==(((((((((( == Z*NET INTERNATIONAL PC ONLINE MAGAZINE =========(( === -------------------------------------- =======(( ===== June 21, 1991 Issue #10 =====(( ======= -------------------------------------- ==(((((((((( == Copyright (c)1991, Z*Net Publishing PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Ron Kovacs ASSISTANT EDITOR: Mike Mezaros ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CompuServe - 75300,1642 GEnie - Z-NET ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS THE EDITORS DESK................................Ron Kovacs Z*NET NEWSWIRE.................Ron Kovacs and Mike Mezaros THE GRAPHICAL EDGE............................Mike Mezaros DRAWPERFECT CONTEST..........................Press Release MS-DOS 5.0 FIRST IMPRESSIONS..................Mike Mezaros NORTON UTILITIES UPDATE......................Press Release ASYNC PROFESSIONAL PROFILE...................Press Release SHAREWARE/PD SHELF........................................ TRASH IT! REVIEWED............................Mike Mezaros WILDCAT BBS VERSION 3.0......................Press Release Z*NET CONFERENCES......................................... ======================================================================= THE EDITORS DESK ---------------- by Ron Kovacs, Editor ======================================================================= Welcome to our 10th edition. I didn't think the concept would take off, but I am very pleased with the growing success of this publication. We welcome comments and contributions, so if you are interested, let us know! We are going on Vacation in 10 days and will delay the next release until July 12, 1991. There might be a news update release, but the regular features will go with us. FNET Sysops are encouraged to join our conference. We release our issues in FNET first before they appear anywhere else. Call the Z-Net USA BBS at (908) 968-8148 anytime for more information. ======================================================================= Z*NET NEWSWIRE -------------- ======================================================================= EDUCATION GRANTS ANNOUNCED - 6/19/91 Apple recently selected 19 learning projects in elementary and secondary schools across the US to participate in its Crossroads II Education Grants program. Through the program, Apple provides computers, printers, modems, and other peripherals, funds for teacher training and curriculum development, and access to AppleLink. Claris and Microsoft are donating software. Grants are awarded to schools where economically disadvantaged students make up the majority of the student body. PC WINDOWS EXPOSITION SCHEDULED - 6/18/91 World Expo announced that PC World and Computer Reseller News, will co- sponsor PC WINDOWS Exposition and Conference scheduled for Dec. 9-11 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, which is targeted at the full range of PC enthusiasts seeking Windows-based solutions. Other PC WINDOWS shows are scheduled in Australia, Canada, Sweden, Germany and Japan throughout 1991 and 1992. For more information, contact Glenn Gaudet at (508) 879-6700. IBM USSR ANNOUNCED - 6/17/91 IBM announced the establishment and opening of a 100%-owned subsidiary -- IBM USSR Ltd. -- to conduct its operations in the Soviet Union. FIRST SCSI HOST ADAPTER ANNOUNCED - 6/18/91 Adaptec became the first company to announce a Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) host adapter to support Insite Peripherals' new high- capacity 21Mbyte Floptical drives, debuting next week. Adaptec's AHA- 1520 AT-to-SCSI host adapter, with Floptical drive support built into its BIOS, enables Floptical drives to be integrated seamlessly into AT- class microcomputers. A working demonstration of the unit with an Insite Peripherals Floptical drive will be demonstrated June 25-27 at PC Expo, Booth 5555, Javits Center, New York. NEW COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS NAME - 6/19/91 IBM announced a new name for the line of business that develops and manufactures its computer networking products and offers a worldwide value-added network. The new name is IBM Networking Systems. Networking Systems, formerly the Communication Systems line of business, was formed in January 1988. NEW SYSTEMS DIVISION ANNOUNCED - 6/19/91 SyDOS, a division of SyQuest, has been formed by SyQuest to distribute removable-media storage products into the PC and compatible marketplace. The first products offered will begin shipping to resellers on July 1 and include internal add-in and external single and dual add-on subsystems based on SyQuest's 44-Mbyte and 88-Mbyte removable-media Winchester disk drives. These products are designed to be fully compatible with all PC and PC compatible computers. Each product is designed for easy installation. WORLDS FIRST GAS PLASMA DISPLAY - 6/18/91 Toshiba announced it would start selling four new models of its Dynabook 32-bit notebook-size personal computers with gas plasma displays on the Japanese market from July 1. They will be the world's first notebook- size computers with gas plasma dislays which respond to instructions faster than liquid crystal displays as well as offering a wider screen viewing angle and a higher contrast ratio. The four models are priced between $2,843 and $3,557 with a 3.5-inch internal disk drive. PLAIN PAPER PRINTER ANNOOUNCED - 6/17/91 Tektronix announced the PhaserJet PXi, a color printer that produces color on nearly any kind of paper, from ordinary copier paper to card stock, as well as on the transparency film used with over head projectors for presentations. The printer can work simultaneously with IBM PC and Apple Macintosh computers as well as workstations. DISTINCTIVE SOFTWARE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT - 6/17/91 Electronic Arts announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Distinctive Software Inc. Electronic Arts will pay $782,900 and issue 488,157 shares of new common stock in exchange for all the outstanding capital stock of DSI. DSI will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Tarrnie Williams, 50, will continue as president and chief executive officer of the new subsidiary. Don Mattrick, 27, founder, chairman, and vice president of marketing and design for DSI, will become vice president of strategic planning for Electronic Arts. Distinctive Software has created over 40 titles and 90 SKU's for leading publishers including Electronic Arts, Broderbund, Konami, Walt Disney Computer Software, Mindscape and Accolade. It has participated in the development of Test Drive and Hardball. It has designed Evolution and The Duel: Test Drive II. It has also developed Ace of Aces, Dambusters, Grand Prix Circuit, Hardball II, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. JACK NICKLAUS IN SPECIAL FLOPPY - 6/18/91 Accolade and Sony have announced a joint promotion in which Sony will place a free 11th disk containing a special limited version of Accolade's Jack Nicklaus computer golf games inside specially marked 10-pack boxes of Sony floppy disks. Purchasers of IBM PC and compatible 3 1/2-inch Sony disks will receive a free 9-hole trial version of "Jack Nicklaus' Unlimited Golf & Course Design", including a slide show tour through the elements of the Course Designer. Purchasers of Macintosh compatible disks will receive a free 9- hole trial version of "Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf". SMARTMODEM 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - 6/17/91 Hayes announced the Smartmodem Tenth Anniversary by kicking off a year- long celebration, beginning with the biggest cash rebate ever on Hayes modems in the United States and Canada. From June 17 to Aug. 18, 1991, Hayes provides customers with a US$150 rebate on ULTRA 96 or V-series Smartmodem 9600; a US$100 rebate on Smartmodem 2400, Smartmodem 2400P, Smartmodem 1200, or Smartmodem 1200B; and a US$35 rebate on Smartcom Exec or Smartcom II for the Macintosh when purchased with one of these modems. Hayes has set no volume limitations on individual or total unit rebates. Customers may also obtain rebate coupons in metropolitan newspapers and major industry magazines as well as through Hayes electronic bulletin board system at 1-800-US-HAYES or 1-404-HI-MODEM. For more information, contact Hayes Sales Support at (404) 840-9200. PHOTOSHOP 2.0 ANNOUNCED - 6/17/91 Adobe announced that Adobe Photoshop 2.0 software for Macintosh computers is now available from all Authorized Adobe Dealers. Adobe Photoshop 2.0 retains the suggested retail price of $895. Registered users can ugprade to the new version for $149 until Aug. 31, 1991. After Aug. 31, 1991, all registered user can upgrade for $199. Customers who have purchased Adobe Photoshop between April 15, 1991, and June 17, 1991 will receive a free upgrade. EXCEL VERSION 3.0 SHIPPING - 6/18/91 Microsoft announced the shipping Excel spreadsheet with business graphics and database version 3.0 for OS/2 Presentation Manager. Version 3.0 was recently released for the Windows graphical environment version 3.0 and for the Apple Macintosh with System 7 support. UPDATE: NEWSWIRE BITS JUNE 8 thru JUNE 12, 1991 NEW TOOLS ANNOUNCED - Apple announced new development tools that improve the power and flexibility of developing software on A/UX, Apple's version of the UNIX operating system for Macintosh. The new A/UX Developer's Tools product enables developers to create Macintosh, UNIX and X Window System software, as well as "hybrid" applications that incorporate Macintosh and UNIX functionality, in one environment. NOTEBOOK COMPUTER EXPANSION ANNOUNCED - GRiD announced an expansion of its portable computer product line by introducing the GRiD 1750, a 20MHz 386SXbased notebook computer, and the GRiDCASE 1550cd, a 20MHz 386SX-based computer, the first portable computer to include an integrated CD-ROM drive with a true SCSI interface, delivers 635MB of read-only storage. AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED - Phoenix announced that it has extended its MS-DOS licensing agreement with Microsoft to include the manufacturing of pre- packaged MS-DOS operating system version 5 for sale to system integrators and resellers. FIXED DISK DRIVES OFFERED - CMS has offered fixed disk drives for the newly released IBM Personal System/2 Models 35SX, 35LS, 40SX and 57SX and will include an 80MB fixed disk with an average seek time of 16ms, 120MB and 200MB fixed disks with an average seek time of 18ms and a 400MB fixed disk with an average seek time of 14ms. Initial product is expected to ship by the end of June. IBM DOS 5.0 ANNOUNCED - IBM announced DOS 5.0, an enhanced, single- tasking operating system that provides lower memory requirements than earlier versions of DOS, improved performance and an easier-to-use interface. DOS 5.0 offers the simplest installation of any version of DOS yet, by allowing users to choose from only two screens of installation options. In addition, a DOS 5.0 Retail Upgrade Package is available for users who are upgrading from a previous version of DOS. This package enables the system to automatically retain configuration information, eliminating the need to copy files and transfer them to the new version. DOS 5.0 is priced at $165 and additional licenses are priced at $125. Customers can upgrade from DOS 2.1 or later through the IBM Retail Upgrade Package for DOS 5.0 for $85. DOS 5.0 supports all models of the IBM Personal Computer and Personal System/2 families, with the exception of the PCjr, PC XT/370 and PC AT/370. FRAMEWORK IV ANNOUNCED - Ashton-Tate introduced a new version of its Framework integrated decision support software which combines seven business productivity applications in one program with a single menu system. Shipments began this week. MS-DOS 5 UPGRADE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED - Microsoft announced the MS-DOS 5 Upgrade 100% Program, that will allow many companies to upgrade to MS-DOS 5 for a suggested list price as low as $37 per PC -- significantly less than the suggested retail price of $99.95 or the License Pak price of $79.95. The program will be administered by a select group of Microsoft large account resellers. The program is administered based on a count of 100 percent of DOS-based PCs located at one or more addresses of the same company. To qualify for the program, there must be at least 100 DOS-based PCs among a company's participating addresses. The price paid by the company is determined by multiplying the total number of PCs at the participating addresses by the MS-DOS 5 Upgrade 100% Program price offered by authorized resellers. The suggested retail prices for the program are as follows: 100-999 machines for $59 per machine; 1,000-4,999 machines for $44 per machine; 5,000 or more machines for $37 per machine. For additional information or the name of the nearest authorized MS-DOS 5 Upgrade 100% Program reseller, customers may call (800) 992-DOS5. MS-DOS 5 ANNOUNCED - Microsoft announced the immediate availability of Microsoft MS-DOS 5, which contains major enhancements that bring greater functionality to all DOS users whether novice or advanced. As in the past, Microsoft will distribute MS-DOS through PC manufacturers for use on new computers. Currently, more than 130 PC manufacturers worldwide have licensed MS-DOS 5 for their customers. These 130 manufacturers accounted for nearly 90 percent of the DOS-based PCs shipped last year, according to Microsoft estimates. For more information on MS-DOS 5, contact Microsoft at (800) 992-DOS5. Read Z*Net's first impressions of MS-DOS 5 in this weeks edition. TRADE-IN PROGRAM ANNOUNCED - IBM announced a trade-in program that allows customers to upgrade older PCs to faster, more powerful Personal System/2s. Through the end of the year, customers will be able to take most older IBM personal computers to a participating dealer and receive rebates toward the purchase of a new PS/2. Customers with certain models of computers from Apple Computer and Compaq Computer are also eligible for the rebate program. For specific details, customers should contact any of the IBM Authorized Personal Computer Dealers, Authorized Industry Remarketers, IBM Campus Technology Centers and Education Specialists certified to sell Selected Academic Solutions and Higher Education Assistants. NEW MS-DOS 5.0 - MAJOR FEATURES ------------------------------- * Quick installation; even across large networks. * Device drivers, programs, and parts of the operating system itself can easily be relocated to Upper memory (between 640K and 1024k) and Extended memory with few modifications to the CONFIG.SYS file. This frees up more conventional memory for use with DOS applications and TSR's, and lets Microsoft Windows open larger DOS sessions. On average, you can expect to see a 40-45K increase in free conventional memory. 620K or more is not uncommon on 386SX or better machines. * The Dos shell has undergone a massive re-write. Dosshell 5.0 features a Windows-like interface consisting of the Program List (program menuing module) and File List (file maintenance module). And although Windows applications cannot be used, Dosshell 5.0 provides the same DOS task switching (Microsoft calls it task swapping for some reason) capabilities that Microsoft Windows 3.0 allows on a 286. Task switching allows users to keep more than one DOS application in memory and switch between them. This largely eliminates the need for commercial packages like Switch-It and Software Carousel. Complete, context-sensitive on-line help is also provided. * Dos commands now feature on-line help, similar to that found in DR-DOS 5.0. Typing "Help" before any command provides a short overview of what the command does, available options, and how to use it (syntax). * An undelete command is now provided. Although not as robust as those found in commercial applications like Norton Utilities, undelete will work reliably if used shortly after the file was originally deleted. * Accidentally reformat your hard drive, or a diskette? No problem, as DOS 5.0 includes an unformat command. (Both unformat and undelete were developed for Microsoft by Central Point Software, makers of PC-Tools.) * A new quick re-format command (Format /q) allows you to re-format diskettes in about 80% less time than it would to do a fresh format. * The GW-BASIC interpreter, and line numbers, are now gone for good, replaced by QBASIC. QBASIC is a subset of Microsoft QuickBASIC, and is a more powerful, more modernized version of BASIC. The QBASIC interpreter features CUA drop down menus, giving it the look and feel of a Windows application. Several example programs are included. * Edlin is still there for those who want it, but a new text editor, Edit, is also provided. Edit also features CUA drop down menus. * A new program called Doskey provides more advanced command line history than F1 and F3 do. It also allows multiple ("batch") command lines at a single prompt; each separated by a Ctrl-T character. * The file system (FAT) has been updated. It now allows disk partitions of up to 2 gigabytes (useful for optical drives), and offers improved compatibility. Software which fails to run under DOS 4.0 due to the file system (almost all of which has since been upgraded) will have no problem with DOS 5.0. * Share has been eliminated because it no longer needs to be used on partitions greater than 32MB. This should finally end the long "Should I use Share?" argument, as well as several compatibility problems that have been attributed to it. * Direct support has been added for the new 2.88MB floppy drives. Special drivers will no longer be needed, and Format will work on them. * DOS 5.0 can be stored on and booted from ROM. Microsoft feels that this will be useful for the home computer and laptop market. * Due to the above improvements in the file system, and other refinements implemented, Microsoft claims that DOS 5.0 has near complete compatibility with DOS version 2.11 and up. A handful of programs require separate drivers for DOS 3.3 and 4.0; DOS 5.0 can use either. * 90 days of free technical support direct from Microsoft. Microsoft has announced a new area on CompuServe, the MS-DOS 5.0 support forum. Microsoft employees, and fellow new users, are on hand to answer your questions. Type GO MSDOS at any CIS prompt to enter the forum. Computer Shopper, the huge magazine that costs $2.95 in the U.S., is now available in the U.S.S.R. for 300 roubles (about $8.50) an issue. It is only available by subscription, with a price of 1800 roubles (about $50) for six months. All of the articles are translated into Russian. Sadly, the mainstay of Computer Shopper, the massive amount of advertising that keeps the price low, is not to be found in the Soviet edition. Showa Denko, a Tokyo chemical company, has announced the development of high quality, erasable ink technology. The new ink disappears from all materials when exposed to certain types of light rays, including those given off by most halogen lamps. Products based on the new ink, such as toner for copiers and laser printers, will be available in early 1992. IBM has announced three new Personal System/2 computer models, all based on the Intel 20Mhz 386SX microprocessor. They are also the first IBM products to feature 2.88MB 3.5" floppy drives. Models 35SX and 40SX both features the standard ISA (PC/AT) architecture, while Model 57SX makes use of the Microchannel bus. The Model 57SX is also very similar to the recently released Models 90 and 95, in that it uses SCSI and a CPU board. Because of this type of design, the 57SX can be upgraded to a 486SX or 486DX CPU by changing only one board. The 35SX and 40SX are in stores now, while the 57SX will debut in early August. Model 35SX-040 (diskette only)............................$1995 Model 35SX-043 (40MB hard drive)..........................$2525 Model 35 LS (diskless workstation/Token-Ring LAN).........$2695 Model 40SX-040 (diskette only)............................$2395 Model 40SX-043 (40MB hard drive)..........................$2925 Model 40SX-045 (80MB hard drive)..........................$3195 Model 57SX-045 (40MB hard drive)..........................$3625 Model 57SX-049 (80MB hard drive)..........................$4195 China has passed several new copyright laws that protect internationally copyrighted computer software. The new laws will go into effect in October, and were established in an effort to have China removed from the U.S. Unfair Traders list. The Software Publisher's Association estimates that American software publishers currently lose about 300 million dollars a year due to Chinese piracy. Ergo has announced a new Brick PC, the Moby Brick, featuring either a 486SX or DX CPU. Ergo's "Bricks" are small, desktop PC's that are designed to be portable between several different workstations. Home and office desktops can both have their own monitor and keyboard, with the user carrying the 8.7 pound Brick between locations. The two new models include 4MB of RAM, a 120MB hard drive, a 1.44MB floppy drive, a 2400 bps modem, and a 16-bit, half-length expansion slot. The 20Mhz 486SX costs $3995, the 33Mhz 486DX $4995 (keyboard and monitor not included). The judge in the Apple vs. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard "look and feel" lawsuit has stated that he is "inclined not to allow Apple Computer, Inc. to accuse Microsoft Corp. of fraud." The judge was referring to a claim recently entered by Apple that Microsoft had used arm-twisting techniques to force Apple into signing a 1985 visual interface licensing agreement (key parts of that agreement are reprinted in this week's Graphical Edge column). The judge also called the claim a "sideshow" and said that it was "pretty outlandish that Apple discovered this fraud at this late date." In the original lawsuit filed three years ago, Apple made no mention that the agreement was fraudulent, but rather claimed that Microsoft had simply overstepped their license with Windows 2.x. A written decision should be released before the next hearing on July 8th. The judge also delayed a final ruling on Apple's attempt to expand the case to cover Microsoft Windows 3.0 and HP's NewWave 3.0. IBM has introduced a new 14" VGA color touch screen monitor, the PS/2 8516. Unlike earlier touch screen devices, the 8516 doesn't require it's own card. It connects to standard VGA and (PS/2) mouse ports, sending "touch" information through the mouse circuitry. A mouse can still be used, though, as the 8516 includes a pass-through port. No pricing information was available at press time. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times are both reporting that Apple has entered into some sort of technology-sharing dialog with IBM. The talks reportedly center on RISC technology, and the possibility that Apple may license IBM's RISC microprocessors to Apple. Other reports claim IBM is more interested in licensing Apple's software technology. Neither company will confirm or deny these reports. United Press International has quoted an Apple spokeswoman as saying, "Apple talks to a lot of companies about a lot of things, but we have no announcement today." The two companies first established a formal relationship only earlier this month, when Apple began shipping some of their Macintosh computers with IBM-built hard drives. AimTech has released IconAuthor version 4.0, the latest upgrade to their multimedia development package for Windows. This latest version fully supports the Windows Multimedia Extensions, and features a simpler interface. Support for the SoundBlaster board has also been added. Priced at $4995 (including six presentation systems, a four day training course, and toll-free technical support), IconAuthor is a high-end development system intended for the corporate and education markets. Recent figures from Market Intelligence Research Corp. show that when it comes to multimedia, the Mac's appeal is dropping and the PC's is growing. The Mac is still currently on top, but slipping. In 1990, the Mac platform's share of multimedia revenue was 62.7%, compared to the PC's 32.3%. This year, however, those numbers are turning out to be significantly different, with 51% for the Mac and 43.8% for the PC expected by year's end. Further into the future, MIR projects that the two platforms will nearly tie 1992 (with the PC claiming a slight .1% lead), and that by 1997 the PC will come out on top by almost 20%. The "other" category, dominated mostly by Commodore's Amiga, is also slowly gaining speed: from a 4.6% share in 1988 to a 5.1% share today. That number is expected to climb to 8.9% by 1997. 32-bit Software is preparing a new language for Microsoft Windows development, ZBASIC/Windows. ZBASIC is a BASIC-like programming language that will allow programmers to create 32-bit applications for Windows without having to wait for Windows 4.0. Programs can also be written in 8-bit or 16-bit code, and then be recompiled for increased speed on a 386 or 486. The product will be released in late 1991 with an introductory price of $139.95. List price will be $199.95. The Japanese corporation Fujitsu has announced that it has purchased 85% of U.S.-based Poqet Computer Inc. Poqet's major product, the Poqet PC, is a tiny, but expensive, 16-bit MS-DOS compatible PC. Despite great press coverage, and support from major software publishers like Word Perfect, the hand held PC has had disappointing sales figures. Fujitsu, which formerly owned only 28% of the company, claims that it purchased the controlling interest in order to rescue the company. The new Poqet plans to release a 32-bit version of the Poqet PC in early 1992. Lotus Development has upgraded 1-2-3 for Sun SPARC Systems to version 1.1. The new release features more sophisticated data analysis, 3-D modeling, improved graphics capabilities, and other major improvements. Lotus also announced Realtime, a new package with makes use of SPARC 1-2-3 to display and interpret real-time investment data. The data is constantly updated as various market statistics fluctuate. SPARC 1-2-3 1.1 lists for $695 per user, with upgrades from 1.0 available for $180. Lotus Realtime 1.0 carries an MSRP of $1600 per user. Cirrus Logic has released a new VGA controller designed specifically for notebook PC's. The CL-GD6410 is made up of only five chips, including RAM. It is said to be the smallest such controller on the market, and to use considerably less power than it's competitors. Standard VGA video modes, including 320x200x256, are supported -- the 256 colors are converted to 64 shades of grey on an LCD. An external monitor can also be supported simultaneously. An alleged April 1991 memo from Bill Gates to numerous Microsoft employees which openly attacks IBM has been obtained by The San Jose Mercury News. The newspaper printed numerous comments from the memo, such as: "Our nightmare, IBM 'attacking' us in system software, Novell Inc. 'defeating' us in networking, and more agile, customer-oriented applications competitors getting their Windows act together - is a reality." The memo also asked employees to "not attack IBM as a company... our public 'attacks' on OS/2 will be very professional." Furthermore, Gates insisted that his strategy for the nineties was most definitely the Microsoft Windows environment: "...one evolving architecture, a couple of implementations. Everything we do should focus on making Windows more successful." Gates also mentioned that Microsoft's previous relationship with IBM had forced them to accept "poor code [and] poor design." Gates predicted that Microsoft's dealings with IBM will probably remain "fairly cold" for the next two years, but in the end that Microsoft would benefit by emerging as "a better and stronger company where people won't just say we are the standard because IBM chose us." Sony has released several new optical drives, based on SCSI-2, that are faster than ever before. The new drives have an average 40ms seek time, about as fast the hard drive included in the original IBM PC/AT. Coupled with a software disk cache, the new drives may be almost as fast as conventional hard drives. The 3.5", 128MB optical discs spin at a rate of 3000 rotations per minute, about 50% faster than other optical drives. No prices were available at press time. Helio Computers, Inc. has announced a new video board, the HiRes 1280, that handles non-interlaced 1280x1024 resolution in 256 colors for less than $700. The board will include drivers for most popular applications and environments, including AutoCAD, Windows, GEM/Ventura Publisher, WordPerfect, and Lotus 1-2-3. The board comes complete with two megabytes of RAM, so it arrives fully functional and ready for use. Symantec has introduced Norton Desktop for Windows, a Windows version of the popular Norton Utilities package. Norton Desktop includes an enhanced file manager, a hard disk backup program (also sold separately as Norton Backup for Windows), an enhancement to the Program Manager called Quick Access, and many other utilities. Quick Access reportedly adds features to the Program Manager which are very similar to those found in PubTech's File Organizer, such as the ability to print documents by dragging them to the printer icon. The Norton Viewer is a program very similar to Lotus Magellan; it will view more than thirty different types of documents. The Norton Scheduler will allow you to set certain operations to begin (such as backups) at pre-determined times. The Norton Disk Doctor for Windows includes most of the features of the NDD found in the Norton Utilities package, as well as the ability to de-fragment disks, a first for the Windows environment. No pricing information was available at press time. PC Magazine is now available in the Soviet Union, in a Russian-language edition. About a hundred thousand copies will be made for each issue. The Soviet PC Magazine is being published by Moscow State University, in a joint effort with Germany's SK Verlag. Fusion Data Systems of Austin, Texas will release in July a 68040 accelerator card for owners of Macintosh SE/30 and IIsi systems. Fusion claims that the new card, the TokaMac SX, will be about three times as fast as the Macintosh IIfx (and thus about 40% faster than 33Mhz 486DX systems running Windows). Fully compatible with Mac System 7.0, the new card will carry an MSRP of $2995. Lotus and The Santa Cruz Operation have settled their "look and feel" lawsuit out of court. Lotus took SCO to task over their SCO Professional spreadsheet for Unix, which Lotus claimed violated their copyrights by featuring 1-2-3 compatible commands and menus. SCO agreed to drop SCO Professional, and reccomend that all current users switch to Lotus's 1-2-3 for Unix. Meanwhile, Lotus is still battling Borland International in the courts regarding the "look and feel" of their Quattro Pro spreadsheet for DOS. No major decisions have yet been reached in that trial, but Borland has announced that The Software Entrepeneur's Forum has filed a "friend of the court" document in support of Borland. The SEF is an organization consisting of over 700 developers, not including either Borland or Lotus. The SEF document advised the court that if Lotus should win this case, it will have terrible implications for the software industry and will place the future development of innovative software in jeopardy. ======================================================================= THE GRAPHICAL EDGE ------------------ by Mike Mezaros ======================================================================= This Week: ..................................................................... . * The Hot File: The Latest News & Rumors from the PC GUI World . . * MicroLink: Promising, But Unfinished, Windows Communications . . * Full Realizer BASIC Released . . * Excerpts From The Apple/Microsoft Agreement . ..................................................................... Anyone who wishes to touch base with me can do so by writing to me through Z*Net on GEnie (Z-NET), CompuServe (71777,2140), or Internet (71777,2140@compuserve.com). Or contact me directly on FidoNet through FidoMail (node 1:107/331) or on the Z*Net 24-hour BBS (908-968-8148). Shareware authors: If you would like to see your software reviewed, please drop me a line. If your shareware version has some features disabled, or excessive nagware notices, please send me a registration key. A temporary one will do, I'm not out for free software. ....................................... . THE HOT FILE: THE LATEST NEWS AND . . RUMORS FROM THE PC GUI WORLD . ....................................... Claris, Apple's subsidiary, has some Windows projects in the works! Is this something, folks, or what? Two rumors as to what kinds of things they are up to: a spreadsheet to compete with Excel (on both the Mac and Windows platforms), and/or a version of HyperCard 2.0 for Windows. I hope the HyperCard part isn't true; we don't need it unless they'll give it to us for free, too. We can already pay for Spinnaker Plus. With all of this talk about this or that Windows product being Microsoft Works-like, word is that Microsoft has decided to do what they should've done a while back and port Works to Windows... Sounder 2.0 is now available on CompuServe in the WINADV (Windows Advanced) forum. It has been available for a while, but because Windows files seem to filter onto GEnie very slowly (GEnie: Add a Windows RT, will you?), it passed me by. File name is SOUND2.ZIP. YES, this version WILL work properly in 386 Enhanced mode. For a complete review of Sounder 1.0, see Z*Net PC Issue #5. For a complete review of Sound Tool, an great editing "shell" for Sounder, see Z*Net PC Issue #8. There is a now a BBS program designed for Windows! It's a true Windows application, written by Russell Frey, called PowerBBS for Windows. The cost is $80. I have requested a review copy, so expect a full review in the near future. In the meantime, you can get a sneak preview by calling the support BBS at 1-(516)-822-7396. Unfortunately, there is no demo available, but there is one for PowerBBS for DOS, which should give you a basic idea of how the Windows version works. Last issue I reviewed WinCLI, and compared it with 4Win. Both simulate a DOS session through a Windows application. I was reviewing WinCLI 1.0, and gave it a pretty low rating. I've since tried WinCLI 2.11, and I can tell you this -- it's at least as good as 4Win, and most of the little bugs I found have been corrected. Windows' standard help system is also supported. New problem: it's now on the verge of becoming nagware. WinCLI 1.0 had an unobtrusive notice; the newer version is about as bad as 4Win. Can you really catch more flies with vinegar? The new DAK catalog just showed up in the mail, and it actually has a great deal in it. They're selling a BSR (what else?) 386SX system for $1400. Standard issue, mid-range stuff (40MB hard drive, etc.). The real story here is the software you get if you kick in an extra $400. Besides the usual slew of software DAK throws around, there's some great stuff to be found: Windows, Word for Windows, Adobe Type Manager, Grammatik Windows, MS-Productivity Pak for Windows, Quattro Pro 3.0, Random House Encyclopedia, GEM Artline... DAK values all 20 programs at $3683, but of course you probably won't ever use most of the stuff they throw in. But add up the bargain prices for the ones I've just named, and you're saving over $600. So if you're in the market for a mid-range PC and some high-end software, this might be worth taking a look at. I've tried some of the new Visual BASIC apps, and they're terrific. They seem to load pretty slowly for some reason, but after that they work just fine. The really great thing about them is this: You download some fantastic new program, written in VB. It's got tons of features, and is basically a fantastic effort. And then you read in the docs, "I just got Visual BASIC last Thursday, and this is my first programming effort for Windows..." It's amazing. It seems that even people who have been using the package for just a few days are turning out unbelievable software. (Really, that's no joke.) If you want to read a good review of the package, visit the MSLANG forum on CompuServe and download VBASIC.ZIP. While you're these, pick up the DLL you need to run VB software, VBRUN.ZIP, and a few Visual BASIC applications. There's still a bit of a mystery surrounding the new dialog box scheme I wrote about last issue. I have learned a few important things since then: The scheme is REAL, as it is used in both the new Visual BASIC and the beta version of the Windows 3.1 File Manager. Neither of these were available at the time I received the information, and only shortly after I wrote about it here. However, it seems that the .BMP I have of the dialog did NOT come from either of those programs. Still puzzled... PC World magazine has randomly surveyed their readers about Windows once again, and the results are in... The percentage of home users running Windows has jumped from 22% to 27%, and the percentage of businesses grew from 45% to 52%. About 62% of Windows users are former C:\> prompt fanatics, 23% moved up from an earlier release, and 5% were stolen away from the Mac. And what kind of hardware are we running? 77% percent of us are using a 386SX or better, with more than two-thirds of those being in the "better" category. A mere 15% are using a 286, and only 2% are lucky enough to be in the trenches with a 486. .................................................................. . MICROLINK: PROMISING, BUT UNFINISHED, WINDOWS COMMUNICATIONS . .................................................................. MicroLink Communications Software Version 0.81a MicroWerks Shareware Fee: $25 If MicroLink has an unfinished feel to it, that's because it's still a work in progress. While it isn't advanced enough yet for most of us to use as our full time communications package, it appears to have the makings of a brilliant piece of software. Unlike the early versions of most programs, which have much of their functionality intact but little friendliness, MicroLink's interface is nicely done. A tool bar runs under the menu bar, much like the one in Windows Help, that offers push-button access to common commands like dial, download, or asking for on-line help. The icons on the tool bar buttons are also very detailed and perfectly clear: a phone for dialing, fingers browsing the pages of a phone book for dialing directory, mailboxes for file transfers, a lifesaver for help, etc. Below the tool bar is the lights bar, a facsimile of the lights on the front of external modems. At the bottom of the screen is a status bar, a lot like the one in Word for Windows, offering information such as the time, baud rate, a quick explanation of what the selected menu item does, etc. The tool bar, lights bar, and status bar can each be removed from or returned to the screen using the View menu. MicroLink's screen updates are a bit sluggish, which can be annoying. Of course, update speed depends primarily on the speed of your video system, and mine is slow. But looking at it in relative terms, Crosstalk for Windows is much faster on my system, so I think that MicroWerks still has some work to do in this department. But if you have a faster video card, you might not even notice the problem. The dialing directory is a little weird. It's a dialog box with most of the communications options for the current entry, but the "title" text box is actually a list-box. Click on it, and choose the proper entry. It's hard to explain, and that's because it's so strange. The archive includes a special file explaining just the directory system, so it has probably caused some confusion before. The author promises a better system before final release. File transfer protocols also come up short. Z-Modem is missing, but promised. I'd also like to see Y-Modem G, Sealink, etc. Currently, only the basics are provided: X-Modem, X-Modem 1-K (Y-Modem), and Y-Modem batch. And who knows that script language will look like. It isn't completed yet, either... MicroLink can be summed up like this: The (for-the-most-part) great interface proves that this is a very promising program. But the lack of features and other minor quirks holds it back... for now. Remember, this program isn't even in first release yet. If MicroWerks pushes this thing forward, and keeps their promises, MicroLink could be a serious player in the Windows shareware market. .................................. . FULL REALIZER BASIC RELEASED . .................................. I reviewed Realizer Ltd., included as part of the book "Windows for BASIC Programmers," back in issue #3 of Z*Net PC. Here now, is the press release for the full version of Realizer, as released at Comdex Windows World '91. Slightly edited for length. Within Technologies announces REALIZER[TM] application development environment for Windows Within Technologies, Inc. announced REALIZER[TM], an application development environment for Windows 3.0, at COMDEX/Windows World today. REALIZER combines a structured superset of BASIC, prefabricated Windows objects, Programmable Application Tools[TM], and visual form designer, allowing for development of powerful, seamless integrated Windows applications in a fraction of the time formerly required. According to Within Technologies president Joseph Venuto, "REALIZER is an easy-to-learn and accessible but powerful programming environment for Windows, suitable for professionals, corporate end-user developers, and programmers. It uniquely combines the simplicity of the familiar BASIC language with intuitive Windows building-block objects, programmable applications, and visual forms design. This overcomes the limitations of previous approaches, which include arcane proprietary scripting languages, sluggish and limited-functionality hyperscript clones, limited macro languages, esoteric object-oriented programming tools, and the time-consuming and complex Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK) and C code-generation development packages." REALIZER's development tools include: - A structured superset of the familiar BASIC language with high-level commands that simplify Windows programming (for example, with the SDK, it takes a 50 line program just to create a window; it's a one-line command with REALIZER). REALIZER commands include a full range of mathematical and statistical functions, such as least-squares regression and moving averages; high-speed, automated array processing operations; complete set of string commands, including support for hex, octal, and binary numbers; and the ability to run Windows and MS-DOS applications and access DOS commands, such as Copy, Directory, and Format; and to read and write a variety of file formats, including text and binary files, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, and BMP. Other advanced functions include a scheduler for timed events (such as running REALIZER and DOS commands at specified times and intervals, checking a data source for new information, and appointment reminders); triggers or links among REALIZER tools to create powerful associations and interactions throughout applications; full serial communications library and DDE support for building real-time systems or hot- linking data between applications REALIZER allows for access to any Windows Application Programming Interface (API) functions or third party Windows engine, such as the Borland Paradox Engine or SQL engines from Gupta Technologies, Inc., Raima, Sybase, Inc., etc.; custom controls to extend Windows beyond its standard interface objects and add custom application tools; access to functions written in other languages, such as C and Pascal; and date-time processing commands that provide for full formatting and string conversion. Multiple REALIZER applications can be run at once. - Prefabricated Windows objects, such as buttons, pull- down menus, and scroll bars, can be accessed by simple commands, such as MenuNew or FormSetObject, with complete control over fonts and colors and access to the Windows Multiple Document Interface (MDI) for multiple documents, Windows clipboard, and pull-down menus. REALIZER transparently handles all of the mechanics of event- driven programming, message passing, process sharing, object sub-classing, disk and memory management, and other Windows programming complexities. - Programmable Application Tools allow users to easily add the standard elements of the best-selling commercial Windows applications: spreadsheets (with custom formatting of date-time, currency, scientific data, column sizing, data format, and multiple views, using splitter bars), charts (line, bar, and scatter plots in different panes, with time-series data, high-low-close series for stock and other financial data, markers or text annotations, moveable key, control of X and Y axes, automatic rescaling, and zooming in on data), text editors, fast animation, and graphics drawing tablets. Tools are created and manipulated by simple commands, like ChartLine, FormNew, or SheetUpdate. - Visual form designer capability lets users quickly create an appealing visual interface by simply "drawing" (resizing and moving) Windows objects, such as buttons, list boxes, bitmaps, frames, edit fields, and Programmable Application Tools, with choice of color, fonts, and position. Users can associate code with objects. REALIZER automatically creates code corresponding to the form to build complete applications. These forms can be used for fast, powerful interactive creation of a complete application. - A full-featured integrated debugger allows for interactive testing and fixing programs, using controls such as single-stepping, trace, variable display, and call tree. - Comprehensive online context-sensitive help for using REALIZER is available with a single mouse click. Help files can also be built into applications. A large set of sample applications, libraries, and DLLs is also included. REALIZER is currently being used by beta testers to develop a variety of applications, including a real-time stockmarket trading system, an executive information system for an international sales management division of a pharmaceutical company, a simulation and modeling system for electric power company executives, a database front end for payroll data input to a mainframe, a real-time commodity futures trading system, and a train route simulation ported from Microsoft QuickBASIC. REALIZER is now available, priced at $395 (or $195 for WUGNET members until August 15). It requires a PC with 80286 or higher processor and 640K memory and is not copy-protected. A royalty-free run-time module, available at no extra charge, enables developers to build standalone applications, with unlimited license; options include encryption and the ability to customize the name of the REALIZER application window. For further information, contact Within Technologies, Inc., Suite 201 South, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-5080, (609) 273-9880. REALIZER was designed by Terry L. Lucas and Peter J. Maruhnic (developers of THINK's Lightspeed Pascal Version 1.0, Apple Macintosh PascalTM Version 1.0. and InBox), Steven A. Cohn (formerly on the Microsoft QuickC PM team), and Michael Hyman, formerly on Microsoft's OS/2 team and author of five books on Windows, OS/2, and DOS programming, including Windows 3.0 For BASIC Programmers (Addison Wesley, 1991). Within Technologies president Joseph Venuto managed the development of a large-scale real-time trading system at a Wall Street money-management firm. ................................................. . EXCERPTS FROM THE APPLE/MICROSOFT AGREEMENT . ................................................. Last issue I wrote some commentary regarding the ongoing court battle between Apple and Microsoft. The commentary, and the dispute, center around a November 22nd, 1985 agreement between the two companies. It came about after Apple "got upset" over the release of Microsoft Windows 1.0. The agreement grants Microsoft a license to market derivative works of the Macintosh interface (such as Windows), in turn for an admission from Microsoft that they WERE derivative works, and an improved version of Word for the Mac. Apple now claims that they were forced to sign the agreement, and that it should be declared invalid. There is an item in this week's Z*Net Newswire concerning the judge's reaction to this claim -- it doesn't look like he's buying it. But what if, in the end, he does? The PC GUI world could have a vastly different terrain come this time next year... Here now, for your inspection, are excerpts from that all important agreement, originally signed by John Sculley and Bill Gates. MICROSOFT'S ADMISSION: "For purposes of resolving this dispute and in consideration of the license grant from Apple described in [the next paragraph], Microsoft acknowledges that the visual displays in the [Microsoft programs Windows 1.0, MultiPlan, Chart, File, Excel, and Word] are derivative works of the visual displays generated by Apple's Lisa and Macintosh graphic user interface programs." APPLE LICENSES THE GUI: "Apple hereby grants to Microsoft a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, non-transferable license to use these derivative works in present and future software programs and to license them to and through third parties for use in their software programs.... Apple hereby waives any other copyright, patent, trade secret or other claim or right it may have as to Microsoft Windows Version 1.0." MICROSOFT PROMISES BETTER SOFTWARE AS TRADE: "Microsoft shall revise Microsoft Word which operates on the Apple Macintosh computer by enhancing and improving the program as specified in Exhibit A [spell checking, hyphenation, higher performance, page preview, changes or fixes based on user input, and style handling] to this Agreement." KEEPING THE AGREEMENT CONFIDENTIAL: "The parties shall keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement in strict confidence, except that each party may state that it has entered into an agreement with the other concerning visual copyrights." And that's all I've got for you this week. See you next time... ======================================================================= GENIE/WORDPERFECT DRAWPERFECT CONTEST ------------------------------------- Press Release ======================================================================= A N N O U N C I N G During the month of August 1991 there will be a DrawPerfect Figure contest on GEnie's WordPerfect RoundTable. 1. There will be two divisions in the contest - one for color images, and one for black/white images. 2. Prizes: a. Grand Prize: 1. Use of GEnie's WordPerfect RoundTable for one month during non-prime hours at no additional charge. 2. A DrawPerfect Figure Pack contributed by WordPerfect Corp. b. First Prize - Color Division 1. Use of GEnie's WordPerfect RoundTable for one week during non- prime hours at no additional charge. 2. A DrawPerfect Figure Pack contributed by WordPerfect Corp. c. First Prize - Black/white Division 1. Use of GEnie's WordPerfect RoundTable for one week during non- prime hours at no additional charge. 2. A DrawPerfect Figure Pack contributed by WordPerfect Corp. d. Honorable Mention At the judges discretion, additional prizes may be awarded consisting of use of GEnie's WordPerfect RoundTable for a weekend during non-prime hours at no additional charge. 3. Contest Rules a. All images submitted must be original art work done in DrawPerfect b. All images must be vector-based; no bit-mapped images will be eligible. c. All images must be capable of being edited in DrawPerfect. d. All submissions must be made during August 1991 to be eligible. None will be accepted before 8/1/91 and none will be accepted after 8/31/91. e. All images must be submitted by uploading to the WordPerfect RoundTable's Software Library 2 on GEnie. Non-subscribers to GEnie that have an interest in participating should see below. f. Entrants should keep in mind that GEnie is a family oriented service. No sexually explicit images will be accepted; X-rated and R-rated submissions are likely to be rejected, PG-ratings could be rejected. g. Winners will be selected by WordPerfect RoundTable staff members assisted by non-participating RoundTable members. Judges' decisions are final. h. All entries become the property of the WordPerfect RoundTable on GEnie and may be published in its Software Library for distribution to the membership. 4. General Comments a. This file has been prepared and released well in advance of the actual contest period in order to allow interested individuals to exercise their best creative efforts with minimal deadline time. b. Recipients of this file are URGED to distribute it as widely as possible to local and national BBSs. c. The "Figure Pack" sets offered as prizes consist of over 200 images in each pack. Grand Prize winner will have a choice of Holiday, Business, or Leisure Pack. The First Prize winners will receive one of the remaining two packs - hopefully their choice also! d. This file prepared by Dave Thomas, SysOp of the WordPerfect RoundTable on GEnie. GE Mail address WP.DAVE, voice telephone 301-252-5379. The following information is provided for those that are not currently subscribers to GEnie but who desire to become members. To sign up for GEnie, follow these simple steps 1. With your computer and modem, dial 1-800-638-8369. [Parameters: 7 bit, Even parity, 1 stop bit] 2. When you connect, type HHH 3. The computer will display U#=. You respond with XJM11703,GENIE 4. Now answer the questions and you will be able to use GEnie the next working day. Be sure to have a credit card or checking account number handy when you sign up.. 5. If you have any difficulties, or need any further assistance, call GEnie's Client Service Office at 1-800-638-9636 6. When validated, make haste to the WordPerfect RoundTable with use of the Keyword command WP or the MOVe 521 command. ======================================================================= MS-DOS 5.0: FIRST IMPRESSIONS ----------------------------- by Mike Mezaros ======================================================================= So there I am, at my local computer store where I usually buy magazines. It's Monday, the day before MS-DOS 5.0's official release. Some stores are already selling it, but this one isn't. I inquire as to why, and am told that they aren't finished with their display. But the clerk says to me, "I'm about to install it on our demo PC's. Want a preview?" Of course I did! I had already seen late beta copies of the software, but I had never seen it installed. So I enthusiastically agreed, got my first glimpse at the packaging (nicest DOS box ever), and off we went. DOS 5.0 installs quickly, easily, and... perfectly. All the clerk had to do was slip the Setup diskette into the drive, type Setup, and off we went. Setup correctly determined the machine's configuration and asked a simple question or two (Are you using a network? Do you want to automatically start Dosshell?), and from then on, only diskette changes were requested. A few diskettes and minutes later, the machine was fully configured and running MS-DOS 5.0. The Setup program was not unlike Windows' setup, only easier and faster. Needless to say, I was impressed. I've installed a variety of DOS versions (MS-DOS 3.3, 3.31, 4.01, IBM DOS 4.0, 4.01, DR-DOS 5.0) on a variety of different machines, and I've never seen an easier install. Things weren't quite as simple for me, two days later, when I bought the package. Purchasing the software was more of a hassle than installing it. I went to Egghead Software, where they were advertising it for $39.95. But first I was required to fill out a one page, double-sided form, and sit through a dozen sales pitches ("These disks are on sale... This book will make it much easier... This program adds abilities you REALLY need!") as I worked on it. Apparently, they're not making much money off of DOS 5.0, but are using it to "hook" you into the store. Then they decided that they didn't even want my money. I had just opened a new account, so I only had starter checks (i.e., without my name and address). Of course, I have fifty different kinds of legal identification, and they refused my offer to call the bank (which is about five minutes away from the store), but I guess they've been burned before. Luckily, I keep a business check in my wallet for "emergencies" such as these, so I was covered. And off I went, into the sunset... Or so I thought. I unpacked DOS 5.0, and duplicated the Setup procedures I saw just two days before. Setup asked for a blank floppy to create an uninstall disk, so I obliged. But Setup spit it out. "Bad disk" or "Wrong disk," it said, I forget which. My first thought was that it might be because they didn't like the idea of my re-formatting a Microsoft demo disk (Word for Windows, which I have since bought), so I offered a fresh Fuji... No luck. So, with shame in my heart, I actually did the unthinkable and OPENED THE MANUAL. Actually, it wasn't the manual (I'm saving face) -- just the short "Getting Started" guide. Right there, on the page labeled "Before Installation," I found this note: "Remove all memory-resident programs..." In other words, boot with a clean CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT. I did, and the problem was solved right away. I was a little worried that the program might not install properly on my DR-DOS 5.0 system. After all, it is an upgrade package for owners of previous MS-DOS or IBM DOS versions. Would I have to re-install MS-DOS 4.01 before installing this new version? Thankfully, no. Setup just determined that my current DOS version was "Other" and left it at that. DOS 5.0 couldn't salvage my previous CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, though, as they contained specific DR-DOS commands. No big deal, I would have to re-construct them anyway to take advantage of the new DOS. Here's what my CONFIG.SYS file looks like now, after making a few changes for MS-DOS 5.0... (I've edited out the unimportant stuff.) DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE DEVICEHIGH=C:\HYPER386.EXE OR S C:4096:2048 DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\MOUSE.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB Look a little weird? Let me explain it, line by line. HIMEM.SYS is the Extended memory manager, as we all should know -- this is a new version, by the way, that supersedes the one that came with Windows. EMM386 (notice that it is now an EXE rather than SYS file) is the Expanded memory manager, of course, but I don't use any Expanded (EMS) memory. Notice the NOEMS switch! I'll explain why I use EMM386, even though it isn't emulating any EMS, in a moment. SETVER is a handy little program, new for DOS 5.0, that will fool programs into believing that they are running whatever DOS version you want them to. HYPER386 is my disk caching program (set here to use write caching, 4MB outside of Windows and 2MB while inside of Windows). MOUSE.SYS (another new version) is included here because I use my mouse with DOS software. The last line here is DOS=HIGH,UMB. DOS=HIGH alone would simply place DOS itself into the first 64K of Extended memory (the "High Memory Area"), saving quite a bit of conventional RAM. But change this to DOS=HIGH,UMB on a 386 or better, and you can also move device drivers and programs (like TSR's) out of conventional RAM. UMB stands for Upper Memory Blocks, which are memory gaps between 640k and 1024k. (This area is normally reserved DOS and your computer... I usually call it High memory, but Microsoft likes to call it Upper memory.) EMM386 is required here because it knows how to handle Upper memory, where those drivers and programs will go, while HIMEM doesn't. By adding the NOEMS switch, I can still get these features and not be bothered with clumsy EMS. In this day and age, who needs it? The DEVICEHIGH statement, used on the last three devices in my CONFIG.SYS, will move drivers into Upper memory. There is also a LOADHIGH statement that does the same for programs. The end result? 615K of free conventional RAM. That gives me more application space when running straight DOS, and larger DOS sessions under Windows. 615K is a LOT when it comes to conventional RAM. More than either QEMM or DR-DOS can provide. More, I suspect, than anyone ever experienced before MS-DOS 5.0. And I'm sure that I could get that number a little closer to 620K if I were to trim my system back a bit. The new Dosshell is also very nice, almost to the point where it is in the same league as third-party shells. It obviously takes a few cues from Windows; it looks quite similar. Of course, it can't run Windows programs and doesn't have nearly as nice an interface. And it isn't as good looking as DR-DOS's GEM-based ViewMax shell, but it is much more functional and even easier to use. I'm sure that the new look of Dosshell 5.0, coupled with DOS task switching, will drive more than few diehard C:\> prompters to see what Windows is all about. I especially like the new editor, Edit. It makes DR-DOS's Editor look ridiculously hard to use, even though it isn't. With CUA (Common User Access, the same standard used in Windows and OS/2 PM) drop down menus and a complete help system, Edit has quickly become my favorite DOS-based editor. If you're still using Edlin, you NEED this upgrade. The new programming language, QBASIC, also looks very interesting. The interpreter is CUA compliant and features the same basic interface as Edit (which is no coincidence; it seems that Edit won't run if it can't locate QBASIC even though it appears to be a stand-alone program). One of the included programs, a simple video game called Nibbles, is excellent. It is one of the most addictive games I have ever played (I have used Nibbles more than any other part of DOS 5.0), and with better graphics it might be worth the $39.95 alone! Simply put, QBASIC Nibbles is to DOS 5.0 what Solitaire is to Windows 3.0. From the simple "Getting Started" manual, to the excellent on-line help that each DOS command now provides, DOS 5.0 has been tuned for increased friendliness. You'll have fun exploring all of the new features, and you'll find it very hard to "get stuck." And don't forget to register. You're automatically entered into a contest that includes $25,000 worth of prizes. Microsoft really knows how to entice us to send in those little white cards, don't they? If you use Windows 3.0, own a 286 or 386 that is crunched when it comes to conventional memory, currently use QEMM, 386MAX, DR-DOS, or some other program that is supposed to alleviate your problems, or just plain run ANY other version of DOS from any manufacturer: BUY THIS. That's about as straight forward as I can be. So go ahead and do it already. ======================================================================= NORTON UTILITIES 6.0 TO INCLUDE 4DOS ------------------------------------ Press Release ======================================================================= From JP Software, Inc., publisher of 4DOS P.O. Box 1470, E. Arlington, MA, 02174 1-(617)-646-3975 EAST ARLINGTON, MA, June 11, 1991 -- If you're a Norton Utilities customer you may find something familiar in your next upgrade. The "NDOS" command interpreter included with NU 6.0 is a version of 4DOS 3.03 licensed from JP Software, and enhanced for Symantec's Peter Norton Division. We're excited about this opportunity to distribute 4DOS technology to a broader base of users; we're also pleased that Symantec found 4DOS to be a valuable addition to its top of the line utility product, and we look forward to a continuing relationship in support of NDOS. JP Software retains full ownership of 4DOS and will continue to sell, support, and enhance 4DOS as an independent product, offering individual copies, resale copies, and site licenses to meet the needs of all customers. In fact, we will release a major upgrade to 4DOS later this summer, with a wide variety of new features and other significant improvements. The new release of 4DOS will include the features found in NDOS which go beyond those available in the current released version of 4DOS, version 3.03 (for example, additional environment variables and variable functions), with the exception of features specific to Symantec's product (like internal support for a subset of the Norton Utilities BE command). In addition, the new release will offer a host of new features and capabilities unique to 4DOS. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding 4DOS. Technical or other questions about NDOS should of course be directed to Symantec's Peter Norton Division. ======================================================================= ASYNC PROFESSIONAL ------------------ Profile - Press Release ======================================================================= Async Professional is a powerful, easy to use asynchronous communications library that will help you get your comm applications working fast. Async Professional uses a layered architecture that provides both object-oriented and traditional procedural interfaces. It supports all industry standard file transfer protocols including ZMODEM. Also included is an event logging and tracing facility that makes debugging your application easy. The layered architecture separates the specifics of a particular communications device from the application program interface. The abstract layer defines the standard data and core procedures that all comm ports will support. The device layer implements the core procedures for a specific device. Async Professional provides two specific device layers: one that works with all standard PC UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) chips and another that uses the BIOS interrupt 14H services. Because the abstract layer has a well-defined interface, you can also write your own device layers to support non-standard devices such as multi-port comm boards. Applications call the routines in the interface layer, which transfers the requests to the appropriate device layer routines. By working through the interface layer, your application will automatically support any new devices without change. Async Professional provides two interface layers -- object-oriented and procedural. You can choose either programming style depending on which Pascal compiler you have and your personal preference. Async Professional's higher level facilities for file transfer, modem control, etc., call the interface layer and are also provided in both OOP and non-OOP styles. Fast and Flexible UART Control Async Professional provides interrupt-driven, buffered I/O at speeds up to 115K baud on an 8MHz IBM AT. The interrupt handler supports optional automatic hardware handshaking (CTS/RTS and DTR/DSR) and software flow control (XON/XOFF). Async Professional supports COM1-COM4 for PC compatibles, and COM1-COM8 for PS/2 machines. Up to four ports may be open simultaneously. Interrupt (IRQ) sharing is supported for the micro-channel PS/2. Async Professional takes full advantage of the 16550 buffered UART. You can activate a status buffer that is updated at the same time as the receive data buffer. When line errors occur, you'll then know exactly how much of the data is affected. The Protocols You Need, Including ZMODEM Async Professional includes ZMODEM, the most powerful general purpose protocol available. ZMODEM is up to six times faster than XMODEM. It automatically adjusts packet sizes and can resume aborted file transfers from the point where they stopped. Async Professional also includes the XMODEM/YMODEM family of protocols (including the CRC, 1K, and G variants). It also provides the Kermit protocol, which is especially useful for transfers to mini-computers and mainframes, many of which have Kermit drivers already available. Powerful Debugging Tools Help You Finish Faster Event logging creates a time-stamped audit trail of all serial interrupts as your application runs. Tracing creates a report of all the characters sent and received by your program. With tools like these you can forget the old breakout box and debug communication problems more quickly than ever. Terminal Emulation Support Tools Async Professional's ANSI interpreter decodes escape sequences to perform standard CRT operations. Conversely, it will translate CRT calls such as GotoXY and TextColor into the appropriate ANSI codes. Async Professional provides a modem unit that makes it easy to control and receive responses from Hayes-compatible modems, and also includes support for V.32, HST 9600, and MNP level 5 modems. Decompression Tools for ZIP and LZH Access Async Professional includes units and objects for decompressing archive files stored in the ZIP and LZH formats. Now your programs can access these files without shelling out to DOS. (No routines to compress data are included at this time.) Example Programs Get You Up to Speed Fast Async Professional includes several full-featured demonstration programs and many small example programs to illustrate the proper use of each routine. A simple, general-purpose terminal program uses only the functions of Async Professional to demonstrate comm port and modem control, ANSI emulation, and file transfer protocols. Another demonstration shows how to use Async Professional with Object Professional -- this program has a friendly, modern user interface including mouse support, pull-down menus, and a text editor for message composition. (You must own Object Professional to change or recompile this program.) A TerminalWindow object derived from Object Professional's CommandWindow hierarchy lets you easily add a communications window to your program. Professional Documentation and Technical Support You get complete printed documentation, pop-up help from an 8K TSR, and accurate CompuServe and telephone support directly from the authors. Async Professional includes complete source code. You pay no royalties for your finished applications. Uses for Async Professional o instrumentation data acquisition o plotter and printer drivers o terminal emulators o BBS development o micro to mini data transfer o long-distance file transfer o distributed data storage without a LAN o general-purpose communications programs Feature List o interrupt driven buffered I/O to 115K baud o ZMODEM, Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM protocols o OOP and procedural calling interfaces o automatic flow control - XON/XOFF, CTS/RTS, DTR/DTS o COM1-COM8 support with up to 4 ports open at once o 16550 buffered UART support o hardware interrupt sharing on PS/2 machines o direct UART and BIOS-level device layers o user-extensible device layers o ANSI terminal emulation o modem control including Hayes, V.32, V.42, and MNP5 o timer management functions o trace and event logging facilities o introductory and sophisticated demo programs o popup help database o complete source code o free technical support o no royalties Async Professional Object Hierarchy Root AbstractPort UartPort Int14Port (user defined port types) AbstractProtocol AsciiProtocol XmodemProtocol YmodemProtocol ZmodemProtocol KermitProtocol ModemObj TerminalObj Price and Shipping Info Async Professional requires Turbo Pascal 5.5 or 6.0. The procedural (non-OOP) routines may also be used with Turbo Pascal 5.0 or QuickPascal. PC-DOS or MS-DOS 2.0 or later and an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or compatible are required. Both 5.25" and 3.5" disks are included. Async Professional is compatible with Object Professional, Turbo Professional, B-Tree Filer, and Borland's Turbo Vision. The list price for Async Professional is $139. It will be available for shipment in June 1991. Async Professional began from the routines in the shareware package LiteComm (although there is little remaining resemblance). Registered LiteComm-Pascal owners may upgrade to Async Professional for $99 plus shipping. Provide your LiteComm serial number. A Fast Update Plan, which provides the subscriber with automatic updates to all minor revisions of Async Professional, is also available for $40 per year, or for $60 per year outside of the U.S. and Canada. For more information, or to order, call 1-800-333-4160 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time, or write to TurboPower Software, P.O. Box 49009, Colorado Springs, CO 80949. International customers call 719-260-6641. Send faxes to 719-260-7151. Send CompuServe mail to 76004,2611. Visit our CompuServe area in PCVENB section 6. We accept MasterCard, Visa, a check in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank, or COD (within U.S. only). Dual Media (both 5.25" and 3.5" disks are supplied) Version 6.0 Weight 2.0 pounds Price $129 plus shipping UPS Ground $5 Continental U.S. only (3-10 days) UPS Blue $10 U.S. only (2-3 days) UPS Red $20 U.S. only (1-2 days) Airmail $5 U.S. only (3-10 days) Airmail $10 Canada only (3-10 days) Airmail $20 Elsewhere (7-21 days) Async Professional will be available for shipment in June 1991. ======================================================================= SHAREWARE/PD SHELF ------------------ Compiled from CompuServe and GEnie ======================================================================= STAR.ZIP 228694 bytes Starware accurately displays the sky at any time and place, for at least a million years for now in either direction. Shows all of the planets, all of the 88 constellations. Includes a "Find" command. EGA/VGA req'd. WE227.ZIP 140602 bytes WindE - Window Editor - is a powerful text editor that was designed from the ground up to make full use of the mouse. All commands are easily accessible using the excellent mouse interface. GLOS32.ZIP 301050 bytes PC-Glossary 3.2 is a complete glossary of computerese, featuring hundreds of terms and acronyms. Each term is cross-referenced to other entries. Great for the new PC users. INSTA3.ZIP 330444 bytes A complete spreadsheet that can be run as a TSR in less than 15K of RAM! Also features a more powerful stand-alone mode. Includes 1-2-3 and dBase import/export, graphics, macro language, mouse support, EMS support, a 256x4096 grid, database entry/query, and much more. PLAYER.ZIP 6887 bytes A shell for Sounder 2.0 written in MS Visual BASIC. Handles all of the functions that Sounder does, but through a graphical interface. Req'd: Windows 3.0, Sounder 2.0, VBRUN100.DLL (req'd for all V-BASIC software), mouse (no keyboard equivalents for some commands), and a 286/386 PC. SAVFIL.ZIP 5632 bytes Screen Saver import filters for Intermission 2.0. Import screen saver graphics from Screen Peace, IdleWild, or Shades. Very easy to use, and works perfectly. Req'd: Windows 3.0, Intermission 2.0. XPATH.ZIP 21275 bytes With XPath, you can make your PATH statement up to 4K long, breaking the the current 124 character barrier. It's also a nice Path editor. KWIKLBL2.LZH 71424 bytes Version 2.0 of Kwik-Label, an excellent address label program. Offers a variety of fonts, but requires a dot matrix printer. DMINES11.ZIP 25216 bytes Dos Mines was inspired by the popular Minefield game in the Microsoft Entertainment Pak for Windows. Of course, this version runs under DOS. Uses mouse or keyboard for input. The point of the game: avoid the mines and make it home alive. Sounds simple, but you'll be hooked... YTZ110R.ZIP 24704 bytes This is version 1.1 of Windows 3.0-based game called "Yacht-Z." We'll leave it up to you to guess which game it is remarkably similar to... EZFX30TD.ZIP 370176 bytes EZ-Forms Exec version 3.0 creates, saves, prints, and lets you fill out all kinds of forms. This upgrade adds: forms up to 15 pages long (depends on width), a fill-out-only mode, simple menu for over 500 printers, directory and drive navigation, additional laser printer support, additional support for LPT 1-4, printing to a file, and more. This is a "TestDrive" version. DOUBLINK.ZIP 90112 bytes A very simple, but fun, game. Based on Dr. Mario, which is sort of like Tetris with faces on the peices. An interesting new variation. POPDIR30.ZIP 12416 bytes Dual mode color directory handler with variable size and color. Execute program with it's non-TSR mode. Assign your own DOS commands to function keys, or scroll through your last fifteen commands. LONG_DIV.ZIP 101376 bytes Most students have difficulty with division because they don't know the multiplication tables. This program teaches the concept without punishing students who don't know the tables. The worksheet program gives you the option of using the same number or different numbers. With the same number option, have the student make his own skip count before he starts to do the worksheet. Then you can tell when he learns how to do the division. Using this approach, you may be very surprised how quickly many slow math students really pick up speed. ICON3.ZIP 29056 bytes Icon Editor 3.0 is a Windows 3.0 application for editing and designing icons. Supports transparency. New tools include lines, rectangles, circles, and flood fill. Full Windows help is available. LOREC.ARC 68736 bytes How many times have you loaned a book/manual/tool/money/lawn mower, etc. to someone and forgot who had it? How many times have you borrowed something and forgot to return it or repay it? This program that will keep track of all that. You can keep permanent records and instantly recall any piece of data. MYMCON.EXE 15798 bytes This is a self-extracting archive containing a program to convert data from Managing Your Money version 7 or 7.1 to Quicken 4.0. There is also a documentation file with step-by-step instructions. ======================================================================= TRASH-IT: A TRASH CAN FOR DOS (ALMOST) -------------------------------------- Software Review by Mike Mezaros ======================================================================= Macintosh users have one of the ultimate conveniences: the trash can. Want to get rid of something? Just drag it to the trash, and it's gone. That is, unless you want to resurrect it. If so, just double-click on the trash -- and there it is, ready and willing to come back to life. Other computer platforms (Atari ST, NeXT, Sun) have duplicated this feature. But there is still no equivalent for PC's, even with Windows or another graphical interface in use (there are some Windows shells that offer a trash can, but these are somewhat limited). The simple fact is, once you delete a file on the PC, it's probably gone for good. I know what you're thinking. Of course, there are many file undelete utilities that attempt to bring erased files back from the dead (MS-DOS 5.0 includes one of these, but Norton Utilities contains ones of the best). But these only work if the space where the file originally resided on your disk hasn't been written over. Even if it is only partially written over, most of these utilities will choke, losing ALL of your data. Much too often, by the time you realize what you've done it is simply too late to reconstruct a deleted file. So along comes Trash-It, a small (about 2k) and inexpensive ($10) shareware TSR (terminate and stay resident) utility that attempts to change all of this. Trash-It transparently redirects all deleted files to a special directory (Trash)... that is, instead of being wiped out of existence (possibly forever), "deleted" files are simply taken out of your way (to the "trash") until you decide to bite the bullet and finish the job by destroying them for good. The whole concept is fantastic, and luckily, Trash-It implements it pretty well. The program really does work, and has a number of great features. The configuration program, for instance, allows you to specify a minimum file size for redirection -- i.e., you can set it up so that all files under 5K (you determine the size) are ACTUALLY deleted and not simply sent to the Trash. You can also tell Trash-It to automatically ignore files with certain extensions, like .BAK and .TMP (any five of your choosing), so that they get deleted the first time around. These are nice touches that help keep your Trash directory from getting too cluttered with useless junk that you know you'll never want to undelete anyway. You can also decide whether you want the program to change the trashed file's time/date to the time/date the file was trashed. This information is good to know (especially if you register; more on that in a moment), but not entirely necessary. The problem here is that Trash-It slows down when this option is set. On slower PC's or systems with slower hard disks, this speed difference might be annoying. On my 20Mhz 386DX and the 12Mhz 286 at work, the speed difference under DOS wasn't very large. But the time/date changing process seemed to bother Microsoft Windows' File Manager, which slowed down deletes much more than I had expected. For these reasons, I have to go against the documentation and recommend that this option be set this for "No" in many cases. Despite all of the things Trash-It has going for it, you can run into a snag: programs that bypass DOS and do the file handling themselves. The documentation warns that these programs, when deleting files, will evade Trash-It and actually erase them. I haven't been able to duplicate this; apparently all of my programs (including Windows) handle file deletions through DOS. But be warned that it is a potential problem, so you may want to test out all of your software (especially any file management utilities you use) before trusting Trash-It fully. When you register Trash-It, you receive two companion utilities: AutoDump and KeyDump (I'm reviewing the shareware version, so I can only tell you about these from the information given in the documentation). AutoDump will delete trashed files after a user specified number of days have passed (this is why Trash-It provides a way for Trash-It to change the time/date of your trashed files), as well as optionally store all trashed files in ZIP format (PKZip required). KeyDump provides a hot key combination that instantly deletes everything in the Trash directory, Ctrl-Alt-K. I suspect that KeyDump, like most TSR hot key utilities, will not operate properly under Windows (you'll need to open a DOS session, run KeyDump, and then use the hot key) or other environments. Trash-It is good program, but it touches a nerve by giving in to one of the worst aspects of user supported software today: nagging. This is limited to a full screen display when loaded followed by a 5 second delay, but that's enough to be quite annoying. Instead of pushing me to register, this nagging simply aggravates me and lowers my opinion of the author (a $10 shareware utility like this one should be made available as freeware, but this is a topic worthy of it's own article). Despite a few small problems, I still have to recommend Trash-It. It is a very useful utility based on a great concept: translating a simple Mac convenience to the IBM PC. Simply put, Trash-It does a good job of bringing most of the functionality of a trash can to DOS. Of course, we still don't have that cute little icon. But I think we'll live. Trash-It Version 1.5 $10 for 5.25" disk, $11 for 3.5" disk RSE Incorporated Attn: Trash-It Registration 1157 57th Drive S.E. Auburn, WA 98002 (206)-939-4105 CompuServe: 72371,1557 ======================================================================= WILDCAT! BBS VERSION 3.0 ------------------------ Press Release ======================================================================= MUSTANG SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES WILDCAT! BBS VERSION 3.0 WITH MAJOR UPGRADES IN FEATURES AND EASE OF USE BAKERSFIELD, CA, June 17, 1991 -- Mustang Software, Inc. has introduced Version 3.0 of its popular WILDCAT! Bulletin Board System (BBS), adding major new features for the user and system operator. The new version will be available on August 1, 1991 from Mustang Software and will be on the shelves of Software Etc.'s 250-plus outlets nationwide by August 7th. Mustang Software will begin taking orders for v3.0 updates and new orders on June 24, 1991. WILDCAT! Version 3.0 debuts a full rewrite of the software, first introduced in 1987. Used extensively in professional business applications, WILDCAT! is the only BBS software available through retail sales channels in the United States. "Our goal is to make WILDCAT! indispensable as a business communications tool," said Jim Harrer, Mustang's president. "Version 3.0 brings bulletin board communications to a new level of productivity for supporting large, mobile sales forces, customer order entry, research and development, technical support and customer surveying." WILDCAT! 3.0 streamlines message entry, file transfer and networking operation down to a "point-and-shoot" system. Keystrokes have been reduced to a minimum, enhancing productivity for the user and the system operator. -*- File Requests By Number, Search Capabilities Expanded WILDCAT! 3.0 lets users mark files for downloading by choosing a number on the screen rather than by typing a complete filename. Batch transfers of up to 99 files can be made with a single request. File and message searches can be made based on the filename, the description text, or the six unique keywords associated with the file. Keywords can be entered by the caller at the time of uploading, or automatically generated by WILDCAT! based on the description text. Message searches can be based on the author, recipient, subject or text. WILDCAT! 3.0 also features full-screen cursor control to allow a caller to enter and edit messages similar to word processing programs. System operators will find Version 3.0 aids in file maintenance, permitting the viewing and altering of complete file database information. Single keystrokes provide file transfer to and from the user database, allowing the system operator to check information or to leave messages. Uploaded files can be scanned for viruses or other contamination following receipt. -*- WILDCAT! 3.0 Incorporates Special Features For LAN Users For the LAN user, WILDCAT! 3.0 offers gateways to MCI Mail, CompuServe Information Service and any Novell MHS application. This allows the user to poll for individual messages, while WILDCAT! automatically routes replies to the proper mail service. When moving files on the LAN itself, users can request multiple uploads and downloads of WILDCAT! files without a modem connection. WILDCAT! 3.0 includes support for Xmodem (CRC, Checksum and 1K), Ymodem, Zmodem, Kermit, and special hardware-correcting protocols (Ymodem-G and 1K-Xmodem-G) on modems with MNP or similar code. A completely new Events Processor supports up to 65,535 events on a daily or weekly basis. In order to keep up with the latest advances in high-speed modems, WILDCAT! 3.0 features new code written 100 percent in assembly language. The new code supports data transmission speeds up to 57,600 baud over standard telephone lines. Finally, WILDCAT! 3.0 provides 1,000 levels of user-selectable security. This permits the BBS operator, for instance, to restrict LAN users to selected file and message areas based on their assigned security levels. Fully compatible with all previous WILDCAT! releases, Version 3.0 is available in three different configurations -- a single-line version retailing for $129; a multi-line (1 - 10 lines) version for $249 and the WILDCAT! LAN Professional (1 - 250 users) version for $499. Upgrades are available to current licensees for $50 plus shipping and handling. The WILDCAT! BBS will operate with most IBM/compatible PCs having 300K free memory. A hard disk is required for implementation of support files and transfer protocols. Mustang Software, Inc. Founded in 1987, Mustang Software is a major supplier of Bulletin Board Systems for professional business applications. WILDCAT! is distributed through Software Etc. stores nationwide. For network users, Mustang Software's Brainstorm provides a structured E-mail system for business applications. For an on-line demonstration of WILDCAT! v3.0 24-hours a day, call (805) 395-0650 (300 - 9,600 baud) beginning June 17, 1991. Tel: 805/395-0223 Fax: 805/395-0713 ======================================================================= Z*NET CONFERENCES ----------------- ======================================================================= ******************************************************* *** Conference: Z*Net Atari Online Magazine (20448) *** ******************************************************* Total messages entered/received into this Conference: 827 Node Name Location ==== ============================== ======================= 55 Hi-Tech North Haven, CT, USA 68 CFB Atari Toronto, ON, Canada 123 EastSide BBS Wood River, IL, USA 133 Hologram Inc. Old Bridge, NJ, USA 168 C.C.B.B.S. Bridgeton, NJ, USA 171 The Outland Edmonton, AB, Canada 204 Full Moon: FoReM Support Worcester, MA, USA 224 Flash BBS St. Louis, MO, USA 266 The Patch House New York, NY, USA 300 ST.AT.U.S. BBS East Hartford, CT, USA 304 The Twilight Zone Longwood, FL, USA 390 HyperSpace II BBS Spartanburg, SC, USA 410 ACE Information Service Huber Heights, OH, USA 422 Virtual Reality Copperas Cove, TX, USA 423 The White Runes of Tinuviel Littleton, CO, USA 440 {{{{ Realm of Chaos }}}} Phoenix, AZ, USA 441 The Boiler Room BBS Detroit, MI, USA 467 Sherwood Forest New York, NY, USA 469 The Outer Region BBS AURORA, CO, USA 479 Cave Creek BBS Seattle, WA, USA 489 STeal Your Face Brick, NJ, USA 500 Battlezone Glen Burnie, MD, USA 501 STormShadow Pasadena, MD, USA 504 Media 2000 Pasadena, MD, USA 505 Atari West BBS Richmond, BC, Canada 513 The Forgotten Realms Nashville, TN, USA 523 Leftover Hippies BBS Toronto, ON, Canada 532 Bill's BBS Edmonton, AB, Canada 534 Pinky's House of Horror! Oakland, CA, USA 538 The Dragon's Lair Columbia, SC, USA 546 Bear Swamp BBS Marysville, OH, USA 555 The Grid BBS San Leandro, CA, USA 556 Thieves Guild Suitland, MD, USA 562 Midwest Connection Chicago Ridge, IL, USA 574 Asylum Albuquerque, NM, USA 592 The O-Mayer V BBS Los Angeles, CA, USA 593 Z*Net USA (East) Middlesex, NJ, USA 595 Temple of Doom Edmonton, AB, Canada 596 Super 68 Kent, WA, USA 602 Cartoon Haven Colorado Springs, CO, U 610 The Songwriter's Den BBS Phillipsburg, NJ, USA 616 MoDeM MaDnEsS Woodmere, NY, USA 621 The Garage Collinsville, IL, USA 624 Paradox St. Louis, MO, USA 625 Phil's Hangout Mckees Rocks, PA, USA 635 STormbringer Cheyenne, WY, USA 641 Midgard Serpent Brooklyn, NY, USA 643 The Ringworld Aurora, CO, USA 647 E.H.C.R East Hartford, CT, USA 656 The Isle of Lucy Comox, BC, Canada 664 The LaST C.A.S.T.L.E. BBS Colorado Springs, CO, U 667 The Starship Enterprise Phoenix, AZ, USA ************************************** *** Conference: Z*Magazine (10593) *** ************************************** Total messages entered/received into this Conference: 13 Node Name Location ==== ============================== ======================= 224 Flash BBS St. Louis, MO, USA 410 ACE Information Service Huber Heights, OH, USA 441 The Boiler Room BBS Detroit, MI, USA 469 The Outer Region BBS AURORA, CO, USA 483 ST World Philadelphia, PA, USA 505 Atari West BBS Richmond, BC, Canada 534 Pinky's House of Horror! Oakland, CA, USA 555 The Grid BBS San Leandro, CA, USA 556 Thieves Guild Suitland, MD, USA 574 Asylum Albuquerque, NM, USA 593 Z*Net USA (East) New Jersey Local 595 Temple of Doom Edmonton, AB, Canada 602 Cartoon Haven Colorado Springs, CO, U 610 The Songwriter's Den BBS Phillipsburg, NJ, USA 633 The Dark STar BBS Murray, UT, USA 664 The LaST C.A.S.T.L.E. BBS Colorado Springs, CO, U 669 Dateline: Atari BBS Brooklyn, NY, USA **************************************************** *** Conference: Z*Net PC Online Magazine (30593) *** **************************************************** Total messages entered/received into this Conference: 24 Node Name Location ==== ============================== ======================= 55 Hi-Tech North Haven, CT, USA 133 Hologram Inc. Old Bridge, NJ, USA 204 Full Moon: FoReM Support Worcester, MA, USA 224 Flash BBS St. Louis, MO, USA 225 The Castle Edmonton, AB, Canada 390 HyperSpace II BBS Spartanburg, SC, USA 410 ACE Information Service Huber Heights, OH, USA 423 The White Runes of Tinuviel Littleton, CO, USA 441 The Boiler Room BBS Detroit, MI, USA 505 Atari West BBS Richmond, BC, Canada 534 Pinky's House of Horror! Oakland, CA, USA 546 Bear Swamp BBS Marysville, OH, USA 555 The Grid BBS San Leandro, CA, USA 593 Z*Net USA (East) - New Jersey Local 602 Cartoon Haven Colorado Springs, CO, U 616 MoDeM MaDnEsS Woodmere, NY, USA 656 The Isle of Lucy Comox, BC, Canada 664 The LaST C.A.S.T.L.E. BBS Colorado Springs, CO, U ======================================================================= Z*Net PC International Online Magazine is a weekly magazine covering the PC and related computer community. Material contained in this edition may be reprinted without permission, except where otherwise noted, unedited, with the issue number, name and author included at the top of each reprinted article. Commentary and opinions presented are those of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Z*NET or the staff. Z*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine, Z*Net Atari Online Magazine, Z*Net and Z*Net PC are copyright (c)1991 by Rovac Industries Inc, a registered corporation. Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. (908) 968-2024. Z*Net USA BBS EAST 24 Hours, 1200/2400 Baud (9600 Coming Soon!), (908) 968-8148. We can be reached on CompuServe at 75300,1642 and on GEnie at Z-NET. ======================================================================= Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc.. =======================================================================