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Text File | 1994-09-02 | 18KB | 331 lines

RAndY's RumOR RaG September 1994 NEWS IN YER FACE Here's an interesting item I came across. The Clipper CS-1 is a self-contained computing environment which, on the outside, looks like the back half of a plywood lobster. Inside you sit on a leather seat which moves forward and backward on a rail. On your left is a well for a printer and a well for file folders on your right. Ahead is a desk for a monitor, tilting surface for a keyboard, task lighting, and air vents. This ergonomically correct work area is surrounded by a curved enclosure that provides privacy and filters distractions. It was not designed as a constant environment, but rather for working on difficult problems. This thing really looks strange, but you too can have one for just $6,000. --------------- By the time you read this, dBase for Windows should be on the shelves. Industry sources say that Borland is working on a project called Phoenix which will be targeted at the low-end. Phoenix will have no programming language and may include an electronic mail program. Some say they're just using old Object Vision technology. --------------- After ten years of development, Geoworks was awarded a patent for their technology in the GUI for the GEOS operating system. --------------- Motorola is working with Microsoft and IBM to port the next version of Windows NT to the PowerPC. This is the first time that Motorola has teamed up with software developers on a port. --------------- Lotus has dropped the price of Ami Pro 3.1 to $99 and is including filters for Word 6 and WordPerfect 6. --------------- IBM will be dropping the price of OS/2 to about $25 and including a $50 coupon for upgrading to Warp (the next version of OS/2 scheduled to ship in October). This is in response to Microsoft's delay of Chicago. --------------- Intel is stuck with a significant inventory of 60mhz Pentiums. Reports say they're sitting on 93 days of inventory when normal levels are less than 60 days. Meantime, they'll have to shift to 3.3 volt units by year's end. --------------- Aires Electronics has a module which plugs into your existing 486 socket to let you use the new 3.3-volt DX4 chips. Pricing is $24.50 in quantities of 100. I don't know if this will find its way to retail, but it appears to be a good way around buying a new motherboard. --------------- There's a new shareware program you can find on the on-line services which lets you estimate the price of any used PC or Macintosh with any configuration of memory, hard drive, and video. Look for the AmCoEx Used Computer Price Estimator in Windows and Macintosh versions. --------------- "I think computer viruses should count as life ... It says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive." - Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, speaking at the MacWorld trade show in Boston. --------------- WHAT'S NEW WITH CHICAGO There's lots of Chicago news out there, so let's get to it. It looks like Microsoft is starting to hack away at some of the less important features in an attempt to get the operating system out the door in a timely manner. They've already taken out the Internet interface. Next on the cutting block may be Capone, the specialized software for moving local and global E- mail, voice mail, and other communications messages into a single in-box. Says Brad Chase, general manager of Microsoft's personal systems group, "If Capone isn't ready when Chicago is rock solid, we'll probably release the operating system without the universal in-box features." Users of the current beta are complaining of problems with multi-tasking and multi-threading capabilities. The second test release, known as M7, is due out in September and will correct these problems through more efficient use of memory. Here's something you haven't heard before. Chicago will have an on-line registration system. Similar to the installation for Procomm Plus for Windows, users will be asked if they want to register on-line. You will then enter registration information, like the purchase date, name, address, etc. Then you'll check various areas of interest such as accounting, programming, children's software, and desktop publishing. Then, via a toll-free number, this information will be uploaded to Microsoft Line Services. Here's where it gets interesting: the software "polls" your machine and determines CPU type, disk space, RAM, and other technical information about your computer which is also uploaded. Microsoft will then have the potential to build a detailed database of customers willing and able to tap into on-line services. Some industry analysts have concerns over the invasion of privacy that this concept generates. It was only a short while ago that Prodigy was suspected of similar inquisitiveness about computer users. Marvel is the code name for Microsoft's eventual attempt to get into the on-line services business. The original plan was for offering limited services to Microsoft's Solution Providers with a second phase later in 1995 to be more consumer oriented. Both phases have been held up due to delays in Chicago. Traditional service providers are concerned that Microsoft will enter the market with a $2.95 monthly fee as opposed to the $8.95 that other services charge. Beta testers report that the 4 meg requirement for Chicago is a dream. (What have I told you?) Most say that you'll need at least twice that amount, with 12-16 megs being even more realistic. Symantec is working on a line of utilities especially for Chicago. There will be a new version of their base product Norton Utilities as well as stand-alone utilities such as antivirus software for servers and clients, remote-control software, enterprise backup, and more advanced file management and viewing capabilities. Also expected are migration utilities such as Norton Administrator and a tuning tool that will verify a system is optimized, clean, stable, and secure before installing Chicago. Resellers and third-party developers are concerned that the Plug-and-Play feature of Chicago will not be fully functional in the shipping product. The concern is over the amount of hardware that will be Plug-and-Play compliant when Chicago ships and how "swappable" these products will be from system to system. At a recent Plugfest developer conference in July, many products failed to move easily between machines running Chicago. Industry insiders say that Microsoft would lose face if this feature were not fully functional, given the no-brainer approach used on PowerPCs. This fall will see beta release #2 which will be followed by the Chicago Preview Program which will include 100,000 sites. Unlike traditional beta testing, Microsoft will charge participants of this program. Microsoft's Brad Chase says that "a street price of $100 would not surprise me for the Windows Chicago upgrade." One of the applets included with Chicago is Hyper Terminal, an update of the existing Terminal offering a call log and speed dialer, better integration of disparate communications from pager messages to voice mail or electronic mail through an inbox known as InfoCenter. Also included will be a basic interface that uses VoiceView technology which lets users initiate or receive a single phone call that can handle graphics, text or file transfer, as well as voice communications (rather than using two phone lines). For example, you could call a product support hot line, use the same connection to send files or error messages to a technician, then discuss the problem. Only one type of information could be sent at once, so users could not talk while data is being transmitted. Before being allowed to carry the Windows 4 compatibility logo, vendors will be required to include an uninstall feature for their applications. I don't have to tell you that it's a real problem keeping track of which files are used by applications and which can be deleted when you get rid of an application. Included in the next software developers kit will be tools that will make it easier for vendors to develop software with uninstall features. --------------- WARP UPDATE IBM is expected to ship the final test release of the upgrade to OS/2 on August 15. Testing will finish in September and ready for purchase in October. "We intend to exploit Chicago's delay to the fullest, and ship millions of units within 90 days of Warp's release," said Walley Casey, director of marketing for IBM's personal software products division. Casey is expecting sales of OS/2 to rise by 45% next year, with estimated sales between 500,000 and 2 million units this year. Casey also said that IBM would be making "very significant announcements" soon regarding preloading OS/2 on new systems sold. Warp includes a one-button install option. A "play at will" capability lets users insert PCMCIA cards into portable computers without rebooting the system. Testers of Warp note the operating system's stability and speed. One system analyst said that "if IBM uses Warp's new icons in ads, the upgrade may catch on; it's quite neat." Another said, "IBM has done its homework with this upgrade. Warp is a substantial improvement over OS/2 2.1." I have a copy of the Warp Beta 2 coming. It will feature easy installation by identifying the hardware and configuring it to meet specifications. There will be a new look and feel to the Workplace Shell with more color palettes and schemes and animated folder icons. The LaunchPad will let users have single-click access to frequently used objects. There will be a new graphical tutorial for new and advanced users along with a comet cursor for laptops and pointer styles and colors. Included with the Warp Beta 2 is BonusPak which includes whiteboard data sharing with multi-user annotation for sharing images, text, graphics, and application window contents. Of course, this new software will work with both Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11. If you'd like to participate in the beta test program, call 1-800-251-2177 for either a CD or disk version for just $14.95 plus tax. Ask for the Warp Beta 2. --------------- MORE NEWS IN YER FACE The code name for Microsoft's interactive TV operating system is Mimosa. --------------- I hear of a new book being published by Albion Books of San Francisco called "Netiquette". It gives tips on how to respect other computer users' available bandwidth and cope with flame mail. Where do I get one of these things? My mail on local BBSs consistently accuses me of being a racist, bigot, homophobe, and most recently a Nazi. --------------- Media Vision reported a loss of $99 million on revenue of $150 million. Last month they filed for Chapter 11 protection. In fiscal year 1992, Media Vision reported earnings of $600,000 on revenue of $69 million. --------------- Compaq will soon put labels on keyboards which tell users about repetitive stress injury. Compaq recently won a lawsuit by a user who claimed the company knew of the danger but did not warn the public. I think that this is just pandering to people who expect someone to always watch out for them. Enough of these injury claims - I'm sure that repetitive stress injury is legitimate, but consumer products have reached the point where you have to warn people not to use a lawnmower to cut their toenails. Enough is enough. --------------- Look for Pentiums to take a price drop of about 27% by the end of the year and another estimated 10% in the first half of 1995. --------------- Saw an ad for an interesting CD title - Leonardo the inventor - about Da Vinci's life and numerous inventions and achievements. The software is being promoted as a children's educational title, but it looks to be quite educational and interesting for an old coot like me. --------------- Virtually all new DOS development has stopped at Novell. Novell insiders attribute this decision to a lack of growth in the market along with the Justice Department's ruling, which they say virtually guarantees Microsoft's dominance of the operating system market. Said one Novell source, "DOS has seen the best years behind it. Few new DOS apps are being built, and once Chicago comes along, there will be even fewer." One reseller said, "Sell-through of Novell DOS was practically nonexistent." --------------- Give Aldus a call at 1-800-628-2320 for the PageMaker Enhancement Pack. They've added import filters for Word for Windows 6 and Ventura Publisher CHP files as well as some changes to PostScript print drivers. They'll charge you $9.95 or you can grab the files off their BBS at (206) 623-6984. Both PC and Mac updates are available. --------------- NEW MICROSOFT HARDWARE That's right, I said hardware. Microsoft will be marketing a few new hardware products but don't expect to see printers or CD-ROM drives under their name. The first entry under their Home brand will be an ugly, dark blue mouse carrying an estimated street price of $39. It will come with Microsoft's Intellipoint Home, which has 100 cursor icons like dancers performing the tango, and five preprogrammed special effects such as a jungle theme and science fiction. Beth Featherstone, a marketing manager at Microsoft's hardware group, said, "We wanted a design that adults could use and not feel like it was a toy." Oh really, and when will this take place? They've also got some kind of keyboard but I haven't been able to get any information on it. --------------- NEW INTEL IDEAS Intel is working to transfer communications technology to the microprocessor; with the modem acting as an electronic bridge and the processor the engine. The computer would do all the voice and data processing that is now handled by the modem. An advanced I/O subsystem will let any peripheral to be tightly integrated with the processor. This new technology will also include software which is more easily updateable than a microprocessor which will include advances in communications. Said one analyst, "This makes a lot of sense for Intel. They are in the business of selling big, expensive chips." Modems designed to take advantage of the on-chip features should have fewer compatibility problems and will enable modem manufacturers to concentrate on features rather than chip sets. --------------- WOODSTOCK THE CD Get out your old roach clip and step into the time machine. By now, the media orgasm over the plastic, made-for-MTV Woodstock `94 has passed. Time Warner has released Woodstock: 25th Anniversary CD-ROM. There's lots of stuff on this CD if you're a devotee of the original Woodstock. Included are performances from several of the artists. Noticeably missing is the Master of the Stratocaster, Jimi Hendrix. There are short video clips as well as several complete songs. When listening to the complete songs, you can also see the lyrics or get a psychedelic screen display. You can visit several areas; backstage, the times-sights and sounds of the late 1960's, performances, and more. If you select performances, you can view information on several of the performers including discography, a video clip of their Woodstock appearance, history of the performer including where they are now, and still images. You'll see performers that weren't in the Woodstock movie such as Mountain (I saw them years ago backing up the original Black Sabbath). Time Warner has done an excellent job in integrating all the sights and sounds of the original Woodstock. If you're still wearing tie-dye shirts and bell bottom pants, this is the CD for you. It doesn't cost much and brings back the old days for us old coots. ================================= DISCLAIMER RAndY's RumOR RaG is published on a monthly basis by AINSWORTH COMPUTER SERVICES and is available on various local BBS's, GEnie, and in Modem News. In case anyone cares, RAndY's RumOR RaG is produced on a 486- 50 with 8 megs of memory, 420 MB Connor IDE hard drive, TEAC 1.2 MB and 1.44 MB floppies, Pro Audio Spectrum 16 running a Hitachi 3750 CD ROM drive, Trident VLB video card, Sceptre SVGA display, Microsoft mouse, Word for Windows and transmitted through a US Robotics HST Dual Standard modem. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Comments should be addressed to Ainsworth Computer Services on GEnie, via phone, analog mail, or whatever method makes you feel good. AINSWORTH COMPUTER SERVICES 605 W. Wishkah Aberdeen, WA 98520-6031 (206) 533-6647 GEnie Address: RAG