@START@ATW BBS List BBS's Proudly Carrying "Across The Wire" Magazine ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ NOTE: It is important to run the UPLOAD.EXE MONTHLY and to not keep uploading the same *.ATW file every month. Running the UPLOAD.EXE file ensures us of having the most recent information from the readers!! All BBS's with a date of 12/95 will be removed from the June 96 Listing unless we receive your log files. Alabama ~~~~~~~ UP ALL NIGHT BBS MAX2000 334-347-3001 5/96 @Liberty Alan Albert 205-245-9139 6/96 Alaska ~~~~~~ Arkansas ~~~~~~~~ Jackalope Junction Steve Prado 501-785-5381 2/96 Arizona ~~~~~~~ PC-Arizona BBS Ron Keane 602-423-0640 2/96 PharmAZcy Online! Michael Guzzo 602-955-3835 5/96 American Travelers BBS Larry Crabbe 602-978-6505 6/96 California ~~~~~~~~~~ The Launch Pad BBS Rick Olsen 805-734-3878 5/96 Alberhill Online! 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BBS Curtis Brewington 914-665-1725 6/96 Hidden Paradise BBS Dean Brooks 716-345-9800 6/96 North Carolina ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gentle Breeze BBS Larry Beheler 704-657-6898 6/96 The Pig-Pen BBS Boss Hog 910-324-1703 6/96 Mayberry BBS Randy Culler 910-789-8183 4/96 FamilyFun Shirley Gurley 910-364-4996 1/96 Digital Visions BBS Chad Hedrick 919-492-6760 3/96 Tri County Online Rick McWilliams 919-492-4956 6/96 North Dakota ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daedalus Online Davis Robinson 701-857-6090 4/96 Gamma World BBS Lance Powell 701-727-9811 2/96 Ohio ~~~~ The Edge of Insanity Dale Miracle 216-896-4251 6/96 Hall of Fame BBS Dennis Haddox 216-456-8856 6/96 The Light of Day BBS Eric Supple 216-327-1423 3/96 The Trading Post Frank McCourry 216-284-3025 6/96 Pegasus ]I[ Bob Delugach 216-677-3437 5/96 The NEST BBS Bruce Reusch 513-583-7574 6/96 Data Stream Ace 330-929-9097 6/96 The Other Side Karen Long 330-832-0565 6/96 FIRST TRY Ken Mathews 614-685-3013 6/96 Oklahoma ~~~~~~~~ Oregon ~~~~~~ The Visible Spectrum BBS Robert L. 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Greg Schlagel 715-426-9886 1/96 NIKOhost BBS Christopher Nikolai 715-675-5756 6/96 The Buy and Sell BBS Ronald Hansen 414-764-9500 5/96 Puerto Rico ~~~~~~~~~~~ Hurricane BBS Luis Benitez 809-781-4207 6/96 Puerto Rico Online Rafael Alcocer 809-745-1157 3/96 Canada ~~~~~~ The Midnight Oil BBS John Wagontall 403-329-3381 6/96 THN Systems Canada Dave Turner 416-255-2484 6/96 Playtime II BBS John Farrow 613-546-6604 6/96 The BBS Encounter Glenn Woerffel 905-737-4639 3/96 Powerline Riptide 519-884-6106 3/96 Link's Place Link! 519-472-8581 2/96 Platinum Communications Glenn Jarvis 905-770-9540 4/96 Thee Basement Jeff Demchuk 306-761-5289 2/96 Smooth Noodle Boot Darryl Schmidt 604-554-4497 2/96 PiRATe iSLeS Dom Tetreault 905-608-2880 4/96 Games Galore BBS Tim Sparrow 905-404-1802 6/96 Infinite Confusion Tyler Cranston 306-955-0993 6/96 Australia ~~~~~~~~~ Wicked City Jeff Ainsworth +61 7 273 3931 Music Talk Steve Gasson +61 8 327 0249 Ace BBS Peter Nitschke +61 8 357 8775 PC-Endeavour BBS Andy Hancock +61 8 725 4686 United Arab Emirates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NPCserv BBS Elias Khoury 011971-5005-207 Japan ~~~~~ HoneyTree BBS Dwight Collins 011-81-3117-62-8914 Portugal ~~~~~~~~ VISUS BBS Jose Camara 351-1-7968168 United Kingdom ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Juke Joint BBS Kurt Adkins +44-(0)161-230 6369 New Zealand ~~~~~~~~~~~ InverNet BBS Keiran O'Regan 643-2130-959 Netherlands ~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCOVERY BBS Marco Hiemstra +31-55-5431332 Mexico ~~~~~~ Mercurio BBS Victor Ramirez +52-28-40-14-12 How to get your BBS listed: 1. Run the program UPLOAD.EXE which is included with the ATW door. This program will ask you for some information and will then ZIP up the information and log file. The file created will be called xxxxxxxx.ATW - simply upload this file to T&J Software! T&J Software BBS 717-325-9481 3 Nodes - 28.8k Upload to ATW SUBMISSION file area. E-Mail to: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net Crash it to Fido 1:268/400 2. Your BBS will remain on the list indefinitely as long as the log files are sent to T&J Software at least ONCE every SIX months. 3. After lapsing for SIX months, your BBS listing will be removed. @START@ATW Readers Questions ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: JEREMY PREECE Hey ATW! I've got an odd question, and thought you guys may be able to help.. does anyone know if the unmanned space crafts like Voyager and Galileo have pressurized cabins? Are they air-tight, or does NASA bother? Thanks! RESPONSE: Personal assumption is that they are not pressurized spacecraft. Several problems can occur under pressurization such as a small leak. Even the smallest leak would be enough to change the attitude of the craft off course...my humble opinion only. I have sent a note to NASA Craft Desgin - we'll see what the response is - great question! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: Arachnoid Software Hey on the ATW BBS List could you add The Reliant BBS (330)745-1170 (if it IS a normal BBS list, that is). If not, could you send information about getting my BBS Across The Wire in the message area #9... RESPONSE: Please see the notes included with the door on getting your BBS added to the listing. Thanks! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: Ace Hello! I have two things I wouldn't mind seeing added/changed to the magazine. One is, at the end of an article, it feels more natural to hit Enter once more to take you back to the menu instead of the current "M". The second would be adding a prompt for an Ansi Ad path/name in the monthly UPLOAD.EXE. While it won't save any transfere time, it would be easier on both ends to only have one message needed to be processed... RESPONSE: I'll see what we can do in the next update. Thanks! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: Warren Miller Hi Tom! It just keeps getting better and better! The questionaire idea would fly well here. It will be included in my monthly updates? Then we will see the results of the questionaire in a later issue, GREAT! I see the mag is coming down the bird from Planet Connect on a regular basis now. Wonder if any lifeforms out there have figured out PKUNZIP and are sitting around their puter reading your mag that missed the bird... :-) Keep up the good work! Would like to see you add a current events section that would keep me posted on what has happened of note in the last month. (Deaths of note, major world news, stock market fluctuations, etc.) 20 lines in here would be nice. (Continued) my job keeps me away from printed media. I do get to listen to the radio daily. (Over the Road Truck Driver, team) And it is hard to keep up on weekends. I look to Across The Wire for info that I would have missed otherwise. Love the book reviews and every- thing about the mag. Keep them coming... Warren Miller - SysOp of the Horseless Carriage, Marshalltown, IA (515)752-6554 USR 33.6K V.Everything FidoNet 1:290/106, Xeronet 131:5150/105 SFNET A0515014 RESPONSE: Hello Warren! Nice hearing from you - appreciate the comments! We'll be adding the questionaire section in the next release. The "real" job has been keeping me very busy lately! <sigh> Yep, everything will be included in each ATWD*.ZIP file for you! I've investigated several sources for current event type information including Clarinet. They hold copyright information on everything published though. Talking with them revealed that I would have to get permission from each and every source to show this info - looks like that route is gone! <G> I'll see if we kind find something though! It's very tough getting written permission to re-distribute information. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: Dave Turner Just a bit curious as to what happened to the Recipe section of ATW a few of my users have asked why it was discontinued all of a sudden? Some of the recipes that were in the door were good. Everything else is great, keep up the good work! RESPONSE: You'll be happy to see the recipe section back in this issue! We're going to keep it as a regular addition also. I've heard from several people about this. Thanks! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: JIM SHORT Just a quick question. What day of the month do you want to have the monthly data file compressed and sent to you? I'd like to be able to make one call to pick up the new ATWDATA file, and to upload the information to your system. My callers continue to enjoy your fine magazine. Thank you for your efforts. RESPONSE: Hi Jim! You can send it up the same time you call for the update. We always have the update online by the 1st of each month. Calling prior to the 1st may be hit or miss depending on the time I have! Glad your users enjoy the mag! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MESSAGE FROM: LEROY HEIN This is to let you know that Addison DOS Haus BBS is no longer in service. Thanks for all your support in the past. Maybe some- day Addison DOS Haus will live again... RESPONSE: Sorry to hear this Leroy! Best of luck though! ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── @START@ ATW Policy Policy Statement for Across The Wire Monthly BBS Magazine: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POLICY DATE: May 27, 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ General Policy: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. No charge will be collected for access to this magazine. The door/magazine may be run on a pay BBS, but no additional charge will be claimed for access to this information. 2. Individual articles may contain there own copyright information. 3. The copyright notice on Across The Wire magazine is on source code and the door reader only. The following rules shall apply to all articles/screens submitted: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. T&J Software retains the right to refuse any article submitted for publication in Across The Wire magazine. 2. T&J Software reserves the right to modify/change the text of any articles submitted (for spelling and clarity only) for the magazine. 3. T&J Software reserves the right to refuse any ANSI screen submitted for publication in the magazine. BBS ANSI screens will be displayed pending room in the database. We don't want a bloated database filled strictly with BBS ads <G>. 4. BBS advertisements will only be included if the subject BBS is an active BBS carrying the magazine (regular uploading of the log file). 5. ANSI screens in "bad taste" will be rejected. How to Submit Articles: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Articles should be uploaded to T&J Software BBS by the 21st of each month to be included in the next month's magazine. Articles can be uploaded to the following locations: T&J Software BBS 717-325-9481 3 Nodes - 28.8k Upload to ATW SUBMISSION file area. E-Mail to: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net Crash it to Fido 1:268/400 Submitting your BBS Name and Number for inclusion in the magazine: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. A BBS will only be added to the magazine BBS Listing if the sysop of the submitting BBS uploads the magazine log files on a monthly basis. 2. After six months of no magazine log files being sent to T&J Software, the BBS listing will be removed from the list. 3. No charges will be collected to include a BBS name in the listing or for advertising in an ANSI screen. Tom & Jane Wildoner T&J Software @START@Review of Dad Says He Saw You at the Mall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOKS BOOKS PIECES OF SUBURBIA by HAL NIEDZVIECKI Ken Sparling's hilarious Dad Says He Saw You At The Mall (Knopf/ Random House, $21 paper) is one man's horrifying celebration of suburban family life. It is an inner journey that moves from work to home to vacation, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, with a speed that is as startling for the writer as the reader. While others have written about the suburbs, Sparling's first novel recreates not what the suburbs seem to be, but what they are. For this 36-year-old resident of Richmond Hill, life is fragmented, abrupt and surprisingly merciless. "Everywhere I've lived," Sparling says, "is in the novel. And it's all been suburbs. Well, we once lived on Eglinton just past the Don Valley Parkway. But I guess that's not downtown. That was a wasteland. I was terrified of walking to school. My mom had to go to work so she got a couple of older high-school girls to walk me to school but they just took off. That's the only concrete example of fear I can remember." Examples are what Sparling is best at. His novel is written entirely in short, perplexed examples -- a series of post-it notes stuck to the forehead of the soul. Sparling's book reports the details of loneliness by peering through the curtains at his own fears. The narrator depicts this fear by acting as a sort of double Sparling -- both author and subject. While Sparling makes his son pancakes, double Sparling shows readers the man who puts off leaving for work as long as possible, terrified of disappointing his young child. These heart-breaking, immediate scenes infuse every moment of the novel with the longing of a man who keeps trying to hear the song of life over the buzz of his neighbor's lawnmower. "The writing is based on inspiration," Sparling explains. "I never sat down and specifically wanted to write about my life. But anything I wanted to get across was something I wanted to get across right then and there. I had a feeling that I needed to write something down so I wrote something down. The difficulty of writing about my family became the difficulty of getting across what I was feeling without saying 'I am feeling this.' " The double-Sparling writing style subverts traditional narrative. This novel has no plot, only a series of sprawling observations focused around the narrator's relationship with his wife and son. The family does things that almost every family does, but Sparling relives these events as if they were singular, revealing experiments concerning the nature of suburban existence. A barbecue is overcome by unspoken resentments when the narrator drops his father's veggie-burger onto the coals. At one point, the narrator begins to imagine his own fame the way the actual Sparling might have as his book moved across desks in New York City. There is a sense of salvation in the narrative, as if Sparling's narrator is exploring a possibility similar to Sparling's own starts at becoming a writer. "I remember riding my bike to a meeting of this group," Sparling says of his visit as a 17-year-old to a Richmond Hill writing group called the Richvale Writers. "I found the house and then I just stood there. The woman who ran the Richvale Writers published my first story in this magazine she was doing called Waves. And then nothing happened for a long time." Nothing happened, that is, until Sparling started sending his offbeat short stories to the infamous New York literary magazine The Quarterly five years ago. The next thing he knew the equally infamous editor of The Quarterly, Gordon Lish, then an editor at Alfred A. Knopf in New York, wanted to publish his book. "When I first got the contract," Sparling says, "I had no idea what I was going to do. I mean I wasn't worried about writing a novel, because I wasn't writing a novel. I had all this stuff and right up until I put it together the way it is now, I had no idea what I was going to do with this stuff. There was a randomness about putting the whole thing together. At one point I decided to break it down into sections. When I got to a point that I felt a strong, powerful feeling, I ended a section. The book just happened that way because it was the only thing I could do. Now I like the way it works." Dad Says He Saw You At The Mall is a great novel, as sparingly funny as it is poignant. Sparling raises the minute details of his mundane family life to the level of art. In doing so, he questions the sentiment that life in the suburbs is basically the same for everyone. And this creates its own set of very real problems. "You want people to read your work," Sparling says laughing. "But you know... I'm worried about what my Mom and Dad are going to think." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available Books archives ---------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Books eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@Reviews of two rock music documentaries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOKS BOOKS ALL ALONG THE RECORDING CONSOLE by BILL REYNOLDS These two recording-date cryptologies of Dylan and Hendrix (by Clinton Heylin and John McDermott respectively) signify that the new shack off the cottage industry of rock publishing is session minutae. Mark Lewishon's 1990 oversize picture book, The Beatles Recording Sessions, started the trend. Lewishon was given access to Apple's extra reels and copious studio notes to illumine the exhilarating note-by-note picture of the ultimate pop group in action. I savored reading Lewishon's book, stretching it over the summer months of 1990 while copping the relevant remastered CDs. On my agenda was rediscovering exactly what it was I fell in love with when my Aunt Jean gave me a transistor radio way back when. It sure wasn't the trendy music of 1990 -- roots rock -- which so bored the bejesus out of me (and a lot of other people, I suspect) that I believed rock 'n' roll was, uh, dead! Very few records contained that necessary "wild mercury sound" as Dylan once called it and the ones that did weren't selling beans. (I had impeccable timing, complaining about this in a Globe and Mail column just months prior to Nirvana's breakthrough. Nowadays, with the crap that passes for rock 'n' roll, I think I may have been right after all.) In Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions 1960-1994 (St. Martin's/ McClelland & Stewart, $35.99 cloth), Heylin acknowledges Lewishon's book, and tries to go one better by actually criticizing his subject. Problem is, Heylin has so many facts his book is the equivalent of a pugnacious academic monograph, eschewing generalist commentary in favor of mini-punchlines and racking up points against other Dylanologists. Fortunately, his book has a couple of worthwhile qualities. One, he's engagingly opinionated. Unlike Lewishon's slavish acquiescence, Heylin takes care to not automatically genuflect to His Bobness, to the point where his nitpicking at times makes the eyes glaze faster than a Zamboni doing 90. Two, he manages to solve a few mysteries about Dylan, at least at my fan-level (owning many Dylan albums of both the classic and the dodgy variety, but no bootlegs). For example, why is some later material very good and some unbelievably mawkish, inept, unsubtle and stupefying? General answer: Dylan notoriously pulled songs and even whole albums at the last moment. The most glaring example was the famous re-think (and re-cutting) of Blood On The Tracks. He thought he was giving too much of himself away and wanted to bury parts of lyrics, or full songs, in order to obscure the soul-baring. Heylin expends much computer time on the Woodstock convalescence, and justifiably so. Dylan in 1967 after the motorcycle accident recorded the most relaxed, confident, playful and downright funny music of his career precisely because what later became The Basement Tapes was never intended for commercial consumption. Then came John Wesley Harding, an album that mocked the idea of him being the spokes-freak Pied Piper, and did so in a pre-rock acoustic fashion -- just at the time when Jimi Hendrix was wowing North America with monstrously loud electric guitar excursions. Other periods, like the nutbar Wrathful Old God years 1979-'81, aren't as interesting to read about, at least from a studio perspective. Heylin's attention to detail often obscures the big picture, and the wisdom of Dylan's manoeuvres, if any, seems lost. Hendrix idolized Dylan and performed quite a few of his tunes, the most famous interpretation of course being "All Along The Watchtower." John McDermott's Jimi Hendrix Sessions (Little, Brown, $33.95 cloth) is intellectually slighter and larger (lots of pics) than Heylin's, but it has moments of lucidity. Usually this occurs when McDermott enlists Hendrix's old army buddy Billy Cox (bass player in Band Of Gypsys and Experience Mk. II) or trusty engineer Eddie Kramer to deliver the occasional germane anecdote. McDermott excels at describing the confusing period of Hendrix's career after the Experience was exhausted from touring in 1968 up to the Woodstock retreat (and famous festival performance). Between the comings and goings of various players, any and all sentient activity in the studio was feverishly recorded. Hendrix was trapped between the desire to experiment more and management pressure to trump Electric Ladyland. McDermott suffers a fate similar to Heylin's: too often he gets bogged down defining which particular take was used and which ones were discarded, in order to demonstrate his thoroughness. While both books have their uses, I'd recommend additional reading: Tim Riley's Hard Rain analyzes Dylan's career without fawning over the big guy or patronizing his reader; and Charles Shaar Murray's Crosstown Traffic performs a kind of compelling phenomenological study of Hendrix by devoting separate chapters to re-examining the man's career, myth and music from various genre viewpoints. Studio biographies are welcome in that they contain mountains of factual content instead of fuzzy-headed, university-essay style theories about what makes rock 'n' roll tick. The flaw is that, confined to studio talk, an author runs the risk of either talking bells and whistles -- the equivalent of hanging out at a musical instrument shop -- or losing sight of the cultural significance of these heroes. The almost 55-year-old Bob Dylan performs at the Concert Hall April 27-28. Jimi Hendrix is still dead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available Books archives ---------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Books eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@Reviews of Period Adventure, ages 8-12 The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli by Mary Downing Hahn The Twin in the Tavern by Barbara Brooks Wallace NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4n Children's Fiction: Period Adventure, ages 8-12 4/26/96 __ The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli_ by Mary Downing Hahn. Clarion, 1996 (0-395-73083-X) $14.95 For her latest book, Hahn leaves the suspense genre to explore the old west, and proves that she's as much at home with card-sharks and horse thieves as she is with sinister strangers. Our heroine is twelve-year-old Eliza Yates, a spirited girl with a sassy tongue, who narrates the story of how she become Elijah Bates, the boy confederate of the notorious Gentleman Outlaw. _Neither_ of them, however, was exactly what they seemed. Eliza's adventure begins when she and her beloved dog Caeser run away from her harsh relatives, to find the father who went west when she was five. Disguised as a boy, she saves the life of Calvin Featherbone, a refined young man who claims to be an experienced outlaw. His friend Miss Nellie draws a different picture of him, however: "Some folks think they know it all, but talking like you swallowed a dictionary don't mean a thing if you aint got common sense." And Eli soon discovers the truth of her words, as Calvin-- who's as stubborn as he is conceited--gets her into one dangerous get-rich scheme after another. There's nothing especially original about this plot, but it certainly doesn't seem stale. With a relish in her story that is highly infectious, Hahn spins a lively, funny tale, with loveable characters, a strong sense of place and just a dash of romance. __ The Twin in the Tavern_ by Barbara Brooks Wallace. Atheneum, 1993; Aladdin, 1995 (0-689-80167-X) $3.95 pb "You are not really ours, Taddy. Find your twin and you will know who you are," whispered Uncle Buntz with his dying breath. Now orphaned twice and completely alone, young Taddy has no choice but to go with Neezer and Lucky, two blackhearted thieves who find him when they rob his supposedly empty house. At their tavern, the Dog's Tail, he is forced to work long hours for table scraps, along with another boy called Beetle. Then it happens--while delivering ice to the Mainyard mansion he sees his twin, a boy named Jeremy who works in the kitchen. But what does it mean--and who can he trust with his secret? Drenched with sinister atmosphere and crawling with unexpected plot twists, this Dickensian melodrama is an exciting, engrossing mystery that ends all too quickly. Pungent, colorful dialogue brings the classic character types to new life, especially the cocky, cynical, but intrinsically loyal Beetle. Only the superlatively happy ending--also quite Dickensian in its syrupy sentimentality--seems overdone. @START@Reviews of Alphabet Books, 3 & up Amazon ABC by Kathy Darling. Photographed by Tara Darling * Alison's Zinnia written and illustrated by Anita Lobel * The ABC Mystery written and illustrated by Doug Cushman Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon. Illustrated by Donald Crews. NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4o Picture Books: Alphabets, ages 3 & up 4/27/96 __ Amazon ABC_ by Kathy Darling. Photographed by Tara Darling. Lothrop, 1996 (0-688-13778-4) $16.00 This is the second alphabet book I've seen about Amazon animals this year, and at first glance it's not remarkably different, although illustrated with photographs rather than drawings. I think this one may have the edge, however: less consciously gorgeous, it's also more visually interesting. Large, crisp photographs give the reader a chance to observe numerous details about the Amazon creatures in their natural habitat; some pages, such as G, grasshopper, include multiple shots, showing the many colors and varieties one species can include. There's no text other than the alphabetical names, but several pages at the end give basic information about the rain forest and the animals. Eye-catching and intriguing, this can be used as an alphabet book or as an introduction to the wonders of the Amazon rain forest. (3 & up) __ Alison's Zinnia_ written and illustrated by Anita Lobel. Greenwillow, 1990; Mulberry, 1996 (0-688-14737-2) $4.95 pb Twenty-six beautiful flowers and twenty-six generous little girls are the stars of this very attractive alphabet book. Each two-part page not only shows a carefully detailed drawing of a flower, but includes part of an illustrated story-in-the-round, in which Alison acquires an Amaryllis for Beryl, who buys a Begonia for Crystal, and so on. The text therefore gracefully emphasizes both the individual letters and their progression in the alphabet, while the pictures of the winsome little girls give quite a feel for the pleasures of gardening. * (3-8) __ The ABC Mystery_ written and illustrated by Doug Cushman. 1993; HarperTrophy, 1996 (0-06-443459-1) $4.95 pb This sly parody of old-fashioned mysteries manages to find excitement and humor in the classic "A is for" format. Detective Inspector McGroom and the hapless Dame Agatha go on a hunt for her missing painting, sniffing out clues and interviewing suspicious characters, all to the driving rhythm of a great rhyming text. Nattily dressed in Edwardian outfits--except for their feet, which helpfully leave paw prints--the members of the all-animal cast are hilariously expressive in their classic roles. Even when the mystery is solved, this book bears frequent rereading. * (3-8) __ Tomorrow's Alphabet_ by George Shannon. Illustrated by Donald Crews. Greenwillow, 1996 (0-688-13504-8) $16.00 We all know A is for Apple, but did you know that A can be for seed? In tomorrow's alphabet it is--and B is for eggs, tomorrow's Birds. This clever book will have even the most jaded young reader longing to know what comes next, as they enjoy being confident enough of their alphabet skills to have some fun with them. Crews' very basic illustrations of objects on white backgrounds are more suited to a much less sophisticated book however, and don't add anything to the concept. (5-8) * indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre @START@Reviews of Easy Readers, 5-8 Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish. Illustrated by Lynn Sweat * Nate the Great and the Pillowcase by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Rosalind Weinman. Illustrated by Marc Simont No Good in Art by Miriam Cohen. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4p Children's Fiction: Beginning Readers, 5-8 4/28/96 __ Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia_ by Herman Parish. Illustrated by Lynn Sweat. William Morrow, 1995; Avon Camelot, 1996 (0-380-72510-X) $3.99 pb A short drive in the country can only lead to chaos when Amelia Bedelia is doing the driving, cheerfully misunderstanding every instruction she given: told to look for a fork in the road, she naturally expects silverware; told "bear left," she swerves to the right (to avoid the bear on the left, of course.) Written by the nephew of Amelia Bedelia's original creator, Peggy Parish, this new title features somewhat more sophisticated wordplay than I remember from the earlier books; perhaps beginning readers are more sophisticated these days, as well. It's certainly just as funny, and Amelia Bedelia's genial character shines through. Sweat's illustrations are a little bland, but effective and comfortably familiar. __ Nate the Great and the Pillowcase_ by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Rosalind Weinman. Illustrated by Marc Simont. Delacorte, 1993; Dell Yearling, 1995 (0-440-41015-0) $3.99 pb Nate the Great is back, as sharp and funny as ever, to solve the Case of the Missing Case. Woken at 2 a.m. by a call from his friend Rosamond, whose cat canUt go to sleep without his favorite pillowcase, Nate sets out into the damp, dark, dreary and shivery night to track it down. This is a fun nighttime adventure that beginner readers will relish--although as a fuddy-duddy adult, worrying about Nate being out by himself kept me from completely getting into the spirit of the adventure. * __ No Good in Art_ by Miriam Cohen. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. Greenwillow, 1980; Dell Picture Yearling, 1996 (0-440-41118-1) $4.99 pb Part of Cohen and Hoban's "Welcome to First Grade" series, this is a friendly and encouraging look at the too-often traumatic subject of art. Ever since kindergarten, when his teacher _corrected_ one of his drawings, Jim has been sure he's no good at art. When the first grade art teacher asks his class to paint pictures, Jim hides his under his desk. But thanks to his friends Willy and Sammy, Jim's picture gets hung up anyway, and everyone in class admires it and wonders about it. With an attractive portrait of an art teacher who encourages creativity rather than insisiting on conformity, _No Good in Art_ shows than everyone can have fun and express themselves through art, even if their "grass is too fat" and their "men don't have necks." Hoban's illustrations are warm and cheerful, as always, and she obviously had great fun recreating the different paintings by the different members of the class. * indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre @START@Reviews of YA Novels * Mary Wolf by Cynthia Grant * Adam & Eve and Pinch-Me by Julie Johnston Earthshine by Theresa Nelson NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4q Young Adult Novels 4/28/96 __ Mary Wolf_ by Cynthia Grant. Atheneum, 1995 (0-689-80007-X) $16.00 "I want to scream. I want to slap my parents and shout: Wake up! But my family thinks it's cruel to wake the dreamer from the dream." Ever since her father lost his important insurance job, Mary Wolf's family has been "vacationing" in their RV, moving from town to town in search of a place where they can be comfortable and respected once again. The perfect job and home are always just around the next corner, in the next town; in the meantime, Mary's pregnant mom shoplifts, her sisters watch t.v. all the time and her dad loses every job he finds because of his irrational temper and egotism. With parents who act more like children, sixteen-year-old Mary is forced into the responsible role: "You worry too much" says her mother; Mary's unspoken reply is "I wouldn't, if she'd worry more." But Mary's attempts to make her parents face reality is turning her into the family bad guy, and as the pressures of their situation begin to change her once-genial father more and more, she becomes the target of his rage. Grant makes every word count in this gripping story of a family moving inevitably towards tragedy. Narrated by Mary, it captures her mixed emotions of anger, fear, sadness and love, sparing no ugly details about her parents yet showing why she can't bring herself to leave them. The characterization of Mary's father is especially powerful, a finely ironic look at a man who espouses the "bootstrap" ethic while blaming everyone for his problems but himself, who believes all poor people are welfare cheats and beggars, but whose actions reveal his own deep-seated sense of entitlement. Through Mary's eyes, we see how his intellectual dishonesty, stubborn pride and refusal to take responsibility for his actions are destroying his family and turning him into a monster, yet we also see the strong, loving father he once was and still tries to be, making it impossible to hate him. The portrait of Mary's father is so strong that her story sometimes seems almost secondary to his, but it is her voice--sad, wryly funny, _real_--that draws us in. Her misery is palpable, but her intelligence and dogged--even obnoxious--tenacity keep her from sounding whiny or absurd. Best of all, her character offers hope: in her love for music, her dreams for the future and her gentle romance with another homeless traveller--a momentary lightening in the darkness of the story--we see that, despite everything, she has the capacity to make a good life for herself someday. As in her chilling _Uncle Vampire_, Grant once again heightens a meaningful and sensitively written story with a tension that makes it a real page-turner. The result is a technically impressive and emotionally unforgettable novel. * __ Adam & Eve and Pinch-Me_ by Julie Johnston. Little, Brown, 1994; Puffin, 1995 (0-14-037588-0) $4.99 pb "If I've learned one thing in my life it's this: if you don't want your heart broken, don't let on you have one" Sara Moone tells her computer, the only thing she will allow herself to have a relationship with. Shuffled from one foster home to another--"what do you do with something you don't want? Throw it out, of course,"--Sara has cut herself off from any positive feelings, living only for her sixteenth birthday, when she will be free to live on her own, completely alone. But as she types in the story of her latest foster home, with a kindhearted farm couple and two other foster kids, Sara's sharp, immediate narrative begins to show signs of thaw within her. Then a new threat to her safe isolation appears: her birth mother, who once gave her up and now wants her back. No longer able to convince herself that she doesn't feel anything, Sara must try to figure out which feelings to listen to. Told in a caustic yet passionate voice that betrays the pain and longing underlying Sara's hard facade, this is a beautifully realized story. The small-town atmosphere and the characters of Sara's foster parents are lovingly drawn, with an initial mockery that gradually changes to interest and respect, as Sara begins to see beyond their seemingly stereotyped behaviors. Sara herself is a terrific character--sometimes hilarious, sometimes infuriating, but never boring. Her journey from mistrustful stray to loving family member is a tender, funny, life-affirming triumph. * __ Earthshine_ by Theresa Nelson. Orchard, 1994 (0-531-06867-6) $15.95; Laurel-Leaf, 1996 (0-440-21989-2) $4.50 pb (reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 2, number 122) Twelve-year-old Slim poignantly narrates the story of her life with her father Mack and his lover Larry, during the last few months before Mack's death from AIDS. Feeling both helpless and enraged, Slim sees little point in the political activism or new age therapies espoused by the other kids in her living-with-AIDS therapy group. But when the group and their families embark on an arduous trip to see an acclaimed "miracle man," Slim, Mack and Larry find unexpected spiritual healing and renewed courage to face the inevitable. This sensitively-written, believable story is an important addition to the growing body of literature on this subject. * indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre @START@Reviews of Picture Books, 2-6 The Caterpillow Fight by Sam McBratney. Illustrated by Jill Barton * Connie Came to Play by Jill Paton Walsh. Illustrated by Stephen Lambert * "More More More," Said the Baby written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams Hilda Hen's Happy Birthday written and illustrated by Mary Wormell NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4r Picture Books, ages 2-6 4/30/96 __ The Caterpillow Fight_ by Sam McBratney. Illustrated by Jill Barton. Candlewick, 1996 (1-56402-804-6) $9.99 Prepare to have your tongue twisted into knots when you read this wild and wooly story about an unusual pillow fight. Starring seven colorful caterpillars and their fluffy caterpillows, it's a very silly story in rhyme. Fortunately, big caterpillar comes in to stop the caterpillow fight before it ends in tears (as they so often do.) The watercolor illustrations of the jolly caterpillars are a bit cutesy for my taste, but overall this is a fun spin on a familiar situation. (2-4) __ Connie Came to Play_ by Jill Paton Walsh. Illustrated by Stephen Lambert. Viking, 1996 (0-670-86210-X) $12.99 Connie has come to play at Robert's house, but Robert would rather play alone. "This is my train," he says, and "my rope, my rocking-horse, my bricks." But Connie doesn't need Robert's toys to play: she can engineer her own train, climb a mountain with a rope, gallop on the beach on a horse and build a tower--all in her mind. And best of all, the gifts of her imagination can be easily shared, just by telling a story. Taking a respectful, non-didactic approach to a common childhood feeling, this is a warm and comforting book that avoids negative labels and finger-wagging. Connie, who is drawn with great expressiveness and charm, is a wonderful role-model for creative play _and_ problem-solving. Lambert's rich pastels highlight the imaginative play by showing the children against plain white backgrounds, but giving full color spreads to Connie's adventurous visions; the final scenes show Connie leading Robert into a fairy tale landscape, and then the two quietly playing in real life. * (2-6) __ "More More More," Said the Baby_ written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams. Greenwillow, 1990 (0-688-09173-3); 1996 (0-688-14736-4) $4.95 pb (reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 2, number 128) This Caldecott Honor winner is a love of a book, a joyous, multi-racial celebration of babies and their grownups. Three little babies are exuberantly loved by their relatives, who "catch them up and bring them up close" to swing them around, kiss their eyes and nibble their toes. William's illustrations capture the awkward, loveable grace of toddlers and the energetic adoration they inspire, in bright, bold paintings that have the vigor and spontaneity of fingerpaints; vivid multicolored frames and rainbow lettering add even more color and life to the pictures. But the text is even better, a rhythmic, colloquial lyric that is just the right combination of repetition and freshness. * (2-6) __ Hilda Hen's Happy Birthday_ written and illustrated by Mary Wormell. Harcourt Brace, 1995 (0-15-200299-5) $14.00; Voyager, 1996 (0-15-200777-6) $5.00 pb (Reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 3, number 10c) The star of _Hilda Hen's Search_ (reviewed volume 2, number 115) returns here for another humorous misadventure. Wondering if anyone has remembered it's her birthday, Hilda Hen walks all around the farm, discovering to her great pleasure that everyone has prepared a present for her: the horse has left her some oats, the gardener has left her some apples, and even the farmer's wife has made her a dust bath (although she does have to scrap some annoying flowers out of the way.) This child-sized comedy of errors is appealing and accessible. Hilda's good-natured persistence in her own point of view, despite all evidence to the contrary, makes her a comic character in the venerable tradition of Amelia Bedelia. Striking linocut illustrations also give the book a soothing, timeless quality, as if it's been a favorite for years. (2-6) * indicates a book the reviewer feels is outstanding in its genre @START@Reviews of Fantasy, ages 8-12 Tomorrow's Wizard by Patricia MacLachlan The Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697 An electronic journal of book reviews. Copyright 1996 Wendy E. Betts. Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail web@armory.com with comments or questions. For info and archives, see http://www.armory.com/~web/notes.html Vol. 4, No. 4s Children's Fiction: Fantasy, ages 8-12 4/30/96 __ Tomorrow's Wizard_ by Patricia MacLachlan. Harper & Row, 1982; Magic Carpet, 1996 (0-15-201276-1) $6.00 pb One of the first books to be reprinted under Harcourt Brace's new "Magic Carpet" imprint, this is a brief, charming collection of stories within a story. Tomorrow's Wizard sits high in an oak tree, listening for important wishes to grant and wondering about his apprentice, Murdoch, who seems far less wizardly than he ought to be. Murdoch, in fact, has a special wish of his own--to be human--and it will take some ingenuity for Tomorrow's Wizard to fulfill it. With gentle morals and wry commentary that bring to mind _The Devil's Storybook_ by Natalie Babbitt, _Tomorrow's Wizard_ is an appealing look at the foibles and graces of human nature. __ The Van Gogh Cafe_ by Cynthia Rylant. Harcourt Brace, 1995 (0-15-200843-8) $14.00 The Van Gogh Cafe was once a theater and and that's partly why it's still full of magic. Of course, it helps that Clara works there with her father, because "she is ten and believes anything might happen." And all sorts of anythings do happen in the Van Gogh Cafe: food cooks itself and poetry comes true, magic muffins cure hurt children and cats fall in love with seagulls. Imagine a Richard Brautigan novel for children and you might get a feel for the evocative simplicity of this unusual story, seven short, loosely strung-together tales about a place where the everyday becomes magical. At times the book seems a little thin, promising more magic than it really delivers--but it has many moments of enchantment. __ Time for Andrew_ by Mary Downing Hahn. Clarion, 1994 (0-395-66556-6) $13.95; Avon Camelot, 1995 (0-380-72469-3) $4.50 pb (reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 2, number 111) Drew's first sight of the ancestral house he's going to spend the summer in is not an encouraging one. "Charles Addams would have loved it. So would Edgar Allen Poe. But not me." Nervous and imaginative, Drew senses presences all over the spooky house--and when he finds an old photograph of a boy named Andrew, who could be his double, it's almost no surprise that Andrew's ghost appears in his room that night, But this Andrew _isn't_ dead--on the verge of death from diphtheria, he has somehow travelled through time to the present. And as the boys quickly realize, if he stays there, he can be cured. Meaning only to hide and let Andrew pretend to be him, Drew is himself drawn through time to 1910, forced to pretend he is Andrew. It's not easy--though they look just alike, Andrew is cocky and fearless, always getting into trouble and fights. Although he grows to love Andrew's family, Drew wants his own world desperately. But Andrew, terrified that he is "doomed to die in 1910," refuses to trade back until Drew can beat him at a game of marbles. As the summer drags on, Drew finds himself forgetting his own world and becoming more and more like Andrew. Can he ever win the right to get back to his own time--and if he does, will it be too late to be himself again? Satisfyingly atmospheric as a ghost story, _Time for Andrew_ is also an involving, touching story about two very different boys who learn to understand each other from the inside out, each gaining something he needs from the other's personality. A few of the plot points don't quite mesh together--why does Drew agree to the games? Why isn't the history of the house changed when Andrew doesn't die?--and the emphasis on the importance of physical courage is sometimes troubling from an adult point of view, but overall this is a well-written and absorbing book. @START@Review of Infinite Jest ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 2, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOOKS BOOKS A REALLY BIG BOOK by JASON ANDERSON He has written a heavy book and a long book, but David Foster Wallace is nonetheless having his moment. The 980-page (with another 100 pages of endnotes) Infinite Jest has been widely reviewed since its publication in February, if not widely bought or read, and Wallace, the author of one previous novel (The Broom Of The System) and a book of short stories, has become a marquee player in literary circles. I spent eight weeks between Infinite Jest's covers (which is slow for me but I also read three Gore Vidal novels and the backs of seven cereal boxes in the interim) and can say with confidence that I don't know what the hell happened. That sounds disingenuous, but the novel is nothing if not perplexing. Like North And South and a couple of other TV mini-series, Infinite Jest is the saga of a family -- the Incandenzas. Father James (a.k.a. The Mad Stork or Himself) made his fortune in high technology of an annular nature, founded the Enfield Tennis Academy, spent his last years making avant-garde films like Fun With Teeth and The Pre-Nuptial Agreement Of Heaven And Hell (the filmography is one of the funniest passages in the book) and ended it all after outfitting a microwave oven for his head. Youngest son Hal, Infinite Jest's main character by default and a star at ETA, is dependent upon soft drugs and has fewer pulled psychological hamstrings than his classmates. Eldest son Orin is a punter with a predilection for seducing young mothers (figure that one out), and middle son Mario is pretty much a walking camera with limited mental powers and outrageous deformities. Mom (or The Moms) runs ETA, has kept her looks and is disturbingly cheerful. Within the machinations of this cast -- including Don Gately, former burglar and hulk-sized staffer at the addicts' halfway house down the hill from the academy, and Joelle van Dyne, veiled Himself subject and former Orin squeeze -- lie Infinite Jest's major themes. The unfathomable pain and despair of addiction, the mental acrobatics of denial, the quest for entertainment, family Colombian-neck-ties and, um, tennis. It takes place, more or less, over one month in the Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment (the Organization of North American Nations now runs on Subsidized Time) as Quebecois separatists (a vicious wheelchair-bound extremist unit, in particular) search for a master copy of Himself's film Infinite Jest, which is so entertaining that it leaves watchers drooling or dead. By the way, most of New England and a chunk of Canada has become an ecological disaster zone known as The Great Concavity. The book begins and concludes in medias res, which is an EngLitGrad way of saying it doesn't have a conventional beginning and ending. But the opening scenes (say, the first 200 pages) take the shape of a dream that Wallace elucidates as one reads further and further (and further). Impressive is Wallace's ability to switch perspectives and voices very rapidly and to effortlessly juggle the mundane and the highfalutin. Infinite Jest reminds me less of other big books like Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow (the obvious and impenetrable precedent) and Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy (with which Infinite Jest shares some design elements) than Donald Barthelme's The Dead Father (which is much more absurd, 800 pages shorter and comes to much the same conclusion on the family question). Like Pynchon and Barthelme, Wallace is really funny, and the book's size is necessary to support the jokes (which are belly-laugh-sized more often than not). But then the size does provoke a level of dementia in a reader. One begins to obsess over the typo on page 836 and laugh a little too hard at something like this reaction to Himself's Blood Sister: One Tough Nun: "puzzlement and then boredom and then impatience and then excruciation and then near-rage" (p. 947). Much of the novel's style simulates the tortuous routes of "marijuana thinking" (p. 1048) and an analogy could be drawn to the warp-drive information onslaught suffered by its readers in their daily workspaces (or at home in front of the TV, where many of us have developed the ability to watch five channels at once). The book itself, neatly enough, becomes an addiction, with true satiation an impossibility. Wallace has written a long book and a great book. Hopefully, you'll finish it before it finishes you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available Books archives ---------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Books eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@EPA Internet Newsbrief 4/26/96 INTERNET NEWSBRIEF April 26, 1996 ** EPA INFORMATION ** Joint USGS-EPA Hydro-Climatic Research (Hydro-Climatologic Modeling Group) http://ice.cor.epa.gov/groups/hydro/index.html This joint project focuses on the development of simulation models that illustrate the effects of climate changes on hydrographics, soil moisture, and vegetation patterns. Their research is a fundamental part of the EPA's Global Change Research Program. Some particular areas of research which are detailed at this site are Energy and Balance Water modeling, snowbelt modeling, landscape to regional modeling, DEM Processing, and Spatial classification and uncertainty. The site also includes information about climate database development, including a paper, "A Long-Term Climate Database for the Continental United States," written by Danny Marks, Rusty Dodson, Don Phillips, Chris Daly and Ron Neilson. There are plans to make a climate database available via hyperlinks. Finally, this site includes telephone and fax numbers, as well as links to personal home pages maintained by staff members, for those who would like more information about either the project or the people involved with it. ** ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ** Environmental Law Institute (ELI Online) http://www.igc.apc.org/eli/ "The Environmental Law Institute advances environmental protection by improving law, policy, and management. ELI researches pressing problems, educates professionals and citizens about the nature of these issues, and convenes all sectors in forging effective solutions." From this site, one can obtain information about the institute itself, publications, ELI Programs, and key individuals at the institute. Links to specific papers and projects from the institute are provided, and a "New at ELI" link highlights the latest additions and changes to the web server. National Library for the Environment http://www.cnie.org/nle This site, operated by the Center for the National Institute of the Environment, outlines the growing National Library for the Environment. The library will consist of three on-line components: Congressional Research Service Reports, An Encyclopedia of the Environment, and In-Depth Issues In the Environment. At present, over 100 congressional reports are available, and are arranged by a subject index that looks somewhat like a printed table of contents. A title index is also available, and is searchable using the "find" tool that is provided with most web browsers. A search command is also provided on the home page, allowing one to search the reports without going to the index first. The Encyclopedia and In-Depth issues have not been implemented yet, but a description of how these services will operate is provided. ** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ** Region 6: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.r6.fws.gov/www/fws/ This site contains references to information about Region 6 of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Region 6 consists of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. The site contains press releases, feature stories, and species biologues related to these areas, as well as links to other web sites operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/~r3pao/mnvhome.html This site, also operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service, relates to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the few urban wildlife preserves in the United States. This site contains information about the center, information about visiting hours, public outreach programs, and other services. It also describes the various habitats that are able to exist close to a heavily populated area. Additional links to other Fish and Wildlife sites are also provided. ** INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ** Urban Groundwater Database http://www.dwr.csiro.au/UGD/ This site, located in Australia, contains information and links to resources dealing with ground water conditions in cities, towns, and rural areas around the world. At present, the resources are indexed alphabetically by name, though a keyword search engine is being developed. Entries consist of a description of the community, the climate, how the community uses water resources, problems that the community has encountered, and how to reach people in the specified community (typically the person who entered the data into the database.) The database is currently rather small, but is continually growing, and may be a valuable resource for individuals searching for conditions in a given area. DISCLAIMER The information provided in Internet Newsbrief was correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and homepages are reorganized. @START@ EPA Internet News Brief 5/3/1996 INTERNET NEWSBRIEF May 3, 1996 ** EPA INFORMATION ** Proposed Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment: EPA/600/P-92/003C, April 1996 http://www.epa.gov/ORD/WebPubs/carcinogen/ This is an electronic version of an EPA report, currently being examined and commented on by the appropriate authorities, that lists and explains the changes to earlier, 1986 Carcinogen guidelines. The full text of the report is provided, including a point by point listing of the reasons for the change and an explanation of why these changes were necessary. An electronic mail address, for reaching the EPA Carcinogen guideline group, is provided at the end of the report. ** ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ** The Water Librarian's Home Page http://www.wco.com/~rteeter/waterlib.html This page, maintained by a librarian in California, points to a wide variety of Internet materials related to water research. Several of the provided links point to materials of environmental interest. The sites are broken into the following categories: Water Agencies (mostly civil institutions), Water reference databases, Comprehensive water pages (many general interest materials included), and other sections related to water resources, such as Earth science, government agencies, and environmental science materials. Sustainable Development, best starting points. http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/sustain.html Though technically this is an International interest page, many of the issues being referenced can be helpful for local research. It contains a bibliography of printed sources that address sustainable development. This page also contains a set of links to other sites around the world. An email address is provided for submitting comments, questions, and criticism. Endangered Species http: //www.bev.net/education/SeaWorld/endangered_species/escont.html This page, maintained by the Busch Gardens/Sea World resort company, contains links to information about endangered animals. Links include government organizations (including some EPA sites), international organizations, private groups, and bibliographies (one of which is intended for children). There is also a comprehensive index for the entire site, which includes links to specific species of endangered animals, environmental groups, and issues related to endangered animals. The intended audience of the site is primary school children and their educators. As such, the design of the site is simple and easy to navigate. ** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ** Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center http://www.cbdcom.apgea.army.mil/RDA/erdec/ This site is run by the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center. One of the center's primary tasks is biological and chemical weapon research. Among the information provided, there are descriptions of the safety systems that are in use, and those that are being designed. The environmental impact of their research is also addressed, though the details are rather sparse. ** INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ** The World Resources Institute http://www.wri.org/wri/ "The mission of World Resources Institute (WRI) is to move human society to live in ways that protect the Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations." The WRI web site is an entry point for the various information resources they provide. These include other printed resources, other electronic resources, information about their library, and the WRI in general. Some materials that are currently receiving special interest deal with the effects of pesticides on the human immune system, and biodiversity. As a reference tool, the WRI also maintains a list of other internet sites addressing a wide number of environmental topics. All of these features can be reached from various locations on the home page. ** BUSINESS/CORPORATE INFORMATION ** Environmental Organization WebDirectory http://www.webdirectory.com/ This highly useful directory links a wide range of environmental information into one central place. The highest level of the index is divided by general topic (Agriculture, Animals, Arts, etc.). Subsequent levels of the index break these general topics down into small topics, and so on, in a hierarchial manner. The individual links often have a brief, one or two line annotation. The system is also linked to a few of the major internet databases, such as Yahoo, and links to them when needed. It is also possible to add URLs to the list, submit comments, and search the entire list using a dedicated WAIS search engine. DISCLAIMER The information provided in Internet Newsbrief was correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and homepages are reorganized. @START@EPA Internet Newsbrief 5/10/1996 INTERNET NEWSBRIEF MAY 10, 1996 ** EPA INFORMATION ** Access to GIS Spatial Data Sites http://www.epa.gov/docs/oppe/spatial.html Maintained by EPA's Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, this site provides a connection to spatial data on the Web. More or less a directory of GIS information, links include government agencies, specific projects, state agencies, local groups, and various current resources. Beyond linking to specific sources, the site includes articles, software links and other tools for understanding GIS and spatial data relevant to EPA. ** ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ** Water and Geology Links http://aapg.geol.lsu.edu/geowat.htm#Water This page offers various links to information in the fields of water and geology with specific connections to Hydrogeology and groundwater issues. Heavily geared toward software and other technical advancements, links include general reference and pointers to specific societies. New sites are highlighted and the descriptions are helpful. EcoLogic - A Student Pugwash Project http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/pugwash/index.html This comprehensive site is a good "open door" to environmental information on the web with links to both commercial and education sites for information. The site itself does not provide any information and is maintained as merely a stepping stone. There are a mix of both technical and general interest options and they are not arranged by either content or currency but alphabetically. Greenlife Society - North America http://nceet.snre.umich.edu/greenlife/ An American affiliate of the Finnish Greenlife Society, this non profit organization offers a Home page for information about itself and the projects it is involved in. With an international focus on wildlife conservation, links are provided for current projects and specific convention documentation as well as to the Canadian affiliate and an e-mail contact. ** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ** Cryptosporidium resources http://www.inform.umd.edu:8080/EdRes/Topic/AgrEnv/Water/.crypto.h tml The Water Quality Information Center at the National Library of Agriculture (NALUSDA) has recently added several new resources to their Web site including this page devoted to Cryptosporidium. The site offers a bibliography from the AGRICOLA database as well as current literature and news. Links to various government agencies' current data on Cryptosporidium are also included. A contact for the page is listed. ** INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ** Ancha Srinivasan, PhD, Regional Science Institute, Sapporo, Japan http://www.vtt.co.jp/staff/ancha/c-projects.html A personal Web page that is virtually a subject collection in sustainable agriculture for Japan. This link is a direct connection to Mr. Srinivasan's current projects page offering information on GIS, research projects, and literature in the field. The site also offers a form for contacts concerning GIS in agriculture and/or the environment. ** BUSINESS/CORPORATE INFORMATION ** The Nature Conservancy http://www.tnc.org/welcome/index.htm Strictly a Web presence for the non profit organization that claims to be "the largest private system of wildlife refuges in the world." This site is HIGHLY graphical and is not recommended without the aid of a graphical user interface. No links are provided and all information given is about Conservancy projects and publications. DISCLAIMER The information provided in Internet Newsbrief was correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and homepages are reorganized. @START@EPA Internet NewsBrief 5/17/1996 INTERNET NEWSBRIEF MAY 17, 1996 ** EPA INFORMATION ** EPA Region III GIS home page http://www.epa.gov/reg3giss/ A new offering from the Mid Atlantic Coast region, this site contains links to data and information about Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a GIS Help Desk and a selection of other Internet Resources relating to GIS. Related links include other EPA Regions with GIS information as well as non-EPA sites about GIS. ** ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ** Society of Environmental Journalists http://www.sej.org A non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, PA, SEJ offers a convenient access point to environmental information by subject. Designed specifically for journalists, this site is a jumping point to both governmental and independent information on many aspects of the environment. Net search tools are available but there is no search engine for the SEJ server. ** GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ** Ecological Risk Analysis Tools and Application http://www.hsrd.ornl.gov/ecorisk/ecorisk.html The Oak Ridge National Laboratories recently introduced a new site of information and tools for Ecological Risk Analysis. The site also includes Ecotoxicological benchmarks and will soon have completed risk assessments as examples of the available applications. An Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the full text benchmarks and asessments but it is available for download at the site. US Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/ The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently introduced six new sites covering various parts of their operation. The sites are currently featured on the FWS home page and include: Law Enforcement, Region 5 (Northeast), Migratory Bird Management Office, N.A. Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and the D.C. Booth National Historic Fish Hatchery. ** INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ** Global Change home page http://solstice.crest.org/environment/global_change/gc.htm SOLSTICE is an information server specifically designed for information on sustainable living and energy efficiency. Developed by the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST), the global change page offers information from a variety of sources. There is a search tool available as well as a monitoring service and "new this month" listings. ** BUSINESS/CORPORATE INFORMATION ** National Environmental Information Service (NEIS) http://www.neis.com This corporate site offers a variety of services to the environmental professional from chemists and engineers to managers. They advertise as a national clearinghouse of EPA and OSHA documents in addition to offering a comprehensive list of online information and print materials. There is both free and fee-based information available from this site. DISCLAIMER The information provided in Internet Newsbrief was correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication. It is important to remember, however, the dynamic nature of the Internet. Resources that are free and publicly available one day may require a fee or restrict access the next, and the location of items may change as menus and homepages are reorganized. @START@Rachel #492: What Causes Declining Sperm? =======================Electronic Edition======================== . . . RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #492 . . ---May 2, 1996--- . . HEADLINES: . . WHAT CAUSES DECLINING SPERM? . . ========== . . Environmental Research Foundation . . P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403 . . Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@rachel.clark.net . . ========== . . Back issues available by E-mail; to get instructions, send . . E-mail to INFO@rachel.clark.net with the single word HELP . . in the message; back issues also available via ftp from . . ftp.std.com/periodicals/rachel and from gopher.std.com. . . Permission to repost, reprint or quote is hereby granted. . . Subscribe: send E-mail to rachel-weekly-request@world.std.com . . with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the message. It's free. . ================================================================= WHAT CAUSES DECLINING SPERM? NEW YORK TIMES writer Gina Kolata this week renewed her efforts to discredit the theory and evidence that industrial chemicals interfere with hormones, causing harm to wildlife and humans.[1] A month ago, Ms. Kolata savagely attacked the new book, OUR STOLEN FUTURE,[2] claiming that "careful studies" (none of which she cited) had "refuted" the premise of the book. (See REHW #486.) OUR STOLEN FUTURE reviewed hundreds of studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The book offers substantial evidence that industrial pollutants may be interfering with the hormones that regulate growth, health and behavior in wildlife and humans, thus contributing to birth defects, problems of sexual development, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and even mental problems like attention deficit disorder, diminished IQ, and violent behavior. Among the evidence discussed in OUR STOLEN FUTURE was declining sperm counts in men in industrialized countries, plus data and hypotheses linking such a decline to hormone-disrupting chemicals. In 1992, a report in the BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL[3] analyzed 61 previous sperm studies conducted in 20 countries, concluding that average sperm counts had declined from 113 million sperm per milliliter of semen to 66 million during the past 50 years, a 42% decline. Ms. Kolata has made this her special cause, evidently determined to convince TIMES readers that there's nothing to it. On the same day that she maligned OUR STOLEN FUTURE (March 19th), Ms. Kolata published a second article in the TIMES, about sperm counts.[4] It is clear from Ms. Kolata's March 19th article that she requires little or no evidence to be persuaded that sperm counts are not declining. Instead of evidence, she offers two arguments: (1) From 1960 to 1970 a million women were exposed to a synthetic sex hormone called DES. Recently, a large study of male offspring of DES-exposed mothers showed that these men are fertile, able to father children.[5] Ms. Kolata apparently wants her readers to believe that this means DES did not cause a decline in sperm counts among these men. (2) Ms. Kolata offers her readers the opinion that infertility is not increasing in the U.S.[6] The important point is that these arguments are both straw men. Neither argument reveals anything important about sperm counts. The original analysis of 61 studies of sperm counts showed a decline from 113 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen in 1940 to an average of 66 million in 1990. Men are able to sire children with a sperm count as low as 20 million sperm per ml, and they are not definitely sterile until their sperm count drops to 5 million. No one has ever claimed that average sperm counts world-wide have dropped this low. Ms. Kolata has set up a straw man and triumphantly demolished it, but in the process has misled her readers about the question of declining sperm counts. (In fact a decline in sperm quality and quantity has been reported among the sons of DES-exposed women, along with underdeveloped and undescended testicles and stunted penises. These men were not sterilized but the sperm of many of them was definitely diminished by their mother's exposure to DES.)[7] This week Ms. Kolata took up the sperm count cause again in the TIMES.[1] On April 29, she reviewed three recent studies of sperm, omitting mention of other recent studies that don't support her bias. She highlighted two new studies that indicate sperm counts have slightly INCREASED over the past 25 years among students in Seattle,[8] and among men preparing to have vasectomies in Los Angeles, New York, and Roseville, Minnesota.[9] Ms. Kolata describes a third study, by Harry Fisch, which re-analyzes the 61 previous studies.[10] Ms. Kolata gives great weight to Dr. Fisch's re-analysis of the 61 studies, which concludes that sperm counts may not be declining worldwide. Dr. Fisch argues that the "decline" in sperm counts is really just previously-unnoticed "geographic variation" in sperm counts. In other words, Dr. Fisch argues that sperm counts may not actually be declining; instead, they may be holding steady, but they may APPEAR to be declining because there is so much variation between sperm counts in different locations. Ms. Kolata failed to mention it, but to reach his new conclusions about worldwide sperm counts, Dr. Fisch threw out 41 of the 61 original studies, re-analyzing only 20 of the original 61. He says he did this because the study populations in those 41 studies were small, involving all together only 9% of the original total study population. However, in so doing, Dr. Fisch reduced the number of countries involved from 20 to only 12. On the basis of the much smaller number of studies, from the much smaller number of countries, he concluded that sperm counts have not declined. Exclusion of so many relevant studies seems dubious at best. Ms. Kolata explains Dr. Fisch's findings this way: "Dr. Fisch argues that the decline reported was probably a result of previously unappreciated regional variations in sperm counts. Most of the early studies, with the high sperm counts, involved New York men, whose sperm counts have remained among the highest in the world. Most of the more recent studies involved men from developing countries and their sperm counts, for unknown reasons, tend to be lower." But is this true? Is Paris in a developing country?[11] Is London?[12] Is Brussels?[13] Is Scotland a developing country?[14] These are all places where good recent studies have reported declining sperm counts. Ms. Kolata chose not to tell her TIMES readers about these important recent studies. One new study reveals that sperm quantity has not changed for 20 years in rural Toulouse, France.[15] The authors of the Toulouse study suggest that environmental factors might distinguish Toulouse from Paris, where sperm counts seem to be declining. Combined with the two new U.S. studies, does the Toulouse study mean that all the other recent studies showing declines are wrong? The U.S. studies do not seem particularly persuasive. Students in Seattle are unlikely to be representative of the general populace. Neither, necessarily, are a self-selected population of men preparing to have vasectomies. A general decline in sperm counts could be occurring, yet might not be revealed by studies of these particular populations. Based on the Toulouse study, we can say that it is good news that some populations can be found who may not be experiencing declines in sperm. But it is not news that some populations have high sperm counts and others have low. The original analysis of 61 studies in 1992 made this very clear. No matter what is happening to the worldwide average, the question therefore remains: why is sperm count in some large populations low and/or declining? Gina Kolata seems to want her readers to believe that declines are not occurring and that low counts occur only in developing countries. But in his analysis Harry Fisch acknowledges the problem, and answers it this way: the "geographic variations" in sperm might be caused by environmental factors, nutrition, socioeconomic differences, or some other "unknown causes," he says.[10] In other words, it is entirely possible that "environmental factors," such as hormone-disrupting chemicals, are affecting some large populations, causing a decline in sperm. Back in 1983, U.S. EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] identified 52 chemicals or groups of chemicals that adversely affected sperm (as well as 11 that enhanced sperm).[16] We have already seen that DES had adverse effects on the sperm of sons of DES-treated women. Is there laboratory data supporting such an idea? Elaborate new studies of mice, reported in ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES (a U.S. government publication) in December, reveal that exposing pregnant mice to low levels of an estrogenic chemical causes their male offspring to develop smaller-than-normal testicles, and to produce less sperm than untreated mice.[17] Three separate industrial chemicals (with estrogenic properties) were tested and they all caused small testicles and diminished sperm counts. (DES was also tested, as a "positive control," and --no surprise --it had the same effect.) The estrogenic chemicals used in these experiments are industrial pollutants commonly found in our food and water. Gina Kolata chose not to tell her TIMES readers about these important new animal studies. --Peter Montague =============== [1] Gina Kolata, "Are U.S. Men Less Fertile? Latest Research Says No," NEW YORK TIMES April 29, 1996, pg. A14 [2] Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers, OUR STOLEN FUTURE (N.Y.: Dutton, 1996). [3] Elisabeth Carlsen and others, "Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past 50 years," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Vol. 305 (1992), pgs. 609-613. We have previously reported on this study, and subsequent studies. See REHW #290, #343, #369, #390, #436, #438, #446, #447, #448, #457. [4] Gina Kolata, "Sperm Counts: Some Experts See a Fall, Others Poor Data," NEW YORK TIMES March 19, 1996, pg. C10. [5] Allen J. Wilcox and others, "Fertility in Men Exposed Prenatally to Diethylstilbestrol," NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Vol. 332, No. 21 (May 25, 1995), pgs. 1411-1416. [6] There is some evidence that this is untrue. Congress's Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) reported several years ago that Americans in their prime reproductive years (ages 20 to 24) have experienced an increase in infertility in recent years. See "Reproductive Dysfunction in the Population," in U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE [OTA-BA-266] (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1985), pgs. 341-364. [7] The evidence is reviewed in Leon Earl Gray, Jr., "Chemical-Induced Alterations of Sexual Differentiation: A Review of Effects in Humans and Rodents," in Theo Colborn and Coralie Clement, editors, CHEMICALLY-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN SEXUAL AND FUNCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE WILDLIFE/HUMAN CONNECTION (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Scientific Publishing Co., 1992), pgs. 203-230. And see J.A. McLachlan, "Rodent Models for Perinatal Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol and Their Relation to Human Disease in the Male," in A.L. Herbst and H.A. Bern, editors, DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF DIETHYLSTILBESTROL IN PREGNANCY (New York: Thieme-Stratton, Inc., 1981), pgs. 48-157. And see: W. Gill, "Effects on Human Males of IN-UTERO Exposure to Exogenous Sex Hormones," in T. Mori and H. Nagasawa, editors, TOXICITY OF HORMONES IN PERINATAL LIFE (Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 1988), pgs. 162-174. [8] C. Alvin Paulsen and others, "Data from men in Greater Seattle area reveals no downward trend in semen quality: further evidence that deterioration of semen quality is not geographically uniform," FERTILITY AND STERILITY Vol. 65, No. 5 (May, 1966), pgs. 1015-1020. [9] Harry Fisch and others, "Semen Analyses in 1,283 men from the United States over a 25-year period: no decline in quality," FERTILITY AND STERILITY Vol. 65, No. 5 (May, 1996), pgs. 1009-1014. [10] Harry Fisch and Erik T. Goluboff, "Geographic variations in sperm counts: a potential cause of bias in studies of semen quality," FERTILITY AND STERILITY Vol. 65, No. 5 (May, 1996), pgs. 1044-1046. [11] Jacques Auger and others, "Decline in Semen Quality Among Fertile Men in Paris During the Past 20 years," NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Vol. 332, No. 5 (February 2, 1995), pgs. 281-285. [12] D. Stewart Irvine, "Falling sperm quality," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Vol. 309 (August 13, 1994), pg. 476. [13] K. Van Waeleghem and others, "Deterioration of sperm quality in young Belgian men during recent decades," HUMAN REPRODUCTION Vol. 9, Supplement 4 (1994), pg. 73. [14] Stewart Irvine and others, "Evidence of deteriorating semen quality in the United Kingdom: birth cohort study in 577 men in Scotland over 11 years," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Vol. 312 (February 24, 1996), pgs. 467-471. [15] L. Bujan and others, "Time series analysis of sperm concentration in fertile men in Toulouse, France between 1977 and 1992," BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Vol. 312 (February 24, 1996), pgs. 471-472. [16] Andrew J. Wyrobek and others, "An evaluation of human sperm as indicators of chemically induced alterations of spermatogenic function," MUTATION RESEARCH Vol. 115 (1983), pgs. 73-148. [17] Richard M. Sharpe and others, "Gestational and Lactational Exposure of Rats to Xenoestrogens Results in Reduced Testicular Size and Sperm Production," ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES Vol. 103, No. 12 (December, 1995), pgs. 1136-1143. The chemicals tested were 4-octylphenol (OP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and octylphenol polyethoxylate (OPP). BPP is a phthalate, many of which are common in the environment and in our food because they are widely used as plasticizers. Descriptor terms: sperm count; hormones; hormone disrupters; new york times; gina kolata; our stolen future; des; infertility; 4-octylphenol; butyl benzyl phthalate; octylphenol polyethoxylate; los angeles; new york; seattle; studies; ################################################################ NOTICE Environmental Research Foundation provides this electronic version of RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY free of charge even though it costs our organization considerable time and money to produce it. We would like to continue to provide this service free. You could help by making a tax-deductible contribution (anything you can afford, whether $5.00 or $500.00). Please send your contribution to: Environmental Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403-7036. --Peter Montague, Editor ################################################################ @START@Rachel #493: Illegal Poisons in Our Food =======================Electronic Edition======================== . . . RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #493 . . ---May 9, 1996--- . . HEADLINES: . . ILLEGAL POISONS IN OUR FOOD . . ========== . . Environmental Research Foundation . . P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403 . . Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@rachel.clark.net . . ========== . . Back issues available by E-mail; to get instructions, send . . E-mail to INFO@rachel.clark.net with the single word HELP . . in the message; back issues also available via ftp from . . ftp.std.com/periodicals/rachel and from gopher.std.com. . . Permission to repost, reprint or quote is hereby granted. . . Subscribe: send E-mail to rachel-weekly-request@world.std.com . . with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the message. It's free. . ================================================================= ILLEGAL POISONS IN OUR FOOD There are about 630 different "active ingredients" in pesticides worldwide. In real-world use, these main ingredients are combined with other chemicals (called "inert ingredients") to make several thousand toxic formulations -- but the basic active ingredients number about 630. The purpose of a pesticide is to kill living things by poisoning them, so it is no surprise that these 630 chemicals are all toxic. In many cases -- especially the newer pesticides -- they are very toxic. For example, the most commonly-used insecticide is called chlorpyrifos (trade name: Dursban). Dursban attacks the central nervous system so effectively that one-fifth of an ounce is sufficient to kill an adult human. To be used legally on fruits and vegetables, pesticides must be registered with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each use of a pesticide on each crop requires a unique registration. In other words, the pesticide named Captan must be registered for use on onions, and it must be registered a second time if it is to be used on peaches. Under common law, putting poisons into your neighbor's well, or onto your neighbor's food, is considered very anti-social and is strictly illegal. However, after the manufacturer of a pesticide applies for a pesticide registration, for a fee the government (specifically, Congress) sells them the right to put poisonous residues on our food. When a pesticide is registered for a use on fruits or vegetables, a "tolerance level" for that pesticide on that crop is set by EPA. The "tolerance level" is the amount of toxic residue that can legally remain on the crop when the consumer eats it. According to the National Academy of Sciences, "Tolerance levels are not based primarily on health considerations.... Their primary purpose is to ensure compliance with good agricultural practice." In other words, the first concern in setting a tolerance is to allow enough of the pesticide to be used to kill the target pests. Health is secondary. After a tolerance level is set, EPA later (often years later) may set a "reference dose" (called an RfD) that the agency considers safe for consumers to eat. As a result of this peculiar process, EPA has set many "tolerances" at levels far higher than the references doses that EPA has declared safe. In other words, EPA has set legal pesticide residue limits for many poisons on many fruits and vegetables that are higher -- in some cases much higher -- than the level the EPA considers safe. For example, EPA's tolerance for Dimethoate is 64 times as high as the "safe dose" (the RfD) for Dimethoate. EPA's tolerance for methyl parathion is 41 times as high as the RfD for methyl parathion. EPA's tolerance for endosulfan is 24 times as high as the "safe" (RfD) dose for endosulfan.[1] Furthermore, RfDs are set to protect adults, not children. The EPA has never set an RfD or a tolerance based on children's health. When the National Academy of Sciences studied pesticides and children's health in 1993, the Academy concluded, "A fundamental maxim of pediatric medicine is that children are not 'little adults'.... In the absence of data to the contrary, there should be a presumption of greater toxicity to infants and children."[2] The Academy specifically recommended that tolerances should be reduced 10-fold to protect children: "The committee recommends that an uncertainty factor up to the ten-fold factor... should be considered when there is evidence of postnatal developmental toxicity and when data from toxicity testing relative to children are incomplete."[2] Data from toxicity testing relative to children are incomplete in the case of every pesticide currently in use. Researchers who reviewed the pesticide literature in 1995, specifically looking for information about children, wrote in December, "Thus major gaps exist in our knowledge of the health effects of chronic pesticide exposures to children. No published studies have examined the neurotoxic effects of low-level pesticide exposure to children."[3] Thus if the National Academy's recommendations were to be carried out, all pesticide tolerances would have to be reduced by a factor of 10 in an effort to protect children. However, since the release of the Academy's report in 1993, no tolerances -- not one -- for pesticides in food have been adjusted in any way to protect infants and children. It seems safe to say, therefore, that no legal levels of pesticides can be considered safe for children, and many legal levels of pesticides are clearly not safe even for adults. Furthermore, the pesticide control system in this country was established to maintain pesticide residues on food not at "safe" levels but at or below "tolerance levels." EPA sets tolerance levels, and then the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests samples of food to see if the tolerance levels have been illegally exceeded, or if illegal unregistered pesticides or banned pesticides can be found on fruits and vegetables. How well does this system work? Researchers with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in Washington, D.C. looked carefully at the FDA's pesticide residue control system in 1995 and published an excellent report.[4] Here is what they found: The FDA takes samples of food and tests them in FDA laboratories. The results of those tests are then entered into a computer. However, the legal "tolerances" for those pesticides on those crops have never been entered into a computer, so the computerized test data must be compared to existing tolerances by technicians using pencil and paper. If those technicians find that a tolerance has been exceeded, or an unregistered pesticide has been detected, they are supposed to report it to FDA's enforcement division. Unfortunately, the EWG's analysis revealed that FDA chemists only report 57 percent of the violations that they observe in their labs.[4] Because of careless pencil-and-paper techniques--or perhaps because they simply ignore illegal pesticides--FDA chemists fail to report 43 percent of all the violations they find. FDA data reveal that some foods are extraordinarily contaminated with illegal pesticides. For example, 24.7 percent of all peas contain illegal pesticides and 15.7 percent of all pears contain illegal pesticides. Some 12.5 percent of apple juice contains illegal pesticides, 12.4 percent of blackberries, and 11.7 percent of green onions.[5] THESE ILLEGAL PESTICIDES OCCUR IN ADDITION TO THE LEGAL PESTICIDE RESIDUES THAT ROUTINELY CONTAMINATE OUR FOOD SUPPLY. All together, FDA claims that only 3.1 percent of fruits and vegetables in American grocery stores contain illegal pesticides. However, the FORBIDDEN FRUIT report reveals, based on analysis of FDA's own monitoring data, that 5.6 percent -- or about one pound out of every 18 pounds of food on grocer's shelves--contains illegal pesticides. A person eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day will be eating illegal pesticides 75 times a year. Unfortunately, even this is probably a gross underestimate of the size of the problem. In 90 percent of cases, FDA laboratories use pesticide-measuring techniques that can only detect half of the pesticides currently in use. Monitoring techniques that can detect the remaining half are very expensive and are not routinely used. For this and other reasons described in the FORBIDDEN FRUIT report, we estimate that about 13 percent of U.S. fruits and vegetables may contain illegal pesticide residues[6] IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER LEGAL PESTICIDE RESIDUES THEY MAY contain. If the 13 percent figure is correct, then someone eating five fruits and vegetables a day would eat illegal pesticides 174 times a year. What happens to the 3.1 percent of fruits and vegetables that FDA says contain illegal toxic pesticide residues? Government studies show that 100% of the domestic portion is sold to consumers, and 60% of the foreign portion is sold to consumers.[7] And this describes only the 3.1% that FDA says it has identified as illegally-contaminated; 100% of the illegally-contaminated food that FDA fails to identify is, of course, sold to consumers. The system does not protect consumers even when it identifies illegal pesticides. It seems clear that the pesticide monitoring and enforcement system in this country is broken. In truth, it has been broken for many years. This is certainly not news to Congress, which (with the advice and consent of the food corporations) created the system to begin with. The General Accounting Office (which provides audits and evaluations at the request of Congress) has published 22 reports since 1980 describing the many ways in which the pesticide control system fails to protect consumers.[8] Congress has consistently refused to make any changes. We can only conclude that Congress prefers the system the way it is. Or, more precisely, the food industry prefers the system the way it is and Congress is not able to break free from the steely grip of moneyed corporations. What is the solution? Given the power of corporations over Congress, only a groundswell from the American people can change the system. Therefore anti-pesticide campaigners must devise a solution that will actually protect public health; a solution that everyone can understand; a solution that can appeal to Americans as something worth fighting for and worth sacrificing for. We believe there is only one such solution: stop trying to "manage" persistent toxic pesticides and ban them all. To join such a campaign, phone Food & Water, Inc., toll-free: 1-800-EAT SAFE. --Peter Montague =============== [1] Correspondence from Linda J. Fisher, assistant administrator, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, March 30, 1992, pg. 4. Thanks to Richard Wiles of the Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C. for this correspondence. [2] Philip J. Landrigan and others, PESTICIDES IN THE DIETS OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN (Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1993), pg. 9. [3] Nancy Simcox and others, "Pesticides in Household Dust and Soil: Exposure Pathways for Children of Agricultural Families," ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES, Volume 103, Number 12, (December, 1995), pg. 1127. [4] Susan Elderkin, Richard Wiles, and Christopher Campbell, FORBIDDEN FRUIT; ILLEGAL PESTICIDES IN THE U.S. FOOD SUPPLY (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Working Group [1718 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009; phone: (202) 667-6982; E-mail: ewg@igc.apc.org]), February, 1995. See pg. 15. This report examined 14,923 computerized records from the FDA's routine pesticide monitoring program for fiscal years 1992 and 1993. FDA chemists reported finding 470 illegal uses of pesticides among the 14,923 records; however, the authors of the report found 826 violations in the same data. The authors conclude that FDA laboratory personnel measured, but failed to report to FDA enforcement personnel, 826-470=356 illegal uses of pesticides. [5] FORBIDDEN FRUIT, cited above in note 4, pg. 21. [6] To keep the arithmetic simple, let's assume that in a particular period of time, there are in actuality 1200 violations (illegal pesticides used on fruit and vegetables) that the FDA is seeking to discover. We know that the FDA uses multi-residue detection methods (MRMs) in 90% of its work, so it would use MRMs on 0.9*1200=1080 of these cases. We also know that MRMs miss half of what is being looked for [FORBIDDEN FRUIT, pg. 11], so 540 events out of the 1080 will be discovered and another 540 will be missed. Half of these 540 will be searched for by East Coast FDA labs and half by West Coast FDA labs. Eastern FDA labs only do about half of the full six screens required in an MRM analysis [FORBIDDEN FRUIT, pg. 12], so the Eastern lab will search for 270 of the 540 but will miss half, or 135, because of failure to use all six screens. Therefore of the 540 being found by MRM, the West Coast labs will find 270 but the East Coast labs will find only 135. Thus of the original 1080 violations being sought by MRM analysis, 540+135=675 are missed, and the remainder, 405, are discovered. We also know that 10% of the original 1200 are sought by single-residue methods (SRMs) [FORBIDDEN FRUIT, pg. 11] so 120 events are being sought by SRMs. These methods cost the same as the MRMs but each SRM only detects one or 2 pesticides, so full searches using SRMs are very expensive and are used sparingly. Therefore, let us assume, generously, that 75% of these 120 are found, or 90 of 120 are found, meaning 30 of 120 are not found. Thus the total illegal events found = 405+90, or 495 events. We know from EWG's analysis that FDA enforcement learns about only 470 out of every 826 illegal events that FDA labs find, so we must multiple the 495 events by this fraction to find the actual number of events that will be reported to FDA enforcement officials: 495*470/826=282 events. Therefore, we can say that FDA is likely to actually catch 282 out of 1200 illegal pesticide events, or 24% of the illegal events that are waiting to be discovered. In the real world, FDA reports that 3.1% of the food it tests contains illegal residues [FORBIDDEN FRUIT, pg. 15]. If this 3.1% represents 24% of the actual illegal use of pesticides on U.S. fruits and vegetables, then the proportion of fruits and vegetables that FDA should be reporting with illegal pesticide residues is 3.1/0.24=13 percent. [7] FORBIDDEN FRUIT, pg. 13, cited above in note 4, citing studies by the General Accounting Office (GAO). [8] All 22 GAO reports are listed in FORBIDDEN FRUIT'S bibliography. Descriptor terms: pesticides; fda; children; tolerance levels; reference dose; five a day; epa; environmental working group; food & water; dimethoate; methyl parathion; endosulfan; national academy of sciences; chlorpyrifos; dursban; regulation; enforcement; ################################################################ NOTICE Environmental Research Foundation provides this electronic version of RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY free of charge even though it costs our organization considerable time and money to produce it. We would like to continue to provide this service free. You could help by making a tax-deductible contribution (anything you can afford, whether $5.00 or $500.00). Please send your contribution to: Environmental Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403-7036. --Peter Montague, Editor ################################################################ @START@Rachel #494: Bill Gaffey's Work =======================Electronic Edition======================== . . . RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #494 . . ---May 16, 1996--- . . HEADLINES: . . BILL GAFFEY'S WORK . . ========== . . Environmental Research Foundation . . P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403 . . Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@rachel.clark.net . . ========== . . Back issues available by E-mail; to get instructions, send . . E-mail to INFO@rachel.clark.net with the single word HELP . . in the message; back issues also available via ftp from . . ftp.std.com/periodicals/rachel and from gopher.std.com. . . Permission to repost, reprint or quote is hereby granted. . . Subscribe: send E-mail to rachel-weekly-request@world.std.com . . with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the message. It's free. . ================================================================= BILL GAFFEY'S WORK Bill Gaffey's work is finished. Bill died suddenly of a heart attack at age 71 on October 6, 1995 in St. Louis. As a result, his libel lawsuit against RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY, and its editor, Peter Montague, has been dismissed by a federal judge. Gaffey, a mathematician who retired in 1989 as director of epidemiology for Monsanto, the St. Louis chemical giant, sued Montague and the Environmental Research Foundation (ERF), publisher of RACHEL'S, for $4 million in 1991. Gaffey said he had been defamed in RACHEL'S #171. The suit was scheduled for a federal jury trial in St. Louis sometime during 1996. Shortly after he began working for Monsanto in 1979, Gaffey and one Judith Zack studied workers at a Monsanto plant in Nitro, West Virginia, who had been exposed to dioxin while manufacturing Agent Orange for chemical warfare use in Vietnam. In their study, Gaffey and Zack reported finding no evidence of unusual cancers among Monsanto workers who had been exposed to dioxin for many years.[1] In 1980, this was an important finding. Gaffey's study was important to Monsanto because the company had gotten itself into serious trouble at the time. In the early 1980s, Monsanto was facing hundreds of millions, possibly billions, of dollars in lawsuits by tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans, and by former Monsanto workers, all claiming they had been harmed by exposure to Agent Orange, or to the dioxin that it contains. If all such claims had been sustained in court, it seems likely that Monsanto would have been bankrupted.[2] Bill Gaffey admitted under oath that he knew he had been hired in 1979 partly to help defend Monsanto against lawsuits over dioxin. Monsanto tacitly acknowledged the importance of the Gaffey/Zack study when, in October, 1980, three years before the study was published, the company issued a press release headlined, "Study Fails to Link Agent Orange to Deaths of Industrial Workers."[3] No doubt about it, Bill Gaffey's study was important to Monsanto, fighting for its life. With help from Gaffey, Monsanto successfully defended itself against every lawsuit by Vietnam vets and Monsanto workers who felt they had been harmed by dioxin exposures. The company was salvaged, and it went on to pioneer powerful new biocides and genetically-engineered forms of life, thus rounding out a contribution unique in the annals of American industry. (See REHW #144, #295, #327, #381, #382, #383, #384, #434, #454, #483.) But Gaffey's work was also important to the federal government. The Veterans Administration relied in part on Gaffey's work to deny medical benefits to tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. (Not until 1992 did the VA reverse its position on this.) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relied in part on the Gaffey study to set generous limits on dioxin exposures for the American public, thus providing minimal regulation for politically powerful industries such as paper, oil, and chemicals.[4] EPA now acknowledges that dioxin is a devilishly potent growth dysregulator and "environmental hormone," but in large measure the agency still regulates dioxin by rules set during the era of Bill Gaffey's work. (See REHW #279, #390, #391, #414.) In the mid-1980s, animal studies were showing dioxin to be breathtakingly toxic, but skeptics (and those sowing doubt for a living) could always point to the Gaffey study (and other work sponsored by Monsanto) as evidence that humans were somehow exempt from harm. Therefore, it was important news when the veracity of Bill Gaffey's work fell under suspicion. During a worker lawsuit against Monsanto in 1984, plaintiffs' lawyers discovered that Gaffey and Zack had classified four workers as "unexposed" to dioxin when the very same four workers had been classified as "exposed" to dioxin in a previous Monsanto study co-authored by Zack.[5] Reluctantly, Zack confirmed this fact under oath.[6] Thus was it discovered that Gaffey's data had been cooked. When an official of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cate Jenkins, learned of this in 1990, she immediately sent a memo to her superiors, attaching a portion of a legal brief about the Gaffey study (and other studies sponsored by Monsanto), indicating she believed there was evidence of fraud.[7] Jenkins has since documented that EPA relied upon Monsanto's studies to set national dioxin standards.[4] As an EPA employee, Jenkins is required by federal law to report any evidence of fraud that she encounters in her work. (Monsanto officials complained vigorously to EPA about Jenkins.[8] EPA promptly transferred Jenkins to an unimportant position with nothing to do. She spent the next several years in a legal battle of her own against EPA, finally winning complete exoneration and reinstated to full duty. See REHW #400 and see our new publication by William Sanjour, ANNALS OF THE EPA: PART 4--THE MONSANTO INVESTIGATION [Annapolis, Md.: Environmental Research Foundation, 1996.]) In RACHEL'S #171, we reported on the Jenkins memo and the accompanying legal brief, and were subsequently sued for $4 million by Gaffey, who said his reputation had been tarnished and his consulting business damaged. The ATLANTA CONSTITUTION[9] and the AUSTIN (TEX.) AMERICAN-STATESMAN,[10] among other newspapers,[11] also reported the allegations of fraud, but were not sued. At the time Jenkins wrote her memo, it was already a matter of debate in the scientific press that Gaffey and Zack had classified workers as "unexposed" when, in a previous study co-authored by Zack, the same four workers had been classified as "exposed." In NATURE (the British equivalent of SCIENCE magazine in this country) in 1985 and 1986, a vigorous debate was conducted over the Gaffey/Zack study and its misclassification of exposed workers.[12] Neither Zack nor Gaffey chose to join in this debate, though they were specifically invited by the editors of NATURE to respond to allegations that they had misclassified workers. Did Bill Gaffey's creative reclassification of four workers make any difference in the conclusions of the Gaffey/Zack study? It certainly did. By misclassifying workers, Gaffey was able to say that no excessive cancers could be found among Monsanto's Nitro workers--a complete reversal of the truth. Properly classifying the four workers would have yielded the conclusion that lung cancers were significantly elevated among dioxin-exposed workers at the Monsanto plant--exactly the reverse of Bill Gaffey's widely-publicized finding. Ellen Silbergeld of the Environmental Defense Fund reanalyzed the Gaffey data, after properly classifying the four workers, and she reported statistically significant cancers among the exposed workers. My own analysis of the Gaffey data yielded a similar conclusion.[13] If Gaffey had not cooked the data, history might have turned out very differently for Monsanto, for the dioxin-exposed Vietnam veterans who had to fight for a 15 years for recognition of their troubles, and for the millions of Americans exposed to dioxin as a result of EPA's lax (or non-existent) dioxin regulations. Today the nation is still being poisoned by dioxin regulations set partly on the basis of Bill Gaffey's fraudulent study. Yes, Bill's work was extraordinarily important. As for his claim that RACHEL #171 cost him $4 million in damaged reputation and lost consulting fees: under oath, Gaffey could not name a single colleague who had read RACHEL #171, and he could not document the loss of a single dollar. In sum, Bill Gaffey's lawsuit against us was completely without merit, a classic SLAPP suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation) --an entirely frivolous action intended merely to harass and frighten us, and to waste our precious resources.[14] Instead what it did was reveal how many, many good friends we have, willing to sacrifice to come to our defense. Now Bill Gaffey is gone. May the victims of his work grant him forgiveness, and may he rest forever in the coolest spot there is in that unspeakable place that he has surely gone to. --Peter Montague =============== [1] Judith A. Zack and William R. Gaffey, "A Mortality Study of Workers Employed at the Monsanto Company Plant in Nitro, West Virginia," in Richard E. Tucker, Alvin L. Young, and Allan P. Gray, editors, HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF CHLORINATED DIOXINS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS (New York: Plenum Press, 1983) pgs. 575-591. [2] For example, see: "More Agent Orange suits filed in Chicago; still others will follow." CHEMICAL WEEK February 28, 1979, pg. 18. [3] Dan R. Bishop, "Study Fails to Link Agent Orange to Deaths of Industrial Workers [press release]," (St. Louis: Monsanto, October 9, 1980). [4] Cate Jenkins, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Characterization and Assessment Division, Regulatory Development Branch (OS-332), memorandum to John West, Special Agent in Charge, and Kevin Guarino, Special Agent, Office of Criminal Investigations, National Enforcement Investigations Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency entitled "Impact of Falsified Monsanto Human Studies on Dioxin Regulations by EPA and Other Agencies --January 24, 1991 NIOSH Study Reverses Monsanto Study Findings and Exposes Certain Fraudulent Methods," January 24, 1991. And see: Cate Jenkins, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Characterization and Assessment Division, Regulatory Development Branch (OS-332), memorandum to John West, Special Agent in Charge, and Kevin Guarino, Special Agent, Office of Criminal Investigations, National Enforcement Investigations Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, entitled "Criminal Investigation of Monsanto Corporation --Cover-up of Dioxin Contamination in Products --Falsification of Dioxin Health Studies," November 15, 1990. [5] Judith Zack and Raymond R. Suskind, "The Mortality Experience of Workers Exposed to Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin in a Trichlorophenol Process Accident," JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Vol. 22, No. 1 (January, 1980), pgs. 11-14. In this study, the four workers in question can be found in Table 10, cases 1, 2, 5, and 7. In the Gaffey/Zack study the same four workers can be found in Table 11, lines 5, 6, 9 and 22. [6] James M. Adkins... ET AL v. Monsanto, U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia (Civil Action No. S1-2098). Deposition of Judith Zack, March 1, 1984. [7] Cate Jenkins, "Memo to Raymond Loehr: Newly Revealed Fraud by Monsanto in an Epidemiological Study Used by EPA to Assess Human Health Effects from Dioxins," dated February 23, 1990. At the time she wrote this memo, Dr. Jenkins was a chemist with the Waste Characterization Branch (OS 332), Characterization and Assessment Division, U.S. EPA, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. Loehr was Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Science Advisory Board (A-101), Office of the Administrator, U.S. EPA, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. The Jenkins memo had attached to it 25 pages of a brief filed in Case No. 5-88-0420, in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District. The author of the brief was Rex Carr, 412 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201. [8] Richard J. Mahoney, CEO, Monsanto Co., letter to William Reilly, EPA Administrator, March 26, 1990. [9] Jeff Nesmith and Charles Seabrook, "Dioxin research altered, EPA says," ATLANTA CONSTITUTION March 23, 1990, pg A1. [10] Jeff Nesmith (Cox News Service), "EPA Memo: Dioxin Study Fraudulent," AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN March 23, 1990, pg. A6. [11] For example, see Jeff Nesmith, "Key Dioxin Study a Fraud, EPA Says," THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE March 23, 1990, pg. unknown; and: Jeff Nesmith, "Monsanto altered dioxin study, EPA memo says." THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR March 23, 1990, pg. unknown; and: Jeff Nesmith, "Monsanto Study on Dioxins Called a Fraud by EPA Memo." THE ORANGE COUNTY [CALIFORNIA] REGISTER March 23, 1990, pg. unknown. [12] See Alistair Hay and Ellen Silbergeld. "Assessing the risk of dioxin exposure." NATURE Vol. 315 (May 9, 1985), pgs. 102-103. And: Michael Gough, "Dioxin Exposure at Monsanto," NATURE Vol. 318 (December 12, 1985), pg. 504. And: Alistair Hay and Ellen Silbergeld. "Dioxin Exposure at Monsanto," NATURE Vol. 320 (April 17, 1986), pg. 569. [13] In NATURE Vol. 320 (April 17, 1986, pg. 569, Silbergeld wrote, "A reanalysis of the [Gaffey] data, presented by EKS [Ellen K. Silbergeld] at the Dioxin 85 Symposium in Bayreuth in September 1985, indicates an excess mortality due to lung and bladder cancers." Silbergeld reported her reanalysis in a paper at the Fifth International Conference on Dioxin, September 19, 1985, in Bayreuth, Germany. Unfortunately, this paper was never published and Silbergeld in 1993 did not fulfill a request for a copy. I reanalyzed the data myself in an unpublished paper: Peter Montague, THE EFFECT OF CORRECTING CLASSIFICATION ERRORS IN ZACK/GAFFEY'S STUDY OF THE MORTALITY OF DIOXIN-EXPOSED WORKERS (Annapolis, Md.: Environmental Research Foundation, November 22, 1993.) Properly classifying the four workers in question yields the conclusion that lung cancers and cancers of the respiratory tract were significantly increased (p < 0.05) among dioxin-exposed workers, thus reversing the main conclusion of the original Gaffey/Zack paper. [14] George W. Pring and Penelope Canan, "Slapp-Happy Companies," NEW YORK TIMES March 29, 1996, pg. A21. And see the new book by Pring and Canan, SLAPPS: GETTING SUED FOR SPEAKING OUT (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996). Descriptor terms: william gaffey; judith zack; monsanto; agent orange; dioxin; lawsuits; studies; obituaries; occupational safety and health; vietnam veterans; veterans administration; epa; william sanjour; annals of the epa; cate jenkins; ellen silbergeld; nitro, wv; epidemiology; ################################################################ NOTICE Environmental Research Foundation provides this electronic version of RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY free of charge even though it costs our organization considerable time and money to produce it. We would like to continue to provide this service free. You could help by making a tax-deductible contribution (anything you can afford, whether $5.00 or $500.00). Please send your contribution to: Environmental Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403-7036. --Peter Montague, Editor ################################################################ @START@Rachel #495: Chemical Industry Strategies, Part 1 =======================Electronic Edition======================== . . . RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY #495 . . ---May 23, 1996--- . . HEADLINES: . . CHEMICAL INDUSTRY STRATEGIES, PART 1 . . ========== . . Environmental Research Foundation . . P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403 . . Fax (410) 263-8944; Internet: erf@rachel.clark.net . . ========== . . Back issues available by E-mail; to get instructions, send . . E-mail to INFO@rachel.clark.net with the single word HELP . . in the message; back issues also available via ftp from . . ftp.std.com/periodicals/rachel and from gopher.std.com. . . Permission to repost, reprint or quote is hereby granted. . . Subscribe: send E-mail to rachel-weekly-request@world.std.com . . with the single word SUBSCRIBE in the message. It's free. . ================================================================= CHEMICAL INDUSTRY STRATEGIES--PART 1 In late 1993 the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association (APHA) unanimously approved Policy Statement 9304 urging American industry to stop using the chemical chlorine.[1] (See REHW #363.) APHA is a professional society, founded in 1872, representing all disciplines and specialties in public health. It is the heart of the American public health establishment. Chlorine is a chemical element, one of the 92 fundamental building blocks from which everything on earth is made. Chlorine is very reactive --it aggressively grabs onto other elements to form compounds. That is why, in nature, chlorine never appears in a free state, but is always combined with other elements, usually in common table salt (sodium chloride). Around 1900, Herbert Dow, the founder of Dow Chemical, split common salt to make commercially-valuable sodium hydroxide, releasing, as an unwanted by-product, the highly-toxic green gas, free chlorine. Mr. Dow (a chemistry teacher) soon began combining chlorine with other elements, thus creating "chlorine chemistry," giving rise to solvents, pesticides and all manner of other useful, toxic chlorinated compounds, of which there now about 15,000 in commercial use. In Policy Statement 9304, one of the nation's premier scientific and medical associations is asking American industry to change a fundamental way of doing business. APHA recognized two exceptions: the pharmaceutical industry and disinfection of public water supplies. But all other uses of chlorine as an industrial feedstock should be phased out, APHA urged. In Statement 9304, the APHA explained its opposition to the use of chlorine as an industrial feedstock: ** "...virtually all chlorinated organic [carbon-containing] compounds that have been studied exhibit at least one of a wide range of serious toxic effects such as endocrine dysfunction, developmental impairment, birth defects, reproductive dysfunction and infertility, immunosuppression, and cancer, often at extremely low doses and... many chlorinated organic compounds, such as methylene chloride and trichloroethylene, are recognized as significant workplace hazards." APHA spelled out its rationale for such a sweeping phase-out in this long sentence: ** "Recognizing the subtle and widespread effects on human and wildlife health attributed to exposure to chlorinated organic chemicals and our current inability to identify, predict or control the release of these compounds from manufacturing processes, and that the bi-national [Canada and U.S.] Science Advisory Board of the International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes (IJC) concluded by the weight of scientific evidence that exposure to all organochlorines should be presumed to pose a health problem and that policies to protect public health should be directed toward eventually achieving no exposure to chlorinated organic chemicals as a class rather than continuing to focus on a series of isolated, individual chemicals." Thus the APHA said, in effect: we can't study all the many possible toxic effects of 15,000 individual chlorinated chemicals. Therefore, based on the weight of the evidence, we should assume all chlorinated chemicals are dangerous and we should avoid all exposures to them, to prevent harm. Furthermore, the APHA said, because we cannot avoid releases (and therefore exposures) whenever we make these compounds, the only way to PREVENT exposures is to stop making chlorinated compounds: "...the only feasible and prudent approach to eliminating the release and discharge of chlorinated organic chemicals and consequent exposure is to avoid the use of chlorine and its compounds in manufacturing processes," the APHA said. As a response to such calls for phasing out chlorine as an industrial feedstock, the Chemical Manufacturers Association formed the Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC) in 1993.[2] The CCC soon hired an aggressive DC-based public relations firm, Mongoven, Biscoe and Duchin (MBD) [phone: (202) 429-1800], to develop and carry out a strategic plan for defending chlorine. MBD makes part of its living by spying on churches, labor unions, environmentalists, professors and students, and selling information about them to corporate clients, such as CCC. In addition, MBD helps corporate clients develop strategies to discredit people who are advocating change. In its own words, MBD "assists corporations in resolving public policy issues being driven by activist organizations and other members of the public interest community. We help clients anticipate and respond to movements for change in public policy which would affect their interests adversely.... Forces for change often include activist and public interest groups, churches, unions and/or academia.... MBD is committed to the concept that it is critical to know who the current and potential participants are in the public policy process, to understand their goals and modus operandi, and to understand their relative importance. To this end, MBD maintains extensive files on organizations and their leadership...." (See REHW #361.) Jack Mongoven, co-founder of MBD, has taken a keen personal interest in the chlorine strategy, and has developed a far-reaching plan to help the CCC discredit efforts to phase out chlorine. Like any good plan, Jack Mongoven's blueprint contains long-term strategic goals, and day-to-day tactical elements. Mongoven's long-term strategy is to characterize the "phase out chlorine" position as "a rejection of accepted scientific method," as a violation of the chlorine industry's Constitutional right to "have the liberty to do what they choose," and in that sense as a threat to fundamental American values.[3] On a regular basis now, Jack Mongoven sends the CCC a formal update on what anti-chlorine activists are doing, including specific steps that CCC should take to undercut and discredit them. In a report to the CCC titled "Activists and Chlorine in August [1994]," MBD notes that, "Anti-chlorine activists are using children and their need for protection to compel stricter regulation of toxic substances. This tactic is very effective because children-based appeals touch the public's protective nature for a vulnerable group and that makes it difficult to refute appeals based on its needs. This tactic also is effective in appealing to an additional segment of the public which has yet to [be] activated in the debate, particularly parents."[4] The MBD report includes a specific example of environmentalists "using children." The report describes activities of the Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN): "The CEHN approach, which is just taking shape, is illustrative of the nature of the debate concerning children will take during the next several months. [sic] The tone of the debate will focus on the needs of children and insist that ALL safeguards be taken to ensure their safety in development. For most substances, the tolerances of babies and children, which includes fetal development, are obviously much lower than in the general adult population. Thus, 'environmental policies based on health standards that address the special needs of children,' would reduce all exposure standards to the lower possible levels." The MBD report says that, although CEHN is not, itself, an anti-chlorine group, "CEHN has adopted proposals by anti-chlorine groups to secure a national health policy based on the needs of children." In sum, the MBD report says, "By characterizing children as the biggest losers of [sic] toxic exposure, the activists have secured an approach that will attract more mainstream support for their anti-chemical, anti-chlorine agendas." A 5-page cover memo signed by Jack Mongoven, dated September 7, 1994, summarizes the key points in the August report and lists many specific steps that CCC should take to defend chlorine and discredit the activists: "It is obvious that the battleground for chlorine will be women's issues--reproductive health and children--and organizations with important constituencies of women opinion leaders should have priority," Mongoven writes.[5] "It is especially important to begin a program directed to pediatric groups throughout the country to counter activist claims of chlorine-related health problems in children," Mongoven writes. MBD's August report listed a series of conferences for breast cancer survivors scheduled by WEDO (Women's Environment & Development Organization) in New York [phone: 212/759-7982]. The report says, "Devra Lee Davis is expected to direct the Clinton Administration's policy governing breast cancer and we expect her to try to convert the breast cancer issue into a debate over the use of chlorine. As a member of the administration, Davis has unlimited access to the media while her position at the Health and Human Services (HHS) [department] helps validate her 'junk science.' Davis is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at each of the upcoming WEDO breast cancer conferences." In his cover memo, Jack Mongoven suggests that CCC deal with Dr. Davis, the breast cancer survivors, and anti-chlorine sentiments as follows: ** Schedule through KPR [Ketchum Public Relations, in Washington, D.C.] editorial board meetings in Dayton prior to Department of Health and Human Services Devra Lee Davis['s] speech to a forum on breast cancer sponsored by Greenpeace and WEDO to be held in Dayton.... ** Enlist legitimate scientists in the Dayton area who would be willing to ask pointed questions at the conference.... ** Stimulate peer-reviewed articles for publication in the JAMA [Journal of the American Medical Association] on the role of chlorine chemistry in treating disease..... ** Convince through carefully crafted meetings of industry representatives (in pharmaceuticals) with organizations devoted to specific illnesses, e.g., arthritis, cystic fibrosis, etc., that the cure for their specific disease may well come through chlorine chemistry and ask them to pass resolutions endorsing chlorine chemistry and communicate those resolutions to medical societies. If it is possible to identify potential prominent allies in the organizations before the meetings that would be preferred...." Next week: Jack Mongoven designs strategies for the CCC to counter and discredit what he says are the really serious threats: the precautionary principle, and shifting the burden of proof onto the chemical corporations. --Peter Montague =============== [1] "9304. Recognizing and Addressing the Environmental and Occupational Health Problems Posed by Chlorinated Organic Chemicals," AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Vol. 84, No. 3 (March 1994), pgs. 514-515. [2] The Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC) is a "business council of the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA)," founded in 1993 and located in Arlington, Virginia. CCC has no published telephone number. CCC is part of CMA but has a separate budget, according to Janet Flynn, a spokesperson for CCC whose phone is (703) 741-5827. [3] John O. Mongoven, "The Precautionary Principle," ECO-LOGIC (March, 1995), pgs. 14-16. ECO-LOGIC is a publication the Environmental Conservation Organization, in Hollow Rock, Tennessee; phone: (901) 986-0099. Our thanks to Dan Barry of the CLEAR project at the Environmental Working Group in DC [phone: 202-667-6982], and to Keith Ashdown, Cancer Prevention Coalition, in Chicago [(312) 467-0600] and to John Stauber, editor of PR WATCH in Madison, Wis. [(608) 233-3346] for information about ECO and about MBD. [4] "Activists and Chlorine in August [1994]," MBD ISSUE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (Washington, D.C.: Mongoven, Biscoe, and Duchin [phone: 202/429-1800]), 1994. [5] Memo from Jack Mongoven to Clyde Greenert/Brad Lienhart dated September 7, 1994, and titled, "MBD Activist Report for August," (Washington, D.C.: Mongoven, Biscoe, and Duchin [phone: 202/429-1800]), 1994. Descriptor terms: apha; american public health association; chlorine; dow chemical; ijc; chemical manufacturers association; chlorine chemistry council; mongoven, biscoe and duchin; jack mongoven; children; children's environmental health network; wedo; women's environment & development organization; devra lee davis; ################################################################ NOTICE Environmental Research Foundation provides this electronic version of RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH WEEKLY free of charge even though it costs our organization considerable time and money to produce it. We would like to continue to provide this service free. You could help by making a tax-deductible contribution (anything you can afford, whether $5.00 or $500.00). Please send your contribution to: Environmental Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5036, Annapolis, MD 21403-7036. --Peter Montague, Editor ################################################################ @START@SC Action #206 DOLE RESIGNS FROM SENATE Defending the Environmental Agenda May 15, 1996 "Americans -- they may be ignorant, but they're not stupid" --anonymous Congressional staffer (5/14/96, expressing surprise at constituents' opposition to repeal of the gas tax) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394 Sierra Club World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org White House Comment Line - 202-456-1111 Pres. Clinton's E-mail - president@whitehouse.gov V.P. Gore's E-mail - vice.president@whitehouse.gov White House Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121; 800-972-3524;800-962-3524. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents: IN THE MAIN RING: MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE RESIGNS FROM SENATE CRAIG BILL VOTE POSTPONED BUT NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE IN THE PRESS: TAKINGS RADIO ADS HIT THE AIRWAVES ON CAPITOL HILL: GAS TAX REPEAL REVEALED AS FALSE PROMISE GINGRICH & TASK FORCE TRY ANOTHER GREENWASH IN THE CORPORATE WORLD: EFFORTS TO HOLD SHELL OIL ACCOUNTABLE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE RESIGNS FROM SENATE Senator Bob Dole caught everyone off guard today when he announced his resignation from the Senate. He said that he wants to spend his time campaigning for President, and feels that he cannot do that effectively from Washington DC. This offers great opportunities for us to get the word out about the War on the Environment. While it was a lot of fun bird-doggin' Dole in DC yesterday, it will be ever so much more fun doing it out in the real world! Senator Dole will be spending all his time between June and the November election "out in the land," as he says. He wants to hear what Americans care about. So let's tell him! Over the next months, we'll be letting you know about presidential candidate Bob Dole's travel schedule so you can turn out the troops and spread the message that we want him to "protect America's environment, for our families and for our futures." Hey - that would look great written on a sign or painted on a bedsheet and waved at a Dole rally! But Senator Dole will remain in the Senate until June 11th -- so what does this mean for the Dole takings bill? It's not certain at this time, but one thing is clear. We can't let down our guard! There are still plenty of anti- environmental senators out there, and the special interests *really* want the extra taxpayer hand-outs that S. 605 would provide. So we can't say much about timing, but take a look at the rogues' gallery listed below. Each and every one of 'em has cosponsored Dole's takings bill. If you live in one of their states, how about dashing off a letter to the editor warning that while Senator Dole may be gone, takings isn't! ABRAHAM (R-MI) ASHCROFT (R-MO) BENNETT (R-UT) BOND (R-MO) BROWN, HANK (R-CO) BURNS (R-MT) COATS (R-IN) COCHRAN (R-MS) CRAIG (R-ID) FRIST (R-TN) GRAMM, PHIL (R-TX) GRAMS (R-MN) GRASSLEY (R-IA) HATCH (R-UT) HATFIELD (R-OR) HEFLIN (D-AL) HELMS (R-NC) HUTCHISON (R-TX) INHOFE (R-OK) KEMPTHORNE (R-ID) KYL (R-AZ) LOTT (R-MS) MACK (R-FL) MCCONNELL (R-KY) MURKOWSKI (R-AK) NICKLES, DON (R-OK) PRESSLER (R-SD) SHELBY (R-AL) STEVENS (R-AK) THOMAS (R-WY) THURMOND (R-SC) WARNER (R-VA) IN THE WOODS: When it comes to protecting our forests, some Senate Democrats seem bent on snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory. Just as the President admits the Logging Without Laws Rider was a "mistake," and environmentalists succeed in stopping the slew of other nasty riders and bad legislation the GOP leaders tried to pass, looks who wants to muddy the waters again with "forest health" legislation! Today's scheduled vote in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on S. 391, the misnamed "forest health" bill, was postponed -- again. This time the vote was put off to allow Senator Larry Craig (R-Id), the sponsor of the bill, to continue negotiating with a group of Senate Democrats. Just a few short weeks ago, when the Senate Energy Committee was first scheduled to vote on Craig's bill, we had reason to be hopeful that we could stop this dangerous legislation. Senator Bradley, who is on the Committee, joined with scientists and environmentalists in refuting the phony forest health "crisis." Pointing out that the "Logging Without Laws Rider" had been sold as way to improve "forest health," Sen. Bradley said "[t]he only people that seem to think there is a 'forest health crisis' are logging industry lobbyists who want to increase their harvests." A few weeks back the situation took a turn for the worse when a group of Democrats, including Bradley, decided to try to negotiate with Craig and rework his extreme bill. The fact that the Committee vote was postponed again is a sign that the two sides are finding some common ground. This is alarming news because Senator Craig's ultimate goal is to establish "forest sacrifice zones" where green, healthy forests can be cut under the guise of "salvage." Sound familiar? Please call your Senators and urge them to oppose any forest legislation that is based on a phony "forest health crisis" and would undermine environmental laws that protect our forests. TAKINGS RADIO ADS HIT THE AIRWAVES Today, May 15, the Sierra Club launched an effort to alert the public about S. 605, a destructive takings bill pending before the Senate. The ads cite the example of the Exxon Corporation's taking claim. Seven years ago, the Exxon Valdez created the worst oil spill in U.S. history and now Exxon's shipping subsidiary is in the courts demanding that the American public allow them to sail at the site of their deadly oil spill or pay for their losses. S. 605 would make it easier for Exxon to take taxpayers money and leave us with fewer environmental protections. The ads are running in 4 state capitols: Tallahassee, FL; Harrisburg, PA; Springfield, IL; and Columbus, OH. Activists and chapter staff are quickly getting the word out about the ads and the impact takings legislation will have on their states. GAS TAX CUT -- NO TO FALSE PROMISE; YES TO BUMPERS-BRYAN'S REAL SOLUTION. Even though Senator Bob Dole has resigned his seat his gasoline tax cut deal is still oozing its way through Congress. Senator Dole's measure would repeal the 4.3 cent gas tax to relieve consumers worried by high gas prices. In reality, lifting the tax will do nothing for consumers. It is really a parting gift to the oil companies at the consumers' expense. Senator Dole has watched before as the oil industry pocketed similar windfalls. Does he think the oil industry has changed its stripes? Even if it did, the benefit would only be $27.00 per year for average consumers but the cost to the U.S. Treasury would be a whooping $2.9 billion. Replacing that money would come out of every taxpaying American's pocket. A real solution exists. Senators Dale Bumpers (D-AR) and Richard Bryan (D-NV), plan to offer an amendment to Dole's measure to increase the efficiency of cars and light trucks by raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards are a proven mechanism for reducing demand for oil. We save 3 million barrels of oil every day because our cars now go farther on a gallon of gasoline than they did twenty years ago when CAFE was first implemented. Senators Bumpers' and Bryan's amendment would raise CAFE standards to 40 miles per gallon (mpg) for cars and to 30 mpg for sport utility vehicles, minivans and other light trucks which could save at least an additional 2 million barrels per day when fully implemented. It will strengthen national energy security by reducing reliance on imported oil, reduce smog (hydrocarbons) in the air we breathe, reduce greenhouse gas emissions per car, and save consumers money on gasoline. All together this is a much better deal for the US than the false promise offered by Dole's. The Bumpers-Bryan amendment is an opportunity for senators to vote for the biggest single step the U.S. can take to lower demand for oil and avoid future oil crises. The Sierra Club supports the Bumpers Bryan CAFE Amendment and opposes Dole's parting gift to the oil industry. VOTES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS - MR. SPEAKER, PROTECT AMERICA'S ENVIRONMENT! Speaker Newt Gingrich tried another Greenwashing technique today when he unveiled the Republican party's new "vision statement" for the environment. He joined with members of his new pseudo-environmental task force to declare "a new environmentalism" with a goal of "a cleaner, safer, healthier environment." Sounds good, yes? But wait, his task force contains many of leaders of the extreme anti- environmental caucus in Congress, and close to half of them have voted against the environment at every single opportunity. And their environmental platform contains a number of references to local control, incentives and private property. Unfortunately, a new task force and a new vision statement cannot reverse the damage being done by Newt and the other leaders of the 104th Congress. Votes speak louder than words. Here's a good opportunity for you to write a letter to the editor. Please feel free to use any of the points contained in Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope's official statement in response to the Gingrich press conference: "Today, Speaker Gingrich will lead a troop of Republicans dubbed the 'Task Force on the Environment' to Teddy Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C. to announce that the Republican party now has a new 'vision' for the environment. According to their news release, they now support 'a cleaner, safer, healthier environment.' This would truly be good news if it were true. We would like to believe that Speaker Gingrich is ending his war on the environment, but his actions indicate otherwise. Our nation has a long bipartisan tradition of protecting America's environment for our families and our future. But under the leadership of Speaker Gingrich, the 104th Congress has launched an unprecedented assault on the laws that protect our public health and public lands. The establishment of a pseudo-environmental task force and a new 'vision statement' cannot hide the truth. The Gingrich task force is heavily stacked against the environment. While there are a few environmental heroes participating, such as Sherwood Boehlert of New York and Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland, a majority of the task force members have consistently cast anti-environmental votes. Almost half of the members of the task force voted against the environment every single time this congress. Sorry to say, I don't think we can expect a balanced approach from this group. We would welcome a change in Speaker Gingrich's anti-environmental agenda. But speeches will not change reality. Votes speak louder than words. We call on Newt Gingrich to immediately halt his party's war on the environment. We would hope the Speaker would instruct his party to submit a straightforward budget this year, without backdoor attacks and anti-environmental riders. But the House will vote this week on a Budget Resolution that once again calls for oil drilling in our nation's largest wildlife refuge, the Arctic Refuge in Alaska. President Clinton vetoed this same bill last year, but Speaker Gingrich apparently has not gotten the message. Mr. Speaker, we urge you to stop the greenscamming. We urge you to 'just say no' to the extreme elements in the Republican party who would gut our environmental laws. Don't appoint them to so-called environmental task forces, and don't let them drive the agenda. Listen to the American public, not the special interests. We must protect America's environment, for our families and our future." SIERRA CLUB STEPS UP EFFORTS TO HOLD SHELL OIL ACCOUNTABLE FOR MURDER Here are some excerpts from today's press release: Washington, D.C. -- The Sierra Club today called on the Clinton administration to announce a unilateral oil embargo against the country of Nigeria. Utilizing the occasion of a U.S. Senate hearing on Nigeria sanctions and worldwide protests against Shell Oil, the environmental organization renewed its call for economic penalties to be levied against the Nigerian military junta for executing nine environmental activists in November, and for their continued repression of human rights. "Administration officials have told us they are still consulting with other countries on these long-promised sanctions," said Sierra Club President Robbie Cox. "The fact is, America is seen as the defender of democracy, and the world is waiting for the U.S. to act. Other countries will follow our lead. We congratulate Sen. Nancy Kassebaum on her willingness to lead when the Clinton administration seems content to follow," said Cox. In early March, President Clinton quietly returned U.S. Ambassador Walter Carrington to Nigeria. "The Sierra Club believes that this action sent the wrong message to the military government of General Sani Abacha," said Stephen Mills, Sierra Club's Human Rights and Environment Campaign Director. "Returning our ambassador sent the message that the U.S. will not take decisive action against those governments that persecute, and in this case, execute, environmental activists." On Nov. 10, the day Nigeria executed writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other environmental activists, the White House announced a condemnation of Nigeria, a recall of the U.S. Ambassador, a ban on the sale of military goods and services, a ban on military visas, and a U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution equivalent to a slap on the wrist. However welcome these initiatives were, the fact remains that any U.S. response short of targeted energy sanctions, including an oil embargo, will have little effect in loosening the grip on power of the Nigerian military despots. Both S.1419, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS), and the companion bill H.R. 2697, sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ10), would codify the sanctions announced by the Clinton administration before and since the execution of Nigerian environmental leader Ken Saro-Wiwa. The bills include additional sanctions to prohibit future investment in Nigeria. The Senate legislation also urges the Administration to seek support for international embargoes on oil imports and arms sales to Nigeria. The sanctions may be waived by the President if the Nigerian Government releases political prisoners, respects human rights, and demonstrates a commitment to democracy. "Any country that murders citizen activists does not deserve the support of the American people," said Michael McCloskey, Chairman of the Sierra Club. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% This environmental alert was produced by the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009. Sierra Club 24-Hour Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394. The Sierra Club electronic mailing list is for legislative alerts and other important information. If you want to join our list, send e-mail to: majordomo@igc.apc.org with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe sc-action Commands in the "Subject:" line are not processed. If you have any questions or problems regarding the mailing list, please send a message to sf.moderator@sierraclub.org. For more information on becoming a member of the Sierra Club, or for information our Books and Outings programs, contact our national headquarters. Sierra Club, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 776-2211 or e-mail to information@sierraclub.org, or.... The Sierra Club also has a "home page" on the "World-Wide-Web". The web server is at the URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/ The Sierra Club Home Page gives access to much information, including: an overview of the Sierra Club and its history; a searchable collection of Sierra Club Conservation policies; descriptions of 1995 Outings; how to contact local Sierra Club Chapters throughout North America and Sierra Club membership information. @START@SC Action #207 BUDGET VOTE LOOMS IN THE SENATE Defending the Environmental Agenda May 16, 1996 "The moment of change is the only poem." --Adrienne Rich -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394 Sierra Club World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org White House Comment Line - 202-456-1111 Pres. Clinton's E-mail - president@whitehouse.gov V.P. Gore's E-mail - vice.president@whitehouse.gov White House Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121; 800-972-3524;800-962-3524. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: MAIN RING: Budget votes looming in Senate IN THE PRESS: Hometown paper covers farmer's story GET THE SHELL OUT OF HERE: correction and update ------------------------------------------------------------- MAIN RING: Budget votes looming in Senate As the late afternoon wore on, we still couldn't see serious signs that the Senate would take votes on the Budget Resolution. Time on the Senate floor was being used by members taking time to offer remarks about Bob Dole retiring from his Senate seat after many, many, many, many years of service there -- but the upshot is that the following good amendments probably wouldn't be fully debated or discussed until next week: *The Lautenberg/Boxer/Kerry Amendment, which would restore funding to environmental programs. The amendment would restore $7.6 billion to this account over six years and target funding for key programs. *The Wyden/Kerry amendment, which calls to the elimination of tax deductibility for fines, penalties and damages arising from a failure to comply with environmental laws. Right now, corporations that break the law can take a tax deduction for most of these costs! Zapping this tax deduction would be a big incentive for compliance with laws. *The Bumpers asset sale amendment, which would assure that our nation's treasured public lands -- including our national parks, forests and wildlife refuges could not be sold to solve short-term budget deficits. This has huge implications for among other places, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge!!!! Call your Senators and tell them to support all three of these good amendments! TAKINGS PRESS CONTINUES: Farmer's story is told, Bob Dole implicated Our takings press conference held here in D.C. is still bearing fruit -- because the real stories of people from outside the Beltway are reverberating. Here's an excerpt from a piece in the St. Louis Post- Dispatch: "Farmer Terry Spence of Unionville worries about the stench and pollution from sprawling hog farms that opened last year near his home in northern Missouri. Nearly as frightening to Spence is property rights legislation pending in Congress that he fears would given these corporate farms more power to fend off regulators. Premium Standard Farms, the owner of the hog farms, has sued Lincoln Township to block zoning that would limit its operation. The property rights legislation in question would require the government to compensate land owners if federal regulations devalue their land... Hog farm executives do not live down the road; they don't have to drink the water or breathe the air, Spence said.... Outside the Senate last week, Terry Spence, the Missouri farmer asked his own question -- question that both sides will strive to answer in the property rights fight ahead: "Who is taking and just who is being taken?" GET THE SHELL OUT OF HERE! Protests of company's Nigeria record continue The protest staged here in Washington on Wednesday against oil giant Shell wasn't the only demonstration against the company during its shareholders' meetings. A London event in which demonstrators beat African drums and waved banners reading "Get the Shell out of Nigeria" was punctuated by a moment of silence for Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed by the troubled West African nation. An article today in the Houston Chronicle read, "the [U.S. protest] included members of the Sierra Club, which has called for a boycott of Shell products, Greenpeace and other environmental organizations. "We have learned a lot..." said John Jennings, chairman of Shell, the British portion of the Anglo-Dutch group. "But they should not be allowed to obscure the fact that Shell companies have always striven to fulfill their responsibilities to people and the environment." And by the way (if you're still reading after that zinger), another WOE author, made some remarks that need clarifying: The headline in yesterday's update was incorrect. The Sierra Club does not hold Shell responsible for the murder of Saro-Wiwa and others. It does hold the corporation responsible for their pollution in Ogoniland and for not using their considerable influence to stop the Nigerian military's executions. For more information about this, call Steve Mills in our Washington office at 202/547-1141. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% This environmental alert was produced by the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009. Sierra Club 24-Hour Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394. The Sierra Club electronic mailing list is for legislative alerts and other important information. If you want to join our list, send e-mail to: majordomo@igc.apc.org with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe sc-action Commands in the "Subject:" line are not processed. If you have any questions or problems regarding the mailing list, please send a message to sf.moderator@sierraclub.org. For more information on becoming a member of the Sierra Club, or for information our Books and Outings programs, contact our national headquarters. Sierra Club, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 776-2211 or e-mail to information@sierraclub.org, or.... The Sierra Club also has a "home page" on the "World-Wide-Web". The web server is at the URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/ The Sierra Club Home Page gives access to much information, including: an overview of the Sierra Club and its history; a searchable collection of Sierra Club Conservation policies; descriptions of 1995 Outings; how to contact local Sierra Club Chapters throughout North America and Sierra Club membership information. @START@SC Action #208 A LEAP TO SURVIVAL Defending the Environmental Agenda May 20, 1996 "Well, I don't see no points about that frog that's any better'n any other frog." "Maybe you don't," Smiley says. "Maybe you understand frogs and maybe you don't understand 'em; maybe you've had experience and maybe you aint only a amature, as it were." ---Mark Twain -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394 Sierra Club World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org White House Comment Line - 202-456-1111 Pres. Clinton's E-mail - president@whitehouse.gov V.P. Gore's E-mail - vice.president@whitehouse.gov White House Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121; 800-972-3524;800-962-3524. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: ----------------------------------------------------------------- IN THE MAIN RING: Budget votes looming Leapfrogging to survival? IN THE FIELD: Freeway overpass message hits home Clean Air program working IN THE PRESS: Kansas Congressmen get deserved drubbing LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Hop to it! ----------------------------------------------------------------- MAIN RING: Budget votes looming The Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution will be the topic of the day in the Senate again tomorrow. As we've told you in past updates, this bill will attract plenty of amendments. Here's the status of the ones we're working on (the subject of your calls to your own Senators?) * Support the Kerry/Lautenberg/Boxer Amendment: This amendment to the Budget Resolution would restore funding for the EPA, the Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. The amendment would bring funding levels up to about the level of the President's request. It would hike the spending for the agencies by $7.3 billion over six years. * Support the Wyden/Kerry amendment. This "Sense of the Senate" amendment (wimpier than a regular amendment because non- binding) calls for the elimination of deductibility for fines, penalties and damages arising from a failure to comply with federal and state environmental or health protection laws. Currently, corporations can take tax breaks for these costs. * Support the Bumpers/Bradley asset sale amendment: This amendment would assure that our treasured public lands including our national parks, forests and wildlife refuges could not be sold to solve short-term budget deficits. LEAPFROGGING TO SURVIVAL Reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated! The Red-legged frog, made famous by Mark Twain's story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County," is not extinct but it has been listed endangered. Today, May 20, in California, the Fish and Wildlife Service -- in an effort to comply with a court order -- announced the listing of the frog under the national Endangered Species Act. This makes the frog the first species to be listed under the Act since the April 1996 budget deal between Congress and the Administration lifted a year-long moratorium on listing species. And end to the moratorium was urged by Sierra Clubbers, religious leaders, and scientists concerned about losing a backlog of more than 500 U.S. species on the brink of extinction. The frog is the West Coast's largest frog, logging in at five inches for the serious racers. In Twain's day, the red-legged frogs were pitted against each other in Calavaras County, where the races are still held today, this year from May 17-19. (Red-legged entries are strictly forbidden these days; bullfrogs have taken their place at the starting gates). In the late 1800s, as many as 80,000 red-legged frogs a year were harvested to supply the restaurant trade with frog legs. But then when their numbers declined, bullfrogs were imported into the state, and they in turn consumed the red-legged frog eggs, and the speedy red-leggeds were in rapid decline. Now, habitat loss further threatens the red-legged frog, hero of the well- loved story by an equally beloved American writer. To save the frog, the Fish and Wildlife Service will promote simple conservation practices that ranchers can use in grazing their cattle. The plan will call on the vineyards to reduce pesticide use as well. Protecting the frog will in turn conserve coastline in California. Let's hope the frog's story ends as happily as the Show Swallowtail. That Florida butterfly was nearly extinct four years ago in its native habitat in south Florida's Everglades. The butterfly's habitat has been decreasing due to development, but it was a mosquito pesticide that nearly wiped the species out. When the state of Florida changed the pesticide and a public/private partnership to restore the butterfly worked together, the results were amazing. Last week, 100 Swallowtails were released into the Florida Everglades. "It's one of the best success stories of the Endangered Species Act," says the Fish and Wildlife Service's Sam Hamilton. "It shows what can happen when good science is combined with the commitment of the American people to save some of these rare wildlife species." Scientists hope that the Swallowtail will follow the flight path of the Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon, the California Condor and other winged -- and leaping -- creatures into recovery. FREEWAY OVERPASS MESSAGE HITS HOME Sierran Geoffrey Latham, California activist, has this to report on a recent outreach extravaganza in the Los Padres Chapter. Latham's working with grassroots groups to protect and preserve undeveloped coastal wildlands. The places are now being considered for development. Here's Latham's story: "I organized a human Burma Shave Event on the freeway overpass immediately adjacent to the site in conjunction with a rally, press conference, and tabling." The result of the groups' efforts was that in heavy traffic, thousands of motorists read the messages, "Buy the Bluffs" Save the Bluffs, Wild Should Remain Wild, and Preserve Open Spaces." Banners that read, "Protect America's Environment: For our Families, For our Future" were also prominently displayed. For their effort, the groups got television and radio coverage, and a comment from long-time organizer Bob Pinto. "This was the largest and most profound community environmental effort in Carpenteria's 15-year struggle to preserve the site as open space." IN THE PRESS: KANSAS REPS GET DESERVED DRUBBING Kansas Sierrans couldn't have wished for a better op-ed if they'd drafted it themselves. This is what the Witchita Eagle had to say about several members of Congress elected by mistake last year: "In their first term in Congress, Kansas Republican Reps Todd Tiahrt and Sam Brownback have shown tremendous loyalty to two masters: House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the corporate polluters who are trying to gut the nation's environmental laws...the League of Conservation Voters has ranked the two Kansans as having among the worst environmental records in Congress... Unfortunately Mr. Tiahrt and Mr. Brownback have supported plans to ravage the nation's natural heritage." BIRD-DOGGING: Stalking Stockman Our Texas Sierrans are at it again. With help from activists from the labor community, Sierrans held a rally to bird-dog Steve Stockman, at a recent Texas fundraiser. Stockman's posturing on the environment has earned him a following -- Sierrans and other activists are literally following Stockman everywhere, from gaffe to gaffe. With only a three days notice, our Texans turned out 100 people to protest Stockman's appearance at a fundraiser attended by the Speaker of the House, who has re-surfaced after a series of late night t.v. appearances with cold-blooded zoo animals. Stockman, noticing the demonstrators, said, "I'm here, I'm in your face, and I'm Republican. Get used to it. I'm a freshman." Thanks Sierrans! And thanks to Stockman for lashing out. But "I'm here... Get used to it?" Haven't those lines been used before? COSTS LESS, BREATHE EASIER: Clean air bill works. Restrictions on auto and smokestack emissions brought the U.S. a net dividend of $6.4 trillion in reduced death and disease from 1970 to 1990, according to a new U.S. EPA study billed as the "most extensive evaluation ever completed of the Clean Air Act." The total direct costs of implementing the act at the federal, state and local levels were estimated to be $436 billion from 1970-1990. "Direct benefits totaled $6.8 trillion, making the overall net economic benefit of the law about $6.4 trillion." UNCERTAINTIES YES, BUT THE EVIDENCE IS STRONG The study took the "controversial step" of assigning dollar values to death and suffering due to exposure to air pollution. In a bizarre and indefensible mathematical ploy, researchers valued a human life at $4.8 million, a day at work at $83 and a prevented asthma attack at $32, but they cautioned that such estimates are "fraught with uncertainties." In 1990 alone, emissions controls saved roughly 45,000 to 140,000 lives nationwide and resulted in an estimated 15 million fewer respiratory illnesses. As a result, during that year Americans received an estimated "$20 of value in reduced risks ... for every dollar spent to control air pollution." EPA's Richard Morgenstern, who co-directed the study: "The finding is overwhelming." Despite the uncertainties, Morgenstern said, "this is a first-class study using state-of-the-art methods and a group of "economic rocket scientists." THE COST-BENEFIT RESULTS Most of the benefits were derived from reductions in lead and particulate emissions, as well as smokestack controls on power plants, the report said. But efforts to combat ground- level ozone, a key component of smog, yielded less benefit when compared with costs, according to one researcher. However, it's important to remember that human health effects of smog have lead to premature deaths, especially among vulnerable people like the elderly across the country, according to the recent study from the Natural Resources Defense Council. Between 1970 and 1990, sulfur dioxide emissions were reduced 40%, primarily due to electric utilities' use of scrubbers and their switch to lower-polluting fuels. Nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide were cut by 30%, 45% and 50% respectively, mainly due to controls on auto emissions. While they have not yet seen the reports, "industry and public health advocates alike praised the EPA for attempting the formidable task of weighing the economic worthiness of the federal clean-air law." (Sacramento Bee, Chris Bowman, 5/18). As we've been telling you, cost/benefit studies are ONE TOOL that should INFORM, not DRIVE the policy process. LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dear Editor, Today we celebrate the continuation of one of the American public's best safeguards for our rich storehouse of natural treasures. The Endangered Species Act is again effective, saving species, after a long and tragic hiatus. This species, the red- legged frog, was celebrated more than 100 years ago by one of America's greatest writer and philosophers, Mark Twain, in his story, "Jim Smiley and his Jumping Frog," part of the Celebrated frog of Calavaras County. The red-legged frog has been listed under the Endangered Species Act in the state of California. The red-legged frog is part of America's heritage and must not go the way of the California Grizzly, now only seen on the state flag of California. But the listing of the red-legged frog is more than a symbol of Americans protecting their heritage, it is symbol of an America at the crossroads. Protecting the red-legged frog means more than protecting our culture and heritage, protecting the frog is expected to help save coastal California's declining fisheries, which depend on fish breeding in the same healthy stream habitats that the frog requires. This will make sure California has jobs and recreation for many of our citizens. Sincerely, %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% This environmental alert was produced by the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009. Sierra Club 24-Hour Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394. The Sierra Club electronic mailing list is for legislative alerts and other important information. If you want to join our list, send e-mail to: majordomo@igc.apc.org with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe sc-action Commands in the "Subject:" line are not processed. If you have any questions or problems regarding the mailing list, please send a message to sf.moderator@sierraclub.org. For more information on becoming a member of the Sierra Club, or for information our Books and Outings programs, contact our national headquarters. Sierra Club, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 776-2211 or e-mail to information@sierraclub.org, or.... The Sierra Club also has a "home page" on the "World-Wide-Web". The web server is at the URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/ The Sierra Club Home Page gives access to much information, including: an overview of the Sierra Club and its history; a searchable collection of Sierra Club Conservation policies; descriptions of 1995 Outings; how to contact local Sierra Club Chapters throughout North America and Sierra Club membership information. @START@SC Action #209 BATTLE OVER BOUNDARY WATERS Defending the Environmental Agenda May 21, 1996 "Murkowski, there's absolutely no question in our minds that you can open up the Arctic safely to oil and gas exploration and to production, if oil is there. But you know and we know that this issue is a national cause. It gives us dollars, it gives us membership." -- Senator Frank Murkowski from Alaska, claiming that he is quoting environmentalists who have told him they don't really object to oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge, but they need the issue to fundraise.5/20/96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394 Sierra Club World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org White House Comment Line - 202-456-1111 Pres. Clinton's E-mail - president@whitehouse.gov V.P. Gore's E-mail - vice.president@whitehouse.gov White House Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121; 800-972-3524;800-962-3524. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: IN THE MAIN RING: Budget Bill IN THE PRESS: Fight Over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area IN THE REAL WORLD: Mark Twain's Frog Ain't the Only One IN THE REAL WORLD II: What's Going on in Our Forests? AT THE ZOO: Newt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THE MAIN RING - Budget Wars ****** Take Action ********** Please continue to contact your Senators, asking them to support three amendments to the budget resolution: 1) Kerry/Lautenberg/Boxer to restore EPA, Park Service & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding; 2) Bumpers/Bradley amendment to prohibit counting asset sales towards deficit reduction, thereby protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 3) Wyden/Kerry Sense of the Senate to eliminate tax breaks for corporations when they have to pay for environmental damage. *************************************************** The Senate continued debate on the 1997 Budget Resolution. The highlight of the debate so far has been Senator Murkowski's bizarre accusation in the above quote. IN THE MEDIA -- Fight Over Boundary Waters Heats Up in the Media In the May 13 Des Moines Register, an editorial called Rep. Jim Oberstar's bill to allow motorboats into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota a "Crime Against Nature." In addition to expanding by more than half the BWCA areas open to motorboats, the paper says that the bill's "spooky part creates an 11-member management council that could rescind federal protections designed to maintain the integrity of the scenic water wonderland. The council...could trash Forest Service rules, such as those prohibiting cans and bottles in the boundary waters and limiting camping to established campgrounds." The editorial cites recent polls that show strong opposition to Oberstar's bill (H.R.3297,) including 72% in the Congressman's own district! "Our national parks and national wilderness areas belong to all Americans. The vast majority of those fortunate enough to have experienced the BWCA in its quiet splendor would consider it a crime against nature and against civility to weaken its protection." But on the other side, an ad campaign (rumored to be worth one million bucks) has begin running against environmental hero Senator Paul Wellstone, who has requested federal mediation over the Boundary Waters issue. Here's a taste of the TV ads running against him by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "There is a fight going on between working Minnesotans and the liberals in Washington over the Boundary Waters. Congressman Oberstar and Senator Grams fight for us. Paul Wellstone sides with the liberals. Oberstar and Grams have planned to give us a voice. Wellstone refuses to listen...Call Liberal Paul Wellstone. Tell him to support the Oberstar and Grams plans." Fortunately, Minnesota Sierra Clubbers aren't sitting still for this. They've already organized a press conference with coalition partners condemning the ad campaign. And they have scheduled a rally at Senator Rod Grams' (R-MN) office, and the DC-Republican's outside influence is taking some blame for dividing the state. Hang in there, guys! We may not have a million bucks, but we've got the people with us! IN THE REAL WORLD - It's Not Just the Frog When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed Mark Twain's celebrated jumping frog of Calavaras County as 'threatened' yesterday, (contrary to last night's UPDATE, it is 'threatened,' not 'endangered') that was just the beginning. The first listing since the ESA listing moratorium was lifted by President Clinton, the agency says that it faces a "backlog" of 242 species. Another 182 species are likely candidates but need further research before being proposed for listing. After 13 months under the listing moratorium, the agency is attempting to set priorities. They will try to help species in danger of immediate extinction first, and then those most likely to recover. But the really bad news is that the agency has less than $4 million to spend between now and October. IN THE REAL WORLD II - What's Up in the Forests? Who knows? Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has released a new report on Bureau of Land Management forest management, and the results are not so good. PEER found that timber sales records have been lost, surveys were disorganized, and outdated information has meant that public forests are logged faster than they can grow back, leading to excessive cutting. Most forest inventories must be updated every 10 years, but the report found that the majority haven't been updated since the 1970's or earlier. BLM officials admit that due to a lack of funding, inventories on many agency lands haven't been updated since the '70's. AT THE ZOO - NEWT! House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) has been hanging out with animals a lot lately (this is not a swipe at the illustrious House of Representatives.) On Sunday, he showed up at the Los Angeles zoo and claimed that the Endangered Species Act is too "bureacratic." He was photographed with animal rights activist/actress Betty White, who he met when they did a joint appearance on Larry King Live. She explained the situation this way: "When we were closing up the show, I said, 'well, if you're ever in Los Angeles, you know, come see the L.A. zoo,' thinking, well, that's one of the things you say. He scared the daylights out of us when he called and said, 'I'm coming.'" Not a big surprise to us -- remember, the Republican's greenscamming guide advises GOP'ers to go to zoos and get photographed with local conservationists. So while Newt was in LA to attend a series of Republican fundraisers, he decided to get in his photo-ops. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% This environmental alert was produced by the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009. Sierra Club 24-Hour Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394. The Sierra Club electronic mailing list is for legislative alerts and other important information. If you want to join our list, send e-mail to: majordomo@igc.apc.org with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe sc-action Commands in the "Subject:" line are not processed. If you have any questions or problems regarding the mailing list, please send a message to sf.moderator@sierraclub.org. For more information on becoming a member of the Sierra Club, or for information our Books and Outings programs, contact our national headquarters. Sierra Club, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 776-2211 or e-mail to information@sierraclub.org, or.... The Sierra Club also has a "home page" on the "World-Wide-Web". The web server is at the URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/ The Sierra Club Home Page gives access to much information, including: an overview of the Sierra Club and its history; a searchable collection of Sierra Club Conservation policies; descriptions of 1995 Outings; how to contact local Sierra Club Chapters throughout North America and Sierra Club membership information. @START@SC Action #210 TORCH IS PASSED TO NEW PRESIDENT Defending the Environmental Agenda May 22, 1996 "We're going into the elections now with the public well-aware that the Republican-led Congress has attempted to strip the country of its environmental protection for the benefit of a very few who would profit from a bad environment." -- DOI spokesperson, John Garamendi on CNN Headline News --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394 Sierra Club World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org White House Comment Line - 202-456-1111 Pres. Clinton's E-mail - president@whitehouse.gov V.P. Gore's E-mail - vice.president@whitehouse.gov White House Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121; 800-972-3524;800-962-3524. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS: IN MAIN RING: Senate Rejects Key Environmental Amendments to Budget Bill Sierra Club Elects New President IN THE FIELD: An Appeal for the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Sportsmen Speak Against Craig Bill IN THE COURTS: Court Ruling on Superfund Sites AT THE POLLS: Election Results from Oregon, Arkansas --------------------------------------------------------------------------- SENATE REJECTS KEY ENVIRONMENTAL AMENDMENTS TO BUDGET BILL The Senate is not expected to wrap up work on its FY'97 Budget Resolution until tomorrow, May 23. Senators spent most of the day on a series of 27 back-to-back roll call votes on amendments to the spending bill. Among the amendments voted on today were three that have been closely tracked by environmentalists: *The Kerry/Lautenberg amendment to restore funding levels to environmental programs was tabled by a vote of 55-45. The amendment sought to increase funding by $7.3 billion over six years (on par with the President's request) for the EPA, the National Park Service, and NOAA. The current Senate resolution calls for cutting environmentally related programs by $9.9 billion over six years. *The Bumpers "asset sales" amendment to restore the prohibition against counting asset sales towards deficit reduction was tabled by a vote of 52-46. That amendment sought to assure that our treasured public lands including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge wouldn't be sold off to solve short term deficits. Because the Bumpers amendment failed, the Budget Resolution still contains revenues that assume that the Arctic Refuge will be opened to oil drilling. On a brighter note, the Wyden/Kerry "sense of the senate" amendment which seeks to eliminate tax deductions for fines, penalties, and damages arising from a failure to comply with environmental laws was passed by voice vote. On the House side... The budget resolution approved by the House last week is a mixed bag for the environment, says an analysis prepared by Friends of the Earth. "Much of it sets the stage for a repeat of last year's 'war on the environment'" FOE says, but the resolution also embraces some cuts that conservationists would support. FOE says that the "ugly" parts of the budget are support for oil drilling in the Arctic, repeal of the gas tax, and phase outs of solar energy and energy conservation funding. "Good" items in the budget include cuts in flood insurance subsidies, Army Corps of Engineers construction programs, and fossil fuel R&D. Reach FOE at ccuff@foe.org or (202)783-7400. Also heard on the House side, Majority Leader Dick Army said he was taking a firm stand against adding riders to the budget, "There will be no riders." This WOE writer is mighty skeptical. SIERRA CLUB PASSES TORCH TO YOUNGEST PRESIDENT The Sierra Club, the nation's largest grassroots environmental organization, has elected 23-year-old Adam Werbach as its 46th President. Werbach is the youngest President elected in the Sierra Club's 104-year history. "The environment is the primary issue that prompts this generation, my generation, to take social and political action," offered Werbach. "Our job is to get the word out to them and to give them a place to act on their anxieties and convictions. My goal is to make that place the Sierra Club." As a high school student, Werbach founded and served as the first director of the Club's national student program, Sierra Student Coalition, which has trained hundreds of student activists, registered hundreds of thousands of new voters and involved tens of thousands of students in every state with Sierra Club's conservation campaigns. Werbach also served for two years as a member of the Sierra Club's Board of Directors and as a member of the Club's national membership committee and volunteer development committee. He was named an "Environmental Hero" during the Club's Centennial celebration in 1991. MT. GRAHAM RED SQUIRREL Over 100 national and local citizens groups have written to President Clinton asking for action by the Administration to protect the mountaintop forest in spite of the passage of the Mt. Graham rider in the recent Omnibus Appropriations bill. The letter urges Clinton to request the Forest Service to reinitiate consultation with the FWS about the increased jeopardy to survival and recovery of the red squirrel resulting from recent fire and fire control efforts on Mt. Graham, and to ask the Congress to repeal the Mt. Graham rider. SPORTSMEN SPEAK AGAINST S.391, THE CRAIG BILL Spokesmen from the sport hunting, angling and outdoor recreation communities said Monday that Sen. Larry Craig's "forest health" bill "would shift outdoor recreation interests to a second class status" on the national forests. "After the blatant abuses we've seen in our forests from the salvage rider, it would be a disaster to allow the so-called 'son of salvage' to become permanent law," said Michael Hodgson, technical editor of "Outdoor Retailer." Richard Dietz, a PA sportsman and former executive with Remington Arms, said the measure is "a bad deal for everyone except logging companies." CONTROVERSIAL SUPERFUND COURT RULING In a decision that could hamstring the embattled Superfund program, a federal court in Alabama ruled that the US EPA lacks the authority to force businesses to clean up most Superfund sites. Judge W. Brevard Hand tossed out a consent decree between the US Justice Dept. and Olin Corp., saying Superfund can't be applied to hazardous-waste sites created prior to the law's passage in December of 1980. Hand argued that the Superfund law failed to explicitly state that the law should be applied retroactively. But DOJ's assistant attorney general for the environment, Lois Schiffer said Congress clearly meant to clean up past hazardous waste sites when it created Superfund. She said DOJ may file an appeal. (GREENWIRE 5/22) SIERRA CLUB SCORES IN ARKANSAS AND OREGON PRIMARIES! * ARKANSAS * Sierra Club endorsed candidate, AG Winston Bryant led the Democratic primary field but was forced into a 6/11 runoff with state Sen. Lu Hardin. Bryant beat out attorney Bill Bristow, attorney Sandy McMath and state Sen. Kevin Smith. Mike Huckabee was unopposed on the GOP side. Bryant has won seven statewide races and is expected to win the Democratic nomination. Huckabee is expected to be a formidable opponent, however the state has not elected a GOP senator since 1872. Sen. David Pryor (D) is retiring, his League of Conservation score is 100%. Results with 98% precincts reporting: DEM PRIMARY VOTES % Bryant + 129,452 40% Hardin + 71,361 22 Bristow 58,045 18 McMath 42,183 13 Smith 22,183 7 Another Sierra Club endorsee, state Senator Vic Synder, will face Pulaski Co. Prosecutor Mark Stodola in the Democratic runoff on 6/11. On the GOP side atty Bud Cummins will meet '94 GOP nominee Bill Powell in the runoff. Other GOPers: consultant Jim Klote, ex-AR GOP chair Ken Coon, ex-U.S. Marshal Don Melton and Ronnie Stephenson. Rep. Ray Thornton (D) is retiring, his LCV score is 69%. Results with 100% precincts reporting: DEM PRIMARY VOTES % GOP PRIMARY VOTES % Stodola + 36,356 48% Cummins + 5,421 39% Snyder + 24,696 32 Powell + 3,030 22 Edwards 15,216 20 Klote 2,361 17 Coon 1,839 13 Melton 1,001 7 Stephenson 249 2 * OREGON * Rep. Elizabeth Furse (D) will face businessman Bill Witt (R), who challenged her in '94. He won the GOP primary over consultant Molly Hering Bordonaro, state Sen. Stan Bunn (brother of 5th CD Rep. Jim Bunn), ex-state treas. Bill Rutherford, insurance agent John Meek and businessman Dick Noonan. Rep. Furse's LCV is 100%. The Sierra Club was very active in her '94 race against Witt. We have endorsed again, and she will need our help again. Rep. Furse has been a champion on logging without laws, as well as other environmental issues. Let's make sure Rep. Furse is around to continue the fight! Results with 72% precincts reporting: GOP PRIMARY VOTES % Witt 10,451 32% Bordonaro 7,292 22 Bunn 6,416 20 Rutherford 5,318 16 Meek 2,682 8 Noonan 690 2 In OR-05, GOP freshman Rep. Jim Bunn will face Sierra Club endorsee, state Rep. Darlene Hooley (D), who overwhelmingly defeated attorney Loren Collins (D) and social worker Sharon Scott (D) in the Democratic primary. Results with 69% reporting: DEM PRIMARY VOTES % GOP PRIMARY VOTES % Hooley 16,061 57% Bunn 22,819 79% Collins 6,420 23 Miller 4,244 15 Scott 5,718 20 Seeley 2,002 7 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% This environmental alert was produced by the Sierra Club Legislative Office, 408 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002, Tel: (202) 547-1141, Fax: (202) 547-6009. Sierra Club 24-Hour Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394. The Sierra Club electronic mailing list is for legislative alerts and other important information. If you want to join our list, send e-mail to: majordomo@igc.apc.org with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: subscribe sc-action Commands in the "Subject:" line are not processed. If you have any questions or problems regarding the mailing list, please send a message to sf.moderator@sierraclub.org. For more information on becoming a member of the Sierra Club, or for information our Books and Outings programs, contact our national headquarters. Sierra Club, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 776-2211 or e-mail to information@sierraclub.org, or.... The Sierra Club also has a "home page" on the "World-Wide-Web". The web server is at the URL: http://www.sierraclub.org/ The Sierra Club Home Page gives access to much information, including: an overview of the Sierra Club and its history; a searchable collection of Sierra Club Conservation policies; descriptions of 1995 Outings; how to contact local Sierra Club Chapters throughout North America and Sierra Club membership information. @START@PULSE - New Shareware Game for PC Albino Frog Software, Inc has released a new game: Pulse: A throbbing soundtrack and futuristic audio effects accompany your attempt to group 3D rendered objects into like-colored sets of four or more! Use your mouse, joystick or keyboard to gravitationally attract swirling icons down into your master plan! Make a group, score big, and receive a new, different icon to collect! When you register Pulse, you can also play Pulse Ultra, guaranteed to make your heart palpitate as you deal with black holes, quasars, and entropy as well as four different bonus icons allowing you to move or destroy game pieces at will! Gorgeous graphics, awesome sound effects and addictive action combine to form a solitaire treat that can't be beat! IBM PC for DOS. 256 Color Graphics, Sound Blaster & Ad-Lib Sound and music. 486 or better for best frame rate. Only 300K to download, give it a try now! Visit our site and download it now! Albino Frog Software, Inc. afs@shadow.net http://www.shadow.net/~afs catbear biz: http://www.shadow.net/~afs @START@BLIZZARD ANNOUNCES STARCRAFT! BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES STARCRAFT From the makers of the best-selling Warcraft series comes the next level in real-time strategy games as players journey into the reaches of space and the realms of Starcraft LONDON, April 16, 1996 -- At the European Computer Trade Show today, Blizzard Entertainment announced Starcraft, a futuristic real-time strategy game. Players journey into the reaches of space to restore order to a galaxy on the brink of interstellar warfare. The game is expected to be available this winter in Windows 95 format. In Starcraft, the delicate balance between powers begins to unravel as alien invaders from beyond the Galactic Rim threaten to destroy all of known space in their quest for supremacy. As commander of one of three species vying for sovereignty, players undertake a series of strategic military missions while defending planets and constellations, employing advanced technology and controlling reserves of finite resources. Says Allen Adham, president and founder of Blizzard Entertainment, "We are drawn to the intense game play offered in the real-time strategy genre -- as demonstrated by our dedication and passion for the Warcraft series. With Starcraft, we have the opportunity to continue our tradition of offering highly addictive and exciting real-time games, while creating new worlds, experiences and technologies." Key features in Starcraft will include: Three intergalactic species boasting unique units, technologies, attributes and abilities. Evolving storyline that unfolds as players experience the game from each of the three species' perspective. Multiplayer option that supports as many as eight players via modem, network, direct link and the Internet. SVGA enhanced graphics with rich three-dimensional rendered scenes. Unique spawning technology that allows head-to-head play by installing multiple copies from the original CD-ROM. Starcraft is expected to be available by this winter in Windows 95 CD-ROM format at most computer and software retail chains nationwide for approximately $50. The game will also be available directly through Blizzard at (800) 953-SNOW. Blizzard Entertainment is a premier publisher of next-generation entertainment software. The company's blockbuster hits Warcraft and Warcraft II have earned top industry honors including Game of the Year and Best Multiplayer Game as well as high ratings and rave reviews from numerous gaming magazines. Soon to be released titles include Diablo, a role-playing game, Pax Imperia 2, a galactic empire simulator, and Starcraft, futuristic real-time strategy game. Blizzard is a division of Davidson & Associates, Inc., a leading multimedia studio for educational and entertainment software. @START@SCROLL OF WINDOWS '95 GAMES SCROLL OF WINDOWS '95 GAMES APR 1996 Spell 04 of 12 Hail Gamers! Now that Win95 has been released, I thought I'd inscribe a scroll of all the upcoming games that will have conversions to Win95, or made specifically for Win95, so we can decide if we want to wait for the Win95 versions or go for the DOS releases. Unlike my Address Tomes, there will be only 12 conjurings of this scroll. Each conjuring will take place on the 20th day of each moon in the realm of comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.announce. The last conjuring will take place on the 12th moon of the year 1996. Thereafter, the seers doth deem that the scroll be a waste of magic as henceforth all games are expected to be Win95 only or will have Win95 versions. Note that this scroll will only comprise those games which *require* Win95 to run, i.e., the Win95 versions of these games *cannot* run on any other OS except Win95. Games which can run on DOS/Win3.1 and also on Win95 will not be put on this scroll (otherwise we may as well put down every game title). Win95 conversions refer to the specific version of an existing title that can only run on Win95 and no other OS. The scroll is therefore not a Win95 *compatibility* listing. Email me if thou dost have additions to the list according to the above criteria. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- key: * = released ======================== Win95 CONVERSIONS ============================ * 3D Ultra Pinball (Sierra) All Star Baseball (Accolade) * Allied General (SSI) * Atari Action Packs 1, 2, & 3 (Activision) * Battle Isle III * Chessmaster 4000 Turbo (Mindscape) Cyberia II (Xatrix) Daedalus Encounter (Virgin) Descent II: Counterstrike (Parallax) * Doom II (id) * Dust: A Tale of the Wired West (CyberFlix) * Empire II: The Art of War (New World Computing) Flight Unlimited (LookingGlass Technologies) * Fury3 (Microsoft) * Gabriel Knight II: The Beast Within (Sierra) * Heroes of Might & Magic (New World Computing) Hexen (GT Interactive) IndyCar Racing 2 (Papyrus) IronBlood (Take 2 Interactive) Jazz Jack Rabbit 2 (Epic MegaGames) * The Journeyman Project 2: Buried in Time (Sanctuary Woods) * King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride (Sierra) * Knight Moves (MicroProse) * Lode Runner: The Legend Returns (Sierra) Magic: The Gathering (MicroProse) * Mechwarrior II (Activision) * Microsoft Golf (Microsoft) Mortal Kombat 3 (GT Interactive) NASCAR Racing (Papyrus) One Must Fall 2097 (Epic MegaGames) Panzer General (SSI) * Phantasmagoria (Sierra) * Police Quest: SWAT (Sierra) Quake (id) Return to Krondor (7th Level) Sail 95 (Vivid Simulations) * Shivers (Sierra) * Sid Meier's CivNet (MicroProse) * SimCity 2000 (Maxis) SimCity Classic (Maxis) SimTown (Maxis) * SU-27 Flanker (SSI) Super Bubsy (Accolade) * Torin's Passage (Sierra) * Trophy Bass: Outdoor Sportsman (Sierra) * Ultimate Doom (id) * Virtual Karts (MicroProse) * Widger Workshop (Maxis) Wizardry Gold (Sir-Tech) ========================= Win95 *ONLY* ============================= * Aces of the Deep Command (Sierra) AD&D: DeathKeep (SSI) * Al Unser Jr. Arcade Racing (Mindscape) * Beavis & Butthead in Virtual Stupidity (Viacom NewMedia) Chessmaster 5000 (Mindscape) Close Combat (Atomic) * Comix Zone (Sega) * Commodore 64 15-Pack (Activision) * Cyberspeed (Mindscape) * DogZ (PF. Magic) * Double Switch (Digital Pictures) * Earthsiege II (Sierra) * Earthworm Jim (Activision) * Ecco the Dolphin (Sega) The Elk Moon Murder (Activision) * Endorfun (Time Warner) Falcon 4 (Spectrum HoloByte) * Freddi Fish and The Case of The Missing Kelp Seeds (Humongous) * Full Tilt Pinball (Maxis) * Gadget (Synergy) Great Battles of Alexander (SSI) * Havoc (Reality Bytes) * The Hive (Trimark Interactive) HyperBlade (Activision) * Ice & Fire (Zombie) * The Indian in the Cupboard (Viacom New Media) * Josephine: Portrait of an Assassin King's Quest VIII (Sierra) * The Last Dynasty (Sierra) * Let's Explore The Airport (Humongous) * Let's Explore The Farm (Humongous) * Locus (Zombie) * Lode Runner Online Edition (Sierra) MagZone (Trimark Interactive) One Must Fall II (Epic MegaGames) Pax Imperia II (Blizzard) * PBA Bowling (Bethesda) * Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (Activision) * Pressure Drop (Starhill Productions) Putt-Putt Saves The Zoo (Humongous) Red Baron II (Sierra) Return Fire (Time Warner) * Shanghai: Great Moments (Activision) * Shock Wave Assault (Electronic Arts) Silverheart (Origin) * Spycraft (Activision) * Thexder (Sierra) * Tomcat Alley (Sega) * TriTryst (Virgin) Ultima IX: Ascension (Origin) * Under Pressure (Starhill Productions) Unreal (Epic MegaGames) Virtua Fighter Remix (Sega) [requires Diamond Edge 3D card] * Virtual Corporation (Microforum) * Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (Mindscape) Wing Commander V (Origin) [5!! not 4!] Wing Commander Privateer II: Darkside (Origin) * Zork: Nemesis (Activision) @START@*** INTERNET PC GAMES TOP 100 * ISSUE 174 *** 1 0 0 P R I Z E S T O W I N ! ! ! You are able to win one of 100 prizes! Read all about it at the bottom of this message... This file only includes the latest Games Charts, but we have much more. Go to http://www.xs4all.nl/~jojo if you want to see other charts and info. ============================================================================== | * * * I N T E R N E T P C G A M E S C H A R T S * * * | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | (c) 1996 World Charts Issue 174 - Week 18 - April 29, 1996 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | This week the votes from 2322 people have been used to compile this chart. | | The charts are checked out weekly by most game developers and publishers. | | Let them know what games you like and start voting for this list now! | | Send your votes to pcgames@worldcharts.nl and you'll get the next chart | | sent to you personally. Ask for the document that tells how to vote. Just | | send a message with subject line 'send doc' and you'll know all about it. | | The format for every line with a vote is: points title [ ID ] | | YOU MUST INCLUDE THE ID NUMBER, and between brackets! It is NOT optional. | | You can allocate a maximum of 20 points, BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 FOR ONE GAME. | | An example can be found at the bottom of this list. LOOK AT IT FIRST! | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | All your votes and comments should be sent to pcgames@worldcharts.nl. | | If you use any other address, then your message will not be received. | ============================================================================== :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: advertisement :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: STARS! The Premiere Space Strategy Game for MS Windows Grapple with up to 15 human opponents from across the hall or around the globe or match wits with one the formidable AI's. Stars! has what you've been looking for (but haven't found) in other space strategy games: - Unmatched depth of play and strategic flexibility - Single computer, LAN, Internet, email and BBS turn-based play - Built-in automation that allows you to focus on strategy - Complex, honest computer players - A dynamic, flexible interface that you control - Configurable winning conditions - A top-rated tutorial and extensive online player's guide >>>> New in Version 2: New 3D Graphics, Stargates, Wormholes, Rail Guns, Armed Starbases, Faster Engines, Minefields, Salvage, Mass Drivers, Enemy Heading and Speed Vectors, and over 200 other great new features... Download the fully playable shareware version: WWW: http://www.webmap.com/stars! FTP: beast.webmap.com/stars/v2.0b/stars!2b.zip **** World-wide download sites: stars@webmap.com ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The following Top 40 contains the best download PC games in the world. The list includes demo versions, shareware versions and freeware games. Vote for a game in this chart if you think other people should download it. ============================================================================== Download Top 40 Edition 44 - Week 18 - April 29, 1996 ============================================================================== TW LW NW Title Developer/Publisher(s) Cat HI ID Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 1 13 Duke Nukem 3D {share} 3D Realms AC 1 [1863] 991 2 2 19 Descent 2 {demo} Parallax/Interplay AC 1 [1821] 243 3 3 44 Descent {share} Parallax/Interplay AC 1 [1644] 200 4 4 9 Quake/test {demo} Id/Id AC 3 [1876] 179 5 5 44 Nethack 3 {free} DevTeam RP 1 [1186] 153 6 6 19 Stars! 2.0 {W} {share} Star Crossed ST 3 [1816] 151 7 7 25 Warcraft 2: Tides of D. {demo} Blizzard ST 3 [1774] 107 8 8 44 Angband {free} Robert Alan Koeneke RP 2 [1255] 75 9 9 44 Doom {share} Id AC 4 [1645] 57 10 13^ 20 Toyland {O} {share} Rainald Menge AC 10 [1813] 71 11 10 44 VGA Planets {share} Tim Wisseman ST 7 [1651] 61 12 12 34 Abuse {share} Crack Dot Com AC 6 [1715] 57 13 14^ 4 Football Fanatic {share} Thunderbear SP 13 [1903] 98 14 11 24 Extreme Pinball {share} Epic/Electronic Arts AC 4 [1776] 48 15 15 29 Hexen: Beyond Heretic {share} Raven/Id AC 1 [1751] 54 16 16 32 Tyrian {share} Eclipse/Epic AC 3 [1725] 56 17 18^ 6 Masterroids {O} {share} Hobbes AC 17 [1885] 46 18 17 44 FreeCell {W} {free} Microsoft ST 5 [1660] 34 19 19 40 MechWarrior 2: The Clans {demo} Activision AC 10 [1696] 37 20 22^ 44 Slicks 'n' Slide {share} Timo Kauppinen SP 11 [1659] 38 21 21 44 One Must Fall: 2097 {share} Epic AC 8 [1647] 37 22 23^ 44 Stars! {W} {share} Star Crossed ST 3 [1662] 42 23 24^ 44 Jazz Jackrabbit {share} Epic AC 13 [1652] 45 24 27^ 4 Star Quest 1 {share} Virtual Adventures AC 24 [1890] 47 25 20 44 3D Lemmings {demo}Dimension Cr./Eclipse/Psygnosis AC 6 [1619] 27 26 31^ 19 Exile: Escape from the Pit {W} {share} Spiderweb RP 24 [1724] 40 27 28^ 43 Sherlock {share} Everett Kaser ST 11 [1654] 31 28 26 44 Minesweeper {W} {free} Microsoft ST 5 [1184] 27 29 25 44 Terminal Velocity {share} Terminal R./3D Realms AC 3 [1646] 23 30 29 44 Heretic {share} Raven/Id AC 7 [1648] 31 31 30 44 Scorched Earth {share} Wendell Hicken AC 7 [1673] 29 32 35^ 18 Radix: Beyond the Void {share} Neural Storm/Epic AC 14 [1778] 33 33 34^ 27 Dark Forces {demo} LucasArts/Virgin AC 27 [1713] 23 34 37^ 3 Exile 2: Crystal Souls {share} Spiderweb RP 34 [1914] 23 35 39^ 7 Strife {demo} Rogue/Velocity AC 35 [1877] 22 36 33 43 Rise of the Triad: The Hunt Begins {share} Apogee AC 10 [1668] 15 37 -^ 1 Path to Fortune {share} C.E. Forman AD 37 [1899] 19 38 -^ 1 Lost New York {share} Neil DeMause AD 38 [1920] 13 39 -^ 26 Wolfenstein 3D {share} Id/Apogee AC 14 [1658] 22 40 40 2 The Light: Shelby's Addendum {share} IMI AD 40 [1889] 16 Dropped Out: 32 15 Wing Commander 4 Origin/ AC 7 [1812] 36 28 Duke Nukem 2 Apogee AC 20 [1677] 38 21 BreakFree Software Storm AC 26 [1780] The following games have not yet received enough points to enter the chart: ============================================================================== Runners Up for Download Top 40 Edition 44 - Week 18 - April 29, 1996 ============================================================================== NW Title Developer/Publisher(s) Cat ID ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tip 1 6 Ms. Pac PC {free} James P. Rowan AC [1898] Tip 2 5 Circa 7000 2.0: Armies of Armageddon {share} Boku ST [1904] Tip 3 1 Mine Bombers {share} Skitso AC [1921] Tip 4 1 SpiritWrak Dan S. Yu AC [1922] It's been three years and four months since I introduced (as it was then called) The Net PC Games Top 100 to the Internet. In its first year the chart had between 100 and 200 voters. Not an awesome number, but there was enough support to continue with this hobby of mine, and keep the chart running. In a period of three years the Internet PC Games Charts have evolved to the leading games poll on this planet. Employees from almost all games developers and publishers have asked to be on our mailing list. No less than 75 magazines and BBS-es around the world are distributing the charts. Publishers gave us many free games for our voters, and some advertisements with which we can pay our bills. Now we even came to the point where bigger companies contact us for exclusive licenses to publish the charts in printed media in certain countries. The number of voters has now grown to over 2300 per week. This year no less than four new charts have been introduced. On January 1 we started with the Movies Top 100 and the Albums Top 100. These grew faster than the Games Top 100 did in its early days. On April 1 we started with the Singles Top 100 and Video Games Top 100. And these two started with even more new voters than the other lists. We are certain that we can make these charts evolve in much the same way as the PC Games Top 100 did. And we're still not there yet. What about a weekly Television Top 100? Or a weekly Web Pages Top 100? With a combined total of 5000(!) votes per week, our Internet Charts are probably the most succesful popularity polls on the Internet. BUT... This costs time. You might think that everything is automated. Well, most of it is, of course. Scanning the votes, compiling a chart and exporting the list to ascii and html takes less than an hour. (This includes checking for incorrect IDs, new titles, illegal votes, etc.) But there are so many other things we need to take care of: Promoting the lists, writing software, updating the web site, answering questions, finding sponsors, searching for titles and URLs, etc. I already got help from Floris de Kort, who takes care of compiling the Singles and Albums Charts, and from Damon Gallaty, who maintains the WWW voting forms (which is why I say "we" and "our" sometimes). Now I think it is time to find some more people who want to join the World Charts team. We need people who are interested in doing one or more of the following things: - Finding info about games and music titles, labels and publishers. What new titles have been released, or when are they going to be released? Which titles are released under different names? Which titles are released only in certain countries? What are the URLs we can link to from our web site? What are email addresses and/or web sites of publishers? etc... - Doing promotion for the charts. Which companies are interested in doing advertisements? What web sites are interested in making links to us? Which magazines want to distribute the charts? How else can we boost the number of voters? Where to send press releases? etc... - Designing the web pages and organizing the information. How to make the pages viewable with most browsers? How to make voting even easier? How to view the history of a title in a chart? How about graphic stats of the number of voters? What about frames, pictures, sounds? etc... If you think you have some free time on your hands, and you want to feel reponsible for the most successful popularity polls on the Internet, and you have some great ideas, then please email me at jojo@xs4all.nl. There's no payment involved here, like I don't get payed myself. But you'll be rewarded with compliments from readers, fun correspondence with publishers and important people on the net, and sometimes some free products. And being a 'name' in this global village, and have people talk about your work, is the best reward. Jurgen 'jojo' Appelo. The following Top 100 contains the best full price PC games in the world. The list includes commercial retail games and registered shareware games. Vote for a game in this chart if you think other people should buy it too. ============================================================================== Commercial Top 100 Edition 174 - Week 18 - April 29, 1996 ============================================================================== TW LW NW Title Developer/Publisher(s) Cat HI ID Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 1 8 Civilization 2 MicroProse ST 1 [1879]1735 2 2 31 Command & Conquer/Covert Ops. Westwood/Virgin ST 1 [1729]1365 3 3 21 Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness Blizzard ST 2 [1817]1214 4 4 10 Wing Commander 4 Origin/Electronic Arts AC 4 [1867] 588 5 5 7 Descent 2 Parallax/Interplay AC 5 [1891] 523 6 6 18 Galactic Civilizations 2 {O} Stardock ST 3 [1828] 426 7 7 81 Doom 2: Hell on Earth Id/GT/Virgin AC 1 [1502] 375 8 8 70 Descent {reg} Parallax/Interplay AC 1 [1565] 361 9 9 39 MechWarrior 2/NetMech: The Clans Activision AC 6 [1697] 301 10 10 174 Civilization/CivNet MicroProse ST 1 [1002] 580 11 11 62 Dark Forces LucasArts/Virgin AC 2 [1585] 295 12 13^ 81 Master of Magic SimTex/MicroProse ST 3 [1501] 275 13 12 134 Master of Orion SimTex/MicroProse ST 2 [1344] 348 14 15^ 30 Heroes of Might and Magic New World ST 14 [1737] 232 15 16^ 30 Need for Speed Distinctive/Electronic Arts AC 12 [1738] 203 16 18^ 72 Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger Origin AC 6 [1562] 234 17 14 24 Hexen: Beyond Heretic {reg} Raven/Id/GT AC 8 [1775] 169 18 22^ 82 Colonization MicroProse ST 5 [1496] 249 19 17 106 U.F.O./X-Com: Enemy Unknown Mythos/MicroProse ST 1 [1437] 224 20 21^ 17 Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within {W} Sierra AD 20 [1832] 190 21 20 21 Fifa Soccer 96 EA Sports/Electronic Arts SP 20 [1787] 177 22 24^ 56 X-COM 2: Terror f.t. Deep Mythos/MicroProse ST 8 [1600] 198 23 19 21 11th Hour: Be Afraid of the Dark Trilobyte/Virgin AD 15 [1809] 153 24 25^ 22 Stars! 2.0 {W} {reg} Star Crossed ST 23 [1786] 178 25 26^ 75 Warcraft: Orcs and Humans Blizzard/Interplay ST 4 [1528] 194 26 23 120 SimCity 2000 Maxis/Mindscape ST 2 [1399] 194 27 30^ 17 Avarice Preview {O} CSS/Stardock AD 14 [1837] 162 28 28 28 NHL Hockey '96 Electronic Arts SP 23 [1748] 146 29 31^ 28 Steel Panthers SSI/Mindscape ST 18 [1757] 160 30 27 74 Panzer General SSI/Mindscape ST 11 [1522] 152 31 29 80 Galactic Civilizations/Shipyards {O} Stardock ST 1 [1508] 161 32 32 29 Crusader: No Remorse Origin/Electronic Arts AC 14 [1741] 143 33 33 21 The Dig LucasArts AD 21 [1798] 138 34 34 22 Worms Team 17/Ocean AC 31 [1784] 125 35 35 93 Tie Fighter/add-on LucasArts/Virgin AC 3 [1473] 155 36 37^ 24 Stonekeep Interplay RP 21 [1779] 129 37 36 52 Full Throttle LucasArts AD 10 [1612] 115 38 39^ 26 Caesar 2 Impressions/Sierra ST 34 [1742] 116 39 38 173 Dune 2: Building of a Dynasty Westwood/Virgin ST 4 [1110] 215 40 44^ 33 Star Emperor {O} Stardock ST 4 [1716] 120 41 43^ 5 Fantasy General SSI/Mindscape ST 41 [1900] 123 42 40 124 Doom/Ultimate Doom {reg} Id AC 1 [1386] 135 43 47^ 54 Jagged Alliance Sir-Tech/Mindscape ST 9 [1605] 98 44 42 110 Myst {W} Cyan/Broderbund/Electronic Arts AD 11 [1426] 110 45 41 8 NBA Live 96 EA Sports/Electronic Arts SP 34 [1871] 77 46 49^ 21 Capitalism Enlight/Interactive Magic ST 44 [1806] 92 47 48^ 76 Transport Tycoon/deluxe MicroProse ST 14 [1521] 98 48 46 28 Championship Manager 2 Domark SP 38 [1746] 85 49 45 35 Phantasmagoria Sierra AD 19 [1712] 77 50 51^ 9 Indycar Racing 2 Papyrus/Sierra SI 50 [1862] 85 51 50 16 Monopoly Westwood/Virgin ST 29 [1841] 83 52 55^147 Betrayal at Krondor Dynamix/Sierra RP 6 [1275] 137 53 53 21 Rebel Assault 2: The Hidden Empire LucasArts AC 40 [1795] 71 54 62^ 7 Top Gun: Fire at Will! Spectrum Holobyte SI 54 [1881] 77 55 52 27 Mortal Kombat 3 Midway/GT AC 36 [1755] 61 56 60^ 20 Screamer Graffiti/Virgin AC 44 [1801] 66 57 54 22 Destruction Derby Reflections/Psygnosis AC 46 [1788] 56 58 57 27 Ascendancy Logic Factory/Virgin ST 22 [1753] 61 59 66^ 3 Zork Nemesis Infocom/Activision AD 59 [1906] 69 60 74^ 6 Terra Nova: Strike Force C. LookingGlass/Virgin AC 60 [1883] 70 61 59 15 Shivers {W} Sierra AD 39 [1791] 58 62 56 171 VGA Planets {reg} Tim Wisseman ST 3 [1131] 107 63 58 11 Anvil of Dawn DreamForge/New World RP 58 [1819] 56 64 64 173 Star Control 2: Ur-Quan Masters Accolade AC 3 [1116] 124 65 69^ 30 Magic Carpet 2: The Netherworlds Bullfrog/EA AC 57 [1739] 62 66 61 43 Star Trek TNG: A Final Unity Spectrum Holobyte AD 16 [1641] 53 67 65 165 X-Wing/Imperial Purs.,B-Wing LucasArts/US Gold AC 1 [1169] 108 68 67 83 System Shock LookingGlass/Origin/Electronic Arts AC 11 [1438] 64 69 63 54 NBA Live 95 Hitmen/Electronic Arts SP 34 [1602] 53 70 70 75 Nascar Racing Papyrus/Virgin SI 21 [1529] 62 71 84^ 16 Allied General SSI/Mindscape ST 52 [1829] 54 72 76^101 Ultima Underworld Blue Sky/Origin/Mindscape RP 72 [1009] 65 73 72 30 Fade to Black Delphine/Electronic Arts AC 54 [1740] 45 74 81^ 51 Terminal Velocity {reg}Terminal Reality/3D Realms AC 3 [1616] 50 75 71 63 Rise of the Triad: Dark War {reg} Apogee AC 18 [1564] 47 76 68 20 TFX 2: EF2000 DID/Ocean SI 53 [1797] 41 77 75 76 Under a Killing Moon Access/US Gold AD 22 [1517] 49 78 78 155 7th Guest Trilobyte/Virgin PU 16 [1230] 72 79 77 26 Microlearn Game Pack 2 {O} Microlearn Nordic AC 38 [1764] 41 80 79 20 Advanced Civilization Avalon Hill ST 71 [1803] 41 81 86^142 Warlords 2/deluxe SSG ST 11 [1284] 67 82 80 6 Ripper Take 2 AD 80 [1884] 42 83 82 131 Day of the Tentacle LucasArts/US Gold AD 6 [1268] 59 84 87^ 41 Buried in Time Presto/Sanctuary Woods/US Gold AD 42 [1687] 42 85 73 123 Sam & Max Hit the Road LucasArts/US Gold AD 11 [1379] 52 86 83 24 3D Ultra Pinball {W} Sierra AC 61 [1754] 36 87 99^ 10 Full Tilt! Pinball {W} Cinematronics/Maxis AC 75 [1856] 37 88 89^ 12 Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat Mindscape ST 64 [1849] 38 89 100^ 19 Extreme Pinball {reg} Epic/Electronic Arts AC 70 [1789] 37 90 91^ 87 Crusaders o.t. Dark Savant Sir-Tech/US Gold RP 5 [1104] 40 91 93^140 Ind. Jones: Fate of Atlantis LucasArts/US Gold AD 3 [1003] 53 92 88 9 Williams Arcade Classics GT AC 75 [1846] 34 93 95^109 Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers Sierra AD 25 [1377] 45 94 90 3 Advanced Tactical Fighter Origin/Electronic Arts SI 90 [1907] 31 95 85 70 Heretic/Shadow of the Serpent Rider {reg}Raven/Id AC 4 [1566] 31 96 92 174 Darklands MicroProse RP 8 [1008] 58 97 97 5 Bad Mojo {W} Pulse AD 92 [1860] 27 98 98 2 Spycraft: The Great Game {W} Activision AD 98 [1897] 27 99 -^ 1 Earthsiege 2 Dynamix/Sierra AC 99 [1911] 26 100 -^ 1 This Means War! MicroProse ST100 [1894] 18 Dropped Out: 94 170 World Circuit/F1 Grand Prix MicroProse SP 3 [1123] 96 1 Hattrick! Ikarion/Kingsoft SP 96 [1901] The following games have not yet received enough points to enter the chart: ============================================================================== Runners Up Commercial Top 100 Edition 174 - Week 18 - April 29, 1996 ============================================================================== NW Title Developer/Publisher(s) Cat ID ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tip 1 5 Rayman UBI Soft AC [1905] Tip 2 6 Star Trek Deep Space Nine: HarbingerParamount/Viacom AD [1902] Tip 3 2 Big Red Racing Big Red/Domark AC [1917] Tip 4 8 Ian Botham's Cricket Beam/Laserbeam SP [1887] Tip 5 4 Silent Hunter Aeon/SSI/Mindscape SI [1913] Tip 6 4 Sensible World of Soccer Sensible/Renegade SP [1912] Tip 7 4 Fast Attack Software Sorcery/Sierra SI [1909] Tip 8 3 'D' Acclaim AD [1916] Tip 9 7 ESPN Extreme Games Sony AC [1893] Tip 10 3 Gearheads Philips Media AC [1915] Tip 11 7 Time Gate: Knight's Chase Infogrames AD [1892] Tip 12 8 Tower {W} BAO ST [1888] Tip 13 2 3D Lemmings Psygnosis/Sony AC [1918] Tip 14 4 Total Distortion Pop Rocket/Mindscape AD [1910] Tip 15 7 Pinball World Spidersoft/21st Century AC [1896] Tip 16 2 Are You Afraid in the Dark Nickelodeon AD [1919] If you send your vote for the Internet PC Games Charts this week, you may be the winner of a FREE COMPUTER GAME! 100 games will be given away to our voters for the games, movies and music charts. You don't have to do anything special, you don't have to answer questions, just send your vote for the charts. If you don't know how to vote, then visit our site at http://www.xs4all.nl/~jojo and travel to the voting forms. Or you can ask us for the document that tells you show to vote. We pick 10 people each week from the newest votes that we received for our three Internet Charts. The more often you vote, the better your chance of winning a game. And, if you vote for each of our three charts, your odds will also increase! BUT: Vote only ONE time for a chart in ONE week. It doesn't help you if you send us dozens of messages in one week. On the contrary, it might annoy the computer so much, that it disqualifies you. ;) The game that will be sent out is the full version of Star Quest I in the 27th Century, by Virtual Adventures. You can read more about it on the web site. ============================================================================== | TW : This Week | The Internet PC Games Charts are compiled using | | LW : Last Week | votes sent by gamers from all over the world. | | NW : Number of Weeks | The latest charts are published every Monday on | | HI : Highest Position | Usenet in the comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.* newsgroups.| | ^ : Climbing |--------------------------------------------------| | * : Bullet | If you send your votes, do it like this: | | AC : Action | > 5 Dark Invader [1435] | | AD : Adventure | > 4 Mysterious Forces 2 [1322] | | PU : Puzzle | > 5 Super Fighter [1502] | | RP : Role-Playing | > 2 Magic of Zuul 4 [] | | SI : Simulation | > 4 The Lost Tycoon [] | | SP : Sports |--------------------------------------------------| | ST : Strategy | (c) 1996 all rights reserved | World Charts | | {free} Freeware | Distribution of these charts | Balderikstraat 16 | | {demo} Demo Version | is granted only by written | 3032 HC Rotterdam | | {share} Shareware | permission. | The Netherlands | | {reg} Registered |--------------------------------------------------| | {W} Windows Only | By email: pcgames@worldcharts.nl wcg@xs4all.nl | | {O} OS/2 Only | On the WorldWideWeb: http://www.xs4all.nl/~jojo | | | Supported by XS4ALL Internet Provider | ============================================================================== @START@Kreator 3D (A model-building software game) We (Dimensional Dynamics) are pleased to announce the launch of Kreator 3D(TM) which can be described as a 3D modeling game. The closest analogy to Kreator 3D in the physical world is Lego (R). Please visit our web site at http://www.metronet.com/~notani/kreator for full details. You can download a fully working, FREE, trial copy of Kreator 3D from this site. Kreator 3D is available in Windows and Windows 95 versions. Kreator 3D allows you to create models that are bounded only by your imagination. You are not restricted to pre-fabricated parts (although these are available), but can create your own parts. You can glue together objects in any orientation (not just along pimpled surfaces as in Lego). Models that various people have created include: - A helicopter whose blades slash the air as it rises majestically. - A tank whose barrel rises and falls as it surges forward. - A wobbling gyroscope. - Kinetic sculptures that twist and seethe. - A crazy windmill whose vanes come flying off. - A piece of bouncing Jell-O. - A boomerang that flies through the air and returns to its sender. - A solar system with sun, planets and satellites in a celestial dance. - A swooping pterodactyl. Keep in mind that these are only examples. Only your imagination limits what you can do. Kreator 3D is based on a true solid model and has a unique dynamic-parametric modeler(TM). This allows 3D morphing of the model is mesmerizing ways. In addition, you can easily create symphonic animations(TM) by adding together simple animation elements. After creating your model and animating it you can perform full action replays and 3D interpolated morphs(TM). Kreator 3D also supports smooth 3D zooming, panning and rotation and true shading. Kreator 3D has been designed from the ground up to work across the World Wide Web. You can directly access other people's models over the Internet or vice versa. Visit our web site for more details. Finally, Kreator 3D can directly import libraries of parts for use in building models. We would like to create a thriving secondary market for these part libraries. Anybody (including you!) can create Kreator 3D part libraries and distribute them over the Internet either free or for a fee. Kreator 3D has many more features that are covered at our web site http://www.metronet.com/~notani/kreator. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send us email at notani@metronet.com. Sincerely, Ranjit Notani Dimensional Dynamics. NOTE: Dimensional Dynamics and Kreator 3D have no relationship with InterLego or Lego. Lego is a registered trademark of the Lego Group. All other trademarks belong to Dimensional Dynamics. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ranjit N. Notani mailto:notani@metronet.com Dimensional Dynamics http://www.metronet.com/~notani/kreator Kreator 3D -- A revolutionary model building software ---------------------------------------------------------------------- @START@VrE Online releases Issue #19 !! VrE Online releases Issue #19 !! VrE Online is a free electronic magazine devoted to Virtual Reality and entertaiin the PC Gaming world. This issue features reviews on Zork Nemisis, Spycraft, Starball, Descent 2, Psychic Detective and much more! For those of you running Netscape 2.0, check out our articles online! The websitfeatures the full content of each issue, including sound clips from each game! Oarticles, hundreds of links, and upcoming releases are also available! Check it http://www.swcp.com/~coach/vre And for those of you that don't support frames or java, you can still download telectronic version at the same URL! And no, we don't have free games for reviewers.. ==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= Steve Gerencser * Managing Editor VrE Online # The last words of man Available on Southern Cross bbs 916.645.0103 # will not be "The secret http://www.rt66.com/coach/vre # name of God is", but - krell@psyber.com -=-=-=- 916.645.0433v =-=-=# "What is this button for? ==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= @START@PC GAME News from ZENtertainment #38 (4.29.96) The below stories that relate to this newsgroup are from the April 29th issue of ZENtertainment. If you like what you read, please support my free weekly e'zine by subscribing. -- Simply reply to this message and say SUBSCRIBE and you'll receive the new issue as soon as it's available every Monday. -------------------!* ZENtertainment *!-------------------- ZENtertainment - The Here and Now of The Entertainment World April 29th, 1996 - Issue #38 http://www.zentertainment.com/ AOL Keyword: ZENTERTAINMENT ------------------->> ZENtertainment - ELECTRONIC -!!- ELECTRONIC NEWS -!!- Blizzard Entertainment, creators of the hit WARCRAFT series, have announced details for STARCRAFT - the company's next real-time strategy game. The game features three intergalactic species with unique technology and units fighting in real time ala WARCRAFT. STARCRAFT is expected to be released for Windows 95 this winter, and Blizzard will release their anticipated RPG, DIABLO, in July and they'll release PAX IMPERIA 2 this winter. SIMON AND SCHUSTER INTERACTIVE will soon release STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION EPISODE GUIDE and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE EPISODE GUIDE CD-ROMs that'll contain plot summaries, production notes, and an hour of QuickTime video highlights. William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, and Malcolm McDowell will all appear in Spectrum Holobyte's CD-ROM game version of STAR TREK: GENERATIONS. PLAYMATES INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT will release BATTLE ARENA TOSHINDEN 2 for the Sony Playstation on Tuesday, May 14th, for an estimated street price of $49.99. The sequel features three new characters (Tracy, Chaos and Gaia), two new bosses (Uranus and Master), new moves and arenas, enhanced graphics, and multiple viewpoints. A PC CD-ROM version of the first TOSHINDEN will be released on the same day. LUCASARTS has announced a few of their upcoming STAR WARS related games. Aside from SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE for the NINTENDO's ULTRA 64, a X-WING VS. TIE FIGHTER PC game is expected later this year which will allow multiplayer mission based combat with head-to-head battles of X-Wings and Tie Fighters. JEDI KNIGHT, the sequel to DARK FORCES, again lets you play as Kyle Katarn who must now fight seven Dark Jedi from harnessing the power of a secret Jedi burial ground. It's rumored your character will now have a Light Saber and may even be able to use The Force. If you need more Light Saber dueling, A STAR WARS fighting game with a rotating 3D engine similar to TOSHINDEN is being developed for the PLAYSTATION. PLUS... -!!- CONTENTS INCLUDE -!!- MUSIC: Johnny Cash, Tricky, Soul Coughing, Upcoming Releases, and More. TELEVISION: Letterman, Phylicia Rashad, Scott Turow, Tom Selleck, Mandy Patinkin, Ed Asner, TARZAN, KRAMER, MST3K, SQUIRT TV, MUPPETS!, HOMICIDE, and More. FILM: Cannes, Bill Murray, Mira Sorvino, Jack Nicholson, Rip Torn, Jared Leto, Samuel L. Jackson, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, 12 MONKEYS, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, ABSOLUTE POWER, DON QUIXOTE, EXCESS BAGGAGE, MARS ATTACKS!, PRIVATE PARTS, Upcoming Releases, Box Office Figures, and More. LITERATURE: DC Comics and Entertainment Publicist Michael Levine. ELECTRONIC: Blizzard and STARCRAFT, TOSHINDEN 2, STAR WARS games from LucasArts, and STAR TREK CD-ROMS. @START@SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE, INC. ANNOUNCES..... SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE, INC. ANNOUNCES PRODUCT BRANDING STRATEGY All Products Consolidated Under MicroProse Brand Name ALAMEDA, Calif., May 13, 1996-Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBYT), a worldwide interactive entertainment company, today unveiled a new branding strategy for the worldwide development of its products. All future titles will now be published under the MicroProse brand name. The Spectrum HoloByte and MicroProse names are each 14 years old. Both were well established companies when Spectrum HoloByte acquired MicroProse in 1993. Since then, products from the joint company have been marketed under their original brand names. Recently, the company completed research that suggested that consolidating into one name will help consumers and retailers more easily recognize and identify the company's product. Consequently, Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. will focus its branding strategy and unite all products under one brand name. The results of an extensive research study showed that the MicroProse and Spectrum HoloByte names have similar images. The research also confirmed that the MicroProse name and its long history of great games, high consumer awareness and strong positive image will best position the company's products long-term. From a marketing standpoint, the MicroProse brand name gives the company a single focus for the consumer. MicroProse is a brand that was built on quality and depth of game play that is consistent with the continuing stream of products in development in the company's four development studios worldwide. The company's key brands, now under the MicroProse name, include STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATIONt, Civilizationr, World Circuit Racing, X-COMt, Master of..., Falconr, TOP GUNt and Magic: The Gatheringr. These brands fit within the company's strategic focus on three product categories of simulation, strategy and action. In Europe, the products have always been marketed under the MicroProse brand name. This change in the U.S. market will enable the company to develop and market its products under a single name worldwide and realize greater efficiencies in its marketing and public relations programs. The company's corporate name remains Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.(Nasdaq: SBYT). Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for use on CD-ROM-based personal computer systems. The company is also developing software for use on next generation console machines. The company's four development studios are Spectrum HoloByte California, Alameda, California; MicroProse Software, Hunt Valley, Maryland; MicroProse Limited, Chipping Sodbury, England; and SimTex Software Corporation, Austin, Texas. Products are available nationally and internationally through major distributors, retailers and mass merchants. @START@Epic MegaGames UNREAL information! Friday May 10, 1996 Epic MegaGames unleashes UNREAL information! http://www.epicgames.com has all the details! UNREAL is Epic's 1st Person Action game that will astound you! Featuring a 640x480 True 3D Environment in Windows 95, and Special enhancements for the Intel Pentium(r) processor with MMX technology, UNREAL will set a new standard! Epic will be showing the UNREAL game world and editor to select press at E3 next week in Los Angeles, California! Watch for details, and be sure to check out the brand new UNREAL home page! Mark Rein, Epic MegaGames. Check out the Epic Web Site at http://www.epicgames.com or GO EPIC on CompuServe to visit our forum or download our latest shareware games via FTP at ftp.uwp.edu in /pub/games/epic @START@Xenophage Shareware v1.0 Released ** A NEW SHAREWARE GAME UPDATE FROM APOGEE SOFTWARE, LTD. ** RELEASED FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 1996 -----===== [ Xenophage: Alien BloodSport v1.0 ] =====----- Copyright (c) 1996 Argo Games - Distributed by Apogee Software, Ltd. XenoPhage:Alien Bloodsport is a fighting game made by Argo Games and published by Apogee Software. It features unique creatures 3D-rendered at huge size, panoramic backgrounds with a pixel-smooth panning & zooming camera, and other gratuitous cool stuff. Strategy Plus magazine said of Xenophage: "...revolutionary game design, it may indeed knock fighting fans into another universe of apocalyptic action." In Xenophage a godlike alien race has become so bored that they rely on other species to provide them entertainment. They've snatched representatives from the universe's most feared species and organized a fighting tournament. The loser forfeits breeding rights for its entire race! The tournament winner gets the honor of dying at the hands of the Champion. Xenophage features: * 8 characters, 2 champions, and several surprises. * Supports high resolution (SVGA) 640x480 mode for *much* greater detail. * The fully rendered foes are the largest, most detailed characters ever seen in a fighting game, nearly as tall as the entire screen. * Innovative panoramic screen panning, zooming and real-time scaling, shadows, and special effects. * Interactive, animated environments, with special dangers! * Special moves, combos, resurrections, and humiliations. * Story mode, Free Play mode, and Training mode. * The Blood Flow Meter lets you adjust the gore. * Plenty o' secrets. * Flesh ripping, blood sucking, claw slashing, tail whipping, karate kicking, fist slamming, body ramming, blood spurting action - need we say more? Minimum system requirements: * IBM PC or 100% compatible * 486DX/33 MHz processor * 8Mb of RAM * Double speed CD-ROM drive (for registered version) * MS-DOS v5.0 or greater. Preferred: * Pentium 66 Mhz or better * 16 Mb RAM * VESA Local Bus (VLB) or PCI video with fast DOS access * VESA BIOS compatible 256 color SVGA at 640x400 or 640x480 * Quad speed CD-ROM * 16-bit sound card and wavetable synthesis * Speed compensating joystick card Supported hardware: * Music Cards: AdLib, AWE 32, General MIDI, ProAudio Spectrum, SoundBlaster, Sound Canvas, SoundMan 16, SoundScape, Gravis UltraSound, WaveBlaster. * Sound Cards: AWE 32, ProAudio Spectrum, SoundBlaster, SoundMan 16, SoundScape, Sound Source, Gravis UltraSound. * Input: Keyboard, Microsoft compatible mouse and driver, one 4 button joystick (such as Gravis Gamepad) or up to two 2 button joysticks. What's new/fixed in v1.0 over the Public Beta from Dec 1995? Read this letter from the folks at Argo games for details: Greetings from the folks at Argo Games. As many of you know, on December 29th, 1995, Apogee released a Public Beta of XenoPhage - the fighting game we've developed. At that time, we solicited your comments about the game, and what you thought could be improved. Contrary to the cynical beliefs of some netizens, we did collect the useful comments, and have made many changes & improvements based on your suggestions. A full list would probably bore you to tears, but here are some of the highlights: o Got rid of those annoying delays on the ad on exit. o Mess o' gameplay improvements, such as: o Vastly improved AI o Improved or replaced a bunch of moves that sucked o Changed how hit impact works o Made jump speed be dependent on character speed o Fixed some bugs that caused gameplay imbalances o You don't have to wait as long for a round to start o New/replaced stuff, such as: o New voice o New blood o More sounds for attacks o New loading & other interface screens o Gamma correction o Mess o' bug fixes, such as: o The problem at the root of "DR_FlipRBLKHoriz: illegal width" fixed o SVGA only showing up in the top quarter of the screen on many systems o Miscellaneous graphics glitches gone o Mess o' performance enhancements, such as: o Compressed fighter data - this means much less frequent disk accesses o Improved internal memory management o Option to turn off background anims o Combat sounds are preloaded Thanks for your comments and your patience, and we hope you enjoy the game. Where to find Apogee's Games Online =================================== 1. APOGEE'S WORLD WIDE WEB BBS: Available at http://www.apogee1.com, Apogee's Web BBS uses the pioneering Web BBS software from Software Creations. All of Apogee's files are here, along with all the patches you'll need to upgrade your games, as well as the latest news, chit-chat, and anything you'd ever want to know about Apogee! Also available here is our "Live Shot" video camera, as well as game contests, and other cool stuff. 2. APOGEE'S HOME BBS: THE SOFTWARE CREATIONS BBS The Software Creations Web BBS (http://www.swcbbs.com) broke new ground on the World Wide Web, and is sure to continue the award winning successes of Software Creations. Make sure to check out this site! The dialup DOS based Software Creatons BBS has been voted North America's most popular BBS two years in a row by the readers of Boardwatch Magazine. It was also featured on the TV show Prime-Time Live! It can be reached at: (508) 365-4035 -- 28.8k v.34 (508) 368-7036 -- 9600-14.4K v.32bis (508) 365-2359 -- 2400 baud 3. OFFICIAL APOGEE FTP SITE: Anon FTP can be gotten at apogee.best.com. Thanks to Best Internet Communcations for the T3 FTP services. More info on Best can be gotten at http://www.best.com. 4. CompuServe - Type "go apogee" (at any ! prompt) to get to our Forum. 5. America Online - Use the keyword "apogee" to reach the Apogee Forum. 6. Fidonet Filebone - If you are a Fidonet SysOp, you can now get Apogee's games on the Fido filebone. Talk to your local filebone hub about the four Apogee areas (see FILEBONE.NA for more information). Files in this Release ===================== To assist in your search, here is a listing of the files as released from Apogee. All BBS files from Apogee bear a PKZip -AV stamp. If your file does not say "Authentic Files Verified #TRH 310 - Apogee Software" when you decompress it, it's possible you do not have the original unmodified file. If in doubt, call Software Creations. They will always have the original files as released from Apogee. The file sizes provided is what they are as they are released from Apogee. The actual size you download might vary a few k on the larger side due to .ZIP comments being added as the file goes between here and you. So long as the -AV stamp remains intact, you can be sure that the file is original. However, if the file does not bear the -AV stamp, it is not in it's original form as released from Apogee Software. Filename | What it is | File Size ============================================================================ #1XENO .ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Full File | 5,354,715 #1XENO-A.ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Split File #1/5 | 515,828 #1XENO-B.ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Split File #2/5 | 1,456,193 #1XENO-C.ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Split File #3/5 | 1,455,333 #1XENO-D.ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Split File #4/5 | 1,455,541 #1XENO-E.ZIP | Xenophage Shareware Episode - Split File #5/5 | 1,453,816 XPSW10PT.ZIP | Xenophage Public Beta to Shareware v1.0 Patch | 4,187,788 --------------------------------------------------------------------- | Joe Siegler - Apogee Software | |\ _,,,---,,_ | | joe.siegler@apogee1.com | ZZZzz /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ | | | |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' | | http://www.apogee1.com | '---''(_/--' `-'\_) | | finger apogee@apogee1.com | Flash, the sleeping kitty cat! | --------------------------------------------------------------------- For the latest Duke3D info/patches, go to http://www.3drealms.com/duke3d.html @START@Mortal Kombat 2 - The ULTIMATE PC key guide. Mortal Kombat 2 Key Guide. AT LAST! Here is the PC versions (self claimed :) ULTIMATE key guide. All of the previous key guides I've found on the net have been either incomplete, sloppy, lacking comments or for another platform, hence certain moves didn't work. Now I've gone through every single character and checked ALL the moves. I have not supplied description af WHAT the moves do. That should be for the player to discover, shouldn't it? The Keyboard ------------ You can configure the keyboard for YOUR exact preference. Just hit F10 during the 'demo' (when you don't fight), and setup the keys. Here is how I describe the keys throughout this guide : Button Listed as ------ --------- Forward f Down d Back b Up u High Punch HP Low Punch LP Block BL High Kick HK Low Kick LK You'll be asked for a key to represent each one of the above actions when configuring your keyboard. Syntax of this guide : ---------------------- Example : Meaning : b,f,u,d, .. : Means to hit the keys one after another, i.e. back, forward, up, down, etc..... BL(u,u,d) : Means to hold the first key, while performing what's inside the parentheses. d+b : Means to press both keys at the same time. HP{3} : Means to hold the button in the amount of seconds stated inside the brackets. (stand close) : Means for you to stand close to the opponent, i.e. right next to him, while performing the trick. Comments are always in brackets, if it's required for that move. Regular Moves : --------------- Basics : Back/forward : b/f (no shit? ;) Crouch Down : d Jump : u Forwards/backwards somersault : f+u/f+b High punch : HP Low punch : LP High kick : HK Low kick : LK Block : BL Crouch block : d+BL Specials : Roundhouse : b+HK Sweep : b+LK Uppercut : d+HP Crouch punch : d+LP Low crouch kick : d+LK High crouch kick : d+HK Elbow/headbutt or such : HP (stand close) Knee or such : HK (stand close) Throw : LP (stand close) Jump or somersault kick : u+HK/LK or u+f, HK/LK -//- punch : u+HP/LP or u+f, HP/LP This may seem like a lot of keys, but believe me, you get the hang of them very quickly! Babalities and Friendships -------------------------- Babalities & Friendships can only be performed if you have won the ROUND without using the LP or HP buttons, be that for throwing punches or for executing special moves. Dont touch them at all! When I say the ROUNd, I mean that you can use whatever moves you want in the first round you win. It's only the second one, where you get the chance to perform the Babality/Friendship in the end (provided that you win, of course), that you shouldn't use the punch buttons. Pit Fatalities -------------- Pit fatalities can be performed on the Mortal Tomb and Pit 2 stages. Those are the stage on the 'bridge' and the one with the spikes in the ceiling. Death Pool Fatalities -------------------- The Death Pool fataility is the same for every fighter : f, f, f, d, HP. The Death Pool is the stage in the chamber with the green 'water', which - as it turns out - is acid. Individual Moves ---------------- This is the most important part of this guide, the SPECIAL MOVES section, describing all the fatalities, babalities, friendships and unique (k)ombat tricks. ;) The moves in regular lowercase are the ones you can perform during the fight. The ones in CAPITALS are the fatalities/friendships etc. Kung Lao -------- Hat throw : b,f,LP Energy spin : BL(u, u),LK repeatedly. Teleport : d,u Hammer kick : d+HK in the air (only works when on the way up) HAT SPLIT : f,f,f,LK (sweeping distance) DECAP : LP(b,f) (not too close to opponent) BABALITY : b,b,f,f,HK FRIENDSHIP : b,b,b,d,HK PIT FATALITY : f,f,f,HP Rayden ------ Shock grasp : HP{2} Torpedo : b,b,F Lightning bolt : d,f,LP Teleport : d,u ELECTROCUTION : LK{5}, BL(LK repeatedly) (stand close) SUPER UPPERCUT : HP{7} (stand close. You'll probably need to finish with an uppercut to gain the time needed to charge the button for 7 secs!) BABALITY : d,d,u,HK (You'll need to be fast on this one, otherwise Rayden will just make a teleport! A toughie, this!) FRIENDSHIP : d,b,f,HK (stand half a screen or more away from opponent) PIT FATALITY : BL(u,u),HP Scorpion -------- Harpoon : b,b,LP Teleport : d,b,HP Leg takedown : f,d,b,LK Air throw : BL in air DOUBLE SLICE : Hold HP, f,d,f,f,F (stand close) INCINERATE : BL(u,u),HP (stand half a screen away from opponent) TOASTY INCINERATE : BL(d,d,u,u),HP BABALITY : d,b,b,HK FRIENDSHIP : b,b,d,HK PIT FATALITY : d,f,f,BL Reptile ------- Acid spit : f,f,HP Force ball : b,b,HP+LP Invisibility : BL(u,u,d), HP Slide : BL+LK+HK TONGUE DECAP : b,b,d,LP (stand half a screen away from opponent) SILENT KILL : BL(u,u,d), HP, f,f,d,HK (stand close) BABALITY : d,d,b,b,LK FRIENDSHIP : b,b,d,LK PIT FATALITY : d,d,f,f,BL Sub Zero -------- Freeze : d,f,LP Ground freeze : d,b,LK Slide : BL+LK+HK FREEZE UPPERCUT : f,f,d,HK ... f,d,f,f,HP (perform first part a bit away from opponent, then go close for the last part. It's difficult, but this is the coolest fatality of the game, in my opinion!) ICE GERNADE : LP(b,b,d,f) (stand the full screen away from opponent) BABALITY : d,b,b,HK FRIENDSHIP : b,b,d,HK PIT FATALITY : d,f,f,BL Mileena ------- Sai throw : HP{2} Teleport : f,f,LK Roll : b,b,d,HK SAIS OF DEATH : f,b,f,LP (stand close) EATER : HK{3} (stand close) BABALITY : d,d,d,HK FRIENDSHIP : d,d,d,u,HK PIT FATALITY : f,d,f,LK Kitana ------ Fan lift : b,b,b,HP Fan throw : f,f,HP+LP Fan slice : b+HP Zip punch : f,d,b,HP DECAP : BL,BL,BL,HK (stand close) KISS OF DEATH : LK(f,f,d,f) (stand close) BABALITY : d,d,d,LK FRIENDSHIP : d,d,d,u,LK PIT FATALITY : f,d,f Liu Kang -------- High fireball : f,f,HP Low fireball : f,f,LP Bicycle kick : LK{3} Flying kick : f,f,HK CARTWHEEL : d,f,u,b,d (stand half a screen or closer away from opponent) DRAGON : d,f,b,b,HK (stand close) BABALITY : d,d,f,b,LK FRIENDSHIP : f,b,b,b,LK PIT FATALITY : b,f,f,LK Jax --- Overhead hammer : f+HP Gran and punch : f,f,LP repeatedly Multiple throw : f+LP, HP repeatedly Energy wave : f,d,b,HK Ground pound : LK{3} Backbreaker : BL in air HEAD CRUSHER : LP(f,f,f) (stand at a distance when pressing LP, hold the key, move close, perform the three forwards and release.) ARM RIP : BL,BL,BL,BL,LP (stand about sweeping distance away from opponent. It's very difficult to measure the distance on this one!) BABALITY : d,u,d,u,LK FRIENDSHIP : d,d,u,u,LK PIT FATALITY : BL(u,u,d),LK Johnny Cage ----------- Low bolt : b,d,f,LP High bolt : f,d,b,HP Shadow uppercut : b,d,b,HP Shadow kick : b,f,LK Split punch : LP+BL Gym kick : f+LK TORSO RIP : d,d,f,f,LP (stand close) DECAP : f,f,d,u (stand close) BABALITY : b,b,b,HK FRIENDSHIP : d,d,d,d,HK PIT FATALITY : d,d,d,HK Baraka ------ Spark toss : d,b,HP Slice : b+HP Shredder : b,b,b,LP Spearing : b,f,d,f,LP (stand close) DECAP : b,b,b,b,HP BABALITY : f,f,f,HK FRIENDSHIP : BL(u,u,f,f),HK PIT FATALITY : f,f,d,HK Shang Tsung ----------- One flaming skull : b,b,HP Two flaming skulls : b,b,f,HP Three flaming skulls : b,b,f,f,HP Morph into.... Liu Kang : b,f,f,BL Kung Lao : b,d,b,HK Johnny Cage : b,b,d,LP Reptile : BL(u,d),HP Sub Zero : f,d,f,HP Kitana : BL,BL,BL Jax : d,f,b,HK Mileena : HP{2} Baraka : d,d,LK Scorpion : BL(u,u) Rayden : d,b,f,LK SOUL STEALER : BL(u,d,u),LK (stand close) DEATH FROM WITHIN : Charge HK 3 seconds (stand at sweeping distance) BABALITY : b,f,d,HK FRIENDSHIP : b,b,d,f,HK PIT FATALITY : BL(d,d,u), d -- Christian Jahnsen, _/_/_/ _/_/_/ Technical University of Denmark, _/ _/ Lyngby, Denmark. _/ _/ _/ E-Mail : c937079@student.dtu.dk _/_/_/ _/ _/_/_/ WWW : http://www.gbar.dtu.dk/~c937079/ @START@QUAKE Mini-FAQ *------------------------------------------------* | Q U A K E M I N I F A Q - 23rd April 1996 | *------------------------------------------------* by Tom Wheeley (tomw@tsys.demon.co.uk) Table of Contents. (Changed sections prefixed with '|') Intro 1 - What is QUAKE? 1.1 Overview of QUAKE. 1.2 Playability issues | 1.3 What platforms will QUAKE run on? 1.4 Hardware requirements. 1.5 Is QUAKE 'DOOM 3'? 1.6 How well do network games run 2 - Previews of QUAKE. | 2.1 Screenshots. 2.2 Playable QUAKE test version. 3 - When is QUAKE due out? 4 - Further Information on QUAKE. 4.1 Documents with QUAKE information. | 4.2 Newsgroups and IRC. 4.3 A full QUAKE FAQ. | 4.4 Running a QUAKE server. 5 - Popular Quake Internet sites. | 5.1 FTP sites | 5.2 WWW sites * Intro * The purpose of this document is to inform people about the game QUAKE and to reduce the amount of frequently asked questions to the relevant Usenet newsgroups. Behold that this FAQ will probably raise more questions than it answers. id Software, the makers of QUAKE, have been a bit quiet about updates on QUAKE's status. Nevertheless, the interest in QUAKE is enormous, as QUAKE is expected to be a quantum leap in computer gaming. This FAQ may be distributed freely, provided it remains unaltered, and the original author is mentioned. It is forbidden to redistribute this FAQ commercially in the form of magazines, books, CDs or other pay services without prior permission of the author, Tom Wheeley <tomw@tsys.demon.co.uk> I would appreciate not being flooded with QUAKE questions at this point. Should further information on QUAKE be available, they will be added to future versions of this mini FAQ, quaketalk or possibly full featured QUAKE FAQ (see section 4.1). This mini FAQ will be reposted weekly to relevant gaming Usenet news groups and it's latest version can be retrieved from ftp://ftp.mantis.co.uk/pub/quake/periodic/minifaq Thank you to joost schuur (jschuur@globalnews.com), who originally wrote the mini FAQ. * 1 * What is QUAKE? * 1.1 Overview of QUAKE QUAKE is a 3D 'point of view' action orientated game with certain role playing elements from id Software. It is the successor to DOOM and features an engine with many enhancements, such as: . full six degrees of freedom. no more 4.5 degrees as in DOOM . polygon based, texture mapped items . environmental sound effects . jumping and looking keys but no use key . 6 different death scenes . highly advanced networking capabilities: + QUAKE servers that can be linked among each other + dozens of players in one game (over network) + leave/join games in progress + source code availability for the server. make your own modifications and recompile on other platforms. . QUAKE will come with its own C like programming language, allowing you to create add-ons to the game never before possible A plot for the game has not been conceived yet. It will possibly centre around a fantasy/medieval theme, but people will be able to create their own scenarios. All the sounds for Quake are being done by Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails fame. It is also rumoured that he will contribute one or more music tracks to a CD version of Quake. The specification for QUAKE has changed many times and this has drawn criticism to id for 'lying'. Remember it is often very difficult to implement all the great ideas that you may have for a game. To quote: "We're often wrong about what we think is going to happen". ddt on IRC 1.2 Playability issues Most of this information has been gathered from the test release of QUAKE. There are large differences in the gameplay as compared to DOOM. o Control . JUMP control. Jump over knee high obstacles at last (unlike DOOM) . LOOK control. Hold down the look control, and you can effectively turn your head with the direction keys / mouse . No USE control. Switches are `switched' by walking/shooting. o Movement . No Strafe-Running bug (It may feel slow when you run diagonally) . In general, the speed is slower o Weapons QUAKE will be using military style weapons instead of Medieval ones: . Shotgun Super Shotgun . Nailgun Super Nailgun (Ammo has NiN logo on it) . Rocket Launcher . Grenade Launcher Also planned for the final release are: . Lightning Gun Super Lightning Gun o Deathmatch . There are three levels of Deathmatch play: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. In beginner mode there is a heavy amount of auto- aiming, whereas this will be reduced in the other two modes. . Standard deathmatch is 'altdeath' . When objects are picked up, a yellow bead is visible in the same position until the object respawns o Tricks and Traps . With the enhanced engine that Quake offers, there are a greater | range of devious traps, mainly involving spikes, lava and crushing | ceilings. . Secret areas are designed to be either hard to find or to be behind shootable doors. . No longer are doors and moving items restricted to up and down movements. For example, one door is designed from four triangles, which open out from the centre. o Miscellaneous . Lava is much more dangerous than before . Armour is much more useful . There is now water and realistic swimming. It is now possible to `run out of breath' whilst underwater. 1.3 What platforms will QUAKE run on? There has been great debate on which platform QUAKE will arrive first. There is no concrete information on this, but consider that the development of QUAKE has been on NeXTStep and Linux systems. The QUAKE test version runs in DOS and Linux/X only. The primary platform for QUAKE is likely to be DOS. There may be | ports to other platforrms such as the Macintosh and OS/2. id will also | port QUAKE to several Unix platforms. Although ddt has left id, he has | confirmed that he will be doing the Linux port for Quake. (Including | the Linux/Alpha port). | | A native Windows 95 version of Quake should be released soon after | the DOS release. id intend to release the source code for the low level parts of the game, so that 3rd parties may write their own device drivers. (This enables hardware manufacturers to enable QUAKE support for their devices). 1.4 Hardware Requirements This is probably the question that's going through everyone's minds the most. 'How will QUAKE perform on my system?' and 'Will I need a pentium system?'. Based on the information from the Quake test and from Dave Taylor, the minimum system for QUAKE is really a 60MHz Pentium. QUAKE will not be a Pentium only game, but comparisons of Quake on a 486 have been made to Doom on a 386. A P-75 will yield approximately 15 fps, and a P-100 was stated as a good system to play QUAKE on. id hope to optimise the Quake test version for 486 systems by a further 25%. Remember that these statements are based on the performance of alpha versions of QUAKE, and there could be further speed optimisations in the full release. I have heard reports that they have dramatically increased the frame rate, but this is unconfirmed. If you have just won the lottery, a Pentium Pro system will run QUAKE fast enough that the 72Hz refresh rate of the monitor becomes a limiting factor. (i.e. it will run *very* smoothly =) As far as RAM is concerned, indications are that 8 megs will probably be the minimum specification for QUAKE. 12 or more megs will certainly help make playing QUAKE *much* more enjoyable. Quake is very memory hungry, and you may get a reduced game if playing with 8Mb. QUAKE support the new 3D accelerator cards, but no concrete information is available at the moment regarding which ones. id have said that it will be easy for manufacturers of any product to write drivers for QUAKE. Hints have been made that a 3D accelerator card will greatly affect the performance of QUAKE. An accelerator card would be needed for 486 owners to get good performance. 1.5 Is QUAKE 'DOOM 3'? No. There will not be a product called 'DOOM 3'. QUAKE is id Software's next own project after DOOM 2. A special port of DOOM to Nintendo's new U64 console system is being done, which will feature some enhancements to the PC version, but this is also not 'DOOM 3'. For more info on this, check: http://www.cee.hw.ac.uk/~mapleson/sgistuff/ultra64/ultra64.html 1.6 How well do network games run For some weeks now, people have been envisioning huge interconnected worlds with 'Bands of roving QUAKE Gods' in them. Unfortunately, real life has to intervene somewhere. QUAKE will be able to support unlimited numbers of players in theory, but bandwidth considerations are paramount here. id have said that games with 50 players in are not very feasible. Over modems, id say that they are aiming for 3 players over a 14,400bps connection, and 5 players over a 28,800bps connection. Currently, this is not achieved smoothly using modems. QUAKE is no longer expected to have the live voice system into the world, even over ethernet. * 2 * Previews of QUAKE * 2.1 Screenshots As of August 4th, 1995, id released a first series of screenshots, revealing some of the level building capabilities of QUAKE and one of the monsters, a red dragon. These pictures are in the file `quakepix.zip'. Since then, id have made more detailed pictures of the monsters in the game available in `qpix.zip'. They can be obtained from their ftp site at ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/quake/quakepix.zip ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/quake/qpix.zip or at a mirror such as ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames/idstuff/quake/quakepix.zip ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames/idstuff/quake/qpix.zip A picture of id's QUAKE editor called `qe_dev.gif' can be found there too. A list of mirrors can be found in the 'DOOM: FTP and WWW Sites' article periodically posted to rec.games.computer.doom.announce. The screenshots can also be viewed via World Wide Web at id's web | site described in section 6. Since the Quake Test version, they have | placed 3 more shots of later versions. 2.2 Playable QUAKE test version. id have released a deathmatch only TEST release of QUAKE. This consists of a tiny subset of the full games levels, textures and features, however it is still QUAKE :) The version as distributed by id does not support modems, but there are external programs which do. The playable test consists of 3 levels, and allows 8 players in DeathMatch. There are no monsters, although there are several utilities to add them, as well as separate maps with them in. Please note that the monsters *were* put in accidentally, and that id are in fact quite embarrassed by the current quality of the monsters. Since releasing the test, much work has gone into the monsters, and these include (at least): . ogres (which throw grenades at you with extreme precision) . army personnel . dogs . zombie/skeletons (which need to be blown up, not just shot) . knights . The Shambler (fires lightning!) . Jumping Demons. The monster AI is said to be a significant improvement on Doom's. id say that one of the main reasons for distributing the test is to test compatibility issues. The version is for DOS systems or for Linux with X Window System (especially if you have DGA). The DOS version will run under Windows 95, but not well and you will need 16Mb of RAM. Please note that the Quake test will not run without a maths co-processor. This includes many NexGen chips and 486sx chips. It _is_ possible to run Quake with an emulator (such as Q87 or the WMEMU387 in DJGPP), but it will run very slowly. The TEST versions filename is `qtest1.zip' and is available from the following sites. Please choose the one closest to you. It is 4.3Mb. ftp://quake.best.com/pub/idsoftware/quake ftp://ftp.netural.com/pub/idsoftware/quake ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames/idstuff/quake ftp://uss-hood.starfleet.com/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.islandnet.com/mirrors/idsoftware/quake ftp://ftp.stomped.com/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.netvision.be/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.nijenrode.nl/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.flashnet.it/pub/ftp.idsoftware.com/quake ftp://hyperactive.com.au/pub/games/idstuff/quake ftp://garfield.sch.bme.hu/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://rajah.trin.cam.ac.uk/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/packages/idgames/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.passagen.se/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://ftp.connectnet.com/pub/idstuff/quake ftp://linux.mit.edu/pub/games/quake ftp://ftp.LAME.org/pub/quake ftp://isengard.stanford.edu/pub/quake ftp://turing.vironix.co.za/pub/quake ftp://ftp.gamers.org/pub/games/idgames2/idstuff/quake Make sure your read the documentation before playing. "You are invited to send general bug-related information regarding the gameplay to the Usenet newsgroup REC.GAMES.COMPUTER.QUAKE.MISC only, please don't send us gameplay suggestions directly." - id * 3 * When is QUAKE due out? * id has been very persistent in insisting QUAKE will come out "when it's ready". For quite a while it looked like they were aiming for Christmas '95. Well, this did not happen and it is considered likely that it will take another few months. An exact release date cannot be made yet, since the game is still in a developmental phase. It is always hard to predict when a piece of software will be ready for a release. The TEST release of QUAKE was released on 24th February 1996. (See section 2.2) * 4 * Further Information on QUAKE 4.1 Documents with QUAKE information For the past year now, joost schuur has published quaketalk, a newsletter on QUAKE. He has attempted to gather any QUAKE related bits of information from the net and elsewhere. The current version is 400 and is available at ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames/docs/faqs/qtalk400.txt In the future, the filename may change to reflect the new version number. An HTML version of quaketalk can be viewed from Josh Michael's web site at http://www.prairienet.org/joshm/qtalk/ 4.2 Newsgroups and IRC A new rec.games.computer.quake newsgroup hierarchy consisting of three groups (rgcq.announce, rcgq.editing, rgcq.misc) successfully passed the Usenet Call for Votes procedure on 16th November 1995. These newsgroups were finally created on January 8th 1996, despite uncertainty regarding the final name of QUAKE. Should your newsserver not carry these groups, ask your newsadmin to add them. Until then, QUAKE can also be discussed on the groups comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action and rec.games.computer.doom.misc. Please note that alt.games.quake (a.g.q) is now obsolete, and all QUAKE discussion should be within the rec.games.computer.quake hierarchy. For some of the more general discussion typical of a.g.q, a new newsgroup, alt.games.upcoming-3d has been created. For more information on why alt.games.quake is obsolete (and why alt.games.quake cannot just be left alone), read: http://www.cdrom.com/pub/idgames2/docs/agqr_faq The main groups for QUAKE discussion are now the 'rec groups': news:rec.games.computer.quake.announce (moderated) news:rec.games.computer.quake.misc news:rec.games.computer.quake.editing There is also an RFD for two new groups (rgcq.playing + rgcq.servers). | The Call for Votes (CFV) was posted around 19th April, and you are | encouraged to vote now. (You should read the CFV, which can be retrieved | most easily from rec.games.computer.quake.announce or | news.announce.newgroups) On IRC (the Internet Relay Chat), QUAKE enthusiasts already meet on the #quake channel. 4.3 A full QUAKE FAQ Hank Leukart and joost schuur and possibly myself plan on bringing out a real, full length FAQ to QUAKE as soon as they've gathered enough information and have ensured id's co-operation on this. For now this mini FAQ should cover the most common questions on QUAKE. As soon a full FAQ is available, it will be announced in the appropriate Usenet newsgroups mentioned in section 4.2. 4.4 Running a QUAKE server There is not much information regarding QUAKE Servers at the moment, but id will be releasing the source code for the QUAKE Server. This should mean that you will be able to compile it for many platforms, as well as adjust it to suit your means. | The Quake Servers mailing list has restarted at a new location. The | address is now <quake-servers@premier.net>. To subscribe, send mail to | <mailto:quake-servers-request@premier.net> with `subscribe' in the body | of the mail. | | Both <http://www.stomped.com> and <http://www.nuqneH.org/aftershock/> | have frequently updated databases of servers, and can give you | information on currently running games. * 5 * Popular Quake Internet sites. * 5.1 FTP sites There are two main FTP sites with all the latest utilites and maps. - ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames2 - ftp://ftp.stomped.com The best of what is here is available at <http://www.stomped.com> | You can upload your quake files to either or both of these sites, at: ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/idgames2/incoming ftp://ftp.stomped.com/incoming 5.2 WWW sites | Here is a list of some of the larger and more famous sites dedicated | to Quake. There are many links to other pages from both Aftershock | and The Quake Stomping Grounds. - id Software's site: http://www.idsoftware.com If you have problems accessing this site, then try: http://206.61.48.163 - The QUAKE MiniFAQ on the Web http://doomgate.cs.buffalo.edu/docs/FAQ/djmfaq/dj-quakefaq http://home.pages.de/~helmberg/Quake-Mini-FAQ.html | - Aftershock, where Quake awakes - Latest news, files, editing tips | and much more. Stop by daily! | http://www.nuqneH.org/aftershock | - The Quake Stomping Grounds Screenshots, Maps, Utilities, Benchmarks, Hacks, Monsters, Console cmds http://www.stomped.com - The Quake Development support pages. (For people *writing* Quake utils) http://www.nero.uni-bonn.de/~dn/q-sup/ **************************************************************************** Please send suggestions for the FAQ to the maintainer: tomw@tsys.demon.co.uk Mail regarding the HTML-izing of the FAQ should go to the respective author @START@Duke 3D Editing FAQ - RFC Hi everybody! Having played around quite a bit with BUILD.EXE, the editor for Duke Nukem Maps, I perceived an urgent need for a FAQ. And didn't find one. So now I'm trying to write my own. Having no experience in this matter, I have adopted the style of the DOOM FAQ by Hank Leukart (I've emailed him, asking for permission). There's a lot of legalese in it, but I'm sure he knows best... My questions to all you people out there: * Anybody interested in such an FAQ? * Anybody already wrote/started writing such a beast? * Anybody who can send me info, tips and tricks to be included here? All ideas, tricks, etc which make it into the FAQ will, of course, be fully attributed. * Anybody who can think of questions which should be included in this FAQ? * Anybody with a good HTML homepage and/or an ftp server which we could use as a home base, containing the FAQ, the best maps, graphics (cars!), .CON hacks, etc. * Anybody who wants to set up a mailing list about DUKE editing? Unfortunately I can't, as my disk space at the university is severely limited :( The endresult would come in two parts: 1) This ASCII text. 2) An uuencoded map called 'MUSEUM', demonstrating _all_ tips and tricks explained in the FAQ as well as containing all textures, sprites, etc for easy reference. (Yes, I've started and, yes, it's a lot of work :) The FAQ, if it comes to it, would be posted monthly (or bi- weekly, if you prefere) to comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action and alt.games.duke3d. So far, I haven't included any info except for the stuff I modified from Hanks FAQ and some of the questions I feel should be addressed. So if the feedback is big enough, I'll start work right away :) Ciao, Klaus Here the rough draft. Of interest are only a few places: 1) We'll need a nice ASCI logo 2) The table of contents (will probably grow a LOT) 3) The GRP Authoring Template v0.1 ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE UNOFFICIAL DUKE NUKEM 3D EDITING FAQ [need ASCII logo here - anyone?] Release v0.1 - Request For Comments Last Updated: May 16, 1996 Written by: Klaus Breuer (sz0759@rrze.uni-erlangen.de) ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- DISCLAIMER ---------- This FAQ is to aid in informing the public about creating additional levels for the Game Duke Nukem 3D, by 3D Realms. In no way should this promote your killing yourself, killing others, or killing in any other fashion. Also, it should not promote the building of real-world death-traps :) Additionally, Klaus Breuer claims NO responsibility regarding ANY illegal activity concerning this FAQ, or indirectly related to this FAQ. The information contained in this FAQ only reflects 3D Realms indirectly, and questioning 3D Realms regarding any information in this FAQ is not recommended. --------------------- TRADEMARK INFORMATION --------------------- All specific names included herein are trademarks and are so acknowledged: 3D Realms, Duke Nukem, IBM, Microsoft and MS- DOS. Any trademarks not mentioned here are still hypothetically acknowledged. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This article is Copyright 1996 by Klaus Breuer. All rights reserved. You are granted the following rights: I. To make copies of this work in original form, so long as (a) the copies are exact and complete; (b) the copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs in their entirety; (c) the copies give obvious credit to the author, Klaus Breuer; (d) the copies are in electronic form. II. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions above, so long as (a) this is the original work and not a derivative form; (b) you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution; (c) you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright notice, this paragraph, the disclaimer of warranty in their entirety and credit to the author; (d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or within computer software (prior explicit permission may be obtained from Klaus Breuer); (e) the distributed form is the NEWEST version of the article to the best of the knowledge of the distributor; (f) the distributed form is electronic. You may not distribute this work by any non-electronic media, including but not limited to books, newsletters, magazines, manuals, catalogs, and speech. You may not distribute this work in electronic magazines or within computer software without prior written explicit permission. These rights are temporary and revocable upon written, oral, or other notice by Klaus Breuer. This copyright notice shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above, write to the author at "sz0759@rrze.uni-erlangen.de" on the Internet. --------- CONTENTS: --------- *1* Introduction *1-1* A word from Klaus Breuer *1-2* About the "UnOfficial" DUKE NUKEM 3D EDITING FAQ *1-3* Getting the FAQ *1-4* Adding to the FAQ *1-5* The DN3D EDITING Mailing List *1-6* Acknowledgments *1-7* Accurate Information =SECTION ONE= PRELIMINARY INFORMATION *2* The Basics *2-1* What a map consists of *2-2* BUILD basics: The editor *2-3* 2D Mode *2-4* 3D Mode =SECTION TWO= A WALKTHROUGH TO A SIMPLE LEVEL *3* Before starting *3-1* Creating a new map *3-2* The grid *3-3* Creating a sector *3-4* Floor and ceiling heights *3-5* Selecting Textures *3-6* Adding a room *3-7* Adding a pedestal *3-8* Sprites and objects *3-9* The Enemy appears *3-10* Starting points *3-11* Save-N-Go =SECTION THREE= HOW TO... *4* The basics *4-1* Windows *4-2* Doors *4-3* Flat walls *4-4* Glass *4-5* Light levels *5* Advanced *5-1* Breaking walls *5-2* Mirrors *5-3* Switches *5-4* Doors *5-5* Elevators *5-6* Moving sectors *5-7* Teleporters *5-8* Swimming pools *5-9* The Grapplers *5-10* Floors above floors *5-11* The morphing ramp *6* New and intersting effects =SECTION FOUR= REFERENCE *7* Sectors *8* Floors and Ceilings *9* Walls *10* Sprites *11* Programming =SECTION FIVE= PROGRAMMING THE .CON FILES =SECTION SIX= UTILITIES AND ADD-ONS *14* What add-on data files exist for DN3D? *14-1* Graphics *14-2* Missions *14-2-1* GRP Authoring Template v0.1 *14-3* Sounds *14-4* Music *14-5* DMOs (Recordings) *15* What other miscellaneous DN3D editing add-ons exist? *16* Future add-on software *16-1* Add-on software wish list *16-2* Add-on software in the making =SECTION SEVEN= TROUBLESHOOTING =SECTION EIGHT= MISCELLANEOUS *22* Conclusion *23* Revision History ------------------------- CHAPTER *1*: Introduction ------------------------- *1-1*: A word from Klaus Breuer =============================== Well, here's the v0.1 version of the FAQ, released as an RFC (Request For Comments) - so let's hear your comments :) *1-2*: About the "UnOfficial" DUKE NUKEM 3D EDITING FAQ ======================================================= Welcome to the release v0.1 of the "UnOfficial" DUKE NUKEM 3D EDITING FAQ. What does that mean? Version 0.1 is the first RFC release, "UnOfficial" means absolutely nothing, DUKE NUKEM 3D is the name of the game, Editing is what the FAQ is all about and FAQs are [F]requently [A]sked [Q]uestions. Here's how revision classification works. If a new version of the FAQ only has a small amount of information changed or added, the version number is increased by 0.1. This is called a "minor revision." If a new version of the FAQ has a substantial amount of new information changed or added, the version number is increased by 0.5. This is called a "standard revision." If a new version of the FAQ has a huge amount of added or changed information, major parts of the FAQ are rearranged, or major parts of the FAQ are rewritten, then the version number is increased by 1.0. This is called a "major revision." You may be wondering why chapter numbers are enclosed in either []'s, ()'s, or **'s. The definition of these is as follows: []: Chapters enclosed in brackets mean that the information contained in the chapter has not been updated in this or the previous FAQ. (): Chapters enclosed in parenthesis mean that the information contained in the chapter has not been updated since the previous FAQ. **: Chapters enclosed in asterisks means that the information contained in the chapter is new or has been updated for the current version of the FAQ you are reading. *1-3*: Getting the "Official" DOOM FAQ ====================================== The "Official" DN3D FAQ is posted every month (or earlier if a new version is released) on the following Usenet groups. (1) comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (4) alt.games.duke3d The "Subject:" line of the post will be "'UnOfficial' DN3D EDITING FAQ v??.??" where "??.??" is the version number of the FAQ. New releases of the "UnOfficial" DN3D EDITING FAQ are uploaded to the following Internet FTP sites. (1) ftp.uwp.edu IN /pub/incoming/id IN /pub/msdos/games/id/home-brew/doom (2) infant2.sphs.indiana.edu IN /pub/doom/incoming IN /pub/doom/text (3) wuarchive.wustl.edu IN /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/games/doomstuff **** Note that I'll have to find relevant directories first, so the above will certainly change, as they're only appropiate for DOOM **** The file name of the upload will be "dnefaq??.faq" where "??" is the version number of the FAQ. ATTENTION: ALL BBSes, Compuserve, America Online, GEnie, and all other information services. PLEASE conform to the naming standard of the "UnOfficial" DN3D EDITING FAQ when placing this file on your system. *1-4*: Adding to the FAQ ======================== If you want something added to the FAQ, please send E- mail to "sz0759@rrze.uni-erlangen.de" (no quotes), explaining what your addition is. It will be reviewed, and if accepted, added to the next FAQ version. In the E-mail, please supply your name and E-mail address. Please note that all submissions to the FAQ become the property of the author (Klaus Breuer) and that they may or may not be acknowleged. By submitting to the FAQ, you grant permission for use of your submission in any future publications of the FAQ in any media. The author reserves the right to omit information from a submission or delete the submission entirely. *1-5*: The DN3D EDITING Mailing List ==================================== There is no such list yet, but hopefully somebody will pop up who will run one... *1-6*: Acknowledgments ====================== I'd like to thank 3D Realms for bringing out such an astonishing game! After two years, we finally seem to have a DOOM killer :) ALPHABETICAL ORDER: Thomas Mueller (tsmuelle@cip.informatik.uni-erlangen.de) - Sector info THANK YOU! If, for some reason, I did miss you, PLEASE send me e-mail! Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who reads this FAQ, you are what the FAQ is for! *1-7*: Accurate Information =========================== An attempt has been made to make the information in this FAQ as accurate as possible. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the game was recently released, and updates, add-ons, and new information are being worked on each second, it's hard to keep up. ===================================== =SECTION ONE= PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ===================================== ============================================= =SECTION TWO= A WALKTHROUGH TO A SIMPLE LEVEL ============================================= ==================================== =SECTION THREE= HOW TO... ==================================== ==================================== =SECTION FOUR= UTILITIES AND ADD-ONS ==================================== ---------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER *14*: What add-on data files exist for DN3D? ---------------------------------------------------- *14-1*: Graphics ================ Here is a catalog of various graphics collections available for DN3D. AVAILABLE AT: Site (1): graphics/(filename) FILE DESCRIPTION CREATOR ==== =========== ======= ...none so far... *14-2*: Missions ================ Here is a list GRPs (new levels) for DN3D. All of them require the registered version of DN3D. To use these, type the following at the command line: **** Anybody know what the command-line argument is so we don't have to a) Enter SETUP.EXE and set the user map or b) Copy the map into the DN3D directory as E1L1.MAP ? Have Fun! AVAILABLE AT: Site (1): wads/<directory_name_here>/<filename> - GS Graphics / sounds - TP Type of game G includes external graphics A all play types S includes external sounds S tuned for single play A graphics/sounds/demos D dukematch optimized D demo included - EA Difficulty of wad - RATE Personal rating of wad Y difficulty settings enabled - sub-par N no difficulty settings o ok E/H easy/hard + above average ~ one half + - DT Deathmatch - CO Cooperative Y includes 8 death start pts Y includes 8 coop start pts # number of deathmatch starts # number of coop starts - The rating system is based on overall appearance and gameplay. The ratings reflect the opinions of Klaus Breuer only. NAME LEVEL GS TP EA RATE DT CO MONST COMMENTS ...none so far... *14-2-1*: GRP Authoring Template v0.1 ------------------------------------- **** Note that I've simply taken and modified the v1.4 of the "Official" GRP Authoring Template. For all of you map authors out there, here is the "Official" GRP Authoring Template v0.1. When you release your map, please fill this form out and place it in the information file you create about your PWAD. Thanks to Steve Bareman (bareman@hope.cit.hope.edu) for creating a WAD about file standard. GRP Authoring Template V0.1 (Clip this line) ================================================================ Title : Filename : xxxx.MAP Author : Your name here Email Address : Misc. Author Info : Description : Set the mood here. Additional Credits to : ================================================================ * Play Information * Episode and Level # : ExMx (,ExMx,...) Single Player : Yes/No Cooperative 2-8 Player : Yes/No Deathmatch 2-8 Player : Yes/No Difficulty Settings : Yes/Not implemented New Sounds : Yes/No New Graphics : Yes/No New Music : Yes/No New Programming : Yes/No Demos Replaced : None/1/2/All * Construction * Base : New level from scratch/Modified ExMx/xxx.MAP Editor(s) used : Known Bugs : * Where to get this WAD * FTP sites: BBS numbers: Other: *14-3*: Sounds ============== Here is a catalog of various sound collections available for DN3D. AVAILABLE AT: Site (1): sounds/(filename) FILE DESCRIPTION CREATOR ==== =========== ======= ...none so far... *14-4*: Music ============= Here is a catalog of various music collections available for DN3D. AVAILABLE AT: Site (1): music/(filename) FILE DESCRIPTION EPISODES CREATOR ==== =========== === ======= ...none so far... *14-5*: DMOs (Recordings) ========================= Here is a catalog of various movie recordings (DMOs) available for DN3D. AVAILABLE AT: Site (1): music/(filename) FILE DESCRIPTION CREATOR ==== =========== ======= ...none so far... ------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER *15*: What other miscellaneous DN3D editing add-ons exist? ------------------------------------------------------------------ [15-1]: Name ============ DESCRIPTION: CREATED BY: AVAILABLE AT: ------------------------------------ CHAPTER [16]: Future add-on software ------------------------------------ *16-1*: Add-on software wish list ================================= Attention programmers! Here is a wish list, created by the DN3D players, of add-on software that should be made for DN3D. If you would like to make an addition to this list, please send me E-mail. Additionally, if you are planning on creating one of these utilities, tell me, and I'll move it to the "Add-on software in the making" chapter. o Automatic .CON file patcher to allow easy inclusion of .CON modifications. o Lots of additional graphics, allowing the building of realistic 'normal' street and house maps. *16-2*: Add-on software in the making ===================================== This chapter tells about add-on software which is being currently worked on. If you are working on something that is not in here, please send me E-mail so I can put it in. In this section, you can also request help on creating some add-on software. Project: Author: Status: ============================== =SECTION FOUR= TROUBLESHOOTING ============================== ============================ =SECTION FIVE= MISCELLANEOUS ============================ ------------------------ CHAPTER [22]: Conclusion ------------------------ Phew! Well, that is all I have! I hope this FAQ proves to provide a good resource for DN3D Editing information. If you have any suggestions, additions, or comments for the FAQ, send me E-mail at "sz0759@rrze.uni-erlangen.de". Thanks for reading the FAQ! -Klaus Breuer SUPPORT YOUR SHAREWARE COMPANIES! REGISTER YOUR SHAREWARE! ------------------------------ CHAPTER [23]: Revision History ------------------------------ v0.1: First release of the DN3D EDITING FAQ as an RFC. (May 1996) --- Klaus Breuer, Rudelsweiher Str. 6b, 91054 Erlangen, Germany "Geez, I need a *reason* for everything?" -- Calvin "Should I or shouldn't I? Too late, I did!" -- Hobbes @START@Kiss me [From Bill Maher on _Politically Incorrect_] "Good news for Kiss fans. They announced today that they were going to start their first world tour in fifteen years. And they said it's gonna be just like the good old days. They're gonna be in full make-up, and they're gonna suck." @START@Microsoft to shorten name Microsoft today announced that it will be changing its name to "Moft" -- which will clear up space on user's hard disks. It is estimated that a typical Windows 95 installation contains about 2,800,000 copies of the word "Microsoft", in copyright notices, end-user licence agreements, 'About' screens, etc. So, after the change, a user will have about 14 MBytes more disk space. Stock prices of hard-disk manufacturers dipped slightly after the announcement. "Well, the programs will take up less space on the user's disk," said Bill Gates, CEO of Moft. "But we have never cared about that. The change will allow us to ship Windows 95 on 13 disks instead of 14, thus saving about $50 million a year in media costs. We are also looking at shortening the names of some of our software products; for instance 'The Microsoft Exchange' may be changed to 'The Moft Pit'. Gates added that the junior programmer who discovered the potential savings has been rewarded with a free copy of 'Moft Off for Moft Win 95'. @START@How to solve a memory shortage This happened today. A neighbor called for some PC advice, and after hearing her error messages I told her she had run out of memory. She complained that this couldn't be the problem, because when she had gotten the same error message just moments before, so she had reset the word processor to single-spaced lines..... so she would only use half as much memory. Swear it's true. @START@Why did you go into politics? Heard on NPR's All Things Considered: The mayor of Milwaukee was holding a Q&A session with a 9th grade class. When asked why he became a politician, he replied: "My father was a minister. I had to make up for the lack of sin." @START@Horseback riding I had a near death experience that has changed me forever. The other day, I went horseback riding. Everything was going fine until the horse starts bouncing out of control. I tried with all my might to hang on, but was thrown off. Just when things could not possibly get worse, my foot gets caught in the stirrup. When this happened, I fell head first to the ground. My head continued to bounce harder as the horse did not stop or even slow down. Just as I was giving up hope and losing consciousness, the Walmart manager came and unplugged it. Thank goodness for heros. @START@Groan The following comes from one the funniest TV shows in the UK, the comedy sports quiz, "They Think It's All Over". It's hosted by Nick Hancock. In Spain earlier this year, a season ticket holder was refused entry to a Real Betis home game for the flimsy and pathetic excuse that he was dead. His family had brought his ashes to the match in a glass container. Nick Hancock's comment was, "It's coming to something when you can't take a bottle of pop to the game with you". @START@Toddler Property Laws I've been watching my 18 month old play with other kids. My neighbor gave a set of "Toddler Property Laws" - 1. If I like it, it's mine. 2. If it's in my hand, it's mine. 3. If I can take it from you, it's mine. 4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine. 5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way. 6. If I'm doing or building something, all of the pieces are mine. 7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine. 8. If I think it's mine, it's mine. For the record, my toddler follows these laws religiously. @START@REVIEW: THE SUBSTITUTE THE SUBSTITUTE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 4.5 Alternative Scale: ** out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 4/19/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:54 MPAA Classification: R (Profanity, violence) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Tom Berenger, Diane Venora, Ernie Hudson, Glenn Plummer, Marc Anthony, William Forsythe, Luis Guzman Director: Robert Mandel Producers: Morrie Eisenmann and Jim Steele Screenplay: Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli, and Alan Ormsby Cinematography: Bruce Surtees Music: Gary Chang U.S. Distributor: Orion Pictures At Miami's Columbus High, classes aren't the only things students cut. Since it's difficult to get guns through the metal detectors, knives seem to be the weapon of choice. Not that a minor inconvenience like a metal detector will stop any really determined delinquent. Plenty of firearms are shot off -- all in "self defense", of course. In fact, by the time this brainless action flick has ricocheted to a conclusion, someone has procured a rocket launcher for use in the halls. Tom Berenger plays soldier of fortune Shale, an ex-covert operative for the U.S. government. After the failure of his last mission, a raid into Cuba, Shale and his compatriots have been retired. Now unemployed, Shale ventures into the teaching profession when his girlfriend, Jane (Diane Venora), is beaten up by a sumo wrestler-type hired by one of her disgruntled students. Shale has decided to use his multiple talents to clean up Columbus High. When his buddies from the service learn that drugs, and therefore money, are involved, they're eager to help out. Soon, this group of mercenaries has infiltrated the high school, and, with the introduction of drug kingpins, members of a gang called the "Kings of Destruction", and a corrupt principal, the stage is set for a violent confrontation. This is really a Steven Seagal movie with Tom Berenger doing his best Seagal impression (although, even at his worst, Berenger has about 300% more range than the wooden-faced action star). Director Robert Mandel (F/X) brings a sense of wry, warped humor to THE SUBSTITUTE -- he rarely takes anything too seriously -- but it's not enough to save the film. Admittedly, parts are fun in a mindless, visceral sort of way, but the whole is a lot worse than the sum of its parts. Setting a vigilante thriller in a high school, even the High School from Hell, might seem like a bad idea. After all, since the point of such a movie is for Berenger to kick butt and kill people, his options would appear to be limited by the presence of so many juveniles. Never fear, though. The clever screen writers have found a way to incorporate lots of nasty adults into the mix. There's also a group of really evil kids who look like they're in their mid-twenties, and are allowed first crack at Shale before he throws them out the library window. This is no MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS or DEAD POETS' SOCIETY, and no one is going to mistake Berenger for Richard Dreyfuss or Robin Williams. In fact, with all the firepower employed in and around the school, THE SUBSTITUTE might easily have been called GOODBYE MR. CLIPS. At one point, there's actually an attempt to espouse some kind of message about kids breaking the cycle of violence. "Gang funerals -- is that what you want for yourselves? For your kids?" demands Shale in one heartbreakingly poignant scene. (Brings a tear to the eye, doesn't it?) Not much is done with this theme beyond the redemption of a few minor characters, which is probably a good thing, since audiences don't come to this sort of movie for drama. THE SUBSTITUTE has its moments, all of which fall in the realm of high camp. One scene not to be missed: Shale, attempting to get his class' attention, roars, "I'm the warrior chief! I'm the merciless god who rules over everything that stirs in my universe!" It's a hilarious moment, and I'm reasonably certain the director intended for it to be so. Nevertheless, aside from a lot of only moderately-satisfying violence, THE SUBSTITUTE comes across as rather lame. It's not boring, but that dubious qualification isn't enough to earn the movie a passing grade. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE WHITE BALLOON THE WHITE BALLOON A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.5 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** Iran, 1995 U.S. Release Date: beginning 1/96 (limited) Running Length: 1:25 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (nothing offensive) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Aida Mohammadkhani, Moshen Kalifi, Fereshteh Sadr Orfani, Anna Bourkowska, Mohammad Shahani Director: Jafar Panahi Screenplay: Abbas Kiarostami Cinematography: Farzad Jowdat U.S. Distributor: October Films In Farsi with subtitles Iranian films are not big in the United States. After just a few months of limited release, THE WHITE BALLOON has already made more money in this country than any previous Iranian picture, including last year's THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES, which was made by international film icon Abbas Kiarostami and distributed by Miramax. THE WHITE BALLOON, written by Kiarostami and directed by one of his proteges, Jafar Panahi, has the characteristic slow, stately tone that dominates Iranian efforts, but, at least in terms of its minimalist narrative, it's reminiscent of Vittorio De Sica's Italian classic, THE BICYCLE THIEF. THE WHITE BALLOON is told in real time through the eyes of its seven year old, female protagonist, the feisty Razieh (Aida Mohammadkhani). Our impressions of other characters are filtered through Razieh, so we see them as she does, whether they're strange, frightening, indifferent, or helpful. All the facets of humanity are represented, from a generous-but-ineffectual old woman to a sinister soldier who tells lies to gain the young girl's confidence. It's New Year's Day in Tehran, and, in ninety minutes, all the shops will close for a week-long holiday. Before that happens, Razieh desperately wants to buy a plump, white goldfish with elaborate fins. She has her heart set on this prize and refuses to give up even when her mother says "no." So, with the help of her brother (Moshen Kalifi), she eventually wears down all resistance, and, armed with her mother's last 500 tomans bill, heads into the marketplace on her own. Between home and the fish store, however, she loses the money down a street grate, where the metal bars keep it within sight, but out of reach. Like THE BICYCLE THIEF, THE WHITE BALLOON proves that movies don't have to be plot-heavy to succeed. This film is strangely compelling even though nothing much happens, and that's primarily because Razieh is such an endearing character. Portrayed in a perfectly-nuanced, unaffected manner by Aida Mohammadkhani, Razieh is one of the most impressive screen children since the protagonist of CROWS. Mohammadkhani, with only a little help from her supporting actors, makes this picture. In addition to its account of a girl's fist venture into the adult world on her own, THE WHITE BALLOON gives Western viewers a rare glimpse into the real Iran. Here, freed of political shading, we meet the genuine inhabitants of Tehran, and, unsurprisingly, find that they're not all that different from us. THE WHITE BALLOON certainly isn't everyone's kind of film, but those with the patience to sit through all eighty-five minutes will uncover a sublime, unconventionally engrossing story. A controversy that has nothing to do with the film's content has metamorphosed around THE WHITE BALLOON. Following a U.S. congressional bill funding covert action against the current government of Iran, that country attempted to withdraw the film from contention for a best foreign film Oscar nomination. Subsequently, when THE WHITE BALLOON began its limited U.S. run, Iran denied the director, Jafar Panahi, permission to leave the country to participate in a publicity tour. Nevertheless, even though Panahi has been forbidden to travel to the United States, he is well represented by his first feature, which speaks as eloquently as anything he would likely say. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@ON SCREEN: CELTIC PRIDE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON SCREEN ON SCREEN CELTIC PRIDE Starring Damon Wayans, Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd. Screenplay by Judd Apatow. Directed by Tom De Cerchio. (PG) (ee of 5 eyes) by DAVID DRAYTON Early on in the new basketball comedy Celtic Pride Dan Aykroyd does something and, for a brief moment, this otherwise dead-on-arrival tale comes hilariously to life. What does he do? He begins to boogie. Jimmy Flahery (Aykroyd) and Mike O'Hara (Daniel Stern) are two Boston Celtics fanatics who can't believe what they're seeing. It's the night after Game 6 of the finals for the NBA crown, their beloved Celtics have just lost, and the star player for the opposing team, Lewis Scott (Damon Wayans) is at a nightclub dancing up a storm. Flaherty can't take it any longer. It's like Scott is sticking the loss in their faces. So Flaherty decides to shake his tail feather on to the dance floor, stare the devil down, and give him a good what- for. Aykroyd's hands begin to twirl, and the beat of Wild Cherry's kitsch classic "Play That Funky Music" grabs hold of his white hips. It's about 15 seconds of inspired goofyness, and it's the only truly funny thing in the movie. And that's too bad because Celtic Pride is actually a wonderful conceit. Soon after his little dance number, Flaherty and O'Hara kidnap Scott in the hope that, by keeping Scott out of the seventh and deciding game, the Celtics will take their rightful place as kings of the NBA. It's a B-ball version of Scorsese's King Of Comedy -- but without its edginess or insight into the pathetic lives of people who desperately want to make a connection with the stars they love, or love to hate. The people behind Celtic Pride don't see their two heroes as desperate or pathetic, but rather as two lovable sports-loving schmoes doing right by their home team. They're never considered dangerous -- just cute and fuzzy. But Celtic Pride's most flagrant foul is turning bad boy and ball hog Scott into a nice guy who learns to pass by the end the film. But hey, what do you care? You're too busy watching the hockey playoffs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available collected reviews -----------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Movies eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON SCREEN: The Quest ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON SCREEN ON SCREEN THE QUEST Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Roger Moore. Screenplay by Gene Guintano and Paul Mones. Directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. (AA) Opens April 26. (ee of 5 eyes) The directorial debut of Jean-Claude Van Damme, The Quest epitomizes a recent trend toward movies that aren't based on video games but still play like one. Perhaps following the success of the video game-based movie Mortal Kombat, these are films whose "plots" set themselves up in under an hour, leaving the rest of the film free for an extended parade of one-on-one martial arts bouts. Van Damme plays a (nominally) American 1920s pickpocket with a good heart -- we know this because he wears a clown suit and sponsors a bunch of homeless kids -- who is forced to flee New York, stowing away on a boat bound for the Far East. Found, chained and used as slave labor, he's rescued by modern-day pirate and loveable scoundrel "Lord" Dobbs (Roger Moore, freshly bearded and weirdly buff, who seems to have finally put all that "Bond, James Bond" crap firmly behind him). But Dobbs soon sells Van Damme again, this time to a fanatical warrior sect that spends two years teaching him the tricks of their trade. It's all in preparation for an international martial arts competition called Ghan-gheng, a sexy little shindig that invites the best warriors of every known country to come to Tibet's Lost City and beat the living crap out of each other, as they compete to see who'll tote home a solid gold dragon. Suffice to say, Van Damme does get there. And at this point, The Quest either improves sharply or degenerates completely -- depending on your priorities -- by becoming a series of pitched fights, which all go something like this: "Spain-versus-Japan!" Gong. "Mongolia-versus- Brazil!" Gong. "Scotland-versus-Turkey!" Gong. Et cetera, et cetera. The fights are pretty impressive, although a surprising amount of them end by falling back on the time-honored-but-not-exactly sophisticated "one shot to the balls" gambit. And the rest of The Quest plays much the same way: pretty scenery, fair momentum, no surprises. As a vanity project, it's likeably goofy. But for anyone other than a die-hard Van Damme fan, it's a bit of a snoozer. -- G. F. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available collected reviews -----------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Movies eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON SCREEN: THE SUBSTITUTE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON SCREEN ON SCREEN THE SUBSTITUTE Starring Tom Berenger and Ernie Hudson. Screenplay by Roy Frumkes, Rocco Simonelli and Alan Ormsby. Directed by Robert Mandel. (AA) (ee of 5 eyes) by GEMMA FILES So, I'm at The Substitute, a ripely silly new fighting-fire-with- firepower fantasy from F/X director Robert Mandel, which pits ex- mercenary Tom Berenger against an inner-city classroom full of hoods from the 'hood. On one side of me sits my mother, yawning so loudly even constantly-chattering teens behinds us can hear her. Nearby sits one of my critical peers, who, as we leave, catches my eye and mutters, darkly: "There are no humans in that movie." It's the same old story: that critical burp of reflexive repulsion which greets every new genre offering, making otherwise intelligent people waste time debating the "morality" of day-old doo-doo like The Substitute, and pretending it's a cause rather than a symptom, as though fantasy spawned reality, instead of simply mirroring it. It's an endless argument, and most movies -- including this one -- ain't worth having it over. Call it Sergeant Barnes Goes To High School, or Really, Really, Dangerous Minds. After being "discharged" from his job as a government-sponsored covert operations team leader, Shale (Berenger) moves back in with his old girlfriend (Diane Venora, Al Pacino's wife from Heat), a high-school history teacher. When she's knee-capped by her class's local gang leader, Shale forges himself some teaching credentials and takes her place. Essentially, a "C" movie with an "A" cast -- Berenger's old mercenary posse includes slumming character actors like William Forsythe and Glenn Plummer -- The Substitute goes down easy, and never presumes to be more than it is: a typical Miami Vice episode, with swearing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available collected reviews -----------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Movies eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@REVIEW: LIEBERMAN IN LOVE LIEBERMAN IN LOVE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** United States, 1995 Running Length: 0:39 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Profanity, sex) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Danny Aiello, Christine Lahti, Nancy Travis Director: Christine Lahti Screenplay: Polly Platt based on the book by W.P. Kinsella Cinematography: Marc Reshovsky Music: Stewart Levin U.S. Distributor: To be shown on Showtime LIEBERMAN IN LOVE, actor Christine Lahti's delightful directorial debut, won the 1996 Oscar for Best Live Action Short. I can't say whether it was better than the other four nominees (I haven't seen any of them), but, based solely on this film's merits, it's worthy of the honor. As romantic comedies go, this one is top-notch. In less than forty minutes, LIEBERMAN IN LOVE adds a few fresh twists to an old, often-exhausted genre. The only drawback is that, by the movie's end, you're left wanting more. LIEBERMAN IN LOVE probably has enough material to warrant a full-length feature. Danny Aiello (CITY HALL), the crusty, veteran actor who often plays tough guys, allows his comic and sensitive sides to show in a superlative turn as Joe Lieberman, a widower of nine months on vacation in Hawaii. Joe is unsuccessfully trying to pick up women when he encounters Shaleen (Christine Lahti), a hooker who believes there's "no such thing as falling in love", only "falling in lust". Joe, who doesn't have any financial worries, pays Shaleen's price, then keeps dishing out the money so that she'll stick around to listen to his stories, laugh at his jokes, give him advice, and keep him company. Meanwhile, he's looking for the perfect woman, whom he eventually finds in the person of a timid real estate agent named Kate (Nancy Travis). One problem, though -- she's married. Working opposite Aiello, Lahti and Travis are equally good. Travis, who lights up the screen in a way that she hasn't since THREE MEN AND A BABY, exhibits an appealing vulnerability as the apparently- guileless object of Joe's affection. Lahti (LEAVING NORMAL), who has, in my opinion, always been underrated as an actress, directs herself with near perfection as the cynical, tough-talking prostitute who wishes life was more than money and a series of Johns. LIEBERMAN IN LOVE is everything that this sort of film should be -- funny, romantic, and occasionally unpredictable. The movie won't be playing in any local multiplexes, but it is getting wide exposure at film festivals, and will air sometime in 1996 on the Showtime TV network, which funded the project. Whether you see it on the big screen or the small one, however, LIEBERMAN IN LOVE is worth searching out. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: MULHOLLAND FALLS MULHOLLAND FALLS A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 6.0 Alternative Scale: **1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 4/26/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:47 MPAA Classification: R (Violence, profanity, sex) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Nick Nolte, Chazz Palminteri, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Melanie Griffith, Treat Williams, Jennifer Connelly, Daniel Baldwin, Andrew McCarthy, John Malkovich, Bruce Dern Director: Lee Tamahori Producers: Richard D. Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck Screenplay: Pete Dexter based on a story by Pete Dexter and Floyd Mutrix Cinematography: Haskell Wexler Music: Dave Grusin U.S. Distributor: MGM Following several release delays, MULHOLLAND FALLS has finally reached theaters. Usually, when a distributor keeps putting off a film's opening, it's a sign that there's something wrong with the production, and, about halfway through MULHOLLAND FALLS' one-hundred seven minute running length, we figure out what that "something" is: the plot, to put it charitably, is shaky. This is a great looking film with a fine cast, but, when all is said and done, the storyline doesn't cut it. It's convoluted, contrived, and, worst of all, has a disappointing payoff. Don't blame veteran cinematographer Haskell Wexler (WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?) for MULHOLLAND FALLS' failings, however. This is one of the most visually striking films to come out this year. Everything is gorgeous, from the scenes of downtown LA in the '50s to a panoramic view of the city at night. There is also one truly awe-inspiring moment when four men stand at the lip of an atomic crater and gaze into its maw. That image will be remembered after everything else in this movie is forgotten. Because of its tone and subject matter, MULHOLLAND FALLS recalls CHINATOWN, albeit incompletely. Nick Nolte is Max Hoover, the head of an elite group of four LA cops (based on the real life "Hat Squad") whose job is, simply put, to "get rid of gangsters and criminals." His partners are Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri) and the one-dimensional duo of Hall and Relyea (underplayed by those two RESERVOIR DOGS, Michael Madsen and Chris Penn). These are hard-bitten guys with tailored suits who aren't bothered by anything -- when a mobster comes into their town, they take him out for a spin in their black Buick convertible, then throw him off a cliff somewhere along Mulholland Drive. One day, they're called to investigate the murder of a young woman (Jennifer Connelly), who is found crushed to death a few miles outside LA. Clues, including a damning reel of salacious film, point to the involvement of a high-placed U.S. government official (John Malkovich). The case unsettles Max, however, since he had recently ended a six-month affair with the girl. For a while, MULHOLLAND FALLS looks like a solid noir thriller. The plot, which generates a certain degree of tension, builds slowly. How did the girl die? What was a sliver of radioactive glass doing in her heel? How is the atomic energy commission involved? And will Hoover and his three partners get to the bottom of things before someone gets rid of them? Unfortunately, as each of these questions is answered, the story becomes progressively less interesting and harder to swallow. By the end, we're left feeling cheated, as if the writers squandered a number of promising ideas. The acting, like so much else in MULHOLLAND FALLS, is uneven. Nolte presents an effective portrait of a blase cop who suddenly finds his once-stable world turned upside down. On the other hand, Palminteri, who excels at playing New York gangsters, is all wrong for a West Coast cop (even though Coolidge asserts that he's from Jersey). Madsen and Penn, like most of the supporting characters, are window dressing. Malkovich is suitably creepy in limited screen time. And Jennifer Connelly is sultry and appealing, even though she appears exclusively in flashbacks. MULHOLLAND FALLS isn't a bad film, but it definitely is disappointing, especially coming from director Lee Tamahori, who brought the powerful ONCE WERE WARRIORS to the screen. Tamahori's direction is inconsistent, but, ultimately, this movie is undermined by its screenplay. Certain aspects are laudable, but, all things considered, those elements aren't enough to keep MULHOLLAND FALLS from slipping over the edge into mediocrity. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: COLD COMFORT FARM COLD COMFORT FARM A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.5 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: beginning 5/96 (limited) Running Length: 1:44 MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Sexual situations) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Eileen Atkins, Rufus Sewell, Ivan Kaye, Ian McKellan, Freddie Jones, Maria Miles, Joanna Lumley, Christopher Bowen, Stephen Fry, Sheila Burrell Director: John Schlesinger Screenplay: Malcolm Bradbury based on the novel by Stella Gibbons Cinematography: Chris Seager Music: Robert Lockhart U.S. Distributor: Gramercy Pictures Over the last several years, director John Schlesinger, who once released fabulous films like MIDNIGHT COWBOY and SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY, has developed an unfortunate tendency to make movies that border on unwatchable (PACIFIC HEIGHTS, EYE FOR AND EYE). With COLD COMFORT FARM, a feature originally produced for British TV, Schlesinger has chosen a lighter, less demanding story that results in one of his most successful productions in recent memory. There's nothing deep or meaningful to be unearthed in this feel-good comedy, but it nevertheless makes for solid entertainment. Using an almost-apologetically gentle satire, COLD COMFORT FARM parodies Merchant-Ivory films and their ilk. Transpiring in the 1920s, the movie takes us to the dilapidated rural estate of Cold Comfort Farm, where recently-orphaned Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) has come to stay with distant relatives. In some way, the Starkadders, who inhabit Cold Comfort, owe a debt to her father, but, while no one will say what it is, they agree to give her free room and board. For her part, Flora intends to organize the untidy farm, as well as the lives of everyone who call it home. The residents of Cold Comfort Farm are a strange lot. There's Judith Starkadder (Eileen Atkins), a middle-aged widow who continually prophesies disaster for her family. There are her sons, Seth (Rufus Sewell), who loves movies, and Reuben (Ivan Kaye), who loves farming. Judith's brother, Amos (Ian McKellan), is a fire-and-brimstone preacher. Her mother, Ada Doom (Sheila Burrell), the Cold Comfort matriarch, remains locked in her room. Also living in the house are Elfine (Maria Miles), a beautiful-but-flighty young woman who wants to marry a member of the gentry, and Adamsbreath (Freddie Jones), the family's faithful retainer. With comic efficiency, Flora sets to work giving each member of the Starkadder clan what they want. There are no real characters here -- each member of the cast plays a certain period piece type to good effect. We sympathize with the men and women of Cold Comfort Farm largely because of strong performances, not because they're written with any depth or breadth. As is often true of satire, the people don't matter as much as the situations they're placed in. COLD COMFORT FARM is not a vicious lampoon. The script cares about its characters and doesn't want to distance the audience. Some of the best satire comes near the end, while the various subplots are reaching happy conclusions. Schlesinger uses "Tara's Theme" from GONE WITH THE WIND to put the hilarious punctuation on a very funny scene. This sequence, the movie's comic highlight, had me nearly doubled over with laughter. Kate Beckinsale, who made her movie debut as Hero in Kenneth Branagh's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, sparkles as Flora, bringing life and energy to this one-dimensional ersatz Jane Austen heroine. The supporting performers are all good, with special mention going to Ian McKellan. Here, acting the part of a preacher who speaks of nothing but hellfire and damnation, McKellan is both mesmerizing and undeniably funny. With its comic refrains, takeoffs on Hollywood happy endings and stuffy British storylines, and feather-light tone, COLD COMFORT FARM is an excellent source of late spring entertainment. As was true of 1992's ENCHANTED APRIL, this is the kind of movie that offers a vacation from the seriousness of reality and other, more "important" motion pictures. There may not be intellectual enrichment forthcoming, but there's undeniable pleasure to be gained from watching Flora bring warmth to COLD COMFORT FARM. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE GREAT WHITE HYPE (1996) THE GREAT WHITE HYPE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 8.0 Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/3/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:30 MPAA Classification: R (Profanity, violence) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans, Peter Berg, Jon Lovitz, Corbin Bernsen, Cheech Marin, John Rhys-Davies, Salli Richardson, Michael Jace Director: Reginald Hudlin Producers: Fred Berner and Joshua Donen Screenplay: Tony Hendra and Ron Shelton Cinematography: Ron Garcia Music: Marcus Miller U.S. Distributor: 20th Century Fox Not since Robert Altman's THE PLAYER has a film been this relentless in its satirical attack. THE GREAT WHITE HYPE takes the boxing industry and rips it open, displaying the rotting, putrid innards for all to see. There are times when this movie is so vicious that it ceases to be funny. While THE GREAT WHITE HYPE has its share of comical, occasionally-hilarious moments, don't expect a non-stop laughfest on par with THIS IS SPINAL TAP. Co-writer Ron Shelton is no stranger to sports movies -- he scripted five before this (three of which he directed): THE BEST OF TIMES, BULL DURHAM, WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP, COBB, and BLUE CHIPS. Shelton is familiar with the behind-the-scenes machinations, and this knowlege is crucial to the film's success. THE GREAT WHITE HYPE works primarily because its excesses aren't far removed from reality. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the movie is the recognition of how true-to-life the most outlandish and absurd aspects are. James "the Grim Reaper" Roper (Damon Wayans) is the most devastating heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. With his 38-0 record, he's a force to be reckoned with. Or is he? Is Roper undefeated because he's so good, or because his flamboyant, publicity- loving manager, Reverend Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson), only lets him fight stiffs. That's the question Roper's would-be-rival-in-the-ring, Marvin Shabazz (Michael Jace) would like answered. He can't get a match with Roper because Sultan won't commit to a date. The pay-per-view revenue for Roper's last fight is down -- way down. The money isn't rolling in the way it used to, and Sultan knows the reason. People have lost interest in the heavyweight championship, he claims, because they're tired of watching black men beat up each other. They need a white hero -- someone with a "clean-cut", "all- American" image. And, Sultan adds, if he doesn't exist, "I'll create him." When one of Sultan's assistants uncovers the name of Terry Conklin (Peter Berg), the only man ever to knock out Roper (albeit in an amateur bout more than 10 years ago), Sultan has his man. With his entourage in tow, the promoter pays a visit to Cleveland, where Conklin is acting as lead singer for a bad heavy metal band. After making one $10 million offer to the ex-Golden Glove Champ, Sultan has his "great white hope" -- Irish Terry Conklin (who's not Irish), defender of the homeless (he gives large donations to that cause) and challenger for the heavyweight championship. The secondary plot of THE GREAT WHITE HYPE involves the rise of Mitchell Kane (Jeff Goldblum) from tabloid reporter and self-styled "freelance crusader" to a major force in the boxing promotion business. Kane, who starts out trying to expose Sultan as a fraud, ends up becoming another cog in the Don King-like promoter's machinery. Jon Lovitz, Cheech Marin, Salli Richardson, and Corbin Bernsen all have small roles as Sultan's flunkies. And, although Jackson's performance is the one to watch, everyone else is more than capable, especially Damon Wayans, who finds the right balance between seriousness and comedy. Ably directed by Reginald Hudlin (BOOMERANG), THE GREAT WHITE HYPE never lets up with its pummeling of the boxing industry and its image- obsessed attitudes. The film also presents a timely message about how racial divisiveness can be exploited in sports (especially boxing) to bring in big bucks. Shelton and Tony Hendra's script sparkles with nasty, incisive wit -- their pens were sharpened to finely-honed points before they began this skewering. And the boxing match at the end is actually suspenseful, because we don't know how things are going to turn out -- there's potential for more ridicule no matter who wins or loses. There are occasions when THE GREAT WHITE HYPE goes too far, and rarer instances when it doesn't go far enough, but those moments are only apparent upon close examination. This movie isn't the unqualified success that THE PLAYER or SPINAL TAP were -- both of those films had more artistry than is evident here -- but THE GREAT WHITE HYPE is still the kind of first-rate satire that would make Jonathan Swift proud. By the time this hyper-energetic, unapologetically politically incorrect motion picture draws to a close, boxing has been dealt a knock-out punch. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: LOADED (1996) LOADED A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 6.0 Alternative Scale: **1/2 out of **** UK/New Zealand, 1995 U.S. Release Date: beginning 4/96 (limited) Running Length: 1:45 MPAA Classification: R (Violence, sex, profanity, nudity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Cast: Oliver Milburn, Catherine McCormack, Danny Cunningham, Biddy Hodson, Nick Patrick, Thandie Newton, Matthew Eggleton Director: Anna Campion Producers: David Hazlett, Caroline Hewitt, Bridget Ikin, and John Maynard Screenplay: Anna Campion Cinematography: Alan Almond Music: Simon Fisher Turner U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films With its abundance of foreshadowing, flashbacks, and other methods of toying with time and reality, Anna Campion's feature debut, LOADED, enjoys bending the audience's perceptions. Add an atmosphere soaked in dark, ominous overtones, and the result is moody and artistic. Unfortunately, Campion (who is the sister of THE PIANO's Jane) doesn't invest the same effort into creating characters and smoothing out the narrative as she does shaping the tone. LOADED introduces us to seven college-age characters who travel to an out-of-the-way country house to videotape a no-budget horror flick. Lance (Danny Cunningham), the stern, rather unpleasant director, has delusions of recapturing John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN success. No one else shares his enthusiasm, but they all participate, either by going in front of the camera or staying behind it. Rose (Catherine McCormack, from BRAVEHEART) is the leading lady, who, in real-life, is obsessed about losing her virginity. Her boyfriend, Neil (Oliver Milburn), is perhaps the least stable of the group -- he's in therapy. Also present are Charlotte (Biddy Hodson), a spoiled rich girl who wants more closeness in her relationship with Lance; Zita (Thandie Newton), the only "normal" one; and Giles (Nick Patrick), an intellectual who keeps a scrapbook of serial killers. Half an hour into the movie, Lionel (Matthew Eggleton), a born-again Christian biker, arrives on the scene, but his arrival fuels a misunderstanding with tragic consequences. The title has multiple meanings. In the first place, it refers to what happens to these seven people when they take sample doses of acid - - they become loaded. More generally, however, it alludes to the concerns that weigh down young men and women coming of age in a time when the previous generation is still groping for answers. This loading can lead to anger that has no effective outlet. As strong as the core ideas are, however, Campion's presentation is erratic. Her script is poorly-paced. There's a protracted introduction that goes nowhere, and features a number of superficial conversations that purport to address "deep" issues. By the time things start happening, the movie is half over. This storytelling method might have worked if it had yielded a field of rich personalities, but these characters are incomplete -- a few unique, individual traits grafted onto the familiar post-Generation X angst. The drug sequence is suitably hallucinogenic, although, as in Roger Avary's KILLING ZOE, it goes on for too long. We see the wood grain of a table turn fluid and birds fly out of the wallpaper. Campion effectively uses point-of-view shots during these sequences, but there's a time when becomes tedious. Meanwhile, half the characters are left with nothing to do. There's a certain artsy pretentiousness about LOADED that the thick atmosphere and cleverly-constructed final act can't completely obscure. All the magical, mystical conversations about spirituality and life don't amount to much -- they come across as forced, and only serve to diminish the characters involved. There are times, mostly during the second half, when LOADED develops into an eerily-compelling piece of film making, but these instances are offset by the many unsuccessful elements. Overall, LOADED is a promising debut, but too uneven to be considered much more than a curiosity. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE WIFE (1996) THE WIFE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.0 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** United States, 1995 U.S. Release Date: beginning 9/96 (limited) Running Length: 1:41 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Profanity, mature themes,=20 brief nudity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/2/96 Cast: Tom Noonan, Wallace Shawn, Karen Young, Julie Hagerty Director: Tom Noonan Producers: Scott Macaulay and Robin O'Hara Screenplay: Tom Noonan Cinematography: Joe DeSalvo Music: Tom Noonan Tom Noonan's 1994 debut, WHAT HAPPENED WAS=85, remains one of the=20 creepiest, most incisive motion pictures ever made about a first date. =20 It's a strange, disturbing piece that focuses on two characters trying,=20 and failing, to connect during an intimate evening. Now, some two years=20 later, Noonan is back with THE WIFE, an equally edgy drama about how an=20 unplanned dinner party tears at the fabric of a pair of unstable=20 marriages. The setup is reasonably simple. We are introduced to Jack (Noonan)=20 and his wife, Rita (Julie Hagerty), a pair of New Age therapists whose=20 marriage is on the rocks -- they are profoundly incompatible and=20 uncommunicative. One snowy night, they are visited at their secluded=20 New York state demesne by one of their patients, Cosmo (Wallace Shawn),=20 who has brought his wife, Arlie (Karen Young), to meet his therapists. =20 When the spirited Arlie decides to invite herself and her husband to=20 dinner, the stage is set for all sorts of revelations. Despite the inclusion of some low-key comedy, THE WIFE is basically=20 a claustrophobic downer (although not as claustrophobic as WHAT HAPPENED=20 WAS=85). In addition to dissecting the lives of his four main characters,= =20 Noonan rips into therapists in general and New Age therapists in=20 particular. This is not a nice, "touchy-feely" film about people being=20 healed by getting in touch with their inner selves. Instead, it's about=20 damaged men and women trapped in dysfunctional relationships. =20 The script keenly observes various elements of human nature, and=20 numerous scenes are startling in the clarity and intelligence with which=20 the characters are presented. On the other hand, Noonan has a tendency=20 to write pretentious dialogue, and certain passages are cluttered with=20 needless verbiage. For the most part, the intimate moments work; those=20 that concentrate on globally philosophical issues tend to sputter. Karen Young, who has had small parts in a number of major studio=20 features, is explosive as the unpredictable Arlie, and, in many ways,=20 her vivacity holds the film together. Wallace Shawn is his usual steady=20 self as a neurotic, nearly-"normal" man who "can't go on" with his=20 marriage as it is. Noonan, with a quietly-intense, almost-sinister=20 performance, paints an unsettling portrait of Jack as someone who=20 derives sadistic pleasure from probing open emotional wounds. Julie=20 Hagerty, better known for comic roles (AIRPLANE, WHAT ABOUT BOB?), plays=20 a woman who craves closeness with an aloof husband. The technical and visual aspects of THE WIFE engage the attention. =20 Noonan constantly toys with odd camera angles, distorted perspectives,=20 and shots involving reflected images. One scene has characters viewed=20 through a window overlapping those reflected in it. Another uses=20 mirrors to depict two physically-distanced conversations in the same=20 frame. As in WHAT HAPPENED WAS=85, lighting is used to great effect. On=20 one occasion, the light from a flickering fire playing on Jack's=20 features gives him a demonic appearance. With its echoes of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLFE? and its use of=20 the European style of moving the story forward through dialogue rather=20 than action (this could almost be Eric Rohmer at his grimmest), THE WIFE=20 consistently challenges viewers. It stumbles occasionally (sometimes=20 noticeably), and isn't as hypnotizing as WHAT HAPPENED WAS=85, but many of= =20 Noonan's observations about how men and women interact are on-target. =20 By turns uncomfortable and fascinating, THE WIFE offers a unique=20 perspective of the age-old institution of marriage. =20 - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: FOR THE MOMENT (1996) FOR THE MOMENT A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.0 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** Canada, 1994 U.S. Release Date: beginning 4/96 (limited) Running Length: 2:00 MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence, profanity, sex, brief nudity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Russell Crowe, Christianne Hirt, Wanda Cannon, Scott Kraft, Peter Outerbridge, Sara McMillan Director: Aaron Kim Johnston Producers: Jack Clements and Aaron Kim Johnston Screenplay: Aaron Kim Johnston Cinematography: Ian Elkin Music: Victor Davies Nicely photographed and appealingly acted, FOR THE MOMENT is a period piece melodrama that transpires during the summer of 1942. Set (and filmed) in Manitoba, Canada, where Allied bomber pilots came for instruction, the film chronicles the lives and loves of three airmen: Lachlan (Russell Crowe) and Johnny (Peter Outerbridge), a pair of young daredevils out to earn their wings, and Zeek (Scott Kraft), a grizzled veteran of two European tours of duty, who is their teacher. FOR THE MOMENT is pure, tear-jerking formula, but, because writer/director/producer Aaron Kim Johnston conveys such affection for his characters, the final product is surprisingly effective. Johnny's fiancee is Kate (Sara McMillan), a local girl. Kate's older sister, Lill (Christianne Hirt), is married to Frank -- by all accounts the perfect husband, except that he has been off to war for more than a year. Lill is lonely and vulnerable -- easy prey to Lachlan's infectious Aussie charm, even as he is smitten by her. Meanwhile, the dashing Zeek (Scott Kraft, who bears a passing resemblance to GONE WITH THE WIND's Rhett) allows himself to become romantically entangled with the region's good-natured whore/bootlegger, Betsy (Wanda Cannon). For much of the first half, FOR THE MOMENT rigorously uses romantic cliches. The film is obvious, and occasionally clumsy, fleshing out characters and their relationships. There's never any doubt who's going to become involved with whom -- just how long its going to take the various parties to get together. It's only the effective chemistry between the various lovers that keeps us interested through the less- inspired moments. During the second half, however, the movie mixes in sentimentality and darker psychological overtones to attain a satisfying, if bittersweet, conclusion. Russell Crowe (PROOF, THE SUM OF US) makes a wonderful romantic lead, blending charm, enthusiasm, good looks, and acting ability into his portrayal of Lachlan, who we're supposed to like, and do. In terms of talent, Crowe is far superior to anyone else in the cast, although most of his co-stars, including Christianne Hirt, make up for the deficiency with general likeability and appeal. And no one among the major players turns in a bad performance. FOR THE MOMENT says something about the ephemeral nature of human existence, the uncertainty of everyone's future, and the longing we often experience for the "road not traveled." The film takes a little too long to tell the story, and there are several superfluous, one- dimensional villains. Overall, however, FOR THE MOMENT succeeds at what it wants to be: a weepy love story. It's not an epic by any means, but it is pleasant, which isn't such a bad thing. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE MONSTER (1996) THE MONSTER (IL MOSTRO) A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 6.5 Alternative Scale: **1/2 out of **** Italy, 1994 U.S. Release Date: beginning 4/96 (limited) Running Length: 1:52 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Sexual humor, profanity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Cast: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Michel Blanc Director: Roberto Benigni Producers: Yves Attal and Roberto Benigni Screenplay: Roberto Benigni and Vincenzo Cerami Cinematography: Carlo DiPalma Music: Evan Lurie U.S. Distributor: C/FP Distribution In Italian with subtitles THE MONSTER is a mediocre motion picture wrapped around a number of very good scenes. Starring Italian comic sensation Roberto Benigni (JOHNNY STECCHINO, SON OF THE PINK PANTHER), this enjoyable-but- inconsistent slapstick farce rolls through peaks and valleys of laughter. When it's funny, it's very funny; when it's not, it borders on tiresome. Benigni is a gifted physical comic with a manic style incorperating elements from the repertories of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, John Cleese, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams (to name a few). There's no doubt that THE MONSTER was designed as a showcase for Benigni -- after all, he not only stars in it, but he also directed, co-wrote, and co- produced it. From beginning to end, this film offers a sample of his considerable talents. The plot borders on irrelevant -- it's just a useful envelope for a number of variably funny sketches. When THE MONSTER opens, we learn that there's a serial rapist/killer on the loose. Over a span of 12 years, he has killed 18 women, and the police have become desperate to get their man. Aided by a profile compiled by the psychiatrist (Michel Blanc) assisting on the case, the cops begin a comprehensive search for this monster, this "Mozart of vice." Through a series of bizarre coincidences (which I won't describe here, since they wouldn't be funny in print, but are on screen), a nerdy, out-of-work, petty thief named Loris (Benigni) is pegged as the chief suspect. An attractive female police officer (Benigni "regular" Nicoletta Braschi) is sent under cover to use her charms to catch Loris red-handed. THE MONSTER starts out slowly, with only a few sparse laughs during the 30-minute setup. After that, however, it's a roller coaster ride, with the lulls coming as unwanted distractions between comic peaks. There's a lot of sexual humor here, but, unlike American productions, where such comedy usually consists of a few stale, dirty jokes, Benigni's material is fresh, uninhibited, and sidesplittingly funny. As a curious aside, it should be noted that because this film was released into the mainstream Italian market, where it became a huge hit, it's in Italian. However, four of the actors (including Michel Blanc) either don't speak the language, or speak it poorly. As a result, their voices were dubbed into Italian, and the poor synchronization of speech creates an unintentionally amusing side effect -- a subtitled movie with embedded dubbing. THE MONSTER is Roberto Benigni's film, and, watching him roar through it like a tornado, it's easy to understand his immense international appeal. Whether ogling women, disposing of a dead cat, fending of Nicoletta Braschi's advances, or dousing a (literal) fire in his pants, the actor is a delight to watch, and THE MONSTER is worthwhile because of him. This isn't a masterpiece of comedy, but there are enough hilarious moments to earn it a lukewarm recommendation. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: STALINGRAD (1996) STALINGRAD A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 8.5 Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** Germany/Sweden, 1993 U.S. Release Date: varies Running Length: 2:12 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Violence) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Thomas Kretschmann, Dominique Horwitz, Jochen Nickel, Sebastian Rudolph, Dana Vavrova Director: Joseph Vilsmaier Producers: Hanno Huth, Guenter Rohrbach, and Joseph Vilsmaier Screenplay: Juergen Buescher, Johannes M.M. Heide, and Joseph Vilsmaier Cinematography: Rolf Greim, Klaus Moderegger, and Peter Von Haller Music: Norbert Juergen Schneider U.S. Distributor: Vision International In German with subtitles It's so easy -- too easy, in fact -- for a war movie to turn into a celebration of blood, death, and mayhem. Exploitation of wars and their dehumanizing affects has become a staple of American action films (FIRST BLOOD, MISSING IN ACTION). Occasionally, however, a rare and powerful war movie reaches the screen -- one that delivers a visceral anti- violence message with the force of a punch to the gut. STALINGRAD, a 1993 German/Swedish co-production from Guenter Rohrbach, the producer of DAS BOOT, is such a picture. In the tradition of APOCALYPSE NOW, PLATOON, and A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, it uses graphic violence to condemn war. STALINGRAD, which takes place between August 1942 and January 1943, chronicles Hitler's failed invasion of the Russian city -- one of the miscalculations that lost the war for Germany. More than one million died in the bloody struggle, the fatalities caused by wounds, disease, and the same bitter cold that stopped Napolean's forces more than a century earlier. STALINGRAD faithfully re-creates the principal historical aspects of the battle while telling a more intimate tale through the eyes of a small group of German characters. They are Hans Witzland (Thomas Kretschmann), a clean-cut lieutenant making his first trip to the front, and Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder (Jochen Nickel) and Fritz Reiser (Dominique Horwitz), two hardened veteran enlisted men. Together, these three make the long, weary trek down the road of senseless violence and death, losing bits of their humanity along the way. The horrors of STALINGRAD irrevocably destroy these men, strafing their souls and crushing their spirits. By the end, it no longer matters whether they live or die -- in almost every way, they're already gone. The psychologically destructive power of war is most clearly illustrated through the changes undergone by Hans. When STALINGRAD opens, he is a patriot serving the Fuhrer and Fatherland unquestioningly. Soon, however, loyalty to his country is supplanted by loathing as he sees the inhumane treatment accorded to Russian prisoners of war. Then, as the battle becomes desperate, with the German army losing scores just to capture another street, the most basic of animal drives -- the need to survive -- asserts itself. Ultimately, even that runs dry, and Hans finds himself groping to save a tiny vestige of the man he once was. There isolated moments of human triumph in STALINGRAD -- like a Russian and German exchanging bread for meat, and Hans setting a woman free instead of raping her. But these are exceptions. STALINGRAD's disturbing power comes through its portrayal of the horrific -- decapitations, amputations, grizzly deaths, and mutilations. Nothing is gratuitous; everything is effective. Director Joseph Vilsmaier pulls us into the trenches with these men, who are no different from soldiers on any side in any war. STALINGRAD is packed with tension, and the battle sequences are startlingly realistic, but it's the inescapable message that lingers. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: ANGELA (1996) ANGELA A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 8.0 Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 Running Length: 1:39 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Sex, mature themes) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/3/96, 5/4/96 Cast: Miranda Stuart Ryne, Charlotte Blythe, Anna Thompson, John Ventimiglia Director: Rebecca Miller Producers: Ron Kastner Screenplay: Rebecca Miller Cinematography: Ellen Kuras ANGELA, director Rebecca Miller's award-winning debut feature (it captured two prizes at last year's Sundance Film Festival), presents a view of the modern world through the eyes of a creative ten-year old girl. With a relaxed pace and lyrical visual style, this motion picture, which explores issues of spirituality and guilt, will never find an audience among mainstream movie-goers. Nevertheless, for those who appreciate perceptive, offbeat, experimental features, ANGELA offers a rewarding one-hundred minutes. The two main characters, Angela (Miranda Stuart Ryne) and her six- year old sister, Ellie (Charlotte Blythe), have just moved into a new upstate New York home. Their mother, Mae (Anna Thompson), a manic- depressive ex-singer, has an erratic relationship with her two daughters and her husband, Andrew (John Ventimiglia). Sometimes, she's sweet and joyful; on other occasions, she's violent and self-destructive. Angela doesn't understand her mother, but she's sure that her own sin and spiritual inadequacies are somehow responsible for Mae's problems, so, with Ellie in tow, she runs away from home, following obscure "signs from God" in a quest to purify herself, and, as a result, save her mother. Angela readily plugs the holes in her understanding of the Catholic catechism by coming up with mystical constructions of her own. In her metaphysical vision, the world is a place of angels -- both good and bad -- and the difference between going to heaven or hell depends on whether you can differentiate between the two. Mistakes are easy to make -- Angela erroneously believes a pedophile to be an agent of God because he gives her the money to win a stuffed animal at a carnival. She sees reality through naive eyes, and Miller (who wrote the screenplay in addition to handling the directorial chores) does a superlative job of presenting this story from the child's viewpoint while still making it clear what the more objective, "adult" perspective of events is. Miranda Stuart Ryne, a young actress of astounding ability, was chosen for the title role from a field of more than 1000 hopefuls. Viewing her nearly-flawless performance, it's easy to understand why Miller cast her. For someone of her age, she has amazing screen presence, and makes acting appear effortless. The impish Charlotte Blythe, although not as effective as her older co-star, is entirely believable. When we're children, we attribute more power to ourselves than we actually have. That's the quality of youth that ANGELA most perfectly captures. Not since last year's obscure Polish feature, CROWS, has there been a more apt exploration of how children relate to their setting. Angela's refuge is the imaginative spirituality that she shares only with her sister. The film builds slowly, but inevitably, towards a conclusion that is at once powerful, shocking, and moving. In some ways, ANGELA can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking a particular dogma to an extreme, but, mostly, the movie reminds us of the complexity of life from the child's point-of-view, something it's easy to forget once we cross the invisible boundary of adulthood. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: BARB WIRE (1996) BARB WIRE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 2.0 Alternative Scale: * out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/3/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:35 MPAA Classification: R (Violence, profanity, nudity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Pamela Anderson Lee, Temura Morrison, Victoria Rowell, Jack Noseworthy, Xander Berkeley, Udo Kier Director: David Hogan Producers: Brad Wyman, Mike Richardson, and Todd Moyer Screenplay: Chuck Pfarrer and Ilene Chaiken Cinematography: Rick Bota Music: Michael Colombier U.S. Distributor: Gramercy Pictures BARB WIRE has the cleavage of a Russ Meyer film without the jiggle. If someone was going to make a campy version of CASABLANCA, you'd think they'd at least have the decency to make it fun. Unfortunately, other than a couple of very obvious, absurdly over-the-top scenes, this film is just plain boring. Aside from observing Pamela Anderson Lee's apparent assets, the only reason to stay awake during BARB WIRE is to see how often it pilfers from the Bogart/Bergman classic. The characters and setting may be based on the Dark Horse comic book, but the plot is pure cyberpunk CASABLANCA. It's 2017 (the worst year in the main character's life, as we're informed in a whispery voice-over), and the country is involved in the Second American Civil War. There's only one free city left, Port Steel Harbor, and that's where Barb Wire (the "Rick" part, played by Pamela Anderson Lee) owns and operates the Hammerhead bar. She's a declared neutral in an unaligned territory, accepting patronage from both the Nazi-like Congressional forces and the rebels trying to bring them down. One day, a defecting government scientist in possession of critical resistance intelligence, Dr. Karina Devonshire (the "Victor Laszlo" part, played by Victoria Rowell), arrives at the Hammerhead in the company of a resistance fighter, Axel (the "Ilsa" part, played by ONCE WERE WARRIORS' Temura Morrison). They need a way across the border into Canada, and think Barb may be able to help. But there's a problem -- she and Axel were once lovers, and she's never forgiven him for abandoning her in Seattle. Most of the CASABLANCA characters are present (although half have undergone sex changes), and the story progresses in generally the same way (with a few fight scenes thrown in so that the leading lady can show off her athleticism, amongst other things). It's curious that no one thought to credit CASABLANCA script writers Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch for at least "inspiring" the film. Then again, for the sake of their reputations, maybe it's better this way. Despite being outfitted in leather and spike heels, Anderson Lee doesn't make for an appealing action star -- the silicon enhancements might have screen presence, but the star doesn't. Okay, so she looks good on a motorcycle, but that's about it. Her delivery of the requisite quips is awful, and her signature line ("Don't call me babe!") reminds one more of Kevin Kline's A FISH CALLED WANDA refrain ("Don't call me stupid!") than anything Clint or Arnold might ever have uttered. The film makers undoubtedly recognized that they were making a bad film. Why else cast such an obviously-untalented actress in the lead role? What they seemed to be banking on is that BARB WIRE would at least be fun, which it isn't. The element of high camp that makes for enjoyable "good trash" isn't present. Bad movies like this often generate small cult followings, and that's about the size of audience the picture deserves. This BARB WIRE is rusty. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: LAST DANCE (1996) LAST DANCE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 6.5 Alternative Scale: **1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/3/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:43 MPAA Classification: R (Profanity, violence, mature themes) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Sharon Stone, Rob Morrow, Randy Quaid, Peter Gallagher, Jack Thompson, Jayne Brook, Charles S. Dutton Director: Bruce Beresford Producer: Steven Haft Screenplay: Ron Koslow based on a story by Steven Haft and Ron Koslow Cinematography: Peter James Music: Mark Isham U.S. Distributor: Touchstone Pictures Arriving at theaters in the wake of the far superior DEAD MAN WALKING, LAST DANCE starts out with a serious handicap. This less compelling tale of living on death row has neither the depth nor feeling of Tim Robbins' film, and, while Sharon Stone acquits herself admirably as the prisoner, Rob Morrow leaves something to be desired as the man on the outside who develops feelings for her. Hollywood rarely does this sort of hard-hitting story as well as independent productions, and this is a case-in-point. While LAST DANCE isn't strictly a gender-switched re-telling of DEAD MAN WALKING, there are a number of obvious similarities. In this film, the death row inmate is Cindy Liggett (Sharon Stone), a woman tried and convicted for the brutal beating deaths of two high school kids. There's no doubt that she's guilty, and Cindy never pleads innocence, although she does claim to have been high on crack at the time of the deed. As a result of various appeals, she has been awaiting death for twelve years, and the execution order has been handed down three times. On this occasion, barring a last minute miracle, it appears that the lethal injection will be administered. Enter Rick Hayes (Rob Morrow), a new hire at the Clemency Board. After reviewing Cindy's case, he thinks she might have been given a raw deal -- her lawyer didn't bring up the drugs in her defense. So, after breaking through Cindy's hard-as-nails exterior, he begins to gather evidence to obtain another stay of execution. The deeper he digs, the more he becomes emotionally involved, risking his career for the life of this friendless woman he has learned to care for. Director Bruce Beresford, whose erratic resume includes titles ranging from the sublime DRIVING MISS DAISY to the pointless A GOOD MAN IN AFRICA, injects a little too much manipulation and melodrama into LAST DANCE. There's all sorts of legal maneuvering going on here. Often, instead of being captivated by the characters and their interaction, we're distracted by wondering whether Cindy is actually going to die in the last reel. I kept recalling the movie at the end of Robert Altman's THE PLAYER (where Bruce Willis rushes in to save Julia Roberts from the gas chamber), and worrying that something similar might happen here. In actuality, LAST DANCE is more Rick's story than Cindy's. Her character doesn't have much of an arc; his does. When we first meet him, he's a brash lawyer looking for a handout from his brother (Peter Gallagher), the Governor's chief of staff. After taking Cindy's case for the Clemency Board, he becomes a crusader, not so much against the death penalty but for her life (although the film's message is clearly anti-death penalty). Unfortunately, Rob Morrow doesn't display enough depth as an actor to make Rick a real person -- there are too many scenes where he comes across as flat. Sharon Stone is not a revelation, but, dressed in drab clothes with dirty brown hair, she gives the most impressive performance of a rather lackluster career. Throughout most of the film, there is a believable, haunted look in Stone's eyes, and the questionably-structured conclusion has power largely because of the way she reacts to events. Ultimately, one of the biggest problems with LAST DANCE is that it doesn't take risks or break new ground. It's a little too safe, and, at times, that results in mediocre drama. DEAD MAN WALKING showed the power this kind of film can have when handled well; this picture illustrates the effects of softening it for mainstream appeal. There are moments when LAST DANCE generates a legitimate emotional impact, but the road to the closing credits is littered with too many unnecessary distractions (like the last-minute efforts to save Cindy). So, while this movie is perfectly watchable, and even worth a marginal recommendation, in comparison to DEAD MAN WALKING, it feels diluted. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE KEEPER (1996) THE KEEPER A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 8.0 Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 Running Length: 1:30 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Violence, profanity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/4/96, 5/5/96 Cast: Giancarlo Esposito, Regina Taylor, Isaach De Bankole Director: Joe Brewster Producers: Jordi Torrent, Joe Brewster Screenplay: Joe Brewster Cinematography: Igor Sunara Music: John Petersen Joe Brewster's THE KEEPER is a compelling look at what can happen when a man loses his faith in humanity. This multi-layered psychological drama uses fine performances by Giancarlo Esposito (DO THE RIGHT THING), Regina Taylor (A FAMILY THING), and French actor Isaach De Bankole (NIGHT ON EARTH), as well as an intelligent script by writer/director Brewster, to tell a suspenseful tale. Displaying a quality that's rare for American films these days, THE KEEPER keeps the audience involved without telegraphing everything that's coming next. THE KEEPER introduces us to Paul Lamont (Esposito), a New York City cop with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Paul takes his job seriously and has a tendency to bring his problems home with him. One friend advises him to take a day off and go fishing to get away from things. In addition to his dedication to work, Paul is also a stout believer in justice, and when he sees a man, Jean Baptiste (De Bankole), thrown into jail for a rape he probably didn't commit, Paul advances the Haitian- born immigrant the $1500 bail money. Later, when Jean comes to Paul for a place to stay, the cop reluctantly offers him a place on the couch. Paul's wife, Angela (Taylor), is initially horrified at the thought of a possible rapist sleeping in her home, but, with the passage of time, she and Jean form a special bond. As they grow closer, however, Paul begins to feel alienated, and his growing disillusionment with the system, coupled with questions about his wife's fidelity, fuel a churning, unpredictable anger. Brewster is a psychiatrist, so it's no surprise that the psychological elements of THE KEEPER are the most engrossing. As the story progresses, not only does Paul question his own system of beliefs, but he becomes conflicted about his identity. Paul's father was Haitian, and he has long denied that part of his heritage, shrinking away from the customs of the Caribbean and trying to fit in as a generic New Yorker. On the other hand, Jean still embraces Haitian traditions, and his flaunting of those customs drives Paul to a crisis point. Is he jealous of Jean or Jean's clear sense of identity? Brewster asks, but never answers, this question -- it's up to interpretation. THE KEEPER isn't just powerful drama, it's an effective thriller. A subplot about how cops abuse their power dovetails nicely with the resolution of the main story, and the film's closing images are some of its most memorable. Brewster doesn't follow conventional formulas, and, although there are surprises, all are perfectly logical considering the nature of the people involved. Taken as a whole, THE KEEPER represents disturbing portrait of a modern America where homogeneity and conformity threaten not only our cultural identities, but our individuality. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE VISITORS (LES VISITEURS) (1996) THE VISITORS (LES VISITEURS) A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 5.0 Alternative Scale: ** out of **** France, 1993 U.S. Release Date: summer 1996 (limited) Running Length: 1:45 MPAA Classification: R (Language, mature themes, violence) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cast: Jean Reno, Christian Clavier, Valerie Lemercier, Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Bujeau Director: Jean-Marie Poire Producer: Alain Terzian Screenplay: Jean-Marie Poire and Christian Clavier Cinematography: Jean-Yves Le Mener Music: Eric Levi U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films In French with subtitles Maybe I just don't understand the French sense of humor. After all, they think Jerry Lewis is a comic genius. Whatever the reason, I rarely find "lowbrow" French comedies more than passably watchable (and, in the case of LITTLE INDIAN, BIG CITY, not watchable at all). THE VISITORS, which was released three years ago, drew huge crowds across its native land, outgrossing the imported JURASSIC PARK. The French loved it -- a sentiment that I definitely do not share. It's curious that, for all the French outcries against American imports, this particular home-grown hit has "Hollywood" written all over it. Strip away the subtitles, and the result is the kind of mediocre comedy that major American production companies turn out with alarming regularity. THE VISITORS is a "least common denominator" motion picture -- largely mindless, sporadically funny, and creatively handicapped. When THE VISITORS scored big in France, Miramax Films immediately snapped up the U.S. rights. That's when the problems started, because Miramax couldn't figure out how best to market it. At one point, they were poised to release a dubbed version, but it was pulled back at the last minute (considering the audience response to the dubbed LITTLE INDIAN, BIG CITY, it was probably a wise move). Now, finally, Miramax has decided on a simple strategy -- add subtitles, but don't change anything. So, after three years, THE VISITORS will reach American theaters. It's not worth the wait. The opening is promising. THE VISITORS starts with a send-up of grandiose French costume dramas, introducing us to a series of armored knights and damsels in distress. One of the former is Sir Godefroy, the Count of Montmirail (Jean Reno), a renowned warrior. When he saves the king's life, he is given permission to marry the woman of his choice, Lady Frenegonde (Valerie Lemercier). Unfortunately, after drinking wine laced with a witch's hallucinogenic, Godefroy mistakes Frenegonde's father for a bear, and kills him. Frenegonde then enters a convent, unwilling to marry the man who killed her father. For help, Godefroy goes to the local wizard, who proposes a way of changing history. By drinking a potion, Godefroy can go back in time and alter what happened. Unfortunately, the wizard gets the ingredients wrong, and the knight, along with his faithful retainer, Jacquasse (Christian Clavier), ends up nearly 1000 years in the future, in 1992. There, these two "fish out of water" embark on a series of misadventures that puts CROCODILE DUNDEE to shame. Some viewers will undoubtedly notice superficial similarities to MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL and TIME BANDITS. However, while those films steered a bizarre premise in wonderfully unexpected, comic directions, THE VISITORS uses comparable ideas in the service of a banal plot with cheap jokes. There were times when I thought I was watching a cross between ERIK THE VIKING and DUMB AND DUMBER. There are some hilarious moments, such as when Jacquasse first encounters a car, or when Godefroy and Jacquasse attempt to discern how the various conveniences of a modern bathroom function. And there are a few attempts at the more intellectual approach of lampooning Shakespearean language with lines like "It stinketh", "Let's splitteth", and "Holy scrotums!" (Incidentally, these lines work a little better if you understand the original French.) Unfortunately, the good parts of THE VISITORS are isolated, and it's debatable whether the rest is worth wading through to get to them. For those who are convinced that all films emerging from France are snobbish, elitist, and artistically upscale, THE VISITORS will quickly change that impression. Subtitles excepted, American audiences won't find much here that they couldn't unearth in 50% of the titles currently playing in mainstream multiplexes. Ultimately, it's this conformance to mediocrity that brings down THE VISITORS. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: TWISTER (1996) TWISTER A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.5 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/10/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:52 MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violent weather) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cast: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz, Lois Smith,=20 Alan Ruck, Philip Seyman Hoffman Director: Jan De Bont Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Ian Bryce, and Michael Crichton Screenplay: Michael Crichton & Ann-Marie Martin Cinematography: Jack N. Green Music: Mark Mancina U.S. Distributor: Warner Brothers As movie-goers, we expect different things from big-budget summer=20 blockbusters than we do from "normal" films. Considerations of theme=20 and character become secondary to action and mind-numbing excitement. =20 The plot is expected to be very basic -- only complex enough to frame=20 the spills and chills. JURASSIC PARK is a perfect example of this sort=20 of thing, as is last year's DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE. This year's=20 first entry is the eye-popping, ear-blasting TWISTER, Jan De Bont's=20 violent weather follow-up to SPEED. TWISTER, which follows a team of tornado chasers as they track down=20 storms, is exciting, if a little shallow. This particular disaster=20 movie, which pits man against an implacable, unstoppable enemy, owes as=20 much to GODZILLA and JURASSIC PARK as to THE TOWERING INFERNO and THE=20 POSEIDON ADVENTURE. It's a perfect motion picture roller coaster --=20 fun, fast, and furious=85 as long as you don't think too hard. In real life, violent weather can be both terrifying and=20 exhilarating. There's nothing quite like standing in the path of a=20 monster storm, even if it earns you the label of having a death wish (in=20 fact, it's the possibility of death that gets the adrenaline pumping). =20 TWISTER tries, with limited success, to capture that sensation. There=20 are times when the tornado strikes seem a little too "glamorized" by the=20 special effects gurus, but, in general, these ILM-fashioned monsters=20 generate enough awe to make us feel that we're watching the "finger of=20 God." In real life, tornado chasing has a higher percentage of misses=20 than sightings, so the fact that every expedition in TWISTER unearths a=20 powerful storm comes across as a too-obvious-to-miss plot contrivance. =20 Not that we really care. De Bont keeps things moving, and, except for a=20 few feeble character-building scenes, our heroes are on the road=20 speeding after, or away from, spinning devastation. TWISTER opens with a short prologue in June 1969. It's one of the=20 film's most effective sequences, as a family of three flees into a=20 shelter to escape an oncoming storm. The father is killed, sucked into=20 the vortex while his wife and five-year old daughter, Jo, watch. More=20 than twenty-five years later, that little girl has grown up to be a=20 tornado chaser. Played by Helen Hunt, Jo is obsessed with increasing=20 the pre-storm warning time. Accompanied by her old partner and soon-to- be-ex-husband, Bill Harding (Bill Paxton), her usual crew, and Bill's=20 fiancee (Jami Gertz), Jo is about to try out "Dorothy", a specially- built instrument designed to spit out data from inside the vortex. So,=20 in the midst of "the biggest series of storms in 12 years", Jo and Bill=20 hit the road, vying with a rival scientist (Cary Elwes) to reach each=20 new storm first. Apparently, nature doesn't make a good enough villain, so the=20 writers of TWISTER decided to add some nasty human rivals. =20 Unfortunately, Cary Elwes' character is both unnecessary and irritating;=20 the tornadoes are enough. Equally superfluous are the romantic=20 complications in the relationship between Jo and Bill. It's a rather=20 boring subplot, and, if these two had been together from the beginning=20 (they are married, albeit almost divorced), we would have been spared=20 the presence of Jami Gertz' unappealing character. Author Michael Crichton, not relying on one of his ultra-popular=20 bestsellers, dips into his bag of tricks to come up with a completely=20 artificial plot. Without De Bont's energetic direction, the seams in=20 Crichton's script (which was co-written with his wife, Anne-Marie=20 Martin) would have been more apparent. Fortunately, the film's fast=20 pace and stunning audio/visual elements camouflage the deficiencies. =20 And it helps that both Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, while not "major"=20 stars, are likable and share a pleasant camaraderie. They're our guides=20 through tornado territory, and we need their stability with De Bont=20 throwing everything at us -- including the kitchen. TWISTER is peppered with bits of information about how to react if=20 a tornado approaches, how dangerous the storms can be, etc. Despite=20 these snippets of safety-conscious advice, the movie doesn't function as=20 a public service announcement, nor should it. TWISTER doesn't have any=20 pretensions. It is what it sets out to be: an effective piece of big=20 money, early summer entertainment designed to blow viewers away. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: DADETOWN (1996) DADETOWN A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 8.5 Alternative Scale: ***1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 Running Length: 1:33 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Profanity, slaughtered deer) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/5/96, 5/7/96, and 5/10/96 Cast: Bill Garrison, David Phelps, Jim Pryor, Jonathan Shafer, Stephen Beals Director: Russ Hexter Producer: Ed Guiney Screenplay: Russ Hexter and John Housely Cinematography: W. J. Gorman DADETOWN is a "meta-documentary" about small-town America in the 1990s. Is a rural, close-knit community still the "American dream", or, with the closing of factories, has it become a kind of American nightmare? A stunning first feature from director Russ Hexter, DADETOWN leads to an unforgettable revelation during the closing credits. Hexter, at the age of 26, has made a film that puts to shame the work of directors many years his senior. Sadly, this will be the only movie from the NYU grad. Two days before he was scheduled to accompany DADETOWN to the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, Hexter died. "The small town is the backbone of America," asserts one of Dadetown's residents in the interview that begins the film. Indeed, Dadetown, NY is one of many nameless, faceless American towns where family and religious values define the community. In a place that doesn't have a mall or a theater, the church is the social center. Everyone buys their groceries at the same small store, and the Mayor is on a first-name basis with each of his constituents. All is not right in Dadetown, however. When Hexter and his film crew arrive to make a "15 minute documentary for PBS", the town is in a state of flux. Gorman Metal, the industry which has employed most of Dadetown's men for decades, is downsizing. The factory, which once made fuselages for WWII planes, has been forced into the production of paper clips and staples, and now cheaper foreign companies are driving them out of business. The result is unemployment. Even as Gorman's fortunes decline, a new corporation, American Peripheral Imaging (API), relocates to the upstate New York community, bringing more than one-hundred employees from places like Buffalo and Philadelphia. These newcomers, with fancy houses and yuppie lifestyles, don't mesh well with the "hick" longtime residents of Dadetown, and a cultural schism develops. The Gorman layoffs fuel resentment against the API newcomers, with violence as the inevitable result. DADETOWN is the most thought-provoking examination of the collapse of a community since ROGER AND ME. Absent here is Michael Moore's sarcasm -- DADETOWN opts instead for a more serious account of events. The result, partially achieved through effective editing, is a compelling and emotionally-stirring account of cultural friction and how mass unemployment damages the psyche of a town. Hexter gets into the minds of the residents, and the candid nature of some of his interviews is amazing. No one seems to have problems opening up to the film maker. Everyone has something to say, but, despite all the questions, there are no answers. DADETOWN highlights a problem afflicting communities and individuals all across the country as the face of business undergoes a change. We can no longer rely on our employers to provide for us. No jobs are safe. Whether in Dadetown or New York City, the bottom line worker is always the first victim of middle-management judgment errors and upper management selfishness. Yet there is another issue addressed with unexpected force by DADETOWN -- the intrusiveness of documentary film makers when producing their features. Do they merely record events or do they become part of what they're filming? ROGER AND ME, BROTHERS' KEEPER, and numerous other films, despite never addressing this topic, make us wonder. DADETOWN takes matters to the next level, however, with a unique punchline that calls into question the role and responsibility of documentary film makers. Whatever you do, don't leave before the final credits have rolled. DADETOWN's most startling surprise is reserved for them. Only then will you recognize the true brilliance of Hexter's film, and what the movie world has lost as a result of his unexpected death. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1996) THE WATERMELON WOMAN A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.0 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** United States, 1996 Running Length: 1:22 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Profanity, sex, nudity) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/8/96, 5/10/96, 5/12/96 Cast: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valerie Walker, Lisa Marie Bronson, Toshi Reagon, Camille Paglia Director: Cheryl Dunye Producers: Barry Swimar, Alexandra Juhasz Screenplay: Cheryl Dunye Cinematography: Michelle Crenshaw Most gay and lesbian-themed movies focus on the search for a perfect mate. Cheryl Dunye's THE WATERMELON WOMAN, which won the Teddy Bear award for best gay feature film at the Berlin Film Festival, is a rare, and welcome, exception. Sure, love and sex are elements of THE WATERMELON WOMAN, but this film is about much more. Dunye spends a lot more time out of the bedroom than inside it in this funny, insightful look at a young lesbian film maker tracking the real life story of the subject of her documentary. Dunye plays Cheryl, a Philadelphia video store clerk who's making a movie on the side. It's about "the Watermelon Woman", an obscure black actress who had bit parts in a number of pre-1950 motion pictures with titles like PLANTATION MEMORIES. As Cheryl digs for facts about the woman, she discovers a surprising number of similarities between herself and her subject. The Watermelon Woman, actually named Faye Richards, was a lesbian who lived in Philadelphia, didn't conceal her lifestyle, and loved movies. Cheryl becomes obsessed about learning everything she can about Faye, and her hunt leads her to friends and intimates of the late actress. THE WATERMELON WOMAN is also about Cheryl's personal life, which ultimately becomes entwined with her film making. Her best friend, who also works with her at the video store, is an acid-tongued lesbian named Tamara (Valerie Walker). Tamara objects to Cheryl's burgeoning relationship with a white woman, Diana (Guinevere Turner), and keeps trying to set her best friend up with other, usually off-the-wall, black lesbians. It doesn't work, though -- Cheryl's attraction to Diana is too strong. Dunye frequently interrupts her narrative for person-on-the-street interviews, several of which are very funny. Some of the responses to the question she asks, "Do you know who the Watermelon Woman is?" are sidesplitting. Well-known social critic Camille Paglia has a cameo in which she delivers a memorably bizarre monologue about her perception of the symbolic meaning of a watermelon. The Watermelon Woman is a fictitious creation, but, watching this film, it's easy to believe that there really was a Faye Richards. Dunye does such an excellent job re-creating old, black-and-white film clips and glossy photographs that, combined with the pseudo-documentary style of much of the film, might tempt a viewer to search a movie database for a list of the Watermelon Woman's credits. Dunye's film looks like it was produced with almost no money (which it was), but that's part of its essential charm. This is the kind of story that, if told in a less experimental manner, wouldn't have worked nearly as well. THE WATERMELON WOMAN is imbued with freshness, and that's it's best quality. Dunye has crafted a motion picture that can be appreciated by all audiences -- male, female, black, white, gay, and straight. It's a celebration of life and diversity in the City of Sisterly Love. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: TEARS OF STONE (1996) TEARS OF STONE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.5 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** Iceland, 1996 Running Length: 1:54 MPAA Classification: No MPAA Rating (Mature themes, sexual situations) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Shown at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, 5/8/96, 5/11/96 Cast: Throstur Leo Gunnarsson, Ruth Olafsdottir, Heinz Bennent, Bergthora Aradottir Director: Hilmar Oddsson Producer: Jona Finnsdottir Screenplay: Hilmar Oddsson, Hjalmar H. Ragnarsson, and Sveinbjorn I. Baldvinsson Cinematography: Sigurdur Sverrir Palsson and Slawomir Idziak Music: Jon Leifs In Icelandic and German with subtitles In recent years, Icelandic cinema has started to gain world recognition. Spearheaded by the export of the films of Iceland's premier movie maker, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson (COLD FEVER), this fledgling film industry is developing an international reputation. TEARS OF STONE, from director Hilmar Oddsson, tells the story of Jon Leifs, Iceland's most celebrated composer, and was filmed in both Iceland and Germany. Jon Leifs (Throstur Leo Gunnarsson) made his reputation as a conductor and composer of "modern music" during the 1930s in Germany, where his wife, Annie (Ruth Olafsdottir), was a celebrated pianist. The couple had two daughters, a quiet adolescent named Snot, and a lively six-year old, Lif. As depicted in this biopic, Jon is completely devoted to his youngest child, taking her for long walks, buying her violins, and promising that he will never leave her -- a promise he is eventually forced to break. The early portion of TEARS OF STONE focuses on the struggle between the pragmatist and the artist within Jon. His passion is to compose, and he finds himself bursting with music, but conducting is what pays the bills. As long as his wife is working, however, Jon can stay cloistered in a small, dimly-lit room, scrawling notes on paper. But, as the Nazis gain power, Annie, a Jew, finds work increasingly difficult to come by. To avoid compromising his integrity and reputation, Jon returns to Iceland, leaving his family behind. When he comes back to Berlin to protect them against the rising anti-Semitic tide, he is faced with a monstrous choice between collaborating with the Nazis or risking the three people that he loves. Like almost every well-constructed Holocaust drama, TEARS OF STONE is ultimately about sacrifice and loss. No one, not the Jewish Anna or the Aryan Jon, escapes from Hitler's reign unscathed. Jon does what he has to do to save his family, but, ironically, loses them because of his actions. And, while this film lacks the gut-wrenching emotional impact of a SCHINDLER'S LIST (TEARS OF STONE is more melodramatic than hard- hitting), it forces us once again to confront the blackest era of modern history and the many individual tragedies that comprised the whole. Some of the most poignant moments of TEARS OF STONE involve Jon's interaction with Lif. Young and naive, she cannot grasp why she, as the child of a Jew, is considered a foreigner in her own country. She doesn't understand the hatred and prejudice that will sever her from her home and eventually part her from her father. One of the great strengths of TEARS OF STONE is the fine Icelandic exterior cinematography by longtime Kieslowski collaborator Slawomir Idziak. His amber-filtered shots of the sea are majestic -- the waves look like yellow glass or polished gold, undulating and alive as they crash upon an ice-littered beach. No other images in this visually satisfying movie are quite as vivid. There are times when such photographic excellence compensates for the lead actors' uneven performances. The title TEARS OF STONE refers to a child's story that Jon tells Lif. A lost troll, searching for home, is unable to reach his cave before dawn. When the sun's first rays touch the troll, he is turned to stone, as is the single tear that he sheds. Jon carries a polished stone in his pocket that he says is the troll's tear. According to him, "whoever carries this stone will always be able to find his way home." It's ironic that, for most of this film, Jon and his family look for, but don't find, a place they can call home. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: DEAD MAN (1996) DEAD MAN A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 7.0 Alternative Scale: *** out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/10/96 (limited) Running Length: 2:00 MPAA Classification: R (Violence, profanity, sexual situations) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott, Eugene Byrd, Robert Mitchum, Mili Avital, Gabriel Byrne, John Hurt, Alfred Molina Director: Jim Jarmusch Producer: Demetra J. MacBride Screenplay: Jim Jarmusch Cinematography: Robby Muller Music: Neil Young U.S. Distributor: Miramax Films DEAD MAN, Jim Jarmusch's first feature since 1992's NIGHT ON EARTH, is a quirky chronicle of one man's physical and spiritual search for a place of belonging. Jarmusch chose to make DEAD MAN a western because, according to him, the genre is "very open to metaphor, and has deep roots in classical narrative forms." Actually, any kind of road picture could have been used to tell this oddly-compelling tale. The main character is William Blake. He's not the William Blake, of course (the English poet), although a Native American named Nobody (Gary Farmer) accepts him as such. Blake is an accountant from Cleveland who travels to the frontier community of Machine sometime during the latter half of the 19th century. When he arrives, he learns that his would-be employer, John Dickinson (a scenery-chewing Robert Mitchum who spends half of his scenes yelling at a stuffed bear), has filled the position. At gunpoint, Dickinson tells Blake to get out of town. But, before he can decide what to do with his life, Blake becomes involved in a shoot-out in which he kills Dickinson's son (Gabriel Byrne). Injured and on the run, Blake is befriended by Nobody, and the two travel together. Their destination is a mystical place where Blake's spirit can cross back to where it belongs. Along the way, they encounter a number of strange characters (including lawmen named Lee and Marvin), and are hunted by a trio of hired killers (Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott, and Eugene Byrd) who are as likely to off one another as their quarry. DEAD MAN is an undeniably strange movie, and sometimes it's hard to figure out what to make of it. Filmed in black-and-white with an eerie score by Neil Young, and using contemporary dialogue and mannerisms, Jarmusch's picture has a dream-like quality. It's filled with irony and subtle humor, but contains a serious message about the fragility and uncertainty of human existence. Blake, normally the mildest of people, discovers how easy it is to kill. In fact, he becomes wanted for a series of murders. Johnny Depp has always been willing to take acting chances. From EDWARD SCISSORHANDS to ED WOOD, Depp has consistently sought out challenges. With William Blake, he breathes life into another in his series of oddball personalities. Depp's Blake is lost and injured both physically and spiritually. Playing opposite the lead actor, Gary Farmer portrays the enigmatic Nobody with a caustic edge that makes him very unlike other Native American movie "sidekicks". The impressive list of actors with cameo appearances includes Robert Mitchum, John Hurt, Gabriel Byrne, Crispin Glover, and Alfred Molina. Even if it accomplishes little else, DEAD MAN will almost certainly inspire thought and discussion. This isn't the kind of movie that can be digested easily or immediately. Although I don't have all the answers, I recognize that this provocative, puzzling movie will stay with you long after the twangy strains of Neil Young's end credit music have faded away. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: CAMP STORIES (1996) CAMP STORIES A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 1.5 Alternative Scale: 1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 8/96 (tentative) Running Length: 1:50 MPAA Classification: PG (Mature themes) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Zachary Taylor, Paul Sand, Ted Marcoux, Jerry Stiller, Talia Balsam, Kris Park, Elliot Gould Director: Herbert Beigel Screenplay: Herbert Beigel Cinematography: Paul Gibson Music: Roy Nathanson CAMP STORIES manages the extremely difficult task of making 1993's dumb comedy-drama INDIAN SUMMER look intelligent, thoughtful, and original. This inept coming-of-age story is easily the worst camp film ever filmed -- and I'm not forgetting about the abysmal MEATBALLS series. At least those movies never made a pretense of being anything other than bad. CAMP STORIES seems to think that having a moral makes it somehow worthwhile, when, in fact, it's close to unwatchable. And I'm not sure who the intended audience is: viewers under twelve will be bored out their minds; viewers over that age would need a frontal lobotomy not to be insulted by what passes for a plot. It's the summer of 1958 (somehow, writer/director Herbert Beigel must have missed the fact that the '90s are reviving the '70s, not the '50s), and high school student David Katz (Zachary Taylor) is hoping to spend the next eight weeks sitting in his local movie theater, watching daily matinees. Like any true film buff, he doesn't mind viewing FROM HERE TO ETERNITY several dozen times. Unfortunately, his parents have other ideas. They ship him off to Camp Ararat, near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It's an orthodox Jewish camp that helps transform children into responsible adults by eliminating all possible sources of pleasure from their lives. There's a power struggle going on among the camp's leaders. Shlomo (Jerry Stiller), the camp's founder, is on death's doorway, and has to hand Ararat over to one of two men: the meek and kindhearted Moshe (Paul Sand) or the hard-hearted disciplinarian, Chiram (Ted Marcoux). David, who is viewed by Moshe as a "good kid", but by Chiram as a troublemaker, becomes a pawn in their low-key battle. Not only is the plot muddled and paced worse than a snail race, it's essentially one lame cliche piled atop of another. We have the usual camp friendships and rivalries, the detested leader, the secret girlfriend, etc. It's all very familiar and executed with alarming ineptitude. Nothing in this story is remotely interesting, especially since it's child's play to guess everything that's going to happen. And the poor writing isn't just limited to plot details -- the dialogue is stilted and insipid. It's hard to believe that any actor would be caught dead saying some of these lines. Then again, most of these actors give performances worthy of a corpse. The only one who's even adequate is Zachary Taylor. Everyone else, from recognizable names like Elliot Gould to no-namers like Kris Park, either shows no evidence of acting talent or doesn't care enough to do more than what's required to take home a paycheck. It's embarrassing to watch these performers stumble through their one- dimensional roles. There are other problems with CAMP STORIES, including the music and cinematography, both of which border on awful. In fact, there's nothing that this film does even remotely well. Herbert Beigel probably had good intentions -- tell a story about being true to oneself -- but the execution is unspeakably poor. At one point, David comments that his life is "like a bad movie." Unfortunately, we don't need him to tell us what's perfectly obvious. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: BOYS (1996) BOYS A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 3.0 Alternative Scale: *1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/10/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:27 MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Mature themes, profanity, violence) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Cast: Winona Ryder, Lukas Haas, John C. McGinley, Skeet Ulrich, James LeGros, Chris Cooper, Catherine Keener Director: Stacy Cochran Screenplay: Stacy Cochran Cinematography: Robert Elswit Music: Stewart Copeland U.S. Distributor: Touchstone Pictures BOYS is a love story, or at least that's what the film makers would like us to believe. The problem is, there isn't much emotion present. In fact, it's a veritable wasteland of apathy. Not only don't the characters seem to feel anything genuine for each other, but we don't have any feelings for them. Love stories, no matter how unconventional, need to draw viewers in, not distance them. With its unpleasant, uncomfortable tone, BOYS keeps us at arm's length. As a result, the majority of this film is a trial to sit through. This is the first movie in a long time where Winona Ryder gives a sub-par performance. Throughout the whole of BOYS, the actress looks befuddled. Of course, given the quality of the script and the lack of intelligence behind some of the lines she has to utter, that's understandable. She plays Patty Vare, a twenty-five year old who is knocked unconscious in a fall from a horse. When she comes to, she is being cared for by John Baker (Lukas Haas), a high school student at a local boys' school. John has smuggled her into his room, where he offers her food and rest. But, when his friends find out that he's hiding a woman and threaten to expose him to school authorities, John and Patty go for a car ride. They end up at an amusement park, where banal conversation and unconvincing glances lead to a first kiss. However, Patty is harboring a secret that could doom their fledgling relationship. BOYS is so slow, so dumb, and so distasteful that it's difficult to believe it ever got made (not to mention that an actress of Ryder's distinction agreed to appear). The movie doesn't offer one likable, or even pleasantly offbeat, character. John smirks too much. Patty, despite being physically attractive, is a cipher. And the other boys at John's school are either morons, jerks, or a combination of the two. Wading through this plot is like trudging through molasses. Don't even stop to think about what motivates the inhabitants of Stacy Cochran's film. There's no rhyme or reason to most of what anyone does. In the beginning, when Patty is alone in a bathroom at the boys' school, one wonders why she doesn't just run away. Presumably, it's because she's too busy having flashbacks of the pre-horseback riding disaster that got her stuck in her current predicament. We get the whole story piecemeal, but, by the end, when the last bits are revealed, we no longer care. Patty and John have long since worn out their welcome. Cochran displayed a talent for the unusual with her debut feature, MY NEW GUN. Although that movie fell apart in the second half, it had a promising start. BOYS can't even boast that much. This one is a loss from the beginning, and, while I'll admit there's potential in the premise of a high school student falling for a mysterious older woman, Cochran never does anything interesting or appealing with the core idea. As for what the movie is called... well, the title may be lame, but the movie is lamer. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: FLIPPER (1996) FLIPPER A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 4.0 Alternative Scale: ** out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/17/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:35 MPAA Classification: PG (Nothing Offensive) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cast: Paul Hogan, Elijah Wood, Chelsea Field, Jonathan Banks, Isaac Hayes, Jessica Wesson, Jason Fuchs Director: Alan Shapiro Producers: Perry Katz and James J. McNamara Screenplay: Alan Shapiro Cinematography: Bill Butler Music: Joel McNeely U.S. Distributor: Universal Pictures Saving dolphins is good. Dumping toxic waste in the ocean is bad. Those are the two fundamental messages hammered home by the latest lamebrained incarnation of FLIPPER, a movie that has a lot of good intentions, but very little else. This most recent in the series of neverending variations on the LASSIE storyline might serve as adequate entertainment for undiscriminating children, but, for adults, it's a gargantuan waste of time and money. Once, when CROCODILE DUNDEE topped the box office charts, Paul Hogan was as hot as could be. Now, ten years and several failed pictures later, his star has fallen so far that the best he can do is play second fiddle to a dolphin. Unhappily for the Australian star, his performance here isn't likely to appreciably increase his stock. FLIPPER is bad, and Hogan certainly doesn't redeem the film. Based on the 1963 movie which spawned a television series, FLIPPER has all the formula ingredients that saturate '90s family films. It's a cloying mixture that threatens a cuteness overdose. There isn't a moment of originality in this movie, which follows a routine path from start to finish. Like the whale in the far better FREE WILLY, the animal steals the show. Unfortunately, Flipper doesn't have a whole lot to do except swim around and execute leaps. The two-legged landlubbers get most of the screen time, and they're pretty uninteresting. There's Sandy Ricks (NORTH's Elijah Wood), the son of a broken marriage who's sent to spend a summer in the Florida Keys living with his uncle, Porter (Hogan). Initially, the two don't get along well -- Sandy is surly and doesn't take kindly to his uncle's lessons of responsibility. Then Flipper shows up, giving Sandy something to care about other than himself. The dolphin also gets him a girlfriend and helps uncover the dastardly deep sea waste dumping of a nasty fisherman (Jonathan Banks). About the only worthwhile thing FLIPPER offers is some decent underwater photography, but those in search of these kinds of marine views would do better checking out a National Geographic special on PBS. The film is intended to appeal to the under-12 crowd, but I have a hard time recommending it even for them. FLIPPER is calculated, market- driven entertainment -- recycled formulas staking out the early summer family film niche in hopes of making money. With better children's fare on the way, including the inevitable new animated feature from Disney, it's a good idea to throw this one back. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@REVIEW: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE A film review by James Berardinelli Copyright 1996 James Berardinelli RATING (0 TO 10): 6.0 Alternative Scale: **1/2 out of **** United States, 1996 U.S. Release Date: 5/22/96 (wide) Running Length: 1:50 MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence, mature themes) Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cast: Tom Cruise, Emmanuelle Beart, Jon Voight, Vanessa Redgrave, Henry Czerny, Ving Rhames, Jean Reno, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Emilio Estevez Director: Brian DePalma Producers: Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner Screenplay: David Koepp and Robert Towne Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum Music: Danny Elfman; "Mission Impossible" theme by Lalo Schifrin U.S. Distributor: Paramount Pictures The first star vehicle of the summer of 1996 is also the first major disappointment of the season. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, the big screen resurrection of the popular late-'60s/early-'70s series, fails to generate much in the way of excitement or intrigue. This globetrotting adventure looks like an opportunity for Tom Cruise to play James Bond - - a role he is totally unsuited for. The writing for last year's 007 return, GOLDENEYE, isn't a lot better than that for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, but, as an action hero, Pierce Brosnan is considerably more debonair and charismatic than Cruise. There's no Bond in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. Instead, the lead character is Ethan Hunt, the point man for Jim Phelps' IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Phelps (played by Jon Voight, not Peter Graves) receives assignment messages from his boss, Kittridge (Henry Czerny), via video transmissions rather than old-fashioned tapes. His group's latest job is to prevent something called a "NOC list" from falling into the hands of an international arms dealer (Vanessa Redgrave). If placed on the open market, the NOC list would put every United States deep cover agent in danger of exposure. However, when they embark on this mission, the IMF runs straight into an ambush where everyone is killed except Hunt and Phelps' wife, Claire (Emmanuelle Beart). Because he survives the carefully-orchestrated massacre, Hunt is suspected of turning traitor. Fans of the TV series expecting a faithful translation may be disappointed. Except for a few nods to its small-screen predecessor, this MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE is a vastly different, autonomous entity. Nine years ago, director Brian DePalma used a similar approach for a superior version of THE UNTOUCHABLES, but lightning hasn't struck twice. Teetering on an uncertain edge between action flick and thriller, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE doesn't succeed well as either. There are some high-energy moments, but none offers more than a moment's edge-of-the- seat excitement. Too much of what happens in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE comes across as fait accompli. The predictable plot generates little interest. It's pathetically easy to guess the mole's identity despite the screenwriters' attempts to obscure the issue. The overall storyline contains a legion of gaping holes -- the more you think about it, the less sense it makes. Weak character identification allows TWISTER to seem like a masterpiece by comparison. In fact, taken as a whole, TWISTER is a significantly more involving spectacle. Megastar Tom Cruise (who also co-produced the movie) struts and smirks his way through his role in a way that makes Hunt easy to dislike. It's not a particularly good performance, either. Cruise's supporting players form an interesting group, although not necessarily the kind of names one might expect in a big-budget action film. They include a highly-respected French actress, Emmanuelle Beart (MANON OF THE SPRING, NELLY & MONSIEUR ARNAUD); a veteran American actor, Jon Voight (MIDNIGHT COWBOY); FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL's Kristin Scott- Thomas; and the internationally-renowned Vanessa Redgrave. What does it say about the current status of American motion pictures that three of Paramount Pictures' big 1996 releases, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, A VERY BRADY SEQUEL, and STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, are TV series regurgitations? If this movie is any indication, originality isn't high on the studio's list of priorities. TWISTER has taken a critical drubbing because of its style-over-substance approach to entertainment, but MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE is a worse offender. The substance here isn't appreciably stronger, while the style is less eye- popping. Due primarily to several deftly-crafted action sequences, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE boasts a few memorable moments. Keeping in mind what's expected from would-be summer blockbusters, this movie isn't a disaster, but, all things considered, there's little reason to make it a high priority for theatrical viewing. - James Berardinelli e-mail: berardin@bc.cybernex.net web: http://www.cybernex.net/~berardin @START@*** INTERNET MOVIES TOP 100 * ISSUE 020 *** This file only includes the latest Movies Chart, but we have much more. Go to http://www.xs4all.nl/~jojo if you want to see other charts and info. ============================================================================== | * * * I N T E R N E T M O V I E S C H A R T S * * * | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | (c) 1996 World Charts Issue 20 - Week 20 - May 13, 1996 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | This week the votes from 444 people have been used to compile this chart. | | Send your votes to movies@worldcharts.nl and you'll get the next chart | | sent to you personally. Ask for the document that tells how to vote. Just | | send a message with subject line 'send doc' and you'll know all about it. | | The format for every line with a vote is: points title [ ID ] | | YOU MUST INCLUDE THE ID NUMBER, and between brackets! It is NOT optional. | | Use [] or [0000] as the ID number for albums not yet listed in the chart. | | You can allocate a maximum of 20 points, BUT NOT MORE THAN 5 FOR ONE MOVIE.| | An example can be found at the bottom of this list. LOOK AT IT FIRST! | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | All your votes and comments should be sent to movies@worldcharts.nl. | | If you use any other address, then your message will not be received. | ============================================================================== Starting this week the World Charts team has a new member, who will be editing, managing and promoting the Internet Movies Top 100. Here name is Michelle (mtstreet@soltec.com) and she will hopefully tell you more about this next week... The following Top 100 contains the best movies and videos in the world. Vote for a movie in this chart if you think other people should see it too. ============================================================================== Internet Movies Top 100 Edition 20 - Week 20 - May 13, 1996 ============================================================================== TW LW NW Title Category Label/Publisher HI ID ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 1 20 Braveheart AC/AD Icon/Ladd/20th Century/Paramount 1 [1002] 2 2 18 12 Monkeys SF Atlas/Paramount/Universal 2 [1126] 3 3 20 Pulp Fiction DR Miramax 1 [1102] 4 4 20 Forrest Gump CO/RO Paramount 2 [1101] 5 5 20 Apollo 13 DR/RO Imagine/Universal 1 [1001] 6 7^ 20 Se7en TH New Line 4 [1006] 7 6 20 Toy Story AN Pixar/Disney 1 [1013] 8 8 20 Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls CO Warner Brothers 8 [1060] 9 9 20 GoldenEye AC/AD Eon/MGM/United Artists 3 [1011] 10 10 20 Babe: The Gallant Pig CO Kennedy Miller/Universal 10 [1039] 11 11 20 Speed AC/TH 20th Century 9 [1103] 12 13^ 20 The Net TH Winkler/Columbia 9 [1010] 13 12 20 Die Hard: With a Vengeance AC/TH Cinergi/20th Century 6 [1007] 14 15^ 20 The Usual Suspects AC/TH Gramercy/Blue Parrot/PolyGram 12 [1003] 15 17^ 13 Broken Arrow AC 20th Century Fox 15 [1152] 16 18^ 20 Heat AC/TH Monarchy/Regency/Warner Brothers 15 [1109] 17 14 20 Interview with the Vampire DR/HO Geffen 13 [1104] 18 19^ 19 Jumanji AD/FA TriStar/Columbia 15 [1111] 19 16 20 Batman Forever AC/AD Warner Brothers 7 [1005] 20 21^ 20 Waterworld AC/AD Davis/Gordon/Universal 10 [1009] 21 22^ 20 Natural Born Killers AC Warner Brothers 19 [1108] 22 20 20 Mortal Kombat AC/AD Threshold/New Line 14 [1022] 23 23 20 Crimson Tide TH Hollywood 6 [1008] 24 25^ 9 The Birdcage CO MGM/United Artists 24 [1171] 25 24 11 Rumble in the Bronx AC/AD Golden Harvest/New Line 17 [1163] 26 27^ 20 While You Were Sleeping CO/RO Caravan/Hollywood 6 [1004] 27 30^ 20 Bad Boys AC Columbia 20 [1025] 28 28 8 Executive Decision AC/TH Warner Brothers 28 [1176] 29 26 20 Get Shorty CO/DR Jersey/MGM/United Artists 10 [1016] 30 29 17 Mr. Holland's Opus DR Interscope/PolyGram/Hollywood 21 [1131] 31 41^ 5 Star Trek: Generations SF Paramount 31 [1169] 32 42^ 5 The Shawshank Redemption DR Castle Rock 32 [1180] 33 33 20 Clueless CO Paramount 26 [1021] 34 31 20 Casper AD/FA Amblin/Harvey/Universal 11 [1024] 35 32 20 Outbreak DR/TH Punch/Warner Brothers 14 [1012] 36 36 7 Fargo DR/RO Cinergi/Touchstone/Gramercy 36 [1173] 37 34 19 Sense and Sensibility CO/RO Mirage/Columbia 29 [1120] 38 40^ 20 Strange Days AC Lightstorm/20th Century 38 [1035] 39 35 14 Dead Man Walking DR Gramercy/PolyGram 32 [1130] 40 37 20 First Knight AC/AD First Knight/Columbia 15 [1031] 41 38 19 Leaving Las Vegas DR Initial/MGM/United Artists 30 [1124] 42 46^ 20 Judge Dredd AC/SF Cinergi/Buena Vista 25 [1032] 43 39 20 Dangerous Minds DR Via Rosa/Hollywood 30 [1048] 44 43 20 Casino DR Universal 39 [1055] 45 49^ 12 Il Postino/The Postman CO/DR Cecchi Gori/Miramax 45 [1144] 46 47^ 12 Happy Gilmore CO Universal 38 [1159] 47 44 20 Desperado/El Mariachi 2 AC/CO Los Hooligans/Columbia 22 [1019] 48 45 20 Under Siege 2: Dark Territory AC Warner Brothers 21 [1037] 49 50^ 16 From Dusk Till Dawn CO/HO Los Hooligans/Miramax 43 [1133] 50 54^ 20 Showgirls DR Vegas/United Artists 25 [1044] 51 51 20 Assassins AC/TH Donner/Silver/Warner Brothers 39 [1057] 52 60^ 4 James and the Giant Peach FA Skellington/Disney 52 [1195] 53 59^ 4 Flirting With Disaster CO Miramax 53 [1181] 54 52 20 Hackers TH United Artists 40 [1059] 55 53 16 Billy Madison CO Universal 41 [1077] 56 55 6 Clerks CO 55 [1179] 57 62^ 20 Species SF MGM/United Artists 35 [1017] 58 48 20 Johnny Mnemonic SF/TH Alliance/Cinevision/TriStar 30 [1028] 59 58 17 Grumpier Old Men CO Warner Brothers 44 [1112] 60 71^ 20 Rob Roy DR/RO Talisman/MGM/United Artists 22 [1015] 61 64^ 9 Up Close and Personal Hollywood/Buena Vista 61 [1170] 62 65^ 10 Black Sheep CO Paramount 62 [1158] 63 69^ 4 Primal Fear DR Paramount 63 [1193] 64 56 20 Englishman Who Went Up a Hill CO/RO Parallax/Miramax 47 [1056] 65 73^ 16 Highlander 3: The Sorcerer AC/FA Falling Cloud/Miramax 45 [1054] 66 57 20 Nine Months CO 20th Century 54 [1042] 67 79^ 15 A Little Princess DR Baltimore/Fox 54 [1085] 68 67 20 La Cite des Enfants Perdus AD Lumiere/Sony/Canal+ 29 [1045] 69 74^ 20 The American President CO/RO Castle Rock/Columbia 33 [1040] 70 87^ 20 The Brady Bunch Movie CO Paramount 57 [1053] 71 68 11 Muppet Treasure Island AD/CO Jim Henson/Disney 51 [1162] 72 63 20 A Walk in the Clouds DR/CO Zucker/20th Century 43 [1038] 73 91^ 2 Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home 73 [1094] 74 77^ 19 Sabrina CO/RO Mirage/Sandollar/Paramount 49 [1114] 75 72 17 Tommy Boy CO Paramount 38 [1092] 76 76 5 Jaegarna/The Hunters TH Sonet 76 [1189] 77 78^ 20 To Wong Foo, Julie Newmar CO Amblin/Universal 30 [1062] 78 82^ 19 The Santa Clause CO Disney 36 [1125] 79 -* 1 Barb Wire AC/AD Gramercy/Polygram 79 [1209] 80 -* 1 The Craft HO Columbia/Sony 80 [1210] 81 66 19 Cutthroat Island AD/RO Guild/Carolco/MGM 51 [1118] 82 84^ 2 Brain Candy CO Lakeshore/Paramount 82 [1200] 83 61 10 Trainspotting CO/DR Figment/Channel Four/PolyGram 57 [1167] 84 90^ 14 The Bridges of Madison County DR/RAmblin/Malpaso/Warner 18 [1023] 85 92^ 20 Forget Paris CO/RO Face/Castle Rock/Columbia 42 [1033] 86 -^ 4 Just Cause TH Fountain Bridge/Warner 56 [1049] 87 86 4 Ghost in the Shell/Koukaku Kidoutai AN Bandai/Manga 86 [1192] 88 -^ 1 Truth About Cats & Dogs CO/RO 20th Century 88 [1204] 89 98^ 19 Don Juan DeMarco CO/RO American Zoetrope/New Line 50 [1020] 90 94^ 3 Dead Man AD/DR 12 Gauge/Pandora/Miramax 90 [1185] 91 80 20 Copycat TH New Regency/Warner Brothers 50 [1052] 92 81 18 Waiting to Exhale CO 20th Century 66 [1110] 93 75 20 Kids DR Excalibur/Miramax 61 [1051] 94 70 20 Congo AC/AD Kennedy Marshall/Paramount 20 [1026] 95 97^ 20 The Quick and the Dead AC/AD TriStar 66 [1043] 96 88 10 Vendetta AC/TH Moviola 63 [1090] 97 -^ 1 Doom Generation DR Desperate/ 97 [1201] 98 85 7 Hellraiser: Bloodline HO/SF Dimension/Miramax 71 [1175] 99 93 8 Down Periscope CO 20th Century 59 [1168] 100 100 2 The Substitute Live/Orion100 [1202] Dropped Out: 83 11 Virtuosity TH/SF Paramount 80 [1076] 89 15 Tank Girl AC/SF Trilogy/MGM/United Artists 53 [1029] 95 4 Sgt. Bilko CO Imagine/Universal 85 [1184] 96 2 Girl 6 CO 40 Acres and a Mule/20th Century Fox 87 [1178] 99 2 A Family Thing DR MGM/United Artists 99 [1183] The following movies have not yet received enough points to enter the chart: ============================================================================== Runners Up Internet Movies Top 100 Edition 20 - Week 20 - May 13, 1996 ============================================================================== NW Title Category Label/Publisher ID ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tip 1 2 Mulholland Falls DR Largo/MGM [1205] Tip 2 6 All Dogs Go To Heaven 2 AN MGM/United Artists [1182] Tip 3 2 Getting Away with Murder CO Savoy [1208] Tip 4 4 Fear TH Imagine/Universal [1196] Tip 5 1 Hamsun DR [1211] Tip 6 4 Bottle Rocket CO Gracie/Columbia [1197] Tip 7 2 The Quest Universal [1207] Tip 8 1 Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MovieBest Brains/Gramercy [1212] Tip 9 1 The Crossing Guard DR Miramax [1213] Tip 10 3 Mrs. Winterbourne CO TriStar/Sony [1199] Tip 11 5 Faithful CO New Line [1191] Tip 12 6 Little Indian, Big City CO Touchstone/Buena Vista [1186] Tip 13 6 Race the Sun CO TriStar/Sony [1188] Tip 14 5 Thin Line Between Love and H. DR New Line [1194] Tip 15 4 Jane Eyre DR Miramax [1198] Tip 16 3 Celtic Pride CO Hollywood [1203] Tip 17 2 Sunset Park DR TriStar/Sony [1206] Tip 18 1 It's My Party Opala/MGM/United Artists [1214] Tip 19 1 The Last Dance DR Touchstone [1215] Tip 20 1 The Great White Hype CO 20th Century Fox [1216] Tip 21 1 The Pallbearer CO Chess Club/Miramax [1217] ============================================================================== | TW : This Week | The Internet Movies Charts are compiled using | | LW : Last Week | votes sent by people from all over the world. | | NW : Number of Weeks | The latest charts are published every Monday on | | HI : Highest Position | Usenet in rec.arts.movies.lists+surveys. | | ^ : Climbing |--------------------------------------------------| | * : Bullet | If you send your votes, do it like this: | | AC : Action | > 5 The Trousers [1034] | | AD : Adventure | > 4 Eighty-Four [] | | AN : Animation | > 4 Revenge of the Net [1087] | | CO : Comedy | > 3 Adelaine [1049] | | DR : Drama | > 4 Hot-spots! [] | | FA : Fantasy |--------------------------------------------------| | HO : Horror | (c) 1996 all rights reserved | World Charts | | RO : Romance | Distribution of these charts | Balderikstraat 16 | | SF : Science Fiction | is granted only by written | 3032 HC Rotterdam | | TH : Thriller | permission. | The Netherlands | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | By email: movies@worldcharts.nl wcm@xs4all.nl | | On the WorldWideWeb: http://www.xs4all.nl/~jojo | | Supported by XS4ALL Internet Provider | ============================================================================== @START@ON DISC: Feel Curtis' charm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC FEEL CURTIS' CHARM by PERRY STERN * CURTIS MAYFIELD/ People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story/Rhino/ Warner: Now, for this to be a proper "story," there has to be a beginning, middle and ending, plus a juicy climax. The career of the Chicago-bred Curtis Mayfield, one of soul music's most crucial artists, ain't quite so simple to depict, but for me the story's about Curtis aching and straining and reaching that sound: his impassioned falsetto pushing ahead of soul's most sensible use of the wah-wah guitar, a rhythm section achieving the tightest imaginable funk and strings that communicate both menace and something close to hysteria. Luckily, the compilers of this three-CD set have pretty much the same idea, and the majority of the material is drawn from 1970 to '74, the time when that sound ruled supreme. Mayfield's previous nine years of Impressions records are boiled down to 12 tracks, and the selections efficiently highlight the message side of the Impressions' music. With "Move On Up" from 1970's Curtis (his first solo album), that sound comes to be, and the big juicy climax is 1972's Superfly (from which four tracks are culled). Groovy, paranoid and masterful -- the two most way-out songs from this time are "Pusherman," in which scratchy wah-wah rubs up against what is basically the same riff as "Superfly" but this coasts cooler (so cool, in fact, that Ice-T found his best single in it), and "Right On For Darkness" (not featured on People Get Ready, actually, but the equally indispensable second volume of the Dead Presidents soundtrack), where the strings get so wacko that they saw on and on for 90 seconds after the song proper is over. And the tracks from '74's Sweet Exorcist are so heady that it's no surprise Mayfield felt dizzy and had to lie down for a while. Disc 3, which takes us from '76 to '90 (shortly before Mayfield was felled mid-concert by a lighting rig and left partially paralyzed), is filled with the sound of denouement. The late '70s and '80s were as weird for him as they were for other soul stalwarts like Isaac Hayes and Bobby Womack -- too many machines around, I guess. That sound gives way to a jumble of classic Mayfield trademarks, forays into disco and the sort of bedroom soul that only big-lunged entities like Luther Vandross (and maybe Teddy Pendergrass) could carry off. That said, "Baby It's You" from his 1985 album for Ichiban is as tender as anything by the Impressions, and music from Superfly 1990 (also not included, nor is a supreme single with Brit pinkos The Blow Monkeys) has some spice. The last page has yet to be written, thank God. Imminent is a new album on Warner Bros. and perhaps he'll recapture some of that sound with the help of producers who know how to squeeze juice out of those damn machines. For the moment, though, People Get Ready! might save your life. -- JASON ANDERSON * VARIOUS ARTISTS/ Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall Of Fame/MCA: At first it was little more than a reverse image of Dick Clark's American Bandstand, but over its quarter-century history, Don Cornelius' Soul Train has served a deeper purpose. Or so Cornelius would have us think. As pointed out in the 52-page booklet that accompanies this three-CD package, Soul Train helped bridge the communication gaps that existed between disparate African-American communities in the '70s. The weekly show, while delivering a cross-section of popular acts to a national audience, also featured the latest fashions and dance-steps to a demographic sorely in need of unification and role models. While it might be hard to prove the anthropological value of disseminating "The Bump" and spandex apparel to an eager public, the fact that Cornelius and his guests were among the very few black personalities regularly appearing on the all-but-segregated airwaves can't be overvalued. What can be overvalued, however, is the quality of this compilation. While it does function adequately as a "greatest hits" package with just about every major star in black music represented (however quixotically -- of all the Michael Jackson songs available, why "Baby Be Mine"? Of all of Rick James' revolutionary funk, why "Cold Blooded"?) from the Isley Brothers to Boyz II Men, there is no evidence of Soul Train here. No interviews, no live performances, nothing but the show's infectious theme song, "TSOP," to provide a clue to why these tracks have been heaped together. There's nothing new, unusual or unreleased here so, ultimately, what's the point? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: Spice 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC SPICE 1 1990-Sick Jive/BMG by J. ALEXANDER FERRON Six important lessons concerning 1996 I learned from the latest Spice 1 disc. 6. Ain't nothin' changed, ain't nothin' strange -- "1990-Sick (Kill 'Em All)": Crazy white boys blew up Oklahoma City, Spice says. Crazy kids in the ghetto will stop at nothin' to get they money on. And while tabloid reporters start screaming murder every time O.J. swings a golf club, Fuhrman still has yet to be charged with any crime -- despite the fact that perjury is a felony in the state of California. Sounds like the perfect time to put out an album called 1990-Sic even if critics claim gangsta rap is now "passe." 5. Don't get high on your own supply -- "Funky Chickens": If you're dealing herb and smoking your own supply, your profits will go up in smoke, Spice advises. If you're dealing cocaine and smoking your own supply, your mind will go up in smoke, and there's nothing worse than watching an ex-playa selling pencils on the street to get that next hit. 4. Pay your phone bill -- "1-800 (Straight From The Pen)": What happens if your little homey steals a slice of pizza and the po-po rings him up on the "Three Strikes You're Out" law? That's right -- he's on lockdown for a 25-year stretch, and jail ain't no happy thing. San Quentin ain't the place. The only family he's got now is you, so he's gonna be calling, wondering about his son and if you sold that 3- kilo shipment yet or what. Now how's he gonna get that information if you haven't paid the phone bill? Are you really gonna do your homey like that? 3. Space is the place -- "Faces Of Death": Fuck a Range Rover, fool. If you wanna be the playa in '96, you better make sure your shit bumps in a Moon Rover. Engineer the beats so they're best heard in a zero- gravity state. And then lay some weird Bowie funk on the end, just so no one knows where you're comin' from. 2. Play the role of snitch at your own ris -- "Snitch Killas": "Stick with the program and you'll be all right," assures Spice. If the code is good enough for the LAPD, then it's good enough for you. 1. Ain't no love in this game -- "Ain't No Love": You get the picture. It's the Nine-Sick. Get your mob on, son. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: WAYNE KRAMER ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC WAYNE KRAMER Dangerous Madness Epitaph/Cargo by EMILY "AMERICAN FOR A DAY" SMITH Wayne Kramer is your man-on-the-street, painting an alarming portrait of a grim, desperate ol' place where everybody is perilously close to losing their grip on reality, but not their grip on firearms. Yes, kids, this America is fucked: a country devoid of kindness, tolerance and hope. God bless the land of the free and the home of the brave! Freedom is the right to buy guns -- and use 'em, whether you're a crack dealer, gang member or just a garden-variety nutbar. Or even a certifiable, raving madman. Not surprisingly, Kramer's vignettes on his second solo album, Dangerous Madness, are stoked with damaged characters. In the spoken-word odyssey "Dead Movie Stars" an L.A. police officer is driven to brutal homicide by the voices of Shelley Winters and M. Emmet Walsh. In the searing title track, people do things self- detrimental for their all-expenses-paid 15 minutes of fame on Ricki Lake. Although Kramer's topics are far from jolly, they are delivered in a manner that demands repeated listening. His inventive and quirky turns of phrase create vivid images while drawing attention to the absurdity of a situation. In "Something Broken In The Promised Land," he sums up the state of the nation: "Some motherfucker is pissin' on my grave/ How much irrigation can I stand?/ And the kids down the street are playing with submachine guns/ Something's broken in the promised land." The urgency of Kramer's music -- yes, the expected Guitar Goddery! -- matches his message. Mr. President, though the government neither cared for nor understood Kramer's sentiments when he was in the MC5 (but you might have been not inhaling your first and only toke at that time), Dangerous Madness is a grisly journey into the heart of America. And it ain't pretty. It's time to wake up, Wild America. (You too, Mr. President.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: HOWIE B. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC HOWIE B. Music For Babies Polydor/PolyGram UNDERWORLD Second Toughest In The Infants Wax Trax/TVT by JASON ANDERSON It may sound like these technoheads are doing it for the kids from the titles, but I don't think Barney is about to recommend E's and Whizz to his young friends. Then again, a whole generation of children now believe that purple dinosaurs are not vicious killing machines. They'll have to learn the hard way. Howie B. is an English knob-twiddler famed for work on recent albums by The Passengers (Eno and U2), Bjsrk and Tricky and also known under the moniker Skylab. So moved was he by the birth of his daughter Chilli that he's devoted his first solo album to her. Only the first two tracks of Music For Babies could be deemed "pre-natal," nodding to Eno's many Music For... albums. The rest is too odd and erratic to qualify as ambient listening and, consequently, is not in the least bit dull. "Cry" is as discombobulated as Kraftwerk going trip-hop, and "Away Again" is a jazzy, upright-bass-led groove interrupted by speeded-up snatches of bluegrass. The strangest of all is "How To Suckie," which points not to the techno-prog of groups like the Orb, System 7 and Eat Static but to Robert Wyatt's oceanic Rock Bottom circa 1974 (it's even got vibes). The baby theme is a weird one, though -- "Here Comes The Tooth" doesn't sound nearly traumatic enough, considering the tenderness of those young gums. Far less soothing is Underworld's Second Toughest In The Infants, which may cause aggressive behavior in under-5s. This group had a previous incarnation as a slick electro-rock outfit in the mid-'80s (briefly scoring with "Underneath The Radar") but were reborn in the '90s as one of the few groups to merge rock and techno without diminishing the excitement of either. Singer Karl Hyde murmurs occasionally cringe-worthy but impeccably timed lyrics as the other two Underworld denizens build hard-wired soundscapes that do not, unlike most techno, sound like they could've been made by refrigerators. The opening "Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream Of Love" is the greatest driving song since "Autobahn" (my last Kraftwerk reference in this review, I promise) and much juicier than the similarly lengthy title track of Goldie's Timeless. "Pearls Girl" marries Hyde's tommygun delivery to jungle breakbeats and the result is the sort of stutter-funk future shock seldom heard after the Talking Heads' "Crosseyed And Painless" on Remain In Light. Which reminds me that my main dis of the emerging post-rock, dub- influenced bands out of the States (Tortoise, Ui, Labradford) is that 16 years ago, the Talking Heads reprogrammed the same black and white rhythms and anxieties and spat out the data faster and harder than their successors can (or want to). Underworld are the Tofflerian offspring I've been waiting for and Second Toughest In The Infants is stunning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@SPINcycle -- April 25 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY April 25, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPINcycle spinCYCLE by NICHOLAS JENNINGS * ALPHA YAYA DIALLO/Futur (Bedouin/Festival): Since defecting from Fatala, the Guinean band led by authoritarian Yacouba Camera, guitarist Diallo has settled in Vancouver and released two fine albums. His second CD, full of dense, hypnotic grooves, brings to mind Mory Kante without the high-tech trappings. A new Canadian treasure. * CULTURE/One Stone (RAS/Denon): DJ slackness and guns have given way to "conscious" lyrics (see Buju et al.), but Burning Spear and Culture never deviated from the righteous path. Culture's Joseph Hill, like Spear's Winston Rodney, has remained a beacon for roots-reggae lovers. And his latest offers no surprises, just crucial riddims and well-worn Rasta messages about peace and deliverance that conjure up irie visions of Negril or, at least, summer nights on the BamBoo roof. * TIKISA/Safari (Independent): Toronto's Tikisa are the new group formed by ex-Afro-Nubian Adam "Professor" Solomon. This five-song cassette proves that Kenyan-born Solomon has the vocal chops and songwriting skills to match his fleet-fingered guitar work. Definitely one to watch for. * KINE LAM/Praise (Shanachie/Koch): Imagine Youssou N'Dour if his voice had dropped. Like N'Dour, Senegal's Lam comes from a family of the oral-historians-cum-minstrels known as griots. The difference is that Lam is a woman -- the first to sing mbalax and the first to front her own band. Her songs, all performed in a throaty alto and backed by a battery of tama drums, are stirring feminist anthems that put Lam on par with Mali's Oumou Sangare. * CHEZA/Cheza (Canal): Missed catching Cheza (pronounced "shayza") recently at Zaphod's in the nation's capital. But this 15-song CD is a good intro to the Ottawa-based band's sound, which blends spirited soukous and traditional Tanzanian tunes with kalimba and didgeridoo- tinged, slightly Johnny Clegg-ish pop. * DETRIMENTAL/Xenophobia (Cooking Vinyl/True North/MCA): A spinoff project from Fundamental of England's Nation Records stable (Transglobal Underground, Loop Guru), Detrimental mix bhangra, ragga and rap with a punk-like intensity. Check the agit-pop "Babylon," the fierce "Bangra (sic) Attack" and the wicked cover of the Clash's "Bank Robber." This shit, as they say, is dope. * NAZKA//Mi Camino (Independent): Toronto's Nazka used to play Andean- style Latin folk, with pan pipes and charangos ("El Condor Pasa" anyone?). Happily, the seven-piece band now leans more heavily toward the Afro-Latino rhythms of Peru and Venezuela. Their latest, featuring the sensuous vocals of Lisa Lindo, is an exuberant affair, full of volcanic drums, pulsing bass and sultry sax. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: Rage Against The Machine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 2, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Evil Empire Epic/Sony by J. ALEXANDER FERRON In the nearly four years that have passed since the first Rage assault, one would figure the band used that time to complicate their sound with exotic instruments like sitars and bagpipes. Many rock 'n' roll bandwagons have come and gone since Rage hit with their self- titled debut, and if the signs are read correctly, Evil Empire should be a "dub-rock" tour-de-force. But Evil Empire is the same damn Rage program, except more hardcore! Last album, lead screamer Zack warbled embarrassing sentiments such as the tantrum-like "fuck you I won't do what ya tell me!" On this album, Zack elevates the game. "Fear is ya, fear is ya, fear is ya only god!" he pronounces on "Vietnow," and these airtight screams do the necessary damage to one's synapses. On the last album Zack's depressingly literal lyrics were a perfect target for cynical rock critics, but with Evil Empire Zack has learned the art of making obscure references while warbling unintelligibly. Zack had to learn the hard way: if they can't understand what the hell you're saying, they can't attack it. So bravo! for songs like "Revolver" which paints the common themes of Rage, Alienation and Oppression in vividly abstract tones -- by the end, the only word I can make out is "Revolver!" Not that Zack has gone all wimpy on the fans. That's far from the truth. On "Down Rodeo" Rage gives a truer indication of where their political loyalties were formed. "Down Rodeo" is a straight-up gangsta rap song, as Zack sets his malevolent gaze upon the idle rich: "So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit' a shotgun/ These people ain't seen a brown-skin man since they grandparents bought/ One." When it comes right down to it, however, the simple fact is that Rage guitarist Tom Morello laughs at the "riffs" of all the other "bands." Evil Empire, like the debut, is Morello's show. As Reggie Jackson might say, Morello is the straw that stirs the drink. Despite a plodding rhythm section and the well-meaning Zack's tendency to get caught up in hysterics, Rage brings the fuckin' hardcore because Morello is god, and mere mortals cannot hope to touch him. What sort of elixirs is he drinking? Some of the sounds Morello cranks out just shouldn't exist! Yeah! Get in the pit and mosh against the man, baby! Rage is back in town (and I'm much too sane to show up at the concert). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: LUSH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 2, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC LUSH Lovelife 4AD/PolyGram by PERRY STERN Loved them, hated them, love them again -- how often does that happen? When Lush first surfaced in '89 I thought their deep-pile shag rug of a sound was just perfect. Sucked in by seductive sweet nothings (what the hell were all those moany, ethereal songs about, anyway?), entranced by the external beauty (what color is Miki's hair this week?) while turning a blind eye to the lack of depth below the surface, Lush fit perfectly into my thank-god-it's-the-end-of-the-'80s euphoria. The gilt fell off that lily pretty damn quick. But surprise! Although I was as prepared to write off any new Lush album as quickly (and happily) as I would any by their fellow shoegazers, Lovelife turns out to be an exceptional stylistic about- face. Gone are all the swirling guitar washes, breathy, barely discernable vocals and the loopy, over-the-top production that marred Spooky and Split. In their place is the kind of smart, gum-snapping pop that those chicks in Elastica would have killed for (instead of just stolen). Even the lyrics are given a chance to breathe. The songs about idiot guys -- "Ladykillers," "I've Been Here Before" and "Single Girl" -- tend to beg for attention, but repeated listening proves a couple of the more thoughtful songs ("Olympia" in particular) have staying power and depth. Michael Jackson's recent stage partner Jarvis Cocker shows up on "Ciao," a droll homage to the Nancy Sinatra-Lee Hazelwood duets of the '60s that rumbles (even if it lacks the sardonic drive of the Lydia Lunch/Rowland S. Howard version of "Some Velvet Morning"). Whatever or whoever caused the scales of shoegazing to fall from the eyes of Lush deserves a round of applause from those of us who wrote them off. As for the band -- they owe him, her or it their lives. I'm actually looking forward to their next release. Who woulda thunk it? (Lush play May 4 at the Opera House with Scheer and Mojave 3.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: Hootie & The Blowfish ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 2, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH Fairweather Johnson Atlantic/Warner by MARC WEISBLOTT Time to get beyond the myth that each of the two or three thousand people who bought The Velvet Underground & Nico at the time of its release went on to start rock groups of their own. While nobody was ever able to prove that theory, at least we know what became of the only four American guys who purchased the first 54*40 album -- they became Hootie & The Blowfish. But you can bet the Blowfish sound will never again seem as breezy as it did on their B-side cover version of "I Go Blind," the last gasp of a glib bar band who all-too-suddenly find themselves saddled with expectations. Well, all things considered, it's safe to say that Fairweather Johnson -- and, keep in mind, I'm the guy who's given a fair shake to records that have sold billions of copies -- is complete crap. Its most memorable moment -- enough to rattle me awake after dozing off by the time "Old Man & Me" reared its head -- is the title track, an improvised piano-bashing intermezzo where Darius Rucker casts an evil spell on dilettante football fans ("I liked the Steelers in '75/ I only like the Broncos when they come alive"). If only the Hootie assault stopped at armchair sports enthusiasm -- as represented by the frivolity of the ESPN-familiar '95 hit "I Only Wanna Be With You" -- the prospect of a force to rival the glory days of Huey Lewis & The News would be welcome. Where it gets complicated is when Rucker's personal disposition overwhelms any other motivations. Ah, but it's not his fault that the concept of a black guy fronting a good-time rock 'n' roll band has been the subject of such media scrutiny. Fairweather Johnson might have been more tolerable if Rucker wasn't so staunch about singing with marbles in his mouth -- not only is his lack of lucidity incredibly grating, it draws way too much attention to the Blowfish's efforts to sound significant. Through the second half, things start to get a little looser, as the Blowfish's trademark flair for histrionics is gradually cast aside. At least there's something moderately memorable about the penultimate ditty that sounds like Sammy Davis Jr. doing "Mr. Bojangles" while swaddled in a field of crunchy granola: the improbably titled "Tootie" is the only time Darius Rucker gets stranded on the same plane as the rest of the band. And, as any fan of The Facts Of Life can attest, Tootie was at her most tolerable when Blair, Jo and Natalie were close behind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@SPINcycle -- May 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 2, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPINcycle spinCYCLE by B.F. "MOLE" MOWAT This week: Contrary to public opinion, I don't think every piece of music that comes out of my Hammer hometown is a work of genius. Like anyplace else, there is dreck and there are diamonds. Here's a sampling of both. * THE GUY/The Guy (Independent): For some time now, the frat-boy pals of this Oakville-based combo have been phoning in to McMaster radio on an hourly basis to request selections from this, the group's debut CD. As a result, The Guy became the single worst CD to ever top the CFMU playlist, and the greater Hamilton area received the dubious pleasure of hearing a combination of sophomoric lyrics, abysmal drumming and wooden songwriting. Pheww... * HAMILTON MUSIC SCENE '96/ Singer-Songwriter (Goldshower): Hey, I'll admit it -- I'm an out-of-the-closet aesthetic fascist. Which means whenever I hear the words "singer-songwriter," I reach for my revolver. And if wishes could come true, most of the people on this CD would be dead. Those spared the messy execution would include Shawn Brush (not the best representation here, though) and Robert W. Tyler (for keeping his mouth shut). * HAMILTON MUSIC SCENE '96/ Modern Rock Vol. 1 (Goldshower): The best of the lot here, but as most comps go, uneven as the great outdoors. Some good samples of people with given track records (e.g., Uncle Violet, aGNELLI & rAVE, Tiny Bill Cody), a couple of OK newbies (Flux, Quid Pro Quo) and Jack Pedler, whose performance of "Dumpster Juice" is worth the price of admission alone. There's other stuff here that is simply horrifying, though, including a five-minute, no-bridge- added-for-textural relief jeremiad by ex-Progressive Minstrel Paul Reynolds. * HAMILTON MUSIC SCENE '96/ Modern Rock Vol. 2 (Goldshower): Nothing really great here, but acceptable efforts from an assortment of alternative pop-rock acts (Grace, The Misunderstood, Panic Zebra and - - surprise! -- Ripped Emotions) and a selection (not the best one) from Stoked, the second best garage-rock band in the area next to the Kill City Dragons (who are, alas, not here). Too much of this, though, is washed-out aim 'n' strum stuff, with the exception of Manseed and Sooky, who are seriously in need of having their keyboard NIN presets jammed up with Krazy Glueª. * UNCLE VIOLET/Neurotica (DROG/ Outside): Ex-Killjoy Mike Daley leads this supremely talented twin drum 'n' guitar outfit featuring ex-Perth County Conspirator Richard Keelan on bass. The album encompasses a variety of moods and styles, thus making it commercially unpalatable to an audience weaned on homogenized alternative sounds. But pardon my hyperbole, it's better than 90 per cent of the past decade's combined recorded output of Lou Reed, Ray Davies and Alex Chilton. Yes, it's in that league, and it's also the single best recording I've heard come out of my neck of the woods in a lonnng time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: Say you, say me, say wha? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 9, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC LIONEL RICHIE Louder Than Words Mercury/PolyGram by MARC WEISBLOTT Since the Beatles and the Stones of '90s neo-classical R&B -- that'd be the Tony Rich Project and D'Angelo -- have taken their rightful places in the modern music spectrum, it's conceivable that Lionel Richie couldn't have picked a worse time in the last six or seven years to reclaim the territory that was once his and his alone. Perhaps the prolonged layoff was partly to simmer down the grandeur that accompanied all of Lionel's brushstrokes on either end of "We Are The World," but the image remains irrevocable -- for every hedonistic "All Night Long" or "Dancing On The Ceiling," there was a histrionic "Hello" or "Say You, Say Me," leaving his Commodores-type material to trail behind as fodder for less significant single releases. Naturally, the game has gotten a lot grayer for Louder Than Words, although Lionel's certainly brandishing much more ambition than demonstrated on the fresh-but-forgettable filler from his '92 hits collection. The man's reputation demands that over the course of 12 tracks, he's gonna take us places -- sunny places, scenic places, sappy places -- but this is one trip that takes a while to shift into gear. The innocuous opener, "Piece Of Love," was actually written by his background vocalist, a curious option for such a virtuoso songwriter. When Lionel's own pen takes over for "Still In Love," he struggles to assert himself in the delivery that he'd once perfected for a pre-restaurateur Kenny Rogers. That doesn't bode well for when the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis production brigade enter the scene for "I Wanna Take You Down" -- the lyrics define "down" as a literal locale, and the effect is like Boz Scaggs spread over some hip-hop sequencing. The suave and sophisticated Lionel (the one you might remember from "Penny Lover") makes the scene with his own "Nothing Else Matters," which manages to serve the same cathartic effect as the Metallica song of the same name. "Ordinary Girl" is Richie's inevitable interface with Babyface, whose patented synthesized shuffle -- which more and more recalls "Flight Of The Bumblebee" being performed on a typewriter -- is backed up with some graceful worldbeat babble provided in part by Peter Gabriel. But for sheer spine-tingling momentum, nothing can touch "Don't Wanna Lose You," buried 10 tracks in, where the coalescence of Lionel's bravado and Jam & Lewis' freeze-dried flourishes make it the production duo's most splendid non-Janet Jackson slice of soul since the Human League's "Human." Where Lionel serves to distinguish himself from those chart-dominating neophytes is his determination to finish with an opus (or two). While "Lovers At First Sight" smacks of a guy who's watched Round Midnight one too many times, the curtain-closing "Climbing" is a totally different scene, a symphonic onslaught of interplanetary proportions, soaring higher and higher without ever getting off the ground. Luckily, Lionel Richie has always worn pretty sturdy shoes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: The Jesus Lizard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 9, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC THE JESUS LIZARD Shot Capitol/EMI by EMILY SMITH Most lizards like to fry in the sun, but The Jesus variety prefer to roast in hell. Some fiery guy with a three-pronged pitchfork of misery, evil and despair is hot on their trail. So, for their seventh deadly sin (well, their seventh and profoundly groovy album), they sold their soul to major-label reptilians. And it doesn't seem to have made them one bit happier. Shot is a bizarre view of unspeakably hideous bits of life (and sometimes bits of bodies). But it's strangely clever. The aptly named, infamous, unpredictable terror of a frontman, David Yow, pens lyrics that create unsettling -- OK, downright creepifying -- images while providing a satisfying, cynical laugh (for those twisted enough). "Broken down blubbering/slouching sullen pout face/weeping pillow treatment/on the cold mean wet tile" (from "Inamorata") scoffs at the good ol' self-indulgent, woe-is-me power-mope. Uh, sorry, perhaps that's only funny if you've spent a night on the mmmmm... cool bathroom tile -- which it appears Yow might be no stranger to. Or if you know a contender for the title of Sulk King '96. Though The Jesus Lizard may be gloomy in content, the driving rhythms and guitar punctuation make for an undeniable groove -- which had me styling around my apartment while my cat went completely berserk. (He later enquired if I would buy a ticket for him when TJL come to town because he thinks he can take Yow.) A solid and gripping album, the stand-out track "Blue Shot" made me laugh, cry, die a thousand deaths. Or something. But who am I to say no? Bartender, another Shot, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: THE HIGH LLAMAS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 9, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC THE HIGH LLAMAS Hawaii Alpaca Park/Sony Import RICHARD DAVIES There's Never Been A Crowd Like This Murder/MCA by JASON ANDERSON Oh, to be swacked lightly on the hind quarters with palm fronds -- that's what we all dream of as summer draws near. Decent escapist fluff is hard to come by in these times -- a Movieline editor recently floated the theory that film studios are in cahoots with the drug companies and trying to drive audiences to Prozac by releasing such examples of wrist-slitting cinema as Seven and Leaving Las Vegas. Outside of STP's "Big Bang Baby" and No Doubt, the radio is full of rage and recrimination. I think I need a vacation. (Cue Club Med footage.) Led by singer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Sean O'Hagan (vet of Irish '80s would-bes Microdisney and the fellow who handles the strings in Stereolab), The High Llamas are a fruity drink in a bottomless glass. Their '94 sleeper Gideon Gaye came across like Pet Sounds demos sung by Donald Fagen -- symphonic soft pop of a quality not heard since Nixon's resignation. Hawaii boasts a larger budget, 75 minutes of music, every possible instrument (except for the zither), nods to Todd Rundgren and John Barry as well as Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach, an awful cover and lyrical tributes to radio plays. O'Hagan is obviously a madman, but Hawaii is the album that Wilson and Rundgren would never have the strength to make again. Which means that besides being unimaginably sweet and lush, it's also exhausting. Since there are few stand-alone tracks, Hawaii seems rather like an exercise in process, where the beatific flow is valued over any three-minute good vibrations. Next to Hawaii, the accomplishments of pop avatars Richard Davies and Eric Matthews, individually and together on 1994's Cardinal album, seem quite meagre, but here too there is much to admire. Davies, formerly of Kiwi art-pop group The Moles, is the better writer of the two (fond as he is of spinning off lines like "Mr. Lloyd the Minister's Councillor-at-large/ takes a seat at the bar"), and the songs on There's Never Been A Crowd Like This are spared Matthews' oft-tedious, baroque arrangements. Occasionally, Davies' phrasing makes him sound uncannily like pre-Ziggy David Bowie, which is an ear- pleasing trait. His pianist Phillippe Monteiro is a tad lead-fingered, yet the band is otherwise capable of backing Davies' whimsy (and there's quite a lot of that, but still no zithers). Here in Key Largo, the sun shines brightly, birds chirp merrily, children are kind to one another. Remember your sunscreen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.interlog.com/eye Mailing list available music archives at ------------> http://www.interlog.com/eye/Arts/Music eye@interlog.com "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: Cream ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 16, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC CREAM Beggars Banquet/PolyGram by MARC WEISBLOTT Ian Astbury is back to make a complete fool of himself -- were you expecting anything different? Well, the Holy Barbarians purport to be a reaction to those five final, oppressed years of The Cult, but since it took their entire career to find a compatible permanent drummer, the Wolfchild's hanging onto him for dear life. The combo is rounded out by the drummer's bass-playing brother and a young turk guitarist. Americans all, but they were transplanted to Liverpool as part of Astbury's effort to become a true-blue Brit again -- which not only provides an improved commercialized context for his pomposity, but allows him to bark out lyrics like "Salute the flag, put out a fag/ Wipe your face with an oily rag" without being taken for an unrepentant homophobe. The last time The Cult recorded an album in England, they got so swamped in goth that the sessions were scrapped in favor of the red- glaring-racket that became Electric. Thus, the Holy Barbarians smack of the syncopated self-importance that dominated in the days before "Love Removal Machine." Instead of Astbury warbling dissonant lyrics over jangling guitars, the script's been flipped. He's not hollering as much, but trading affectations back and forth with the instruments. But by the standards Astbury has set, if it ain't epic, then it barely even registers. "Cream" sticks just because it wails on for over five minutes, "You Are There" contains some truly thunderous handclaps and "Space Junkie" is yet more riffing proof of how seminal the Stone Temple Pilots truly are. Maybe it's Astbury's yearning to be seen as a limey that makes the Holy Barbarians seem like such an underachievement -- that is, until the humbly titled "Bodhisattva," where he vows to spend the summertimes sharing his divine endowments with any woman who's willing. Indeed, why would any fallen rock star waste his time sulking around when he could be off starting his own religion? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.eye.net/ Mailing list available music archives at ---------------------> http://www.eye.net/Arts/Music eye@eye.net "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: The Cranberries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 16, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC THE CRANBERRIES To The Faithful Departed Island/A&M/PolyGram by ERIN HAWKINS AAAAHHH! Make it stop! Make it stop!! OK, we really liked the sweet whimsy of The Cranberries' debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We. And though everyone dissed their last record, No Need To Argue, I found some poignant lyrics of 20-something girl angst and more than a couple of wonderful vocal moments. But now, what is this? What the hell is this? A whole album's worth of "Zombie"-style guitar histrionics, gratuitous horn and string arrangements, not to mention Dolores' out-of control-and-way-over-the- top singing. She's screaming and using far too many of those guttural Sinead O'Connor inflections, which are tiresome by the second song. It seems The Cranberries have become AOR stadium rockers and To The Faithful Departed just plays up on this bigger-is-better attitude even more. Shame, really. Go back to her contribution on "The Sun Does Rise" on Jah Wobble's Take Me To God and you'll hear soaring vocals with just the right amount of restraint so as not to drown out the instruments. Hmm... maybe Wobble should have produced this album instead of Bruce Fairbairn. My other bone of contention concerns all the ridiculous lyrics. Despite the mass head-shaking over "I Just Shot John Lennon," it's actually one of the more intelligent songs on To The Faithful Departed. "Salvation" reminds me of that song from Heathers, Big Fun's "Teenage Suicide, Don't Do It." I'm sure junkies the world over are going to flush their smack down the toilet and "inject themselves with liberty" because Dolores told them to. More sanctimonious drivel follows on "Free To Decide" and "War Child" -- it's nice that they care so much about the pain and suffering around the world, but by the time "Bosnia" rolls around, you can't help feeling like you've been clubbed over the head by the morality police. The best songs on the album are the quasi-mystical love/relationship songs which are spared the gruesome rockist treatments. "Joe" is lovely and "Electric Blue" is nothing but haunting -- especially when she launches into the prayer-like chorus. Too bad there aren't more of these tunes to balance out the earnest, Alarm-esque power chords and guilt-inducing melodrama. Take back your pop. Please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.eye.net/ Mailing list available music archives at ---------------------> http://www.eye.net/Arts/Music eye@eye.net "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@ON DISC: GORP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 16, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ON DISC ON DISC GORP Shapes And Colors Game Sonic Unyon by B.F. "MOLE" MOWAT This Hamilton quartet, the quirkiest outfit on the Sonic Unyon roster, is better known for stage performances involving near-nudity, smurf- bashing and flat-out weirdness -- none of which has translated effectively onto their recordings. (Especially the smurf-bashing, one would assume. -- ed.) Until now, that is. First and foremost, Shapes And Colors Game is a good guide to what Gorp are all about musically -- even more so than their live shows. And while, yes, the band does have certain moderne rock characteristics, it's much more than the Ween/Fugazi hybrid the press release makes it out to be. Think of it like this: you're riding a three-speed, banana-seat bike, without the benefit of mid-gear. That is, you'll be coasting along to an instrumental track reminiscent of a sixth-grade band tackling Sun Ra's arrangements of some obtuse West Coast '60s psych-folk-rock band (let's say Moby Grape/Skip Spence for argument's sake). The vocals are not being sung so much as they are being chanted in a monkish way (and I don't mean Thelonious or new wave novelty-a-go-go). So all of this is going on and then suddenly, the rest of the band wakes up, shifts gears and whomps the fug down, just as heavy as any jammin' pearl, maaan. Lost? Don't worry -- so is lead singer C.A. Smith. Childhood memories of alien visitation mingle with paeans to toy cars, while pater D. Smith's oldies station plays The Mamas And The Papas 45s backwards in the background. Confused? Yes, we're approaching Syd Barrett county here. Bottom line? We're getting there. Basically, I approve. I might suggest, though, that the next step for Gorp is to get a 10-speed version of the same bike. They wouldn't even have to use all the gears -- just the odd-numbered ones. That would be ace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.eye.net/ Mailing list available music archives at ---------------------> http://www.eye.net/Arts/Music eye@eye.net "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@SPINcycle -- May 16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ eye WEEKLY May 16, 1996 Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPINcycle spinCYCLE by EMILY SMITH * DAREDEVILS/Hate You (Epitaph/Cargo): DIY king Brett Gurewitz has abandoned the Bad Religion sounds of SoCal punk on this extremely poppy single. A late '70s rock feel (Joe Jackson, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello) lends a happy tunefulness to nasty themes. It's fuckin' awesome. * LES THUGS/Strike (Sub Pop/Warner): Hey, these guys have been listening to a lot of Motorhead since As Happy As Possible. Strike (a timely topic for a band from France) is noisier and less muted, though the vocals still tend to be buried under the melodic guitar dissonance/keyboard continuum. Ergo, I know not of what they sing, but it has an angrier edge than does their previous material. More straight rock riffs than guitar noise makes it catchier, too. A fine progression. * SHED SEVEN/A Maximum High (Polydor/PolyGram): Generic Britpop from a rather humorless lot. "Getting Better" strings together cliches and trite lyrics from other songs, probably intentionally in this case, but is indicative of the lyrical prowess throughout. A bit more Manic than in the past. But hey, quality Britpop never goes out of style. * SCHEER/Infliction (4AD/PolyGram): The close-up of someone's stitches on the inner sleeve gave me serious heebie-jeebies. A gothic angle with nasally Edie Brickell vocal stylings which is sometimes fearsome and rocking, sometimes dirgified, sometimes dreamy, sometimes funky, but always a noise I wished would go away. * THE BAND/High On The Hog (EMI): Yawn. The Band is The Band is The Band. And there is no need for this. High On The Hog? Maybe -- after this cash-grab. * HUNK/Hunk (Geffen/MCA): Wowee. Everything that was wrong with the '70s and '80s all in one band. Mix together Queen, guitar wankery and a weak, atonal vocalist. * HOG/Nothing Sacred (DGC/MCA): Pop-punk in the vein of Green Day. Most themes seem to deal with getting screwed over. Lively, tuneful and fun. * MOJAVE 3/Ask Me Tomorrow (4AD/PolyGram): This is the Cowboy Junkies' best album yet. (Actually, it's Leonard Cohen's Songs Of Love And Hate except without the laughs. -- ed.) Down-tempo, spartan, open-space concepts about the shackles o' love, love is gone, miss ya, sadness and so sorry. * CLOVE/Rollercoaster (Independent): Sparkly, spooky and melodic. Catchy hooks and sweet, dreamy vocals mesh perfectly with grindy and dissonant bits, poppy elements and fuzzy guitar. Subtle flavoring. * THROBBIN HOODS/Hot Live Action (Raw Energy): The complete antithesis of subtle. And that's cool because who needs diplomacy and tact, anyway? A savage, commanding mix of hardcore punk, surf and bad-ass rock 'n' roll with lyrics to match. To borrow from The Humpers, it's fast, fucked and furious. And that's a compliment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Retransmit freely in cyberspace Author holds standard copyright http://www.eye.net/ Mailing list available music archives at ---------------------> http://www.eye.net/Arts/Music eye@eye.net "...Break the Gutenberg Lock..." 416-971-8421 @START@About Your Moderator Hello Everyone! I'm happy to be a contributing party to this new TJSoft Door program! I'm James Fish, moderator of the ATW Political Forum. I will be contributing non-mainstream conservative text files and responding to appropriate messages left regarding same. Two years ago I was computer illiterate..."today I are one!" Am sysop of The BIRCH BARK BBS, featuring a significant collection of political, historic and economically oriented files. And the operator of the InterNet Listserve List "FWIW"... My BBS is also a happy registered user of some of the TJSoft programs! Regarding replies...I will be most happy to attempt intelligent responses to all such posts received. I encourage difference of opinion, the only way we can challenge our beliefs! Please note, "flaming" will not stimulate a response! regards =================================================================== The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) No Fee, No Adult Areas, No Download Limits Largest On-Line Collection Of Non-Mainstream Conservative Text Files! On-Line Distribution Point For Several Publishers 24 Hours / 14.4 =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== @START@At least act surprised! ;) FWIW LEFTIST WASHINGTON PRESS ======================== A new survey released this week by the 1st Amendment group Freedom Forum again confirms what most conservatives have long known: The Washington press corps is far to the left of the country in general. The Roper Center and the Freedom Forum jointly sent a ques- tionnaire to all Washington bureau chiefs and congressional correspondents last fall; 139 of 323 responded. Of those, only 9% identified themselves as "conservative" or " moderate to conservative," compared to 61% who said they were "moder- ate to liberal" or "liberal." Fully half are registered Democrats, 37% called themselves independents, while a meager 4% identified themselves as registered Republicans. Their presidential voting was even more lopsidedly liberal. EIGHTY-NINE PERCENT ADMITTED THEY VOTED FOR CLINTON [emphasis mine]- more than double the 43% he received nationwide. A microscopic 7% voted for Bush. Of course, most of these journalists insist that their own ideological leanings don't affect their judgement about the news. Don't believe it. One of the most important political stories of this decade was the Republican "Contract with America." In keeping with promises in the Contract, the Republican Congress passed and sent to President Clinton a balanced budget, tax cuts, welfare reform and higher defense spending. Yet only 3% of the respon- dents to the Freedom Forum poll viewed the Contract as a "serious reform proposal," while 59% believe it was an "election-year ploy." If beliefs such as these don't affect coverage by liberal Washington journalists, they're not human. [end] Source: Human Events Inside Washington, p.3 April 26, 1996 Subscription: 1-800-787-7557 =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Gone...but not forgotten! FWIW [Excerpt] ...In addition Yeltsin released information on the 1983 shootdown of Korean Airlines Flight (KAL) 007, indicating for the first time officially, that Russia had acknowledged that the 'black boxes' of 007 were in their possession. A recently published Soviet Politburo document revealed that at that time Mikhail Gorbachev had defended the Soviet decision to shoot down the airliner. In the October 15th edition of Izvestia in Moscow, a December 1983 note was published from Soviet Defense Minister Ustinov and KGB Chief Chebrikov to Yuri Andropov in the Kremlin that indicated there was no evidence that KAL 007 was an American spy plane. The author had previously received substantial information from a valued source in Israel, Avraham Shifrin, indicating that some of the passengers and crew may have survived the 007 flight (on which U.S. Representative Larry McDonald of Georgia was a passenger), which in reality had ended in a forced landing recorded on radar screens, rather than a shootdown. Shifrin's sources among recently arrived Soviet Jews had revealed that the KGB had covered up their imprisonment of the survivors. This information had been turned over to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by the author in 1991 and the Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs in 1992. [End] Source: MOSCOW BOUND: Policy, Politics and the POW/MIA Dilema Pages 868-869 By: John M. G. Brown John M. G. Brown P.O.Box 30 Petrolia, CA, 95558 ($35 + 5.00 shipping.) =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Guess who underwrites the risk?? FWIW [Excerpt] From speech given by Bangladesh economist Muhammad Yunus at the 1995 UN world conference on women in Beijing. "Capital does not need to be the handmaiden only of the rich...Access to credit should be a human right irrespective of economic situation." Source: The Free Market Ludwig von Mises Institute Volume 13, Number 11, November 1995, p.1 Subscriptions: (334) 844-2500 =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Historic affirmations... ================================================================== THE NEW AMERICAN -- January 8, 1996 Copyright 1995 -- American Opinion Publishing, Incorporated P.O. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54913 ================================================================== ARTICLE: American Opinion Sidebar TITLE: President or King? Americans Speak on War Powers ================================================================== U.S. CONSTITUTION: "The Congress shall have Power ... "To declare War ... "To raise and support Armies ... "To provide and maintain a Navy; "To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; "To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; "To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia...." (Article 1, Section 8) ------------------------------- U.S. CONSTITUTION: "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States...." (Article 2, Section 2) ------------------------------- SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: "The Constitutional Convention at first proposed to give Congress the power to 'make' war but changed this to 'declare' war, not, however, because it was desired to enlarge Presidential power but in order to permit the President to take action to repel sudden attacks." (Report on War Powers, February 9, 1972) -------------------------------- CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: "Mr. M(adison) and Mr. Gerry moved to insert 'declare,' striking out [the legislative power to] 'make' war; leaving to the Executive the power to repel sudden attacks. "Mr. Sharman [Sherman] thought it stood very well. The Executive shd. Be able to repel and not to commence war.... "Mr. Gerry never expected to hear in a republic a motion to empower the Executive alone to declare war.... "Mr. Mason was agst giving the power of war to the Executive, because not (safely) to be trusted with it.... He was for clogging rather than facilitating war; but for facilitating peace. He preferred 'declare' to 'make'." (Madison's notes on the Constitutional Convention, 1787) -------------------------------- JAMES MADISON: "The constitution supposes, what the History of all Govts. demonstrates, that the Ex. is the branch of power most interested in war, & most prone to it. It has accordingly with studied care, vested the question of war in the Legisl: But the Doctrines lately advanced strike at the root of all these provisions, and will deposit the peace of the Country in that Department which the Constitution distrusts as most ready without cause to renounce it." (Letter to Thomas Jefferson, April 2, 1798) --------------------------------- ALEXANDER HAMILTON: "In this distribution of powers the wisdom of our constitution is manifested. It is the province and duty of the Executive to preserve to the Nation the blessings of peace. The Legislature alone can interrupt those blessings, by placing the Nation in a state of War." (Pacificus #1, June 29, 1793) ---------------------------------- ALEXANDER HAMILTON: "[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say -- whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War." (Americanus #1, January 31, 1794) ----------------------------------- ABRAHAM LINCOLN: "Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object. This, our [1787] Convention understood to be the most oppressive of all Kingly oppressions; and they resolved to so frame the Constitution that no one man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us." (Letter to William Herndon, February 15, 1848) ------------------------------ ALEXANDER HAMILTON: "The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States. In this respect his authority would be nominally the same with that of the king of Great Britain, but in substance much inferior to it. It would amount to nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the land and naval forces, as first general and admiral ... while that of the British king extends to the declaring of war and to the raising and regulating of fleets and armies -- all which, by the Constitution under consideration, would appertain to the legislature." (The Federalist, #69) ------------------------------- DANIEL WEBSTER: "No power but Congress can declare war; but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war?... [T]hese remarks originate purely in a desire to maintain the powers of government as they are established by the Constitution between the different departments, and a hope that, whether we have conquests or no conquests, war or no war, peace or no peace, we shall yet preserve, in its integrity and strength, the Constitution of the United States." (Speech in Philadelphia, December 2, 1846) ------------------------------ REPRESENTATIVE HENRY HYDE: "Mr. Chairman, I think it is a fact of modern history that declarations of war are gone. I think they are anachronistic. I do not think they will happen. Clearly the Constitution assigns the declarations of war function to Congress and only to Congress. But declaring war has consequences in a technologically advanced world that nobody wants to face.... We have the untrammeled authority to unappropriate, disappropriate funds. That is the key; and that makes us the king of the hill." (Congressional Record, June 7, 1995) ------------------------------- THE NEW AMERICAN: "The very fact that the Constitution additionally reserves to Congress the power to declare war ought to be sufficient evidence that the Founders believed the power of the purse to be an insufficient security against arbitrary warfare by the executive branch. They knew the purse is a power after the fact, weakened by the natural reluctance of politicians to turn down support for troops already in the field and in the line of fire. Once troops are in the field it is too late; failing to support the troops in the field amounts to failing to provide for one's own. And legislators who fail to support an executive war effort can expect to be labeled by the executive and his warlike colleagues as traitors." (October 16, 1995 issue) --------------------------- REPRESENTATIVE VIC FAZIO (D-CA), ON CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION TO DEFUND THE BOSNIA OPERATION: "If this bill were to reach the President over the next several days, there would be at least 2,000 troops on the ground before it would be presented to him.... The Dornan resolution represents, I believe, a direct assault on every U.S. soldier on the ground in Bosnia and those who will soon be there. This resolution essentially could take the weapons out of the hands of the troops and put, unfortunately, and may be unintentionally, our men and women directly in harm's way. I think we should stop playing politics with the lives of the young men and women who are there." (Congressional Record, December 13, 1995) ---------------------------- REPRESENTATIVE JAMES TRAFICANT (D-OH): "The Constitution is explicit. The founders took great pains to debate one issue: No one person could ever place America and our troops at war.... I am going to support the Dornan amendment [to defund the Bosnian occupation] ... and I will probably vote for every one of these nonbinding, after-the-fact, feel-good, kiss-your-sister types of votes here tonight. But it is not good policy, and the Congress of the United States should govern and the American people should govern, and right now, ladies and gentlemen, the American people do not govern anymore; governance comes from the White House." (Congressional Record, December 13, 1995) ------------------------------- DEMOCRATIC PARTY: "We assert that no nation can long endure half republic and half empire, and we warn the American people that imperialism abroad will lead quickly and inevitably to despotism at home.... "We are in favor of extending the Republic's influence among the nations, but we believe that that influence should be extended not by force and violence, but through the persuasive power of a high and honorable example." (Platform of 1900) END ================================================================== THE NEW AMERICAN -- January 8, 1996 Copyright 1995 -- American Opinion Publishing, Incorporated P.O. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54913 SUBSCRIPTIONS: $39.00/year (26 issues) WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR REPOSTING REQUIRED: Released for informational purposes to allow individual file transfer and non-commercial mail-list transfer only. All other copyright privileges are reserved. Address reposting requests to <birch@athenet.net> or the above address. ================================================================== =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@History repeats...and repeats...and repeats... More Bucks for Bolsheviks ------------------------- According to a December 18th Associated Press dispatch, a new study by the General Accounting Office (GAO) concludes that "U.S. aid to Russia and other Soviet republics has become increasingly effective...." Coming as it did the day after the Russian Communist Party won predominant influence in the Russian parliament (see page 21), the GAO's assessment is a potent indictment of foreign aid. A December 15th news release from the Center for Security Policy (CSP) made explicit the GAO's tacit admission that foreign aid has been used to preserve Communist and neo-Communist elements in the former Soviet Union: "The bulk of U.S. assistance [in Russia] has not gone to support genuinely pro-democratic and free market reformers. It has, instead, gone directly or indirectly to the political infrastructure of the Communists, their Agrarian allies, and the so-called party of war that orchestrated the year-old genocidal campaign in Chechnya." The CSP cited the work of J. Michael Waller of the American Foreign Policy Council, who documented that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has "transferred billions into the Russian Central Bank, literally making it possible for the Central Bank to provide cash subsidies to the completely unreformed state agricultural sector, to sustain the still-vast military-industrial complex, [and] to underwrite the war in Chechnya...." Furthermore, the quasi-fascist industrial monopolies run by "reformers" (like the Gazprom natural gas monopoly operated by Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin) are also suckling heartily on the IMF teat. Additionally, notes the CSP, "The war in Chechnya broke Russia's 1995 federal budget. As a result, the IMF's April decision to loan Moscow more than $6 billion arrived just in the nick of time." At the time, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin (CFR) defended the IMF loan to Russia as a way to "minimize the probabilities of future Chechnyas." Yes, in the same way that aid to the Nazis in 1943 would have been used to "minimize the probabilities of future Warsaw ghetto uprisings." Source: The New American Insider Report January 22, 1996 Subscriptions: 1-800-727-TRUE =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Minor details... ADVENTURES IN NATION BUILDING While the Clinton Administration repeatedly assured the American people that the Bosnian peacekeeping mission would be limited to about one year, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R.-Calif.) - chairman of the House National Security subcommittee on military procurement - finds that the details of the Dayton Agreement itself mandate a commit- ment of at least five years and that the United Nations will "manage nearly every aspect of Bosnian life." Analyzing the 12 annexes to the Dayton Agreement in a recent memo, Hunter reveals that the plan calls for a third of the justices on the Bosnian High Court to be foreign citizens, for the Bosnian Central Bank to be run by a foreign citizen appointed by the International Monetary Fund and imposes a Bosnian constitution that includes the U.N.'s guarantees of "economic, social and cultural" rights and the "rights of the child." Hunter concludes that the program "will turn the country into a U.N protectorate" and that "Bosnia will continue to be our responsibility for the rest of the century." Source: Human Events Capital Briefs, p.2 January 19, 1996 Subscription: 1-800-787-7557 =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@More from Jefferson... FWIW "I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers." ... "We must make our choice between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy." ... (Both attributed to) - Thomas Jefferson =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@New corporate CFR's! FWIW [Excerpt] Among the new corporate members listed in the 1995 CFR report are Amoco, the Bank of Tokyo, China Times Express, the Import-Export Bank of Japan, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Moody's Investor Service, Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, Smith Barney Inc., and Soros Fund Management. Source: The New American Insider Report, p.8 October 30, 1995 Subscriptions: 1-800-727-TRUE =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@New News... FWIW ================================================================== THE NEW AMERICAN -- March 4, 1996 Copyright 1996 -- American Opinion Publishing, Incorporated P.O. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54913 ================================================================== ARTICLE: Publisher's Page TITLE: Army Dodges a Bullet -- For Now AUTHOR: John F. McManus ================================================================== On January 24th, a court-martial in Wuerzburg, Germany convicted U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Michael New of refusal to obey an order involving deployment to Macedonia under a United Nations command. His sentence, handed down by a seven-man panel made up of four officers and three enlisted personnel, was merely a bad conduct discharge. He could have been imprisoned for six months of hard labor, reduced in rank, slapped with a fine, and given a dishonorable discharge. The entire case boiled down to disobedience of an order requiring New to don a uniform containing UN insignia preparatory to going to Macedonia. When the presiding judge, Lieutenant Colonel W. Gary Jewell, ruled that the order was lawful, the case was essentially closed. New never denied disobeying the order; he contended that the order was unlawful. New wanted to test the legality and constitutionality of the deployment of U.S. military personnel to UN command. But the military authorities were quick to state that any such challenge should be made "on Capitol Hill." Hence, as Daniel New, the soldier's father, stated, "Once the order was declared lawful, we had no expectation of winning the case at this lower level." The Army's prosecutor, Captain Gary Corn, did state that if New were not punished, his action could spread like a "cancer" throughout the military. The outpouring of support for Spec. New from fellow soldiers confirms Corn's assessment. "Constitutional Issue" Military procedure calls for the trial's result to be forwarded to the unit commanding general, who can accept the decision, change it, order a retrial, or declare the matter null. Five congressmen have written to that commander, Major General Montgomery C. Meigs, asking him to "overturn the conviction" and grant New an honorable discharge. The congressmen -- Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), David Funderburk (R-NC), Robert Dornan (R-CA), James Traficant (D-OH), and John Hostettler (R-IL) -- note that New has raised "a valid constitutional issue" that will be addressed by Congress "in the very near future." Since it is unlikely that General Meigs can allow the "cancer" to spread, the New defense forces are readying appeals. Meanwhile, New is required to remain in the service in Germany at a desk job and the family's suit aimed at the Department of Defense has yet to be heard. Required to address only the matter of the order given to Spec. New and not the broader constitutional issues involved, New's defense team was still able to construct a solid case based on four reasons why the order was illegal: * According to Army Regulation 670_1, placing UN accouterments on an Army uniform is not only not permitted, but is expressly prohibited. * The order to deploy to Macedonia was authorized under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. But U.S. law requires that any deployment related to Chapter VII receive prior congressional approval. None has ever been given by Congress. * The order to wear a UN uniform is a breach of Michael New's enlistment contract, since he agreed to serve the U.S. military, not the military of some foreign government. * The order transferring New to a foreign command against his will constitutes "involuntary servitude," which is forbidden by the 13th Amendment. That the military judge could discount all of this and decree that the order was lawful points clearly to official fear that a "cancer" would indeed spread. It also makes this proceeding a kangaroo court. The seven "jurors" -- operating on the false premise that the order was lawful -- could hardly render any other verdict. New admitted freely that he disobeyed the order because he believed it to be illegal. Case closed! Under Foreign Command Official government spokesmen regularly claim that no Americans are ever placed under the command of any foreign leaders. They insist that even while serving in a UN operation such as this one in Macedonia, our forces retain their direct line of command to the President as Commander in Chief. Michael New was transferred when he balked at the order to wear a UN uniform. The members of his former unit are now in Macedonia dutifully wearing a UN shoulder patch and headgear, and are under the command of Brigadier General Juha Engstrom of the Army of Finland. Last October, after New had made known his intention to refuse transfer to a UN command, Engstrom journeyed to the U.S. Army post at Schweinfurt, Germany to address the men he would soon be leading. As recorded in the Army newspaper Marneland Crusader, Engstrom told them, "This is a very unique and historic opportunity. Before Macedonia, a non-American or non-NATO officer has never before had command of an American battalion abroad." Engstrom understands that he is the commander of the U.S. troops, the U.S. troops he is commanding understand it, and the senior military officials who arranged for this deployment understand it. And so does the President of the United States, who enthusiastically applauds what is being done. Michael New is not only correct, but his position is supported by the Constitution. No President has the authority to transfer U.S. forces to a foreign command. Congress must rein in the President's imperial powers. And withdrawing this nation from the UN is long overdue. This matter certainly does raise "a valid constitutional issue." And Michael New, a 22-year old Army enlisted man, is a hero for having raised it. END ================================================================== THE NEW AMERICAN -- March 4, 1996 Copyright 1996 -- American Opinion Publishing, Incorporated P.O. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54913 SUBSCRIPTIONS: $39.00/year (26 issues) WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR REPOSTING REQUIRED: Released for informational purposes to allow individual file transfer and non-commercial mail-list transfer only. All other copyright privileges are reserved. Address reposting requests to <birch@athenet.net> or the above address. ================================================================== =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@earth.execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== To unsubscribe, simply send the above instructed message, substituting "unsubscribe" where appropriate. =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Non-profit perversion... CHARITABLE DEDUCTION: The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) was recently approved by the New York Department of State as a legiti- mate non-profit organization, despite its patent agenda to legalize pedophilia. This new-found status allows NAMBLA to receive charitable dona- tions and taxpayer-financed grants in pursuit of its highly immoral cause. In determining non-profit status, New York requires an organization to obtain a waiver from the state Education Department. NAMBLA maintained in their waiver request - and the state incredulously affirmed - that they were founded to pursue activities that are "exclusively charitable, literary, scientific, and educational." Source: Human Events Capital Briefs, p.2 September 29, 1995 Subscriptions: 1-800-787-7557 =================================================================== The above text comes from The BIRCH BARK BBS / 414-242-5070 (long distance callers require manual upgrade, usually within hours) =================================================================== To subscribe to FWIW simply send the following: To: listserv@execpc.com Subj: (leave blank) Message: subscribe fwiw That's it! The welcome letter will tell you more! =================================================================== Home page: http://www.execpc.com/~jfish @START@Vegetarian Chile Relleno Casserole Though a tiny bit long on preparation time ( BUT--it doesn't use fire-roasted chiles), this casserole outdoes all of the other vegetarian entrees I've tried. Perfect for a pot luck contribution. Serves 4-6. **Vegetarian Chile Relleno Casserole** Ingredients: 3 cups COOKED brown rice, use Uncle Ben's "quick" brown rice to save time 2- 10 oz. cans Ortega (or other) brand whole chiles 10 oz or more jack cheese ** 2 whole eggs, beaten until frothy and light 3/4 cup white flour w/ salt and pepper ** 1 -- 32-oz can tomato sauce 1 -- 10 oz. can whole garbanzo beans 1 bunch green onions, chopped 2 tsp. garlic powder Either: 1 tsp. ground cumin, or 3 T fresh cilantro leaves salt to taste Preparation: 1. Generously grease a 9 X 13" casserole dish. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. Separate canned Ortega chiles and lay out on a cutting board. Make a slit up one side of each chili for insertion of cheese. 3. From jack cheese block, cut a 1/2" slice of cheese in the right size to fit inside each chile. Slip cheese slices inside of chiles. 4. Beat eggs and put flour mix on a plate. Layer 1/2 of the cooked rice in the casserole dish. 5. Dip each cheese-stuffed chile first in the beaten egg, then in the flour and lay in rows on top of the rice. Use all of the chiles. 6. In a food processor or blender, whirl the tomato sauce, garbanzo beans, green onions, and spices for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Spread 1/2 of this sauce over the chiles. 7. Top with the remaining half of the brown rice, then with the rest of the tomato sauce. If any jack cheese remains, sprinkle it on top of the casserole. 8. Cover (don't use tin foil) and bake in preheated oven for 45-60 minutes. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Put a large bowl of sour cream alongside to garnish. @START@Microwave Caramel Corn Microwave Caramel Corn 5-6 quarts popped corn 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 stick margarine 1/4 cup white corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Put popped corn in grocery sack. Cook brown sugar, margarine, syrup, and salt in microwave until boiling. Once it starts to boil, cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove and add baking soda until foamy. Pour over corn in bag. Fold down sack and shake well. Cook on high 1 1/2 minutes. Remove and shake. Cook on high 1 1/2 minutes longer. Remove and pour onto cookie sheet to cool. Store in air tight container. @START@Mexican Chicken Casserole 1 (3 1/2 lb.) broiler or fryer chicken 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 medium onion 1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. tomatoes and green chilies 1 1/2 doz. frozen corn tortillas, thawed 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Cook chicken 1 hour or until tender. Remove chicken; reserve 1/2 cup broth. Debone chicken; cut into bite size pieces. Set aside. Melt butter in skillet. Add onion, green pepper, and garlic salt; saute until tender. Combine onion mixture, soup reserved chicken broth and tomatoes and green chilies in a bowl. Stir well. Tear tortillas into small pieces; place 1/2 in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 of soup mixture, 1/2 of chicken and 1/2 of cheese. Repeat layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. @START@Tabooley 2-3 bunches parsley 2 bunches green onions 9-12 tomatoes 1/2 t. dried mint 1 cup #2 crushed wheat (bulgar can be substituted) Juice of 3 lemons 3 T. corn or olive oil Salt to taste Begin picking leaves from parsley. Rinse well and allow to air dry. The dryer it is, the easier it is to chop. Chop leaves very fine. A food processor works well if you process small amounts of very dry parsley. Cut tomatoes into very small chuncks. Mix tomatoes with parsley. Continue adding tomatoes until visually it appears there is an equal mix. Slice green onions (bulb and green tops) very thin. Mix with tomatoes and parsley. Add 1/2 teaspoon dried mint. Taste. If you can pick out all the flavors, it's the right amount. Add whatever you can't taste. Soak 1 cup #2 crushed wheat (available at Middle Eastern stores) in hot water until water is absorbed. Bulgar wheat can be used but don't let it soak as long as it seems to get too soft. When wheat is softened, add to vegetable mixture. Once again, 1 cup is approximately the correct amount for 3 bunches of parsley. If you've used less, reduce the amount of wheat. Stir in the juice of 3 lemons and 3 tablespoons of corn or olive oil. Add salt to taste. @START@No Mayo Pasta Salad Pasta Salad 1 (8oz) box small elbow macaroni 1 (8oz) bottle Kraft (brand) Coleslaw Dressing 2 large eggs, hard-boiled 4 green onions, sliced thin 1 small jar diced pimentos, drained 2 dill pickles, diced (preferably Vlasic Garlic Dills) 1 cup (4oz) cheddar cheese, finely shredded or diced 4 oz ham (I use Hormel [brand] boneless, smoked pork chops) Boil eggs. Cook pasta per package directions. Drain in colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Set aside. Chop eggs into large bowl. Add dressing, green onion, pickles, pimentos, cheese and ham. Stir until combined. Add pasta and thoroughly combine. Chill several hours or overnight. (Stir at least once while chilling to redistribute dressing.) Stir before serving. Makes about 1.5 quarts. @START@Baps (Scottish Yeast Rolls) Baps (Scottish Yeast Rolls) - from the book From Celtic Hearths, by Deborah Krasner 2 scant teaspoons active dry yeast (or less than 1 package) 2/3 cup lukewarm milk (whole is best) 2/3 cup water 2 teaspoons salt 3 cups unbleached flour, plus extra for finishing Dissolve the yeast in the milk and water in a medium bowl. Sift the salt with the flour into a large bowl. Pour the well-mixed wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir. If this dough is too stiff, add a little more milk. Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours. Flour a baking sheet. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 or 9 portions. Form these into ovals, and set them on the baking sheet, leaving as much room as possible between them. Cover with plastic wrap touching the dough to prevent a skin from forming and let them sit for 15 minutes to rise again. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the tops and sides of the baps with milk, then sprinkle with flour. With a floury finger, make a deepish impression in the center of each bap. Bake on the center shelf of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until puffed and just golden. More flour can be sifted over the finished baps if desired. Serve warm. Yield: 8-9 rolls. Notes: 1. I usually add the flour gradually, and never seem to need the whole amount. The amount of flour used depends upon many things, including how much moisture the flour is holding, and the humidity of the air on the day you are making your dough. 2. Even though the recipe calls for two teaspoons of salt, I usually use only one teaspoon or one and a little bit more, otherwise it is too salty for me. If you don't want to sprinkle flour on the top, you don't have to; and cornmeal is a good substitute for flour to put on the baking sheet to prevent sticking. @START@Rib Eye Express BBQ Sauce Title: Rib Eye Express Barbeque Sauce Categories: Sauces, Bbq Yield: 16 servings 16 oz Tomato sauce 2 t Pepper, coarse ground 1/2 c Karo, dark 1 t Garlic powder 1 c Vinegar, cider 1/4 t Cayenne 1 c Sugar 2 t Salt 1/2 c Ketchup 3 T Cornstarch 2 t Onion powder 2/3 c Corn oil 1/4 c Molasses 1/2 t Paprika 2 t Tumeric 1 ea Caramel coloring or Postum 1 oz Smoke, more to taste Cook all ingredients except sugar, molasses, and karo for 15 minutes. Stir until hot and very well mixed, add in sugars and mix thoroughly. Do not attempt to cook sauce more until well mixed. Adjust thickness with cornstarch to desired thickness. The beauty of this sauce is that it is nearly impossible to burn it on the cooking food. @START@Muffuletta Spread Muffuletta Spread 1 cup pitted Spanish green olives 1 cup pitted brine-cured black olives (such as Kalamata) 1/4 cup chopped red onion 2 tbl. chopped fresh basil 2 tbl. fresh lemon juice 1 tbl. freshly grated horseradish 1 tbl. chopped garlic 1 tbl. Dijon mustard Dash of hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) Dash of Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup olive oil Combine all ingredients except olive oil in processor and chop coarsely. With processor running, gradually add oil. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour. Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. @START@Lemon Poppy Seed Bread Lemon Poppy Seed Bread ---------------------- 3 T. fresh poppy seeds (NB: I interpret "fresh" to mean "not rancid." I suppose if you could get real, fresh poppy seeds, they would be even better.) 1/2 c. milk 5 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1-1/2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder Grated zest of 2 lemons 1/4 tsp. salt Lemon syrup: 1/4 c. sugar + 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons) In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine milk and poppy seeds. Let stand one hour. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. and grease a 9x5 loaf pan. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Combine flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt in small bowl. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture in three equal portions, alternating with poppy seed milk. Beat until just smooth. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake in center of preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, until loaf is golden brown and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Place loaf, in pan, on cooling rack. Make lemon syrup: combine sugar and lemon juice in small saucepan and heat just until sugar dissolves. Pierce hot loaf about 12 times with bamboo skewer or cake tester. Immediately pour hot syrup over loaf. Cool 30 minutes; turn out of pan onto rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let stand overnight at room temperature before serving. @START@Fruit Pizza Fruit Pizza Crust: 3/4 c. granulated sugar 1/2 c. margarine 1 egg 1 1/2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt Cream softened margarine and sugar in mixing bowl. Add egg and mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix. Spray 12" or 14" pizza pan with cooking spray; then pat dough evenly in pan. Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 min. or until lightly browned. Cool in Pan. Cream Cheese Layer: 8 oz. light cream cheese, softened 1 c. light cool whip 1/2 c. powdered sugar Blend ingredients together and spread on cooled crust. Fruit Layer: 1 qt. strawberries, cleaned and cut in half 3 to 4 kiwis, peeled and sliced crosswise into rings 3 to 4 peaches, peeled and sliced Arrange attractively on cheese layer. Glaze: 1/2 c. orange juice 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. sugar Mix ingredients together in microwave bowl. Cook on high in microwave until clear and slightly thickened. Cool slightly and brush over fruit layer. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 10 to 12 servings. @START@White Hot Chocolate WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Yield: 6 servings Be sure to use a top-quality white chocolate instead of a "coating chocolate." Daskalides, Callebaut and Lindt are good choices, available at Treasure Island food stores and specialty markets. 3 1/2 cups milk 2 tablespoons sugar 3 1/2 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped 1 ounce milk chocolate, finely chopped Creme de cacao, optional 1. Heat milk and sugar to just below a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes. Transfer to a blender and whip until frothy. Add creme de cacao if desired. Serve hot. @START@Chocolate Fudge Icing Chocolate Fudge Icing 2 cups brown sugar 1 heaping or 2 level tablespoon cocoa 2 tablespoon butter 4 tablespoon milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla pinch Baking Powder Boil first 4 ingrediants together for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add flavouring and baking powder. Let cool a bit and beat till creamy. Spread on cake immediately. @START@Coleslaw Dressing Coleslaw Dressing for 3 cups cabbage combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise or miracle whip 1 Tablespoon vinegar 2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon celery seed Stir till sugar dissolves @START@Granola Bars Title: Granola Bars Categories: Snacks, Cookies, Vegan Yield: 1 batch 1 c Brown sugar 1/2 c Light corn syrup 1/2 c Melted margarine 2/3 c Peanut butter 2 ts Vanilla extract 3 c Quick oats * 1/2 c Sunflower seeds 1/2 c Coconut 1/3 c Wheat germ 1/2 c Raisins 1 c Carob chips Other nuts/dried fruits -you want to add *Note: (I substitute half quick oats and half crisped rice) Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom of a 9x12 (9x13?) baking dish (glass works best). In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients and stir well (it should be sort of a paste). Stir in remaining ingredients. You can add in whatever you want, so long as the mixture is sticking together in several large clumps. Press the mixture into the baking pan ( you can use your fingers -- it's not very sticky). Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes (until it turns golden brown). Cool completely and cut into bars. Voila! @START@Yeast Free Bread Basic Quick Bread 3 c. flour 1 Tbls. baking powder 1 tsp. nutmeg 1 1/4 tsp.salt 1 stick butter, softened 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 c. milk 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. grated lemon zest (yellow part only) Combine dry ingredients. In seperate bowl mix butter & sugar together by hand until creamy. Beat in eggs, then stir in milk, vanilla & lemon zest. Add dry ingredients & beat with a large wooden spoon until just combined; don't overbeat. Pour into 2 greased & floured loaf pans. Bake in a preheated 350' oven 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack 10-15 minutes then remove from pans & cool completely. @START@Buttermilk Dressing BUTTERMILK DRESSING 3/4 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing 1/2 c. buttermilk 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes 1/2 tsp. instant onion, minced 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/2 tsp. salt dash of pepper Shake all ingredients in tightly covered jar. Refriger- ate at least 2 hours. Shake before serving. Another recipe from our database at Cookbooks On/Line! Visit our recipe database at http://www.cookbooks.com We have over 1 million recipes on line Ken Gregg - kgregg@cookbooks.com @START@National Space Sociey Remembers Apollo 1 Fire For Immediate Release Contact: David Brandt (202) 543-1900 <nsshq@nss.org> Jim Spellman (619) 379-2503 <WSpaceport@aol.com> NATIONAL SPACE SOCIETY REMEMBERS "THE FORGOTTEN THREE" "Apollo 1" fire occurred nineteen years before STS-51L/Challenger accident WASHINGTON, D.C., (January 27) -- While the Challenger accident a decade ago has focused media attention on ceremonies, commemorations and a pre-Super Bowl flyover honoring the "Challenger Seven," little is mentioned of the sacrifices made by another crew who died in a similar, tragic accident twenty-nine years ago this day. Some have called them "The Forgotten Three." On January 27, 1967 -- nineteen years and one day before the Challenger accident -- astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chafee were killed in what was considered a "routine training mission." At 6:31pm (EST), near the end of a pre-launch countdown for the first flight of the Apollo program, a spark inside the spacecraft ignited a flash fire, killing the crew within seconds. The "Fire on Pad 34" incident halted the moon landing program for 18 months. The similarities between the Apollo 1 and Challenger accidents are chilling, according to Jim Spellman, of the National Space Society's Western Spaceport Chapter in California. "The Apollo spacecraft was built by North American Aviation, the forerunner of Rockwell International, the team that built the space shuttle orbiters," Spellman said. "In the fire's aftermath, a weeklong period of official mourning was held for the astronauts, followed by congressional hearings and a Presidential commission to find the cause of the accident -- just like the Challenger tragedy ten years ago." "In both cases, negligence and faults in the construction and operation process were uncovered," Spellman added. "During the same time, this country and the media began a re-examination of the space program, and whether the risks and benefits outweighed the costs and loss of life." However, as pointed out in Ron Howard's film "Apollo 13" (which made a point of paying tribute to the Apollo 1 crew in the movie's opening scene), tragedy gave way to triumph with the successful landing of Apollo 11 on the lunar surface in the Sea of Tranquility two and a half years after the fire. "I think the lesson that needs to be learned here is the old phase, 'Those who fail to remember the past, are condemned to repeat it in the future,' stated Spellman. "The irony that the two accidents occurred on nearly the same day almost nineteen years apart is not lost on us." The "Forgotten Three" crewmembers of Apollo 1 came from varied backgrounds: Gus Grissom, the spacecraft commander, was one of the original "Mercury Seven" astronauts. He barely survived his first flight in July of 1961 when his "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft sank in the Atlantic Ocean after the escape hatch prematurely blew open. He later commanded the Gemini III mission -- and privately named his spacecraft "Molly Brown" after the Broadway musical, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Ed White served as Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 1, and was the first American to "walk in space" in 1965 -- two months after Soviet cosmonaut Alexi Leonov became the first man to accomplish that feat. Roger Chaffee, the Command Module pilot, at age 34, was a space "rookie" -- and would have been the youngest American astronaut to fly into space at the time. In the years since the Apollo 1 fire, surviving family members have attempted to have the United States Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp in honor of the crew, to no avail. "I think it's tragic that many in the media, and the general public as well, have forgotten about the sacrifices made in the Apollo 1 fire," stated Lori Garver, Executive Director of the National Space Society. "The Postal Service released a stamp in honor of the Challenger crew last year," Garver said. "Perhaps with next year marking the 30th anniversary of Apollo 1, we could do something to correct the oversight." While honoring the crew of Apollo 1 would look like the Society is dwelling in the past, Garver emphasized the goals of the organization are firmly focused on the future. "Valuable lessons have been learned from both the Apollo 1 and Challenger accidents," Garver stated. "As America pushes back the frontiers of space, erecting the space station and venturing beyond, we realize there will be further setbacks." The crews of Apollo 1 and Challenger showed us that the mission must continue -- as it has to this day, in spite of the danger and associated risks," Garver added. "Gus Grissom said it best, in an interview three weeks before his death," stated Jim Spellman. "He said, 'If we die, do not mourn for us. This is a risky business we're in, and we accept those risks. The space program is too valuable to this country to be halted for too long if a disaster should ever happen." @START@Recent Fireballs Detected by USAF Satellites Office of Public Affairs Patrick AFB, Fl., 32925-3002 (407)-494-7332 Date: April 24, 1996 **************************************************************************** In late March, DOD satellites recorded the bright flashes of three fireball (bolide) occurences. The characteristics of these observations are given below. The peak radiated power (Watts/steradian) assumes a 6000K blackbody model for the flashes. Date Time Approx Location Peak Radiated Total Radiated App (GMT) Lat Long power (w/sr) energy (Joules) vis (6000K model) (6000K model) mag 26 Mar 96 14:03:04 21.2N 133.4W 0.8x10^10 8.5x10^9 -129 Mar 96 20:30:54 21.5N 158.1W 3.0x10^10 8.8x10^10 -230 Mar 96 04:03:42 31.3S 84.1W 4.2x10^10 1.2x10^11 -2 (If you have questions call Senior Airman Amy Webb, Air Force Technical Applications Center Public Affairs at, (407) 494-4403.) ***************************************************************************** PLEASE NOTE: THIS USAF BOLIDE INFORMATION RELEASE AND ALL PREVIOUS RELEASES CAN BE FOUND ON THE WWW AT http://phobos.astro.uwo.ca/~pbrown/usaf.html @START@Mars Exploration Lecture at JPL OASIS Organization for the Advancement of Space Industrialization & Settlement (A chapter of the National Space Society) Invites you to: Mars Trek: The Mars Exploration Program with Dr. John Callas Scientist - Mars Global Surveyor Project Jet Propulsion Laboratory Saturday, May 11, 1996 at 7:00 PM Jet Propulsion Laboratory Von Karman Auditorium 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109 ADMISSION FREE This year, NASA launches two spacecraft to explore the planet Mars. Mars Global Surveyor will extensively map the planet from orbit. Mars Patherfinder will deliver and deploy a small robotic rover named Sojourner to wander the Martian surface. Two years later, they will be joined by a second orbiter/lander pair, continuing a decade long exploration of the Red Planet. These missions are part of the Mars Exploration Program -- a multinational program applying a Better, Faster, Cheaper spirit to continue exciting scientific exploration in an era of reduced budgets. Doors open at 6:00 PM. (Von Karman Auditorium has a small museum, so you may wish to arrive early.) FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE OASIS HOTLINE AT (310) 364-2290. @START@New Hubble Images of Saturn Released FOR RELEASE: April 26, 1996 PHOTO NO.: STScI-PRC96-18a SUNSET ON SATURN'S RINGS This is a rare view of Saturn's rings seen just after the Sun has set below the ring plane, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope on Nov. 21, 1995. This perspective is unusual because the Earth is slightly above (2.7 degrees latitude) Saturn's rings and the Sun is below them. Normally we see the rings fully illuminated by the Sun. The photograph shows four distinct rings: F, A, B, and C (moving from the outer rings to the inner). The low concentration of dust in the C and F rings allows light from the Sun to shine through them. But the A and B rings are denser, which limits the amount of light that penetrates through them. Instead, they are visible because they reflect light from Saturn's disk. Scientists believe that the F Ring is slightly warped because it disappears halfway around Saturn's right side. Hubble's high resolution shows the A Ring's shadow obscuring part of the F ring (right). The image was assembled from 20 exposures taken with Wide Field Planetary Camera-2. Credit: Phil Nicholson (Cornell University), Steve Larson (University of Arizona) and NASA Image files in GIF and JPEG format and captions may be accessed on Internet via anonymous ftp from ftp.stsci.edu in /pubinfo. GIF JPEG PRC96-18a Saturn & Rings gif/SatRPC11.gif jpeg/SatRPC11.jpg Higher resolution digital versions (300dpi JPEG) of the release photographs will be available temporarily in /pubinfo/hrtemp: 96-18a.jpg (color) and 96-18abw.jpg (black/white). GIF and JPEG images, captions and press release text are available via World Wide Web at: http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/96/18.html and via links in: http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Latest.html or http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Pictures.html. FOR RELEASE: April 26, 1996 PHOTO NO.: STScI-PRC96-18b MOONS AROUND SATURN This series of 10 Hubble Space Telescope images capture several small moons orbiting Saturn. Hubble snapped the five pairs of images while the Earth was just above the ring plane and the Sun below it. The telescope captured a pair of images every 97 minutes as it circled the Earth. Moving out from Saturn, the visible rings are: the broad C Ring, the Cassini Division, and the narrow F Ring. The first pair of images show the large, bright moon Dione, near the middle of the photographs. Two smaller moons, Pandora (the brighter one closer to Saturn)and Prometheus, appear as if they're touching the F Ring. In the second frame, Mimas emerges from behind Saturn and appears to be chasing Prometheus. In the second image pair, Mimas has moved towards the tip of the F Ring. Rhea, another moon, has just emerged from behind Saturn. Prometheus, the closest moon to Saturn, has rounded the F Ring and is approaching the planet. The third image pair shows Epimetheus, a tiny dot just beyond the tip of the F Ring. Prometheus is in the lower right corner. An elongated clump or arc of debris in the F ring is seen as a slight brightening in the thin ring. In the fourth image pair, Epimetheus, in the lower right corner, streaks towards Saturn. A long ring arc can be seen in both frames. The fifth image pair captures the reappearance of Mimas, beyond the tip of the F Ring. The images were taken Nov. 21, 1995 with Wide Field Planetary Camera-2. Credit: Phil Nicholson (Cornell University) and NASA. Image files in GIF and JPEG format and captions may be accessed on Internet via anonymous ftp ftp.stsci.edu in /pubinfo. GIF JPEG PRC96-18b Saturn and Sats. gif/SatRPC10.gif jpeg/SatRPC10.jpg Higher resolution digital versions (300dpi JPEG) of the release photographs will be available temporarily in /pubinfo/hrtemp: 96-18b.jpg (color) and 96-18bbw.jpg (black/white). GIF and JPEG images, captions and press release text are available via World Wide Web at: http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/96/18.html and via links in: http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Latest.html or http://www.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Pictures.html. @START@Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) Home Page NEAT HOME PAGE The Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) home page is now available at JPL. The URL is: http://huey.jpl.nasa.gov/~spravdo/neat.html Since becoming operational in December 1995, NEAT has already detected over 1,200 new objects including a new comet (C/1996 E1) and four new near-Earth asteroids. An image of the new comet is on the home page. Ron Baalke baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the NEAT home page: Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) NEAT is an autonomous celestial observatory located at the USAF/Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) site on Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. NEAT is a cooperative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the United States Air Force. It is designed to complete a comprehensive search of the sky for near-Earth asteroids and comets. JPL designed, fabricated, and installed the NEAT camera and computer system on a 1-m GEODSS telescope. The USAF through its contractor, PRC, Inc., operates NEAT. The NEAT principal investigator is Dr. Eleanor Helin. Dr. Steven H. Pravdo is the task manager. NEAT began observing in December 1995 and observes for 12 nights each month centered near the new moon. Discoveries are reported to the Minor Planet Center, whose WWW site contains new objects which require confirmation by observers. @START@Preparations for the maiden flight of Ariane-5 >Date: Fri, 26 Apr 1996 19:49:04 EST >Reply-To: ESAPRESS list <ESAPRESS@VMPROFS.ESOC.ESA.DE> ESA/CNES JOINT STATUS REPORT No.3 Preparations for the maiden flight of Ariane-5 Paris, 26 April 1996 The campaign preparatory to the first Ariane-5 launch (501 flight) is continuing on the ELA-3 launch site at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's Spaceport, in Kourou, French Guiana. The integrated launcher stages have been set up in flight configuration and the associated checks carried out. The few minor anomalies that came to light will give rise to further operations and checks in the coming days. After fitting of its protective casings, the launcher was transferred to the launch zone on 24 April. In the course of the launcher countdown rehearsal on 25 April, it was filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and three synchronised sequences identical to those of a launch were performed. All the objectives of the rehearsal were achieved. The campaign for the Cluster satellites (501 flight passengers) resumed on 22April, with a view to starting launcher-satellite combined operations on 26April. Accordingly, and in view of the operations still to be carried out, the launch readiness review has been set for 22 and 23 May and the launch as from 25May. This timetable is compatible with the operational launch of Arianespace Flight86 scheduled for mid-May. The European Space Agency has delegated the management of its Ariane-5 programme to CNES, the French space agency. @START@Jonathan's Space Report, No. 285 Jonathan's Space Report No. 285 1996 Apr 28 Cambridge, MA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shuttle and Mir --------------- The 77KSI (TsM-I) Priroda module was launched by Proton from Baykonur on Apr 23. The 19500 kg Priroda is the final module for the Mir complex, and was built by the Krunichev factory. 77KSI carries a set of remote sensing experiments and some microgravity experiments: MSU-SK and MSU-E optical and infrared scanners OZON-M ozone profile detector ISTOK-1 infrared spectrometer MOS Imaging spectrometer, Germany ALISA LIDAR optical sounder, France IKAR-N, IKAR-D scanning and pointing microwave radiometers IKAR-P microwave radiometer TRAVERS Synthetic aperture radar operating at 9 and 23 cm MOMS-2P Stereoscopic imagers MIM Microgravity Isolation Mount, Canada On Apr 25 one of the two battery systems on Priroda failed. Priroda does not carry solar panels. Fortunately, Priroda docked with Mir at 1243 UTC on Apr 26. This is the first time one of the 77KS modules has docked on the first attempt. On Apr 27, Priroda was due to be rotated from the -X port to the +Z port. Kristall is at -Z, Kvant-2 at +Y, Spektr at -Y, and Kvant at +X. The Soyuz TM-23 craft is docked to the +X port of Kvant, and the Stikovochnoy Otsek (Docking Module) is attached at the -Z port of Kristall. Recent Launches --------------- The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) was launched at 1227:40 UTC on Apr 24 from Vandenberg into an 896 x 906 km x 99 deg orbit. MSX is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite which will study the infrared, visible and ultraviolet signatures of ballistic missiles in their midcourse phase (after the launch vehicle rocket plume has shut down). The main experiment on MSX is the Spirit III cryogenic infrared telescope, the first to use solid hydrogen instead of the liquid helium that has been used by infrared astronomy satellites in the past. The hydrogen will maintain the dewar at 8.5K. MSX will also perform civilian scientific research, with atmospheric observations and astronomical studies. The MSX spacecraft was built by Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab. MSX instruments are: SPIRIT III, 0.34m Spatial IR Imaging Telescope, 2.5 -28 microns UVISI UV and Visible Imagers and Spectrographic Imagers CIC Contamination Instrumentation Complement (to study outgassing and contamination of optical surfaces) SBV Space Based Visible camera, 0.15m telescope/CCD Titan IV K-16 was launched from Cape Canaveral on Apr 24. It was a Titan 401 variant with a Centaur upper stage, and the payload is probably a geostationary orbit signals intelligence satellite. Kosmos-2332 was launched on Apr 24. It entered a 303 x 1575 km x 83 deg orbit, characteristic of radar calibration satellites including Kosmos-1179, Kosmos-1463 and Kosmos-2265. It is believed that these satellites are spherical in shape and may be based on the Vostok/Zenit descent cabin shell. Telesat Mobile Inc. (TMI) of Canada's M-SAT satellite was launched by Ariane on Apr 20. M-SAT uses the Hughes HS-601 design, but its prime contractor was Spar Aerospace of Canada (a similar industrial partnership was used for the Anik D satellites in the 1980s in which Spar used the Hughes HS-376 design). The satellite is almost identical to the AMSC-1 satellite launched last year for American Mobile Satellite Corp., and carries L-band transponders for communications between mobile users. Table of Recent Launches ------------------------ Date UT Name Launch Vehicle Site Mission INTL. DES. Mar 9 0133 REX-II Pegasus XL L1011/Vandenberg Technol. 14A Mar 14 0711 Intelsat 707 Ariane 44LP Kourou ELA2 Comsat 15A Mar 14 1740 Kosmos-2331 Soyuz-U Plesetsk LC43/4 Recon 16A Mar 21 0453 IRS-P3 PSLV Sriharikota Rem.sensing 17A Mar 22 0813 Atlantis Shuttle Kennedy LC39B Spaceship 18A Mar 28 0021 GPS 33 Delta 7925 Canaveral LC17A Navigation 19A Apr 3 2301 Inmarsat III F1 Atlas IIA Canaveral LC36 Comsat 20A Apr 8 2309 Astra 1F Proton-K/DM2 Baykonur Comsat 21A Apr 20 2236 M-SAT 1 Ariane 42P Kourou ELA2 Comsat 22A Apr 23 1148 Priroda Proton-K Baykonur Spaceship 23A Apr 24 1227 MSX Delta 7920 Vandenberg SLC2W Mil.tech. 24A Apr 24 1303 Kosmos-2332 Kosmos-3M Plesetsk Radar cal 25A Apr 24 2337 USA-118 Titan 401 Canaveral LC41 Sigint 26A? Payloads no longer in orbit -------------------------- Mar 9 Columbia Landed at KSC Mar 12 FSW-1 capsule Reentered over Atlantic Mar 13 ODERACS IIA Reentered Mar 19 TSS-1 Reentered over Middle East? (or Atlantic?) Mar 31 Atlantis Landed at Edwards AFB Current Shuttle Processing Status ____________________________________________ Orbiters Location Mission Launch Due OV-102 Columbia OPF Bay 2 STS-78 Jun 27 OV-103 Discovery Palmdale OMDP OV-104 Atlantis OPF Bay 1 STS-79 Jul 31 OV-105 Endeavour LC39B STS-77 May 16 ML/SRB/ET/OV stacks ML1/RSRM-47/ET-78/OV-105 LC39B STS-77 ML2/ STS-79 ML3/RSRM-55 VAB Bay 3 STS-78 .-------------------------------------------------------------------------. | Jonathan McDowell | phone : (617) 495-7176 | | Harvard-Smithsonian Center for | | | Astrophysics | | | 60 Garden St, MS6 | | | Cambridge MA 02138 | inter : jcm@urania.harvard.edu | | USA | jmcdowell@cfa.harvard.edu | | | | JSR: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/QEDT/jcm/space/jsr/jsr.html | | ftp://sao-ftp.harvard.edu/pub/jcm/space/news/news.* | '-------------------------------------------------------------------------' @START@Space Calendar - 04/29/96 Welcome to the Space Calendar! This Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries for the upcoming year. It is also available on the World Wide Web at: http://newproducts.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/ The WWW version of the Space Calendar includes over 300 links to other home pages that have additional information on that subject. This calendar is compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke. Please send any updates or corrections to baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov. Note that launch dates are subject to change. Also, note that anniversary dates are listed in 5 year increments only. The following people have contributed to this month's calendar: o Gerard van de Haar - Progress M-33 launch is Jul 21, 1996. - Progress M-34 launch is Oct 15, 1996. - Soyuz TM-25 launhc is Dec 9, 1996. o Ander Gelinas - Progress M-32 launch is now Jun 1, 1996. o Gunter Krebs - JCSat-4 launch is Jan 1997. o Denis Denissenko - Moon occults Venus on Jul 12, 1996. o Dave Seitz - MSTI-3 launch is now May 10, 1996. o Keith Stein - Spin-2 launch is May 15, 1996. - Palapa C2 launch is May 17, 1996. - US Air Force launch is now May 12, 1996. - Progress M-31 launch is now May 8, 1996. o Philippe Berth - Echostar 2 launch is Sept 1996. - Intelsat 709 launch is now Jun 1996. - Cluster launch is now May 25, 1996. - Arabsat-2A/ARD/Amsat launch is now Sep 1996. ========================= SPACE CALENDAR April 29, 1996 ========================= * indicates changes from last month's calendar April 1996 Apr 30 - SAX (X-ray Astronomy Satellite) Atlas Launch May 1996 * May ?? - Italsat-2 Ariane 4 Launch May 01 - Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) Perihelion (0.229 AU) May 03 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #4 (OTM-4) May 04 - Venus at Greatest Brilliancy (Magnititude -4.5) May 05 - 35th Anniversary (1961), 1st US Man in Space, Alan Shephard May 05 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower May 07 - Asteroid Vesta at Opposition * May 08 - Progress M-31 Launch (Russia) May 08 - Galaxy 9 Delta Launch May 08 - Lunar Occultation of Comet Hale-Bopp * May 10 - MSTI-3 Pegasus XL Launch May 11 - 80th Anniversary (1916), Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity * May 12 - US Air Force Titan 4 Launch May 12 - Comet West-Hartley Perihelion (2.13 AU) * May 15 - Spin-2 Launch May 16 - STS-77, Endeavour, SPACEHAB-4 * May 17 - Palapa-C2/Amos-1 Ariane 4 Launch May 18 - Asteroid 1991 JR, Near-Earth Flyby (0.1087 AU) May 19 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mars 2 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter/Lander) May 22 - Pluto at Opposition May 22 - Asteroid Parthenope at Opposition May 23 - GE-1 Atlas IIA Launch May 25 - Cluster Ariane 5 Launch (ESA/NASA) May 25 - 35th Anniversary (1961), John F. Kennedy's Moon Goal Speech May 28 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mars 3 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter/Lander) May 29 - Asteroid Ceres at Opposition May 30 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mariner 9 Launch (Mars Orbiter) May 30 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Surveyor 1 Launch (Moon Soft Lander) June 1996 * Jun ?? - Intelsat 709 Ariane 4 Launch Jun ?? - Intelsat 801 Ariane 4 Launch Jun 01 - TOMS Pegasus XL Launch * Jun 01 - Progress M-32 Launch (Russia) Jun 01 - Moon Passes 0.8 Degrees North of Asteroid Ceres Jun 01-06 - Space 96, Albuquerque, New Mexico Jun 03 - Comet Gunn, Closest Approach to Earth (1.469 AU) Jun 03 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Gemini 9 Launch Jun 06 - Comet Hyakutake Crosses the Earth's Orbit * Jun 07 - Asteroid 498 Tokio Occults 8.9 Magnitude Star in Ophiuchus Jun 10 - Mercury At Its Greatest Elongation (24 Degrees) Jun 11 - Asteroid Icarus Near-Earth Flyby (0.1012 AU) Jun 12 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #5 (OTM-5) Jun 14 - Mercury Passes 3 Degrees South of Mars Jun 16 - Asteroid 1990MU Near-Earth Flyby (0.2499 AU) Jun 16 - Mars Passes 3 Degrees NW of Mercury * Jun 20 - STS-78, Columbia, Life & Microgravity Spacelab (LMS) Jun 20 - Summer Solstice June 22-23 - Universe '96, Santa Clara, California Jun 23 - Mercury Passes 1.5 Degrees North of Venus Jun 25 - Comet Parker-Hartley Perihelion (3.05 AU) Jun 27 - Galileo, 1st Ganymede Flyby (Orbit 1) Jun 29 - Asteroid Metis at Opposition Jun 30 - GPS-10 Delta Launch * Jun 30 - Asteroid 7074 Interamnia Occults 10 Magnitude Star in Triangulum Jun 30 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Death of 3 Cosmonauts in Soyuz 11 July 1996 Jul ?? - Telecom-2D/Insat-2D Ariane 4 Launch Jul 01 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #6 (OTM-6) Jul 02 - Comet Kopff Perihelion (1.5796 AU) Jul 04 - Jupiter at Opposition * Sep ??- Arabsat-2A/ARD/Amsat Ariane 5 Launch Jul 05 - Earth at Aphelion (94,512,258 miles from Sun) Jul 06 - Soyuz TM-24 Launch (Russia) Jul 08 - Comet Kopff, Closest Approach to Earth (0.5651 AU) Jul 09 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #7 (OTM-7) * Jul 12 - Moon Occults Venus Jul 15 - FAST Pegasus XL Launch Jul 16 - Asteroid Victoria at Opposition Jul 17 - Venus at Greatest Brilliancy (Magnititude -4.5) Jul 18 - EHF-7 Atlas Launch Jul 18 - Neptune at Opposition Jul 18 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Gemini 10 Launch Jul 20 - 20th Anniversary (1976), Viking 1 Mars Landing * Jul 21 - Progress M-33 Launch (Russia) Jul 21 - 35th Anniversary (1961), Mercury 4 Launch Jul 24 - Comet Gunn Perihelion (2.462 AU) Jul 25 - Uranus at Opposition Jul 26 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Apollo 15 Launch Jul 29 - South Delta-Aquarids Meteor Shower August 1996 Aug ?? - ADEOS/NSCAT Launch Aug 01 - STS-79, Atlantis, Mir Docking Aug 01 - NOAA-K Titan 2 Launch Aug 02 - Asteroid Toro Near-Earth Flyby (0.2208 AU) Aug 06 - 35th Anniversary (1961), Vostok 2 Launch Aug 06 - Asteroid 3103 Eger Near-Earth Flyby (0.1151 AU) Aug 06 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #8 (OTM-8) Aug 07 - Hot Bird 2 Atlas Launch Aug 08 - Asteroid Nausikaa at Opposition Aug 09 - 20th Anniversary (1976), Luna 24 Launch (Soviet Moon Sample Return) Aug 10 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Lunar Orbiter 1 Launch Aug 12 - Perseids Meteor Shower (Potential Meteor Storm) Aug 17 - Asteroid Lutetia at Opposition Aug 17 - Asteroid Dembowska at Opposition Aug 17 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Pioneer 7 Launch (Solar Orbiter) Aug 19 - Asteroid Urania at Opposition Aug 19 - Venus Reaches Greatest Elongation (46 Degrees) Aug 20 - Comet Shoemaker-Holt 2 Perihelion Aug 20 - Asteroid Laetitia at Opposition Aug 21 - Mercury At Its Greatest Elongation (27 Degrees) Aug 24 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Luna 11 Launch (Soviet Lunar Orbiter) Aug 25 - 15th Anniversary (1981), Voyager 2 Saturn Flyby Aug 28 - Asteroid 1991 CS Near-Earth Flyby (0.0508 AU) Aug 28 - GPS II R-1 Delta Launch Aug 31 - Comet Wild 4 Perihelion (1.989 AU) September 1996 * Sep ??- Arabsat-2A/ARD/Amsat Ariane 5 Launch Sep ?? - VSOP-Muses-B Launch (Japan) Sep ?? - Intelsat 802 Ariane 4 Launch Sep ?? - Echostar 2 Ariane 4 Launch Sep 03 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #9 (OTM-9) Sep 03 - Asteroid Thyra at Opposition Sep 03 - 20th Anniversary (1976), Viking 2 Mars Landing Sep 04 - Venus Passes 3 Degrees South of Mars Sep 06 - Galileo, 2nd Ganymede Flyby (Orbit 2) Sep 09 - Comet Wirtanen Closest to Earth (1.4917 AU) Sep 09 - Asteroid 1994 PC Near-Earth Flyby (0.1706 AU) Sep 11 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #10 (OTM-10) Sep 12 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Gemini 11 Launch Sep 15 - 5th Anniversary (1991), UARS Deployment from STS-48 Sep 16 - Asteroid 1989 RS1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.1950 AU) Sep 18 - Loral DBS Atlas Launch Sep 21-28 - National Astronomy Week '96, England Sep 22 - Autumnal Equinox (18:00 UT) Sep 23 - 150th Anniversary (1846), J. Galle's Discovery of Neptune Sep 26 - Saturn at Opposition Sep 26-27 - Lunar Eclipse Sep 28 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Luna 19 Launch (Soviet Lunar Orbiter) October 1996 Oct ?? - Measat-2/Nahuel-1A Ariane 4 Launch Oct 03 - Mercury At Its Greatest Western Elongation (18 Degrees) Oct 04 - Asteroid Juno at Opposition Oct 07 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #11 (OTM-11) Oct 09 - Draconids Meteor Shower Oct 10 - 150th Anniversary (1846), William Lassell's Discovery of Neptune's mo Triton Oct 12 - Partial Solar Eclipse Oct 15 - SWAS Pegasus XL Launch * Oct 15 - Progress M-35 Launch (Russia) Oct 15 - Comet Machholz 1 Perihelion Oct 21 - Orionid Meteor Shower Oct 22 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Luna 12 Launch (Soviet Lunar Orbiter) Oct 22 - Asteroid 1989 UQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.1505 AU) Oct 23 - Asteroid 4947 Ninkasi Near-Earth Flby (0.2131 AU) Oct 24 - 145th Anniversary (1851), William Lassell's Discovery of Uranus moons Umbriel and Ariel Oct 25 - 325th Anniversary (1671), Giovanni Cassini's Discovery of Saturn's mo Iapetus Oct 25 - Asteroid 4197 1982 TA Near-Earth Flyby (0.0846 AU) Oct 27 - Daylight Savings - Set Clock Back One Hour (USA) Oct 27 - Asteroid 3908 1980 PA Near-Earth Flyby (0.0613 AU) Oct 29 - 5th Anniversary (1991), Galileo Flyby of Asteroid Gaspra Oct 29 - Asteroid 1991 VE Near-Earth Flyby (0.0853 AU) Oct 30 - 15th Anniversary (1981), Venera 13 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander) Oct 31 - Comet IRAS Perihelion November 1996 Nov ?? - Intelsat 803 Ariane 4 Launch Nov 01 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #12 (OTM-12) Nov 04 - Galileo, 1st Callisto Flyby (Orbit 3) Nov 04 - Taurids Meteor Shower Nov 04 - 15th Anniversary (1981), Venera 14 Launch (Venus Flyby/Lander) Nov 05 - Mars Global Surveyor Launch (Mars Orbiter) Nov 06 - Galileo, Europa Close Approach (Orbit 3) Nov 06 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Lunar Orbiter 2 Launch Nov 07 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #13 (OTM-13) Nov 07 - STS-80, Columbia, Wake Shield Facility (WSF-03) Nov 08 - Edmund Halley's 340th Birthday (1656) Nov 09 - Comet Mrkos Perihelion (1.413 AU) Nov 11 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Gemini 12 Launch Nov 14 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mariner 9 Mars Orbit Insertion Nov 14 - Andromedids Meteor Shower Nov 16 - Mars '96 Launch (Russia) Nov 17 - Leonids Meteor Shower Nov 20 - Asteroid Interamnia at Opposition Nov 23 - Asteroid 1993WD Near-Earth Flyby (0.2466 AU) Nov 23 - Asteroid Davida at Opposition Nov 27 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #14 (OTM-14) Nov 27 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mars 2 Mars Orbit Insertion/Lander Crash (Soviet Union) Nov 29 - Asteroid 4179 Toutatis Near-Earth Flyby (0.0354 AU) December 1996 Dec ?? - Thaicom-3 Ariane 4 Launch Dec 01 - SAC-B/HETE Pegasus XL Launch Dec 02 - Mars Pathfinder Delta 2 launch (Mars Lander/Rover) Dec 02 - 25th Anniversary (1971), Mars 2 Mars Orbit Insertion/Mars Landing Dec 05 - STS-81, Atlantis, 5th Shuttle-Mir Mission, SPACEHAB * Dec 09 - Soyuz TM-25 Launch (Russia) Dec 09 - Asteroid Kalliope at Opposition Dec 13 - Geminids Meteor Shower Dec 14 - Tycho Brahe's 450th Birthday (1546) Dec 15 - Mercury At Its Greatest Eastern Elongation (20 Degrees) Dec 15 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Dollfus' Discovery of Saturn Moon Janus Dec 16 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #15 (OTM-15) Dec 19 - Galileo, 1st Europa Flyby (Orbit 4) Dec 21 - Winter Solstice Dec 22 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #16 (OTM-16) Dec 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower Dec 22 - 30th Anniversary (1966), Luna 13 Launch (Soviet Moon Lander) Dec 25 - Asteroid 1994 WR12 Near-Earth Flyby (0.0978 AU) Dec 27 - Johannes Kepler's 425th Birthday (1571) January 1997 * Jan ?? - JCSat-4 Atlas-2AS Launch Jan 03 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower Jan 07 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #17 (OTM-17) Jan 10 - Asteroid 1991 VK Near-Earth Flyby (.0749 AU) Jan 11 - 210th Anniversary (1787), Herschell's Discovery of Uranus Moons Titania and Oberon Jan 12 - Comet Shoemaker-Levy 4 Perihelion (2.02 AU) Jan 15 - Seastar Pegasus XL Launch Jan 20 - Galileo, Europa Flyby (Orbit 5) Jan 20 - Comet Hale-Bopp Crosses the Orbit of Mars Jan 21 - Asteroid 1994 PC1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.0651 AU) Jan 25 - Asteroid 1989 UQ Near-Earth Flyby (.2286 AU) Jan 27 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Apollo 1 Fire February 1997 Feb 05 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #18 (OTM-18) Feb 05 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Lunar Orbiter 3 Launch Feb 13 - STS-82, Discovery, Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission #2 Feb 14 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Luna 20 Launch (Soviet Moon Sample Return) Feb 17 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #19 (OTM-19) Feb 20 - Galileo, 2nd Europa Flyby (Orbit 6) Feb 20 - 35th Anniversary (1962), Friendship 7 Launch (John Glenn) Feb 23 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #20 (OTM-20) Feb 23 - Asteroid 1991 CS Near-Earth Flyby (0.2229 AU) Feb 23 - 10th Anniversary (1987) of Supernova 1987A Explosion March 1997 Mar 01 - 15th Anniversary (1982), Venera 13 Venus Flyby/Landing (USSR) Mar 03 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Pioneer 10 Launch (Jupiter/Saturn Flyby) Mar 05 - 15th Anniversary (1982), Venera 14 Venus Flyby/Landing (USSR) Mar 07 - John Herschel's 205th Birthday (1792) Mar 08 - 20th Anniversary (1977), Discovery of Uranus' Rings Mar 09 - Solar Eclipse, Visible from Russia, Arctic Mar 09 - Comet Hale-Bopp Crosses the Earth's Orbit Mar 10 - Asteroid 1990VA Near-Earth Flyby (0.2069 AU) Mar 14 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #21 (OTM-21) Mar 14 - Comet Wirtanen Perihelion (1.065 AU) Mar 17 - Mars at Opposition Mar 22 - Comet Hale-Bopp Closest Approach to Earth (1.315 AU) Mar 24 - Partial Lunar Eclipse Mar 27 - STS-83, Columbia, Materials Science Lab-1 (MSL-1) Mar 27 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Venera 8 Launch (Venus Lander) April 1997 * Apr 01 - Comet Hale-Bopp Perihelion * Apr 02 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #22 (OTM-22) * Apr 04 - Galileo, Europa Observations (Orbit 7) * Apr 05 - Galileo, 3rd Ganymede Flyby (Orbit 7) * Apr 06 - Daylight Savings, Set Clock Ahead 1 Hour (North America) * Apr 08 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #23 (OTM-23) * Apr 15 - 25th Anniversary (1972), Apollo 16 Launch (Manned Moon Landing) * Apr 15 - Wilbur Wright's 130th Birthday (1867) * Apr 17 - Comet Boethin Perihelion * Apr 17 - 30th Anniversary (1967), Surveyor 3 Launch (Moon Lander) * Apr 24 - Galileo, Orbital Trim Maneuver #24 (OTM-24) ___ _____ ___ /_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov | | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab | ___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ Pasadena, CA | It is only the optimists /___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| | who achieve anything in |_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ | this world. @START@Science Head to Leave NASA Michael Braukus Headquarters, Washington, DC April 30, 1996 (Phone: 202/358-1600) RELEASE: 96-80 SCIENCE HEAD TO LEAVE NASA Harry C. Holloway, M.D., NASA's Associate Administrator for the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, has completed his temporary assignment at NASA and will return to the School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD. "Harry brought great leadership to this office," said NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. "His commitment to conducting only peer reviewed science in space has reinforced NASA's reputation as a world leader in life and microgravity sciences." Holloway will leave April 30, 1996. A replacement has not been selected. Holloway had the distinction of being the first associate administrator for the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications after the office was established by Goldin on March 8, 1993. Holloway's accomplishments during his tenure included the establishment of programs which emphasized conducting experimental sciences on orbit and the development of technologies to support those programs. Holloway oversaw completion of an integrated strategic plan for the Human Exploration and Development of Space. During Holloway's tenure, the office also developed the plan for the scientific integration of the International Space Station and the outfitting of its science facilities to support utilization. The office initiated the integrated science and utilization plan for the Shuttle-Mir program, established an international reputation for integrity in the selection and support of science for all office programs, and promoted an expanded cooperative relationship between NASA and the National Institutes of Health. Ten cooperative agreements were signed with the National Institutes of Health during Holloway's three-year tenure. @START@Palomar Sky Survey to be Available on CD-ROM FOR RELEASE: April 30, 1996 CONTACT: Ray Villard Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD (Phone: 410-338-4514) Wendy Eck Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA (Phone: 415-337-1100) PRESS RELEASE NO.: STScI-PR96-20 THE ORIGINAL NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY- PALOMAR OBSERVATORY SKY SURVEY TO BE AVAILABLE ON 8 CD-ROMS The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) are pleased to announce the availability of RealSky CD, the digitized Palomar Observatory Sky Survey compressed by a factor of 100x, available on 8 CD-ROMs. For the first time, amateur astronomers, educators, and the public will have access to the actual sky survey plates used for more than thirty years by research astronomers. The unprecedented level of telescopic detail, especially of extended images like galaxies, clusters, and nebulae, is not available in any other astronomical software package. The images are digitizations of the E plates from the first NGS-POSS, conducted with the Oschin Telescope (48" Schmidt) on Palomar Mountain during the 1950s. The NGS-POSS was funded by a grant from the National Geographic Society to the California Institute of Technology. With funding from NASA, the more than 750 plate images were first digitized during an intensive eight-year effort by STScI astronomers to prepare the Guide Star Catalog which provides the coordinates of target stars that are used by the Hubble Space Telescope for acquiring and locking onto celestial targets. RealSky CD is a more compressed version of the original Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) which was made available on 102 CD-ROMs two years ago. The DSS was compressed by a factor of 10 and offered images that were nearly indistinguishable from the original data. The 100x compression factor of RealSky is not suitable for professional research activity but provides an invaluable tool for the educational and amateur communities. RealSky CD offers single-color (one passband) images of the entire northern sky, down to -15! declination--the approximate location of Sirius--and angular resolution of 1.7 seconds, revealing stars as faint as 19th magnitude. The included RealSkyView software allows users to view and manipulate the images under Windows (3.1, '95, NT) or Macintosh operating systems. UNIX and VMS software is also included with both versions. Both RealSky CD and the original 10x Digitized Sky Survey can be accessed directly from TheSky (v.4) astronomy software by simply clicking on the desired sky area and specifying the image size. CDS are packaged with instruction manual and accompanying software. RealSky CD will be available July 1, 1996. The cost of the 8 CD-ROM set will be $225.00 if ordered prior to the release date. After July 1, the price will be $250.00. Within the U.S., add $16 for shipping and handling charges; Canada and Mexico residents please add $20; all other countries add $50 for delivery by airmail. California residents please add applicable sales tax. Use your Visa or Mastercard to order at 1-800-335-2624 or send orders by check, credit card, or institutional purchase orders to: The Astronomical Society of the Pacific RealSky CD Orders 390 Ashton Avenue San Francisco, USA tel: 415/337-1100 fax: 415/337-5205 e-mail: asp@stars.sfsu.edu * * * * The Space Telescope Science Institute is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), for NASA, under contract with the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Space Telescope Science Institute press release text and other information are available automatically by sending e-mail to listserv@stsci.edu. In the body of the message (not the subject line) type the words "subscribe pio Your Name." Don't use quotes or user/account names; i.e., someone named Jane Doe would type subscribe pio Jane Doe. The system will reply with a confirmation of your subscription via e-mail, and new press releases will be received by e-mail. @START@NASA to Establish National Space Biomedical Research Institute Don Savage Headquarters, Washington, DC April 30, 1996 (Phone: 202/358-1547) Eileen Hawley Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (Phone: 713/483-5111) RELEASE: 96-82 NASA BEGINS PROCESS TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL SPACE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE NASA will take the first step May 1 in awarding a cooperative agreement to establish a National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) to lead efforts in biomedical research with the release of a draft solicitation for proposals. Using NASA's expertise in space life sciences, its unique facilities and engineering assets, the NSBRI will support a wide variety of basic and applied biomedical sciences designed to support the presence of humans in space and to use that knowledge to enhance life on Earth. "The concept of the Biomedical Research Institute is in keeping with our plans to more closely bind NASA's scientific knowledge and our immense engineering and technical resources to the community," said Johnson Space Center Director George W.S. Abbey. "This will reinforce our links with the external community and put NASA-driven technology in the hands of the business and academic community where it can be used to help people in everyday life." A draft Cooperative Agreement Notice to solicit proposals for establishing the NSBRI will be issued May 1. The CAN will be available from the Johnson Space Center Industry Assistance Office, Code BD35, Houston, TX 77058, at 713/483- 4511; or through the Internet at URL: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/bd2 under "business opportunities." NASA will provide core funding, in addition to research opportunities funded through yearly competitions, to ensure a focused and successful endeavor. The overall period of the cooperative agreement will be 20 years, a five-year initial period, with the option of three five-year extensions. The NSBRI is part of the NASA Science Institutes concept announced by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin last year. @START@NASA Selects Astronaut Class of 1996 Ed Campion Headquarters, Washington, DC (Phone: 202/358-1778) Kyle Herring May 1, 1996 Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (Phone: 713/483-5111) RELEASE: 96-84 (abridged) NASA SELECTS ASTRONAUT CLASS OF 1996 Thirty-five astronaut candidates will arrive at the Johnson Space Center on August 12 to begin a period of training and evaluation. This year's class consists of 10 pilot and 25 mission specialist candidates selected from more than 2,400 applicants. The class of 1996 is the largest class selected since the first class of Shuttle astronauts, also numbering 35, was named in 1978. Following about one-year of evaluation and training, the astronauts will receive technical assignments within the Astronaut Office to further prepare them for Shuttle flight assignments. The full text of this release and a listing of the candidates and biographical data is available via anonymous FTP at ftp.hq.nasa.gov in the directory /pub/pao/pressrel/1996, in the file named 96-84.txt, or at the URL ftp://ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/pressrel/1996/96-84.txt. @START@1000 Comet Hyakutake Images 1000 COMET HYAKUTAKE IMAGES I now have over 1000 images of Comet Hyakutake on my home page. I would like to thank the people who have submitted their images and made them available on the Internet. The URL of the home page is: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/comet/hyakutake/ ___ _____ ___ /_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov | | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab | ___| | | | |__) |/ | | |__ Pasadena, CA | It is only the optimists /___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| | who achieve anything in |_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ | this world. @START@JPL to Display Micro-Instrument Technology Jim Cast Headquarters, Washington, DC May 2, 1996 (Phone: 202/358-1779) Jim Doyle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (Phone: 818/354-0474) NOTE TO EDITORS: N96-29 JPL TO DISPLAY MICRO-INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY AT NASA HQ During the week of May 6, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Center for Microelectronics Technology will display cutting- edge technologies in the West Lobby of the NASA Headquarters Building at 4th and E Streets, SW, in Washington, DC. The display will feature working prototypes of miniature sensors, electronics and computing technologies for space missions. Many of these technologies have commercial as well as space applications and are being developed in partnership with U.S. industries. A few among the many items to be displayed will include a working prototype miniature camera for medical, desktop computer conferencing and video phone applications (in partnership with AT&T and others); a working prototype long wavelength infrared video-rate camera (in partnership with Amber, a Raytheon company); a micro weather station and micro- seismometers for Mars and Earth science missions; a sub- millimeter technology for Earth science and astronomy; advanced flight computers (in partnership with TRW); and advanced concepts and design techniques for miniature science missions. JPL personnel will be on hand May 6-10 to answer questions and discuss the technologies on display. No badging will be required, and reporters may view the displays anytime during normal business hours. @START@TOPEX/Poseidon status 5/1/96 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 TOPEX/POSEIDON MISSION STATUS May 1, 1996 The satellite is operating normally and is in cycle 133 of data collection. Each data collection cycle is 10 days long. The science data team reports that the Sensor Data Records and Interim Geophysical Data Records (IGDRs) for cycle 132 have been completed. After archiving and packaging, the IGDRs will be sent to the Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center at JPL. Dr. Dudley Chelton, a TOPEX/Poseidon science team member at the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis, reported in Science magazine last month that he is using TOPEX/Poseidon data to track Rossby waves as they move through the open ocean. He reported that scientists have determined that, at mid-latitudes, the Rossby waves are moving two to three times faster than previously thought. Rossby waves are large-scale ocean waves, with wavelengths of hundreds of kilometers from one wave crest to the next. These waves carry a "memory" of weather changes that have happened at distant locations over the ocean. @START@Voyager status 5/1/96 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 VOYAGER MISSION STATUS May 1, 1996 Voyager 1 is currently 9.33 billion kilometers (5.79 billion miles) from Earth, having traveled 11.19 billion kilometers (6.95 billion miles) since its launch in September 1977. The Voyager 1 spacecraft is departing the solar system at a speed of 17.43 kilometers per second (38,985 miles per hour). Voyager 2 is currently 7.30 billion kilometers (4.53 billion miles) from Earth, having traveled 10.57 billion kilometers (6.57 billion miles) since its launch in August 1977. The Voyager 2 spacecraft is departing the solar system at a speed of 16.04 kilometers per second (35,871 miles per hour). Both Voyager spacecraft are healthy and continue their departure from the solar system. As they travel farther and farther from the Sun, the two spacecraft are returning data to characterize the outer solar system environment and search for the boundary of the heliopause, the outer limit of the Sun's magnetic field and outward flow of the solar wind. Six science instruments on each Voyager spacecraft are collecting data on the strength and orientation of the Sun's magnetic field; the composition, direction and energy spectra of the solar wind particles and interstellar cosmic rays; the strength of radio emissions that are thought to be originating at the heliopause, beyond which is interstellar space; and the distribution of hydrogen within the outer heliopause. These data are transmitted to Earth in real time, at 160 bits per second, and captured by 34-meter Deep Space Network stations. After transmission of the data to JPL it is made available in electronic files to the science teams located around the country for their processing and analysis. Flight controllers believe both spacecraft will continue to operate and send back valuable data until at least the year 2015. @START@Galileo status 5/1/96 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 GALILEO MISSION STATUS May 1, 1996 The Galileo spacecraft is operating normally in orbit around Jupiter, continuing to collect and transmit information on the magnetic field and dust environment and to prepare for the first Ganymede encounter just eight weeks away. In the two-day tape recorder test last week, the tape stuck and was successfully unstuck many times under various conditions. The engineers are gaining confidence in operating the tape recorder. They believe that these test results support the strategy established to deal with the sticking problem, starting with the Ganymede encounter. Later this week Galileo will perform its first small orbit trim maneuver to refine the path to Ganymede. The velocity change of about 1.3 meters per second (less than 3 mph) will move the arrival about 35 minutes later and considerably closer to the satellite. Ganymede encounter at 844 kilometers (about 520 miles) altitude is planned for June 27. In about two weeks Galileo's new flight software will be transmitted to the spacecraft via the Deep Space Network. The new software, for Galileo's command and data subsystem, attitude control subsystem and most of the scientific instruments, is currently finishing up testing in the spacecraft test-bed simulator at JPL. The orbiting Galileo is now 16.9 million kilometers (10.4 million miles) from Jupiter, moving toward the planet at more than 1,600 meters per second (3,600 mph). It is 719 million kilometers (447 million miles) from Earth. @START@Ulysses status 5/1/96 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 ULYSSES MISSION STATUS May 1, 1996 All operations and science experiments continue to go well aboard the Ulysses spacecraft as it heads for the orbit of Jupiter. NASA's tracking facilities near Madrid, Spain and at Goldstone, Calif., continue to monitor the spacecraft about 12 hours a day. Today Ulysses is about 41 degrees north of the Sun's equator, traveling at a heliocentric velocity of about 52,000 kilometers per hour (32,000 miles per hour) with respect to the Sun. Ulysses will reach Jupiter's distance of 5.4 astronomical units (about 800 million kilometers or 500 million miles) from the Sun on April 17, 1998. Once there, the spacecraft will loop around and return to high latitude regions of the Sun. In September 2000, the spacecraft will begin its second solar orbit, which will take it over both poles of the Sun. @START@Galileo finds iron core in Io 5/3/96 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 Contact: Mary Beth Murrill May 3, 1996 NASA'S GALILEO FINDS GIANT IRON CORE IN JUPITER'S MOON IO Jupiter's volcano-pocked moon Io has been found by NASA's Galileo spacecraft to have a giant iron core that takes up half its diameter, scientists report in today's issue of Science magazine. The spacecraft also has detected a large "hole" in Jupiter's magnetic field near Io, leading to speculation about whether Io possesses its own magnetic field. If so, it would be the first planetary moon known to have one. These newly identified characteristics of Io may be related to the intense heating of the moon caused by the constant squeezing and distortion of Io in Jupiter's powerful gravitational grip, according to Galileo Project Scientist Dr. Torrence Johnson of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Io is the most geologically active body in the Solar System, and though it is less than a third of Earth's size, it generates twice as much heat as the Earth. "Jupiter's massive gravity field distorts the shape of Io in the same way that tides are raised in Earth's oceans by the gravitational tugs of the Sun and Moon," said Johnson. As Io orbits Jupiter, these so-called "body tides" rise and fall due to subtle changes in Io's orbit which, in turn, are caused by the gravitational nudges from Europa and Ganymede, other moons of Jupiter. As a result, Io is squeezed like a rubber ball. Friction created by this action heats and melts rock within Io to produce the volcanoes and lava flows seen all over its surface and huge geysers that spew sulfur dioxide onto Io's landscape. The large, dense core Galileo found within Io was deduced from data taken during the spacecraft's flyby within 899 kilometers (559 miles) of the moon last Dec. 7, as Galileo passed by Io on its way to enter orbit around Jupiter. Precise measurements of the spacecraft's radio signal revealed small deviations in Galileo's trajectory caused by the effects of Io's own gravity field. From these data, Galileo scientists have determined that Io has a two-layer structure. At the center is a metallic core, probably made of iron and iron sulfide, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) in radius, which is overlain by a mantle of partially molten rock and crust, according to JPL's Dr. John Anderson, team leader of Galileo's celestial mechanics experiment and principal author of the paper published in Science today. The core was probably formed from heating in the interior of the moon, either when it originally formed or as a result of the perpetual tidal heating driving its volcanoes. Galileo scientists are also trying to determine the cause of the hole they found in Jupiter's magnetic field when the spacecraft was closest to Io. "Instead of increasing continuously as the spacecraft neared Jupiter, the magnetic field strength took a sudden drop of about 30 percent," said Johnson. "It's an astonishing result and completely unexpected," said Dr. Margaret Kivelson of the University of California at Los Angeles, who heads Galileo's magnetic fields investigation team. Preliminary analyses of these data are currently being prepared for formal publication. "The data suggest that something around Io -- possibly a magnetic field generated by Io itself -- is creating a bubble or hole in Jupiter's own powerful magnetic field," Kivelson said. "But it's not clear to us just how Io can dig such a deep and wide magnetic hole." Possible explanations for this signature can only be sorted out using data from all the other space physics instruments onboard Galileo, said Johnson. "We're eagerly awaiting the return of data from the magnetospheric measurements taken during the Io flyby to see if we can resolve this mystery," he said. This data, recorded onboard the spacecraft, will be transmitted back to Earth in June or July. If analysis of this data eventually proves that Io indeed has a magnetic field of its own, it would be the first moon shown to have one. Io would join the Earth, planet Mercury and the outer giant planets as bodies in the Solar System that generate their own magnetic fields. Other studies conducted by Galileo during its December flyby of Io have provided new evidence that Io is most likely the source of high velocity dust streams littering millions of miles of space around Jupiter. In July 1994, Galileo's dust detector began sensing dust streams more powerful than those previously discovered by the Ulysses spacecraft. Dust detectors on Galileo sensed more and more particles during its approach to Jupiter, reaching a peak of 20,000 impacts per day during the longest and most intense interplanetary dust storm ever observed. These fast-moving particles travel at speeds of 50 to 100 kilometers per second (30 to 60 miles per second) away from Jupiter -- fast enough to escape the Solar System. These dust impacts continued up to the time of Galileo's Io flyby and then ceased, said Dr. Eberhard Grun of Germany's Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg, who is principal investigator for Galileo's dust detector experiment. "My preliminary interpretation of these observations is that they support the idea that Io is in some way the source of the Jupiter dust streams," Grun said. One theory proposed after the NASA Voyager spacecraft flybys in the late 1970s is that dust particles emitted from Io's volcanoes could become electrically charged and then swept away by Jupiter's rotating magnetic field. Recent modifications to this theory suggest that the dust is subsequently accelerated in the magnetosphere and flung outward from Jupiter at high velocity, creating dust streams. Galileo's next close encounter with a moon of Jupiter will occur June 27, when the spacecraft will pass about 850 kilometers (530 miles) above the surface of Ganymede. Larger than Mercury, Ganymede is the largest moon in the Solar System. Galileo will make repeated close flybys of Ganymede, Callisto and Europa during its two-year mission in orbit around Jupiter. Galileo was launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on Oct. 18, 1989. The mission is managed by JPL for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, DC. Additional information on the Galileo mission and its results can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/Galileo/ @START@Spartan 207 Update - 05/21/96 5/21/96 5 PM The exciting Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment mission finished successfully with the expert rendezvous, grapple, and quick reberth of the remaining portion of the Spartan spacecraft this morning. Canadian Marc Garneau added another smiling face to Endeavour when he picked up the spacecraft with the Canadian robot arm, and found some astronaut artwork on the grapple fixture alignment pin. Another smiling face came into view when the spacecraft was reberthed into its support structure for the ride back to Earth, bringing the total to eight smiling faces onboard Endeavour. This was in addition to numerous smiling faces here on Earth. The Spartan spacecraft was rock steady in its orientation when the astronauts made their final approach, giving evidence to the fact that the attitude control system was able to recover from the tumble after the jettison of the inflated antenna at the end of its science mission. All in all, the Spartan spacecraft was successful in its support of the Inflatable Antenna Experiment, performing as intended and bringing back the data to be analyzed on Earth. With all Spartan mission operations complete except for monitoring of temperatures, the spacecraft and experiment team from Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and L╣Garde, Inc. of Tustin, CA are preparing for the arrival of the spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center after the mission. The spacecraft will be removed from its support structure and shipped to Goddard where the experiment data will be removed from the spacecraft so data analysis can begin at L╣Garde, Inc., the builders of the Inflatable Antenna Experiment. The experiment team is also anxiously waiting for access to the wealth of photographs, motion pictures, and videos stored onboard Endeavour. We would like to express our gratitude to the Spacehab team for adding the second window to the Spacehab module to enhance the ability of Endeavour╣s crew to capture the experiment inflation. We appreciate their cooperation in our efforts to advance space technology even as they do their work to advance technology in space. No project can be performed without a great deal of teamwork, and Spartan 207/IAE certainly had a great team behind it, both on orbit and on the ground. Thanks to all of you. By the way, we╣ve added some flight pictures and movies to our Web pages, so check them out. We╣ll keep adding things as they become available: Spartan 207 page: http://sspp.gsfc.nasa.gov/sp207.html JPL IAE page: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/iae STS-77 page: http://shuttle.nasa.gov/sts-77 -- Mark Steiner Spartan 207 Mission Manager | Voice: (301)286-5769 NASA-GSFC | FAX: (301)286-1694 Code 740.1 | email: mark.steiner@gsfc.nasa.gov @START@Can I Buy a Star, or Have One Named? (FAQ) Can I Buy a Star, or Have One Named? ========================================== Q: Can I buy a star, or have one named? A: No. Q: But I heard there were organizations that would do this for you. Isn't that true? A: No. There are organizations that will take your money and send you a certificate, but those documents have no validity and are not recognized by anyone else. Q: Come on! Why can't we do this, just for fun? A: If it is "just for fun", you might as well save money and print out your own certificate. It will be just as valid. Q: OK, I understand the practice is probably a "scam", but I have a special situation. A dying child has requested her own star, and how can we possibly refuse her? A: That is a difficult case. In the end, we can either tell the truth ("I'm sorry, Dear, but it is just not possible") or lie and obtain a certificate. In the later case, there is still no reason to give money to a "star naming" agency. Finally, I would ask "How do children get such ideas, unless some adult suggests it to them?" ======================================================================== [The following was provided by Jim Craig <jccraig@OREGON.UOREGON.EDU>] Q: Can I buy a star? What about the companies that claim that I can pay to have a star named after me or someone else? A: Save your money. The various businesses that claim that you can have a star named after you or a friend are only going to separate you from your money. They might put your name in a database and they may send you a certificate that lists the coordinates of "your" star but it's no more official than having any individual name a star. The names of astronomical objects are determined by the International Astronomical Union (I.A.U.). Usually, the only time an object is named after a living person is when that person (or persons) discover the object (e.g. Comet Levy was discovered by David Levy, Barnard's Star was discovered by E.E. Barnard, etc.). Planetary names come from Roman mythology. This also holds true in the case of planetary names although many of the moons of Uranus were named after characters from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night's Dream." Star names come to us via historical convention. Most of the stars that have individual names were named thousands of years ago and were first catalogued by Ptolomey in ancient Egypt. The names come from folklore, mythology and location (such as Polaris). All stars are also given a numerical designation based on the constellation in which they're found and their relative brightness. The brightest are given a Greek letter designation followed by the name of the constellation such as Alpha Centauri, Sigma Draconis, etc. After the last letter of the Greek alphabet (omega) is used, the remaining stars are given numerical designations followed by the constellation name such as 51 Pegasi, 38 Ursa Majoris, etc. Craters and planetary feature names can have various origins. For example, the IAU has asked that the names of famous women (particularly in the sciences) be submitted for naming features on the surface of Venus that have recently been revealed by the Magellan probe. The discoverers of numbered minor planets have the traditional privilege of proposing a name for their discoveries. Asteroids named after musicians Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia and John Lennon were all named by sympathetic discoverers. Objects that were named prior to the formation of the IAU will retain their names. For more information on this function of the IAU, see the Royal Greenwich Observatory leaflet, "The Naming of Stars" at http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/RGO/leaflets/name/name.html If you feel you need to buy something astronomical for yourself or a friend, get a subscription to one of the astronomy magazines like "Astronomy" or "Sky and Telescope," a book, a planisphere or tickets to a planetarium show. In this manner, you can connect with the universe of astronomy and get some value for your money. Other gift ideas: * Membership in the International Dark-Sky Association * Membership for a local Astronomy Club * Star Atlas * Astronomy computer programs * Eyepieces * A pair of binoculars ====================================================================== [This document is archived at file://www.salamander.com/~wmcclain/buystar.txt]. Bill McClain <wmcclain@netins.net> or <wmcclain@salamander.com> http://www.salamander.com/~wmcclain/ @START@Calendar FAQ, v. 1.1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CALENDARS Version 1.1 - 26 April 1996 Copyright and disclaimer ------------------------ This document is Copyright (C) 1996 by Claus Tondering. E-mail: ct@login.dknet.dk. The document may be freely distributed, provided this copyright notice is included and no money is charged for the document. This document is provided "as is". No warranties are made as to its correctness. Introduction ------------ This is the calendar FAQ. Its purpose is to give an overview of the Christian, Hebrew, and Islamic calendars in common use. It will also provide a historical background for the Christian calendar. Comments are very welcome. My e-mail address is given above. I would like to thank - Dr. Monzur Ahmed of the University of Birmingham, UK, - Michael J Appel, - Marcos Montes, - Waleed A. Muhanna of the Fisher College of Business, Columbus, Ohio, USA, - Paul Schlyter of the Swedish Amateur Astronomer's Society for their help with this document. Changes since version 1.0 ------------------------- A few minor mistakes (mostly spelling mistakes) were corrected. A section about Greek Easter has been added Writing dates and years ----------------------- Dates will be written in the British format (1 January) rather than the American format (January 1). Dates will occasionally be abbreviated: "1 Jan" rather than "1 January". Years before and after the "official" birth year of Christ will be written "45 BC" or "AD 1996", respectively. I prefer this notation over the secular "45 B.C.E." and "1996 C.E." The % operator -------------- Throughout this document the operator % will be used to signify the modulo or remainder operator. For example, 17%7=3 because the result of the division 17/7 is 2 with a remainder of 3. The text in square brackets --------------------------- Square brackets [like this] identify information that I am unsure about and about which I would like more information. Please write me at ct@login.dknet.dk. Index: ------ 1. What astronomical events form the basis of calendars? 2. The Christian calendar 2.1. What is the Julian calendar? 2.1.1. What years are leap years? 2.1.2. What consequences did the use of the Julian calendar have? 2.2. What is the Gregorian calendar? 2.2.1. What years are leap years? 2.2.2. Isn't there a 4000-year rule? 2.2.3. Don't the Greek do it differently? 2.2.4. When did country X change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar? 2.3. What day is the leap day? 2.4. What is the Solar Cycle? 2.5. What day of the week was 2 August 1953? 2.6. What is the Roman calendar? 2.6.1. How did the Romans number days? 2.7. Has the year always started on 1 January? 2.8. What is the origin of the names of the months? 2.9. What is Easter? 2.9.1. When is Easter? (Short answer) 2.9.2. When is Easter? (Long answer) 2.9.3. What is the Golden Number? 2.9.4. What is the Epact? 2.9.5. How does one calculate Easter then? 2.9.6. Isn't there a simpler way to calculate Easter? 2.9.7. Is there a simple relationship between two consecutive Easters? 2.9.8. How frequently are the dates for Easter repeated? 2.9.9. What about Greek Easter? 2.10. How does one count years? 2.10.1. Was Jesus born in the year 0? 2.10.2. When does the 21st century start? 2.11. What is the Indiction? 2.12. What is the Julian period? 2.12.1. What is the modified Julian day? 3. The Hebrew Calendar 3.1. What does a Hebrew year look like? 3.2. What years are leap years? 3.3. What years are deficient, regular, and complete? 3.4. When is New Year's day? 3.5. When does a Hebrew day begin? 3.6. When does a Hebrew year begin? 3.7. When is the new moon? 3.8. How does one count years? 4. The Islamic Calendar 4.1. What does an Islamic year look like? 4.2. So you can't print an Islamic calendar in advance? 4.3. How does one count years? 5. Date 1. What astronomical events form the basis of calendars? -------------------------------------------------------- Calendars are normally based on astronomical events, and the two most important astronomical objects are the sun and the moon. Their cycles are very important in the construction and understanding of calendars. Our concept of a year is based on the earth's motion around the sun. The time from one winter solstice to the next is called a "tropical year". Its length is currently 365.242190 days, but it varies. Around 1900 its length was 365.242196 days, and around 2100 it will be 365.242184 days. Our concept of a month is based on the moon's motion around the earth, although this connection has been broken in the calendar commonly used now. The time from one new moon to the next is called a "synodic month", and its length is currently 29.5305889 days, but it varies. Around 1900 its length was 29.5305886 days, and around 2100 it will be 29.5305891 days. Note that these numbers are averages. The actual length of a particular year may vary by several minutes due to the influence of the gravitational force from other planets. Similary, the time between two new moons may vary by several hours due to the excentricity of the lunar orbit. It is unfortunate that the length of the tropical year is not a multiple of the length of the synodic month. This means that with 12 months per year, the relationship between our month and the moon cannot be maintained. However, 19 tropical years is 234.997 synodic months, which is very close to an integer. So every 19 years the phases of the moon fall on the same dates (if it were not for the skewness introduced by leap years). 19 years is called a Metonic cycle (after Meton, an astronomer from Athens in the 5th century BC). So, to summarise: There are three important numbers to note: A tropical year is 365.2422 days. A synodic month is 29.53059 days. 19 tropical years is close to an integral number of synodic months. The Christian calendar is based on the motion of the earth around the sun, while the months have no connection with the motion of the moon. On the other hand, the Islamic calendar is based on the motion of the moon, while the year has no connection with the motion of the earth around the sun. Finally, the Hebrew calendar combines both, in that its years are linked to the motion of the earth around the sun, and its months are linked to the motion of the moon. 2. The Christian calendar ------------------------- The "Christian calendar" is the term I use to designate the calendar commonly in use, although its connection with Christianity is highly debatable. The Chistian calendar has years of 365 or 366 days. It is divided into 12 months that have no relationship to the motion of the moon. In parallel with this system, the concept of "weeks" groups the days in sets of 7. Two main versions of the Christian calendar have existed in recent times: The Julian calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The difference between them lies in the way they approximate the length of the tropical year and their rules for calculating Easter. 2.1. What is the Julian calendar? --------------------------------- The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. It was in common use until the 1500s, when countries started changing to the Gregorian calendar (section 2.2). However, some countries (for example, Greece and Russia) used it into this century, and the Orthodox church in Russia still uses it, as do some other Orthodox churches. In the Julian calendar, the tropical year is approximated as 365 1/4 days = 365.25 days. This gives an error of 1 day in approximately 128 years. The approximation 365 1/4 is achieved by having 1 leap year every 4 years. 2.1.1. What years are leap years? --------------------------------- The Julian calendar has 1 leap year every 4 years. This means that: Every year divisible by 4 is a leap year. However, this rule was not followed in the first years after the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BC. Due to a counting error, every 3rd year was a leap year in the first years of this calendar's existance. The leap years were: 45 BC, 42 BC, 39 BC, 36 BC, 33 BC, 30 BC, 27 BC, 24 BC, 21 BC, 18 BC, 15 BC, 12 BC, 9 BC, AD 8, AD 12, and every 4th year from then on. [One source claims that 45 BC was not a leap year. Can somebody confirm or refute this?] There were no leap years between 9 BC and AD 8. It is a curious fact that although the method of reckoning years after the (official) birthyear of Christ was not introduced until the 6th century, by some stroke of luck the Julian leap years coincide with years of our Lord that are divisible by 4. 2.1.2. What consequences did the use of the Julian calendar have? ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Julian calendar introduces an error of 1 day every 128 years. So every 128 years the vernal equinox moved one day backwards in the calendar. Furthermore, the method for calcualting the dates for Easter was imprecise and needed to be refined. In order to remedy this, two steps were necessary: 1) The Julian calendar had to be replaced by something more adequate. 2) The extra days that the Julian calendar had inserted had to be dropped. The solution to problem 1) was the Gregorian calendar described in section 2.2. The solution to problem 2) depended on the fact that it was felt that 21 March was the proper day for vernal equinox (because 21 March was the date for vernal equinox during the Council of Nicaea in AD 325). The Gregorian calendar was therefore calibrated to make that day vernal equinox. By 1582 vernal equinox had moved (1582-325)/128 days = approximately 10 days backwards. So 10 days had to be dropped. [Dropping 10 days in the 1500s brought the Gregorian calendar in sync with the Julian calendar of the 3rd century. But AD 325 is in the 4th century. Was that deliberate?] 2.2. What is the Gregorian calendar? ------------------------------------ The Gregorian calendar is the one commonly used today. It was decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in a papal bull in February 1582. In the Gregorian calendar, the tropical year is approximated as 365 97/400 days = 365.2425 days. This gives an error of 1 day in approximately 3300 years. The approximation 365 97/400 is achieved by having 97 leap years every 400 years. 2.2.1. What years are leap years? --------------------------------- The Gregorian calendar has 97 leap years every 400 years. This means that: Every year divisible by 4 is a leap year. However, every year divisible by 100 is not a leap year. However, every year divisible by 400 is a leap year after all. So, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2100, and 2200 are not leap years. But 1600, 2000, and 2400 are leap years. (Destruction of a myth: There are no double leap years, i.e. no years with 367 days. See, however, the note on Sweden in section 2.2.4.) 2.2.2. Isn't there a 4000-year rule? ------------------------------------ It has been suggested [by the American Astronomical Society?] that a better approximation to the length of the tropical year would be 365 969/4000 days = 365.24225 days. This would dictate 969 leap years every 4000 years, rather than the 970 leap years mandated by the Gregorian calendar. This could be achieved by dropping one leap year from the Gregorian calendar every 4000 years, which would make years divisible by 4000 non-leap years. This rule has, however, not been officially adopted. 2.2.3. Don't the Greek do it differently? ----------------------------------------- When the Orthodox church in Greece finally decided to switch to the Gregorian calendar in the 1920s, they tried to improve on the Gregorian leap year rules, replacing the "divisible by 400" rule by the following: Every year which when divided by 900 leaves a remainder of 200 or 600 is a leap year. This makes 1900, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800 non-leap years, whereas 2000, 2400, and 2900 are leap years. This will not create a conflict with the rest of the world until the year 2800. This rule gives 218 leap years every 900 years, which gives us an average year of 365 218/900 days = 365.24222 days, which is certainly more precise than the official Gregorian number of 365.2425 days. However, to my knowledge, this rule is *not* official in Greece. [Is this true?] 2.2.4. When did country X change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The papal bull of February 1582 decreed that 10 days should be dropped from October 1582 so that 15 October should follow immediately after 4 October, and from then on the reformed calendar should be used. This was observed in Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. Other Catholic countries followed shortly after, but Protestant countries were reluctant to change, and the Greek orthodox countries didn't change until the start of this century. Changes in the 1500s required 10 days to be dropped. Changes in the 1600s required 10 days to be dropped. Changes in the 1700s required 11 days to be dropped. Changes in the 1800s required 12 days to be dropped. Changes in the 1900s required 13 days to be dropped. (Exercise for the reader: Why is the error in the 1600s the same as in the 1500s.) The following list contains the dates for changes in a number of countries. Albania: December 1912 Austria: Different regions on different dates 5 Oct 1583 was followed by 16 Oct 1583 14 Dec 1583 was followed by 25 Dec 1583 Belgium: Different authorities say 14 Dec 1582 was followed by 25 Dec 1582 21 Dec 1582 was followed by 1 Jan 1583 Bulgaria: Different authorities say Sometime in 1912 Sometime in 1915 18 Mar 1916 was followed by 1 Apr 1916 China: Different authorities say 18 Dec 1911 was followed by 1 Jan 1912 18 Dec 1928 was followed by 1 Jan 1929 Czechoslovakia (i.e. Bohemia and Moravia): 6 Jan 1584 was followed by 17 Jan 1584 Denmark (including Norway): 18 Feb 1700 was followed by 1 Mar 1700 Egypt: 1875 Estonia: January 1918 Finland: Then part of Sweden France: 9 Dec 1582 was followed by 20 Dec 1582 Germany: Different states on different dates: Catholic states on various dates in 1583-1585 Prussia: 22 Aug 1610 was followed by 2 Sep 1610 Protestant states: 18 Feb 1700 was followed by 1 Mar 1700 Great Britain and Dominions (including what is now the USA): 2 Sep 1752 was followed by 14 Sep 1752 Greece: 9 Mar 1924 was followed by 23 Mar 1924 Hungary: 21 Oct 1587 was followed by 1 Nov 1587 Italy: 4 Oct 1582 was followed by 15 Oct 1582 Japan: Different authorities say: 19 Dec 1872 was followed by 1 Jan 1873 18 Dec 1918 was followed by 1 Jan 1919 Latvia: During German occupation 1915 to 1918 Lithuania: 1915 Luxemburg: 14 Dec 1582 was followed by 25 Dec 1582 Netherlands: Brabant, Flanders, Holland, Artois, Hennegau: 14 Dec 1582 was followed by 25 Dec 1582 Geldern, Friesland, Zeuthen, Groningen, Overysel: 30 Nov 1700 was followed by 12 Dec 1700 Norway: Then part of Denmark. Poland: 4 Oct 1582 was followed by 15 Oct 1582 Portugal: 4 Oct 1582 was followed by 15 Oct 1582 Romania: 31 Mar 1919 was followed by 14 Apr 1919 Russia: 31 Jan 1918 was followed by 14 Feb 1918 Spain: 4 Oct 1582 was followed by 15 Oct 1582 Sweden (including Finland): 17 Feb 1753 was followed by 1 Mar 1753 (see note below) Switzerland: Catholic cantons: 1583 or 1584 Zurich, Bern, Basel, Schafhausen, Neuchatel, Geneva: 31 Dec 1700 was followed by 12 Jan 1701 St Gallen: 1724 Turkey: 18 Dec 1926 was followed by 1 Jan 1927 Yugoslavia: 1919 USA: See Great Britain. Sweden has a curious history. Sweden decided to make a gradual change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. By dropping every leap year from 1700 through 1740 the eleven superfluous days would be omitted and from 1 Mar 1740 they would be in sync with the Gregorian calendar. (But in the meantime they would be in sync with nobody!) So 1700 (which should have been a leap year in the Julian calendar) was not a leap year in Sweden. However, by mistake 1704 and 1708 became leap years. This left Sweden out of synchronisation with both the Julian and the Gregorian world, so they decided to go *back* to the Julian calendar. In order to do this, they inserted an extra day in 1712, making that year a double leap year! So in 1712, February had 30 days in Sweden. Later, in 1753 Sweden changed to the Gregorian calendar by dropping 11 days like everyone else. 2.3. What day is the leap day? ------------------------------ 24 February! Weird? Yes! The explanation is related to the Roman calendar and is found in section 2.6.1. From a numerical point of view, of course 29 February is the extra day. But from the point of view of celebration of feast days, the following correspondance between days in leap years and non-leap years exist: Non-leap year Leap year ------------- ---------- 22 February 22 February 23 February 23 February 24 February (extra day) 24 February 25 February 25 February 26 February 26 February 27 February 27 February 28 February 28 February 29 February For example, the feast of St. Leander is celebrated on 27 February in non-leap years and on 28 February in leap years. The EU (European Union) in their infinite wisdom have decided that starting in the year 2000, 29 February is to be the leap day. This will affect countries such as Sweden and Austria that celebrate "name days" (i.e. each day is associated with a name), but I doubt that the EU can force the Catholic church to celebrate certain feast days for saints on a new set of dates? 2.4. What is the Solar Cycle? ----------------------------- In the Julian calendar the relationship between the days of the week and the dates of the year is repeated in cycles of 28 years. In the Gregorian calendar this is still true for periods that do not cross years that are divisible by 100 but not by 400. A period of 28 years is called a Solar Cycle. The "Solar Number" of a year is found as: Solar Number = (year + 8) % 28 + 1 In the Julian calendar there is a one-to-one relationship between the Solar Number and the day on which a particular date falls. (The leap year cycle of the Gregorian calendar is 400 years, which is 146,097 days, which curiously enough is a multiple of 7. So in the Gregorian calendar the equivalent of the "Solar Cycle" would be 400 years, not 7*400=2800 years as one might be tempted to believe.) 2.5. What day of the week was 2 August 1953? -------------------------------------------- To calculate the day on which a particular date falls, the following algorithm may be used (the divisions are integer divisions, in which remainders are discarded): a = (14 - month) / 12 y = year - a m = month + 12*a - 2 For Julian calendar: d = (5 + day + y + y/4 + (31*m)/12) % 7 For Gregorian calendar: d = (day + y + y/4 - y/100 + y/400 + (31*m)/12) % 7 The value of d is 0 for a Sunday, 1 for a Monday, 2 for a Tuesday, etc. Example: On what day of the week was the author born? My birthday is 2 August 1953 (Gregorian, of course). a = (14 - 8) / 12 = 0 y = 1953 - 0 = 1953 m = 8 + 12*0 - 2 = 6 d = (2 + 1953 + 1953/4 - 1953/100 + 1953/400 + (31*6)/12) % 7 = (2 + 1953 + 488 - 19 + 4 + 15 ) % 7 = 2443 % 7 = 0 I was born on a Sunday. 2.6. What is the Roman calendar? -------------------------------- Before Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BC, the Roman calendar was a mess, and much of our so-called "knowledge" about it seems to be little more than guesswork. Originally, the year started on 1 March and consisted of only 304 days or 10 months (Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, and December). These 304 days were followed by an unnamed and unnumbered winter period. The Roman king Numa Pompilius (c. 715-673 BC) allegedly introduced February and January (in that order) between December and March, increasing the length of the year to 354 or 355 days. In 450 BC, February was moved to its current position between January and March. In order to make up for the lack of days in a year, an extra month, Intercalans or Mercedonius, (allegedly with 22 or 23 days though some authorities dispute this) was introduced in some years. In an 8 year period the length of the years were: 1: 12 months or 355 days 2: 13 months or 377 days 3: 12 months or 355 days 4: 13 months or 378 days 5: 12 months or 355 days 6: 13 months or 377 days 7: 12 months or 355 days 8: 13 months or 378 days A total of 2930 days corresponding to a year of 366 1/4 days. This year was discovered to be too long, and therefore 7 days were later dropped from the 8th year, yielding 365.375 days per year. This is all theory. In practice it was the duty of the priesthood to keep track of the calendars, but they failed miserably, partly due to ignorance, partly because they were bribed to make certain years long and other years short. In order to clean up this mess, Julius Caesar made his famous calendar reform in 45 BC. We can make an educated guess about the length of the months in the years 47 and 46 BC: 47 BC 46 BC January 29 29 February 28 24 Intercalans 27 March 31 31 April 29 29 May 31 31 June 29 29 Quintilis 31 31 Sextilis 29 29 September 29 29 October 31 31 November 29 29 Undecember 33 Duodecember 34 December 29 29 --- --- Total 355 445 The length of the months from 45 BC onward were the same as the ones we know today. Or were they? There are two versions of the story: 1. The lengths of the months from 45 BC were the same as they are today. 2. Julius Caesar made all odd numbered months 31 days long, and all even numbered months 30 days long (with February having 29 days in non-leap years). In 44 BC Quintilis was renamed "Julius" (July) in honour of Julius Caesar, and in 8 BC Sextilis became "Augustus" in honour of emperor Augustus. When Augustus had a month named after him, he wanted his month to be a full 31 days long, so he removed a day from February and shifted the length of the other months so that August would have 31 days. Which version is true? Some sources claim that version 2 is a 14th century fabrication with no basis in actual fact. [Can anybody help me here?] 2.6.1. How did the Romans number days? -------------------------------------- The Romans didn't number the days sequentially from 1. Instead they had three fixed points in each month: "Kalendae" (or "Calendae"), which was the first day of the month. "Idus", which was the 13th day of January, February, April, June, August, September, November, and December, or the 15th day of March, May, July, or October. "Nonae", which was the 9th day before Idus (counting Idus itself as the 1st day). The days between Kalendae and Nonae were called "the 4th day before Nonae", "the 3rd day before Nonae", and "the 2nd day before Nonae". (The 1st day before Nonae would be Nonae itself.) Similarly, the days between Nonae and Idus were called "the Xth day before Idus", and the days after Idus were called "the Xth day before Kalendae (of the next month)". Julius Caesar decreed that in leap years the "6th day before Kalendae of March" should be doubled. [Why that particular date?] So in contrast to our present system, in which we introduce an extra date (29 February), the Romans had the same date twice in leap years. The doubling of the 6th day before Kalendae of March is the origin of the word "bissextile". If we create a list of equivalences between the Roman days and our current days of February in a leap year, we get the following: 7th day before Kalendae of March 23 February 6th day before Kalendae of March 24 February 6th day before Kalendae of March 25 February 5th day before Kalendae of March 26 February 4th day before Kalendae of March 27 February 3rd day before Kalendae of March 28 February 2nd day before Kalendae of March 29 February Kalendae of March 1 March You can see that the extra 6th day (going backwards) falls on what is today 24 February. For this reason 24 February is still today considered the "extra day" in leap years (see section 2.3). 2.7. Has the year always started on 1 January? ---------------------------------------------- For the man in the street, yes. When Julius Caesar introduced his calendar in 45 BC, he made 1 January the start of the year, and it was always the date on which the Solar Number and the Golden Number (see section 2.9.3) were incremented. However, the church didn't like the wild parties that took place at the start of the new year, and in AD 567 the council of Tours declared that having the year start on 1 January was an ancient mistake that should be abolished. Through the middle ages various New Year dates were used. If an ancient document refers to year X, it may mean any of 8 different periods in our present system: - 1 Mar X to 28/29 Feb X+1 - 1 Jan X to 31 Dec X - 1 Jan X-1 to 31 Dec X-1 - 25 Mar X-1 to 24 Mar X - 25 Mar X to 24 Mar X+1 - Saturday before Easter X to Friday before Easter X+1 - 25 Dec X-1 to 24 Dec X - 1 Sep X-1 to 31 Aug X [or 1 Sep X to 31 Aug X+1. Which is right?] Choosing the right interpretation of a year number is difficult, so much more as one country might use different systems for religious and civil needs. Since about 1600 most countries have used 1 January as the first day of the year. Italy and England, however, did not make 1 January official until around 1750. In England (but not Scotland) three different years were used: - The historical year, which started on 1 January. - The liturgical year, which started on the first Sunday in advent. - The civil year, which from the 7th to the 12th century started on 25 December, from the 12th century until 1751 started on 25 March, from 1752 started on 1 January. 2.8. What is the origin of the names of the months? --------------------------------------------------- January Latin: Januarius. Named after the god Janus. February Latin: Februarius. Named after Februa, the purification festival. March Latin: Martius. Named after the god Mars. April Latin: Aprilis. Named either after the goddess Aphodite or the Latin word "aperire", to open. May Latin: Maius. Probably named after the goddess Maia. June Latin: Junius. Probably named after the goddess Juno. July Latin: Julius. Named after Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Prior to that time its name was Quintilis from the word "quintus", fifth, because it was the 5th month in the old Roman calendar. August Latin: Augustus. Named after emperor Augustus in 8 BC. Prior to that thime the name was Sextilis from the word "sextus", sixth, because it was the 6th month in the old Roman calendar. September Latin: September. From the word "septem", seven, because it was the 7th month in the old Roman calendar. October Latin: October. From the word "octo", eight, because it was the 8th month in the old Roman calendar. November Latin: November. From the word "novem", nine, because it was the 9th month in the old Roman calendar. December Latin: December. From the word "decem", ten, because it was the 10th month in the old Roman calendar. 2.9. What is Easter? -------------------- In the Christian world, Easter (and the days immediately preceding it) is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus in (approximately) AD 30. 2.9.1. When is Easter? (Short answer) ------------------------------------- Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after vernal equinox. 2.9.2. When is Easter? (Long answer) ------------------------------------ The calculation of Easter is complicated because it is linked to (an imprecise version of) the Hebrew calendar. Jesus was crucified immediately before the Jewish Passover, which is a celebration of the Exodus from Egypt under Moses. Celebration of Passover started on the 14th or 15th day of the (spring) month of Nisan. Jewish months start when the moon is new, therefore the 14th or 15th day of the month must be immediately after a full moon. It was therefore decided to make Easter Sunday the first Sunday after the first full moon after vernal equinox. Or more precisely: Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the *official* full moon on or after the *official* vernal equinox. The official vernal equinox is always 21 March. The official full moon may differ from the *real* full moon by one or two days. (Note, however, that historically, some countries have used the *real* (astronomical) full moon instead of the official one when calculating Easter. This was the case, for example of the German Protestant states, which used the astronomical full moon in the years 1700-1776. A similar practice was used Sweden in the years 1740-1844 and in Denmark in the 1700s.) The full moon that precedes Easter is called the Paschal full moon. Two concepts play an important role when calculating the Pascal full moon: The Golden Number and the Epact. 2.9.3. What is the Golden Number? --------------------------------- Each year is associated with a Golden Number. Considering that the relationship between the moon's phases and the days of the year repeats itself every 19 years (as described in section 1), it is natural to associate a number between 1 and 19 with each year. This number is the so-called Golden Number. It is calculated thus: GoldenNumber = (year%19)+1 New moon will fall on (approximately) the same date in two years with the same Golden Number. 2.9.4. What is the Epact? ------------------------- Each year is associated with an Epact. The Epact is a measure of the age of the moon (i.e. the number of days that have passed since an "official" new moon) on a particular date. In the Julian calendar, 8 + the Epact is the age of the moon at the start of the year. In the Gregorian calendar, the Epact is the age of the moon at the start of the year. The Epact is linked to the Golden Number in the following manner: Under the Julian calendar, 19 years were assumed to be exactly an integral number of synodic months, and the following relationship exists between the Golden Number and the Epact: Epact = (11 * (GoldenNumber-1)) % 30 If this formula yields zero, the Epact is by convention frequently designated by the symbol * and its value is said to be 30. Weird? Maybe, but people didn't like the number zero in the old days. Since there are only 19 possible golden numbers, the Epact can have only 19 diffent values: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 30. The Julian system for calculating full moons was imprecise, and under the Gregorian calendar, some modifications are made to the simple relationship between the Golden Number and the Epact. In the Gregorian calendar the Epact should be calculated thus (the divisions are integer divisions, in which remainders are discarded): 1) Use the Julian formula: Epact = (11 * (GoldenNumber-1)) % 30 2) Adjust the Epact, taking into account the fact that 3 out of 4 centuries have one leap year less than a Julian century: Epact = Epact - (3*century)/4 (For the purpose of this calculation century=20 is used for the years 1900 through 1999, and similarly for other centuries, although this contradicts the rules in section 2.10.2.) 3) Adjust the Epact, taking into account the fact that 19 years is not exactly an integral number of synodic months: Epact = Epact + (8*century + 5)/25 (This adds one to the epact 8 times every 2500 years.) 4) Add 8 to the Epact to make it the age of the moon on 1 January: Epact = Epact + 8 5) Add or subtract 30 until the Epact lies between 1 and 30. In the Gregorian calendar, the Epact can have any value from 1 to 30. Example: What was the Epact for 1992? GoldenNumber = 1992%19 + 1 = 17 1) Epact = (11 * (17-1)) % 30 = 26 2) Epact = 26 - (3*20)/4 = 11 3) Epact = 11 + (8*20 + 5)/25 = 17 4) Epact = 17 + 8 = 25 5) Epact = 25 The Epact for 1992 was 25. 2.9.5. How does one calculate Easter then? ------------------------------------------ To find Easter the following algorithm is used: 1) Calculate the Epact as described in the previous section. 2) For the Julian calendar: Add 8 to the Epact. (For the Gregorian calendar, this has already been done in step 5 of the calculation of the Epact). Subtract 30 if the sum exceeds 30. 3) Look up the Epact (as possibly modified in step 2) in this table to find the date for the Paschal full moon: Epact Full moon Epact Full moon Epact Full moon ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- 1 12 April 11 2 April 21 23 March 2 11 April 12 1 April 22 22 March 3 10 April 13 31 March 23 21 March 4 9 April 14 30 March 24 18 April 5 8 April 15 29 March 25 18 or 17 April 6 7 April 16 28 March 26 17 April 7 6 April 17 27 March 27 16 April 8 5 April 18 26 March 28 15 April 9 4 April 19 25 March 29 14 April 10 3 April 20 24 March 30 13 April 4) Easter Sunday is the first Sunday following the above full moon date. If the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter Sunday is the following Sunday. An Epact of 25 requires special treatment, as it has two dates in the above table. There are two equivalent methods for choosing the correct full moon date: A) Choose 18 April, unless the current century contains years with an epact of 24, in which case 17 April should be used. B) If the Golden Number is > 11 choose 17 April, otherwise choose 18 April. The proof that these two statements are equivalent is left as an exercise to the reader. (The frustrated ones may contact me for the proof.) Example: When was easter in 1992? In the previous section we found that the Golden Number for 1992 was 17 and the Epact was 25. Looking in the table, we find that the Paschal full moon was either 17 or 18 April. By rule B above, we choose 17 April because the Golden Number > 11. 17 April 1992 was a Friday. Easter Sunday must therefore have been 19 April. 2.9.6. Isn't there a simpler way to calculate Easter? ----------------------------------------------------- For the Gregorian calendar, try this one (the divisions are integer divisions, in which remainders are discarded): century = year/100 G = year % 19 K = (century - 17)/25 I = (century - century/4 - (century - K)/3 + 19*G + 15) % 30 I = I - (I/28)*(1 - (I/28)*(29/(I + 1))*((21 - G)/11)) J = (year + year/4 + I + 2 - century + century/4) % 7 L = I - J EasterMonth = 3 + (L + 40)/44 EasterDay = L + 28 - 31*(EasterMonth/4) This algorithm is based on the algorithm of Oudin (1940) and quoted in "Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac", P. Kenneth Seidelmann, editor. 2.9.7. Is there a simple relationship between two consecutive Easters? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Suppose you know the Easter date of the current year, can you easily find the Easter date in the next year? No, but you can make a qualified guess. If Easter Sunday in the current year falls on day X and the next year is not a leap year, Easter Sunday of next year will fall on one of the following days: X-15, X-8, X+13 (rare), or X+20. If Easter Sunday in the current year falls on day X and the next year is a leap year, Easter Sunday of next year will fall on one of the following days: X-16, X-9, X+12 (extremely rare), or X+19. (The jump X+12 occurs only once in the period 1800-2099, namely when going from 2075 to 2076.) If you combine this knowledge with the fact that Easter Sunday never falls before 22 March and never falls after 25 April, you can narrow the possibilities down to two or three dates. 2.9.8. How frequently are the dates for Easter repeated? -------------------------------------------------------- The sequence of Easter dates repeats itself every 532 years in the Julian calendar. The number 532 is the product of the following numbers: 19 (the Metonic cycle or the cycle of the Golden Number) 28 (the Solar cycle, see section 2.4) The sequence of Easter dates repeats itself every 5,700,000 years in the Gregorian calendar. The number 5,700,000 is the product of the following numbers: 19 (the Metonic cycle or the cycle of the Golden Number) 400 (the Gregorian equivalent of the Solar cycle, see section 2.4) 25 (the cycle used in step 3 when calculating the Epact) 30 (the number of different Epact values) 2.9.9. What about Greek Easter? ------------------------------- The Greek Orthodox Church does not always celebrate Easter on the same day as the Catholic and Protestant countries. The reason is that the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar when calculating easter. This is case even in the churches that otherwise use the Gregorian calendar. [One source says that the when the Greek Church decided to change to the Gregorian calendar, they chose to use the astronomical full moon as seen along the meridian of Jerusalem as the basis for calculating Easter, rather than to use the "official" full moon described in the previous sections. I would like more information about this.] 2.10. How does one count years? ------------------------------- Around AD 525 a monk by the name of Dionysius Exiguus (in English known as Denis the Little) was requested by Pope John I to prepare calculations of the dates of Easter. At that time it was customary to count years since the reign of emperor Diocletian; but in his calculations Dionysius chose to number the years since the birth of Christ, rather than honour the persecutor Diocletian. Dionysius (wrongly) fixed Jesus' birth on 25 December 753 AUC (ab urbe condita, i.e. since the founding of Rome), thus making the current era start with AD 1 on 1 January 754 AUC. How Dionysius established the year of Christ's birth is not known. Jesus was born under the reign of king Herod the Great, who died in 750 AUC, which means that Jesus could have been born no later than that year. The English chronologist Bede questioned Dionysius' calculations as early as the 8th century. It was also Bede (673-735) who started dating years before 754 AUC using the term "Before Christ". Bede's 1 BC immediately precedes AD 1 with no intervening year zero. See also the following section. [In this section I have used AD 1 = 754 AUC. This is the most likely equivalence between the two systems. However, some authorities state that AD 1 = 753 AUC or 755 AUC. I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me on this subject.] 2.10.1. Was Jesus born in the year 0? ------------------------------------- No. There are two reasons for this: - There is no year 0. - Jesus was born before 4 BC. The concept of a year "zero" is a modern myth (but a very popular one). Roman numerals do not have a figure designating zero, and treating zero as a number on an equal footing with other numbers was not common in the 6th century when our present year reckoning was established by Dionysius Exiguus (see the previous section). Dionysius let the year AD 1 start one week after what he believed to be Jesus' birthday. Therefore, AD 1 follows immediately after 1 BC with no intervening year zero. So a person who was born in 10 BC and died in AD 10, would have died at the age of 19, not 20. Furtheremore, Dionysius' calculations were wrong. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus was born under the reign of king Herod the Great, and he died in 4 BC. It is likely that Jesus was actually born around 7 BC. The date of his birth is unknown; it may or may not be 25 December. Note, however, that astronomers frequently use another way of numbering the years BC. Instead of 1 BC they use 0, instead of 2 BC they use -1, instead of 3 BC they use -2, etc. 2.10.2. When does the 21st century start? ----------------------------------------- The first century started in AD 1. The second century must therefore have started a hundred years later, in AD 101, and the 21st century must start 2000 years after the first century, i.e. in the year 2001. This is the cause of some heated debate, especially since some dictionaries and encyclopaedias say that a century starts in years that end in 00. Let me propose a few compromises: Any 100-year period is a century. Therefore the period from 23 June 1996 to 22 June 2096 is a century. So please feel free to celebrate the start of a century any day you like! Although the 20th century started in 1901, the 1900s started in 1900. Similarly, we can celebrate the start of the 2000s in 2000 and the start of the 21st century in 2001. Finally, let's take a lesson from history: When 1899 became 1900 people celebrated the start of a new century. When 1900 became 1901 people celebrated the start of a new century. Two parties! Let's do the same thing again! 2.11. What is the Indiction? ---------------------------- The Indiction was used in the middle ages to specify the position of a year in a 15 year taxation cycle. It was introduced by emperor Constantine the Great on 1 September 312 and abolished [whatever that means] in 1806. The Indiction may be calculated thus: Indiction = (year + 2) % 15 + 1 The Indiction has no astronomical significance. The Indiction did not always follow the calendar year. Three different Indictions may be identified: 1) The Pontifical or Roman Indiction, which started on New Year's Day (being either 25 December, 1 January, or 25 March). 2) The Greek or Constantinopolitan Indiction, which started on 1 September. 3) The Imperial Indiction or Indiction of Constantine, which started on 24 September. 2.12. What is the Julian period? -------------------------------- The Julian period (and the Julian day number) must not be confused with the Julian calendar. The Julian calendar is named after the Roman leader Julius Caesar (c. 100-44 BC), whereas the Julian period is named after the Italian scholar Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484-1558). Scaliger's son, the French scholar Joseph Justus Scaliger (1540-1609), introduced the Julian period and named it after his father. His idea was to assign a positive number to every year withouth having to worry about BC/AD. Scaliger's Julian period starts on 1 January 4713 BC (Julian calendar) and lasts for 7980 years. AD 1996 is thus year 6709 in the Julian period. After 7980 years the number starts from 1 again. Why 4713 BC and why 7980 years? Well, in 4713 BC the Indiction (see section 2.11), the Golden Number (see section 2.9.3) and the Solar Number (see section 2.4) were all 1. The next times this happens is 15*19*28=7980 years later, in AD 3268. Astronomers have used the Julian period to assign a unique number to every day since 1 January 4713 BC. This is the so-called Julian Day (JD). JD 0 designates the 24 hours from noon UTC on 1 January 4713 BC to noon UTC on 2 January 4713 BC. This means that at noon UTC on 1 January AD 2000, JD 2,451,545 will start. This can be calculated thus: From 4713 BC to AD 2000 there are 6712 years. In the Julian calendar, years have 365.25 days, so 6712 years correspond to 6712*365.25=2,451,558 days. Subtract from this the 13 days that the Gregorian calendar is ahead of the Julian calendar, and you get 2,451,545. Often fractions of Julian day numbers are used, so that 1 January AD 2000 at 15:00 UTC is referred to as JD 2,451,545.125. Note that some people use the term "Julian day number" to refer to any numbering of days. NASA, for example, use the term to denote the number of days since 1 January of the current year. 2.12.1. What is the modified Julian day? ---------------------------------------- Sometimes a modified Julian day number (MJD) is used which is 2,400,000.5 less than the Julian day number. This brings the numbers into a more manageable numeric range and makes the day numbers change at midnight UTC rather than noon. 3. The Hebrew Calendar ---------------------- The current definition of the Hebrew calendar is generally said to have been set down by the Sanhedrin president Hillel II in approximately AD 359. The original details of his calendar are, however, uncertain. The Hebrew calendar is used for religious purposes by Jews all over the world, and it is the official calendar of Israel. The Hebrew calendar is a combined solar/lunar calendar, in that it strives to have its years coincide with the tropical year and its months coincide with the synodic months. This is a complicated goal, and the rules for the Hebrew calendar are correspondingly fascinating. 3.1. What does a Hebrew year look like? --------------------------------------- An ordinary (non-leap) year has 353, 354, or 355 days. A leap year has 383, 384, or 385 days. The three lengths of the years are termed, "deficient", "regular", and "complete", respectively. An ordinary year has 12 months, a leap year has 13 months. Every month starts (approximately) on the day of a new moon. The months and their lengths are: Length in a Length in a Length in a Name deficient year regular year complete year ------- -------------- ------------ ------------- Tishri 30 30 30 Heshvan 29 29 30 Kislev 29 30 30 Tevet 29 29 29 Shevat 30 30 30 (Adar I 30 30 30) Adar II 29 29 29 Nisan 30 30 30 Iyar 29 29 29 Sivan 30 30 30 Tammuz 29 29 29 Av 30 30 30 Elul 29 29 29 ------- -------------- ------------ ------------- Total: 353 or 383 354 or 384 355 or 385 The month Adar I is only present in leap years. In non-leap years Adar II is simply called "Adar". Note that in a regular year the numbers 30 and 29 alternate; a complete year is created by adding a day to Heshvan, whereas a deficient year is created by removing a day from Kislev. The alteration of 30 and 29 ensures that when the year starts with a new moon, so does each month. 3.2. What years are leap years? ------------------------------- A year is a leap year if the number year%19 is one of the following: 0, 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, or 17. The value for year in this formula is the 'Anno Mundi' described in section 3.8. 3.3. What years are deficient, regular, and complete? ----------------------------------------------------- That the wrong question to ask. The correct question to ask is: When does a Hebrew year begin? Once you have answered that question (see section 3.6), the length of the year is the number of days between 1 Tishri in one year and 1 Tishri in the following year. 3.4. When is New Year's day? ---------------------------- That depends. Jews have 4 different days to choose from: 1 Tishri: "Rosh HaShanah". This day is a celebration of the creation of the world and marks the start of a new calendar year. This will be the day we shall base our calculations on in the following sections. 15 Shevat: "Tu B'shevat". The new year for trees, when fruit tithes should be brought. 1 Nisan: "New Year for Kings". Nisan is considered the first month, although it occurs 6 or 7 months after the start of the calendar year. 1 Elul: "New Year for Animal Tithes (Taxes)". Only the first two dates are celebrated nowadays. 3.5. When does a Hebrew day begin? ---------------------------------- A Hebrew day does not begin at midnight, but at sunset (when 3 stars are visible). Sunset marks the start of the 12 night hours, wheras sunrise marks the start of the 12 day hours. This means that night hours may be longer or shorter than day hours, depending on the season. 3.6. When does a Hebrew year begin? ----------------------------------- The first day of the calendary year, Rosh HaShanah, on 1 Tishri is determined as follows: 1) The new year starts on the day of the new moon that follows the last month of the previous year. 2) If the new moon occurs after noon on that day, delay the new year by one day. (Because in that case the new crescent moon will not be visible until the next day.) 3) If this would cause the new year to start on a Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday, delay it by one day. (Because we want to avoid that Yom Kippur (10 Tishri) falls on a Friday or Sunday, and that Hoshanah Rabba (21 Tishri) falls on a Sabbath (Saturday)). 4) If two consecutive years start 356 days apart (an illegal year length), delay the start of the first year by two days. 5) If two consecutive years start 382 days apart (an illegal year length), delay the start of the second year by one day. Note: Rule 4 can only come into play if the first year was supposed to start on a Tuesday. Therefore a two day delay is used rather that a one day delay, as the year must not start on a Wednesday as stated in rule 3. 3.7. When is the new moon? -------------------------- A calculated new moon is used. In order to understand the calculations, one must know that an hour is subdivided into 1080 'parts'. The calculations are as follows: The new moon that started the year AM 1, occurred 5 hours and 204 parts after sunset (i.e. just before midnight on Julian date 6 October 3761 BC). The new moon of any particular year is calculated by extrapolating from this time, using a synodic month of 29 days 12 hours and 793 parts. 3.8. How does one count years? ------------------------------ Years are counted since the creation of the world, which is assumed to have taken place in 3761 BC. In that year, AM 1 started (AM = Anno Mundi = year of the world). In the year AD 1996 we will witness the start of Hebrew year AM 5757. 4. The Islamic Calendar ----------------------- The Islamic calendar (or Hijri calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon, and because 12 synodic months is only 12*29.53=354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistenly shorter than a tropical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Christian calendar. The calendar is based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37) and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims. The Islamic calendar is the official calendar in countries around the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia. But other Muslim countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes and only turn to the Islamic calendar for religious purposes. 4.1. What does an Islamic year look like? ----------------------------------------- The names of the 12 months that comprise the Islamic year are: 1. Muharram 7. Rajab 2. Safar 8. Sha'ban 3. Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I) 9. Ramadan 4. Rabi' al-thani (Rabi' II) 10. Shawwal 5. Jumada al-awwal (Jumada I) 11. Dhu al-Qi'dah 6. Jumada al-thani (Jumada II) 12. Dhu al-Hijjah (Due to different translitterations of the Arabic alphabet, other spellings of the months are possible.) Each month starts when the lunar crescent is first seen (by an actual human being) after a new moon. Although new moons may be calculated quite precisely, the actual visibility of the crescent is much more difficult to predict. It depends on factors such a weather, the optical properties of the atmosphere, and the location of the observer. It is therefore very difficult to give precise information in advance about when a new month will start. Furthermore, some Muslims depend on a local sighting of the moon, whereas others depend on a sighting by authorities somewhere in the Muslim world. Both are valid Islamic practices, but they may lead to different starting days for the months. 4.2. So you can't print an Islamic calendar in advance? ------------------------------------------------------- Not a reliable one. However, calendars are printed for planning purposes, but such calendars are based on estimates of the visibility of the lunar crescent, and the actual month may start a day earlier or later than predicted in the printed calendar. Different methods for estimating the calendars are used. Some sources mention a crude system in which all odd numbered months have 30 days and all even numbered months have 29 days with an extra day added to the last month in 'leap years' (a concept otherwise unknown in the calendar). Leap years could then be years in which the number year%30 is one of the following: 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24, 26, or 29. (This is the algorithm used in the calendar program of the Gnu Emacs editor.) Such a calendar would give an average month length of 29.53056 days, which is quite close to the synodic month of 29.53059 days, so *on the average* it would be quite accurate, but in any given month it is still just a rough estimate. Better algorithms for estimating the visibility of the new moon have been devised. One such algorithm is implemented in a program called 'Islamic Timer' by professor Waleed A. Muhanna. Interested readers may find the program on the World Wide Web at http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/facstf/homepage/muhanna/IslamicTimer.html Another WWW site that contains information about the Islamic calendar is http://www.ummah.org.uk/ildl/ 4.3. How does one count years? ------------------------------ Years are counted since the Hijra, that is, Mohammed's flight to Medina, which is assumed to have taken place 16 July AD 622 (Julian calendar). On that date AH 1 started (AH = Anno Hegirae = year of the Hijra). In the year AD 1996 we will witness the start of Islamic year AH 1417. Note that although only 1996-622=1375 years have passed in the Christian calendar, 1416 years have passed in the Islamic calendar, because its year is consistently shorter (by about 11 days) than the tropical year used by the Christian calendar. 5. Date ------- This version 1.1 of this document was finished on The third Friday after Easter, the 26th of April, anno ab Incarnatione Domini MCMXCVI, indict. IV, epacta X, luna VIII, anno post Margretham Reginam Daniae natam LVI, on the feast of Saint Cletus. The 7th day of Iyar, Anno Mundi 5756. The 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Anno Heigrae 1416. Julian Day 2,450,200. ======== Newsgroups: alt.binaries.pictures.astro,sci.astro,sci.astro.amateur,sci.astro.plSubject: Massive searchable index of Astronomical images From: images@syz.com (Astronomical Image Librarian) Date: 28 Apr 1996 19:29:23 GMT As you're probably all well aware, there are thousands of astronomical images available on the Internet - far more than can be hosted at any particular site. But since these pictures are all spread around, finding images of any particular object can be a nightmare. We're hoping to remedy that situation. We've started the compilation of what is already a massive Internet astronomical index. All you have to do is use our WWW page to type the name of the object you are interested in obtaining images of, and it will return with links to all the images currently in the database. From there all you have to do is click on the link to get the picture. We currently have in excess of 17,000 image links in the database and hope to add more and more in the future. If the site proves to be popular, we definitely plan on continuing support to it. But since we have no intention on charging a fee for usage, and it does take a fair bit of effort to continue to add image URLs, we'd appreciate it if you could help us out in this regard by adding URLs for your favorite images. You'll find a WWW form to let you do this on the site. But now for the most important thing - the URL. The site can be accessed at: http://www.syz.com/images/ Please try it out and let us know what you think. Send all questions, comments, suggestions, etc. to images@syz.com. Hope to see you there! ======== Newsgroups: sci.logic,alt.sci.physics.new-theories,talk.philosophy.misc,sci.geo.Subject: THE QUANTUM OF TIME - THE TIMEYON From: abian@iastate.edu (Alexander Abian) Date: 30 Apr 1996 04:13:40 GMT In article <4m2c8k$3jf@gensva.athena.livjm.ac.uk>, George Robert Mackay <mccgmack@livjm.ac.uk> wrote: (omissions) Abian answers: As mentioned previously (Quantum Theoretically): The Space tends to dilute the intruding Cosmic Mass. The Cosmic mass tends to resist becoming diluted. This resistance is fueled by irretrievably spent quanta of Cosmic mass (which most probably emits in both wave and particle forms). However, the Space overpowers and further dilutes and moves the Cosmos by quantum leaps. Each of these quantum leaps corresponds to a spent quantum Cosmic mass. This quantum Cosmic mass is precisely the QUANTUM OF TIME that I call a TIMEYON. ---------------------- Alexander Abian: Equivalence of Mass and Time Albert Einstein: Equivalence of Mass and Energy THERE WAS NO BIG BANG. THERE WAS A BIG SUCK INTO THE VOID OF SPACE @START@XTE Discovers Fastest Stellar Vibrations Yet Don Savage Headquarters, Washington, DC April 30, 1996 (Phone: 202/358-1727) Jim Sahli Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (Phone: 301/286-0697) RELEASE: 96-81 NASA SPACECRAFT DISCOVERS FASTEST STELLAR VIBRATIONS YET Astronomers working with NASA's Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (XTE) spacecraft have discovered rapid fluctuations in the intensity of X-ray emissions from three unusual binary star systems that appear to be the signatures of the fastest vibrations ever detected in celestial objects. In one case, the oscillations reached frequencies as high as 1,130 times per second. The new findings are being reported today at a meeting of the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego. The observations made using Rossi XTE offer scientists a new window on the strange physical conditions that scientists envision on neutron stars, which are believed to form when massive stars reach the ends of their lives and then explode as supernovas. The outer layers of a supernova are expelled into space, while its inner core remains and becomes a neutron star. Unlike normal stars, which are balls of hot gas, neutron stars are believed to possess solid crusts. The first detection of the remarkable fluctuations by Rossi XTE was made in February 1996. Astronomers led by Dr. Tod Strohmayer of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) were observing the binary star 4U 1728-34, located in the general direction of the center of the Milky Way galaxy, in the constellation Sagittarius. This star pair was already well known to astronomers as a frequent source of powerful bursts of X-rays, which are thought to originate in hot gas that has streamed downward onto a very small and dense star known as a neutron star from a companion star. As the gas accumulates on the neutron star, it turns into a natural nuclear bomb, burning with a thermonuclear flash that produces a burst of X-rays lasting about ten seconds. Fortunately, 4U 1728-34 was in a bursting state when the Rossi XTE observations commenced. The astronomers were able to detect both the powerful bursts and the weaker "persistent" X-ray emission that is always emanating from the binary star. "We were very excited to catch several X-ray bursts in our first pointing at the object. We were even more excited when a quick look at the persistent X-rays data revealed very high frequency, nearly periodic oscillations which no one had ever seen before," said Strohmayer, who is stationed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. "The observations seem to confirm long-standing theoretical ideas suggesting that physical conditions on a neutron star can change in less than one millisecond." (A millisecond is one-thousandth of a second.) The oscillations detected in 4U 1728-34 occurred at varying rates, reaching as high as 1,100 times per second. In subsequent Rossi XTE observations, investigators led by Michiel van der Klis of the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, have detected even faster oscillations in X-rays emitted by another binary star system, Scorpius X-1, which is named for the constellation in which it is located. Scorpius X-1 was the first object beyond the Solar System to be detected as a source of X-rays. In Scorpius X-1, the oscillations observed with the Rossi XTE have reached rates as high as 1,130 times per second. Further observations by the spacecraft's instruments have found oscillations of up to 900 times per second in a third binary star, 4U 1608-52, in the constellation Norma. Research on that star was led by Jan van Paradijs of the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and the University of Amsterdam, and by William Zhang of USRA, who is also from Goddard. Each of these three binary star systems contains a neutron star, and all of them are located in the southern sky. "It's possible that the oscillating X-ray emissions come from gas orbiting very close to the neutron star," according to Strohmayer. For example, material orbiting at ten miles above a neutron star would circle it about 700 times per second. "We have also measured a very periodic oscillation of 363 times per second during the bursts from 4U 1728-34. This may be the period at which the neutron star is spinning," he added. Other Rossi XTE data support this interpretation. "A more controversial possibility," he added, "is that we may be detecting for the first time the influence of waves on the surface of the neutron star or within its solid crust." Such waves occur in the gaseous layers of the Sun and other stars, but have not previously been found in neutron stars. "The detection of such waves might allow us to probe the unseen interiors of neutron stars, just as seismologists use earthquake waves to explore the inner layers of the Earth." The possibility that the Rossi XTE has detected actual waves in neutron stars or a very fast rotation period of one such star is of great scientific interest, said Jean Swank, Rossi XTE Project Scientist at Goddard and a collaborator in the research on all three binary star systems. If surface waves have been detected, that would be a scientific first. If a very fast rotation period has been detected in a neutron star in an X-ray binary system, the finding would tend to confirm a theory that certain very fast radio pulsars, known to be rotating neutron stars, are descended from fast-rotating members of X-ray binaries. In any case, "we have succeeded in one of our prime goals for this spacecraft, to detect and characterize rapid changes in celestial X-ray sources that may reveal their underlying physical conditions," Swank said. XTE was launched by a Delta II rocket on Dec. 30, 1995. Subsequently, NASA renamed it in honor of the late Professor Bruno Rossi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, one of the pioneers of X-ray astronomy. The Earth-orbiting spacecraft carries the largest X-ray detector yet flown in space, the Proportional Counter Array, which was developed at Goddard by Swank and her team members. @START@Physics News Update 5/1/96 PHYSICS NEWS UPDATE The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Physics News Number 268 May 1, 1996 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein CHAOTIC QUANTUM PINBALL. If struck correctly, a ball on a rectangular billiard table will follow a reproducible trajectory. Changing the table from a rectangular to a stadium shape causes the trajectory to become essentially unpredictable; the ball's motion is chaotic. A quantum mechanical analog of this has been devised in the form of electrons confined in a quantum well, a semiconductor arrangement consisting of a thin layer (22 nm) of GaAs sandwiched between layers of AlGaAs. The quantum well, part of a tunnel diode, acts as a box inside of which electrons knock around like billiard balls. If in addition the electrons are exposed to a high magnetic field (up to 37 T) tilted relative to the walls of the box, the electrons' motions become chaotic. Physicists from a Nottingham-Tokyo collaboration (L. Eaves, 44-115-951-5165) sample the curthe voltage across the well are varied. In this way the researchers can observe the onset of chaos and can map out the wavefunction (the probability) for the electron to be a certain positions. Despite the unstable nature of the electron's orbit, the maps did exhibit concentrations (enhancements in the probability amplitude) in certain parts of the well. These "scars" in the electron wavefunction had been predicted but never before seen in a quantum system (although scarred states had been observed for microwaves confined in an irregular cavity). Besides serving as a laboratory for studying quantum chaos, the tunnel diode is a workable electronic device, and it might be possible to exploit the current fluctuations which come about because of the scarring effect. (P.B. Wilkinson et al., Nature 18 April 1996; the group has also published in T.M. Fromhold et al., Physical Review Letters, 7 August 1995.) SATURN'S RINGS ARE SEEN EDGE-ON at Earth only twice every 30 years. This is a good time to view the Saturn system since the glare of the rings is so much less. For the recent 1995 ring-plane crossinobservations. Some findings: the ring system overall is about 1.2 to 1.5 km thick; the F ring is inclined relative to the A ring; the rings are covered by a tenuous sheath of OH molecules; the tiny inner satellite Prometheus was some 19 degrees of longitude away from its estimated position; the E ring flares (at a distance of 7.5 Saturn radii) to a thickness of about 15,000 km. (Several articles, Science, 26 April 1995.) THE FIRST BINARY-STAR SYSTEMS BEAMING X RAYS AT SUB-MILLISECOND rates have been observed by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Experiment, an orbiting telescope launched in December 1995. Speaking at this week's meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego, RXTE scientists reported that a binary system (Sco X-1) in the constellation Scorpius was emitting x rays on and off 1130 times per second. Another binary system (4U 1728-34) in the constellation Sagittarius was emitting x ray bursts at a rate of up to 1100 per second. In each case the x rays are believed to arise when material from a normal star falls onto a companion neutron star. For Sco X-1, x rays beamed at a slower rate are also seen. The researchers are puzzled as to why the slower pulses and the faster 1130 pulses/sec emissions are modulating over time in the same way. (AAS press release.) @START@Physics News Update 5/6/96 PHYSICS NEWS UPDATE The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Physics News Number 269 May 6, 1996 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein THE LIQUID SCINTILLATOR NEUTRINO DETECTOR (LSND) collaboration at Los Alamos looks for neutrino oscillations in the following way. First a beam of pi mesons is created by smashing protons into a water target. The mesons eventually decay into a variety of neutrinos, electrons, and muons. Contriving to exclude all electron antineutrinos from the vicinity, the LSND researchers surmise that most electron antineutrinos that actually turn up in their detector must be coming from the transformation (oscillation) of a muon antineutrino. The LSND team has now analyzed twice as much data as was contained in their publication of a year ago. If neutrino oscillations were not occurring, one would expect to see 5 or 6 electron antineutrino scattering events, heralded by the creation of a positron and a neutron. According to Fred Federspiel of Los Alamos, who reported new results at the American Physical Society meeting last week in Indianapolis, the researchers record 22 events (compared to 9 events last year). Federspiel asserted that this new larger excess of events above background constituted "strong evidence for neutrino oscillation." THE WORLD'S RAREST ELEMENT has successfully been trapped, setting the stage for high-precision tabletop measurements on how the weak nuclear force manifests itself at the atomic level. Francium is the least stable of the first 103 elements on the periodic table; less than an ounce of it exists on the Earth at any one time. Creating francium artificially has not been a problem; however, it has been a major challenge to trap francium atoms and study them. In work described at last week's APS Meeting, researchers at SUNY-Stony Brook (Luis Orozco, lorozco@ccmail.sunysb.edu) produce a million ions per second of francium-210 (half-life=3 minutes) at their accelerator. After converting the ions into neutral atoms and slowing them down considerably, they send the francium into a magneto-optical trap, a device employing six laser beams and a nonuniform magnetic field. Inside the traps, the atoms bounce back and forth between specially coated glass walls, slowing down some atoms enough to be caught at the center of the trap. With their setup, the researchers can confine approximately 10,000 francium atoms at a time. Researchers at Stony Brook, Berkeley, and elsewhere have previously used magneto-optic traps to collect radioactive atoms, but a challenge with francium has been to figure out how to tune the trapping lasers since there are no known stable isotopes of francium to use as a reference. Future studies of the 7S-8S franciuminteraction because it violates parity but permitted by the parity-violating weainformation on the weak force. The effects of parity violation are at least 18 times more pronounced in francium than in cesium, another atom in which parity violation has been studied. (See also J.E. Simsarian et al, Physical Review Letters, 6 May 1996.) HOLOGRAM TEMPLATE FOR ATOMS. Physicists at NEC (Japan) and the University of Tokyo have invented a rudimentary form of lithography using atoms instead of light waves to produce an image. The researchers reconstruct a desired pattern at a detector by using a computer-generated hologram (essentially the Fourier transform of the pattern recorded in a silicon nitride membrane) to manipulate a beam of cold neon atoms. Cold enough to act as waves (with a quantum wavelength of 7.1 nm), the atoms were diffracted at the hologram and deposited onto a fluorescent plate. (J. Fujita et al., Nature, 25 April 1996.) @START@Physics News Update 5/9/96 PHYSICS NEWS UPDATE The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Physics News Number 270 May 9, 1996 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein TWO EFFORTS TO MEASURE THE HUBBLE CONSTANT are converging somewhat. Wendy Freedman of the Carnegie Institution reported at a NASA press conference today that she and her colleagues were finding that values for the Hubble constant (H), a measure of the expansion of the universe, hovered in the range 68 to 78 km/sec/Mpc. (In 1994, they reported a preliminary value of 80.) A separate group led by Allan Sandage, also of Carnegie, recently reported a Hubble constant of 57. Freedman's team is midway through a 3-year program of measuring the distance to 20 distant galaxies by observing Cepheid variable stars, whose intrinsic brightness is related to the rate at which their luminosity varies. These observations in turn can be used to calibrate other means for determining distances to objects at even larger scales where local gravitational interactions have a lesser impact on a calculation of H. The secondary yardstick methods include the determination of the peak brightness of type-Ia supernovas and the use of the Tully-Fisher relation, according to which a galaxy's luminosity is related to its rotation rate. The latest entry in Freedman's inventory is galaxy NGC1365 in the Fornax cluster, at a distance of 60 million light years. (NASA press release, 8 May 1996.) THE OLDEST STARS IN THE MILKY WAY ARE 15 BILLION YEARS OLD. An important adjunct to the debate over the Hubble constant is the notion that the universe cannot be older than its older stars, which appear to be those in globular clusters, spherical clumps of hundreds of thousands or millions of stars found near and around our galaxy. Don VandenBerg of the University of Victoria (davb@uvvm.uvic.ca, 614-721-7739) uses the Canada-France-Hawaii telescolargely lack the elements heavier than helium which many younger stars inherit from earlier supernova explosions ) in globular clusters. By plotting the stars' luminosities versus their colors, and by employing the standard model for stellar evolution, the age of the stars can be calculated. VandenBerg, speaking at last week's meeting of the American Physical Society in Indianapolis, said the oldest reliably dated stars, in globular cluster M92, were most likely 15 billion years old. Uncertainties in the determination of the distances to the clusters (effecting calculations of the stars' luminosities) might permit an age of 13 or even 12 billion years. But VandenBerg asserted that the ages could not be much younger than that. New observations of his in globular cluster M13 did not alter this assessment. RECORD HIGH LASER INTENSITY The advent of tabletop terawatt lasers has promoted the study of new nonlinear optical effects. Donald Umstadter of the University of Michigan sends a powerful laser pulse into a sample of argon gas. The leading edge of the pulse rips electrons from the argon atoms. The rest of the pulse interacts with the ensuing plasma, setting up a self-focusing process which results in a laser intensity as high as 10**20 W/cm**2. Furthermore, the laser beam clears a micron-sized path for itself through the plasma. In the act of excluding plasma electrons from this region, pressures probably exceeding 1 giga-bar (higher than any other manmade pressure) are created. Umstadter, who spoke at the APS meeting, said that the high laser intensities might open new possibilities for the study of nonlinear optics. Another goal is the development of a tabletop accelerator for generating electrons with GeV energies (see Update 260). @START@Devil in the Sky [Ed. note: The author sent in several book reviews as one long article, which I've reformatted and broken up into separate subjects. --SF] I have only written a few reviews, although I am grimly but slowly working my way through the Star Trek novels. (But buying them cheap where I can! Or borrowing them from the library.) These include one of the Bantam novels now being reprinted. Devil in the Sky by Greg Cox and John Gregory Betancourt. One of the pieces of advice given by Pocket Books, in their guidelines for Star Trek novel writers, is that in a novel you can focus more on the innermost thoughts and motives of the characters than you can in a screenplay. But this can be a trap. If your interpretation of the characters of the main players is notably different from that of your reader, you may lose that reader straight away. This is not a problem when you are creating your own world, but in this case your reader probably knows the characters as well as you. In the beginnings of the few Deep Space Nine novels I have read, there is a tendency to overstate the feelings of the main characters. They are usually aggressive, bad-tempered and dislike each other. This is not how I see them in the show. Bloodletter, by K W Jeter, seemed another example of this kind of fault. This novel opens with a scene showing how Kira loathes Dr Bashir, and how Dax teases him. Dax reacts very badly to uses of the word 'slug'. These seem exaggerations of the characteristics shown on television. The basis of the plot is good. As aficionados of the original series will realise, the title is taken from "Devil in the Dark," and signals that this novel is about the hortas, silicon-based beings which have eggs that look like cannonballs. Those who are unfamiliar with the episode might be puzzled by the title. The Cardassians kidnap a horta to do some mining for them, and its twenty babies are left on the station, where they hatch and cause devastation. In the meantime Dax, Kira and Bashir go away with a team to rescue the mother. I found a few flaws in the story. The plot depends on uncharacteristic behaviour by Jake Sisko, who allows Nog to tempt him into serious misbehaviour. I didn't believe that. I found the chase scenes on the Cardassian moon difficult. The heroes were achieving far too much with Cardassian soldiers supposedly "at their heels". And there was never any serious motive given for the kidnaping of the horta, who must soon have realised her captors did not have her children. A very minor point: a flaw in physics. A moon of a planet has a shorter rotation period than one in a smaller orbit. I believe that is impossible. It is the sort of thing which might be overlooked if the reader was involved deeply, but noticeable when there are other problems. These are flaws, but the novel is still worth reading. I suspect that a problem is that there is not enough plot for a long novel. The story might have made a good episode (though rather expensive!) but there are not enough subplots, or developments, for a full-length novel. Way of the Warrior, on the other hand, makes a good novel, as well as a good *double* episode. Edward McArdle. @START@Death's Angel Death's Angel, by Kathleen Sky. Before Pocket Books took over the market, a number of Star Trek books were published by Bantam, and many, if not all, are currently being republished. In general, these are not as good as the current crop, but often provide a good read. I think that Death's Angel would probably not be published today. What is the problem? The requirements of a novel for Pocket Books include that the novel must focus on one or more of the main cast. There must be a central problem, and it must be solved by one of those crew members. There would also be a requirement that the characters act in character! This novel begins with an accident to an away crew, including Kirk and Spock, then goes to a later day when the Enterprise is conveying a group of ambassadors to a conference about detente with the Romulans. The ambassadors begin to be murdered. Colonel Elizabeth Schaeffer of the Special Security Division comes in, and takes over the story for the rest of the book. The basic flaw, as a Star Trek story, is that this doesn't have to be a Star Trek story. The characters of Kirk, McCoy, Spock and the others bear little resemblance to those portrayed in the show (there is an explanation for this, which is never cleared up!), and the story could be on any space-going ship. The ambassadors are an odd bunch of misfits, which seems unlikely for ambassadors, with a blue crocodile, a pyramid named Hotep, which can develop feet, hands, mouth, eyes, etc., a giant and savage koala (which smells of eucalyptus!), a fish-woman from Cetacea, etc. Colonel Elizabeth is supposedly Rambo of the Federation secret police, but she would actually have problems controlling a class of year-nine students. She is steely and unemotional in her job, except that she cries a lot. So, if those problems don't disturb you too much, it's a fun book! Edward McArdle. @START@Masks [Note that this novel is not related to the seventh season TNG episode of the same name. --SF] Masks, by John Vornholt. This is one of those reviews which is going to have to give away some plot details in order to criticise it, so if you don't like that, avert your eyes! The book is quite readable, to get that over with quickly. It has an entertaining story, and is well written. It is something of a picaresque novel, in that one group of characters sets out upon the road, and another group sets out upon another road, looking for them, and they converge upon the town where the story will come to a head. One part of the plot is given away (as usual!) by the blurb on the back cover. A backwoodsman-type ambassador is being taken to a planet whose population is descended from humans who crashed there centuries ago. He is a crook. The gimmick of the book is that all the population wear masks, and so do the visitors have to. This means they can encounter each other without recognising each other. There is a mask which identifies the ruler of the planet. But anyone can challenge anyone else, so having it is not quite enough. The villain's plan is to get the mask, become ruler (and stay in place by having phasers, etc), and make the odd quid by selling masks to the Ferengi, who are the other villains of the piece. According to the blurb, he has a master plan, but that's it - get the mask and be king! In the normal course of events he would be unlikely to succeed. The plot flaw which deterred me was that Picard beams down with his team, and their instruments all immediately fail to work because of magnetic volcanic particles in the air -- and this is integral to the villain's plan! They are picked up by a wandering female warrior and her band (and Picard engages in Romantic Activities with her!) Riker and his group beam down elsewhere (because the instruments cannot locate the others - magnetic particles) and join up with a travelling tinker. Out of all the people on a planet the two parties have joined up with the two most important people on the planet! The ending is also somewhat anticlimatic. Riker and a group go off to fight the bad guys, and there is noone to fight. The problem has solved itself. On the other hand, as I said earlier, this is a pleasant read, which is one of the major characteristics required! It is the sort of book you can pick up and read through without effort. Not up in the Peter David, Barbara Hambly league, but well worth reading. Edward McArdle. @START@First Frontier First Frontier, by Diane Carey and Dr James I Kirkland. They say there are no new ideas for plots. Everything you think of has been thought of before. A screenwriter I met recently had been nurturing a story for years, then read recently that Julia Roberts was developing exactly her plot. But I thought of something quite new. What if the asteroid which destroyed the dinosaurs and enabled the human race to exist was destroyed or diverted? I wrote my novel, and had actually got as far as sending it to an agent. And then I was lent First Frontier. Sigh. I am not giving away too much of the plot, if you are the sort of person who reads Introductions. Dr Kirkland reveals that much in his preface. The story involves the Enterprise being thrown into a reality where humanity does not exist. A lot of the story has them on primitive earth, combating various dinosaurs, and the villains of the piece. I liked this story a lot. The characters are written properly, unlike some of the early Bantam novels (now out in reprint) where James Kirk was a homicidal captain, whose only reaction to aliens was to wipe 'em out! The plot hangs together logically, as far as I could tell, and I did not know exactly what the crew would do to solve the problem. I had only two reservations, both minor. This novel once again uses the Guardian of Forever. Each novel is supposed to be the only story to have happened, apart from the television and movie stories, but it has been used before, and personally I think it should be left alone. And there is a little too much description of dinosaurs. The story was concocted by Dr Kirkland and Diane Carey, and he has put in a lot of specialised knowledge of the Mesozoic era. This would all be very interesting to those interested in dinosaurs, but there was a slight excess of Spock describing, "Now we are being attacked by troodonts. They are.." Towards the end I found myself skipping pages a bit, with some technicalities about actually Solving the Problem, but generally I was quickly involved, and stayed with it through the 383 pages. There were characters one was hoping would survive, but suspected would not, which added a tension to the ending. Edward McArdle. @START@The Starless World The Starless World, by Gordon Eklund. Some of the Bantam Star Trek novels would not get published today, by Pocket Books, because of strict guidelines in force now. This one, however, would have only one problem - length. The expectation is that a novel today should be about 70,000 words, perhaps about 300 pages. This one is less than 150 pages. But it is very well written, the characters are accurate, and it has a clever plot. If you judge the worth of a book by weight, don't buy it. Otherwise do. (Or borrow it from the library.) The Enterprise is drawn to a world which is a Dyson Sphere around a sentient sun. The characters take a while to discover this, but the reader is let into the secret quickly. The system has been trapping ships for years to feed off their energies, but it has a separate race of its worshippers. The problem is to escape before the system takes all its prisoners into a fiery doom with it. One of the things I liked about this book, in addition to the things listed above, was that it did not belabour points. There are a number of people, the shadow people, who are from an earlier Federation vessel, and one of them is connected to one of the Enterprise crew. But surprisingly little is made of it! James Kirk, in this book, is true to the screen characterisation. He is a humane, forgive-your-enemies type. (Actually, he was not too true to that type in the end of Star Trek V, and in Star Trek VI; but the Klingons had killed his son.) At the end of the story, not all ends are tied neatly up, but it is generally, a 'happy ending'. This is the book to read when you are relaxing, or when you are traveling. It is a good story, but not a long one. Edward McArdle. @START@The Captain's Daughter The Captain's Daughter by Peter David. One of the problems for schoolteachers writing reports, is the student who is simply good at everything. What is there to say? Similarly, there are a few writers whose work is so much better than the rest that one can only compare their books with others of there own books. I have not yet read a lot of Peter David's books (I'm working on it!), but I liked this one the best of those I have read so far. The book concerns Sulu's quest to find out why his daughter died (although the blurb on the front cover says, 'Sulu must battle an old enemy, with his daughter's life at stake!', which sort of gives the game away - but we would have guessed that anyway? As usual, the story involves flashbacks, but the interest never flags (compared, say to Imzadi, where I found the actual romance between Riker and Troi a hiatus in the story, brief though it was!) The story is both complex and easy to follow, and the characterisations are accurate. The tale is interwoven with the Star Trek movies from Wrath of Khan to the most recent, and the 'death' of Kirk. For those who know the Next Generation episodes, there are a few references to recognise there, too, but they are not laboured, and if you don't know them, you won't register them. It is good to have books which are as well-written as this, and consequently easy to read. In comparison, Q-Squared was a complex, involved plot, which required a lot of attention to follow, and may have even been over-clever. The story involves the Enterprise, and Captain Harriman, and it also goes into the story of why Sulu has a daughter, but we never hear any mention of his having a wife in any of the movies. (I hope you all understood the sub-text there.) All of Peter David's novels are worth reading, but I especially enjoyed this one. "Peter's work is generally excellent, and we hope he can continue at this standard." Edward McArdle. @START@[DS9] Shattered Mirror I'll be fair to you and start out with a couple of confessions. First of all, I LIKE Mirror Universe episodes, perhaps a little too much, and might be inclined to go too easy on this episode because of that. Second of all, I'm a feminist and a strong advocate of strong women's roles. If you're interested despite my biases, here goes: I enjoy mirror universe episodes. The charm of them is to see the regulars in a new light--to see how the characters we know and love would be shaped by an "evil" mirror universe. Unfortunately, this charm may be wearing thin through repetition and lack of new ground being covered. The exception to the "lack of new ground" complaint is the Alternate Bashir, who has been nicknamed "Scruffy Bashir" on one of my discussion lists. :) I LIKE Scruffy Bashir. He's a jerk. :) This is not the self-confident, over-achieving, compassionate yet somewhat spoiled, recovering-obnoxious Bashir from our universe, this is an over-confident, ambitious, hard and scarred, thoroughly obnoxious Bashir. He's a lot of fun, and I get the feeling that Alexander Siddig enjoys him too. Scruffy Bashir has none of the boyish enthusiasm of our Bashir, but I'm glad to see that he DOES share our Bashir's thing for Dax. :) This episode DOES have a certain fluffy, kitschy charm. Worf and Garak were also highly enjoyable. (I miss Garak and his lunches with Bashir!) Despite the negatives, I found it fairly watchable. Speaking of negatives, let's start with the technical problems... First of all, how did Smiley O'Brien's band of ore-processing slave misfits build a copy of the Defiant? Even with Professor Sisko's help, it would be incredibly difficult. Where did they get the materials? And where did Jennifer Sisko get her lovely wardrobe? At least Scruffy Bashir and Alt Dax have the good taste and grace to look dirty and grungy during what is basically a slave revolt. Speaking of Jennifer and Dax, I must say that this is a deeply dismal episode for women's roles. Is it me, or does the Intendant get stupider every episode? When we first met the Intendant, sure, she was kind of an evil nympho chick, but she had a certain pathos in her line to our Kira--"If you don't love me, who will?" Her overabundant sexuality seemed to cover a need for love she couldn't have in this universe. But the Intendant's character seems to get flatter and dumber every episode. The Intendant was a sexy carboard cutout villain. What a shame. Alt Dax appears to be a trophy for the current cool leader dude. One of my discussion list friends, Pam, suggested that she had studied at the "Marlena Moreau School of Career Advancement." She's a Captain's Woman. 'Nuff said. I fear most of my feminist ire is reserved for the characterization of Professor Jennifer Sisko. Even though she kidnapped her counterpart's son to insure her ex-husband's counterpart's assistance, you can tell she's REALLY a good woman because 1. she does't dress like the Intendant, 2. she's tidier and has better personal hygiene than Alt Dax, and 3. she likes Jake and Jake likes her. During the course of the episode, motherhood and traditional female values redeem her to the point where she can die sacrificing herself to save her non-son, "proving" her goodness, much like any other love interest of the week. In an episode rife with Madonna/Whore imagery, Jennifer Sisko is the "good woman" with whom women and young girls are supposed to identify. So what are we supposed to make of this message? Don't women have anything to contribute to the universe besides their reproductive organs and their deaths? I can't even claim that this is simply another drawback of the mirror universe, since the Fluffing of Kira and Dax is a phenomenon that has been going on in our universe all season. When's the last time Dax corrected someone on a scientific point? Our Dax seems more interested in flirting with Worf on the holodeck this season (and was forced to mouth the most vomitous line ever written for a Star Trek series with, "I'm not a Klingon warrior, I'm a beautiful young girl and I thrive on compliments." Ugh! Who IS that woman and what did she do with Dax? But I digress, sorry). Despite my complaints about the general treatment of the women characters this season, I have to say that "Shattered Mirror" is the most misogynist Star Trek episode since "Spock's Brain" or "Turnabout Intruder." Which is sad, considering how much the women's roles RULED when DS9 first aired. Other minor quibbles include-- Sisko's somewhat lame attempt to break up Scruffy Bashir's "torture" of the Intendant. Was that an attempt to invoke Scruffy's latent compassion? Try harder. This is a man who has probably seen and experienced more violently mistreatment than that. The worst part was that it seemed to work. If the effects are permanent, it could mean Scruffy's fall from grace and Dax's getting a new boyfriend. :) Jake's essential cluelessness regarding this whole "mirror universe" thing. No, Jake, that is NOT Nog. That is NOT your mother. Take Nog's rudeness as a hint. The Intendant giving Ben the information he needed out of "lust," and her sparing of Jake's life. Puhleeze, Jake would have been an ideal hostage. Surely she isn't THAT dumb, or that blinded by lust for Sisko... --Katherine the Art Chick Star Trek Women's Terrorist Task Force @START@[DS9] To the Death My review of "To The Death" Comments: Not too bad but not great as well. Start out with a batch of rebel Jem'Hadar, toss in a gateway, the crew, one Defiant , mix well with some more Jem'Hadar and a Vorta, sprinkle with tension, and bake at 350 degrees and you get........well, you get a Trek episode. Not a good one, but a watchable episode nontheless. There's a lot of good info about the Jem'Hadar in this episode; such as they don't sleep, they only live to be about 15 years old, there are no Jem'Hadar women, etc. One question: When Worf and the Second got into the brawl, why didn't Odo command Second not to fight? The Jem'Hadar have to obey the Founders and Odo's a Founder (in Dax's words "You're a changeling...and that's close enough.") so Second would have to leave Worf alone. I guess he was having a memory lapse. A second question: Is it just me or did everyone beam down with a phaser? If so, where did the bat'leths come from? Did they just appear from somewhere or am I freakin' again? (Bob:"You're freaking") Another thing: Love that Dax. "And I forgot my dress uniform." Overall: Informative, but not really great. Nothin' to stay up for. It gets a 6.5 So until next time Trek fans, the Great Davin has spoken! ~*Davin Murry*~ (Day-ven Mur-ray) rmouse@innercite.net http://phrantic.com/space/c5.html My Christmas List: 1. A tribble 2. Make that a *tame* tribble 3. A bat'leth ("Oh Bob, I have a surprise for you...") 4. A phaser 5. A shuttlecraft @START@Creation Convention schedule June-Dec. Star Trek Conventions: June 1-2 Manhattan, NY, Hotel Pennsylvania. Guest: Robert Duncan McNeill (Lt. Paris). August 3-4 San Francisco, CA, Masonic Center, 30th Anniversary Convention. Guests: William Shatner (Sunday), John DeLancie (Saturday), Michael Dorn (Sunday), Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Saturday), Armin Shimmerman (Sunday), Roxann Biggs Dawson (Saturday). August 3-4 Minneapolis, MN, Convention Center. Guests: William Shatner (both days, I dunno how they're going to do this since Shatner is scheduled for SF on Sunday), Kate Mulgrew (Sunday), Robert Duncan McNeill (Saturday) and Rene "Odo" Auberjonois (Saturday). August 17-18 Detroit, MI, Novi Center. 30th Anniversary Convention. Guests: Kate Mulgrew, Nana Visitor and Robert Picardo. August 24-25 Valley Forge, PA, Convention Center. 30th Anniversary Convention. Guests: William Shatner (Sunday), Tim Russ (Saturday), Rene Auberjonois, plus Mira Furlan of Babylon 5 Sat. and Sun. Oct. 5-6 Dearborn, MI, Civic Center. Collectors Show, dealers from Trek, X-Files, Horror. Oct. 19 Manhattan, NY; Another collectors show. Star Trek, B-5, X-Files. Horror. Nov. 16-17 Pasadena, CA, Civic Center. 10th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This convention will kick off the debut of the latest TNG Feature Movie. Nov. 23-24 San Francisco, CA, Masonic Center. 20th Anniversary of Starlog: The Starlog Festival. Please send email requests for further information to goatropers@earthlink.net Thanks, Vince ___________________________________________ "I Do Not Work For Creation Entertainment!" "Hum a Few Beers and I'll Fake It..." ___________________________________________ @START@VOYAGER INFO (last updated 26 April 1996) Archive-Name: faql.rec.arts.startrek.voy (last updated 26 April 1996) INFORMATION ON THE NEW "STAR TREK: VOYAGER" TV SERIES This posting is intended to cut down on questions that seem to pop up daily asking what is known about the new Star Trek TV series in the works. It is one of a number of periodic postings posted to r.a.s.*. For a full list of informational postings, please read the "LIST OF PERIODIC POSTINGS" article in rec.arts.startrek.misc. For a list of acronyms used in this (and other) postings, please refer to the "ACRONYM LIST" which can be found in rec.arts.startrek.misc. =========================================================================== 1) Upcoming VOY episodes 2) Unconfirmed Upcoming Episodes 3) Background on the Series =========================================================================== This entire article contains ________________ ______ ___ _ ________ _______ ______________ / _______ ____ \ / ____ \_ _| | | _______| ____ \/ _____________| \______ \| |____) | | | | || | | __| | |____) \______ \ ____________) | _____/| |____| | || |______| |______| ____ <_______) | |_____________/|_| \______/___|________|__________| \_________/ for upcoming VOY episodes. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read this! 1) ========== UPCOMING STAR TREK: VOYAGER EPISODES: I MISSED "Investigations": Neelix, a suddenly self-proclaimed journalist, hears a rumor that a fellow crew member has expressed displeasure with Starfleet and requested leave. Soon, Tom Paris is relieved of duty to become a pilot with a Taalaxian convoy - leaving a saddened Voyager crew behind. Almost immediately, the Kazon-Nistim and the scheming Seska attack the Taalaxian fleet, kidnap Paris and attempt to coerce classified information from him. Meanwhile, Neelix suspects someone aboard Voyager has been secretly communicating with the Kazon and his sleuthing leads him directly to Paris. Guest stars include Raphael Sbarge as Michael Jonas, Jerry Sroka as Laxeth, and Simon Billig as Hogan. Written by Jeff Schnaufer and Ed Bond. Teleplay by Jeri Taylor. Directed by Les Landau. 96/04/29 "The Thaw": Voyager encounters a group of aliens who are in crogenic suspension. The computer they are linked up to has created VR world linking all their minds together. The Voyager crew tries to awaken them and the computer does not want to let them go. Carl Struycken (Mr Homm on TNG) plays an alien who tries to stop them and he even gets to speak, though he is wearing a mask. Michael McKean as "Fear". Directed by Marvin V Rush. 96/05/06 "Symbiogenesis": This episode explores the arguments surrounding capital punishment, when a transporter accident combines Tuvok and Neelix into a single entity. 96/05/13 [episode name unknown]: ===== NEW EPISODE ===== 96/05/20 "Resolution(s)": Captain Janeway and Chakotay are stranded on a planet for several weeks and eventually find themselved attracted to each other. They have a fatal disease. Janeway instructs the crew not to contact the phage aliens, even though they have more advanced medical knowledge. Lolita Fatjo stated that Janeway/ Chakotay are stranded on the planet for four months, Chakotay makes Janeway a bathtub so she can take long baths, and the original version of this episode was VERY steamy and had to be toned down. 96/05/27 "Basics Part I": Season ending cliff-hanger. The Kazons attack Voyager and strand the crew on a planet. Guest stars include Martha Hackett as Seska. 96/06/03 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/06/10 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/06/17 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/06/24 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/01 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/08 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/15 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/22 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/29 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/08/05 "" ===== REPEAT ===== 96/08/12 "" ===== REPEAT ===== =========================================================================== 2) ========== UNCONFIRMED UPCOMING EPISODES: 96/08/19 "Basics Part II": The crew must regain control of the ship from the Kazons. Guest stars include Martha Hackett as Seska. 96/08/26 "Sacred Ground": Chakotay episode where we find out what tribe he belongs to. Harry Groener (Tam Elbrum in TNG's "Tin Man") as the Magistrate. Becky Ann Baker as the Guide. Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill (Tom Paris). 96/09/02 "False Profits": The two Ferengi from the TNG episode "The Price", who disappeared into the Barzan wormhole, are discovered. Guest stars include Dan Shor as Dr Arridor, Leslie Jordan as Kol, Rob LaBelle (the Talaxian prisoner from "Faces") as Kafar, Michael Ensign (Krola from TNG's "First Contact" and Lojal from DS9's "The Forsaken") as Bard, and Alan Altshuld (Pomet from TNG's "Starship Mine" and Yranac from "The Gambit, Part I") as Sandal. Teleplay by Joe Menosky and Kenneth Biller. Story by George A Brozak. Directed by Cliff Bole. 96/09/09 "Flashback": Tuvok goes back in time to when he was serving under Capt Sulu on the Excelsior. Guest stars include George Takei as Capt Hikaru Sulu, and Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Rand. Timed to air near the 30th Anniversary of the first episode of TOS. 96/09/16 "" ===== NEW EPISODE ===== 96/09/23 "" ===== NEW EPISODE ===== 96/09/30 "" ===== NEW EPISODE ===== 96/??/?? [episode name unknown]: A Tuvok/Torres episode. George Takei guest stars as an alien. He will be under tons of makeup, but should be recognizable by his voice. Written by Brannon Braga. =========================================================================== 3) ========== BACKGROUND ON THE SERIES 19 March 1994 Pasadena convention: Lolita Fatjo (script supervisor) reports that VOY will start accepting scripts from fans starting with the second season (similar to TNG and DS9). 21 January 95 Bellvue WA convention: Lolita Fatjo gave the folowing information about Voyager: The Ferengi which got lost in the Delta Quadrant in TNG's "The Price" will not meet Voyager. No TOS or TNG characters will appear on VOY. No Dominion on VOY. They don't plan to have any stories with Wes and/or the Traveller. They plan to use a lot more humor than the previous four Star Trek series have had. early Feb 1995 London con: Rick Berman said that he expects VOY to have a full seven-year run. 16 March 1995 MonadnoCon: Walter Koenig reported that when he asked Paramount about appearing on VOY, they told him they had already considered bringing him in on that series and would let him know when they were ready. early April 1995: Both Garrett Wang and Ethan Phillips have said that they expect Q and the Borg might be showing up in the near future in the Delta Quadrant. 9 March 1996 Vulkon convention: Lolita Fatjo reported that the Voyager will NOT be returning home soon. There are no plans to detail the incident that got Tom Paris kicked out of Starfleet. VOYAGER NEWS (Paraphased From Voyager Bible) * Chakotay will be given a "habak" program on the Holodeck for the celebration of his people's cermonial cycle. He also has a spirit guide, a timber wolf which appears to him in dreams and visions and guides him in decision-making process. Chakotay is a vegetarian. He served on the Merriac before leaving Starfleet. * The bio-neural circuitry is vulnerable not only to the failure of modalities of traditional circuitry, but anything that can hurt living brain tissue--including heat, pressure, chemical imbalances, nutrient starvation and synaptic diseases. "Broadcasting and Cable" reported that Paramount plans to start offering Voyager for daily syndicated reruns in 1998. Voyager is beamed via satellite Mondays at 17:30 ET on T1-19 (10V). 5.8 mono; 6.2 left; 6.8 right ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you know of any other topics that should be included in this list, feel free to email me at one of the addresses below. Be aware that about 10% of the mail I send out bounces, so if you don't get a reply from me, it isn't because I'm ignoring you. :-) This article is Copyright 1993-1996 by Otto Heuer. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder. Permission is expressly granted for this document to be made available for file transfer from installations offering unrestricted anonymous file transfer on the Internet free of charge. --Otto "HACK-MAN" Heuer _____ _________ _ _____ _____ _____ _____ | ___|| _______|| | Otto E. Heuer, CEO ||___|| |_ _| |_ _| ||___|| | |__ | |___ ___| | FSD, Inc. "The innovator | o | | | | | | o | | __| |___ || _ | for software solutions |__O__| |_| |_| |__O__| | | _______| || |_| | for over 20 years." Snobol, C, Pascal, Fortran, BASIC |_||_________||_____| www.umn.edu/nlhome/g249/heuer004 Ada, APL, Prolog, LISP 80960,8051,8031,5301,5303 . . . .... . . . . . . . Audio/Video Unix, MS-DOS, ProDOS, 80x86:..: .:.:. : :.' .. :`.': .:.:. :`. : Star Trek heuer004@gold.tc.umn.edu : : : : :... : `. : : : : : `: Apple IIgs @START@DEEP SPACE NINE INFO (last updated 26 April 1996) Archive-Name: faql.rec.arts.startrek.ds9 (last updated 26 April 1996) PERIODIC LIST OF "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" about STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE This posting is intended to cut down on the "often asked questions" that seem to pop up every few months in the rec.arts.startrek.current newsgroup about ST:DS9. It is one of a number of periodic postings posted to r.a.s.*. For a full list of informational postings, please read the "LIST OF PERIODIC POSTINGS" article in rec.arts.startrek.misc. For a list of acronyms used in this (and other) postings, please refer to the "ACRONYM LIST" found in rec.arts.startrek.misc. This FAQL is basically a list of questions that have been brought up and discussed to death in rec.arts.startrek.current, and a lot of people would be happy if they never resurfaced. =========================================================================== 1) Upcoming DS9 episodes 2) Unconfirmed Upcoming Episodes 3) Other Deep Space Nine Info =========================================================================== This entire article contains ________________ ______ ___ _ ________ _______ ______________ / _______ ____ \ / ____ \_ _| | | _______| ____ \/ _____________| \______ \| |____) | | | | || | | __| | |____) \______ \ ____________) | _____/| |____| | || |______| |______| ____ <_______) | |_____________/|_| \______/___|________|__________| \_________/ for upcoming DS9 episodes. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read this! 1) ========== UPCOMING STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE EPISODES: 96/04/21 - 96/04/27 "Shattered Mirror": Members of the Mirror-Mirror universe come over to "our" universe. Jake, Jennifer and Sisko feature prominently and we see Mirror Garak, Smiley O'Brien, Bashir and the Intendant again. We also see Mirror-Nog, who in charge of the bar after Quark and Rom die. Mirror Jennifer Sisko lures Jake into the mirror-universe and Ben follows. Guest stars include Felecia M Bell as Jennifer Sisko, Aron Eisenberg as Nog, Carlos Carrasco as the Klingon Officer, and Andrew Robinson as Garak. Written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. Directed by James L Conway. 96/04/28 - 96/05/04 "The Muse": Lwaxana returns to DS9, pregnant with Odo's child. Sub-plot focuses on Garak/Ziyal/Kira. While Odo provides shelter for a pregnant Lwaxana Troi, Jake Sisko falls under the spell of a mysterious woman. Guest stars include Majel Barrett as Lwaxana Troi. 96/05/05 - 96/05/11 "For the Cause": Maquis Sympathizers are found on DS9. Sub-plot focuses on Garak and Ziyal becoming friends. Also features Kassidy Yates (Ben is shocked that she may be a Maquis smuggler), Jake, and Eddington (in addition to Ben Sisko, Odo, Kira, Bashir, and Miles O'Brien). Guest stars include Penny Johnson as Kasidy Yates, Ken Marshall as Lt Eddington, Cyia Batten as Tora Ziyal, and Andrew Robinson as Garak. 96/05/12 - 96/05/18 "To The Death": Attempting to stop a group of Jem'Hadar renegades from gaining power, Sisko and the Defiant crew must join forces with deadly Jem'Hadar soldiers. Guest stars include Brian Thompson as Toman'torax, Scott Haven as Virak'kara, and Clarence Williams III as Omet'iklan. 96/05/19 - 96/05/25 "The Quickening": A Dax & Bashir episode. Directed by Rene Auberjonois. 96/05/26 - 96/06/01 "Little Green Men" ===== REPEAT ===== Quark 96/06/02 - 96/06/08 "The Sword of Kahless" ===== REPEAT ===== Worf 96/06/09 - 96/06/15 "Body Parts": Nog returns when Quark thinks he's dying. Guest stars include Max Grodenchik as Rom, and Aron Eisenberg as Cadet Nog. Written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. 96/06/16 - 96/06/22 "Broken Link": ===== SEASON FINALE ===== Odo meets the changelings again, in a slightly different way than he's met them before, and it will have a profound effect on him for a long time. Teleplay by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. Story by George A Brozak. Directed by Les Landau. 96/06/23 - 96/06/29 "": ===== REPEAT ===== 96/06/30 - 96/07/06 "": ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/07 - 96/07/13 "": ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/14 - 96/07/20 "": ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/21 - 96/07/27 "": ===== REPEAT ===== 96/07/28 - 96/08/03 "": ===== REPEAT ===== ============================================================================ 2) ========== UNCONFIRMED UPCOMING EPISODES: 96/0?/?? - 96/0?/?? [episode name unknown]: Tom Riker returns. 96/??/?? - 96/??/?? [episode name unknown]: Ensign Sito (from TNG's "Lower Decks") visits DS9. She may become a permanent member of the cast (or at least a semi-regular) taking over O'Brien's job. 96/??/?? - 96/??/?? [episode name unknown]: 96/??/?? - 96/??/?? [episode name unknown]: Keiko's child is transported into Kira. ============================================================================ 3) ========== OTHER DEEP SPACE NINE INFO According to the DS9 bible, it takes sixty years at warp nine to get back from the other side of the wormhole (the Gamma Quadrant) if the wormhole weren't there. "In the first episode, we learn that the worm hole has been artificially created by a species of aliens that do not live in the same space-time continuum as we do. Thus, we encounter them unexpectedly within the worm hole itself. They have been sending out orb-like probes from the worm hole, one orb every century for a thousand years, seeking contact with other life forms. [...] The mysterious orbs that have arrived each century are among the fundamental sacraments of the Bajoran religion.." --DS9 Bible The DS9 actors have contracts for two seasons. After two years, they'll decide to either make more episodes (if it is a hit and the actors don't ask for *too* much money) or do yet *another* ship-based series. Nana Visitor reported in early 1993 that all cast members have seven year contracts, and "famous" actors wouldn't want to be tied down for that length of time. Colm Meaney said in an interview in the 26 December 1993 issue of WEST magazine that he has a six year contract for DS9. Lolita Fatjo (script supervisor) said at a 19 March 1994 con that DS9 has seven seasons planned. There are about 400 people on the space station, according to O'Brien. The DS9 Bible says that by episode three, there will be about fifty Starfleet officers and crewmen stationed there and on any given day there might be anywhere from 10 to 300 visitors to DS9, as ships come through with foreigners, scientists, merchants, and spies. See the "NAMES" FAQL in rec.arts.startrek.misc for a more detailed description of the characters. TV Guide reported that Guinan's son would be locked up in a jail on DS9, explaining her visits. Stillwell didn't know anything about this Guinan's son bit, but also admitted that TV Guide is notorious for getting true information out even faster than the people producing these shows! Mid-July 1993 TV Guide: Berman mentioned that there will be more off-station stories, and more multi-part stories. He also said that the Promenade will be made "a lot funkier and busier" to "give it more of a feeling of sailors in port." Q will be kept alive as a character. Guinan will be involved in a story about one of her children. Berman said Whoopi Goldberg would be happy to do DS9, but that her schedule can cause problems with working her into the show. 26-27 November 1993 New York City Creation Convention: Developing Kira and the Bajoran religious leader (or Kira and Sisko) romantically is possible but not likely for the fact that the writers does not want to get caught writing themselves into a corner. The Borg may appear on DS9. DS9 spec scripts are being accepted. No Scotty on DS9. January/February 1994: Doohan said at a convention that he may be back as Mongomery Scott on DS9. November 27 1994 New York NY convention: No new info on Colm Meany's possible departure from DS9. We will see Keiko again. December 3 1994 Boston MA: There have been strong rumors that Colm wants out so they may be writing Miles and Keiko O'Brien out (but keeping the characters alive in case the actors want to to bit parts in the future). There are weak rumors that Avery Brooks wants out (but not for a while). Re-confirmation of upcoming Q episode. 21 January 1995 Bellvue WA convention: Morn will not have any speaking lines. The aliens from TNG "Conspiracy" will not be back. Sito will not be back this season--maybe next season. We may see other shapeshifters. Frank Langella will not be returning. They plan to have occasional humor in DS9 (but not as much as VOY). Re-confirmation that Tom Riker may return. Colm Meaney has no plans to leave (this conflicts with numerous other reports, however). mid-January 1995: "Previews" magazine mentioned a poster of the "new regular" Shannon Fill (Ensign Sito) in an upcoming issue of "Deep Space Nine" magazine. early February 1995 London con: Rick Berman said that he expects DS9 to last seven seasons. mid-March 1995: There may be more stories about Nog going to SFA. 26 March 1995 Grand Slam convention: Ira Steven Behr, Co-Executive Producer mentioned that the issue of O'Brien's rank will be explained. He also stated that their are plans for Tom Riker to be rescued from his Cardassian prison, and Nog arriving at Starfleet Academy. late-March 1995 Valley Forge PA convention: It was mentioned (again) that Ensign Sito (from the TNG Episodes "The First Duty" and "Lower Decks") was not killed, but placed in a Cardassian prison camp. Another prisoner there will be Thomas Riker, who was arrested at the end of the DS9 episode "Defiant." Through an escape or rescue, both will arrive at Deep Space Nine. If the writers decide to keep her on the show, her character will have to deal with the nightmares she has from the prison. Ira Stevens Behr, Co-Executive Producer of Deep Space Nine, stated two weeks ago at the Grand Slam Con that a rescue attempt would be made to rescue Tom Riker from his Cardassian prison, and that he might not make it out alive. 6 July 1995 New York Newsday "TV Spots" section: Michael Dorn has signed on to portray Lieutenant Commander Worf next season on DS9. Sisko asks Worf to come on board to serve as a liaison with the Klingon Empire after its treaty with the Federation begins to fall apart. Dorn has reportedly signed a three-year contract for DS9. mid-August 1995: Info from Jeri Taylor. Sometime mid-season Worf will find love with a different, regular character on DS9. All bets are on Dax. In addition to Worf, there will be two more semi-regular characters aboard. December 1995: Teri Hatcher (Lois Lane on TV's Lois & Clark), will be doing a guest spot on one of the upcoming episodes. 9 March 1996 Vulkon convention: Lolita Fatjo reported that we may see more episodes with "Secret Agent Bashir". Alexander might visit Worf on DS9 in the 1996-1997 season. They may start a romance between Garek and Dukat's daughter, which would anger Kira. The two share a holosuite spa. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you know of any other topics that should be included in this list, feel free to email me at one of the addresses below. Be aware that about 10% of the mail I send out bounces, so if you don't get a reply from me, it isn't because I'm ignoring you. :-) This article is Copyright 1990-1996 by Otto Heuer. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder. Permission is expressly granted for this document to be made available for file transfer from installations offering unrestricted anonymous file transfer on the Internet free of charge. --Otto "HACK-MAN" Heuer _____ _________ _ _____ _____ _____ _____ | ___|| _______|| | Otto E. Heuer, CEO ||___|| |_ _| |_ _| ||___|| | |__ | |___ ___| | FSD, Inc. "The innovator | o | | | | | | o | | __| |___ || _ | for software solutions |__O__| |_| |_| |__O__| | | _______| || |_| | for over 20 years." Snobol, C, Pascal, Fortran, BASIC |_||_________||_____| www.umn.edu/nlhome/g249/heuer004 Ada, APL, Prolog, LISP 80960,8051,8031,5301,5303 . . . .... . . . . . . . Audio/Video Unix, MS-DOS, ProDOS, 80x86:..: .:.:. : :.' .. :`.': .:.:. :`. : Star Trek heuer004@gold.tc.umn.edu : : : : :... : `. : : : : : `: Apple IIgs @START@T-2 3D review Wednesday May 8 8:26 AM EDT REVIEW/FILM: 'Terminator 2 3-D' Ride A Wonderment Terminator 2 3-D (Sci-Fi -- 3-D theme-park attraction --Color, 0:12) By Joe Leydon ORLANDO, Fla (Variety) - ``Terminator 2 3-D'' is a multimedia, interactive, three-dimensional, wall-to-wall wonderment. Billed as the most elaborate and technologically advanced attraction yet to be created for the Universal Studios Florida theme park, the $60 million ``virtual-adventure experience'' is built around a 12-minute 3-D movie that is said to be, frame for frame, the most expensive live-action pic ever produced. And it looks like every penny is right up there on the screen. Combined with a brief multimedia intro, pic is a legitimate sequel to James Cameron's ``The Terminator'' (1984) and ``Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' (1991). Better still, it features original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong and Robert Patrick in a story created and co-directed by Cameron. The ingeniously written and designed attraction allows audiences to receive exposition via TV monitors as they stand in line. Inside, visitors are greeted by a ``media control'' spokeswoman for Cyberdyne, the high-tech corporation that was razed by the Terminator and his human allies in ``T2.'' Fortunately, the sweet-voiced spokesperson announces, those nasty ``terrorists'' did nothing to prevent the construction of Skynet, a satellite capable of controlling nuclear weapons, or the development of cyborg soldiers known as ``terminators.'' Meanwhile, John and Sarah Connor tap into the spokeswoman's video presentation and announce their plans to destroy the building and everything in it. They make good on their terrorist threat after the audience is seated for a presentation of Cyberdyne technology. This cues an appearance by the evil T-1000 Terminator. That, in turn, cues the original, newly reformed Terminator, who brings John back to the future on a motorcycle ride through a time warp. So far, so good. Schwarzenegger and his name-brand co-stars appear in filmed and taped segments, and provide the voices for lip-synching, convincingly attired actors onstage. Once the Terminator and John reach the future in a spectacular bit of stunting that seems to take their chopper directly into the screen, the actual movie kicks in. And it is amazing. Co-directed by Cameron and f/x wizards Stan Winston and John Bruno, ``Terminator 2 3-D'' is set in a bleak and blasted L.A. of 2029, where terminators of various shapes and sizes hunt and kill humans. The highlight is the appearance of a T-1,000,000, a computer-animated morphing mega-monster that resembles a surly termite. Everything ends with the spectacular explosion of the dreaded Skynet. But the door is left ajar for yet another sequel. The 3-D cinematography and special-effects handiwork are astonishing. Flying cyborgs, insectlike pincers and other lethal devices seem to bolt off the screen -- three different screens, actually -- and hover over the audience. But not all the trickery is in the movie. At one point, the auditorium's seats vibrate slightly, to reinforce the illusion that events are taking place aboard a descending elevator. At another point, the audience is misted, just when a frozen terminator explodes into icy droplets. Everything about this enterprise has been meticulously thought out and cleverly executed. Fans of the first two ``Terminator'' pics will delight in the inside references -- the Cyberdyne building is named after the Joe Morton character who was killed in ``T2'' -- while parents of small children will appreciate the decision to tone down the mayhem for this family-friendly attraction. If the MPAA were to rate ``Terminator 2 3-D,'' it likely would receive nothing more than a PG-13. Directed by James Cameron; written by Cameron, Gary Goddard, Adam Bezark. Camera (color), Russ Carpenter; 3-D cinematographer, Peter Anderson; 3-D film sequences, Digital Domain; editor, David Bartholemew; music, Brad Fiedel; production design, John Muto; project creation, Goddard, Bezark, Landmark Entertainment Group; project design, Landmark Entertainment Group for MCA/Universal; art direction, Darren Gilford, Ira Gilford; sound, Tony Miceli; visual effects producer/3-D consultant, Dr. Ken Jones; digital effects producer, Amy Jupiter; character animation, Daniel Robichaud; MCA producers, Nancy Herbst, Art Repola; MCA show directed by Goddard, Bezark. A Digital Domain production. Produced by Chuck Comisky. Executive producers, Scott Ross, Andrew Millstein. Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger John Connor Edward Furlong Sarah Connor Linda Hamilton T-1000 Robert Patrick (c) Reuters/Variety @START@THE INTERNET TOP 100 SF/FANTASY LIST ----======= THE INTERNET TOP 100 SF/FANTASY LIST =======---- Edition Number 68 5th May 1996 r--------------------------------------------------------------------------, | This chart was compiled using votes sent in by 1154 people. If you want | | to vote for a book, then send a message containing your votes to me at | | tcooke@spam.maths.adelaide.edu.au. Each line of your message should | | contain a vote for one book, and should be of the form: Score out of 10, | | Title of the book, and then the Author or Editor of the book. | L__________________________________________________________________________J =============================================================================== Pos | Title | Type | Author/Editor | Score =============================================================================== 1 Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien 8.71 (496) 2 Ender's Game SA1 Orson Scott Card 8.31 (439) 3 Dune S1 Frank Herbert 8.20 (439) 4 The Demolished Man Alfred Bester 8.19 (109) 5 Way Station Clifford Simak 8.17 (70) 6 Tigana Guy G. Kay 8.17 (94) 7 The Anubis Gates Tim Powers 8.15 (83) 8 Hyperion S1 Dan Simmons 8.12 (224) 9 The First Chronicles of Amber S Roger Zelazny 8.10 (189) 10 1984 George Orwell 8.09 (144) 11 The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Robert A. Heinlein 8.08 (258) 12 Lest Darkness Fall L. Sprague de Camp 8.06 (38) 13 A Fire Upon the Deep Vernor Vinge 8.05 (143) 14 The Stars my Destination Alfred Bester 8.03 (118) 15 True Names Vernor Vinge 8.02 (33) 16 Lord of Light Roger Zelazny 8.01 (126) 17 Tau Zero Poul Anderson 8.00 (51) 18 Neutron Star C Larry Niven 7.96 (83) 19 The City and the Stars Arthur C. Clarke 7.95 (56) 20 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe S1 C.S. Lewis 7.93 (84) 21 A Canticle for Leibowitz Walter M. Miller 7.91 (157) 22 The Hobbit J.R.R.Tolkien 7.90 (321) 23 To Your Scattered Bodies Go S1 Philip J. Farmer 7.88 (67) 24 Past Through Tomorrow C Robert A. Heinlein 7.88 (46) 25 Timescape Gregory Benford 7.86 (50) 26 Ubik Philip K. Dick 7.85 (57) 27 The Earthsea Trilogy S Ursula Le Guin 7.85 (167) ^28 The Warrior's Apprentice Lois M. Bujold 7.84 (46) 29 The Last Dancer Daniel Keys Moran 7.84 (33) 30 The Long Run Daniel Keys Moran 7.81 (48) ^31 The Fionavar Tapestry S Guy G. Kay 7.80 (62) 32 Good Omens Pratchett/Gaiman 7.79 (64) ^33 Startide Rising David Brin 7.78 (213) ^34 The Door into Summer Robert A. Heinlein 7.78 (105) 35 Player of Games Iain M. Banks 7.78 (90) 36 Witches of Karres James Schmitz 7.77 (37) 37 The Foundation Trilogy S Isaac Asimov 7.77 (347) 38 A Song for Arbonne Guy G. Kay 7.76 (57) ^39 More than Human Theodore Sturgeon 7.75 (39) 40 Double Star Robert A. Heinlein 7.74 (75) 41 Protector Larry Niven 7.74 (72) ^42 The Wheel of Time Series S Robert Jordan 7.73 (180) ^43 The Saga of the Pliocene Exiles S Julian May 7.72 (61) 44 Gateway S1 Frederik Pohl 7.70 (166) ^45 Creatures of Light and Darkness Roger Zelazny 7.70 (37) 46 The Dying Earth S1 Jack Vance 7.69 (61) 47 Stand on Zanzibar John Brunner 7.69 (105) ^48 Guards! Guards! S8 Terry Pratchett 7.69 (50) 49 Snow Crash Neal Stephenson 7.68 (134) 50 The Book of the New Sun S Gene Wolfe 7.68 (117) 51 Methuselah's Children Robert A. Heinlein 7.68 (45) ^52 Have Spacesuit, Will Travel Robert A. Heinlein 7.66 (87) 53 Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury 7.66 (138) ^54 The Shockwave Rider John Brunner 7.64 (39) 55 The Forever War Joe Haldeman 7.63 (150) ^56 Cyberiad Stanislaw Lem 7.63 (29) 57 Bridge of Birds S1 Barry Hughart 7.63 (37) ^58 Memory, Sorrow and Thorn S Tad Williams 7.62 (84) 59 The Dispossessed Ursula Le Guin 7.62 (139) 60 Speaker for the Dead SA2 Orson Scott Card 7.62 (267) ^61 The High Crusade Poul Anderson 7.61 (41) 62 I Robot C Isaac Asimov 7.61 (202) ^63 Songmaster Orson Scott Card 7.61 (39) 64 The Snow Queen S1 Joan Vinge 7.60 (49) ^65 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy S1 Douglas Adams 7.60 (312) 66 A Scanner Darkly Philip K. Dick 7.59 (52) 67 Aristoi Walter Jon Williams 7.58 (46) ^68 City C Clifford Simak 7.58 (81) 69 Glory Road Robert A. Heinlein 7.57 (44) 70 Use of Weapons Iain M. Banks 7.56 (87) ^71 The War of the Worlds H.G. Wells 7.55 (95) 72 The Left Hand of Darkness Ursula Le Guin 7.53 (188) 73 The Uplift War David Brin 7.52 (151) ^74 Eon S1 Greg Bear 7.51 (85) 75 Lord Valentine's Castle S1 Robert Silverberg 7.50 (59) 76 Starship Troopers Robert A. Heinlein 7.50 (195) 77 The Mote in God's Eye L.Niven/J.Pournelle 7.50 (213) ^78 The Black Company S1 Glen Cook 7.50 (29) 79 The Fall of Hyperion S2 Dan Simmons 7.48 (150) 80 Nova Samuel R. Delany 7.48 (38) 81 Citizen of the Galaxy Robert A. Heinlein 7.48 (100) 82 Childhood's End Arthur C. Clarke 7.48 (185) ^83 The Magician's Nephew S6 C.S. Lewis 7.47 (42) 84 Mort S4 Terry Pratchett 7.47 (66) ^85 Shards of Honor Lois M. Bujold 7.46 (40) ^86 Doorways in the Sand Roger Zelazny 7.46 (25) ^87 The White Dragon S3 Anne McCaffrey 7.45 (47) 88 Burning Chrome C William Gibson 7.45 (47) 89 Marooned in Realtime Vernor Vinge 7.45 (71) 90 Jack the Bodiless S1 Julian May 7.45 (37) ^91 Barrayar Lois M. Bujold 7.44 (51) 92 Green Mars S2 Kim S. Robinson 7.44 (54) ^93 This Immortal Roger Zelazny 7.44 (29) 94 Brave New World Aldous Huxley 7.43 (68) ^95 Legacy of Heorot L.Niven/S.Barnes 7.43 (41) 96 Neuromancer William Gibson 7.42 (272) 97 Puppet Masters Robert A. Heinlein 7.42 (84) 98 Five Hundred Years After S2 Steven K.Z. Brust 7.42 (25) ^99 Mission of Gravity Hal Clement 7.42 (75) 100 Red Prophet SB2 Orson Scott Card 7.42 (42) =============================================================================== {S1} indicates that the book is the 1'st book in a series. {C} indicates a collection of short stories. * indicates that the book was not on the chart last week. ^ indicates that the book has risen from last week's position. A,B indicate that two books by the same author are in different series. This chart is also available via WWW at http://www.clark.net/pub/iz/Books/Top100/top100.html NOTE: When voting for series, _The Book of the New Sun_ will refer to the first four books. _The Urth Cycle_ includes _The Urth of the New Sun_. Also _The Chronicles of Amber_ refers to all ten books. You are also allowed to vote for each book in the series individually. The Book of the New Sun / The Urth Cycle ---------------------------------------- The Shadow of the Torturer S1 7.68 (117) The Claw of the Conciliator S2 7.52 (95) The Sword of the Lictor S3 7.64 (79) The Citadel of the Autarch S4 7.64 (79) The Urth of the New Sun S5 7.00 (48) Wheel of Time Series -------------------- The Eye of the World S1 7.51 (180) The Great Hunt S2 7.43 (171) The Dragon Reborn S3 7.62 (169) The Shadow Rising S4 7.69 (162) The Fires of Heaven S5 7.73 (156) Lord of Chaos S6 7.72 (140) Foundation Series ----------------- Foundation S1 7.77 (347) Foundation and Empire S2 7.56 (259) Second Foundation S3 7.60 (266) Prelude to Foundation S4 5.91 (86) Forward the Foundation S5 6.10 (76) Foundation's Edge S6 6.33 (109) Foundation and Earth S7 6.16 (98) The First Chronicles of Amber ----------------------------- Nine Princes in Amber S1 7.67 (189) The Guns of Avalon S2 8.10 (90) Sign of the Unicorn S3 7.92 (88) The Hand of Oberon S4 7.93 (89) The Courts of Chaos S5 8.04 (89) The Earthsea Series ------------------- A Wizard of Earthsea S1 7.85 (167) The Tombs of Atuan S2 7.43 (102) The Farthest Shore S3 7.47 (87) Tehanu S4 6.06 (41) The Saga of the Pliocene Exiles ------------------------------- The Many Coloured Land S1 7.43 (61) The Golden Torc S2 7.72 (37) The Nonborn King S3 7.43 (30) The Adversary S4 7.65 (33) The Fionavar Tapestry --------------------- The Summer Tree S1 7.65 (62) The Wandering Fire S2 7.66 (51) The Darkest Road S3 7.80 (52) Memory, Sorrow and Thorn ------------------------ The Dragonbone Chair S1 7.50 (84) The Stone of Farewell S2 7.54 (41) To Green Angel Tower S3 7.62 (48) -- Tristrom Cooke | Editor of the tcooke@maths.adelaide.edu.au | Internet Top 100 | SF/Fantasy List @START@Sci-Fi Channel June Highlights Sci-Fi Channel highlights for the month of June have now been posted at The Dominion (http://www.scifi.com/) for our U.S., Europe/Africa, and Latin America feeds. U.S. highlights are at: http://www.scifi.com/sforiginals/events.html#june Europe highlights are at: http://www.scifi.com/sfeurope/eventsjune.html Latin Amrican highlights are at: http://www.scifi.com/sabados/hilites.html Also, full programming schedules for the month are available for U.S. and Europe. -- .eee.._:@$*e .@$$$$$@. .e*' THE SCI-FI CHANNEL - WELCOME TO THE EDGE .,.O$$$$$$$O*'' _____________________________________________________ @* :*$$$$$*' http://www.scifi.com '@$#*"''***' @START@T&J Software BBS [H[1C[0;36;44m████████╗[4C██╗[9C██╗[19C[30;40m███████████████████ [2H [36;44m╚══██╔══╝[4C██║[9C██║[3H[4C██║[4C████████╗[6C██║[40m[s [u[44m[18C[1;40mSysOp: Tom Wildoner[4H [0;36;44m██║[4C██╔[40m[s [u[44m═██╔═╝[1C██[3C██║[21C[1;40m(717)325-9481[5H [s [u[0;36;44m██║[4C██████║[3C╚█████╔╝[10C[1;37;40mINTERNET: [33mtjs[s [uoft@postoffice.ptd.net[6H [0;36;44m╚═╝[4C╚═════╝[4C╚════╝[40m[s [u[44m[15C[1;37;40mFIDO: [33m1:268/400[7H[8H [0;36;44m███[40m[s [u[44m████╗[2C██████╗[2C███████╗[1C████████╗[1C██╗[4C██╗[2C[40m[s [u[44m█████╗[2C██████╗[2C███████╗[9H[3C██╔════╝[1C██╔═══██╗[40m[s [u[44m[1C██╔════╝[1C╚══██╔══╝[1C██║[4C██║[1C██╔══██╗[1C██╔═[40m[s [u[44m═██╗[1C██╔════╝[10H[3C███████╗[1C██║[3C██║[1C█████╗[40m[s [u[44m[6C██║[4C██║[1C█╗[1C██║[1C███████║[1C██████╔╝[1C████[40m[s [u[44m█╗[11H[3C╚════██║[1C██║[3C██║[1C██╔══╝[6C██║[4C██║██[40m[s [u[44m█╗██║[1C██╔══██║[1C██╔══██╗[1C██╔══╝[12H[3C███████║[40m[s [u[44m[1C╚██████╔╝[1C██║[9C██║[4C╚███╔███╔╝[1C██║[2C██║[1C[40m[s [u[44m██║[2C██║[1C███████╗[13H[3C╚══════╝[2C╚═════╝[2C╚═╝[40m[s [u[44m[9C╚═╝[5C╚══╝╚══╝[2C╚═╝[2C╚═╝[1C╚═╝[2C╚═╝[1C╚══════╝[40m [44m[14H[15H[53C██████╗[2C██████╗[2C███████╗[16H[4C[40m[s [u[1;33;40mSpecializing in DOORS and UTILITIES![13C[0;36;44m██╔[40m[s [u[44m══██╗[1C██╔══██╗[1C██╔════╝[17H[3C[30;40m█[1;33mOur Doors[s [u[0;30m█[1;33mare[0;30m█[1;33minformational,[21C[0;36;44m██[40m[s [u[44m████╔╝[1C██████╔╝[1C███████[18H[4C[1;33;40meducational, or [s [ujust for fun. So[17C[0;36;44m██╔══██╗[1C██╔══██╗[1C╚════██[40m [44m[19H[4C[1;33;40mcome[0;30m█[1;33mby[0;30m█[1;33mand relax[s [u[0;30m█[1;33mat[0;30m█[1;33ma[0;30m█[1;33mplace[21C[s [u[0;36;44m██████╔╝[1C██████╔╝[1C███████║[20H[4C[1;33;40mwhere[s [u[0;30m█[1;33mour DOORS[0;30m█[1;33mare[0;30m█[1;33malways open![s [u[17C[0;36;44m╚═════╝[2C╚═════╝[2C╚══════╝[21H[22H[23H[0m @START@Lemonade Door Update! Updated Door Release: Lemonade Door v4.20 New Door Release: Lemonade Door v1.00 (32-bit) for Wildcat! 5.0 BBS Platform (wcCode). GENERAL: Supports most BBS's and various COM ports, non-standard IRQ's, fossil drivers, DESQview and network ready, and much more. BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ T&J Software - 05/08/96 - LEMONADE is a fairly simple game. Your mother has given you $1.00 to get your lemonade stand started. The object of the game is to sell as many glasses of lemonade as possible in a set number of days. After the user hits the 'N' key he will be shown today's weather forecast. He will then be prompted to enter how many glasses he wants to make followed by how much to charge per glass. The weather and temperature have a direct bearing on how many glasses will be sold. If it rains, none will be sold. Fun for all ages on your system! 32-bit version includes Quick BBS options within the door including Who's Online, Paging, Entering a Message, etc. 16-bit Version -------------- FILENAME: LEMON42.ZIP SIZE: 149k MAGIC: LEMON from 1:268/400 REG FEE: $10 32-bit Version -------------- FILENAME: LEM10WC5.ZIP SIZE: 54k MAGIC: LEMON5 from 1:268/400 REG FEE: $10 (Upgrade from 16-bit for $5.00) The T&J Software BBS (717)325-9481 3 Nodes - 28.8k Internet: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net Fido: 1:268/400 FTP: ftp.thekeep.com /TJ-Software FTP: ftp.europa.com /outgoing/DOORS/tj-software @START@ Current versions of T&J Software Doors/Util's --== T&J Software ==-- Current versions of doors and utilities File Request from 1:268/400 Program Version MAGIC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Announce!: Send screens prior to door. v3.70 ANNOUNCE ANSI Vote Booth: Users vote on screens. v2.60 ANSIVB * GoodUser: Good user door access only. v1.70 GOODUSER Money Market: Stock market game. v4.00 MONEYM OneRun: Set door entries. v3.50 ONERUN T&J Lotto: Lotto number door. v1.70 LOTTO * BadUser: Restricts door access. v3.00 BADUSER Convince!: Convince users to reg doors. v1.50 CONVINCE ! 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FJDATA Apocrypha Door: Complete text. v1.10 APOC * TJNew (WCX): New callers WC! v1.00 NEWWCX * TopDL (WCX): Top downloaders WC! v1.10 TOPDL * TopUL (WCX): Top uploaders WC! v1.00 TOPUL * TJSLevel (WCX): Sec. level sorter WC! v1.00 SLEVEL * TJBad (WCX): Bad user lister WC! v1.00 BADWCX * TJGood (WCX): Good user lister WC! v1.00 GOODWCX * TJTFiles (WCX): Top files WC! v1.00 TFILE * TJMessage (WCX): Top message poster WC! v1.00 TMESSAGE * TJWho? (WCX): Who's online? WC! v1.00 TJWHO * FArea (WCX): File area lister WC! v1.00 FAREA Consumer Information Door v1.00 CINFO FREQ CINFOD for Database Updates! CINFOD * U.S. Census Door v1.00 CENSUS Book of Mormon: Complete text. v1.00 Consumer Product Safety Door v1.20 CSAFETY FREQ CPSDATA for Database Updates! CPSDATA % Consumer Product Safety Door (32-bit) v1.00 CSAFETY5 * Across The Wire Monthly magazine! v1.20B2 ATW FREQ ATWBACK for back issue info! ATWBACK FREQ ATWDATA for current Database! ATWDATA * 144BBS Door: View/Search online. v1.00 144BBS * InBetween: Classic online card game. v1.00 TJINB Endangered Species Door v1.20 ESDOOR FREQ ESDATA for Database Updates! ESDATA % Endangered Species Door (32-bit) v1.00 ESDOOR5 Hubble Space Telescope Info Door v1.00 HST FREQ HSTDATA for Database Updates! HSTDATA DogFAQ Info Door v1.00 DOGFAQ Finder Door v1.00 FINDER MNS Software Product! (Parole/T&J Software) * = Free door/utility program WC! = Wildcat! BBS Program ! = InterBBS Door! % = 32-bit Wildcat! 5.0 Door All doors can be found on the T&J Software BBS at: (717)325-9481 28.8 (3 Nodes - 28.8k) Internet: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net FIDO: 1:268/400 FTP: ftp.europa.com /outgoing/DOORS/tj-software FTP: ftp.thekeep.com /TJ-Software FREQ: TJSOFT for a complete information package! (about 25k) Visiting Sysops have instant access to all doors/utility programs. T&J Software @START@T&J Software Program Descriptions --== T&J Software ==-- Description of All Software Available ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INDEX: ~~~~~~ Section 1.0 - Introduction Section 2.0 - BBS Doors Section 3.0 - Wildcat! Utility Programs Section 4.0 - DOS Utility Programs Section 5.0 - About T&J Software BBS and Accessing Files Section 1.0 - INTRODUCTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Greetings! Thanks for taking the time to look at all the software that is available from our company. Please feel free to access our BBS for the latest versions, or call our voice support number if you have and questions, comments, or concerns! See section 5.0 for details! Our doors have been reviewed in numerous publications including: "netgames - Your Guide to the Games People PLay on the Electronic Highway", Copyright 1994 by Michael Wolff & Company, Inc. Published by Random House. "BBS SECRETS", Copyright 1995 by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. This 660+ page book also ships with a CD-Rom containing the majority of our software collection. Section 2.0 - BBS Doors ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This section details all the BBS doors programs we've created. To the right of each description lists the Door Price. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bordello: Online whore house! $20 Basically, you are running your own whore house and fighting against other players to attain the most profitable house by the end of the month (or past the end of the month depending upon how you have the door configured)! You can search for whores to work in your house (you may only have 10 at any one time), hire thugs to fight other players and to help protect your house, and many other features you will soon become very familiar with! "netgames" calls this - "A favorite on just about any BBS, Bordello allows you to run your own house of ill repute. You'll need to hire girls based on their attributes and see to it that they don't catch any diseases or get roughed up by opposing players. You'll have to slug it out with you enemies and plan your strategies for sabotaging their houses, breaking into their vault and other such chicanery. Great fun and a quick and easy play!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Studs!: Adult online action! $25 We'll let "netgames" talk here! <G> "Perhaps the raunchiest game we've seen come down the Information Superhighway, Studs! places you in the role of a male prostitute on the prowl for a few good tricks. The main 'trick' is to please your 'client' as much as possible. Don't be early. Don't be late. And by all means, use protection or you're asking for trouble." Voted "Raunchiest" door game in 1994 by netgames. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Studette!: Adult online action! $25 Once again, let's hear from "netgames". "A sister game to Studs! In this version, the players are female trying to keep their 'clients' happy." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Announce!: Send screens prior to door. FREE My users contribute to registering door programs. I made this simple door as a way for all users to see who payed to have each door registered. There is no fee for this door. Basically, all the door does is send an ANSI screen prior to a door loading or after a door is terminated. The ANSI screen is edited by the sysop. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ANSI Voting Booth: Users vote on screens. $10 This is a fairly simple door program -- it allows you, the SysOp, to setup up to 10 different ANSI screens for your users to vote on. It's great for online competition between your users! Let your users prepare ANSI screens, upload them to you, then let the other users vote on their favorite ANSI screens! Shoot, offer a prize to the winner! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GoodUser: Good user door access only. FREE This door works exactly opposite of BadUser (by T&J Software). By editing the GOODUSER.LST file you can allow only your good users to enter door games. Great for a tournament play between a select group of users on your board. If a "Good User" is found, he is told that his access has been granted to the selected door. If a person is not listed in the GOODUSER.LST file, he is told that he does not have access to the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Money Market: Stock market game. $15 The user gets a chance to buy stock in up to 10 different companies. Once registered, you the SysOp can change the name of the companies to anything you want. You are given a certain number of game days (as set by the sysop) to make as much money as possible. Your final score is determined by how much PROFIT you make. Your initial starting money (which is set by the sysop) is subtracted from your ending money to determine your score. Any profits made will be carried over to the next day. This door resets every monday. Money Market will reset the weekly scores every monday. Your profit will be carried over to the next day (until the market resets). If you have a negative profit, the following day you will be able to start fresh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OneRun: Set door entries. $10 ONERUN was made to help compliment other T&J Software doors games and future utility programs. It allows you, the SysOp, to set up door games or other door programs for limited access during the day. ONERUN creates a small player record file which contains the players name, date, and number or plays during that day. This file is checked during each play and the number of plays is adjusted. If you say the player can only enter your door twice per day, OneRun will only allow him to enter twice per day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ T&J Lotto: Lotto number door. $15 The T&J LOTTO Door allows your users to select numbers on a type of lottery ticket. The number range is SysOp configurable along with the number or tickets a person may enter per day. As the SysOp, you can pick the prizes awarded for correctly getting 4, 5 or 6 digits correct. The user gets a chance to pick 10 numbers per lottery ticket from the number range you specify. Running TJLOTTO with the command line LOTTO (maintenance program) must be run each night. The LOTTO command line picks the winning numbers (it selects 6 numbers from the range you specify) and then reads each of the users lottery tickets and checks for winners. It will LOG the PRIZE WINNING tickets to a special SYSOP.LOG file for your records. It will also keep a listing of the last 7 days of winning tickets for the users to check. The door also maintains a statitics file which will keep track of how many times the door was played, how many tickets (total) have been purchased, and the total winning tickets (tickets matching 4, 5, or 6 digits). The user can check all winning lottery tickets from the previous night and a summation of all PRIZE WINNING tickets for the last week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BadUser: Restricts door access. FREE Have you ever had users that constantly drop carrier in door games? Do you have some users who cry over the scores etc..? Now you can lock these users from the doors of your choice! BadUser will check a text file maintained by you -- and will keep these unwanted users from playing those selected games/programs. The nice thing is they won't know what is wrong (if you select the STANDARD configuration). BadUser sends them no sign that it is being run except for a fake ERROR message which says "COM Port Error -- Returning to BBS". In CUSTOM mode, you may make and send a ANSI screen to the user. If BadUser finds a "bad user" it will create a file called BAD.BAD. The DOOR.BAT file will see it and skip the main door program and head back to the BBS (see the sample batch file included). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Convince!: Convince users to reg doors. $10 Convince! is a simple door program that you run before the real door or after the real door. Convince! tracks the number of times a user enters a door and after every 5 or 10 plays, presents him with a message saying "User Name you have played this door xx times. Please help contribute to register this door." You can configure Convince to show this everytime (keeping tallies of all the plays), every 5 plays, or every 10 plays. Via the CONV!.SPE file you can include "special users" that will not get the message. You may also bypass users of specified security levels by adding the security level to the SECURE.DAT file. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dollarmania!: Online slot machine. $15 Dollarmania! is a simple slot machine door program -- Online help, payoff tables and the alltime high scorer information is available while the user is in the door. v3.00 is InterBBS capabale allowing BBS users from various boards to compete with one another! The jackpot, player starting money and number of attempts per day is all sysop configurable! At the conclusion of play, the door also creates a top 25 score file, both color and mono. The door resets automatically every Monday with the help of a maintenance program which is built-in to the main Dollarmania! program. The jackpot increases incrementally with every play! If the users spends all of his/her money, he cannot play again until Monday when the door resets! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lasso!: Classic online hangman door. $10 Lasso! is a "take off" of the popular hangman game. The door comes with OVER 28,000 words in its word listing (your users should not get bored very easily with this one)! The registered version allows you to set the number of words per play a user may guess at, and will also allow you to set the number of times a person may play per day. Lasso! will keep track of how many times the door was opened, how many "hangin's" there were, and the date of the last entry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lemonade: Sell the most to win. $10 LEMONADE is a fairly simple game. Your mother has given you $1.00 to get your lemonade stand started. The object of the game is to sell as many glasses of lemonade as possible in a set number of days. After the user hits the 'N' key he will be shown today's weather forecast. He will then be prompted to enter how many glasses he wants to make followed by how much to charge per glass. The weather and temperature have a direct bearing on how many glasses will be sold. If it rains, none will be sold. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prize Vault: Guess the combination. $10 Prize Vault is a door program which allows callers to try and guess a four number combination of vault. If they successfully guess the combination, they win the listed prize. I usually enter a prize such as 500 fighters in Trade Wars, etc... Other SYSOP's enter such things as "a free large pizza..", not a bad idea! What about those long distance callers! <grin> Prize Vault will not allow any one else to guess at the combination once somebody has won. It is up to the SYSOP to reset the combination and prize after a win. Another item that was added are four "bar charts" to the right of the screen. These bars will help users determine if they are getting NEAR the number or FAR away. Thus, you can use bigger numbers for the combination. There are four numbers to the combination and they can range from 1 to 999,999,999,999! You are limited to 12 digits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scramble: Unscramble words 30,000+ $15 Try to unscramble over 30,000 words! Varying modes of play including easy, medium, and expert, tournament mode, and timer to unscramble the words in. Bonus points are awarded for very complex words. With 30,000+ words to random test users, it will be a looong time before they tire! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Video Poker: Just like the casino's. $15 Video Poker is setup to duplicate the standard video poker type of machine which are found in various locations. Basically, you select your bet by pressing any of the number keys (from 1 to 9 or entering your own bet if CUSTOM mode is seleceted) and the first set of five cards appear. You then select the cards you wish to keep by selecting the card number (from 1 to 5). A yellow 'KEEP' will flash below your choosen cards. You then select 'D' or simply hit the ENTER key for your second draw of cards. A small status display in the upper right portion of then main screen tells you your current hand status by placing a blinking check mark inside the brackets. This door resets every monday during the BBS maintenance. So, if you're running behind bet it all on Sunday evenings! You never know, you may catch up or surpass the leader! Each new bet starts the turn with a new deck of cards. The status of the payoffs can be viewed by pressing the 'P' key. This will show you the payoff versus what card combinations you have. On the right, it shows what combinations had already come up. If you run out of money, you're finished until monday when the door resets. So watch how much you bet! This door also has a BONUS feature which your sysop may or may not choose to use. Basically, a certain amount of money is placed in the jackpot each time you play a hand of poker. The best hand of the day will receive this jackpot money tomorrow! Be sure to logon and claim the money, or you lose it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ratio!: UL/DL ratio for door access. v1.20 RATIO A simple door program to keep users out of doors if they don't keep a good upload/download ratio. You set the ratio to maintain in the SYSOP.CFG file. Let's say you put 20 in for the ratio. That means you want your users to keep at least a 20 DL/1 UL ratio in order to use the door. A special file called RATIO.USR is included. If you have users who you want to bypass the ratio checking, just add their name in this text file. If Ratio! finds a "bad user" it will create a file called BAD.BAD. The DOOR.BAT file will see it and skip the main door program and head back to the BBS (see the sample batch file included). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Strip Poker!: 5 card stud, male/female. $15 In this door you may play against 20 computer players in Strip Poker! (10 females and 10 males). When you logon initially, you are asked which player you want to play against (male or female). A second screen comes up asking which of the 10 players you wish to play against. Take a look at their stats! It shows how many hands each one has won/lost, how many rounds they won/lost, and how much money they've paid out or have taken in. After you select the player, you're off to the main menu where the competition starts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OnLine!: Text viewing/searching. $15 OnLine! is basically a way for you, the SysOp, to setup your own online type of magazine or your own online text search door. You can make your own Hello and Goodbye screens, and you can have up to 1600 articles/ANSI screens for your users to read/search online and have them broken down into 40 different sub-menus. OnLine also supports downloading of articles/ansi screens right from within the door itself. Users may download using X, Y, or ZModem transfer protocols. You have the option to turn the downloading flag ON or OFF when you add an article to the database using OLSETUP. Speaking of downloading, OLSETUP also allows you to turn GLOBAL downloading on or off also! OnLine will also prompt the user if he/she would like the file Zipped prior to transferring the file! Think of OnLine as a "shell" for you to build on. You can customize it to your favorite colors, text files, ANSI screens etc. When viewing TEXT files, you may SEARCH the text file for a KEYWORD, goto the next page (like PAGE DOWN), and goto the previous page (like PAGE UP). OnLine also has HELP available right from the main menu of the door and the ability to generate STATISTICS on its usage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ T&J Raffle!: Prize give-away door. $10 T&J Raffle is an excellent door to use for GUARANTEED Prize Give Aways! You set the total number of tickets to give away, how many tickets each person is allowed to have, and the date that the door locks. After the total tickets are gone, or the date is reached, run a simple utility program to pick the three winners! Bulletins will be created showing the winners, and they will also be informed inside the door. Includes special features such as giving certain people more tickets, a status display, and a twit file to keep certain users out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On Line Legal Advisor Door $35 Many doors are fun and games. That's great! How about a new type of door? A door which permits your Users to get answers to their legal questions whenever your BBS is available! People hate (for good reason) getting legal advice from lawyers. They have to take time off work, get a bill and are usually angry or scared anyhow! This door, written by attorneys and paralegals, has the answer to all of the most common questions which your Users have! You'll find that those Users who are interested in their legal rights will read and review ALL of the legal material. The program presently contains helpful, straight talk answers about 49 of the most common legal questions including: -->BBS losses tax deductibility -->Lemon cars -->Bankruptcy -->Copyright -->Criminal problems, arrest -->Estate tax -->Credit repair services -->Jury duty -->Disputes with stock brokers -->Handling insurance claims -->Credit card bill errors -->Bill collector harrassment -->Buying or selling real estate -->Incorporating a business -->Disputes with co-owners of property -->Child support -->Powers of attorney -->On the job injuries We haven't forgotten the gaming part of doors either! The OnLine Legal Advisor contains a grueling true/false legal quiz. This quiz has been carefully prepared to surprise your Users! Many persons have misconceptions about the legal system, and the quiz will educate and entertain your Users! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AgeCheck!: Age limitations for doors. FREE AgeCheck is a door which checks the users age vs. your age limitation for the door in question. It will only run on BBS's that support the DOOR.SYS file format and also contains the users date of birth (such as Wildcat! BBS's). You may also bypass certain security levels from age checking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Online: The complete Bible. $20 Apocrypha Door: Complete text. Book of Mormon: Complete text. Get the full text of ALL THREE of the above religious texts for $20. All three doors are mailed on 3HD 3.5" disks (no extra charge). Each door allows reading and searching while online! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Business Cards: Share with other BBS's! $20 Business Cards Online! is simply that, a way for your users to enter business card data on your BBS system. After registering, you may EXPORT your cards and share them with other system by IMPORTING them. Hopefully, Business Cards will lead to a large collection of business cards from around the country. Please EXPORT and UPLOAD your card set to our BBS and we'll make a "master" listing available to all registered users to import into their card listing. Various COMMAND Line options including: IMPORT, EXPORT, PURGE, GLOBALUPDATE, FILELIST, CHECKADS, CLEAN, and UNDEMO. Each card can have an associated .ZIP/.GIF/.ANS for users to download. Cards and advertisements may be downloaded by your BBS users. A FREE utility program called ExState will also allow you to export on single state to your BBS bulletin listing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JunkYard: Collect/Sell garbage. $20 JunkYard is a game of scrounging landfills looking for items to sell. You may hire workers to help you search, attack other players, and much more. Some items we will not discuss as it will take away from the game (random events, special items you may find, etc.). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ World Fact Book 1994 FREE The World Factbook Door is an online reference library which utilizes the World Factbook Data for 1994. Information is provided on every country in the world. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FedJobs: Online federal jobs. $30 FedJobs is provided for online access to 1000's of government jobs open nation wide. The job database is updated every week to stay current with new position availability and removal of closed positions. Weekly updates are available for File Request or downloading from our BBS. The sysop has the ability to only allow certain users into the door - thus they may charge extra on their BBS system for access to this data. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Consumer Information Door $15 The Consumer Info Door contains databases that your BBS users may find beneficial. They may search the entire database online and also read the information online. Updated databases and additional databases will be available on a monthly basis. Additional databases will be available to download from our BBS in file area #1 as CID#x.ZIP where x=database update number. Updated or additional database .ZIP files must be unzipped in the order they are created. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ U.S. Census Door FREE The Census Door contains the results of the 1990 United States census. They may search the entire database online and also read the information online. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Consumer Product Safety Door $15 The Consumer Product Safety Door contains databases that your BBS users may find beneficial dealing with important information on product recalls and safety. They may search the entire database online and also read the information online. Updated databases my be downloaded from the T&J Software BBS free of charge! Database is updated monthly. Now available in 32-bit wcCode for Wildcat! 5.0 BBS platforms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Across The Wire Monthly magazine! FREE A free monthly magazine featuring 100's of articles on the latest computer, science, products, software, etc.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 144BBS Door: View/Search online. FREE This door was created to read/compile the 144BBS List compiled by Ken Sukimoto. Permission has been granted from Ken to write and distribute this program. Simply grab the latest listing and place the file 144BBS.TXT in the 144BBS List directory and run: 144BBS COMPILE The text file will be compiled into a usable database for the door! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ InBetween: Classic online card game. The object of this game (as you already know <G>) is to bet on if the third card played will be between the two cards shown. Be warned, if the third draw is equal to one of the two displayed - you will lose double your bet! A percentage of each LOST hand goes into the jackpot. To win the jackpot money, you must get three of a kind! If the first two cards are a pair, you will be prompted to hit enter to take a chance at winning the jackpot! This costs nothing. The amount paid for a winning hand varies depending on the spread of the original two cards shown. This is configured by your sysop. The larger the spread between the cards, the lower the payoff will be! There are two ways to play (as set by your sysop). Play Type #1: The sysop sets the number of hands per day that you are allowed. Let's say your sysop sets this at 50 - in play mode #1, the door multiplies 50 by 7 (since this door resets every monday) thus giving 350 total hands. You may play these hands at your convenience, 45 hands today, 115 hands tomorrow, etc... Once you play your 350 hands, you are done for the week. Play Type #2: Let's use the same schematic as above and you have 350 total hands. You will know you are in mode #2 by looking at the menu screen. It will say, "350 hands per week/50 for today". In play mode #2, the door divides your total hands left by the number of days left before the door resets. Let's say you couldn't play the door on monday or tuesday, when you logon on wednesday, the door divides 350 by 5 (5 days left before it resets) and allows you to play 70 hands on wednesday. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endangered Species Door $10 The Endangered Species Door presents your callers with the latest information on all endangered/threatened species broken down by catagory. You may also search the database online. Database will be updated as species are listed or delisted. Also available in a 32-bit Wildcat! 5 format wcCode program! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hubble Space Telescope Information Door $15 The HST Info Door contains information on all the various HST findings and background information. Information may be viewed online and searched. Regular database updates will be available as the information is obtained. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DogFAQ Information Door FREE I would like to thank Cindy Tittle Moore for allowing T&J Software to bring you this FREE door! The FAQ file database will be maintained by T&J Software and may be downloaded as DOG#xxxx.ZIP where xxxx will equal the database update number. The updated database can be found online in the T&J: Database Updates file area. 200+ topic areas! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finder Door $30 Finder! is designed for users wishing to search text files online. Finder! will search entire subdirectories of your choice, for articles matching the user's specifications. Your user will be told how many text files are in the directory they choose. They will be prompted for their keyword to search file followed by AND/OR/QUIT and then a second keyword. They may also search the text files by the filedate associated with each file. A bar graph will appear showing the status of the search and how many matches were found. Afterwards, they are prompted if they would like the matched text files archived (Zip) for download and reading offline. This door will make an excellent online library reference! Section 3.0 - Wildcat! Utility Programs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We also maintain a collection of Wildcat! BBS utility programs! TJNew (WCX): New callers WC! TopDL (WCX): Top downloaders WC! TopUL (WCX): Top uploaders WC! TJSLevel (WCX): Sec. level sorter WC! TJBad (WCX): Bad user lister WC! TJGood (WCX): Good user lister WC! TJTFiles (WCX): Top files WC! TJMessage (WCX): Top message poster WC! TJWho? (WCX): Who's online? WC! FArea (WCX): File area lister WC! TJYesterday: Yesterday's callers WC! TJStat: Activity log analyzer WC! TJTop30: Top Downloaded files WC! WinCheck!: Add on for T&J Lotto. LimitLog: Limits logs per day WC! WCAlarm: Alarms on ERROR.LOG WC! Section 4.0 - DOS Utility Programs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RBlank - Removes blank lines from text files. RanGen - Random number generation program. lcase - Converts all text of a text file to lower case. FID! - File_Id extraction program. LTrim - Removes left blanks from text files. UCASE - Converts all text of a text file to UPPER CASE. LFStrip - Removes line feeds from text files. Section 5.0 - About T&J Software BBS and File Access ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All doors can be found on the T&J Software BBS at: (717)325-9481 28.8 Sportster (717)325-2054 28.8 Sportster (717)325-4369 28.8 USR DS (717)325-9480 Voice Support 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST Weekdays 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST Weekends Internet: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net FIDO: 1:268/400 FREQ: TJMAGIC for a complete list of what is available. FREQ: VERSIONS for a list of current door versions. FREQ: TJDESC for this file! FTP: ftp.europa.com /outgoing/DOORS/tj-software FTP: ftp.thekeep.com /TJ-Software Visiting Sysops have instant access to all doors/utility programs. Doors support various COM ports, baud rates to 115k, DV/Network ready, fossil driver support, and much more! The doors easily setup, and registration can be done online in DOOR #7 using VISA or MC! T&J Software doors have been tested on nearly every BBS package on on the market and uses beta test sites running various software and hardware setups. ──┬── │om T&J Software @START@T&J Software Reg Form! =========================================================================== Mail to: Tom Wildoner Make check or money order The T&J BBS payable to JANE WILDONER 397 West Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229-1907 BBS: (717)325-9481 28.8k - 3 Nodes INTERNET: tjsoft@postoffice.ptd.net YOUR NAME:_________________________________________ ADDRESS:___________________________________________ CITY/STATE:___________________ ZIPCODE:__________ BBS NAME:_________________________________REQUIRED! BBS NUMBER:_(______)________-_____________REQUIRED! BBS SOFTWARE:______________________________________ If registered under an ALIAS name please indicate your ALIAS:________________________________________ FIDO NUMBER:______________ INTERNET ADDRESS:__________________________________ T&J SOFTWARE DOORS: PRIZE VAULT! $10 < > LASSO! $10 < > SCRAMBLE! $15 < > MONEY MARKET $15 < > DOLLARMANIA SLOTS $15 < > ANSI VOTING BOOTH $10 < > ONERUN $10 < > T&J LOTTO! $15 < > CONVINCE $10 < > ONLINE! $15 < > STUDS! $25 < > STUDETTE! $25 < > BORDELLO! $20 < > VIDEO POKER! $15 < > STRIP POKER! $15 < > T&J RAFFLE $10 < > BIBLE ONLINE $20 < > ONLINE LEGAL ADVISOR $35 < > LEMONADE $10 < > BUSINESS CARDS $20 < > CONSUMER INFO $15 < > LIMITLOG (WC) $10 < > ENDANGERED SPECIES $10 < > JUNKYARD $20 < > INBETWEEN $15 < > CONSUMER SAFETY $15 < > HST INFO DOOR $15 < > FEDJOBS $30 < > FINDER $30 < > CONSUMER SAFETY (32) $15 < > ENDANGERED SPEC (32)$10 < > LEMONADE (32) $10 < > <32> Specifies 32-bit doors for Wildcat! 5.0 Systems PAROLE SOFTWARE DOORS: PURITY 500 $15 < > PURITY 1000 $15 < > SUPER RASSLE $15 < > SEX TRIVIA $15 < > ADOPT-A-DOOR $15 < > BABY DERBY $15 < > FILE WISHING WELL $15 < > ONLINE TEXT READER $15 < > ONLINE TRIVIA $15 < > NCAA SPORTS TRIVIA $15 < > DIAMOND TRIVIA $15 < > ENT. AWARDS TRIVIA $15 < > MOVIETIME TRIVIA $15 < > CELEBRITY TRIVIA $15 < > STAR TREK TRIVIA $15 < > HISTORY TRIVIA $15 < > QUOTES & QUIPS $15 < > US STATE TRIVIA $15 < > WORLD GEOGRAPHY $15 < > POSTTIME $15 < > TIME TRIALS $15 < > CLASSIFIED ADS $15 < > CURRENT EVENTS $15 < > BBS HERALD $15 < > ON LINE REVIEWS $15 < > ON LINE GRAFFITI $15 < > ONLINE STOCK QUOTES $15 < > PICK 7! $15 < > QUARTER*SLOTS $15 < > CATLIST $15 < > Bible OnLine is shipped on 3HD 3.5" disks, disks included in price. * Also includes Book of Mormon and Apocrypha Doors (FREE) SUB-TOTAL (FROM ABOVE)-------------------------->>>> +____________ If you ordered from 2 to 9 doors deduct $3 for each door ordered! (CONNECT! not included) -____________ --=== OR ===-- If you ordered 10 or more doors deduct $5 for each door ordered! (CONNECT! not included) -____________ TOTAL ------------------------------------------>>>> =____________ I would like to download my keys YES_____ NO_____ If you are not a user on our BBS, please indicate the filename and password for the file. If you are a user on our system, we'll leave you a message with the filename and password. FILENAME:__________________.ZIP Please be original! PASSWORD:__________________ Crash my keys to this FIDO address: ____:______/______ Additional Costs: FOUR (4) 3.5" HD DISKS T&J DEMO DOORS ($5.00) +____________ FOUR (4) 3.5" HD DISKS PAROLE DEMO DOORS ($5.00) +____________ Just my keys on (1) disk add $2.00 +____________ The Total amount of your order! --------------->>>> =____________ ======================================================================= CHARGE IT! (Card will be verified by Combined Warning Bulletin!) NAME (as it appears on card) ______________________________________ EXPIRATION DATE: ____/_____ CARD NUMBER: __________________________________ SIGNATURE: ____________________________________ DATE: ____________ Comments or suggestions for any of the doors? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Orders outside the United States, please use your credit card or postal money order in U.S. Funds. Any checks received from outside the U.S. will be returned! Don't forget, you can always register these doors online in door #7 using your VISA or MASTERCARD by calling (717)325-9481. The same discounts will apply if you order online! You may also order demo disks and such as part of your order. We also have some free doors and programs available to download from our BBS, they include: - Announce! which sends a one screen announcement to users before the actual door is run. - Environmental Quick Tips which makes environmental type screens in rotation. - BadUser which prevents bad users from playing your doors. - GoodUser which only allows good users in your doors. - T&J Stat which is an activity log analyzer for Wildcat! 3.x. - T&J Top 30 which lists the top 30 downloads from your Wildcat! 3.x activity log. - T&J Yesterday! which makes a nice screen showing yesterday's callers. For Wildcat 3.xx only! - Ratio!, keep users with bad UL/DL ratios from entering your doors! - WinCheck! checks for winners in T&J Lotto door. - AgeCheck! checks users age before allowing door entry. Will only work with DOOR.SYS and BBS that users have a birthdate entry. - 1994 CIA World Fact Book! - DogFAQ Door complete dog information! - 144BBS List Door. - Various wcCode applications (free). @START@The UPPER ROOM BBS [H[1C[44m [0;1;44mBoise & the Treasure Valley's Fir[40m[s [u[44mst Christian BBS! [0;31;44m▄ [2H[1C [40m[s [u[44m [1mServing the Lord 24 hours since 1992 [40m[s [u[44m [0;31;44m▀█▀[3H[1C [40m[s [u[44m ▀ [4H[1C[40m[s [u[44m [1;36mThe UPPER ROOM Bulletin Board [40m[s [u[44m [0;30;44m│ [5H[1C [1;36m208-33[40m[s [u[44m1-0082 8-N-1 14.4kbps [40m[s [u[0;30;44m│ [6H[1C [36mBBS Software: Spitfi[40m[s [u[44mre v3.5 [30m▄[1C▄ [40m[s [u[44m [7H[1C [36mYour Sysop: Steve McNutt, BAC [40m[s [u[44m [30m│ │ ╟[37;40m|[30;44m╢ [40m [44m[8H[1C [36mSFNet Hub_ID: A0208000 [1C[40m[s [u[37;40m·· ···[30;44m█ [1C[1;33;40m·[0;30;44m█ [40m[s [u[44m [9H[1C [40m[s [u[44m[2C[37;40m::::::[30;44m██ [1C[1;33;40m■[0m■■[s [u[30;44m█ [10H[1C │ [40m[s [u[44m [31m░░░░░░░░░░[2C[37;40m" "" " ""[30;44m█ [1C[40m[s [u[37;40m.....[30;44m█ [11H[1C │ │ [40m[s [u[44m [31m░░░░░░░░[1m░░░░░░░░[2C[0m" """" """"[30;44m█[40m[s [u[44m [1C[37;40m:.:::[30;44m█ [12H[1C │ [40m[s [u[44m [37;40m" """[44m [31m░░░░░░░░[1m░░░░░░░[30;45m░░░░[40m[s [u[45m░░░░[2C[0m""" """"""" [31;44m░░[1C[37;40m::.::[30;44m[40m[s [u[44m█ [13H[1C[37;40m===[44m [1C[40m" """ [s [u[31;44m░░░░[1m░[1C[0m:: : [1;30;45m░░░░░░░[31m░░░░░░░░[1C[40m[s [u[45m[0m"" """""" "" [1;31;44m░░[1C[0m:::.: [31;44m░ [40m[s [u[44m [14H[2C[37;40m= =[44m [31m░[1C[37;40m""""" [s [u[1;31;44m░░░░[30;45m░[1C[0m:::: [1;31;45m░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒[40m[s [u[45m[1C[0m" """""""""" [1;30;45m░░[1C[0m.:::: [31;44m░░░░[40m[s [u[44m░░ [15H[1C[37;40m==== [31;44m░░░[1C[37;40m"" "" [s [u[1;30;45m░[1C░░░[1C[0m: :: [1;31;45m▒▒▒▒▒[1C[0m. 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Clark online since 1992[14H[15H [36mWe carry the Intelec netw[s [uork; have almost 20 CD's available, including the[16H Night Owl, Pi[s [uer, and Software Vault series. We offer the PC Catalog, lots[17H[s [u[10Cof door games, Across the Wire magazine, and much much more! [18H The BBS is simply a friendly and colorful place to visit! Give u[s [us a call!![19H[20H[21H[22H[23H[0m @START@Ralph [H[1C[0;31;41m██ [1;33mWorld's Largest Collection Of [40m[s [u[41mDoor Games Online!![0;31;41m████████████████[2H[1C██████[40m[s [u[41m████[40m█████████████████████████████████████████████[41m[40m[s [u[41m █[3H[1C██████████[40m█▄ ▀▀█████████████[s [u██████▀▀▀████▄▄▄▀████████▀[33m█[31m█[41m [40m[s [u[41m█[4H[1C██████████[40m████▄▄▄▄ ▀█▀▀▀▄ ▀██████▀▀█▄▀▀█▄ ██ ▀█▀ [s [u▀█▀ [33m▀█[31m██[41m█████████████ █[5H[1C██████████[40m[s [u[40m███▀▀▀ ▄▄▄▄ ▀▄ ▀▄▄ █▄ ▄▄ ██ ██ █▄[9C[33m█[31m██[41m[40m[s [u[41m███████████████████[6H[1C██████████[40m██████████▀█▄▄ ▀█▄ ██[s [u██ ▀▄[19C[33m█[31m███[41m█████████████████[7H[1C█████████[40m[s [u[41m█[40m█▀▀██▀▀██▀█▄▄▄[15C[1;33mSysOp: Cody[8C[0;33m▀█[31m█[s [u[41m█████████████████[8H[1C████████[40m█▀███▄▄▄█▄▀▀▄▄ ▀▀▄[13C[s [u[1;33mCoSys: Mirth & Sean [0;33m▀█[31m████[41m████████████[40m [41m[9H[1C██████[40m█▀▀█▄▄▄▄▄ ▀▀▄▄[42C[33m▀█[31m███[41m████[40m[s [u[41m███████[10H[1C[40m█████████▄ ▄▄▄▄▀▄ [1;33m(512)339-7838 / [s [u(512)339-2624 - 28,800 Baud [0;33m▀█[31m██[41m██████████[11H[40m[s [u[41m[1C[40m▀▄ ▀█▀▀▄▀▀▀█▄▄▄▀[49C[33m▀█[31m█[41m██████████[40m [41m[12H[1C[40m███▄▄█████▄▄[55C[33m▀█[31m█████[41m████[13H[40m[s [u[41m[1C[1;33;40m┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌─┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─┐ ┌─┐ Home Of [s [uAustin Online Echo[0;33m▀▀█[31m██████[41m█[14H[1C[1;33;40m│ ┌──[s [u┐ │ │ ┌──┐ │ │ │ │ ┌─┐ │ │ │ │ │[8C& Bizzare Creations[5C[0;33m[s [u▀█[31m███[41m█[15H[1C[1;33;40m│ └──┘ │ │ └──┘ │ │ │ │ └─┘ │ │[s [u └─┘ │[5C[0;33m▄█▄▄▄▄ [1m& Stuff Magazines [0;33m▀█[31m█[s [u[41m█[16H[1C[1;33;40m│ ┌─┐ ┌┘ │ ┌──┐ │ │ │ │ ┌───┘ │ ┌─┐ │ [s [u[0;33m▄▄█[31m██████[33m██▄▄▄▄▄███▄▄[12C█[31m█[41m█[17H[40m[s [u[41m[1C[1;33;40m│ │ │ └┐ │ │ │ │ │ └──┐ │ │[5C│ │ │ │[0;33m▄██[s [u[31m█████████████████████[33m█▄▄▄█▄▄▄▄▄█[31m█[41m██[18H[1C[40m[s [u[1;33;40m└─┘ └──┘ └─┘ └─┘ └────┘ └─┘[5C└─┘ └─┘[0;33m██[31m██████[s [u████████████████████████████[41m██[19H[1C [40m[s [u[41m [40m [41m[20H[1C [1;33mTotally Free BBS, 27 CD's Online, Over 400 D[40m[s [u[41moor Games Online, InterBBS Games[21H[22H[23H[0m @START@Parole Software! [H[2H[1C[0;5;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[3H[1C[34;47m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴─[40m[s [u[41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴[0;5;34;47m██[4H[1C[37;44m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─[32;40mLive! From the Heart of North[s [u Carolina[37;41m┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬[0;5;44m██[5H[1C[34;47m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─[0;30;46mDennis Maidon, SysOp[1;37;41m┬[0;34;41m▄██[40m[s [u[41m█[44m█████[1;33m┌────────────┐[0;34;44m█████████████████[40m[s [u[41m▄▄[1;37m──┬─┴──┬─┴[0;5;34;47m██[6H[1C[37;44m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬─[0;34;41m▄█[44m█████████[1;33m│[40m[s [u[44m[37m919-965-4696[33m│[0;34;44m█ ██████[41m▄[40m[s [u[41m[1;37m─┴─┬──┴─┬[0;5;44m██[7H[1C[34;47m██[0;1;41m─┬─┴─[40m[s [u[41m─┬─┴──┬─┴─┬──[0;31;44m▀[34m████████████[1;33m└──────────[40m[s [u[44m──┘ [0;34;44m████████▀[1;37;41m─┴──┬─┴[40m[s [u[0;5;34;47m██[8H[1C[37;44m██[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬─┘[40m[s [u[0;34;44m███████████████[1;32m*BBS Direct* [0;34;44m███[40m[s [u[44m[1;5;33m*[0;34;44m██████████████[41m▀▀[1;37m┴─┬──┴─┬[40m[s [u[0;5;44m██[9H[1C[34;47m██[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─[0;34;41m▄▄█[40m[s [u[41m█[44m███████████████[1;36mClayton, NC[0;34;44m██████████[40m[s [u[44m████████████[41m▄[1;37m┬─┴──┬─┴[0;5;34;47m██[10H[1C[40m[s [u[37;44m██[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴─┬──[0;34;41m▄▄███[44m█████████████[40m[s [u[44m[1;31mFIDO 1:151/185.0[0;34;44m█████████████████████[40m[s [u[1;37;41m┴─┬──┴─┬[0;5;44m██[11H[1C[34;47m██[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬[40m[s [u[41m─┴[0;34;44m█████████████▀▀▀[1;37;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬[40m[s [u[0;34;41m▀█████[44m██████████████[41m████▀▀[1;37m┴──┬─┴──┬─┴[40m[s [u[0;5;34;47m██[12H[1C[37;44m██[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴[0;34;44m█████[40m[s [u[44m██████▀▀[1;37;41m─[5;33mThe[0;1;41m─[5;33mParole[40m[s [u[0;1;41m┴[5;33mBoard[0;1;41m─[5;33mBBS[0;1;41m┴[0;34;41m▀[40m[s [u[47m██████████████[41m█▀[1;37m──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬[0;5;44m██[13H[40m[s [u[44m[1C[34;47m██[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴─[44m 8.4 Gb Fil[40m[s [u[44me Storage[41m─┬─┴[0;34;41m▀█[44m██████████▀[1;37;41m─┴─[40m[s [u[41m─[0;30;46mSuper Rassle[1;37;41m┴[0;5;34;47m██[14H[1C[40m[s [u[37;44m██[0;1;41m─[46m [0;30;46mSatellite! [1;37;41m┬──┴─┬─[40m[s [u[41m─┴─[47m [0;31;47mA WILDCAT! BBS [1;37;41m──┴─┬──[40m[s [u[0;34;41m▀██[44m██████[41m▀[1;37m┴─┬──[46m [0;30;46mCatLi[40m[s [u[46mst [1;37;41m┬[0;5;44m██[15H[1C[34;47m██[0;1;41m─[40m[s [u[0;30;46mRIP Graphics[1;37;41m┴──┬─[44m [33mHome of "PAROLE [40m[s [u[44mSoftware" [37;41m─┬─[0;34;41m▀█[44m████▀[1;37;41m─┬─┴──[40m[s [u[46m [0;30;46mOLT! / PSA [1;37;41m┴[0;5;34;47m██[16H[1C[40m[s [u[37;44m██[0;1;41m─[0;30;46mXpress! Mail[1;37;41m┌──┴─┬──┴─┬─[40m[s [u[41m─┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬──┴─┬─[0;34;41m▀██▀[1;37m──┴─┬──[46m [40m[s [u[0;30;46mSex Trivia [1;37;41m┬[0;5;44m██[17H[1C[34;47m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴─┬──┴────┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴─[40m[s [u[41m─┬─┴──┴─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬[0;5;34;47m██[18H[1C[37;44m██[40m[s [u[0;1;41m─┴─┬──┴─[45m [36mUS Robotics modems exclusively[40m[s [u[45m / v.Everything [37;41m─┬──┴─┬[0;5;44m██[19H[1C[40m[s [u[34;47m██[0;1;41m─┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴[44m"When you only have time t[40m[s [u[44mo call the very best"[41m┬─┴──┬─┴──┬─┴[0;5;34;47m██[20H[40m[s [u[47m[1C[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[40m[s [u[34;47m██[37;44m██[34;47m██[37;44m██[21H[22H[23H[0m @START@Parole Software Programs The Parole Board BBS Clayton, NC Node1 -> (919) 965-4696 ──> USRobotics V.Everything InterNet: dmaidon@nando.net http://www.tjsoft.com/public/parole.htm ftp.tjsoft.com /PAROLE ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕ │ You can now get updates to this file via the InterNet. Use │ │ the `finger' command to get the latest version. │ │ `finger dmaidon@cris.com │ ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ ----- VISITIN' WARDEN ----- Welcome to The Parole Board BBS. As a Visiting SysOp you have *NO* U/L-D/L ratio so you can pig out to your hearts content. We now have several very useful utilities for SysOps: You may also request the REGISTER.TXT by using the MAGIC! name of "REGISTER". The distribution sites may be requested by "SITES". ---------------------- wcCode Applications for Wildcat! 4.x BD_MSG12.ZIP Send your users a personal message on their birthday. Also creates a full color BULL or HELLO screen. FREE! MAGIC!: BIRTHDAY AN_MSG10.ZIP Send users a personal message on the anniversary of the first call to your BBS. FREE! MAGIC!: ANV_MSG NEWCAL15.ZIP Creates a bulletin of all the new callers to your system for a specified number of days. FREE! MAGIC!: NEWCALL WHOYST10.ZIP Creates a bulletin of all callers that placed a call to your BBS yesterday. FREE! MAGIC!: WHOYEST WCPAGE15.ZIP [P]age SysOp replacement module. FREE! MAGIC!: PAGE TIC2WC10.ZIP A TIC processor for WC! 4.01. Free! MAGIC!:TIC2WC WCDEL10.ZIP Utility to delete files from WC! db from a text file. Free! MAGIC!: WCDEL ---------------------- GPAPER55.ZIP Adds Compu-Paper effect to text files. New Look! Now supports WC!3, PCB, Synchronet and SearchLight special color codes. MAGIC!: GPAPER ACOLOR62.ZIP Adds ANSI color to text files. Completely SysOp configurable. Supports WC!3 and PCB color codes. MAGIC!: ACOLOR CVTWCT30.ZIP Utility for WC! SysOps to convert the data in WCTEXT(r).DAT and WCTEXT(r).DEF to text files. Useful. MAGIC!: CONVERT CVTPRM10.ZIP Utility to convert the WC!4 .PRM files to ASCii format. Very useful utility. FREE! MAGIC!: CVTPRM STANDBY!.ZIP Batch file utility that holds a batch file for a preset time or immediately runs the bat file if the preset time has passed. MAGIC!: STANDBY TAGGER10.ZIP Utility to add a bit of change to your BANNER files in your BBS Mailers. MAGIC!: TAGGER 0BYTE-12.ZIP Creates the '0' byte files you need to properly install a CD-ROM drive on WC! 3.0. MAGIC!: 0BYTE DAYB4-15.ZIP Creates HELLOx or BULLx screens informing users of number of days till Christmas. Supports WC!3.x and PCB specific color codes. MAGIC!: DAYB4 RCOLOR21.ZIP Discontinued! PCOLOR21.ZIP WC! utility to add color to the WCPRO double files listing. Uses WC! specific "@" color codes. Now supports WC! 3.x and 4.x. MAGIC!: PCOLOR TXTLOG11.ZIP Utility to notate text files from a batch file with a short message and the date and time. MAGIC!: LOGGER PRTNUM10.ZIP A FREE utility to write the users record number and expiration date to the ACTIVITY.LOG for each caller. A WC!3.6+ specific utility. MAGIC!: NUMBER HOSTGE22.ZIP A not so light-hearted look at the "leader" of our nation. MAGIC!: HOSTAGE ---------------------- PSA-V21.ZIP Purity 1000 Stand-Alone Version. Now your users can enjoy Purity 1000 in the privacy of their home. It includes ANALYZE.EXE which will compare the output files from PSA and P1000. MAGIC!: PSA SUPTRV10.ZIP Play at home trivia program with 1700+ questions. MAGIC!: SUPER XMAS-20.ZIP Informs you of the number of days left till Xmas. Batch Utility. MAGIC!: XMAS ---------------------- BBS DOOR PROGRAMS ---------------------- PICK7_10.ZIP BBS Door program based on KENO/Lotto. RASSLE.ZIP Wrestling Door Pgm for WC! and other BBS systems Super Rassle v6.2 MAGIC!: RASSLE ADOPT50.ZIP Adopt-A-Door program to let your users know that a particular door program needs a sponsor. MAGIC!: ADOPT PURITY27.ZIP Door Program based on the PURITY 500 questions. This program is for *Mature* Adults Only! MAGIC!: PURE500 P1000V27.ZIP Purity 1000 - Lots of new features that are available for the users. Adults Only! MAGIC!: PURE1000 SEXTRV52.ZIP Sex Trivia Door Program. For *Mature* Adults Only! MAGIC!: SEXTRV ESP!24.ZIP Guess the Number BBS Door Game. FREE! MAGIC!: ESP BDERBY26.ZIP New Baby on the way? Let your users guess the baby's vital stats. MAGIC: DERBY OLT-50.ZIP On-Line Trivia 1750 Questions on various subjects. Now supports a RIPSCRIP interface. MAGIC!: OLT OLTR-V26.ZIP OnLine Text Reader Read text files online. Multi-BBS Door program. MAGIC!: OLTR FWISH23.ZIP File Wishing Well -NEW!- Allow users to list files they are looking for. MAGIC!: WISH RREAD33.ZIP Discontinued! SPRTRV38.ZIP NCAA Sports Trivia Multi-BBS Door Pgm. MAGIC!: SPORT AWARD38.ZIP Entertainment Awards Trivia Questions pertaining to the Academy Awards. MAGIC!: AWARD MOVTRV38.ZIP Movie Trivia BBS Door Pgm to test your Movie Trivia Knowledge. MAGIC!: MOVIE DMDTRV38.ZIP Diamond Trivia BBS Door Program with questions pertaining to baseball. MAGIC!: DIAMOND CELEB38.ZIP Celebrity Trivia 'Fascinatin' Facts about Famous Folks' BBS Door program to test your knowledge about Famous People. MAGIC!: CELEB TRKTRV18.ZIP Star Trek Trivia. A BBS door program to test your knowledge on all aspects of "Trek" trivia. MAGIC!: TREK QUOTES20.ZIP Quotes & Quips! Trivia. Door program to test your knowledge of famous sayings and quotes throughout history. MAGIC!: QUOTE CATLIST.ZIP CatList! v4.70 BBS List Door. Works similar to WCLIST on Mustang! BBS. Compat. w/Wildcat! Only! Notifys users when their listings have expired. Now incorporates RIPSCRIP Graphics! MAGIC!: CATLIST MAGIC!: CLIST386 >PATCH for 386 compiled version. MAGIC!: CLIST286 >PATCH for 286 compiled version. MAGIC!: CATTEXT >CATLIST.TXT from CatList door. PTIME15.ZIP Post Time. A horse racing simulation door. MAGIC!: POSTTIME TTRIAL26.ZIP Time Trials. A drag racing simulation door. MAGIC!: TTRIAL CLSSAD26.ZIP Classified Ads. A BBs door program that allows users to input ads. MAGIC!: CLASSIFY CEVENT23.ZIP Current Events. A calendar door for BBSs. New features. MAGIC!: EVENT HERALD12.ZIP An announcement type door that allows the sysOp to send a display screen to their users. Supports RIPSCRIP! MAGIC!: HERALD TORC11.ZIP Truth or Consequences v1.0 Initial Release A FREE Gag door for your users enjoyment. MAGIC!: TORC HISTRY12.ZIP American History Trivia. Initial Release. MAGIC!: HISTORY OLREV-10.ZIP Initial Release! A full featured Review door. MAGIC!: REVIEW OLG-V10.ZIP Initial Release! A full featured Graffiti Door. MAGIC!: OLG STATES10.ZIP US States Trivia door. MAGIC!: STATES GEOTRV10.ZIP World Geography Trivia door. MAGIC!: GEOGRAPHY QSLOT10.ZIP Quarter*Slots Online Slots door. MAGIC!: QSLOTS ------------------------ Check out the PAROLE Software File Area for current files. ------------------------ All programs "Copyright 1991-95, PAROLE Software" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED @START@PharmAZcy Online! 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[1C[40m[s [u[33;40m██▀ ▄▀[0;30;44m▀ [1C[37;40m▌ ▄█▀▀▀█▄ ██████████████████[s [u█████▄▄[7C[31m(205) 245-9139[18H [1;37;44m▀ [0;30;44m▐[40m[s [u[1;33;40m▐▌[0;30;44m█▀[1;37m▄▄ [1C[0m▄█ █ █ ▄████████████████[s [u████████████▄[5C[1mFido: 1:3602/1776[19H [44m [0;30;44m▐[40m[s [u[1;33;40m▐ [44m [37m▀██▀ [0;30;44m▄[1C[37;40m▄█ █ ▄████████████[s [u████████████████████ [1;34mSysOp: Alan Albert[20H [44m [40m[s [u[0;30;44m▀[1C [1;37m▀ [1C[0m▄██ ██████████████████████████████[s [u██████ [31mCoSysOP: Gary Bennefield[21H [30;44m▄▄ ▄[40m[s [u[44m[1C[37;40m▄██████████████████████████████████████▀█[9C[1m24 [s [uHours[22H [0;30;44m▄ ▄[1C[37;40m▄██████████████████████████[s [u█████████████[13C[1m7 DAYS[23H[10C[0m▀ █▀ ▀██▀ █▀█████▀▀██▀ ▀██[A [37C▀▀███▀ ▀██▀ █▌[11C[1m14.4 bps[0m @START@INTROnet [H[2H[3C[0;1;36;44m▀▀▀▀▀▀[1C▀▀▀[3C▀▀[1C▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀[1C▀▀▀▀▀▀[40m[s [u[44m[4C▀▀▀▀▀[3H[5C▀▀[3C▀▀▀▀[2C▀▀[4C▀▀[4C▀▀[3C▀▀[2C▀▀[40m[s [u[44m[3C▀▀[3C[0;34m▄ ▄▄▄[5C▄▄▄ ▄▀[4H[5C[1;36;44m▀▀[3C[40m[s 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[36mBallot_Box[37m, [36mBack_Room[37m, [36mINTRO_Sy[s [usop [37m├┬┬┤[16H │[0;31m└┘[1;37m│[24C[36mINTRO_Admin[26C[37m[s [u│[0;34m└┘[1;37m│[17H └──└─────────────────────────────────────────[s [u────────────────────┘──┘[18H[12C[0;35mSysops, download [1mIntr129[s [u5.zip [0;35mfor complete details[19H[15C[1;37m* [0mTin Can BBS [s [u[1m* [0m409[1m-[0m544[1m-[0m7098 [1m* [0mNet Home [1m*[20H[s [u[5C[35mfreq file from Gator's Junkyard BBS with the magic name[s [u[0;35m, INTRO[21H[10C[1;37m* [0mGator's Junkyard [1m* [0m205-2[s [u35-2900 [1m* [0mRegional Hub [1m*[22H[23H[0m @START@Wycked Wayz! [H[2H[3H[4H[7C[0;1;34m┼┼[0;34m┼[1m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[s [u┼[1m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼┼┼┼[5H[7C[s [u┼┼ [1;37m┌ ┐ ┌ ┐ ┌─┐ ┬ ┌ ┬─┐ ┬─┐ ┌ ┐ ┌┐ ┌ ┐ ┌──┐ ┐┐ [34m┼[s [u┼┼┼[0;34m┼┼┼┼┼[6H[7C[1m┼┼┼[0;34m└[1m┐┬┌[0;34m┘ └[1m┬[0;34m┘ [s [u│ │ │─┴[1m┐ [0;34m│ │ │ │ └[1m┐[0;34m┬┌┘ ┌┤├┐ └┬┘ ┌──┘ [1;37m[s [u││[0;34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[7H[7C[1;37m┼┼┼[36m┼[34m└┴┘ ┴ ┴─┘ └ └ ┴─┘[s [u ┴─┘[5C└┴┘ └ ┘ ┴ └──┘┼■■┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[8H[7C[1m┼┼┼[37m┼┼┼[s [u[36m┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼[1;37m┼┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼┼┼[s [u[37m┼[36m┼┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[1m┼[36m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[34m┼[s [u[0;34m┼[9H[7C[1m┼┼┼┼┼┼[37m┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼[1;37m┼[s [u┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[1m┼[36m┼┼[s [u[0;36m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[1m┼[34m┼[0;34m┼[10H[7C[1m┼┼┼[37mRunning Tr[s [uiBBS v5.11┼┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼┼[37m┼[36m┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[s [u[0;34m┼[1m┼[0;36m┼[1;37m┼[36m┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[1m┼[34m┼[0;34m┼ [11H[7C┼┼┼[1;36mCD-Rom File Area[0;36m┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[1;37m┼┼┼┼[36m[s [u┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼[37m┼[36m┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[1m┼[36m┼[s [u[0;36m┼┼[1m┼[0;36m┼┼[1m┼┼[0;34m┼[12H[7C[1m┼┼[0;34m┼[1;32mMe[s [ussage Areas[37m┼┼[36m┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼[1;37m┼[0;34m┼┼[1;37m[s [u┼┼┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼[1m┼┼[37m┼[36m┼┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[s [u[1m┼[36m┼┼┼[34m┼[0;34m┼[13H[7C[1m┼┼┼[33mOver 100 Door Games[s [u[36m┼┼[0;36m┼┼[1;37m┼[0;34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[1;37m┼┼┼┼[36m┼┼┼[0;36m┼┼┼[s [u[1m┼┼┼[37m┼[36m┼┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[0;34m┼[1m┼[0;34m┼[14H[7C[1m[s [u┼┼┼[35m2nd BBS Online via Main Menu[0;34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[1;37m┼┼┼┼[36m┼┼[s [u┼[0;36m┼┼┼┼[1m┼┼┼[37m┼[36m┼┼┼┼[34m┼┼┼┼┼┼┼[15H[7C[0;34m┼┼┼[s [u[1;37m24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week!