contract, and seven other multi-year IDIQ contracts that include FormFlow. About Delrina FormFlow Delrina FormFlow electronic forms software allows organizations to leverage their existing technology investments to automate business processes. Organizations use FormFlow to create intelligent forms - electronic representations of paper forms with built in intelligence such as calculations, links to databases, and customized toolbars and menus. In addition, organizations can create form applications with conditional routing and deploy them enterprise-wide using their e-mail systems. These form applications present and move information using the existing networks, databases, and e-mail infrastructure. Examples of such automated business processes include travel requests, expense reporting, procurement and human resources applications. FormFlow is currently available for Windows, DOS, UNIX (SunOS, Solaris, SGI), and Macintosh, with IBM AIX, HP/UX, Windows NT, and Windows 95 versions to follow. Delrina's Electronic Forms Business Unit strategy is to support all client platforms used extensively by its customer base and prospective customers. With the rapid adoption of distributed LAN-based computing, more organizations are seeking a complete forms workflow offering like Delrina FormFlow. Press Contact: Erin Hintz, Delrina Corporation, (416) 446-8119 Internet: erinh@delrina.com Press Contact: Shelly Sofer, Delrina Corporation, (416) 441-4702 Internet: shellys@delrina.com About Delrina Delrina Corporation designs, develops, markets and supports innovative PC software products and services in the fax, data and voice communications, electronic forms, and consumer software markets. Founded in 1988, the Company is recognized as the world leader in PC fax and electronic forms software. Delrina recently announced a definitive agreement to merge with Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) of Cupertino, CA. Delrina can be contacted for more information at 1-800-268-6082 or through Delrina's Internet Web site at http://www.delrina.com. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. AWE32 GOODIES STR Infofile Enhance your Sound Blaster AWE32! Hot NEW SoundFont Banks From E-mu's Own Renowned 16-bit Emulator Sound Library The following SoundFont Banks are currently available on CD ROM: "The Developer's Choice" CD ROM Volume One ($99) Pop, Rock & Jazz Colection 0.5, 1, & 2 Megabyte Version of each Bank "Guitars, Drums & Synths Collection" CD ROM Volume One ($29.95) 512K Banks "Traditional, Voice & Keys Collection" CD ROM Volume Two ($29.95) 512K Banks How To Order: Phone: (408)438-1921 x148, Sounds Department, 8am-5pm Pacific Time. Fax: (408)438-7854 Email: Inquiries only to soundfont@emu.com Please be sure to include name, phone number, shipping address, and Visa or Mastercard number and expiration date, along with the part number as listed above. Below is a listing of the SoundFont Objects in each bank * "The Developer's Choice" Plucked Strings Traditional Acoustic (Steel) Guitar Solo Flute Chapman Stick Section Strings #1 Dulcimer Section Strings #2 Electric Jazz Guitar Solo Trombones Electric Sitar Solo Trombone Wah Funk Bass Guitar Solo Trumpet (w/fx) Fuzz Guitar Selection Solo Trumpet Wah Mandolin Baritone Saxophone Nylon String Guitar Alto Saxophone Orchestral Harp Tenor Saxophone Pizz Bass (Acoustic) Soprano Saxophone Pop Guitar Selection Brass Section Rock Bass Selection Section French Horns Twelve String Guitar Cartoon Horn Effects Percussives Keyboards & Tuned Percussion Jazz Drum Kit (Brushed) B3 Slow Rotor Organ Pop Drum Kit B3 Fast Rotor Organ Ratty Rock Drums Electric Piano Heavy Metal Drums Bright Grand Piano Latin Hand Percussion CP-70 Electric Piano Latin Drums Harpsichord Electronic Percussion Accordion Bass Drum & Timpani Xylos (Glock & Marimba) Steel Drums Vocals & Mouth Sounds Tubular Bells World Vox (all E-mu Choirs) Soul Oohs (Group) Synthesizers Soul Ahhs (Group) Synth 01 (Strings) Pop Oohs (Group) Synth 02 (Brass) Pop Ahhs (Group) Synth 03 (Comps) Jaw Harp Synth 04 (Basses & Leads) Harmonica Synth 05 (Pads) SynFX 01 (Rumbles & Loops) SynFX 02 (Rays & Hits) * "Guitars, Drums & Synths Collection" Plucked Strings Percussives Acoustic (Steel) Guitar Jazz Drum Kit (Brushed) Chapman Stick Pop Drum Kit Dulcimer Ratty Rock Drums Electric Jazz Guitar Heavy Metal Drums Electric Sitar Latin Hand Percussion Funk Bass Guitar Latin Drums Fuzz Guitar Selection Electronic Percussion Mandolin Bass Drum & Timpani Nylon String Guitar Orchestral Harp Vocals & Mouth Sounds Pizz Bass (Acoustic) Harmonica Pop Guitar Selection Rock Bass Selection Twelve String Guitar Synthesizers Synth 01 (Strings) Synth 02 (Brass) Synth 03 (Comps) Synth 04 (Basses & Leads) Synth 05 (Pads) SynFX 01 (Rumbles & Loops) SynFX 02 (Rays & Hits) * "Traditional, Voice & Keys Collection" Traditional Vocals & Mouth Sounds Solo Flute World Vox (all E-mu Choirs) Section Strings #1 Soul Oohs (Group) Section Strings #2 Soul Ahhs (Group) Solo Trombones Pop Oohs (Group) Solo Trombone Wah Pop Ahhs (Group) Solo Trumpet (w/fx) Jaw Harp Solo Trumpet Wah Baritone Saxophone Keyboards & Tuned Percussion Alto Saxophone B3 Slow Rotor Organ Tenor Saxophone B3 Fast Rotor Organ Soprano Saxophone Electric Piano Brass Section Bright Grand Piano Section French Horns CP-70 Electric Piano Cartoon Horn Effects Harpsichord Accordion Xylos (Glock & Marimba) Steel Drums Tubular Bells A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N FARGO PRIMERA PRO COLOR PRINTERS - 600DPI For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to you that demonstrates FARGO Primera & Primera Pro SUPERIOR QUALITY 600dpi 24 bit Photo Realistic Color Output, please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business sized envelope please) to: STReport's Fargo Printout Offer P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155 Folks, the FARGO Primera Pro has GOT to be the best yet. Its far superior to the newest of Color Laser Printers selling for more than three times as much. Its said that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. Send for this sample now. Guaranteed you will be amazed at the superb quality. (please, allow at least a one week turn-around) A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N Apple/Mac Section John Deegan, Editor USR & Bell Atlantic STR Spotlight U.S. ROBOTICS, BELL ATLANTIC JOIN FORCES TO SPUR ISDN ADOPTION; INTRODUCE INDUSTRY'S FIRST CO-BRANDED ISDN EQUIPMENT FOR RETAIL CHANNEL SKOKIE, Ill., and PHILADELPHIA -- U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ: USRX) and Bell Atlantic (NYSE: BEL) have signed a letter of intent to bring a co-branded ISDN product to the retail market in time for the holiday season. The product, the Sportster ISDN 128K terminal adapter, would represent the first of several types of co-branded ISDN customer premises equipment (CPE) available for sale in retail stores. The product also will be marketed directly by Bell Atlantic. The companies plan a strategic relationship to promote widespread adoption of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) services by residential and business markets. The first relationship of its kind between a regional Bell operating company (RBOC) and an ISDN equipment supplier, this joint approach will help Bell Atlantic offer residential customers a turnkey ISDN solution, including ISDN service, equipment and installation. "Consumers are more likely to want ISDN services if we make them easier to order, install and use by providing a turnkey solution," said Fred D'Alessio, president of Bell Atlantic Consumer Services. "This agreement with U.S. Robotics allows us to provide that solution. The co-branded product will leverage the U.S. Robotics reputation for technological advancement, quality and established leadership in ISDN." "Our companies' combined strengths give the consumer the best of both worlds," said Ross Manire, senior vice president and general manager of U.S. Robotics' Corporate/Systems Division. "Bell Atlantic is an industry leader in providing ISDN services; U.S. Robotics provides a variety of complementary information access products. This powerful combination offers customers U.S. Robotics' advanced features and Bell Atlantic services at a price that we believe will drive consumer acceptance of ISDN." U.S. Robotics will sell the jointly branded Sportster ISDN 128K in its established retail channels throughout Bell Atlantic's service area; Bell Atlantic will sell the product directly to customers through Bell Atlantic InfoSpeed, a sales, provisioning and service center. The Sportster ISDN 128K terminal adapter is expected to be available in late November. U.S. Robotics and Bell Atlantic plan several joint promotions for the upcoming holiday season to raise awareness of Bell Atlantic's consumer ISDN services. These activities will encourage Bell Atlantic customers to adopt ISDN services and purchase the Sportster ISDN 128K. Bell Atlantic recently began rolling out its new residential ISDN service through its entire service region, priced at approximately $30 a month plus a small usage fee. This service and U.S. Robotics' competitively priced Sportster ISDN product will provide a cost-effective, complete ISDN solution. In addition, Bell Atlantic offers more services to assist consumers in making ISDN communications decisions. Customer contact personnel at Bell Atlantic InfoSpeed, the ISDN sales, provisioning and service center, work closely with customers to determine appropriate service features and equipment for their specific applications. Bell Atlantic also offers consumers installation for ISDN equipment and premises wiring. When an ISDN line is installed, Bell Atlantic can install the inside wiring and CPE, and test the connection and configuration to ensure the customer's application will run smoothly. The Sportster ISDN 128K's features allow customers to take full advantage of ISDN's increased bandwidth. U.S. Robotics' Turbo PPP feature set works with industry standards for maximum performance, including: enhanced throughput with any Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) application; multiple types of data compression for potential throughput up to 512 Kbps; and Multilink PPP, for an aggregate line rate of 128 Kbps. The product also includes voice support, with dynamic allocation of a 64 Kbps voice channel; and an integrated NT-1 (network termination device). No other device is needed to connect to ISDN services. The Sportster ISDN 128K also supports NDIS, ODI, Packet Driver, WinISDN and TAPI interfaces for use with popular Internet, remote access and data communications software packages. It also provides enhanced performance with Windows 95. U.S. Robotics/Bell Atlantic: Complementary Strengths "U.S. Robotics was the logical vendor to assist us as we deploy consumer ISDN services in the retail market," said Curt Koeppen, Bell Atlantic Consumer Services vice president-ISDN. "Name recognition is important, and U.S. Robotics has a very well-established name for its information access equipment. U.S. Robotics' market presence and products, combined with Bell Atlantic's complete service solutions, will give consumers the confidence to embrace high-speed ISDN offerings." In addition to designing and manufacturing single-user client products, U.S. Robotics has a range of ISDN remote access servers for data centers and branch offices. This full range of products allows U.S. Robotics to meet information access needs of any size. "The relationship gives both companies the opportunity to explore working together on other information access applications," said Manire. "As one of the most progressive RBOCs in the ISDN arena and the largest supplier of ISDN lines in the U.S., Bell Atlantic recommends a variety of solutions for business customers. Our broad product line allows them to solve a more comprehensive range of business applications that include ISDN." Bell Atlantic, through its subsidiary Bell Atlantic Network Integration, Inc., currently recommends and resells U.S. Robotics' Total Control Enterprise Network Hub for high-capacity network access needs. The release of the PRI Access System for the Enterprise Network Hub allows Bell Atlantic to recommend a complete, end-to-end solution for ISDN access. Bell Atlantic has installed more than 133,000 ISDN lines for business and government customers throughout its service area, making the company the largest supplier of local ISDN lines in the U.S. U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products and modems that connect computers and other equipment aver analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies and a wide range of other large corporations, businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's 1994 sales were $499.0 million; sales for the first nine months of fiscal 1995 were $596.0 million. Bell Atlantic Corporation is at the forefront of the new communications, entertainment and information industry. In the mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing high-growth national and international business opportunities in all phases of the industry. Atari Jaguar/Computer Section Dana Jacobson, Editor From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is! The holidays are rapidly approaching. It's easy to tell that winter is coming, also. The northeast was hammered this week with a number of "nor'easters" various areas have been buried under a lot of snow already and it's only mid November! We got hit good in Boston earlier in the week with heavy rain. As usual, we lost power here for awhile, which is typical. Life is never boring in New England! Still extremely quiet on the computing side of things Atari. You may have noticed that I didn't even have an Atari computing section last week. Even my usual editorial was bumped and all of my comments were left to our Jaguar section since that's where they really belonged last week after the news of the recent layoffs at Atari hit the streets. We're still looking for people who are interested in writing some articles or two to include in this section of STReport. Have some fond memories or disaster stories related to using Atari computers? Why not reflect on those events and share them with everyone? Drop me a line. Until then, we've got the holidays to look forward to while we continue to take advantage of our favorite Atari computers. Until next time... The Atari Community E-mail Address Book An Online Who's Who Revised 5-Nov-95 Hello all! This list has been compiled to provide Atarians worldwide with the addresses to contact other members of our ever-changing Atari community. There are 4 distinct sections - user groups, Atari computer contacts, Jaguar and Lynx contacts, and World Wide Web pages. Please note that addresses that are of interest to both Atari computer users AND Jag/Lynx owners will be found in the computer section. Using this list - I created this list to encourage communication between Atarians everywhere. If you have a question without an answer, or are moving soon and need to find a new user group, this list should help. It is also a great way to distribute Atari related press releases, such as upcoming Atari shows and new product announcements. And I would LOVE to see user groups sharing newsletter articles via these addresses! However, it SHOULD NOT be used as an advertising tool. If you are a retailer looking to advertise, please contact the individuals on the list and ask if they want to receive your mailings. Some people must pay for their e-mail by the character and would not want unsolicited commercial mailings. If you have any changes, additions, or suggestions, please contact me via private e-mail. My addresses are listed under AUNT. Dan Mazurowski, AKA Sir Smedley Semi-official e-mail contact for AUNT PS - This list may be printed and distributed at will, though I would like credit for compiling it. Atari Computer User Groups Group: Name/E-mail addresses: Location/Contact: AA Anonyme Atarianer (Tuebingen, Deutschland) Marianne_Herdt@BB2.maus.de Marianne Herdt Heiko_Schaefer@S4.maus.de Heiko Schaefer Axel_Voges@S4.maus.de Axel Voges paul.novak@student.uni-tuebingen.de Paul Novak AACE Alabama Atari Computer Enthusiasts (Tuscaloosa, AL) LHL0032@UABDPO.DPO.UAB.EDU Joe Moudry AACE Austin Atari Computer Enthusiasts (Austin, TX) mann@austin.wireline.slb.com David Mann dunham@isd.tandem.com Jerry Dunham hoosier@rider.cactus.org Jerry's alternate dunham-jerry.aace@austin.tandem.com All online AACE members ABUG Atari Boise Users Group r.whittam@genie.com Ron Whittam, Pres. tderrick@acpu Tom Derrick, Editor ACEC Atari Computer Enthusiasts of Columbus (Columbus, OH) msteve@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu Michael Steve ACE-HI Atari Computer Enthusiasts of Hawaii jperez@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu John Perez, President ACE-NSW Atari Computer Enthusiasts, NSW (Sydney, Australia) ianm@mpx.com.au Ian Mackereth AKA-Frbg Anwender Kreis Atari, Freiburg (Freiburg, Deutschland) werner_laass@traveller.fido.de Werner Laass ASP Atari Selbsthilfe Projekt (Tuebingen, Deutschland) Marianne_Herdt@BB2.maus.de Marianne Herdt AUNT Atari Users of North Texas (Dallas, TX) d.acklam@genie.com David Acklam, Pres. j.battey@genie.com J. L. Battey, Editor l.webb@fastlane.net Lonnie Webb, Sysop sirsmedley@delphi.com Dan Mazurowski BLAST (Indianapolis, IN) shuffman@ideanet.doe.state.in.us Stu Shuffman, Sec/Treas CACE Canterbury Atari Computer Enthusiasts (New Zealand) scotts@pointless.gen.nz Scott G. Stringer, Sec. EACH Edmonton Atari Computer Hobbyists (Edmonton, Canada) leslieh@warpcon.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca Leslie Hartmier, VP FOG-F Falcon Owners Group, Finland peseb@cute.fi Peter Sebastian Bach FOG-UK Falcon Owners Group, United Kingdom requiem@bs47c.staffs.ac.uk Richard Davey GCACE Garden City Atari Computer Enthusiasts (Canada) ua558@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Gordon Hooper, Pres. ud264@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Ted Skrecky, ST Lib. GRASP Greater Richmond Atari Support Group (Richmond, VA) mickeyangell@delphi.com Mickey Angell, President HBO-AUG Hamilton-Burlington-Oakville (Canada) jondinga@io.org Jon Dinga KCAC Kansas City Atari Connection cysco@tyrell.net Jeffrey Krzystow, Pub Lib MGAUG Middle Georgia Atari User's Group (Macon, GA) l.w.benjamin@genie.com Lee Benjamin, Editor NEOSTAG North East Ohio ST Atari Group ab164@yfn.ysu.edo Tom Lamparty, Sec & Treas NSACUG Nova Scotia Atari Computer User Group (Halifax, Nova Scotia) brian.h@genie.com Brian Harvey, Pres. ab380@cfn.cs.dal.ca Len Mitchell, Sec & Treas PAC Portland Atari Club Martin.Crommie@f79.n105.z1.fidonet.org Martin Crommie, Sysop Max.Denebian@f318.n105.z1.fidonet.org Max Denebian, Sec PARATARI ParAtari Users Group (Valladolid, Spain) explorer@luna.gui.uva.es Joaquin Ferrero, Pres. SAGE Spectrum Atari Group of Erie (Erie, PA) mcguired@moose.erie.net D. Mcguire, Pres & Sysop SCAT Suburban Chicago ATarians nickd@vpnet.chi.il.us Nick Dimasi, Pres turbonick@delphi.com Nick's alternate address SPACE Saint Paul Atari Computer Enthusiasts michael.fitzpatrick@flight.org Who?? TAF Toronto Atari Federation (Canada) zaleska@io.org Peter Zaleska, Pres schrist@io.org Stephen Christian, ST VP h.carson@genie.com Howard Carson WAACC Western Australia Atari Computer Club (Midvale, W. Australia) Lance@perth.DIALix.oz.au Lance H. Barrett WAUG Washtenaw Atari User Group (Ann Arbor, MI) molin@atari.archive.umich.edu Michael Olin, Treas WMAUG W. Massachusetts Atari User Group (Springfield, MA) arthurs@delphi.com Arthur Santos, Pres. YAC Yolo Atari Club (Davis, CA) elhays@ucdavis.edu Eric Hays, VP Atari Computer Developers, Dealers, Gurus, etc... Name: Internet e-mail address: Who & What: 16/32 Systems nharlow@cix.compulink.co.uk Falcon dist, (esp.games) Anodyne Software r.burrows1@genie.com Roger Burrows Atari atari@genie.com Atari Customer Support atari@cix.compulink.co.uk Atari Europe d.mcnamee@genie.com Dan McNamee, Testing d.thomas@genie.com Don Thomas, Dir Cust Rel 75300.1267@compuserve.com Don Thomas (alt.address) llamaman@ix.netcom.com Jeff Minter, Programmer 75300.2631@compuserve.com Laury Scott, Prod Dev? 75300.2110@compuserve.com Ron Beltramo, VPMarkting 74431.1702@compuserve.com John Mathieson 75300.2632@compuserve.com Darryl Still, Europe Atari Explorer aeo.mag@genie.com Travis Guy, Editor aeo.mag@delphi.com Travis Guy (alt.address) adamu@cue.com Adam Urbano, reviewer mrburkley@delphi.com Michael Burkley shareware Atari World sdelaney@steil.wintermute.co.uk Steve Delaney, News Ed. BlowUp acher@informatik.tu-muenchen.de Georg Acher Branch Always Soft brasoft@halcyon.com Atari emulators for PCs Computer Studio s.winick@genie.com Atari retailer Current Notes redfrog@io.org Atari computer magazine lianne@io.org Letters/Editorial hcarson@io.org Articles/Reviews/Etc... d.dreibelbis@genie.com News/Press Releases Cyrel Research cyrel@cybercube.com TT hardware manufacturer DMC Publishing dmcpublish@genie.com Nathan Potechin Ensley, Tomas st.muse@genie.com Advice & troubleshooting Fair Dinkum Tech. hutch@genie.com ST/STe/TT Developer Gribnif Software gribnif@genie.com Gribnif tech support rflashma@mhc.mtholyoke.edu Rick Flashman ICD Inc. icdinc@genie.com Atari HD utilities, etc. Istari Software f92sk@efd.lth.se Sven Karlsson It's All Relative greg@genie.com Atari dealer, esp CD-ROM JV Enterprises gaghon@nevada.com George Gaghon Keylard, Frans fkeylard@on-ramp.ior.com TT & Jag info source Lexicor info@lexicor.com Atari software/hardware europasales@lexicor.com European sales usasales@lexicor.com North American sales games@lexicor.com Games they import support@lexicor.com Tech support staff@lexicor.com The Lexicor staff ysiu@lexicor.com Yat Siu Missionware Soft. j.trautschol@genie.com ST/STe/TT Software Mountain Software a.watson6@genie.com Andrew Watson,Programmer awatson@pacifier.com Andrew's alternate Musicode Software m.turcsanyi@genie.com Melinda Turcsanyi, Prog. Oregon Research orres@teleport.com Atari retailer/dist. Scriba Communis R. scriba@www.hials.no The Society of The Answer ga@www.hials.no Gard Eggesboe Abrahamsen kh@unix1.hials.no Kai Trygve Holst Sinister Dev mike@sindev.demon.co.uk Mike Watson, Programmer sinigord@cix.compulink.co.uk Gordon Gibson Small, David dsmall@well.sf.ca.us Super guru, Mac emulator ST Informer stinformer@chatlink.com Atari computer magazine STReport Magazine dpj@delphi.com Dana Jacobson, Atari Ed. 71051.3327@compuserve.com Dana's alternate d.jacobson2@genie.com Dana's other alternate rmariano@streport.com Editor, Publisher Steve's Software atarisales@delphi.com Atari dealer stevespc@aol.com Alternate address s.kipker@genie.com Another alternate Suzy B's Software mrburkley@delphi.com Atari shareware distrib. m.burkley1@genie.com Alternate address Systems For Tomorow kkordes1@delphi.com Atari computer dealer TEAM Software mlake@DGS.dgsys.com Marshall Lake, Developer Toad Computers info@toad.net Atari retailer TLC Software dragons-egg@genie.com Jeff Wisniewski, owner Vesperman, Andrew dancer@ozspace.brisnet.org.au Atari guru WALU Software walusoft@cbbs.centron.com PD & Shareware Dev. Wilson, Walter st.wally@genie.com Enthusiast, answer man wally.w@genie.com Wally's alternate Jaguar & Lynx Developers, Dealers, etc... Name: Internet e-mail address: Who & What: 4-Play legrand@tesla.mbi.ucla.edu Scott LeGrand,Programmer legrand@localhostmbi.ucla.edu Scott's alternate address d.engel@genie.com Doug Engel, Programmer tbird4play@aol.com Doug's alternate steph@escher.mbi.ucla.edu Stephanie Wukovitz, Music sebab@ucla.edu Stephanie's alternate? Beyond Games tim.huntsman@m.cc.utah.edu Tim Huntsman, Programmer 73150.1553@compuserve.com Kris Johnson Castle, Edward ecastle@cherita.win-uk.net Lynx fanatic Dark Science Soft. karz@delphi.com Steve Karstensen (Prog?) Digital Design ddesign@cix.compulink.co.uk Jag developers EGM 75052.1667@compuserve.com Game magazine GamePro aeddy@iftw.com Andy Eddy, Sr. Editor the-mail.gamepro@iftw.com Letters to the Editor Gano, Kerry kerryg@interaccess.com Jaguar Programmer Gorilla Systems cerebus@packet.net Brian Geiger HandMade Software hms@cix.compulink.co.uk Jag & Lynx developers Hyperimage Prod. pgood@hyperimage.com Paul Good, Director jgordon@hyperimage.com Jeremy Gordon,Programmer Id Software help@idsoftware.com Jag developers american@idsoftware.com American Mcgee shawng@idsoftware.com Shawn Green Interplay Software jsp@netcom.com John Price, Programmer Jaguar's Edge Mag jmarcott@mother.com John Marcotte, Publisher Jaguar Journal 74447.531@compuserve.com Jeff Norwood, editor (?) Jaguar list listserv@bucknell.edu Subscriptions jaguar@bucknell.edu Send to list Jung, Robert A. rjung@netcom.com Lynx FAQ and reviews Level 7 Software jschlich@ecst.csuchico.edu Jeff Schlicht Millerville Games rob@p10.stacken.ct.se Rob, programmer? Next Generation ngonline@imagine-inc.com Game magazine Photosurrealism ab@nova.cc.purdue.edu Al Braunsdor, Programmer Pixel Satori DB@CHO004.CHO.GE.COM Duncan Brown, Programmer Rebellion Software rebel@cix.compulink.co.uk Jaguar developer Shiny Entertainment ccmshe!aastor@netcom.com Game developer Springer Spaniel Dave@davel.demon.co.uk Jag, PC Software SWAT Pro magazine swatmail@iftw.com General mail for SWATPro Ubi Soft 100072.661@compuserve.com Frank Slater Visual Impact jaguar@einstein.rug.ac.be Jag Developers World Wide Web Points of Interest Name of page: Address: Activision Corp. http://www.activision.com Atari Corp. http://www.atari.com Atari Computer page http://www.mcc.ac.uk/~dlms/atari.html AUNT Info http://www.fastlane.net/homepages/lwebb/lwebb.html Beyond Games http://intele.net/~answers/bg/bghome.html Demand Systems http://www.fishnet.net/~drumbra Jag Homepage http://www.bucknell.edu/~svensson Jag programming info http://www- und.ida.liu.se/~t94patsa/jserver.html It's All Relative http://www.charm.net/~toad/iar/iar_home.htm Lexicor http://world.std.com/~Lexicor Lynx page http://www.eral.com/eds/ Mountain Software http://www.pacifier.com/~awatson Scriba Communis Responsi http://www.hials.no/~scriba ST Informer/A&D Software http://www.chatlink.com/~stinformer Steve's Software http://promedia.net/~dvm/STeves/ STReport Online Magazine http://www.streport.com Toad Computers http://www.toad.net Ubi Soft http://www.ubisoft.com Yolo Atari Club http://dcn.davis.ca.us/~dmlarson/yac/ Yak's Zoo (Jeff Minter) http://www.magicnet.net/~yak/ Jaguar Section Layoff Reactions! More Run PC News! Hover Strike CD Review! CATnips! And Much More! From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is! Last week's news regarding the recent layoffs and firings at Atari continue to generate discussion, onªline and off. It's amazing to see the rumors and speculation fly on the Usenet these days. It's not surprising that people are reacting this way; we're always wondering what is going on in Sunnyvale. However, it is surprising to see this speculation being represented as facts as to what happened, by people who would have no idea as to what actually happened. We've included some comments made, with responses, later in this issue judge for yourself. The games are still coming, contrary to reports that Atari has shut down and abandoned the Jaguar! We just got word that "Dragon's Lair" has started hitting dealer shelves on Thursday. This is another CD title, and one that I'll personally be looking for shortly ª I'm one of those people who has never seen this game on any platform, including the ST! More games are on the way folks; just check out our "coming soon" list below. I've been splitting my playing time among a number of games lately. Rayman has been getting most of my attention, but I've been playing more and more with Hover Strike (CD) and Pitfall, The Mayan Adventure. I'll be the first to admit that I can't believe that there are too many games out there that I want to devote some playing time to, and can't find the time! But, I like it this way ª keep 'em coming Atari! Even though we're going to fall far short of that "approaching 100" games in time for Christmas, I have to admit that the recent couple of month's game releases have all been excellent, either from experience or online reactions. I hope that this situation continues; and it appears that will. I've just learned that there will be a large Jaguar promotional event going on in the El Paso, Texas area sometime soon. Although information is sketchy at the moment, it appears that about 30 McDonalds will be giving away Jaguars. There will be radio promotions and likely other events occurring. We've been told to expect more news soon, so stay tuned. Also, I've been told that this is a local promotional event, not an Atariªsponsored one (just to prevent those "why did Atari limit this promotion to one city?" comments!). Our Jaguar game listing has been updated recently; and after the shakeªups at Atari which included the delays or cancellations of some expected games, we suggest that you give the current list a look to see what the progress is on those games you're anticipating. We've also got that review of "Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands" review that I've been promising. Other games in the process of being reviewed include Power Drive Rally, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Highlander, and Ruiner Pinball. There are others, as well, on the way. It should be an exciting next couple of months if things continue as they have been with regard to new game releases. Until next time... Jaguar Catalog STR InfoFile What's currently available, what's coming out. Current Available Titles ‰‰‰‰‰‰‰ CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER J9000 Cybermorph $59.99 Atari Corp. J9006 Evolution:Dino Dudes $29.99 Atari Corp. J9005 Raiden $29.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp. J9001 Trevor McFur/ Crescent Galaxy $29.99 Atari Corp. J9010 Tempest 2000$ 59.95 Llamasoft/Atari Corp. J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $69.95 id/Atari Corp. JA100 Brutal Sports FootBall $69.95 Telegames J9008 Alien vs. Predator $69.99 Rebellion/Atari Corp. J9029 Doom $69.99 id/Atari Corp. J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $39.99 Atari Corp. J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp. J9007 Checkered Flag $39.99 Atari Corp. J9012 Kasumi Ninja $69.99 Atari Corp. J9042 Zool 2 $59.99 Atari Corp J9020 Bubsy $49.99 Atari Corp J9026 Iron Soldier $59.99 Atari Corp J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $59.99 Atari Corp. Cannon Fodder $49.99 Virgin/C-West Syndicate $69.99 Ocean Troy Aikman Football $69.99 Williams Theme Park $69.99 Ocean Sensible Soccer Telegames Double Dragon V $59.99 Williams J9009E Hover Strike $59.99 Atari Corp. J0144E Pinball Fantasies $59.99 C-West J9052E Super Burnout $59.99 Atari Corp. J9070 White Men Can't Jump $69.99 Atari Corp. Flashback $59.99 U.S. Gold J9078E VidGrid (CD) Atari Corp J9016E Blue Lightning (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp J9040 Flip-Out $49.99 Atari Corp J9082 Ultra Vortek $69.99 Atari Corp C3669T Rayman $69.99 Ubi Soft Power Drive Rally $69.99 TWI J9101 Pitfall $59.99 Atari Corp. J9086E Hover Strike CD $59.99 Atari Corp. J9031E Highlander I (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp. J9061E Ruiner Pinball $59.99 Atari Corp. Dragon's Lair $69.99 Readysoft Available Soon CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER J9069 Myst (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp. ...Mutant Penguins $59.99 Atari Corp. Atari Kart TBA Atari Corp. Battlemorph $59.99 Atari Corp. Breakout 2000 $49.99 Atari Corp. Supercross 3D $59.99 Atari Corp. Fever Pitch TBA Atari Corp. Missile Command 3D TBA Atari Corp. I War $49.99 Atari Corp. Max Force $59.99 Atari Corp. NBA Jam TE $69.99 Atari Corp. Hardware and Peripherals CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER J8001 Jaguar (no cart) $149.99 Atari Corp. J8904 Composite Cable $19.95 J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp. J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95 CatBox $69.95 ICD J8800 Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp. J8908 JagLink Interface $29.95 Atari Corp. J8910 Team Tap 4-Player Adapter) $29.95 Atari Corp. J8907 Jaguar ProController $29.95 Atari Corp. J8911 Memory Track $29.95 Atari Corp. J8909 Tempest 2000: The Soundtrack $12.99 Atari Corp. Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles Game Title Date Game Type MSRP Publisher Air Cars TBA Racing/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent. Alien vs Pre+dator NOW Role Play/Adv $69.99 Atari Assault 2Q/96 Action/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent. Atari Kart 12/95 Driving TBD Atari Att. Mutant Penguins 12/95 Arcade $59.99 Atari Baldies (CD) 12/95 Action/Sim $59.99 Atari Battlemorph (CD) 12/95 Flying/Action $59.99 Atari Battlesphere 12/95 Space/Combat TBD 4-Play Battlestar 11/95 Space/Combat TBD ? Battle Wheels 2Q/95 Racing/Combat TBD Beyond Games Blue Lightning (CD) NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari Braindead 13 (CD) 10/95 Action/Adv TBD ReadySoft Breakout 2000 3/96 Puzzle $49.99 Atari Brett Hull NHL Hockey 2/96 Sports TBD Atari Brett Hull Hockey (CD) 3/96 Sports $69.99 Atari Brutal Sports Football NOW Sports/Combat $69.99 Telegames Bubsy NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Atari Cannon Fodder NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Virgin Chas Barkley Bball 1Q/96 Sports $59.99 Atari Checkered Flag NOW Racing $69.99 Atari Club Drive NOW Racing $59.99 Atari Commander Blood(CD) 2/96 RPG $69.99 Atari Cybermorph NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari Dactyl Joust TBA Action TBD Atari Dante (CD) 6/96 Action TBD Atari Defender 2000 1/96 Arcade $59.99 Atari Doom NOW Action/Combat $69.99 Atari Double Dragon V NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Williams Dragon:Bruce Lee Story NOW Combat $59.99 Atari Dragon's Lair (CD) 11/95 Adventure TBD ReadySoft Dragon's Lair 2(CD) 12/95 Adventure TBD ReadySoft Dungeon Depths 2Q/95 Action/Adv $59.99 MidNite Ent. Evolution: Dino Dudes NOW Puzzle/Adv $49.99 Atari Fever Pitch Soccer 12/95 Sports TBD Atari Flashback NOW Action/Adv $59.99 US Gold Flip-Out NOW Puzzle $49.99 Atari Formula 1 (CD) 1Q/96 Racing TBD Atari Highlander I (CD) NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Atari Highlander II (CD) 3/96 Action/Adv TBD Atari Highlander III (CD) 5/96 Action/Adv TBD Atari Horrorscope 2Q/95 Combat TBD V Reel Hover Strike NOW Action/Combat $59.99 Atari Hover Strike CD NOW Action/Combat $59.99 Atari Hyper Force TBA ? TBD Comp. West Iron Soldier NOW Action/Strategy $59.99 Atari Iron Soldier II (CD) 1Q/96 Action/Strategy $59.99 Atari I-War (aka Netwar) 12/95 Action/Adv $49.99 Atari Kasumi Ninja NOW Combat $69.99 Atari Magic Carpet (CD) 3Q/96 Action/RPG TBD Atari Max Force (CD) 12/95 Action $59.99 Atari Missile Command 3D 12/95 Action/Arcade TBD Atari Mortal Kombat 3 4/96 Fighting TBD Atari Myst (CD) 12/95 Interactive Novel $59.99 Atari NBA Jam T.E. 12/95 Sports $69.99 Atari Phase Zero 2/96 Action/Arcade $59.99 Atari Pinball Fantasies NOW Arcade $59.95 Comp. West Pitfall/Mayan Adv. NOW Arcade $59.99 Activision Power Drive Rally NOW Driving TBD TWI Primal Rage (CD) 12/95 Fighting TBD TWI Raiden NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Atari Rayman NOW Action/Adv $69.99 Ubi Soft Rise of the Robots(CD) 11/95 Action/Arcade TBD TWI Robinson's Requiem 2/96 Adventure $59.99 Atari Rocky Horror (CD) 4/96 Adventure TBD Atari Ruiner Pinball NOW Arcade $59.99 Atari Sensible Soccer NOW Sports Telegames Sky Hammer (CD) 3/96 Flying/Action TBD Atari Soccer Kid 2Q/95 Sports TBD Ocean Soul Star (CD) 1996 Action/Sci-Fi TBD Atari Space Ace (CD) TBA Space/Combat TBD ReadySoft Super Burnout NOW Racing $59.99 Atari Supercross 3D 12/95 Sports $59.99 Atari Syndicate NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean Tempest 2000 NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Atari Theme Park NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean Trevor McFur NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Atari Troy Aikman Football NOW Sports $69.99 Williams Ultimate Brain Games TBD Puzzle TBD Telegames Ultra Vortek NOW Action/Adv $69.99 Beyond Games Val D'Isere Skiing NOW Sports $59.99 Atari VidGrid (CD) NOW Puzzle/Music --- Atari Wayne Gretzky (CD) 2/96 Sports TBD TWI White Men Can'tJump (w/Team Tap) NOW Sports $69.99 Atari/TriMark Wolfenstein 3D NOW Combat/Action $59.99 Atari Zero 5 2/96 Space/Combat TBD Atari Zool2 NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Atari Zoop 1/96 Puzzle TBD Viacom [Editor's note: Titles, scheduled release dates, and prices are verified from Atari - all subject to change] Jaguar Game Title STR Review - "Hoverstrike: Unconquered Lands" (CD) "Hoverstrike: Unconquered Lands" by Dana P. Jacobson Developed by: Atari Corporation Published by: Atari Corporation Price: $59.99 Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands (HS-UL from now on) is the first Jaguar CD title to come out, excluding the pack in games. For a first title, Atari has a major hit. The premise: "Fear the worst for the missing colonists. Terrakian Pirates have taken over a distant planet and they're patrolling every section of the surface. Only a state-of-the-art armored hovered craft, equipped with a rapid fire cannon and powerful missiles, can battle through 40 levels of fully texture-mapped 3D levels, including Night Vision missions. Knock out key targets and make way for the Federation armada. Save the colony before it's too late!" HS-UL initially reminded me of Cybermorph, one of my early Jaguar favorites. The basics are there: travel to a planet and knock out pre-defined targets before going on to the next. Once you've achieved your goal, you have the option to select your next mission. Like Cybermorph, once you arrive at your selected destination, your goal is to fly your fully-armed hovercraft all over the planet searching for, and destroying, your targets. Along the way, you're confronted by various defenses which you must destroy, or flee. To help you in your goal, you'll also find fuel and ammunition on the planet's surface. I've played both the cart version of Hover Strike and the CD version. The CD version contains the same missions as the cart, but there are many additional missions as well as some improvements and options. Both are quite good, but I prefer the CD version. When you load the game, you're greeted with some nice Full Motion Video (FMV) sequences. I prefer the FMV, if done well and it's fairly short, to "set up" the game and to aid the transitional stages of the game. The FMV in HS-UL is really done well, if somewhat repetitious in areas. But, you can always bypass any of it at the press of a fire button, at any time (a useful feature!). After the introduction sequences, you're faced with selecting your initial mission. If you're fortunate to have a Memory Cart (highly recommended for a game of this nature), you'll have the option of starting a new game or a previously started one. You can also change your saved options. To make it easy, let's start a new game. You begin the game with three hovercrafts (lives). Before you select a mission to start playing, it's important to select your various options. You can leave the background music on or off ª a nice feature for those hectic missions where you need total concentration! You can also control the volume of the sound effects (leave them loud!). Joypad controls are important so you'll be able to get the right feel for you. The controls involve acceleration, weapons firing button, and the brakes. You can also change the gunsight control, up and down, via the joypad. What I feel is a significant change from the cart version to the CD version is the ability to alter the controls of the hovercraft with regard to how it reacts during gameplay. Although there are defaults depending on the difficulty selected, they are configurable. The cart version doesn't have these options. The hovercraft controls are: Hover Mode: Like the cart version, controlling your hovercraft's movement requires getting used to doing. Once you're adjusted to maneuvering the hovercraft well, you'll be able to concentrate on the mission atªhand. However, in HSªUL you have the ability to turn off the hovercraft's "characteristics". Unlike the cart version, if you let up on the accelerator, your hovercraft stops. Terrain Damage: In the cart version, running into any of the planet terrain causes damage to your hovercraft; in the CD version, you can turn on/off this characteristic. Reactions When Hit: In the cart version, your hovercraft will move when hit by an attacker; in the CD version, you can turn on/off this characteristic. FMV: You have the option to see all FMV or shut it off. Save Game: Only available on the CD version with the Memory Track in-use. You can save up to two games in progress. With the cart version, you can save a game but I'm not sure how many saved game "slots" are available. To control your craft, you need to use two of the three fire buttons. The 'A' button allows you to accelerate and the 'C' button is the brake. Using both buttons simultaneously allows you to go backwards. These are the default options which can be changed. The 'B' fire button is your main fire button, using a photon cannon. Alternate weapons, if available, include missiles, guided missiles, and mortars. In some missions, you'll automatically have access to flares to light up parts of darkened planets. I've found that my mortars and guided missiles are my dominant weapons, but I'll use the normal missiles and cannon quite a bit also to save my supply of the others when not needed. I've found the game to be quite enjoyable, although frustrating at times. Controlling the hovercraft is very important, and sometimes difficult. This is something that is necessary to overcome before you can really enjoy the game. The only times that control plays a major factor, other then when you turn all of the "hovercraft modes" on, is when you're flying into craters and other "valleys" during the game. It's not simple to get yourself out of these areas of a planet's terrain. This brings me to one other factor of the game that I was disappointed with ª pilot perspective. You have two options, when flying, to view the game looking out the windshield or far above and behind your craft. I prefer the windshield option, but it's a limited view ª you can only see directly in front of you with little peripheral vision. I would have preferred the external view to be slightly above and behind my craft. Perhaps I'm being picky, but I think I'd enjoy the game more in this mode. I haven't found a really good use for the existing external view, yet. The graphics are excellent in this game. I understand that the graphics are fully textured 3D. The landscape on the planets is really nice, although repetitious after a while. The enemies encountered look terrific! Whether they be stationary defenses, mobile land attackers, or various ships ª they're unique and look (and play) very well. When being fired upon, the incoming salvo looks good. Likewise, when you fire and hit your targets, the resulting explosions make it all worthwhile. The music is pretty good, but I tend to turn it off after awhile as I tend to get distracted. The game's sound effects are very good; and I usually have the volume turned all the way up for the best effect! The manual is better than I expected. There's a good description of the game, how to control your craft, weapons, options, enemy descriptions (including pictures),tips and strategy, and much more. The entertainment value of this game I rate very high. This is a FUN game to play. It's not easy, but not so difficult that you'll be likely to try it a couple of times and put it aside. I keep finding myself playing it even replacing my gaming time with Rayman, which I was hooked on and haven't completed yet! I wish that I had more free time to really work at completing this game. I'm currently in the second set of missions, about half way through them. This is a game that I really want to keep playing and beat; and I know that after beating it I'll still be enthusiastic about starting all over again and bettering my scores, trying different strategies, and enjoying it all over again! I'm also looking forward to playing this game in two player cooperative mode where one player controls the flying while the other controls the weapons. This should be interesting. Reviewer's Rating 8.5 Entertainment: 9.5 Reviewer's Overall: 9.0 Overall, this is one game that I would highly recommend. If you have a JaguarCD, I'd suggest the CD version over the cart. There's nothing wrong with the cart version, but the CD has more missions and a number of options that the cart version doesn't, as mentioned earlier. HS UL looks great, sounds good, plays well, and is very enjoyable. I can find very little to complain about with this game other than getting used to controlling the hovercraft and the view perspectives. One comment I'd like to make about the various FMV sequences is that it's quite good. There is one humorous sequence if you're not a perfect player. Since you start off with three hovercrafts, there's a good chance that one of your crafts will be destroyed. When you succeed in a mission, the FMV that you encounter is your hovercraft being picked up from the planet's surface and brought back to your base of operations. Looks nice, sounds nice, but gets boring eventually. However, if your hovercraft is disabled or destroyed, the FMV sequence is a little different! When returned to your base, the transport ship enters the hangar, maneuvers to the docking area, and then just drops your hovercraft! The first time that I saw that sequence, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. It was just so unexpected and funny. Jaguar Cheats, & Hints STR InfoFile - Solving Those Riddles! Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands Tips and Strategies This is not an "official" tip-sheet, but I thought I'd offer some strategy suggestions and tips that I've found to work fairly well while checking out the game for review. Keep track of your available weapons (missiles, guided missiles, and mortars) and watch your fuel and shield energy. You can accomplish your mission without the special weapons, but I wouldn't recommend it as it will take more time and energy to do so. Once you run out of fuel, or your shields are depleted, it's all over. The second important factor to remember is to utilize the hover craft's radar and target "lock" to your advantage. Many players will be tempted to find their targets and go up against them head-to-head. Wrong! While it can be fun and exhilarating, it's dangerous. This is war. You have some great "artillery" so use it. Your radar scope has three rings which determine the distance from your targets. Anything within the inner ring is close, and possibly right on top of you. Why wait until this happens? Attack from a distance and wipe out many of your targets without even coming close! What I recommend is the use of your mortar to do this ..it works great! Find a target and move your craft into mortar range by flying until your target appears on the radar and on or just outside the inner ring. Line up your gun sight to the direction of the target, and fire. You can watch your mortar fire on the radar, and make adjustments to your "range" if you miss. Use your target lock to identify the target so you don't waste mortars on flying targets. You'll know you scored a hit when the target is no longer on the radar screen or the target display panel. I've found that it's best to use my guided missiles in areas where there are a lot of enemy ships around, or those that fly erratically that it's difficult to hit them with a direct shot from my cannon or normal missiles. Just hit the target lock and watch those enemy crafts get knocked out of the sky! Use your normal missiles for stationary targets or slow-moving land enemies. Remember not to panic (it happens!) and start firing your special weapons in barrages and rapidly depleting them. Use your radar to find power-ups (fuel, shield energy, and weapons) and go after them when you start to get low. Remember, if you're already well- stocked with either, you may waste a valuable asset if you go after these power-ups and not needing them ª your arsenal capacity is a fixed level. To achieve the highest scores, you need to defeat all enemies on each mission. Once you destroy the mission targets, the mission ends and you're not "allowed" to roam the planet searching for more power-ups and enemy targets. Save the last mission target for last whenever possible. If you have other tips or a strategy that works well for you, drop me a line and let me know ..we'll publish them in a future issue. With the weekend upon us, I'm getting ready to take on more Terrakians! Happy hunting! Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr! An open message from Mr. Jon J. Willig, President, Run PC Quick intro from Don Thomas... This message is in response to multiple reviews of the new Run PC Jaguar- only store in Colorado. I have been sending many of them to Jon and he has taken a lot of pleasure in the praise and coverage. I promised to openly route his reaction to those reviews. --DT I would like to say we appreciate the interest people have in RUN PC as much as we do Atari for their efforts to help increase Jaguar distribution through our store. Thank you for taking the time to visit our Jaguar presentation. I hope your were able to find what you were looking for and aid in our efforts by purchasing a Jaguar related product. I would like to take the opportunity to update curious Jaguar owners on our progress, as well as give you some insight into our goals. I would like to focus a moment on the impressions that customers have about the physical store and location. The Run PC Jaguar display is located in center court of the Twin Peaks Mall. It is not off at the end of some hall or disguised by an inset store front. We chose this format for several reasons: First, we wanted as much exposure as possible, being in the center of the mall with exposure from all four sides gave us the best opportunity to achieve this. Second, we are strategically placed directly across form the Santa Display (as close as we could get to our target market). As we come closer to Christmas, the Jaguar will be on many wish lists. I would also like to point out that our location is much larger than one reviewer mentioned. Some say we are a "kiosk" since we are in the middle of the mall, but we actually encompasses about 220 square feet; more than enough space to stock cases of jaguars and Jaguar CD ROMs, as well as display every product made for the Atari Jaguar and Lynx. In fact, more than enough to be classified more of a store than a kiosk. Granted, there isn't a lot of storage. As we sell out, more units are transferred from our Ft. Collins retail storefront. The display boasts shelves stocked with Jaguars and other related product. I will post a JPEG image for those who are curious on our WEB page (currently under construction). The monthly rent for a setup this size is several thousand plus a percent of gross sales. On top of this expense, we must add another 1200- 1900 hours of manpower for just 2 months. At our current sales rate we are already well ahead of our forecasted break-even point. As noted in the reviews, Atari provided two arcade style "hands-on" Jaguar and Lynx kiosks, which attract a lot of game play, but we also have on display a Jaguar and CD ROM connected to a 35" SVHS Monitor which gets a lot of use. We rotate games every 30 minutes or so; mostly between Rayman, AVP, Ultra Vortek and Highlander. Customers can request to try any game available before a purchase. This allows more consumers to see and touch more Jaguar related hardware and software than any traditional retailer can provide. Atari was most supportive. I have yet to work with a manufacturer who has been as cooperative as Atari Corp., and Run PC deals with literally hundreds. Don Thomas has been great to work with, and Atari's cooperation is evidence of its strong new leadership. I know that they are as interested as RUN PC Inc. in the success of this venture. If this proves to be profitable we will not stop here. Sales have been much stronger than anticipated, according to all our sources 60-85% of our sales will come the last 3 weeks before Christmas. We never expected to sell out of product this soon. The three Jaguar units mentioned in one review were sold on Friday, November 10th by a single employee, who works 1/2 of one day each week. In fact, although it was a fairly slow day, we sold just under a couple grand in Jaguar and Lynx related product. We understand that Run PC sold twice as much volume (in Atari-Only products) that day as the KB Toys in the mall sold in total. Currently the Jaguar is out selling the Playstation in this mall over 20 to 1. The first weekend sales were well beyond what we had expected and we actually sold out of cases of Jaguar product including AVP. On a typical day we have two employees working the mall store, the exceptions are Tuesdays and Fridays where we only have one person until 6:30 p.m. and two employees after 6:30. Indeed, we will need more staff to work this location as we approach the Christmas season. Run PC chose the Twin Peak location after a lot of intense research. It is not quite a large as the Crossroads Mall located 20 minutes away, but it has seen a growth rate in the immediate area of over 10 times the national average. The mall is over 55,0000 square feet and has 92% occupancy. All of the information Atari included in the original press release was taken directly from the ligature provided my the mall and the county of Boulder. This area growth rate is literally exploding. The majority of the growing work-force is involved in high-tech and computer related products. IBM, Maxtor, Quantum, Conner, Storage Tech, are among the many companies located within minutes of this shopping area. The real reason we chose this location was that Atari has had no exposure in this market. Our goal was to test market in an area where the Jaguar was not already present. Both Run PC and Atari want to increase product awareness. I honestly believe the we have already been very successful in getting that well on its way. Most of our customers thus far had seen the Jaguar for the first time, and were very impressed. We actually had customers who wanted to trade in their recently purchased "next- generation" game systems towards a purchase. I want people to know that I appreciate the honest and positive assessments of our efforts. I hope that I have been able to shed some light on our motivations and goals as we have been bombarded by people calling and asking us for details. Run PC is dedicated to the Atari Jaguar and our customers and will continue stride towards total customer satisfaction. If your are interested in any Atari related product please come by or call 800- 326-2344, or e-mail us at runpc@ezlink.com. We will match any legitimate price on Atari related equipment & software. Sincerely, Jon J. Willig, President Run PC Atari's Don Thomas responds to last week's IG Online comments: 2 points. One is that I can understand why a legitimate news media would protect a source and I can understand a statement like: "We have no reason to doubt the source of the information." I do not know how a legitimate news media can unequivocally say their source is telling the truth unless they were somehow as involved as the source themselves. AND, if they are as involved as the source, then their biased involvement negates their claim to be a legitimate news media. Secondly, I do work at Atari and I am involved. I can say unequivocally that the essence of IGO's report is fabricated by someone. If that someone isn't IGO, then there is something very wrong with their eagerness to stand behind the "100% truthfulness" of the reports. You are welcome to repost my message. I am also willing to prove my point by inviting anyone to call our 800/GO-ATARI number during business hours. If our doors were locked last week, ask them how they got in and why they are still answering phones. I hope the people who have read and believed IGO's reports hold IGO responsible for conveniently sensationalizing small bits of data to attract attention to themselves. It sure is convenient to hide behind "protecting their source", but the story they tell should be open to many forms of validation by this time. Don Thomas Atari Corporation IG Interviews Don Thomas Finally, IG Talks to Someone at Atari: "Atari layoffs, future strategy: An Interview with Don Thomas By Brian Osserman In an attempt to get official word on a number of rumors that have been flying across the globe in recent days, I called Don Thomas, Atari's Vice President of Customer Service to see how much he could tell me. First I asked about the issue that has spurred the most rumors: the round of layoffs that occurred last week. Don Thomas told me that there were a number of layoffs of internal developers, but he emphasized that internal developers have produced very few Jaguar games; most are being done either through outside contracting or as fully 3rd party games. Mr. Thomas also stated that Atari still has a fully active testing department, as they do much of the testing for outside contractors, and are still committed to testing 3rd party games to be sure they are up to par. Finally, to emphasize his point, he stated that only about a dozen people were laid off last week. On the subject of specific people, I asked him what Jeff Minter's situation is. He confirmed that Minter has always officially been an outside contractor, so his situation has not been affected at all (...cue collective sigh of relief from Jaguar owners worldwide). Francois Bertrand has been let go, although Don Thomas stated that as far as Atari is concerned, Fight For Life's situation hasn't changed; it is still on indefinite delay. He stated that rumors either that FFL has been killed or that it is already in final testing are both incorrect. So, how does this affect Atari's future plans for the Jaguar? Mr. Thomas stated that no projects have been cancelled as a result of the layoffs (although he also added that if the question had been whether any layoffs were caused by cancelled projects, his answer would have been "no comment."). In response to rumors that Atari might not be present at E3 this year, he stated that they do in fact plan to attend, and that any rumors to the contrary are completely unfounded. He stated that Atari plans to continue to push the Jaguar heavily, with new games being produced through outside contracting, and he pointed to immediate plans for increased marketing, including mailings and TV spots, as well as the Jaguar mall store as evidence that Atari has no plans whatsoever to back away from Jaguar development. Thomas also confirmed that Atari intends to develop a new line of PC games, but stated that this is unrelated to the internal development cutbacks, and is independent of, and will not replace, Jaguar product development. The PC conversion of Tempest 2000 will one of the first games in this line, and they are holding up any announcements regarding its status until they are ready to make announcements about the entire line of PC games. He did, however, state that the new line will include ports of Jag games. Finally, he confirmed that the Jaguar VR headset is up in the air until a number of issues have been resolved; Atari rejected Virtuality's optics, although Mr. Thomas wasn't sure as to whether the problem was a lack of quality or an unfeasible production cost. He stated that for the project to continue, the optics problem would have to be resolved, but he also stated that some other factors would have to come together, with an emphasis on the need for convincing research that the market is ready for a Jag VR headset. He pointed out Virtual Boy's poor sales and suggested that Atari wouldn't want to have the same thing happen. From Atari's official description, the layoffs last week were an indication more of Atari's dissatisfaction with the development that has been done in- house up to this point (and which includes such notoriously poorly-done games as Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy and Club Drive) than of any plans to drop the Jaguar. We will know for sure in the weeks and months to come. Online reaction to the recent layoffs at Atari: Message : 52429 [Open] 11-12-95 4:14am From : Binney Stone To : Sysop Subject : Atari bye bye? Sig(s) : 1 (General Interest) 12 Nov 1995 Lost technology is probably what Atari computers will become. It had the potential to overtake Apple in the mid 80's and didn't. Apple almost hit the skids back then and didn't. It could have been that the two major platforms ended up being IBM and Atari, but it didn't happen that way. Having extensively used Power Mac and IBM's from the XT to a 486 pentium machine, I have no compulsion to go out and buy them. The only concern I have is keeping my Atari running. I have all the software I need (and then some). I can do everything I want with this rig. After having read about the layoffs and resignations of Atari in the most recent STReport (10 November 1995) I want to spit in the Tramiels' faces. Of course, that wouldn't help them see how they destroyed a potential giant. Perhaps they were hired by IBM to sabotage Atari. Or perhaps they couldn't stand to see something good happen to many people (Atari users). Maybe it was just plain greed. One local ex-Atari dealer told me how the company screwed him by making him buy thousands of dollars worth of spare parts before granting him the right to be an authorized Atari dealer. The big Boston music store down the street didn't have to spend any money to become such a dealer. This eventually killed his (and many others', I imagine) Atari business. Also, I recall his complaints regarding broken promises of promotional support in the form of national advertising. Is there a good side to this? Taking a look at the bigger picture may indicate a reason...perhaps some truth. The popular view for any deception is that greed is the motive. I don't know the Tramiels. I don't know what their motive was for destroying Atari. But the intent WAS to destroy. It wasn't to help boom the company, because these guys had enough smarts to deceive, so they must have had the intent to wreck Atari. Why? Because they did just that. Now it may be overstating the obvious to make such a statement. Look at it this way. How many times have you heard people say, "well, I didn't MEAN to____(kill the cat, spill the milk, crash the car etc.). Of course they meant to! It is a lie to say one didn't mean to do this or that. Every accident was intended by someone. This point of view requires that a person is responsible for his/her own actions. When someone messes up and says that he was really looking out for the best interests of everyone, or that he wasn't responsible for what he did, DON'T BELIEVE IT. I don't expect to be popular from holding this point of view. I am not a big fan of being human if it means allowing the insane to rule, the con artists run businesses, and the good, hard-working people of the world to have less than the bums in $500 suits "running" countries. If being human means spending billions of dollars on research to cure the incurable, year after year, decade after decade, resulting in no cure, then count me out. All these people INTEND exactly the results, or lack thereof, that you and I see. There's no cure for cancer because it isn't profitable. All the research facilities would go out of business if there were such a cure. There isn't a center for polio research because there is a way to prevent it now. The amount of money to be made in "research" is astounding. Tens of thousands of people make their livings doing this research. But they're not interested in a cure! They're interested in keeping their jobs. Think about it. If you were working at some cancer or AIDS or muscular dystrophy research lab, and some guy came along and said, "here's your cure," and it worked 100% of the time on all cases, wouldn't you get a little nervous about your job? I'd be sending my resume out in volume that very evening! The way I see it, the Tramiels decided somewhere along the line that the only way to help people would be to get as wealthy as possible and go off and live in their own private island in the South Pacific. How would that help people? By removing the Tramiels from the main channels of business, preventing them from doing any further harm. It is only a question of when they actually make the move and where they end up. Basically, the Tramiels are insane. They only appear sane. Their actions show their intent. Get a company and run it into the ground. I hope they take over all the world's medical research organizations and run them into the ground. ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! PEOPLE... ARE TALKING On CompuServe compiled by Joe Mirando 73637,2262 Hidi ho friends and neighbors. I promise right at the start that I'll be more upbeat than I was last week. If you remember, last week we heard that CompuServe will be dropping support for ASCII (including TTY and Vidtex) access. What this means is that, in the future, you'll have to access CompuServe with either a DOS/Windows PC or (for now) a Mac. While this change won't take place immediately, it doesn't bode well for those of us who don't use "acceptable" computers. For the time being, ASCII access is still available. However, as more and more of CompuServe's stuff (that's a technical term, folks) is moved to new host machines, less and less of the system will be available to ASCII users. Time will tell whether there will be any option for us nonconformists. On another front... Last week in my other column, TECH... No Babble, we learned about PGP and RSA compression. This past week, the author of PGP, Phil Zimmerman, was in the news. It seems that our friends in the U.S. government decided that, since Phil's new product, an encrypted phone program for the Macintosh, was so good that they couldn't eavesdrop on it, he should have to have to apply for some sort of munitions license. Mr. Zimmerman did send in the application, along with the requisite fee of $250.00. What's wrong with this picture? Now, on with the reason for THIS column: All the great news, hints, tips, and info available every week right here on CompuServe. From the Atari Computing Forums Bruno Kozlowski posts: "Hello! I'm new to Compuserve, and I dont know how to download files... I curently use Connect 2.46 on my Falcon, and dont know how to configure the download protocols... it always say something like "time out" or "bad checksum" and I never have one byte of the files... could you please help me?" Sysop Jim Ness tells Bruno: "Tell us how you set up the download. Do you select a CIS protocol from a menu, or do you use a command line? What protocol do you select within Connect?" Bruno Replies: "I use the Connect 2.46 internal protocols, and have made a lot of tests, but downloading has never worked... here are the choices I have, and my actual config: Protocol: - XMODEM - YMODEM - ZMODEM - XMODEM7 - CompuServe B - CompuServe B+ * (actual setting) Blocks: - 128 byte blocks - 256 byte blocks - 512 byte blocks - 1024 byte blocks * escapes: - No escapes * - escapes on type of file: - Binary files * - ASCII files - Bin/Asc (autom) CRC: - no CRC - CRC16 - CRC32 * My port is set to 115200 bps 8N1, but compuserve using 7 bits and a parity bit, i have an option "strip 8th bit" in a compatibility menu... hum, nothing other to say, the download window opens automatically when I ask a file. And with all this, all I have is a serie of (10 times), then a , a , the dl window closes and reopens immediately, and a last ... that's all! the file is not created on my disk (I say this because with I-dont-remember-what other settings, I sometimes got a zero length file...) (but NEVER a good file) (and various error messages, from to )." Jim tells Bruno to... "Tell me about how you are commanding CIS to begin the download. I'm trying to make sure CIS is trying to use the same protocol you are trying to use. It sounds as though you have Connect set up right (8N1, strip bit)." Bruno tells Jim: "...compuserve uses thes same protocol as connect, I've set in my profile the option "choose protocol by menu" or something like this... but it works now! it was the "strip 8th bit" problem... strange, because I tested this... hey, now dl works, I'm happy!" Michel Vanhamme tells Bruno: "In my experience, to download you must _not_ strip the 8th bit when using Connectt. That's how it's worked for me in the past. When I download, I get one CRC error mmessage, and afterwards everything goes fine." Bruno tells Michel: "Yes! thats it! downloading works now, when I unset the "strip 8th bit" just before dl (and reset it just after), I have _ONE_ error crc message (why?), but the download then continues normally... Well I'm _sure_ I tested this hint before, but it didn't work... probably this day another parameter was not good... now I set in my compuserve profile to not emit this 8th bit (Parity zero/none) (well, I think it's rather zero than none) and no more use the Connect strip bit option... I've downloaded 2 files, at a good 1060 CPS (good for my 9600 no compression access, because zmodem on V34 BBS it's rather 3300 CPS...). On the subject of CompuServe's dropping ASCII support, which CompuServe management hasn't confirmed by the way, folks started talking about using Spectre GCR, the Macintosh emulator to use the Mac version of the CompuServe-specific software. Dan McNamee posts: "I have a GCR, and MacCIM is not completely compatable and runs very slowly on it. The one big thing that will not work on it is the CIM usenet reader. It either loads VERY slowly (I don't know, I gave up and reset after 30 min) or it just does not work. I would also not be too suprised if the new 3.0 software would require System 7.0+, which does not work on the GCR." Sysop Ron Luks mentioned CompuServe's decision not to do a CompuServe-specific program for the Atari ST and other "non-upgradeable" systems. In a rare post, I tell Ron: "I'm not completely clear on the "non-upgradeable systems" thing... This makes it sound like a technical problem rather than a choice (no matter how well grounded in economics). Which is the case?" Ron replies: "It is partly a technical problem. One of the reasons CIS didnt do an Atari ST version of CIM years ago was due to the technical limitations of the machine. Little things like the fact that the vast majority of ATari ST's only support 4 color or 16 color modes. Unless you have a Falcon (and how many of those were sold? 300? 400? at best) you can't even get to the minimum target resolution of 640x480 with 256 colors. To port HMI to the Atari, you'd have to make some real technical limitations. Add to the cost of doing this and the extremely small potential customer base, the technical nightmares of supporting a discontinued computer with a small installed base that uses a discontinued operating system (TOS) which is designed around yet another discontinued system (GEM from Digital Research) and you can get an appreciation for the problems they would have faced even if CIS tried to accommodate the Atari users." Dan McNamee tells Ron: "So, I take it from this that there are no plans to support monochrome Macs either? If so, that is a large chunck of the userbase that is going to be written off as well. It so, then the arguement about the ST only having 4 and 16 color modes is hogwash then. If CIS does not want to have to do support for small platforms, then they should release the HMI interface standards to those users that would generate the software themselves." I reply to Dan: "It seems to me that there could have been alternatives to the 256 colors and other things of that nature (using patterns instead of colors _might_ have worked out since this part could've been done by the Atari but I tend to think that it would've looked like hell), but the bottom line is... the bottom line. If I were a company such as CIS, I too would tend to look at the largest segments of the market. It just doesn't make sense to spend as much money (or more) on developing a front-end for a machine with "x" machines as you spend on "x *100" machines. These folks have to look at the bottom line. As long as they don't "sink below it", I can't really blame them. I can't really blame them for not supporting a machine that isn't even supported by the company that manufactured it. To be sure, I'm VERY unhappy about this, but I do understand their reasons. If CompuServe had on-line elevator music, I'd be playing the blues right now." Dan, who has had the pleasure of debating with me in the past, tells me: "Believe it or not, I agree with you. Compuserve can not afford to support the older platforms with the smaller userbase, but that does not prevent them from making their HMI information secrete. As we all know, most of the support for these older machines comes from the userbase hacking around with the machines, and I'm sure that someone out there would be willing to write a CIS HMI interface on their own just for the fun of it. There have been messages in here from people that have asked for this information to do just that." I reply: "Believe it or not I _do_ believe you. I've left several messages to feedback about this situation and suggested exactly what you've just said... that they make the HMI toolkit info availiable to willing developers (with a NDA, of course). I know that _someone_ would be interested in doing it. My only concern is that the finished product might not live up to our expectations. While I believe that a an ST could handle a lot of the things that CIM does, a lot of it would end up being below "CIM Standard". I really hope that someone in CIS management decides that it might be worth a try. CIS was my first online home, and still my favorite. I'd hate to have to find another neighborhood just because I drive a Buick instead of an Olds. By the way folks, the response from FEEDBACK was that "...the rumor has been heard quite frequently..." and that they ..."have made no definite plans to do away with the connection process." Enough leeway to give them some manuevering room. Not that this is a bad thing... just painful for those of us who rely on ASCII because it's the only option." Well folks, that's about it for this week. Tune in again next week, same time, same channel, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" - Rockville, MD- General Electric Co is selling GEnie Online Service GEnie, an online service currently targeted at game users, reportedly has been declining for a number of reasons for some time ..industry sources said. A spokesman for General Electric Information Services, the GE unit that GEnie is part of, declined to confirm or deny GEnie Online Services is up for sale. The sources said GE has decided to focus on its GEIS network to connect corporations to corporations. They said GE is working with Allen & Co, an investment bank that has done several deals for GE in the past. Allen & Co officials did not return calls seeking comment. The GEnie Online Service has an estimated 70,000 subscribers. "GE has decided that GEnie plays little or no role in GEIS," said Peter Krasilovsky, an analyst with Arlen Communications in Bethesda, Md. "They are not willing to put the money into an all-out war (in the consumer online service industry)." 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