"Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." At least once a day, "let me see that(newton)", so much user interest in the Newton, but they just don't get it; equate Newton with only text recognition. Following find our top ten shareware, a review of a new app for making pseudo books without the Newton Tool Kit, a re"e" of Steve Holden's latest Newt News, a review of Accountable, a review of Tapworks, a review of PDA Panache's excellent 110 stylus, and for whatever it is worth in FWIIW.
Top Ten Shareware
Note that this is not an ordinal ranking, only a listing of our members favorite apps. Accessor, Newtcase, RPN Calculator, Paperback, Roll your Own, Xmaster, Quick Figure, What Error, MPG, Buttons, SleepAid.
Pseudo Books
One of our top ten shareware selections this month is Paperback. This app allows anyone to make pseudo Newton books without the Newton Tool Kit. You install the app on your desktop computer; to create a newton package simply drag a text file onto the Paperback desktop icon.
The package that is created can be downloaded to your Newt with any standard transfer.
You can name the icon which will appear in the extras drawer, the book's title, even a text string which appears if you tap on the ? button in the app.
Unlike regular books, you can not mark, highlight, or print "your" book. You can however change the font style and size.
I was able to take a tab delimited file (150 row x 12 column spreadsheet), translate it to a Newton package, and download it to my Newton in less than 12 seconds!
Once you have created a book, you can search for a text string using the find button. For some reason, this worked sometimes for me, and not at others, even when I knew the text I was searching for was in the file.
This is truly a great app, you have to get it and try it for yourself.
The only problem one will have is finding the best files to place on your Newt. I would guess that if someone posted online some cool text files that they would now be in great demand.
For example in my sales job, I could use a file on the top 200 NCAA Football, Basketball, and Baseball scores/team records for 1993. On a sales call I could look up my contacts team, and comment on their record from last year; maybe a loss in a big game.
Note; Version 1.01 reviewed, new version posted 2-3 weeks ago. Author DavidFedor@mcs.com
Steve Holden's Newt News: A re"e"
NewtNews - 10.03.94 - 0112 ========================== by Steve Holden (sholden@nosc.mil)
This is a summary of the information that I come in contact with that deals with the Newton and related technologies.
Copyright 1994 Steve Holden. See the Administrivia at end.
Table of Contents ----------------1. email
2. MUST READS!
3. Edupage 9/25/94
4. MacWeek, 09.26.94
5. PC Week, Sept. 26, 1994
6. InfoWorld, September 26, 1994
7. Network World, September 26, 1994
8. The HiTek Report, September 26, 1994
9. Edupage 9/27/94 10. MacWorld, November 1994 11. Product and Service Information 12. Comments from the Editor 13. Administrivia
email ----* MP120 TO BE RELEASED IN GERMANY
Thomas Diessel (diessel@informatik.unibw-muenchen.de) gives us this pointer: Apple Germany will announce a Message Pad 120 (no typo!) this Friday (9/29/94) at the MacWorld Expo in Frankfurt/Germany. [from MacWelt, October 1994]
The MP120 looks like a MP110 but it contains 2 MB RAM and the German system software version 1.3. Apple expects a street price of 1400 DM (about $900). The street price for the original German MP is now 800 DM (about $500).
The MP120 will come with: ARM 610 processor at 20 MHz; 320 x 240 pixel display; 4 MB ROM; 2 MB RAM (608 KB system RAM and 1404 KB Flash RAM); 1 PCMCIA socket type II; prepared for wireless data communication (Modacom and GSM); 4 AA (Mignon) batteries; and Software: Notion (list generator), FilePad (database; request card)
The update for the German MP to system software version 1.3 will be available from 11/94 for 300 DM (about $200). The Newton Connection for Mac 2.0 update is available now (free!). The Newton Connection for Windows 2.0 update will be available from 11/94 (free!). [from Press Release]
* HIGHLIGHTED TEXT AND ASSIST
Scott Shwarts <sshwarts@radiomail.net> points out that our Review of Dave Fedor╒s PaperBack had a little bit of bad information about Newton Books. If you highlight text in a Newton Book and then hit Assist you can access the highlight text in Assist. So, if there is a phone number in a Newton Book you can highlight the number, and then hit assist and use the Call option to dial the number. This is a built-in feature of the Newton Textual View and Assist.
* MAC TO NEWTON PAGING!
Brian Hall (mspace@netcom.com) of Mark/Space Softworks reports that they have a new product, PageNOW! which can be used to send messages from a Mac to a Newton with MessageCard. It is scriptable, so you can use it to automate the sending of all sorts of information, and it also can send messages larger than the MobilComm limit of 240 chars.
Mark/Space Softworks has a demo version at ftp.netcom.com in pub/mspace/testing.
You can also contact them at 408.293.7299.
MUST READS! ----------* _Intelligent Newton Magazine_, September/October 1994.
New shareware reviewed: NewtonMail Extensions Modules, Tibbott╒s Bookcase, BooksOff, NewtCase, TimeCalc, BeamMeUp, End n╒ Back, OnSet, PEC Business Japanese Lessons, Guitar Tuner, and Isaac.
Major articles discuss: Newton at 1: Alive and Kicking; Vertical Applications: A Review of Three; Newton Book Maker: Custom Data on Demand; Q&A; and Al Roker of NBC╒s Today Show is a Newton user!
Commercial products reviewed: LetterExpress, LetterExpress Link, Tapworks, Money Magazine Financial Assistant, Connection Kit for Windows 2.0, QuickFigure Pro, Scrappy, Chesspad, Subversion, Auto Adapter & X-Pack, CS Browser, Newton Data Viewer, Programming for the Newton, FirstClass Retriever, CE Software╒s EnRoute, Time Out London Guide, Berlitz Five Language Interpreter, Message Central, DietLog, TimeToGo/WakeUp!, Motile/Cogio, and Gold Tee at Bighorn.
Also, make sure you check out ╥Just In╙ on page 17 for the latest scoops! And ╥Extras╙ on page 12-13 for the latest trends!
Contact IN Magazine at (inmagazine1@eworld.com) or 415.433.2755.
* _PIE Developers_, Volume 2.5, September 1994
Reviews on: FilePad, Digital Ocean Grouper 100MP, newPage, NewRTFM, QuickFigure Pro, Gulliver, and ScriptLink.
Mark Wilson (markn@well.com) has a regular column called ╥Wireless Watch.╙ Topics discussed in this column include: Motorola Envoy, AT&T EO, CDPD Update, FCC auction of the airwaves, and Lotus Notes/Skytel wireless gateway debut.
Articles on: Getting Objective: thoroughly object-oriented NewtonScript; Building the Perfect Beast IV; Newton and the PowerOffHandler; Patching the System; FCS: Classification and Retrieval; Newton Dating: modifying the Date Book; Scrolling Madness; and The Newton Operating System: Secret Internals of the Newton OS.
Check out the ╥PDA News╙ starting on page 2 for the latest tidbits.
Contact Steve Mann at 415.621.4252, 415.621.4922(fax) or email at (cds@netcom.com).
* _Pen Computing_, September 20, 1994.
This issue is out. I will detail it next week. There is a ton of information in this one, including a fair share of way cool Newton articles, ads, and reviews. Contact Nigel Ballard (Nigel@dataman.demon.co.uk) if you╒d like to get subscription information.
Edupage 9/25/94 --------------* SEIKO╒S DICK TRACY WRISTWATCH
Seiko Corp. will develop a global paging service to deliver electronic messages and other data to subscribers╒ wristwatch receivers. The two-way wrist radios can receive messages of up to 16 characters, and Seiko plans to expand its service to 20 U.S. cities by the end of next year, and to 50 by the end of 1996. The watches cost about $80 and service runs about $6.95 a month. (Information Week 9/26/94 p.18)
* MOSAIC AND MARKETING GO HAND-IN-HAND
In the past two years, Mosaic has become ╥the single most important factor in commercialization of the Internet,╙ according to Internet architect Vinton Cerf. With the help of Mosaic and the World Wide Web, Internet commerce ╥could easily hit more than $100 million╙ by the end of 1995, says the editor of the Internet Business Report. Mosaic now claims about one million users, and more than 10 companies are licensed to develop commercial versions of the glitzy software. (Wall Street Journal 9/23/94 B2)
* MOSAIC╒S DETRACTORS FEAR LOSS OF CONTROL
Meanwhile, Mosaic╒s detractors say the program puts too much control in the hands of readers at the expense of publishers of electronic journals and newspapers. Editors can never be sure that the layout they design will look the same on every reader╒s screen, because the program can be individually configured to display different fonts and sizes. This causes particular problems for newspaper editors, who have spent their careers worrying about headline sizes and what stories to place ╥above the fold.╙ (Internet World 10/94 p.81)
* IP AGENDA
The Internet Protocol next-generation group has worked out the details for the next iteration of IP, called IPv6: addressing space will expand from 4 to 16 bytes, to ease the Internet╒s impending address crunch; user authentication will assure receivers that a given IP packet comes from the source it claims; an autoconfiguration feature will simplify the translation between the 48-bit MAC addresses used by Ethernet and token ring networks and 32-bit IP addresses; and a 28-bit flow label will flag packets carrying delay-sensitive data such as audio and video. (Data Communications 9/94 p.16)
* CELLULAR PHONE FRAUD
Cellular phone fraud has become a serious national problem. A thief with a scanner and a computer can intercept a caller╒s phone number ID number and use them to program computer chips into ╥cloned╙ cellular phones that will make unauthorized telephone calls appear on a victim╒s bill. (USA Today 9/23/94 4A)
Palm Computing (415.949.9560) is preparing to release a handwriting program that promises to give PDA users great recognition on their pen strokes.
The program, Graffiti, is a ╥letter-by-letter recognition system.╙ All of the recognition is done using 83 distinct shapes that are ╥formed by single strokes.╙ There is also a diagram for this article that demonstrates the strokes.
Graffiti will work with all of the internal Newton applications and with the majority of 3rd party programs.
You can also contact (dg@plam.com) for more information. [starts on p. 18, continued on p. 20]
* ROM UPGRADE GETS PRICE REDUCTION
Apple has reduced the version 1.3 MP ROM upgrade from $99 to $69.95. Phone 800.767.2775 for information.
* PAPERBACK MAKES IT TO THE BIG TIME
There is a blurb on David Fedor╒s (fedor@mcs.com) PaperBack 1.0.2 application. PaperBack, one of the killer Newton apps, creates pseudo-Newton Books out of text files. There is a version for the Macintosh and for Windows. The .pkg created needs to be downloaded to the Newton with NCK.
* NEWTON PROGRAMMING BOOK
Julie McKeehan and Neil Rhodes have a Newton programming book that includes a demo copy of the Newton Toolkit for $29.95. The demo is fully functional, except you can╒t create Newton Books or publish applications created using the demo. For ordering information call 800.313.1277 or email (app@acad.com).
* MORE MEDICAL BOOKS
ERLI has published ╥W.W. Norton╒s Little Black Book of Primary care Pearls and References╙ and ╥Current Clinical Strategies╙ in Newton Book format. Each are priced at $25. You can contact 800.575.3754 or send email to (erli@metronet.com).
* GULLIVER GETS UPGRADE
True North, the publisher of Gulliver, have updated their Newton application to version 1.2. Gulliver is travel ad expense manager. It is priced at $95 on floppy disk or $135 on a 1MB PCMCIA ROM card. They can be reached at 800.881.7256 or send email to (truenorth@eworld.com).
* PDA MARKET IS EXPECTED TO GROW
Two companies, BIS Strategic Decisions and Forrester Research, both predict ╥rapid market expansion for PDAs.╙ The market could top $1 billion by 1999, but Apple╒s market share currently at 75.8% will be dropping. Even with wide spread Newton OS on other companies units, but Apple is suppose to continue to be the leader, even when Microsoft╒s WinPad comes to market. The two potential items to push this growth are: lower connectivity costs, and/or integration with the desktop. The price per unit is also expected to drop to a level around $300. There are several good graphics and data in the article. [starts on p. 18, continued on p. 20]
PC Week, Sept. 26, 1994 ----------------------* NEW PCMCIA SPECS ON HORIZON
Some new standards on PCMCIA cards will be finalized soon. Some of the reported features include: multifunction cards, 3.3-volt cards, DMA in cards and sockets, 32-bit bus based on PCI, and wireless card standards. [starts on p.1, continued on p. 139]
* SEIKO╒S MESSAGEWATCH
NewtNews mentioned these last week, but PC Week has a picture with an article that starts on page 53 and is continued on page 56.
The network to support MessageWatch is called Active. It will offer one-way communications at up to 19.2Kbps.
The chip set is called Actt, and is extremely small. It uses FM to communicate. The latest set of Actt can run for nearly three years on a 3 volt battery watch with continuous scanning for signals.
* WAYFAVER CONNECTS NEWTON WITH NT
This is another article we have already covered. But to see it finally mentioned in PCWeek was nice. The product by Wayfarer allows a Newton to be a front end to a NT based client/server system. The network protocol supported is TCP/IP. The database system is based on SQL Server. The system also allows for Newton╒s to communicate among themselves or to received email from LAN based clients using Microsoft╒s Messaging API. Other protocols and transports are expected to be supportable. The end cost could be $10,000 per Newton. You can reach Wayfarer at 415.903.1720. [starts on p. 53, continued on p. 56]
InfoWorld, September 26, 1994 ----------------------------* 1ST MAGIC CAP PRODUCT OUT THIS WEEK
It appears that Sony is ready to release their Magic Cap based PDA called Magic Link this week. It will be priced at $950 (street price of $700). It connects to AT&T╒s PersonalLink network service offering ╥smart╙ email. This device does not have built-in wireless comms.
PersonalLink will be $9.95 for unlimited use and 50 cents per fax page. More functionality of online services will follow as developers exploit General Magic╒s TeleScript, which enables ╥agents.╙
Several packages are available for Magic Link. These include: Pocket Quicken, Graffiti, PenCell spreadsheet, an airline guide, and pager software. [p. 5]
* NEW POWERPC CHIP
IBM and Motorola have begun to release the nitty-gritty on the PowerPC 620 chip. It will by 64-bit, run 150MHz internally, run 75MHz externally, a SPECint92 rating of 200, ability to execute 6 instructions per clock cycle, and have a 64KB cache. The first prototypes will be done in October 1994, and volume production is scheduled for 1995.
Also, the PowerPC 604 chip will be out Q4, 1994, have a 32KB cache and will run at 100MHz. This chip as a SPECint92 rating of 160.
* WIRELESS TO GET BOOST
The AT&T and McCaw merger should begin to provide fruit to wireless users as soon as early 1995. All wireless operations within the merger will be consolidated into AT&T Wireless services. You will be able to do desktop paging, email paging, and use AT&T True Connections 500 service for voice mail. [p. 8]
* SIMON SAYS ╥PDA OR PHONE╙
Yvonne Lee has an test drive article about BellSouth Cellular╒s Simon - a combination of PDA and cellular phone only available in their area.
There is no handwriting recognition in Simon but you do use a pen to move around. The Simon is also not very fast. Yvonne reported that when she called a friend and got the answering machine, she attempted to get a phone number out of the notepad and by the time she got it the answering machine had already hungup.
The battery time for Simon being on was about 4 hours per recharge. The Simon must be left on to get pages or phone calls.
You can call 800.746.6672 for more information.
* ALSOP COMMENTS ON GRAFFITI
Stewart Alsop (stewart_alsop@infoworld.com) talks a little about Graffiti, the new software package from Palm Computing, that gives users the potential for 100% recognition.
Graffiti requires users to learn a new way of writing letters. By modification of writers handwriting, with Graffiti you can get nearly typing speeds with great recognition.
Stewart says that Palm says that you can be functional with Graffiti in 20 minutes and you can be proficient in 2 hours.
Graffiti will be available on the Newton, Zoomer, and Magic Cap machines. [p. 130]
Network World, September 26, 1994 --------------------------------* MORE GENERAL MAGIC INFORMATION
The press release on this one went long and far. Joanie Wexler has a review on page 6. If you are going to be a Sony Magic Link user you will have access to AT&T╒s PersonalLink, which will allow you to create agents to search and retrieve information.
The HiTek Report, September 26, 1994 -----------------------------------* PUT YOUR JOHN HANCOCK IN YOUR COMPUTER!
WOONSOCKET, R.I. - Sept. 22, 1994 - Computer-based faxing is an explosive growth area in today╒s personal computer marketplace, but there╒s just one problem: there is no way to ╥sign╙ these electronic documents. Until now.
Rhode Island Soft Systems (RISS) announces a new service for Microsoft Windows users: TrueType Signature Fonts. RISS can create a scalable TrueType font of a customer╒s individual signature. The signature is used like any other font and can easily be incorporated into computerized faxing, mail mergers and form letters, offering considerable time savings. info: tel. 800/959-RISS [#1210]
* NEW SMALLER DRIVES ON THE MARKET
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 19, 1994 - Areal Technology Monday announced the introduction of four new high-capacity disk drives for notebook and sub-notebook computers.
The four drives, the A175, A345, A520 and A700, are the thinnest, lightest and shortest drives on the market. info: tel. 408/436-6800 [#1195]
AT&T is launching a nationwide network enabling ordinary people to send electronic servants scurrying through cyberspace using Telescript software. Sony Corp. is providing a hand-held communicator to deploy agents on PersonaLink. The service will initially target marketing efforts at TOMPs -- technologically optimistic mobile professionals. (Wall Street Journal 9/27/94 A1)
MacWorld, November 1994 ----------------------* OLE AND OPENDOC PREPARE TO BATTLE
Adrian Mello has an pretty good look at the OpenDoc vs. OLE battle that is currently going on, and what it means to the computer users. [starts on p. 19, continued on p. 20]
Then Galen Gruman does an indepth look at the technologies and current state of software. [p. 96-100]
* MORE DEFENDERS OF THE NEWTON
Both Mike Mitchel from AOL and Joe Sciamma from CompuServe have letters to the editor defending the Newton from the attacks levyed by Dan Muse in the August 1994 review of the MP110. Way to go guys! NewtNews salutes you. [p. 26]
* YOU CAN GET GRAFFITI
The software is suppose to be shipping for the Newton any day now. It is suppose to cost $79. Unfortunately the number in MacWorld is a fax number so NewtNews could not verify this. [p. 33]
* NEWTON APPS MAKE IT WORTHWHILE
David Pogue takes a long look at the Newton because the software is written with the motto ╥Do one thing very well.╙ Macintosh programmers could take a lesson from the current excellent products by Newton programmers. He reviews: TimeReporter 1.1, Expense Plus 1.0.1, MobileCalc 1.0.3, QuickFigure 2.0.1, Accountable 1.0.3, PocketMoney 1.0.2, Tapworks, and Gulliver 1.2.2. [p. 157 - 158, continues 160]
* LEVY GIVES YOU HIS BOTTOM LINE ON EWORLD
Steven Levy does a review of his impression of eWorld. Check it out if you are thinking about making the jump. [p. 163 - 166]
Product and Service Information ------------------------------* Special Newton Classic special offer. Mention ╥Newton_News╙ and I will discount to $245 (includes shipping in US) normally $259. VISA/MC accepted. E-mail: Mike Rybinski (p00383@psilink.com) or call/fax for details 703.644.4516: MR Associates Int.
* Special Newton Software Offer. Mention ╥Newton_News╙ and we will give you $5 off any Coherent Visual software product! Available: Rahmel Utilities for Newton, Common Words, and Spanish FlashCards. VISA/MC accepted. E-mail: Coherent Visual (cvisual@cerf.net) or call/fax for FREE catalog 619-944-8973, fax: 619-944-8522.
* Mention ╥Newton_News╙ when ordering Clear Lake Research╒s ChessPad and receive a 25% discount off the SRP of $69.95. ChessPad is a combination of a digital chess book and a portable chess set. It contains 28 annotated games from the greatest players of all time and 100 chess problems. Demos on AOL, eWorld, and CompuServe. Phone: 713.663.7513; email: (DavidL62@AOL.COM).
* BBS in a Box, by the Arizona Mac Users Group, is a Macintosh CD which also contains Newton files - over 270 files (11 megs compressed). There is also an ISO version which can be mounted on a PC. Newton_News readers can get the CD for $45 plus shipping. E-mail (ashley@amug.org) or call 602.553.0066.
* QuickFigure Pro Gives You the Power of Visualization: QuickFigure Pro is the ONLY Newton spreadsheet which allows you to create graphs and charts directly from your spreadsheet data. Create line, bar, and pie charts, and then print and fax them. From PelicanWare, Inc., $39 plus S&H. Email (donv@teleport.com) for more details, or 800.655.6398 for ordering.
* The WEDGE, a desk stand for your PDA and pen. Features: holds your PDA at a convenient working angle, keeps your pen handy, sleek lines, made of durable clear Lucite, inexpensive. For more information: Email: (Mellow.S@eworld.com) Call: 800.882.8382; Fax: 505.662.2752. [$15.95 + $4 S&H]
* The BARRIER, screen protection system engineered specifically for the Newton Message Pads. Features: long life, glare reduction, improved writing surface, no adhesives, easy installation. For more information: Email: (Mellow.S@eworld.com) Call: 800.882.8382; Fax: 505.662.2752. Package of 4 ($21.95 + $2.50 S&H)
* WriteWare offers multi-function pen/styluses, and retrofits for the Newton. The Stealth Stylus II is a dual function Pen/Stylus while the Super Stealth Stylus is a Pen/Stylus/Pencil in either plastic or metal case. Email (WriteWare@eWorld.com) for a full catalog and pricing. Orders may be placed at International DataWares, Inc. at 800.222.6032.
* PDA Panache has fine styli available for both the Original MP and MP110. Our Telescoping110 pen is available in either 24K gold or sterling silver for $29.95. Original MP styli are available in aluminum for $9.95 or gold (polished or brushed) for $19.95. We can be reached for Visa/MasterCard orders at: 800.270.7196, FAX:516-467-6329 or email (PDAPanache@eworld.com)
Comments from the Editor -----------------------* NEWTON INFORMATION KEEPS ON FLOWING
Like every week, there just seems to be a ton of information on the Newton floating around. I unfortunately was unable to spend much time online this week because of my work schedule. I hope I didn╒t miss much. If you saw something cool about the Newton online, please let me know.
* STILL COLLECTING SCREEN PROTECTOR FEEDBACK
Thanks to everyone that has been sending me tidbits about their impressions on screen protectors. On the down side, I don╒t think many people are successfully using them, because I have been getting a lot of negative responses. If you like your screen protector, please let me know so I can balance out my review.
* SCHEDULE IS REALLY NEAT
I finally had a need to use Assist╒s Schedule during the week. I made a note in the Notepad and then selected the time I wrote and used Assist╒s Schedule. It works like a charm. Very slick. Another great function! My Newton can really make me smile some days.
* WHO WHERE THE FIVE APPLE FELLOWS?
Last week, deep in the blurb about Steve Capps I asked who the other four Apple Fellows were. No one answered. The reason for this I think is because I wasn╒t direct enough. So the first three people with the correct answer, can become an official NewtNews WWW beta testers.
* WWW SITE GETTING READY FOR PRIME TIME
I am still busy at work on the World Wide Web (WWW) for NewtNews. Things are working out good, just some minor details to work out. I hope to have it up and running sometime by the middle of October.
Administrivia ------------If you╒d like to contribute some information that you have -anonymously or not -- write to: sholden@nosc.mil (Steve Holden) You can also send any comments, corrections, reviews, or suggestions to the address above.
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if full credit is given. Others please contact me. I don╒t guarantee accuracy of articles. Publication, product, and company names may be registered trademarks of their companies. TidBITS is copyright 1990-1994 Adam & Tonya Engst (ace@tidbits.com).
Use Easy View or any other setext browser to read this as an outline.
The Newton book version of NewtNews is being published by Steve Shannon (steve@cd-rom.com).
You can anonymously FTP the latest and past issues of NewtNews in both text and Macintosh Newton book format from ftp.netcom.com in the /pub/btorres/Newton_News directory.
This is the official home of NewtNews. There is also a very useful document in this directory called NewtNews_Info.txt. Please read it. It will tell you about the email listserver and other important information. The FTP site is administered by Bob Torres (btorres@netcom.com).
You can also find Newton_News, in both Macintosh and Windows Newton Book format, if you anonymous FTP to newton.uiowa.edu and try either the /pub/newton/misc/Newton_News or /submissions directory.
Disclaimer: I am doing this on my own time, and on my own computer *********** not the government╒s or my employer╒s.
Accountable
This will have to be in a subsequent minutes due to our deadline.
Tapworks
TapWorks, a review...
Originally supposed to be the 'killer-app' that would justify a Newton
for everyone, TapWorks falls somewhat short of that mark. While all in all a
great application, it does have some deficiencies.
Described as the '4-in-1 Business Productivity Tool,' TapWorks is
modelled on the other popular works programs, and includes all the basics
needed to produce business documents: graphing, table, picture, and text
editing tools. Based around a floating palette that provides access to the
four areas and control over them, TapWorks only lets you work with a portion
of the page at a time. This is really it's only major flaw. If it included
some sort of overview that let you place items while looking at the whole
page, it would be much more useful. The other big problem is not really it's
fault, and that is it is a little too ambitious for the MessagePad. It can
be really tedious to enter all this information into something as small as
an MP. However, if you're on the road and need the document, I suppose it's
possible you wouldn't have access to a laptop, and so you'd have to use the
Newton.
There were a few minor problems, and some bright points as well. The
drawing tools are top notch, and are reminiscent of mac drawing programs.
The graphing tool is similarly nice, though somewhat limited in the size of
the graph (4x4 information entry limits the amount of data you can show.) On
the negative side, I found the table editor too cumbersome to really use,
and the only way to resize a column width was to exit the editor and do it
on the page view. It did not allow me to resize the height of a single
column. The text editor, while a nice concept (you have a text field filling
half the screen with small text, and then a line at the bottom where single
words can be added to the main field one at a time,) does not allow you to
pop up a word list of best guesses when using the secondary field for entry.
The macros allow quick text entry of set phrases, but seem to be implemented
in an awkward fashion (a pop-up menu lets you open a window, and from there
you pick the macro. Putting the macros directly into the pop-up menu seemed
more intuitive to me.) Finally, I did get a mild case of grip of death after
using some of the tools.
Overall, I would recommend TapWorks to anyone without a laptop. It's
manual is excellent, and it is a very well done program. [TapWorks, Avail
Technology, 1250 Oakmead Parkway, Suite 210, Sunnyvale, CA, 94088-3599,
Thanks for the chance to comment on the TapWorks piece which you sent.
First, I must say that we appreciate the author's final conclusion:
"Overall, I would recommend TapWorks to anyone without a laptop. It's manual is excellent, and it is a very well done program."
However, for such a positive conclusion, we were disappointed that the previous paragraphs spent much of their time focusing on small negative points, while overlooking some of the large positives which lead to the final conclusion.
In particular:
Ñ The negative lead-in sentence states that TapWorks was "originally supposed to be the 'killer app' that would justify a Newton for everyone╔". We certainly never positioned TapWorks this way, so I'm not sure if we should be held to blame for differences from the authors perception.
Ñ The second paragraph describes two basic deficiencies in the author's view:
1) Lack of an editable Page preview.
We agree that this is a great suggestion, and in fact are well on the way
toward implementing just such a feature for the next general release of TapWorks.
Also, keep in mind that upcoming larger-screen Newton devices will make this
less of an issue.
2) "...not really its fault, and that is that it is a little too ambitious for the
MessagePad", ... "It can be really tedious to enter all this information into
something as small as an MP."
The same could be said of any Newton app, of course, and this is totally dependent
on the kinds of information being entered by the author. TapWorks is very well
suited to preparing attractive full-page documents, which may be as simple as a
quick chart with some comments or as complex as the author's documents apparently
were. Complex documents take time in TapWorks, just as they often do in a desktop
page layout application. If this is "not really TapWorks fault" -- why mention it
as a negative in a review?
Ñ The author implies that "4x4 information entry" limits the amount of data that you can show in a graph. This is incorrect, however, since the graph editor data entry area can be scrolled with the standard Newton up- and down-arrows to enter up to 12 values for each graph series.
Ñ The author also points out that when words are entered in the secondary "insert and replace" area of the text editor, the popup best-guesses list will not appear for such a word. While this is actually a limitation of the Newton (the "guess" list cannot be extracted from one text area and transferred to another text area), the main text entry area does support the popup best-guesses list, and this is where the bulk of text entry takes place.
Ñ Although the author's opinion is that the text macro capability is "implemented in an awkward" fashion, the approach used does have the several benefits. It allows Macros to be renamed and/or deleted easily, and it also allows an unlimited number of macros to be stored (as opposed to popup menus which have a fixed limit on the number of items and can NOT be scrolled on the Newton).
Most importantly, the review fails to mention many of the unique features which must have led to the author's initial statement that it is "all in all a great application" and his final positive recommendation, such as: Full-page WYSIWYG layout, built-in desktop import/export (and keyboard usage), companion FAX utility and viewer applications, and many others.
While we take issue with some of the author's specific points, this is not to say that we do not have plans for enhancing TapWorks in future versions. In fact, we are working on many improvements in speed and functionality for the next versions. We'll keep you posted.
Thanks again for the opportunity to comment on this piece. We'll look forward to seeing the final version in your minutes!
Daryl Scott
President
Avail Technology, Inc.
Editor's Comment-KTM
There you have the review and the rebuttal, my thoughts?
Tapworks is a good app, you can create integrated spreadsheets, charts, text, all very professional. I do agree with the reviewer that the inclusion of the ability to layout pages in the preview mode is a negative, and Avail does also from this as an upcoming feature. I do think that in the interim Avail should include some templates, maybe 1) spreadsheet, chart, header,2) text area for letter with some graphic like stationary, etc. This would add a lot of perceived value, and take little time on Avail's part. Either one of these would take Tapworks from an app I like to one I'd love to use.
PDA Panache: The MP110 Stylus
From the moment you try this new "pen", you will love it. There is no spring in this one, unlike the Apple version. When you take the pen out of your Newt, it extends by itself.
The pen has a nice heft, and cool ribbed front end where you grip it. Similarly at the end where you take it out of the Newt, it is ribbed, a nice touch. The pen is hexagon shaped, something I have come to appreciate very much, (the Apple pen had rolled off my desk more than once).
For yourself, or your birthday, do yourself a favor and get this stylus, it is great. PDAP will be shipping a silver version by the time of this review, I bought a gold unit. PDAP can be reached at 800.270.7196, FAX:516-467-6329 or email at (PDAPanache@eworld.com).
FWIIW
"The Question", heard many times, hey, do you like that Newt?, you just write on that?, does it recognize your writing? Apple did a good job of creating a tremendous amount of awareness/interest with the TV, but could have used some advice from Ron Popiel of the Pocket Fisherman, and lately the Pasta Maker fame on how to pitch Newton.
The Newton is such a great product, it would have done better without the "help" of Apple. People love organizers, from closet to electronic: Sharp's sells at the rate of 50,000 month worldwide I've heard.
Or how about a portable/personal database; Apple could have given some real life examples. The business man forgetting milk for home, how about a personal note file? The busy mom managing several schedules, lists; oh how it could have been marketed by example.
Why the focus on text? You can write all your appointments in ink! Set up forms with pick lists for data entry. Send faxes with Letter Express, with a minimum of data entry, faxes anywhere with a one pound device.
Ron has sold product by pitching it alone, think how this product could have done. But I do have to give Apple credit for not giving up on the platform yet. Probably due to more success at penetrating Big Business, a historically weak area for Apple.
I guess those who do not see in this case are both the masses, and the folks in marketing at Apple.
Next Meet
The fifth meeting for the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:00pm at McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176 VOX 708.671.0444.
The site is one stoplight south of the intersection of routes 190 and Mannheim road, or the corner of Lawrence and Mannheim. Our building is the Starlight Building, the one right on the northeast corner of Mannheim and Lawrence. Take the elevator to the second floor, our suite is right in front as you exit the elevator.
Hope you can see us on Tuesday October Eleventh! Questions? Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.
