SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing September 24, 1993 No. 9.39 ========================================================================= 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. 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 _________________________________________________________________________ > 09/24/93 STR 939 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - STR Confidential - KODAK NewsLine - Glendale Overview - POWER PC to Debut - People Talking - INTELLISYSTEM - ABOUT IRQs - PC/IBM NEWS - MAC/APPLE NEWS - ATARI/JAG NEWS -* COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CD ROMS! *- -* VERBATIM TO SELL OPTICALS! *- -* NOVELL EMBRACES UNIX! *- ========================================================================= 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; STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198 You will receive your complimentary time and be online in no time at all! WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (September 24) COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CDROMS! COMPUSERVE INTRODUCES 14.4 SUPPORT FOR THE PRICE OF 9600 BAUD! 14,400 BPS INTRODUCED IN 10 CITIES ACCESS AVAILABLE FROM RUSSIA CompuServe access is now available in Moscow for speeds up to 2,400 bps through an Infonet local dial-up number. The communication surcharge is $11 per hour at any time. SprintNet access up to 2,400 bps is also available in Russia, Indonesia and Kuwait, with a $49.70 per hour communication surcharge. 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 monochrome 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 "Telling it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" In this issue you will not find a single reference, other than this editorial, to the "Lexicor/STRT/IAAD" Fiasco. Or, the Nathan & Darlah Show and its being accused of "Conflict of Interest" by Lexicor. These topics are being fully researched through all available and viable conduits and as soon as further data is compiled, a full report of our findings will be made available. STReport deems it necessary to do so as a result of all the diversionary and flatulent activity coming forth in the online community. Most of which seems to be coming from those who would not want the real and truthful representations to be known. As such, the research has begun and will be presented shortly. In the past week, we've seen a number of other distracting, diversionary issues projected to the forefront by those who can only be seen as N & D supporters. Shamefully, we find other "non-biased" members of the press surfacing and/or seemingly making claims of "ignorance of the issues" while, at almost the same time, offering outspoken opinions about the issues. Their opinions obviously reflect their apparently being fully "briefed" by those who seemingly wish to have Lexicor remain "ostracized" ..thus attempting to justify their blatant and highly questionable actions, statements and activities. On another "front" we see where the blurb from last week's issue about the Jaguar being late has been interpreted by some as "really saying" the "Jaguar will fail". NOT! This is pure tripe. STReport stated the "Jaguar will miss Christmas". That's exactly what was said and nothing more. Although in the same blurb we did make an error. STR had listed LA as being one of the cities slated for early distribution of the Jaguar, it should have stated San Francisco. Recapping, STR reported the Jaguar would be late, NOT a failure as some, (whose obvious agendas are showing), have been parading about saying. Atari's Brodie, when asked about the Jaguar item in STReport did not at all deny the report but instead, seized the moment to further denigrate the professional perception of Atari by offering, as a reply, ridicule of STReport. Please accept our apologies for his unprofessional behavior and representation of Atari. Further, we calmly noted the editor of a "company voice" publication is apparently desirous in making another of Atari's misfortunes into a "circus" by asking for wagers on "when the Jaguar will appear". Its "vaguely apparent" he has little or no idea of the differences between "appearing" and "being in distribution". (As an aside, how many recall the time when a statement made about a particular product "shipping" was made valid by the company as it was shipped from one company executive to another!) Once again; the Falcon's appearance on dealer's shelves in quantity will be delayed until _after Christmas, 1993_. Solid shipments of product are not expected until the first quarter of 1994. Lastly, and far more relevant to the times, STReport is embarking on a series of articles looking into the monitor marketplace. We intend to place emphasis on the quality rather than price break of the monitors. The endeavor will encompass several months if not more. Additionally a single high powered program will be used on all the monitors and the same basic system will be employed. The first article will appear next week. 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 #39 By: John Deegan COMPUSERVE TO OFFER CD-ROMS - In Columbus, Ohio, CompuServe Inc. an- nounced this week a project with Metatec Corp. to publish a multimedia extension of the information service on CD-ROM disk beginning in the first quarter next year. CompuServe and Metatec told reporters the project will enable those with CD- ROM-equipped computers to receive constantly updated online information enhanced by audio and video components. "Potential content," observers said, "includes a graphics and sound- enhanced version of CompuServe's electronic shopping service, an interactive magazine and multimedia extensions to some of CompuServe's most popular databases and special interest forums." Said CompuServe President Maurice Cox, "This alliance with Metatec allows us to help define the consumer information services of the future. We can use our extensive network and database capability with the multimedia capabilities of CD- ROM to deliver a broad array of new services to CompuServe Information Service members." Cox said the project is an opportunity to combine online services with CD-ROM-based information and to have an interplay that makes the best use of each medium's strong points. "With faster transmission speeds and wider bandwidth," said Cox, "we will add substantial value and quality to the information our members receive. This is the first important step in making CompuServe available through multiple media channels." Metatec, which is based in nearby Dublin, Ohio, produces Nautilus, a multimedia magazine published monthly on CD-ROM for Macintosh and Windows platforms and featuring text and software. VERBATIM TO SELL IBM OPTICALS - Verbatim Corp. has agreed to make and sell 650mb and 1.3gb 5.25-inch optical disk cartridges for the IBM 3995 Optical Library Dataserver products and IBM 0632 CB Models Multifunction Optical Drives. Verbatim says the deal makes it the distributor of IBM brand WORM media in the U.S., Canada and most of Latin America. The media will be sold through Verbatim's distribution sales force. In addition, Verbatim will set up a telemarketing unit to handle inquiries and provide service. NOVELL EMBRACES UNIX SYSTEM; MICROSOFT REACTS, CUTTING PRICES - Saying it is committed to making the Unix operating system open to the industry, network maker Novell Inc. said it will make UnixWare available for other computer platforms besides Intel-based PCs. Novell officials are quoted as saying the firm will integrate its UnixWare operating system with its NetWare PC network operating system as an alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT. Within hours, Microsoft announced it will eliminate the charges (normally $35,000) for the NT client software that links PCs together on a network. Observers said, "The move means users of Microsoft's new Windows NT Advanced Server software will need to pay only a flat fee of $1,495 per server computer. Software for 'client' software, which had cost up to $39 per user, will be free." IBM POWERPC CHIP MAKES ITS DEBUT - The PowerPC chip -- created by IBM, Apple Computer Inc. and Motorola Inc. to challenge chipmaker Intel Corp. -- makes its debut this week in four new IBM workstation computers. Another version of the RISC (reduced instruction set computing) chip is expected to find its way into an Apple system in the future. The four desktop and servers for networks introduced today also come with new graphics capabilities. They will be available next month with prices starting at about $7,600. IBM also is introducing three more powerful workstations based on a RISC design of its own, called Power2. "They fit at the top end of the RS-6000 line," says AP, "with prices starting at $64,500 for a deskside version and a server for networks beginning at $127,000." AT&T, NEC TO JOINTLY DEVELOP ASIC CHIPS - AT&T and Japan's NEC Corp. have signed an agreement to jointly develop application specific integ- rated circuits (ASIC) by June 1995. ASIC chips are semi-custom- made to meet a user's specific need by combining standardized integrated circuit (IC) cells. The AT&T and NEC have already jointly developed basic technology to use 0.35 micron width lines and the next step is to apply this tech- nology to product developments, said an NEC spokesman. ATARI APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND ADVERTISING - Atari Computer Corp. announced this week that Terrence Valeski, a 22-year veteran in consumer electronics marketing, has joined the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company as director of marketing and advertising for Jaguar. Valeski's immediate responsibility will be to execute the national roll out for Jaguar -- Atari's new high performance gaming system. He reports directly to Sam Tramiel, president of Atari. "We are very pleased that Terry has joined Atari. His experience is invaluable to us," said Tramiel. "Developing strong relationships with retailers and developers as well as communicating with consumers will be critical to our success as we get ready to market and distribute Jaguar worldwide." In an industry dominated by foreign companies, U.S.-based Atari an- nounced this summer that it has developed a high-performance, 64-bit home video game system called Jaguar, capable of delivering faster and more powerful video games to the home market. Atari will be made in America and has signed IBM to manufacture the Jaguar in its Charlotte, N.C. plant. __________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando Hidi ho good neighbors and neighborettes. Its time again for us to make the rounds on CompuServe to pick up on some of the news, hints, and tips to be found there. I guess that with all the hubub about health care reform the president and vice-president haven't had the time to take me up on last week's offer to show them what a real information highway looks and feels like. And I'm still waiting to hear back on my idea of giving CompuServe users tax credits. Hey!... maybe we can use those tax credits to help pay for our share of the national health care plan... Naaahhh. Well, let's get on with the column. Oh, before we do, remember to write to your congressmen and senators and tell them to vote "yes" on the 'CIS/Tax Voucher Bill'. And now... on with the show. From the Atari Productivity Forum ================================= Rob Rasmussen posts: "My Supra FaxModem all of a sudden will not get a dial tone when I try to call CIS. After I double click on a number to call in Flash's dial directory, the modem clicks and dials, but there was never a dial tone so of course it doesn't connect. The TR (terminal ready) indicator displays, and during dial the "DIAL" indicator lights up, as does "OK". There was lightning here the other day. The computer and modem were not turned on, and the modem's AC is plugged into a strip with surge protection. Could this be caused by it getting zapped through the phone line? Could I get it fixed or is it fried?" Bob Retelle asks Rob: "How are you calling in now..? Are you using your ST with a different modem..? If that's the case, then your ST is OK.. (big sigh of relief) Is the ST also plugged into the surge suppressor..? Unfortunately, just being turned off sometimes isn't enough to protect against a nearby lightning strike. Physically unplugging everything is the best protection against lightning (except for a direct strike that burns your house down...) I recently had an I/O card in my PC damaged by lightning that reached through the modem without harming it, but blew out the input buffers on the I/O card. Luckily a new multi-I/O card was only $17.. From your description of the symptoms, it's likely that the input buffer chips in your modem gave their lives to protect the rest of the modem. The output functions seem to be alive, but the modem is not sending anything back to your computer. If you type ATO in a terminal screen to the modem, do you hear the modem "pick up the phone" and hear the dial tone from the modem's speaker..? If so, then commands are getting through to the modem from your computer (which is true from what you said was happening.. it WILL try to dial), but if you can hear the dial tone, and the computer doesn't, then nothing is getting back from the modem. (In my case I could actually dial out and connect to CompuServe, but nothing ever got back to my screen...) To make a loooong message short, it's very likely that you *might* be able to save the modem by replacing the buffer chips." Myles Cohen asks Rob: "Could it be...I'm only clutching at straws, mind you...could it be that your configuration has changed in some way..." No word yet, folks, but we'll keep you informed of Rob's quest for an answer. Boris Molidyi asks Charles F. Johnson of CodeHead Software: "Off subject, any chances of having MultiDesk compatible with graphic cards that do not have Line-A?" Charles tells Boris: "The latest version of MultiDesk (v3.4a) _is_ compatible with graphics cards that don't support Line A; all Line A calls have been replaced with VDI calls. Version 3.4a has been available for over a year now." Boris tells Charles: "Hmm, I believe that I have the latest version, and it does not work with Crazy Dots II, and Gribnifs said that it's because of Line-A calls... Strange." Rick Flashman of Gribnif Software jumps in and tells Boris: "Our copy of MultiDesk is most likely not the most up to date one (CT show, I think), I would trust what Charles said, as Line-A is no big deal to remove (in the sense that as the programmer, Charles would know if any Line-A was left in). Check your version number and compare it with what he said in his message." Peter Joseph asks: "Folks, what's the fastest reset-proof ramdisk around? I've been using Maxidisk that I got here and it's performed flawlessly for years and does some kind of compression thing so you can get more in it than usual, but I get the feeling it's not the fastest thing around. Sheesh, you'd think I'd leave well enough alone. :)" Robert Aries tells Peter: "When I installed the TEC card in my 520st, the ramdisk I had been using stopped working. I experimented and found that Maxidisk was the _only_ PD reset-proof ramdisk that worked with TOS 2.06 (well, the only one I saw, anyway). You're right about its speed; it's actually slower than my hard drive because it's doing its compression/decompression thing. So I'm waiting with you for any other responses to your query!" Sysop Bill Aycock (of CAL/WHATIS fame) tells Robert: "I've found the CodeHead Ramdisk (from their Utilities disk) to be solid with all the TOS versions I've used, and it's one of the fastest (if not THE fastest). No realtime compression, though..." Carl Barron jumps in and posts: " Code_ram works, 1 prob. with TOS 1.06 & possibly later toses is esc from desktop to reread files displayed, causes 2 bombs, does so without fail zilch loaded except code_ram 4 meg 1040ste. Weird... Used sparsely with TT & !auto loaded so I may have to test it there. Vers. circa apr.92." Bill Aycock tells Carl: "That's an odd error! I haven't run into it (even on a 4 meg STe), but then again with HotWire and UIS I don't often open disk windows on the desktop..." Robert posts: "...I'm sure the Codehead stuff is the best. Thing is, I already have similar stuff that I'm using. Not as good but workable for now." When Peter asks if the CodeHead Ramdisk is reset-proof, Bill Aycock replies: "Yup, sure is. A fact which has saved me a lot of work on several occasions. :-) Plus, it doesn't need a 'double boot' when it starts up." Peter asks: "Tell me again what it's called and where to find it, please." Bill tells Peter: "The CodeHead Ramdisk is available on the CodeHead Utilities Disk. It's a normal commercial item, so you should be able to get it from a dealer, or direct from CodeHead. (Ask Charles Johnson, 76004,2232, for more info on that part.)" Sysop Jeff Kovach tells us: "Another ramdisk that will still work with TOS 2.06 is L-RAM, which is part of L-UTILS by Keith Ledbetter. I believe it is available here in the file libraries." Robert Aries tells Jeff: "Thanks Jeff. I downloaded the L-UTILS and the ramdisk does indeed function with TOS 2.06. Curiously though, I have to deal with a "double boot". This seems to be the case no matter where the ramdisk is in the auto folder. Also, I'm wondering if I need the L-CACHE program that's included; doesn't TOS 2.06 do some disk caching?" Jeff explains it to Robert: "The double booting with the L-UTILS ramdisk is part of its installation process, there's no way around it. Guess I've been using it so long that I forgot to mention it. As far as the disk-caching goes, I don't use L-CACHE. I'm not aware of TOS 2.06 doing any disk caching, but I'm not certain. I believe disk caching is a function of the hard drive utilities you use. I use ICDs HD utilities which allow you to set several different types of disk caches. I don't believe the Atari HD utilities have this feature, and I have no idea about Supra HD utilities. I'm sure you'll find the L-UTILS ramdisk to be reliable and trouble-free. I too used Maxidisk for a while, but I found it to occasionally corrupt data stored in it after HEAVY use." Robert posts: "I suppose I can live with the double-booting. At least I know it's normal and not some weirdness with my system or TOS. As far as disk caching, I have ICD software for my Link which I haven't installed yet. I assume that's equivalent to what you're talking about? Right now I'm using Atari's software with my Megafile 30 but I just bought a floptical & the Link from Purple Mountain Computers." Matt McNeely tells us: "I am looking for dealers of Atari computers either in my local area (Boston,Ma) or anyplace in the USA,also is the 1040ST still made?" STReport's own resident Bostonian, Dana Jacobson tells Matt: "Try The Computer Zone in North Attleboro, MA (near Providence, RI). I don't have the number handy, but can get it if you don't want to call Information. Other than that, I believe there may be a dealer or two in the western part of the state. The 1040ST is not being made, nor are any of the ST/STe series. although there may be some available somewhere. Atari discontinued them. The current line supported are TTs and Falcons." Chris Gray posts: "I thought 530 STFMs were still being made? (probably 1040 STes, too)." Bob Retelle tells Chris: "It's hard to tell exactly what models Atari is still producing. We've heard that the 520STFM was "re-introduced" in the UK, but Bob Brodie has recently said that the Falcon030 is Atari's "entry level" system now." Rafael Mardones asks about revamping his old machine: "I have a very old ST 520 with an external 400Kb floppy. Does anybody know how to upgrade the floppy to a 720 (o better) one?" Sysop Bob Retelle tells Rafael: "The double sided 720K drive mechanism used in the Atari SF314 drives is exactly the same as most IBM PC 3.5 inch floppy drives. The only difference is the way Atari used the write protect line to determine whether the disk had been changed or not. Some drives seem to work with no problems at all, and some work, but have problems telling when you put a new disk in the drive. I've never made the upgrade myself, I just bought the Atari SF314 drives. I think we might have had some text files about how to do the upgrade yourself in the Software Libraries, but they're so old that they might have been replaced by other files by now.. I'll see if I can find anything.. or maybe some of our other members might have some info that would help... Oops.. I see that I omitted an important bit of information... The ST uses the same drives as IBM systems do, as long as you obtain a 720K drive. The most common drive in IBMland now is the 1.44 Megabyte style, which *might* work, but I can't confirm that it does for sure. Early STs like you have cannot be directly upgraded to the 1.44 Meg drives, although there is at least one third-party high density drive kit available. You should be able to obtain a 720K drive mechanism for around $50-$75 that will work with your 520ST." From the Atari ST Arts Forum ============================ John Bonavita asks: "What happened to the Falcons? I know that they were released but does anyone outside the Atari community know about them?" Bill Devonshire posts: "Actually I have heard that they are selling very well. In Toronto, as much out of the way as you want to get, they are selling steadily. The main problem is not selling them but getting them to sell. They are up to about sixty sales in last few months. as well , I have talked to a dealer in the States that says they have moved about 600 of them. That's good news! Hey, don't count this machine out before its even started. I think we hyped ourselves way in advance, (with the help of an early release schedule). The developers are only now getting a handle on the power of this beast, and it is a powerful beast. I have seen a list of software titles from Holland that would spin your head, at least 200 new releases in the wings and on the shelves for the Falcon. Everything from GCR to Flight simulators! Those who get on this band wagon are in for a ride. Those who haven't taken a ride on this machine cannot comprehend the Falcon's abilities. Anyhow, things are far from dead, they are just beginning,..." Sysop Bob Retelle tells Bill: "I don't think the original post here indicated that the Falcon was "dead"... invisible sounded more like it. Of the Falcons that you know of, are there an appreciable number of *new* Atari owners among them, or are they mostly people who know about the Falcon because they previously owned other Atari models..? We *really* need a lot of NEW owners in the market..." Bill tells Bob: "You are right, invisible is the word! From the numbers, I would think that most of the sales have been to the tried and true. We do need NEW people coming in, but if the OLD ones don't buy, I don't think that any new ones will either. It would seem that the majority of advertising for the prowess of the Falcon comes from the user rather than the creator. It really is too bad that it was released before a good base of software was out there for it. It gives the impression of invisibility. Right now the real work is throbbing under ground. But soon it will be popping up." Sysop Ron Luks asks Bill: "Did the "Dealer in the states" say that his store had sold 600 Falcons, or that 600 Falcons had been sold in the states?" Bill tells Ron: "The dealer said 600 from his store (but maybe he's the only one getting orders :-) ) (there's that double chin again) Anyway, it would be in line for the numbers of present Atari users seeking out and purchasing Falcons. As well, this dealer has a software company with about 10 titles coming due for release on the Falcon." From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Beat Koch asks: "Does the company VersaSoft still exist, and if so, do they still support and further develop dBMAN for the ATARI platform? What would be the current release number?" Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Beat: "I think the most current version of dBMan is 5.3. VersaSoft still exists." CodeHead John Eidsvoog gives a very nice explanation of what a print spooler is: "The purpose of a spooler is to grab printer information as fast as the computer can send it, without waiting for the time it might take the printer to accept the data. If the application sending the printer data is very slow or your printer is very fast, you won't notice much effect from the spooler, since the data will pour right through the spooler out to the printer as soon as the computer sends it. Also, if you fill the spooler, printing will proceed at the speed of the printer until the computer has sent all of its data (as you surmised). This is how all spoilers work, although some are more efficient than others (none more efficient than the CodeRam spooler). The documentation for the Spooler Manager is in the #4 release notes (additional printed pages). If you don't have this documentation, call our office and we'll arrange for you to get it. It should have been included in the CodeHead Utilities package or upgrade. The SPOOLER.PRG is old and outdated, even though we still include it. You should use the spooler in the CodeHead RAM Disk, because it is reset-proof and it communicates with the Spooler Manager. When you reinstall the RAM disk with a different sized spooler, the change takes effect immediately. The memory is reserved at the top of physical memory." Peter Joseph has a question or two more for John: "Does the spooler work with TOS 2.06? Or maybe what I should ask is why TOS 2.06 doesn't interact well with the WordPerfect spooler. Does Warp9 interfere with this also? I know there is a WP patch on the Warp9 disk, but that's for Multidesk right? I don't have Multidesk." John tells Peter: "Compatibility between most of our products and MultiTOS is pretty much at a stand-still. We're not sure it's possible to achieve compatibility with MultiTOS in its current state." Tom Mynar jumps in and tells John Eidsvoog: "That's OK. I would need a TT to really run it well anyway. There's quite some delay even in typing in Flash when it's running on my T25. Perhaps Atari will smarten up (yah, and pigs are right now flying out my butt) and re-package Geneva. But then we'd have to get Word Perfect and others back involved... I bought the TEC MegaBus board from you at the Atarifest and I love it. I have a suggestion and a question. Could you use another means for the pin 28/20 wire connections. In the EPROM sockets on my Mega 4, these wires were VERY loose. I bought a header pin thingie from Best Electronics at the show and soldered your wires to that. It provides a much better connection using the resistance of the entire socket to hold onto. I have Warp9 version 3.75 and Multidesk version 2.0. Should I upgrade ? I'm also now running SpeedoGdos with some Migraph products as well as Atari Works. Should I upgrade your above products for SpeedoGdos ? I as of yet have had no problems, but I wanted to be sure." Charles F. Johnson tells Tom: "Thanks for the suggestion on the TEC boards. We'll mention it to the German manufacturers next time we communicate with them. Yes, you should upgrade both Warp 9 and MultiDesk -- Warp 9 because our just-released version 3.80 is compatible with SpeedoGDOS (v3.75 wasn't), and MultiDesk because version 2.0 wasn't completely compatible with Warp 9." Tom takes the opportunity to ask Charles: "Since you're a TOS expert. How many of the fix-it files I had in my AUTO folder are needed for TOS 2.06 ? I have: FOLDR100.PRG, TOSFIX.PRG and TOSFIX.PRG." On the subject of Warp9 version 3.8 being Falcon compatible, David Hagood asks: "When you say it's compatible with the Falcon, do you mean a Falcon running TOS or MultiTOS?" Charles tells David: "This release of Warp 9 is not compatible with MultiTOS; it is compatible with the version of TOS built into the Falcon. We're still looking into the MultiTOS situation; we're hampered by the fact that most of our usual debugging/development tools also refuse to run under MultiTOS. In the meantime, for our customers that need a multitasking environment, Gribnif's Geneva looks pretty good -- and it's much more compatible than MultiTOS, not only with our programs but with a broader range of programs across the board." Now that's what I call a good product! How many times have you seen a vendor go out of their way to mention someone else's product that directly competes with Atari's? I've been using Geneva since its beta release and can tell you that it is a wonderful program. The beta version is at least as polished as many "final versions" of software on any platform. It's faster than MultiTOS, and it's much more compatible. Thanks, Gribnif. I guess that one good turn deserves another, so Rick from Gribnif tells Charles: "...Actually to expand upon that, Warp 9 works "perfectly" with Geneva. We use it all the time. Therefore, we highly recommend it." Rick is correct also. Warp9 and Geneva work well together. It's a combination that is hard to beat. Try them out and see. From the Atari Portfolio Forum ============================== Francis Shrago tells us: "I am a student who studies in manchester and lives in London. I intend to use the Atari if bought mainly for typing in my lecture notes, and then transferring them on to my PC. Please could you tell me: a) If this is a good idea b) Where & how much to get pay for the portfolio c) What else I can do with the portfolio other than writing text etc" Sysop Ron Luks tells Francis: "I've heard from a lot of students that use the Portfolio as a note-taker. It should do very well for you. I'm sorry but I don't have any suggestions for getting the best price in London, but perhaps some of our UK members can jump in here. The Portfolio is a computer that runs a multitude of software. There is no limit to what you might do with the unit and I would suggest that you just browse thru the library files in this forum and look over some of the programs we have available for downloading." Peter Bennett tells Francis: "I'm not a sysop here but I may be able to help as I run a business in the UK which deals exclusively with the Portfolio, its hardware and software (both commercial and PD & Shareware) - however that makes my opinion pretty biased! ;-) . To answer your questions: a) The Portfolio is ideal for the use you describe. It is small enough to carry in your pocket, but still has a keyboard which is very reasonable to type on. The screen font is large enough to read clearly and it has a good battery life. To transfer to a PC you need an accessory, the parallel peripheral which, as well as allowing you to print files directly from the Portfolio, also comes with the software necessary to transfer files to an IBM-compatible PC. There are other file transfer solutions but this is the cheapest and least hassle. b) We are currently selling new Portfolio's for 119.95 UK pounds (*including* VAT & P+P) which is probably the cheapest you can usually get one in the UK. However, some shops are selling off their stock (eg. W H Smith were recently) and if you are lucky enough to find one you can pick one up for as low as 99.95 UK pounds including VAT. From us, the parallel peripheral is an additional 42.50 UK pounds including VAT & P+P. You will also need a file transfer cable (another 11.50 UK pounds from us). If funds allow, a memory card is a useful addition for saving files. An alternative would be to check out the computer magazines for second-hand models as you can often pick up a bundle of Portfolio, parallel peripheral, file transfer cable and AC adaptor for around the 99 pound mark. c)There is *so much* you can do with a Portfolio that I couldn't really start here! Other forum members may chip in, but check out the libraries here for over 1000 Portfolio related files. There is a 'frequently asked questions' file PORT.FAQ which is worth downloading. Also if you send us your address by email, we can send you a catalogue. We also produce a bi-monthly newsletter on all-things-Portfolio. David E Stewart who also frequents this forum produces a Portfolio magazine called Re:Port, also bi-monthly and each issue comes with a disk of unique Portfolio software. Hope this is of some help. Our address is: The Portfolio Connection Bucklands Cottage Wallingford Road Cholsey Oxon OX10 9HB Tel/Fax 0491 836880" Bill Osburn tells Francis: "That is exactly what I use my PORT for. I type in the notes, transfer it on my PC via a Card Drive, then import it into WordPerfect. I produce some slick homework that way. They're great on tests, too!" Sidney Ripkowski tells us: "My port has impressed me yet again. I just had to change the batteries, first time since last January. I use it regularly to keep track of todo's, and access the ramcard frequently. I don't know why, but the batteries lasted 9.5 months this time. The only secret may be: I plug it into AC power AS SOON AS I get home, and unplug JUST BEFORE I leave. I am waiting for the ramcard battery to die, I haven't changed it since August 1992. It still works! Just thought I'd share this mileage excerpt with any newcomers to the Port arena." JF Davington teases Sidney: "Quite impressive but..., do you really unplug-it once in a while ;-)." Peter Bennet asks: "I've had a request from a client as to whether it is possible to import Portfolio address book files into the Clarisworks database. I'm at a bit of a loss as I am unfamiliar with the MAC. I know that many databases import information in comma-delimited format and, if my memory serves correctly (which it doesn't that often ;-)), I believe there is a small utility in the libraries to convert .adr files to comma-delimited - so this may be a solution." JF Davington tells Peter: "I don't know if one already exists in the libraries but I was working on one for the Port in Pbasic. I hit a snag when writing a subroutine to strip the phone number off the first line in .ADR files and put it in its own field. Other than that it works fine but it simply puts each individual line in quotes and separated by commas. I asked BJ to look into the bug but he has been very busy lately. If it helps I can upload it now but it wont separate the phone number." Peter tells JF: "Thanks for your reply and offer. He has not yet got to the point of being able to connect his MAC and Portfolio (he is considering the Pocket MAC file transfer software from DIP - I'm not sure if its available in the US) but wants to import .adr to Clarisworks when it is connected. Hopefully, by the time he's got the file transfer up and running, your program will be ready anyway (that's optimistic of me, isn't it? " Brad Barclay asks: "Is there anyone out there in either Canada or the US who has a catalogue of Portfolio peripherals? I'm in need of a few things, such as a carrying case, a serial interface kit, any other goodies I can lay my hands on. I am also considering supplying Portfolio systems to any of my employees who are interested (which just about all of them are)." Sysop Ron Luks tells Brad: "David Stewart of Re:Port should be able to help you with accessories." Well folks, we've come to the end of the "show" for this week. Be sure to tune in next week, same time, same station. Be ready to sit back in that comfortable chair, kick your shoes off, relax and listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING ________________________________________________ > IRQ INFO STR Feature Getting to know IRQs """""""""""""""""""" IRQ CONFLICT.TXT Paul Heim, CIS ID 74066,635 Two of the most typical causes of problems in getting a terminal program to run properly these days are COM Port and IRQ conflicts. Let's see what is meant by an IRQ or COM Port conflict, and what we can do to avoid and correct such a conflict COM Ports are the Input/Output Ports used by the computer to deal with serial devices such as modems, plotters, mouse and other pointers, etc. An IRQ is an Interrupt Request Line which is a way to interrupt whatever the computer is doing in order to handle something important, such as a characters coming in on the serial line. Without special equipment we can normally make four COM Ports available. These are called COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4. Each of these COM Ports has a BPA (Base Port Address). This is the address to which signals for the COM Port are sent. Likewise each of these COM Ports is serviced by an IRQ. The normal arrangement in most (non-PS/2) types of computers) is as follows: COM PORT ADDRESS TABLE (NON/PS2) Port IRQ BPA ---- --- --- COM1 IRQ4 Hex 03F8 COM2 IRQ3 Hex 02F8 COM3 IRQ4 Hex 03E8 COM4 IRQ3 Hex 02E8 (The PS/2 and its clones do this differently for COM Ports after COM 2, but if you have a PS/2 or compatible you probably already know about the differences!) ****************************************************************** * The not-to-be-forgotten rule is that no two serial devices, * * such as modem and mouse, can use the same COM Port OR the * * same IRQ at the same time. It just won't work, and sooner * * or later will bring you grief. * ****************************************************************** If you will look at the above Table, you can immediately see the first trap, put there by the original IBM architecture. Sure enough, COM Ports 1 and 3 both use IRQ 4. COM Ports 2 and 4 both use IRQ3. In a practical sense this means that we cannot use COM1 and 3 at the same time, and we cannot use COM2 and COM4 at the same time, IF we continue to have them serviced by the IRQ as listed in the standard table. We may be able to use them at the same time IF we change the IRQ that services them. More on that later. We are thus limited, it would appear, to really just two COM Ports if we are to avoid IRQ conflicts resulting from the use of a single IRQ to service two COM Ports. When we first install our new computer we are often presented with one or more COM Ports built in by the manufacturer, and made available for easy access on the rear of the computer as Serial Ports COM1 and COM2, and using IRQ4 for COM1 and IRQ3 for COM2. All fine and dandy. We can put our mouse or other pointer device on one, and our external modem on the other. No conflicts, as you can see from the table above. On the table above, place a check mark in front of the COM Ports which are "built in", and therefore "in use", and to which we can attach something, even if you don't attach a mouse or modem or something else to them. If the manufacturer only supplied one external COM Port, then place a check in front of it. It is "in use" whether you attach something to it or not. Parenthetically, we should note that on some computers there is a separate Mouse Port for a "PS/2 type" mouse. If we have such a Port, even better. Attach your PS/2 type mouse to this special Port, use the PS/2 Mouse Driver furnished by the Mouse manufacturer, and relax, because this PS/2 type Mouse does NOT use one of the two Serial COM Ports above, and does NOT use either IRQ3 or IRQ4. Such a "PS/2 type" mouse or pointer device typically uses IRQ12. We are, in any case, using COM1 IRQ4 (or COM2 IRQ3) for our external modem. Tell Procomm that the modem is on COM1 (or COM2) and Procomm, which knows the standard IRQ and BPA for COM1 (or COM2), has no problems. Ah, you say, but I have an "internal modem", not an "external" modem. An internal modem is a little more than an external modem. It is also a new Serial COM Port as well as a modem. It has its own UART and must be told what COM Port number it is, what IRQ to use, and what its BPA is. (The UART is the chip that does the sending and receiving from the CPU to the Serial line.) The manufacturer may only have provided COM1, and if so on the Table above you have only checked COM1 as in use, and COM2 is available for the internal modem. So you can configure the internal modem, through dip switches or jumpers, to operate on COM2, IRQ3, BPA Address 02F8, and all is well. No conflicts. Place a check mark in front of COM2 in the Table above. COM2 is now in use. But if there are two "built-in" COM Ports, our problems begin. We already have "built-in" Ports COM1 and COM2, so the internal modem must be assigned to a different COM Port, because COM1 and COM2 are checked as "in use" because they are there, whether or not anything is attached to them. Some computers offer the ability to "disable" a "built-in" COM Port. If you can do that, then do so, and remove the check mark in front of that COM Port in the Table above, and install your internal modem for that "built-in but disabled" COM Port and at that COM Port's standard IRQ and BPA. Because we have COM1 (and IRQ4) and COM2 (and IRQ3) in use, we must choose another COM Port number and assign another IRQ to service it. We have COM3 available on the Table above as our next "in sequence" COM Port. (More on "in sequence later".) Of course COM3 wants to use IRQ4, so we need to find a different IRQ, an IRQ that is there in the computer but is not being used. Do we have one? In the normal computer there is almost an IRQ for every task. We have seen that there are two for the COM Ports. There is one for our LPT1 (Printer Parallel Port 1. And there is one for LPT2 (Printer Parallel Port 2). Fortunately for us we do not use a second printer. We can "steal" its IRQ, which is IRQ5. How do we find these IRQs and learn what they are attached to? You probably have a utility such as the Norton, or the MSD program furnished with Windows. These can tell you about the IRQs in your computer. In some very extreme cases IRQ2 (which is cascaded to the second 8259 OIC chip in some computers) can be used, though some early machines used this for the hard drive. Having found a spare IRQ (IRQ5) that is not in use, we configure the internal modem (usually with dipswitches or jumpers on the modem board) to be COM3, serviced now by IRQ5, at the standard BPA address of COM3. Check COM3 in the Table above, noting that in your computer it uses IRQ5 now instead of IRQ4 as normally used. If we have still another serial device to configure, perhaps a second internal modem, then we have to go through the whole procedure again to find another free IRQ to use for this device to avoid a conflict with the normal IRQ3 (which is assigned to COM2), UNLESS we can disable the builtin COM2. Perhaps this time we will be forced to use IRQ2. IRQ2 is mentioned above, but is not the most desirable choice of you can find another free IRQ in its place. If we are using a DOS Version of Procomm PLUS we must be sure to tell Procomm PLUS that it is to use IRQ5 for COM3 (at Modem Port Assignments in the Alt-S Setup program). (This is not possible in the old shareware Procomm 2.4.x.) If we are using Windows we must tell Windows about this use of the different IRQ (IRQ5) by changing things at Windows/Control Panel/Ports/Advanced. Procomm uses the Windows comm driver, and that comm driver gets it information from SYSTEM.INI which is written to, in this case, by Control Panel. You can write it yourself in SYSTEM.INI, if you are comfortable doing so. SYSTEM.INI should contain something like this, in its [386Enh] Section, IF you have three COM Ports with the internal modem setup as above. (This is certainly not the complete [386Enh] section.) [386Enh] COM1Irq=4 COM1Base=03F8 COM2Irq=3 COM2Base=02F8 COM3Irq=5 COM3Base=03E8 Earlier we deferred discussion of a few cautions about all of this that should be mentioned. DOS has a trick or two up its sleeve. When you boot the computer, DOS creates an equipment list "scratchpad" into which it enters the BPA (Base Port address) of the COM Ports. But it ONLY lists the BPA addresses of the first two COM Ports, COM1 and COM2, not the BPA addresses of the COM3 and COM4 if you have them. While Procomm, "Interrupt Driven", doesn't need the BPA addresses of COM3 and COM4 for normal operation, it MUST have them for Host Shell (in the DOS Version) on these Ports. In Host Shell Operations Procomm redirects things to and from the COM Port, and to do this it must know the BPA address of the COM Port you are using. So at boot we must find someway to enter the address of COM3 (or COM4, or both) in the equipment list "scratchpad". The 2nd surprise comes when COM Ports are installed but NOT in numerical sequence (e.g. 1, 2, 4 with no 3, or 1, 3, 4, with no 2). DOS and Windows may just shift the installed COM Ports to the left to fill up the blanks, thus creating a situation where a COM Port address is not where it is supposed to be. Try always to install COM Ports in numerical sequence. Again there are ways to fix this. There are utilities to correct both of these problems in one step. The file COMPRT.COM in Library 2 of the Datastorm Forum, a self-extracting archive, should be obtained and de-archived, and the contained COMPORTS.COM used at each boot to write the addresses of the COM Ports (above COM2) into the scratchpad area. Just add a line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to run COMPORTS at boot. This does what DOS should have done and doesn't. The problem can also be avoided by instead running a little DEBUG script at boot which "fills in the spaces" to prevent this shift to the left for missing COM Ports. In a non-PS/2 environment with standard COM Port BPA addresses, create a DEBUG script named COMPORT.SCR in your root directory as a standard ASCII text file as follows: E 0:0400 F8 03 F8 02 E8 03 E8 02 In your AUTOEXEC.BAT add the line "DEBUG < COMPORT.SCR" without the quotes. When run at each boot, this will add the standard BPA addresses of COM3 and COM4 in the "scratchpad area" so there are "place markers" and the whole business can't "slip left" and mess things up. It simply does, once again, what DOS should have done and didn't. You may also take note that some Video boards may make use of an IRQ or BPA that is normally assigned to COM Ports, thus rendering the associated COM Port unusable. The Diamond Stealth, for example, uses the BPA of COM 4 while using IRQ2. Some ARCnet cards can cause the similar problems. While we are here let's mention that there are two common types of serial port connectors for modems. One is the DB25 family connectors with 25 pins, and the other the DB9 family with 9 pins. For proper operation of Procomm all 9 wires are needed in the DB9 family, and wires 1-8 and 20, a total of 9 conductors, must be run through on the DB25 connectors. If you are forced to use a 25 to 9 pin adaptor, make sure that it carries all 9 wires through. The Windows Terminal program has its COM Port configured through the use of the Define Serial Port dialog box in Terminal, and this is written to WIN.INI. Now, what was that "never-to-be-forgotten" rule again? Do you see how and why we have managed to avoided breaking it? -end- ************************************************************************* 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! DELPHI- It's getting better all the time! ************************************************************************* > INTELLISYSTEM STR InfoFile Voice Response Expert System """""""""""""""""""""""""" INTELLISYSTEM PRODUCT OVERVIEW ============================== The IntelliSystem is a Voice Response Expert System. It has been designed to automatically answer and resolve a significant percentage of the calls coming into support centers. The exact information that customers need is contained in its knowledge base. Customers can access this knowledge using a touch tone telephone, via a LAN or modem. The solutions can be delivered immediately over the phone, fax'ed directly to a caller's fax machine, or displayed on a computer screen. The knowledge base is set up to simulate the way a technical support representative interacts with a caller to diagnose a caller's problem. It will ask several questions to the caller, going from general to specific to identify the solution needed. The time to arrive at the solution is generally under four minutes. If the resolution is not found, the caller can be escalated to a live support representative, and a summary of the caller's session can be reviewed by the representative to enable the rep to continue troubleshooting with reduced talk time. The intelligence built into Intellisystems' patented rule-based expert system, allows a caller to quickly arrive at a solution for even very complex problems. Average time-to-resolution is under four minutes. Every answer a caller gives to a prompt is remembered. This information is then used to determine which questions or information will follow. Extensive system reports facilitate improvement of the knowledge base in response to changing conditions. A valuable feature of the IntelliSystem is that diagnostic sessions can be saved at any time, allowing a caller to hang up, perform a suggested procedure or obtain requested information, then call back and resume the session where it was left off. The IntelliSystem consists of three major components: 1. The knowledge base which contains domain-specific information. The knowledge base can be created, reviewed and maintained on a stand alone PC. It can even be distributed separately on a diskette. 2. The inference engine which does the reasoning. It makes assumptions about how to solve a problem, given domain-specific information. It manipulates the information stored in the knowledge base and information provided by the user to derive a solution to a problem. 3. The user interface which can be the touch tone telephone, a modem or a PC on a LAN. The user communicates with the knowledge base by responding to prompts. The answers determine what questions or information will follow. The IntelliSystem phone server is built on an AT bus personal computer. Digitized voice processor boards for up to 24 lines per system, are supplied by IntelliSystems as part of the system license. For larger configurations, multiple 24-line systems can be configured together. The IntelliSystem has become an essential part of the customer support centers of major high technology companies such as Central Point Software, PowerUp Software, SunSoft, Corel, Aldus, Adobe, Dell, Apple, and Fujitsu. It allows customers to diagnose their own problems and receive the information they need to use their products, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. POWERFUL INTELLISYSTEM OPTIONS The IntelliSystem has a series of options that allow further leveraging of the information in the product knowledge base and provide a logical extension to the phone interaction. INTELLIFAX This feature provides an "Intelligent Fax Retrieval" capability to the system. Making use of the inference capability of the expert system, the IntelliSystem will determine the exact fax document that a customer needs to resolve a difficulty, request the fax machine phone number to which the document should be sent and then deliver it within a few minutes. Support representatives can also initiate fax delivery requests from their own PCs by simply entering the document number and the customer's fax number in a software utility provided with IntelliFax. Both DOS and Windows versions are provided. Applications of this feature include the delivery of: specifications sheets, requirement listings (H/W, S/W, Memory, etc...), error codes, supplementary manual information, application notes, schematics, troubleshooting procedures, setup parameters, etc. The IntelliFax option may also be setup to prompt the caller for a specific fax document number before requesting the fax phone number. The specific document will then be scheduled for delivery. The purpose of this capability is to allow callers to obtain a document whose number they already know or to request a list of available fax documents. SESSIONVIEW Although the IntelliSystem has excellent problem-solving capabilities, not all callers will find a solution in the knowledge base. For those callers, the IntelliSystem "escalates" the call to a live support representative. SessionView allows the information that the IntelliSystem has gathered during an interactive session with a caller to be transferred to a live representative. The representative can then pick up troubleshooting where the IntelliSystem left off. This benefits the caller, because he or she does not have to restate the problem, and benefits the support organization because of the productivity gains associated with reduced "talk time" for support representatives. The SessionView summary is stored in simple ASCII text files on a network server. The files are written by the IntelliSystem as the session is concluded and the caller transfer is initiated. These files may then be accessed immediately via a small "display" program on the support representative's PC. MODEM ACCESS OPTION This feature provides an added dimension to the system knowledge base. Through a connection via modem or stand-alone serial terminal, users can proceed through an IntelliSystem diagnostic session by answering questions presented on their computer screen. The information they require is presented after a brief interactive session with the system. It also allows users who do not have a touch-tone phone (or prefer a screen based environment) to access the same knowledge base. KNOWLEDGEVIEW KnowledgeView provides visual access to the same knowledge base as that on the IntelliSystem Phone Server. It allows the running of a diagnostic session on any stand-alone PC or workstation on a network. It is designed to operate on a PC LAN of the type usually found in a Technical Support Department or Help Desk. The program presents a menu driven environment, and establishes a consultation session with the user. By entering their answers to the screen prompts, support staff are led to the information they need to resolve a particular problem. KnowledgeView is particularly helpful in environments where new hires or seasonal personnel are taking support calls, as it helps to make them more productive sooner in their training cycle. KnowledgeView can also be used to assist in the design and testing of new knowledge bases by allowing verification by users (domain experts) in a network environment. It allows them to become familiar with the information on the IntelliSystem, making it easy for them to contribute suggestions for additions and improvements to the knowledge base. The IntelliSystem knowledge base and KnowledgeView could be distributed on a diskette or CD ROM to major corporate customers, distributors or field offices. This further leverages the knowledge base and provides users with a ready-made diagnostic utility to allow troubleshooting of problems before having to place a call into a call center. INTELLISYSTEMS INC. - RENO, NEVADA 1 (800) 637-8400 Call for DEMO or Information (c) Copyright Intellisystems Inc. - 1989,90,91,92,93 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :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 | ============================================ |______________________________________________________________________. |=[]==================== Tonight in the RTC ===========================| .__________________________________..__________________________________. |=[]====== Hosted by... ===========||==== Top 10 Downloads - 06/93 ====| |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | Kent Fillmore ............ DRACO || 29096 TIDBITS#180/14-JUN-93 | | Tom Weishaar ............. TOM.W || 29113 CD-ROM TOOLKIT UP INFO. | | David W. Reid .. (Unk) DAVE.REID || 29080 STAR TREK CLOCK.SIT | | -{ SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS }- || 29089 ICONDESIGNER3.0.SIT | | Education .... (Rob) R.WHITELOCK || 29106 DELTATIME 1.1.0.SIT | | Mac Hardware .. (Nick) N.PASSINO || 29092 RADIOACTION.SEA | | "J" (W.GLENN1) || 29062 FILE BUDDY 1.6.2.SIT | | Games ......... (Bart) MAC.GAMES || 29059 BUTTONPAD V2.0.SIT | | Telecommunity ..... (Kent) DRACO || 29093 ZTERM-11-FAQ.TXT | | PowerBooks... (Doc) D.E.JOHNSTON || 29099 CD-ROM TOOLKIT 1.0.1 UPD | | ----{ SOFTWARE LIBRARY }----- || ________________________________ | | Chief Librarian: RANDY.SIMON || *** IMPORTANT INFORMATION *** | | Asst Librarian: (Steve) S.MACK || For COMPLETE info ..and TIPS on | | Asst Librarian: (Anne) ANNE-INDA || d/ling be sure to read: item #4 | | Asst Librarian: P.VALIQUETTE || p605 - "About The RoundTable" | !__________________________________!!__________________________________! .__________________________________..__________________________________. |=[]===== Weekly RTC Schedule =====||=[]===== Help Desk Schedule ======| |""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | (All Times Eastern) || (All Times EDT) | | || | | Educational Mac Mon. 9:45pm Rm 3 || Rm 1 Mon-Fri 9:00pm-12:00am | | Hackers Nite M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 || Rm 1 Sunday 10:30pm-12:00am | | About 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 | | Macintosh Games Wed 10:30pm Rm 3 |!__________________________________! | Macintosh H'ware Thr 9:45pm Rm 2 |.__________________________________. | Hackers Nite M480;2 10:30pm Rm 1 ||=[]==== Online Servant RTC =======| | Sunday Night Fights 9:00pm Rm 3 ||""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""| | || Every 2nd Sunday of the month | | Type M605;2 to enter the RTC || in the MacPRO RTC, page 480;2 | !__________________________________!!__________________________________! GEnie-MUG NEWS issue #28 talks about changing minds, PowerBook memory installation tips, tricks, peeks, pipples and pointers, ClarisWorks users united, Macintosh SE sunk pictures, PowerBook SCSI black magic, deskwriters, and door-to-door salespeople and other special characters. Curious? It won't hurt---just select option #5 on the next menu! /--------------------------------------------------------------------\ | * GEnie-MUG NEWS * for the week of 9/20/93 - issue 28 | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 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 GEnie-MUG RTC (type "M 605;2" then choose room 1). For more information and a schedule of times, type "M 605;4". GOT DEM POWERBOOK MEMORY BLUES? It's not unheard of... upgrading PowerBook memory isn't always a piece of cake. Some memory distributors include a free videotape with the memory you buy, explaining how to install the memory into your PowerBook! But if you don't have a VCR---or you don't want to go out and buy memory just for a silly tape---you can find out all you need to know right here on GEnie-MUG! This Tuesday night, we're having a conference to talk about PowerBook RAM installation. Have you done it? Are you going to do it? Come and talk about it, either way. You're invited to join Doc Johnston at the PowerBook RTC, Tuesday, September 21st, at 9:45 p.m. Eastern time. (To visit the GEnie-MUG RTC rooms, type "m605;2".) CHANGE YOUR MIND OFTEN? It's okay on the Mac, because you can almost always click "Cancel" or press command-period to stop what's going on.... but notice I said "almost." When you launch an application from the Finder, you're kind of stuck with whatever you've started, and you have to wait until the program completes launching, and then pick "Quit." This can be quite a wait, if you accidentally launch something like PageMaker. However, all that has changed, with the development of BAIL, a new utility. With Bail, you have three seconds to abort the launching of any application. As the application loads, you can click the mouse to "bail" back to the Finder. If you change your mind a lot---or accidentally launch PageMaker often (hey, it could happen!), check out BAIL, file #30151 in the GEnie-MUG libraries. (To get to the GEnie-MUG libraries, type "m605;3" and then "6" to download a file.) CLARISWORKS USERS, UNITE... oh, wait, it looks like you already have. According to information in the GEnie-MUG bulletin board, the ClarisWorks User Group is crankin' right along, with truckloads of useful, powerful ClarisWorks tips, tricks, picks, pocks and pooples (...with apologies to Beagle Bros). In other words, if you're a ClarisWorks user, there's a group of others just like you who are swapping information on making ClarisWorks do things that will amaze and astound you. Never feel alone again; never be the lone ClarisWorker in the crowd. Find out more about the CWUG---read GEnie-MUG bulletin board category 2 ("SOFTWARE: Daily Business"), topic 49 ("ClarisWorks"), messages 45 through the end of the topic and find out for yourself. MAC SE PICTURE SUNK? It is for GEnie-MUGger Leigh Lundin, whose Mac SE/30 monitor is doing some strange things. It seems that the picture on his SE/30 has sunk down into the lower left corner of the screen, placing part of the image tucked down behind the plastic holding the monitor in place. What's a Mac user to do? Leigh popped the case, looking for adjustment dials and knobs, but came up empty-handed. He's turning to GEnie-MUGgers across the nation for help, in category 20 ("MACINTOSH: 512/KE, Plus, SE & Classic"), topic 16 ("Monitor Problems"). Can you help him out? SCSI CONNECTIONS are a black art, that much we agree on. But when you factor in PowerBooks, you're talking about summoning demons from the depths of... well, okay, maybe it's not that bad, but there is something particularly heinous about attaching SCSI devices to a PowerBook. GEnie-MUGger Kirk Hollingsworth is trying to attach a standard SyQuest (removable-cartridge) drive to his PowerBook 170, with little luck. Doc Johnston, our resident PowerBook guru and all-around good guy, suggested an entire checklist of PowerBook SCSI tips; a checklist that should be etched in stone, I think. If you're having PowerBook SCSI problems, see category 25 ("MACINTOSH: PowerBook"), topic 4 ("Mac PowerBooks"), messages 273-275. And good luck! DESKWRITERS ACROSS THE nation are wondering what the best paper is to use with their HP DeskWriter printers, and the answer is... we're not sure. Actually, the answer is more specific than that: some papers definitely do not work well (those with low rag content), and some papers definitely work fabulously (those with high rag content, of course!). What's in between? Photocopy paper, laser paper, and more. GEnie-MUGgers talk it out in category 33 ("HARDWARE: Output Hardware"), topic 33 ("HP DeskWriter"), messages 86 through the end of the topic. DOOR-TO-DOOR SALESPEOPLE are still out there, hawking everything from cookies to Fuller brushes to salvation, but what about life insurance? You don't see many of those door-to-door life insurance guys anymore, and it's probably because GEnie-MUG has the market cornered for life insurance, Mac-style! Available in the GEnie-MUG libraries now, MacLifeInsurance is a set of two Control Panels that protect your work from system crashes, accidental deletions, power outages, disk corruption, and other disasters. The first Control Panel, MacLifeInsurance-FileSaver, protects you at the file level by automatically saving files for you. (You can specify how often the file should be saved.) The other Control Panel, MacLifeInsurance-KeySaver, protects you at the 'keystroke level,' by recording every key you press so that you'll always be able to retrieve your work, no matter what happens to your Mac. Don't take chances with your work; get MacLifeInsurance. The monthly premiums are... free! The only cost involved is downloading the file, number #30098 in the GE- MUG libraries. Enjoy, and work healthy! LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL character, but can't stand the Keycaps desk accessory? Keycaps is useful sometimes, but it's a drag when you want to check out a font fast: opening and closing the desk accessory, changing fonts from the menu, looking at the keyboard map and trying to figure out what the right key combination is to select a special character can be a hassle! Instead of doing all that, check out POPCHAR, a cool extension to automate the process. With POPCHAR, you can click in the corner of the screen, no matter what application you're in, and instantly---POOF!---all of the characters in the font are displayed. You can click one of them, and the character will be typed for you automatically! No muss, no fuss, no ring around the Font Manager. Interested? Check out file #30173 in the GEnie-MUG libraries, post-haste! THAT'S ALL for this week. Until next week, continue to soar with Macintosh! ______________________________________________________ > MAC Mania! STR Editorial ------------------------ Mac Mania ========= by Randy Noak, Editor, MAC Report WHAT! A Macintosh column in STReport? Yep. After all the ST in STReport does stand for Silicon Times and Macs are full of silicon. Hmmm. Anyhow, beyond that tenuous connection, many Atari users are moving to the Macintosh platform. Since System 7 and GEM share a common ancestry, anyone using an Atari will find moving to the Macintosh a relatively painless procedure. Notice that I said, "relatively painless"? There are just enough differences to make life, umm, interesting, and to, hopefully make this column interesting, and informative reading. In the weeks ahead, I'll be doing my best to entertain and inform any STReport readers thinking of moving to, or already using, Macintosh computers. I've been told that I can write about whatever I wish, so this _could_ be very interesting. Besides pontificating on whatever subject I feel like, I may do a question and answer thing, summarize some on-line stuff, tell you about Mac things I receive from the US Postal Service (and maybe some non-Mac things too), review a software package or two, grab some freebies at trade shows, and whatever else I think might be beneficial to STReport readers. So here goes! So that we might get to know each other a little, I thought I might give you a little background info on myself. I started computing way back in the days of the Atari 400. 16K and a 410 Program Recorder. Those were the days. NOT! From there, I went to a 1040 ST with an extra external floppy drive. Eventually, I ended up with 2.5 megs crammed in that small 1040 case and a 20 meg hard drive. A real "power" system. I learned PageStream and Touch Up and all the Atari programs I needed to get my publishing business off the ground. Even though those programs were good, I found my self wishing that I could do more. I moved up to an Atari TT030, but even though it was fast, it still lacked features that I wanted (such as 8-bit graphics), and the software still wouldn't let me do some basic things (leader tabs) that I needed. As I read about DTP and graphics programs for Macintosh computers, I realized that Macintosh software had the features I desired, so I picked up a Spectre GCR cartridge to enable me to fill some of the holes in my Atari programs with the plethora of features available in Macintosh programs. It didn't take me long to realize that, for the most part, Macintosh software far surpassed Atari software in both features and ease of use and I began to lust after a "real" Macintosh. I waited, knowing that eventually, prices would come down to my personal point of afford-ability. As it turned out, I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited as Apple introduced new machines that either didn't have the features I wanted or cost too much. Finally, Apple introduced the LC III. At last, a system that I could afford (sort of), that had the "horsepower" to do what I wanted it to do . I priced LC III's at my local dealer, checked the mail order prices and bought a Performa 450 from Sears. The 450 is the same as an LC III (68030, 25mHz, 4 megs, built-in 8-bit video), but includes a monitor, keyboard, mouse, fax modem, and lotsa pre-loaded software, including Claris Works that is extra when buying an LC III. The price was good and, of course, my Performa is backed by Sears. No worries about service there. I've since added an 8 meg SIMM (to bring me up to 12 meg memory), a Syquest drive and a CD-ROM drive, and I plan to add a video SIMM to give me 16-bit color. All-in-all, I'm pretty happy with my system. I've been learning software since I bought my Mac, and it's been a lot of fun. Learning some of the ins-and-outs of Aldus PageMaker 5.0, Adobe Illustrator 5.0 Deluxe, Color It, Datebook and Touchbase Pro, and Claris Works among others has given me a good understanding about the Mac GUI, I think. I reactivated my Compuserve account, and have been using Compuserve Navigator to, well, navigate Compuserve. I've gotten an America OnLine account and have been checking out that service as well. I'm still on GEnie, of course, and anxiously await for the long-promised Mac version of Aladdin to arrive. In short, I've been busy. I'm constantly amazed by the friendly and knowledgeable (and ex-Atari) people that I've met in the Mac areas of all the services, but I guess that's just part of the Mac "thing". Support, friendliness, new software, service. What a platform! Well, enough about me. Now it's your turn to let me know about you. Let me know what you'd like to see in this column. Tell me what type of Mac you're using and what your interests are. Please feel free to send your comments or questions to: Compuserve: 70323,1031 GEnie: R.NOAK ________________________________________________________ > FRAMEMAKER STR InfoFile More Than 100 New Features """"""""""""""""""""""" FRAME TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES FRAMEMAKER 4 FOR UNIX, WINDOWS, AND MACINTOSH PLATFORMS More Than 100 New Features Add Power and Ease-of-Use to Award-Winning FrameMaker SAN JOSE, CA, September 13, 1993 - Frame Technology(R) announced today the release of FrameMaker(R) 4, its next-generation writing and publishing software for UNIX, Windows, and Macintosh platforms. FrameMaker 4 includes over 100 new features and enhancements designed to increase users' productivity for producing demanding business and technical documents. FrameMaker 4 provides a complete solution for companies that can no longer meet their publishing needs using traditional word processing and desktop publishing products. FrameMaker 4's new features are designed to add more flexibility, power, and ease-of-use to the product. Specifically, these new features fall into five major categories: * Improved user interface * More powerful formatting tools * Advanced color and graphics support * Improved information management capabilities * Extensible architecture FrameMaker 4 is targeted at business and technical professionals who create, manage, and distribute "demanding" documents. "Demanding" documents typically have a long lifecycle, are frequently revised and updated, and contain complex document content and formatting. Important elements of these documents include multiple chapters, automatically numbered sections, tables and illustrations, cross-references, footnotes, indexes, and multi-level tables of contents. Examples of demanding documents range from business plans and financial reports to books, manuals, and procedure guides. Increasingly, these documents are being written and published in a collaborative, multi- platform environment. Often they require constant revision and updating, and are distributed electronically to save time and money. The single-user desktop publishing and word processing models of the 1980s can no longer adequately address the complex publishing requirements of these documents. But FrameMaker 4's publishing model enables multiple authors to collaborate on demanding documents in a networked, cross-platform environment and distribute these documents electronically for cost-effective on-line viewing. SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-PLATFORM AVAILABILITY ============================================= The introduction of FrameMaker 4 marks the first time Frame has simultaneously released a product on leading UNIX and desktop platforms including Sun and HP workstations running X/Motif, the Apple Macintosh, and PCs running Microsoft Windows. Unlike any other writing or publishing application, FrameMaker 4 files can be shared transparently across all these platforms, with no file conversion. FrameMaker conforms to the native user interface on which it runs so users can work with familiar menus and commands. In addition, FrameMaker takes advantage of the unique capabilities of each platform by supporting platform-specific features. NEW FEATURES =============== FrameMaker 4 provides a rich writing and editing environment, advanced color capabilities, automated page layout, long document handling, and the ability to easily incorporate complex graphics and multimedia elements into documents. FrameMaker 4 also includes a context-sensitive Help feature that uses hypertext links to guide users through its on-line Help system. Frame has redesigned the FrameMaker 4 user interface to improve access to frequently-used features, making the product easier to learn and use. For example, FrameMaker's menus can be customized to support different styles of working. Users can view complete menus, quick menus (a subset of the complete menus), or even customized menus. By adding flexible menus to FrameMaker 4, VARs (Value Added Resellers) and system administrators can customize FrameMaker to meet specific user needs. A new C-based Applications Programming Interface (API) enables corporate in-house development organizations, systems integrators, and third-party software developers to create powerful application extensions to FrameMaker 4. Details regarding a Frame Developer's Kit (FDK) and Frame's new API certification program for VARs will be announced at a later date. Other new features of FrameMaker 4 include: * A document comparison feature that provides a detailed comparison report on the differences between two versions of a document * Enhanced color support for PANTONE(R), CMYK, RGB, and HLS color models * The ability to easily prepare and print spot and process color separations, including process color separations of Encapsulated PostScript and DCS color images * An easy-access Formatting ruler to quickly select paragraph alignment settings such as left-, center- or right-alignment,line spacing, and tab settings * Styles by example, a method that enables users to design paragraph formats visually and store them in a catalog for future use * Automatic placement of side- and run-in heads * A Quick Access bar that provides single-click access to the most commonly used commands (Mac and Windows only) * Arbitrary rotation of text and graphics * A built-in Thesaurus * Eight different dashed-line patterns * Improved hypertext commands and automatic generation of hypertext links As with previous versions, FrameMaker 4 incorporates timesaving features such as intelligent tables, FrameMath(TM), conditional text, and electronic distribution of documents using FrameViewer(R). Files created in FrameMaker 3.0 are directly usable with FrameMaker 4; all formatting is completely preserved. UPGRADE INFORMATION ======================= FrameMaker 4 will be available in U.S. and International English, French, German, and Swedish versions. The product is available through authorized U.S. dealers, value-added resellers, and international distributors. FrameMaker 3.0 customers with a currently active FrameMaker Support Subscription (FSS) will automatically receive the FrameMaker 4 upgrade at no cost. Customers who purchased FrameMaker 3.0 after August 15, 1993 are eligible to receive a no-cost upgrade to FrameMaker 4. NORTH AMERICAN PRICING & AVAILABILITY ========================================= FrameMaker 4 will be available in late September for PCs running Windows and Apple Macintoshes at a suggested retail price of $895. FrameMaker 4 will also be available in late September for Sun SPARCs and compatibles, and Hewlett- Packard computers running X/Motif at a suggested retail price of $1495 for a personal license, and $2595 for a shared license. Upgrade pricing for Macintosh and Windows platforms is $199. UNIX Personal license upgrades including 1 year of technical support and upgrades are $895($695 through 12/31/93). UNIX Shared license upgrades including 1 year of technical support and upgrades are $1295($995 through 12/31/93). For international pricing and distribution information, please contact Frame International Ltd. (011) 353-1- 8429-566. FRAME TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION ================================== Frame Technology provides award-winning writing and publishing software for the creation and distribution of demanding business and technical documents. Frame's products are compatible across PC, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms, enabling companies to increase productivity by leveraging valuable corporate data. Frame Technology is a publicly-traded company (NASDAQ:FRAM) located at 1010 Rincon Circle, San Jose, California 95131 USA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ======================== Frame Technology Carol Kaplan (408) 428-6143 Copithorne & Bellows Steve Jursa (415) 966-8700 Frame Technology, FrameMaker, FrameViewer, and Frame are registered trademarks, and FrameBuilder, FrameMath, and Frame Developer's Kit are trademarks of Frame Technology Corporation. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. _______________________________________________ > Atari News STR FOCUS! """"""""""""""""""""" WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ATARI? ========================== By Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. Editor Emeritus A compilation of some of the more interesting questions and answers from the 9/3/93 "Dateline Atari! with Bob Brodie" conference on the GEnie ST RT. Captures of the conference were furnished to STReport by one of our readers. In short, most of Bob's introductory comments were devoted to the Jaguar and Lynx. There are two new Lynx titles in stock, Lemmings and Jimmy Connors Tennis. Lemmings is a conversion of the computer game and allows the Lynx's colors to show their true power. Jimmy Connors Tennis is a 4-meg tennis game with digitized sound. Two other games, Malibu Bikini Beach Volleyball and Ninja Gaiden III are due to start in production and it's hoped that Eye of the Beholder might be out by Christmas. Even before the first Jaguar has reached the shelves, it is attracting attention from many different fronts. Retailers, media, techies and developers are all showing great interest in the Jaguar. While Atari was pushing the Jaguar as a home entertainment system, others are seeing the Jaguar in different ways - using it as a main board in coin-operated video games, Virtual Reality, and more. One person even wondered about hooking the Jaguar up to the Falcon [Atari has no plans to do this yet]. When asked if Atari planned to go into Europe with the Jaguar, Bob said that Atari has plans to move into Europe in the first half of 1994. It is expected that London will be first, followed by Paris and Frankfurt. What about dealers like Toad Computers? While Bob admitted that Atari hadn't solidified their dealer plans yet, he felt that dealers like Toad would be able to buy Jaguars after the holidays. The initial introduc- tion would still be in NY and San Francisco. The Jaguar production is still on schedule. Sam Tramiel was in North Carolina when the first pilot production run units came off of the line. What about the Lynx? Atari decided to postpone the summer promotions for the Lynx and make a combined effort when the Jaguar comes to market. Ads for the Lynx will be coming out then. Atari will be using the Jaguar as "leverage" to get stores to also carry the Lynx. While it won't be on a 1-to-1 basis (you gotta take one Lynx for each Jaguar you buy) it should result in the Lynx being on more store shelves. Bob feels that the Lynx, and its games, will soon be back in stores like Electronic Boutique - if they aren't by now. A developer asked why they should develop for the Jaguar instead of the more established Sega and Nintendo machines. Two of Bob's reasons for developing for the Jaguar were. Power, more power than any other compar- ible system on the market will allow the developer to create games that can only be dreamed of on other systems, and Price. Aggressive pricing along with advanced technology. [Editor's Note: Another reason is that with the Jaguar you can get in on the ground floor - on the other sys- tems you'll just be a face in the already over-crowded crowd.] One of the reasons that Bob thinks programmers and technicians are imp- ressed with the Jaguar is the ability of being able to write directly to the hardware with no operating system to hinder them. Some of the other questions asked were about CD Rom games, would the CD Rom drive work on other Atari computers, what about a battery backed Jaguar, what type of monitor does the Jaguar RGB port work with, and is there a keyboard attachment for the Jaguar. Currently all games developed for the Jaguar will be cartridge products, unlike the card types available for the Lynx, with the CD Rom games expected to be available next year. The CD ROM drive for the Jaguar "is designed to fit into a special spot on the Jaguar case, and plug into the cartridge port." Not only that, but the player has a "pass through" cartridge port, so you can play games on cartridge while the CD Rom drive is installed. Currently a battery backed system is being discussed and is possible in the future. As far as the type of monitor needed, Bob said, "the Jaguar is incredibly versatile in the way that it handles video. There are plans to have an accessory that will handle composite RGB output." Bob did not know of any plans for a keyboard attachment but he did say "there will be a DSP expansion port, that is envisioned as being something that interactive media (including modems) could take advantage of." Now for some Falcon and TT related questions and answers What about advertising and promotion for the Falcon? With PC sales be- ing so bad, Atari has changed its plans and will use its resources to give the Jaguar the "big push". Once the Jaguar is a success, then Atari will use some of those profits to promote the Falcon. Bob said, "How- ever, we are still committed to the Falcon. We believe in it, and intend to support it." There are plans in the works for a higher end Falcon [Ed Note: maybe the Falcon040?] but nothing that can be announced yet. The original LDW deal fell through but Atari is still investigating its options. Bob thought that Blackmail, the voice mail program for the Falcon, was still awaiting FCC approval. There is no specific Falcon VAR program available. Atari makes sure the VAR is legitimate and treats them like a normal dealer. Until Atari's 14 meg memory upgrade boards are ready, Bob recommends the Ram Gizmo board from Chro-Magic Software. For those who want a 14-meg, no HD configured Falcon, Atari has no plans to produce one but you can create your own by buying a 1-meg, no HD Falcon and adding the Chro- Magic RAM Gizmo. Will there be any problems due to DRAM price increases? Bob didn't think that would be a problem for the Falcon or Jaguar. He felt that most of the increases in DRAM prices to be artificial. That the US semiconductor companies are again a major factor, and with Apple's sales slump, there will more than enough DRAM product available for other companies. Can the Falcon access the Atari Laser Printer, SLM605? Bob didn't know why the SLM-to-Falcon interfaces haven't shown up yet and what the hold- up is. The reason the DMA port on the Falcon was eliminated was to bring the Falcon "more in line with the standards that the rest of the comput- ing world" is using. That's why they also did away with the floppy disk port on the Falcon. People ask why the Falcon was built with a 16mhz rate. According to Bob, "the reason that we used a 16Mhz 030 was because of the way that our system works. We don't just rely on the CPU in order to make the system work. We have an DSP chip, DMA, and FPU chip that are all available to take the workload off of the CPU." Have the new lot of TT's arrived yet? There's still no answer on how many are expected, when they'll arrive and any changes that might have been made to them. ________________________________________________ > NOVA CARD NEWS! STR InfoFile NOVA SPECS and UPDATE NEWS! """""""""""""""""""""""""""" NOTICE: SPECIAL NOVA CARD UPDATE ======================== Announcement from Lexicor Software Corp. ---------------------------------------- The NOVA Mega and the NOVA VME 16M now 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 Upgradable : 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 Upgradable : 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 Upgradable : 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 _______________________________________________________________ > 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, at 10pm EDT! 10. Calling All Chatters! Successful Chatline VIP Club Continues! 11. WARGAMERS! Speak live to Scott Hamilton of ADC Fame on the 28th... 12. Hidden treasure? Yes, if you are digging for a wealth of information. 13. Tune in to Sitcom Trivia in the TV Forum on Sundays, 10pm EDT! _________________________________________________________ > GLENDALE OVERVIEW STR SHOW NEWS """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Glendale - 1993 Compiled by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. Editor Emeritus This year STReport didn't have any of its staff at the Glendale show, so this report is a compilation of what has been said online, told to us over the phone and via Email by people who did attend, and various other misc. sources. The annual Glendale Atari show was held last weekend. While attendance was down considerably from previous years - 1375 for this year, 2500 for 1992 and 3500 for 1991 (thanks to John Nagy for these figures) - reports say that folks who did attend had a great time. One comment heard was that it was like an meeting of old friends. Exhibitors say that sales were very brisk, satisfying, and in many cases, exceeded expectations. Atari was there in full force - Bob Brodie, Mike Fulton, Eric Smith, and Bill Rehbock - and there were plenty of Falcon's to be purchased. Bob and Mike were kept busy answering questions. There was some disappoint- ment in that Atari had no new product announcements or demos, and there was nothing was said (publicly at least) about a Falcon040. Atari had a developers meeting on Friday night before the show. Reports say that over 50 people attended the meeting. Atari promised better dev- loper support. Some of that support will come in the distribution of de- veloper software on CDRom (resource editor, assembler, etc.) To help developers, both old and new, there is a new programmers refer- ence manual available. 'The Atari Compendium' by Scott Sanders covers all versions of TOS, from TOS 1.0 to TOS 5.0, will be a big help to software programmers. [Bob Brodie confirmed that there is a 5.0 version of TOS that is already in developer release.] Sales were brisk with many exhibitors reporting selling out of all of the product they brought well before the show ended. Gribnif said they sold out of their new GENEVA, a multi-tasking system, halfway through the second day of the show - and they originally thought that they had brought too many copies. But all in all, upgrade sales far exceeded new version sales. Reports say that the Codeheads had to make up more of their Warp 9 upgrade disk. Migraph had a booth and showed their new ColorBurst Color Hand Scanner for the Falcon030. ICD had a special limited edition Super Link Package. The package included all that you need to a variety of SCSI, or IDE if you own a Falcon, devices to your computer. ICD reported selling out of their accelerator boards and had to take back-orders. There were several dealers there, some - like Toad Computing - coming all the way across the country. Mid-Cities (a L.A. based retailer) had quite an impressive booth with a fake smoke filled volcano (the first release of smoke gave everyone quite a surprise, including Rick who was releasing the smoke). The Computer Network promises to be more competitive with THEIR booth next year. These two retailers have a very good reputation for getting along, helping each other (like matching prices instead of knocking down an extra dollar) as well as having such spirited competition in the booth design from year to year. [Thanks to Tom Mynar, ACAOC President, for this information.] Two major hardware developers who were expected to show, didn't make the show, much to the disappointment of many attendees. Lexicor was supposed to be in the Mid Cities booth showing their products but their represen- tative, Ringo Monfort, at the last minute was unable to attend to attend due to a personal matter. Lexicor apologizes to all of their customers and promises that they will make it up to them in the future. To make it up to his customers, Lexicor president, Lee Seiler, said that at a future date, Lexicor will be putting on a 2-3 day, 24-bit applica- tion show at the Mid Cities showroom. During this show, Lexicor will be offering low prices on most of their products - and maybe have some new and exciting stuff to show. Some "blow your socks off" stuff. The other no-show was Jim Allen [Fast Tech]. Many folks were disappoin- ted that Jim wasn't able to come, they were hoping to get a glimpse at his long-awaited TinyTurbo accelerator board. There were many more developers and dealers at the show, along with many prominent members of the Atari community - more than I have the time or space to mention (forgive me if I left you out). Everyone that we spoke to said that the show was very professionally done and except for one minor incident, everything went off well. Kudos to all of the folks who spent many hard hours of their time making the show the great success that it was. __________________________________________________ > KODAK NEWSLINE STR InfoFile """"""""""""""""""""""""""" NEW WRITABLE CD PRODUCTION STATION INCLUDES WORLD'S FIRST 6X WRITER WIESBADEN, Germany, Sept. 22-Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled an automated CD writing station built around a new disc writer. The Kodak PCD Writer 600 records at a rate six times that of conventional CD recorders, making it the world's fastest CD recorder. The Kodak Writable CD Production Station provides automated recording of individually customized Writable CD discs or multiple copies of the same disc. The station can automatically write as many as 75 discs. The Kodak Production Station provides a data output system that is faster, cheaper and with less environmental impact than systems outputting to paper or most any other storage media. The station consists of four components: * The Kodak PCD Writer 600, the world's fastest CD writer/reader, has transfer rates up to 900 KB per second and allows users to write a full "63-minute" CD in about 10 minutes * The Kodak Disc Transporter automatically inserts and removes Writable CD media from the PCD Writer 600. The transporter includes input and output spindles that hold up to 75 discs each * Kodak Writable CD Publishing Software provides the system control and batch programmability to record information as easily as printing or copying onto tape. The software features multi-session recording in standard industry formats. The initial product will be Sun UNIX 4.1.x supporting SUN IPX., and SPARC 2 & 10 platforms. Kodak will offer software products that support RS 6000's and other popular publishing platforms based on market needs * Kodak Writable CD media with the InfoGuard Protection System, available in 63-minute (580-megabyte) and 74-minute (680-megabyte) capacities, offer unique data protection features. And Kodak's bar code feature provides easy tracking and identification through production. To support this new station, Kodak will begin selling "bulk packs" of 50 stacked Kodak Writable CD Media. For convenience, Kodak will market the packs in recyclable compact containers. Cost, Speed Benefits The Kodak Writable CD production station is designed to serve a broad range of applications, including CD-ROM and CD audio, publishing, information distribution and data archiving. It can produce large numbers of individual Writable CD discs, or batches of identical CDs, at rates of about six fully written discs per hour. Advantages of the Kodak Writable CD Production Station versus a line printer include: * Speed-360 pages a second with the PCD Writer 600, compared to about 140 pages a minute using a high-speed line printer * Media costs-Kodak Writable CD discs cost about $25 each, approximately 1/100th the cost of paper needed to output the same amount of data * Distribution costs-A disc can be sent through conventional mail with a few stamps, compared with the shipping costs for reams of paper * Random access-CDs give users fast, random access to data, that lets users analyze information more conveniently than analog media allow * Environmental benefits-Writable CD discs, which reduce large amounts of paper, can be recycled "Any computer user who needs to store or distribute large data files will benefit from using the Writable CD Production Station," said Fred Geyer, general manager and vice president, Kodak CD Imaging. "From satellite telemetry to corporate reports to the latest multi-media presentations, any large data file can be output efficiently and inexpensively using Writable CD technology." Production Station Features The heart of the station is the Kodak designed and manufactured PCD Writer 600. The Writer 600 provides a number of features to ensure accurate data recording: automatic disc calibration; built-in error detection and correction firmware; and "direct read during write," which ensures that the CD is being written properly. Other writer features include a bar code reader designed for use with Kodak's Writable CD Media and expandable buffer memory (from 1 MB to 8 MB), and electronic upgrade capability of the Writer's firmware. The entire Writable CD production station fits on a tabletop and incorporates an automatic, self-switching power supply for worldwide use without special accessories. Media Features and Benefits The system provides optimal performance when used with Kodak Writable CD Media. Kodak Writable CD Media have a number of features as part of the InfoGuard Protection System: * A carefully selected dye chemistry that resists fading from light, heat, and humidity * A protective coating that resists scratches, dirt, rough handling, or other common mishaps that may damage the disc's readability * A unique identification number-printed in human-readable form along with a corresponding machine-readable bar code for tracking, indexing, and security Availability Kodak expects to market the Writable CD Production Station through systems integrators, OEMs and value-added resellers beginning in early 1994. Detailed pricing will be available in the 4th Quarter 1993. KODAK SIGNS FIRST KODAK PICTURE EXCHANGE IMAGE PROVIDERS Stock photo agencies are first participants in new on-line image service ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 13-Fourteen stock photo agencies have selected the Kodak Picture Exchange to market images for lease to advertising agencies, publishers, and graphic design firms. These will be the first providers to market images through Kodak's new on-line imaging service network. The Kodak Picture Exchange links image buyers with images from some of the finest stock agencies and image providers. Expected to be available in the United States in the fall of 1993, the service will be among the first to provide quick and convenient global access to vast collections of images. Subscribers will access the Picture Exchange with standard telecommunications network and computer platforms, including Macintosh computers and the Windows operating system. Subscribers will have a choice of image search routines-from simple keyword and phrase entries-to sophisticated expert search routines using over forty image attributes. Benefits to Picture Exchange image providers include expanded market reach, 24-hour customer access, reduced risk of lost or damaged originals, and improved customer communications. Kodak Picture Exchange image providers also can respond to customers faster. The Picture Exchange image data base will improve archive management for image providers. Advancements in image telecommunications, digital storage, computing costs, and image digitization enable the Kodak Picture Exchange to be a cost effective image distribution marketing channel. Kodak's Photo CD technology is key to economic image digitization for the Picture Exchange. "We are delighted to have signed some of the most recognized image providers in the industry," said Fred Geyer, general manager and vice president of CD imaging at Kodak. "These firms are using the Kodak Picture Exchange to further improve the level of service they offer their current and prospective customers. Technology is changing the way people store, search, retrieve, and access images, and these providers are in the lead." The Kodak Picture Exchange represents Kodak's vision for a global image transmission services network, similar to text and data networks. It will link the suppliers of images, such as stock photo agencies, news organizations, museums, universities, corporations, and archives, with the customers they service. These include advertising agencies, graphic designers, publishers and researchers. Representing Quality and Diversity Each of 14 photo stock agencies who have an initial commitment of between 5,000 and 20,000 images to the Kodak Picture Exchange are recognized as suppliers of some of the finest images in the industry. These providers include the following agencies. Animals Animals/Earth Scenes-over 800,000 wildlife and nature images. Archive Photos-over 5,000,000 images, including news photos, Hollywood, engravings, and drawings. Light Sources-over 100,000 photographs, including medical, children, and New England images. PhotoBank, Inc.-over 300,000 photographs, including world travel, automobile, food lifestyle, industrial and medical images. Ewing Galloway-over 2,000,000 images, including historical and nostalgic photographs. FPG International-One of the largest and oldest stock agencies in the world with over 6,000,000 images, serving clients in advertising, design, retail, travel, decor and editorial industries. Hulton Deutsch Picture Library-over 15,000,000 images, described by Harold Evans as "the greatest library of photojournalism in Europe." The Image Works-over 400,000 photographs, including images of humor, family, education, health care, occupations, culture, travel, recreation, and historical personalities. International Stock-over 1,000,000 images, including worldwide travel, model released people and lifestyles, corporate, industrial, medical, health, computer graphics, food , sports, scenics, and animal images. Photo Researchers-over 2,000,000 images, including photomicroscopy, medicine, high technology, and the sciences. Profiles West-images include recreational, such as skiing, mountain biking, whitewater, and the American West. Ro-Ma Stock-features fresh images of exotic landscapes, patterns in nature, plants, flowers and animals, as well as backgrounds, macro photography, art, sciences, and people involved with nature. The Stock Shop, Inc.-photographs including medical images. Tom Stack and Associates-images of flora and fauna of the world, including underwater and ecological images. The Kodak Picture Exchange will allow people to use existing phone lines and standard modems to access images from their desktop computers . Subscribers will conduct fast online searches and will review and browse low resolution images. Once image users have selected the images they may want to use in an ad or publication, they submit the request to the appropriate image provider. This is done electronically through the Kodak Picture Exchange. The photo stock agency will negotiate image lease rights and prices directly with the image user, as is currently done. Software will be available for Macintosh and Windows users. Prices will be announced in the fall, when the service is expected to go online. For more information on the Kodak Picture Exchange, consumers can call the Kodak Customer Assistance Center at 800-KPX-USER (579-8737). KODAK ON-LINE PICTURE EXCHANGE SERVICE TESTED AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 13-Eastman Kodak Company today announced a three-month pilot of a new application of Kodak's new on-line image service called the Kodak Picture Exchange. The application, called the Eastman Exchange, is designed to assist Hollywood studios in the selection and evaluation of film production sites. The application will consist of a private image database of key national locations using the Kodak Picture Exchange. The Eastman Exchange's image database will comprise digitized still photographs of film sites compiled by state film commissions. During the test period, images will be provided by state film commissions in New York and Arkansas. Test program participants will include Disney, Universal, Warner Brothers, and Twentieth Century Fox studios. Film producers will have immediate access to these images through standard telecommunications networks and computing platforms, including Macintosh computers and the Windows operating system. Location scouts can research images on their computers using simple key words and phrases. More detailed searches also can be conducted using over 40 image descriptors. Producers can review, browse, and even print out low resolution images on the spot. Currently, film producers need to contact state film commissions by phone in order to discuss and obtain photographs of specific sites. Commission employees must search, process, and mail out the images to producers. This can be a timely and expensive process for both parties. The Eastman Exchange pilot application and Kodak Picture Exchange services are consistent with the benefits provided by the Kodak Photo CD System, which allows for cost effective storage of images on compact discs. "We view this venture an important example of the value of the Kodak Photo CD System and the Kodak Picture Exchange to businesses today," said Phil Vogel, Manager of Worldwide Marketing, Kodak Motion Picture and Television Imaging. "By offering this pilot program to our customers, we hope not only to reduce the costs for location searches, but also to expand the number of sites that studios can access and vice versa." If proven successful, Kodak plans to offer the use of the Eastman Exchange as a cost efficient service to film commissions and studios nationwide. Future applications for the Eastman Exchange could be used for talent and prop searches as well. (Note: Kodak and InfoGuard are trademarks.) Eastman Kodak Company, 343 State Street, Rochester, N.Y. 14650, 1993 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "Nothing like kidding yourself..." """"""""""""""""" ".... kinda like the old fashioned, "Gangland Squeeze" a slick method of getting rid of the competition..." ..from an irate user's email """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > 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 24, 1993 Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-93 All Rights Reserved No.9.39 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 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, 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. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""