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Text File | 1993-03-26 | 98.7 KB | 2,476 lines

_ ____ ___ ______ _______ _ d# ####b g#00 `N##0" _agN#0P0N# d# d## jN## j##F J## _dN0" " d## .#]## _P ##L jN##F ### g#0" .#]## dE_j## # 0## jF ##F j##F j##' ______ dE_j## .0"""N## d" ##L0 ##F 0## 0## "9##F" .0"""5## .dF' ]## jF ##0 ##F ##F `##k d## .dF' j## .g#_ _j##___g#__ ]N _j##L_ _d##L_ `#Nh___g#N' .g#_ _j##__ """"" """"""""""" " """""" """""" """"""" """"" """""" *---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---* """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" * AMIGA EDITION * "The Original Amiga Online Magazine" from STR Publishing """""""""""""" [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport March 26, 1993 No.1.02 ========================================================================== ----------------------------------------- * THE BOUNTY BBS * Home of STR Publications * RUNNING TURBOBOARD BBS * 904-786-4176 USR DS 16.8 24hrs - 7 days ----------------------------------------- * NOVA BBS * Amiga Report Headquarters * RUNNING STARNET BBS * FidoNet 1:362/508 615-472-9748 USR DS 16.8 24hrs - 7 days ----------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________ > 03/26/93 STR-Amiga 1.02 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """"""""""""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - New Products - Rendered Reality - STR Confidential - Amiga Tip of the Week - Dealer Directory - STR Online - WOC Seminars Update - BT Speedup - Bogus SnoopDOS - Syquest 105 -* Amiga 4000/030 a Reality *- -* AGA Compatible Monitors Revealed *- -* A1200 Game Compatibility List *- -* And much, much more!! *- ============================================================================ Amiga Report International Online Magazine From STR Publications [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport The Original * Independent * Online Magazine -* FEATURING WEEKLY *- "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware ~ Software ~ Corporate ~ R & D ~ Imports ============================================================================ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ NVN ~ FIDO ~ INTERNET ============================================================================ ============= * AMIGA EDITION * ============= COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers of; AMIGA REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original Amiga Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198 You will receive your complimentary time and be online in no time at all! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" Ah, Spring is in the air. Amazing how little more than a week ago, we were digging out of the worst snowstorms in over a hundred years. Now, the birds are singing, it's warming up, and everything is just about back to normal. Spring means change; a new beginning. Commodore appears to be trying very hard to please. The announcement of the 4000/030 is another step toward helping to make the Amiga a more widely recognized alternative to the inferior, "me too" computers -- IBM and compatibles. Sure, even Commodore has its flaws. The lack of AmigaDOS and ARexx manuals with the A1200, and some of the production problems with the machine aren't going over too well. But this newest low-end entry is selling like mad. Nobody can keep them in stock, and people are saying it may be the next Commodore 64. Wouldn't that be great? Our first issue was a smashing success! Comments have been coming in from all over. The only real complaint was the length of the Emplant thread from GEnie. We realized it was long to begin with, but it was just too entertaining to cut much of it out. With that said, you can be sure we won't run something quite so long in the future, at least without good reason. This week's STR Online still contains some interesting messages, but they're not all one thread. At the request of our readers, we will no longer right-justify our text. They told us it was hard to read with the extra spaces between words. An idea we've been kicking around for a while is converting the magazine to a graphic format. I'm not sure how well it would go over, so I thought I'd just ask. Would you, our readers, like to see us go graphic? We'd be using a program such as Notebook, from Black Belt systems. It has a freely distributable reader, so you wouldn't have to own the program to read the magazine. The advantages are being able to make the magazine appear more like a "real" paper-based magazine, to add some pictures here and there, and to generally fancy it up. The drawback is size. The average issue would jump from about 100K uncompressed to around 200K. Since many are downloading the issues from online services, costing from $6 to $8 per hour, it would hurt. Another idea is converting to AmigaGuide format. The size difference would be minimal, and since Commodore has released AmigaGuide to the public, everybody can get it. I'm not sure if there's much point to converting to a hypertext system, but it's a thought. Now sit back, relax, open a bottle of Crystal Pepsi, and take a deep breath. Spring is here! Rob @ Amiga Report International Online Magazine """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Amiga Report's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""""""" Editor """""" Robert Glover Technical Editor Graphics Editor Contributing Editor ---------------- --------------- ------------------- Micah Thompson Mike Troxell Tom Mulcahy CIS: 71726,2657 71514,2413 71614,1721 GEnie: BOOMER.T M.TROXELL1 FidoNet: 1:362/508.5 1:260/322 Delphi: 16BITTER PC DIVISION ATARI DIVISION MAC DIVISION ----------- -------------- ------------ Roger D. Stevens Ralph F. Mariano R. Albritton IMPORTANT NOTICE """""""""""""""" Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: CompuServe.................... 71514,2314 Delphi........................ ROB_G FidoNet....................... 1:362/508.6 GEnie......................... ROB-G Internet.......................ROB_G@Delphi.COM """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS ================= AMIGA RESOURCE NEWS UPDATE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMODORE ANNOUNCES AMIGA 4000-030 The Amiga 4000-030 is powered by a 25MHz Motorola EC68030 microprocessor and comes standard with 2MB of Chip RAM, 2MB of Fast RAM, and a 120MB IDE hard drive. A socket on the processor daughterboard allows the addition of a 68881 or 68882 math coprocessor. The daughtercard can be replaced at a later date with a card bearing a 68040 processor, 68040 and Digital Signal Processor, or future advanced processors such as the 68060. The system is expected to be available by the end of the month at a manu- facturer's suggested retail price of $2399. Amiga Resource contacted one dealer who said that he believes the street price of the A4000-030 will fall somewhere between $1900 and $1999. COMMODORE EXTENDS POWER UP PROMOTION Amiga Resource has learned that Commodore plans to extend its successful Power Up promotion through May 2, 1993. The A4000-040/120 with ASDG's Art Department Professional and EA's DeluxePaint IV AGA are available for a MSRP of $2693 under this promotion. The A1200 with Final Copy 1.3 and DeluxePaint IV AGA are are available for $599. COMMENTARY While the suggested retail price of the A4000-030 was surprisingly high to this editor, the $1900-ish street price seems quite a bit more reason- able. Also, remember that Commodore has a tradition that dates back to the introduction of the VIC 20 of releasing systems at a premium price and lowering costs to more reasonable levels later in the game. I'd expect to see the A4000-030 priced far more competitively by this summer. In the meantime, if you can afford the extra $700 or so, the A4000-040 remains the best value under this pricing structure. Not only do you get $500 worth of free software due to the Power Up program, but you're also getting a machine that's going to be two to three times as fast; not to mention an MMU and math coprocessor. Also, since the A4000-030 ships with 2MB of Fast RAM, this means it's using 1MB SIMMs for Fast memory. You can install two more 1MB SIMMs to go to a total of 4MB of Fast RAM. However, SIMM sizes can't be mixed, so if you need more than 4MB of Fast memory you'll have to remove the 1MB SIMMs on the motherboard and replace them with 4MB SIMMs. If you think you'll need a math coprocessor and more than 6MB of RAM, the A4000-040 remains the machine of choice due to the cost of expanding the A4000-030. CHEESY AD This news flash and commentary provided courtesy of Denny Atkin and COMPUTE's Amiga Resource edition. It can be reproduced in user group newsletters and in Amiga Report and the 5 Minute News as long as the entire message is left intact. COMPUTE's Amiga Resource is a 32-page all-Amiga section available as a special edition to COMPUTE subscribers. A one-year, 12-issue subscription is available for just $12.97. Call 800-727-6937, make SURE to specify that you want the Amiga edition of the magazine, and give them code KQCM2 to get the $12.97 price. (For more info, contact DennyA on GEnie, Portal, or BIX; 75500,3602 on CIS; or 75500.3602@compuserve.com via Internet.) __________________________________________________ Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #12 By: John Deegan MAC CLONE RELEASED BY NUTEK - NuTek USA Corp. has released a clone of Apple Computer Inc.'s famous Macintosh, setting the stage for what anal- ysts expect will be a patent infringement suit from Apple. NuTek President/Founder Benjamin Chou says his company developed a computer motherboard that will run most Macintosh applications, adding NuTek plans to license the technology to independent computer makers at a price of $899 each, and it has already gotten some orders from Europe. Chou told the wire service, "We have done this from scratch. This is absolutely original." He said his engineers thoroughly documented their work and consulted throughout the process with an attorney. Nonetheless, an Apple spokesman told AP late last week Apple does not believe anyone can build a computer that runs Macintosh software without infringing on Apple's patented technology. MICROSOFT SHIPS FINAL BETA VERSION OF WINDOWS NT - Microsoft Corp has started shipping its final beta version of Windows NT to 70,000 custo- mers and software developers. The company said the pre- release version contains significant impro- vements in performance, application support, installation, ease of use, networking and hardware compatibility. Windows NT is aimed at providing the power, reliability and openness required for client-server computing. ZEOS OFFERS NEW SYSTEMS - Zeos International Ltd. has introduced LiteLine, a new low-cost 486SX PC for the home user. The unit starts at $1,495 for a 33MHz system with 8 meg of RAM and a 210MB hard drive. All come with a Super VGA adapter and color monitor, MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows. COMPUADD TO CLOSE RETAIL STORES - Computer retailer CompuAdd Computer Corp. has announced it will close its national chain of stores by the end of the year. The move will eliminate approximately 600 jobs. NEXT INC. PRESIDENT QUITS - After only a year on the job, Peter van Cuylenburg reportedly has resigned as president/chief operating officer of NeXT Computer Inc. The San Francisco Chronicle reports NeXT Chairman/ CEO/founder Steve Jobs and van Cuylenburg decided the scaled-down com- pany no longer needs both a chief operating officer and a CEO. Van Cuylenburg's resignation come a month after NeXT said it will slash its staff from 530 to 200. ZENITH DATA CUTS NOTEBOOK PRICES UP TO 13% - Zenith Data Systems has announced price cuts of up to 13% on selected notebook computers. DELL OFFERS COLOR NOTEBOOK PRICED UNDER $2,000 - Dell Computer Corp. has unveiled a color notebook computer priced under $2,000. Based on an Intel '386 SL microprocessor running at 25MHz, the Dimension NL25C has a suggested retail price of $1,999. The new system is a color version of the company's NL25 monochrome notebook. The NL25C comes with a 9- inch, passive-matrix color VGA display, 2MB of system memory, expandable to eight, an 80MB hard drive, pre-installed MS-DOS 5 and a rechargeable NiCad battery that provides up to 5 hours of operating time when using the system's power- management features. COURT RULES AGAINST SECRET SERVICE IN BBS RAID - A federal judge has awarded $55,000 in damages to Steve Jackson, an Austin, Texas games pub- lisher. The judgment against the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Attorney and a Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) security expert came in a 27-page opinion by Judge Sam Sparks. The judge ruled that federal agents were at fault in a 1990 raid that seized computer equipment at Jackson's company. Jackson and three users of his BBS sued the Secret Service following the raid, alleging their privacy rights had been violated when their electronic mail was read. Reporting on the ruling, Communications Daily observed, "Jackson's case was another episode in (a) law enforcement crackdown as (a) result of (the) copying of (a) BellSouth administrative document on (the) 911 service from (the phone company's) computer service and posted to several bulletin boards across (the) country." The judge ruled that: -:- Because the Secret Service failed to return equipment promptly, Jackson lost $42,259 and ran up expenses of $8,781, which the federal government should pay. -:- None of the authorities involved knew of Privacy Protection Act that prohibits electronic mail from being read, and there was strong evidence that Secret Service agents read mail of those using Jackson's BBS. Therefore he awarded $1,000 to each defendant. Neither Jackson or his company were suspected of violating the law, but federal agents were investigating a Jackson employee for alleged computer-related crimes at his home. The employee has never been charged in the case. Federal agents seized computers and hundreds of floppy disks from Jackson's company and kept the information for several months, forcing Jackson to lay off half his staff. Steve Jackson said that he is "overjoyed" and feels vindicated by the ruling. Jackson said the case enabled him to prove federal agents "had no business doing what they did." Jackson added, "It means that there is more protection for bulletin boards, both for the bulletin board opera- tor and for the user who sends electronic mail." The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which helped cover legal costs of case, applauded Judge Sparks' decision. "This case is a major step forward in protecting the rights of those who use computers to send private mail to each other or who use computers to create and disseminate publications," said EFF attorney Michael Godwin. "Judge Sparks has made it eminently clear," he added, "that the Secret Service acted irresponsibly. This case should send a message to law enforcement groups everywhere that they can't ignore the rights of those who communicate by computer." The ruling is being "hailed as a ground-breaking decision by computer buffs and civil libertarians who have been watching the case for the last three years. It was seen as a test case for extending First Amend- ment protections to computer information." SOFTWARE SALES HIT $5.75 BILLION IN 1992 - PC application software sales were up 14.1% last year from $5.04 billion in 1991. The sales, which reached $1.71 billion in the fourth quarter of 1992, totalled $5.75 billion for the calendar year. That is the word from the Software Publishers Association, based on its worldwide sales reporting program, in which member companies report their sales of personal computer application software. Other announcements by the SPA in a statement from Washington, D.C.: -:- Units sales in North America increased 36% for the year and 40% for the fourth quarter. -:- International sales out-paced growth in the North American market. Revenues from international sales of U.S. software grew 25.1% for the full year, while international sales in the fourth quarter were up 31.7%. -:- Combined U.S. and international sales were up 18.1% for the year and 17.3% for the fourth quarter. Worldwide units sales growth was 37.5% for the full year and 44.2% for the fourth quarter 1992. __________________________________________________________________ SYQUEST ANNOUNCES NEW 105 MB REMOVABLE DRIVE SyQuest SQ3105 * Provides ANSI ATA/SCSI interface and fast 14.5msec access time * Air filtration system provides a Winchester-Class environment for the head-disk interface * The small cartridge fits easily in your shirt pocket * Offers primary and secondary storage in one drive * 64k intelligent read "Look Ahead" buffer * Data transfer rate at the host interface up to 4.0MB per second * Data transfer rate from the head/media interface up to 2.3MB per second * Programmable power modes - sleep, standby, idle and active * 20,000 cartridge insertion cycles * 100,000 start/stop cycles * Heads do not come in contact with the disk surface * 100,000 hours MTBF (11 years continual use!) * On-the-fly error correction * 1-7 RLL modulation recording for maximum read window margins * Ergonomic engineering for reliable and easy cartridge loading and unloading The SyQuest SQ3105 complies fully with the SCSI standard as defined in the SCSI American National Standard for Information Systems, SCSI II X3.131-199X (proposed draft) Capacity 105MB formatted min (110 Million Bytes) PHYSICAL TRANSLATE Number of disks 1 8 Data Surfaces 2 16 Servo Embedded Embedded Tracks per User 4,086 1,642 Track density 2,100TPI 2,100TPI Bytes per block 512 512 SCSI Unit Seek time (typical, including settling time) Track to track 3msec Average 14.5msec Maximum 30msec Average Latency 8.33msec Rotational Speed(+-1%) 3600 Controller Overhead <1msec Data Transfer Rate (to/from media) 1.75MB/sec Async (to/from buffer) 4.0MB/sec Sync Spin-Up time 8 sec Stop time(power down) 10 sec Interleave 1:1 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Drive height 1.00 in (25.4 mm) Width 4.00 in (101.6 mm) Length 5.91 in (150 mm) Weight .15 oz (425 gm) Cartridge height 0.39 in (9.9 mm) Width 3.831 in (97.31 mm) Length 3.886 in (98.70 mm) Weight 2.9oz (83 gm) __________________________________________________________________ (REVISED MARCH 17, 1993) World of Commodore/Amiga April 2-4, 1993 New York Passenger Ship Terminal, Pier 88 Between 48th & 52nd on the Hudson River New York, NY Seminar Schedule Friday, April 2, 1993 10:45 Keynote by Lew Eggebrecht, VP Engineering, Commodore International 11:30 AmigaVision Professional 12:15 Centaur Demonstrates OpalVision 1:00 Scala MM210 and InfoChannel 400 - Ultimate Multimedia 1:45 Gold Disk Present Desktop Publishing 2:30 Digital Audio by Basement Recordings 3:00 Lee Stranahan Presents NewTek's Video Toaster Saturday, April 3, 1993 10:15 AmigaVision Professional 11:00 Keynote by Jim Dionne, President, Commodore Business Machines 11:45 Digital Audio by Basement Recordings 12:30 Centaur Demonstrates OpalVision 1:15 Scala MM210 and InfoChannel 400 - Ultimate Multimedia 2:00 ImageFX: So You Want A Revolution? 2:45 Fine Artist Sandra Filippucci Teaches Graphic Applications 3:00 Lee Stranahan Presents NewTek's Video Toaster Sunday, April 4, 1993 12:15 Centaur Demonstrates OpalVision 1:00 Video Director by Gold Disk 1:45 Keynote by Geoff Stilley, VP Sales, Commodore Business Machines 2:30 Fine Artist Sandra Filippucci Teaches Graphic Applications 3:00 Lee Stranahan Presents Video Toaster Seminars subject to change without notice. EXHIBITORS INCLUDE: ------------------ Amazing Computer Amiga News AmigaWorld AMUSE Centaur Software CHS Distributors Commodore Business Machines, Inc. Computer Basics Crative Equipment Digital Micronics DKB Software Electric Theatre Elite Micro Computers Gold Disk Great Valley Products I.C.D., Inc. IDG Communications Memory World Microdeal Migraph Moonlighter Software NewTek New York Commodore Interest Group Pacific Media Premier Software Queens Commodore User Group Scala SoftLogik Software Concepts Software Hut Software Plus Video Toaster User Admission: $15/day or $30/three-day pass Admission price includes free seminars. Commodore Business Machines, Inc. 1200 Wilson Dr. West Chester, PA 19380 (215) 431-9100 __________________________________________________________________ NEW ADPRO INTEGEGRATES WITH TOASTER, OPALVISION, DPAINT Madison WI, March 8, 1993 ---- ASDG Incorporated announces a major upgrade to their product, Art Department Professional. The new release contains several firsts which increase the level of integration of the Amiga's most popular imaging tools. ADPro 2.3 is the first third party product to offer complete support of the Video Toaster Framestore file format. The new release provides a loader and saver which can read and write Framestores in full broadcast color and fidelity. ADPro's Framestore support does not require a Video Toaster, which increases the processing options available to those using Toaster images. For example, Framestores can be directly manipulated by all machines on a network including non-Toaster equipped machines. Batch processing using any of ADPro's extensive manipulation and conversion capabilities is now quick and easy. Videographers now have a direct Framestore-to-D1 digital video connection using ADPro's ABEKAS digital video driver. This is today's most effective means of moving video data to and from the Amiga and has been used in such high profile productions as Quantum Leap, Babylon 5 and The American Music Awards. ADPro 2.3 also provides an exclusive direct memory link to the newest version of Deluxe Paint from Electronic Arts, as well as OpalVision's 24 bit-plane paint program. ADPro has direct access to DPaint's memory including its primary, secondary, and animation buffers. A similar capability is provided for Centaur Development's OpalPaint. Users of either paint system can directly load and save images in any file format which ADPro supports. The same is true for any of ADPro's image processing capabilities. For example, a Toaster Framestore can be loaded into OpalPaint, touched up with both programs, and saved to a film recorder. ADPro 2.3 adds many other new capabilities as well. To learn more about the 2.3 upgrade or any of ASDG's other image processing tools, contact Ms. Gina Cerniglia at 925 Stewart Street, Madison WI, 53713 or call her at (608) 273 6585. Art Department Professional is a registered trademark of ASDG Incorporated. Video Toaster is a trademark of NewTek, Incoporated. Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga, Inc. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. __________________________________________________________________ GVP ANNOUNCE IV24 VERSION 2.0 Great Valley Products announced today that it is set to release Version 2.0 of its IV24 multifuntional video board. At the heart of Version 2.0 is enhanced software which greatly increases the capabilities of the IV24. Especially impressive is the new MacroPaint 2.0 software. This real time, 16 million color paint package features high performance painting, and features a full color, floating toolbox-style interface that gives the user the ability to move the toolbox to a more convenient location. Also new is the ability to load and save JPEG com- pressed files. Painting can be done on a 24-bit image, while viewing the work in 12, 15, 18 or 21 bits for faster screen updates and lower Amiga graphics memory requirements. MacroPaint contains so many new features and enhancements that it comes with a brand new manual. A newly designed custom version of Caligari24 gives the user many more features than the original. Rendering directly to the IV24, Caligari24 now features an unlimited number of light sources, hierarchial animation which coordinates the movements of complex objects with their primitive sub-objects, and free form defamation for more realistic rendering of or- ganic objects like plants and flowers. Broadcast rendering capabilities ensure photo realistic representation of scenes. Like MacroPaint, Caligari24 also comes with a new manual. MyLad and Desktop Darkroom are also included in this upgrade. MyLad, a switching package, enables users to enhance their video productions by utilizing a number of simple, yet creative transitions between video sources, while Desktop Darkroom offers image capture and complete photo retouching capabilities, as well as a full range of special effects for image manupulation and image processing. According to Bill Prescott, GVP Product Manager, Version 2.0 represents a major advance in the professional capabilities of the IV24. "The IV24 with its built-in real time frame grabber, 24-bit frame buffer, genlock, flicker eliminator, picture-in-picture and highly versatile VIU (video interface unit) that provides inputs for all video formats and full transcoding capabilities, has always been a valuable tool for the video professional, photographer and educator," he notes. "And now with the addition of this impressive software upgrade, the system represents a dramatic opportunity for these professionals to optimize their creative potential and productivity." A separate IV24 upgrade kit for existing users will begin shipping at the end of March. It will list in the U.S. for $149. This major upgrade, which as been eagerly awaited by IV24 owners, consists of a ROM, several enhanced software packages and new manuals. The version 3.10 ROM allows for A4000 compatibility and also allows the new software to run on existing IV24 boards. GVP is a privately held company that was founded in 1988. Today it is the world's largest third party developer of products for the Commodore Amiga. For more information contact Great Valley Products, 600 Clarke Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406, phone 215/337-8770, fax 215/337-9922. __________________________________________________________________ ADSPEC PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCES VERSION 2.1 OF ALADDIN 4D Adspec Programming is announcing the latest upgrade to its Aladdin 4D product: Version 2.1. Version 2.1 of Aladdin 4D was released as a FREE upgrade to all registered users. Registered users should have already received their upgrade in the mail. Those users who did not yet receive their upgrade should contact us or send in their registration card. All new packages are now being sent out with version 2.1 in them. If a customer puchases a package that contains version 2.0, then s/he will receive version 2.1 auotmatically when they send in their registration card. In addition to correcting some bugs in the initial release, Aladdin 4D version 2.1 includes some new features. Here is a list of new features in 2.1: o Speed - the new version of Aladdin 4D renders much faster. The amount of speed up depends on the drawing, but users can see up to seven times speed up in rendering times. o Group Levels - Polygons can now belong to up to five different groups. The groups are selected by setting the current level. This feature allows the grouping of large complex objects while retaining the ability to select the individual components parts in a separate group level. o Line Types - A new line types attribute has been added to the polygons. With the addition of four new types, plus the normal default, polygons can be represented in five different ways: Normal: the polygon will render in its normal state Edges: the polygon will render only along its edges Centers: the ploygon will render without edges Points: the polygon will render only at its point PntCnt: (point center) the polygon will render without its points The user can specify both and entry and exit value for the width of the edges of points. This feature makes builiding "girdered" objects quick and easy. o AGA Support - Version 2.1 of Aladdin 4D now includes support for the AGA machines. The program will recognize and allow the user to render the drawing in the new HAM8 mode. These modes can be quite effective and compare favorably to 24-bit displays. Aladdin 4D wil also use the HAM8 IFF files as textures and can save out Opcode 5 HAM8 animations. o Art Expression Support - Aladdin 4D will now read in the encapsulated PostScript files from Soft Logik's Art Expressions program. Product Information: Aladdin 4D Version 2.1 Retail Price: $499.00 Requires a minimum of 2MB of RAM AmigaDOS 1.3/2.0 compatible Regular and Math Coprocessor version included Available now. For more information contact Adspec Programming, 467 Arch Street, P.O. Box 13, Salem, Ohio 44460, telephone 216/337-1329 or 216/337-3325, fax 216/337-1158. __________________________________________________________________ CENTAUR ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY OF OPALVISION PRODUCTS Centaur Development announces pricing and availability of the enhancement modules for its modular OpalVision 24-bit graphics and Video system. The OpalVision Main Board, available since last August, is a true 24-bit display device and framebuffer with 16.7 million colors available for every pixel. The bundled software includes the award-winning OpalPaint. The three new enhancement modules add a wide array of additional, previously-unannounced features to the OpalVision system. The OpalVision Video Processor plugs directly into the Main Board. It is a real-time, 24-bit framegrabber, a professional quality genlock with chroma and luma keying and includes the OpalVision Roaster Chip for unlimited transitions, color processing and Digital Video Effects. It also includes controlling software for all functions and a 24-bit, 35 ns character. generator. The OpalVision Video Suite is a complete audio and video mixing, switching and transcoding device. It is a 19-inch, rack mountable external unit with nine video and ten audio inputs. Video inputs and outputs are available simultaneously in RGB or Y/R-Y/B-Y, composite and S-Video. Its linear transparency key provides transparency control between 2 video sources on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The audio mixer is fully software sequenced with smooth fades and full 5-band stereo frequency equilization. The OpalVision Scan-Rate Converter also plugs directly into the Main Board. It converts PAL and NTSC signals to 31kHz for non-interlaced, flicker free display of Amiga and OpalVision graphics and live video. It operates with any multi-sync/multi-scan monitor. Additionally, the Scan-Rate Converter includes a full, infinite window Time Base Corrector which operates in RGB for excellent quality. All three of the additional modules will be available this Spring and will have a Suggested Retail Price of $995.00 each. OpalVision automatically self-configures for both PAL and NTSC video modes and works with the Amiga 2000, 3000, and 4000 computers. __________________________________________________________________ Bogus SnoopDOS Warning! ----------------------- |Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc |Path: koko.csustan.edu!rat!usc!wupost!uunet!pipex!warwick!marble.uknet.ac.uk! mcsun!ienet!tcdcs!maths.tcd.ie!ecarroll |From: ecarroll@maths.tcd.ie (Eddy Carroll) |Subject: Warning: Bogus SnoopDos 2.0 spotted |Message-ID: <1993Mar12.162746.17351@maths.tcd.ie> |Keywords: SnoopDos 2.0 bogus "Oh no, not again!" |Organization: Dept. of Maths, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. |Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1993 16:27:46 GMT |Lines: 24 It has come to my attention that someone has started circulating a copy of SnoopDos 2.0. Since the most recent version of SnoopDos that I've released is version 1.7, this new version is an imposter. As of yet, I haven't had the chance to determine what this fake version does, but since the executable doesn't match the source code included with the distribution, there is a good chance that it does something nasty; it may be a repeat of the incident last year, where a bogus SnoopDos 1.6 was circulated that added a back door to the AmiExpress BBS package. If you see any files claiming to be SnoopDos 2.0 on an FTP site or BBS, please inform the Sysop that it is not an official release, and ask him or her to delete it. Please also pass on this message to other networks, to try and prevent this file from spreading too far. Thanks to Floyd Vest and Mathias Korsback for alerting me to the fake version. I can always be contacted by mail at ecarroll@maths.tcd.ie if you want to check whether your current version of SnoopDos is a valid release or not. Eddy Carroll __________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENT: Release of the Amiga E compiler v2.1b, update to v2.1 v2.1b is _not_ a new version of E, it features only: - bug fixes (all known) - additions to the distribution, like more example sources. I won't repeat all E's features in full here, but for those of you who've never heard of E before, I quote the ".readme": Amiga_E An Amiga specific E compiler. E is a powerful and flexible procedural programming language and Amiga E a very fast com- piler for it, with features such as compilation speed of 20000 lines/minute on a 7 Mhz amiga, inline assembler and linker integrated into compiler, large set of integrated functions, module concept with 2.04 includes as modules, flexible type-system, quoted expressions, immediate and typed lists, low level polymorphism, exception handling and much, much more. Written in Assembly and E. Version 2.1b, update to v2.1, public domain. Includes partial sources. Author: Wouter van Oortmerssen To get Amiga E v2.1b, FTP it from: wuarchive.wustl.edu systems/amiga/incoming/programming or: amiga.physik.unizh.ch (or any of it's mirrors) amiga/dev/lang the files are (make sure you get the v2.1b, not the older v2.1): amigae21b.lha (261209 bytes) amigae21b.readme if for some reason you want to contact me: (preferably the first address) Wouter@alf.let.uva.nl (E-programming support) or: Wouter@mars.let.uva.nl (personal) or: Oortmers@gene.fwi.uva.nl (other) __________________________________________________________________ MICROBOTICS RELEASES NEW PARTITIONING SOFTWARE MicroBotics has released its sophisticated and powerful RDPrep partition- ing software for free use by all Amiga users, worldwide. RDPrep has a com- plete graphical interface and extensive online help files. It can be used with any interface which completely supports the Rigid Disk Block standard and which accepts SCSI commands. Even the IDE interfaces on the Amiga 1200 and 4000 can be accessed by RDPrep to partition third-party IDE drives. Although RDPrep is very easy to use it can nonetheless control every aspect of a hard disk partition. MicroBotics retains all rights to RDPrep and offers support only to its own hardware customers --but all Amigans are invited to avail themselves of this excellent commercial package, free of charge. Available on CompuServe in the Microbotics Library (Library 16) as RDP391.LHA, or on GEnie in the Amiga RT, file #18852. AMIGA REPORT NOW AVAILABLE ON ADS The FidoNet-based Amiga Software Distribution System (ADS) is now carrying Amiga Report Online Magazine from STR Publications. If your local BBS is connected to the ADS, it will very likely receive Amiga Report each week automatically. For information on joining ADS, please contact your local HUB or Network Echo Coordinator. ATTENTION EMPLANT OWNERS Utilities Unlimited has just released a new version of the HardKickMMU and SoftKickMMU that make *dramatic* improvements in emulation speed: 60 % faster 16 color graphics! 20% faster 2 & 4 color graphics! 50%-80% faster FPU mathematics! 5%-10% faster CPU rating! These increases were determined using Speedometer v3.2. We have also added command line options to turn on our own version of FASTROM so your system is FASTER (note:these speedups mentioned above do not include the FASTROM option which can increase CPU peformance by another 35%). Also, we added an option for 040 owners to turn on the COPYBACK mode (System 7.1 required). Another reminder.... We have a booth at the World of Commodore show in New York next week. The booth is located directly across from Creative Computer's huge booth (just to the right of entrance). Come by and see for yourself that EMPLANT does exist, and it does what we say it does. :-) __________________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport Online People... Are Talking! ============================= On CompuServe: ------------- From Rodger Padgett: "SupraTurbo 28 - An Economical way to Speed Things Up!" "I've been a Beta Tester for a device called the SupraTurbo 28, from Supra Corp of Albany Oregon. Most well informed or well read Amigoids know about it already. Amiga World has run the add for it the past several months, even though Supra hasn't officially released it for sale. "Quite simply, the SupraTurbo is an inexpensive way to make your Amiga 500 or 2000 run faster than a stock Amiga 1200 and 2/3 as fast as the Amiga 3000. For about $200 you get a SupraTurbo 28 (500 or 2000 version,) the only difference is the case the 500 version comes in. You also get a well written manual and a program called "SupraTurbo." Installation is easy. On the 500 you remove the expansion access panel on the side of the computer if it isn't already. Remove the expansion pass-through on the ST28 case if you have a hard drive or memory expansion. The ST28 has to be closest to the computer. Install your other devices (HD or Memory module) and then turn the ST28 switch on, then your machine. "It is just as easy to install on the 2000. You do have to install the on/off switch so it goes outside your case if you intend to use it. You could jumper the to leave it on, but I don't recommed that. One word of caution, if you are using a GVP Series II A500-HD+ with memory installed, you have to make sure the ROM is version 3.14 or higher. Mine wasn't, so I called GVP and had them send me their FaastRom Upgrade kit. Until I got it (I had the 3.07 ROM) I was dead in the water if I wanted to use my hard drive while accellerated. I could use it in turbo mode as long as I was accessing memory or floppy. Since installing the new 4.14 ROM, I've been flying at 28.4 Mhz. ProPage is faster (it actually keeps up with my typing now). I haven't found anything that isn't compatible yet! I don't expect to. My system is a Amiga 500 with a fully populated Baseboard (4 megs memory), B-Pal option on the Baseboard, 2.04 ROM with WB 2.1, a GVP SII A500+ 4 megs memory and now the SupraTurbo 28. "All in all, I am very excited over the SupraTurbo 28. It is a fine product from a really caring company. Supra is definitely in it for the long haul with Amiga's. If your dealer hasn't gotten it yet, ask them too order one. --------------- On Delphi's Business Forum: -------------------------- 5506 18-MAR 13:41 General Information Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From: CONSTABLE To: ALL Hello Everyone, A special user here on delphi is suffering from Leukemia. Her only hope for a cure is a bone marrow transplant from a matched, un- related donor. She is of Native Americam ancestry and because there are so few Native Americans and other minorites who have volunteered to become registered as bone marrow donors, she and other patients of minority heritage have only a remote chance of finding a donor. If you are of Native-American, African- American, Asian-American, or Hispanic heritage and are between the ages of 18 and 55 and in good health, please contact the American Red Cross (Maine and Massachusetts> at 1-800-462-9400 Ext. 2075 or the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-800-MARROW-2 to learn how you can help her and thousands of other patients who are waiting for the gift of life from the gift of a stranger. Thank you all for the time to read this and I hope you can help. Kevin --------------- From FidoNet's Amiga_Tech echo: Num: 327 *s Date: 19 Mar 93 18:28:49 From: Paul Kolenbrander To: ALL Subj: Xetec CD ROM Compatibility I've had some requests for posting a full list of SCSI controllers and CD-ROM drives that are compatible with the current version of the Xetec CDx filesystem. There was no list of controllers so I had to scan the install program... Please note that I am _not_ responsible for anything happening as a result of reading and/or using the following information. In case of doubt, please do contact Xetec for uptodate info... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supported SCSI controllers (as scanned from the program) Amiga 3000 GVP (any w/FaaastROM's) California Access CA-2000 Malibu GVP (older boot ROM's) C-Ltd (all) SCSIdos3.0 ICD AdSCSI Commodore 2090 IVS Trumpcard (2.0+) More [29%]? -Y/n/c- Commodore 2091 IVS Trumpcard Pro (2.0+) Comspec (all models to date) Microbotics Hardframe GVP A500 HD8+ (Series II) SupraDrive 2000 w/WordSync GVP A530 TurboSupraDrive rev 3.0 GVP HC8+ (Series II) Xetec FastTrak/(Mini)FastCard (to 1.47) GVP G-FORCE 030 Xetec FastTrak/(Mini)FastCard (1.48+) Xetec FastCard plus (to 2.09) Xetec FastCard plus (2.10+) This release of the cdx.device should support any SCSI CD-ROM drive, as well as audio control on the following drives: Chinon CDS-431 CDS-435 DEC RRD-42 Denon DRD-253 Hitachi CDR-1750S CDR-3650 LMS (Laser Magnetic Storage Int'l) CM-210 CM-212 CM-214 CM-231 CM-234 Matsushita CR-5xx series (SCSI) NEC CDR-25 CDR-36 CDR-73 CDR-75 CDR-77 CDR-83 CDR-84 Panasonic CR-501 LK-MC501 Philips CM-210 Pioneer DRM-600 DRM-604X Sony CDU-541 CDU-6110 CDU-6111 CDU-8001 CDU-8022 Texel DM-3x2x series DM-5x2x series Toshiba XM-2100A XM-2200A XM-3101bme XM-3200B XM-3201B XM-3301 XM-5100A --------------- From FidoNet's Amiga_International echo: --------------------------------------- Area: AMIGA From: Ruud Dingemans Subj: Bit o' news Date: 20 Mar 93 21:40:05 Right, today I noticed a little snippet o' news that might interest some people: The German computer magazine CHIP (it's kinda BIG and heavy, equivalent to an average issue of BYTE dropped in a puddle) has chosen the Amiga 3000 and Amiga 500 as "Computers of the Year" once again. (March '93 issue). Around 16.000 readers have taken part in the survey to choose the best computer over 1992 in different groups: 3*6's, 4*6's, laptops etc. The A3000 came first (before the A500! ;) in the "680X0" category, leaving (among others) the Apple Mac Classic behind. The A500 won the "Home computers" category. Runner-up was the C64(!), before the Atari ST. Wonder what will happen next year when the A4000 and (especially!) the A1200 get settled into the German Amiga community... --------------- From Usenet: ----------- Article 6603 (263 more) in comp.sys.amiga.hardware: From: skip@cs.olemiss.edu (Skip Sauls) Subject: Re: Amiga 4000 woes Date: 5 Mar 93 23:55:18 GMT Organization: University of Mississippi, Dept. of Computer Science >sarge923@crow.csrv.uidaho.edu (David Sargent) writes: >>Sean McGrath (smcgrath@picasso.ocis.temple.edu) wrote: >> >> I have heard that the 4000 has several design problems, including a >> defective SuperBuster chip, which will require replacement in order to >> get the 4091 Scsi-2 controller (and other ZorroIII DMA cards) to work, >> as well as no burst mode support on the 040 card, fan glitches galore >> (my 4000 dies frequently from heat exhaustion), etc. >> >> Anyone know if CBM is going to address these problems? I'm halfway >> considering returning this pile of junk and buying a Mac Quadra 800. >> >> / Proud Amiga 1000 from HELL owner... / >> / and Amiga 4000 AGA owner! / > > >This had better not be true! I've been waiting for that silly SCSI-II >controler for months, and if it turns out the silly thing isn't going to >work than !@?!@!@?!?@?!@?. I paid good money for a high end computer. I >feel C= should suport any desigh flaws, waranty seal broken or not, and >offer a motherboard upgrade. How can these guys miss several hundred bad >superbusters and backwards fans. Ain't they ever heard of testing? I too have been awaiting the SCSI-II board for months now and have recently become very angry about the SuperBuster issue. I was led to believe by Mr. Eggerbrecht that the board would be available around mid January, yet it is now March and there is still no sign of it. It is annoying me to no end that my hard drive is now full and I cannot purchase a SCSI controller and drive to remedy the situation. I've put up with a backwards fan, the goofy case, the slow hacked HD floppy, the slower than expected 8-bit non-interlaced modes, and the lack of burst mode for the 040, but I'm honestly getting very tired of it and I will not stand for C= to screw me once more with the SCSI-II situation. Someone at Commodore is responsible for this screw-up and I am going to hold Commodore accountable for it. I've broken my seal to fix the fan, add memory, and add an Ethernet controller, because there is no such thing as a dealer within several hundred miles of here, thanks to Commodore's mis-management an non-marketing of what could have been a great machine. >Anyway, raving aside. Any confermation, by some brave C= official would >be gratly appreciated. Please be so kind as to say what C= will do about >support of 400 owners who have SMT'd superbusters. I really doubt that anyone who has the authority to make such a statement reads this or any newsgroup. C= seems to have a fine bunch of engineers, with the exception of the bozo who designed the A4000, but their managers are total morons. Given the way that C= has treated Amiga owners in the past with regard to motherboard swaps and the like, I'm worried that we'll all just get screwed on this one. Skip Sauls, Amiga Advocate who'd like to strangle the A4000's designer... skip@tacky.cs.olemiss.edu =================== From: Steve Woodmore To : Mike Heron Subj: Re: A1200 MH> Why yes, I have returned it twice due to display problems and a MH> keyboard that does not work. Commodore is plodding along now for my MH> third replacement due to the video problems. Sorry, Gold Service is not MH> yet available in Canada. And you're right. I've just written a letter MH> to Commodore asking for a full refund so I can go out and by a computer MH> that I can use. MH> I love the AMIGA and have been using one for nearly three MH> years...but enough is enough! Just to let you know that you are not the only one with this problem. I have just given up with the A1200, after my fifth one, each one with display problems. I have just been reading in the march issue of amiga computing that 2500 machines shipped out of Scotland had this fault.. geez, 2500 out of 10000, THATS A 25% FAILURE RATE! STEVE """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > Amiga Tip of the Week Screen Centering with AGA ===================== By Micah Thompson Those of us with the new AGA machines are experiencing some neat new graphics modes. But at the same time, we're finding that using them can be a royal pain. Since the various graphics modes use different sync rates, the picture on our monitor isn't always centered. Unless you own a monitor that has screen mode memory (like the NEC 3D), you have to constantly fumble with the screen controls when the screen mode changes. You'll need Commodore's latest AGA monitor drivers to perform this minor miracle with the AGA's programmable graphics chips. The drivers are supplied with a disk called V39_Update, which should be available from your Commodore dealer by the time you read this. Here's what you do: Turn off any mode promoting hacks you have installed such as DoubleX, ForceVGA or PKludge. Open the Overscan prefs tool, and choose the Graphics Size for the NTSC mode. A non- interlaced screen will open with visible scan lines (the 'normal' Amiga mode). Adjust your monitor's screen position controls so that this screen is perfectly centered, vertically and horizontally. It's also best to be sure your monitor is completely warmed up, as the centering varies from a cold monitor to a warm one. Now select another screen mode. DBLNTSC for example. Click on Graphics Size. A screen will open, and the picture probably will not be centered. Click and hold the center dark square in the picture with your mouse. Drag that square, and the entire screen will move. If your overscan settings are smaller than maximum, the box defining the overscan screen will move within the maximum area, until it reaches the edge. Then the entire screen will move! That way, you can adjust each mode so that it will be perfectly centered. *Note: You can also use the arrow keys to move just the screen, without disturbing the overscan area. This seems to be the better method. Once you've adjusted all the modes (you don't need to adjust NTSC or PAL, as they are used as the reference), save it and you're set. What a relief! **************************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= Amiga Report International Online Magazine is available every week in the Amiga Forum on DELPHI. Amiga Report readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of the friendly community of computer enthusiasts there. SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI ====================== Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI services via a local phone call JOIN -- DELPHI -------------- Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002 then... When connected, press RETURN once or twice and.... At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN. DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA. Try DELPHI for $1 an hour! For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only $5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan, where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum $10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry, this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET> again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! DELPHI- It's getting better all the time! **************************************************************************** > Rendered Reality "I render, therefore I am." ================ By Mike Troxell Morph: The process of changing one object into another dissimilar object. I guess by now everyone knows what a morph is. You've probably seen examples on TV or at the movies. An old car turns into a new model, one face transforms into another. I'm sure you've seen plenty of examples of this type of morph. In fact, ever since Michael Jackson used a morph sequence in his 'Black or White' video, it seems half the commercials you see on TV and just about every science fiction series out is using morphs. There are several excellent morphing packages available for the Amiga. ASDG's MorphPlus, GVP's CineMorph and Black Belt System's ImageMaster will each allow you to perform morphing magic on your images. Change that picture of your Mustang into a Lamborgini, for instance. Or try dup- licating some of the moprhing sequences you've seen in movies. Each of these three software packages has it's own personality and style. What works for one person may not be right for someone else. Talk to people who use these programs and get their opinion. Then decide for yourself. I've been using ASDG's MorphPlus for about a month now and it seems to do everything I need it to and then some. A morphing program is not something you use every day. In fact, one of the dangers with any speceal effect is that you overuse it and it becomes boring. I'm working on a 2 1/2 to 3 minute animation that will probably be close to 2500 frames long by the time I finish it. I'm using one morph in the animation that will use around 45 of the 2500 frames, and will run 2-3 seconds. Morphing is a great technique to spice up your animations. Just don't overdo it. The following is a list of the features ASDG claims for MorphPlus and my comments based on my experience with using the program. MorphPlus: * "A morphing/warping system with advanced state-of-the-art technology and an intuitive user interface." If you've used ASDG's ADPro then you'll be familiar with the MorphPlus main screen. MorphPlus has a very intuitive and easy to use interface. In fact, you can install MorphPlus as part of ADPro. * "A 3D wave/ripple module which actually models the interference patterns created by colliding waves." * "A complete WYSIWYG perspective warper which creates high quality DVE effects such as fly-bys and tumbles." * "A complete WYSIWYG spherical warper which can create fisheye lens effects, or even wrap images onto a rotating sphere." * "Arbitrary rotation and twirling of images about any point, by any amount or radius, with or without soft edges or anti-aliasing." I bought MorphPlus because I needed to do a morph in an animation I was working on, but I found that MoprhPlus does a lot more than just morph objects. Some of the Operators (effects) that MorphPlus does are apply map, blur, color to gray, crop visual, gray to color, horizontal flip, perspective, camera control, rotation control, refract, ripple, rotate, scale, sphere, twirl, vertical flip, warp, negative image and roll. If there's anything to want to do to an image, MorphPlus probably has an operator that will do it. If you can't find an effect you're looking for, there's a good chance it will be in the next upgrade. I just recieved the latest (free) upgrade in the mail, and it contained three new effects and enhancements to several existing operators. * "The ability to read and write images in IFF and Anim formats." Add to that the ability to read JPEG and AGA. MorphPlus can also save to IFF, ANIM, HAM-E, JPEG and AGA. * "Complete AREXX compatability." * "All function are computed in 24 bit-plane color or 8 bit-plane grey scale and work entirely from RAM for maximum speed." * "Comprehensive fully indexed manual with tutorials." With MorphPlus you get a 303 page hardcover, ring binder manual. The manual and tutorials are well done and will have you doing you're first morph within minutes (well, within an hour anyway). System requirements: Compatible with all Amiga models, both NTSC and PAL. Kickstart and Workbench 2.0 or above. Requires 4 meg FAST RAM. Eight meg recommended. (See why I recomended 8-10megs last time?) Hard drive and accelerator recommended. (Strongly recommended!) In a review of MorphPlus in "Video Toaster User" magazine, David Duberman called MorphPlus "the Rolls Royce of Amiga morphing software". I think I'll have to agree with him. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > AGA-Compatible Monitors STR InfoFile ==================================== By Robert Glover With the new AGA machines out in full force, people are often asking what monitors sync to the frequencies required by the Amiga. The main thing you want to look for in a multiscanning monitor is the ability to scan down to the 15 kHz range. Usually this is about 15.7 kHz. If it cannot go that low, you will not be able to play most games, see your guru or Boot Options screen, etc. Below is a list of the monitors we know of that are fully AGA compatible and their specifications. Very few are still in production, so many will be refurbished units. This isn't necessarily bad, since they often include warranties. One thing to keep in mind when selecting a refurbished unit is WHO did the refurb -- did the manufacturer do it, or the reseller? Your best choice is one refurbished by the manufacturer, since you can then take it to any authorized service center if it needs work. However, if it is done by the reseller, any work must be performed by them. This will usually require sending the unit back, which can often add up in terms of shipping costs, and down time while it is away being repaired. NEC 3D This is probably the nicest multiscanning monitor availble (IMO). It has the best picture I've seen on a monitor, and it has automatic screen mode memory. What this means is that there are pushbutton controls on the front panel, and you set your screen once for each sync mode you use, and it remembers it. This is very handy, since different sync rates cause the position of the screen to change. Dot Pitch: 0.28 mm Screen Size (diagonally): 14" Max. Resolution: 1024x768 interlaced Scan Rates H: 15.5 kHz - 36 kHz V: 40-80 Hz Average prices: $350-450 (refurbished) Where to find: USA Flex (800-444-4900) NEC II This is a very nice monitor, and a second-cousin to the NEC 3D. It preceded the NEC 2A, which is NOT AGA compatible. I own one of these and am very pleased with it. The picture is every bit as good as the 3D, though it lacks screen mode memory. My only complaint with this monitor is that the screen width control is a two-position switch, so there are only two settings -- narrow, and not- so-narrow. It makes it difficult to fill the screen with a picture, but it's not that big of a deal. Do not confuse this with the NEC 2A, which is NOT AGA-compatible, as it does not sync down to NTSC rates. Dot Pitch: 0.31 mm Screen Size: 13" (though the inside of mine says 14") Max. Resolution: 800x600 non-interlaced Scan Rates H: 15.5 kHz - 35 kHz V: 50-80 Hz Average prices: $200-275 (refurbished) Where to find: Computer Exchange (201-226-1528) Mitsubishi DiamondScan C1381A I have not personally seen one of these monitors, but I have heard good things about them. Many people on GEnie have purchased them refurbished and are very pleased with them. These monitors are unique in that they have inputs for a composite video signal, which makes them excellent for use with a Video Toaster or DCTV setup. Dot Pitch: 0.28 mm Screen Size: 14" Max. Resolution: 1024x768 interlaced Scan Rates H: 15.6 kHz - 36 kHz V: 45-90 Hz Average prices: $250-275 (refurbished) Where to find: Source Electronics (800-257-5505) Sony CPD-1302 I have not personally seen one of these monitors either, but every Sony monitor I have seen looks fabulous. If any monitor could outdo the NEC 3D, this would probably be it. Dot Pitch: 0.25 mm Screen Size: 14" Max. Resolution: 1024x768 interlaced Scan Rates H: 15.75 kHz - 36 kHz V: 40-80 Hz Average prices: $400-500 (refurbished) Where to find: USA Flex (800-444-4900) Panasonic C1381 Do not confuse the newer C1381i with this one. The 'i' model does not sync low enough to be compatible. The C1381 is a nice monitor if you can find it at a good price. It's very similar to the NEC II, except that it has a full 14" screen. I have not seen this one on an Amiga, but I have seen it on an Atari ST, and picture quality was good. Dot Pitch: 0.31 mm Screen Size: 14" Max. Resolution: 800x600 non-interlaced Scan Rates H: 15.6 kHz - 35 kHz V: 50-80 Hz Average prices: $250-350 (condition varies) Where to find: N/A Idek MF-5017 This is one of the few large monitors that sync low enough to be compatible with AGA/NTSC modes. I have not seen this monitor, so I cannot vouch for its quality. Dot Pitch: 0.31 mm Screen size: 17" Max. Resolution: 1024x1024 Scan Rates H: 15-40 kHz V: 40-90 Hz Average prices: $700-$1200 (new) Where to find: Creative Conputers (800-872-8882) Commodore 1950/1960 These are Commodore's own entries into the multi- scanning arena. Both are nice monitors, but the picture quality leaves something to be desired in some cases. I think Commodore must have some quality control problems, as about half of the 1960's I see don't look very good, and the other half are decent. The 1950 is rumored to have a better overall picture, though the styling isn't quite as nice as the 1960. Given the price of these monitors, you're better off finding a deal on one of the above units, unless you really want your whole system matching perfectly. Dot Pitch: 0.31 mm Screen Size: 14" Max. Resolution: 800x600 Scan Rates H: 15.6-36 kHz V: 40-80 Hz Average prices: $500-700 (new) Where to find: Any Commodore retailer or mail order house. Below is a brief list of compatible monitors that are still in production as of this writing. Manufacturer Model Size Pitch H. Sync V. Sync MSRP -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adara Technology AML-1402 14" 0.28 15-36 45-90 $650 AOC Int'l CM-326 14" 0.28 15-38 50-90 649 Conrac Display 7114 13" 0.31 15.5-37 45-80 1,250 Conrac Display 9250 13" 0.31 15-37.5 48-90 3,850 Conrac Display 9214 13" 0.28 15-38 50-80 695 Electrodyne Ltd. ECM 1410 14" 0.28 15-40 45-90 1,195 Electrodyne Ltd. ECM 2010 20" 0.31 15-38 45-120 3,195 Falco Data Prod. FMS 14" 0.28 15-38 47-90 750 Idek America MF-5015A 15" 0.31 15.5-38.5 50-90 695 JVC GD-H422OUS 19" 0.31 15-37 45-87 2,895 Mitsubishi XC-3315C 33" 0.83 15-38 40-120 5,495 Sceptre Tech. CE-8 14" 0.28 15-38 50-90 995 Taxan America MV770+ 14" 0.31 15-37 50-90 895 Ultimate Display Ultra 1200 12" 0.28 15-38 45-120 450 Ultimate Display Ultra 1400 14" 0.28 15-38 45-120 899 Ultimate Display Ultra 1600 16" 0.31 15-38 45-120 775 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A1200 Game Compatibility STR InfoFile ===================================== This is a listing of many games that either work perfectly with the A1200, work with SOME problems with the A1200, or don't work AT ALL for the A1200. Some of these have changed, however, thanks to many groups efforts to provide fixes, much like Ministry-UK has been doing. So here we go. Games that run without problems ------------------------------- 1869 (old) A-Train Agony Air Support Amnios Antheads Apydia Aquaventura Archipelagos Art Department Pro 2 Arthur: Quest For Excalibur Atomino More (Y/N/NS)? NS Awesome Barbarian II Bard's Tale III Batman Battle Chess BC Kid Beast III Beyond The Ice Palace Boxing Man Budesliga Manager Carrier Command Cash Chaos Engine, The Civilization (old) Classic Invaders Cool Croc Twins Cool World Cribbage King/Gin King Cytron Dragon's Lair II Dune Epic Eye Of the Beholder I&II F-15 Strike Eagle Fast Break Gem'X Gem'Z Gunship 2000 Guy Spy HeatWave Hexuma (old) Horror Z Indiana Jones IV Indy 500 International Karate + It came from the desert Jonathan Jocky Wilson Darts Killing Game Show Larry V Leander Lemmings (+ DataDisk) Lionheart Liverpool Lost Dutchman Mine Lost Patrol Magic Pockets Maniac Mansion Midwinter II Nick Faldo's Championship Golf Nigel Mansell's World Ork Pinball Dreams Pinball Fantasies Plan 9 From Outer Space Police Quest II Ports of Call Push Over Railroad Tycoon Red Zone Resolution 101 Secret Of Monkey Island I & II Sensible Soccer Shoot 'Em Up Construction Kit ShufflePuck Cafe' Silent Service Sim City Space Ace I & II Special Forces Star Glider II Surgeon, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Test Drive II ThinkCross ThunderStrike Toyota Ultima VI Uninvited Volfied Waxworks Who Framed Roger Rabbit Wing Commander (old) Wings Wonderland Wrath of the Demon Games that will run under restrictions on A1200 ----------------------------------------------- Restrictions can be: (C) - Disable CPU-Cashes (E) - Chips in ECS-Mode or just worse graphics, less/no sound. 688 Attack Sub Addams Family American Football Battle Command BSS Jane Seymour (C) Campaign Carl Lewis Challenge Carrier Command (C&E) Cool World (old) Das schwarze Auge Dyna Blasters Elite (C&E) Espana: The Games '92 Formula I GP History Line (E) Hook Indy III (C) Interceptor F/A-18 Jaguar XJ 220 (C) Kick Off 2 (C) Kid Gloves (C) Lethal Weapon (old) Lord Of The Rings Lotus (C) Pacific Islands Parasol Stars Pegasus (C) Pirates! Populous II (C&E) Race Drivin' Red Baron Robosport RVF Honda (C) Sim Ant Sim Earth Steigenberger Hotel.. Terminator 2 Thunderhawk (C) Turrican TV Sports Football (runs fast) Vroom (C&E) Wizkid Zool (old) (C) Games that won't run on A1200 ----------------------------- Alien Breed Amberstar Another World Armour Geddon Beast II Bitmap Compilation I Black Cauldron Blood Money Cadaver Carthage Castles Chip's Challenge Chronoquest II Colorado Corporation Dr. Doom's Revenge Dragons Of Flame Dream Zone Elvira II Eskimo Games Fighter Bomber Fighter Duel Pro Final Assault Fire and Ice Grand Monster Slam Grand Prix Circuit Harlequin Heimdall Hudson Hawk Impossamole Into The Eagle's Nest James Bond Logical Loom Lotus Esprit Turbo Lotus 2 & 3 *Note: Using Degrader 1.3, I got Lotus ][ to run. Overlord -Tom/\/\ Pac Mania Populous Powermonger R-Type II Rick Dangerous Robocop 3 Shadowlands Shoe People Speedball 2 Street Rods 1 & 2 Supercars Supremacy The Games: Summer Ed. The Games Winter Ed. Thundercats Utopia VectorBall Venus Video Kid Viking Child Weird Dreams Where in the World is C.S. Special AGA-Versions (A1200, A4000) ------------------------------------ 1869 Civilization Cool World Hexuma Lethal Weapon Nigel Mansell's World.. Sleepwalker Wing Commander Zool Art Department Deluxe Paint IV - AGA Personal Paint Brilliance This list was compiled by Asha Develder from the FidoNet Amiga_Games echo. ***************************************************************************** :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo) Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and weekend access to more than 100 services including electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news, entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards on leisure and professional subjects. With many other services, including the biggest collection of files to download and the best online games, for only $6 per hour. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month of membership if you are not completely satisfied, just ask for your $4.95 back. GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission **************************************************************************** > Warez Out There ~ STR Weekly Feature ==================================== This will be an ongoing and (hopefully) weekly feature in Amiga Report. We will try to cover as many of the newest file available on the online services. The idea is to let people what's out there, and if it's any good. Whenever you download a program, it's always a good idea to READ THE DOCUMENTATION. You might miss an exciting feature, that you otherwise wouldn't have known about! If you know of a program or author that you feel should get some publicity, please send us Email! File: Worm Author: Tim Kreuzer Status: Freeware Where to find: GEnie: Amiga RT, File #18744 Worms is an entertaining little program. It is a port from the Sun/UNIX platform, by Brad Taylor, and based on the first Amiga port by Chuck McManis. The author refers to Worms as "eye candy." It opens a small window on your public screen and draws a number of worms moving about in that window. All parameters are user-adjustable: Speed, number of worms, length, etc. There are gadgets at the bottom of the window to make the necessary adjustments. My favorite thing to do is start up a dozen or more copies of the program, and move them about my Workbench, until the system comes to a crawl. That's easy on my A1200 with no Fast RAM, but I'd like to see how many it would take to do that to an A4000! There are versions in the archive for 16- and 32-bit machines. Requies WB 2.0 or greater. NOTE: As of this writing, a newer version of Worms has appeared on GEnie, file #18845. The major difference is that all controls are in the form of drop-down menus, and the Worms window is resizable. I recommend getting both versions. Also, a newer version will be available in a few weeks with some expanded options. Tim said that these improvements are from user requests. If you like something, tell the author! File: Terrain Author: Tim Kreuzer Status: Freeware Where to find: GEnie, Amiga RT, File #18657 This program is more than eye candy. It's a random terrain drawing tool, using however many colors they choose. The user can adjust various parameters from degree, scale, divisor or swivel. Three modes of op- eration are available: Altitude mapping, Shadows, or Wireframe. To properly use the Shadows mode, you must use the included Palette Tool program. This handy utility lets you adjust every color in the present color palette. The version of Palette tool included is v1.0. The program opens two windows on your current public screen. One is a control box, the other is the resizbly terrain window. Therefore, the resolution of the terrain is determined by your maximum screen res- olution. There are three versions included in the archive: One for the base A1200, one for an A1200 with an FPU, and one for the A4000. File: Fractal Author: Tim Kreuzer Status: Freeware Where to find: GEnie, Amiga RT, File #18605 - No FPU requred #18601 - FPU version Fractal is another neat little program that lets you draw fractals in a window. It is controlled much like Terrain, with a window of gadgets, and a sizable window containing the drawing area. User-adjustable parameters include Xmax, Xmin, Ymax and Ymin for the fractal coordinates, a Depth setting, plus Zoom In/Out, Center, and Amount. Amount controls how far you choose to Zoom in or out, on a scale of 1 to 10. To zoom in, for example, you click Zoom In. Now, in the drawing window, choose the upper-left point where you want to zoom, and click. Move the mouse, and a sizing box appears. Enclose the area you wish to zoom in on, and click again. The box stays. The coordinates are updated. Click Draw, and you're set. This is another fun little program, especially if you like Fractals. There are two versions available: One for an A1200 with no FPU, and one for the A1200 with an FPU or the A4000. File: LyapunovSpace Author: Tim Kreuzer Status: Freeware Where to find: GEnie: Amiga RT, file #18756 This program is identical to Fractal in operation, except that it draws Lyapunov fractals instead of Mandelbrot fractals. Versions for A1200 with or without FPU and A4000 included. File: Palette Tool v1.1 Author: Tim Kreuzer Status: Freeware Where to find: GEnie: Amiga RT, file #18846 Palette tool is a handy utility to change every color in the palette of whatever public screen Palette Tool is opened on. It's especially useful when used with any of the above programs. The author recommends using Window Blender to open an AGA screen/color depth of your choice, then using PublicScreenX to switch Window Blender to the current public screen. Then open the above programs on that screen, and use Palette Tool to alter the colors to your peferences. Version 1.1 adds copy, undo and spread functions. This program is designed for use only on AGA-equipped Amigas. Please read the docs for further information. It is designed for use with screens using a palette of 32 or more colors. File: SmartPlay v3.0 Author: Xtreme Intelligence Status: Freeware Where to find: ADS (Amiga Software Distribtion System): SPLAY30.LHA Various FidoNET BBS's SmartPlay is another MOD/MED music player, but it is different from the others in its ability to load the actual song data into Fast RAM, and only the samples into Chip RAM. This saves a considerable amount of Chip RAM, especially on Amiga 500's that still have only 512K of chip RAM. The doc- umentation recommends running it from the Shell, but I run it from within Toolmanager (v1.5) with no problems. It opens a small window on the Work- bench, with CD-Player type controls, like DeliTracker. It has a cycle gadget telling the MOD name, the name of the MOD's author, and what type of MOD it is (Protracker, Noisetracker, etc.). There are gadgets for Play, Stop, Fast Forward/Reverse, Pause, Eject, Config, Editor (for loading multiple MODs), and "><" buton that reduces the window to just its title bar and these gadgets. There are also sliders for volume and balance. I have tested this player with many of my MODs, and they all appear to play correctly, except during serial transfers. In some cases, a channel may temporarily disappear, or certain samples are messed up or not played. I noticed some samples weren't played as clearly as with DeliTracker, EdPlayer, or MultiPlayer. However, if you're cramped for Chip RAM, this is a good choice. I hope SmartPlay will get a bug fix, as it's clearly what many Amiga owners need! Recommends OS 2.0 or greater, but the author feels it SHOULD run under WB 1.3. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > BT to ADD SPEED STR InfoFile High Speed Dialer, Wireless & Digital """""""""""""""""""""""""""" BT SPEEDS UP CUSTOMER ACCESS TO ITS U.S. DATA NETWORK ===================================================== New Services to Include Higher Speed Local Dial, 950, Wireless and Switched Digital Access San Jose, California, March, 1993 With the goal of offering the widest array of access methods to meet customer-specific application requirements, BT North America today announced plans to introduce diverse new wire and wireless services by year's end. The new domestic services will provide the company's two million daily users with faster and enhanced access methods to its U.S. data network, the largest public network in operation. The new capabilities will enable customers to cut costs of on-line network usage up to 30%, while giving users the ability to access network applications and transfer data at rates of up to four times the speed that can currently be achieved. Among the new services to be introduced are high-speed (14.4 kbps) local dial, uniform number access (800 and 950), wireless (cellular and radio), and switched digital services. The move to higher speeds and wireless access methods is in anticipation of customer requirements for faster data communications and network access for the growing number of mobile users, driven by continued proliferation of portable computing devices. "While ATM, ISDN and SONET garner much of the industry's attention, millions of users are looking for better and faster ways to access their network applications," said Ron Bamberg, vice president of Business Development and Strategic Planning for BT North America. "Network access is the most critical and core component of any network service offered by a carrier or service provider." Bamberg continued: "BT's strategy is to not only maintain a leading role in the area of network access, but to deliver targeted services best suited for specific network applications. No one access service can satisfy all the various requirements our customers have to get to their network applications. Therefore, we will continue to introduce a variety of new products which best address each individual requirement." LOCAL HIGH SPEED DIAL SERVICES Starting in September, BT will become the first value-added network (VAN) provider to deploy a U.S. service enabling users to access its data network, through a local phone call, at speeds of 14.4 kbps (V.32bis). Nationwide coverage of the 14.4 kbps service is expected by 1995. International Data Corporation (IDC), Framingham, MA, estimates that between 1991 and 1996 the compound annual growth rate for 14.4 kbps modem shipments will exceed 45 percent. In addition, BT plans to become the first VAN to offer service which supports the CCITT V.fast recommendation (see note to editors), which provides for access speeds of 28.8 kbps. The company is currently in the process of rolling out a nationwide 9.6 kbps dial service which is expected to be fully deployed in over 520 local access sites by December, 1994. To date, over 120 sites have been completed. "Our applications have become response-time sensitive," said Allen Watrud, manager of Telecommunications for CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, the world's largest provider of credit insurance for credit unions and their members. "Getting our remote users to the network is one of the most important aspects of providing them with the information they need to do their jobs more effectively." Watrud continued: "With thousands of users dialing into our network every day, we are constantly looking for ways in which we can reduce overall access and on-line costs while increasing the users' productivity. Higher speed dial services represent a solution to our requirements." CUNA's telecommunications group currently supports approximately 3,000 remote users through local dial public network services. The new dial services will support the industry-standard CCITT V-series recommendations for data compression (V.42bis) which will effectively quadruple data throughput rates. For example, a customer accessing the network with a compression capable 9.6 and 14.4 kbps modems could realize data throughput rates of up to 38.4 and 57.6 kbps respectively. "New communications and modem technologies are emerging which allow for faster transmissions over existing analog architectures," said Jeff Zanardi, manager of Access Services for BT North America. "These technologies coupled with new bandwidth-hungry applications are driving network access More? speeds to increasingly higher levels." UNIFORM NUMBER ACCESS Already a leading provider of uniform number and toll-free access through its 800 service, the company will upgrade this service to support 14.4 kbps access by September. In addition, to better meet customer application requirements for uniform number and toll free access, BT will reduce its 800 rates to as low as $9 per hour. By the third quarter, BT will also begin offering 950 (Feature Group B) service to its electronic transaction service (ETS) customers. "We don't see 950 replacing local dial access or 800 services," said Zanardi. "A local call will always be the most cost-effective means for users to access any network. Rather, we are positioning our 800 services to address the needs of customers whose applications require UNA and toll-free features. 950 services will be positioned to address point- of-sale applications and electronic transactions which require short call set-up times. 950 is best suited for these types of applications." WIRELESS ACCESS BT is currently evaluating a number of cellular and radio network access alternatives and, by year's end, plans to introduce services utilizing wireless technologies. These include the use of IBM's CelluPlaN II technology and services from Cellular Data Inc. (CDI), of Palo Alto, California. Additionally, radio access will be provided to users through RAM Mobile Data. Discussions are currently underway to link RAM's nationwide radio networks and BT's data network. These new wireless services will provide users with the ability send and receive electronic mail and other time critical information, as well as access transaction applications. The Yankee Group expects revenues from mobile data network services to reach nearly $2.5 billion by the end of the decade. E-mail has been identified as the primary application for which users require wireless network access. Currently there are more than 20 million e-mail users in the United States. SWITCHED DIGITAL SERVICES In addition to high-speed asynchronous dial and wireless services, BT North America is currently evaluating the provision of switched-digital services. Initially these services will be provided to users at speeds of 56 kbps as backup for dedicated digital connections (X.25 or frame relay) or as an alternative for sites which cannot justify dedicated circuits. Higher speed digital services with speeds up to T1 are also planned. These higher speed services can also be used for cost- effective, low-speed video conferencing applications. ### BT (NYSE:BTY and BTY.PP) is a leader in worldwide telecommunications. It operates one of the largest networks in the world and offers a wide range of international services. BT has annual revenues over $24 billion and employs a staff of approximately 165,200 in over 33 countries. ### Note to Editors: ---------------- BT's global data network is the world's largest public data network. In the U.S., the network provides users local access from over 1,000 cities through 4,500 points of presence located in 520 unique access locations. For more information contact: BT North America Public Relations 408 922 7583 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > STR's Mailbag Letters to the Editor ============= From: James W. Greenidge To: Robert Glover Sub: Premier Issue STR-Amiga Greetings Mr. Glover; Excellent issue! It's about time we've a tie-in resource between the networks! Please consider future themes and features as these: A suggestion which I often hawk and plead is a full length feature on Amiga PD authors. These people not only go unsung, but even most of their titles are unreviewed or unknown or haphazardly strewn all over cyberspace. We know little of what drives them, their plans, their opinions, their family-author life. I know it'd be difficult to accom- plish, what with many Amiga authors in Europe and down-under, but heck, I'd be willing to contribute a modest fee to permit you say, a trans- oceanic interview with Nico or Chris Hames, etc. We need these people, the Amiga community does. They need their "fifteen minutes"! Secondly, your BBS etiquette article was superb, and I'm seeing that as many computer labs in the NYC Board of Ed system post them to as many metro boards as possible. May the wind forever fill your sails, Jim __________________________________________________ Dear Jim: I agree with you completely about PD authors needing credit and praise. I hope to be able to accomplish something along those lines in the near future. This issue, we have started spotlighting various programs that we find on the online services and local BBS's. While this effort is certainly a step in the right direction, it is far from sufficient. But at least it will get some of these otherwise ignored programs some attention. If you can provide me with an Email address for some notable PD authors, I will contact them and try to arrange some interviews and features. Thank you very much for your reponse, and I hope more people will take the initiative to make suggestions like you have! Rob @ Amiga Report International Online Magazine **************************************************************************** > NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Amiga! """"""""""""""""""""""""""" National Videotext Network (NVN) has recently added an Amiga Forum to it's growing lists of available services. The Amiga Forum is ready and waiting for you! The future of NVN will be one which continues to remain sensitive and responsive to market needs. Additional services and advances in electronic information will continue to be added, to provide unique and interesting services on an on-going basis. NVN service offerings can be broken into three categories: Basic, Premium, and Premium Plus. **************************************** **************************************** ** 9600 BAUD acious! ** ** For users with 9600 baud modems ** ** SAME PRICE AS 2400 BAUD! ** ** TRUE on line savings! ** **************************************** **************************************** Basic Services -------------- Most of the Basic services are available 24 hours a day with no connect time charges beyond the basic membership fee. However, a select group have functions for which transaction fees are charged. Basic services are accessible through a flat rate charge of $5.95 per month. Premium Services ---------------- For Premium services, Members pay connect charges for the amount of time spent in a particular service. Premium services are accessible Monday through Friday for a connect time charge of $9.00/hour from 8 am to 6 pm, and $6.00/hour from 6 pm to 8 am; and on Saturday and Sunday for a connect time charge of $6.00 all day (6 pm Friday til 8 am Monday), central time zone. 9600 Baud access is available at no additional cost! Think of the advantages of downloading at 9600 baud for 9.00 hr Prime Time or 6.00 hr non-prime time! Order an extended NVN Membership of 6 or 12 months, pay for it in advance and receive a bonus in connect time at no additional charge. Choose from two subscription plans: 6-Month Membership Pay just $30 for a 6-month Membership and receive a usage credit that entitles you to $15 of connect-time in the Premium services of your choice. Your total savings using this plan would be over $20!* 12 Month Membership Pay $50 for a full year's Membership and get even more free time on-line. We'll give you a $25 usage credit to use in your favorite Premium services or try out new ones. You could save as much as $45.* For more information about either of these plans, give us a call at 1-800-336- 9096. *Both extended Membership options, including free usage credits are nonrefund-able/nontransferable. Members are responsible for all Premium charges over the $15 or $25 usage credit. You can join NVN one of two ways. By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. You will be issued an Account # (usually within 24 hours) National Videotex Network and the Amiga Forum will be waiting for you. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - Melo Park, CA ------------- Insider reports tell us that now is the time to call or write Intuit if you want to see an Amiga version of the popular checking and budgeting program, "Quicken." Quicken is currently available for IBM compatibles and the Apple Macintosh. To place your request, call Intuit at 800-624- 8742, or write to: Intuit 155 Linfield drive Menlo Park, CA 94025 Attn: Marketing - Portland, OR ------------ Supra Corp. reports that the earliest their new Supra Turbo28 accelerator will be available is late April to early May. A new hardware design has necessitated the delay, but beta testers are reporting excellent results. - Federal Way, WA --------------- MiGraph has released an upgrade to TouchUp, its popular monochrome image manipulation/hand scanner software. Version 3.1 is said to fix problems with Workbench 3.0. Call today to get your upgrade! 206-838-4677 - Federal Way, WA --------------- Here's some interesting information on MiGraph's new Colorburst color hand scanner: - Recognizes and scans 262144 different colors - Four inch wide scanner with the included parallel interface - Six scanning resolutions: 50-400 dpi - Five scanning modes: SuperColor, Color, Greyscale, MonoDither, and Mono/Line art - Comes with software to scan and save in these modes - Supports up to 64 levels of grey at 400 dpi - Compatible with WB1.3, WB2.X, WB3.0, and AGA - Will not fit in the same scanning tray cradle that old scanner uses - Will not be offerred as a special trade-in for current B/W scanner owners - Comes with software that is NOT as sophisticated as Touch-Up - Will be available to current owners for $399 until April 30, 1993 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > STR Dealer Directory ==================== Armadillo Brothers 753 East 3300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 801-484-2791 GEnie: B.GRAY (Dealers: To have your name added, please send Email!) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Amiga Report's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" THE TOP TEN REJECTED CHIPS FROM THE AMIGA 4000: ---------------------------------------------- From C.Severn on GEnie 10. ARNOLD - Each chip costs $15 million. 9. HANNIBAL - It sucked all the electricity from ALICE. 8. TELLER - They couldn't get a peep out of this chip. 7. FAT ALBERT - With FAT GARY already there, it wouldn't fit. 6. HEROQUEST - Milton Bradley threatened to sue. 5. ZORRO IV - Sequels just don't cut it anymore. 4. DS9 - The chip just sat there and did nothing. 3. COGSWORTH - The Amiga already had a clock. 2. 80486 - Too primitive. AND THE NUMBER ONE REJECTED CHIP FROM THE AMIGA 4000: 1. ROSANNE - The output kept overloading the buffer. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Amiga Report International Online Magazine ~ STR Publications -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" March 26, 1993 Amiga Edition Copyright (c) 1993 All Rights Reserved No.1.02 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors and staff of Amiga Report International Online Magazine or of STR Publications. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number and the author's name. STReport and/or por- tions therein may not be edited in any way without prior written permission. Amiga Report, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. Amiga Report, its staff and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained there from. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""