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SILICON TIMES REPORT ==================== INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ============================= from STR Electronic Publishing Inc. A subsidiary of STR Worldwide CompNews Inc. March 03, 1995 No. 1109 ====================================================================== Silicon Times Report International OnLine Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155 R.F. Mariano, Editor Featured in ITCNet's ITC_STREPORT Echo ----------------------------------------- Voice: 1-904-783-3319 10am-4pm EST STR Publishing Support BBS * THE BOUNTY INTERNATIONAL BBS * Featuring: * 45GB * of Download Files Operating with * Mustang Software's WILDCAT! BBS v4.01 * Fully Networked within the following Nets: ITCNet 85:881/253 JAX HUB ~ FIDO Net 1:112/35 Prowl ~ USPOLNet ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:301/3 Delivered via Subscriber List through Internet 904-786-4176 MULTI-NODE 24hrs-7 days 2400-115.2 bps V.32-34 v.42 bis 28.8 Hayes Optima 28.8 V.FC Data/Fax USRobotics D/S Data/Fax 28.8 V.34 Everything FAX: 904-783-3319 12am-6am EST ----------------------------------------- The Bounty STReport Support Central .... 1-904-786-4176 FNET. 620 : Leif's World ................1-904-573-0734 FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493 FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 MNET - Toad Hall BBS.....................1-617-567-8642 ______________________________________________________________________ > 03/03/95 STR 1109 "The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine!" """"""""""""""""" - STR INDUSTRY REPORT - COREL 5f FIX List - McAfee 215 - IBM Releases PCDos 7 - Digital & WIN'95 - Frankie's Corner - Adaptec SCSI FAQ - Corel Ventura Fixes - CALAMUS SL NEWS - CATBOX RSN? - People Talking - Jaguar News -* GATES REPLIES TO SPINDLER! *- -* SCSI ON PARADE *- -* INTUIT ADMITS TO BUG IN TAX PROGRAM *- ========================================================================== 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 BBS, invites all BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the ITC/Fido/Internet/PROWL/USENET/USPOLNet/NEST/F-Net Mail Networks. You may also call The Bounty BBS direct @ 1-904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps and users alike worldwide, are welcome to join STReport's International Conferences. ITC Node is 85:881/250, The Fido Node is 1:112/35, Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All computer enthusiasts, hobbyist or commercial on all platforms and BBS systems are invited to participate. ========================================================================== CIS ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET ~ CIX USENET ~ USPOLNET ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ PROWL ~ FNET ~ AOL ========================================================================== SOFTWARE CREATIONS BBS is proud to distribute Silicon Times Report STReport International OnLine Magazine -------------------------------- With more than 130 Lines of PCBOARD access, Internet, Telnet and X.25 local access in every major city world-wide through SprintNet Software Creations delivers the files! -------------------------------------------------- Silicon Times Report joins names like Apogee Software, Borland, id Software, TriSoft, Interactive Gaming, PC Techniques, Coriolis, Fastgraph, PC Information Group, and many more. -------------------------------- Real-Time Credit Card Approval and Membership Upgrades The Software Download Store - for on the spot purchase/approval and download ability! -------------------------------- Call 1-800-4SWCBBS (479-2227); Fax 1-508-365-7214 for more information! ----------------------------------------------------- So, Get the latest releases from SOFTWARE CREATIONS BBS "Home of the Authors" * Software Creations, Voted #1 BBS for 1993 & 1994 * 1200/2400 V.42/MNP Lines : (508) 365-2359 2400-14.4k HST US Robotics Lines : (508) 368-7036 2400-16.8k V.32/V.42bis US Robotics lines : (508) 368-7139 14.4-28.8k V.32/V.42bis/V.fc Hayes Optima lines: (508) 365-9352 14.4-28.8k V.32/V.42bis/V.32terbo/V.fc US Robotics lines: (508) 368-3424 ======================================================================== 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! "Enjoy CompuServe's forums; where information is at its very best! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" LottoMan Results: 02/25/95: one 3# match and four 2# matches ---------------- > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" Everybody has a pet peeve and sooner or later, they'll tell you all about it. Well, here's mine. I wonder how many of you will agree with me. My major pet peeve in the computing world is when I realize I've been beta testing a "finished product" or , so I thought it was finished. Yes, yes, I realize that a really in-depth program is always a "work in progress". But there has to be a point where, as we all have seen, that a program is considered "fit for release". Why is it then.. that we have so many of the "fit for release" type programs that seemingly have a "hit parade" of updates and then... a "pay for" upgrade shortly thereafter that merely amounts to a number of major bug fixes? No.. There's no need to name specific programs. Doing that solves nothing and tends to make for hard feelings. Those of you who are reading this and do have the ability to make a "difference" take a moment or two and ponder these thoughts. Wouldn't it be a far better thing if the user knew in advance that he was in for some "undocumented features"? Sure there are beta programs setup for software enhancement but it doesn't always work out that way. Try to make sure the software or, hardware for that matter, is really "ready to go". If its borderline, say so or better yet, don't let it out the door until its really ready. In the coming weeks.. we shall be doing a great of work with SCSI packages, designs and software. Personally, I feel SCSI is the way to go. We shall look at SCSI adapters, tape backups and their software, hard drives, CDRoms, scanners and other peripherals too numerous to mention at this time. The most important of which is the backup facilities offered in the SCSI world. We will carry a number of qualifying articles that should bring the reader up to speed with SCSI. Its going to get very interesting. Both for the novice, the casual, and the power user. SCSI never ceases to amaze me. You are in for a treat. Ralph... Of Special Note: ---------------- STReport will be branching out further to Internet's userbase in the very near future. We've received numerous requests to receive STReport from a wide variety of Internet addresses. As a result, we're putting together an Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wish to receive STReport on a regular basis, and we'll UUENCODE each issue and mail it to you. If you're interested in being added to our mailing list, please, send your requests to either "dpj@delphi.com" or, RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM. Look for mailings to begin by October first. We are also considering a number of Internet ftp sites in which to post our issues for as well. Whatever we can do to make STReport available to you. we'll try it! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""" Publisher -Editor """""""""""""""""" Ralph F. Mariano Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor, Current Affairs Section Editors """"""""""""""" PC SECTION AMIGA SECTION MAC SECTION ATARI SECTION ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------- R.D. Stevens R. Niles J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin John Szczepanik Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur Melanie Bell Jay Levy Jeff Kovach Marty Mankins Carl Prehn Paul Charchian Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Dominick J. Fontana Norman Boucher Clemens Chin Eric Jerue Ron Deal Mike Barnwell Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt Patrick Hudlow Tom Sherwin Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: CompuServe................... 70007,4454 Delphi......................... RMARIANO GEnie......................... ST.REPORT BIX............................ RMARIANO FIDONET........................ 1:112/35 FNET........................... NODE 620 ITC NET...................... 85:881/253 NEST........................ 90:21/350.0 America OnLine..................STReport Internet.............RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM IMPORTANT NOTICE ---------------- STReport, with its policy of not accepting any paid advertising, has over the years developed the reputation of "saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue. The Staff & Editors """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS """"""""""""""""""" IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I) =========================== Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #09 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. ******* General Computer News ******* >> Intuit Admits to Bug in Tax Program << Intuit Inc. says it has found a major bug in its income tax software that can affect its TurboTax and MacInTax programs and says it will replace the affected programs free of charge beginning Friday. The firm said it also will pay any penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service on its customers as a result of errors in the program. Reports quote Intuit officials as saying the bug was discovered sev- eral weeks ago and that it affects less than 1 percent of the million customers using TurboTax and the 400,000 using MacInTax. The specific instances in which the calculation errors will occur include if the user: -:- Has only disability income. -:- Is taking a section 179 deductible for an automobile. -:- Is working with the Estimated Tax Worksheet to estimate payments for the 1995 tax year. -:- Is depreciating an asset in the final year of its depreciable life. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the flaw and said one user found his business income was $8,400 less on MacInTax than it was on Intuit's Quicken program. Asked why the company did not announce the flaw sooner despite knowing about it for several weeks, Intuit executive William Harris said it was important to be able to specify the problems and how users can fix them. The software publisher said it is contacting registered users of the programs to notify them of the availability of the corrected versions. But Harris added that the flawed program should still work for 99% of customers. Starting Thursday, Intuit is operating an exclusive phone line set up to handle requests on a 24-hour basis. The line, 800-224-0948, will ask users for their name, address and phone number and whether they are requesting the new TurboTax or the new MacInTax version. >> Justice to Query Online Firms << Word is that in its review of Microsoft Corp.'s planned $1.5 billion acquisition of Intuit Corp., the Justice Department will interview the three largest online services. Reports say that investigators want to get input from CompuServe, America Online and Prodigy on the potential anti-competitive effects of the deal. Meanwhile, other reports are saying that Apple Computer Inc., Sun Microsystems Inc. and Sybase Inc. have paid for a Silicon Valley law firm to object to the Microsoft-Intuit deal and the company's antitrust settlement with the Justice Department. Representatives of all four companies declined to comment. >> McGraw-Hill Launches New Magazine << McGraw-Hill Inc., publisher of Byte magazine, is getting into the hunt for the home computing market, joining forces with IDD Enterprises LP., publisher of Nest Egg magazine, to bring out a new monthly to be called Home Computer Advisor. The new publication will use the editorial expertise of Byte magazine and a new distribution channel developed by IDD for Nest Egg. >> Compton's Challenges Microsoft << The makers of the electronic Compton's Encyclopedia allege Microsoft Corp. won't allow them on the online service it is developing because Microsoft makes a rival reference work, the software called Encarta. Some say the charge "adds to the list of gripes about anti-competitive practices at the largest developer of personal computer software. And it raises questions how Microsoft can both develop products for its electronic pipeline and encourage others to do so." Microsoft denies it refused to work with the new media division of Tribune Co., which created the computerized versions of Compton's Encyclopedia. >> TI Forecasts Strong Chip Market << Texas Instruments forecasts that the worldwide semiconductor market will grow by about 21% in 1995 to $124 billion. TI notes that the market's growth is primarily due to the continued strength of Asia- Pacific region and the U.S., as well as an improved economy in Europe. TI's estimates; The U.S. market will grow at 22% to $41 billion, compared to $34 billion in 1994. The Japan market will see semiconductor market growth of about 17% to a total of $34.5 billion. In 1994, Japan's market reached $29 billion. The Europe markit is expected to grow by about 23% to $24 billion compared to $20 billion in 1994. The Asia- Pacific region will lead the world in growth at about 26% for 1995. The Asia- Pacific region is expected to reach $24 billion in 1995, compared with $19 billion in 1994. >> Phone Firms to Buy TV Boxes << Three phone companies -- Bell Atlantic Corp., Nynex Corp. and Pacific Telesis Group -- say they will buy up to 4 million set-top boxes for interactive TV and computing during the next five years. It's felt that by jointly buying the equipment, the firms "aim to speed up development and implementation of such advanced communication services." The set-top boxes generally range from $350 to several thousand dollars apiece, depending on function, and the trio hopes to get a better price by combining their request. Bell Atlantic, Nynex and Pac Tel provides phone service to 30 million households in the East and California and Nevada. >> TI Offers TravelMate Notebook << The TravelMate 5000 notebook computer has been unveiled by Texas Instruments, which says the unit includes a 75MHz Pentium processor with peripheral component interconnect bus architecture. The company said the TravelMate 5000 family, available next month, includes two models based on the 75MHz 3.3-volt Pentium processor with PCI bus and a choice of 10.4 inch active matrix color or 10.5 inch dual scan color displays. TI adds the TravelMate 5000 Active Matrix Color has an estimated U.S. price of $5,899. >> Digital Announces Win95 Support << Digital Equipment Corp. says it will preload Windows 95 on all of its desktop and notebook computers when the operating system becomes available. The computer maker notes that all of its systems currently support the industry standard for Plug & Play technology as well as the Micro- soft Hardware Design Guide for Windows 95. The company also reports that it has signed a Windows 95 market development agreement with Microsoft Corp. >> Zenith Cuts Prices Up to 30% << Prices on Zenith Data Systems' line of '486 desktop computers have been cut by as much as 30%. In a statement, offices, the firm says the pricing strategy results from "lowered costs on components and a concerted effort to continue offering customers more value per system dollars spent." >> Most European Leaders Not Online << Only a few of Europe's leaders are plugged in. According to The Washington Post: -:- Poland's premier is active on the global Internet computer network. -:- President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland uses e-mail to keep in touch with son Marko. -:- The Kremlin's top science adviser and a bunch of Baltic government ministers are online. However, "just a handful of leaders in western Europe have Internet electronic mail addresses and none of them resides in its power centers London, Paris or Berlin." In fact, says the paper, "Spain's prime minister, Felipe Gonzalez, doesn't even have a personal computer. A series of calls trying to determine whether Italy's premier, Lamberto Dini, is on the Internet was fruitless. Many of the people in his office didn't know what Internet was." >> CD-ROM Men's Magazine to Make Debut << Marinex Multimedia says it is developing a CD-ROM-based men's magazine. The publication, titled Trouble & Attitude, the Multimedia Magazine for Men, is scheduled for a spring launch. The $9.95 disc will be dis- tributed on newsstands, in video stores and through direct response advertising, direct mail and other channels both domestically and internationally. New York-based Marinex says Trouble & Attitude will be the first CD- ROM to use the men's magazine format to target a young (18-34), upscale male audience for whom the computer is emerging as both the information and entertainment medium of choice. The company notes that Trouble & Attitude will feature video- intensive, multimedia profiles of women, as well as timely general and special interest stories. An "on-camera cyberjockey" will anchor each segment. The premiere issue's cover story will be a multimedia exploration of the television program Baywatch. Other features will include a preview of the first interactive, CD- ROM-based Bikini Challenge; a visual tour of Troma Films, the studio specializing in campy B- movies, including the Toxic Avenger series; a tribute to the late Marshall McLuhan, the "forgotten guru" of the electronic age; Erik Larsen's comic book art, including exclusive previews of forthcoming titles; and a 10,000 word text and speech guide to the world's spy agencies. >> Apple Settles Part of RSI Suit << Apple Computer Inc. has settled its portion of a lawsuit from a secretary who contends she wasn't adequately warned about the potential for injury from keyboard use. As reported earlier, Nancy Urbanski 30, a former Eagan High School secretary who says she lost her job because of repetitive stress injuries, had accused Apple and IBM of negligence. She had used both brands of keyboards. Meanwhile, IBM spokesman Tom Beermann said his employer does not plan to settle, that "our intention is to see this through. We would not read too much into the Apple settlement. The fact remains that there is no scientific evidence linking computer keyboards to injury." Urbanski, whose typing speed was once clocked at 95 words a minute, first noticed pain in her left arm and hand in July 1991. It later spread to her other arm. She says the school district tried to find other work for her but had to let her go in June 1993. In addition to losing her job, Urbanski says she cannot perform housework and other everyday activities. Attorney Steven Phillips said IBM and Apple easily could have provided warnings about repetitive stress injuries, telling keyboard users about the need to take breaks and the importance of proper posture. But, he argued, because the computer companies did not, many people worked through their pain, unaware they were on the road to permanent disability. He said similar injuries did not occur with typewriters because certain tasks -- such as changing paper and hitting the carriage return -- broke up the repetitiveness of the work. >> IBM Releases PC DOS 7 << PC DOS 7, which offers more memory and more disk space than any previous versions of the operating system, has been released by IBM Corp. IBM officials are quoted as saying the new DOS includes integrated data compression from Stac Electronics, an extensive built- in help system, and "exclusive features designed for mobile users, such as file synchronization, docking capabilities and the latest support from Phoenix Technologies for PCMCIA cards." This is IBM's 14th release of the DOS, which upgrades any version 3.3 and higher and is supported on all IBM and IBM-compatible personal computers. Customers should be able to upgrade for less than $60, IBM said. >> Software Piracy Up 14%, SPA Says << A new study suggests U.S. and foreign companies lost $8.08 billion last year to worldwide piracy of business software, which rose 14% over 1993 estimates. Reports quote the SPA as saying lack of enforcement of intellectual property rights laws is the leading factor behind the growing piracy rate. The report says pirated business software -- ranging from accounting and desktop publishing programs to spreadsheets and e-mail -- grew to 125 million units in 1994 from 110 million in 1993. The SPA says the biggest offenders are China, Russia and Thailand. The U.S., the world's leading producer of business software, sus- tained the second most losses after Japan. U.S. companies lost an esti- mated $1.05 billion in 1994. A drop in the average price of U.S.-made software, largely accounted for a nearly 50% drop in estimated revenue lost between 1993 and 1994. >> U.K. Computer Crime Uncovered << A British watchdog agency says it has unearthed a computer crime wave at the heart of government. The National Audit Office has reported that after new tighter controls on British civil servants were issued to ministries and government agencies on checking for misuse of computers, the number of incidents detected rocketed in 1993 and 1994. Reports say: -:- Detected attempts to hack into computers rose 140% to 655. -:- Computer viruses were up 86% to 562. -:- Even simple theft of computer equipment was up 60% to 433 incidents costing $1.90 million. The study says government departments had stepped up efforts to com- bat information technology crimes, that fewer hacking attempts were suc- ceeding and that anti-virus software was helping to detect an increasing proportion of attempts to wreck programs. However, it added, "Departments and agencies still have some way to go on issues such as ... security training." >> Man Admits to Online Child Porn << A New Hampshire man faces prison time after he admitted he shipped child pornography over an online service. Reports from Concord, New Hampshire say Donald Angus Harvey pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court there. Federal prosecutors are quoted as saying Harvey faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced for shipping child pornography and sexually explicit messages via America Online to undercover agents in Orlando, Florida, who he thought were 14-year-old boys. _____________________________________________ > McAfee News STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""" Errata for VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (216) Copyright 1995 by McAfee, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I. INTRODUCTION This Errata Sheet covers changes and late-breaking news not covered in the VirusScan and VShield Version 2.1.5 (216) documentation. II. VIRUSSCAN A. DETECTION AND REMOVAL VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (216) has been released to address a false positive report of the Dark Avenger virus on DOS 3.3's EXE2BIN.EXE. No other changes have been made since the 215 virus signature string data files. VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (215) adds detection of 280 new viruses and removal of 95 viruses. Most of the removers are for boot viruses. A complete list of viruses can be viewed by using VirusScan's /VIRLIST switch (DOS and OS/2) or clicking on the "Virus Info" button (Windows). Additionally, we have added the ability to generically remove boot sector and master boot record viruses in the event that (1) the original boot code cannot be found and (2) the data areas of the boot code are intact. This is handled automatically by VirusScan with no special command line options or settings. B. NEW FEATURES VirusScan v2.1.5 now scans inside of LZEXE-compressed files. Previous versions of VirusScan only scanned inside of PKLite-compressed files. This feature is handled automatically by VirusScan. To turn off scanning inside of compressed files, run VirusScan with the /NOCOMP switch (DOS and OS/2) or by removing the check-mark from the "Scan Compressed Executables" setting under Controls (Windows). C. FIXES VirusScan for OS/2 no longer causes a SYS3175 when scanning a file named TELEWAIT.SDW. II. VSHIELD VShield Version 2.1.5 fixes a memory fragmentation problem that may have caused system hangs under some circumstances. III. GENERAL Version 2.1.5 features significant improvements in eliminating false positive alarms: o Reports of many different viruses appearing in memory each time VirusScan was run on Tulip and Phillips PC's has been fixes. This may also fix false alarm problems with PC's using BIOS chips from Phoenix and AMI. o Several false positive alarms on files were fixed as well. The next release of VirusScan is scheduled for the third week of March 1995. AG022895 ___________________________________________ > Frankie's Corner STR Feature The Kids' Computing Corner """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Imagination Express CD-ROM versions for Windows and Macintosh for ages 5 and up retail price approximately $40 by Edmark Corporation P.O. Box 97021 Redmond, WA 98073-9721 (206) 556-8484 IBM Requirements Macintosh Requirements CPU: 386DX-25 CPU: Color Mac RAM: 8 megs RAM: 8 megs VIDEO: 256 color SVGA monitor Video: 256 color, 13" or > monitor HDISK: 2 megs HDISK: 2 megs CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended OS: Windows 3.1 OS: System 7 Misc.: Sound card, mouse "Imagination Express" is a powerful authoring system which allows children to create electronic books. The program uses thematic learning to teach children about the history, sociology and mythology of different "Destination" modules. These modules can be added to the program to expand your child's imagination and knowledge. Introductory copies of "Imagination Express" include "Neighborhood," which is a contemporary urban setting, and "Castle," which is based on Europe of the Middle Ages. Each Destination includes an illustrated talking electronic reference book containing information about the people, places and lifestyles of that Destination. These lessons are more interesting than those found in most history books. Each Destination also includes a completed story which will show the power of the authoring tools. Also included is a video segment in which several children suggest various story ideas in case your child gets writer's block. Each Destination gives you a number of backgrounds from which to choose. Dozens of characters are included and some are animated. Furnishings, animals, food and other props are also included. These items are called "Stickers" and are clicked and dragged onto the background. Subtle changes can be made to the stickers with the editor. Stickers can be turned to different perspectives. Some are animated but can be used in still form. Some stickers have prerecorded sound bites which can be used at your child's discretion. Using a microphone, audio can be recorded for all stickers. The feature which I found most revolutionary and fascinating is the three- dimensional appearance of the images. Stickers gain size as they are dragged to the foreground of the image. As they are moved to the background or horizon, they will become smaller. The stickers are constantly resized during any movement on the screen. Objects are not merely dragged and placed on top of the background. They can be placed behind, on or in other objects on the screen. This definitely gives the illusion of a three-dimensional image. I cannot adequately explain the uniqueness and advanced nature of this technique and I recommend that everyone view a demonstration of this product. "Imagination Express" also includes a small music library. The music is quite varied and can be used to introduce a scene and set the mood. Text can be placed on the screen using a choice of fonts, sizes and colors. Books can be viewed on the computer or printed. Multiple book pages can be printed on a single page to save paper. The adult control panel allows parents to set limitations on younger authors such as turning off the printing or recording features of the program. This program has mind-boggling graphics. The images are colorful and interesting. The included animations are short and jerky due to the use of few frames, but this does not detract from the magic of the program. The sounds and music in this program are excellent. Digitized voices and sounds are clear and realistic. The interface is very intuitive. The addition of audible help would have given it perfection. All commands are represented graphically in pictograms in toolbars. The manual is comprehensive and includes troubleshooting information. The program itself has an excellent on-line parent's section which is filled with information about learning and the best methods for using this product. Play value is excellent. Children will use this program for hours on end. My six-year-old son spent five hours working on a story one evening this week. He can't wait to show his finished book to his teacher and friends. Educational value is outstanding. "Imagination Express" has the power to inform children and to expand their minds. By creating stories, children will develop a greater interest in reading. The program includes suggestions on how to use it as a tool to teach reading and writing skills. The program also provides an excellent way for parents to spend fun, quality time with their budding authors. Parents can have a great time helping prereaders with the writing of their stories. Bang for the buck is exceptional. "Imagination Express" has a moderate retail price which is extremely small in relation to the hours of mind- expanding fun that it provides. This is a fantastic program for stimulating children's creativity. Ratings Graphics ........... 10.0 Sounds ............. 9.5 Interface .......... 9.5 Play Value ......... 10.0 Educational Value .. 10.0 Bang for the Buck .. 10.0 Average ............ 9.83 ____________________________________________________ > CorelDRAW 5.0 Rev. F STR InfoFile """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CorelDRAW 5.0 Rev. F Enhancement List ===================================== More than 100 enhancements have been incorporated into CorelDRAW 5 revision F. A list of key enhancements is provided below sorted by module. Additional details on these and other key issues are provided in the README file which accompanies the revision. Also listed is a point form summary of all issues addressed in this release. For a list of clipart updates, refer to the CLIPART.WRI file found in the \clipart sub- directory on CD-ROM #1. Corel VENTURA ------------- More than 100 logged problems have been addressed. Ventura now supports full drag-and-drop functionality of Corel Gallery files. Footnotes in a paragraph no longer cause other special items such as index entries, cross-references, and variable definitions to disappear. Ventura is now compatible with Microsoft's OLE 2.02 re-distributable DLLs. Addition of a new graphic file type (.VGF) which improves the speed at which graphics load and refresh. - All text and graphics filters have been updated. - Microsoft Word files containing bitmaps load faster. - Improved low resolution graphics display. - Improved Windows GDI printing speed, plus the ability to print rotated text and graphics. - General optimization of the frequency of screen redraws, file loading, etc. - Addition of Database Publisher (with support for Ventura 5.0) to the CD-ROM version. - Fixed a number of problems with frame anchors. - Fixed problems with loading complex tables in previous versions of Ventura. - Numerous enhancements have been made to the Index Entries Roll-up. - Miscellaneous OLE 2.0 fixes and enhancements. - Ventura no longer prints empty plates when generating color separations. - Improved support for extended characters (in tag names, imported text files, etc.). - Fixed miscellaneous bugs with Corel Query, Base on Template, and Index Entries. - Comprehensive list of documentation errata have been added to the README file. - General cleanup of On-line Help. CorelDRAW --------- CorelDraw and Ventura now detect colors in imported placeable EPS files when generating color separations. International settings and conventions are now available from within all dialogs. Numerous artistic and paragraph text display issues have been addressed. Problems editing paragraph text objects created in CorelDRAW 3.0 have been rectified. Improved performance when printing Type 1 Fonts to GDI printers. Type Assist now capitalizes the first word of sentences beginning with accented characters. - Resolved issues of fitting text to the path of objects which have been converted to curves and grouped. - Fixed a problem associated with the application of several texture fills with high DPI and pixel settings . - Fixed a General Protection Fault that sometimes occurred when selecting an arrowhead from within the Outline Pen Roll-up. - Fixed an error that produced invalid values in the Outline dialog when the "none" outline was selected via the pen flyout. - Changing the font used in paragraph text via the Text Roll-up no longer causes a reversion to the default paragraph font when a hard return is entered. - Title-case capitalization feature in Type Assist no longer causes a GPF when extremely large words are keyed in. - Fixed some miscellaneous problems associated with measurement controls in CorelDRAW. Corel PHOTO-PAINT ----------------- - Fixed problems certain video drivers caused when working with 1-bit (B&W) bitmaps. - Fixed instability of using the Texture Editor in conjunction with the text tool. - Fixed incorrect conversion to 256 colors when using the Optimized Error Diffusion feature. - Fixed miscellaneous color correction problems. - Fixed incorrect ruler behavior when changing the resolution of an image. - Fixed problems using partially loaded 1-bit and saving partially loaded grayscale files. ______________________________________________ > Adaptec SCSI STR InfoFile SCSI INFO CORNER """"""""""""""""""""""""" ADAPTEC SCSI INFORMATION ======================== The Authority on SCSI AHA-154x Common Questions and Answers ------------------------------------- Q. I disabled the BIOS via the switches and now I can no longer make changes to the adapter. A. Once the BIOS is disabled via the switches, the Ctrl-A SCSI Select will no longer function. An alternative for disabling the BIOS and still allowing for the <Ctrl>-A to function would be to use the Ctrl-A to disable the BIOS. This is done in the Advanced Configuration Options menu found under the Config/View Host Adapter Settings menu. Set the option Host Adapter BIOS (Configuration Utility Reserves BIOS Space) to DISABLE. This will disable the BIOS but still allow access to SCSI Select using <Ctrl>-A. Q. I have the AHA-1542B with the greater than a Gbyte BIOS and my system doesn't see the hard drive or just hangs there when I run Novell's SERVER program. What is the problem? A. The greater than a gigabyte BIOS is a DOS solution and should not be used with NetWare 386, since greater than a Gbyte support is built in. Remove the jumper at J6, position 2. Q. How do I correct the message "command port full" when installing an AHA-154xC and Novell 2.x? A. Ensure the hard disk drive is at SCSI ID 0 and the AHA-1540C Advanced Features has extended BIOS translation disabled and Dynamic Scan disabled. Q. Under INSTALL.NLM with the AHA-1542C card there is a message "The Host Adapter appears to be hung.." or "There are no accessible hard drive..." A. After you reboot your system press <Ctrl>-A, select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings, then press F6 to re-load the defaults. (The greater than a gigabyte option was enabled and this will not work under NOVELL). Q. When running NetWare with drives that are greater than 1 Gigabyte, do I enable the Extended BIOS Option? A: No, you do not enable that option when running under NetWare for any of our cards. You also need to ensure that on the AHA-154xC and AHA-154xCF the Dynamic Scan of the SCSI Bus is disabled. Press <F6> for default settings in the SCSI Select utility. If greater than 1 gigabyte is enabled upon installation, download the latest NetWare drivers from the NetWare directory on the BBS. Q. While installing NetWare 3.11 with a AHA-1540 Host Adapter, I load the driver AHA-1540.DSK. Then I load, install & select disk options. The system "beeps" and console displays a message that says: "Host adapter appears to be hung. Resetting Host Adapter." A: Press <F6> in the SCSI Select utility to reset to defaults, or disable the "Dynamically Scan SCSI Bus" option in the advanced configurations setup. Q. What do you do when you have an AHA-154xC, Novell 3.11 and Toshiba hard disk drive, and Novell INSTALL reports "no accessible disk drives." A: Remove "unit attention" jumper from the Toshiba hard drive, and check the version of AHA-1540.DSK to ensure it's current. Ensure the AHA-1540C Advanced Features has "Dynamic Scan" option disabled. AHA-294X Common Questions and Answers ------------------------------------- Q: Why wouldn't an AHA-2940 BIOS banner be displayed when installing the AHA-2940? A: Either the board is not in a bus mastering slot, or the PCI slot is not enabled for bus mastering in the CMOS setup. Check your motherboard manual to find out if the slot is bus mastering, or how to enable bus mastering for that slot. Q: On boot-up I get the error message "Host Adapter Configuration Error." A: In CMOS setup, enable IRQ for the PCI slot. Alternatively, you can mark one of the IRQs as free. Be aware that there may be an IRQ conflict with a built-in controller on the motherboard. For CMOS settings, refer to your PC user's manual. Q: On boot-up I get a message "BIOS installed Successfully", but my system hangs. A: Verify that the CMOS interrupt structure is set to "INTA" and the CMOS IRQ level matches the jumper setting on the motherboard. Refer to your PC user's manual. Q: When I invoke the <Ctrl>-A option, the message "Can not locate host adapter" is displayed. A: Update the AHA-2940 BIOS to version 1.11 (checksum 8200). If you have an EPROM burner, download the file 2940.EXE from the BBS. Otherwise, call Adaptec Technical Support at (408)-934-7274. Q: My Intel P90 system hangs during boot-up, while displaying "Starting MS-DOS...." A: Contact the system vendor to obtain the latest system BIOS. Q: When loading ASPI8DOS.SYS the system hangs, and then displays the error message: "Read BIOS Parameter Failed." A: Update ASPI8DOS.SYS manager (EZ-SCSI 3.11). Q: The ATI (Mach 64) video card installed with my AHA-2940 shows no video or causes intermittent hangs during boot under DOS or Windows. A: There are known compatibility issues between the two PCI cards. Contact ATI for possible resolution of these issues. Q: The EZ-SCSI installation hangs on installing the AIC-7870.DLL driver. A: Update to EZ-SCSI version 3.11. Q: Upon boot-up, a 486 AMI BIOS system displays the "Device Name Not Available" message during drive inquiry message. A. Contact your system vendor to obtain the latest system BIOS. Q. I heard that there is a new BIOS release for the AHA-2940. Do I need to upgrade my adapter? A. The BIOS v1.11, which replaces v1.10, corrects a problem for the OPTI chipset only. The problem prevented userS from accessing SCSI Select when selecting <Ctrl>-A. An error "No Host Adapter Found" will appear after selecting <Ctrl>-A. BIOS v1.11 corrects this problem. Unless you have an OPTI chipset, there is no need to upgrade the BIOS. Q. How do I determine which AHA-2940 is the primary card if I am duplexing under Novell? A. During boot-up, check the LED on the AHA-2940 cards to see which one illuminates first. Q. I recently upgraded from a previous SCSI Host Adapter to an AHA-2940 PCI adapter and the 78xx.SYS driver. When I removed the old adapter from the system, I connected the hard drive to the AHA-2940 and re-booted. Now the system will not boot. What's wrong? A. A possible solution is that when the new driver was added to the NTBOOTDD.SYS, the old driver was also there, and was configured to be activated at BOOTUP time. The new driver must be set to start at BOOTUP. This can be done in the Device section of the Control Panel. The old driver needs to be deleted from the NTBOOTDD.SYS if the card is no longer in the system. If the old card is still in the system but is not controlling the boot device, choose the Service section in the Control Panel and select the original driver to be started at SYSTEM time not BOOTUP. Hardware Common Questions and Answers ------------------------------------- Q. Which host adapter contains floppy controllers and which do not? A. Any Adaptec host adapter which has a "2" as the last number in the product name has an on board floppy controller. For example, the AHA-1542CF has floppy support, but the AHA-1540CF does not. Q. Is there a way to disable the floppy controller on the host adapter? A. Yes. Check your user's guide or installation manual for details. Installation manuals can be obtained by calling our Interactive Fax System at (408)-957-7150. Q. How many devices can I have on the host adapter? A. You can have up to seven (7) SCSI devices per host adapter. Note: the AHA-274xAT can support up to fourteen (14) SCSI devices, because it has two SCSI channels. The AHA-274xW can support up to fifteen (15) SCSI devices, because it uses Wide SCSI. Q. What is the difference between ISA, EISA, and VESA systems? A. ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) utilizes a 16-bit bus. EISA (Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture) uses a 32-bit bus, and has advanced data handling features. VESA (Video Enhanced Standard Architecture) also known as VL-bus, or VESA local bus, uses a 32-bit bus, and has advanced handling features. Q. What if I already have a controller I am booting from? A. All Adaptec host adapters will co-exist with another controller (IDE, ESDI, RLL, etc.). Any hard drive not connected to the host adapter must be the primary (or booting) drive controller (IDE, ESDI, RLL, etc.). Q. What are the names of the external cables for each controller? A. For the AHA-1510, AHA-1510A, AHA-152x, AHA-152xA, AHA-154x, AHA-154xB, AHA-154xC, and AHA-154xC host adapters, you will need a standard 50-pin SCSI cable (Centronics-style). For the AHA-1640, AHA-1740, AHA-174xA, AHA-274x series, the AHA-284xVL, and the AHA-2940 series host adapters, you will need a high-density 50 pin SCSI Cable. The AHA-274xW and AHA-2940W, use a 68 pin "P" style connector to hook up the wide devices. Adaptec now offers cable kits. For the Centronics style (also known as low-density), the part number is ACK-L2L. For the high density style, the part number is ACK-H2L. For the internal cable, with 5 connectors on it, the part number is ACK-INT5. For the AVA-1505/15, use a DB-25 external connector (Apple compatible). The cables can be ordered by calling (800)-442-7274. Q. How many host adapters can you have in one system? A. You can have two AHA-152x host adapters in your system at one time. You can have up to 4 AHA-154x host adapters in your system at one time. You can have up to four AHA-174x host adapters in Standard Mode; in Enhanced mode, you are limited to the number of bus mastering slots in your system. With the AHA-274x series, you are limited by the number of available bus mastering slots. With AHA-284x, you are limited by the number of available VL-Bus Master slots. Most systems have 2 or 3 VL-Bus slots, but they may not all be capable of bus mastering. Check your motherboard documentation to determine this. Q. What is bus mastering? A. Bus mastering uses DMA (Direct Memory Access). A bus mastering controller speeds up the system by bypassing the CPU when it addresses memory. This frees the CPU to process other commands that are in the cache. Q. Is technical documentation available for Adaptec hardware and software products? How do I get it? A. You can call Adaptec's Literature Hotline at (800)-934-2766, and request Technical Reference manuals or User's Guides for our hardware. Software manuals are available with the purchase of Adaptec software. Q. Is target mode supported by Adaptec host adapters? A. Target mode has been implemented in Adaptec's bus-mastering host adapter firmware for the AHA-154x, AHA-164x, and AHA-174x. However, our ASPI software managers do not currently support target mode. To get target mode to work you would need to write your own host adapter software manager, which is not a trivial effort. Adaptec cannot provide you with any assistance in this effort. You can request a Technical Reference Manual by calling our Literature Hotline at (800)-934-2766. Q. Why does my computer or SCSI think that I have 7 hard drives (or CD-ROMs, or...) when I only have one drive connected? A. When installing an Adaptec SCSI host adapter, SCSI bus protocol must be observed. The host adapter should be SCSI ID 7, always the highest ID number, so that the host adapter will always win SCSI arbitration. SCSI bus theory dictates that each device (the host adapter is a device) must have a unique and separate SCSI ID number. If a hard drive or other device is attached to the SCSI bus with the same ID as the host adapter, then the host adapter will see a response for "Phantom" devices at IDs where no device exists. To solve this problem, simply set the device ID to something other than that of the host adapters SCSI ID. If the device is a boot drive, then the SCSI ID should be set at 0. Q. How much ROM BIOS memory do the cards take up in the system? A. 16K for all cards (except the AHA-284xVL, AHA-2940, and AHA-2940W, which take up 32K). Q. Why can't I use the entire size of my hard drive that is rated over 1 gigabyte in capacity, when I am using DOS? A. DOS 4.x and up has a limit of 1024 cylinders per physical drive. This limitation, on current disk controllers and SCSI host adapter that utilize the standard of 1 Megabyte per cylinder, leads to a 1 gigabyte limit. The AHA-1542B with greater than Gbyte support, and the AHA-174xA (with special BIOS in Enhanced Mode using ASW-C174 v3.1) have the ability to break this limit. If your AHA-154XB has a BIOS part # of 420418-00D or greater, or if your AHA-174xA has a BIOS part number of 450216-00-A or greater, then you already have support for more than 1 gigabyte. Refer to your User Manual's addendum for help on setting up this feature. Alternatively, users who need this support can download the latest AHA-154xB or AHA-174x microcode and BIOS files from the BBS for use with an EPROM burner. The EPROM'S needed are 27C128 at 200ns for the AHA-154xB and 150ns for the AHA-174x. AHA-154xC, AHA-274x, AHA 284x, and AHA-2940 boards come ready to support hard drives larger than that 1 gigabyte. Extended BIOS Translation for DOS Drives greater than a Gbyte is set to enable. If you do not have an EPROM burner, call the Adaptec Software Hotline at (800)-442-7274. Q. Why can't I use my new CD-ROM/Tape/WORM drive with my Adaptec host adapter? A. Most Adaptec SCSI host adapters are designed to support 2 hard drives and on some models, floppy drives with just a bare board. Additional devices require the use of a device driver. For more information on what your particular host adapter/kit should support, contact your dealer or distributor, or look at KITS.TXT on this BBS for an overview. Specification sheets are available on Adaptec's Interactive Fax System. Q. Why when I boot do I see a message that says something like "SCSI BIOS not installed," or I see a message saying "Drive C already installed" or "Searching for Target 0"? A. The BIOS on Adaptec host adapter is used primarily for installing and booting from attached SCSI hard drives set to ID 0 (Target 0). SCSI ID of the hard drive is set with jumpers or switches located on the hard drive. If the host adapter you are using is not being used to control a SCSI hard drive, and the host adapter has been working with the attached devices and their associated drivers, then disable the BIOS on the host adapter you are using. Consult your host adapter User's Guide, or Installation Pamphlet for the jumper that enables the BIOS, or the software switch that needs to be set to disable the BIOS. AHA-152x and AHA-154x boards can have the BIOS disabled with jumpers. The AHA-1640, AHA-174x, and AHA-274x boards BIOS' enabling is controlled by software. The AHA-154xC and AHA-2840 boards BIOS address is controlled by DIP switches, located at the top edge of the board, or through <CTRL>-A for SCSI Select. AHA-2940 BIOS is controlled through <CTRL>-A for SCSI Select only. Q. Can you mix different SCSI host adapters in the same system, such as the AHA-154x and the AHA-274x? A. Yes, you can as long as they do not conflict with IRQ, BIOS and DMA channels. The only exceptions are the AHA-174x and the AHA-274x, which can share IRQ's if the system allows shared IRQ's. Q. How can you prevent de-activation under Novell on extended hard drives? A. Get a quality cable (SCSI-2 specification) for any kind of Adaptec card. This can be purchased from the Adaptec Software Hotline at (800)-442-7274. Q. How should I place my hard drives on the cable? A. Place a minimum of 1 foot of cable between each device. Q. What should I do if I have spurios interrupt problems with the Adaptec boards? A. Try to enable the BIOS on the Adaptec card. Select different IRQ. Do not share IRQ's. Q. Can I put a tape drive and CD-ROM drives on the same host adapter as a hard drive? A. Yes. You can put up to 7 SCSI devices on 1 host adapter. It doesn't matter what the devices are. With some NetWare backup software, they require that the tape drives be on a different host adapter. Q. When running NetWare with drives that are greater than 1 gigabyte, do I enable the Extended BIOS Option for drives greater than 1 gigabyte? A. No. You don't enable that option when running under NetWare for any of our cards. You also need to ensure that on the AHA-154xC/CF that the dynamic scan of the SCSI Bus is disabled. Press <F6> for default settings in the SCSI Select utility. Q. Do Adaptec host adapters support RAID Software? A. Yes. The AHA-154x, AHA-164x, AHA-174x and the AHA-274x support RAID Level 0, 1, and 5 with the help of third party software. Q. I added an external CD-ROM drive and now my server won't boot from the hard disk. A. Terminate the drive and remove the termination on the host adapter. Q. I was using a non-Adaptec host adapter. I replaced it with an Adaptec host adapter, but it won't boot. A. Boot from floppy. Back up your data. Low-level format the drive then restore your data. Q. How can I find out the parallel port types on my PC? A. You'll need to either look in your manual, check your CMOS settings, or call the manufacturer of your system. Most notebook computers have Bi-directional ports. Most desktops have Uni-directional ports. Q. Why does NetWare report volume sizes larger than the drive's capacity? A. This is due to extraneous bytes in the FAT area of the disk drive. This problem is easily resolved by performing a low-level format of the drive. Use SCSIFRMT.EXE from the Adaptec BBS, The format utility is also in the BIOS of all the adapters (except the AHA-1740). Q. Why are there 7 identical hard drive's on my screen? A. There is a SCSI ID conflict on the SCSI-bus. Make sure that the SCSI ID is 7 for the Adaptec host adapter and the SCSI ID for the hard drive is 0. Q. When do I need to install the drivers? A. The Adaptec adapters that are equipped with a BIOS are set to run with two to seven SCSI hard disk drives. If the adapter is for operating SCSI hard disks only, then no drivers are required. The drivers are required for operating CD-ROMs, tape drives. Scanners, and removable media drives such as Bernoulli, Syquest and Magneto-Optical drives. Q. My system hangs on boot after I installed the SCSI Adapter. A. Make sure there are no address conflicts between the SCSI adapter and other cards in the system. Possible conflicts are the Port Address, DMA channel, Interrupt and BIOS address. Disconnect all SCSI peripherals from the adapter and try rebooting the system. If the adapter no longer hangs, then check for proper termination cable quality, or SCSI ID. Q. My system works great with the adapter, but when I load the drivers the system hangs. A. Run with the minimum CONFIG.SYS to verify that there is no conflict with another driver or TSR. Run the driver as the first device driver in CONFIG.SYS. Make sure you are running the latest driver for the adapter. Most drivers can be upgraded via the Adaptec Technical Support BBS at (408)-945-7727. Q. When I install the SCSI host adapter, my floppy no longer works. The error message says "FDD controller failure". A. Some adapters have a floppy interface included on the adapter. If you are running the floppy from another controller or from the motherboard, make sure that you disable the floppy controller on the SCSI adapter. If you are running the floppy from the SCSI host adapter, then make sure your have disabled any other floppy controller in the system. Q. The adapter recognizes the drive on boot up but gives "Drive not ready". Why? A. Make sure that the drive is jumped for "spinup on power up". You may also enable the Send Start Unit command on many different models of Adaptec host adapters. Q. What does the message "BIOS not intended to run with this card" mean? A. This can happen when the BIOS or ASPIxDOS.SYS loads. This message indicates a conflict between our host adapter I/O port address and another card in the system. Change our Port Address to one of the alternate settings or change the other card that conflicts. Q. When should I disable the BIOS on the adapter? A. The BIOS should be disabled when the adapter is not operating a SCSI hard disk drive. Q. Is it possible to run an IDE or ESDI controller in the same system with a SCSI host adapter? A. Yes. The IDE or ESDI disk drive will always be the boot device. SCSI cannot take this function away from these controllers. Q. Can I replace my non-Adaptec SCSI adapter with one from Adaptec and read the data from the disk? A. SCSI is standard, but how data is translated onto the drive is not. Each manufacturer uses their own translation scheme. The drive will have to be low-level formatted once it is connected to the Adaptec host adapter. Q. Which CD-ROMS are supported by OS/2 2.11 A. The following CD-ROMs are supported by OS/2 2.11: Hitachi: CDR-1650S, 1750S, 3650, 3750 IBM: CD-ROM I, CD-ROM II Chinon: 431, 435, 535 Mitsumi: CRMC-Lu005, FX001, FX001D NEC: CDR-25, 36, 37, 38, 72, 73, 74, 82, 83, 84, 3Xe, 3Xi, 3xp Panasonic: CR-501, LK-MC501S, 501B, 521, 522, 523, 562, 563 Pioneer: DRM-600, 604X Sony: CDU-541, 561, 6111, 6211, 7211, 31A, 7305 Texel: DM-3021, 3024, 5021, 5024, 3028, 5028 Toshiba: XM-3201, 3301, 3401 If your CD-ROM is not on the above list, please contact the drive manufacturer, or IBM. Q. What is the command line in the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file for Adaptec controller? A. BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD (For AHA-1540/42B/C controller) Q. Do I need to enable extended BIOS translation in AHA-1542, AHA-1742, and AHA-2742 cards under OS/2? A. There has been a slight change in the way OS/2 behaves since the release of OS/2 2.1. If you format a partition using FAT, it must be within the first 1024 cylinders of the drive. This is intended to insure compatibility with DOS. OS/2 2.0 and the beta releases of 2.1 did not check the cylinder location before formatting a partition. If you want to partition a drive that is greater than 1 gigabyte you should enable extended BIOS translation to allow maximum flexibility. Q. Does OS/2 1.3 support CD-ROMs? A. Only the Denon DRD-253, Sony CDU-541 and Toshiba TXM3301al are supported. For other CD-ROM information please consult IBM or Microsoft. Q. Does OS/2 1.3 support tape drives? A. Any tape drive software that uses LADDR support will work. Sytos 1.35 is recommended. Q. Does removable drives (MO, Bernoulli) work? A. Removable drives that provided with VSD and TSD drivers will work. Q. How do you add Adaptec controllers on a pre-existing installation of OS/2? A. Do not re-install the operating system. Download IBMOS213.HLP from our BBS and follow the instructions described in the text. Q. How does a removable drive (Bernoulli, Syquest, etc.) work under OS/2? A. A removable drive works as a floppy, hard drive or removable drive under OS/2 2.x. IBM only supports it as a floppy drive. Floppy drive: It can be used as a floppy drive if installed under OS/2 2.x. FDISKPM will not see the drive. The data cannot be interchanged from a DOS machine to OS/2. Under the drive icon on the OS/2 desktop, there will be a floppy icon for the removable drive. The CONFIG.SYS file must have: BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD /V Hard drive: It can be used as a hard drive if LOCKDRV.FLT is installed in the CONFIG.SYS file. (LOCKDRV.EXE is on our BBS). The drive acts as a hard drive. FDISKPM will see the drive, and also can read/write data saved under DOS and vice versa. However, you cannot remove the cartridge once the operating system is loaded. The system must be reset to change the cartridge. The CONFIG.SYS file must have: BASEDEV=AHA154X.AD /V BASEDEV=LOCKDRV.FLT /UNIT:0 Removable drive: It can be used as a removable hard drive if OS/2ASPI.DMD (OS/2ASPI.EXE on BBS, and included with OS/2 2.x) with Corel software is installed. FDISKPM will not see the drive. You must use CFORMAT or Corel to format the cartridge. You can read/write data in both the OS/2 and DOS. Retains the removability. Suppose the drive is on SCSI ID 2, then the CONFIG.SYS file must have: BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD /V /A:0 /!DM:2 BASEDEV=OS2ASPI.DMD before you install Corel SCSI Software In above examples an Adaptec AHA-1542 controller is used. In addition to the above statements one must have OS2SCSI.CMD and OS2DASD.DMD must be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file. Q. What other Adaptec host adapter drivers come with the IHV HBA diskette that is shipping with the UnixWare 1.1? What is the set up for the IRQ? A. Following is the host adapter driver name and IRQ should be set on the host adapter: Host Adapter Model IRQ Driver Prefix AHA-274X 15 adsa AHA-284X 15 adsa AHA-294X 10 adsl AIC-7870 10 adsl AIC-7770 15 adsa AHA-174X 9 adse AHA-154X 11 adsc AHA-152X 10 adss AIC-6360, AIC-6260 10 adss AHA-1510 (not for primary) 10 adss Q. Can I use a drive with more than 1 gigabyte of capacity with SCO UNIX v3.2.2, v3.2.4 and ISC v3.0? A. A special driver diskette is required from SCO to support greater than one gigabyte drives with SCO UNIX v3.2.2. With SCO UNIX v3.2.4 and SCO v3.0, no changes are required for Adaptec host adapters. If the hard drive is the primary drive, then the root file system must lie within a partition less than 1 gigabyte in size. The ROM BIOS cannot access boot information if it lies beyond 1 gigabyte. Q. I have UNIX installed on my ESDI (or IDE) drive. Can I add an Adaptec host adapter to install a SCO tape drive and do backups under UNIX? A. Yes. Disable the host adapter BIOS. Use the mkdev tape command to configure the tape drive. The backup can be done using the cpio command or other UNIX commands. Consult your UNIX documentation for details. Q. Is it possible to use a Magneto Optical (MO) device as a fixed disk with OS/2 v2.0? A. Adaptec has a file on the BBS, called LOCKDRV.EXE in the OS/2 file library, that allows a removable media drive to be used as a fixed disk. There is a text file with the driver that explains how to use it. Q. I want to add a WORM drive to my Adaptec SCSI host adapter under OS/2. Is this possible? A. You will need to get third party software in order to do this. A file on the BBS, (3RDPARTY.DOC) has phone numbers of companies that have device drivers available for Adaptec host adapters. Q. I need to install more than one Adaptec SCSI host adapter under OS/2 v2.0. Is this possible? A. Multiple host adapters are supported with IBM and MS OS/2 v1.3 and IBM OS/2 v2.0. With IBM or Microsoft OS/2 v1.3, however, only multiple adapters of the same type may be used. Q. When I boot up, I get the message "hdd controller failure". Why? A. If you are only using a SCSI hard disk drive in your system, you need to enter the CMOS SETUP in your system and insure that "Hard disk" is marked as "not installed" or "none". Q. My CD-ROM is supposed to support synchronous negotiation, but when I have synchronous negotiation enabled on the Adaptec card, it won't work. Why not? A. It is often necessary to turn this setting to "disable" on the Adaptec board. This DOES NOT mean that the devices won't communicate synchronously. This setting only determines who INITIATES the dialog. Editor Note: ------------ Watch for our in-depth review of the new Adaptec 2940w PCI Host Adaptor. The 2940w is among the latest and greatest from Adaptec. 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(please, allow at least a one week turn-around) A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N -- A T T E N T I O N """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" :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 Services copyright 1995 by General Electric Information Services/GENIE, reprinted by permission """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ___ ___ _____ _______ /___| /___| /_____| /_______/ The Macintosh RoundTable /____|/____| /__/|__| /__/ ________________________ /_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/ /__/|____/|__|________|__/ /__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/____ Managed by SyndiComm /__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/ An Official Forum of the International Computer Users Group *** STReport available in MAC RT *** ASCII TEXT for ALL GENIE users! MAC/APPLE SECTION (II) ====================== John Deegan, Editor (Temp) > Microsoft's Gates Replies to Apple's Spindler STR Spotlight """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" BILL GATES' REPLY ================= February 23, 1995 Via facsimile Michael Spindler Office of the President & CEO Apple Computer, Inc. 10431 North De Anza Blvd., MS 38A Cupertino, CA 95014 Dear Mike, I am writing to make it clear how disappointed I am in the lack of candor and honesty Apple has shown in dealing with Microsoft during the last several months. Before our meeting on January 13, I had been trying to meet with you for over a year to discuss ways to strengthen our business relationship. I had a meeting with your executive staff scheduled which you canceled with less than a days notice. I was looking forward to the meeting. Microsoft develops more software for the Macintosh than any other company. We came out with more new Macintosh titles last year than any other year, or than any other company. We have always made our commitment to the Macintosh very clear. This commitment has continued despite the copyright lawsuit which Apple brought against all Windows software and lost, and despite the fact that Apple has treated Microsoft less favorably than other Mac developers on dozens of occasions. When we finally met you requested additional beta copies of Windows 95, and you also asked about the Canyon matter. Apple had already received a number of betas and wanted more. Microsoft had already treated Apple more generously on beta copies than Apple treats Microsoft on Mac OS betas. I did not think we needed to give you additional betas, but I was willing to provide them to Apple as a courtesy. In return, I requested a simple courtesy from you. I said if Apple would have business people meet with us to discuss the Canyon issue and show us the basis for Apple s claims, and if you would at least talk with me before you sued Microsoft, I would have those betas sent. You committed to this, confirming it in your fax to me of January 16. I made it clear we took the Canyon matter very seriously and were disappointed Apple had been unwilling to give us any proof that it owned the Canyon code. Subsequent to this there was no follow up on the business meeting. You sent me a fax on January 31, asking where the betas were. I expected a business discussion regarding Canyon to take place first, so I called you on Monday, February 6, and asked you about those discussions. Based on your assurance to follow up on the discussions, and your repeat of the promise to talk to me before suing Microsoft, I committed to release additional beta copies. On Tuesday Carl Stork of Microsoft did talk to your business people, but they still refused to provide any basis for your claims. Nevertheless, on Wednesday we sent additional beta copies to Apple. On Thursday without talking to me you sued Microsoft. Based on the video press release and other orchestrated press activity, the suit had been in planning for some time. Apple included information in its news releases that was never made available to Microsoft. I talked to you on Thursday night making it clear how misleading Apple was being in its statements. Apple, in its news conference and video releases, made claims about Video For Windows version 1.1d speeding up on all machines. You knew from discussions with Microsoft that this was simply wrong. Only the two additional video cards which didn t have drivers before 1.1d show any speed difference. Apple has attempted to use its allegations to force ISVs to change their software to support QuickTime rather than Video for Windows even if the ISVs feel that Video for Windows is a technically superior product. Apple has come a long way from the original evangelization days of the Macintosh to be using legal intimidation, in the form of its amnesty program, to influence software developers. I think it was inappropriate for you to promise to talk to me before filing a lawsuit and then not follow through on that commitment. I think it was improper for Ed Stead to tell news publications and state in his February 13 letter to Judge Sporkin that the release of the betas were requested by the Justice Department. It is simply not true to say that the Department of Justice asked us to release betas or to suggest they were the reason for that decision. I told you I would release the betas based on your commitment to make sure there was a business discussion and to talk to me before including Microsoft in a lawsuit. Only yesterday did we see the February 13 letter from Mr. Stead to Judge Sporkin. Mr. Stead failed to provide a copy of the letter to the DOJ or Microsoft. In this letter Mr. Stead alleges that during our January 13 meeting we threatened to discontinue our Macintosh software if you continued to develop OpenDoc. This is also not true. Our whole message during the meeting was about our commitment to the Macintosh. We did not suggest that Apple should drop OpenDoc or that we would discontinue our Macintosh development. We did say that, as we presently understand OpenDoc, it is not clear how we can support it in our applications. We asked that Mr. Nagel meet with Mr. Heinen to see if OLE and OpenDoc can be brought closer together so that all Macintosh ISVs who also develop for the Windows platform will be able to support both OpenDoc and OLE. We believe this would be in the best interest of the entire industry. We feel that as presently defined OpenDoc and OLE will have very little interoperability despite what users have been lead to expect. I still feel that a constructive dialog between you and me would be helpful to both of our companies and our mutual users. Microsoft is very committed to its Macintosh customers. I think the Macintosh has a bright future. I feel more straightforward communication from Apple to Microsoft is called for. Best regards, Bill Gates Chairman & CEO ********************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= STReport International OnLine Magazine is available every week for your reading pleasure on DELPHI. STReport's readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of an extremely 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 20/20 Advantage Plan 20 Hours for Only $20! ----------------------------- Advantage Members have always enjoyed the lowest DELPHI access rates available. On the new 20/20 Advantage Plan, members receive their first 20 hours of access each month for only $20. If you happen to meet someone OnLine or find some other diversion, don't worry because additional usage is only $1.80 per hour. 20/20 Advantage rates apply for access via SprintNet or Tymnet from within the continental United States during home time or via direct dial around the clock. Home Time is from 6pm to 6am weekdays. Access during business time carries a surcharge of $9 per hour. These rates apply for most services, but note that there are some surcharged areas on DELPHI which are clearly marked with a "$" sign. Who is eligible to take advantage of the plan? Any DELPHI member in good standing. Applications are reviewed and subject to approval by Delphi Internet Services Corporation. It's easy to join. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply OnLine -- at any time -- for membership in the DELPHI 20/20 Advantage Plan. Your membership becomes active at 4 a.m. Eastern Time on the first billing day of the following month. The $20 charge will be billed to you at the beginning of the month to which it applies. Any portion of the 20 hours not used in any month does not carry forward into the next month. Advantage rates may be changed with 30 days notice given OnLine. 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 <RET> once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET> again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! DELPHI-It's the BEST Value and getting BETTER all the time! -* ANNOUNCING: DELPHI INTERNET JET v2.009 *- -------------------------------------- Windows-based graphic interface for the otherwise text-only Delphi online service. In addition to providing the user with a graphic interface, Delphi Internet Jet can be configured to automatically gather Delphi Internet e-mail and forum messages, and place them into a QWK packet for the user's existing QWK mail reader! Complete instructions for setup, operation, Delphi membership, and a FREE five hour trial included in the INTJET.TXT file. ************************************************************ ATARI/JAG SECTION (III) ======================= Dana Jacobson, Editor > From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Every so often, I get some feedback from some of our readers asking why there's still Atari coverage in STReport. Others, I have to say, offer just the opposite. The ones who ask why, go on to state that since Atari is out of the computer business, why do I do it. Well, the answer is quite simple, at least for me. I give these people the same comments that those readers who still enjoy reading Atari news give me: it keeps people informed as to what's still happening. Yes, the news and information may be sporadic, but that doesn't matter to me or our satisfied readers. As long as we can help, in whatever capacity, to keep our readers informed as best we can, we'll continue to do so. It's that simple. From the activity within the Internet, it appears that more and more people are seeking sources of information. I'm still averaging ten or more requests weekly from people who want to receive our magazine via the Internet. So, there you have it. We're here to stay for quite some time to come! Keep those cards & letters coming, whatever your viewpoint! Until next time... _______________________________________________ Delphi's Atari Advantage!! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (3/1/95) (1) CAIN 1/95 (6) FEB 95 ATARI-USABLE CD-ROM (2) ST-GUIDE V.1.20 IN ENGLISH *(7) LYNX - WWW TEXT BROWSER (3) MGIF VERSION 4.2B (8) ASTERODIA - ARCADE GAME DEMO (4) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER *(9) HSMODA06 SERIAL PORT ACCELER *(5) DL VIEWER V.1.10 *(10) TERADESK 1.40 * = New on list HONORARY TOP 10 The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently out-performing every other file in the databases. STREPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 11.08) ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3) Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database. __________________________________________________ ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ March 1, 1995 For further information, contact: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nathan Potechin - President DMC Publishing ~~ Calamus SL now US $200.00! ~~ Tel: (905) 479-1880 Fax: (905) 479-1882 Calamus SL, the premier desktop Compuserve: 76004,2246 publishing program on the Atari Delphi/GEnie: DMCPUBLISH computer now retails for US $200.00, Internet: DMCPUBLISH@GENIE.GEIS.COM $280.00 Cdn. This includes a 600+ page manual and 4 disks containing approximately 1,000 features. For those of you that have been considering a desktop publishing program for your Atari computer, or that have been waiting for the opportunity to add to your existing desktop publishing program, the time is now and the price is right! Calamus SL offers a new concept in design and functionality, providing great creative control while allowing for the addition of modules for specific tasks. Some of the standard features in Calamus SL include: - A wide range of manipulation and rastering facilities. - Freely definable page layout. - Open and edit up to 7 documents simultaneously. - User definable and automatically generated registration and crop marks. - Total typographical control to 5 decimal places. - Work with color, greyscale or monochrome images. - Tiling. - 16.7 million colors. - 4-color separation plus adornment colors. - Mix and save color palettes. - Load standardized color models. - Extended raster control with freely definable raster angles and widths. - An integral histogram allows you to optimise an image for your output device. - 14 professional typesetter fonts in Calamus' CFN font format. Besides all the standard elements and menu's, Calamus SL comes standard with the following modules: Clipboard - put frames, text or text rulers on the clipboard for later retrieval. Page - allows you to define the fundamentals of your layout (page format, page and chapter numbering), and process entire pages or layouts. Frame - contains commands for creating and editing frames and guidelines. Each frame type contains its own special functions. Text - is used for entering, formatting and piping text over one or more pages. Text Style - allows control over font size, color, fill patterns, attributes and effects. Line - offers functions for the creation and manipulation of lines, arrows, curves and corners. Raster Area - allows you to work with circles, rectangles and other shapes. You can also select the color and fill pattern for a raster area. Document Converter - is used to, transparently to you, convert Calamus CDK document files created in earlier versions of Calamus. System Parameters - modifies a number of internal features such as: font directory, system paths, screen resolution, system memory and more. Focoltone - is a patented color system which was designed to allow accurate color specifications for process color printing. Printer Driver Generator - is actually an auxiliary program supplied with Calamus SL designed to allow users to create and modify printer drivers for their own specific printer. Note that dozens of the more popular printer drivers come standard with Calamus SL. PKS Write - is a sophisticated text editor containing features such as: search and replace text, block functions, search and replace text style; insert and edit control codes, define macros for text, style and rulers; footnote, index and reference entries; user-definable kerning and more. Vector Graphic - allows you to create and modify vector graphics. 15 pre-defined shapes are available, as are tools for creating objects. Distort and rotate objects, resize proportionally, cut and paste to an object clipboard and perform copy functions. Tools for editing paths, setting and moving points, changing path direction, closing and smoothing paths, and filling polygons, cutting and pasting paths, exchanging lines and Bezier curves, showing tangents and control color and fill pattern settings. Raster Generator - allows the manipulation of shape, angle and size of raster points. This results in giving you great precision and control over printed output. Color Separation - eight control lines are built into this module to define the relationship between the theoretical values in the computer image and actual output. Use this module to output color and adjust and correct information sent to the printer including: black, CYM and UCR values using the respective control lines. Brush - is an editor that can be used to clean or touch up a raster graphic. It contains two command groups, one for brush types, the other for choice of color/fill patterns. CYMK Swap - contains a single but powerful function to allow you to swap or exchange the color planes in a 4-plane CYMK color graphic. Rotate - is designed to provide the precise rotation of raster graphics in any degree. Using this module, moire effects are minimized when rotating raster graphics. It contains an option to reduce aliasing caused by such rotations. Color List Converter - checks all colors used in your document and catalogs them in each Color List of the various command areas. Compress - reduces the demands on memory and disk space by reducing the size of your graphics, usually between 25% - 50%. When you re-load your document saved with compression, the graphics are automatically uncompressed. Linearity - is used to optimize color output for your printer. It allows you to set a control line for each color plane and save specific setup files for optimal printing based on any given color printer. All modules may be loaded or unloaded from memory at any time. When you remove a module not currently in use, the memory will be returned to you automatically and immediately. Join the thousands of Calamus SL owners and get this program today. Place your order by fax or email, telephone or mail. We look forward to hearing from you. NAME: __________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/PROVINCE ____________________________________________________ COUNTRY ________________________________ZIP/POSTAL CODE_________________ TEL: # WORK _______________________TEL: # HOME _________________________ VISA [ ] MASTERCARD [ ] __________________________EXP. DATE_____________ HARDWARE _______________________________________________________________ ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ March 1, 1995 For further information, contact: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nathan Potechin - President DMC Publishing ~~ UPGRADE 1.09x to Calamus SL ~~ Tel: (905) 479-1880 ~ for US $150.00, $210.00 Cdn. ~ Fax: (905) 479-1882 Compuserve: 76004,2246 Calamus SL, the premier desktop Delphi: DMCPUBLISH publishing program on the Atari GEnie: DMCPUBLISH computer now retails for US $200.00, Internet: DMCPUBLISH@GENIE.GEIS.COM $280.00 Cdn. This includes a 600+ page manual and 4 disks containing approximately 1,000 features. For those of you that have been waiting for the opportunity to upgrade your existing Calamus 1.09x, save a further $50.00. The price is right and the time is now. Place your UPGRADE order today. Your cost to upgrade from your existing Calamus 1.09x to the latest version of Calamus SL is US $150.00, $210.00 Cdn. _________________________________________________ > STR NEWS TIDBITS """""""""""""""" -/- CERT Warns of New Internet Crack -/- Federally funded network watchdogs at the Computer Emergency Response Team have issued a public warning about a new weakness they've discovered that could leave more than half of the host computers on the Internet vulnerable to electronic break-ins. CERT says the security lapse could let vandals commandeer Internet computers that use the UNIX operating system, specifically a program that manages electronic mail. Writing in the Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Jared Sandberg says, "The new 'hole' ... could let hackers shut down electronic-information sites that hundreds of companies have set up on the World Wide Web, a multimedia portion of the Internet." But, says senior CERT technical member Barbara Fraser, the newest glitch "is much broader in scope," that "many more systems are going to be affected." Sandberg says the vulnerability allows an intruder "to penetrate a hole in nearly 20 commonly used electronic-mail programs," then, according to an advisory that went up on the network last night, "read any file on the system, overwrite or destroy files." JAGUAR SECTION ============== MK III Announced! CATscan BBS To Get a Facelift!? CatBox Ready! And More! > From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is! """""""""""""""""""""""""""" There's a bit of news that's come my way this past week which, at present, I cannot "officially" confirm. However, I will mention them because they are newsworthy. Once we have official confirmation, perhaps this week, we'll make sure to provide you with all of the details! First off, Williams' "Mortal Kombat III" will come out for the Jaguar. While I'm not personally into the fighting games genre, this has to be a major announcement for Atari. "Mortal Kombat" - past, present, and future versions - is a major title in the gaming community. Whether it be Atari or another company, these types of major titles are necessary to acquire. And, as has been witnessed online over and over again, Jaguar users are demanding these quality titles. Look for the details real soon! Another long-awaited item is the CatBox. While roaming around the 'Net the other night, I saw a message that stated that ICD was officially taking orders for the CatBox and would begion shipping next week. We're waiting to get confirmation on this announcement. However, from various bits and pieces that we've heard over the past few weeks, this news appears to be right on target. Again, look for details shortly. I've recently received some mail from a few people who had entered our "Name the 1st 20 Jaguar Games" contest. Since we haven't had 20 titles come out yet, the entry deadline had been pushed back a couple of times. Well, we've decided not to wait for 20 games, for the benefit of those who have already entered their list of games and made the original deadline on time. Although there are 18 games currently available, our cut-off has been drawn at 17. And yes, we have a winner. In fact, we have two!! We'll announce both winners in next week's issue. Thanks to all of you who sent in entries. Well, it's getting late, and I want to get in a few runs with Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding while I have a day off to enjoy myself! Until next time... ___________________________________________ > Jaguar Catalog STR InfoFile - What's currently available, what's """"""""""""""""""""""""""" coming out. Current Available Titles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER J9000 Cybermorph $59.99 Atari Corp. J9006 Evolution:Dino Dudes $49.99 Atari Corp. J9005 Raiden $49.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp. J9001 Trevor McFur/ Crescent Galaxy $49.99 Atari Corp. J9010 Tempest 2000 $59.95 Llamasoft/Atari Corp. J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $69.95 id/Atari Corp. JA100 Brutal Sports FtBall $69.95 Telegames J9008 Alien vs. Predator $69.99 Rebellion/Atari Corp. J9029 Doom $69.99 id/Atari Corp. J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $59.99 Atari Corp. J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp. J9007 Checkered Flag $69.99 Atari Corp. J9012 Kasumi Ninja $69.99 Atari Corp. J9042 Zool 2 $59.99 Atari Corp J9020 Bubsy $49.99 Atari Corp J9026 Iron Soldier $59.99 Atari Corp J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $59.99 Atari Corp. Cannon Fodder Virgin Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER CatBox $69.95 ICD Hover Strike $59.99 Atari Hardware and Peripherals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER J8001 Jaguar (complete) $249.99 Atari Corp. J8904 Composite Cable $19.95 J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp. J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95 Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp. ________________________________________________ > Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr! """""""""""""""""""""""""" CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas.. ------------------------------------------- CATscan is being enhanced... CATscan is an Atari Jaguar-dedicated Bulletin Board Service right in my home...a service which provides Jaguar enthusiasts with access to all of Atari's press releases, downloads of screen images & online publications, the latest promotions, game descriptions, dealer referrals and more. In the past few months, CATscan has signed over 250 faithful Jaguar gamers...many of whom are online industry personalities such as Travis Guy from Atari Explorer Online, Dana Jacobson of STReport Magazine, Len Stys of Cleveland Freenet, Steve Kipker of Steve's Software, Eva Crouse of Compuware and many others. Many members are from Canada and various parts of Europe. CATscan has become a popular way for gamers to obtain the latest issue of STReport and AEO Magazine. Downloads such as this may not be available on services like Prodigy and CATscan helps bring some newsworthy issues directly into the offices of Atari Corporation. CATscan members have been recruited for Focus Groups and to become writers. Others have simply been content to have a burning question answered or a topic addressed. One CATscan member has since been employed by Atari as a game tester. Although CATscan activity is censored so that Jaguar fans cut through anything other than pure support, it is not an official Atari Corporation forum. Members have the opportunity to share their personal opinions and upload their own files. Membership is open to anyone with a computer and a modem and registered access is automatic provided a few basic questions are answered when signing on. To accommodate a growing need for more elbow room, CATscan is being upgraded. First, two new large capacity hard drives are being added for over 1,000% more upload and download space. This means users can depend on CATscan as an archive of information. Secondly, I am expecting to implement a major software upgrade that will ultimately allow access up to 14.4 baud. Currently users are limited to 2400 baud due to software restrictions. This latter enhancement will be put into place in stages and I have hopes to be compatible with 9600 baud modems within a few days. In the meantime, CATscan is your opportunity to spread news about your business, local shows, comments, suggestions, etc. If you have material appropriate for a Jaguar/Lynx support arena, send them to me and I will be delighted to post them. CATscan is accessible by dialing 209/239-1552 24 hours. Over the next few days, you may experience some down time as upgrades are implemented. You may also send things to me via the Internet... 75300.1267@compuserve.com OR atari@genie.geis.com. I will look forward to hearing from you. -- Don Thomas ________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando CIS ID: 73637,2262 Well folks, it looks like I've gotten my modem back to where it was before "the crash of late February". Take my advice and run off a copy of your modem profiles right now. It could make you a happy camper one day (or, at least less of an un-happy camper). And while I was busy teaching my modem to hum again, the good folks that frequent CompuServe were busy providing lots of stuff for me to capture... let's take a look... From the Atari Computing Forums =============================== Marty Hall tells us: "I've felt guilty about my new 486....... feel like I'm abandoning something important. Some one told me that Atari abandoned me a LONG time ago. Don't help much but it's true....... Put all thier eggs in the Jaguar basket. Yeah! Sure! You see the ads in the Sears Christmas Wish Book? Or what passes for one now a day....... FULL left hand page of games for all the other machines. Half a right hand page for more games. The lower right hand is the games them selves. Up in top right hand corner of the right hand page is a tiny tiny ad for the Jaguar and no games anywhere. " When they start buying, I'll start advertising...... " Alas, poor Atari, I knew him well........." Marty then tells Lars-Hakan Sundman: "I sure wish I could be angry with programers like you that will not program for the Atari anymore........ that's the reason I'm going over to the ' Other side ' but actually, I don't blame you........ Actually I understand and if I were there, I think I would be also. Damn! And it STILL is such a good machine!!!!!!!!" Meanwhile, Christian Roth tells us: "I'm a bit sad that QuickCIS does not work with MultiTOS on my Falcon. I'd like to ask if there's a possibility to look through the sources to decide if I or somebody of my friends could do some work on it? Everything else works fine with my system, so I would be glad if there would be a comfortable solution for CIS too ;-)! BTW, does anybody have information about the announced Mosaic for Atari computers? Will it make use of MiNT? Furthermore, CompuServe is not planning to support ascii terminals with their GO FTP feature. Hm- what am I gonna do now? Buy an IBM just for that? Naahh... :) Another question (sorry for that, guys): Is there a forum for CIS-software programmers? Maybe there could be some code that waits to be ported?" Johan Decock posts: "I want to transfer files between a PC AT and an Atari non PC (ST124 or the like) of a friend of mine. Could anybody help me with suggestions, point me to communication programs. I was thinking to do this via null-modem and a communications package. If this is not feasible, is there any chance to 'print' it to the parallel port of the PC?" Sysop bob Retelle tells Johan: "It's possible to transfer files between PCs and Atari STs several different ways... Probably the easiest and most straight-forward is to use floppy disks. The Atari and the PC share almost exactly the same floppy disk format, so you can just copy files onto a disk from your PC and your friend can read them directly in the Atari's disk drive. The "trick" to making it work is to format the disk on the *PC* and to be sure to format it as a Double Density (720K) disk. (The Atari drives won't read High Density disks) You can also use a "null modem cable" between the serial ports of the two systems and use any regular telecommunications program on both systems to transfer files. The highest normal serial port speed on the Atari is 19.2 Kb, and if you plan to transfer from the Atari to the PC at high speed the Atari will need a small "bug-fix" program to patch the serial routines in the Operating System. The fix isn't normally needed if the Atari is only receiving the files. And of course you can always use modems to call between the two systems and transfer files over the phone line." Johan tells Bob: "I didn't know the file format was the same, nor did my friend apparently. He was going to have me scan and OCR them at 'high' cost. I sure hope you're right about it. If not I'll have to use a null-modem, but then I'll have to find a communications package for it." Marty Hall asks for help with his GEMulator, the Atari ST emulator for DOS machines: "Having sent a msg to Darek Mihocka and not getting an answer thought I'd come here for help with Gemulator. Seems to install O.K. and when I copy programs and data from my ST, it seems to copy to the VHD O.K. When I boot the program ( ie Phasar, STWriter, etc. ) all seems O.K. But when I shut down the 486 and go back in, the Phasar program is trash. When I try to boot it, I get a msg that says it is a non-exacutable program. Then I take the same disk that I used to transfer the program from the ST, trash the old program, retransfer, boot again and all is well til I go to address the data. I get a msg that say the Reg files is the wrong version for the version of Phasar I have installed. O.K., trash the Reg file, re-transfer, reboot and all is fine. Anybody got any ideas?" Bob Carpenter asks Marty: "Are you exiting Gemulator cleanly (Ctrl-F11, then quit from Gemulator screen)? If you're just shutting off your 486, all the files that Gemulator has open may not close correctly and could get corrupted. This is a problem particularly if you're using a write delay cache (option in Smartdrive or hardware cache). By exiting Gemulator cleanly, you give your system a chance to close all files. If you're doing this, then I don't know what it might be." Marty 'fesses up: "Tell the truth, I'm not sure. I've done so many things and held my mouth in so many positions while doing them, I'm not sure at this point what I have or have not done. But, when I sign off from here, you can bet I'll try your suggestion and let you know how it comes out. Heck, hang one, I'll do it right now........ By George, I do believe you got it! Exited 3 times the way you said and went back in 3 time AND IT WORKED!!!! Very good. Thanks. That was the important one. Now I'll give you the PITA one. SOme thing I can live with but would rather not. When I boot Gemulater and get to the screen for the resolution selection if I don't hit ' zero ', when Gemulater is up and working, the screen looks like only every other video gun line is there and the picture is faded. I assume I have something configured wrong but have been nusy with the other problem and not worrying about this yet." Karl Harwood tells us: "I am an Atari enthusiast, there's no getting away from that, but there is one thing that I do not agree with. And that is being left out in the cold. If you have a PC, CompuServe will supply you with a version of DOSCIM or WINCIM to suit your machine's capability. I have a PC-owning friend that has DOSCIM 1.36 which is not the latest version, but it works with most PC computers whether they be 186 or above. (and with 5 1/4 floppy drives) What about ST Users like you and me? Our machines are more powerful than any 186 or 286. Well, there's nothing that can compare with DOSCIM for the ST. I have a great deal of respect for Gribniff Software's STalker which I'm using now, but don't you think it is about time we got something similar for our machines? Even Apple Mac's have their own software. Is there any way of converting DOSCIM to the ST? I'm aware that some kind of programming Language would have to be known as well as patience, which unfortunately I have little of, and I'm not a very good programmer either, but if there is somebody out there who is fluent in a computer language, then I'm sure that your efforts would be appreciated. I'm a consumer journalist, and I would say that CIS is fairly good value for money (a little expensive maybe), but the software situation is bad, not allowing us to take full advantage of the service, for example, try looking up some European Railway Schedules. You Can't. Until such times that somebody writes us software which is compatible with CIM, we shall all have to do things manually and remain excluded from some services, but it wouldn't hurt to let CompuServe know that if they did release their software for the ST it would be well worth it. You never know -Miracles have happened before!" Sysop Jim Ness tells Karl: "There simply aren't enough Atari ST users on CompuServe to justify porting the CIM software to the ST. CompuServe owns the software (it uses a proprietary protocol, which they protect very carefully), and they are the ones who decide which platforms merit the efforts of their programmers. To date, it's DOS, Windows, Mac, OS/2, and a special GeoWorks version for handhelds. For 3rd party programmers, CIS provides a series of pre-compiled modules (ie, DLLs for Windows), which allow the programmer's routines to interact using the proprietary protocol. Without those modules, you can't do the things CIM does. And, there are no modules for the ST." Mike Mortilla tells us about his Macintosh: "...I bought a Mac IIsi used for my wife. I hate it, but she needs it for her DTP work to exchange files with her clients. But she'd be VERY happy with a PageStream prog in there! I might even use it once in a while! We got the whole system CHEAP and found "Power Print" that lets us use our Panasonic Laser (HP Laser Jet II) on the MAC. I also went with the color Stylewriter, but thats really a toy compared to the Panasonic 4420. Big crash on the MAC this week! Reformatting didn't even fix it! Don't ya know it was a shareware program in a MAC forum that did it! I reported it to the SYSOPs over there, but I ain't doin ANYTHING on the MAC if I can help it. Give me my Ataris (all 4 of 'em now!) anyday. So how do I get this Atari emulator for the MAC???" Dazzz Smith tells Mike: "Don't mention crashes, I managed to trash the HD on my Mac yesterday, but at least I'm back up and running now, even with minimal backups. Mac Magic is out now apparently, you need EASE desktop to go with it and also GSZRZ as well since XYZ doesnt like Magic. But it is faster than an ST by a fairly wide margin, you can use the Mac's HD with no changes as well, all GEM compliant programs work fine with it as well." Mike asks Dazzz for more info: "So how do I get it? Is it in the states yet? Sorry 'bout the HD. Mine's STILL in the shop since Thursday." Dan Parrish takes the opportunity to jump in and post: "It appears that my wife is getting rather desperate for a MAC, preferably a Powerbook with a color screen. She feels that is the only way she will ever be able to use any of the weaving designing programs, as they are either MAC, DOS, AMIGA, and even one APPLE IIe, but sadly nothing for an ATARI. I hope the new Atari emulators come out in quantity so we can read about them both pros and cons. There is an Atari dealer just down the road 15 miles. He has been subscribing to the UK magazines so I expect to read more in the near future. I would have no problems getting a nice MAC and installing MagiC MAC, because as far as I am concerned my reason for staying with this computer platform is the software, not the hardware." Mike tells Dan: "My "theory" was that I was staying with Atari because of the software. When *MY* wife insisted on a MAC (we got a IIsi - used cheap!) I realized that the hardware (for my purposes, at least) was far superior. The Mac is SLOW and awkward campared to what I'm used to on the ST and Stacy. Lots of pretty screens, but I need to WORK not please my eyes!" Dan tells Mike: "I have a Mega STe which I really like however, I have really been left behind the times. A good friend suggested I would be happier going for a TT at the time. BUT NOOOOOO!!!! I figured the Mega STe would be a better bridge between my older software and the hardware improvements, and then when all the bugs were figured out and Atari got past the TT RAM compatability problems I would then upgrade. I really am not thrilled with the Falcon, just because off the design, a detachable key board is soo nice. My good friend left the Atari world a few years back. I have watched him and his bottom-of-the-line Power MAC, and does that puppy ever scream. Apple has apparently fixed the slow down when running the older software. When I see his computer, I can't help but think how much more limited this MEGA STe is than it used to be. Then I go back to work and start working with Windows 3.1 and then I have to say how much better my MEGA STe is. Most of my grumbling is due to my own decisions. I would really like to go beyound four megs of RAM, I would like to add a video card and now after talking to the TOADs, it seems Crazy Dots II isn't available for the MEGA STe. Cyrel Sunrise card is not available for the MEGA STe either. They made that decision last year. So now I have to make some more decisions. Do I go over to Far North Atari, in Fairbanks, and trade in my Mega STe for a Falcon? Do I succumb to the home pressures and go the MAC route and hope for the MagiC MAC to make it to the states? Can I get the best of all three worlds? (Atari, Mac, and Dos?)" Boris Molodyi tells Dan: "Crazy Dots II most certainly should work with Mega STe, as it is a VME card, and Mega STe has a VME slot. There should be no problems with that. You may ask Gribnif, who imports the card..." Dan replies: "I was relaying the information as I understand it from when I talked to the TOADS on Saturday. I had pretty much decided to get Crazy Dots II a few months back. I liked your article in STI. I will be sending Gribnif a message asking for clarification, but it will be a week or so before I will be back home." During a discussion of European shareware/freeware utility programs to de-fragment hard drives, Frank Heller posts: "You know...for the life of me...I can't figure out why anyone would want to mess around with something as critical as a defragging utility that is "freewre", "shareware" or in a foreign language. Are you all mad? This is your hard drives we're talking about. SPEND the extra bucks for a reliable program with product support, updates and a manual in English. Edge would be a good bet. Think of it as cheap life insurance." Michel Vanhamme tells Frank: "I see your point, but on the other hand... Anyone who uses this kind of programs, even if they are commercial products, should make a complete backup of their HD's before doing anything to them (I use Edge, which has been reliable so far, but I still make backups each time before I use it - with Diamond Back). So basically, with the proper cautions being observed, the risk should be limited to having to install all your files back again (which is a bore, true). Now, if I'm wrong about this, feel free to correct me. Now, about 'foreign languages': I wouldn't use these terms here... this is an international community, after all. If my English may seem awkward at times, it is because it is NOT my first language i.e. a 'foreign language' to me (but I love it ;-) )... The program could at least be of use to those of us who know French. So I'll reformulate your concern: DON'T use this if you don't understand it. No hard feelings, of course." Frank tells Michel: "I think we are in agreement here. My comment on the language thing is my way of saying what you said. Bottom line: If it's PD and it screws your HD...you were warned." On the subject of "No Joke, What's an Atari?" Benjamin Eby tells someone (this message thread reaches back to antiquity): "I couldn't help but reply to your message. In our economy the primary thing that determines product success is marketing techniques, not superiority. That is why you see so many people in this country buying things that they do not really need. Atari computers were, and still are either equal to or superior to any computer of the same GENERATION. Of course a 4+ year old model Atari computer is not the equal of a Pentium, but nor is a 4+ IBM, or Macintosh. The Atari computer is nearly dead, this is true. But this is not due to lack of quality technology. It is due to poor financial handling, and poor marketing techniques. People who still use Atari computers like them, for many reasons. Sometimes they like them because they are not afraid to be original. They hate having the same car, computer, style of house, or lifestyle as everyone else. But unfortunately individualism is not found in our country that often any more. I'd better stop now before I fall off my soapbox with enthusiasm. I own an AT&T IBM compatible as well as an Atari. I find each one useful for different things. I wouldn't trade either one of them, because I like variety..." David Ewing posts: "I've been following this interesting dialog... and I would like to jump in and make a quick comment: On the issue of product superiority / market success, I agreee with you: Remember Beta video? Smaller, better quality, simpler mechanism than VHS...the rest is history. In general it seems that smaller companies are freer and can move quicker to develop superior products but cannot bring them to market like the big boys. However, having a lot of small great companies freely competing and producing great stuff is not necessarily the ideal situation in the computer world - at some point compatabilty is the controlling factor. If everyone had their private OS at home and nobody could trade files...Arguably MIDI could have been designed better and faster given a few more years, but I'm glad it happened sooner and that some standard was arrived at, although imperfect." On the subject of the Atari Portfolio, Patrick Hart asks: "What do we need to put a DOS program on an Atari Portfolio? We have a serial interface. Any help will be appreciated." Benjamin Russell tells Patrick: "There's a bunch of files in the library with information on this. It depends on what computer you're dumping from. With my setup, I could dump the DOS program from my Mac via the serial interface, but you would need to get XTERM2.COM (in the library), appropriate cabling (I use a 9-pin to a normal Mac serial port connector cable that's wired correctly - some files in the library describe how to set up to cable. You might need a couple of cables, null modem and gender bender adaptors). The trick is to get the communications software onto your Portfolio. Initially, I had to use the Parallel port to dump over FM.COM, then used that to dump over XTERM2.COM. As you can see, it can get complicated. If you can tell me what computer you have, maybe I could help some more... What you have to do is download XTERM2.COM from the library here, transfer that to your Port, then use it with the serial interface (at the Port end) connected to a terminal program on the Mac (right now I'm using FreeTerm for this). I use a cable with the 9pin IBM serial connector plugged into my Port Serial interface, and with a round Mac serial connector plugged into the Mac. This kind of cable must be properly wired. I've also made it work with a cable with the 9pin IBM serial connector on one end and a 25-pin parallel connector on the other end, plugged into a nullmodem and gender bender connector combination, plugged into a regular Mac modem cable coming out of that into my Mac. Transfers going from the Mac to Port generally go quickly and smoothly. Coming from the Port to the Mac, usually it looks as though nothing is happening for a fair while with the occaisional time-out error flickering on the Mac screen. Then the Transfer kicks in and goes quickly and smoothly. I have also been successful printing from the Port to my Apple LaserWriter IINT. There are loads of files to sift through in the library here, including tip sheets, games, and other programs. I hope this is the information you need. PS - I am new to using the Portfolio (got mine within the last month). I love this machine! I now have absolutely no desire to replace my powerbook which I sold recently to buy a scanner and laserprinter. When I need a Mac, I can use my 660AV. When I'm on the run, the Portfolio is WAY more portable and unobtrusive than the Powerbook for taking notes, scheduling, keeping addresses handy, and doing quick calcs. I wouldn't dream of using it for my only computer, but the combination of it and a good desktop machine is unbeatable IMHO!!!" From the Graphics Support Forum =============================== On the subject of the decision by Unisys to enforce their patent on the LZW compression used in GIF image viewers, Charles Fischer asks: "Just out of curiosity, what is the story on publishing a GIF which is already converted to a free-standing EXE, as may be accomplished with programs like GIFEXE.EXE and EXE.EXE? Does the self-displaying graphic contain LZW code? If not, who is to say you started with a GIF file? On a similar note, what about using a file conversion program to convert a GIF to a PCX, and then publishing the PCX? I know of no way to determine that the file started out as a GIF." Don Bradner tells Charles: "The examples you cite would appear, in my opinion, simple *uses* of .GIF and LZW, not requiring license. All of the obligation to license and pay royalties are with the *developer* of the software that enable you to do the things you describe (and none if it is freeware)." Charles tells Don: "My thoughts precisely. You would not be publishing any graphics which contain the LZW code, although you might have started with a GIF to produce your final graphic." Dan Richardson tells Charles: "No, every single copy of a self displaying GIF contains Unisys' patented LZW algorithm. If you were to sell such images, you can be sure Unisys would want a cut." Dan Farmer adds: "So-called self-executing GIF's simply link a GIF viewer onto the GIF. Any GIF viewer needs LZW decompression code. They would actually be *more* in violation than a normal GIF which does not contain extraction code. A PCX (or any other conversion that does not use LZW) would *not* be applicable to the Unisys claim." Howard Thue tells Dan: "Programs like Steve Rimmers create 'Self Viewing Images' and make no mention of 'Self Viewing GIF' they create them from most all formats like BMP, PCX, TGA, TIF etc. The real question is what compression algorithm does he use? If Steve sees this I would be interested since it would be informative and interesting." Dan tells Howard: "I'd imagine that the linked-in viewer code is totally dependant on the type of image. If its a GIF, it's got LZW decompression code linked in. Either that or Steve first converts all image types into a format of his own, which would mean that the image was no longer a GIF, PCX, etc." Howard replies: "Yes I saw a reply of steves he puts the raw data as RLE in his self extracting .EXE of course to convert a GIF into .EXE he must use LZW to get the raw data." John Parker adds his thoughts: "Seems to me like the way around all this is to find some other method to decode the gif data stream (other than how it was intended)." Howard tells John: "Although it is a 'kluge' we can always use a pre 1995 converter to convert a GIF 87a or 89a to BMP, PCX, TGA etc. Then we can use the latest new generation to convert to PNG or GIF24 in any event there is going to be mammoth data base conversions in our future. Fortunately enough here licensed to create a GIF to NUT format <grin>... The decoding and viewing of GIF files prior to 1995 is not in question. Decoding and viewing or encoding if the program was sold or updated after Jan 1, 1995 is. Self displaying .EXE files are not usually sold but I guess the creator of same could fall under the gun if he was selling them. PCX even a conversion from a GIF file has no bearing here. Using a program that manipulates files encoding and decoding GIF format also does not apply. If you are selling an application which does this then yes you, in Unisys view, are using their patented technology for profit without a license." Charles ruminates on all of this: "So what you are saying, if I understand correctly, is that it would be OK for a seller to sell self-displaying EXE graphics if the original graphics were not GIF graphics. Is that essentially what you mean? And on the other hand, if a seller sells self-displaying graphics which originate as GIFs, that would technically be a 'no-no'? Thirdly, what about PCX and other non-GIF formats. Are they in the public domain (as we previously thought GIF graphics were)?" Ooh, goood question! Ray McVay tells Charles: "Keep in mind that GIF and most other formats are essentially public domain. The item that would require licensing would be the software used to view the GIF or TIFF/LZW images. If the self displaying EXE used LZW to compress the embedded image then some kind of licensing would be required. There is no comparable licensing needed (at this time) for PCX and other RLE compressed format decoders." Charles tells Ray: "My understanding is that this entire flap is about the fact that GIF is NOT in the public domain because it uses LZW compression and each GIF file contains the LZW code which is patented by Unisys. It is not the software used in viewing/displaying the image which needs a license from Unisys ... it is the GIF file itself." Don Bradner tells Charles: "NO NO. It is definitely the software, not the file. The software USES LZW, the file contains only the result of that compression. Things are a little murkier in the circumstances you outlined about self-extracting .GIF files, since there would have to be LZW-using code contained in the .EXE file. My original thought was that the burden for licensing would fall on the developer who provided the software tools to produce the .EXE, who would be off the hook if those tools were freeware. Upon reflection, I think the self-extracting file would also be subject to licensing. The question then would be whether it was being sold or just given away. I am certain that in the latter case it would fall under the same aegis as freeware, and be royalty-free. In the former it would be potentially subject to royalty, although I suspect a deal could be cut for extremely low fees on the grounds that the .EXE could not be used to produce additional .GIF files. Now, hypothetically, if the GIF to EXE converter also compressed and decompressed the file by non-LZW means, then there would be no licensing obligation beyond the developer of the converter. The big problem here is that a user of such software probably does not know what compression techniques are involved in the .EXE file. Definitely a can of worms." Charles tells Don: "Well, I think it is the GIF file which requires licensing because it contains LZW compression code, and that is what Unisys holds a patent on. And I also think if you convert a GIF to another graphics format, such as PCX, the resultant file no longer contains any LZW code, and thus it would be OK to sell it regardless of its original source. I have done a little experimenting, and if I make an EXE out of a GIF, and also make an EXE out of a PCX, the resultant file, if looked at with Norton's DE (disk editor), or even with LIST.COM, looks the same. If you look at a GIF that way you always see the designation GIF at the top of it. Not so with a PCX or an EXE." Frank Slinkman tells Charles: "I think you're a little confused about the meaning of "LZW compression code." We use that term to describe program code, not data that has been encoded using LZW. A .GIF file contains no program code at all, just compressed data, and is therefore exempt from royalties. However, the program which created the file, and the one which "decodes" and displays it, *does* have LZW program code, and therefore *is* subject to royalty. It's not the image *data* which is at issue here, but the patent on the *method* of compressing and uncompressing it." Well folks, I know that the column is getting a bit long, so I'll just stop here and give everyone (including myself) time to digest this part of "The Great LZW debate". To just add my two cents worth, my understanding of the Unisys agreement and of the techno-speak terms is that a GIF picture file is simply a stream of binary digits that represent the image. The actual algorithm is contained in the VIEWER PROGRAM. The program takes all of those binary digits and "decodes" the sequence that they are in to yield the values that the computer needs to put such-and-such a colored dot at such-and-such a location on your monitor. Since that sequence of binary digits can't really be called intellectual property, they can't be patented (of course, the picture itself can, regardless of whether it is on a canvas, a tee-shirt, or a CD-ROM). I guess that the easiest way to explain it is that the picture FILE does not contain the algorithm, just data that the algorithm generated. I don't know if that cleared anything up for anybody, but I hope so. Be sure to tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" A true "Sign of the Times" """"""""""""""""" Politics as Usual? ..Over heard near a CBS water-cooler.. "I DON'T LIKE THAT OVERSTUFFED PINK DINO EITHER.. ..BUT PLEASE TELL NEWT TO KEEP HIS HANDS OFF PUBLIC TELEVISION!" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport International OnLine Magazine -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON OVER 70,000 PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR OnLine! 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