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- SILICON TIMES REPORT
- ====================
- INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
- =============================
-
- from
- STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
-
-
- April 22, 1994 No. 1017
- ======================================================================
-
- Silicon Times Report
- International Online Magazine
- Post Office Box 6672
- Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
-
- R.F. Mariano
- Publisher-Editor
- -----------------------------------------
- Voice: 1-904-783-3319 10am-4pm EST
-
- STR Publishing Support BBS Network System
- * THE BOUNTY BBS *
- ITCNet 85:881/253 JAX HUB ~ FNET 350 ~ Nest 90:21/350
- 904-786-4176 MULTI-NODE 24hrs-7 days
- 2400-57.6 bps V.32-42 bis 16.8 USR Dual Standard
- FAX: 904-783-3319 12am-6am EST
- -----------------------------------------
- Fido 1:374/147.3 The Bounty STR Support Central 1-904-786-4176
- FNET. 620 : Leif's World ................1-904-573-0734
- FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493
- FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981
- MNET - Toad Hall BBS.....................1-617-567-8642
- ______________________________________________________________________
-
- > 04/22/94 STR 1017 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
- """""""""""""""""
- - CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - AST -> MMedia - ALDUS Ships PPC FH
- - TWO Apple Execs Go - MOTOROLA 68060 - Apple Media Kit 1.1
- - Chip Market BOOMING! - QEMM 7.04 - WILDCAT 3.91 BBS
- - About Matt Deatherage - ESS-Code 5.06 - The Old Fishin' Hole
-
- -* IBM REPORTS FIRST QUARTER PROFIT *-
- -* NEW WINDOWS TO BE WIRED *-
- -* 500-DISK CD CHANGER DEVELOPED *-
-
- ======================================================================
- 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/PROWL/USENET/NEST/F-Net/Fido 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
- c o m puters, worldwide, through the use of excellent International
- Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are welcome to join the STReport
- International Conferences. ITC Node is 85:881/250, The Fido Node is
- 1:374/147.3, Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All
- computer platforms BBS systems are welcome and invited to participate.
- ======================================================================
- CIS ~ AOL ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET ~ CIX
- USENET ~ USPOLNET ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ GENIE
- ======================================================================
-
- COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
- to the Readers of;
-
- STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
-
- NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
-
- CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
-
- You will receive your complimentary time
- and
- be online in no time at all!
-
- "Enjoy CompuServe's forums; where information is at its very best!
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
- """"""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- 'Tis coming closer to showtime... and while I'm at it let's see
- there's a convention in Las Vegas that's made up of the major Networks
- Executive corps. Imagine that! The top brass of the major networks are
- all together in Las Vegas at about the same time Paramount Pictures sends
- the networks "lawyer" letters demanding that all files about, of and
- pertaining to Star Trek that could be considered infringable must be
- removed forthwith. Pretty neat eh folks? I can't help but wonder if this
- is the beginnings of "Rights of Electronic Distribution"? If it is...
- look out we are in for a very rough and interesting ride. Especially in
- the graphics and midi departments. Time will tell. So will Paramount's
- Box Office popularity in the coming months. You just don't "fool" with
- Mother Nature and Star Trek Fans. You are guaranteed to lose!
-
- As we wait patiently for the Spring Shows to begin, more upgrades and
- patches continue through the pipeline. The PC marketplace is truly
- vibrant with "new life".
-
- Delrina Corp. has released WinFax Pro v4.0 and WinComm Plus v 1.0b.
- We are looking forward to offering you in depth reviews of both programs.
- I can tell you this much so far; WinFax Pro 4 is a powerhouse it literally
- dwarfs 3.0 and it was the industry standard for Fax software. WinComm
- Pro is the only comm program that interfaces with all the major online
- services with no hassles or major "quirks". It also allows one to be
- connected to two different services at the same time performing different
- functions at the same time in two different windows. It has all the power
- of the old, familiar term progs of days gone bye along with the horsepower
- and features demanded of modern term programs. WinComm Pro is a strong
- and pleasantly easy comm program to use and enjoy. Happy Earth Day.
-
- Ralph.....
-
-
-
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- 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 R. Dean D. P. Jacobson
-
-
- STReport Staff Editors:
- """""""""""""""""""""""
-
- Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan
- Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
- John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
- Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth
- Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur
- Melanie Bell Jay Levy John Donohue
- Jeff Kovach Marty Mankins Carl Prehn
- Paul Charchian
- Contributing Correspondents:
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
- Tim Holt Norman Boucher Harry Steele
- Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
- Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
- Glenwood Drake Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia
- Paul Haris Kevin Miller Craig Harris
- Allen Chang Dominick Fontana
-
- IMPORTANT NOTICE
- """"""""""""""""
- Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
- via E-Mail to:
-
- Compuserve................... 70007,4454
- America Online..................STReport
- Delphi......................... RMARIANO
- BIX............................ RMARIANO
- FIDONET..................... 1:347/147.3
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- ITC NET...................... 85:881/253
- NEST........................ 90:21/350.0
- GEnie......................... ST-REPORT
- Internet.............RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
- """""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
- ===========================
-
-
-
- Computer Products Update - CPU Report
- ------------------------ ----------
- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
-
- Issue #17
-
- by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
-
-
-
- ******* General Computer News *******
-
-
- ** Time Warner Ups Stake in Atari **
-
- Atari Corp. has agreed to sell Time Warner Inc. 1.5 million shares of
- its common stock at a price of $8.50 per share for a total of $12.8
- million.
-
- A statement from Atari's Sunnyvale, Calif., offices says the tran-
- saction increases Time Warner Inc.'s interest in Atari to about 27%.
-
-
- ** 500-Disk CD Changer Developed **
-
- Japan's Pioneer Electric Corp. has begun selling a 500-disk CD-ROM
- changer priced at $14,500. The changer, designed for use with IBM-
- compatible PCs, could be used on computer networks to supply online
- information. Pioneer currently sells six- and 18-disk changers.
-
- Pioneer officials said the company will begin marketing the tower-
- shaped, three-foot, 10-inch changer this summer and expects to sell 100
- units a month, mostly for corporate, government and health care
- applications.
-
-
- ** Aldus Ships Power Mac FreeHand **
-
- Aldus Corp. has started shipping Aldus FreeHand 4.0 for the Power
- Macintosh. The company says the $595 product is the first professional
- design and illustration application available in Power Macintosh
- "native" form. It claims that the software performs up to eight times
- faster than its counterpart running on the fastest Macintosh Quadra
- computers. The firm notes that performance improvements can be seen in
- such operations as screen redraws, complex graphic movements and path-
- editing shortcuts.
-
-
- ** IBM Reports First Quarter Profit **
-
- IBM Corp. this week announced it earned $392 million (or 64 cents a
- share) in the first quarter of 1994, marking its second consecutive
- quarterly profit. This compares to a loss of $399 million (or 70 cents a
- share) a year ago. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was $13.4
- billion, a 2% increase from the $13.1 billion reported for the first
- quarter of 1993.
-
-
- ** Corporate Software Market Surges **
-
- A new survey projects the market for corporate software will grow by
- as much as 24% in 1994, the biggest jump in seven years.
-
-
- ** New Windows to Be Wired **
-
- According to Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, we can look for the next-
- generation version of Microsoft Windows to include built-in access to
- online services.
-
- Bill Gates, said this week that the "Chicago" version of Windows, due
- out by the end of the year, will include a single information manager
- interface that also will allow users to scan their electronic mail or
- voice mail messages and access faxed documents as well as connect to
- Internet and other online systems.
-
- In his speech, Gates also said new modem chips that will begin ship-
- ping in the fall will offer dual voice and data transmission capabi-
- lities, further enriching communications possibilities for PC users.
- "All these things," he said, "can be brought together by the right type
- of architecture."
-
- Gates estimated Microsoft will ship at least 40 million copies of the
- Chicago version of Windows next year.
-
-
- ** Lotus Profits Jump 75 Percent **
-
- Lotus Development Corp. is reporting earnings of $21.3 million, or 45
- cents per share, for the first quarter ended April 2, a 75% increase
- over earnings of $12.3 million, or 29 cents per share, in the first
- quarter of 1993.
-
-
- ** Compaq's Earnings Jump 108 Percent **
-
- Compaq Computer Corp. this week reported first quarter profits that
- jumped 108% to a record $213 million from $102 million a year ago. Quar-
- terly revenues also hit a record $2.3 billion, up 41 percent from $1.6
- billion in the first quarter of 1993.
-
-
- ** Two Executives Leave Apple **
-
- Two executives are leaving Apple Computer Inc. to pursue other
- business ventures.
-
- -:- Gaston Bastiaens, general manager of Apple's Personal Interactive
- Electronics division, which develops and markets Apple's Newton
- technology, is setting up his own business.
-
- -:- Morris Taradalsky, vice president/general manager of Apple
- Business Systems Division, is becoming president/CEO of data storage
- products company MicroNet Technology Inc.
-
-
- ** Cray Unveils New Supercomputer **
-
- The Cray C90D series, a new generation of supercomputer systems
- designed for scientific and engineering research, has been unveiled by
- Cray Research Inc.
-
- Reports say the systems combines the company's Cray C90 supercomputer
- technology with the latest 16-megabit DRAM memory chips "to provide up
- to two billion words of real main memory." Pricing for the system starts
- at $3.5 million.
-
-
- ** Work Continues on PowerPC Chips **
-
- Versions of the third PowerPC microprocessor - the PowerPC 604 - now
- is ready to be sent to computer makers wanting to use it in future
- machines, officials at IBM and Motorola Inc.
-
- This stage of the development is called "first silicon" because the
- chips have gone from the design lab to production lines where they are
- created from silicon.
-
- Third in a line being co-developed by IBM, Motorola and Apple
- Computer Inc., the chip is designed for premium desktop PCs, graphics
- workstations and servers that feed data to a network of PCs.
-
- Apple and IBM plan to use the chip in future PCs. Also IBM, Groupe
- Bull, Thomson CSF and Harris Computer Systems have said they will use
- the chip in workstations. Those machines will take more than a year to
- develop.
-
-
- ** AST Rolls Out Multimedia Units **
-
- AST Research Inc. is unveiling new multimedia PCs in its Advantage
- line for the home that also will store, record and forward both voice
- messages and faxes.
-
- In addition, the new machines contain software called AST Works,
- which reports say "brings a simpler appearance to the screen than the
- normal icons that represent programs."
-
- Packard Bell Inc. made a similar change to its models two months ago,
- but AST Works has more features, including video explanations from its
- technicians for running the computer.
-
-
- ** Compaq Offers High-end Systems **
-
- A new high-end PC family called the DeskPro/XL, targeted at large
- corporate users with deep pockets, is being announced by Compaq Computer
- Corp. The new models also include ergonomic features.
-
- The features of the machines include a microphone and speakers built
- into the keyboard, a mouse that plugs into the keyboard, networking
- adapters built into the system and slots that upgrade to the next
- version of Intel Corp.'s chips.
-
-
- ** Motorola Unveils 68060 CPUs **
-
- Motorola's High Performance Microprocessor Division this week intro-
- duced the 68060 microprocessor series.
-
- The first generation of the 68060 product line consists of the 68060,
- 68LC060 and 68EC060. The company notes that the family offers many of
- the same performance enhancements used by RISC microprocessors.
-
- Motorola says the line's key benefits includes hardware and software
- compatibility with 68040 microprocessors, cost- effective memory systems
- requirements and a power efficient architecture.
-
- Each of the CPUs incorporates 2.5 million transistors on a single
- piece of silicon. The chips are capable of simultaneously processing up
- to 250 million operations per second at 50MHz. The 68060 devices deliver
- an average performance level of 90 VAX MIPS at 50MHz.
-
-
- ** World Chip Market Seen at $100 Billion **
-
- Dataquest Inc. predicts that the worldwide semiconductor market will
- top $100 billion this year and consumption in the Asia/Pacific region
- will exceed Japan's consumption in 1995.
-
- Dataquest Vice President Gene Norrett, director of Dataquest's World-
- wide Semiconductors group, said in a statement from San Jose, Calif.,
- "Dataquest increased its consumption expectations in Asia/Pacific
- because we anticipate the region's explosive growth in 1993 to continue.
- Another major shift in market dynamics will occur in 1995 when
- microcomponent ICs will surpass memory ICs as the dominant semiconductor
- product."
-
- The researchers add the North America region is expected to consti-
- tute 34.7% of the total market in 1998, which is the highest total for
- that region since 1986.
-
-
- ** Apple Media Kit, Version 1.1 Debuts **
-
- Apple Computer Inc. this week introduced the Apple Media Kit, Version
- 1.1, the company's cross-platform multimedia authoring tool.
-
- Comprised of the Apple Media Tool for designers and the Apple Media
- Tool Programming Environment for programmers, the Apple Media Kit's new
- features improve the designer's and programmer's ability to assemble and
- add interactivity to sound, picture, text and movie files.
-
- Reports say that Apple is also introducing a new licensing structure
- and reducing the product's price to $1,495.
-
- Included with the Apple Media Kit is a demo CD that provides an elec-
- tronic version of the technical documentation, as well as sample code
- and several demo projects.
-
-
- ** Lotus Says No to Power Mac Apps **
-
- Lotus Development Corp. says it won't develop business desktop
- software for Power Macintosh computers.
-
- Lotus has never been a major player in the Macintosh market. Older,
- Macintosh-compatible versions of Lotus 1-2-3 and Lotus' word processing
- and graphics programs will still be able to run on the new Power Mac,
- Lotus spokesman Richard Eckel sad. But the products won't run as fast as
- "native" PowerPC programs.
-
- Lotus will retool its office communications programs -- cc:Mail and
- Notes -- for the Power Mac, according to Eckel.
-
-
- _______________________________________________
-
-
-
- > WPWIN 6.0 INFO STR InfoFile
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
-
- WordPerfect Corporation
- InfoShare Information Fax Service
- (800) 228-9960
-
- Title: WPWIN 60 Caused a GPF in SHWIN20.DLL... Error Message
- Product: WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
- Number: 1078-4/94
-
-
- Problem
- One of the following error messages appears:
-
- * The *.BIF file could not be created or found.
- * Cannot initialize. Most probable cause is
- insufficient memory.
- * Unable to load menus.
- * WPWIN 60 caused a GPF in SHWIN20.DLL at 0007:07D8.
- (This address does not change.)
-
-
- Concept
- These error messages can be corrected by renaming the .BIF file.
- The WPCSET.BIF file is found in the Windows directory.
-
- These errors with the .BIF file are scheduled to be corrected in
- the next interim release of WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows, WPWin
- 6.0a. If you are experiencing these problems, we will send you
- WPWin 6.0a when it is released (it is currently under
- development). Please contact the WordPerfect Orders Department
- at 1-800-321-4566 to place an order for WPWin 6.0a.
-
- Solution
- To rename the .BIF file,
-
- 1 Rename the WPCSET.BIF file as WPCSET.OLD.
-
- The next time you start WPWin 6.0, a new WPCSET.BIF will be
- created in the Windows directory.
-
- 2 Start WPWin 6.0.
-
- 3 Choose Preferences from the File menu.
-
- 4 Double-click the File icon.
-
- Listed below are the default paths for each section (assuming
- that WPWin was installed to the C drive).
-
- Documents C:\WPWIN60\WPDOCS (unless you have
- another directory that you keep your
- documents in)
- Templates C:\WPWIN60\TEMPLATE
- Macros C:\WPWIN60\MACROS
- Graphics C:\WPWIN60\GRAPHICS
- Printers/Labels C:\WPC20
- Label File C:\WPWIN60\wp_wp_us.lab
- Hyphenation C:\WPC20
-
- 5 If all directory paths are correct, click OK, then click
- Close in the Preferences dialog box.
-
- Once you have changed the .BIF file, you no longer have a default
- printer listed. You need to select a printer.
-
- 6 From the blank document screen choose Select Printer from
- the File menu. Highlight the desired printer, then click
- Initial Font and select a font. When your printer selection
- is complete, click Select.
-
- 7 Make a backup copy of the new WPCSET.BIF file; place this
- copy in another directory or save it on a diskette in case
- you have problems with the new .BIF file.
-
-
-
- Title: The *.BIF File Could Not Be Created Or Found Error
- Message
- Product: WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
- Number: 1075-4/94
-
- Problem
- One of the following error messages appears:
-
- * The *.BIF file could not be created or found.
- * Cannot initialize. Most probable cause is
- insufficient memory.
- * Unable to load menus.
- * WPWIN 60 caused a GPF in SHWIN20.DLL at 0007:07D8.
- (This address does not change.)
-
-
- Concept
- These error messages can be corrected by renaming the .BIF file.
- The WPCSET.BIF file is found in the Windows directory.
-
- These errors with the .BIF file are scheduled to be corrected in
- the next interim release of WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows, WPWin
- 6.0a. If you are experiencing these problems, we will send you
- WPWin 6.0a when it is released (it is currently under
- development). Please contact the WordPerfect Orders Department
- at 1-800-321-4566 to place an order for WPWin 6.0a.
-
-
-
-
- Title: Running WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows Under OS/2
- Product: WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows
- Number: 1116-1/94
-
-
- Running WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows under OS.2
- Running WPWin 6.0 under OS/2 2.x requires a special setup. Most
- of the information presented here is specific to OS/2 and is not
- found in the reference manual.
-
- What's in this document?
-
- * Installing WordPerfect 6.0 from an OS/2 Full Screen Session
- * WIN-OS/2 Settings
- * Additional Settings for WPCorp DOS Products
-
-
- Installing WordPerfect 6.0 from an OS/2 Full Screen Session
-
- 1 Double-click the OS/2 System icon.
-
- 2 Double-click the Command Prompts icon in the OS/2 System -
- Icon View window.
-
- 3 Double-click on OS/2 Full Screen
-
- 4 Insert the installation disk for WordPerfect in drive A:.
-
- 5 Type WIN/3 a:install at the OS/2 command line.
-
- 6 Follow the instructions on-screen.
-
-
- WIN-OS/2 Settings
-
-
- Setting Name Default Minimum Suggested
- Setting Setting Setting
-
- WIN_RUN_MODE Standard Enhanced Enhanced
- DOS_FILES 20 70 100
- DOS HIGH OFF ON ON
- DOB UMB OFF ON ON
- DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT 4 6 8
- EMS_MEMORY_LIMIT 2048 0 0
- IDLE_SECONDS 0 5 5
- IDLE_SENSITIVITY 75/95 95 95
- XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT 2048 6144 6144+
-
- The minimum or suggested settings can prevent several serious
- problems that may occur when running WPWin 6.0 under OS/2.
- Customers who run WPWin 6.0 with the default WIN-OS/2 settings
- have experienced frequent General Protection Faults (GPFs) and
- "out of memory" errors. These problems commonly happen while
- trying to print, using Grammatik, editing large documents, or
- doing anything that makes heavy use of memory. Giving WPWin 6.0
- more memory usually solves these problems.
-
- Even if you have not had any problems with WPWin 6.0 in a WIN-
- OS/2 session, it would be a good idea to use the minimum or
- suggested settings for more efficient performance.
-
- Every icon that starts a Windows program from the OS/2 desktop
- has its own WIN-OS/2 settings. To change the settings for WPWin
- 6.0, the first step is to create an icon that starts WordPerfect.
-
-
- Create an icon by migration or by dragging out a template. To
- migrate WPWin 6.0 to the OS/2 desktop, click on the following
- nested icons in the listed order: OS/2 System, System Setup, ane
- then Migrate Applications. Refer to your OS/2 documentation for
- further information on migration and templates.
-
- Next, you will need to change the WIN-OS/2 settings that apply to
- WPWin 6.0.
-
- 1 Click the WordPerfect for Windows program icon once with the
- right mouse button. A pop-up menu will appear next to the
- WordPerfect for Windows icon. You will see an arrow next to
- the Open selection.
-
- 2 Click once directly on the arrow to bring up a submenu.
-
- 3 Click the Settings option in the submenu, and a settings
- notebook will appear. Clicking the tabs will turn the pages
- of the notebook.
-
- 4 Click the Session tab.
-
- At this point, you can select which screen mode you would like to
- operate under. The options for WPWin 6.0 are either WIN-OS2
- Window or WIN-OS/2 Full Screen.
-
- 5 Select WIN-OS/2 Full Screen.
-
- 6 Click the rectangular WIN-OS/2 settings... button. A long
- alphabetical list of settings appears. The following list
- details the WIN-OS/2 settings that should be changed for the
- optimal performance of WPWin 6.0:
-
-
- DOS_FILES
- 70 DOS_FILES are usually sufficient. Setting it higher
- will not increase performance. However, in some
- circumstances, OS/2 will not give the WIN-OS/2 session
- all of the requested files. To compensate for this, we
- recommend setting DOS_FILES to 100. If any of the
- following error messages still occur, set DOS_FILES to
- 255 (the highest value allowed).
-
- * ...insufficient file handles...
- * Cannot initialize, most probable cause...
- * Not enough local/global memory...
-
- DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT is the total amount of
- memory (measured in megabytes) available
- to the WIN-OS/2 session. With many
- systems WPWin can get by with 6, but
- setting this number to 8 will further
- improve performance without inhibiting
- other programs. Set DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT
- to 8 even if the machine only has 6M of
- RAM. OS/2 will create virtual memory on
- the hard drive to make up the
- difference.
-
- Even more DPMI memory will be needed if other Windows
- programs will be running in the same WIN-OS/2 session.
- DPMI rule of thumb: DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT should be at
- least 2M higher than the sum of XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT and
- EMS_MEMORY_LIMIT. Note that XMS and EMS memory limits
- are measured in kilobytes: 1024 kilobytes = 1 megabyte.
-
- EMS_MEMORY_LIMIT EMS stands for expanded memory. WPWin
- 6.0 does not use expanded memory. Most
- users should set this to zero.
-
- NOTE: Running any Windows program that uses EMS memory
- in the same WIN-OS/2 Full Screen session with WPWin 6.0
- would be the only reason for setting EMS higher. 2048K
- (i.e., 2 megabytes) is usually sufficient. After you
- raise the EMS_MEMORY_LIMIT, review the DPMI rule of
- thumb: DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT may need to be raised as well.
-
- IDLE_SECONDS IDLE_SECONDS is the number of seconds that
- must pass before OS/2 begins monitoring the
- application for idle detection. An
- application is considered idle when it is
- repeatedly polling the keyboard for user
- input. Constant keyboard polling can bog
- down the performance of concurrent
- applications. When OS/2 determines that an
- application is polling too much, it lowers
- the application's priority in order to give
- other applications better performance.
-
- With the default settings in effect, OS/2 mistakenly
- thinks that WordPerfect is idle when it is performing
- such functions as text conversion or merging. This can
- turn what should be a 4-second operation into a 1-
- minute operation! Setting IDLE_SECONDS to 5 means that
- OS/2 will wait at least 5 seconds before lowering
- WordPerfect's priority.
-
- IDLE_SENSITIVITY The value entered for IDLE_SENSITIVITY
- represents a percentage of the total
- amount of CPU time given to an
- application. A value of 95 means that
- WordPerfect can spend up to 95% of its
- allotted time polling the keyboard
- before OS/2 lowers its priority.
- Setting IDLE_SENSITIVITY to 100 disables
- idle detection since no application can
- spend more than 100% of its allotted
- time polling.
-
- XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT WordPerfect uses XMS memory. Most
- customers have been able to eliminate
- out-of-memory errors with
- XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT set to 4096.
-
- Nearly all Windows applications use XMS memory. If
- WPWin 6.0 is running at the same time as other
- applications, then set XMS_MEMORY_LIMIT higher³we
- suggest anywhere between 6144 and 16384. You may have
- to raise DPMI_MEMORY_LIMIT to make sure that the DPMI
- rule of thumb is not violated.
-
- If, after making these changes, you are still having problems,
- you need to make sure that the new settings are in effect. The
- following conditions may cause problems:
-
- * The settings you changed are saved with the WordPerfect
- for Windows icon, not with WPWin 6.0. Should you need
- to create another icon that starts WPWin 6.0, be sure
- to change the settings for the new icon. If WPWin 6.0
- is started from the WIN-OS/2 Program Manager, or from
- an OS/2 prompt, the desired settings will not be in
- effect.
-
- * Starting WPWin 6.0 with the WordPerfect for Windows
- icon does not guarantee that the WIN-OS/2 session will
- use the new settings. Before you start WordPerfect,
- make sure that a WIN-OS/2 session is not running.
- Also, verify that no other Windows software (even the
- Windows Clock) is running. Then start WPWin 6.0 by
- double clicking on the WordPerfect for Windows icon.
- The new settings should be in effect.
-
- There is a way to make sure that the WordPerfect for Windows icon
- will always start WPWin 6.0 with the desired settings, even if a
- WIN-OS/2 session is already running:
-
- 1 Open the settings notebook for the WordPerfect for Windows
- icon.
-
- 2 Click the Session tab.
-
- 3 Click the box next to Separate session.
-
-
-
- WordPerfect Corporation 1994
-
- WordPerfect Corporation
- 1555 N. Technology Way
- Orem, UT 84057-2399
-
- WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corporation
- within the United States and other countries. WordPerfect
- Office, WordPerfect Presentations, WordPerfect Rhymer, and
- WordPerfect Works are trademarks of WordPerfect Corporation
- worldwide.
-
-
- ____________________________________
-
-
-
-
- > QEMM 7.04 RELEASED STR InfoFile Quarterdeck Support among the BEST
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- QEMM 7.04 UPDATE RELEASED!
- ==========================
-
-
-
- This is an excerpt from the QEMM 7.04 readme file:
-
-
- The following enhancements and changes have been made in the QEMM 7.04
- package.
-
- 1) QEMM's DOS-Up feature has been enhanced to work more easily with Novell
- DOS7 and DR DOS 6, and to eliminate incompatibilies with Novell DOS 7.
- See the technotes NOVELL7.TEC and DRDOS6.TEC (included with QEMM 7.04) for
- more information.
-
- 2) The Stealth ROM feature has been enhanced so that EXCLUDE and
- STEALTHEXCLUDE parameters will no longer be needed for some video BIOSes,
- including those on video cards with S3 chip sets.
-
- 3) QEMM has been enhanced for greater compatibility with some IBM ThinkPad
- systems. Formerly, these systems needed the XBDA:L parameter to work well
- with QEMM.
-
- 4) QEMM will now load successfully on old Compaq Portable 386 systems.
-
- 5) QEMM and its associated programs have been enhanced to increase
- compatibility with DR DOS/Stacker systems.
-
- 6) Both QEMM and QDPMI have been enhanced to work around problems with
- Microfocus COBOL.
-
- 7) QEMM now provides support for the DESQview/X 2.0 display server to
- increase its speed when it uses VESA display modes.
-
- 8) QEMM can now manage up to 256 megabytes of memory.
-
- 9) The LOADHI programs will properly handle situations in which QEMM is
- not loaded. LOADHI.SYS has also been enhanced to be compatible with more
- block device drivers.
-
- 10) Optimize has been enhanced to work around problems with some ASPI disk
- drivers. Cache-flushing routines on Stacker and DoubleSpace systems have
- been improved, and problems with read-only configuration files and with
- the Optimize /EMM switch have been resolved.
-
- 11) Manifest has been enhanced to improve reporting of video adapters,
- Pentium timings and benchmarks, baud rate, Novell DOS 7 internals, and
- QEMM overhead. Manifest's CONFIG and AUTOEXEC screens should now be
- compatible with all patch levels of DR DOS 6.
-
- 12) Stealth DoubleSpace has been enhanced to eliminate problems with
- making certain DoubleSpace calls from within a Microsoft Windows 386
- enhanced mode window.
-
-
- This upgrade patch is free and available in Quarterdeck's CIS Support
- area.
-
-
- __________________________________________
-
-
-
-
- > WILDCAT 3.91 STR InfoFile
- """""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- MUSTANG CONTINUES WITH THE TOP NOTCH SUPPORT
- ============================================
-
-
-
- This file contains documentation of changes made in WILDCAT! since
- v3.0. It is included as a reference as to when new features were added,
- and for the use of customers updating from PRIOR RELEASES WITHOUT NEW
- MANUALS.
-
- All features listed in this file, with the exception of those for v3.90
- and v3.91, are documented in manuals dated 2/15/93 and later on the
- title page.
-
- All features are listed in reverse chronological order, grouped by
- version number.
-
- =======================================================================
- HISTORY & ADDENDUM TO MANUALS
- =======================================================================
-
- WILDCAT! v3.91 Release Notes: (4/11/94)
-
- Version 3.91 is a free patch update that fixes a problem within
- Wildcat! when indexing messages. If a message header contains more
- than 25 characters in the TO: field improper index would be generated.
- This situation was seen when mailers or other third party utilities
- added messages to the database with names longer than 25 characters.
-
- This release includes new WILDCAT.EXE and .OVR files, new TOMCAT.EXE
- and OVR files.
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- WILDCAT! v3.90 Release Notes:
-
- Version 3.90 is an update to v3.60/3.55/3.50/3.52/3.51/3.50
- and includes the following new features and fixes:
-
-
- WILDCAT! v3.90
- ----------------
-
- - The primary change in this release is support for REMOTE IMAGING
- PROTOCOL (RIP), a graphic script system for communications.
-
- The addition of RIP support doesn't impact a BBS system in any way
- unless the sysop elects to offer RIP support to callers. RIP support
- is only available if the RIP switch in MAKEWILD is activated.
-
- Because the RIP graphic standard is new to most system operators, it
- may represent a challenge to properly implement and offer to callers.
- Although it is our intent to thoroughly describe the standard and its
- implementation in WILDCAT!, the actual creation of RIP graphics and
- screen files is beyond the scope of our support. In an effort to
- provide the most comprehensive information on RIP and WILDCAT! we have
- prepared a separate RIP support addendum to the manual. This printed
- addendum will help with your understanding of the RIP standard, and
- how it can be successfully integrated with your WILDCAT! BBS.
-
- [last-minute RIP notes:]
-
- 1. The RIP menus distributed with the program can be editied as
- desired. We added a text window command at the end of each menu to
- provide a text display area for callers that are either paged by
- another node or need to receive a message that the inactivity timer is
- about to log them off. Without this text window the above text
- messages are simply not seen by the caller while he is viewing a menu.
- The down side to this text window is that it also displays the callers
- selections as they are made with the mouse or keyboard, which the
- sysop may find is not a pleasing effect. The text window can be
- removed from the menus by simply removing the last command with a text
- editor:
-
- |w0012271410
-
- This will cause the menus to be totally graphic, but will inhibit
- display of text sent by the BBS or another node until a text selection
- is made.
-
- 2. Unlike most other text commands, the text commands from the Sysop
- menu cannot be activated from remote with a mouse since they are not
- included in the WCTEXT.DAT file, and therefore cannot be edited to
- include RIP commands. They will be added to the prompt file in the
- next major update when changes to structures are permitted.)
-
- - Added support for automatic RIP detection, if found will try to send
- .RIP, then .SCR, and finally .BBS for display files.
-
- - Added ability for user to select No color, ANSI Color, RIP or
- Auto-detect from [Y]our settings menu. If Auto-detect is selected
- the user will get the screen type that Wildcat! detects at login. NOTE:
- This caused a change in line 4 of USERINFO.DAT. Line 4 used to
- indicate whether Wildcat! detected ANSI at login. Now line 4 will
- contain one of the following: R = RIP, Y = ANSI, N = NONE.
-
- - New users now default to Auto-Detect for their screen display type.
-
- - Changed the entry in the activity log that used to show
- "ANSI Detected: YES/NO" to now show "Detected:RIP/ANSI/NONE".
-
- - If user attempts to logoff the BBS and files are still marked the user
- is asked if they want to download them now.
-
- - Now we check for the presence of an EMS page frame before trying to
- put the overlay into EMS. This will solve problems with DOS 6 and
- WINDOWS which can signal that EMS is present but no page frame is
- present.
-
- - Wildcat! used a 80 character buffer when reading quotes, this caused
- truncation with quotes with color, etc. This buffer has been exapnded to
- the full 255 that Wildcat! supports.
-
- - Fixed a situation where at 300 baud, Zmodem downloads could timeout
- before the other side responded to the ZEOF.
-
- - Fixed a problem with the screen not being cleared properly when
- reading locally with 43/50 line mode turned on.
-
- - Modified DOOR.SYS so that the line that displays whether color is
- enabled is now changed to RIP to indicate that RIP is active.
-
- - Now allow for negative numbers in userinfo for download and download k
- lines in USERINFO.DAT.
-
- - Event file was being checked once a second at waiting for call screen,
- now it checks once a minute.
-
- - Now check for carrier while running SCANFILE on uploads. If user hangs
- up during process then the modem is taken off hook to prevent the phone
- from ringing while the BBS isn't ready to answer.
-
- - Made change in low level async code to deal with Twincomm firmware
- problem.
-
- - User voice and data phone numbers are now logged in the activity log for
- each login.
-
- - Previous versions of Wildcat! would check to see if the stored path
- field of a file record contained a path. If it did and the file existed
- on the path then that file path was used. If it did not exist then
- Wildcat! went ahead and checked the regular file area path. The problem
- with this was that it meant people that rotated CD's ended up having
- users download the 0 byte token files when someone tried a CD that was
- not in the machine. To solve this Wildcat! has been modified so that if
- the stored path is set in a file record Wildcat! will only try the
- stored path.
-
- - Added a field to the status line that indicates the last display file
- Wildcat! sent to the caller. This is an aid to help the sysop know what
- a RIP caller is doing. In the two line status this new item replaces
- the 'since' field. In 5 and 15 line status lines there was room for new
- fields.
-
- - Fixed a problem that prevented passwords with spaces in them from being
- entered at the first name prompt. (ex. Scott Hunter Test Test with
- password being "test test")
-
- - Was using key mask of !.! in file area search command which caused
- files beginning with more than one ! characters to not be found.
-
- - Checking of baud didn't display ANSI colors if they were used in
- NO(BAUD).BBS.
-
- WCMHS
- -----
-
- - Now deletes temporary file used for message packet creation.
-
- MKWCTEXT
- --------
-
- - Modified to use the new 160 byte sized prompt file that 3.90 utilizies.
-
- MAKEWILD
- --------
-
- - Added toggle for RIP support on General Information Part 3. Enabling
- this will turn on RIP detection which will then display .RIP files along
- with .BBS/.SCR.
-
- - Max daily downloads and max daily download k now accept up to 65535.
-
- MAKEQUES
- --------
-
- - Changed color question to display question to match Wildcat!
-
- - Changed color user field to display user field to match Wildcat!
-
-
- wcPRO (for those that have wcPRO)
- -----
-
- - Added wcFAX, a new FAX door that allows preparation and sending of text
- and .PCX files as requested by callers. wcFAX can be configured to
- allow callers to select from a list of documents based on security
- level. FAX documents are sent to the phone number entered by the
- caller, and allowable numbers can be limited by security level. Calls
- can be prohibited or allowed for international calls, long distance
- calls, regional calls, metro calls or local calls only.
-
- wcFAX requires a Class 1 or Class 2 FAX modem, and includes FAX Door
- software for callers to select documents, and FAX Server software to
- send requested FAX documents. The FAX Server can be run as an event
- after every call (or as often as desired) to check for FAX documents
- waiting to be sent, or can be run as a dedicated process in a separate
- DESQview window or network PC.
-
-
- __________________________________________
-
-
-
-
- > WP WATERMARKS STR InfoFile
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- TITLE: Creating Watermarks (Enhancement)
- PRODUCT: WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS
-
-
- Enhancement
- You can now print graphics and text on the background of a page using the
- new Watermark feature of WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS.
-
-
- Concept
- A watermark is a shaded graphic or shaded text placed behind a printed
- document. It is a generic page format which prints on every page, such as
- a header or footer, though it can be printed anywhere on the page. For
- example, the word COPY could be printed diagonally across the width of the
- page in a very light shade to indicate that a document is a copy rather
- than an original.
-
- Watermarks are specified as A or B to help you tell them apart. There is
- no difference between Watermark A or Watermark B. You can, therefore,
- create Watermark B before you create Watermark A. You can have several
- Watermark As and Watermark Bs in a document, but you can only have two
- watermarks active on any given page. You can have them appear on
- alternating pages. You can also suppress a watermark for several pages.
-
- A watermark is stored as a graphic image, so you can edit a watermark.
- Refer to Graphics: Editing the Box Appearance in the WordPerfect 6.0 for
- DOS reference manual for information on editing the watermark graphics
- box.
-
- A watermark does not display in the document window regardless of the
- viewing mode you are in. To see the watermark, use Print Preview or print
- the document.
-
-
- How Do I Use It?
- To create a watermark,
-
- 1 Choose Header/Footer/Watermark from the Layout menu, or
- press Format (Shift+F8) and choose Header/Footer/Watermark
- (5).
-
- 2 Choose Watermarks (3), then choose Watermark A (1) or
- Watermark B (2).
-
- 3 Select the pages where you want the watermark to appear,
- then choose Create.
-
- You are at the watermark editing screen.
-
- 4 To use a graphic in your watermark, choose Retrieve Image
- from the Graphics menu. To use text in your watermark, type
- the text you want to appear behind the document.
-
- When you have finished creating the watermark,
-
- 5 Press Exit (F7) to return to the document editing screen.
-
- Once you create a watermark, it will automatically print on every
- page you indicated in step 3 until it is turned off.
-
- To turn off a watermark,
-
- 1 Choose Header/Footer/Watermark from the Layout menu, or
- press Format (Shift+F8) and choose Header/Footer/Watermark
- (5).
-
- 2 Choose Watermarks (3), then choose Watermark A (1) or
- Watermark B (2).
-
- 3 Choose Off.
-
- 4 Choose OK, then choose Close to return to the document
- editing screen.
-
- As stated above, you cannot view a watermark in any document window except
- Print Preview.
-
- To use Print Preview,
-
- 1 Choose Print/Fax from the File menu or press Print
- (Shift+F7).
-
- 2 Choose Print Preview (7).
-
-
- See Also
- InfoShare document #1402: Changing the Brightness of a Watermark
- Watermarks in the WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS reference manual
-
-
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
- _________________________________
-
- Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
- Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
- Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
- Wait for the U#= prompt.
-
- Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
-
- GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
- Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
-
-
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- ___ ___ _____ _______
- /___| /___| /_____| /_______/ 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)
- ======================
- R. Dean, Editor (Temp)
-
-
- We are still looking through a bunch of applicants for the MAC
- Editor position here. If you have not let Ralph know you are interested,
- do so now. A decisionn will be made shortly. Leave Ralph email at any
- of the STReport address on the various services.
-
- Thank you
-
- Bob...
-
-
-
-
- > A SINCERE PLEA STR FOCUS! Helping Matt Deatherage
- """"""""""""""""""""""""" an Apple Employee and former Genie Sysop
-
-
-
- SHOULD HE BE MADE AN "EXAMPLE" OF?
- ==================================
-
-
- =BEGIN DOCUMENT=
-
- ANYONE WHO HAS EVER KNOWN OR CARED ABOUT MATT DEATHERAGE NEEDS TO READ
- THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE, WHICH IS BEING POSTED ON ALL INFORMATION SERVICES.
- This document is being distributed with the help and support of a number
- of friends of Matt Deatherage, whose names and e-mail addresses are
- listed at the bottom.
-
- MATT NEEDS YOUR HELP, AND HE NEEDS IT BADLY.
-
- By now, most of you have probably read news accounts and seen public
- discussions describing Matt Deatherage's recent run-ins with the law. In
- brief, Matt was arrested in late March and charged with three felonies
- related to sexual misconduct with a 14 year old boy.
-
- There have been a number of sensationalistic news stories describing the
- incident. What you need to be aware of is that these news stories are
- cases of the news media simply reporting the statements of the people
- prosecuting Matt. Everything we are hearing from the news media is the
- prosecution's side of this story, with no effort being made to report
- Matt's side of things.
-
- Since Matt has not contested the charges against him, you may be thinking
- that it's not relevant what Matt's side is -- but it is quite relevant.
- Some of us have spoken to Matt and his attorney. Here's what Matt had to
- tell us:
-
- "I made a mistake. I know what I did was wrong. I should not have done
- it. I take full responsibility for all of this and for everything that
- has
- happened. During this whole thing I have not hidden anything I've done or
- denied anything that happened. That's why I pled 'no contest' to the
- charges. I realize now that even though I thought I was in love with this
- kid and felt he was very mature, I broke the law and I should have to
- face the consequences. I take full responsibility for this. I feel
- horrible about this whole thing."
-
- The specific charges against Matt all revolve around a sexual encounter
- he had with someone under the age of 16. Matt emphasizes that everything
- he did with this person was fully consented to by both parties.
- According to Matt, there was no coercion whatsoever involved; the young
- man contacted Matt, expressed an open interest in sexual relations, and
- pursued Matt on the matter. Even during the sado-masochistic sexual acts
- (yes, that's what they were), there were signals arranged between the two
- of them at every stage so that the entire thing could be brought to a
- complete halt at any time either party wanted to. This was not an act of
- rape.
-
- In fact, none of the charges are termed as rape. Matt has not contested
- the charges which ARE placed against him, all of which revolve around the
- fact that the person he had this encounter with was under-age. The
- charges in court are NOT that he forced himself upon this person. Even
- the prosecution, very much out for blood, has not attempted to charge
- Matt of crimes other than simply having sex acts with an under-age
- person.
-
- Had this been an 18 year old instead of someone just under 15, there
- would be no case, because nobody was forced into anything here.
-
- Matt acknowledges, however, that he still shouldn't have done this. He
- says that he fell in love with what he thought was a very worldly, very
- mature person capable of making his own decisions. He sees now that this
- was wrong of him, because someone that age may not really be as mature as
- he seems, and might easily be emotionally scarred or damaged by something
- like this even if it was consensual. It was wrong, and again, he
- recognizes that he should have to face whatever consequences he must for
- his crime.
-
- Again, you may ask the question, what relevance is this? He's admitted
- to this thing and will now be sentenced, and that, as they say, should be
- that.
-
- HOWEVER, THERE IS A PROBLEM. The prosecution in this case is attempting
- to make a great deal more out of the incident. Rather than simply
- acknowledge this for what it is -- a case of an adult having sexual
- relations with a teenager -- the prosecution is attempting to paint a
- portrait of Matt Deatherage as a sexual predator in the online world,
- using his various system accounts as a means to stalk and pounce upon
- innocent children so that he might do nefarious and unspeakable things to
- them.
-
- Because the world at large does not understand what the national online
- services are, they tend to form nebulous, half-baked ideas of how they
- work and what people do there. They (and now the news media) are easily
- able to dream up a bizarre and frightening image of Matt somehow stalking
- the alleys of a mysterious online world, sneaking into children's homes
- to molest them.
-
- Those of us who understand the world of national online services, and how
- much time and energy these activities take up, and how people really
- encounter each other on them should know better. Does anyone honestly
- believe that Matt would spend years hanging out on the national services,
- spending enormous amounts of time there outside of his full-time day job
- at Apple, just so that, in whatever time he might have left in his
- schedule, he could hope to find children living near his home who also
- happened to be on the same national services, in order to act out a
- frustrated desire to be a serial child molester?
-
- Let's be frank: if hunting down children were the sort of thing YOU were
- going to do, couldn't you think of a ways to carry out such a task that
- were at least more efficient... and maybe a little more practical? :)
-
- Is not the more logical explanation that Matt, hanging out in the gay
- chat
- areas on AOL, got into an online conversation with someone who turned out
- to be younger than Matt would have initially thought? And that it turned
- out by coincidence that this person lived relatively near him, and that
- they got to know each other better because of that?
-
- NOW WE COME TO THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU. The question is not whether you
- approve of what Matt did. The question is not whether you are friends
- with Matt Deatherage. The question is not whether you even LIKE Matt
- Deatherage. WE consider Matt our friend, despite whatever shortcomings he
- may have as a person that led to this situation, but that is not we are
- asking of YOU.
-
- What we are asking those of you who have known Matt as part of our online
- world is this: Of all you have seen of Matt, could you ever believe that
- Matt is some sort of horrible, twisted, predatory monster who uses his
- online access as a tool to waylay unsuspecting waifs into some horrible
- sexual abyss? Is that really in character with what you've seen?
-
- Or is what you know of Matt more what we his friends know of him -- that
- for all that he may be an irascible or grating fellow at times, he's also
- a funny guy who knows plenty about computers and spends a lot of time
- trying to share that knowledge? That he's the kind of person who goes
- out of his way to be of help to those who need it? That he's someone who
- is essentially honest and forthright and driven to help people?
-
- Heck, if nothing else, can you see where he'd have the TIME to skulk
- about hunting for local children online?
-
- SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF ALL THIS?
-
- Matt will soon go before a judge to face sentencing. We repeat yet again
- that he admits his crimes, has never contested them, has expressed deep
- regret for them, and has never been charged with doing anything against
- anybody's will. He himself says that, regardless of the circumstances,
- he should NOT have had sex with this young boy -- he was highly attracted
- to this young high-schooler, and believed at the time that this person
- was mature enough to make this choice, but acknowledges now that he was
- wrong. He does not wish to hide anything and stands ready to face
- whatever consequences he must for his actions.
-
- Matt now faces up to four years and four months in prison for these
- charges. But, it could be better. He could get only two or three years.
- Maybe only one year, plus some form of probation. There's even some
- reason to hope that he might be sentenced to a minimum-security prison
- with a work-release program, with perhaps some sort of psychiatric
- treatment, so that he would be able to keep his job while staying in jail
- nights and weekends, with a few years of probation thereafter.
-
- Needless to say, what happens to Matt and what his life is like from this
- point onward will depend a great deal on what the judge decides Matt
- deserves.
-
- OKAY, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
- ----------------------------
- The Santa Clara County District Attorney, currently facing a re-election
- bid, is making as much of a public hoopla over this case as possible.
- The prosecuting attorneys are using every conceivable scrap of data they
- can to paint a picture of Matt Deatherage as the most despicable and evil
- human being imaginable. This is being presented to the judge (and passed
- on by an uncritical media) in an effort to get Matt the most severe
- possible sentence.
-
- The defense, of course, will attempt to show that most of this is
- nonsense, that this was a consensual act with an underage person by a man
- who made a mistake.
-
- Among other things, evidence attesting to Matt's good character will be
- taken into account by the judge in deciding the sentence. And what we're
- asking for everyone in the online community who knows Matt at all to do
- is to write letters in support of Matt.
-
- You are not being asked to support what Matt did -- Matt himself does not
- defend what he did. You are not being asked to write letters saying you
- believe Matt is innocent -- Matt himself does not claim to be innocent.
-
- You are being asked to write letters in support of Matt as a person you
- have encountered, in the hopes that the judge will give him a humane and
- temperate sentence.
-
- WHERE DO I SEND THE LETTER, AND WHAT SHOULD IT SAY?
-
- Your letter should be addressed to:
-
- Judge Charles Gordon
- Judge of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County
- c/o Dennis Lempert
- 100 Saratoga Avenue
- Santa Clara, CA 95051-7305
-
- The letter should give your full name and address, and should say a bit
- about yourself -- who are you, what you do, how old you are, and how you
- know Matt (that's all very important). It should also state that you are
- aware that he is being sentenced on a number of felonies relating to
- sexual misconduct with a minor. And it should give your opinion of Matt
- Deatherage; essentially, how you feel about him as an individual, and
- what you feel about the idea that he is some sort of dangerous, malicious
- person given to preying upon young boys sexually.
-
- You might say other good things about him, such as that it's clear that
- he's a knowledgeable, productive member of society. (We've spoken to
- people at Apple who work with Matt who wanted us to say he is well liked
- there and did good work for the company.) You could mention that the
- knowledge he gained through his job allowed him to do many helpful things
- for people online in his spare time. You might mention that he's never
- seemed to you to be a disturbing sort of person prone to talking about
- sexual matters with you online (i.e. he never seemed sleazy or
- disgusting).
-
- You might also want to keep in mind the following things when writing to
- the judge:
-
- - Matt is penitent.
- - He admits his crime. He has never attempted to lie about this thing.
- - It is his first crime.
- - We have every confidence that he will not repeat his crime.
- - Just by the news exposure he's getting, he's already begun to pay,
- and will almost certainly be paying for the rest of his life.
- - He'd likely be harmed in a real prison. (Matt is a large man, but
- anyone who knows him personally knows that he is very unthreatening in
- personality and probably easy to victimize physically.)
- - Justice would probably be better served by work-release probation
- and some sort of treatment that would give him a chance to put his
- life back together after all of this.
-
- What you write is up to you. You should NOT send form letters or simply
- copy and paste the things in this document. Most important of all, you
- should not make things up or say things that you couldn't possibly know
- about Matt. Just be honest and write what you feel, written in your own
- words. The judge isn't going to check your spelling and grammar, he just
- needs to know how you feel.
-
- Matt has also suggested that any young people who know him who would care
- to write and tell how they feel about him might be particularly helpful,
- since any young people he's encountered online should know full well that
- he is not predatory toward them.
-
- We must emphasize again that these are not letters asking you whether or
- not you are "friends" with Matt. The question is how ANY of you who have
- watched or seen or encountered Matt, whose lives online have been
- affected by this man, feel about what the prosecution is saying... and
- whether you can find it in your heart to do something about it.
-
- Every letter written will help Matt. Every letter NOT written by someone
- who believes Matt's story is a blow against Matt.
-
- Matt wishes it to be known by the people who know him online that he has
- no desire to share the intimate details of his private life with anyone.
- He is very uncomfortable with this entire matter being discussed in
- public, and it is only because of these dire circumstances that he is
- asking for this help.
-
- ALL LETTERS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN APRIL 27, 1994. Letters
- received after April 27 will be of no help whatsoever. Matt needs your
- help and he needs it right now -- delaying action will be the same as no
- action whatsoever.
-
- We, the below-named persons, have read the contents of this document you
- are now reading, and support with what it says. We are not saying we
- support Matt's actions. We are saying that this is a person we know who
- we respect in other contexts, who we wish to support against the
- extremely negative portrayals by the prosecution and the news media. We
- ourselves intend to write to the judge to urge sentencing that is
- appropriate to the actual crime he admits to, and to who he is as a
- person. We urge you to do the same:
-
- Dean Esmay Eric Mueller
- (dean.esmay@genie.geis.com) (dland.eric@genie.geis.com)
- Kent Fillmore Roger & Pam Wagner
- (draco@genie.geis.com) (rwagnerinc@aol.com)
- Tom Weishaar Dennis Doms
- (tom.w@genie.geis.com) (d.doms@genie.geis.com)
- Dave Lyons Jim Murphy
- (dlyons@apple.com) (murph@apple.com)
- Mark Baumwell Joel Cannon
- (baumwell1@apple.com) (cannon1@apple.com)
- Randy Brandt Jerry Cline
- (brandt@genie.geis.com) (75300.735@compuserve.com)
- Patti Birse Jim Merritt
- (birse@newton.apple.com) (presbyte@aol.com)
- Ellen Rosenberg Jerry Kindall
- (e.rosenberg@genie.geis.com) (ii.alive@genie.geis.com)
- Gary Utter C. Stephen Gunn
- (gary.utter@genie.geis.com) (chuckie@genie.geis.com)
- John E. Rahn Dave Ely
- (jrahn@netcom.com) (ely.d@applelink.apple.com)
- Tara Dillinger Hangtime
- (tara.d@genie.geis.com) (hangtime@genie.geis.com)
- Tim Buchheim Jim Zajkowski
- (t.buchheim@genie.geis.com) (73223.1046@compuserve.com)
- L. Bruce E'Sex Richard Bennett
- (lunatic@netcom.com) (richard.b@genie.geis.com)
- Susan MacGregor Gena Saikin
- (a2.susan@genie.geis.com) (g.saikin@genie.geis.com)
- David D. Miller Nick Passino
- (just.dave@genie.geis.com) (mac.ps@genie.geis.com)
- Earl Childers David Hecker
- (75300.1743@compuserve.com) (sevenhills@genie.geis.com)
- Joe Schober David Ramsey
- (afljoeys@aol.com) (76702.335@compuserve.com)
- Greg DaCosta J. Nathaniel Sloan
- (gregd@pro-desert.cts.com) (a2pro.help@genie.geis.com)
- Bryan Pietrzak Nate Trost
- (bryan.zak@genie.geis.com) (n.trost@genie.geis.com)
- Andy McFadden Jawaid Bazyar
- (fadden@oes.amdahl.com) (bazyar@netcom.com)
- Tom Zuchowski Doug Cuff
- (t.zuchowski@genie.geis.com) (editor.a2@genie.geis.com)
- Jay Jennings Mike & Patty Westerfield
- (insidebasic@genie.geis.com) (mikew50@aol.com)
-
- We wish to express again that we do not support Matt's actions here. Our
- support is for Matt -- again, not for what he did, but for who he is and
- out of a desire to see a fair portrayal and treatment of someone we know
- and respect as a part of our online community. If you know Matt from
- online, even if it's not as a close acquaintance, please help us to help
- him.
-
- Please don't think that your letter doesn't count. Every letter will
- make a difference.
-
- =END DOCUMENT=
-
-
-
- Editor Note:
-
- It is indeed a very ominous sign in our society whe we find the
- blatant use of someone else's heartbreaking troubles being used by an
- opportunist to promote the advancement of their own career. The picture
- depicted of the Santa Clara DA as doing so comes as no surprise. You
- see, it apparently goes on all over the country. In fact, Hollywood has
- made movie after movie about the horrid practice. Its despicable yet it
- is commonplace. God forbid one you love, maybe even a close member of
- your own family might, one day, get caught on the wrong side of the law.
- You'll soon see the "eager beaver" prosecutors hard at work trying to
- grab the "brass ring" at the expense of your loved one or some other poor
- soul. If you can find the mercy and understanding in your heart... write
- a letter today. Now, please.. when help is needed, time is of the utmost
- importance.
-
-
-
-
- **********************************************************************
- IMPORTANT NOTICE!
- =================
-
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-
-
- ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
- =======================
- Dana Jacobson, Editor
-
-
-
-
- > From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- It's been an interesting past few days. The weather has finally
- taken a turn for the better in the Northeast, which is certainly a
- welcomed departure of this past winter. I could really get used to
- this!
-
- I don't usually discuss local happenings in STReport, but I
- thought that I'd mention a few tidbits of interest. First of all, I
- attended one of my user group meetings last Friday, probably the first
- in about 3-4 months. Our guest speaker was Lexicor's Yat Siu. I've
- always been a fan of computer art, graphics, and animation ever since I
- saw my first Cyber animation, courtesy of Antic Software and Tom
- Hudson. Yat brought along the only "Medusa" in the U.S. (impressive
- machine!) and a Nova-enhanced TT. The various products that Yat
- demonstrated were impressive; and the results were simply gorgeous. My
- envy of those people who can do computer-generated artwork grew another
- notch! Yat was very informative discussing these products without boring
- people with a lot of technical jargon. He answered questions, lots of
- them! If you're interested in computer graphics, you're going to want
- to take a look at the variety of products that Lexicor supports. I know
- that this sounds like a shameless plug, but after this meeting, I don't
- really care! <<grin>> The least that you should do is to obtain
- Lexicor's newsletter and see what they have to offer. We hope to have
- him back in the not-too-distant future if he's not booked-up by other
- group members who also attended our meeting!
-
- Also locally, on a sad note, we've lost 2 of the longest-standing
- bulletin board systems that supported Atari users, among others. I
- realize that a BBS going down is a common occurrence as most don't last
- for more than six months. But, these two systems combined were
- responsible for almost 15 years of online support. Needless to say,
- the Boston area (and worldwide for that matter) lost two irreplaceable
- online sources. I'd like to publicly thank Harry Steele for his
- longtime devotion to the BCS/Atari BBS (the Boston Computer Society's
- Atari support BBS) and to Kevin Champagne and Ed George for their
- longtime support with Question Mark BBS (nee Neponset Lite and Harbour
- Light BBS). Their losses are partly indicative of the current Atari
- computer market which has continued to wane over the years. They will
- be missed.
-
- Atari has apparently won another court victory this past week, as
- a defendant for a lawsuit by a former Atari dealer, Bill Yerger.
- Although I only have hearsay information, allegedly, Yerger filed suit
- claiming that he lost his Atari dealer status over accusations that he
- was burning/selling pirate TOS ROMs. There were other accusations that
- were included in his claims which, apparently, had a detrimental effect
- on his business. While no specific details have been reported
- publicly, as yet, Atari has reported that they have successfully
- defended themselves against the charges and that Yerger's suit came up
- empty. Since Yerger did not win anything, he is eligible to opt for
- the appeal process.
-
- Our CIS man about town, Joe Mirando is getting married in two
- weeks. I understand that just about every Atari user in the Hartford,
- Connecticut area was in attendance at his recent stag party trying to
- convince him not to take the plunge!! We'll have to wait and see how
- married life is affecting his online activity after awhile. I have a
- feeling that his CIS coverage may be limited for awhile until the
- honeymoon is long past!! I wonder how much trouble I'm in now!
-
- Although our usual Jaguar coverage last week was scant, we will
- maintain our usual schedule nonetheless. I had considered including
- the material destined for that ill-fated issue in this week's, but
- decided to keep things status quo. Look for reviews of Tempest 2000,
- Crescent Galaxy, and Cybermorph next week. We'll also have a lot more
- interesting Jaguar-related information slated.
-
- Well, there's a lot of information ahead, so let's get to it!
- Until next time...
-
- Delphi's Atari Advantage!
- TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (4/20/94)
-
-
-
- (1) STZIP 2.5 *(6) PHOTOCHROME 4
- (2) LHARC VERSION 3.00 (7) TLC ADDRESS BOOK 5.0
- *(3) ANSI INSTEAD OF VT52 *(8) CPX MAKER PROGRAM
- (4) TRIPLE YAHOO (9) GEMVIEW 3.02
- (5) WHATIS 6.7 *(10) ST_RIP.ZIP
-
- * = 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 #10.16)
- ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO - VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6)
- Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
-
-
-
-
- > Gadgets by Small STR InfoFile - Spectre 3.1 Done!!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- Per Dave's request, here is recent GBS and Spectre 3.1 news from Genie.
-
-
- Topic 33 Thu Mar 24, 1994
- DAVESMALL [Dave] at 01:28 EST
- Sub: Spectre 3.1 is DONE! (yeah!)
-
- Hey, folks, 3.1 is done. Whew!
-
- Category 1, Topic 33
- Message 1 Thu Mar 24, 1994
- DAVESMALL [Dave] at 01:49 EST
-
- "It's been such a long time..." -- Boston, Album 1
- Spectre 3.1 is done.
-
- We'll be posting more details *quite* shortly about how to get your hands
- on it and what it does. Let me give you a brief overview of where I've
- been (and why).
-
- In mid-November, 1993, I got a mild taste of what Eric got with a car.
- This time, it was Man's Best Friend, our Dog "DimWit NumbSkull". German
- Shepherd, regrettably overweight. I was sitting in the vet's office, had
- her on the leash, she was bouncing all over the place. I had my left foot
- on my right knee -- you know how ya can sit? Well, D.N. Dog jumped
- towards me, wrapped her leash around my left ankle neatly.
-
- Well, I was just untangling it when the door opens, and another dog comes
- in. ZOOM! DimWit NumbSkull races to check out the other dog. Leash
- snaps really taught (call her 100 lbs.) and my foot got yanked out, knee
- snapped forward. The ABSOLUTE WORST thing you can do to a knee is to
- move it in or out with your foot turned in, or out. (That's one way they
- check for knee damage. Try it. Don't press if it hurts, back off.) Wow,
- did it hurt. I hope her annual shots hurt. I mean, I'm a dog person, but
- for heaven's sakes... So, it swelled up and all, went into ER, looks
- like knee cartilage torn. Go see a specialist.
-
- Went to see same exact guy who worked on Eric (put rod in his leg). He
- said, "absolutely classic cartilage tear. Let's fix it." We tried for
- before Christmas, but the insurance people moved too slow. It was then
- delayed for vacations and such, and they "did" me in mid February.
-
- I got a "Welcome Daddy" hug from Jamie (5) who didn't know my knee was
- bad, which accelerated it coming apart, about two weeks before the
- operation. I was actually glad when the day arrived.
-
- Hey, WOW is it fun to have someone stick a needle into your knee under
- your kneecap! It got better several years later, as the painkiller
- started to work, but it was no fun at all. They do this three places.
- Then they start water (or saline or whatever) running through the joint
- to flush out junk. They have this TINY probe with a fiber optic light
- and camera hookup and "nibbler". The "nibbler" looks like the baby alien
- in "Alien". No kidding. They hooked it up, and in full living color,
- S-Video (spiffy!) was my knee! Of course, there was some horse leaning
- IN on my knee from the left, and some mule pushing OUT on my leg, bending
- the knee sideways, so the surgeon could get a clear look at the tear. It
- was far back. He said "absolutely classic".
-
- They took pictures, said it was perfect for a book he was writing! (I'm
- not kidding). Meantime, the anesthesia guy was asking me up and down how
- to buy, connect, and run a CD drive on his Mac LC-III (I think). Not
- enough RAM type problems. (Surgeon grumbled to my wife "I talked all
- through the operation!"). Another amazing thing is the refrigeration in
- those operating rooms. Waaay cold.
-
- Anyway, it's all fixed now, I have some scars to compete with Sandy's,
- and the knee works better than it has since before college. (Really).
- Lots of stuff in there came out that needed to and a lot of rough
- surfaces got smoothed down. And Gee, I got to see it all on S-Video!
- (This is a higher quality video than like NTSC, the normal.) The video
- was odd -- it looked like Jacques Cousteau movies precisely -- all
- underwater -- some Alien thing nibbling at the cartilage tear, smoothing
- it down so everything would work smoothly again. It did the trick. But it
- was weird, I tell ya. (The swelling is just finally going down, here in
- late March. THAT is how hard HORSE and MULE were leaning on my knee.
- Ouch.) Anyway. From November on I found it a bit hard to work, what with
- this knee brace and all, and the pills they feed ya. They do improve your
- mood, but your focus and concentration just fly away ... the brace is
- LOTS of fun, about 700 feet of Velcro and many steel rods you wrap around
- the knee to ensure it doesn't bend. Trouble is, steel rods work their way
- up and out into a "sensitive" anatomy region (shall we be delicate about
- it) especially at night. Never did find a solution to that.
-
- Okay, next note will talk about 3.1. The knee is back, I'm going to be
- back online a lot more since I need to be, and the limited time I can
- work won't all be focused on 3.1.
-
- I also needed a bit of a break to get my perspective back. I understand
- people need 3.1's capabilities, but when it just plain crashes, it just
- plain crashes. I can't ship that! I got 8 faxes from someone with "3.1"
- in HUGE letters covering the page. (Maybe I should have just shipped it
- to him and said, "look, it don't work yet?)
-
- -- thanks, Dave Small / VP etc Gadgets by Small
-
- ------------
-
- Category 1, Topic 33
- Message 2 Thu Mar 24, 1994
- DAVESMALL [Dave] at 02:13 EST
-
- OK. Here's 3.1's status.
-
- As you know, we looked at System 7.0 when it came out. It crashes with an
- "out of memory" error. We traced that to an IPL (Interrupt Priority
- Level) test, which was simple: If you were running IPL 0, you passed; if
- not, you crashed, with the error selected as "Out of Memory". Since
- Ataris MUST run at least 2-3 to avoid horizontal blank interrupts (and
- dreadful slow speed), I could almost believe this is an attempt at an
- emulator killer. I don't know. I DO know it took an all-night trace, the
- trace running 9600 baud into a fast PC clone that stored it in a disk
- file (ever tried to find a telecomm program that can do SUSTAINED 9600?)
- and waited until it crashed NEXT MORNING. At the end of this huge file
- (ever tried to EDIT a really big PC file? WordStar finally did it.)
-
- I found the IPL crash. WEIRD. They also had unhooked the 128K ROMS from
- everything ... serial interrupts, mouse interrupts, Line A, Bus Error,
- Vertical Blank, One Second tick, and so on. I really don't know how much
- or little of the ROMs they even use on 7.1.
-
- 3.1 gradually became stable. There were the usual bugs in development,
- because we added and changed a lot in preparation for what's coming
- (Spectre does NOT stop at 3.1!!!) The CONFIG file would not save SCSI
- status. You could not select a boot drive more than the first drive
- displayed. Things like that -- annoying, and all in "C", a language I'm
- real expert in (hoot! *haw!*) But found and fixed.
-
- There are now two menu entries, ACSI and SCSI. If you don't have SCSI
- (e.g., not TT) then SCSI is grayed. Each has 12 or 16 partitions (can't
- remember, it's midnight) displayable. You can turn on/off/format into OOP
- partitions either ACSI or TT SCSI drives.
-
- Then, basically, you can use your TT SCSI drives as Spectre drives. It
- sounds simple, it was really BAD to implement. I had to finally bring in
- a SCSI whiz to help me debug it. Simple: SCSI problems on the
- motherboard. (1st production run TT). We had a "newer" TT, that fixed it,
- essentially.
-
- We also did our best to de-timing-loop the machine, so you can set your
- TT or SST or whatever to warp drive. As far as we know, you're safe up to
- whoever knows Mhz. Maybe that 64 Mhz 040 board would fail, I don't know.
- (Like to try!). But this should get rid of the annoying "turn off caches"
- stuff. It seems very solid; I used it a lot while debugging 7.1.
-
- So, in 3.1, you have the boatload of little fixes we've been adding from
- bug reports since Jan. 1991 (3.0's release date!), a machine independence
- for speed (although 8 Mhz cruises along just nicely), TT-SCSI support
- (and in general, that sort of speed support). I know several people who
- would chew my arm off for TT-SCSI drive support, and others that want to
- turn up their accelerators, and I can dig it ... I like it too. That's
- why the Camaro. As it happens, we "froze" the code in January, and I
- went after 7.1 when I was, errr, mentally able. (quit smirking, you!) I
- believe the problem is the CLASSIC MultiFumbler zero-READ (not write),
- which does not cause a bus error.
-
- It is not reading 0, it's like reading 2 or 4 or 6, the ROM locations.
- Bad data, etc, crash. I have to sic the Zax on this one to find and fix
- it. Good news is we FIXED this stuff before -- this was what crashed
- Microsoft Word 3.02 (remember that war?) and MultiFinder 6.x.x.
-
- So rather than hold you up any longer on 3.1, I'm going to "shoot the
- engineers" (old saying: "Somewhere in the life of a project, you're going
- to have to shoot the engineers and actually ship.") and ship this thing
- out of here.
-
- 3.2 will follow on with the 7.1 with MultiFumbler fix. (Remember, when
- they went to 7, MultiFumbler became mandatory... no more Finder.)
-
- About TT Memory -- I've done some really tricky experiments (in terms of
- getting them to run) in swapping TT memory around to speed up
- performance. I have to do several BIG changes to Spectre before this can
- be fully done and you have like a 12 meg machine. (Caution: Not all
- programs will tolerate 12 meg of freespace. A common bad MacHabit is to
- request 8 megs of memory, knowing it will fail "because of course a Plus
- has 4 megs only", and that causes a memory compaction in the Heap. Well,
- if you have 12 megs and it works, that program may flop. 8 Megs appears
- more stable, and is a more "supported" Mac size, whatever that means --
- programs are more willing to "see it").
-
- I have solved the problem of getting TT memory to be ST memory, which one
- Pundit has been telling folks is impossible. However, there are such big
- changes required, like a whole new buffer setup, that I am not
- comfortable putting them into this code. I think it is a far far better
- thing to get the TT users and high Mhz users up and solid than to crash
- them on an untested RAM scheme. I have a 12 meg TT, I understand you want
- it, but hang in there a bit longer.
-
- The memory menu thus goes to 14 Meg (Falcon, remember), but above 4 meg
- will probably be grayed, since the 3.1 is frozen and I'm working on 3.2
- now. You never change a frozen version except for bug fixes, and then
- you line up various ST versions and test. So far, so good. Even the Mega
- STE no longer has the 4 meg bug, where non 4-meg Mega STE's would crash
- (a cache conflict). The Falcon030 is not yet supported. It's just
- greatest good for greatest number; System 7.1 is needed by more people.
-
- Color Quickdraw I won't comment on, because of all the work I've done.
- Enough said.
-
- For now, there isn't much point in Revving the manual, since it will
- change in 3.2, when other things come up. (For example, you will see menu
- options to enable or disable ST and TT RAM, to do it YOUR way.) But
- they're not going to let you select all TT RAM yet; not until people run
- the new buffer scheme and I'm sure it works. MMU stuff can be mighty
- tricky, and persuading a 24-bit machine (e.g., Mac) to allow me to swap
- in 32-bit memory (where TT RAM is "past the end" of 24-bit memory, past
- 16 Megs; it starts at 16 megs) was most entertaining. Jeeze, I can feel
- the knee brace still digging into my, errrr, ankle.
-
- I would recommend the bug fixes to anyone. We found a couple lulus that
- should not have gone out in 3.0. Ooops... well, it worked well. 3.0 was a
- VERY good release.
-
- I believe the "disk hiccups" and "keyboard freezes" some users have
- reported will stop with 3.1. The disk routines are TOTALLY REWRITTEN
- (again!) with an eye for machine speed independence. This is really not
- easy; there is no easy way to force a given time on the machine, when you
- can't easily find out what sort of machine you're running on, if there is
- an accelerator, and so forth.
-
- For you programmers, just TRY doing a tst.b on MFP bit 5 (GPIP) to slow
- you down. Everyone SAID that would cause an 8 Mhz cycle. On a ST, it
- does. On a TT in cache, it runs twice as fast. Without cache, 1.5 times
- as fast. I don't know why, I just measured it on the scope instead of
- taking it on faith. The timing-independence was difficult but the TT
- seems steady now, been using it for months (on 3.1, of course). But I'll
- head back to the Zax now, and that's 68000 only, on one of the Megas.
-
- The next two goals are to finish stomping 7.1 into the ground, and to
- bring online the extra TT RAM. Most of the code is there, the menu
- options are there (grayed sometimes), but I know there are borderline
- situations I am going to HAVE to test. (Border conditions between ST and
- TT RAM are especially tricky, and they positively will happen).
-
- All the goodies like tailorable menus remain the same.
-
- On XGM (Atari's past 4 partitions formatters since AHDI 3) WE NOW SUPPORT
- XGM PARTITIONS. We can handle 14 per drive, since Atari more or less set
- that limit. (Actually we could go higher, but good heavens, 16 icons on
- your desktop?!?) We have an adjustable total of 16 partitions mountable;
- I can increase that if someone needs it. (What, running a 5 gig hard
- disk?) XGM partitions required a plane trip up to Oregon and seeing an
- old pal again. Hint: He's helped me before a lot with "C" stuff.
-
- The SCSI stuff required bringing in a pro and logic probes and stuff,
- until we figured out the out-of-sync condition was the machine (which we
- could regularly lock up as it got hot). Welp, that's how ya learn.
- GCR code was already pretty time independent, since it slams on the
- cartridge port so much. This just gives it more overhead to work with
- than on 8 Mhz machines.
-
- So. With XGM, we're current with Atari's disk drivers. With SCSI, we're
- current with TT. With high Mhz independence, we can handle various
- accelerators, even one called SST at 40 Mhz. That is trans-warp drive,
- folks. And the bug fixes are ever-welcome.
-
- So. That's the delay, what we have NOW, and what is coming soon.
- I no longer walk the dog with a leash; I never want to get shots under
- the kneecap again. Whooooooo.
-
- We'll post some details about how you can get your hands on this as soon
- as the literature is complete (I'm writing, I'm writing!). Sandy just got
- a pack of 1500 fonts and is dying to use them, too, to format this.
-
- Tell you what. There are a LOT of people not on GEnie who would like to
- know that Gadgets is still alive and 3.1 is done. If you feel like it,
- could you repost these as necessary to the Net? My Visa/MC just ran out
- (of course) and my Internet access is closed until the new card "wakes
- up". (I have the card; Visa/MC does not have it in their blasted computer
- yet, nor given me the PIN code.) Probably comp.sys.atari.st would be a
- nice place to put this; it goes to a great number of Spectre customers.
-
- (Let's not have 15 posts of it, though, ok?)
-
- Thus, for reposting, while these notes on 3.1 are copyright, you are free
- to reproduce them as long as you do so completely, so the next person
- gets the news same as you did.
-
- Questions I won't answer: What was the stupidest thing you did
- programming while taking weird stuff a week before your operation?
-
- (Fortunately, I can't remember a lot of them.)
-
- Anyway. I'll try to be online more now that the intense war for 3.1 is
- behind, and if any bugs show up, we'll catch them in 3.2. I don't think
- it will take long to show up (knock wood) because we spent so much time
- researching how to find and kill zero-reads...
-
- We have had someone answering our Gadgets line (or at worst, returning
- calls) for quite some time now.
-
- PLEASE DON'T BUG HER ABOUT 3.1 EVEN IF YOU NEED IT YESTERDAY. Until we
- have something to ship, we don't want to say "Go!", ok? It takes time to
- get disks duped and CHECKED (we have been loused up so many times we must
- check them!), and I kinda wanta do a new PD disk if time allows.
-
- Naturally, when it's "Go" time (which is a LOT sooner than "Real Soon
- Now"), feel free to call.
-
- I'm sure I've forgotten some things in 3.1, but the point is, we're
- moving and have a definite direction. And yes, we think a lot about
- Spectre 4.0 on the horizon, with all those neat color cards out there. I
- wonder how hard it really is to program a Tseng Labs ET-4000 chip? It's
- good to be back.
-
- Thanks for being patient with us, folks. Wow, have we had our share of
- fun. Enjoy 3.1.
-
- -- thank you, Dave Small / bottle washer, coder, VP / Gadgets by Small
-
-
- ____________________________________________
-
-
-
- > Mastering AtariWorks! STR InfoFile - New From Spar Systems!
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- Released on 4/9/94
-
- Announcing...
-
- MASTERING ATARIWORKS
-
-
- Mastering AtariWorks is a Hypertext Personal Training Guide for the
- novice, intermediate and advanced user. The novice user will find the
- simple step-by-step approach and tutorial files an easy way to lessen the
- learning curve, while the intermediate and advanced user will benefit
- from the referencing feature.
-
- Each AtariWorks command is explained in detail with all the
- necessary information given on how to use it. Tips and tricks are offered
- as well throughout the guide to give you ideas on how to exploit each
- command. The 52 page booklet has over 60 screen-shots of AtariWorks in
- action explaining documented and undocumented functions.
-
- The step-by-step tutorials is just like having a private tutor, but
- without the expensive cost of a tutor. The package includes example files
- on disk, user manual and the Hypertext Personal Training Guide software.
- A few of the topics discussed are line spacing, GEM Metafile, initial
- caps, macros, formats, graphics, page numbering, text alignment,
- SpeedoGDOS information, newsletters, business cards, brochures, database
- records, multi-columns, rotated text, spreadsheet & chart tutorials,
- block handling, database overview, Control commands and much more.
-
- o Supports the Word Processor, Database and Spreadsheet modules.
- o Quick Start support for the novice user.
- o Send online summary to printer, file or clipboard.
- o Retrace help summaries.
- o Use together with AtariWorks.
- o Resolution independent. Supports ST, TT and Falcon resolution modes,
- and third party video cards.
- o Software comes on a double sided disk.
- o Requires only 99K of memory.
-
- AtariWorks is the first integrated (Word Processor, Spreadsheet and
- Database) SpeedoGDOS software package ever to be offered for the Atari,
- and Mastering AtariWorks tells you everything you need to know to start
- creating documents, while learning the software. Mastering AtariWorks is
- fast paced and to the point. Prepare to become an AtariWorks power user!
-
- Now shipping.
-
- Available from your local Atari dealer throughout the United
- States, Canada and Europe. To order from us, send:
-
- (United Sates)
- $44.95 + $3.00 shipping in check or Money Order.
-
- (Canada)
- $44.95 + $3.00 shipping in Postal Money Order made out in US currency.
-
- (Europe)
- $44.95 + $5.00 shipping in Bank Draft made out in US currency.
-
- and mail to:
-
- Spar Systems
- 381 Autumn Avenue
- Brooklyn, NY 11208
- USA
-
- Phone: 718-235-3169
-
- ________________________________________
-
-
-
- > ROMWARE! STR FOCUS! - CD-ROM Publisher Seeks Authors!
- """""""""""""""""""
-
-
- **********************************
- * *
- * ROMWARE ATARI CD-ROM * Call for contributing authors
- * *
- **********************************
-
- The CD-ROM publisher ROMWARE is compiling a new shareware and public
- domain CD-ROM for ATARI. Now we are looking for authors in the CompuServe
- Atari Forums who would like to see their products on our upcoming CD-ROM.
-
- The deadline for authors to contribute their files to this CD-ROM is May
- 1, 1994 (my birthday BTW). Authors, please tell me the name of your
- program, actual version number and where to get it via CompuServe. And do
- not forget to give us your permission, if necessary.
-
- Every program is going to be tested by me. If it stands the test, it will
- be added to the CD-ROM.
-
- What we demand is:
- - Normal applications must run with any TOS based computer
- - Applications should be resolution independent
- - Special applications like MOD players should at least abort with an
- error alert if they do not run on a particular machine
- - All rights of the software must be with the contributing author.
-
- What we do is:
- - We state clearly what the shareware concept is: Try Before Buy
- - We do include always the newest versions
- - We include versions in different languages, if available
- - Our CD-ROM is going to be the cheapest on the market
-
- If you want to know more about ROMWARE, our products or the ATARI CD-ROM
- do not hesitate to contact me via email and ask.
-
- Regards, Hayo Schmidt
-
- ROMWARE Verlags-und Produktionsgesellschaft mbH
- Mendelssohnstr. 15d
- D-22761 Hamburg
- GERMANY
-
- Phone (D)+40-899 58-601
- FAX (D)+40-899 58-112
- CIS 100101,407
-
- _________________________________
-
-
-
- > Audio CD Master! STR InfoFile - Audio CD Access, NOW!!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- Audio CD Master 3.0
-
- Audio CD Master allows you to use all audio CD's with your computer's
- CD rom drive. Just place your standard audio CD in your CD rom drive and
- click on Play from the handy desktop accessory.
-
- Custom controls let you play selected tracks in the order you want to
- hear them, play a range of tracks from a CD, or play the entire CD.
- Audio CD Master works with all monitors, color, monochrome, and broadcast
- TV. Works with VGA on the Falcon along with color, monochrome or
- broadcast TV.
-
- Audio CD Master works with the entire Atari computer line. Use Audio CD
- Master with the ST, STe, and Mega series using the ICD AdSCSI Plus or
- Link.
-
- You can direct connect a SCSI-2 CD rom drive to the Falcon and TT
- for use with Audio CD Master.
-
- All SCSI-2 CD rom drives are supported. A special control file is
- included for use with NEC drives that use a slightly modified form of CD
- audio sound playback.
-
- The Audio CD Master accessory displays both time and track information
- for the disc being played.
-
- For MultiTOS users who prefer to use the application as a program
- rather than an accessory, you can do so.
-
- Audio CD Master works with or without ExtenDOS, MetaDOS, or MultiTOS XFS
- CD rom drivers.
-
- Work on your letters, use a modem, or do some graphics design while
- CD audio plays in the background.
-
- Use your CD rom drive to its fullest potential. Add CD sound to your
- system. Bring your system into the world of computing in the 90's.
-
- You can use Audio CD Master with the phones out on your CD player for
- personal listening or connect your CD rom drive to your home stereo
- system or powered mini-speakers.
-
- FALCON FUN
-
- Want to add surround sound to your home stereo?
-
- Want to sing along with Billy Joel but find him singing an octave too
- high for you. Bring him down to match your range. Match the high note
- in Johnny Mathis' version of Oh Holy Night.
-
- Find out what Bob Dylan would sound like if he was a Cyborg.
-
- Add flanging and other special effects. Add room effects ranging from
- club to Wembley. See your CD audio on a graphic spectrum.
-
- Audio CD Master allows you to control and pipe your CD audio sound into
- the Falcon for DSP effects using the Audio Fun Machine that comes with
- your Falcon 030. Using Audio CD Master and the Audio Fun Machine all
- the above are possible.
-
- On the Falcon, CD audio sound can be used with the internal speaker,
- monitor speaker, or piped out to your stereo system after applying
- Falcon DSP effects.
-
- Digital sound and audio CD can be mixed to add background music to
- your presentation's narrations or slide shows. Great for us with
- Photo Show Pro presentations using Kodak Photo CD.
-
- HOW DO I GET Audio CD Master
-
- Ask for Audio CD Master at any of the better Atari dealers. They should
- have it available shortly.
-
- I CAN'T WAIT
-
- Audio CD Master is available for $29.99 US, postpaid, worldwide, from
- It's All Relative Software, 2233 Keeven Lane, Florissant MO 63031 USA.
-
- ______________________________________
-
-
-
- > SPARTACON II! STR InfoFile! - Electronic Gaming Convention!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- The San Jose State Fantasy/Strategy Club presents:
-
- SPARTACON II
-
- ...a gaming/comic book/electronic gaming convention.
-
- The event will be held on Saturday, April 23, 1994 at the San Jose State
- Campus inside the Student Union. The public is welcome to attend.
- Convention hours are from 10am to 11pm. A swap meet will be held from
- 5:30pm to 7pm. Registration to attend is from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are
- $7.50 each at the door.
-
- Anticipating a modest crowd of 500, this will be the perfect opportunity
- for gamers in the San Jose area to get up close chances to see popular
- games, buy and sell collectables like comic books and trading cards and
- participate in organized Tournament Gaming.
-
- Gameaholics Game Club plans to demonstrate the Atari Jaguar on site!
-
- Although this event is not endorsed or affiliated with Atari Corporation
- in any way, I thought everyone in the area might like to know.
-
- Don Thomas
-
- ________________________________
-
-
-
-
- > The Old Fishin' Hole STR Feature
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- THE OLD FISHIN' HOLE
- ====================
-
-
- -A Guide to the Online PD/Shareware Waters.
-
- by John R. Duckworth
-
-
- Once upon a time there was one online service. If you needed to send
- a message to a friend or colleague all you needed was their mail address
- to complete the task. Sending binary files, such as program archives or
- pictures, was fairly simple as well. Such a task would be accomplished by
- the service's built in 'binary mail' option. Those were the good old
- days. Now, everyone has a different online service to call home. While
- sending text between system (thanks mainly to the internet) has remained
- just about as easy as before, mail containing binary information
- (non-ascii) has increased in complexity. This week I'll delve into a
- great utility designed to streamline such tasks for all Atari TOS users.
-
- "ESS-Code 5.06" by Michel Forget is a freeware program which will
- allow the user to transform binary files into ascii text so they may be
- sent via ascii-only mail channels. The most common method for
- transforming files in called UUencoding (or UUdecoding depending on the
- direction of conversion) which is a standard across most popular
- platforms. While I am not exactly sure of the specifics of the protocol,
- UUencoded files are those which have the binary information changed into
- ascii text so they may be sent over 7-bit mail avenues. Such files are
- likely to be larger than the original file and are often divided into
- several segments since some systems have limits placed on the size of
- mail messages.
-
- "ESS-Code" is not the first UUencoder available for the ST series of
- computers, the first was a TTP program which, in my usage, proved more
- trouble than it was worth. Another UUencoder was called "UUcoder" by
- Steve Yelvington, and while it was the best in it's day, it hasn't been
- updated to reflect advances in the Atari operating systems or coding
- methods. Michel Forget has one of the best reputations for updating his
- programs and he often listens to user input, two of the reasons I will
- stick with using "ESS-Code" for my encoding needs.
-
- Using the program is simple, it is entirely GEM based and the menu
- items are mostly self-explanatory. If the user ever feels lost, all
- he/she needs to do is call up the online help system available just a key
- press away. "ESS-Code" can process files using the UUencode or BTOA
- standard. In my travels, the UUencode method has been generally utilized,
- but according to the author the BTOA method allows file to be more
- compact. Size though is paid for in speed of encoding/decoding and BTOA
- files aren't automatically segmented like UUencoded ones can be. In
- addition to the menu items for encoding/decoding files there are also
- ones for splitting/concatenating raw files such as long BTOA encoded
- messages. The segmentation size of the files created (encoded) may be
- specified from several standard sizes or the user may elect to choose a
- completely different size of their own. Instead of running the program
- from the GEM menu, "ESS-Code" may be installed as an application under
- GEM to automatically decode files, say with a .UUE extension. I prefer to
- give the application it's own icon on my desktop and simply drag a file
- or several files at once to automatically have the program encode/decode.
- Several options may be specified by the user as default including having
- the program ask the user before overwriting files, asking the user to
- specify all of the segments to be processed, selecting a default
- conversion method, and displaying progress bars.
-
- I'll be the first to admit that this business of
- UUencoding/UUdecoding files can be tricky at first. I'm just now
- beginning to feel comfortable about it thanks mostly to the professional,
- and user friendly work of Michel Forget. God bless you Mike! If you have
- ever needed to transfer binary files between systems or through internet
- mail or perhaps grabbing pictures from one of the Usenet newsgroups, then
- by all means download "ESS-Code 5.06" immediately.
-
-
- +----------------------------------------------------------------+
- | Old Fishin Hole Tackle Box * |
- +----------------------------------------------------------------+
- | ESS-Code 5.06 |
- | GEnie: Atari RT- # 32564 |
- +----------------------------------------------------------------+
- * The Tackle Box is meant to provide assistance in finding files
- mentioned in the column. It should not be considered a COMPLETE
- listing and is provided for convenience only. Delphi Atari Advantage
- files should be found in the Recent Arrivals section of the database
- until moved to their appropriate sections.
-
-
- ______________________________________
-
-
-
-
- > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
- =====================
-
-
- On CompuServe
- -------------
- compiled by Joe Mirando
-
-
-
- Hidi ho yet again friends and neighbors. Well, that noose just keeps
- getting closer and closer. Yep, just a few short days 'till I march up
- to that altar and say "I do". My fiancee already considers herself a
- computer-widow but hasn't made me promise to 'forsake all computers'...
- yet. My local computer dealer, a good friend for many years, told me
- that the first time that I have to work on a Saturday Lisa will hold an
- "impromptu computer tag sale". Well, I guess that only time will tell.
-
- At any rate, let's get on with the purpose of this column: all of the
- great news, hints, tips, and discussion that goes on every week on
- CompuServe.
-
-
- From the Atari Computing Forum
- ==============================
-
- Russell Yonkers tells us:
-
- "I am looking for addresses for Atari ST magazines .... I just bought
- myself an atari st and am looking for help on more indepth knowledge as
- well as mail order places to by software and hardware."
-
- Mike Mortilla tells Russell:
-
- "You find several online magazines there as well as hundreds of public
- domain and shareware programs. Also lots of other users ready willing
- (but not necessarily waiting) to help you.
-
- As far as mail order goes, you might want to check out the shareware
- accessory (ACC) called Vendor.ACC in the libraries there. This is an
- Atari ACC that lists *ALL* the vendors active now (or as many as Jim
- Ness -the prog author- has heard of!)
-
- Welcome to the forums! When you leave a message in the Atari Computing
- area, be sure to leave details on your model, set-up (printer, modem,
- screen, amount of RAM, etc) so we can really get you going."
-
- Sysop Bill Aycock, the creator of VENDOR.ACC, tells both Mike and
- Russell:
-
- "Actually, Mike, I've replaced Vendor.ACC with ADB.ACC... the former
- isn't online any more. ADB still comes with the vendor list, though.
-
- Russell, if you have any problem finding it, let us know! Welcome
- aboard!"
-
- Mike Mortilla tells Bill:
-
- "Ooooops! I thought for sure Jim Ness had done the Vendor acc, all you
- programmers look the same to me on CIS <Very Big Grin>..."
-
- Russell replies:
-
- "Thanks for the quick reply. I am really enjoying the computer so
- far. I have a 1040 st with 2 floppy drives. The primary use will be
- for midi for my wife but I am also wanting to get some good games and
- such for it as well. Mainly two player games. I do have two
- joysticks. I am also looking for an adapter that I saw one time that
- allows you to keep both joysticks plugged in as well as the mouse or at
- least some joystick extension cords to make connections easier."
-
- Donavon Facey posts:
-
- "I'm not sure I'm in the right place and I have to admit that I'm not
- a seasoned Atari user. Nevertheless, my girlfriend has a TT030 that
- she needs some info on and I volunteered to look here on Compuserve.
-
- First, she is looking for a manual for the machine or a place to order
- one, she seems to think that Toad Computers would be a good place to
- start but she doesn't have the number for them.
-
- Second, she needs to know the dip switches on a Seagate ST157N, I
- assume that we can probably get them from Seagate but thought I would
- mention that here in case there's more to that drive than meets the
- eye!
-
- Third, she's looking for any info on a program called "Data Diet" from
- DD software?
-
- Any help or a point in the right direction would be much appreciated."
-
- Sysop Ron Luks tells Donavon:
-
- "I can't help on the DIP switches for the Seagate, but I can tell you
- Double Click Software is no longer in business. I dont know if someone
- took over the Data Diet program or not."
-
- Sysop Bill Aycock tells Donavon:
-
- "Data Diet v2 is handled by Trace Technologies, PO Box 711403, Houston
- TX 77271, phone (713)771-8332 1-5pm. If you contact Toad, they will
- most likely either have DD in stock or will be able to order a copy for
- you."
-
- Jonnie Santos jumps in and adds:
-
- "Toad's numbers are: ORDERS (800) 488-8623
- INFO (410) 544-6943
- FAX (410) 544-1329
-
- ...and I've had real good luck with them and their products. :)
-
- As for Data Diet...
-
- I was using it when I had a small 20M drive and it worked fine..."
-
- Brian Caufield asks about PostScript printing:
-
- "I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I'm looking for a
- good postscript interpreter for the ST. I have a mega 4 with a slm804
- printer, and I'm trying to print postscript files that have been
- created with Windows 3.1 applications. I have a version of Ultrascript
- version 1.1 but it doesn't seem to work."
-
- Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Brian:
-
- "You can find GhostScript in the library which is a clone PostScript
- interpreter.
-
- Also you might check Windows v3.1 generated postscript files too. It
- puts a control D (ie ^D) at the beginning and the end. In all other
- normal PS files it is only at the end. Since your PS interpreter
- (Ultrascript) hits the control D as the first character it thinks it
- has reached the end of the file.
-
- You can open the PS file in a text editor and remove the offending
- control D from the file. It is best to work with a backup copy of the
- file.
-
- MS Windows does have a feature that can turn off the CONTROL D at the
- beginning of the file but I'm not sure how.
-
- You can also try the (GO ADOBE) forum for details. Section 4 of that
- forum is the postscript section I believe. Also you can look up the
- details in the "red book" also known as the PostScript Language
- Reference Manual, 2nd edition ISBN 0-201-18127-4. Look under server
- loop, eof or end-of-file."
-
- My pal Brian Gockley of ST Informer Magazine, as well as one of the
- driving forces behind the Connecticut ACT AtariFest, adds his own
- thoughts:
-
- "I think that the best one out there is CompoScript, from Compo
- Software. It has the distinct advantage of working with Type 1 fonts,
- so you can use you one set of fonts for both PPageStream nd CS!
-
- Compo can be reached at: Mr. Robert Engberson
- Compo Software
- 104 Esplanade Ave. 121
- Pacifica, CA 94044
- Fax :415-355-0869
- Work Phone : 415-355-0862"
-
- Peter Joseph asks:
-
- "While we're (not) on the subject, can you speculate why Atari's stock
- is doing so poorly despite the seemingly positive response to the
- Jaguar? Am I out of touch more than I know?"
-
- The big Kahuna himself, chief sysop Ron Luks, tells Peter:
-
- "A few analysts have postulated that even if Atari sold all the Jag's
- they predicted, the full value of the stock would be in the $4 range.
- When it was trading up to 10-12, it was reflecting what the company
- would be worth if they sold 3 million units per year. obviously, they
- arent selling that much and the stock is now nearer its computerd
- value."
-
- Peter has a few more questions for Ron:
-
- "Do you think that as the Jaguar becomes more widely distributed the
- stock will begin to rise again? I'm not asking as a potential buyer
- but as a past buyer who'd like to think he can turn a profit yet.
-
- Also, on the subject of widespread distribution, how _is_ that going.
- Has Atari started nationwide distribution yet? Am I apt to be able to
- go down to the Portland, Maine Electronics Boutique and come away with
- a Jaguar this weekend? :)"
-
- Sysop Bob Retelle tells Peter:
-
- "Actually, Peter... there is a lot of Jaguar news and info in the
- Atari Gaming Forum now... (GO ATARIG)
-
- Basically though, we're still waiting for the big "national rollout"
- of the Jaguar. Atari has targeted 10 major markets in the US for its
- next move.
-
- I've seen Jaguar Tempest ads on MTV recently, but nothing on my local
- stations (I'm in the Detroit area, which is one of the 10 markets).
-
- On the other hand, it IS possible that you might be able to go to your
- local Electronics Boutique or Babbages store and find a Jaguar, as
- those chains apparently are shipping Jaguars to their local stores
- without regard to Atari's "official" marketing plan."
-
- Dazzz Smith tells Bob:
-
- "I noticed someone selling the Jag in the Electronic Mall here on CIS,
- in the May issue of Compuserve magazine."
-
- Bob replies:
-
- "Ah..! I guess if the Jaguar is available via the CompuServe Mall, it
- means it's available "world wide" then..!"
-
- Ron Luks, who is no stranger to the world of stocks, tells Peter:
-
- "I think that as the installed base of Jags get bigger and production
- increases, you could again see a rise in the stock price. However,
- you must remember that Atari has not yet started to turn a profit from
- the Jaguar sales (the last qtr was still showing a loss due to start up
- costs).
-
- What is the worth of a company not earning a profit? Damn small. As
- I said, one analyst estimated the value per share to be $4 when atari
- is shipping between 300-500,000 units per year. For the stock to be
- worth more that that, the underlying fundamentals would have to improve
- over these levels."
-
- Henri Tremblay asks:
-
- "Is there anything on PC/Windows comparable to Universal Item
- Selector?"
-
- Sysop Bob Retelle tells Henri:
-
- "There really isn't anything comparable to the UIS for DOS programs,
- mainly because there's no "standard" way of hooking into all programs
- like there is in GEM...
-
- There ARE some directory/file management utilities available (like
- Norton Commander) that make a lot of things much easier, but they don't
- work automatically from within programs. With most programs you can
- "shell to DOS" to use Commander, then return to the program where you
- left off.
-
- I'm not really very familiar with Windows, but I'd imagine it would be
- a lot easier to do a third-party "UIS-like" utility.. but then again,
- it looks like the regular Windows file selector is pretty
- full-featured..."
-
- Henri explains his dilemma to Bob:
-
- "The problem with Windows File Manager is that it is a program that
- has to be loaded and it is not as easy to use as UIS. I think UIS is
- marvelous and I will miss it a lot on my PC (but I keep my ST, which I
- am using now). Maybe I'll get used to the File Manager then. I
- understand that Windows 4 may be more similar to System 7 on the Mac.
- Let's wait and see."
-
- Jay Nussbaum asks:
-
- "Am I to understand... that adding a cd rom with the ExtendDOS
- software I will be able to use the cds i see advertised ie
- encyclopedias, maps, made for DOS based machines? if so will it also
- operate the built in sound of the falcon i have external spkrs
- connected. J " ^C Albert Dayes @ AOE am I to understand by your answer
- and the others notes i've seen, that adding a cd rom with the ExtendDOS
- software I will be able to use the cds i see advertised ie
- encyclopedias, maps, made for DOS based machines? if so will it also
- operate the built in sound of the falcon i have external spkrs
- connected."
-
- Greg Kopchak of It's All Relative explains the ins and outs of reading a
- CD ROM to Jay:
-
- "Using ExtenDOS or XFS will allow you to read any standard CD rom disc.
-
- You still can only run programs that would run on a Atari from a
- regular floppy disk. You can make use of graphics and images on a CD
- with the appropriate Atari software. e.g. You can view all the GIF
- files on the Space & Astronomy disk using the Atari GIF viewers on the
- CD. You would not be able to run the PC programs in the PC folder for
- viewing.
-
- If you have a Kodak Photo CD disc and a Falcon, you can make full use
- of the disc using the Atari software, Photo Show Pro, Calamus SL and
- others."
-
- Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine draws a parallel of the
- situation:
-
- "Its similar to the IBM and Atari floppy disk problem. You can read
- data files and pictures (such as GIF, TIF, etc) but you can't run IBM
- programs on the Atari. The same is true for CD-ROMs. Unless the
- CD-ROM is Atari specific (like Walnut Creek's GEMini) you will not be
- able to run the programs."
-
- Sean Collins asks...
-
- "A question: I just bought a Mega ST. It works fine, except that a
- couple of the keys on the keyboard sometimes need to be hit more than
- once before I get a response. I am wondering if this is a common
- problem and if it might be easily repairable. Any advice from anyone?"
-
- Brian Gockley of ST Informer tells Sean:
-
- "I have taken a few computer keyboards apart in my day, cleaned the
- dust and gunk out of them, and they have worked much better."
-
- Sean Collins asks about one of my favorite utilities, the Universal Item
- Selector:
-
- "I have been reading some messages on here about a program called UIS
- that sounds great. I'm wondering where I can get a copy. I looked in
- the libraries, and found a patch program for UIS, but not UIS itself.
- Can anyone give me advice on that?"
-
- Boris Molodyi tells Sean:
-
- "UIS is a commercial program. It is available form A&D SOftware or
- form Atari dealers.
-
- In the libraries here you can find Little Green Selector and Selectric
- that have similar features. OTOH, UIS is very inexpensive..."
-
- Sysop Ron Luks jumps in and tells Sean:
-
- "UIS is available from MacDonald and associates. They are represented
- online here by Brian Gockley. They are the publishers of STInformer
- Magazine.
-
- UIS is a *great* program and I wouldnt boot up my Atari without it."
-
- Brian coins the conversation and tells Sean:
-
- "UIS is available at any remaining Atari dealers, through mail order
- sales or directly form A&D Software at 1-800-800-2563.
-
- We are currently shipping UIS 3.32, and are working on an upgrade for
- this summer. Thanks for your interest, see you around."
-
- Ron Luks who, like most of us, wants to have the most current version of
- the programs he finds most useful, tells Brian:
-
- "I'm running ver 3.3 of UIS. Whats different in 3.32?"
-
- Brian tells Ron:
-
- "3.32 added a wormhole button that sends you through cyberspace into a
- dimension that is remarkable similar to Las Vegas. It is a little
- buggy, and occasionally crashes your computer (which by then has
- metamorphed into a Vanna White hologram ) and occasionally leaves the
- user stranded in that dimension. A few users have found a way to
- return after a few years of indentured servitude, and are threatening
- us with a class action suit.
-
- Oh yeah, it also fixed some keyboard routines that were buggy. ;)"
-
- Tony Barker gives us...
-
- "Just a little bit of Atari Australia info for anyone who cares.
-
- They dissappeared up their own a*s in the past few months and an
- auction was held for the remaining stock this past Saturday. There were
- about 20 Falcons, that went for an average of $400 AUD, thats about
- $288 US. A whole palette of 19inch monitors went for $100 each (gee I
- can remember when they were $2500AUD). And all sorts of other crap,
- 2600 games systems went for $5.
-
- This should give you an idea of poor management, there were multiple
- palettes of European power supplies for 2600 machines, they are
- completely useless here, why were they in the wharehouse.
-
- The head honcho over here came to Atari after running Commodore
- Australia into the ground, then his own business and now Atari. Thats 3
- for 3, how do people like this get jobs. I can't wait to see where he
- pops up next.
-
- There's so much more to say, but I'm holding my tongue (don't speak
- ill of the dead :-), maybe one day I'll tell a few stories about the
- timely death of Atari in Australia."
-
- Shawn Laughlin tells Tony:
-
- "Sorry to hear it but not at all surprised. You wonder what type of
- company would hire someone with a bad track record - well of course
- Atari would. It is not the machines or the OS the sent Atari into the
- toilet but the management. Probably the only company in existence that
- counts on customers to be cheerleaders in order to survive - Lord knows
- they don't advertise.
-
- One good thing is Atari makes(made?) durable machines (my original ST
- is still up and running and I expect my STe has about 10 years life
- left) so hopefully this forum will be around awhile to help us with our
- "other" machine. But really, its only a matter of time before Atari is
- just the answer to a trivia question.
-
- Still, I think I would've bought a Falcon for $288 <g>."
-
- Peter Joseph posts this little retreat into "The CyberSpace Game Show":
-
- "Woop! Woop! Woop! It's the Daily Double!
-
- <Me> I'll take 'Management Foibles' for $2000, Alex.
-
- <Alex> "This U.S. company had it all with sales in the millions and
- popularity, only to lose their shirts later in the decade."
-
- Ding! Ding! Ding! <Alex> Peter?
-
- <Me> What is Atari Corp?
-
- <Alex> That's right! Next category, Peter.
-
- <Me> I'll take 'Cubed Roots' for $400, Alex.
-
- <Alex> "This team of three family members couldn't run a red light."
-
- Ding! Ding! Ding! <Alex> Peter, again!
-
- <Me> What's a Katzenjammer?
-
- <Alex> And you're right again. Choose another category.
-
- <Me> How about 'Sinking Ships' for $4000.
-
- <Alex> "This diehard Atarian held on for over a decade before finally
- succumbing to the reality that, in order to keep up with technology
- and make a career with computers, he had to finally jump ship and get a
- full blown Pentium system."
-
- Ding! Ding! Ding! <Alex> Peter, you're on a roll!
-
- <Me> Who am I?
-
- <Alex> That's right, Peter, and with that decision, you win.
-
- <Me> Not the way I really wanted it to go Alex, but that's the way the
- wheel spins right? Wait, that's 'Wheel of Fortune'.
-
- Can I buy a vowel? Anything but the letter A."
-
- Ethan Mings tells Peter:
-
- "[That was] a great posting. I too use an Atari Mega ST2 with a
- upgrade 250 MB hard drive. Since Atari 'ran' out of canada, I have
- seen the death rattle rattle on Atari Corp.
-
- One can say it is a management diaster but I would say it represents a
- diaster in ethics. Somewhere along the line, Atari corp lost is soul.
- In todays market place where relationships with customers are key to
- long term survival, Atari misread its customer base.
-
- I'll hang onto my machine as long as I can keep it running. However,
- I'm looking at my 486 DOS machine which I use on a regular basis for my
- statistical applications.
-
- The lesson, greed is not good and losing your soul can be a disaster
- for everyone involved."
-
-
- Well folks, that's it for this week. Tune in again next week, same time,
- same station and listen to what they are saying when...
-
- PEOPLE ARE TALKING
-
-
-
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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-
- STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
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- > A "Quotable Quote"
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-
-
- - Mark Twain
-
-
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
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