SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing September 10, 1993 No. 9.37 ========================================================================= Silicon Times Report International Online Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 R.F. Mariano Publisher - Editor ----------------------------------------- Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST STR Publishing Support BBS Network System * THE BOUNTY BBS * FIDO 1:112/35 ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:21/350.0 904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days 2400 - 38.4 bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST ----------------------------------------- Fido 1:112/35 The Bounty STR Support Central 1-904-786-4176 FNET. 620 : Leif's World ...1-904-573-0734 FNET.. 18 : ///Turbo Board BBS Support...1-416-274-1225 FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493 FNET. 460 : The Atari ST Connection......1-209-436-8156 FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 _________________________________________________________________________ > 09/10/93 STR 937 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU HEADLINE REPORT - STR Confidential - 486 66mhz $500.00 - TANDY OFFERS 486 - 28.8 BPS RSN! - PEOPLE TALKING - DELPHI & MURDOCH - LEXICOR/STRT/IAAD - PC/IBM NEWS - MAC/APPLE NEWS - ATARI/JAG NEWS -* COMPUSERVE GOES 14.4 BPS NO RATE INCREASE! *- -* COREL TO BUY VENTURA PUBLISHER *- -* WORD PERFECT ANNOUNCES v 6.0 for WINDOWS! *- ========================================================================= STReport International Online Magazine The Original * Independent * Online Magazine -* FEATURING WEEKLY *- "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports ========================================================================= STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the Fido/PROWL/ITC/USENET/NEST/F-Net Mail Networks. You may also Phone The Bounty BBS direct @ 904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of information relative to computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are welcome to join the STReport International Conferences. The Fido Node is 1:112/35, ITC Node is 85:881/253 Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All platform's BBS systems are welcome and invited to participate. Support your favorite computer Today! ========================================================================= CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ NVN ~ FIDO ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET USENET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ GEnie ========================================================================= COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers of; ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198 You will receive your complimentary time and be online in no time at all! WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (September 10) COMPUSERVE INTRODUCES 14.4 SUPPORT FOR THE PRICE OF 9600 BAUD! 14,400 BPS INTRODUCED IN 10 CITIES CompuServe now offers 14,400-bps access capability in ten U.S. cities: Cambridge, Mass.; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; New York; Newport Beach, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Rochelle Park, N.J.; and Santa Clara, Calif. This service will be offered in other U.S. locations within the next year, and will eventually be extended to Europe. Pricing for 14,400-bps access is the same as for 9,600 bps: $16 per hour for Standard Pricing Plan members, and $22.80 per hour for Alternative Pricing Plan members. The 14,400 bps service supports V.42 error correction and requires a V.32bis modem. To log on at 14,400 bps using the CompuServe Information Manager, enter the Session Settings and change the bps rate to either 14,400 or 19,200. If you have problems logging on, change the modem type to the Hayes Compatible (default) setting. For more information about using 14,400 bps, GO FEEDBACK or visit CompuServe's software support forums (GO CISSOFT). To obtain the 14,400 local access numbers, GO PHONES. To read more about CompuServe's pricing plans, GO CHOICES. The information areas are all included in CompuServe's basic services. Download file MGIF42.ZIP from LIBRARY 14 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) for an extremely fast monchrome GIF viewer for ALL ST's, TT's and Falcon's. Tons of new features added in this version, to include JPEG/JFIF view of files. faster and more accurate dithering, support for GIF 89a's as well, plus a lot more. This program displays GIF and JPG pictures so well, it's nearly like having a mono equivalent of Photochrome. Due to the technique used, pictures look best when viewed from 4-6 feet from the screen. The history of Atari is posted as file ATARI.TXT in LIBRARY 17 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) (from the Internet system). The second set of "20 QUESTIONS" submitted by Atari Forum members and answered by Atari Corp (specifically Bob Brodie, Bill Rehbock and James Grunke) is available for download as file 20Q_02.TXT in LIBRARY 15 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS). See files OMEGA_.ZIP and OMEGAF.ZIP in LIBRARY 12 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) for a very well done European demo for the STE and TT. Well worth the download time. Download file JAPANE.ZIP from LIBRARY 4 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) for a program which makes it possible to display the Japanese and input single-byte katakana, double-byte katakana, hiragana and more than ten different series of special symbols which are assigned to symbol keys. Download file DRIVRS.LZH from LIBRARY 11 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN) for the latest PageStream import modules. Updated 10-AUG-93. This archive contains ALL of the import modules currently shipping with PageStream 2.2b. Included are new Illustrator, EPS, and TIFF import modules. THE PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM" "ENJOY CIS' ATARI FORUMS WHERE CENSORSHIP IS A DIRTY WORD! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" The time comes for everyone to take a stand... on one matter or another. That time has arrived for me. The LEXICOR/STRT/IAAD Fiasco has rattled a good deal of cages. Of This there is no doubt. A number of things relative to this matter need clarification. Number one that's first and foremost in order is that: Nobody, myself included has ever had a cross word to say about GEnie Information Services. The gripe, complaint and apparent unrest is with the contract holder of the STRT and her husband Nathan Potechin. Who is by the way, DMC/ISD and has a number of business arrangements with various other companies doing business in the Atari platform. He is also a board member of the IAAD. Nothing wrong with that as long as the influence of one or the other, either husband or wife, is not noticed in either the STRT or the business community. If such occurs, then there is a possible conflict of interest. We all know that up until a short time ago, Nathan had "sysop", "Ass't sysop" and or "RT-Sysop" after his name or in his signature in many of his posts. That too, could possibly constitute a conflict of interest. Now, we find that there are further accusations being made that it was Lexicor who informed STReport of their expulsion from the IAAD. This is an outright false and misleading conjecture on the part of more than one board member of the IAAD and at least one outspoken but grossly misinformed member who had "decided" to tell STR to "shutup" on Delphi. This is sad. Now for the record... It WAS a current IAAD board member who informed STReport of the action taken by the IAAD against Lexicor and its representatives. Further, it is also fact that one or more current board member(s) is among those who have steadily supplied STReport with information and captures from the IAAD area, Category 75 in the STRT. Ralph.... """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ** STReport International Online Magazine ** NOW AVAILABLE FOR ELECTRONIC HOME DELIVERY DIRECT TO YOUR (E-)MAIL BOX STReport will be E-Mailed to any GEnie subscriber who requests it as an archived (in LZH format) attached file. Instructions for downloading an attached file are provided on page 200 on GEnie (Type M200). Downloading E-Mail utilizes the very same transfer protocols as the GEnie RT Libraries, so there is little or no difference between downloading from a Library and downloading an attached file (also called F-Mail). To request STReport be E-Mailed to you, send subscription request in E-Mail to J.MIRANDO1 requesting such and you will be put on our "paper route" beginning with the next issue. Each issue will be uploaded by Saturday evening and will be available to you immediately. It simply appears in your E-Mail queue! Wait no more for the REAL news and FULL information from the wonderful and sometimes wacky world of computing... Ask for your STReport deliveries to begin today! *** 379 SUBSCRIBERS AND GROWING! *** STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""" Publisher - Editor """""""""""""""""" Ralph F. Mariano PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION ----------- -------------- ------------ Roger D. Stevens Robert Glover R. ALBRITTON Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Michael Lee Richard Covert Scott Birch Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia IMPORTANT NOTICE """""""""""""""" Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: Compuserve................... 70007,4454 Delphi......................... RMARIANO BIX............................ RMARIANO FIDONET........................ 1:112/35 FNET........................... NODE 350 ITC NET...................... 85:881/253 NEST........................ 90:21/350.0 GEnie......................... ST-REPORT """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS """"""""""""""""" Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #37 By: John Deegan IBM OFFERS NEW THINKPADS - IBM has unveiled four new models of its ThinkPad 750 laptop with easy-to-remove modular parts. The keyboard lifts open so parts can be changed as new technologies are introduced. For instance, a modem for telephones could be substituted for one with cellular capability (and) IBM is planning to sell a TV tuner module early next year for the machines. The machines, built around a 33MHz Intel 486 processor, range in price from $3,200 to about $5,000, depending on the kind of screen, monochrome or color, and size of the hard drive. Scott Bower, director of IBM's mobile computing group, said "This design offers a choice of input and displays, and makes accessing, swapping or upgrading components simple and logical." Also offered is an optional "docking station" to house stereo speakers and a drive for computer programs stored on compact discs. With docking station, the unit weighs about 11 pounds. TANDY OFFERS NEW '486 SYSTEM - A 486SX-based system with a 212MB hard drive and built-in digital sound has been unveiled by Tandy Corp.'s Radio Shack division for $1,299. In a statement from the company's Fort Worth, Texas, offices, Tandy said the 33MHz 3100 personal computer also meets energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The unit comes with a two-button mouse, three expansion slots, an open device bay, a 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive, 4MB of memory (expandable to 64MB), Super VGA graphics, one parallel port and two serial ports. IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER CO. SALES UP 50 PERCENT - IBM Personal Computer Co. announced this week that it expects its total sales volume to inc- rease by 45% to 50% in 1993 after growth of a similar magnitude in the first eight months of the year. Bill McCracken, head of IBM's non-American activities, told reporters in Munich that the unit would show a profit in its first business year. He refused to release detailed figures. He added that IBM has expanded its market position in personal com- puters following structural changes and a clearly improved cost struc- ture. BBSES TO TEST 28.8 KBIT/S MODEM - Eight of the world's larger bulle- tin board systems and three major North American mail hubs within Fido- Net are set to test modems that boost transmission speeds from the cur- rent 14.4 kbit/s to 28.8 kbit/s. Working with modem maker Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. to test its V.Fast Class (V.FC) modems are - Aquila BBS (Aurora, Ill.); Event Horizons (Portland, Ore.); Executive Network (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.); Exec-PC (Elm Grove, Wis.); Invention Factory (New York); PC-Ohio (Cleveland); Sound Advice (Gladstone, Mo.) and Sound of Music (Oceanside, N.Y.). The three FidoNet mail hubs are located in New Orleans, Harrisburg, Pa., and Las Vegas. In a statement from the Colorado Springs, Colo., ONE BBSCON gathering, the groups says the BBSes represent more than 100,000 users and their their goal "is to have V.FC modems on their BBSes by the end of the year and to ensure that the bulletin board software and host systems are ready to take full advantage of the higher speed offered by V.FC." Said the statement, "The decision to support V.FC was based on the market need for a non-proprietary interim standard that offers the higher speed today and will provide the forward compatibility to the V.Fast standard in the future. With the trend to multimedia and large graphic files being downloaded from bulletin boards, the higher speed will allow sysops to grow their BBS operation without a large increase in operating costs associated with additional telephone lines." V.FC was developed in a cooperative project between Hayes and Rockwell International Corp. FUJITSU BOOSTS DRAM MAKING - Tokyo's Fujitsu Ltd. says it will boost production of 4-megabit DRAM chips by 50% to 60% to meet demand seen from PC and portable telecommunications device makers. A company official said that production increases involving both local and overseas plants will raise monthly output to some 7.5-8 million chips. MURDOCH BUYING DELPHI SERVICE - For undisclosed terms, publishing mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has agreed in principle to buy Delphi, the 10-year-old Cambridge, Mass., online service. Delphi, which is to become a part of News Corp.'s news technology group headed by Stanley Honey, currently has between 50,000 and 100,000 subscribers. Murdoch is quoted as saying the deal will help News Corp. create "an electronic newspaper unlike any other" and distribute an electronic version of TV Guide, one of the biggest selling magazines in the U.S. MICROSOFT INVESTIGATION WILL LAST SEVERAL MONTHS - The antitrust investigation of Microsoft Corp. by the U.S. Department of Justice will last several months, according to a top Justice official who offered the first indication of how long the government probe of America's largest software company might take. On Aug. 20 the Justice Department announced it would launch its own investigation into complaints by rivals of anti-competitive practices by Microsoft, including attempts to monopolize the operating systems and software market. Microsoft's competitors accuse the firm of embedding secret codes and using other methods to tailor Windows to its own applications, including word processing and spreadsheets. GOVERNMENT LOOKING FOR HELP IN CHILD PORN CRACKDOWN - Justice Depart- ment investigators said this week they are in the middle of a crackdown on child pornography distributed through personal computers, particular- ly from foreign distributors over phone modems. But they also appealed for parents' help in keeping pedophiles from reaching children through computer bulletin boards and digital graphics. George Burgasser, acting chief of of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said new computer technology allows local child pornographers in search of underage recruits "to reach into the home." And Justice Department spokesman Carl Stern warned those trafficking or possessing child pornography through computers that the government will seek prison terms for those convicted. Though the effort is continuing, government investigators could point to only six federal cases in the United States in the current crackdown. ATARI CORP. RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 1993 - Atari Corp. last week reprted its operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 1993. Net sales for the quarter were $5.7 million as compared to $23.3 million for the same quarter in 1992. During the quarter, the company incurred an operating loss of $4.0 million as compared to an operating loss for the second quarter of 1992 of $45.0 million. In addition, during the quarter the company incurred loss on exchange of $3.1 million and had other income items totalling $0.5 million, which resulted in a net loss for the second quarter of 1993 of $6.6 million as compared to $39.7 million in 1992. Commenting on the results, Sam Tramiel, president of Atari, said, "The company has focused all of its efforts on the development and launch of its new multi-media video entertainment system called Jaguar(TM), which will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year in the New York and San Francisco markets. We have approximately $35 million in cash." ____________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando Hidi ho good neighbors! Here we are again. It's time for us to check out all of the great info that's available every week on CompuServe. But before we get down to it, I'd just like to mention a conversation that I had with an ST user and STReport reader a few days ago. Without knowing who I was, he happened to refer to this column as "that CIS kiss-kiss column". I'd just like to point out that the reason that I do this column every week is NOT to promote CIS! My first, and indeed my only, consideration is to provide STReport readers with useful information while avoiding the nonsense that can easily creep into message bases. Now before several of our most outspoken readers (you know who you are, don't you?) start another silly word game, let me explain that I'm not saying that this nonsense doesn't occur on CompuServe. What I am saying is that there is much less of it and that, when it does occur, I have a much easier time of isolating and removing it. I do include posts from users who happen to be at odds with STReport staff or the publication itself as long as the post contains information that STReport readers may find useful. At times I find it very difficult to abstain from "taking a shot" at some of those who post, but I keep reminding myself that this column and STReport itself is here for only one reason: To inform users of Atari computers of what's going on in "AtariLand". I'm proud to say that, to date, I've been able to refrain from letting my darker instincts rule. Well, with that having been said, let's get on to the point of this column... the neat stuff you can find in the message bases on CompuServe. From the Atari Productivity Forum ================================= Matt Nichols asks about speed: "Can any of you speed freaks out there help me? I can get "only" 19,200 bps between my 1040ST and the modem. If I try anything higher all you get is junk. I tried HSPD_232 and CTSFIX from the lib, but no go. Are there some secret AT commands I don't know about?" Sysop Ron Luks tells Matt: "Officially, the highest speed supported by your ST's serial port (because of TOS) is 19,200. It just dont go any faster. I've heard reports of some special patches to bust this speed limit but dont know if any of them really, reliably work." Dick Paddock tells Matt: "No, there aren't any secret commands. The ST is *real lucky* to be able to make 19,200 baud. For an 8 MHz machine, that's really pushing the envelope." Boris Molodyi tells Dick: "Just for information, 8MHz Mac can do something like 115,000 bps or thereabouts with no pushing of envelope at all." Dazzz Smith posts: "There are mods that allow the ST to work at 38,400 bps reliably." Gee Dazzz, what are they? Do they work well? Where can we find them? C'mon, drop the other shoe. Matt must have been thinking the same thing, because he asks Dazzz: "What mod do you know of that lets the ST work at 38,400? Is there something in the library?" While we wait for Dazzz's reply, Peter Joseph tells Matt: "Sorry Matt, you've reached the ST's limit. 19200 baud is the maximum speed through the serial port. I don't know the physics of it, I just know it to be true." Dick Paddock asks Rick Flashman of Gribnif Software about GENEVA, Gribnif's soon-to-be-released multi-tasking system for any ST/STe/TT/Falcon: "This is not meant as a slam, but a real question: is Geneva *really* an operating system in the sense of OS/2 or Windows NT, or is it more like Windows 3.x? I realize that it does *true* multi-tasking, but does it actually toss out TOS?" Jim Ness just can't resist posting: "Hey. Nice pun. heh heh." Rick, being the guy he is, tells Dick: "Not a slam at all, but a very good question. Geneva is VERY much like Windows 3.x in that it is an "event driven" multitasking system. It is not like Windows NT or OS/2, which are "pre-emptive" multitasking systems. However, Geneva works with MiNT, which is Atari's "pre-emptive" multitasking system, so that you can get both all the features and advantages of Geneva and true pre-emptive multitasking (which you might need for an advanced custom network application, for example). Geneva does not touch TOS at all. Technically Geneva is a replacement of the AES (Application Environment System/Services). MiNT from Atari is an "enhancement" to TOS. Remember that the Atari has 4 parts to its operating system. Bios (low level), VDI (drawing/graphics), AES (windows, GEM applications, menus, desk accessories), TOS (operating core)." Robert Aries asks: "(Does) Anyone have a problem with ST WRITER Elite and TOS 2.06? (More specifically, the TEC board). When I print a file to the screen, I either get a single collumn of characters scrolling down the left side of the page, or nothing at all. Printing to disk or saving ASCII yields some garbage characters in the resulting file. I don't remember how, but yesterday it DID manage to work at one point. Right now it isn't. I tried booting with no acc's/auto prgs but it's the same deal. Anyone? (P.S. I used v4.7 when I had TOS 1.0 with no problems. I just loaded in some of those old files and they exhibited the same symptoms--although in every other respect, the program appears normal. I first encountered this with 4.7, which is why I went and got 4.8, but the problem continues). Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine asks Robert: "Do older versions of ST-Writer give you the same problems or is it just version 4.7 of STwriter and above? Did you check your chips to make sure they are firmly in their sockets? Sometimes loose chips can cause strange thhings to happen with different programs. Also check your hard disk cables to make sure they are snug as well." Robert tells Albert: "Here's the weird part. When I copied ST-Writer to my floppy, and ran it from there, the program worked just fine!! I'm filing this in the "?????" category of computer malfunctions! A little more experimenting. ST-Writer works just fine run from everywhere I've tried on my hard disk, *except* where it is right now! I have it in a folder called WORDPROC, which is in the root directory of drive C. I'd really like to keep it there, for convenience's sake mostly. It would be interesting to find the cause of this problem, I just don't have the time!" John Damiano of Transierra tells Robert: "I have that combination and it works fine on three diff. computers. I would try reloading ST Writer Elite and trying again. My 2.06 has caused no problems as far as I know. I did discover that I had to have the blitter ON (Mega4) to make Calligrapher work right just for general info." Robert tells John: "I tried everything and what wound up working was just running ST-Writer from my floppy instead of my hard drive. The problem disappeared. Go figure!" Well, they say that all's well that ends well. David Hagood asks: "...Does anyone know if the "old ST for new STE" trade-in offer is still running?...And if the STE is no longer being made, what is the entry level machine? Joe user is unlikely to plunk down the $$$ for a Falcon or TT (unfortunately)." Peter Joseph tells David: "Unfortunately, the great upgrade policy that Atari once had is history." Atari's Director of Communications, Bob Brodie, tells David: "STEs are no longer being made... The entry level machine is the one meg Falcon with no HD... Here in the US, the entry level Falcon sells for $799. That is a single floppy based system, with no internal HD, one meg of Ram, and all the rest of the fine features of the Falcon. This is a popular unit with people that already have an external hard drive system. Most of them just get a SCSI cable and plug it in! They accomplish their RAM upgrades via the RAM Gizmo from Chro-Magic. The RAM Gizmo costs $99 and comes with ZERO ram, but uses SIMMs." From the Atari ST Arts Forum ============================ David Newman posts: "Recently, I've been looking into buying some arcade games -- like the original Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back arcade machines from Atari. Two problems I've come up with: #1 My wife would kill me, thus making gameplay difficult (from the "beyond") #2 Where do you guys KEEP the darn things? They take up a good bit of floorspace... and they're a challenge to blend into the decor! If you have any ideas on these two problems and how I could overcome them, serious or not, please post!!!" Albert Dayes asks the eternal question: "Is there life after "game over?" I keep missile command in my room. I keep the front parted covered most of the time. Then when someone comes in he/she asks what is that over there. My new printer I reply with 20 megaton print heads. Why are these rockets on the side. Just to show speed I would say. Its that fast. Oh yes let me show you ... The lights flicker and sudddenly Missile Command comes to life. Try to tell your wife that is an old TV from the 1930s. It has vector graphics and was called Star Wars because of its very fast vaccum tubes. " David tells Albert: "This thread reminds me of an arcade classic that I've forgotten the name of. I know it's from TAITO and it came out in either 1981 or 1982 at the same time as Front Line (remember that great one -- soldier on foot tossing grenades and shooting enemies working up the screen toward the tanks that he would hop into and blast the baddies with... 2 sizes of tanks: the big boomer and the little machine gun tank --great fun!) The game I'd like to get the name of had a Wild West theme and involved a train robbery. The perspective was from overhead and the train tracks were always going vertically up the screen. The player was a bandit on horseback and the first phase involved shooting sideways at the other bad guys to knock them off their horses, while being partially blocked by the moving train. You could also switch horses -- ie kill a bad guy then jump onto his horse to get closer to the train. Ultimately you would have to jump onto the train, avoid or shoot the guards on the train and get to the bank car. The controls were the same as on Front Line -- an eight position metal knob and a couple of fire buttons for shooting your six gun and for jumping. Does this ring a bell with anybody??" Albert tells David: "I remember those games. Front Line was one the first of its kind. There was a fun two player/or single player against the computer game called Boot Hill. That was one of the fun ones too ... but then I noticed Missile Command and it hasn't been the same since. " David asks Albert: "Why doesn't someone write a book on the history of video games? It's really quite a fascinating subject (to me, anyway). Have you heard of/seen the exhibit that is touring around the country called HOT CIRCUITS? It's a video game retrospective that was put together with an obvious love of the genre and some good intelligence and selectivity by the Museum of the Moving Image in New York. It's 47 (mostly) functional video arcade machines with a historical blurb about each one and its significance in the development of the genre. You even get a bag of coins with your admission ticket at most museums and they allow you to play as often as you like (token machine on premises!). It was most recently at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia which is where I caught up with it, after missing it by a few days when I lived in NY and it first was opened to the public." Albert tells David: "Actually I have never seen any books on the history of video games myself. That does sound like a good idea ... I can think of a good title too. Never heard of HOT CIRCUITS until now. The closest thing I can get to that is the penny arcade at Disneyland. You should write a book that would be a long one too. Like the 20 volumes of OED (Oxford English Dictionary). You could have a nice long glossary of terms at the back too." John Devlin asks: "Does anyone know of a compress/uncompress program that can handle JPG or JPEG compression files. I have heard of one program called JPEGB, are there any others?" Sysop Bob Retelle tells John: "I think GEMVIEW handles JPEG images.. Also, I think I remember seeing Atari specific conversions of the PC programs that compress and uncompress JPGs... I'll see if I can find them on UseNet for you." Sysop Jeff Kovach tells John: "I just came across a new monochrome .GIF viewer that also support JPEG files. You can expect to see it in the file libraries soon!" John tells Jeff: "I will keep an eye out for it, Thanks. Boy, yous guys are very quick at answering my messages..." On the subject of a possible (and I only say "possible" becuse I haven't seen it yet) ethnic slur in ST FORMAT, Peter Joseph Posts: "I'll make one small point. The fact that racial remarks were made all the time when you were growing up doesn't make it right no matter how you cut it. As long as people do it, no matter what the intent, it will continue racism in the world. If you and your friends or my friends and I, or George and his friends want to call each other racial names, then so be it; but it shouldn't be if we ever want to get rid of racism. And it definitely should not be used in public, on a sign, a magazine or anywhere that it may be offensive to others. Period. Call me sheltered, call me sensitive. Great! It's what makes me so easy to get along with." Lloyd Pulley tells Peter: "But the point is whether the term 'Jap' was meant as a racial slur. In today's 'politically correct' atmosphere, it is taken as such, but that doesn't mean it was meant as such. If the editor/author had said, "The Yellow Peril" or something similar, then it would be an obvious racial slur. IMO, today people are too sensitive. Recently a Black-American in Phoenix had the city change 'umpteen' designs at the airport because if you looked at the design in just a certain way, at just the right time, with your head cocked at an angle, one of the designs looked like "KKK". In actuality, it was an ancient Indian design. One that was around and accepted before the KKK ever came into being and had NOTHING to do with racism. Or just this week I was accused of being a racist (if not accused, the inference was very heavy) on another network. Why? Because the author felt I was anti-Canadian. In truth, I like many things about Canada and lived there two years when I was younger (I think Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in). I just dislike this person (and won't like him if he was a citizen of the U.S.A.) If you want to fight and win the battle against racism, fight the real fights and ignore the non-issues. (As the one guy said, he wasn't even sure that the article/title was intended to be racist). All you do when you try to fight non-issues (like my being an anti-Canadian/racist, or this one title being racist) is dilute your position so much that pretty soon you have no position left. Pretty soon people start to ignore you even when you have a real battle to fight. My personal opinion? Racism always has been and always will be. That doesn't make it right, it just makes it 'the way things are'. And some of the races/ethnic groups that scream about racism the most, are some of the biggest racists (as a group)." Curtis Miller asks about picture files: "I downloaded several PIC's from the libraries a while ago unaware that they were files designed for Apples & Mac's. I called to several people for help finding a Utility file that would make them viewable on my IBM compatible. A sysop told me that there was a program that would do this called Degas or Degaview. I could find no such file in IBMsys Libraries or Graphsup libraries. Can anyone steer me in the right direction?" Sysop Bob Retelle tells Curtis: "Any picture files you might download from the Atari Forums are mostly specific to Atari ST computers. Except for the .GIF files that may be in the libraries, they're not directly usable on IBM compatibles. I just checked the IBM File Finder, and came up with these two files that might help you.. The first is in IBMAPP in library #10, called DVEGA.ARC it will display pictures created with the Atari art program called DEGAS. The second is in IBMHW in library #3, called STVIEW.ARC it will display pictures in DEGAS, TINY and NEO format, created with Atari format programs. Unfortunately there is no currently available viewer to allow showing Atari SPC or SPU format picture files on an IBM compatible. We've heard that one is "in the works", but we have no information about when it might become available..." From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Boris Molodyi tells Rick at Gribnif: "I should be getting my CD (Crazy Dots) II soon, and I have some questions. Is CD II driver MTOS compatible? Any words on NVDI driver yet? What monitor would you recommend? I meed to be able to see a full width of a page at some decent magnification (at least 150%, better 200%). What size monitor do I need? Also, for what paraneters should I look in the monitor (like scan frequencies, bamdwidth etc.)? Even better, if you could recommend some particular model (as long as it does not cost a fortune :-)" Rick tells Boris: "Crazy Dots II is fully MultiTOS compatible. We just got the NVDI drivers in (I saw a pile of them yesterday). Monitor is entirelly based on price and hundreds of pages could be written on that. Ideally a nice 20" that handles 1,280+ without interlacing, but that's not cheap. Any SVGA monitor works, however you need a "multi-sync" if you want to show the original ST resolutions (640x200/400/480)." From the Atari Portfolio Forum ============================== Don Thomas of Atari Corp. posts: "If you're having troubles finding Portfolio accessories, the publisher of RE:Port does a good job of serving his customers. He can sell many of the items at a discount. He supports users in this forum...HEY DAVE STEWART!" Dave Stewart takes the opportunity to tell us: "As you've probably already seen in a message from Don Thomas, my company sells all sorts of Port stuff at a discount, and also offers support for the Portfolio via a newsletter! If you'd like more information, leave your US mail address in email, and I'll send you some prochures and/or quote you prices on whatever you'd like." Stephen Green posts: "My Portfolio keyboard has suddenly stopped respnding to several keys - w, i, p, h, z and v to be exact. I have tried rebooting to no avail. There isn't even a key click on those keys. I tried to effect a cold boot but I don't think I was successful. I keep all my data on a RAM card." Sysop Ron Luks tells Steven: "Sounds like a hardware problem and the only 'fix' I know of is to send the unit back to Atari Corp and take advantage of their trade in policy ($110 for a new unit)." Stephen asks for more info: "Could you tell me how to set up the trade-in (Addresses, etc.)? I am in Toronto, Canada, if that makes a difference. I haven't kept up - are there any newer models? Ours is about 2 1/2 years old." Ron tells Stephen: "Nope. No newer models. Contact Don Thomas at Atari Corp (408)745-2000 for details of the trade in offer." George Parsons asks: "Has anyone accessed CIS from Tokyo using a Portfolio with serial port and Pocket Modem? I have used this combo successfully in the US and unsuccessful (so far) from Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland,Sweden). I'd appreciate any tips on Japan." No answer yet, but as always, we'll let you know when someone finds out what's going on. In the meantime, Janis Kelly posts: "I just installed a PC card drive into my office computer and can't get the thing to work at all. The computer acts like the drive is just not there. What to do?" Don Thomas of Atari tells Janis: "Make sure that CD.SYS is installed on your PC and that your CONFIG.SYS file includes the statement: device=X:\filepath\CD.SYS where X=your drive and filepath=the path where CD.SYS resides. If that still doesn't work, try installing the card drive in another slot or swapping it with the slot another card might be in." Well friends, that's it for this week. Sorry about my little speech in the beginning, but I thought that you readers (and even "non-readers" who read STReport) should know exactly why I do this column every week. Tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be prepaired to sit back and relax among friends. And always remember this: No matter where you are, always remember to listen what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING ************************************************************************* IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of a friendly community of enthusiastic computer users there. SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI ====================== Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI services via a local phone call JOIN -- DELPHI -------------- Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002 then... When connected, press RETURN once or twice and... At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN. DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA. Try DELPHI for $1 an hour! For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only $5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan, where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum $10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry, this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (9/8/93) (1) SYSTEM INFO, TELLS ALL! (2) STREPORT 9.36 09/03/93 (3) WORLDWIDE 9600 TYMNET/SPRINTNET (4) AEO - VOLUME 2, ISSUE 15 (5) XCONTROL PANEL 1.31 (6) DESKTRACKER V1.11 (7) FALCON030 SOFTWARE LIST (8) GRUNENBERG'S LHARC 2.22 (9) SUPRA UTILITIES (10) GEMVIEW 2.4 All of the above files can be found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database for at least one week after the posting of this list. Please Note that in the case of online magazines, only the most current issue in the database at the time of this compilation is considered for the Top 10 list. Also, for all files, a submission is eligible for the Top 10 list for only four weeks after its original uploading. DELPHI- It's getting better all the time! ************************************************************************* > AVERKEY! STR InfoFile LEXICOR INTROS THE AVERKEY! """"""""""""""""""""" This is an Official Press Release by LEXICOR SOFTWARE EUROPE AVERKEY ======= by ADDA Technologies from Jong-Ho County, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. We are proud to announce that we have got direct distribution rights from ADDA Technologies for this great piece of Multimedia Hardware. The Averkey is the fitting Link that bridges your VGA Signal, be it TT Medium,Falcon or NOVA Graphics Board resolution to your Video System in either PAL or NTSC. It has not only got a Composite Video Output but also a S-VHS Output for prime quality. Add your Television, VCR and large screen display to your computer hardware. Move your presentation from the VGA Monitor to the world of Video with Averkey! AVerKey features reflect the latest in multimedia hardware design. Through its compact size and powerful internal design, the AVerKey can be quickly installed to convert a number of VGA Modes eg. 640x480 to NTSC or PAL Systems. As an added feature, the AVerKey features a state-of-the-art built in flicker filter. This filter helps overcome the inherent flicker problems which arise when linking the VGA environment with video. The Averkey adjustment control's the brightness of your TV (Video) Display. Since VGA scan rates are almost twice that of a Television the display quality of the Television signal is inferior to that of VGA. This is especially true of picture stability when displaying single line. Single line display will result in television flicker unless a flicker free function is employed. The AVerKey has such a built-in "flicker-free" feature which stabilizes VGA Graphics on a television Monitor. This feature greatly improves the display quality of your Animations in either Prism Paint, Da's Vektor, Chronos, Phoenix or any other Atari Software that will work in VGA Modes. Besides helping reduce flicker, this feature even further reduces brightness to a comfortable level. Price: $289.00 U.S. Dollars. Shipping and Tax not included. Availabitlity: Now System Requirements: Any kind of VGA based System. This includes NOVA Graphics Card and TT Medium. The Averkey has not been tested with any other Atari Based Graphic Card and can therefore not guarantee it running on anything else. Software: DOS Software already included, Atari Software available end of September. However Software is not required to run the Averkey. The Software will however allow the Averkey to switch down its scan rates to as low as 320x200. Display Mode Supported: All standard VGA Modes. 640x480 mode in 256, 32k, 64k or even 24bit in NTSC or PAL (720x400 in NTSC Max.) 800x600 mode if using Cirrus, CL-GD 6410 VGA chip or Tseng Labs. ET-4000 with frequency synthesizer as ICS 2494-237 in PAL. One VGA Input Signal (Analog RGB 15 pin display connector, 0.7 Volt p.t.p.) Four Output Signals: 1 x Composite Video, 1.0 Volt peak to peak RCA Jack Connector 1 x S-VHS Y and C Video, Mini-DIN 4 pin connector 1 x RGB Output 1 x Standard VGA card Signal (15 pin) FCC Warning: It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A Computing Device pursuant to subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection in a commercial environment. Additional hardware to the Averkey: Averkey GENLOCK Board which will allow your Averkey to have Genlock capabitlities. Lexicor Software and ADDA Technologies are working closely together to give you the best possible value for our Customers. We Believe that the Averkey is one of the best VGA to Video Scan Line Converters for the price. LEXICOR SOFTWARE U.S. 1726 Francisco St. Berkeley, CA 94703 U.S.A. Tel: (510)848-7621 Fax: (510)848-7613 LEXICOR SOFTWARE EUROPE Cottagegasse 69 A-1190 Vienna AUSTRIA Tel: (1) 36 75 91 Fax: (1) 36 91 787 ___________________________________________________________________ > NVN NEWS & UPDATES! STR FOCUS! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NVN - IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER! ============================== Effective Immediately, the non-prime rate will be lowered from $5/hour to $3/hour, and this includes 9600 baud access! That's right, you'll be able to download, conference and use other Premium services for only $3/hour during non-prime time. A lower rate wonÕt be found anywhere for 9600 baud access! NVN will begin to bill prime and non-prime rates according to the time zone in which your call originates. That is, you'll no longer have to remember to dial in according to Central time. In order to implement this change and more accurately reflect our costs, the prime time hours will be changed (on September 1) to 7:00am-6:00pm in your time zone. Using the NVN Network will be more convenient than ever! You can join NVN one of two ways... By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. NVN HIGHLIGHTS -------------- 1. For the newcomers.... 2. *** COMING SOON ---> *** LOWER RATES *** AND OTHER EXCITING CHANGES! 3. We have some NEW Forum Commands for you; that's just the beginning! 4. The Business Opportunities Handbook is now online! 5. If you shop by mail, this service is for you... 6. The Computer Networking Forum opens its doors... 7. Where to look for that book... 8. There are 16 conferences every night in the Soap Opera Forum... 9. Come to the Gala Opening! The Soap Forum Sunday, Aug. 29, at 10pm EDT! 10. Calling All Chatters! Successful Chatline VIP Club Continues! 11. WARGAMERS! Speak live to Scott Hamilton of ADC Fame on August 28th... 12. Hidden treasure? Yes, if you are digging for information... 13. Tune in to Sitcom Trivia in the TV Forum on Sunday, Aug.29, 10pm EDT! _________________________________________________________ > COREL & VENTURA STR InfoFile COREL TO SECURE VENTURA'S PREMIER POSITION """""""""""""""""""""""""""" COREL INITIATES ACQUISITION OF VENTURA PUBLISHER AND DATABASE PUBLISHER OTTAWA, Ontario Corel Corporation announced the initiation of an agreement to acquire Ventura PublisherR, Ventura Database PublisherR, and all related technologies from Ventura Software, Inc. The acquisition, which is subject to a number of conditions, including the execution of a definitive purchase agreement between the parties, is expected to be completed by the end of September of 1993. "The acquisition of Ventura Publisher and Ventura DataBase Publisher is the perfect marriage of product and company," said Dr. Michael Cowpland, president and CEO of Corel Corporation. "Corel is committed to the continuing development and support of Ventura software. Our goal is to continue to advance Ventura's software products by adding new and innovative features to secure Ventura's premier position in the global publishing market." "We are delighted with the acquisition by Corel, a respected leader in the industry," said David W. Hanna, president and CEO of Ventura Software, Inc. "There is great synergy between our products today, and we believe strongly that this acquisition will result in very positive long term benefits for Ventura customers." Under the terms of the agreement, Corel will acquire all platform and localized versions of Ventura Publisher, Ventura DataBase Publisher and all associated technologies. The agreement also provides Corel with all source and object code for on-going development, and rights to Ventura's customer database. With the agreement in place, Corel will assume full responsibility for customer service and support. Details on future product development will be released as the acquisition progresses. Ventura Publisher Allowing easy access to source files from word processors, spreadsheets, database programs and image editors, Ventura Publisher is the most fully-featured, easy-to-learn high-end publishing program available on the market. Ventura Publisher also allows full control of prepress functions from within open documents. Ventura DataBase Publisher Ventura DataBase Publisher enables users to easily organize and prepare database information for publishing in Ventura Publisher as well as other desktop publishing systems and word processors. Businesses can automate their publishing of updated database information, and deliver professional, high-quality documents with ease, precision and accuracy. Incorporated in 1985, Corel Corporation is recognized internationally as an award-winning developer and marketer of PC graphics and SCSI software. CorelDRAW{SYMBOL 212 \f "Symbol"}, Corel's industry-leading graphics software is available in 14 languages and has to date won over 100 international awards from major trade publications. Corel ships its products through a network of more than 100 distributors in 60 countries worldwide. Corel is traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: COS) and the NASDAQ - National Market System (symbol: COSFF). For more information, please call: Investor/Public Relations Department (613) 728-0826, extension 4500 Ventura Software, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox Corporation. Corel is a registered trademark of Corel Corporation. CorelDRAW and CorelSCSI are trademarks of Corel Corporation. ________________________________________________________________ > NOVA CARD NEWS! STR InfoFile NOVA SPECS and UPDATE NEWS! """""""""""""""""""""""""""" NOTICE: SPECIAL NOVA CARD UPDATE ======================== Announcement from Lexicor Software Corp. ---------------------------------------- As of Monday 19th July 1993, the Special NOVA Deal offered by Lexicor Software for the NOVA Graphics Card is over. The NOVA Mega and the NOVA VME 16M will now both have the same price of 599.99 U$D. The price for the SUPERNOVA has not changed and will cost: 999.99 U$D The 32K Graphic Card is only available on Special Order and will cost 429 U$D both the Mega and the VME. For these Card's there may be an added handling Price. Shipping cost are excluded from these prices. Technical Specifications ------------------------ NOVA Megabus 16M ---------------- Maximum Frame Rate : 90Mhz Video RAM : 1 Megabyte RAMtype : DRAM Maximum Color's : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit) Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1024x768 in 256 Color's Maximum Resolution (15bit): 768x512 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 640x400 Virtual Resolution : YES Automatic REZ Switch : YES Upgradeble : YES VDI for 24bit : YES VMG : YES HARDWARE Accelerator : NO NOVA VME 16M ------------ Maximum Frame Rate : 90MHz Video RAM : 1 Megabyte RAMtype : DRAM Maximum Color's : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit) Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1088x832 in 256 Color's Maximum Resolution (15bit): 800x600 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 640x480 Virtual Resolution : YES Automatic REZ Switch : YES Upgradeble : YES VDI for 24bit : YES VMG : YES HARDWARE Accelerator : NO SUPERNOVA --------- Maximum Frame Rate : 135MHz Video RAM : 2 Megabytes RAMType : VRAM Maximum Color's : 16,7 Million Colors (24bit) Maximum Resolution (>70Hz): 1280x1024 Maximum Resolution (15bit): 1024x768 Maximum Resolution (24bit): 800x600 Virtual Resolution : YES Automatic REZ Switch : YES Upgradeble : YES VDI for 24bit : YES VMG : YES HARDWARE Accelerator : YES For more information check our previous releases on the NOVA Card. The Virtual Resolution are programmable via the VMG. The VDI of the NOVA has proven to be very compatible with our Software and many other Software applications as well. There is also a NOVA Special disk available soon that has some NOVA Specific program's on it, including NOVA Mines, the game, and the special Calamus SL driver that will enable Calamus SL to run in 15/16bit in 15/16bit color mode. Yat Siu Lexicor Software Europe LEXICOR SOFTWARE CORP. 1726 Francisco ST. Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone 510-848-7621 FAX 510-848-7613 _______________________________________________________________ > WORDPERFECT 6.0 WINDOWS! STR FOCUS! Word Perfect for Windows Announced! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" WORDPERFECT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES WORDPERFECT 6.0 FOR WINDOWS ============================================================= New product is completely customizable and makes the most of the Windows environment WordPerfect Corporation announced WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows, the next release of its best-selling Windows word processor. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows offers everything needed to create professional-looking documents including: powerful word processing, drawing, charting, spreadsheet functionality within tables, and direct integration with other Windows applications. The product is scheduled to ship fourth quarter 1993. "WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows has been completely rewritten to give users the best in Windows word processing," said Alan Ashton, president and CEO of WordPerfect Corporation. "Virtually every feature in the product has been improved or enhanced in some way. These improvements are the result of thousands of user requests, feedback from focus groups, and extensive usability testing." WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows is designed to give users complete customization, the easiest transition to Windows, and a product that makes the most of the Windows environment. COMPLETE CUSTOMIZATION Interface. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows is fully customizable so users can personalize their word processor for any environment or task. Virtually all aspects of the interface can be customized: Button Bar, Power Bar, Ruler Bar, status bar, keyboards and menus. Users can also select Hide Bars for a clean screen, but still have access to the main menus when placing the mouse pointer at the top of the screen. Button Bar. The Button Bar is the most versatile interface tool, giving users access to any WordPerfect feature or macro with a click of a button. The Button Bar can be placed anywhere on the screen or as a floating palette. Users can display buttons with icons, text, or both, and can create their own icons and text. Users can create as many Button Bars as they like and display up to three rows of buttons. The product ships with sample Button Bars for specific tasks such as graphics, tables, outlines and page layout, as well as context-sensitive bars that will change according to task. Power Bar. The Power Bar contains icons for quick access to the most common formatting tasks. The Power Bar remains at the top of the screen and users can customize the bar by selecting from 81 options. When placing the mouse pointer over any Power Bar icon, help prompts appear at the top of the screen to explain the icon's function. Templates. Templates revolutionize word processing by giving users a quick and easy way to create professional-looking documents. WordPerfect 6.0 will ship with ExpressDocs, more than 45 predefined templates for fax forms, memos, newsletters, and more. ExpressDocs are more than customized documents they are interactive and can prompt users for information such as the name and fax number on a fax cover sheet. Users can edit these templates, or create their own with customized menus, styles, Button Bars, keyboards, abbreviations and macros. "Customization of the interface and templates gives users enormous control of their working environment, letting them personalize WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows to work the way they want to work," said Todd Titensor, product marketing director of WordPerfect for Windows. "Corporate users will benefit by being able to create standard interfaces and documents to automate company tasks and maintain consistency." EASIEST TRANSITION TO WINDOWS Easiest Transition for WordPerfect DOS users. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows gives WordPerfect DOS users the easiest transition to Windows with feature and file compatibility, as well as macro conversions. Users can write macros that will work in both WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS and WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows also includes a WPDOS keyboard layout. "No other word processor makes it easier for WordPerfect DOS users to make the move to Windows," said Titensor. "No other product offers better compatibility with existing WordPerfect files and macros, or better cross-platform compatibility." Coaches. Like a personal instructor, a Coach prompts a user through a variety of common tasks with step-by-step instructions. Because Coaches are written with WordPerfect's macro language, users can write their own to add to the Help menu. QuickMenus. Working in Windows is easier with context-sensitive QuickMenus that are accessed by clicking the right mouse button virtually anywhere in WordPerfect. For example, clicking the right mouse button anywhere in a document presents a QuickMenu to change fonts, spell check, or center text, while clicking the left margin presents a menu to select text, change margins, or add comments to a document. Preview Windows. Preview windows in dialog boxes let users see how changes in a document--such as columns, margins and line spacing--will look before making them. MAKING THE MOST OF WINDOWS Program Launching. Any Windows program or file can be placed on a Button Bar for quick access from within WordPerfect. For example, a user could drag the program file for Quattro Pro from the Windows File Manager to a Button Bar and then be able to launch Quattro Pro while working in WordPerfect. Or a user could place a Microsoft Excel file on a Button Bar and with a click of a button launch Excel and load the file. Direct Spreadsheet and Database Import. Spreadsheet and database information can be linked via Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) or Object Linking and Embedding (OLE), and can also be directly imported into WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows. All leading spreadsheet formats and a variety of database formats such as Paradox, dBase, Oracle, and popular SQL servers are supported. Users can perform queries on database files to extract only the needed information. File Management. The powerful functionality of the WordPerfect File Manager is now included in the Open File dialog box. With the File Options button, users can copy, move, rename, delete, print, and change file attributes, as well as create and rename directories. Files can be displayed and sorted by filename, extension, size, date/time, and descriptive name and type. WordPerfect Draw. WordPerfect Draw contains the sophisticated drawing and charting tools from WordPerfect Presentations including Bezier curves and the ability to contour text on a curve. The charting module lets users turn tables and spreadsheet data into a variety of charts: 3-D, bar, line, area, hi-lo, pie, and exploded pie charts. WordPerfect Draw works through OLE and is easily accessed by double-clicking any chart or graphic image. WordPerfect Draw also supports the TWAIN standard for direct access to scanners. OTHER NEW FEATURES Spreadsheet in Tables. WordPerfect is the only Windows word processor to include advanced spreadsheet capabilities. The Tables feature contains nearly 100 built-in formulas, numerical cell formatting, automatic calculation, data fills, and named ranges. QuickFormat. QuickFormat lets users extract formatting or styles from text and quickly apply it to other text in a document. The mouse pointer changes to a paint roller and lets users "paint" the formatting to selected text. Bullets and Numbering. From the new Insert menu, users can select from predefined bullets and numbering styles or create their own. Numbered items are automatically renumbered if moved. Abbreviations. The Abbreviations features will replace an abbreviation in a document with a longer piece of information that can include text, graphics, formatting--anything that can be placed in a document. Borders. A wide variety of borders and fill patterns can be used for paragraphs, pages, columns, tables, table cells, and graphic images. IMPROVED FEATURES Simplified Mail Merge. WordPerfect's powerful Merge feature has been enhanced with an easy-to-use interface. The introductory Merge dialog box includes the three elements of a merge--data file, form file, and merge--with corresponding preview windows. Creating and editing data files is easy using the Quick Data Entry dialog box. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows can directly use data files in other formats such as spreadsheets, database, SQL, or ASCII text files. Users can also select specific records to merge using a query by example interface. Corresponding envelopes can automatically be created and appended to a merge file. Document Management. The QuickFinder rivals standalone packages with some of the fastest indexing and text retrieval in the industry. Users can index directories or groups of files and perform nearly instantaneous searches. The QuickFinder dialog box has been improved to include access to Boolean operators, document components (such as first page only), case sensitivity and word proximity. Document Summary has been improved to include more than 50 document summary fields such as author, subject, date and abstract. QuickFinder can be used to search any of these summary fields. Document Comments can now include name, initials, date stamps and time stamps, and be represented by a colored icon in the left margin. Users can have specific colors so the document can be circulated for editing. Document Compare has been improved to compare by word, as well as by phrase, sentence and paragraph. Graphics Editing. An Image Tools palette offers in-place graphics manipulation to move, rotate, crop and size a graphic image. Users can wrap text on both sides of a graphic image or contour text around irregularly shaped objects. STYLES. In addition to character and document styles, version 6.0 will include paragraph styles so users can click anywhere in a paragraph and select a style to affect the entire paragraph. Users can also create styles by clicking anywhere in formatted text, then clicking the Styles field on the Power Bar to give it a name. PRICING AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The suggested retail price of WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows will be $495. Upgrades from any DOS, Windows or OS/2 version of WordPerfect will be available for $129. A competitive upgrade will also be available for $149 from any word processor with a suggested retail price of at least $395. WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows will require a 386 machine or higher, at least 4M (preferably 6M) RAM and Microsoft Windows 3.1. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo) Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" | Welcome to the GEnie - MUG RT | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | The GEnie - Macintosh Users Group RoundTable | ============================================ |________________________________________________________________________. | Help Desk - Problems with your Mac? Stop by the HD for the answers! | | ^^^^^^^^^ in RTC from 9pm to 12pm EDT in ROOM 1............... (605;2) | !________________________________________________________________________! .________________________________..______________________________________. |========= Hosted by... =======||==[]=== Top 10 Downloads - 08/93 =======| |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | Kent Fillmore .......... DRACO || 1. 29855 GREG'S BUTTONS 3.1.SIT | | Erik C. Thauvin ..... MACSPECT || 2. 29833 STAR TREK DEMO.SEA | | David W. Reid (Unk) DAVE.REID || 3. 29865 GALACTIC EMPIRE 2.0.SIT | | Eric Mueller .... (DLAND.ERIC) || 4. 29824 DOWNER, 1.4.3.SIT | | { SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS } || 5. 29813 COLOR7, 1.1.SIT | | Education .. (Rob) R.WHITELOCK || 6. 29811 AD TOOTHPASTE.SIT | | Fontography ... (Paul) P.HENRY || 7. 29803 COPYDOUBLER 2.0.1 PATCH | | Games ....... (Bart) MAC.GAMES || 8. 29827 JURASSIC PARK.GIF.SIT | | Telecommunity ... (Kent) DRACO || 9. 29805 CD 2.0.1 PATCHER INFO | | PowerBooks. (Doc) D.E.JOHNSTON || 10. 29828 FILE BUDDY 1.7.SIT | | { SOFTWARE LIBRARY } || ____________________________________ | | Chief Librarian .. RANDY.SIMON || For COMPLETE information and TIPS on | | Asst Librarian. (Steve) S.MACK || downloading be sure to read: item #4 | | Asst Librarian Anne ANNE-INDA || on page 605 - "About The RoundTable" | !________________________________!!______________________________________! .________________________________..______________________________________. |===== Weekly RTC Schedule ====||==[]======== Help Desk Schedule ========| |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | All Times Eastern) || (All Times EDT) | | || | | Education. Mac Mon 9:45pm Rm 3 || Rm 1 Mon-Fri 9:00pm-12:00am | | Hackers I (M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 || Rm 1 Sunday 10:30pm-12:00am | | RE: PowerBooks Tue 9:45pm Rm 2 || ____________________________________ | | HyperTalks M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 || To enter the GEnie-MUG RTC | | Telecommunity Wed 9:45pm Rm 2 || type MOVE 605;2 | | Mac - Games Wed 10:30pm Rm 3 |!______________________________________! | DTP ETC.. Thr. 10:30pm Rm 2 |.______________________________________. | Hackers II M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 ||========= Online Servant RTC =========| | Sunday Night Fights 9pm Rm 3 ||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | || Sunday (9/12) at 10:30pm EDT, | | Type M605;2 to enter the RTC || in the MacPRO RTC, page 480;2 | !________________________________!!______________________________________! /--------------------------------------------------------------------\ | * GEnie-MUG NEWS * for the week of 9/6/93 - issue 26 | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | What's Hot and Happening This Week In GEnie's Macintosh User Group | \--------------------------------------------------------------------/ GEnie-MUG News Editor: Eric Mueller (DLAND.ERIC) entire contents copyright 1993 by Eric C. Mueller WELCOME to the GEnie-MUG RoundTable newsletter! This quick bulletin gives you an idea of what's cooking in the GEnie Macintosh User Group (GEnie-MUG). I'm Eric Mueller, and I write this file every week so that you can find the action in GEnie-MUG: the latest controversy in the bulletin board, the hottest files in the library, and the hippest chats in the RTC rooms. I'm always interested in your comments on this file, and would love to hear them. If you're new to GEnie or GEnie-MUG, you can read about GEnie-MUG (including information on what GEnie-MUG has to offer and the layout of the system) by typing "M 605;4". Additionally, the GEnie-MUG help desk (a live hotline) is available six days a week, in the Chat Lines (type "M 400;4" then choose channel 3) and in the GEnie-MUG RTC (type "M 605;2" then choose room 1). For more information and a schedule of times, type "M 605;4". MANAGING TIME was easy for Doctor Who and his Tardis, but for the rest of us, it's not so simple. I know that keeping ahead of my schedule is a constant challenge, leading to constant craving---for more time, if nothing else! Luckily, Mac software developers around the world have come to my rescue by developing software that can all be categorized as "personal time management software." This stuff, like DayMaker and Now Up-To-Date (my personal favorite), can keep track of things you need to do, keep you in touch with people, bug you when you forget something, and more. It's perfect for a busy office or for just yourself. If you're interested in how GEnie-MUGgers are using this kind of stuff, tune into all the messages in category 2 ("SOFTWARE: Daily Business"), topic 28 ("Personal Time Management"). (To visit the GEnie- MUG bulletin board, type "m605;1", then "help" for a list of all of the commands.) SPEAKING OF TIME MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, a demo version of Right On Time version 2.5 is available now in the GEnie-MUG libraries! Right On Time is a versatile program that provides a To-Do List, a Calendar, and Reminder features. You can set up one-time or repeating reminders, and Right On Time will notify you when the reminders are due. You can also create to-do items, which are like reminders but have no specific due date. You can organize your reminders and to-do items by category, and play sounds when reminders are due. You can use Right On Time to remind you when bills are due, when birthdays or anniversaries are coming up, or other important dates. With the archiving feature, you can also keep a history of significant events. The perpetual calendar built into Right On Time can show you any month of any year. Interested? It's worth the download---see file #29953 in the GEnie-MUG libraries now! (To download the file, type "m605;3" and then "6".) IMPORTING WRITENOW FILES INTO CLARISWORKS? Oh, so you're the one! No, actually, you're not the only one; GEnie-MUGgers all over are trying to get their WriteNow 3.0 documents into ClarisWorks 2.0J without much luck. Other GEnie-MUGgers are trying to use the "propeller" symbol, in the Chicago font, in ClarisWorks---without much luck. Mark Hiatt comes to the rescue again with a solution to the import problem, and others (including always-on-the-ball GEnie-MUGger Dennis Doms) help with the "propeller" symbol font problem. Join in the conversation in the GEnie-MUG bulletin board, category 2 ("SOFTWARE: Daily Business"), topic 49 ("ClarisWorks Integrated Software"), messages 16 through the end of the topic. YOU'LL SQUEAL WITH DELIGHT at all the smiley faces that march across your screen, after downloading the new Smiley Faces desk accessory! This DA simply contains a list of those sometimes-confusing smiley faces commonly used online---from the now-famous and always-recognized ":)" to the more obscure "|)" and ">:*O". As a bonus, the file contains a list of shorthand used online. You'll be LOL (and ROTFL, probably) after seeing this list. Check out file #29970 in the GEnie-MUG libraries for Smiley Faces 2.5! BOING, JIGGLE, AND JITTER isn't the title of a book on network television sitcoms or a vaudeville team, but rather, a collection of three symptoms of monitor problems. GEnie-MUGgers have been having problems with their monitors, and it turns out that the problem might be as simple as "dirty power." (They should be a wash their power lines!) Line voltage isn't constant, according to GEnie-MUGger Chris Hart, and he recommends an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) to solve all the problems described in the topic. Curious? If your picture flutters and you don't know what's going on, tune into category 28 ("MACINTOSH: General Hardware Questions"), topic 6 ("HelpJwith Mac Problems - General"), messages 65 through the end of the topic. SICK OF A SILENT FINDER? We all are, babe. You don't have to suffer in silence, though, after downloading Finder Sounds, a new extension that allows your Finder to make noises when it performs certain tasks, like opening and closing windows, creating and deleting files, and even just modifying windows. The most remarkable thing about a suddenly-audible finder is that it could have always been that way---it turns out that ever since System Software version 6.0.4, the Finder has had the ability to make noise. Want to join in the (noisy) crowd? Download file #29946, Finder Sounds 1.3.1, and get loud! THAT'S ALL for this week. Until next week, continue to live a life of courage and pride, and change the world with Macintosh! _______________________________________________________ > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - San Francisco, CA FIRST SHIPMENT OF FALCONS ->RF VIDEO B&W ONLY? ----------------- According to our sources, the first shipment of Falcons had a problem with the Chroma and thus, a choke is installed in the circuit to stop the erratic color output from being seen. The black & white is fine. Subsequent shipments are fine. The problem was/is fixed. To see if you have a B&W "bugfix", connect a TV to your Falcon and see.... if you have a fine color picture. If not, you might want to call Atari for information on how to correct this situation. __________________________________________________ > STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard" """"""""""""" STReport's MailBag """""""""""""""""" Messages * NOT EDITED * for content ----------------------------------- From Delphi; Norm Weinress, an IAAD member, has taken it upon himself to attempt to confuse the the issues by making direct and personal attacks agianst the editors and staff of STReport. 59206 31-AUG 01:23 News & Reviews RE: Ralph Mariano (Re: Msg 59168) From: NORMW To: RMARIANO Ralph, My advice is to stay away from this situation and keep your mouth shut. So far, you've believed and repeated everything that Lexicor has told you...and have been wrong on every single count! Neither the IAAD nor GEnie are the villans in this piece. Norm FORUM>Reply, Add, Read, "?" or Exit> 59216 31-AUG 08:24 News & Reviews RE: Ralph Mariano (Re: Msg 59206) From: RMARIANO To: NORMW (NR) Norm, you say in message 59206; "My advice is to stay away from this situation and keep your mouth shut. So far, you've believed and repeated everything that Lexicor has told you...and have been wrong on every single count! Neither the IAAD nor GEnie are the villans in this piece." Norm Norm.... For the record... First, Neither I, or STReport has tried to make GEnie the villain in anything! STR has focused on the STRT and IAAD. Lets get that straight right up front and now. Second, I am believing no-one. I have simply reported the story and its twists as they came in. STR has verified the CAT 75 "tales" with captures and knows who the players in that one are/were. A few have already been interviewed. The sad part is when the users find out the reason why this all went down they too are going to be highly indignant. Third, please don't insinuate that either myself or STR and its staff are as naive as you imply, to simply "repeat" what's been told to us in blind belief. STR has presented the Lexicor Interviews and Press Releases for the benefit of the readers. We have always offered to publish other viewpoints and facts. In fact, STR has repeatedly requested the same from both the IAAD and The STRT. Of course, you know the answers there. They'd rather accuse and demean. Norm, I have always respected your opinions but on this one I'd suggest you re-think your position. You'll find that what you perceive is not really what's evident to the users or anyone else on the "outside" for that matter. There are other, unknown, 'players' in this thing too. Its amazing to see how long they have remained silent simply allowing this thing to carry on. The truth must be made known to the users. I might add, it WILL be made known. The phone call transcripts, the deletions, setup msgs and the 'silent' players will be revealed too. There is too much of a pall of disgrace draped on this matter to "leave it be". It must be cleaned up. Additionally, the FTC thing is escalating. Its going to get very interesting. Can you imagine all this ...over a rumor of a 'given-away' Falcon?? Admittedly, its ridiculous, simply ridiculous. However, it certainly lends credibility to the possibility of the 'rumor' being a convenient catalyst for the advent of 'bigger and better' objectives. Its real sad. FORUM>Reply, Add, Read, "?" or Exit> 59247 1-SEP 00:27 News & Reviews RE: Ralph Mariano (Re: Msg 59216) From: NORMW To: RMARIANO (NR) Ralph, I made my comments because you have known me for a long time, and know I have no axe to grind in this situation. Nothing you have been told is true or accurate...including the FTC nonsense. You have reduced yourself and your magazine to an irritant, similar to the National Star. Norm FORUM>Reply, Add, Read, "?" or Exit> rep To: [NORMW] Subj: RE: Ralph Mariano Norm, somebody is pulling your chain... I have a verified FTC File No. for the matter and its real. As for reductions to certain perceptions, Norm, you know as well as I, that's completely in the eye of the beholder. In any case, you can be sure the exposure from this fiasco has done no good for anyone. From Lexicor to those in direct and indirect competition with Lexicor, STReport and the IAAD. The sad thing is it all could have been avoided at the onset, if the truth was told instead of smokescreen press releases and diversionary posturing. Lastly, the incidents with the STRT, were all far too familiar and quite upsetting to see happening all over again in almost the very same fashion as in the past. No, Norm... these things are real, they have happened and are disgraceful. I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but that's what makes this country of ours so great. Everyone is entitled to and is encouraged to their own opinions. Time, of course, will soon bear the truth. Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine 59625 9-SEP 16:04 News & Reviews RE: Ralph Mariano (Re: Msg 59610) From: RMARIANO To: NORMW To further set the record straight..... Lee did NOT leak anything to us. An IAAD board member did! Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine 59654 10-SEP 00:36 News & Reviews RE: Ralph Mariano (Re: Msg 59625) From: NORMW To: RMARIANO B.S., Ralph....only Lee and the IAAD board knew anything at that time...and I know the time, because you started calling people...and the board did not leak the story. So, no on else could have leaked...and I think you are lying to protect him, now. Norm Norm.... I will not add any honor to your outrageous accusations. You have said it all and shown to what lengths zealots will go... You should however, be ashamed of yourself for having said such outrageous things. Especially a man of your age and education. I've also known you for a long time and I am apalled at seeing you would stoop as low in public as you do in private (in CAT 75). Defending those who would pull such outrageous stunts as I KNOW to be TRUE is not your strong suite Norm. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "Seeing the TREES AND the Forest!" """"""""""""""""" "and.... what's under the rocks!" "WHO HAS THE MOST TO GAIN AS A RESULT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO LEXICOR?" ... The entire USERBASE! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings * """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" --------------- ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ========================= P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 Est. 1985 1-904-783-3319 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER IBM/MSDOS-PC-CLONES-MAC-AMIGA-ATARI CUSTOM - MADE TO ORDER HARDWARE SOFTWARE, SUPPLIES & INSTRUCTION """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" COMPUTER STUDIO =============== WESTGATE SHOPPING CENTER 40 Westgate Parkway - Suite D Asheville, NC 28806 1-800-253-0201 Orders Only 1-704-251-0201 Information FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" EAST HARTFORD COMPUTER ====================== 202 Roberts St. East Hartford CT. 06108 1-203-528-4448 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MEGABYTE COMPUTERS ================== 907 Mebourne Hurst, TX 76053 1-817-589-2950 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER Authorized Atari Dealer """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SAN JOSE COMPUTER ================= 1278 Alma Court San Jose, CA. 95112 1-408-995-5080 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CompuSeller West ================ 220-1/2 W. Main St. St. Charles, IL., 60174 Ph. (708) 513-5220 FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (DEALERS; to be listed here, please drop us a line.) """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport International Online Magazine -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- AVAILABLE ON OVER 20,000 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" September 10, 1993 Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-93 All Rights Reserved No.9.37 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Penal Code. 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, STReport and/or portions therein may not be edited in any way without prior written permission. STR, STReport, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STR, 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. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""