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Welcome to the ____ / ___) *StarShip* 5-MINUTE Weekend Newscast / (_ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ / ___) / (__ very weekend the *StarShip* on GEnie presents a new 5-MINUTE Weekend (_____) Newscast in Communications Room 10 in the Real-Time Conference Area. Featuring late-breaking stories from the Amiga community, these dynamic, scrolling newscasts cycle every 5 minutes, so you can stop by between 6PM and 3AM Eastern time on Friday, or 3PM and 3AM Eastern time on Saturday or Sunday and learn everything that happened during the preceding week. Industry news, product announcements, upgrades, rumors, special *StarShip* activities, trade show reports, GEnie usage tips, humor, recommended files to download... ... the works -- and it ONLY takes 5 minutes! Each 5-MINUTE Weekend Newscast is available on *StarShip* Menu #10 during the following week. Periodically, newscasts are combined and made available for downloading from the *StarShip Library. ____________________________________________________________ // \ || -*- IMPORTANT! -*- | || | || As long as individual stories are kept intact and credit | || is given, this material may be reproduced in ALL or PART | || on a privately owned BBS or in a user group newsletter. | || See wording for proper credit at the end of this Newscast. | \\____________________________________________________________/ || | || | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks to Denny Atkin, Editor COMPUTE's Amiga Resource, for his input. Here we go!... DateLine: September 25, 1992 This 5-MINUTE Newscast presents the following stories: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Star Trek to Enter Malls! 2. 4000 Reasons to Own An Amiga Contest 3. New Product Areas and Exhibitors Ensure Success for '93 WCES 4. Next Week's *StarShip* Amiga Conferences 5. CineMorph Debuts at Pasadena World of Commodore Show 6. Visage Announces Immediate Availability of TouchMate 7. Ingram Micro to Distribute Supra Modems 8. Atari Introduces First Computer System Designed for Personal Integrated Media -- Falcon030 -- with Multitasking Operating System *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 1st of 8 Stories Star Trek to Enter Malls! Paramount, Edison Brothers Sign Licensing Agreement ____ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ / _ ) Hollywood, CA -- Sept. 24 / ___/ / / (_/aramount Pictures has entered into a licensing agreement with St. Louis-based Edison Brothers Entertainment Inc. under which Edison Brothers will develop shopping mall-based virtual reality entertainment centers themed after the Paramount television series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation," it was announced today. Making the announcement were Brandon Tartikoff, chairman of Paramount Pictures and Andrew Newman, chairman of Edison Brothers. "For 25 years, 'Star Trek' has been synonymous with the ultimate in technology," Tartikoff said. "Our agreement with Edison Brothers will, for the first time, permit 'Star Trek' fans across the country to actually board the USS Enterprise and experience the excitement and adventure of the 24th century today." One of the largest lessees of mall real estate in the United States, Edison Brothers will unveil the first "Star Trek" center in 1993. Initial plans for the centers include virtual reality attractions as well as restaurants and merchandise areas. Visitors to the "Star Trek" virtual reality centers will choose among a number of game scenarios and the characters they want to portray. Many of the famed elements of the Enterprise -- including the bridge, the holodeck, the transporter room and engineering -- will be recreated as environments for the various virtual reality and simulation attractions. "We are enthusiastic about teaming up virtual reality and 'Star Trek' to create the ultimate in experiential retailing," Newman said. "The odyssey of 'Star Trek' is virtually real to millions of Americans. We're proud to be associated with one of the entertainment industry's premiere properties of all time." Considered to be the boldest innovation yet in entertainment technology, virtual reality gives a participant the ability to move about and interact with others in a 'virtual world.'" The 'Star Trek' virtual reality attractions are expected to incorporate software created by Spectrum HoloByte Inc., the Alameda, Calif.-based entertainment software company that holds the license for home computer and video game software based on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Edison Brothers Entertainment is a division of St. Louis-based Edison Brothers Stores Inc. (NYSE: EBS), which owns and operates more than 2,800 speciality stores in all 50 stores [*states?]. Its apparel and footwear operations include such national chains as J. Riggins, JW/Jeans West, Oaktree, Bakers, Leeds and Wild Pair. Its entertainment units include Time-out, Space Port and Exhilarama entertainment centers and Dave & Buster's restaurant entertainment complexes. Edison's Horizon Entertainment division is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Virtuality, the only virtual reality entertainment system currently available to the public. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is currently beginning its sixth season on television. It is the highest rated weekly series in first-run syndication and is seen on more than 200 stations across the nation. Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Paramount Communications Inc. (NYSE: PCI). -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 2nd of 8 Stories ____ 4000 Reasons to Own An Amiga Contest / ___) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ( (__ West Chester, PA - September 8, 1992 \__ \ ___) ) (____/pectacular graphics! Sensational animation! Superb video! Commodore's users have many reasons for using an Amiga system for both professional and non- professional applications. Now Commodore(R) would like to give all users an opportunity to share their reasons for using an Amiga through its "4000 Reasons To Own An Amiga Contest." Commodore will award and Amiga 4000 to the Amiga user with the best overall entry. The second prize winner will win an Amiga 600 and the third prize winner will receive AmigaVision(TM) Professional, Commodore's new authoring software. Details of the contest and entry form are attached. Contest entry forms, along with Amiga T-shirts and buttons, are available at Commodore authorized reseller locations while supplies last. From September 11 to 13, they will also be available at the World of Commodore Show in Pasadena, California, where the Amiga 4000, Amiga 600, and AmigaVision Professional and other new products will be introduced. Commodore is a trademark of commodore Electronics Limited. Amiga (R) and AmigaVision are trademarks of Commodore-Amiga, Inc. The Entry Form Commodore Business Machines, Inc. is pleased to offer a chance to win a new Amiga 4000 or one of two other "Hot" new products from Commodore by entering our "4000 Reasons To Own An Amiga Contest." Grand Prize: Amiga 4000 System: 120 MB HD, 4MB RAM, 1960 Monitor (Approximate retail value: $4500) Second Prize: Amiga 600HD with 40MB internal HD, 1MB RAM, 1084S Monitor (Approximate retail value: $1100). Third Prize: AmigaVision Professional (Approximate Retail Value: $399). Please send entry form to: Commodore Business Machines, Inc. Attention: 4000 REASONS CONTEST 1200 Wilson Drive West Chester, PA 19380 Name ______________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City ________________________________ State _______ Zip ___________ Daytime Phone: (_____) ___________ Evening Phone (_____) __________ Application Categories (please check one): __ Video __ Education __ Entertainment __ Interactive __ Presentations __ Miscellaneous __ Scientific/Medical Model # of Amiga owned/used: ______________________________________ Date Purchased: ___________________________________________________ I primarily use an Amiga at __ Work __ Home __ School MY REASON FOR OWNING AN AMIGA IS (25 words or less): ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Contest Rules: 1. Commodore is looking for the best reason, in 25 words or less, for using an Amiga in the following applications: Video, Entertainment, Presentations, Interactive, Education, Scientific/Medical, Miscellaneous Applications. The reasons are to be written on the entry form above. No purchase is necessary. 2. Amiga users of all ages and all professional or non-professional uses are eligible. 3. Only one entry per person and one application per entry. Proof of ID is required of the winner(s). 4. All entries must be post-marked by October 23, 1992. 5. Winners to be announced at The COMDEX Show in Las Vegas on November 16, 1992. 6. Employees of Commodore Business Machines, Inc., Commodore Electronics Ltd., Commodore International Ltd., their advertising and promotional agencies and their immediate families are not eligible to enter this contest. 7. Entries will be judged by the staff of Commodore and a selected group of independent experts. 8. Entries will become the property of Commodore, which reserves the right to use or publish all entries received without further release or authorization. Winners acknowledge that Commodore has the right to publish their name and photo in publicity relating to this contest and/or Commodore's products. No entries will be returned, so please make a copy of your entry. 9. Contest is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. 10. Prizes awarded to winners will be shipped within 30 days of notification. Commodore will pay all shipping charges. Winner(s) will be responsible for all taxes. 11. Non-winning entries will not be acknowledged. 12. Void where prohibited. -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 3rd of 8 Stories New Product Areas and Exhibitors Ensure Success for '93 WCES Sony, Apple, Motorola, [*Commodore] and Others are In! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sales 19% Ahead of Last Year ______ (__ __) Washington DC, September 9, 1992 / / / / (_/he 1993 International Winter Consumer Electronics Show(R) (CES) is headed for another sell-out show, space requests showing a 19 percent increase over last year at this time. The 1993 Winter CES taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 7-10, has expanded the number of on-site product categories and has already sold-out space in several product areas. "It is very exciting that even in a weak economy, the Winter CES is still a growing event for the consumer electronics industry," said Gary J. Shapiro, group vice president of the Electronic Industries Association's Consumer Electronics Group (EIA/CEG), the Show's sponsor. "It is four months prior to the Show and we already have several major manufacutrers including Sony, Motorola, Yamaha, RCA and Mitsubishi who are returning to the Show floor after an absence. Apple will be in the Winter Show for the first time." Shapiro noted that the keynote address at the Show's opening session will be delivered by Jack D. Kuehler, president, International Business Machine Corporation (IBM). New and Returning Exhibitors As the value of exhibiting at WCES continues to grow, several major manufacturers are making the decision to participate for the first time. In some cases, it is a matter of returning to the floor after not exhibiting over the past several years. To date, those companies exhibiting for the first time at a WCES include Apple Computers Inc. and Motorola, who is in with a corporate exhibit. RCA, Yamaha and Acclaim Entertainment Inc. will be making their first appearances on the exhibit floor. Both RCA and Yamaha have exhibited in other Winter Shows in the exhibit rooms. Returning exhibitors who did not participate in the '92 WCES include Mitsubishi Audio/Video, Sony Mobile Electronics and Asatsu (Turbo Technologies). Product Areas The Mobile Electronics product area, as well as all of the main floor exhibit space, and the Mirage and Hilton Hotel exhibit areas were sold out by the application deadline and are now holding growing waiting lists for space. All other areas are selling ahead of last year's record. Sony, which has not exhibite``Yfloor of the Winter CES for several years, is returning in 1993 to participate on the main floor with mobile electronics products. Multimedia and Mobile Office are the new product areas which are debuting at the Winter CES. Both exhibit areas will be found in the North Hall with Home Office and Computers. "The CES is the barometer which reflects the latest trends and growth areas for the industry," said Shapiro. "The excitement being created by the new Mobile Office and Multimedia exhibit areas indicates that we are providing a much needed forum for these manufacturers to meet with their buyers. The CES is known in the industry as the most fertile source of making and maintaining business contacts. It is also the premier showcase for the latest technological advances and new product releases." Video Games The Video Games product area has been expanded and is well on its way to being sold out. Sega has dramatically expanded its booth size by 30 percent. Both Asatsu and Acclaim, who were not on the floor in 1992, have already signed up for space. And, once again, Nintendo will be found in the 65,000 net square feet exhibit structure which was constructed last year as the largest free-standing, temporary building in the U.S. Keynote Address/Opening Session In announcing the selection of Kuehler as the 1993 WCES keynote speaker, Shapiro noted that, "Jack Kuehler is a well-respected and admired leader in the electronics industry. In addition, IBM is of interest to our attendees because it has been aggressively redefining its approach to developing, producing and marketing their products and services to the consumer electronics market." Joining Kuehler on stage will be Jerry Kalov, president and chief executive officer, Dynascan Corporation and vice chairman, Consumer Electronics Group Board of Directors. Kalov will offer the traditional past year overview of the industry's performance and economic predictions for 1993. Winter CES The 1993 Winter CES will be the 47th CES to be held since its inception in 1967. The Winter CES, like its summer counterpart held in Chicago, is sponsored, produced and managed by the EIA/CEG. EIA is the 68-year old, Washington, DC-based trade association representing all facets of electronics manufacturing. EIA's Consumer Electronics Group represents most major U.S. manufacturers of audio, video, home office, home automation, mobile electronics products and accessories, as well as assistive devices for people with disabilities. For more information, contact the EIA/CEG at 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006-1813, or call 202/457-8700. [*StarShip* News Network Note: Commodore Business Machines is listed in the 15-page, single-spaced attachment of WCES exhibitors to date.] -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 4th of 8 Stories __________________________________________________________________________ | | | *StarShip* Amiga Conferences | | ____ _ _ | | / ___) __/ ) / ) | | ( (__ ____ ____(_ __)___ __ __ / /_ ____ ___ | | \__ \ / __ )/ )/ / / __ )/ \/ \ / )/ __ )/ __) | | ___) )/ ___// /) // / / ___// /\ /\ \ / /) // ___// / | | (____/(____)/ ___/(_/ (____)(_/ \/ \_)(____/(____)(_/ | | (_/ | | | | IMPORTANT CHANGE: Hardware Clinic now at 9PM Eastern on SATURDAY! | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | Except where noted, Conferences begin at 10PM Eastern Time in the Amiga | | Conference Rooms at Page 555. Amiga Programmers meet Wednesday nights | | at Pro/Am on Page 670. Amiga/GEnie HelpDesk EVERY Night at 9PM Eastern. | |__________________________________________________________________________| | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Humpday |Thursday | Friday | Saturday | | Help@9EDT| Help@9EDT|Help@9EDT| Help@9EDT|Help@9EDT| Help@9EDT| Help@9EDT| |__________|__________|_________|__________|_________|__________|__________| | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | | | | | | | | | |5-MIN News| | | AmiGames |vv-Video!|*StarShip*|5-MIN News| | 3PM-3AM | DeskTop | Mikey's |with Zach!| | 5-MINUTE | 3PM-3AM | | -*- |Publishing| Music | -*- | with | Newscast | -*- | |10PM: | Amiga | Madness |Programing| Yury & | |9:Hardware| | Amiga | Style! | Nite |at Pro/Am | Guests | 6PM-3AM | Clinic | | Graphics | | | | | |10: Party!| |__________|__________|_________|__________|_________|__________|__________| HelpDesk *EVERY* NIGHT @ 9PM Eastern Time! Got a problem? If you have questions about learning to use your Amiga, the *StarShip* or GEnie, we have answers! Stop by Conference Room 4 ANY EVENING from 9 to 10 EDT for live, on-the-spot help. -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 5th of 8 Stories CineMorph Debuts at Pasadena World of Commodore Show ____ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (_ _) King of Prussia, PA - September, 1992 / / _/ / (____)n a surprise move, GVP has released a previously unannounced morphing package. Called CineMorph, this impressive software system brings the features of a high-end commercial morphing system to the Amiga, giving any user the ability to warp single images, morph between two or more images, and even create sequences of full motion morphs. CineMorph features include exceptionally fast rendering that can be fully automated to save you time. You can preview results within CineMorph or render directly to Amiga formats, HAM-E, DCTV and 24-bit IFF with controls provided directly in CineMorph. The system also supports full 24-bit output for professional needs on framebuffers such as the IV24. Using the industry standard dual window interface, CineMorph takes this one step further by making these windows fully intuition based to allow images to be shown and morphed in their correct aspect ratio. These same windows can also be enlarged for precise editing. CineMorph follows Amiga style conventions in all areas and uses logical and easy to understand controls for its entire operation. Computer and video artists will appreciate the many professional capabilities of CineMorph. Some of these features include the ability to warp images for comic effect, merge similar scenes for film or video to eliminate bad edits, and create full motion morph sequences for cinematic or video effects using CineMorph's unmatched controls for automating the creation of full motion sequences. Abilities not found in any other Amiga-based morphing software! "CineMorph is boon to anyone who uses the Amiga for video applications," says Lawrence Ough, Product Manager for the new product. "And its suggested retail price of $149.00 will put sophisticated morphing capabilities within everyone's reach." CineMorph represents the state of the art in morphing software on the Amiga. It's currently being used by high profile companies in several productions in Hollywood, New York and Florida, as well as many other companies for their advertising, multimedia, and commercial works. For more information, contact your local Amiga Dealer or Great Valley Products at 600 Clark Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406 or call 215/337-8770. [*StarShip* News Note: A demonstration version of CineMorph is in *StarShip* Library file #16979 CMDEMO.LHA. Also available is #16984 BAT2BA.LHA, a morph of TV's Batman in to the motion picture Batman done with CineMorph.] -*- *StarShip* Amiga *Flash* 6th of 8 Stories Visage Announces Immediate Availability of TouchMate _ _ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ( \ / ) Framingham, MA (Sept. 24) IDG PR Service \ \_/ / \ / \_/isage, Inc. announced today the immediate availability of TouchMate, the first product to bring touch input capability to any computer monitor -- end user installable in minutes. TouchMate is available through selected OEMs and VARs for a list price of $895. Unlike traditional touch products, TouchMate is installed by simply placing the product beneath the monitor. TouchMate plugs directly into the computer's serial port with no additional screens or sensors to attach. "Since TouchMate works as a standard windows pointing device, applications will be immediately available and accessible," says Mike Heylin, senior associate/analyst, Creative Strategies, Santa Clara, Calif. "The Visage team's previous experience in developing interactive media solutions should give them an appreciation of the environment in which touch input may be used and the tools necessary to make it work." Current touch screen products are limited to a specific manufacturer's monitor and need to be installed during the monitor's assembly process or retrofitted by an authorized system integrator at significant incremental cost. The flexibility of TouchMate is expected to broaden the use of touch input beyond traditional markets of point of purchase, industrial control, computer integrated manufacturing, instrument, training and education. TouchMate supports monitors up to 19" in screen size and is compatible with every monitor from an IBM to NEC, to Apple, DEC, Sun and Amiga. The market for touch products is predicted to grow to $1.9 billion in worldwide revenues by 1994, with annual shipments expected to increase to 1.9 million units over the same period, according to Market Intelligence Research Corp., a Mountain View, Calif. computer industry research firm. Visage, Inc., located in Framingham, Mass., has been designing and manufacturing multimedia products since 1984. -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 7th of 8 Stories ____ Ingram Micro to Distribute Supra Modems / ___) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ( (__ Albany OR, Sept. 1992 \__ \ ___) ) (____/upra Corporation, a premier manufacturer of fax and data modems for multiple computer platforms, has signed Ingram Micro as a national distributor for their complete modemline. Based in Southern California and maintaining branch offices throughout the U.S., Ingram Micro is the largest distributor in the world of microcomputers, peripherals, and software. Since their founding in 1979, the privately-held company has grown to over 1900 employees and sales of over $2 billion in 1991. Ingram will distribute the full line of Supra fax and data modems, including the recently released SupraFAXModem(tm) V32.bis. Early reviews have hailed this modem's 14,400 bps fax and data capability, small footprint, and under-$400 list price. SupraFAXModems are offered as stand-alone units or packaged for Macintosh, Windows, and DOS platforms. "The agreement with Ingram Micro is a substantial component of our drive to bring Supra modems to the attention of a wider, cross-platform audience," explained Jim Cady, Supra's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We will be backing their efforts with a high-profile national advertising campaign and ongoing technical support." Cady added that distributors Merisel, COMSTOR, and D&H Distributing have also recently included Supra modems in their product line. "We're pleased to welcome Supra products to the Ingram Micro family," said Amy Hoffman, General Manager of Ingram's Technical Products division. "Ingram is committed to offering our customers products which represent the cutting edge of technology, and SupraFAXModems are in the vanguard of high-speed fax/data communications. We anticipate this will be a very successful line for us." Based in Albany, Oregon, Supra Corporation has been providing personal computer users with high quality, low cost peripherals since 1975. Their products have earned high marks with consumers for value and reliability, and have been recommended by respected sources ranging from PC Magazine and MacUser columnist John C. Dvorak to the Berkely Macintosh Users Group (BMUG). Supra is getting ready to release new ROMs for their V.32/V.32bis FaxModems. The ROMS will come in 2 versions. According to information posted on Supra's BBS, registered owners will receive a free version without Silent Answer or Caller I.D. The full version will be under $30. 1.2H ROM features: Enhances Busy Detection Fixes several Lock Display/Modem problems Improved Speed Renegotiation (Fall Back) upon bad line conditions Implements Fall Forward upon better line conditions Fixes Adaptive Answering (allows data/fax determination) Implements ECM (Error Correction Mode) Note: Must be supported by fax software Implements BFT mode (Binary File Transfer) Note: Must be supported by fax/terminal software Fixes problem with DCD line turning off if modem configured with &C &Dx and &Cx settings are respected when in fax mode Fixes problem connecting with some fax machines Added S-Register S109 Added S-Register S110=3 Implements Silent Answer (allows voice/fax determination) Note: Must be supported by fax software Rev 1.2J ROM Implements Caller ID Upcoming Features and New Products: The following features and new products are being worked on. We do not have any information on dates, technical information, upgrade costs, or product cost. As soon as we have the information, we will post it on our BBS. Internal version Certifiable International version MNP10 V23 Voice digitization in modem Voice software DTMF encoding/decoding For more information, contact Supra Corporation at 7101 Supra Drive S.W., Albany OR 97321 or call 503/967-2400. -*- *StarShip* NEWS *Flash* 8th of 8 Stories Atari Introduces First Computer System Designed for Personal Integrated Media ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Atari Falcon030(tm) brings high-end capabilities to the market for less than $1,000. _ / \ Boston, MA - September 23, 1992 / - \ / ___ \ (_/ \_)tari Corporation today announced the first available personal integrated media system, the Atari Falcon030 computer. From education to entertainment, personal integrated media (PIM) has the potential to change consumers' lives as dramatically as personal computers changed business offices. The system will be available in November at authorized Atari Dealers across the country. A full scale computer based on the powerful 16 mHz Motorola 68030 microprocessor, the Atari Falcon030 is specifically designed for personal integrated media functions. It gives even inexperienced users the ability to combine and manipulate video, audio, animation, telecommunications, text and graphics. The system is optimized for these functions and incorporates technology usually reserved for high-end production systems. "The Atari Falcon030 is an ideal entry into the new and growing personal integrated media market," said Sam Tramiel, Atari's president and CEO. "It's a powerful system that gives users access to a whole new world of applications. Yet the system remains easy-to-use and affordable." Consumers will be able to use the Atari Falcon030 as a color video phone, communicating in sound and pictures with other Atari Falcon030 users. The system makes it possible to create home videos complete with text and music, record lead vocals on a favorite rock 'n roll classic with the originals musicians playing along, narrate and score a family photo album, produce a visual family tree, invent and play an adventure game set in a childhood home, and much more. Atari Falcon030 users have immediate access to advanced PIM capabilities thanks to the following features: Atari's Graphic Environment Manager (GEM) and built in graphics co-processor A true color mode that includes more than 65,000 colors, twice the capability of the Apple MacIntosh LC II The industry's only standard-equipped MIDI input/output ports 16-bit stereo sound - input and output - for the highest quality reproductions available at sample rates up to 50 kHz Built-in composite and RF video outputs for easy connection to video cassette recorders External video sync for high quality genlocking Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects Software for PIM applications such as desktop video productions, animations, music and entertainment. No other computer provides this level of performance and PIM capabilities at a more economical price. Applications Highlights PIM technology will make thousands of new capabilities possible. There are already hundreds of software applications available for the Atari Falcon030, making it easy for users to accomplish a variety of new goals. Movie Quality Video With the Atari Falcon030, users can explore new avenues in home video, from inserting titles and credits to professional quality editing. They can create music videos, cartoons, and school presentations. The Atari Falcon030 offers state of the art graphics, true color 16-bit mode allowing up to 640x480 resolution and a display of up to 65,536 on-screen colors. It accepts external video sync for high quality genlocking, and uses a unique overlay mode for effortless titling and special effects. In addition, users can obtain composite video signals directly from the Falcon030. High Quality Audio Atari takes the music-industry standard - MIDI - one step further. The only company to provide MIDI as a standard system component, the Atari Falcon030 also incorporates Motorola's 56001 digital signal processor (DSP) for the highest quality audio and special effects capabilities, allowing users to remove lead vocals and create their own Kareoke machine or run music educations programs. The Atari Falcon030 provides users with features that are usually restricted to expensive, high-end machines. But without any additional equipment, Atari Falcon030 users can record on two stereo tracks and add graphic equalization and special effects such as surround sound, harmonizing, reverberation, and echo. Pricing and Availability The Atari Falcon030 is a simple to use computer that doesn't require add-on boards or other costly optional hardware. The Atari Falcon030 already includes exactly what users need. The machine offers a wealth of ports for communicating with existing peripherals, and application software for the Atari Falcon030 is readily available. Priced at $799 with 1 MB of RAM, the Atari Falcon030 is ideal for users who want a powerful, efficient, and cost-effective tool that can take advantage of today's technologies. The system will be available in November through authorized Atari dealers. Atari Corporation (AMEX:ATC) is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of palmtop through desktop computer systems. The company sells its systems, peripherals, and software through authorized distributors, resellers and integrators. Atari is a registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari Falcon030, TOS, MultiTOS, NewDesk and BLiTTER, are trademarks of Atari Corporation. Motorola is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc. Atari Falcon030 Specifications System Architecture Motorola 68030 operating at 16 MHz On-chip demand-paged memory management Separate on-chip 256-byte instruction and data caches Independent address and data buses for increased performance Pipelined architecture 32-bit data/address bus 1, 4 or 14 MB RAM configurations 512K internal ROM; 128K external cartridge Sound Eight 16-bit digital audio DMA record and playback channels with up to 50 kHz sampling rate Stereo 16-bit digital DMA audio input/output SDMA sound/DMA co-processor Digital Signal Processor Motorola 56001 DSP operating at 32 MHz 96 MIPS performance at 32 MHz 32K words of 0 wait-state static RAM DSP connector allows easy connection of low-cost 19.2K baud fax/data modems, voice mail systems, direct-to-disk digital audio recorders, JPEG/MPEG image compression, etc. Graphics 640 x 480 resolution and 256 colors in Super VGA True color 16-bit mode allows display of up to 65,536 colors Accepts external video sync signal to allow high-quality genlocking Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects Optional overscan 262,144 possible colors Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling BLiTTER graphics co-processor Expansion Bus Internal direct processor slot for 386SX PC emulation, DMA co-processors, etc. Optional processor socket for other co-processors Standard Ports SCSI II port with Direct Memory Access (DMA) High-speed LocalTalk-compatible LAN port Connector for analog RGB color (VGA or ST) or composite video RS232C serial port Bi-directional parallel port (also suitable for image scanners) Cartridge port (128K capacity) MIDI in/out Miniature stereo plug input/output Four 9-pin joystick connectors Two 15-pin enhanced digital/analog controller and light pen connectors Data Storage 1.44 MB floppy disk drive MS-DOS format compatibility Optional internal IDE hard drive User Interface Standard QWERTY keyboard layout. Low profile, sculptured ergonomic design 94/5 keys; 10 function keys. Separate numeric and cursor keypads Keyboard processor to reduce CPU overhead 2-button mouse supplied as standard System Software Pre-emptive multitasking with adaptive prioritization (MultiTOS) Inter-process communication through MultiTOS messages and pipes TOS operating system in ROM Hierarchical file system with subdirectories and path names Icon-based graphical user interface with self-explanatory command functions Online help Multiple window user interface with icons and drop-down menus NewDesk desktop and eXtensible Control panel allows customization by user Atari Ships New Multitasking Operating System with Atari Falcon030 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Upgraded MultiTOS System Incorporates Notable New Capabilities Based on User Suggestions, Including Font Scaling Manager. _ / \ Boston, MA - September 23, 1992 / - \ / ___ \ (_/ \_)tari Corporation announced today its new multitasking operating system, called MultiTOS. Available with the new Atari Falcon030 personal integrated media machine, the system will be available in November at Atari distributors around the country. "We took advantage of our strong user network and made many of our upgrades based on input from dedicated Atari users and developers around the world," said Leonard Tramiel, vice-president of system software for Atari. "We designed the operating system around the way people use computers. I believe the level of attention to users, and the degree to which this operating system addresses those concerns, is unique in the industry. We've built in more options and flexibility and at the same time dramatically improved performance." Immediate Pre-Emptive Multitasking Capabilities Atari's MultiTOS is compatible with existing applications and upgrades from software developers are not required. Running on the Atari Falcon030, MultiTOS takes advantage of the hardware memory protection built into Motorola's 68030. Users can confidently run a word processing program without quitting out of a database or electronic mail program first. Unlike offerings from other personal computer manufacturers, Atari's MultiTOS is pre-emptive. The system doesn't have to wait for permission from one application before switching to another task. "Other multitasking systems may leave a user waiting indefinitely, until a calculation or manipulation is completed before changing to another application," said Tramiel. "But MultiTOS is more sophisticated and will switch between applications automatically." The result is a true multitasking environment. Multiple applications can be left running in background windows as new tasks are started in the foreground window. A database program does not have to complete its sort before the user changes windows into a word processor. "NewDesk" Improved In addition to the operating system enhancements, the graphic desktop, NewDesk, has also been upgraded. New features include: o Animated, color icons o 3-D buttons and scroll bars o Manipulate and resize background windows o "Drag and drop" across applications o Extensible file system support o Use soft-loaded fonts o Hierarchical and pop-up menus Font Scaling Manager Word processing and desktop publishing users will be especially pleased with the addition of Font Scaling Manager (FSM). FSM makes it easy to view any font size by allowing applications to scale text to any point size. FSM also makes arbitrary font rotation and skewing possible, and allows direct manipulation of font characters' Bezier outlines for more advanced type effects. MultiTOS will ship with the Atari Falcon030, available November 1992. Additionally, MultiTOS will soon be available as an upgrade to Atari's TT030. Demonstrations can be seen at authorized Atari dealers around the country. Atari Corporation (AMEX:ATC) is a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of palmtop through desktop computer systems. The company sells its systems, peripherals and software through authorized distributors, resellers and integrators. -*- A large school of Fresh Fish has been reported heading toward the *StarFish* Library! Watch for them soon! Catch your limit of Fred FISH Disks from the *StarFish* Library. If you are after a SINGLE PROGRAM on a Fish Disk, SEARCH for it before downloading the disk. Most are available separately! _______________________________________________________________ | | | | | Permission is hereby granted to quote ALL or PART of this | | Newscast on a privately owned BBS or in a user group news- | | letter (*) provided you include the following credit: | | | | Reprinted by Permission from the 5-MINUTE Weekend | | News Network, a *StarShip*(tm) Production on GEnie(R). | | * /\ / | |_________________________________________________ ___/ \___ _| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ \ oo / ~ . \ \__/ / _ (*) We would like to know about it / \ if you do, and you can tell us \ /\ / *FREE* by leaving Feedback to / \/ \/ \ the SysOps on GEnie Page 555. *StarFish* Librarian *StarShip* 5-MINUTE Newscasts are compiled periodically and made available for downloading as well. Search the Library using the term 5-MIN to locate the various files. Compiled July Newscasts are in File #16699. Fabulous Files about Commodore's New Amiga 4000 Model are available from the *StarShip* Library for downloading: Number Name Size Description ------------------------------------------------------------------- 17000 A4000RTC.LHA 28416 IBM/MAC killer RTC on 9/19/92! 17015 A4000RTC.TXT 67584 Text version of #17000 16943 AMR206.LHA 20736 Issue 2.06 of AM Report 16981 AMREXP.LZH 19456 AM Report -- Special Expo Edition 16968 CORINNA-HAM8.LHA 183680 GEnie's First hires HAM8 pic! 16991 SHOWPORT.LHA 13056 WOCA ShowPort issue of ViewPort 16990 SHOWPORT.TXT 31744 The special WOCA ShowPort edition 16939 WOC091292.LZH 6528 WoC 9/12/92 info,impressions 16963 A4000_PIC1.LHA 58112 A JPEG-format digitized A4000 pic 16964 A4000_PIC2.LHA 65024 Another JPEG Amiga 4000 picture 16950 AMIGA_FUTURE.TXT 8960 C/A Engineering's Future Visions 16915 4000.LHA 109312 First Pics of the A4000 ______________________________________________________________________ / \ | Bulletin! No Free CDTV with A3000 | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | It's official! Commodore JUST changed the Amiga 3000 promotion they | | announced recently. Rescinding inclusion of a free CDTV with purchase | | of an Amiga 3000, instead they are bundling it with the new SCALA | | Multimedia 200 Authoring System (we've seen it -- its slick), and | | making it available in two packages with GREAT prices! Get this... | | | | Amiga 3000-25/50 (50 MB Hard Drive) with SCALA MM200 $1499.00 | | Amiga 3000-25/100 (100 MB Hard Drive with SCALA MM200 $1859.00 | | | | This offer is good ONLY until Nov. 30, 1992. See your Amiga Dealer for | | details. This change is so new they don't have the announcement on it | | done yet! Commodore also says they have a NEW promotion in the works | | for CDTV which will be announced Real Soon Now. The *StarShip* News | | Network will have THAT announcement as soon as it breaks! | | -*- | \______________________________________________________________________/