500 MB Nyheder Direkte fra Internet 10/500 MB nyheder direkte fra internet CD 10.iso/start/progs/text/compu34.txt

Text File | 1996-01-27 | 41KB | 704 lines

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                         This Week's Contents:

My Notes:
1) Buy My Booklet, Please!

News:
1) Apple is the Key to $500.00 PC!
2) Mindscape Has a New Leader!

Reviews:
1) Escape with your Life CDROM ([e-mail])
2) Computer Museum Guide to the Best Software for Kids
   ([e-mail])
3) Discovery - Ocean Planet CDROM ([e-mail])

Web Sites:
1) Virtual Neighborhood (http://www.psi.net)
2) Ziff Davis is Ready for You! (http://www.zdnet.com)

FTP File:
1) Print Envelopes and Bar Codes under OS/2

Interview:
1) Michael Chen, Author of Star Rangers with Doug Reed

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date  : January 26, 1996  |CompuNotes is a weekly publication available
Issue : 34                |through email and many fine on-line networks.
--------------------------|We cover the IBM computing world with
CompuNotes is published   |software/hardware reviews, news, hot web
4Point, Inc.,             |sites, cool FTP files and interviews. We also
135 W. Adams, Suite G9    |give away one software package a week to a
St. Louis, MO 63122       |lucky winner for just reading our fine
[phone] voice      |publication! Never dull, sometimes tardy, we
[phone] fax        |are here to bring you the way it is!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Backroom Workers:                     |We are always looking for
Patrick Grote, Managing Editor            |people to write honest,
([e-mail])                         |concise reviews for us. Send
Doug Reed, Games Editor                   |a message to the autobot at
([e-mail])                    |[e-mail]. You
Judy Litt, Graphics Editor/Web Master     |will receive the latest
([e-mail])                           |writer's guidelines and a
Raymond Hines, Web Rambler                |list of available software
([e-mail])                         |to review. Follow the
Paul Ferrill, Languages Editor            |instructions for requesting
([e-mail])               |software to review.
Dennis MacPherson, Utilities Editor       |-----------------------------
([e-mail])                           |   Go Pittsburgh Steelers!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Every issue of CompuNotes ever published can be found at the following
      ftp site: ftp.uu.net:/published/compunotes. Thanks to UUNET!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                 Please Add Our Link to Your Homepage!
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Patrick's News
         Being The Publisher and Managing Editor Has Its Perks!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy My Booklet, Please! |
-------------------------
    How is that for selfless self promotion? I have just finished a new
booklet called "10 Huge Mistakes Every SOHO Business Owner Should
Avoid". How's that for a title? They have been sent to the printer and
will be available in a day or two.
    This booklet details the ten huge mistakes that every SOHO business
owner could make and how to avoid them! Instead of simply telling you to
avoid the mistake, the booklet details how to recover from each mistake
if you happen to make it!
    Our normal price for the booklet is $10.00, but since you are a
CompuNotes reader we'll sell it to you to for $8.00 plus $2.00 shipping
and handling. Just kidding. $8.00 gets your own copy of "10 Huge
Mistakes Every SOHO Business Owner Should Avoid" and a free trial
subscription to SOHO News, a new newsletter for the SOHO business owner.
    Send your check or money order for $8.00 in US funds to:
                              4Point, Inc.
                        135 West Adams, Suite G9
                          St. Louis, MO 63122
                          [phone] Voice

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWS OF THE WEEK| This section is dedicated to verified news . . . All
News (C)opyright  Respective Owner - Will Only Reprint
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Apple is the Key to $500.00 PC! |
---------------------------------
           Developer of Java Seeks a Foothold in Home Market;
           Sees Macintosh as '$500 PC,' say KPMG Consultants

    SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Microsystems' (Nasdaq:
SUNW) reported bid for Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL), now said to be
entering final discussion stages, represents the next major move in
Sun's attempt to dominate the operating system market via Internet
technologies, according to consultants of the KPMG Peat Marwick
Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE(SM)) practice.
    "The low offering price reflects in part the fact that it's
primarily Sun that stands to benefit," says Ed Rodriguez, national
director of the Electronic Devices practice for KPMG ICE.  "By
purchasing Apple, Sun gains a substantial foothold in the consumer
market, from which it can attempt to challenge Microsoft for operating
system dominance.  Sun has already signaled that it hopes to create a
rival operating system via its Java network computing programming
language, which could serve as a platform for Internet-distributed
applications.  It believes Apple can be the vehicle into the home for
such programs.  Essentially, Sun hopes that the Macintosh computer will
become a front end for Internet-distributed Java 'applets' -- in effect,
the $500 PC that Larry Ellison of Oracle Systems has predicted will one
day dominate the home computing world."
    According to Rodriguez, Sun has been very successful selling
workstations into the corporate business environment but has very little
experience doing business in the consumer arena.  "If Java is to
succeed, access to the consumer market is critical.  Apple could very
well be Sun's springboard into the consumer world," Rodriguez says.
    But a successful purchase of Apple will not make Sun an immediate
threat to Microsoft and Intel, Rodriguez says, explaining that internal
business and integration issues will likely preoccupy Sun executives for
at least a year after the buyout.  "It will take 12 months or more for
Sun to articulate a long term business strategy, rationalize the Apple
business components that complement its strategy and seriously execute
against this strategy to take advantage of Apple's customer base," he
says.  "First, significant portions of Apple will probably have to be
sold or otherwise disposed of.  Sun will also have to contend with
melding the two cultures, and restructuring."  It also remains to be
seen whether Sun can successfully manage Apple's business, Rodriguez
says.
    Sun is clearly betting that a union with Apple would cement its role
as a one-shop Internet powerhouse, says Mary Pat McCarthy, national
director of the KPMG ICE Software and Services practice.  "The
combination of Sun's high-end servers and Java programming coupled with
Apple's penchant for user-friendly software and loyal consumer base
makes this potential merger extraordinarily appealing."
    Rodriguez, McCarthy and other KPMG ICE experts are available to
comment on the proposed Sun purchase of Apple, and on other major
computer-industry developments.  Contact Andrea Gregg of KPMG ICE at
415- 951-7503, Rosabel Tao of Fleishman-Hillard at 415-356-1013, or Alan
Ampolsk of Fleishman-Hillard at 212-265-9150, ext. 2216.
    One of KPMG's five industry-focused lines of business, the
Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE(SM)) practice
provides assurance and advisory services to clients who produce content,
distribution and delivery systems for the information superhighway. KPMG
is the only assurance and advisory firm to dedicate a full-service line
of business to these industries as a group.
    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the U.S. practice of KPMG, the Global
Leader among professional services firms.  Worldwide, KPMG has more than
6,000 partners as well as 72,000 professionals servicing clients through
1,100 offices in 829 cities in 136 countries.  In the U.S., KPMG
partners and professionals deliver a wide range of value-added
consulting, assurance, and tax services in five markets: financial
services; manufacturing, retailing, and distribution; health care and
life sciences; information, communications and entertainment; and public
services.

------------------------------
Microprose Has a New Leader! |
------------------------------
   John Moore, Former CEO of Western Publishing, Penguin USA, Parker
         Brothers, Takes the Reins at Consumer Software Company

    NOVATO, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindscape, Inc., a leading
publisher of consumer software, today announced the appointment of John
Moore as its new chief executive officer.  Moore comes to Mindscape from
Western Publishing Company, Inc. where he was CEO, and before that
Penguin USA where he was president.
    Mindscape is owned by international media group, Pearson plc, based
in London.  Moore is familiar to Pearson from when he was president of
Penguin USA, also part of the Pearson group.  "It is especially pleasing
to have attracted John Moore back to the Pearson group," said Frank
Barlow, Pearson's managing director.  Moore left Penguin in May, 1995 to
join Western Publishing Company, the largest publisher of children's
books in the United States.
    Moore has held a number of senior management positions in the
leisure and publishing industries.  Before joining Penguin in 1991, he
spent ten years running Parker Brothers, a leading toy and game company.
He said: "I look back on my experience in the toy and software markets
as one of the most rewarding times in my career to date; so Pearson's
invitation to rejoin them and head up the team at Mindscape is a
challenge I couldn't resist."
    Bob Lloyd, Mindscape's chairman and former chief executive officer,
will continue as the company's non-executive chairman.  "Bob Lloyd has
worked extremely hard for us to reposition the business since we
acquired it in 1994, but will now ease back on his personal role while
continuing as chairman," said Barlow.  "John Moore brings Mindscape a
powerful set of skills that will help take the company forward in a
volatile but very exciting market."
    Mindscape, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of multimedia
CD-ROM products for IBM(R) and compatible computers (MS-DOS(R) and MPC),
Macintosh(R), 3DO(TM) and Sega(TM) CD systems; disk-based products for
Macintosh and IBM and compatible computers (MS-DOS(R) and Windows(TM));
and cartridge products for Game Boy(R), Nintendo Entertainment System(R)
(NES), Super NES(R), Sega(TM) Genesis(TM) and Sega(TM) Game Gear(TM) for
the education, entertainment and information markets.
    Mindscape is headquartered in Novato, CA, with offices in Asuza, CA;
Northridge, CA; West Sussex, England; Dusseldorf, Germany; Paris, France
and Castle Hill, Australia.  The company's development subsidiaries
include Mindscape Bordeaux of Bordeaux, France; Strategic Simulation,
Inc., (SSI) of Sunnyvale, CA and MicroLogic of Emeryville, CA. Mindscape
is part of Pearson, plc, the international media group based in London.
    NOTE:  All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVIEWS OF THE WEEK | Interesting software/hardware you may need . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product: Escape With Your Life CDROM                                 |
Reviewed By: John Nelson ([e-mail])                       |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    This review was performed on a Pentium 100  using Windows 95 w/ 4
speed CD R drive, 16 megs ram, ATI Mach 64 video card.

Minimum Requirements:
                              Windows 3.1
                      MPC 1 compliant CD-Rom drive
             Vga Graphics card, minimum 640x480 256 colors.

        "Escape with Your Life" Self Defense Tactics for Women.

    After a seamless installation on a Windows 95 machine, I found a
simulation led with very useful and easy and natural self defense moves
that anyone can learn.
    Using natural movements like poking, clapping your hands, twisting
you wrist kicking and kneeing you can learn to fend off attackers and
walk away unharm
    The full motion video makes it very easy to see how the moves and
strategies performed and the practice sessions allow you to try the
moves over and over again until you begin to feel confidant that you can
use them if you find yourself in an unpleasant situation.

    "Escape with Your Life" can be used in three different ways to make
studying interesting. 1. "Freeform" works very much like a VCR so you can
fast forward, wind, freeze frame, and stop as necessary to study the
different techniques. It allows you to skip to any topic you wish and
you can record specific segments later review.
    2. "Classroom" allows for multiple students to log in and study.
Question ar asked at the end of each segment and incorrect answers take
you back to review the information again.
    3. "Interactive" allows you to pick from 12 different scenarios and
you have decide which self defense tactics are best for the situation. I
found the Interactive segments to be the least useful as the situations
th arise in the 12 scenarios could be handled in a variety of ways,
however the program only allows for 1 correct move. Therefore I found
myself just randomly picking to find "the" correct answer. As the name
implies this Interactive CD is meant to teach a person how to ge out of
a bad situation by "Escaping" and therefore teaches purely defensive m s
that can harm or disable your attacker permanently.
    Used wisely these methods could truly allow you to "Escape with your
Life"

                         Villa Crespo Software

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Product: Computer Museum Guide to the Best Software for Kids         |
Reviewed By: Richard Malinski ([e-mail])               |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Review -
     Title     - Computer Museum guide to the best software for kids.
     Author - Cathy Miranker and Alison Elliott
     Publisher - Harper Perennial, New York
     Date -  1995                       Estimated price - $16.00 USA
                                                        - $22.50 Can

    This guide provides 'concise and thoughtful advice on software right
for kids'.  It is not simply a description of each program!  For those
interested in introducing kids, ages 2 to 12 and over, to challenging
and exciting computer software this is for you.  If you have a modem and
software capable of accessing the world wide web, this book introduces
you to the Computer Museum homepage at http://www.tcm.org.  Have a look
at the book and if you want more up-to-date information try their
homepage.
    This guide covers over 200 software programs which are for IBM or
IBM clones running DOS or Windows and for Macintosh machines.  You can
find the programs by looking them up by title or by one of the many
indexes. The programs are indexed by publisher, by age, by a four-star
rating as well as by subject.  If you are looking for games that are
available on cd-rom or on floppy disks there are indexes for these
formats as well.  In addition, there are also lists of the 'best' titles
within areas such as simulation programs, 'video-game-meets-education'
programs, programs for siblings to share and programs for kids and
parents to use together.  The indexes and the guide are easily usable by
parents, grandparents and kids alike.
    Each of the programs is described consistently in accord with a list
of nine elements.  The title and overall star rating are at the top of
each page.  There is a short one or two sentence outline of what the
program does.  This is followed by a longer one, two or three paragraph
description.  Then comes an indication of the age group for which the
program is most suitable.  Next is the rating under the three topics of
learning, looks and longevity followed by the computer platform it runs
on, by an estimated cost, by the publisher's name and telephone number
and by a 'bottom line' comment.  This is really a well thought out list
and it is filled in for each program.  You get a very good idea what the
program is like and you can compare one with another in order to make a
sound decision.
    The super feature is the rating.  Each piece of software is rated
under aspects of learning qualities, the looks and the longevity.  Under
learning the authors and the kids and parents who have helped try to
answer questions about the level of the child's developmental needs and
interests the program addresses.  They also indicate whether it invites
participation, whether it challenges the child and whether the program
uses the computer to create a unique experience.  Again, this is a very
well crafted guide!  The aspect of looks draws attention to the program
design and use of animation, sound and video, whether it is appropriate
for the age of the player and whether it is intuitive.  Lastly, the
longevity criteria deals with the probable length of time that your kids
will use it.  How many times have you bought something that sounds good
but after it is opened it just sits around and gathers dust?  The
longevity rating is a really terrific feature.  For the programs that
I'm familiar with, the evaluations of software using these three ratings
are bang on the money!
    This guide is more that a book.  It is a gateway to fun and
learning.  It provides an introduction to computer software for kids and
then provides an added route to a world wide web homepage.  This union
of print and electronic formats is the perfect way to show parents and
kids that there are various ways to get access to information and that
one route is never enough!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Product: The Discovery Channel- Ocean Planet                         |
Reviewed By: John Nelson ([e-mail])                       |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
    This review was performed on a Pentium 100  using Windows 95 w/ 4
speed CD Rom drive, 16 megs ram, ATI Mach 64 video card.

Minimum Requirements:
                            386 SX or higher
                          Windows 3.1 or Later
                      MSCDEX version 2.2 or later
                    CD-ROM drive, sound card, mouse
             Vga Graphics card, minimum 640x480 256 colors.

    If you are curious about the world we live in, or you are concerned
about the environment the Ocean Planet CD-ROM is for you. With this
CD-ROM you will learn about not only the oceans on our world but will be
able to study how the oceans affect virtually every aspect of our lives.
Study how the oceans affect the weather and climate, learn how pollution
is impacting on the oceans and what we can do about it. Learn about
global warming and the ozone. Talk to the experts and ask question about
the oceans. Watch beautiful film clips in full color and sound. All of
this and more can be found on the Ocean Planet CD-ROM.
    The Ocean Planet CD-ROM is an interactive exploration of the unique
water planet known as earth.
    Just insert the CD and run the short install program and your on you
way to exploring the only environment of its kind in the entire solar
system.
    The Ocean Planet CD takes you on a Multimedia Adventure in an
undersea museum filled with interactive exhibits.
    Visit the "Undersea Theater" for a breathtaking look into the depths
of the oceans.
    Go to the "Library" to find in-depth information on a broad range of
subjects ranging from endangered species, fishing and its impact, to
pollution and its effects on our world.
    Go to the "Q&A" section and you can question the experts on a
variety of subjects.
    Visit the "Planet Ocean" section to learn about all the different
oceans with subject covering everything from plate tectonics and the
undersea ridge to the history of diving and its developments.
    The "Current Connection" section and you will learn all about
currents, weather and atmosphere and its effects on our planet.
    "In Danger" allows you to explore the many ways that our oceans are
endangered by pollution, overfishing, etc.
    "Sharing the Planet" lets you discover ways that we can utilize the
oceans for our needs while allowing other species to continue to exist.
    The "Ocean Planet" CD-ROM is a must have for anyone with an interest
in our planet and it's diversity of life.

                           Discovery Software

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEBSITES OF THE WEEK! | This section is devoted to cool WebSites . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virtual Cornucopia! |
---------------------
    NEW YORK, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a virtual cultural
cornucopia on the Internet, as Pipeline, a PSINet Inc. (Nasdaq: PSIX)
company, introduces several exclusive Internet sites through its New
York City-based "Virtual Neighborhood."
    These new sites are an example of the local content Pipeline plans
to roll out to cities across the country as part of its Virtual
Neighborhoods program.  Virtual Neighborhoods was launched by Pipeline's
parent, PSINet, to provide local content in select U.S. cities,
including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles and Dallas.
    Pipeline recently launched "nyfood.com," the tri-state area's first
World Wide Web site for ordering food for delivery.  The service is free
to all Internet users, and can be accessed at http://www.nyfood.com.
Pipeline NY subscribers get added features like chances to win gift
certificates to well known restaurants and the opportunity to post food
reviews on the site.
    Epicurean delights aren't all that's new on Pipeline NY.  There's
also food for thought from The New School, and advice for the lovelorn
for those with an appetite for romance.  For those who prefer Picasso
over Prosciutto, Pipeline offers an online version of Museums New York,
while purveyors of popcorn will enjoy Pipeline's unique B-movie site,
"Phantom of the Movies."
    Museums New York Magazine (http://www.museumsny.com): Pipeline NY
subscribers now have access to the Internet version of Museums New York,
a bimonthly arts and culture publication providing news and information
about exhibits and events at over 100 museums in the tri-state area.
    Museums New York's Web site is available for viewing by subscribers
exclusively for two weeks before it is released to the entire Internet.
Subscribers also have exclusive access to their extensive Daily
Calendar, and to free and discounted tickets to various museum exhibits.
Senior editors host monthly events in Pipeline's news groups and
facilitate news group appearances by museum curators and artists.
    The Phantom of the Movies: (http://www.phantom.nyc.pipeline.com):
Pipeline NY announces the debut of The Phantom on the World Wide Web.
The site is an "e-zine" covering genre and cult films, and features
interviews, reviews, links to other movie sites, letters to The Phantom
and video clips.  The Phantom, a columnist for the NY Daily News, will
make regular appearances in Pipeline NY newsgroups to answer questions
about genre films.  Subscribers have exclusive previews to sections of
the site.
    The School of Flirting (http://www.flirting.nyc.pipeline.com): For
those interested in laughing, meeting people, role-playing, and finding
true love, Robin Newman Gorman, author of How to Meet a Mensch in New
York, and Susan Rabin, author of How to Attract Anyone, Anytime,
Anyplace, have developed the School of Flirting, a monthly event taking
place at Stand Up New York, a comedy club on the Upper West Side.
    Every other week, Robin and Susan share their insights on the
subject of "How to Find Love in New York" exclusively with Pipeliners by
posting columns on their Web site.  Pipeliners interested in enrolling
in School of Flirting classes also are entitled to a discount to the
sessions of their choice.
    Food For Thought: Pipeline New Yorkers can now use the Internet to
further their education through the New School's Distance Instruction
for Adult Learning (DIAL) program and Pipeline New York.  Pipeline
developed custom applications allowing subscribers to connect to the New
School and take courses online.  Look under the Pipeline menu item Metro
NY/Education/New School for course and registration information.
    To Be Or Not To Be Online (http://www.publictheater.org): Pipeline
NY helped develop, and now hosts, the Public Theater's Web site. The
Theater offers New Yorkers Shakespeare in the Park, and presents plays
like "The Tempest," starring Patrick Stewart, works by Steve Martin, and
more.  Theater directors, producers and others will join Pipeline NY
newsgroups for online chats.  Pipeline subscribers receive a 20%
discount to all plays.
    The Pink-Triangle (http://www.gmhc.org): Pipeline NY proudly hosts
the World Wide Web site of the Gay Men's Health Crisis, a well-known
organization involved in the fight against AIDS.  In addition,
representatives of GMHC partake in monthly discussion sessions in
Pipeline's newsgroup, pipeline.pink- triangle.
    The Y on the Web (http://www.92ndsty.org): The 92nd St. Y now has
its own Web site which Pipeline helped develop, and is hosting.  Check
out the site to discover upcoming events, and chat with artists in
Pipeline NY newsgroups.  Subscribers receive a 15% discount.
    Headquartered in Herndon, Va., with an established, content-rich
"Virtual Neighborhood" in New York City, Pipeline is the nation's first
Internet online service that offers unlimited Internet access 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week at a flat rate ($19.95 per month). Readers/viewers
/listeners can call 1-800-453-PIPE (7473) for free Pipeline software.
Pipeline recently received PC Magazine's "Editors' Choice" award as an
excellent package for new users.  The Winter 1996 edition of Your First
PC describes Pi peline as "the best nationwide Internet service
provider."
    PSINet has defined industry standards and is a leader in
technological innovation and new service development.  The company is
headquartered in Herndon, Va., with sales and service offices across the
U.S., Cambridge, England and Tokyo, Japan.  PSINet is a publicly held
company trading under the PSIX symbol on the Nasdaq exchange.  Further
product availability and pricing information can be obtained by calling
703-904-4100; through PSINet's Web site at http://www.psi.net; or by
sending an e-mail request to [e-mail].

------------------------------
Ziff Davis is Ready for You! |
------------------------------
    FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ziff-Davis
Publishing Company has more than 500 editors and reporters worldwide who
can provide expert commentary on major stories in the computer industry
-- including the latest speculation swirling around Apple Computer Inc.
    For example, Pamela Pfiffner, MacUser's Editor-in-Chief, and Cheryl
England, the magazine's Editor, both jumped into the fray this morning
with on-line columns.  "What concerns me more than the financial blood-
letting is the creative brain-drain the company is experiencing," writes
Pfiffner.  Adds England, "Saying it wants to increase market share or
drop its low-end products in order to focus on higher-end, higher-margin
products is not enough: Apple needs to come up with a vision for its
future."  (T he columns can be found at
http://www.zdnet.com/~macuser/applefuture/.)  These columns inaugurate
what will become weekly, exclusive on-line columns written by MacUser
editors.  Pfiffner can be reached at 415-378-5694, England can be
reached at 415-378-5683, and other MacUser editors can be contacted by
calling Laurel Skillman at 415-378-5624.
    Mark Hall, the Editor-in-Chief of MacWEEK, also has an exclusive on-
line column on the current "Feeding Frenzy" in the Mac market.  Writes
Hall, "It used to be that if Apple sneezed its (third-party) vendors
caught colds.  Now Apple could be at death's door with the Ebola virus
and vendors would hardly get an ache or a pain."   Hall's Off The Record
column quotes two hardware vendors in the Mac market who tell  him their
having a record year in sales and profits.  Says one "I don't care if
Apple ever makes a dime, as long as they keep selling all those Macs."
(Hall's column can be found at
http://www/zdnet.co...04/opinion_ptr.html.)  Jon Swartz, MacWEEK's
Business Editor, has also been following developments closely.  (His
latest story can be found at http:www.zdnet.co.../news_chairman.html.)
Hall can be reached at 415-243-3584 or [e-mail],
Swartz can be reached at 415-243-3529 or [e-mail], and
other MacWEEK editors can be contacted by calling Skillman at 415- 378-
5624.
    Dan Farber, the Editor-in-Chief of PC WEEK, and Charles Cooper, News
Editor of PC WEEK Online, broke the story that Apple has offered its
chief financial officer's job to Frederick Anderson, Jr., who is
currently vice president and CFO with Automatic Data Processing Inc.
(The story can be found at http://www.zdnet.co...s/0122/o23papl.html.)
Farber can be reached at 617-393-3810 or [e-mail], Cooper
can be reached at 617-393-3828 or [e-mail], and other PC
WEEK editors can be contacted by calling Cathy Cantwell at 617-393-3700.
    MacUser is the leading paid circulation magazine in the Macintosh
publishing field and the magazine is rated number one by Mac buyers for
its comprehensive lab testing and reporting on Macintosh products.
MacWEEK is the only newsweekly that provides the news and analysis on
which organizations with the largest Macintosh installations can rely.
PC WEEK is the computer industry's most relied upon newsweekly, with a
controlled subscriber base that includes more than 300,000 qualified
buyers who make volume purchases of PC and networking products.
    In addition to MacUser, MacWEEK, and PC WEEK, Ziff-Davis publishes
PC Magazine, PC Computing, Computer Shopper, Windows Sources, Computer
Life, FamilyPC (with the Walt Disney Company), Computer Gaming World,
Inter@ctive Week (with Inter@ctive Enterprises), and Yahoo! Internet
Life in the U.S.  Outside the U.S., the company publishes another 10
magazines outside the U.S. and licenses an addition 56 titles that are
distributed in more than 100 countries around the world.
    Ziff-Davis is also the leading publisher of computing content on-
line. Its award-winning ZD Net Web site (http://www.zdnet.com) offers
more than 20,000 pages of frequently updated computer news and
information, and receives millions of page requests each week from
hundreds of thousands of unique users.
    The SOFTBANK Corporation of Japan recently signed a definitive
agreement to purchase the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company from Forstmann
Little & Co.  The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first
quarter of 1996.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
COOL FTP FILE OF THE WEEK | You may need this file . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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CASS certified.

      You can find this as APMAO115.ZIP on the following FTP site:

               ftp.crl.com/users/su/supportu/apmao115.zip

 If you requested a program from a previous issue, it is now up on the
                         FTP site! Grab it now!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK | Interesting people you should know about . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Chen, Author of Star Rangers!|
--------------------------------------
    First, a little bit about Michael, in the designers own words: I'm
Michael Chen and I'm 24 years old. I was born in Lawrence, Kansas (and
was almost named Lawrence, in which case my sisters would have been
named Rochester and Phoenix. As it was, I was named after my mother's
favorite Irish uncle) but have also lived in Michigan, New York, New
Jersey, Arizona, North Carolina, and California. I went to UC Berkeley
(Go Bears!) intending to get a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology,
but they misspelled it "History" on my diploma. Star Rangers is my first
game, and its been a great experience.


DR: How did you get into designing games?
MC: The short version is "luck". The long version is a pretty funny
    story, but a fairly typical "Wild Bill" Stealey story. (For those
    who are wondering, Wild Bill co-founded Microprose with Sid Meier,
    and is now head honcho here at IMAGIC.)  After graduation, I needed
    to make some money for grad school, and since the job market for
    History majors is pretty flat, I ended up running a fast food
    restaurant for a couple months.

    Enter Bill Stealey at the drive-in. As I was getting him some
    coffee, out of the blue he asks me "So, do ya play computer games?"
    With a gleam in my eye, we started talking about games - what I
    liked, what I didn't, what my favorite games were, why I knew who
    Sid Meier was but not Wild Bill Stealey (answer: Sid's name is in
    big letters on the outside of the box.) After we'd talked for about
    5 minutes, Bill told me he thought I was a very interesting young
    man, handed me his business card, and told me to call him because
    his new company needed a game designer. I didn't go to grad school.

DR: What are the most important features for a good game?
MC: 1) Choice
    2) Choice
    3) Choice

    Choice is important because its how the player interacts with the
    game and affects its outcome. If the player's can't choose, then
    they are watching a movie, not playing a game. In Star Rangers, we
    gave the player "choice" by providing a strategic map that allows
    him to analyze the situation and decide what to do next, rather that
    forcing the player down a linear path of predefined waypoints.

DR: What are the most important elements in designing a good game?
MC: There is really only one element that any game needs. It needs to be
    fun. If its not fun, what's the point? However, there are an almost
    infinite number of ways to get to "fun".

DR: What do you think is the future for computer games?
MC: As I gaze into my crystal ball, I see four clear images... On-line
    gaming will finally come into its own and become a real mass market
    phenomenon.  Games will become more and more expensive as outside
    companies with no experience and deep pockets enter the market in
    increasing numbers. There will be a growing rift between the
    companies that want to make games and the companies who prefer to
    make interactive movies. The second group will be the first against
    the wall when the revolution comes. (thank you Douglas Adams)

    After an initial period of disarray, a single 3D accelerator
    standard will emerge and the new boards will permeate the market,
    becoming almost as ubiquitous as sound cards, and allowing us to do
    incredible things. Things never before even conceived of. After two
    days of this, everybody will want more.

DR: What kind of education/background do you think is essential for
    someone to design games.
MC: As far as I'm concerned, the only things that are essential are a
    good knowledge of games of all types and the desire to make better
    ones. Here at IMAGIC, while all of the designers have college
    degrees, none of us have any programming experience and we like it
    that way. At other companies, it is considered essential for the
    designers to be able to code too. But overall, it seems that gaming
    experience is what you need most.

DR: What is your favorite computer game (besides Star Rangers)?
MC: Well, since you took my real answer, how about the next 5? (in no
    particular order)

    2) Civilization, Possibly the greatest strategy game of all time.
       Combines my love of history with lots of player choices.

    3) Zork I. They say that nothing compares with your first love.

    4) Apache  Helicopters are cool. Graphics are great. There's lots of
       stuff to blow up.

    5) Tie Fighter  I'm a Star Wars junkie. I can't help myself.

    6) War in Russia  An SSI classic. First of the  monster wargames.

    While I'm at it, how about my favorite movies?

    1) Lawrence of Arabia
    2) The Terminator
    3) The Last Emperor
    4) Time Bandits
    5) Star Wars trilogy
    6) Raiders of the Lost Ark

DR: Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?
MC: Well, my big hobby used to be computer games, but since I do it for
    a living now, I guess its tough to call it a hobby anymore. I
    suppose that other types of gaming would be my hobby now. My
    girlfriend collects Fisher Price Little People (you remember them,
    little plastic or wooden people with no arms or legs), but I don't
    think that I can rightly claim it as my hobby, even though they're
    all over the apartment.

DR: Is it possible to have both a life and design games?
MC: I thought games were life.

DR: Is there anything else you'd like to say?
MC: I guess its tacky to tell everyone to go out and buy themselves Star
    Rangers, so instead I think everybody should go out and buy Star
    Rangers for their friends and loved ones.

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