home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Shareware 1 2 the Maxx
/
sw_1.zip
/
sw_1
/
TEXT
/
ZNETPC25.ZIP
/
ZNETPC25.ASC
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-02-09
|
144KB
|
2,895 lines
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Z*NET: PC ONLINE MAGAZINE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
February 9, 1992 Volume 2, Number 5 Issue #25
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc.
CONTENTS
* The Editors Desk............................Ron Kovacs
* Z*Net Newswire........................................
* The Graphical Edge........................Mike Mezaros
* Troubleshooting Stealth....................Quarterdeck
* IBM OS/2 Developer Update.............................
* Microsoft Online Conference.................CompuServe
* Texas Instruments Laser Printer Fix...................
* Changing Windows Startup Screen..........Press Release
* Attention ADA Tool Users..............................
* Fastrax..................................Press Release
* The Purple Alliance.......................Mike Mezaros
* Pacific Connect..........................Press Release
* What is OZ-CIS?.......................................
* Perusing The Internet (Windows).........Bruce Hansford
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
~ Publisher/Editor...........................................Ron Kovacs
~ Assistant Editor...........................................Mike Davis
~ Contributing Editor......................................Mike Mezaros
~ Contributing Editor....................................Bruce Hansford
~ Columnist...................................................Jim Manda
~ Z*Net New Zealand Managing Editor, Asst Publisher..........Jon Clarke
~ Z*Net Canada, Assistant Editor........................Terry Schreiber
~ Assistant News Editor.......................................John Nagy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ GEnie Address...................................................Z-NET
$ CompuServe Address...........................71777,2140 or 75300,1642
$ Delphi Address...................................................ZNET
$ Internet/Usenet Address.................................status.gen.nz
$ America Online Address.......................................ZNET1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Z*Net:USA New Jersey...(FNET 593)......................(908) 968-8148
* Z*Net:Pacific (INTERNET/@status.gen.nz)................(649) 3585-543
* Wildcat BBS - West Coast Support For Z*Net.............(503) 526-2667
* Northern Maine BBS.....................................(207) 496-2391
* ComNet Luxembourg BBS..................................(352) 466893
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* THE EDITORS DESK by Ron Kovacs
=======================================================================
This week we include a letter to the editor and news on the shake up at
MicroSoft. Also, check out the transcript of the MicroSoft Conference
held on CompuServe. - Ron
] From John J Mcging
The article on the DRI-MS dispute left me speechless and slightly
incoherent. Getting free software from MS maybe?
Let's see.... DRI is "cloning" MS-DOS. Well, didn't Gates pretty much
copy DRI's CP/M when writing DOS V1? Isn't a clone an identical copy of
something? If MS copied CP/M, and now CP/M copies MS, who's the
infringed party? Can someone who's work was based on someone elses
claim foul when that someone comes back at them?
Anyway, although MS insists on misusing the term clone (as does Mike
Mezaros) that is incorrect, as DRI adds functionality beyond what MS has
in DOS. An improvement isn't a clone. What they have is a MS-DOS (or
is it PC-DOS or COMPAQ-DOS?) compatible operating system. Who would
want to buy an identical copy of MSDOS, anyway?
The key is that it is compatible. And it is. Except for a few
utilities written to specifically use undocumented features of MSDOS,
very few programs have been found not to run with DRDOS V6. Pretty good
when you consider MSDOS V5 needed setver to fake out programs. And big
guns like CPS and Norton needed new versions to deal with it.
Now, you seem to imply that MS is the injured party in the DRI/MS thing.
You state that MS has been pretty nice in all of this, for example
stating that they've NOT sued DRI (maybe because they have no grounds?)
They've ALLOWED peaceful co-existence? Allowed? When were they put in
the position of being able to "allow" (or not allow) a company to exist?
Get real. There is nothing MS could do legally to DRI or they would
have tried back with DRDOS V3. Killed it while an infant so to speak,
with lawsuits or patent infringements or whatever. Just like they can't
stop WordPerfect or any other competitor.
MemoryMax is accused of being the culprit for the Windows 3.1 thing, as
well as being a problem since Day 1. Well, DRI did release new versions
of emm386 and hidos.sys. I know people who can't install Windows 3.1 on
a system with DRDOS, but you CAN change from MS to DRDOS once it is
installed and it works fine. MemoryMax works better than MSDOS's memory
management, and neither is as good as MAX or QEMM. But I got 4K more
from MemoryMax than from 386Max.
Let's see... I guess my phone company shouldn't allow my long distance
company access to my phone over their wires. They're cloning their
service, doncha know. Or maybe I need to see the subtle distinctions
between the MS _Windows_ staff working with QuarterDeck, Qualitas
(competitors in memory management), Novell (DRSG's parent organization
and chief competitor in LANs), WordPerfect (chief competitor in word
processing) even IBM (chief competitor in everything). DRI isn't asking
the MS _DOS_ staff for help, they are stating that they too are a
competitor of a MS application and like all the competitors that the MS
Windows staff has helped, they ask for the same courtesy. Or should the
_Windows_ people have said NO to all those other competitors? Because
they market products that directly compete with MS?
Your analogy makes no sense. There IS no distinction between an
application and an OS from a very pragmatic point of view. They are all
software. It IS in the best interests of the _Windows_ people to make
sure it runs on as many platforms as it can, so as to sell the most
_Windows_ packages they can. Maybe the _DOS_ people have a different
idea, but they're (DRSG) not asking the _DOS_ people for assistance.
Gee, if WordPerfect for Windows runs under Windows 3.01a but fails to
run under Windows 3.1, we know who will be blamed. WordPerfect, for not
being compatible, not MS. But who made the changes? MS. Do they help
WP? Sure do.
Windows runs right now exceptionally well on the DRDOS platform. If it
fails to run Windows 3.1, we know who will get blamed. DRSG, for not
being compatible, not MS. But who made the changes? MS. Do they help
DRSG. Sure don't.
Maybe these 2 situations make sense to your reporter, but the logic
escapes me. Calling it good business sense, I guess my electric company
should turn off the electricity to my gas company, because they are at
each other's throats in the home heating business.
I guess MS just doesn't have what it takes to stand up to competition,
to improve a product rather than milk it. There'd be no MSDOS 5 if DRI
hadn't released their V5.
Anyway, I found that piece to be (obviously) charged enough to write,
but am disappointed at how much Mike has swallowed the MS line, right
down to the misuse of the word clone. Really.
Editors Note: Thanks for the comments and keep them coming!!
=======================================================================
* Z*NET NEWSWIRE ..The First News..
=======================================================================
SHAKE-UP AT MICROSOFT: HALLMAN OUT, TRIUMVARITE IN
In a move that took the industry by surprise, Microsoft has ousted
president Michael Hallman and is filling the office with a "troika" of
executives. Under Hallman's nearly two year reign the software giant
doubled in value. His position is being filled by a triumvarite of
executives made up of Steve Ballmer, Mike Maples, and Francis Gaudette.
A report in the New York Times alluded to personal conflicts between
Hallman, a former IBM executive, and Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. Microsoft
denied such allegations, and claimed that Hallman was involved in the
decision and was offered a spot in the triumvarite. Quotes attributed
to Hallman in the mainstream press, however, seem to indicate that the
move was less than friendly. Hallman expressed puzzlement at the
decision, citing the company's growth during his tenure. In an
apparently unrelated move, Senior Vice President of Sales Scott Oki
announced early retirement a few days before the announcement. A
transcript of a recent MicroSoft Conference online with CompuServe is
included in this edition of Z*Net PC.
NORTHGATE INTRODUCES UPGRADABLE CPU'S
Northgate has introduced a new line of upgradable computers. The
"Elegance ZXP" systems can be upgraded by simply replacing the CPU chip
itself. Earlier upgradable systems from Northgate were based on the
popular "CPU module" method, where the CPU and a number of key
components are placed on a removable card. Other vendors, including
Acer, have moved to similar CPU upgrade methods in recent months.
APPLE CUTS PRICES, DUMPING 68000/68020 MACS
Apple is planning to stop production of all 68000 and 68020 based
Macintosh computers in April, including the original Classic and LC, to
make way for the newer 68030 and 68040 based systems. As a result,
prices on current Macs based on the earlier processors will see dramatic
price reductions in the coming weeks. Apple is also expected to dump
the Mac IIfx, in favor a new 33Mhz 68040-based Mac Quadra. The
Motorola 68030 and 68040 microprocessors are somewhat analogous to the
Intel 80386 and 80486 units used in PCs; Mac's featuring the higher-end
processors offer more features and capabilities.
MICROSOFT FOUND NOT-GUILTY
Microsoft Corp. was found not-guilty in two separate cases last week. In
the first case, brought by a 67-year old woman claiming age
discrimination, the judge ruled that inappropriate remarks toward her
from Microsoft employees did not prove that the corporation itself had
discriminated against her. In the other, Microsoft was accused of
learning trade secrets about an Arabic version of Windows developed by a
Kuwaiti firm. Microsoft hired two of the firm's employees when they
fled Kuwait during the Gulf War. The court ruled that non-disclosure
agreements signed by the two were not in effect because the Kuwaiti firm
had stopped paying their employees.
NEW SOUND OPTION FROM MEDIA VISION
Media Vision, developer of the popular Pro Audio Spectrum sound board,
is set to introduce a new sound option for PC users next month. The
ThunderPort, a small adapter that connects to the parallel port of any
PC, will provide 8-bit sound using a Yamaha FM synthesizer chip. Though
the port is SoundBlaster compatible, it doesn't meet the MPC
specifications. However, it will include a driver for Microsoft's
forthcoming Windows 3.1. The ThunderPort will retail for $179.
MICROSOFT LAUNCHES "WINDOWS COMPATIBLE" CERTIFICATION
Will your next IBM compatible be Windows compatible? Microsoft is
pushing systems vendors to certify and label their systems as "Windows
compatible." Microsoft feels that the statement "IBM compatible" doesn't
mean much anymore, considering that many true-blue IBM systems have
compatibility problems themselves. Microsoft will offer a logo that can
be used in advertising or on the hardware itself. DEC, Tandy, and Dell
have reportedly already signed on, and Microsoft expects to attract
additional vendors at a conference to be held early next month. "Windows
is becoming a very strong and powerful brand name for customers," said a
Microsoft spokesman, "they look for software that is Windows compatible
and they look for machines that run Windows very well."
MAC EMULATOR FOR SUN WORKSTATIONS
Xcelerated Systems has begun shipping a product that allows Sun
SPARCstation users to run off-the-shelf Macintosh software. Liken,
which retails for $695, currently works with Apple System 6.0.7 and is
compatible with all SPARCstation models. Performance is said to be
acceptable, with lower-end SPARCstations running Mac applications at
slightly better than Mac Classic speed. Versions of Liken are planned
for other Unix workstations in the next few months.
APPLE GIVES POWERBOOKS MORE MUSCLE
Apple Computer has announced two new variations of the Macintosh
Powerbook 100 notebook computer. Both of the new models are System 7
ready, with 4MB of RAM and a 40MB hard drive. The difference between
the two models is that one includes the external floppy drive (MSRP
$2599) and the other does not (MSRP $2399). Apple has also reduced the
price of two older models which featured 2MB of RAM and 20MB hard drives
by $300 (with external floppy, MSRP $2199, without MSRP $1999).
AMD 33MHZ 386SX
AMD has again topped Intel with the fastest CPU in a given class: this
time it's a 33Mhz 386SX microprocessor. IIT also announced a 33Mhz
387SX math coprocessor to support the chip; other companies (like Cyrix)
are sure to follow their lead.
HIGHER LINE RATES THREATENED FOR BBS'S, FAX, ANSWERING MACHINES
US West, a "baby bell" telephone company in Oregon, is apparently aiming
to charge BBS operators business rates. The company is asking a state
regulatory commission to certify any phone not answered by a human voice
as a business line -- and no exceptions are noted for BBS systems, fax
machines, answering machines, or TDD systems. The controversy began
when Steward Anthony Wagner, a hearing-impaired BBS system operator,
requested three additional residential lines. Two were to be used to
expand his BBS to four lines, the other was for the use of a TDD device.
US West refused, and wanted to charge him business line rates. Mr.
Wagner couldn't afford the increased costs and was forced to close down
his BBS. Wagner alerted fellow FidoNet SysOps, however, and many of
them chipped in to help him pay legal fees for an appeal. A decision on
that appeal is expected in about a month. In the meantime, however, US
West's proposal still stands. "There's no question they want to apply
this to all SysOps," Wagner told the press, "Their position is that if
it's not answered by a human voice, it's a business. A fax machine is a
business to them. So's an answering machine."
TOP TEN SHAREWARE TITLES FOR JANUARY
The top ten most requested shareware titles for January were: 1) Duke
Nukem (Apogee Software Productions, EGA/VGA arcade style game), 2)
Commander Keen 1 (Id Software, EGA/VGA arcade style game), 3) ViruScan
(McAfee Associates, computer virus detector), 4) Sky Globe (M. Haney,
astronomical display), 5) Graphics Workshop (S. Rimmer, graphics file
converter/editor), 6) Crystal Caves (F. Maddin, EGA/VGA arcade style
game), 7) By Design (Streetwise Software, graphic designer for
WordPerfect), 8) Desktop Paint 256 (S. Rimmer, paint program), 9) AM-Tax
91 (AM Software, tax preparation), and 10) Print Partner (R. Bequette,
prints cards, banners, etc.). This list is produced by Dorinda MacLean,
and is compiled from unit sales of evaluation disks by eight leading
U.S. and Australian disk vendors (Public Brand Software, CWI, Manaccom,
PC-SIG, Shareware Express, Shareware Marketing, Software Shopper, and
Software Excitement!).
INTEL WINS IN COPROCESSOR SCAM CASE
Terabyte International, Inc. of Torrance, California has been found
guilty of "counterfeiting" Intel math coprocessors. A more accurate
description of what happened may be relabeling, however. The chips were
actual Intel models, but coprocessors with lower speed ratings were
being marked and repackaged with higher speed ratings. A U.S. District
Court decided that Terabyte was guilty and awarded Intel $361,000 in
damages plus attorney fees and costs.
SOFTWARE BUNDLE INCLUDES "FREE" 386SX
The DAK catalog usually sells their computers with large "free" software
bundles, but now they've turned the tables: they're selling a large
software bundle with a "free" 386SX. The $1499 software bundle includes
Word for Windows 2.0, Quattro Pro 3.0, Windows 3.0, Adobe Type Manager
2.0, Grammatik for Windows, Objectvision 2.0, Norton Desktop for
Windows, the Microsoft Productivity Pak for Windows, World Atlas for
Windows, U.S. Atlas for Windows, Software Toolworks Desk Reference,
Chessmaster for Windows, MS-DOS 5.0, GEM Artline, Keychart 2000, and the
Ainsworth Keyboard/Keypad Trainer. The total retail value of all of the
packages is $3,846 (though the total street price would probably be less
than half of that). The "free" 386SX computer is a BSR 16Mhz 386SX with
dual floppies, mouse, a 512K SuperVGA board, VGA color monitor, 1MB RAM,
and a 40MB hard disk drive. Food for thought: 1MB RAM certainly isn't
enough memory to run much of the software effectively, and a 40MB hard
drive will probably have trouble holding all of it. If you are
interested in the offer, you may want to ask about RAM and disk options.
You can order a free copy of the DAK catalog by dialing 1-800-325-0800.
TRIGO LOWERS PRICES
Trigo lowered the price last week on its new version, Tree Based 2.0.
The old list price of $129 was reduced to $69.95. Tree Based was
designed to close the gap between checkbook programs and spreadsheets.
While checkbook programs can be confining, spreadsheets are often
complicated and time consuming. Using check-like transaction entry and
a unique tree structuring feature, Tree Based brings the user both an
intuitive and a flexible working environment. Tree Based needs at least
512K RAM and DOS 2.1 or higher. It supports both monochrome and color
monitors. Both 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 diskettes are included in each package.
New list price $69.95, Tree Based offers a 60 day money back guarantee
and free user support via a toll free number. Interested readers may
contact Trigo at 1-800-MNY-TREE.
AUTOSIGHT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY
AutoSIGHT announced the availability of AutoSIGHT ProView 4.0, a full-
featured graphics based CAD file access tool. AutoSIGHT ProView
includes all of the features of Access 3.0 plus the following major
enhancements: improved display speed, accurate display of AutoCAD files
(including AutoCAD font and shape files), true AutoCAD line types, 3D
viewing, expanded printer support, support for HPGH II, and improved
redline support. AutoSIGHT ProView 4.0 will be released at CeBIT '92 in
Hannover! Shipment will begin March 15, 1992.
COMPUTER CITY TO OPEN SUPERCENTERS
Computer City has selected its next 10 new SuperCenter locations in the
US and its first SuperCenter in Europe. Locations in the US include St.
Louis, Mo.; Baltimore; Seattle; Miami; Las Vegas; Dallas; Tampa, Fla.;
Rochester, N.Y.; El Paso and Arlington, Texas. Five of these locations
-- St. Louis, Baltimore, Dallas, El Paso and Rochester -- will open by
June. The first Computer City SuperCenter to open in Europe will be
located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Computer City - Copenhagen is scheduled
to open in May and is a separate subsidiary of Tandy.
IBM OFFERS NEW DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS
IBM introduced two new programs to broaden distribution and give Value
Added Remarketers (VARs) more flexibility in marketing Personal System/2
(PS/2) or Personal System/1 (PS/1) personal computers. The objective of
the new program is to increase the number of VARs that sell IBM
products. The Authorized Distributor:VAR program enables qualified VARs
to remarket new, specially configured PS/1s. The new PS/1 Pro models
feature a 20MHz, 80386 SX microprocessor and will be sold in combination
with a VAR's value-added enhancement.
COMPAQ TO SHOWCASE NEWEST PC'S
Compaq will demonstrate its newest products as part of PC-based hardware
and software solutions for multi-user and client-server environments at
this year's NetWorld conference in Boston, Feb. 11-13. The
demonstrations at NetWorld will feature a broad range of COMPAQ products
-- including COMPAQ SYSTEMPRO/LT PC servers and COMPAQ DESKPRO high-
performance desktop PCs, as well as new COMPAQ portable PCs -- in
networked configurations.
APPLE CUTS PRICES
Apple Computer cut prices last week on most of its Apple Macintosh
personal computers, with the reductions ranging from 9 to 36 percent.
Apple said the price cuts cover versions of its Macintosh Classic,
Macintosh Classic II, Macintosh LC, Macintosh IIsi, Macintosh IIci, and
Macintosh IIfx personal computers as well as some Macintosh PowerBook
100 models. The deepest cut announced came on its Macintosh LC, it
reduced the price 36 percent from $2,649 to $1,699. The cuts do not
cover the Macintosh Quadra line and the Macintosh PowerBook 140 and 170
notebook computer models.
FIRST REAL-TIME WIRELESS
Gyration introduced the first hand-held wireless pointing device for
presenters that can remotely control a floating cursor on a computer
monitor while the pointer is manipulated in free space. GyroPoint
Remote uses radio frequencies (RF) which allow presenters to interact
and move about audiences of any size while still having complete control
of the computer. Gyration was demonstrated at Infocomm International
in Washington Feb. 6 through Feb. 8. GyroPoint Remote is compatible
with all Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh software programs. Other
platforms require additional software drivers.
1,000 SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS IN UNIX
UNIX announced last week that more than 1,000 independent software
vendors (ISVs) worldwide have joined in the UNIX International ISV
Program. The program provides participants with the means to transition
existing products and develop new products that are optimized ed for UNIX
System V Release 4. UI currently provides training for ISVs that are
migrating from MS-DOS to System V Release 4. Upcoming sessions will be
held in Los Angeles (Feb. 11-12), San Francisco (March 4-5), Washington
(March 25-26) and Toronto (April 21-22). Further information is
available through UI's headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., by calling 800-
848-6495 (800-UI-UNIXV).
DA VINCI DISCOVERS VIRUS
Da Vinci Systems announced that a recent shipment of eMAIL 2.0
demonstration disks and 30- day kits may be infected with a computer
virus known as Michelangelo. Approximately 900 customers and potential
customers were sent the infected disks. Of these, over 600 were Da
Vinci resellers. Da Vinci Systems immediately notified its resellers of
the problem via electronic mail and will mail a new set of disks to all
recipients of the infected disks by Feb. 6. The Michelangelo virus sits
passively on infected machines until March 5 (Michelangelo's Birthday)
when it corrupts data on a user's hard disk. FORTUNATELY, THE VIRUS CAN
ONLY BE CONTRACTED BY BOOTING UP AN INFECTED FLOPPY. Because the
infected disks are not bootable, most users who have received these
diskettes will not contract the virus on their machine even if they run
the demo or install the software on their hard disks. The only way
users could catch the virus from an infected disk is if they
inadvertently boot up their computers with the infected floppy in drive
A and the drive door closed. The Michelangelo virus can be detected by
Microcom's Virex version 2.1 or later or by Mcafee Associate's shareware
program VIRUSCAN version 7.9V84 or later. Da Vinci users and resellers
can download VIRUSCAN from Da Vinci's BBS at 919-881-4342.
CRAY INTROS ENGINE SIMULATOR
In what could eventually have an effect on the efficiency of automobiles
powered by internal combustion engines, Cray Research has introduced a
software program designed to significantly reduce the testing period of
such engines. Presently, auto designers say it takes about two years to
test internal combustion emissions and efficiency of new engines. Cray
Research says the new software could significantly reduce research and
development costs, shorten design cycles, and bring more environmentally
-sound engines to market quicker. The program, dubbed CRI/TurboKiva, is
designed to run on all of Cray Research's computer systems. Cray
supercomputers use Unicos, a Unix-based operating system. System prices
range from $340,000 to about $30 million. Cray Research says the
software models fluid flows -- air intake, combustion, and exhaust
characteristics -- of internal combustion engines.
AMD HAS 486 CLONE
Advanced Micro Devices' confirmation that it plans to release a clone of
Intel's flagship 80486 microprocessor, while no surprise to the
industry, is another confirmed headache for Intel, which has been
fighting a tough rear-guard action since AMD cloned its popular 386
chip, and promptly stole a sizeable piece of the market. In an effort
to fend off the determined assault by AMD, Intel recently introduced a
variety of new products, cut prices of established microprocessors, and
became entangled in an ongoing copyright infringement suit with AMD.
FULLMOTION VIDEO BOARD
Videomail was demonstrating its new VMC-1J Live Motion Video Controller
at the Windows & OS/2 exposition in San Jose, which allows for the
displaying of full motion live video in a window on a VGA. The video
window, which displays in real time and in color, can be moved anywhere
on the screen. It can also be zoomed or clipped to a suitable size.
Naveen Tangri, president of Videomail Inc., said that the product is
very fast and designed for people who need to store and compress, and
send images, such as those involved in video databases and
communications. In addition to capturing a still image into a file, the
image can also be directly printed. Images are captured in a choice of
several file formats, including TIFF and TARGA. The company claims that
the VMC-1J can accept up to three independent NTSC or PAL video inputs,
in real-time, at 30 frames-per-second (fps) for NTSC, or 25 fps for PAL.
According to the company, a JPEG compression algorithm is used to
compress still images by typically more than 20:1. The board requires a
16-bit slot in an IBM PC or compatible using a 286, 386, or 486
processor, a standard VGA board with feature connector, a standard VGA
monitor, MS-DOS 3.0 or higher, and Microsoft Windows 2.11 or 3.0.
Priced at $1,295, the VMC-1J is also available at special rates to
qualified OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and software
developers.
SPRING COMDEX INFO
This year's Spring Comdex will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago,
Illinois, from April 6 through 9 in conjunction with Windows World '92.
New this year will be the Comdex Multimedia Showcase, a dedicated
pavilion on the Comdex/Spring'92 exhibit floor which will house the
companies producing new multimedia titles and hardware. All together,
Spring Comdex is expected to have more than 900 companies exhibiting
all sorts of personal computer hardware and software products. The
multimedia exhibit will be accompanied by a special multimedia
conference program on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Microsoft
chairman and CEO Bill Gates will give the Windows World keynote speech.
There will also be special showcases for network computing, Unix/Open
Systems, and imaging.
BERKELEY INTROS AFTER DARK 2.0
The place was awash with After Dark carrier bags, as Berkeley Systems
plugged the company's new After Dark 2.0 for Windows screen saver
software. Claiming over forty displays, the new version features such
new images as swimming swans and cygnets, a hall of mirrors, and
bouncing marbles. The company claims that the 2.0 version offers
digitized sound, improved color graphics, and network password support.
The package also includes a utility which turns an After Dark display
into wallpaper, called WallZapper, and a feature called MultiModule,
which allows for the showing of multiple displays on the screen.
Additionally, the program offers howling coyotes, screen-munching worms,
and a bubbling fish tank. A logo module allows for the input of a
scanned corporate logo, which drifts about the screen when the screen
saver engages. The software also offers message capabilities which
allows users to leave such messages on screen as "Out to Lunch," "Back
at 3:00 p.m.," and "I quit." After Dark 2.0 for Windows carries the
suggested retail price of $49.95. Upgrades to After Dark 2.0 for
Windows will be available February 17, 1992. Customers who purchased
After Dark after December 1, 1991, can receive the upgrade for a $5
shipping and handling charge. For customers who purchased After Dark
before December 1, the upgrade price is $9.95, plus $5 shipping and
handling.
ILLUSTRATOR FOR WINDOWS
Adobe Systems has announced Adobe Illustrator 4.0 for Microsoft Windows.
The Windows version of Adobe Illustrator is very much like the Macintosh
version, and, like the Macintosh version is geared toward professional
illustrators, Adobe said. Adobe lists new features in the Windows
version as editing in preview mode, improved graphing capabilities,
improved color support, on-line, context-sensitive help, marquee zoom,
and import and export file support. The company says the time it takes
to load files has been significantly reduced in the new version and the
software has been optimized for performance with Intel 386 and 486 based
systems.
DESQVIEW/X BY APRIL
In a corner of the Comnet communications show, Quarterdeck Office
Systems, makers of the DESQview operating environment, was demonstrating
DESQview/X. This products combines the DOS based DESQview and the Unix-
based X-Window environment in a combined product that can be used on
either or both operating systems. QuarterDeck Office Systems started
advertising DESQview/X late in 1990 in hopes of having it on the market
early in 1991. Now they are talking in terms of the first quarter of
1992.
=======================================================================
* THE GRAPHICAL EDGE by Mike Mezaros
=======================================================================
"IBM is putting all its strength, leverage, and marketing noise behind
OS/2, the brain-dead operating system for the likewise microprocessor.
As I lay here reclining on my couch with a lightweight 386-based
notebook perched on my lap, it seems quite fitting for IBM to be
developing and marketing an operating system for the all-but-dead 80286
processor."
- Steve Gibson, author of SpinRite, displaying his ignorance of the
fact that OS/2 2.0 is 386 specific. Infoworld 1/6/92.
....-----------------------------------------------------------....
..... GEOWORKS: COLLECTOR'S EDITION - GET YOURS NOW? .....
......-----------------------------------------------------------......
Perhaps you've missed the new Pepsi commercials with "Super-Model" Cindy
Crawford. If so, Pepsi has a new logo design for their cans. Nothing to
jump and down about, but it's a nice, new, modern design (in other
words, anyone who uses Edlin will hate it).
I was sitting here at my keyboard working on a programming project and
downing half a case of this stuff when I noticed, in very small print,
the words "New Pepsi Design - Collector's Edition" on the side of the
can. This really caught me by surprise.
Is there actually a market for used Pepsi cans? Are there conventions
of collectors who sit around checking the difference in weight between
the 1974 and 1984 Pepsi can models? And, if this really is a new,
permanent design, aren't the cans with the older design destined to be
rarer, and thus more collectible?
A few years ago I was in the comic book business. The words
"Collector's Edition" were typically the kiss of death; most often found
on the last issue of a series. Most books with those words on them are
anything but collectible. Just a last-ditch attempt to raise sales.
Maybe GeoWorks should consider adding "Collector's Edition" to their
packaging?
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking GeoWorks (which, technically,
I should be calling PC/GEOS, but whoever said I had to be technical?).
In fact, I have been thoroughly impressed by it from the beginning. I
have given it many "hands-on" trials in the past, and recently a copy of
GeoWorks Ensemble 'Lite' was bundled with another purchase (it lacks the
drawing and terminal software). In the past few weeks I've had the
opportunity to get even more up close and personal with the underdog in
the GUI biz...
I wanted to find out just how good GeoWorks really was, so I grabbed my
GeoWorks diskettes and headed over to the Z*Net PC testing facility,
located in Middlesex, New Jersey's tallest building, the Z*Net Tower
(forgive me for borrowing from Jim Manda's imagination). What I
discovered was that GeoWorks is even more BLAZINGLY fast and AMAZINGLY
efficient than I had previously thought.
As a matter of fact, this article is being written in a DOS-mode word
processor, which was launched from GeoWorks, which in turn was launched
from Windows, which in turn is running on top of DOS (which in turn is
running on a 20Mhz 386). It may sound like a recipe for disaster, but
it works quite well and performance is not at all sluggish -- the word
processor performs as well as it would under straight DOS (at least as
far as any human can detect). Of course, this isn't the type of setup
I'd be using normally, but it does demonstrate a few things.
The word processor is running fine because GeoWorks, being a real-mode
environment, unloaded itself before running the word processor (leaving
only a small memory "hook" behind). But the real story here is that
when I return to GeoWorks, its performance will be faster than the
Windows environment GeoWorks itself is running under! (Granted, a bit
of PIF-twiddling was required to attain this.) This is, of course,
thanks to GeoWorks being a real-mode environment written largely in
assembly. GeoWorks' response is considerably better in a virtual DOS
machine than Windows' running on the real thing. This is an incredible
achievement, and GeoWorks' developers should be commended for it.
But is there a future for GeoWorks? Or is it a "Collector's Edition"
environment?
There are already more than 300,000 copies of GeoWorks in the hands of
users, in different forms: the original GeoWorks Ensemble in versions
1.0 and 1.2, the "Lite" version that is bundled with many computers,
GeoWorks Pro, and the three "Personal Office Series" packages. GeoWorks
Pro is basically Ensemble plus Borland's Quattro Pro SE and a Geos-based
spreadsheet viewer. The Personal Office Series products are GeoWorks
Writer (the basic environment with an enhanced GeoWrite), GeoWorks
Designer (the basic environment with an enhanced GeoDraw), and GeoWorks
Desktop (the basic environment with GeoManager - GeoWorks' program/file
manager shell, the notepad, the calendar, and the cardfile).
300,000 is a reasonably large installed base (though it is dwarfed by
Windows, which has a market about twenty times larger). There is plenty
of room there for some small publishers to make some money offering
GeoWorks applications. But there is a problem...
That problem is a pretty big one. There is no way to write GeoWorks
software. And there won't be for sometime. You see, the environment is
being revamped -- GeoWorks 2.0 will debut sometime later this year. At
about the same time, the first GeoWorks SDK (Software Development Kit)
will also debut. First the first time, there will be a way to develop
applications for GeoWorks (in C or assembly).
The SDK has a major flaw; a flaw so major and so fundamental that the
company doesn't even realize it's a flaw at all. You can't develop
applications for GeoWorks without TWO computers: a host for the SDK, and
a separate computer, connected to the host, to debug and run the
applications. Ahem.
Apparently GeoWorks doesn't realize that their market is very tiny. And
that it is likely to either remain small, but grow into a usable
platform, or simply die off. And apparently they just don't realize
that many small publishers, especially the shareware and freeware
publishers whose utilities and small applications have become so
important to Windows' success, can't spare, can't afford, or just don't
have two computers to dedicate to this kind of development.
GeoWorks' argument is that gee, you don't REALLY want all of your source
code sitting on a machine running untested software, do you?? Of
course, hundreds of thousands of people do this every day under Windows,
DOS, Unix, AmigaDOS, etc. Of course this is what we want to do, and we
want to be able to do it with a reasonable degree of security that our
hardware and software are SAFE. Other environments provide this and
have provided it for years.
It should be pointed out that originally GeoWorks said that developing
applications would require a Sun SPARCstation. I guess they eventually
realized that this was an absolutely ridiculous requirement for
developing applications for a LOW-END environment with a very small
market share. Now they're working on a two PC SDK. Someone has to get
the message through to them that this, too, is entirely unacceptable.
Another important factor to consider: applications developed with the
SDK won't run under current versions of GeoWorks. They'll require
GeoWorks 2.0 or higher. Meaning that today's GeoWorks is indeed a
complete dead-end; a true "Collector's Edition."
Whether or not GeoWorks smartens up will ultimately decide whether
GeoWorks remains an "also ran" or becomes a thriving, niche environment.
And I just don't know enough about the company -- and I don't think
anyone does -- to predict whether or not they'll wise up.
=======================================================================
* TROUBLESHOOTING STEALTH from Quarterdeck
=======================================================================
ID:Q6 Trouble-shooting Stealth
Quarterdeck Technical Note #205
By the Quarterdeck Compatibility Dept.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING STEALTH
This document discusses how to diagnose and cure problems occasioned by
the use of the Stealth feature of QEMM-386, version 6. All users should
review the readq.me file that comes with QEMM-386, version 6 for
additional information.
* SECTION 1
FIRST STEP
----------
The first step is to ascertain whether Stealth is involved with the
problem. Remove the Stealth parameter (ST:M or ST:F) from the QEMM-386
line of the config.sys. Reboot the computer and try to duplicate the
problem. If the problem still happens then Stealth is not causing the
problem and you must address the problem by the means explained in the
troubleshooting section of the QEMM-386 manual.
SECOND STEP
-----------
If Stealth is involved in the problem restore the Stealth parameter
(ST:M) and add XST=F000. Reboot the computer. If this works, go to the
third step; if this does not work, go to Section Two. On this step the
QEMM-386 line of the config.sys should look something like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m xst=f000
THIRD STEP
----------
If XST=F000 solves your problem replace it with X=F000-FFFF, reboot and
try again. The QEMM-386 line of the config.sys should look something
like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=f000-ffff
If this works, add the parameter FSTC to the qemm line, thusly:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=f000-ffff fstc
and reboot. If this works continue; if this does not work (and FSTC may
not work in all circumstances) then remove the FSTC parameter and reboot
with the previous QEMM-386 line. See the section about FSTC below for
an explanation of FSTC. In either case, enter Manifest and look at the
QEMM- 386/Analysis screen. Look at the last line: It should look
something like this:
Fn00 IIII IIII IIII IIOO
The portions of the address space with the O in them are being accessed
directly. Some program or piece of hardware is trying to read the
contents of the ROM here directly, not merely access them through
interrupts. This portion of the address space must be allowed to be
accessed directly. This is done by excluding QEMM-386 from mapping this
area. In this case the target region is FE00- FFFF. The appropriate
Exclude is X=FE00-FEFF. The correct QEMM- 386.SYS line of the
config.sys is:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=fe00-ffff
This Exclude allows Stealth to do its job and costs you only 8K of high
address space.
FOURTH STEP
-----------
If XST=F000 solves your problem while X=F000-FFFF does not then you
should try using ST:F instead of ST:M. You may get more high ram with
ST:F than with ST:M XST=F000.
* SECTION TWO
This section is only for users with video ROM. Hercules-compatible
monochrome and CGA systems do not have video ROM and thus this section
does not apply. Some machines have their video ROM elsewhere, usually
E000-E7FF. Such users should use E000 (or wherever their video ROM
begins) instead of C000.
FIFTH STEP
----------
If XST=F000 does not solve your problem then try XST=C000. The QEMM-386
line of the config.sys should look like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m xst=c000
If XST=C000 does not work, go to Section Three. If XST=C000 does work,
go to the next step.
SIXTH STEP
----------
If XST=C000 solves the problem then try placing the page frame at C000.
Do this only if the entire C segment is available to put the page frame
in. The QEMM-386 line of the config.sys should look like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m fr=c000
If this works then this may be acceptable solution. All the address
space in which high ram can be created is being used in this
configuration. If this step does not work or, if you cannot put the
page frame at C000, go to the seventh step.
SEVENTH STEP
------------
If XST=C000 solves the problem but you do not want to (or cannot) put
the page frame at C000 then try the parameter FASTINT10:N, where "N"
tells QEMM-386 to allow the video ROM's own code to be used. By default
QEMM-386 replaces some of the video ROM's code with its own video code.
This parameter tells QEMM to use the ROM's code. The QEMM-386 line of
the config.sys should look like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m fastint10:n
If this works then all ROMs are being Stealthed. You may choose to try
the eighth step as an alternative though. If this does not work, go to
the next step. There is a further discussion of FASTINT10 below.
EIGHTH STEP
-----------
If XST=C000 solves the problem but FR=C000 or FASTINT10:N does not (or
you cannot put the page frame at C000 or do not want to use FASTINT10:N)
then replace XST=C000 with X=C000-C7FF. The QEMM-386 line of the
config.sys should look like:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=c000-c7ff
If this works, add the parameter FSTC to the QEMM-386 line, thusly:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=c000-c7ff fstc
and reboot. If this works continue; if this does not work (and FSTC may
not work in all circumstances) then remove the FSTC parameter and reboot
with the previous QEMM-386 line. See the section about FSTC below for
an explanation. In either case, enter Manifest, go to the QEMM-386/
Analysis screen, and look at the Cn00 line. It should look something
like this:
Cn00 OIII IIII OOOO OOOO
This indicates that the first 4K region of the C segment, in the video
ROM, is being accessed directly. This portion of the address space must
be Excluded when QEMM-386 is Stealthing. The appropriate QEMM-386 line
in the config.sys is:
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m x=c000-c0ff
* SECTION THREE
NINTH STEP
----------
On some machines there are other ROMs that can be Stealthed; often these
are disk ROMs. The same procedure: trying XST=??00, then replacing it
with the appropriate Exclude of the old kind (X=??00-!!FF) to see if the
problem is related to Stealthing or just not having some portion of the
ROM's address space directly accessible, can be used. The trick of
making the page frame begin at the beginning of the disk ROM may also
work here as well. If XST=??00 solves your problem, try replacing it
with FR=??00, presuming that there is a 64K portion of the address space
free beginning at ??00 and that ?? is a multiple of 16. If some portion
of the address space must be Excluded for Stealth to work you should
check Analysis with the FSTC and X=??00-!!FF parameters on the QEMM
line.
TENTH STEP
----------
Use XST=F000, XST=C000, XST=??00, and simultaneously for all ROMs being
Stealthed. Then replace the XSTs one by one with the appropriate
regular Exclude (X=F000-FFFF, X=C000-C7FF, X=??00- !!FF...), look at
the QEMM-386/Analysis screen of Manifest and discover what portions of
the address space need to be directly available.
ELEVENTH STEP
-------------
If ST:M does not work try ST:F instead. If ST:F does not work you
should try ST:F XST=C000 (and XST=??00) for other Stealthed ROMs other
than the one(s) overlain by the page frame.
TWELFTH STEP
------------
If none of these steps solve the problem please pin down exactly what
program is failing (and at what point), and file a report with
Quarterdeck.
INTERESTING QUESTIONS
WHAT IS FASTINT10:N?
QEMM-386, when Stealthing a video ROM, replaces some of the video ROM's
code with replacement code written by Quarterdeck. This replacement
code is suitable for most video cards. The FASTINT10:N (which may be
abbreviated F10:N) parameter tells QEMM-386 not to use its own
replacement code but the literal code of the video ROM. This in no way
limits the amount of high RAM Stealth creates and may be acceptable
solution for those users who need it. It should only be necessary on
unusual video cards. If placing the page frame at the beginning of the
video card's ROM works or if a small regular Exclude also solves the
problem you may choose to use this solution instead.
WHAT IS FSTC?
The purpose of the FSTC parameter is to make the Analysis procedure
accurate. Some system and video ROMs may not function properly with the
FSTC parameter. If this is the case on your system you will have to
perform the Analysis procedure without the FSTC parameter. However, you
should be aware in this case that some of the Exclude statements that
Analysis prompts you to use may not be necessary. You can try reducing
these Excludes on a trial-and-error basis if you wish. When QEMM-386
Stealths a ROM certain tables may have to be stored by QEMM-386 in its
own data area. This uses a few kilobytes of high RAM. When a ROM is
being Stealthed but the address in which the ROM resides is Excluded
(as with X=C000-C7FF) then QEMM-386 cleverly figures out that it does
not need to make copies of these tables in its own data area so it saves
this memory by not making copies of the tables. This means that when
you do Exclude the portion(s) of the ROM where these tables are stored
the ROM will be accessed directly though it would not be if it were not
Excluded. This will cause Analysis to report that a portion of the
address space is OK when Excluded even though it would not be accessed
directly were it not Excluded. FSTC (FORCESTEALTHTABLECOPY) forces
QEMM-386 to make copies of these tables so that inappropriate Excludes
are not recommended for the above reason. FSTC should only be used when
you are testing a portion of a ROMs address space for direct access by
Excluding the whole ROM. It is not an appropriate parameter for a final
configuration.
WHAT ARE ADVANCED DISK FEATURES?
The BIOS has a set of function calls intended for use by multitasking
programs. These are Int 15, functions 90 and 91. The system ROM or
disk ROM may issue the Int 15, fn 90 call while it is waiting for the
disk controller to read or write a sector, allowing other programs to
execute during this wait. When the sector is ready, the disk interrupt
handler issues an Int 15, Fn 91, signaling the multitasking program that
the disk information is ready to be processed by the system or disk ROM.
Some disk caches hook this call to allow your system to go ahead and
execute your current program while the system or disk ROM is waiting for
its requested sector. Whereas these caches preserve the stack and
register state for the BIOS and the application when doing this pseudo-
multitasking, they do not preserve the mapping of the page frame.
Therefore, if the BIOS uses the page frame itself (as does Stealth),
this could generate conflicts and system failures. Since no known disk
cache does the proper page frame preservation, QEMM automatically
suppresses INT 15, function 90 calls from the BIOS, effectively
disabling advanced disk features. Caches that save and restore the page
frame when using advanced disk features can use a programming interface
to QEMM-386 to reenable advanced disk features. You may defeat
QEMM-386's defeating of this feature with the VIRTUALHDIRQ:N (VHI:N)
parameter on the QEMM-386 line of the config.sys. If your cache has
these "Advanced Features" and does not save and restore the page frame
you will crash or corrupt data on the cached drive(s).
WHAT IF I LOAD A DRIVER THAT USES ROM BEFORE QEMM-386?
If you want to load a device driver before QEMM-386 and it uses a ROM
then QEMM-386 can still Stealth this ROM if you load the driver
HOOKROM.SYS before this driver. Here is an example:
device=c:\qemm\hookrom.sys
device=c:\????????.sys
device=c:\qemm\qemm386.sys ram st:m
WHY DOES MY SYSTEM SETUP NO LONGER COME UP WITH ST:M?
On machines with a built-in system setup program in the BIOS ROM that
can be popped up at any time Stealth may make this feature inaccessible
after you have booted. This is because the setup program accesses the
ROM directly. In order for it to work after QEMM-386 has been loaded
you must Exclude the portion of the address space where it is stored.
On most machines this is in F000-F7FF or thereabouts. You may decide
that it is better to use the system setup only on boot and be able to
use this portion of the address space for high RAM when you are running.
This is the way many systems are these days and you must reboot to
implement the changes anyway so you may consider this a fair trade.
Machines with a setup program that loads as a regular program may not
present this problem.
WHAT IS GOING ON?
With ST:M Stealth is moving out of the address space all ROMs accessed
by means of interrupts (you can see what interrupts are being handled by
what ROMs in the First Meg/Interrupts screen of Manifest when you are
not Stealthing.) When these interrupts are asserted, QEMM-386 puts the
ROM code that services the interrupt into the page frame. With ST:F
Stealth is allowing the page frame to share the address space used by
the ROM, making the underlying ROM code available in the page frame when
an interrupt pointing into the ROM is asserted.
HOW CAN IT FAIL?
The Stealth technology relies on the practice of using the code in ROMs
only by means of interrupts. With the exceptions listed below when the
code in a ROM is accessed directly the program or hardware using this
code (or information) will find high RAM there instead with ST:M and
will malfunction. Although this is not common it does happen.
Sometimes programs look for identification information: For video cards
this usually happens in the bottom 4K; for system BIOSes this usually
happens in FE00-FEFF. Most users for whom Stealth fails can recover
almost all the high RAM Stealth can create with small Excludes of this
kind. Exceptions:
1) QEMM-386 does not map High RAM into the last 64 bytes of the system
BIOS ROM because they are commonly accessed directly. Accesses here do
not cause Stealth a problem.
2) When a ROM accesses itself directly then it should work IF the page
frame begins at this ROM's beginning address. There are some video
cards and disk controllers that fail because the video ROM (disk ROM)
does not tolerate relocation. The ready cure for this symptom is to put
the page frame at C000 (or whatever is the beginning of the appropriate
video or disk ROM) so that when an interrupt that points into the video
ROM (disk ROM) is asserted, and QEMM restores the contents of the video
ROM (disk ROM) into the page frame, the ROM code can access itself where
it expects to find itself; this is the purpose of step 6 of this method.
3) Direct accesses of one ROM to another work with ST:F.
Disk caches that write directly to and read directly from the page frame
cause Stealth to fail unless the DISKBUFFRAME=?? (DBF=??) is used.
Stealth relies on there being interrupts pointing into a ROM in order to
make it a target for Stealthing. If there is a ROM in the address space
that QEMM-386 cannot detect as being used then it will not be Stealthed.
This may happen for some disk ROMs and for devices that use the ROM only
upon initialization. If there is a ROM without an interrupt pointing
into it it is a suspect for being unused. You should use the Analysis
feature of QEMM-386 to discover if this ROM is being used at all. If it
is not then the address space it occupies may be reclaimed with an
INCLUDE.
SUMMARY
The Stealth technology has been exhaustively tested but the wide variety
of software and hardware in the PC world has surprises in it for every
program. The actual Stealthing of interrupts is very successful. The
most common failure is due to programs (or other ROMs) trying to access
a portion of the ROM directly, rather than by means of interrupt. For
this to work the target region of this access must be in the address
space at the time of access. This can be achieved by an appropriate
exclude of the old kind, usually at a cost of only 4K or 8K of the
additional high RAM Stealth is creating; see steps 3 through 11 for a
procedure to figure these Excludes out. If the video ROM or adaptor ROM
is the target ROM of a problem then placing the page frame over the
video ROM or adaptor ROM may work; see step 6. The "Advanced disk
features" that some disk caches use are incompatible with Stealth.
QEMM-386 disables these by default whenever possible if Stealth is used.
Some disk caches write directly to the page frame. Such caches should
be told to use extended memory or the DISKBUFFRAME=?? (DBF=??) should be
used with QEMM-386; see step 2. If you have a problem intractable by
any of these means Quarterdeck would like to hear about it.
This technical note may be copied and distributed freely as long as it
is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit.
Copyright (C) 1991 by Quarterdeck Office Systems
=======================================================================
* IBM OS/2 DEVELOPER UPDATE
=======================================================================
January 22, 1992
Dear Developer,
As part of IBM's continuing commitment to OS/2 *, we are announcing the
availability of the next release of the IBM OS/2 2.0 Early Code Program
(driver 6.177). We are also making available the following pre-release
code:
- The next release of the IBM Expedite Kit (Expedite Kit #3)
- IBM Workset/2 and a Windows(TM)** to OS/2 migration kit
- Diskette only refresh to the IBM Expedite Kit #2
- IBM Extended Services for OS/2 Pre-Release Code & Documentation
- IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Pre-Release Code & Documentation
- IBM OS/2 LAN Requester Pre-Release Code & Documentation
- Novell Netware Requester Pre-Release Code & Documentation
- Pre-Release OS/2 2.0 Technical Library Enhanced Offering
All of the above code has been tested to operate on OS/2 2.0 driver
level 6.177. If you have ordered and received the Early Application
Development Program for OS/2 (EADP) you will be receiving OS/2 driver
6.177, the diskette only refresh to the Expedite Kit #2, and the
requesters as part of the EADP offering and you do not need to order
them now. As announced in our December 2, 1991 letter, orders for the
EADP will be accepted until March 1, 1992.
IBM will be making an announcement about the availability of the IBM
Multimedia Presentation Manager/2 Development Kit with support for this
new driver at a later date.
To learn more about how to participate in these exciting offerings
please read the following:
A) Next release of the IBM OS/2 2.0 Early Code Program (driver 6.177)
The next release of the IBM OS/2 Early Code Program is available for a
fee of $100.00 which represents reproduction and shipping & handling
cost. This release contains 20 diskettes and 6 booklets. If you have
ordered the OS/2 driver 6.167f through either the PC Books and Special
Promotions distribution or via an Expedite Kit #2 you will receive OS/2
driver 6.177 for no charge and you do not need to order it now.
B) Expedite Kit #3
Expedite Kit #3 is available to current Expedite Program members for a
fee of $225.00, which represents reproduction and shipping & handling
costs. This is the same set of development materials that was included
in Expedite Kit #2 updated with problem fixes, additional functionality
and tool support for OS/2 2.0 driver 6.177. It contains the following
pre-release items:
OS/2 2.0 Base Operating System
- OS/2 2.0 Driver 6.177
IBM WorkSet/2
- IBM Developers Toolkit for OS/2 2.0
o Tools for managing PM resources and building programs
o Headers and .LIB files for defining and resolving OS/2 2.0 API calls
o Sample Programs to demonstrate the coding of API's
o A kernel debugger for driver debug support
o Online documentation of API's, including Base Operating System,
Presentation Manager, Workplace Shell, and System Object Model (SOM)
- IBM C Set/2
- IBM 32-Bit OS/2 C compiler
- IBM 32-Bit OS/2 PM debugger
- Hardcopy Documentation
IBM WorkFrame/2
An integrated development environment, including project control
capabilities
A Windows to OS/2 migration kit
Tools and documentation that support creation of an OS/2 2.0 executable
from your Windows source program. "Mirrors" enables the migration of
application programs to OS/2. "Oasis" enables the migration of printer
presentation drivers.
Additional Documentation
o Application Design Guide
o System Object Model Reference (SOM)
C) IBM WorkSet/2 and a Windows to OS/2 migration kit Pre-release Code
and Documentation.
The IBM WorkSet/2 and a Windows to OS/2 migration kit is available to
current Expedite Program members for a fee of $175.00 which represents
reproduction and shipping & handling costs. This is the same set of
materials that is listed in Expedite Kit #3, item B above, available now
without the OS/2 2.0 base operating system. It contains the following
pre-release items:
IBM WorkSet/2
- IBM Developers Toolkit for OS/2 2.0
o Tools for managing PM resources and building programs
o Headers and .LIB files for defining and resolving OS/2 2.0 API calls
o Sample Programs to demonstrate the coding of API's
o A kernel debugger for driver debug support
o Online documentation of API's, including Base Operating System,
Presentation Manager, Workplace Shell, and System Object Model (SOM)
- IBM C Set/2
- IBM 32-Bit OS/2 C compiler
- IBM 32-Bit OS/2 PM debugger
- Hardcopy Documentation
IBM WorkFrame/2
An integrated development environment, including project control
capabilities
A Windows to OS/2 migration kit
Tools and documentation that support creation of an OS/2 2.0 executable
from your Windows source program. "Mirrors" enables the migration of
application programs to OS/2. "Oasis" enables the migration of printer
presentation drivers.
Additional Documentation
o Application Design Guide
o System Object Model Reference (SOM)
D) Diskette only refresh to the Expedite Kit #2
If you have acquired Expedite Kit #2 you should acquire this diskette
only refresh to have the equivalent of Expedite Kit #3. As mentioned in
item A above, you will be receiving a no charge copy of IBM OS/2 2.0
driver 6.177. The publications have not changed since the 6.167f level
and there is no need to reorder them now in either option B or C. This
diskette only refresh which includes the IBM WorkSet/2 code, IBM
WorkFrame/2 code and the Windows to OS/2 migration kit code is available
for a fee of $95.00 which represents reproduction and shipping &
handling costs.
E) IBM Extended Services for OS/2 Pre-Release Code and Documentation
The IBM Extended Services for OS/2 product includes a Database Manager
component and a Communications Manager component. The Database Manager
is an IBM Systems Application Architecture (SAA) relational database
management system that supports the SAA Structured Query Language (SQL).
Database Manager offers a robust application development and run-time
platform for a variety of OS/2, DOS, and Windows 3.0 database
applications. The Communications Manager component provides a rich set
of terminal emulation, LAN gateway, host connectivity, and workstation
communication capabilities. Communication Manager exploits vital
functions of OS/2 such as preemptive multitasking and I/O overlapping and
is intended to facilitate the development of applications that require
communications between two or more workstations or systems. The
Extended Services for OS/2 is available for a fee of $415.00 which
represents reproduction and shipping & handling. It contains the
following pre-release items:
Code
- IBM Extended Services for OS/2
(Communications Manager and Database Manager)
Related Documentation
-IBM Extended Services for OS/2:
-Start Here
-Hardware and Software Reference
-Messages and Error Recovery Guide
-Workstation Installation Guide
-Communications Manager User's Guide
-Keyboard Layouts
-Query Manager User's Guide
-Guide to Database Manager
-Guide to Database Manager Clients
-Guide to User Profile Management
-Example Scenarios
-LAN Adapter and Protocol Support Configuration Guide
-Network Administrators Guide
-Communications Manager Configuration Guide
-Communications Manager Host Connection Reference
-Problem Determination Guide for the Service Coordinator
-Communication Manager Additional Function Installation Guide and
Reference
F) IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Pre-Release Code and Documentation
The IBM OS/2 Local Area Network (LAN) Server Version 2.0 is an offering
that works in conjunction with other IBM LAN products to provide
comprehensive networking capabilities to users of intelligent
workstations. The IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 facilities provide
resource sharing among workstations through mechanisms to define, manage
and control access to shared network resources. The IBM OS/2 LAN Server
Version 2.0 reflects the IBM strategy for distributed processing and
client/server computing. The primary thrust of this strategy is to
offer network operating systems that are virtually transparent
extensions of the base operating system. The IBM OS/2 LAN Server
Version 2.0 comes in two offerings, Entry and Advanced. As announced on
October 21, 1991, the IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Advanced becomes
generally available in April 1992 as implemented on IBM OS/2 1.3. IBM
OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Entry becomes generally available in April
1992 implemented on both IBM OS/2 2.0 and IBM OS/2 1.3. The programming
interfaces to both the IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Entry and
Advanced are identical.
For a limited time IBM is making available one (1) no charge copy of the
IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0 Entry as part of this pre-release
offering to current members of the IBM Developer Assistance Program and/
or the IBM OS/2 32-Bit Expedite Program. To qualify for this offering
you must submit your order form by March 13, 1992. Quantities are
limited and orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Included are the following pre-release items:
Code
- OS/2 LAN Server
- OS/2 LAN Requesters
- OS/2 LAN Migration Utility
- OS/2 DOS LAN Requester
- LAN Support Program (LAN Transport for DOS)
- OS/2 LAN Network Device Driver
Related Documentation
-IBM Operating System/2 Local Area Network Server Version 2.0:
-IBM Local Area Network Support Program User's Guide
-DOS LAN Requester User's Quick Reference
-DOS LAN Requester Windows User's Guide
-Master Index
-Migration Handbook
-Network Administrator Reference Volume 1:Planning and Installation
-Network Administrator Reference Volume 2:Performance Tuning
-Network Administrator Reference Volume 3:Network Administrator Tasks
-Network Administrator Reference Supplement for OS/2 2.0
-Problem Determination Reference Volume 1:Problem Determination Guide
-Problem Determination Reference Volume 3:LAN Error Messages
-User's Quick Reference
You do not need to order any of the other items listed in this letter to
qualify for this offering as long as you are a current member of either
the IBM Developers Assistance Program or the IBM OS/2 32-Bit Expedite
Program.
G) The IBM OS/2 LAN Requester Pre-Release Code and Documentation
The IBM OS/2 LAN Requester is available for a fee of $50.00 which
represents reproduction and shipping & handling costs for 4 diskettes
and 3 books. If you will be taking advantage of the limited time offer
of the IBM LAN Server Version 2.0 Pre-Release code in item F above, you
do not need to acquire this item as the requester code and documentation
are included in that offering. If you have acquired the IBM OS/2 LAN
Requester through the November 8, 1991 Developers Assistance Program
offering you will need to acquire this requester due to changes that
were made for OS/2 2.0 driver 6.177 in the requester code.
H) The Novell Netware Requester Pre-Release Code and Documentation
The Novell Netware Requester is available for a fee of $5.00 which
represents reproduction and shipping and handling costs. Quantities for
the Novell Netware Requester are limited and will be filled on a first
come first served basis.
I) Pre-Release OS/2 2.0 Technical Library Enhanced Offering
Pre-release versions of the OS/2 2.0 Technical Library are available for
the following fees. This fee represents reproduction and shipping &
handling costs; Included are the following:
Guides
-Programming Guide Vol I
-Programming Guide Vol II
-Programming Guide Vol III Option I
-Common User Access 91 Guides $190.00
-REXX User Guide
-REXX Programming Reference
Driver Development Library
-Physical Device Driver Reference
-Virtual Device Driver Reference Option II
-Presentation Driver Reference $111.00
API References
-Control Program Programming Reference Option III
-Presentation Manager Programming Reference Vol I $275.00
-Presentation Manager Programming Reference Vol II
-Presentation Manager Programming Reference Vol III
Database Manager
-IBM Extended Services for OS/2 Option IV
o Structured Query Language $ 95.00
(SQL) Reference
o Database Manager Programming Guide and Reference
Communications Manager
-IBM Extended Services for OS/2 Option V
o Communications Manager System Management $280.00
Programming Reference
o Programming Services and Advanced Problem Determination for
Communications
o ACDI Programming Reference
o ACDI Redirection Guide and Information
o APPC Programming Reference
o EHLLAPI Programming Reference
o Conventional LU Application Programming Reference
o SRPI Programming Reference
o X.25 Programming Reference
o Realtime Interface Co-Processor Multiport/2 Device Driver
Programming Reference
o Communications Manager Sample Programs
LAN Server
-IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version 2.0
o Application Programmer's Reference Option VI
$ 70.00
Terms and Conditions
The license agreement that accompanies all pre-release code and
documentation will allow you to make an additional nine (9) copies per
copy acquired. (for a total of 10 copies) This is in addition to the
one backup copy allowed. These copies are for your internal use only
and no additional fee is required to make these copies. Your license to
use the pre-release code and documentation will expire 60 days following
the IBM general availability of the OS/2 version 2.0 product.
Applications will be accepted for the IBM OS/2 32-Bit Expedite Program
until March 31, 1992. Technical support is available until 60 days
following the IBM general availability of the OS/2 version 2.0 product.
All the code and documentation is under development and may be
substantially modified before general availability. In addition, the
manner in which IBM packages the development materials may differ
substantially from the generally available products.
Follow on development level releases of the code and documentation
described above, if any, will be available for additional fees.
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS AND PROGRAM DETAILS
These options can be ordered by completing the order form that is
attached. All materials will be shipped by second day air express which
is included in the applicable fees. Use your credit card for faster
delivery. Technical support for the code and documentation will be
provided through MCI mail. Details on technical support will be
included in the package. If you are in the IBM Developers Assistance
Program support is available through IBMLINK or MCI mail. If you are
not a member of the Developers Assistance Program and would like to find
out how to become a member you can call 407-982-6408 for more
information.
Orders can be placed by completing the attached order form or by calling
1-800-IBM-3040 (7 AM to 7 PM Central Standard Time). Orders will be
handled on a first come, first served basis. You can order any item
listed in the letter through March 31, 1992. All media is 3.5 inch.
Developer Assistance Program
* OS/2 is a trademark of the IBM Corporation
** Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation
ORDER FORM FOR PRE-RELEASE PRODUCTS
Please complete the form below IBM Distribution Center
and return it to: P.O. Box 140435
Austin, Tx 78714-9871
A) OS/2 2.0 driver level 6.177 _____ at $100.00 each _____
B) Expedite Kit #3 _____ at $225.00 each _____
C) Workset/2 and migration kit _____ at $175.00 each _____
D) Diskette refresh to Expedite Kit #2 _____ at $ 95.00 each _____
E) IBM Extended Services for OS/2 _____ at $415.00 each _____
F) IBM LAN Server Version 2.0 _____ at -NO CHARGE------------
G) IBM OS/2 LAN Requester _____ at $ 50.00 each _____
H) Novell Netware Requester _____ at $ 5.00 each _____
I) OS/2 2.0 Technical Library
Option I Guides _____ at $190.00 each _____
Option II Driver Development Lib _____ at $111.00 each _____
Option III API References _____ at $275.00 each _____
Option IV Database Manager _____ at $ 95.00 each _____
Option V Communications Manager _____ at $280.00 each _____
Option VI LAN Server _____ at $ 70.00 each _____
Total amount payable to Hart Graphics _________
(Residents of California, Minnesota, Texas & South Carolina will need )
(to add state sales tax )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PAYMENT METHOD
Check Enclosed _______
Charge MC___ Visa ___ Am Ex ___
Account Number __________________________________
Expiration Date _________________________________
Signature __________________________________
Name __________________________________
(please print)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SHIPPING INFORMATION:
Company Name ______________________________________________________
Contact Name ______________________________________________________
Street ______________________________________________________
City, State ______________________________________________________
Zip Code ______________________________________________________
Telephone ______________________________________________________
=======================================================================
* MICROSOFT CONFERENCE WITH PAUL MARITZ Courtesy CompuServe
=======================================================================
On February 4th, Microsoft held a press conference announcing that
company president Michael Haldmann would be leaving the company, and
that the office of president would be replaced with a triumvirate of
executives. Executives being 'kicked upstairs' left some gaps at
Microsoft, and one of the most important gaps was filled by Paul Maritz.
Mr. Maritz is the new Senior VP of the Microsoft's systems division. He
now oversees projects like MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT. He is
essentially replacing Steve Ballmer (now a "co-president") as the
prominent public and private connection between Microsoft and
developers.
An online conference was held on CompuServe the night of February 4th to
introduce Mr. Maritz to the development community. The text of that
conference follows. Portions have been lightly edited (i.e., spelling
corrections). The following transcript is Copyright 1992 by CompuServe
Information Service; information on how to access CompuServe is at the
bottom of each and every Z*Net PC issue.
(Jerry Fisher) Welcome! Tonight we are happy to have Paul Maritz, the
new Senior Vice President of our Systems Division. I will be brief so
we can get to the questions. Just a couple of reminders. When you are
recognized for a question be sure to use three dots ... to signify you
are continuing a line and ga (go ahead) when you have completed. Right
now, I would like to turn it over to Paul for a brief intro. Paul, ga
(Paul Maritz) Hi, glad to be with you this evening. [Although] we have
re-org'd somewhat, our strategy and product direction is unchanged. Any
questions... ga
(Mike Mezaros/Z-Net) Mr. Maritz, first of all, congratulations on your
new position. Today Steve Ballmer said that NT would be priced in the
$400 range. This seems to further show to me that Microsoft has a
gaping hole somewhere between their high-end NT and lower-end DOS/
Windows solutions. What, if anything, does MS have planned to fill this
hole to provide more opportunities to developers. Thanks & GA.
(Paul Maritz) Firstly thx for the congratulations (not sure if some
condolences aren't also in order, but thx). On the pricing question you
have to take into account the fact that NT does not require MS-DOS. The
list prices of MS-DOS and MS-Windows are $149 respectively so
theoretically you are comparing $300 vs. $400-$600 (which is the range
that Steve Ballmer quoted. Now you can ask me about the price of OS/2
2.0... ga
(Mike Sax) First of all, congratulations on your new job as Microsoft's
official (potential) disk-eater. The new version of Microsoft's
original mission is "Windows on every desk and in every home". What
plans does MS have in consumer computing? ga
(Paul Maritz) This is a very interesting area. The potential number of
units is enormous, so we are taking it very seriously. In the near
term, we are ensuring that MS-DOS and MS-Windows can run from ROM,
handle new media types, etc. However, we are also looking at whether we
need to develop more fundamental technologies to address this segment -
we have small group of folks taking a look at this... so stay tuned. ga
(Richard Warren) Do you have any response to the 'distinguished' Senator
from Ohio's renewed call for intensive investigation of Microsoft and
Intel? ga
(Paul Maritz) I wasn't aware of the call from the distinguished senator.
We are confident that once the FTC really takes the time to analyze our
business, that they will not find anything seriously out of order. We
try to ensure that our platforms are and will remain open so that ISVs
can be successful. ga
(Arthur Knowles) Hello, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I
am curious about the connectivity options for NT and Windows. I'm
particularly interested in mainframe connectivity. Are there specific
plans? ga
(Paul Maritz) Yes, there are very specific plans. Firstly NT has been
very carefully architect to make it easy to support multiple,
simultaneous communications subsystems. We are doing several ourselves,
and other companies are doing more. If by mainframe connectivity you
mean SNA/3270 support, then we will be doing an NT version of the Comm
Server product that we have developed with DCL of London and DCA. That
product provides backend LU6.2 and 3270 support. Many other vendors
(future-soft, wall-data, etc.) are doing Win32 versions of their
emulators. ga
(Muzaffer KAL) Hi, how do you compare the pricing and the hardware
requirements of OS/2 2.0 and NT. Thanks and ga.
(Paul Maritz) In spite of Steve Ballmer's comments we actually haven't
set [a] price for NT yet. However there are two points of comparison.
OS/2 2.0 at $149 and Solaris (from Sun) at approx. $1500. I expect NT
to be closer to the OS/2 2.0 price. On hardware requirements, it is
hard to be definitive as OS/2 2.0 is being advertised as requiring 4MB..
but from we can see it really requires more if you want to do anything
interesting, like be on a network as well as run applications. Windows
NT is spec'd for a standard client configuration at 8MB - this is the
configuration that I am currently running on the 386/33 that I have on
my desk. ga
(Mike Sax) When will Windows have a common macro language and what will
the "batch language" of NT be like? ga
(Paul Maritz) Firstly Windows (on MS-DOS) and Windows NT will be
compatible from the UI and API perspectives, so it is correct to simply
ask "what will the WINDOWS" common macro language be. What we are
proposing is to use a variant of our BASIC language technology, extended
to handle object oriented features, specifically to be well-integrated
into OLE. The details on this will be in the upcoming OLE 2.0 spec. ga
(Dave Panos) Hi Paul. We have been working very closely with your ISV
team recently and we're interested in knowing where they fit in your new
organization. GA
(Paul Maritz) They are all crowded around me - so that's where they are
physically... they're fired! No, actually, they report to Cameron
Myhrvold who reports to Jon Lazarus, who reports to me. No change
there. ga
(Brett) Hi Paul, I would like to ask two short ?... First, what is MS
going to do to address the C/C++ Borland products that have an
integrated environment for MSWIN. I would love to use a MS product but
am being forced to switch to Borland. Second, does MS still get a cut
of the pie for OS/2 2.0?? ga
(Paul Maritz) We are hard at work on C7.0 which will be [a] full C++
compiler, and have [a] great environment. It will ship very shortly,
feedback from beta users has been very good. In fact, Infoworld had
good article on it this week. As far as OS/2 2.0 goes, it depends on
what you mean by a "slice of the pie." We still have valid licenses
with IBM, details of which I can't divulge. ga
(Wim van de Bospoort) Hi Paul, any comments about the current status of
the Apple/MS lawsuit? ga
(Paul Maritz) No, I leave that for the lawyers. Do you think Apple has
a copyright on overlapping windows? ga
(Wim van de Bospoort) I don't think so, but what about the judge? ga
(Paul Maritz) Who knows? We will have to wait to find out. ga
(Brian Bender) Hi Paul. Thanks for talking with us! What is your
understanding of how OS/2 2.0 will support Windows apps.? Specifically,
1) Will the Windows Interface Library for OS/2 (WILOW) go away? and
2) Will OS/2 2.0 support DDE (ddeml.dll)? ga
(Paul Maritz) We still don't know exactly how OS/2 2.0 will support
Windows apps, as nobody has yet got copy of OS/2 2.0 that supports
"seamless" operation of Windows apps, which is what IBM is promising for
March. There are lots of hard problems (compatibility, performance,
etc.) that have to be solved. Currently build 177H (which is what IBM
has given out) runs Windows apps from a VDM (virtual DOS machine) and
the user has to explicitly start it. As for the WLO library, we are
supporting it for those ISVs that want it, but are not enhancing it.
OS/2 2.0 does support DDE (it was supported in OS/2 1.x). ga
(Mike Mezaros/Z-Net) Hi again. ;-) I should've followed up on my last
question but I wanted to think about how to re-phrase this... The
"gaping hole" between high-end NT and low-end Dos/Windows is not merely
price, that was just the latest example. NT has high hardware
requirements, and we are told that it is not currently aimed at the
mainstream desktop, but instead toward workstations, high-end users,
servers, etc. Does Microsoft recognize that there are users who do not
want Windows bound by DOS but also don't need something quite so big as
NT? Will we see an "NT-lite" or anything along those lines to address
this segment of the market that is not addressed in Microsoft's current
public plans? GA.
(Paul Maritz) Firstly, Windows is not really "bound" by MS-DOS - when on
a 386, Windows is essentially in control, and with Windows 3.1 we will
be able to run 32-bit device drivers, etc. However, yes, we do realize
that we need to continue to invest in the lower end of the spectrum.
The "personal systems" group under Brad Silverberg is dedicated to
serving this market. The group is about 200 people and they will not
stop work after Windows 3.1. ga
(Mike Mezaros/Z-Net) Thanks, one quick follow-up... When will we see an
HPFS/Mac-like file system under Dos/Windows, and will the same file
system be shared between NT & Dos/Windows? Thanks & GA
(Paul Maritz) This is the 64,000 dollar question - there are opposing
schools of thought. There are [a] lot of advantages to doing this, and
there is no technical reason why we can't add it but in many ways the
FAT file system defines compatibility so it is not something to do
lightly. ga
(Jeff & Wendy) Hi Paul, could you please clarify a question that Brett
asked a few minutes ago. Does C 7.0 include a fully optimizing gui
compiler or is this a combination of quick c & a command line compiler
is used for optimizing? ga
(Paul Maritz) It is a fully optimizing compiler that can generate gui
apps. It is not Quick C and C6 packaged together. Does that answer you
question? ga
(Jeff & Wendy) Sorry, I was not too clear... Is the compiler a windows
app and does it produce fully optimized code? ga
(Paul Maritz) The environment runs as a char mode app in a Windows
window. It does produce fully optimized code - you don't have to escape
out to a command line to get optimized code. It is integrated. ga
(Muzaffer KAL) Hi again. Do you have a contingency plan in case Apple
wins the case? If yes will it cause any API changes? Thanks. GA
(Paul Maritz) No, we are confident of our position. ga
(Jerry Fisher) Ok. Thanks to everyone for participating this evening.
Paul do you have any closing comments? ga
(Paul Maritz) Nothing special, other than to say that I look forward to
working with everyone, and am always interested in what people think.
Thanks. ga
=======================================================================
* TI LASER PRINTER FIX
=======================================================================
The Texas Instruments laser printers can sometimes refuse to clear waste
bottle error indications. If you should receive the indication "Replace
Waste Toner Bottle" (HPII mode) or "Waste Toner Full" (Postscript), you
should first (obviously) replace the toner collector bottle. However,
if the error won't clear, you can use the following procedure to clear
the condition:
1) Turn off the printer
2) Press and hold the PRINTER SETUP and SELECT buttons, and at the same
time, turn the printer back on
3) When the LCD display indicates "PCU DIAG MODE", release the buttons.
4) Press the PREVIOUS and UP buttons (microLaser or microLaser Plus) or
"UP" and "NEXT" (microLaser XL) at the same time and hold until the
LCD indicates "FUSE FLAG RESET"
5) Release both buttons
6) Turn printer back on
The microLaser XL may also give this erroneous error condition after the
side access door has been opened. If this is the case, pressing the
RESET button should clear the condition. If not, use the procedure
above.
=======================================================================
* CHANGING WINDOWS' STARTUP SCREEN Press Release
=======================================================================
[x]CheckBox Software
Helping to make Microsoft's Windows *your* Windows
StartupScreen, our popular freeware utility that allows Windows users to
change Microsoft's startup screen to a picture of their own design or
choosing, has just been updated to version 3.2. This new version is
fully compatible with the forthcoming Windows 3.1, and adds a host of
new features to the program - including the ability to install RLE files
as wallpaper, which can save wallpaper fanatics tons of disk space.
But the big news is our brand new utility, StartupSwapper.
StartupSwapper changes your startup screen automatically each time you
load Windows -- not only bringing one of the Macintosh's nicest
conveniences to Windows, but EXPANDING upon it!
StartupSwapper allows you to truly customize your Windows environment;
to place your own stamp on your desktop. Home users can have their
computer welcome them to the Windows environment with pictures of their
family, favorite sports team, "heavenly bodies", and even designs of
their own. Corporate users can be ushered into Windows with corporate
logos, diagrams of company products, or even pictures of the CEO
welcoming them to work! The variations are virtually limitless, as
StartupSwapper will automatically recognize and choose between as many
as 32,000 different startup screens.
StartupSwapper is being distributed as shareware, and the unregistered,
shareware version is available on CompuServe, GEnie, other services, and
BBS's around the world. Registration of StartupSwapper entitles users
to a disk containing the latest registered version, unlimited free
updates, a number of other utilities, AND over 70 fine startup screens
for use with the program.
Reaction to StartupScreen and StartupSwapper has been overwhelmingly
positive, and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank our customers
for their support!
Order Form:
StartupSwapper Registration/Order Form -- [Control #C14]
--------------------------------------------------------
STARTUPSWAPPER COMPLETE PACKAGE - Includes the latest, registered
version of StartupSwapper (which contains no reminder screens), free
updates for the life of the product, the latest versions of a number of
freeware Windows utilities (including StartupScreen), and more than 70
RLE (startup screen image) files.
EVALUATION PACKAGE - Includes more than 70 RLE (startup screen image)
files, plus an unregistered, shareware version of StartupSwapper and a
copy of the freeware utility StartupScreen. The RLEs and StartupScreen
are yours to keep whether or not you decide to use StartupSwapper.
To receive either of these packages, please fill out this form, enclose
the proper payment in U.S. funds, and send to:
Mike Mezaros
One Leary Drive
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Format/Pricing Options (please check one, or enter number of copies to
be ordered into the box):
[ ] - 3.5" disk, Complete package - $25.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling
[ ] - 5.25" disk, Complete package - $25.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling
[ ] - 3.5" disk, Evaluation package - $9.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling
[ ] - 5.25" disk, Evaluation package -$9.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling
Total Order Price: $______________
_______________________________________________________________
Registration name (required for purchasers of complete package)
_________________________________ __________________________________
Your name Your title (if applicable)
_________________________________ (____)____________________________
Company Name (if applicable) Phone number
_________________________________ __________________________________
Street Address City, State/Province, Zip Code
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CompuServe ID Number (Optional)
PLEASE provide a street address as shipping will be done through UPS if at
all possible.
The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including,
without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness
for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or
consequential, which may result from the use of StartupSwapper or any of
the software or images included in either package.
StartupSwapper registration entitles you to free, unlimited updates of
StartupSwapper. These updates will be made available to you
electronically at no charge. If you wish, they can be shipped to you
for a nominal disk charge plus shipping and handling. Further
information will be sent to you with the registered version.
Customers outside of the United States: Unfortunately, it is virtually
impossible within the U.S. to exchange small amounts of foreign currency
or to cash checks drawn on foreign banks. Please make sure that you
send a U.S. check drawn on a U.S. bank.
=======================================================================
* ATTENTION ADA TOOL USERS
=======================================================================
The Software Technology Support Center (STSC) is soliciting evaluation
critiques for any Ada tool set currently being used by the computing
public. The STSC provides central support for the evaluation and
selection of software tools, methods and environments for the Air Force
and other government agencies.
If you would like to participate in this survey, please complete a
separate critique for each Ada tool set and/or each host/target
combination you are familiar with.
Your response to this critique will become part of an Ada Compiler
System Tool Report. This report will be distributed at the STSC
Software Technology Conference in April 1992. To meet this deadline,
critiques can only be accepted thru 21 February 1992.
The TRW Dayton Engineering Laboratory is acting on behalf of the STSC to
collect critique responses. You may fax completed forms to Woody Willis
at (513) 429-7923 or return by mail to:
TRW/DEL TOP Attn: W. Willis
4021 Executive Dr.
Beavercreek, Ohio 45430
Please be aware that completion of this critique is voluntary and that
the STSC and TRW have no obligation to reimburse you for time spent in
the completion of this critique. Your response to this critique will
help us to provide the most complete information available at the
Software Technology Conference. Thank you for your help.
Software Technology Support Center (STSC)
Ada Tool Critique
The intent of this critique is to capture your impressions of a software
tool, method, or tool set. Performing this critique should take no more
than 30 minutes. (Use extra pages if necessary.)
Name: _____________________________ Tool Name: ______________________
Organization: _____________________ Vendor: _________________________
Position/Title: ___________________ Version: ________________
Address: __________________________ Hardware Platform: ______________
__________________________ Operating System: _______________
Phone: ___________ Fax: __________ Memory used: ____
Disk space used: ____ Email: ___________________
Enhancements: _____________________
(accelerator, large monitor, graphics card, etc.)
Main Duties: ______________________ Project type, size, methods, and
phase the tools is used on: ____________________________________________
Years of software experience: ____ ________________________________
Years of experience with tool: ____ ________________________________
Last time tool was used: (circle one) Overall impression of the tool:
Currently 6 months 1 year >1 year Excellent Good Fair Poor
Do you consider yourself a software: Quality of vendor support?
(circle one)
Manager Engineer Programmer Novice Excellent Good Fair Poor Unknown
Do you want your name and company kept confidential? ______
(The Strength and Weakness sections are free-form. Rather than listing
all the tool's features and problems, please describe notable features
that make the tool indispensable and annoying problems that reduce the
tool's effectiveness. In the Advice section note important information
a potential customer of this tool should know.)
Notable Strength(s) of the Tool:
Notable Weakness(es) of the Tool:
Advice for Potential Buyers of this Tool:
Please return this form to:
TRW/DEL TOP Attn: W. Willis Phone: 513 429-7916
4021 Executive Dr. Fax: 513 429-7923
Beavercreek, Oh. 45430
=======================================================================
* FASTTRAX Press Release
=======================================================================
NEW ADDRESS AND PHONE
FastTrax International has moved and is now managed by the author, Mark
Elfield. The new address and phone is:
FastTrax International
880 Ensenada Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 525-3510
SPECIAL OFFER TO OWNERS OF NORTON UTILITIES AND PC TOOLS
If you already own Norton Utilities or PC Tools, you may purchase
FastTrax for only $40 (includes shipping and handling). To qualify,
answer the following questions about the package you already own:
What is the name of the defragmenting program?
In the user's manual, what are the first four words of the section that
describes the defragmenting program?
Please send your answers and a check or money order for $40 (CA
residents add $3 for state tax) to FastTrax International, 880 Ensenada
Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707. This offer expires on 3/31/92.
UPGRADE OFFER TO REGISTERED FASTTRAX USERS
Registered FastTrax users may upgrade for $30 (includes shipping and
handling, CA residents add $2 for state tax).
The latest FastTrax version is 4.03. If you own a FastTrax version
below 3.90, we think you'll appreciate the new features. If you own
3.90 or above, check the revision history below to see if you want the
newer version:
Version Key Changes
-----------------------------------------------------------------
4.03 command line option to move "system", "hidden", and/or "read-
only" files
faster "optimized fragmented files only" operation (for large
files only)
4.01 support disks with more than 1024 cylinders
command line option to suppress memory test (for faster
batch operation)
4.00 MAJOR RELEASE:
large disk support (no size limit -- uses Expanded Memory for
the larger cases)
MakeTrax edit concept, much faster operation
MakeTrax option to move read-only files
faster optimizing (especially on larger files)
"compress directories only" option
"purge" feature
FASTTRAX OVERVIEW
FastTrax and its companion program MakeTrax (included) offer a complete
array of disk optimizing and defragmenting features. FastTrax has
received Byte Magazine's Award of Distinction, PC Magazine's Editor's
Choice award, and PC World's Best Buy award. The main features are
described below:
Large Disk Support
FastTrax can optimize any disk supported by DOS, including hard disks
with DOS partitions larger than 512MB. There are no limits on the
number of clusters, directories, files, or directory levels, except
those imposed by DOS.
FastTrax can optimize all hard drive types, including ST506, RLL, IDE,
ESDI, SCSI, SCSI-2, and drives with more than 1024 cylinders. FastTrax
can also optimize floppy drives and RAM disks.
FastTrax uses Expanded Memory to handle the larger cases. The largest
case requires 800K of Expanded Memory.
High Performance
FastTrax optimizes drives quickly even in cases when other programs get
bogged down or don't work at all. These cases include drives with files
larger than 10 MB, drives with many directory levels, and partitions
with more than 50,000 clusters.
Flexible File Placement
FastTrax and its companion program MakeTrax (included) allows you to
specify the placement of every file and directory on the disk for
optimum performance, including those with special attributes.
Frequently used files can be placed on the "fast tracks" of the disk --
near the File Allocation Table (FAT) -- and infrequently used files can
be placed at the opposite end of the disk. You may also specify the
placement of one or more free areas.
In-cylinder Optimization
FastTrax places most files within disk cylinder boundaries, reducing
track-to-track seeks. For disk intensive applications, in-cylinder
optimization improves performance over simple "consecutive" packing.
On systems that use a disk controller with an on-board buffer, in-
cylinder optimization yields even better performance.
Power-failure Protection
FastTrax is designed to maintain file integrity even if the computer
system fails or loses electrical power during the optimization process.
During file reorganization, FastTrax maintains complete file integrity
if the failure occurs between disk writes or when writing to any data
cluster.
12-bit Cylinder Support
FastTrax recognizes and supports DOS-driver/BIOS combinations that allow
direct access to disks with more than 1,024 cylinders via a 12-bit
cylinder field.
Not Copy-protected
FastTrax is compatible with existing copy-protection schemes. FastTrax
itself is not copy-protected.
=======================================================================
* THE PURPLE ALLIANCE - PART ONE by Mike Mezaros
=======================================================================
In the first installment of "The Purple Alliance," we'll examine the
PowerPC hardware platform, now being developed by IBM & Apple.
The PowerPC platform is based on IBM's own RS/6000 RISC chipset. There
will be a series of PowerPC chips that implement the functionality of
the RS/6000 set in a single chip. Does this mean that the PowerPC line
will see its equivalent of the "SX" processor?
Not quite. The PowerPC chip series will be handled in a way unlike
anything we are familiar with in the current Intel and Mortorola CPU
lines. The PowerPC chips will be "extendable" - some functions will be
handled in software. The higher end chips will be faster because
they'll have MORE of the functions implemented in the chip itself.
The lower end chips will be slower because more functions will be
handled in software. So new functions and functionality can be added to
the PowerPC line without obsoleting everything before it -- the old
computers can handle the new functions in software; the new ones will
handle them in hardware. The newer machines and higher end chips will
always be faster, but you won't need to upgrade your computer type to
run new software - only to make it run at optimal speed.
I'll try to translate the concept to current Intel CPUs. Imagine you
own a 286, but want to take advantage of the new 386-specific software.
Right now, you only have one option -- somehow, some way, get a 386 chip
(whether it be on an expansion board, new motherboard, or within a
totally new PC). If the PowerPC concept could be implemented on the
current Intel line, you'd have TWO choices: get a 386, or add 386
functions to your 286 through software. Sure, you'll take a speed hit,
but your computer won't be obsolete.
The idea of making a 286 "emulate" a 386 is probably making you cringe
-- perhaps thats because the concept just doesn't translate to today's
PCs. After all, a PC that runs 5 MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per
Second) is now considered a high-end PC. You need to remember that
we're not talking about high-end PCs here, we're talking about much more
power -- even today's RS/6000 systems run upwards of 50 MIPS! The raw
power of these machines is so far beyond that of the common PC that the
analogy above doesn't quite cut it.
The PowerPC chips are being developed by IBM, Apple, and Motorola. The
first PowerPC chips are expected to become available later this year,
and is being primarily by IBM. Subsequent chips will have more input
from Apple and Motorola.
IBM and Apple will both offer computers based on the first chip by early
'93 - not together, but separately. The companies will definitely be
retaining their individuality in hardware.
Both IBM and Apple plan to position their first PowerPC units as
relatively low-end, mainstream systems. Note the word relatively. Are
we talking mainstream compared to 486 and 68040 systems? Or are we
talking not-so-mainstream like the RISC workstations out there now with
price tags in the five figures and beyond (Silicon Graphics just
announced some ACE boxes with prices starting around 30 grand)??
It may be too soon to tell. But I wouldn't be surprised if IBM, against
all logic, positioned their first PowerPC units as an extension to
their current RS/6000 line. These boxes are now microchannel systems
aimed at the engineering market -- and they're anything BUT mainstream.
We'll see...
Apple is more likely to use the NuBus format found on Mac II's. And, if
you ask me, it doesn't seem to likely that Apple will ever be aiming for
the high-end engineering market.
Instead, I expect Apple to offer a reasonably priced alternative to
their current Quadra machines. Macs have been strapped for power for a
long time - just look how hungry the Mac-fanatics were to see the
Quadras finally arrive.
Okay, now that you've got all of this great hardware up and running,
just what the heck are you going to run on them? Next week, I'll cover
the PowerOpen and Pink operating systems.
=======================================================================
* PACIFIC CONNECT Product Improvement Announcement
=======================================================================
In response to customer demand, Pacific Data Products is making some
exciting improvements to Pacific Connect. Pacific Connect will now
provide an even better value and more complete solution to users wishing
to share a LaserJet II, IID, III or IIID among any combination of up to
five PCs and up to four Macs.
Full Macintosh support is now included with the "MacPage" and "MacJet"
printer drivers. These drivers allow Macintosh users to print to
Pacific Connect equipped LaserJets either in PostScript (with Pacific
Page) or PCL mode right along side their PC using neighbors. Also
included is a new user's manual specifically designed to assist Mac
users in installing and using Pacific Connect.
Adapters to it every need, a variety of adapters to support all types of
systems are now supplied with Pacific Connect. Other similar sharing
devices typically don't even include a full set of cables and adapters
as Pacific Connect does, much less a full selection to support Macs, and
various PCs. The selection will include:
(2) DB-25 to RJ 11 - for PC's with DB-25 serial ports
(2) DB-9 to RJ 11 - for 286/386 /486 /portables with DB-9 serial ports
(1) MiniDin to RJ 11 t - for Macintosh computers
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS:
o A disk conversion card to allow users to request 3.5" disks.
o The Pacific Connect User's Guide has been re-written to provide much
clearer installation instructions.
!!!!!ALL THIS AT NO EXTRA COST!!!!!!
The best part is, all of these enhancements have not increased Pacific
Connect's low price, making it an even better value for the money.
No other LaserJet printer sharing product offers a COMPLETE SOLUTION
including all cables, adapters and Macintosh support in one box at such
a low price. The Mac support alone represents a $99 value at no
additional cost.
Pacific Data Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Digital
Communications Associates, Inc. (DCA), provides enhancement products
designed to facilitate the production of high quality output from laser
printers. Pacific Data designs, manufactures and supports cartridges
and memory expansion boards that upgrade the capability and performance
of the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet and compatible printers.
=======================================================================
* OZ-CIS
=======================================================================
What is OzCIS?
OzCIS is a new auto-navigator program for CompuServe Mail, Forums and
other services. It provides a modern, friendly interface with full
mouse support; powerful message review and editing features; full
support for file transfers, both up- and download, in all areas of
CompuServe; support for special features of CompuServe such as online
graphics display; a flexible manual terminal with split-screen support
for conferencing; and many other features.
Some highlights of OzCIS features:
* A modern windowed interface. No archaic "What's this letter do?"
commands; everything is menu-ed for easy understandability and mouse-
ability. Picklists and Entry Screens make selecting and inputting
information simple and intuitive. You have your choice of Dialog Box
style or traditional style inputs, file selectors, alerts, etc.
* A context-sensitive hypertext-style online help system.
* Broad flexibility for modems, and methods of connecting to CIS.
Support for high-speed modems. Supports up to Com4 on PCs and Com8 on
PS/2s. Automatic support for 16550A UARTs. Support for direct
connection to the CIS network. An available script to control logon
allows international network connections and connections through modem
servers, mainframe links and other non-standard systems.
* Support for 43/50-line modes, UltaVision modes and other non-standard
video modes. Graphics viewing supports all popular PC type video
systems, including SVGA systems for high-resolution, high-color GIF
image display. GIF images, such as the Accu-Weather Maps, can be
viewed online; images viewed online can be saved to a file while
viewing for later offline review.
* The number of forums and hosts is limited only by memory. Pathing
from host config allows multiple forum sets to be defined and accessed
at any time without exiting or changing the program, or multiple hosts
can be assigned the same forum set - the possible combinations are
endless.
* Complete automated management of Electronic Mail. This includes
uploads of files as Mail, auto-downloading of Mail files, and sending
and receiving messages. Lost message retrieval allows you to
"undelete" Mail received and discarded in the last 48 hours. Full
support for alternate routing such as >FAX:, >INTERNET:, >NMH: and
>POSTAL:.
* Complete automated management of Forums. A full suite of message
reading services, including threading, and composition tools for both
replies and new messages. Management of "QuickScan headers" and
retrieval of tagged messages. Full forum library catalog services and
file transfers. Auto retrieval of forum announcements and other
services.
* Full control over what actions are performed while online in each
forum. Forums can be enabled or disabled with a click or keystroke.
Custom online message management allows "CIS power users" to customize
how messages are retrieved.
* You can drop into Manual Terminal mode in any forum, and return to
automated processing where you left off, or drop into Manual Terminal
after all automated processing is complete.
* CIS "B Plus" protocol used on all file transfers for the fastest and
safest possible transfers. Supports resumable downloads.
* Joining new forums is fully automatic. Forum configuration is fully
automatic.
* An Address Book, accessible from most areas of the program, allows you
to save address information complete with comments. Addresses can be
automatically pulled out of messages being reviewed, and can be
automatically inserted into any outgoing message. It's even available
while online.
* All editors use a consistent command standard, the WordStar command
set. All editors support a universal clipboard, where text can be cut
and pasted as you please. A "General Editor" allows reading any text
file.
* Flexible options for controlling how you store and track messages.
OzCIS stores messages in a "circular" file; *you* control how far back
to keep "active" messages, whether to track aging by online sessions
or days, and whether to automatically save old messages about to be
discarded.
* Message Reader provides split-screen reply editing, so you can see the
message you are replying to. Thread tracing, skip-to-next-thread and
other useful tools make forum message management easy.
* Electronic Mail support includes sending Carbon Copies of outgoing
messages to as many as 30 additional addressees.
* Forum libraries tools include management of both short-format scans
and long-format catalogs. Individual abstracts can be retrieved from
scan lists. Catalogs can be updated without the need to rescan the
entire library. Catalogs can be sorted by filename, date or uploader
ID#. Downloading from scans and catalogs is as simple as clicking the
mouse, or you can manually input download information.
* Uploading files to forum libraries is fully integrated and automatic.
Supports all CIS file types, including NAPLPS and IMAGE.
* Manual online operation provides a 500-line scrollback viewer, split-
screen mode for conferencing or side chats, capture-to-file and other
tools.
* Special sysop tools. Sysop support is automatic, no need for a
"special sysop version".
* A powerful script language, with variables, conditionals and
branching, allows substantial flexibility in customizing online
processing. Scripts can be assigned to be executed before and/or
after automated processing, and each forum can have permanent and/or
one-time scripts assigned.
* Support for many popular non-forum areas of CIS, such as ENS, the
Weather and Weather Maps areas, Stocks and Trends, etc. You can be
automatically taken to these areas and then placed in manual mode, or
you can create scripts to fully automate them.
* More than a DOS shell: you can define External Programs to attach to
OzCIS, for immediate access to your favorite editor or other utility
program. Uses modern "swapping shell" technology for the maximum
memory to executed programs - you can run CIM and other memory-hungry
programs from within OzCIS without problem. You can also shell to DOS
or exec another program while online in manual terminal mode, and the
script language provides exec capabilities as well.
* Best of all... it's FREE for non-commercial use.
OzCIS is currently in beta test. The expected release date is 1-Feb-92.
OzCIS Copyright(c) 1992 Steve Sneed All Rights Reserved.
"GIF" is a Service Mark of CompuServe Inc., a H&R Block Company.
=======================================================================
* PERUSING THE INTERNET (Windows 3) Compiled by Bruce Hansford
=======================================================================
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1991 10:11:00 EDT
From: LINDA%HUB2.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu
Subject: Scientific Graphics
To all of those readers who inquired about scientific plotting packages
for Windows. I know of two that are currently available: Plot-It for
Windows and Origin for Windows, one that will be released in December,
Stanford Graphics, and one that will be going to beta-testing sometime
in the next two months, SigmaPlot for Windows.
PLOT-IT for WINDOWS
Plot-it for Windows (Scientific Programming, P.O. Box 669, Haslett, MI
48840 [517] 339-9859) is an enhancement of SPs DOS Plot-IT. I have not
seen Plot-It for Windows, but according to the product announcements
I've read it is a relatively sophisticated package. It consists of
three modules that operate interactively: a Worksheet module, a Graph
module, and a Poster module. The program is designed to run almost
exclusively on 386 and 486 machines. It requires a minimum 2MB RAM to
operate and has support for most hardcopy devices including plotters.
It has DDE capability and sports an MDI. The Worksheet module reads
123, Excel, dBase, PlotIT SDF and ASCII files. Five graph types can be
generated from the Worksheet columns -- scatter, trace, area, bar, and
pie. Editing functions in the Worksheet module include delete/erase,
copy, fill, move, print, recode, reverse, swap, transpose, and insert.
Other Worksheet functions include matrix math, date conversion,
frequency analysis, independence testing, linear regression, one- and
two-way ANOVA, probit, student's T, and latin square. Also included are
19 different group statistics including 3rd and 4th moments, mean,
hinges, quartiles, SEM, variance, median, average absolute deviation.
There are 12 new series functions such as auto-correlation, auto-
covariance, lead and lag series, first derivative, percent change, etc.
Among the time trend functions there is amplitude and phase
demodulation, con/deconvolution, FFT, cross-correlation and cross-
covariance. You can also calculate areas under the curve. 2D and 3D
graphs can be created using the Graph module. Point-and-click editing
of graphic elements; multiple graph creation in same file user definable
data and axis labels; has quality control chart capabilities; It's not
clear what the Poster module actually does, so perhaps someone out there
can fill us in. The program also comes with hyperlinked Help files Plot
-It for Windows currently sells for $595 although I've seen introductory
prices of $395 each.
--------------------
Origin for Windows Ver. 1.1
I have just started working with this package and as soon as I have
mastered this software, I'll post my observations on this list.
-------------------
Douglas B. Hanson BITNET:linda@nuhub
Bioengineering Department INTERNET:linda@nuhub.acs.northeastern.edu
Forsyth Dental Center CSERVE:70134,3032
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 1991 12:00:00 EST
From: Michael Gordon <GORDONM%DENISON.bitnet@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: W4W 2.0 or Microsoft gets generous......
Well, It looks like Microsoft is now going to offer a "special" bonus to
loyal (and registered) users of W4W 1.X: If one orders directly from
them @ $129, they will throw in FOR FREE either the Windows
Entertainment Pack or the Windows Resource Kit. The Entertainment Pack
is Volume I, the one that came out last year and there are NO
SUBSTITUTIONS! An **EIGHTY** dollar package.... Some resellers are also
offering the upgrade, and it might pay to consult there, MicroWarehouse
and Egghead customarily offer such products at something of a discount,
especially if one doesn't want/need the "special" bonus..
Michael Gordon
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1991 06:45:00 GMT
From: "JOHNSON, CURTIS MICHAEL" <cmj3342%ZEUS.TAMU.EDU@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: Re: BOOTSYS
In reference to the note from ASTRASHEIM@MSCD.BITNET....
HIMEM.SYS is indeed incompatible with AUTOCAD 11. If you are interested
in being able to run both AUTOCAD 11 and Windows without having to go to
the trouble of using a different config.sys, then use QEMM. The latest
version is 6.0.
I run windows in standard mode when I want to use AUTOCAD 11. Standard
mode is required since enhanced mode and AUTOCAD 11 are both virtual
mode applications. This makes it easy to switch back an forth from
AUTOCAD and windows programs without having to shut down and restart
AUTOCAD each time.
I must add that I have 8 meg of ram, and if you have much less I would
imagine that you could have problems. Does anyone else do this?
Curtis Texas A&M University
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1991 08:05:37 EST
From: "Harry M. Kriz" <KRIZ%VTVM1.bitnet@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: Re: Icons
In response to the question of building icons, attaching them to PIFs
and changing vendor-supplied icons:
There are several icon editors available through the usual shareware
channels. IconDraw is a popular example. Commercial Windows utilities
packages have icon editors. These can be used to create small files
which typically have extensions like .ICO or .ICN.
To attach the icon to an application in Program Manager, you use the
File Properties ChangeIcon selection and enter the name of the .ICO file
in the dialog box.
This will not replace the icon on the desktop, however. For example,
DOS applications will still have the generic DOS icon displayed on the
desktop when they are minimized.
There are several utilities which will replace the desktop icon with an
.ICO file of your choice. One of these is Icon-Fixer. It works by
associating an icon with the application's name as displayed in Program
Manager. Icon-Fixer is run from the LOAD= line in WIN.INI so that it
takes effect when Windows starts up.
You cannot change directly the icons that are part of a Win3 application
because they are part of the compiled code. But you can replace them
with an icon of your choice using Program Manager. You can use some of
the screen editing utilities that are available to capture an icon and
edit it using an icon editor and save it as an .ICO file.
The shareware icon utilities I've used have been straightforward and
sufficiently documented. The choice among the alternatives is a matter
of taste.
Harry M. Kriz BITNET: KRIZ@VTVM1 PHONE: (703)231-7052
Automation Librarian
University Libraries
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0434
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1991 08:31:10 EST
From: "Harry M. Kriz" <KRIZ%VTVM1.bitnet@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: high memory
In response to a recent question from Dave McCargar on how to load
devices or programs into high memory:
My comments are relevant to 386 machines. I haven't dealt with these
issues on 80286 machines.
There are two separate areas of memory available above 640K which can be
used by programs. The first is memory located at addresses between 640K
and 1MB. This area is normally reserved for addresses used by the ROM
BIOS and video cards. But there are many address blocks which aren't
used in this area. On a 386 machine, using EMM386.EXE which comes with
MS-DOS 5.0, you can map some of your extended memory into these
addresses. EMM386 is referred to as an upper memory block provider when
providing this service. Once these upper memory blocks are available,
you can use the DOS 5 commands DEVICEHIGH and LOADHIGH to locate the
device drivers and programs in those upper memory blocks. You also must
insert a DOS=UMB command in your CONFIG.SYS to tell DOS to maintain a
link between the conventional memory (below 640K) and the upper memory
area.
This process is simple to implement and for most users probably
relatively transparent. It got more complicated for me when I had to
exclude some of the upper memory area to allow the RAM addresses to be
used by my ethernet card in my machine at work.
The other available memory area is the High Memory Area, which is the
first 64KB above the 1MB boundary. If you use DOS=HIGH in your
CONFIG.SYS, DOS will load part of itself into that area and save about
50KB from the lower 640KB.
All of this is reasonably well-explained in Chapter 12 of the MS-DOS 5.0
manual (Optimizing Your System). Another source is "The Microsoft Guide
to Managing Memory with DOS 5.0" by Dan Gookin, Microsoft Press, 1991,
$14.95. The latter at first didn't seem worth the price, but I did
learn a few things from it.
In addition to the MEM command that is part of DOS 5.0, I found useful a
shareware program named Memory Allocation Manager (MAM107.ZIP) which I
found on a local bulletin board. It has some alternative data displays
that were useful when I was trying to figure out what was happening with
my ethernet card.
I am using DOS 5.0 with 4DOS 4.0 on a 386 machine with 5MB of RAM. I'm
not using any add-on memory utilities. I boot up with 632,000 bytes
free for DOS programs, with about 620,000 bytes available in a DOS
session under Win3. I have loaded high ANSI.SYS, SMARTDRV.SYS, and
SETVER. I also load DOS high. Finally, 4DOS.COM can be loaded into an
upper memory block, leaving only .5KB of itself in the lower 640 (I
reduced the environment space and the alias space because the defaults
are higher than I need.) There is still about 65K free on my home
machine (no ethernet card) in the upper memory area for more drivers and
tsr's should I need them. At work I had to tell EMM386 to exclude a 16K
area of upper memory so that it could be used for the ethernet card's
RAM addresses.
Hope this helps.
Harry M. Kriz BITNET: KRIZ@VTVM1 PHONE: (703)231-7052
Automation Librarian
University Libraries
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0434
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1991 12:52:00 CST
From: TEJ <DHAWAN%UMKCVAX1.bitnet@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: Auto loading programs
>Anyway I was wondering if there is a way to load up a program as soon
>as windows is entered. Like if I boot up windows the program will load
>up automatically.
There are several ways of doing that:
1. Loading only.
a. Start Windows
b. Select FILE,RUN and type : C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSEDIT.EXE
c. Select the file WIN.INI and edit the line followed by "load="
d. add the name of the program you want loaded. For example, if
you want to add Lotus 123/Windows your line would look like:
load=c:\123w\123w.exe
e. Close SYSEDIT.EXE now after saving the file WIN.INI
f. Restart WIndows
g. 123/Windows is now loaded as an icon
2. Loading and Running
a. To make the program actually run and not just load as an icon,
make changes in the line beginning with "run="
3. In program manager you can either:
a. Click on the program and make it run in a window
or
b. Press SHIFT and then double click on the program to load the
program as an icon.
I hope that helps.
Tej
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1991 17:12:00 MDT
From: ASTRASHEIM%MSCD.BITNET@UICVM.uic.edu
Subject: RE: Windows Training experience
Microsoft themselves offer a TRAINING KIT which includes a trainer's
guide and student manuals while in class. You might find that they are
a bit steep, but then your source of material should be nearly perfect,
and if it isn't you could get the answer directly.
There are a multitude of companies that provide courses in Windows.
Here in Denver, Connecting Point is one of the largest. Shop around for
a volume deal if you have a large group of trainers (sometimes they
will give you better deals if you sign up for more than one course)...
As a general rule, you want the trainers to be VERY comfortable before
they go into full-time training and support for windows. Windows is a
very complex piece of software and takes a few months to be fluent in
the language and how it operates. What I find to be the most common
problem in trying to support people who use windows are the terms they
are applying when they call me. Someone will call up and say the "the
system froze, what do I do?" - - at that point, you have a LOT of
research on your hands if they are a new user and don't know much about
windows and their DOS configuration. Other times I will receive calls
that refer to printing problems, much of which can be contributed, not
to windows, but the fact that their printer is out of paper or it's not
online passing the buck to Windows, because it's the "new" thing, so
beware of blame.
You want to make sure that windows is installed properly and that all of
your trainers fully understand how setup works. I would recommend as a
minimum that you have the Windows Resource Kit to help you identify key
components, etc. It's important that they know what can cause the
machine to lock up in windows, if a bunch of non-windows apps are
running, for example. There is a Windows Productivity Pack which is a
good start for some people as an online walk through of what Windows can
do.
LEARN BY USING is my motto. You can read 'till you go blind and it
won't do you any good. It takes practice doing a lot of the mouse
functions and understanding what single and double-clicks do for you.
Pitfalls to avoid:
Avoid getting too technical about the 3 different modes. This turns
people off right away... they then have the idea that they have to use
them... Windows automatically selects the best mode that the system can
support, only when necessary, explain that some programs must use
different modes. Avoid following a structured route of working on an
exercise in windows. People need to understand that Windows is NOT a
command line and that certain operations are intentionally flexible.
Train in both directions: SHOW AND TELL first, then SIMON SAYS... first
demonstrate what you are doing and how they CAN do it, but have them
WATCH carefully. It's very difficult to describe movement. THEN allow
them to experiment and perform the action for themselves.
Last but not least, allow them to absorb the information they've
received. For most people this is entirely like starting on a different
machine (aka the MAC) and expecting them to swim. Most people are
frustrated if they cannot master the mouse. If they are determined to
use the keyboard, remember to LEARN it ahead of time... it's possible,
but not always the best method.
I've been training Introduction to Windows for over a year now and it's
been a nice change of pace, but it's difficult work when you have a
LARGE COLLEGE CAMPUS of DOS users. Take your time. We have a 6 hour
class that is spread across two or three days according to the
professor's schedules. I prefer the 3 session course. They take in
more and have a better understanding. I hope I haven't given everyone a
headache reading this. It's almost to the point where I would like to
train windows LONGER and cover FILE MANAGER more in depth, but that is a
time crunch for 6 hours.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: 17 Dec 91 03:44:44 GMT
From: jfr@locus.com (Jon Rosen)
Subject: NeXTPC to be debuted at NeXTWorld Expo - Infoworld - Dec. 16th
Today's Infoworld (December 16th) carries a front-page picture of Steve
Jobs and a headline article: NextStep for 486s to debut at NeXTWorld
Industry rebel NeXT Inc. will introduce a 486-based version of its
proprietary NeXTStep operating system at the NeXTWorld Expo January 23.
Althogh NeXT doesn't plan to sell a 486-based NeXTStation, a number of
PC clone manufacturers are expected to announce their support for the
operating system when it is announced, source said.
NeXT's motivation is clear: porting to Intel would provide incentives
for software developers to begin writing applications for NeXTStep, and
that will provide NeXT with an additional source of revenue.
"The name of the game is applications in this world," said Rikki
Kirzner, an analyst at Dataquest in San Jose, California, who applauded
the move.
"There are not many standard applications that run on NeXTStep."
The operating system, dubbed NeXTPC, will be functionally equivalent to
the as-yet-unreleased NeXTStep 3.0 for the NeXT brand of hardware. It
will include the underlying Unix operating system that's needed to run
on a 486 system.
Manufacturers would need to provide a 486 with a high-resolution
graphics board and at least 4 (???) megabytes of memory to run the
operating system (Ed.: Hah!). Other advanced features of the OS, such
as the voice annotation that is standard with NeXT systems and requires
a digital signal processor, would be supported on an individual basis by
manufacturers, there sources added.
NeXT is reported to have completed work on the tools needed to recompile
existing NeXTStep applications to run on the NeXTPC environment.
Despite competition NeXT wil face from ACE/ARC, Apple and IBM's
PowerOpen Unix OS, and Sun Microsystems' Solaris, NeXT has a chance of
succeeding, said Bruce Lupatkin, an industry analyst for the financial
services firm of Hambrecht & Quist in San Francisco.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1991 12:34:14 EST
From: Bruce Oneel <oneel%ARUPA.GSFC.NASA.GOV@UICVM.uic.edu>
Subject: TC++ for Windows, a first look
Title: Turbo C++ 3.0 for Windows 3.0, a first report.
System tested on: 286/12, 4 meg, MS-DOS 5.0, Windows 3.0a
Yes, you read right. The box says Turbo C++ for windows and has 3.0 in
the upper right corner. I went out and purchased it rather than go with
an upgrade because I wanted the Object Windows Library but I didn't want
to spend $200. I got TCW for $119 at a local mall software store on
12/17/91.
Before I bought TCW most of my programming for windows was done in BC++
2.0, with a smattering of Turbo Pascal for Windows (TPW) and Quick C for
windows (QCW). As you can see from above, my system isn't the fastest.
It also is only standard mode windows, not enhanced mode.
TCWIN is a windows based C++ compiler with AT&T 2.1 and templates. It
produces windows programs only. If you want dos programs you also must
buy TC++ 2nd edition for DOS, or, BC++ 3.0. It includes Borlands
Resource Workshop (RW) (a reprogrammed WhiteWater Toolkit) and the
Object Windows Library (OWL) C++ class libraries for easier windows
programming.
The first suprise (WHAT!!) was that the box said "6 meg hard disk
required for minimum installation" but you need 18 megs + 4 meg scratch
to do a full installation. I guess I should have noticed that word
minimum. And I thought that bc++ 2.0 with it's 15 meg was bad. (I've
heard that bc++ 3.0 with application frameworks takes much more, 40 or
so meg). Since I didn't notice this until after I'd started the install
program (what? read the manuals!) I had to quit and clean up that hard
disk. I got the 3.5" HD disks and it takes 4 of them.
The installation is just like TPW with the nice race car background and
the speedometer for how done we are.
So, it installed OK. Fire it up!
I first compiled whello.cpp in the \tcwin\examples subdirectory.
Compiled just fine (quite a bit quicker, really) and started linking.
It seemed to hang at the end of the first pass. I waited... Reboot.
I tried this and several other files. After 2 calls to Borland Tech
Support we finally tracked it down to running in windows standard mode.
When the Borland Rep ran in enhanced mode the link flew. When he (on
the same machine) ran it in standard mode there was about a 15 sec pause
between the two link stages (he had a 386DX/25 machine with 6 or 8 meg
of memory). So, the linker is quite slow (it takes 20 to 30 seconds
between the two stages, for about 45 to 60 seconds to link a small
program) in windows standard mode. This compares to BC++ 2.0 taking 15
sec or so on the same program and qcwin taking 7 to 10 sec.
I tried out a few different example programs and everything worked just
fine now that I knew to wait while it was linking.
I also played around with the Resource Workshop. It seems to be faster
than the WRT and over all nicer. Nothing amazing, just a good tool.
In re-compiling some of my code TCWIN found some little things which
bc++ had always let pass. It did find a few places where I had
unreachable code and a few other little bugs.
In working on some new code I've had some problems with the pre-compiled
headers. If you have them turned on and there were compilation problems
in the .cpp files it seemed to get confused with the stuff you defined
in the .h files.
Example: (off the top of my head)
I have
class foobar
public:
foobar (void);
in foobar.h and
void foobar::foobar (void)
in foobar.cpp. If foobar.cpp has a compile error after this line the
next time I compile foobar.cpp I'll get a message on void foobar::foobar
complaining about foobar not defined. If I delete the .sym file the
problem goes away. I've solved it by not using precompiled headers.
This isn't such a big deal because even on a slower machine such as I
have the compiles are really much quicker.
Other random comments...
OWL makes use of borlands classlib libraries. They seem to have been
rewritten to use templates, though, since I don't use templates yet I'm
not sure. I guess that means that classlib will stick around.
Don't throw away you old copy of bc++ or tc++. Some dos command line
utilities aren't in tcwin. The one I've stumbled over is tlib which the
borland tec rep said wasn't included. He also said older versions
(though he didn't say how old) would work just fine.
TDW is supposed to work in SVGA resolution with some SVGA cards. I
tried briefly to get it to work with my TSENG 4000 based card (one of
the ones it supposed to work with). I wasn't successful but I'm really
much happier using my second monitor. It's the best $50 I've ever
spent. TDW is now 3.0, but there don't seem to be huge changes from
2.5. In other words, I read what changed in the manual and it didn't
stick in my mind.
Things I like.
o It's the only windows based C++ compiler. I find this an advantage
because I'm working on programs which use windows multitasking
features. I'd like to stay in windows.
o The compiler is much faster than BC++ 2.0.
o Resource Workshop is nicer (and faster) than WRT.
o OWL will stop me from wasting my time getting my windows class
library to work.
Things I don't like.
o The linker. I'm disappointed. I've always held Borland's products
up to Microsoft's products (especially the turbo/quick ones) and
Borland's have always come out better. Well, after seeing how fast
QCW's linker was I expected the same or just a bit slower. I know
it has to do more work. It is slow when one of Borland's tech
thinks his machine has crashed because it's slow!
o The other place where microsoft's QCWin shines is the install
procedure. It doesn't take over the whole machine and lets you go
back and install pieces later. I don't see (nor did I find in the
manual) how to do this. This isn't a problem with the normal .pak
files (you just unpak them with the supplied program) but with the
files which are put together before unpaking it is a little more
difficult. With 22 meg free disk to install, a partial installation
should be able to be followed up with another partial installation.
Instructions on what exactly one could get rid of might help here as
well.
o I had a UAE crash this morning. After I'd been working on some code
for a while and getting strange compile errors on it, I saved
everything and exited tcwin. I then restarted it and it UAE'd right
away. Then it did a cold reset on the machine and changed the clock
time. I don't run many other windows programs (other then the ones
mentioned above) but this is the first UAE I've had with a commercial
program. My programs UAE all the time while I'm doing development
but so far commercial software has run without a hitch. Oh well, now
I know what the rest of the world complains about.
o The IDE is a little slow. TPW's IDE, which looks just like this, is
much faster.
Summary:
Well, I'll keep it. I keep hoping for Borland's C products to catch up
to their pascal products. I now C++ is harder to compile but the
compiler is close to the same speed now. The IDE is just slow. The
linker is quite slow. Overall, the package looks like the 1.0 release
it really is. Probably some programmer somewhere pleaded to have another
x weeks on it to really polish it up. Oh well, that's why I'm not in
marketing. Tech support was quite helpful on the phone though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for DELPHI service, call (with modem) (800) 695-4002. Upon
connection, hit <return> once or twice. At Password: type ZNET and
hit <return>.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for America Online call the customer service department at
(703) 827-6364 and ask for a free membership kit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for GEnie service call (with modem) (800) 638-8369. Upon
connection type HHH and hit <return>. Wait for the U#= prompt and type
XJM11877,GEnie and hit <return>.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for CompuServe service call (with phone) (800) 848-8199. Ask
for operator #304. You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free membership
kit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*Net: PC Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the IBM
and related computer community. No reprinting is permitted without the
written permission of the publisher. All articles are copyrighted by
the authors. Opinions present herein are those of the individual author
and does not necessarily reflect those of the staff. This publication
is not affiliated with the IBM Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net News Service,
Z*Net International, Rovac, Z*Net Atari Online and Z*Net Publishing
are copyright (c)1992, Syndicate Publishing, Rovac Industries Inc., Post
Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey, 08846-0059, Voice: (908) 968-2024,
BBS: (908) 968-8148. Registered FNET Node 593.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*NET: PC Online Magazine
Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~