NOVA - For the NeXT Workstation/NOVA - For the NeXT Workstation.iso/Newsletters/NeXTNuggetNewsDigest/vol.04.14.txt

Text File | 1992-12-27 | 20KB | 610 lines

NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 4, issue 14, September 15, 1992)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

      I. NeXT User Group Discounts on Bulk Book Orders
     II. Internet User Guide
    III. 1992 Mathematica Conference: Tokyo, Japan
     IV. NeXTSTEP programmer Position open at Archetype
      V. MusicKit update
     VI. Appsoft Draw is Now Available on the Archives
    VII. NeXT CD-ROM Creation Solution
   VIII. WarpIt Image Tool for NeXT computers begins shipping
     IX. NeXTSTEP Database Programmer Wanted

____________________________________________________________________

To submit articles or announcements to appear in the Nugget
Digest, please send your contributions to the following address:

    [e-mail].


Conrad Geiger
Manager, International NeXT User Groups

____________________________________________________________________

I.  NeXT User Group Discounts on Bulk Book Orders

Within the US and Canada, we offer User Groups a 10% discount if they
order 5 or more books, ordered at the same time and shipped to the
same address.  The person to contact about discounts is Kerri Bonasch
<[e-mail]>, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc, 103A Morris Street,
Sebastopol, CA 95472, 707-829-0515.

Outside of the US and Canada, our distribution is handled by Addison
Wesley International. Outside North America, see the addresses below
for bulk orders:

Karen Lewis  <[e-mail]>
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
103 Morris Street, Suite A
Sebastopol, CA  95472
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas Distributors


AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
(orders and inquiries)
Addison-Wesley Publishers, Pty. Ltd.
6 Byfield Street
North Ryde, N.S.W. 2113
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

UNITED KINGDOM & AFRICA
(orders and inquiries)
Addison-Wesley Publishers Ltd.
Finchampstead Road
Wokingham, Berkshire RG11 2NZ
ENGLAND
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST
(orders and inquiries)
Addison-Wesley Publishing Group
Concertgebouwplein 25
1071 LM Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

LATIN AMERICA (inquiries)
Addison-Wesley Iberamericana S.A. de C.V.
Blvd. de las Cataratas No. 3
Jardines del Pedregal
Delegacion Alvaro Obregon
Mexico 01900, D. F.
MEXICO
Telephone:  [phone]
FAX:  [phone]

LATIN AMERICA (orders)
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
International Order Department
Jacob Way
Reading, MA 01867 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

ASIA except JAPAN (inquiries)
Addison-Wesley (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
15 Beach Road
05-02/09/10 Beach Centre
SINGAPORE 0718
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

ASIA except JAPAN (orders)
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
International Order Department
Jacob Way
Reading, MA 01867 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]


JAPAN (orders and inquiries)
Toppan Company, Ltd.
(all books)
Ochanomizu Square B, 1-6
Kanda Surugadai
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101
JAPAN
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

JAPAN (orders and inquiries)
Maruzen Company, Limited
(X Window System Series only)
3-10 Nihonbashi, 2-Chome
Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 103
JAPAN
Telephone:  [phone]
FAX:  [phone]



___________________________________________________________________

II.  Internet User Guide

            The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog
                            By Ed Krol
                       O'Reilly and Associates


o 400 pages (approx); Will probably include a quickref
o $24.95; quantity discounts available
o ISBN 1-56592-025-2
o Available September 10, 1992  (available overseas in late October)
o Order from ORA directly (1-800-998-9938) or your local bookstore

"The Whole Internet" is a complete and comprehensive introduction to
the Internet for new users.  In the Nutshell tradition, it contains
"all you need to know" about the Internet to get started and to make
use of it.  The author, Ed Krol, has been around the Internet for
years, and is well-known as the author of RFC 1118, "The Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Internet."  However, this book is more than an update of
the "Hitchhiker's Guide": it's a complete new work, aimed at readers
who are new to the Net; users who have been poking around the Net,
but haven't really figured out how to use it well; and even users who
have been around for a while, but want to read up on some of the
newer services that are available.

We started this project when we were asked to write a book that would
answer most of the questions that a new Internet user brings to a
network administrator.  The challenge was very frank: "If you've
succeeded, I can stick a note on my door telling users to buy this
book before bugging me with questions--and then only deal with real
problems."  We think we've succeeded.  If you're an administrator,
you can recommend this book, and watch your workload decline.  If
you're a new user, you can read this book and avoid dealing with your
grumpy admin.

Another of our goals was evangelistic: to generate interest among
people who are only vaguely familiar with the Internet.  We did this
by showing what the Network offers--most specifically, in the form of
a Resource Catalog that lists a broad range of the resources that are
out there, ranging from the Bryn Mawr Classical Reviews to Project
Hermes (law) to Not Just Cows (agriculture) and the University of
Stuttgart's wonderful online cookbook.  We chose to make this list as
broad and eclectic as possible.  It's not a list of free software
sources, for example; it's a list that anyone from a high-school
teacher to a theologian can pick up, glance at, and say "yes, that's
interesting; this Internet thing might be worthwhile."

Of course, this book offers everything that you'd expect in a book
about the Internet--a little history, how the net works, addressing,
and general background on what you're allowed to do.  We cover the
standard Internet services--telnet, ftp, mail, news, white-pages,
including "minor" applications like talk and chat.  We give advice on
what to do and what not to do: how electronic mail differs from
postal mail or a phone message, how to avoid poorly thought-out news
postings that can start seemingly endless flame wars.

But basic knowledge of the tools and etiquetter is only half the
problem. To a new user--or even to an old user--the Internet is
fairly confusing and disorganized.  Finding what you want can be like
searching for a needle in a haystack.  Not long ago, the only way to
find out about Internet resources was to keep you ear to the ground,
attend conferences, and talk to gurus.  Our Resource Catalog only
partly solves this problem: we've had to be selective, and new
resources are added daily.  Four new Internet applications--Archie,
the Gopher, WAIS, and the World-Wide Web (WWW)--provide the real
solution.  These four tools are like "reference librarians" that let
you find, with relatively little trouble, exactly what you want:

Archie  points you at files in FTP archives.  It's particularly
        useful for finding free software;

Gopher  is a general tool for accessing any Internet resource, via
        subject-oriented menus;

WAIS    is an extremely powerful tool for searching large libraries
        and collections, based on keywords;

WWW     organizes all of the Internet's resources in terms of a
        "hypertext" model.  You can move between resources by
        following "links."

To a new user, these are the tools that make the Internet worthwhile.
This is the only book we know of that covers all of these tools.


CONTENTS:

1:  What Is This Book About?
2:  What is the Internet?
3:  How the Internet Works
4:  What's Allowed on the Internet
5:  Remote Login: Telnet
6:  Moving a File: FTP
7:  Electronic Mail
8:  Network News
9:  Finding Software: Archie
10: Finding Someone
11: Finding Anything: Gopher
12: Searching Libraries: WAIS
13: The World as Hypertext: WWW
14: Other Applications
15: Dealing with Problems
    Resources of the Internet
A:  Service Providers
B:  International Network Connectivity
C:  Acceptable Use
    INDEX

The Resource Catalog portion of the book will be available through
the Internet.  We haven't decided on actually how (anonymous FTP,
WAIS resource, hypertext?), so stay tuned for details.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
This and other O'Reilly books are available through bookstores or
directly from the publisher. For a list of our overseas distributors
or US bookstores  mail, FAX, or call 707-829-0515.
US and Canada: To order from the publisher, write to O'Reilly &
Associates,  103A Morris St, Sebastopol, CA  95472, call
1-800-998-9938, or FAX [phone]. Email questions to [e-mail]
or uunet!ora!nuts.

Karen Lewis  <[e-mail]>
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.



____________________________________________________________________

III. 1992 Mathematica Conference: Tokyo, Japan

                     *******************************

                       1992 MATHEMATICA CONFERENCE

                              TOKYO, JAPAN

                             OCTOBER 17 1992

                           *******************

The 1992 Mathematica Conference is an opportunity to gain training in
Mathematica, and to find out how people across science,technology,
engineering, and education are using Mathematica.  It will feature a
keynote address by Stephen Wolfram, the principle architect of
Mathematica, Mathematica tutorials, a question and answer session,
and a wide range of Mathematica user presentations.  The conference
is intended not only for users at all levels, but also for people
interested in learning more about Mathematica.


LOCATION
--------

Kyoiku Kaikan
3rd Floor
Itsuhashi 2-6-2
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 101
Telephone: [phone]

TIMES
-----

**  10:30:  Welcome Gathering

**  11:00:  Opening Address, Stephen Wolfram, President of Wolfram
            Research
            "State of Mathematica"

**  12:30:  Roman Maeder, Churihi Science Institute
            "Programming in Mathematica"

**  13:30-18:00:

Japanese User Presentations - various users will present their
   experience with Mathematica in their individual research and
   study.

Tutorials - Introduction to Mathematica, Introduction to Programming
   in Mathematica, Data Analysis and Graphics, Numerical Analysis

Exhibition area for related products and publications

Problem Solving/Question Room

**  18:00-20:00:  Reception


REGISTRATION
------------

The entrance fee is free and interested people are encouraged to
pre-register at:

Scientist-sha
Attention Mr. Matsuo Ono
Yamazaki Building
3-2 Kanda Suragadai
Chiyoda-ku   Tokyo 101
Tel: Country code 81-3-3253-8992
Fax: [phone]

Please provide this information:

Name:
Address:
Telephone number:
Fax number:

How long have you been using Mathematica?
a. 2 years
b. 1 year
c. Just began
d. Thinking of using

Which system do you use?
a. Unix
b. Macintosh
c. PC
d. NEC 98
e. Other

What is your area of interest?
a. mathematics
b. physics
c. economics
d. calculations
e. communication
f. government

Which tutorial interests you?
a. Introduction
b. Programming
c. Data Analysis and Graphics
d. Numerical Analysis


The sponsors of the Conference are Qualitas Japan, Sumisho
Electronics, National Federation of of University Co-operative
Association, Hulinks, ASR International, Japan Information Processing
Service, and Wolfram Research.



____________________________________________________________________

IV.  NeXTSTEP programmer Position open at Archetype

Archetype is looking for a senior programmer to work on their NeXT
document engine.  They are located in Waltham, MA.

Archetype needs a highly experienced NeXT programmer,
preferably one with publishing experience.

Contact: Archetype at [e-mail]

____________________________________________________________________

V.  MusicKit update

NeXT is unbundling the MusicKit.  CCRMA (the computer music research
center at Stanford University) is taking over the development and
support for the MusicKit.  This is good for several reasons:

* CCRMA can do a better job of maintaining and developing the
MusicKit than NeXT - NeXT lacked the dedicated resources and the
time to give the MusicKit the attention it deserved.

* In the past, releases of the MusicKit have been tied to major
releases of NeXTSTEP, usually once every 12-18 months.  Now, CCRMA
will be in a position to release upgrades and bugfixes more
frequently.

With our internal resources free to focus on other Sound and Music
related stuff, we've implemented a bunch of improvements in the
SoundKit and MIDI drivers (which we are NOT unbundling).  A few of
the new features you can expect in Release 3.0 of NeXTSTEP include:

    * Real time mixing of sounds
    * Audio Transform Coding to give you 4:1 to 10:1 data
    reduction without affecting sound quality
    * High-quality sample rate conversion of arbitrary ratios
    * A leaner, meaner MIDI driver (thanks to David Jaffe) with
    support for MIDI time code

NeXT is working with CCRMA to make it easy for eveyone in the world
to get the MusicKit for Release 3.0.  I can't tell you (yet) about
the schedule for CCRMA's release of the MusicKit.  We still have
to deliver a full-fledged Release 3.0 to them (and the rest of the
world), and as I mentioned, there's still an important signature
that's missing before CCRMA is legally empowered to distribute the
MusicKit.

Stay tuned for more news as it breaks.  We'll keep the nextmusic
mailing list (email [e-mail] to join) informed.


- Robert Poor
  NeXT Computer, Inc



____________________________________________________________________

VI.  Appsoft Draw is Now Available on the Archives


August, 1992, Redwood City California.

A fully functional version of Appsoft Draw  which you can authorize
for 30 days has been posted to the sonata and nova archives under
/pub/next/submissions!

Appsoft Draw is the first mainstream drawing tool designed
specifically for NeXTSTEP.  We are extremely pleased with the
product's success and think you will enjoy it as well.

It has been shipping for only two months and is already being
described as "the perfect NeXTSTEP drawing package."  Chuck Hansen at
Motorola writes that Appsoft Draw is "awesome."  Independent designer
Michael Bodily says, "Draw is easier to use than Illustrator.  It's
perfect for corporate or in-house use."  NeXTWORLD magazine calls it
"ideal as a basic drawing tool for both general users and
professional illustrators."

Find out for yourself.  Here's how it works.  You have to first
download the AppsoftDraw.tar file and install it.  Then when you
start your copy of Draw, you will be asked to call Appsoft, toll
free, at 1-800-428-2777.  When you call us and give us your serial
number, we will give you an authorization number on the spot which
will turn on Draw for 30 days.  If you get stuck, consult the
fully indexed Help files included with the application.  Or call us
direct and we will be happy to help you out.

Spread the word about  Appsoft Draw!  Feel free to give a copy of
your demo disk to anybody else with a NeXT machine.  Enter the
Appsoft Draw Art Contest described in the enclosed flier.  Send us
your creations and you could win free copies of Appsoft Draw and
Appsoft Image, our new photo editing and image processing package due
out in September.  Above all, tell us what you think about the
application.  We are always interested in feedback and suggestions.

Peter Seymour
Director of Sales

Email: [e-mail]

Appsoft, Inc.
255 Shoreline Dr., Suite 520
Redwood City, CA 94065
415 802-2900   fax   [phone]


____________________________________________________________________

VII. NeXT CD-ROM Creation Solution

For those NeXT users and user groups thinking about creating a CD-ROM
disk, here is one solution: the Young Minds CDROM formatting software
used to create tapes.  Their contact information is:

    Young Minds, Inc.
    1910 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 300
    Redlands, CA 92374

    Phone: [phone]
    Fax:   [phone]

They make software for creating both ISO9660 and Rockridge CDROM
format disks.

For duplication of disks:
3M does duplication.  3M's main office contact information is:

    3M Optical Recording
    1425 Parkway Drive
    Menomie, WI 54751

    [phone]



____________________________________________________________________


VIII.  WarpIt Image Tool for NeXT computers begins shipping

MIDIapolis Systems and Black Adder Research announce distribution
agreement

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, August, 1992 -- Black Adder Research
announced today the release of WarpIt, an image manipulation
application for NeXT computers. MIDIapolis Systems announced an
agreement with Black Adder Research in which MIDIapolis Systems will
distribute WarpIt through its dealers.

"WarpIt is a powerful image processing tool, the first of its kind on
the NeXT platform", said William Rozzi, owner of Black Adder
Research.

WarpIt allows user to perform animated transformations of digital
images, similar to the morphing effects featured in recent videos and
feature films. For example, an image of a person's face could be
distorted over a series of frames to make their nose grow. The
resulting sequence may be edited, played back, and saved as an
animation file.

In addition to the non-linear mesh warp, WarpIt includes rotation,
shear, perspective, mirroring, and scale change operations, all
implemented using non-aliasing algorithms.

"It's another step towards establishing NeXT as a leader in the
computer graphics world", said Gerard Schwarz, president of
MIDIapolis Systems.

WarpIt is expected to be used in a large variety of fields
including graphic arts for photo correction and electronic
caricatures, law enforcement for mug shots using composites of warped
real images, multimedia for still graphics and animations,
cartography for image registration, and for the development of icons
from real images.

Price and availability

WarpIt is available now from MIDIapolis Systems' dealers including
NeXTConnection for a suggested list price of $###.##. For more
information about WarpIt contact MIDIapolis Systems directly.

MIDIapolis Systems, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a software
developer that specializes in multimedia and graphics software.
WarpIt follows their release of SoundBursts Digital Sound Collections
for NeXT Computers in March 1992. Black Adder Research, located in
Stillwater, Minnesota, was founded in 1991 to develop high-quality
graphic tools for NeXT computers.

    Contacts:

    Gerard Schwarz                William Rozzi
    MIDIapolis Systems            Black Adder Research
    3208 W. Lake St Suite 133        730 Norell Ave North
    Minneapolis, MN  55416            Stillwater, MN  55082
    612-822-1604                612-436-5021
    [e-mail]

WarpIt and Black Adder Research are trademarks of Black Adder
Research.  NeXT is a trademark of NeXT Computer, Inc. Display
Postscript and Postscript are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems,
Inc.


____________________________________________________________________

IX.  NeXTSTEP Database Programmer Wanted

Encompass, a well funded startup backed by two fortune 100 companies
is in the business of providing logistics solutions to major
international corporations.  We're located in Cary, NC.

Our group uses an in-house developed application, on the NeXT, to
develop EDI transactions for our customers.  We make extensive use of
NeXT workstations and VAX networks.

Please call (collect is ok) or e-mail and I'll be glad to tell you
more about our company and what we do.

James "Cliff" Elam
[phone] (v,w)
Email: [e-mail]  (NeXT mail)


____________________________________________________________________
end