Silicon Times Report The Original Independent OnLine Magazine (Since 1987) Happy New Year!! December 29, 1995 No.1152 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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STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE Featuring Weekly "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports STReport's BBS - The Bounty BBS, invites all BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the ITC, Fido, Internet, PROWL, USENET, USPOLNet, NEST, F-Net, Mail Networks. You may also call The Bounty BBS direct @ 1- 904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps and users alike worldwide, are welcome to join STReport's International Conferences. ITC Node is 85:881/250, The Fido Node is 1:112/35, Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All computer enthusiasts, hobbyist or commercial, on all platforms and BBS systems are invited to participate. 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: 12/23/95: 3 matches in 5 plays From the Editor's Desk... Happy New Year!! For some it will be the Happiest of New Year Celebrations and for others. well, `Nuff said. The only way we can make sure this will be a Happy New Year is to take every step necessary in making certain no party hounds are permitted to DRINK and DRIVE. Please.. DO NOT DRINK and DRIVE!! If the party is at your house, set up a "key box" in which everyone puts their car keys for safe keeping. The last party game is going to be deadly serious and will be handled by only those who have enjoyed soft drinks only. They'll be the ones who determine who is or is not suitably capable of operating a vehicle. Make sure everyone agrees to their decision being final and in having themselves driven home either in a cab or in their own vehicle. The arrangements may be a pain. but looking into the eyes of those left behind is far more painful. Especially.. when you know you could have made the difference between life and death. This is our LAST issue for 1995. Normally I'd be busy putting together a list of the best and the worst of 1995 but the list would be top heavy in the BEST category so. all I'll say is stay away from Canon Hardware Products until such time as they get their ACT together. They are at the bottom of the swill pool when it comes to support and updated 32 bit drivers for their products. From BIOS code to printer drivers and finally their Scanner Drivers. Maybe Canon needs its entire executive corps revamped. Something is deadly wrong at Canon. The others are Arcada Tape Backup (BAD software) and the real pineapple of the bunch SoftRam 95, is best left totally untouched. Leave `em on the shelf! All the other Software and hardware Companies are doing the right thing.. Intel is, to an extent. A very large and conclusive extent. Even if they haven't a clue about releasing and supporting PCI Bus Mastering Drivers for their Triton ChipSet. It leaves one to wonder just what they'll do with their Triton II Chipset Support. Time will tell. Ralph.. Of Special Note: http//www.streport.com STReport is now ready to offer much more in the way of serving the Networks, Online Services and Internet's vast, fast growing site list and userbase. We now have our very own WEB/NewsGroup/FTP Site and although its in its early stages of construction, do stop by and have a look see. Since We've received numerous requests to receive STReport from a wide variety of Internet addressees, we were compelled to put together an Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wished to receive STReport on a regular basis, the file is ZIPPED, then UUENCODED. Unfortunately, we've also received a number of opinions that the UUENCODING was a real pain to deal with. So, as of October 01,1995, you'll be able to download STReport directly from our very own SERVER & WEB Site. 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 Kid's Computing Corner Marty Mankins Frank Sereno STReport Staff Editors Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin John Szczepanik Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando Doyle Helms 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. Fontana Norman Boucher Clemens Chin Eric Jerue Angelo Marasco Donna Lines Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt Patrick Hudlow Leonard Worzala Tom Sherwin Please submit ALL letters, rebuttals, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: CompuServe 70007,4454 Prodigy CZGJ44A Delphi RMARIANO GEnie ST.REPORT BIX RMARIANO FIDONET 1:112/35 ITC NET 85:881/253 AOL STReport Internet rmariano@streport.com Internet CZGJ44A@prodigy.com Internet RMARIANO@delphi.com Internet 70007.4454.compuserve.com Internet STReport@AOL.Com WORLD WIDE WEB http://www.streport.com IMPORTANT NOTICE STReport, with its policy of not accepting any PAID advertising, has over the years developed the reputation of "saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue. The Staff & Editors SYSOP NEWS & CYBERWORLD REPORT "The Leading Hard Copy News Source in the BBS & Online Telecommunications World" Your own personal copy mailed to your home every month; STReport's special offer! Annual Subscription Rate of $15.95!! (normally 20.95). Include the STR offer number (STR-21) for your discount. 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 Apple in Bind With Microsoft Apple Computer Inc. apparently is ending the year facing licensing difficulties for Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 95 operating system. Computergram International writes today that Apple finds itself in a bind because Microsoft's "onerous licensing terms ... seem to involve (Apple) signing away its birthright." The newsletter notes Apple's Windows and MS-DOS licenses expire on Dec. 31, and the company "has been unable to reach any compromise with Microsoft on the clause in the license agreement that would indemnify the latter against any possible infringement of Apple patents." CI observes that even Microsoft foe IBM has somehow found a way to sign, "but Apple must now buy the software for its Windows compatibility boards from third parties and get less favorable terms." Telecom Bill Compromise Reached Word from Washington is that Congressional conferees have reached an agreement on a sweeping reform of telecommunications law, a development Vice President Al Gore calls "a victory for the American economy and the American consumer." In a statement, Gore, who has closely followed the measure, said the agreement will prevent media concentration and will provide for fair competition between local and long distance telephone companies. The measure also includes a provision for fitting TV receivers with a "V-chip" that will enable families to block out violent programming. The Reuter News Service quotes Gore as saying the draft bill - a conference committee had worked to resolve differences in legislation passed earlier by the Senate and the House of Representatives -- will lower prices and increase and improve telecommunications services. It also will preserve a diversity of television and radio viewpoints and prevent a media concentration that was of concern to the president, Gore said. Reuters says industry sources report a key dispute resolved was "the ground rule to allow the regional telephone companies to enter the long distance business," noting, "The legislation would open long distance business to local telephone companies once the Federal Communications Commission, with advice from the Justice Department, was assured that their business also was open to competition." Sources told Reuters the draft bill will keep the ban on one company owning a television station and newspaper in a single market and owning two television stations in a single market. Clinton Signs Child Porn Law President Clinton has signed a bill into law handing tougher punishment to purveyors of child pornography, especially in cyberspace. The Associated Press notes the new law sharply increase penalties for people convicted of an array of child-sex offenses, imposing these increases in sentencing guidelines: ú Penalties for people convicted of causing a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct before a camera increases from the range of 57 to 71 months to 70 to 87 months. ú Sentences for those convicted of distributing visual depiction's of such activity rises from the range of 18 to 24 months to 24 to 30 months. And, the wire service notes, the sentencing increases double if a computer is used to transmit child pornography pictures. Penalties also sharply increased for those convicted of transporting a minor in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution or illegal sexual activity. Bonds to Speed Ziff-Davis Buyout Japanese software wholesaler Softbank Corp.'s acquisition of Ziff-Davis Publishing Co.'s computer magazine empire is expected to be speeded up by a new bond issue. Softbank, which originally unveiled the takeover Oct. 19, yesterday announced a $682 million convertible bond issue to help finance its $1.8 billion acquisition of ZD, the New York publishing giant that produces PC Magazine, PC Week, MacUser and other major computer periodicals. ZD currently is owned by Forstmann Little Co., an investment company. Writing from Tokyo for United Press International, reporter Brian Mertens says Softbank hopes the purchase will help it form global publishing operations in the U.S., Europe and promising new markets like China, and analysts say the bond issue should grease the skids. "The strength of stock prices should help the bond market digest this issue," said editor Mas Nishimaki of Dealwatch, an equity and bond research service. Analyst Richard May at WestLB Securities Pacific Ltd. adds, "This deal will make Softbank a big part of the U.S. and European software scene. ... Softbank controls half the software market in Japan, but profit margins are higher in publishing, so this looks like a smart move. It's not getting Ziff- Davis on the cheap -- I'd call it an average price -- but parts of this market are doubling each year." Mertens, quoting industry insiders, concludes the deal stands out because it: ú Is one of the few large Japanese acquisitions in the United States announced this year. ú Represents a new Japanese foray into a foreign media company. Softbank will finance its purchase by issuing new bonds and tapping $660 million raised through a new share issue this month. The company is to complete payment to Ziff-Davis shareholders by the end of February next year. "Analysts were not concerned," says Mertens, "the deal would mean most media and trade shows specializing in the PC business would be dominated by a single company." Feds Prowl for Net Scams Federal law enforcement authorities are struggling to crack down on scams in the new territory of cyberspace, warning us of bogus get-rich-quick schemes, weight-loss miracles, AIDS cures, credit-repair programs and investment scams. "The scams are the same -- the way you investigate them is different," Lucy Morris, assistant director for credit practices at the Federal Trade Commission, told Roger Fillion of the Reuter News Service. The FTC is not alone. "Cruising cyberspace as part of their work," says Fillion, "are employees with the FTC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Secret Service, state attorneys general and state securities regulators." And there are new problems. Says Reuters, "Cyberspace offers criminals wonderful anonymity and law officers face ambiguous jurisdiction issues due to the global nature of the Internet, raising questions about whether new laws are needed to cope with the new medium." Some recent cases: ú In July Minnesota sued six companies and individuals, accusing them of fraud and illegal business on the Internet and computer online services. State investigators uncovered the cases while prowling cyberspace. ú In one case a woman advertised the health benefits of a substance known as "germanium," suggesting it would help people with AIDS, cancer and other diseases. Germanium products have been banned because they can cause irreversible kidney damage. ú In another case, a firm offered consumers, in exchange for $15, tips on how to send first-class letters with two-cent stamps. Four defendants have settled the charges and a fifth case is pending. A sixth defendant could not be found. "The Internet is really not a different way to commit fraud. It's an opportunity to reach a lot more people," said Gary Sundick, associate director of enforcement at the SEC, responsible for protecting investors against fraud. In its most publicized recent case, settled in a Rhode Island last August, the SEC charged a man used the Internet to try to lure investors to buy bonds in an eel-farm venture. He promised a 20 percent return with very low risk, but failed to disclose that the venture "was not an ongoing business" and that he had "no expertise" in culturing eels, the SEC said. As reported earlier, the SEC closed the operation before investors handed over any money. Sundick advises Internet surfers, "Don't make investment decisions based solely on what you see on a computer screen, or receiving something from somebody you don't know. Get as much information as you can, just as if you're making any investment." Intel Investing in Phoenix Tech Intel Corp. is investing $10.9 million in Phoenix Technologies Ltd., which specializes in software used in PC design and manufacturing, giving the chip giant a 6 percent stake, with an option to add another 7 percent over the following four years. Reporting from Intel's Santa Clara, Calif., headquarters, United Press International says Phoenix and Intel also have signed a seven-year technology licensing agreement covering circuit boards. "Intel is expected to pay Phoenix fees and royalties of at least $20 million, though the revenue under the agreement could be significantly higher depending on shipment volumes," UPI reports. Phoenix also plans to open a new system software development site, to be located adjacent to Intel's board development facilities in Hillsboro, Ore. The new facility will begin operation next month with a staff of 20, largely of engineering and program management professionals. "Intel has agreed that it will not increase its ownership of Phoenix beyond 19.9 percent for two years," UPI adds. School Pays for Net Punishment A Washington state school has agreed to pay a $2,000 settlement to a former student who lost a chance at a National Merit Scholarship because his principal didn't like what he said publicly on the Internet. The Bellevue School District also has agreed to seek to have the student, Paul Kim, reinstated as a National Merit finalist and has apologized for punishing the student. Kim, who had a 3.8 grade average in high school and now is a freshman at Columbia University in New York, told the Associated Press, "This establishes for students and high school administrators that freedom of speech does apply to the Internet." AP says that earlier this month the school district acknowledged the actions taken against Kim were punitive and that it should have respected Kim's right to free speech even when it disagreed with the speech. School district spokeswoman Ann Oxrieder said, "I think we learned something from this." Last March, while Kim was still a senior at Newport High School in this Seattle suburb, he used his home computer to write a spoof of his school and posted it on his World Wide Web home page on the Net. His "Unofficial Newport High School Home Page" lampooned his classmates as being obsessed with sex and included links to other Internet material with sexually explicit content. Principal Karin Cathey responded by revoking the school's recommendation of Kim for a National Merit scholarship and for college admissions. Kim did not receive a Merit scholarship. Kathleen Taylor, director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, commented, "The district has recognized that the principal had no authority to discipline a student for expressing his opinions on his own time on a home computer." AP says Kim's current home page can be reached at Web address http://www.cc.columbia.edu/(tild e)pkk11/. I-Net Technology Awarded Patent Security Dynamics Technologies Inc. says it has been awarded a patent for a process that's designed to provide fast and secure data transfers on the Internet. The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, says its Concryption technology combines data compression and data encryption technologies in a single integrated series of operations. It notes that the process enhances information privacy and data integrity while simultaneously reducing transmission time, CPU overhead and data storage space. When the technology is used with integrated public key encryption, the identity of the sender and recipient can be assured, it adds. "The technology encompassed by this patent could become important in the information age," says Kenneth Weiss, chairman and chief technical officer at Security Dynamics. "I believe that Concryption is an enabling concept technology which could affect the way that data from various sources, including telecommunications, the Internet and satellites, are communicated in the future." CompuServe Hits 4 Million Mark CompuServe Inc. says the worldwide membership of the CompuServe Information Service has surpassed 4 million individuals. The company reports that more than 200,000 new members are joining the service each month, with local dial-up access now available in more than 140 countries. CompuServe officials are optimistic about prospects in the new year. "New computer owners are realizing the value of the online service and the Internet," says Bob Massey, CompuServe's president and CEO. "A computer that is not connected to cyberspace is like a television without sound and color." CompuServe notes that the holiday season is one of the biggest times of year for member acquisition in the online industry. This year, more than 3 million people are expected to get new computers. "Our goal is to reach 5 million members next spring, and we will reach that goal," Massey says. CompuServe's announcement comes one day after it announced that it has surpassed 500,000 members in Europe, with 200,000 in the United Kingdom alone. CompuServe Expands in Europe CompuServe Inc. reports it has surpassed 500,000 members in Europe and 200,000 members in the United Kingdom. "We plan to more than double this number over the next 12 months," says Martin Turner, product marketing director at CompuServe U.K. "We have been putting the network and customer support infrastructure in place to accommodate the tremendous growth we have already experienced and expect to continue to experience over the next year." CompuServe says it's continuing to enhance its localized interfaces and to add country and language-specific content. In the U.K., organizations such as the Press Association, Reuters, Automobile Association, Selfridges and Dixons now provide services and sell merchandise through CompuServe. In France, CompuServe has recently added L'Express magazine and France Cinema Multimedia to its local service offering, while in Germany, Spiegel and Bertelsmann are now available. CompuServe adds that it's pioneering new online technologies such as machine translation capabilities to translate e-mail, forum messages and other documents between English, French, Spanish and German at the member's request. "The European market is growing rapidly, and we plan to continue to expand and enhance our European service," says Turner. "We have an excellent global network, including 440 access points worldwide. CompuServe, more than any other online service, is in the ideal position to take on the challenges and maximize the opportunities of offering a truly global service." Eliot Stein Begins Net Talk Show Online entertainment pioneer Eliot Stein, best known for multiple Hollywood features on CompuServe, next Wednesday launches what is said to be the Internet's first live, real-time talk show. Rock legend Johnny Rivers is slated to be the debut guest on the show, called Netchat with Eliot Stein, offered through AudioNet (which is reached at address http://www.audionet.com on the Internet's World Wide Web). The first program is to be broadcast at 6 p.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 3. Rivers will be followed by actor Matt Frewer ("Max Headroom," "Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace") on Jan. 10. Future guests include the cast and crew of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and comedian/presidential candidate Pat Paulsen. Stein says in a statement that Netchat will bring celebrities, authors, experts and interesting people on a weekly basis to the Net users worldwide who have the RealAudio software program (downloadable at AudioNet). "They will be able to listen to the interviews on their computer as they take place in real time," the statement adds. "An 800-number will allow them to talk to the guests as well. Interviews will be archived for many weeks afterwards." In March 1994, Stein created CompuServe's Stein Online (GO STEIN), the first text-based online real-time interactive "talk show." Stein is the longtime editor of Hollywood Hotline (GO HOLLYWOOD) and has been associated with a number of CompuServe forums, including the ShowbizMedia Forum (GO SHOWBIZ), the American Oldies Diner Forum (GO OLDIES), the TV Zone Forum (GO TVZONE) (see TV Zone) and Talkin' USA Forum (GO TALKUSA). Delrina Ships Cyberjack 7.0 Internet Client Software for Windows 95 Announces Internet Access Deal with CompuServe Launches Price Promotion Editor's Summary ú Full integration with Windows 95 (32-bit implementation; OLE-enabled applications; drag and drop; point and click operation) makes it easy to learn and use. ú Full Internet suite provides all the tools (not just a browser) one needs for all aspects of the Internet. ú Unique Guidebook organizes the Internet, ties sites and tools together, serves as a personal trail guide to get users surfing instantly; wizards help users define other areas of interest. ú Unique update feature keeps software current with new Internet developments. ú Includes the new WinComm PRO 7.0 for non-Internet data communication needs. ú Built-in Norton Anti-Virus detection against online viruses. ú Configuration Wizards for easy one-button access to CompuServe's worldwide network and other Internet Service Providers. ú Supports SSL standard to ensure credit card confidentiality for online transactions. ú Solid and reliable, tested by more than 40,000 users through the online beta program. TORONTO, ONT - Delrina Group, Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC), the world' leading supplier of PC communications software, today shipped its much- awaited Internet client software for Microsoft Windows 95, Delrina Cyberjack 7.0. Today's announcement delivers on Delrina's PC Communications at Your Command vision designed to provide the easiest and richest communications experience available on a PC today. Cyberjack, the first Windows 95 compliant and logo'd Internet suite, lifts the surfing experience on the Internet to unprecedented heights through its Guidebook technology and full complement of Internet tools, which help people get productive on the Internet easily and quickly. Simultaneous with the product shipment, Delrina is announcing an agreement with CompuServe's Internet and Network Services Divisions to offer one- button Internet access within the Cyberjack package. Additionally, users without an Internet Service Provider (ISP) can take advantage of CompuServe's RAMP (Remote Account Maintenance Protocol) capability and vast dial-up network to automatically register and access the Internet. Cyberjack enables users to experience the full power of the Internet, by providing full-featured client applications including: a Web browser; USENet News reader; FTP (File Transfer Protocol) file transfer; Internet chatting sessions (IRC - Internet Relay Chat); e-mail via Microsoft Exchange (the built-in e-mail client software in Windows 95); search capabilities with Gopher and Archie; Image and Zip managers with built-in Norton Anti- Virus; and more. The product embraces the Cyberjack Guidebook as its central feature, which enables users to save, sort and categorize Internet sites. Guidebook includes more than 500 pre-listed sites of interest that provide instant access and navigation of the Internet. "Cyberjack organizes the Internet into a manageable and usable information resource,+ said Bert Amato, vice president, Delrina Group. It ties together all of the key services of the Internet -- from Archie to Web -- automatically, providing the kind of seamless operation between the PC and the Net people have been searching for. It+s ironic that until now, users must have a note pad by their side to write down cryptic addresses and information. In Cyberjack for example, if you see a Web address in a news group, all you have to do is right click on it and Cyberjack will automatically launch the Web browser and take you there." "Cyberjack is designed to take off the rough edges in experiencing the Internet," said Chris LeTocq, software analyst with Dataquest of San Jose, Calif. "Cyberjack provides the most complete Windows 95 Internet integration we have seen. The Cyberjack Guidebook technology not only provides new users with a solid jumping off point for the Web, it also provides experienced users with a powerful tool to organize their Internet resources. In addition, both the Guidebook and Cyberjack itself can be updated across the Net. Cyberjack is the next generation of Internet access products." Keeping Current with Online Updates Cyberjack includes two unique update capabilities, one for accessing new content for the Guidebook and a second for automatically getting program upgrades and maintenance releases. Delrina maintains a special Guidebook server on the Internet where new sites of interest and hot spots are placed in a remote Guidebook. Users can transparently access the remote Guidebook directly in Cyberjack across the Internet as if the locations were on their local machine. Double-clicking on a location icon launches the appropriate Internet application taking the user there. Users can also drag a location from the remote Guidebook into their own Guidebook or directly onto their Windows 95 Desktop. In addition, Cyberjack includes a menu item that, when selected, automatically checks itself against new features and updates posted by Delrina. The updates occur automatically across the Internet without the user having to download a patch in a separate application. Connecting to the Internet Cyberjack makes use of the built-in TCP/IP stack in Windows 95, which makes connecting to the Internet through any ISP very straightforward. To assist first time Internet users, however, Cyberjack includes an install Wizard that helps the user enter the appropriate values and settings for dial-up and/or LAN access. Included with the standalone version of Cyberjack 7.0 is Delrina WinComm PRO 7.0 for Windows 95, a full-featured, graphically-based, general purpose data communications software package for accessing BBSs (Bulletin Boards Services), host computers through terminal emulation and other non-Internet online services, such as MCI Mail. The product supports the new standards in non-Internet graphical bulletin boards through RIP (Remote Image Processing). It also shares the same built-in components as Cyberjack: Image Manager, which lets people view image files as they are downloaded and then edit and manipulate them; ZIP Manager, which lets users manage compressed files visually; and the "on-the-fly" virus detection through Norton Anti-Virus, which protects users from accidentally downloading files that contain viruses. WinComm PRO also has a new VisualBasic-like scripting language making it easier to customize for any communications task or session. Introductory Price Promotion The expected street price of Cyberjack (including WinComm PRO) will be US$79 (Cdn$129). Effectively immediately until February 29, 1996, Delrina is providing dealer incentives which should result in Cyberjack being available at an estimated street price of $49 (Cdn $69). Cyberjack requires a 486 computer running Windows 95, with a minimum of 8MB RAM (16MB recommended). Both Cyberjack and WinComm PRO require 24MB disk space for a full installation. Both Cyberjack and WinComm are also available as part of Delrina CommSuite 95, which also includes WinFax PRO 7.0 (fax, paging and e-mail integration), and TalkWorks (voice messaging/telephony). Press Contacts: Shelly Sofer, Symantec Corp./Delrina Group (416) 441-4702; Internet: shellys@delrina.com Josef Zankowicz, Symantec Corp./Delrina Group (416) 441-4658; Internet: josefz@delrina.com For Product Information and Ordering call: 1-800-441-7234 or (541) 334-6054 Delrina Ships CommSuite 95 The Complete Communications Solution for Windows 95 Launches Introductory Price Promotion Editor's Summary ú 32-bit suite offering WinFax PRO 7.0, Cyberjack 7.0, WinComm PRO 7.0, TalkWorks, CommBar ú Integrated, full-featured applications for fax, voice messaging, telephony, Internet, data, e-mail, paging notification ú Full complement of Internet clients (Web, FTP, IRC, News, Archie, Gopher, Ping, and more) ú Maximizes use of Windows 95, OLE 2.0, MAPI, TAPI, Unimodem, Winsock, Drag-n Drop, Plug-n Play ú Complete messaging and online communications in the background without interrupting other work ú Award-winning technology, Microsoft Office compatible and Windows 95 logo'd ú $99 (Cdn $129) street price promotion TORONTO, ONT. The Delrina Group, Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq:SYMC), the world's leading supplier of PC communications software, today announced the immediate availability of its new Delrina CommSuite 95, offering full- featured, integrated applications for fax, voice messaging, telephony, Internet, data, e-mail and paging. Taking full advantage of Windows 95, Delrina CommSuite turns one+s PC into a one-stop communications center allowing users to work more productively, carrying out tasks like sending faxes, downloading files or receiving voice messages completely in the background without interrupting other work on their computer. Coincident with the product shipment Delrina announced an introductory price promotion allowing CommSuite 95 to be purchased at an estimated street price of $99 (Cdn $129). "We believe CommSuite 95 provides users with all the power, simplicity, integration and intelligence to communicate from one place+their PC,+ said Bert Amato, vice president, Delrina Group. +If you want to manage any communications from your Windows 95 desktop, CommSuite 95 can be your fax and e-mail repository, your telephone answering service, your source for paging and your personal guide on the Internet." The new integrated CommSuite 95 delivers value and communications features not presently available from other PC software suppliers,+ said Jack Gold, research program director, Meta Group. +With this release, Delrina is maximizing its technology leadership in PC telephony convergence.+ The beta version of CommSuite 95 was recently recognized by Byte Magazine as a Best of Comdex/Fall finalist in the Communications Category and by Windows Magazine as the best communications program in 1995, with a Win 100 Award. All of the applications in CommSuite 95 are true 32-bit, multi-tasking and multi-threaded programs that deliver faster, more reliable background communications. The new products maximize the use of the powerful common elements in Windows 95, supporting OLE 2.0, MAPI, TAPI, Unimodem, Winsock, Drag +n Drop, and Plug +n Play for easier installation and automatic configuration of fax modems. The Delrina Suite includes: ú WinFax PRO 7.0, the best way to send, receive and manage faxes for Windows 95. ú Cyberjack 7.0, the best way to get the full power of the Internet for Windows 95. ú WinComm PRO 7.0, the best way to easily go online for Windows 95. ú TalkWorks, the WinFax telephony option for voice mail, call discrimination, remote retrieval, and integrated fax-on-demand. ú Delrina CommBar, reports real time status of all computer communications. ú The combination of Windows 95 and CommSuite 95, defines a new era in PC communications where it will be much easier for people to send and receive information electronically, regardless of whether the message is an image, voice, text, or data,+ said Marc Camm, general manager, Desktop Communications, Delrina Group. And at an estimated street price of $99, this product is an amazing bargain, even if you only need a fraction of its capabilities.+ Introductory Price Promotion and Upgrades The expected street price of CommSuite 95 will be US$129 (Cdn $159). Effective immediately until February 29, 1996, Delrina is providing dealer incentives which would result in CommSuite 95 being available at an estimated street price of $99 (Cdn $129). Current WinFax, WinComm and Communications Suite users can upgrade to CommSuite 95 for $69.95 (Cdn $99.95). A 60-day, money-back guarantee is included. System Requirements CommSuite 95 requires a 486 computer running Windows 95, with a minimum 8 MB RAM (16 MB recommended), and 50 MB hard drive for a full Suite install. TalkWorks requires a voice-capable modem. CompuServe is an H&R Block company. Founded in 1955, H&R Block is a diversified services company and the world's leader in tax preparation and online information services. H&R Block Tax Services handled almost one in every seven returns filed with the Internal revenue Service in 1995, serving 17.1 million taxpayers in more than 9,500 offices worldwide. CompuServe operates the most comprehensive online network in the world, providing services to nearly 900 corporate accounts and more than 3.8 million users in more than 140 countries. Delrina Group of Symantec Corp. designs, develops, markets and supports innovative PC software products and services in the fax, data and voice communications, electronic forms and consumer software markets. Delrina is recognized as the world leader in PC fax and electronic forms software. Symantec Corp. develops, markets and supports a complete line of application and system software products designed to enhance individual and workgroup productivity as well as manage networked computing environments. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., and sells its software worldwide. For sales information contact 1-800-441-7234 or (541) 334-6054. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Press Contacts: Shelly Sofer, Symantec Corp./Delrina Group (416) 441-4702 Josef Zankowicz, Symantec Corp./Delrina Group (416) 441-4658 STR Mail Call "...a place for our readers to be heard" STReport's MAILBAG PERHAPS CANON is TOO LARGE? Since August 24th . when Win95 debuted, Canon has been making funny noises about when they would be releasing their 32 bit Scanner Drivers for both Windows 95 and NT. To date all that's been obvious is their excellent evasive and non-committal actions other than mentioning December 1995 as the time of release. Of course, that is not happening. More importantly, why is this happening? Especially by Canon?? What is the real problem?? Perhaps someone is able to furnish the answers in a timely fashion. The entire Canon Scanner Userbase, Worldwide has been "stroked" by a few courageous online support folk who've taken an awful verbal beating from every corner of the globe. Below, we present but two of the calmer posts presented to the online support people. Its been very evident the telephone support lines at Canon are useless with hold times of better than an hour being the norm and not the exception. Is it time that Microsoft stepped in on behalf of all its customers who've invested in both the Canon IX-series Scanners and Windows 95/NT?? Must the entire World's userbase of Canon Scanners DUMP them in favor of Hewlett Packard's Scanners sine they have managed to release their drivers on time?? Maybe its time for Janet Reno & Company to concentrate on the real violator's of the consuming public's trust in both .government ensuring that International CARTELS like Canon do the right thing and. finally get off Microsoft's back. At least Microsoft releases their software in a timely fashion and at the same time provides top notch support. Maybe. just maybe, Microsoft can offer CANON a "wake-up call". After all, Canon is using the Win95 logo on their boxes for the IX-4025 Scanner. But it doesn't offer any support for Windows 95 or NT or any other 32 bit environment than a can of DOGFOOD! Subject: Canon From: William C. Gander 72202,577 To: Ralph @ STReport 70007,4454 Date: 10-Dec-95 9:45 >>Canon's execs ain't seen "nuthin" yet if they don't get their collective butts in gear. There is a full >>complaint being prepared to be sent to the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice and State. It'll >>manage to bring down the "heat" on all the procrastinating foreign corporations doing business in >>the US. It doesn't matter if they have "domestic cover corporations" setup. They are still not exempt >>from any US law and regulations domestic and/or foreign relative to doing business in the USA.. >>The fun is about to begin. Did you know that there is a sticker on the 4025 box that says to send in your registration and get the Win 95 driver free? It does *not* mention when they come out (if they ever do). I was irritated enough at Canon to think about turning this in for false advertising, but instead laid out the $949 for the ScanJet 4C and forgot about it. Would Canon make a good topic for STReport? Ralph, I have used this HP 4C scanner as a copier, to create an Echolake photo album, to fax papers out of state, and in conjunction with Corel Photo- Paint. All of this software works great together and Win 95 seems to enjoy it. Nothing is loaded from config.sys or autoexec.bat. And Now that I got my desk re-arranged, the 4C fits spacewise. That 4025 would have fit in better, but it just wasn't to be. - Bill Subject: SCANNER DRIVER TOMORROW! - Msg Number: 71357 From: John Bonnet 75270,3447 To: ALL Forum: CAN-10 Sec: 04-Image Scanners Date: 28-Dec-95 21:59 Well, I just visited Library 11, and saw the following message relative to Canon's Image Scanners is still posted: "There will be a driver with Win '95 support and enhanced features by the end of the year. It will be mailed to all registered users and available on CompuServe." Thats great! Since December 30 & 31 are not business days, I guess the new driver will be posted TOMORROW!! WOW- what a wait its been. I may stay signed on line for the next 24 hours so I can WATCH it appear in the forum. Its too bad that Windows 95 caught Cannon so off guard. I guess its the way Microsoft was so hush-hush about the release of W95. By the way Cannon, here are some other headlines you may have missed: 1. We've been to the moon. Not much more than dust and rocks. 2. The Mets won a world series! 3. We elected a peanut farmer, and a movie actor as President. 4. World War II is over. To anyone who, like myself, "surfs" the forums before purchasing hardware- take heed! When I purchased my Cannon IX3010 from Comp USA this year, it was sitting right next to an IDENTICAL HP machine. They were EXACTLY alike, same specs... everything. But the HP was almost $100 more expensive. I, being a smart shopper, bought the Cannon. Guess what? Today the people who bought the HP have an image scanner. Those of us who bought the Cannon have a paperweight. Once again, you get what you pay for.... Well, enough complaining- we're all going to get our new, Canon 32bit drivers TOMORROW! YIPPEEEE! Come on Canon .the end of the year is HERE NOW. Are you?? 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 EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed TOP STORIES WWW "Free Speech" Case Settled Telecom Bill At Year's End Radio Companies Are Winners In Telecom Overhaul Internet/ISDN Synergy Mass Walk-Out At Lotus? Flashback: The Technological Revolution Free Offer Compuserve Porn Warning Comes Under Fire Cyber Laundering Microsoft Does About-Face On Internet Strategy Netscape Eyes Intranets AT&T Manager Buyout Offer Is Largely Ignored Reinventing America -- Online Arizona Central Companies Bypass Ad Agencies In Web Stampede Internet Overload Boston College Chosen For Cable Modem Trial Java Cup Computer Customer Service Still Has A Way To Go How Do You Spell Relief? WWW "FREE SPEECH" CASE SETTLED The American Civil Liberties Union has settled its case against the Bellevue, Washington, School District, which had been filed on behalf of a student who had created a WWW home page that the School District objected to. On his "Unofficial Newport High School Home Page," the student ridiculed his classmates for their preoccupation with sex and football and provided links to Internet material on oral sex and masturbation; to punish him, the principal withdrew the school's support for his candidacy for a National Merit Scholarship and wrote letters to seven colleges withdrawing endorsement for his applications to enter those institutions. In the out-of- court settlement, the School District apologized to the student, promised to have him reinstated as a National Merit finalist, and agreed to pay him $2,000 for a potentially lost scholarship. The School District said in its statement that "the district has no right to punish students who, on their own time and with their own resources exercise their right of free speech on the Internet." (New York Times 24 Dec 95 p9) TELECOM BILL AT YEAR'S END Some House Republicans, annoyed by White House suggestions that the Congress had capitulated to the Administration's demands, have expressed unhappiness with the agreement negotiated by the House-Senate conference committee. However, it is unclear whether their unhappiness will slow or derail passage of the bill. (New York Times 22 Dec 95 A1) Baby Bells will be happily ringing in the new year -- in last-minute maneuvering Congressional negotiators removed a provision that could have blocked RBOCs from marketing local and long-distance services together, while allowing competitors such as AT&T to do so. (Wall Street Journal 26 Dec 95 A3) RADIO COMPANIES ARE WINNERS IN TELECOM OVERHAUL The stocks of radio companies have risen sharply due to anticipated changes in telecommunications regulations that will eliminate a 40-station cap on national ownership of stations by a single company, and increase the number of stations a company can own in a single metropolitan market. A flurry of consolidations in radio companies is now expected. (Atlanta Journal- Constitution 22 Dec 95 G6) INTERNET/ISDN SYNERGY "ISDN is a sleeping giant that's waking up," says the manager of BellSouth's ISDN business unit, and industry observers are predicting that the integrated services digital network might actually begin generating profits for telcos over the next couple of years. "ISDN will really take off when phone companies start selling ISDN and Internet access together," says a telecommunications strategist for Furman Selz Inc. "The average voice call is five minutes, but people stay online for hours. The phone companies see this as adding up to $50 to $80 a month, per ISDN customer, in incremental revenue." (Investor's Business Daily 26 Dec 95 A8) MASS WALK-OUT AT LOTUS? One company insider has estimated that come February, Lotus may lose as much as 25% of its work force as employees collect the bonuses promised by Lou Gerstner for staying through December and then bail out. The problem, according to long-time IBM watchers, is that Gerstner has been unsuccessful in his attempts to jump-start the sluggish giant: "They've put on a new head, but have not changed the body. That body can resist anything," says a Lotus employee. (Upside Jan 96 p46) CompuServe PORN WARNING COMES UNDER FIRE CompuServe has begun contacting third party content providers, notifying them that it's posted a warning to users regarding 10 or so online areas that contain nude photographs. The move comes on the heels of Congressional efforts to make provision of "indecent" content punishable by a two-year jail term and $100,000 fine. CompuServe's strategy, however, has been criticized by users: "The posting of this warning is a ridiculously lame, ineffective Band-Aid. To some kids who see it, it would be like dangling a carrot in front of them." (Wall Street Journal 22 Dec 95 B11) Meanwhile, CompuServe says its worldwide membership has surpassed 4 million subscribers, and that more than 200,000 new members are joining each month. There are now more than 500,000 members in Europe. (Atlanta Journal- Constitution 23 Dec 95 D3) CYBER LAUNDERING Stanley Morris, head of the U.S. Treasury Department's financial crimes enforcement network, has some fears about the coming of "cybercash": "The nightmare of it is that there is no registration of every transaction, the way there is if you use a Visa or MasterCard. That's the drug kingpin of the future: the guy walking around with a chip in his pocket worth a few million." (New York Times 24 Dec 95 p4) MICROSOFT DOES ABOUT-FACE ON INTERNET STRATEGY The Microsoft Network has abandoned its original strategy to keep its service proprietary, available only to Windows 95 users; earlier this month chairman Bill Gates announced that next year, MSN would be available to all 11 million or so users of the Internet. "Most of the online services are already looking at the Internet the way we are," says MSN's marketing director, but "for the currently successful and larger online services, it's harder for them to make the jump." The change in strategy leaves Microsoft with the task of developing new online revenue sources, which probably will depend on charging fees for "exclusive" content. "Content is the ultimate business," says Gates. (Business Week 25 Dec-1 Jan 96 p41) NETSCAPE EYES INTRANETS Netscape Communications Corp. has lined up four systems integration companies to help it tackle the Intranet market -- internal corporate Internet systems. The companies are Andersen Consulting, EDS, Claremont Technology Group and Fujitsu-owned ICL. "A lot of what is going on today with HTTP servers is inside the company firewalls, and the integrators expand our reach into that market," says Netscape's VP of channel management. (Information Week 25 Dec 95 p24) AT&T MANAGER BUYOUT OFFER IS LARGELY IGNORED AT&T's buyout offer to almost half of its 151,000 managers has been accepted by only 2.2% of those eligible, apparently because it is not lucrative enough. The offer, which is scheduled to expire this week, was designed to assist the company's split into three separate companies and its attempt to reduce expenses. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 23 Dec 95 D3) REINVENTING AMERICA -- ONLINE The Markle Foundation is sponsoring a multiplayer online Reinventing America game, which offers players the chance to try their own hand at balancing the federal budget. Over the next six months, players will be presented with one key issue per week, which they must incorporate into their spending priorities. At the end of the six months, the results will be sent to government leaders in Washington. (Investor's Business Daily 26 Dec 95 A8) ARIZONA CENTRAL Phoenix Newspapers Inc., publishers of The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette, has launched its online service ("Arizona Central") simultaneously on AOL and the World Wide Web < http://www.azcentral.com/ > because there's a different audience for each platform. Online plans include an archive of the print publications, a small business area, classified advertising, and online partnerships with other media. (Arizona Republic 17 Dec 95 A1-6) CYBER CULTURE Some of the books drawing Christmas shoppers' attention include ones on "cyber culture" -- such as Sherry Turkle's "Life on the Screen" about how the Net is changing the way we look at ourselves and interact with others; and "NetWorld" -- David H. Rothman's look at people "who have found fun, love and livelihoods online." (USA Today 21 Dec 95 6D) FLASHBACK: THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION The December 18th edition of Digital Media magazine points to the Web site of The Atlantic Monthly and says "This compilation of articles by MIT intellectuals Vannevar Bush and Martin Greenberger are harbingers of the networked infoculture of today, written respectively in 1945 and 1964. Bush, a former MIT president and government war researcher, called for efforts and progress in information access that resemble current hypertext, while Greenberger, a computer scientist, uses Bush's proposals to outline the new market possibilities for information services, online commerce and community. These gems from the past are a testament to The Atlantic's commitment to the significance of ideas at (Dig ital Media 18 Dec 95 p27). In the article he wrote more than three decades ago, Greenberger made the visionary prediction: "Barring unforeseen obstacles, an on-line interactive computer service, provided commercially by an information utility, may be as commonplace by 2000 AD as telephone service is today. By 2000 AD man should have a much better comprehension of himself and his system, not because he will be innately any smarter than he is today, but because he will have learned to use imaginatively the most powerful amplifier of intelligence yet devised." An in-depth interview with Martin Greenberger will be featured in the March/April issue of Educom Review. FREE OFFER We'll mail FREE COPIES of the March/April issue of Educom Review to the FIRST ONE THOUSAND persons who e-mail their snailmail addresses to: crenker@zilker.net. (Sorry; this offer can be made only to addresses in the U.S. or Canada.) ... You might also want to start the year off right by getting your own subscription -- so you won't miss such fascinating features as a two-part interview with Internet pioneer Vinton Cerf, beginning in the May/June issue! COMPANIES BYPASS AD AGENCIES IN WEB STAMPEDE As the Web's population swells to 13.8 million by 1996, Forrester Research points out that the bigger numbers aren't translating to bigger income for advertising agencies. Fifty-one percent of brand managers who'd set up a Web site said they implemented their strategies without the help of an ad agency. (Investor's Business Daily 27 Dec 95 A6) Stepping in to fill the gap are an increasing number of start-up cyberagencies, which have managed to usurp the advisory and implementation role traditionally played by the ad agency with regard to conventional media. Full-service agencies say they'll get their chance when the client seeks to integrate its Web site into its mainstream marketing activities: "When you marry the technical expertise with the knowledge of and essence of the brand, that's when the magic is going to happen," says an advertising VP. (Wall Street Journal 27 Dec 95 p17) INTERNET OVERLOAD Andrew Seybold, editor of "Outlook on Communications and Computing," sees increasing gridlock on the Internet: "I believe the Internet network will crash and burn, and from it will emerge the information highway, though I don't know what the access route will be... I used to be able to get to an Internet site, grab what I wanted and be off in five minutes. It now takes a half-hour. Forwarding mail, which used to take 10 minutes, now takes six hours. People are pushing more video and graphic material over the Internet. This requires high bandwidth, and there's a finite amount of bandwidth on any network. I believe the Internet is very close to where the phone companies are on Mother's Day. They can just barely tolerate the traffic." (Investor's Business Daily 28 Dec 95 A8) BOSTON COLLEGE CHOSEN FOR CABLE MODEM TRIAL Continental Cablevision is testing out its lightning-fast cable modems in more than 6,600 dorm rooms, 2,500 classrooms and 400 offices on the campus of Boston College. So far, the results show that faster is better - usage has shot up since the modems were installed. One convert explains it this way: "Not dialing, always connected, and it's astronomically faster." Students' e-mail now includes photos, and student-designed Web sites are commonplace. Meanwhile, Forrester Research predicts that by the year 2000, there will be seven million cable modem customers, yielding $1.3 billion in new revenues for the cable industry. (Wall Street Journal 27 Dec 95 p13) JAVA CUP The Java Cup International will award more than $1-million worth of prizes to winners of the contest to design the "killer app" for HotJava. For more information, check out < http://javacontest.sun.com >. (T.H.E. Journal Dec 95 p26) COMPUTER CUSTOMER SERVICE STILL HAS A WAY TO GO Consumer Reports says its computer-savvy readers are not too happy with the way they're treated by computer companies' help desks. Only 40% were "completely" or "very" satisfied with the manufacturer's technical support -- "one of the lowest satisfaction levels we've ever measured for a service." Thirty-eight percent said they were kept on hold for "an unreasonable amount of time" and 14% said the support staff did not seem knowledgeable. Thirty-four percent had at least one problem that had not been solved. (Consumer Reports Jan 96 p8) HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF? Pacific Bell has a new service for companies that want to offload their data network management functions. PacBell and Network Recovery Services Inc. will provide contingency planning for maintaining communications during disasters, online network monitoring that notifies clients of system breakdowns, and network backup and data storage. (Investor's Business Daily 28 Dec 95 A8) Edupage is written by John Gehl (gehl@educom.edu) & Suzanne Douglas (douglas@educom.edu). Voice: 404-371-1853, Fax: 404-371-8057. Technical support is provided by the Office of Information Technology, University of North Carolina. EDUPAGE is what you've just finished reading. To subscribe to Edupage: send a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: subscribe edupage Marvin Minsky (assuming that your name is Marvin Minsky; if it's not, substitute your own name). ... To cancel, send a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: unsubscribe edupage... Subscription problems: educom@educom.unc.edu. EDUCOM REVIEW is our bimonthly print magazine on learning, communications, and information technology. Subscriptions are $18 a year in the U.S.; send mail to offer@educom.edu. When you do, we'll ring a little bell, because we'll be so happy! Choice of bell is yours: a small dome with a button, like the one on the counter at the dry cleaners with the sign "Ring bell for service"; or a small hand bell; or a cathedral bell; or a door bell; or a chime; or a glockenspiel. Your choice. But ring it! EDUCOM UPDATE is our twice-a-month electronic summary of organizational news and events. To subscribe to the Update: send a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: subscribe update John McCarthy (assuming that your name is John McCarthy; if it's not, substitute your own name). INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE The CAUSE organization's annual conference on information technology in higher education is scheduled for the end of this month in New Orleans. The conference will bring together administrators, academicians and other managers of information resources. For full conference information check out or send e-mail to conf@cause.colorado.edu. ARCHIVES & TRANSLATIONS. For archive copies of Edupage or Update, ftp or gopher to educom.edu or see URL: < http://www.educom.edu/>. For the French edition of Edupage, send mail to edupage-fr@ijs.com with the subject "subscribe"; or see < http://www.ijs.com >. For the Hebrew edition, send mail to listserv@kinetica.co.il containing : SUBSCRIBE Leketnet-Word6 or see < http://www.kinetica.co.il/ newsletters/leketnet/ >. For the Hungarian edition, send mail to: send mail to subs.edupage@hungary.com. An Italian edition is available on Agora' Telematica; connection and/or free subscription via BT-Tymnet and Sprint (login: That may well be the case (I get the feeling that the folks at FEEDBACK can only kick the info "upstairs" where it gets discarded most of the time), but I feel that it's usually a good policy to voice our opinions. At least that way management, or at least FEEDBACK, knows how we feel, what we'd like to see, etc. >Once that roadblock was gone saner heads prevailed. < Only time will tell who was right. Most of the time, a case can be made that, since only one road was taken, we don't know what the other road would have provided... Of course, in this case, this _is_ the correct road. Still, every time CIS doesn't do as well as projected, that ex-VP will say to himself "See that, I was right!" For myself, I don't care if the rest of the management team was visited by three spirits in the night.... as long as we've got at least a shot at remaining on CIS, I'm happy. (probably not satisfied for ever, but happy for the moment )" Alberto jumps in and tells me: "I wonder if the miracle will include free Internet access with unlimited time! ;-D Talking seriously, I was thinking of resigning from CIS and signing with a Spanish server providing a SLIP connection with a reasonable prize. This would mean [that I would] loose contact with all you great folks! But now I will stay. And if that supposed soon incoming GEM-CIM lets us have full Internet access, with FTP & WWW included... I will be the better Compuserve agent in Spain! Me and Atari fan Club (Spain) will campaign for the people signing with CIS!" Benjamin Eby tells me: "Well, I guess all that is left now is for one of you developers to make a definite commitment to this project. I know if I were a developer, I would jump at the chance to do this. Not only is there the reason of supporting the Atari computer that we love so much, but I think designing a successful custom interface for Compuserve would look GREAT on a resume. Just a thought. Thank you all for pledging your money towards this. If you take a moment and read some of the postings in the Amiga forum, you would think they were having a Jerry Lewis Telethon, so many of the users have pledged to buy their version of the Compuserve program from the developer. So keep on speaking up, because a developer does deserve enumeration for a project that would be quite demanding of his/her knowledge of the Atari's hardware (not to mention the time factor). And remember DON'T GIVE UP!!! Keep your chins up. (Or as my brother often tells me, "Keep your nose clean, and your lips won't chap so bad .)" I reply to Benjamin: "If I were a developer with the resources to take on a project like this, I think that I'd jump at it. But I am not a developer, and have _very_ feeble programming skills. I _know_ that, without any doubt, I would be unable to take on a project of this type. As I've said, I know of one or two developers who are looking into the possibility of either incorporating HMI into existing programs or doing a stand-alone version. The problem is that the new policy is so new that most folks are unsure of exactly what restrictions there might be, or exactly what roadblocks might be encountered along the way to completing the project (the technical aspects). We are far from assured of getting an AtariCim, but we're closer than we were two weeks ago. And yes, it is important to not give up. Regardless of why CIS is changing its mind, making our feelings known in a civil way can't hurt and will probably help. Remember Gandhi?? Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. Whether it makes a difference or not, we should make our opinions known! Gee, can you tell that I write for STReport??" Michel Vanhamme jumps in and tells me: "IMHO (In my humble opinion), an AtariNav would be more useful and practical in the short term... I don't really need the fancy pictures and stuff . And while we are dreaming, may I beg any developer who would take on this task to make it fully GEM-compliant? Oh, and I am willing to pay for this, of course." I reply to Michel: "No need for a grin there, as you are absolutely right! I had used AtariCim in a generic sense to mean any HMI-compliant program... Which was wrong and very misleading. I am, as you are, hoping for a "Cim without the CIM". In other words, a navigator. I think that a navigator is the way to go, at least for me. I've always said that the fancy pictures don't increase the value of the messages I read or the files I download. Of course, new users of CompuServe would probably want the pix, but those of us who've been here for a while realize that it's the data that makes CIS our choice, and not the bells and whistles. Hmmm... I'm feeling a bit poetic... Twas the day before Christmas and all through the Forum We all wanted to stay here, we had us a quorum. But the man at the top said "It's just too much work. You'll just have to leave us. You can't even lurk. It doesn't make sense now, to support the ST, Amiga, or UNIX, it's the numbers, you see. Go get a machine that runs Windows, DOS, or Sys Seven. Then you can join us in digital heaven." But a man with a beard and a UNIX machine Told the guy in the boardroom "You're just being mean! There's no reason at all that we can't get this done There's lots of us folks that are in this for fun. We won't buy a computer, just to stay here online, That's just plain silly, ours do everything fine. I've been watching you now for many a year, And I've given you presents when shouldn't, I fear. You've forgotten the rule that makes this place work: Each user is special, you pig-headed Jerk! I'm putting my foot down! No more presents for you!" And then he re-booted, and to the North Pole he flew. Well the short-sighted guy, still in shock from the sight, Yelled out after the spectre "I still think I'm right! I'm out of here now, I've now seen it all! A digital Santa in our digital mall!" The digital Santa gave a digital wink And said to his elves "This is better, I think. An online provider should support those who cruise This electronic highway, not the machines that they use." Then he went to his sleigh and he yelled to the bunch "Let's load up and move out, we've no time for lunch!" "Get the bags filled with presents" he yelled out with soul "All he holiday trimmings.... AND ONE BAG OF COAL!" And I heard him exclaim from his cellular modem "That surely was close, but I guess that we showed 'em." Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night." My friend Myles Cohen (one of those folks who makes this online service special) tells me: "That was true-ly beautiful...Sob!" Benjamin Eby adds: "I had no idea you were so talented!(look out, Milton!) See ya!" I lighten up and reply: "Not Milton, his attempts at humor were lousy. How 'bout Dickens?? (;^{> By the way folks, for those who don't know, that bunch of characters at the end is my "online portrait". the "(" is the top of my head, the ";" are my winking eyes, the "^" is my nose, and the "{>" are my beard and mustache. Meanwhile, Alberto Sanchez tells me: "That was really the funniest message I've ever read! Even when I don't completely understand your american english (I studied english-english at HighSchool) I'm laughing through all the lines. Since now, you're my favourite cyberpoet!" Jon Sanford playfully adds: "Magnificant Poetry! Perhaps we should petition for an "Arts & Literature" section to put all this culture." I haven't replied to Jon yet, but this is what I'll reply when I have the time: "I tried to put it in the literature forum, but it's such a clique! If you're not dead... or at least talented, they don't want to post your stuff! " Well folks, that's about it for this week. Until next time please have a happy, healthy and _SAFE_ New Year. The first two of those are largely out of our control, but the last is entirely within your reach. Don't drink and drive, and watch out for the other guy. Tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" Sunnyvale, CA. Atari's Sam Tramiel suffers Mild Heart Attack Our west coast snoop reports that after a two day session a week or so ago, at Stanford Medical Center, Sam Tramiel, Beleaguered CEO of Atari Corp., was released to home in satisfactory condition. According to our snoop, Sam's Dad, Jack was more upset than Sam himself. In any case, snoop sez that there are no residual problems and that Sam's prognosis is as bright as a new sunrise. Hey Sam!! From all of us at STReport FEEL BETTER!! Besides, if anything were to happen to you, who in heaven's name would we have to give a hard time to? All kidding aside, we're all glad to hear you're doing fine. To you especially, we wish a very Happy and Healthy New Year. EDITORIAL QUICKIES Happy New Year To ALL!! STReport International OnLine Magazine [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport HTTP://WWW.STREPORT.COM AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON OVER 100,000 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors/staff of STReport International OnLine Magazine. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein may not be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without prior written permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of STReport and STR Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible in any way for the use or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom. STR OnLine! YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE December 29, 1995 Since 1987 Copyrightc1995 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1152