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_ ____ ___ ______ _______ _ 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 April 2, 1993 No. 1.03 ========================================================================== ----------------------------------------- * 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 ----------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________ > 04/02/93 STR-Amiga 1.03 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """"""""""""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - New Products - Rendered Reality - STR Confidential - Jop Opening at ASDG - Dealer Directory - STR Online - GVP A1230 Review -* Hot new A1200 Products from ICD *- -* Where to find those new Monitor Drivers *- ============================================================================ 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!" """""""""""""""""""""" I'd like to apologize for the size of this week's issue, and for the late release. Due to a serious lack of employment in Southeastern Tennessee, I was forced to relocate in search of work. I have been preparing for the move for several days, and arrived here in Southeastern Texas yesterday. It just so happens that this is the same town where our Techincal Editor, Micah Thompson lives. On a more positive note, anybody wondering if the rumor about the A1200 speeding up after adding Fast RAM is true, I can give an emphatic YES! I was pleased to be able to add 4 meg of 32-bit Fast RAM and a 25 MHz 68882 to my A1200, after our Contributing Editor Tom Mulcahy purchased his GVP A1230 Turbo, and sold me his MBX1200. The speed improvement is noticable, but not quite the difference Tom notes when switching to his 40 MHz 68030. Icons appear more quickly when you open a disk window, the hard disk becomes noticably faster (my Maxtor 80 meg IDE went from 600K/sec to 950K/sec), and the machine is generally much more fun to use. Now all I can say is, "I need more memory!" Four meg of Fast RAM just isn't enough if you plan on doing any serious graphics work (didn't Mike mention that a few times???). We have had some feedback regarding the question I posed last week, about having a graphic or AmigaGuide format. Switching over to a graphic style is still a possiblity, but due to the time involved, it would probably be limited to once a month. However, as one GEnie user has shown us, it is quite easy to set the magazine up in AmigaGuide. However, unless there is enough of a demand for this, I would rather not dedicate resources that we could use for other projects. If anyone has suggestions for articles, or would be interested in con- tributing, please feel free to send me Email. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 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 Bix: HELMET 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 GEnie......................... ROB-G Internet.......................ROB_G@Delphi.COM """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS ================= COMPUTER PRODUCTS UPDATE - CPU REPORT ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #13 By: John Deegan NINTENDO LOSES AT SUPREME COURT - Nintendo of America lost this week when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear its claim that add-on hardware letting players experiment with video cartridges to essentially invent new games violates federal copyright laws. This means a win for Lewis Galoob Toys, because the company can continue selling its "Game Genie," an add-on that plugs into the Nintendo Entertainment System and cartridges, allowing use of a code to change up to three elements of a given video game at a time. TI OFFERS NEW PRINTERS - Texas Instruments Inc. has introduced a new family of printers for IBM PC/compatible and Apple Macintosh users. The new line of microWriter LED page printers consist of three models: microWriter PS23, microWriter PS65 and the microWriter, which offers LaserJet compatibility. TI says the printers now are available through its global network of distributors and dealers. INTEL SHIPS PENTIUM - Intel Corp. this week began shipping its much- awaited Pentium microprocessor, the next generation computer chip that provides improved processing speed and performance. The fifth-generation chip performs 112 million instructions per second, making it five times more powerful than the original Intel '486 chip. "The Pentium processor will run all the current software without mod- ification and with a substantial performance improvement," said Paul Otellini, senior vice president with Intel. DELL CUTS PRICES, STOCK TUMBLES - Dell Computer Corp. this week an- nounced it was cutting prices by as much as $300 on selected 486-based systems, causing the company's stock to tumble. The firm cut prices from $50 to $300 on six Dimension systems, affec- ting more than 60 hardware configurations. Dell said the price cuts were made possible through savings in component and manufacturing costs. NEC GOES WORLDWIDE WITH NEW CHIP - NEC Corp. says that next month it will begin selling worldwide its next-generation chip, offering a memory 16 times that of widely sold 4-megabit chips currently on the market. NEC Vice President Yuichi Haneta as saying it will be the first company to sell the 64-megabit DRAM (dynamic random access memory) chip, targeted for use in supercomputers, high-definition television sets, multi-media products and office workstations. Recently, NEC joined other companies in announcing the development of an experimental 256-megabit DRAM and said it had applied for about 100 different kinds of patents on the new chip. APPLE INTRODUCES MULTIMEDIA CD-ROM PRODUCT - Apple Computer Inc. this week introduced PowerCD, its first CD-ROM-based multimedia product. PowerCD is a three-in-one player for CD-ROM, photo CD and audio compact discs. Available as an external device, the portable PowerCD drive will offer users access to Macintosh CD-ROM titles on their computer, as well as full support for Kodak Photo CD formats and the ability to play audio CDs when connected to a television or Macintosh computer. Applications include business presentations, reference databases, photo archives, learning programs and entertainment. The unit is lightweight, battery-operated and completely portable. It has a built-in SCSI port to enable users to connect their Macintosh desktop or PowerBook computer and use it as a CD-ROM drive. HAYES CUTTING PRICES 17% - Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. says it has taken action within its distribution channel that is expected to lower the street prices by up to 17% on its Optima products. "The price reductions are intended to make the fastest CCITT standard modem of 14,000 bit/s more affordable," Hayes said in a statement from Atlanta, "and to encourage more business users to take advantage of the benefits of fax capabilities in a modem." The Optima line includes data and fax modems ranging from 2400 bps to 14,000 bps. SONY DEVELOPS 1.5-GIGABYTE 2.5" DISK TECHNOLOGY - Sony says it has developed a technology capable of creating a 2.5-inch hard disk, which can hold 1.5 gigabyte of data. The firm has already produced a prototype version of the disk. It is reported that the technology is the combina- tion of a Mini-Disks and a compact disk (CD). Sony's latest 2.5-inch original hard disk technology is called the Pre-Embossed Rigid Magnetic, or the PERM. The disk has embossed tracks or grooves on both sides of the disk. Basically, it uses the same mastering and stamping process as that of a music CD. Sony claims that it is a totally new technology. A prototype 2.5-inch hard disk prototype has already been developed, which has 5,000 tracks per inch and can store 200 megabytes (MB) of data. The disk measures 10 by 7 by one centimeter in size. The grooves on the disk prevents noise, which is usually created by the friction between the tracks. With narrower grooves, Sony is preparing to produce a disk with 15,000 tracks per inch in the near future. This disk will hold 1.5 gigabyte of data. ELECTRONIC MONITORING LEADING CAUSE OF JOB STRESS WORLDWIDE - Job stress, some of which is caused by computers, is a worldwide phenomenon affecting tens of millions of workers, according to a report issued by a United Nations agency. Electronic monitoring by employers is a leading cause of job stress. According to the findings of the U.N.'s International Labor Organization (ILO) job stress is also rampant in developing countries where companies are doing little to help employees cope with the strain of modern industrialization. Vittorio G. Di Martino, a job stress specialist for the ILO, said major factors in the stressful nature of a job are not only the demands of the work, but also the lack of control many workers have over their jobs. For instance, repetitive work is not necessarily stressful, but when a worker is required to keep up with a machine, anxiety levels increase. Workers in many countries are being subjected to new pressures, including electronic eavesdropping by superiors, as the use of computers spreads throughout the world. Employees in airline offices, government agencies, insurance companies, mail-order houses and telephone companies, often find their work quality, quantity and length and frequency of breaks being electronically monitored by their bosses. "This may be reassuring for the employer, but not for the worker," said the report, "Job Stress: The 20th Century Disease." ____________________________________________________________________ ICD ANNOUNCES NEW ACCELERATOR FOR A1200 Rockford, Illinois, March 29, 1993 -- ICD, Incorporated, a leading designer and manufacturer of Amiga hardware enhancements, today announced a new standard for the Amiga 1200 computer. ICDs new Viper 1230(TM) was designed to give the popular Amiga 1200 the performance of a workstation. Viper 1230 offers the Amiga 1200 owner a 68030 accelerator supporting high speed memory expansion, an FPU co- processor socket, a battery backed-up real-time clock, and a unique 16-bit Direct Memory Access (DMA) port for further expansion capabilities. Viper 1230 uses the power of the Motorola 68030 and supports both EC and MMU versions from 40 to 50 MHz. When compared to the A1200s stock 68EC020 running at 14 MHz, the larger cache and higher speed of the Viper 1230 processor will make applications fly. Up to 32 MB of fast RAM can easily be added to Viper 1230 using industry standard 32-bit wide 72-pin SIMM modules. Two high quality SIMM sockets are on board for memory expansion. Burst mode, for top speed, is fully supported using low cost, page mode DRAM. With the addition of a high speed Motorola 68882 math coprocessor (FPU), all floating point math routines will run at near warp speed. Applications which rely heavily on floating point routines such as animation, ray tracing, image processing, DTP, and CAD will show an amazing improvement. The battery backed-up clock that is missing from the A1200 can be found on Viper 1230. This simple, accurate, and reliable design is already supported by the Amiga OS. Vipers DMA Port (VDP(TM)) allows many opportunities for high speed add-ons of the future. Products like a SCSI-2 controller, DSP board, modem, or networking card could be developed to accommodate th is port. VDP specifications are published in the Viper 1230 hardware installation manual. Viper 1230 was clearly designed with the customer in mind. The RAM, CPU, FPU, and the clock battery are all socketed and changeable using industry standard parts. The low-cost 40 MHz 68EC030 is supported as well as the 50 MHz 68030 for those who want the ultimate in performance with an MMU. Both 40 and 50 MHz FPUs are supported. Low-cost industry standard SIMMs are used for memory expansion. Viper 1230 and VDP boards are easily installed without removing the top of the computer. This ensures that Commodore's warranty remains intact. Viper 1230 is competitively priced and available with a number of options. USA suggested retail prices for the basic packages are: Viper 1230/40 40 MHz 68EC030, no FPU, no RAM $499.00 Viper 1230/50 50 MHz 68030, no FPU, no RAM $699.00 Viper 1230 comes with a full one year manufacturers warranty. Extended warranties are also available within 90 days of purchase. For further information, contact ICD Press Relations in the United States by phone at (815) 968-2228 extension 222 or by fax at (815) 968-6888. Viper 1230 and VDP are trademarks of ICD, Incorporated. Other trademarks are those of their respective holders. ____________________________________________________________________ ICD ANNOUNCES SCSI-2 ADAPTER FOR A1200 Rockford, Illinois, March 29, 1993 -- ICD, Incorporated, a leading designer and manufacturer of Amiga hardware enhancements, today announced the first VDP(TM) plug in card for an Amiga 1200 computer equipped with the Viper 1230(TM). Viper S2(TM), the first VDP peripheral designed for the Viper 1230, is a full DMA SCSI-2 controller offering truly sustainable transfers of 5 MB/sec asynchronous and 10 MB/sec synchronous. Viper 1230s DMA Port (VDP) allows the design of high speed add-ons that take full advantage of Direct Memory Access (DMA) and the speed of a Viper 1230 equipped Amiga 1200 computer. Viper S2 plugs directly into the DMA expansion connector of the Viper 1230 board. A plastic knockout in the back of the computer is removed, Viper S2 is plugged in, and one securing screw is installed in the bottom of the computer. Nothing other than a screw driver is required for installation. Viper S2 provides a standard high density SCSI-2 connector on the back of the Amiga 1200 computer. For those who desire only the best, an internal high density SCSI-2 connector is included to directly support a 2.5 inch SCSI hard drive inside the Amiga 1200. A three foot SCSI-2 cable is included to connect with an external SCSI peripheral using the standard Centronics 50P connector. Viper S2 is competitively priced and unsurpassed in speed. The USA suggested retail price is $199.00. Viper S2 comes with a full one year manufacturer's warranty. Extended warranties are also available within 90 days of purchase. For further information, contact ICD Press Relations in the United States by phone at (815) 968-2228 extension 222 or by fax at (815) 968-6888. Viper S2, Viper 1230, and VDP, are trademarks of ICD, Incorporated. Other trademarks are those of their respective holders. ____________________________________________________________________ PURPLE MOUNTAIN COMPUTERS ANNOUNCES RECYCLING CAMPAIGN Please help us in saving our planet's resources by spreading this news release anywhere and everywhere. It is our goal to educate and assist the growing computing community. Thank you for assisting us. CompuNews (TM): Informing the Community CompuCycle (TM): Saving the Environment March 22, 1993 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bellevue, WA - Purple Mountain Computers (PMC) has released CompuNews, a free newspaper to all Amiga, Atari ST, Mac, and PC users. CompuNews currently has a 31% newshole and features an interview with Insite Peripheral's Bill Sousa and the Floptical Technology Association's Jim Milligan, PageMaker 5 news, info on Connect (a new online magazine), a piece on Microsoft, and a beginner's tutorial on MIDI. PMC's is also spearheading a massive campaign to educate and assist users in recycling in the computing environment. CompuNews (TM) is helping spread the word about this program dubbed CompuCycle (TM). The CompuCycle (TM) program encompasses computer books, software, and magazines. CompuCycle (TM) lets users buy, sell and trade their unwanted items for ones they do want. Trial testing of the CompuCycle (TM) program has been a success. All computers are supported including PC, Mac, Amiga, Atari ST and 8 bit, Apple, Commodore 64, CP/M, and others. Book topics include a wide range of subjects including programming and tutorials. CompuCycle (TM) has an inventory that includes over 10,500 computer books/magazines and 1,100 programs. Wherehouses are located in Washington and California for quick delivery. We believe that everyone can benefit from this program. Users will pay less for software and can turn unused programs and books into cash or wanted items. And society will benefit from the utilization of our current resources, instead of wasting new ones. Thousands of books are listed on disk to conserve paper; this disk catalog is available for just $1. Users can receive CompuNews (TM) for free by contacting us and giving pertinent information (name, address, computer type): Purple Mountain Computers, Inc. (PMC) 15600 NE 8th St. Ste. A3-412 Bellevue, WA 98008 (206) 399-8700 GEnie E-mail: PMC.INC CompuServe : 72567,302 Delphi : OSTEELE Looking for News ---------------- We welcome any press releases or news information that any individuals or organizations would like to supply to us (put us on your mailing list). We will include such information in upcoming issues. Company Backgrounder -------------------- Purple Mountain Computers, Inc. is an environmentally conscious company. Our group includes a college student, office manager, housewife, engineer, and a receptionist. We are striving to make a difference in the world, to make a change for the better. We want to make sure that there will be new resources for everyone's children in the years ahead. Thank you for helping us save our planet! ____________________________________________________________________ CALGARY'S AMIJAM'93 SET FOR MAY 14-15 The Amiga Users of Calgary (AMUC) are pleased to invite you to participate in AMIJAM'93. Following the success of the Amiga Computer Expo '91, a dedicated core of AMUC volunteers are hard at work organizing AMIJAM'93. This event will be held at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) campus in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15, 1993. AMIJAM'93 will feature seminars, workshops, a "hands-on" area, a dealer room, and culminate with a banquet. During the two days AMIJAM'93 is expected to attract over three thousand people from the curiosity seekers to hard core enthusiasts and professionals. AMIJAM'93 will show the Amiga family of computers producing practical solutions in real-life situations. A full range of applications will be shown to demonstrate the versatility, suitability, and cost effectiveness of the Amiga. AMIJAM'93's workshop series will feature top names in the Amiga community teaching attendees how to get the most out of the Amiga. Workshops will include a lecture style seminar as well as hands-on time to put these techniques into practice. hanks to SAIT and Commodore Business machines AMIJAM'93 workshops will have 2 fully equipped Amiga labs to use. AMIJAM'93 is very proud to announce the attendance of Eric Schwartz, Fred Fish, Jim Butterfield, Stephen Jeans and Coniah Chung as workshop presenters. Don't miss out on the largest Amiga Show in Western Canada. Respond to this announcement and receive information on pricing, accommodation, and most importantly, how you can participate in AMIJAM'93. Do not delay! PHONE: AMIJAM'93 (403)246-2861 EMAIL: Internet: amijam@phriend.cuc.ab.ca FidoNet: 1:134/27 Genie: J.ROSE16 MAIL: AMIJAM'93 144 Strathbury Circle S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3H 1P9 ____________________________________________________________________ MICROBOTICS, INC. RELEASES COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE AS "FREEWARE" MicroBotics, Inc., the Amiga peripherals manufacturer in Richardson, Texas announces the release of the MicroBotics FreeTools Collection. The MicroBotics FreeTools Collection (MFC) consists of two major, commercial software utilities, RDPrep and MBRTest-2, plus some additional support programs. Except for a small media and handling charge, the MFC is available as "freeware" from MicroBotics. RDPrep is a powerful, easy-to-use disk partitioning utility that makes simple work of the often daunting task of partitioning a hard disk. RDPrep is designed to work with any interface/driver combination that fully complies with the AmigaDOS Rigid Disk Block standard and which accepts standard direct SCSI commands. Even the IDE interface on CBM's new 1200 and 4000 computers can be addressed by RDPrep and thus RDPrep can be used to support third-party installations of IDE drives on these systems (which is an important consideration given that fact that CBM does not provide partitioning software with non-HD 1200's). RDPrep is extremely easy to use -- in most cases its intelligent defaults will be all the user will need to implement. The software also has a special "COMPLEX" mode for hard disk experts or special hardware setups. RDPrep is completely documented by its context sensitive help facility plus extensive online help files. MBRTest-2 is an Amiga implementation of several industry standard RAM tests wrapped in a friendly point-and-shoot testing environment. MBRTest-2 will not only test FastRAM but also ChipRAM --even the ChipRAM the test itself is using! MBRTest is the only RAM test that will test all types of memory on the Amiga (including "high" memory on many accelerator boards). The test automatically discriminates between 16-bit and 32-bit memory. The software permits many configuration options including "hands-off" testing. Test results can be logged to a file for later examination. MBRTest-2 will find and test all properly implemented third party memory boards and all standard Amiga memory areas on all Amigas. It is a useful diagnostic tool for every Amiga owner and dealer. MicroBotics is making these two great utilities available on many national networks including BIX and CompuServe free of charge except for normal telecomm charges. They are also available directly from MicroBotics for a $7.00 (US) shipping and handling fee (on the diskette titled "MicroBotics FreeTools Collection". MicroBotics has granted permission to non-profit Amiga user groups to distribute the software to their members. All Amiga dealers may use the software in-house for setup and testing. Dealers who want to include the software with Amigas or with hard disk kits should apply to MicroBotics for a free re-distribution license (the chief provision of which is that they may not impose any charge for the software). In its freeware edition, the software carries no customer support. All MicroBotics hardware customers, however, are automatically supported on the software simply by registering their hardware and providing serial number information upon request. MicroBotics, Inc., 1251 American Parkway, Richardson, TX 75081 (214)-437-5330 [Central Time Zone] ____________________________________________________________________ ASDG TECHICAL POSITION AVAILABLE How would you like to become part of one of the most exciting companies in the Amiga community? We currently have an opening for a Technical Support Represenative for ASDG's complete product line. Although you are not required to have a working knowledge of all of our products -- both hardware and software -- the more you know the better. You will need to possess excellent verbal and written skills. You will need to know how to listen to our users' problems and respond with clear and helpful answers. Communication with our customers will be done by phone, computer networks and through mailed and faxed correspondence. You will need to be organized, responsible, and have a service-oriented mentality. You should possess a good deal of knowledge about the Amiga's hardware and operating system, and be willing to learn how to use existing and new products. Familiarity with the AREXX programming language is also an advantage. ASDG offers full health benefits, an extremely aggressive profit sharing and pension plan, an excellent work atmosphere, and a chance to be part of one of (what are nearly universally regarded as) the good guys of the Amiga marketplace. To respond, either email me a SHORT NOTE desrcibing yourself (WHICH MUST INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER) or call me at (608) 273-6585. If you email, you run the risk of your mail getting lost, so if you don't hear from me, call. Jeffrey R. Almasol ASDG Technical Support Manager ASDG, Inc. 925 Steward Street Madison, WI 53713 GE Mail: ASDG.TECH ____________________________________________________________________ NEW VERSION OF MAGIC FILE REQUESTER TITLE Magic File Requester (MFR) VERSION 2.0e AUTHOR Stefan Stuntz (stuntz@informatik.tu-muenchen.de) DESCRIPTION - MFR is a highly enhanced and highly configurable replacement to the AmigaDOS ASL file requester (not to mention it's much faster!). On any program that calls the standard ASL file requester, MFR will patch it's self into the executing program, making it call MFR instead of the ASL requester. All you really have to do to use MFR is to put it in your WBStartup drawer, then you just set it up they way you like! - MFR is completely controllable via keyboard, so you will never have to touch your mouse when selecting files (of course you can, if you really want to). - MFR will use any font you want in its display. Proportional fonts like helvetica look really marvellous. - MFR has the ability to quickly search your hard disk for any file, so you needn't remember each file's directory. - MFR offers a powerful directory caching mechanism. - MFR can display pictures, play sounds, view archives, etc. with the aid of some external programs. - MFR has a history list. - MFR looks very nice, especially on high resolution screens. - MFR has a sizing gadget. - MFR takes advantage of new Kick 2.0 features like file notification. - MFR can be customized through a wide range of tooltypes and menu items. - MFR is fast. - MFR is simply magic :-) NEW FEATURES A new US/Canada (North America) registration site to make registering your MFR faster and easier. For information EMailed to you, you may contact: robertb@liquid.albany.ny.us You will be mailed information on how to obtain your MFR registration in the US and Canada. Just leave your EMail address again in the message in case the reply path gets munged. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS At least Kickstart V37.175 and AmigaDOS V2.04 (or higher) PRICE $15 (US dollars) DISTRIBUTABILITY MFR is shareware and must be registered. However the complete MFR archive is freely distributable. Users who are satisfied with MFR and use it frequently are ask to register their MFR to assure support and newer revisions of the program. __________________________________________________ TEXCLEAN V1.11 AVAILABLE FOR FTP TITLE TeXClean VERSION 1.11 AUTHOR Daniel J. Barrett, barrett@cs.umass.edu DESCRIPTION This is a little utility (CLI/Shell only) which makes it easy to delete files generated by TeX or LaTeX, such as "dvi" and "aux" files. This is one of those really little but incredibly useful programs that (I suspect) anybody working with TeX or LaTeX would enjoy. Source code in C is included. It's very short and quite portable. I've been using this program for over a year, so I believe it is quite stable. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS This should run on all Amigas under AmigaDOS 1.3 and higher. HOST NAME I have uploaded it to Aminet. ftp to amiga.physik.unizh.ch (130.60.80.80) to see a list of all Aminet sites. DIRECTORY pub/aminet/text/tex FILE NAMES TeXClean.lha DISTRIBUTABILITY Public Domain. __________________________________________________ ZVM1.6.LZH - ZYXEL MODEM UTILITY RELEASED TITLE ZVM -- used to be ZyXELVoice VERSION 1.6 COMPANY BuglesSoft AUTHOR Al Villarica rvillari@cat.syr.edu DESCRIPTION Use your Zyxel modem as an answering machine. Can be used with GPFax to make your Amiga a voice/fax device. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Needs a hard disk, ZyXEL modem (>= 5.02 ROMs), 2.0 OS. HOST NAME amiga.physik.unizh.ch (130.60.80.80). DIRECTORY comm/misc FILE NAMES zvm1.6.lzh PRICE FREE DISTRIBUTABILITY PD. Give it away to anyone (e.g. Can be included with the sale of ZyXEL modems or GPFax. README This is version 1.6 of ZVM, a voice module that allows one to use a Zyxel modem as an answering machine. It can also communicate with GPFax 2.21 or greater when there is a fax, allowing it to also act as a fax machine, automatically. You can retrieve messages from the outside too. Some of the new features are: - Better UI - Playback through the Amiga sound system for ADPCM2 and ADPCM3 - Better handling of calls if you don't have GPFax - User selectable rec. time and silence detection parameters - Fixed some bugs ____________________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport Online People... Are Talking! ============================= From GEnie: ---------- A special offer from Brent Gray of Armadillo Brothers: Re: New Monitor Drivers!!! "YES!! I DO have the drivers and I would be happy to send them to anybody who wants them. There's one small problem... "I'm already getting WAY too many requests to handle everything for free (free disk, free postage, free time, etc.) So... "Anyone who wants a copy of the disk, send a blank disk, and a self- addressed stamped envelope (*2* stamps!!!!) to my store and I'll make you a copy and send it right back! (No charge for the labor ;-)" Brent Gray Armadillo Brothers 753 East 3300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84106 "(If we could get Commodore to let me upload it to the library here it would sure save a lot of hassle for everyone. It seems stupid that I can't. I mean it's not like anyone who isn't entitled to these drivers would even want the dang things! Is anyone who can give me permission listening??)" -------------------- From Jim Drew (J.DREW2) about his new Emplant board: "Interesting... we installed System 7.1.6 today and noticed that all of the FPU math jumped by 35%!! We ran Speeometer on AMAX II+ under this new system and our emulation under this same system. The results were very impressive. We are 210% faster in FPU math than AMAX II+ (same machine running AMAX and EMPLANT's MAC emulation). Our graphics are 20% faster than AMAX too. I think if we get much faster, the Amiga is going to go into meltdown. ;-) "We also discovered (while playing the ci/si emulation module that we are working on) that math is nearly 10 times faster on a ci/si compared to a MAC II/x/cx. What a difference. The si/ci machines definately do have a big advantage over early family members. For this reason, we are in- reasing our efforts to get this module released. "We are still working on the IBM emulation...just watch and wait for the usenet flames when I announce that we are getting 60 Mhz 80486 speeds on an A4000....all with software (relying on the EMPLANT hardware for necessary timers and such)." -------------------- On CompuServe's AmigaVendor Forum: From Richard Rose (73106,1560): "An 11 x 17 x 300 dpi x 24 bit image _is_ technically speaking 50,490,000 bytes. But it very quickly becomes 67,320,000 when converted from the 24 bit RGB raw data into a 32 bit CMYK image that I need to work with. "Then the computer needs 4 to 5 times that much memory/VM for image manipulation _in addition to_ the memory for the image itself, _plus_ memory for the OS and the application program(s). 128 megs of real RAM in a 4000 would be a nice starting point. "Memory prices today are $30-50 per meg in either 1 meg or 4 meg simm packages. To cram 128 megs into a 4000 would require using 16 meg simms. 16 meg SIMMs are still a little pricey. About twice the price of the lower density chips. That places 128 megs at between $8000-12,800. <gulp>" -------------------- From FidoNet: * Original message dated 18 Mar 93 13:02:06, from Rex "The Catman" Morriss I'm very pleased to see you online in Amiganet, and since you asked: I am a graphic designer and illustrator who uses Commodore Amiga (an A3000T to be precise.) For quite awhile now, I've been a genuine die-hard supporter of Commodore Amiga, even in light of the fact that, for the most part, the other professionals in my industry use Macintosh. In some instances, my use of Amiga versus Mac has had alot of my clients and would-be clients quite confused. Despite the capabilities of my A3000T, skepticism abounds with respect to my ability to do "real" work on the computer. Compatibility with Mac products is an issue, though I've tried to address that with emulation (though it's a marginal way through which to truly overcome true Mac compatibility. Still, after having worked on both the Mac and the Amiga, I still very much prefer the Amiga. Here's my problem, here's my suggestion to you: In my industry (graphic arts/illustration/creative direction), there are quite a few publications out there which in the past few years have in- creasingly moved their focus on computer-based production technique. Specifically, publications such as STEP-BY-STEP GRAPHICS, HOW magazine and the like, have dedicated an increasing number of pages to computerized pre-press production. I believe I can say without too much hesitation, the total consciousness of these publications is locked into thinking MACINTOSH. As a creative professional working on the Amiga, I find the "Mac this" "Mac that" "Mac, Mac, Mac..." not only irritating, but downright detrimental to my efforts to create and sustain a client base using the system I do. I am constantly awestruck at the extent to which Commodore has NOT taken advantage of the opportunities to make its product line known to the graphic design/illustrative community which is currently Mac-i-Fied. EXAMPLE: How do you take an ordinary photograph, composite other photographs into it, apply special visual effects to the resultant image and publish that in a postscript output document? Read the "trade" magazines, and the descriptive sentence will almost always begin with, "Using your Mac and Photoshop..." Accordingly... WHY is Commodore making obviously NO attempt to assure that these publications feature work on the Amiga? Where is the real MARKETING from Commodore when it comes to addressing this HUGE and GROWING market? In a very real sense, and since you've asked, I believe Commodore's entire domestic sales and marketing strategy needs a giant kick in the butt - a complete overhaul and a definite face-lift. The problem goes beyond merely advertising. It goes to the very heart of the company's public image as conveyed through its dealerships. Another example: I've traveled around the country and visited quite a few Commodore/Amiga dealers beyond those I've visited here. Now, keeping in mind that I'm a fan of the computer, here's my general impression: "you've gotta' be kidding." The competition - IBM, Mac, Apple, etc. - seem to have worked quite diligently to assure that their product lines are being represented on a highly professional level. Quite often you walk into a dealer selling Mac equipment and what do you see? You see cleanly-appointed facilities, professional-looking salespeople and a general representation of the product that says, "yep, this is something you should probably buy." Now, you walk into what I've perceived to be the average Commodore/Amiga dealer, and what's the impression? "Hmmmm...." I've seen anything-but well-appointed facilities. For the most part I've encountered an atmosphere that can be best be described as lackadaisical and UNprofessional. Salespeople are wearing t-shirts and, despite their usual friendliness, do NOT convey an image that would be readily accepted by your average business person out on a computer-buying adventure. In a very real sense, the impression given has been "fly by night". Such was the experience when I first went out looking at Amiga computers several years ago, and it was merely the fact that I believed enough in the computer itself to overlook the absolute "who cares" attitude and sales facilities I encountered. Even my favorite Amiga dealership which has bent over backwards to help me and whom I would classify as having some of the best customer-service I've ever encountered still projects a very haphazard and "iffy" image: soiled carpets, boxes scattered around the "main sales area", filled with loose papers, software arranged on makeshift shelving, etc. It doesn't "show well" to the hotshot exec who's out there wanting to spend a bundle on a system. I've too often encountered Commodore Amiga sales people who either didn't KNOW about the products being sold in their facilities, or projected an "I don't care" attitude. In one instance, I watched as a group of 7 people who were seriously interested in purchasing an Amiga system with a Video Toaster card and software literally put their checkbooks away and walked out of a dealership because the "salesperson" behind the counter a) didn't have a system he was able to show them, and b) had only one beaten-up copy of the spec sheets which he grudgingly told them "they couldn't keep". Had I been the customer, I would have not only walked out, but written the owner of the shop and complained bitterly about the treatment I had received. Another example: For a long time I had tried to convince my brother and father to buy an Amiga system. Finally, my brother decided he was interested. What he and I encountered in his area with respect to gaining information and help in buying an Amiga was very comparable to the above example: ignorant, "who cares"-type salespeople, inaccessibility to the product itself, limited or non-existent support software... the list goes on and on. It was only with continued coaxing from me to "please overlook all this, it really is a good computer" did he eventually buy the system. Unfortunately, point of sales is not your only problem in the U.S. Servicing is also a giant-sized problem. I personally went through literally a nightmare experience attempting to get my A3000T serviced. It took 6 WEEKS - and my 3000T is still under Gold Service warranty. I encountered inept technicians, uncooperative service agents and "out-to-lunch" shipping personnel which all added up to a genuine problem for me: I'm trying to run my BUSINESS using the Amiga. Is this the type of service I can expect from Commodore? Believe me, there have been times and still are times when I have asked myself whether or not it's really worth the "uphill" battle to continue working on the Amiga system and there are times when I have seriously con- sidered cutting my losses and surrendering to Macintosh. Please know that I am NOT alone in this. I am willing to stay with my Amiga for now, because I do, despite the problems I've encountered, dearly love the machine and what it can do. But from you, from Commodore, I MUST have some assurances that you're going to be able to compete not only on the manufacturing of hardware level, but the software capabilities, public image and product servicing fronts as effectively as Commodore's competitors do. For a long time, I've heard many other users singing the same song as I am now singing to you, and for a long time, we've heard your folks telling us "We promise, things will get better...we're working on changing things for the better." I'm sorry, but I still don't see it. I could offer you quite a bit more insight and information - and HELP, if you wish to make me an offer I can't refuse - but this post has gone on long enough. I truly and sincerely hope you take what I've said here in the spirit in which it is meant: I want Commodore and the Amiga product to not only survive, but prosper - and even dominate the markets in which it is struggling now, but it's not going to happen if Commodore keeps on going as it is now. Thank you for listening to my thoughts. If you wish to contact me for further discussion, I'm in the Minneapolis yellow pages - under NOODLE RANCH. PS: Please ask your folks there at your main office to friendly up a bit. It might actually be good for business. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > GVP A1230 Turbo+ Add a blower to your A1200! ================ By Tom Mulcahy Installation of the A1230 Turbo+ from GVP could not be simpler. It's a two minute job that doesn't void the warranty, since the boards slides into the cpu slot in the belly of the A1200. A wiggle here a jiggle there and the board is in. The board auto-configs so it is recognized immediately upon rebooting. The speed of the on board 40 MHz EC030 is more than noticeable. Windows open and shut almost instantaneously. The board consists of more than a hot EC030. A socket for a 40 MHz fpu resides on the board as well. There is no adjustable clock crystal, so the fpu must be either 40 MHz or higher, although an fpu clocked higher will still run at 40mhz. *Note - The fpu MUST be PLCC type. 50 MHz PLCC type fpu's are quite difficult to find. At the time I ordered mine not one mail order company had them in stock, including Memory World and the A1230's distributor, GVP. Apparently there is quite a shortage in the market. Hopefully as you read this they will be, or at least will soon be a little more available. Also on board are 2 SIMM sockets that MUST accept GVP style simms. These are somewhat smaller and more expensive than standard 32-bit wide 72-pin SIMMs. Each SIMM socket can accept a 16 MB SIMM for a total of 32MB. *Note - 16 MB SIMMs should be available from GVP in the upcoming months. The board ships with one 1 MB SIMM. I added a 4 MB SIMM giving me a total of 5MB on the board and 7 MB total with the A1200's 2 MB of Chip RAM. The A1230 Turbo+ is the ONLY GVP board that allows the mixing of SIMM sizes. What board would be complete without jumpers? The 1230+ has jumpers labeled J1-J6 and CN4-CN7. The default settings are sufficient for most people. J1 is interesting as it allows you to select 68020 or 68030 mode. One could make a hardware switch that toggles the board back and forth for even more compatibility, although the amount of programs that run on an '020 but refuse to run on an '030 are quite slim. If 16 MB SIMMs are present, J5 is OFF. CN5 allows you to adjust the DRAM refresh of 16MB SIMMs. The rest of the jumpers are reserved. Included the board is the A1230 Turbo+ utility disk. The following programs are contained on the disk: GVPCpuCtrl - allows you to map the KickStart ROMs into 32-bit Fast RAM for enhanced performance; MemTest - tests the memory on the A1230 Turbo+; GVPinfo - a slow but thorough system diagnostics program. The programs worked fine, but the install disk failed to install correctly. Overall this board is very complete. It is difficult to find any faults with it. Some may complain about GVP's decision to include an EC030 instead of the full blown 030 with MMU, but most users will probably have no use for an MMU. The MMU makes mapping Kickstart into 32-bit Fast RAM asimple task, but the GVP A1230, like most of GVP's accelerators support the feature just as easily with the GVPcpuCtrl program. Other MMU functions are utilized by programs such as GigaMem to allow the use of HD space as virtual memory. Supposedly the EC030 can be replaced with a normal '030 but my A1230 had a metal shield soldered over the CPU and some other board components. Most importantly, the EC030 runs just as fast as a 'real' 030. Don't be under the impression that just because its MMU is disabled it somehow runs a slower, as this couldn't be farther from the truth. Below are some system comparisons using SysInfo v3.11: MIPS: 7.01 Drystones : 6707 x faster than A600/68000/7mhz - 11.4 x faster than A1200/EC020/14mhz - 5.17 x faster than A3000/68030/25mhz - 1.44 x faster than A4000/68040/25mhz - 0.36 Great Valley Products, Inc. 600 Clark Ave. King of Prussia, PA 19406 215-337-9495 **************************************************************************** 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 Half the students at the college I attend are either computer science majors, or their major includes a lot of computer related work. With that many computer people on campus, most discussions eventually get around to that great philisophical question: "What computer do you use.....an Amiga? Why??" After over a year of this I have my answer memorized and ready to unload on the poor, unenlightened IBM'ers and Mac'o'philes who don't know any better. When asked why I use an Amiga instead of an IBM or Mac, I first try to explain to them the glories of true multitasking. When that doesn't work (and most of the time I just get blank stares) I simply tell them I use an Amiga because my main use of a computer is making 3-D animations and the Amiga is the only real choice for 3-D animation work, unless you want to spend a small fortune. Okay, this seems like a good answer and this should be the end of the discussion. I'm feeling pretty good about myself, for once again I've defended my precious Amiga against the barbarian hordes. Then I hear IT. IT is the answer I've come to expect (but dread) whenever I mention 3-D animation to most people who don't use an Amiga. "3-D animation? You mean you do those cartoons you have to wear 3-D glasses to see?" Aaaahhhhhhhh!!! KILL, REND, SMASH, STOMP... Luckily, these are all just the thoughts which pass thru my head whenever I hear IT, instead of my actual response. I'm basicly a nice person, so I try to explain that a computer generated 3-D animation isn't the same as a film done in 3-D and by no means has even the slightest connection to "FRIDAY THE 13th: Part XXVII - Jason does Pittsburg (in Dolby stereo and Cinematic 3-D)". Everyone has probably seen the animation flip-books you can buy at any bookstore. Each picture is just a little different from the one before it and if you flip the pages fast enough you see a moving animation. This is basically what happens in a computer animation. Seperate pictures are drawn, saved and then presented in sequence. When these pictures are shown at a rate of about 15 frames per second, the human eye sees them as continuous motion. When you start doing 3-D animations, there is a little more work involved. Actually, most of the actual work involves learning to use the animation software and your imagination. Instead of drawing each frame, 3-D animation involves modeling each object you want to use in the animation program and setting up the animation sequence. Luckily, there are hundreds (probably thousands) of Public Domain 3-D objects that you can download from bullitin boards, or you can buy commercial objects. Still, If you don't learn to model your own objects you will severly limit what you can do. Also, learning how a 3-D object is made is basic to learning how a 3-D program works. The first step in setting up a 3-D animation, unless you are using PD or commercial objects, is to model the object in your programs modeler. A 3-D renderer is able to create the type of animations it does because the objects in the animation actually have 3 (mathematical) dimensions. When you create an object (a spaceship, for example), you create the entire object, front, back, top and bottom. Then you tell the software where you want to place the lights, camera and your object(s). You also set up any paths you want your object(s) to follow, along with any effects such as rotation, explosions, textures, image wraps, etc. Since your computer has a 3-dimensional representation of the object in memory, as your point of view moves around the object, the 3-D renderer will draw the object from that angle. Also, if you are raytracing the scene, the exact location of any shadows are calculated and drawn by the program. This makes for some very realistic animations. I know this is a very simplistic example of 3-D animation but I'm not trying to write a tutorial. Most of the manuals do a lot better job of teaching you to use an animation program than I could. Besides, there are just too many good animation programs out there. If I talk about Lightwave I leave out all the Imagine people, or if I do a tutorial on Imagine then that leaves out all the Lightwave users. Not everyone is interested in graphics (infidels!!!) but at least maybe now everyone will have an answer ready when you hear an IBM'er or Mac'O'phile ask 'IT'. ***************************************************************************** :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 ================================== By Tom Mulcahy File: GIF Datatype v39.2 - GIFdatatype.lha - 5K Author: Steve the G. Status: Freeware Where to find: Delphi: Amiga SIG/databases/recent uploads GEnie: Amiga RT, file #18002 As you may be able to guess, GIF Datatype is a library. Installation is quick and easy. Copy the file gif.datatype to your sys:classes/datatypes drawer and place the file GIF and it's corresponding info file into your sys:devs/datatypes drawer. Once installed, any datatype aware program should be able to utilize the GIF datatype to view 87a and 89a type GIF's although the author admittedly hasn't tested the 89a format. I downloaded a few Babylon 5 GIF's from a local BBS as a test. Multiview was able to view them although at less than breakneck pace. ViewTek v1.04 with it's direct GIF support displays the picture much faster. Directory Opus failed to view them. I grabbed a few more off of a PC GIF CD-ROM, and some worked, some didn't. All in all, GIF Datatype gives you a way to directly interface the GIF format with your OS at the system level. OS 3.0 or HIGHER is required. File: Rotor v1.01 Author: Markus Illenseer Status: Freeware Where to find: BIX: Amiga.Exchange/amiga.sw/rotor.lha - 38K GEnie: Amiga RT, file #18885 You really can't get enough of these. Rotor v1.01 is another screen blanker commodity. A series of circles swirl all over your monitor thus the name of the program - Rotor. Rotor, like all decent screenblankers, allows you to adjust the amount of onscreen activity, adjust speed and toggle color cycling to conform to your setup. The source code of the program is actually based on that of another popular screen blanker called AswarmII. Just place this in your WBstartup and forget about it. **************************************************************************** > 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. **************************************************************************** > STR Dealer Directory ==================== Armadillo Brothers 753 East 3300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 801-484-2791 GEnie: B.GRAY Video Computer Resources 1200 North Battlefield Blvd, Suite 110 Chesapeake, VA 23320 804-436-9508 CIS: Mark D. Manes (74030,744) (Dealers: To have your name added, please send Email!) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Amiga Report's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" """"""""""""""""" The immortal words of Socrates.... "I drank what?" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Amiga Report International Online Magazine ~ STR Publications -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" April 2, 1993 Amiga Edition Copyright (c) 1993 All Rights Reserved No.1.03 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 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. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""