"Time indeed", Captain Marko Ramius, submarine Red October upon departure from the then Soviet Navy base at Polyarnyy; in process of defecting to the US. Hope that so many of the people I've met who are considering the purchase of a Newton just do it as in a previous newsletter. Unlike "The Hunt for Red October", one does not have to sing in Russian to engage the Newton technology.
Note the date of our next meet, 1.25.95 at which we will have an Apple Representative fresh from Macworld report on new products, new bundles, and examples of VAR/Vertical Newton solutions.
Following have decided to enclose reviews from some of our members top ten shareware picks, elaborating on the usual listing. We will try to have reviews on all ten/ten for the next minutes. Also an update from author Hardy Macia of the Philadelphia NUG, a review of Graffiti, and Tax Pro, and my own tips in FWIIW.
Top Ten Shareware; not ranked in order,
Solo Deluxe, Daleks, Souper, N Style, Sony Remote, N Chess, Names to All, MPG, Newt Case, Removit.
Names to All:
Reviewed by
KTMcCarthy@eworld/Newt Mail/AOL
72520,1334 Compuserve
This is a neat utility written by Ben Gottleib, email gottlb@rpi.edu, it simply forces the name file to All Names on restarts. The utility does not place an icon in the extras drawer. Given the speed with which the Newt resorts the the names folder, and the frequency of resets, one can either keep all names in unfiled, or get this indispensable utility.
Date: Sat, Oct 15, 1994 7:51 PM EST
From: BarronS
Subj: Sony Remote 1.0.0
To: KTMCCARTHY
I had a great time at my first ChiILNUG meeting! Thanks...
Here's a little info on my shareware nomination (available here on eWorld). Edit as you please...
Here's the generic file description stuff...
Sony Remote 1.0.0
File: Remote.sit (17554 bytes)
DL time (9600 baud): < 1 minute
AUTHOR: Craig Richmond
EQUIPMENT: Newton, Sony product(s)
NEEDS: Newton Connection Kit
TYPE: Freeware
This program should allow your Newton to control most Sony devices.
Sony Remote is (c) July 1994, Craig Richmond. Portions of this code are the work of Apple PIE DTS staff and copyright accordingly.
SonyRemote 1.0.0 is freeware and its source code is in the public domain. Future versions of SonyRemote or derivitave products may not be freeware. The source code for SonyRemote 1.0.0 will still be public domain should this happen. You are allowed to use the source code for SonyRemote 1.0.0 for any purpose.
Here's a package for all who want to use their Newton's IR capabilities for more than just beaming cards to each other. Get rid of your multiple remote controls and use your Newton to switch to your favorite TV channel! SonyRemote 1.0.0 offers that and more...
Perhaps it's not the most practical way to control your home electronics, but SonyRemote 1.0.0 from Craig Richmond allows you to adjust the volume, color, contrast, brightness and channel selection of your Sony television. It also lets you switch tracks on your CD player, run your Beta VCR, tuner, amp and tape player. Okay, maybe it won't replace your other remote controls but it does give you another reason to love your Newton...
Date: Wed, Oct 12, 1994 10:15 AM EST
From: Eliot
Subj: Newton App Info
To: KTMCCARTHY
Kerry,
Here is the information that you wanted about my picks for the top 10 list. This information came straight from the Read Me files of the Apps. Talk to you soon, Eliot
RemoveIt! 2.2
Atomic Software
Att: Allan Marcus
448 Bryce Street
Los Alamos, NM 87544
CIS: 76666,2113
AppleLink: Allan.Marcus
eWorld: Allan.M (may change to AllanMarcus)
InterNet: allan@apple.com (no affiliation with Apple Computer, Inc.)
ShareWare: $6.00 on CompuServe's ShareWare registration area or $5.00 by mail
What is RemoveIt? --RemoveIt! lets you quickly remove Packages and Soups from the internal or PCMCIA card. Also, RemoveIt! lets you remove entries from the System and Directory soups (can be fatal if you remove the wrong entry, so be careful). The system soup is where preferences for various packages are stored. The Directory soup is where MetaData is stored. MetaData is the data that the NCK uses to display soups for editing.
Solo Deluxe 1.1
Renaud Boisjoly
AppleLink: Renaud1
Internet: arby@apple.com
3421 Aubry, Longueuil, Québec, Canada J4M 2W4
Solo Deluxe is a Newton version of three popular Solitaire games. With Solo Deluxe, you can play Klondike, Canfield and Pyramid, each with different playing options. Solo is FREEWARE! If you want updates sent to you directly by e-mail, send mail to arby@apple.com!
nStyle .4
Bill Kearney
The Novanto Group
P.O. Box 201
Lutherville, MD 21093-0201
Internet: wkearney@access.digex.net (preferred mail box)
Telephone: (410)-235-4574
nStyle is ShareWare, $15
This is a replacement Styles palette. Tired of the plain old Simple and Fancy fonts in just a few sizes? Ever need to draw a line more than 4 pixels wide? Then nStyle is for you! This app replaces the built-in Styles app. You can use it just like the normal styles app. It just let's you do more.
Date: Tue, Nov 22, 1994 10:40 PM EST
From: HardyMacia
Subj: Hardy's November Newsletter
bcc: KTMCCARTHY
Hi, it's been a little while since some of you have heard from me and for some it might be the first time, but I want to update you on the current versions of my programs.
First of all I had a big hard drive crash at the end of October that messed me up pretty bad. If you've been following the recent versions of PocketMoney a lot of the problems were related to the crash, but I think I'm back to a steady system finally.
POCKETMONEY
-----------
CURRENT VERSION : 1.33
SHORT DESCRIPTION : personal financial manager (balances your checkbook and other accounts)
PRICE : $20
FILENAMEs : PM_APP.* (*= .sit or .zip), PM_DOC.*, PM_XTR.* or pocketmoney_app.*, pocketmoney_docs.*, pocketmoney_xtras.* depending if you are downloading from AOL, eWorld, CIS or if you are ftping from newton.uiowa.edu
NEWS : I will be uploading version 1.34 which will fix the corrupted popups caused by 1.32, will fix another tiny updating bug in 24 hour clock date editor, will fix the bug in the Search Names button, and will add the ability to have new categories added to your category popup automatically after you import new data. Version 1.3x allows:
* unlimited number of accounts, categories, and payess now supported (ScrollingDoPopup.pkg)
* date editor works with 24 hour clocks (French Canadian and German)
* pref for use current entry date for new entries
* mailing support
* filing of items mysterious unfiling bug is fixed
* myLocale.pkg included and supported (users with non-localized Newtons can have their native currency supported by any app that follows Apple's guidelines.)
* PocketMoney Search works with partial words
* Complete User Manual is in NewtonBook format
* Button added to the NotePad (PocketButton.pkg)
MORE NEWS : I start to work on the printing functions of PocketMoney this week so a version will be available in December sometime hopefully that will print.
MPG (the big announcement)
---
CURRENT VERSION : 2.0
SHORT DESCRIPTION : MPG allows the Newton owner to track vehicle performance, expenses,trips and maintenances.
PRICE : $20
FILENAME : MPG.*
NEWS : The long awaited version 2.0 enhancements include:
* Post MPG transactions directly to the personal financial package PocketMoney.
* Setup reminders and alarms for services required for proper vehicle maintance. User customizable alarms can be set on either milage, date or both.
* Trips have been expanded to better suit the needs of sales people and others that need to track their vehicle's use for tax or billing purposes.
* British/Canadian mpg support has been updated.
* Newton Connection Kit support.
* Find and Intelligent Assist support.
* text manual included with MPG. I will be upload a NewtonBook version also with graphics.
SCROLLINGDOPOPUP
----------------
CURRENT VERSION : 2.0
SHORT DESCRIPTION : allows any popup to scroll if longer than the height of the screen
PRICE : $15 (version 1.0 was free for PocketMoney users, but this is a better more generic version and I will be charging everyone for it that wants to use it)
FILENAME : DOPOP.*
NEWS : this allows programs like PocketMoney, MPG, AssistCalc to have an unlimited number of items in the customizable popups. This will work with any popup in any program.
MYLOCALE
--------
CURRENT VERSION 1.0
SHORT DESCRIPTION : allows users in non-localized Newton countries to set the currencies for your country.
PRICE : $15
FILENAME : part of PM_XTR.*
NEWS : the docs state that registering will get you a version that saves your settings across resets. I haven't written this part of the program yet, but I will when I get a little bit of free time.
The following is not really important, but if you would like to send email stating the support of my products I would be happy :-).
APPLE WANTS TO KNOW "What's on your Newton?"
Apple PIE has asked those who use a number of 3rd party applications, utilities, etc., to submit a list of what's on your Newton and provide a short summary of any intersting ways that you use your Newton. They also want you to include your name, address, business title, company and phone number and indicate whether you're willing to be quoted in a press interview.
Please send your response via e-mail to Newtonfb@eworld.com.
If you are receiving multiply copies of this, if you have another preferred e-mail address, or if this doesn't apply to you please let me know.
All files will be available on AOL, eWorld, CIS, and newton.uiowa.edu.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Hardy
Graffiti:
Reviewed by
KTMcCarthy@eworld/Newt Mail/AOL
72520,1334 Compuserve
This program falls into a category of product which will dramatically increase your love of the Newton, as it did for MacWeek's Henry Norr. There are several modules, Graffiti, Shortcuts (for creating text strings ala Letter Express snippets), Help, and a tutorial. I'll focus on the basic package, although the Shortcuts product is a nice text string product, allowing one to set up "ts" for time stamp, etc., and the help package is outstanding- offering clear icons for everything from punctuation, to international characters.
You may find the help package unnecessary as Palm supplies a nice laminated card for all the characters, even a clear stick on pocket for adhering it to your Newt if you choose.
When opening Graffiti, one is presented by a rectangle about 1/6 the size of the MP110 screen. There is a large writing area, plus buttons for Caps lock, Number lock, left/right cursor, an info button for help, a small x for iconizing(reducing) Graffiti to a small icon, a scratchpad icon (more later), an extras button (bringing up menu options to shortcuts, about Graffiti, and to close Graffiti).
The Graffiti premise is to write letters with one stroke, making the letters with few exceptions the same as capitols. To turn on the caps is a simple upstroke (I can't write capitalized words well on the Newt). Periods, and comma's are an easy tap for the punctuation constraint, and a second tap for a period. Comma's for me involve the undo button frequently on the Newt.
Try as I might, I can never write my name on the Newt; Kerry T. McCarthy, it is accomplished easily with Graffiti. Carriage return is an easy backslash stroke.The apps are small enough to run on my over beta tested Newt.
I could go on, I truly believe this is a breakthrough product. I find myself sending longer letters, email, I can easily write in the neighborhood of 25-30 words per minute. People's names even with the Apple letter by letter default? Graffiti whips through them, street names, even states are easier, as I don't have to capitalize the state.
I personally do not use the scratchpad, although I see it as a nice piece of polish to this program. The only minor complaint with the program is that one has to hit two buttons to close the app.
Do yourself a favor, get Graffiti, you will love it. Palm can be reached at 800.881PALM. The only email addresses I have are for tech support. Version reviewed; 1.01
Tax Pro
Reviewed by
KTMcCarthy@eworld/Newt Mail/AOL
72520,1334 Compuserve
This product simply shows one the amount of a refund you may or may not be getting before the end of the year and it is too late to react.
Upon installation one sees an extras drawer icon for a sailboat, followed by the main worksheet. This is a sheet with a section for income on the top, and taxes on the bottom.
The taxpayer line is filled in automatically from the personal file. There are pick lists for income credits which of course reduce the amount of tax one pays; filing status (single, married, etc), deductions (standard or itemized), and for your number of exemptions.
Itemized deductions of course is the schedule A from the IRS. I should point out that I have done my taxes personally for the last 5 or so years, and for nothing else one should try this sometime to quickly get up to speed on your tax dollar; 14% of which has gone lately to service the national debt.
Anyway, one can either tap a worksheets icon, or select itemized deductions to get to "schedule A". TaxPro follows the Newton interface well. For example in the schedule A worksheet, there are write in areas for data entry. Some apps force you to write the entire number all at once; TaxPro allows you to change $15,000 in taxes paid to $11,000 by just overwriting the "5".
Close the schedule A, and the total is automatically entered on the main worksheet. I assume that 2% of your adjusted gross income is deducted from the grand total as on the paper schedule A; (this 2% a monument to Dan Rostenkowski), this 2% did not appear to be taken off.
Other worksheets include credits, other taxes (IRA distributions, self employment), payments (for estimating taxes quarterly), and income. The income worksheet has six pick lists for the most usual 20 types of income, and a write in the amount area for each. The two adjustments to income pick lists (read: deductions), have the seven most common "adjustments". As you may have guessed, the income total from this worksheet automatically goes in the main worksheet.
When you're done, one can copy a report to the notepad for future reference.
This program is a well written app which I like for quickly estimating one's personal tax situation, I would love it if I was in the tax business.
Questions? Please contact Vicki Meier at meiercpa@aol.com
Time To Go
You have to love this product; there are nine timepieces, some of which most everyone will like. They include the parking meter, alarm clock, large clock (Newt in landscape mode), minute timer, meeting timer, egg timer, stopwatch, world clock, periodic chimes, and analog clock. I don't think anyone will install all nine of the apps on the current Newton, maybe on the soon shipping 120.
My personal favorites are the stopwatch, the parking meter, and the analog clock. I would like the world clock if I traveled more. The alarm clock does have a large snooze bar, but personally, I don't want to leave my Newt out in plain sight in hotel rooms.
The meeting timer has a somewhat confusing interface, with a small race car/track for the start and stop times of the meeting. I think this could be refined for more ease of use. I do my expenses weekly (most times) on expense plus, this is an elegant Newton interface. The meeting timer does copy a 'report' to the notepad, including cost per decision, number of participants. Maybe I would like it more if I had to quantify my time.
To this point, here is an E from Extra Lead "We added the racecar indicator to provide analog feedback and a sense of fun
to the whole thing (and for some of the meetings we have to endure you need it). You don't have to use this indicator, since the times can be set and read in numeric fields. We certainly didn't want to confuse the interface and welcome your suggestions on how to fix it."
The time to go app "is optional and provides the fast access, flash open and continuous LOUD alarm feature for the datebook. The other apps run fine without it -they are accessed from the extras drawer", according to Extra Lead. This places a small "t" labeled button for easy access to the apps. Tap this button until you hear one beep for opening one of the apps (in addition to the extras drawer icon for each timepiece).
Tap and hold this button for a second beep to configure apps for 5 seconds during Newt boot up.
The time pieces are all well written, for example one can scrub the second hand in the analog clock, the ability to disable the chimes for certain time ranges; i.e. night.
I do recommend this product, as prefaced, not all timepieces will appeal universally, but those that you do like you will enjoy very much. Time to go is apparently currently best priced by PDA Direct catalog, a palmtop mail order house. (By the way, the folks here are nice, they carry what must be every Newt commercial app, and can be reached at 1.800.279.4PDA).
Version reviewed; 1.2. You can contact Extra Lead at 800.642.4321, or at extralead@aol.com
Minutes;
As you may have surmised our group is somewhat laissez faire; we don't have alot of structure beyond when we have visitors, as we have had in the past from Apple, and Motorola. There is no membership fee, just status.(I've taken to people addressing me as ambassador McCarthy as a user group leader).
We did have some highlights the past three meetings, including a free copy of TaxPro to all attendees, everyone getting to see Graffiti first hand, discussion of when/what OS 2.0 for the Newton, the sharing of everyone's favorite shareware, and the fun of beaming your card.
On our first serious "administrative issue" discussion; Why ChiILNug? To make it harder to type than momentum...to separate the wheat/chaff in the mailings we have gotten(Apple sends our info with one i...because it rhymes with chilled mug?
The main reason was to instantly communicate where we are located, few cities are known worldwide; Paris, Chicago, Moscow, etc. We could have gone for CNUG, or ChiNug, these did not seem as catchy. Anyhow we discussed, and tabled for future review the group's name, which may or not have some "brand equity".
FWIIW
Thought I'd share some tips from my "Newtime", in reverse chronological order of discovery. ...Want the current date in the header of your note? Deleting the note won't update it, but duplicating a blank note will...One can copy the entries from the calculator to the notepad, with the exception of the second total line for some reason...Like the calendar, the to do screen can be split for moving todays' list to future dates. ...With Paperback, one can create a digital price list, select and copy to notes via the clipboard for pasting into notepad quote sheets. ...If one frequently switches cards, on the MP110, unlocking the card also turns on the Newton. You will get a grip of death error if something is open. For some reason, it periodically takes 5-6 seconds to turn on the Newt with the unlock switch. ...Pop your memory card if you have a number of items to be printed in your outbox; have found that 4-5 will crash, depending on the nature of the items; Memo's take up lots of memory. Popping the card increases the number of documents, and of course reduces the time between restarts. ...Store business cards (or expense receipts) to be entered in the space for the messaging card on the MP110 leather case. ...Create a small text header on individual notes within folders for ease of look up, write the items to be done in ink on the notes. For example; Folder Customer, Note header Walgreen, to do in ink. ...Workaround for attaching a specific note to a specific card. Create a note, in our case asking a factory to send a sample to an address, billed to our sample account. Copy the text to the clipboard, select fax, tap letter format, write the name of the person with the ship to address as the addressee, and the name of the person shipping the sample as the fax address. Tap the notes button, and copy the text from the clipboard to the notes cover sheet. This will allow you to send a standard request with one card's address to a third party...It's easier to look up a number while driving by using the assist function than opening names manually...Cut out the listing of email address formats from the Newton manual and have it laminated when first using email...beam a number of cards and click on the stop button, this will make it easy to beam at trade shows, user group meets, etc...by the way one can of course beam to the higher end Wizards, they have to click on the recieve(or get) button on the Wizard, your name card goes into the outline file...
ChiILNUG Meeting 1.25.95 7:00PM
The eighth meeting of the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held 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 Wednesday January Twenty-fifth! 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.
