|||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| || || ||| || || || || ||| |||| |||||| || |||| Your || || || || ||| || || |||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| GEnieLamp Computing || |||||| || || |||||| RoundTable || || || ||| ||| || || || |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE! || || || || || || || ||||| || || || || || ~ WELCOME TO GEnieLamp APPLE II! ~ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ THE TREASURE HUNT: Information Highway Travel Kit ~ ~ PAUG NEWSLETTER: November Report ~ ~ HOT NEWS, HOT FILES, HOT MESSAGES ~ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// GEnieLamp Apple II ~ A T/TalkNET Publication ~ Vol.4, Issue 44 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Publisher................................................John F. Peters Editor...................................................Douglas Cuff \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// ~ GEnieLamp IBM ~ GEnieLamp ST ~ GEnieLamp PowerPC ~ ~ GEnieLamp A2Pro ~ GEnieLamp Macintosh ~ GEnieLamp TX2 ~ ~ GEnieLamp Windows ~ GEnieLamp A2 ~ LiveWire (ASCII) ~ ~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~ GE Mail: GENIELAMP Internet: genielamp@genie.com ////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ >>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE APPLE II ROUNDTABLE? <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ November 1, 1995 ~ FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] FROM MY MAILBOX ......... [MAI] Notes From The Editor. Letters To The Editor. HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY] HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] Is That A Letter For Me? Guide to Signatures. REFLECTIONS ............. [REF] ASCII ART GALLERY ....... [ASA] The Webbed Tenant. Surfing Without a GUI. THE TREASURE HUNT ....... [HUN] PAUG NEWSLETTER ......... [PNL] Info Highway Travel Kit. November 1995 Report. LOG OFF ................. [LOG] GEnieLamp Information. [IDX]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" READING GEnieLamp GEnieLamp has incorporated a unique indexing system """"""""""""""""" to help make reading the magazine easier. To utilize this system, load GEnieLamp into any ASCII word processor or text editor. In the index you will find the following example: HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] GEnie Fun & Games. To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index. MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages reprinted """""""""""" here in GEnieLamp, you will find all the information you need immediately following the message. For example: (SMITH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475) _____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________ |Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number| In this example, to respond to Smith's message, log on to page 475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1. A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two or more messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58}. ABOUT GEnie GEnie's monthly fee is $8.95 which gives you up to four hours """"""""""" of non-prime time access to most GEnie services, such as software downloads, bulletin boards, GE Mail, an Internet mail gateway, and chat lines. GEnie's non-prime time connect rate is $2.00. To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369 in the USA or 1-800-387-8330 in Canada. Upon connection type HHH. Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: JOINGENIE and hit RETURN. When you get the prompt asking for the signup/offer code, type: DSD524 and hit RETURN. The system will then prompt you for your information. Need more information? Call GEnie's customer service line (voice) at 1-800-638-9636. SPECIAL OFFER FOR GEnieLamp READERS! If you sign onto GEnie using the """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" method outlined above you will receive $50.00 worth of credit. Want more? Your first month charge of $8.95 will be waived! Now there are no excuses! GET GEnieLamp ON THE NET! Now you can get your GEnieLamp issues from """"""""""""""""""""""""" the Internet. If you use a web browser, connect to "gopher://gopher.genie.com/11/magazines". When using a gopher program, connect to "gopher.genie.com" and then choose item 7 (Magazines and Newsletters from GEnie's RoundTables). *** GET INTO THE LAMP! *** """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" //////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Justice may be blind, but she sure can smell money!" / ///////////////////////////////// quoted by B.DAVIDSON5 //// [EOA] [FRM]////////////////////////////// FROM MY DESKTOP / ///////////////////////////////// Notes From The Editor """"""""""""""""""""" by Douglas Cuff [EDITOR.A2] I'm writing this the day after Canada's closest call (so far). On October 30, 1995, the residents of Quebec voted on a sovereignty association with Canada (sort of like a limited "trial divorce"). When it was rumoured that the separatists were ahead in the poles, financial markets all over the world took notice. I mention this last bit just so you don't think we Canadians were suffering from delusions of grandeur. Those of you who read my editorial regularly know I make no secret of the fact that I'm a Canadian. Usually I try to make this relevant to the Apple II community, as in: "If you think support for the Apple II from Apple Computer was bad for those of you living in the United States, try dealing with Apple Canada. Or Apple Europe. Or Apple Australia." This time, I'm just feeling too shaky. The results were too close--the votes were almost split 50-50, with the federalists, who wanted to keep Canada together, getting a lead of just over 1%. And there's reason to believe that we'll be going through the whole thing all over again before too much time has passed. I feel pretty strongly about the Apple II. But I also feel strongly about my country. Please forgive me, this month, if the latter has left me too shaken to talk about the former. After all, sometimes it happens the other way around. [*][*][*] This month, I'd like to welcome Ray Pasold, who is taking over the PAUG Newsletter. Now, this column has always been popular (see the month's mailbox for confirmation), but I think you'll agree that it really rocks with Ray in charge. Welcome to the GEnieLamp A2 team, Ray! Also this month, we've had ASCII art submitted by Jason Olson. I always enjoy getting submissions from new contributors... and I suspect they enjoy the GEnie credits we pay for submissions, too. (If you didn't know that we pay in non-prime time credit hours, write me for details!) I particularly enjoy the fact that the art Jason has submitted is GEnie-specific and Apple II-specific. Well done, Jason! -- Doug Cuff GEnie Mail: EDITOR.A2 Internet: editor.a2@genie.com __________________________________________________________ | | | REPRINTING GEnieLamp | | | | If you want to reprint any part of GEnieLamp, or | | post it to a bulletin board, please see the very end | | of this file for instructions and limitations. | |__________________________________________________________| ASCII ART BEGINS _____ ______ _ _ ___ ___ / ____| ____| (_) | | / _ \|__ \ | | __| |__ _ __ _ ___| | __ _ _ __ ___ _ __ | |_| | ) | | | |_ | __| | '_ \| |/ _ \ | / _` | '_ ` _ \| '_ \ | _ | / / | |__| | |____| | | | | __/ |___| (_| | | | | | | |_) | | | | |/ /_ \_____|______|_| |_|_|\___|______\__,_|_| |_| |_| .__/ |_| |_|____| | | |_| ASCII ART ENDS [EOA] [MAI]////////////////////////////// FROM MY MAILBOX / ///////////////////////////////// Letters To The Editor """"""""""""""""""""" THERE'S STILL HOPE Attention IIgs users. A small organization has just """""""""""""""""" been born dedicated to promote Apple IIgs products and software. ** M.I.S.F.I.T.S. ** Our job is to inform IIgs users across the world where they can find products and software. This organization is founded on Apple IIgs. In lieu of the recent events (GS+ Magazine going under, Softdisk loses the G-S) I feel that not enough people know where they can find Apple IIgs stuff. Let me tell you want made me decide to start this organization. Back in January 1994, I scanned Cleveland's local paper for a used computer. In January I found an Apple IIgs and bought it. Around June, I got another IIgs, loaded with extras for just $400. Since that time I have called several leads on IIgs products. I've called numbers that are no longer in service, or have been changed to a different companies. I became upset that no one had IIgs stuff. Slowly I found companies that still carry Apple II products. If any one has leads we can follow or direct contact to individuals or to large firms that are selling or will sell some software, please write me. We are also taking a poll. We'd like to count the number of IIgs owners out there. Please E-mail us with the name of every IIgs user you know. So that we don't count anyone twice, please give us at least the first name and last initial of the person and their address (city and state/province). If all goes well we can force some major companies to recognize the IIgs and make software for us. And if we're really successful, Apple will make a IIgs card for the Macintosh. (Well maybe. One never knows.) Soon there will be a publication coming out documenting all of the hardware and software, and where to get it. We will be asking for a small donation (to cover phone costs, paper, ink, postage, envelops, etc.) for the publication. Please help us with this poll. If you know anyone NOT on any on-line service pass this onto them, or count them in or something. We just can't stress how much this means to us, since we are an organization designed to help YOU! We are also thinking of producing talented programers. Depending on the response we might go through with it. Thank you for your help. APPLE II FOREVER!! Winona Walsh W.WALSH3 Thanks, Winona. It's always great to hear from those interested in supporting the Apple IIgs. Perhaps you should get together with PAUG, who are also interested in supporting those who use the Apple II. And it's a pity you didn't find the A2 RoundTable on GEnie earlier; they could have saved you a lot of frustration. You've made an error in claiming that "Softdisk loses the G-S". Softdisk has recently announced the closure of their Softdisk magazine on disk for all Apple II computers. As we reported in the HEY MISTER POSTMAN column in last month's issue, they intend to continue publishing Softdisk G-S. I don't think you can "force" any publishers to produce products for the Apple IIgs. Encourage them, perhaps, but the best way to do that is to buy products from existing software publishers! Good luck with your resource guide. I hope you won't mind my advising you that you should visit the A2 RoundTable, even at this late date. The people there should be able to help you define and refine your goals. I think you could use a little help. Also, people feel more comfortable doing business with people they'd had a chance to get to know a little. Most curious of all, you never did explain what M.I.S.F.I.T.S. stands for. Have I (and by extension, GEnieLamp A2 readers) been the victim of a late April Fool's joke? KUDOS Just like to drop you guys a line to compliment on the fine job on """"" October's GEnieLamp [A2]. Very informative reading. Downloaded the file to run HyperStudio stacks [mentioned in the PAUG Newsletter by David Kerwood]. May purchase that program to help my young one get a better interest in mathematics. Keep up the good work. Gary Ballein G.BALLEIN Thanks, Gary. The free HyperStudio runtime module is so good that it's hard to believe more people don't know about it. (Then again, if everyone did know about it, we wouldn't have someone delighted by the discovery every week or so, would we? ) I'll make sure David Kerwood sees your remarks. We do our best to keep you informed; glad to hear we're achieving that goal! [EOA] [HEY]////////////////////////////// HEY MISTER POSTMAN / ///////////////////////////////// Is That A Letter For Me? """""""""""""""""""""""" by Douglas Cuff [EDITOR.A2] o BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS o A2 POT-POURRI o HOT TOPICS o WHAT'S NEW o THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT >>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" [*] CAT2, TOP7 ................ Latest rumor: the giant awakens? [*] CAT6, TOP21 ............... MODs, MIDISynth, and more [*] CAT10, TOP16 .............. Stomping GEnie/SprintNet bugs? [*] CAT12, TOP30 .............. Uninterruptable power recommendations [*] CAT28, TOP4 ............... Shareware Solutions II scoop! >>> A2 POT-POURRI <<< """"""""""""""""""""" PROTERM AND VT-100 EMULATION [First section of this post omitted] """""""""""""""""""""""""""" If you went to the computer store and bought an actual Digital Equipment Co VT-100 terminal, you would be quick to notice it only has PF1 - PF4 keys and NOT A SINGLE Function key in sight. How can that be, when the system you call, has ALL those other keys??? The answer is in the system designer of the system you're calling. They are clever and individual and there are no standards so they just do what they see fit to do the job, and they find ways to "add" functions to keys where they normally are not. Since there is no standard or set way protocols for them to follow, they get a bit artistic, and there is no way for us to make a "standard" emulation for ProTERM to follow. This is not to say you will not be able to use "Function keys," its just a matter of getting the "keys" to your system from whomever designed it. Example: ProTERM is used by Congress members to get into their special computers, and the engineers on that system had been very "creative" and developed MANY "function" keys that do not exist in normal VT-100. In that case, there was a need to develop a special emulation within ProTERM to handle that special situation (if the traffic is there, ProTERM can fit the needs). In cases where there are just a few users in need of certain emulation, macros can ususally do the job. Some of the popular options emulation design options we have found: Use of the ESCAPE key and then the applicable number key - e.g., ESC-1, ESC-2 and so on. Sometimes they even include ESC- - (minus) and ESC - + (plus) and other keys which you may have to find out from the system's engineer. Sometimes they use a run of the alphabet something like: ESC-OP ESC-OQ OR-PS ESC-OT (UPPER CASE Ohh + P Q R S T U etc.) If you do find some hard sets of keystrokes to get what your after, this is an excellent place to make use of the System Macro sets. > ...connect to the server through the Apple Super Serial yet. Make sure the Super Serial Card is set up like the one in the Illustration in Appendix C. > Is PF1 opt-? or is it opt-! or both? Actually both work, but unless you have the (platinum) Apple IIe with a keypad, the other keys would be all over the keyboard -- less than convenient. Some IBM systems recognize ESCAPE 1 through EQUAL on the numbers key row and even continue with ESCAPE Q through BACKSLASH on the next row. Hope this helps. BTW - What is the lil' icon in your SIG? ;-) Regards. Jerry Cline @ InTrec Software, Inc. -- proterm@intrec.com ProTERM Mac Messenger delivers & receives mail & posted messages. (INTREC, CAT24, TOP2, MSG:292/M645;1) >>>>> > ProTERM is used by Congress member """"" Whoa!! ProTerm is used by members of Congress? Perchance, is it the Apple II version? If so, I would love to write an article about it. Joe Kohn (JOE.KOHN, CAT24, TOP2, MSG:293/M645;1) >>>>> Yes, ProTERM A2, at least until ProTERM Mac was released. They've """"" since upgraded to ProTERM Mac, and probably using that now. I occasionally talk or type to one Congressman who is very personable. I asked him how he got involved in politics and he said, "Now and then an innocent man is sent to the Legislature." ;-) I'll ask how he feels about being interviewed and get back to you Joe. Jerry Cline @ InTrec Software, Inc. -- proterm@intrec.com ProTERM Mac Messenger delivers & receives mail & posted messages. (INTREC, CAT24, TOP2, MSG:296/M645;1) SHEPPY ON THE MOVE I've moved again! :) """""""""""""""""" My new address is: Eric Shepherd 445 N. Amelia Ave. Apt 36-E San Dimas, CA 91773 Orders for "The Complete Guide to SheppyWare" and/or the SheppyWare Disk are being filled by Sarah; they have been or will shortly be mailed. Sorry for the delay; the move has been nuts. :) BTW, Charlie, would you edit the topic description to contain the new address? Thanks :) Sheppy (SHEPPY, CAT13, TOP18, MSG:229/M645;1) ORANGE MICRO STILL IN BUSINESS While researching a bit of a problem I """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" have discovered and confirmed that Orange Micro is still in business and that they still sell printer interface cards for the Apple II series, including the Grappler +300 which is supposed to be a Grappler + update specifically to optimize GS interfacing with Hewlette-Packard LaserJet I, II II; DeskJet, Plus, 500; PaintJet XL ant other printers that emulate Epson LQ. Their current price on this card is $113. Their order # is 800-615-3183.. I didn't get their international number but will do that if anyone needs it. Doug Pendleton, Apple II hardware help (DOUG.P, CAT12, TOP13, MSG:236/M645;1) ONE MILLIONTH IIGS? Someone asked how many machines Apple sold. """"""""""""""""""" According to a briefing by Tim Swihart at KansasFest a few years ago, Apple sold about 1 million Apple IIGS computers. About 2/3 of those went to schools, where they were predominantly used as fast Apple //es. I don't remember the number he mentioned for 8 bit Apples for sure, but I think it was around 3 million. I've never seen that broken down by machine type or how many went to schools. Mike Westerfield (BYTEWORKS, CAT3, TOP3, MSG:161/M645;1) KEYNOTE SPEAKER: WOZ! There will be a conference on November 3, 4 and 5, """""""""""""""""""""" 1995 at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. Steve Wozniak will be the keynote speaker on Saturday, November 4th. Registration is Friday night and Sat morning from 8-9 a.m. I'm getting emailed more details and a clearer schedule of events sometime tonight, so will post it here when I receive it. For further information, you can reach their WWW site at: http://www.acm.uiuc.edu However, there are a few corrections that they are going to update. First, monies WILL be accepted at the door for registration cost. They will also be updating and making clearer the schedule of events. GEna (A2.GENA, CAT44, TOP2, MSG:1/M645;1) FEELING ISOLATED > Trouble is, how do we find out about each other """""""""""""""" > locally? That can be a probem. Advertising on GEnie or Internet is a good start. Another: Ask me. Send me your address, and I'll tell you how many people we have in our database with the same zip code. If you live in an area with multiple zip codes, send me the list. If you want to mail to these people, send me a bundle of stamped mailers, ready for an address label, and I'll mail them for you. It would, of course, be simpler if I just sent you the list, but there are too many potential ways that could be abused. Offering to mail your letters of introduction for you is the next best way. And if you send prestamped mailers, I won't charge you for it. I'm only doing this to help you get a group started, if you're so inclined. Mike Westerfield (BYTEWORKS, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:126/M645;1) PAINTING YOUR IIGS? Let me know how your project turns out. This X-mas """"""""""""""""""" will bring a Power Computing PowerMac clone into the house, sharing the same desk space with the 'GS. I may be putting the 'GS on a shelf on the floor or into a tower case. Oh, BTW the exact match for Apple's Platinum color is (Federal Standard) FS# 36622 Camouflage Grey (Testors Model Master #1733). ____(?__ The Un-dead Apple / `' _\ Mike Brouillette, A2 Librarian \_,(o)m(_, Houston Area Apple Users Group 7oood~ Via: CoPilot v2.55 / Spectrum 2.0 (M.BROUILLET1, CAT12, TOP31, MSG:69/M645;1) HELPING WITH THE QUICK CLICK CALC REVISION I'm working on a feature """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" request for QC Calc and ran across an interesting design issue. I'm hoping some of you with a European background can help. QC Calc allows displaying of numbers in the (more sensible, I think) contenental form, where the comma is used where Americans use a decimal place, and vice-versa. So, instead of writing 1,234.56, you would write 1.234,56. (That makes some sense; I don't know how many math problems have been incorrectly solved because a tiny period was missed, when a comma would have been seen. Anyway...) QC Calc _doesn't_ currently allow numbers to be _entered_ this way, which is, as you can immagine, rather frusterating for anyone used to this system. I'd like to allow entry of numbers using comma-decimal places, but there is a symantic conflict with the commas used in functions. For example, using period-decimal places, it's clear that Min(1.2) = 1.2 Min(1,2) = 1 Unfortunately, with commas as decimal points, this distinction is lost. This particular case is a little contrived, but the whole issue pops up again and again in real equations. Using spaces doesn't help, either. It _can_ solve issues, but requires very precise typing, and it is very easy to make a mistake. It seems to me there ought to be some solution to this problem already in use, and commonly accepted, among folks who use commas for decimal points. The question is: what is the prefered solution? BTW, on my own, the best I could come up with is using ; instead of commas as function argument separators. That would work, but why invent some crazy new scheme if there is already an accepted solution? ;) I'd appreciate any help you folks might be able to offer. Mike Westerfield (BYTEWORKS, CAT45, TOP2, MSG:96/M645;1) >>> HOT TOPICS <<< """""""""""""""""" HOW GS/OS IS BETTER THAN MAC OS 1. ProDos will allow you to reformat a """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" defective disk. HFS will eject it with an error message. You need to load up a utility program BEFORE inserting the bad disk in order to fix it so that you can reformat it, and sometimes it can't be fixed, period. I have (many times) taken an 800K disk that the Mac won't touch, reformatted it on the GS, an then was able to reformat it on the Mac without problems. 2. If you try to copy a batch of files from one directory to another, and there is a duplicate file, the GS Finder will allow you to skip that file and continue copying the rest of them without even a burp. The Mac Finder will only allow you to overwrite the file or cancel the entire operation. 3. GSOS allows you to drop sounds in a SOUNDS folder, the Mac forces you install sound files in the System file, and the size of the system file has a direct effect on the ammount of system resources the Mac uses, and how fast things run. 4. GSOS has both an "erase" and a "format" command for disks. The Mac has only an "erase" command, which actually does a full format. Of course, I can list MORE items where the Mac OS is superior to GSOS, but I'm a chauvinist. :) Gary R. Utter (GARY.UTTER, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:101/M645;1) >>>>> To add to Gary's list.. """"" 5. GS/OS won't open up every single font in your system when you boot like the Mac does. 6. GS/OS allows virtually unlimited amount of files to be open at once, while the Mac has a preset limit that either wastes memory or cripples your system until the limit is set higher (+ a reboot). (See #5) 7. GS/OS supports File System Translators (FSTs) as a fundamental part of its operation, while the Mac OS has to be kludgily patched by extensions to duplicate the same behavior. 8. GS/OS handles file resources faster than the Mac OS. In short, GS/OS is still rather impressive. Michael (ANIMASIA, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:119/M645;1) >>>>> To add to Gary's and Michael's list... : """"" 9. GS/OS supports multiple forms of access for programmers (inline, and stack based call vectors) A. GS/OS loads all it's partitionable media device drivers from files, or uses self generated driver code to access a rom based driver, instead of using dedicated partitions on partitionable media as does the Mac OS. This simplifies updating drivers for block devices and makes version checking very easy. And to probably knock one off Michaels additions (sorry...) > 8. GS/OS handles file resources faster than the Mac OS. Technically the IIgs resource manager (which is the only thing that's ever supposed to touch a resource fork, outside of a file copier) isn't part of GS/OS, it's a toolset. I don't spit any Mac code, but under GS/OS when you open a file one of the paramaters specifies which fork (data, resource) of the file is supposed to be opened. I suspect it's much the same on the Mac. And to make up for knocking an item off the list, one to replace it :) x. The native (boot) file system used with GS/OS (ProDOS) has a much more sanely designed directory structure than the Mac's native (HFS) file system. This leads to faster file access and fewer occurances of damaged directories. -Harold (HAROLD.H, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:120/M645;1) RESPONSE FROM THOSE WHO "TOLD APPLE ABOUT" I actually received a letter """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" fron Apple Computer today! Have had absolutely =no= dealings with them in two years (since our club fell from grace) so I can only attribute it to the "Tell Apple" cards ;-} To wit: "Thank you for your recent letter to Apple Computer,Inc. Hearing from satisfied customers is always a pleasure and we appreciate your interest in Apple and your support of Apple products. If you have any questions or need assistance, we encourage you to call Apple Customer Relations at 1-800-776-2333. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. Sincerely..." /s/ Apple Customer Relations I think that was sweet. Did anyone else provide their return address? Margot (19:42 PDT - Mon 10/16/95) Spectrum v2.0/CoPil v2.55 (M.TAYLOR66, CAT2, TOP24, MSG:28/M645;1) >>>>> Does anyone at Apple _read_ their correspondence, or was my name """"" extracted and plugged into a "good letter" file? I participated in the great "Tell Apple Massacree" and received the following letter today: Dear Mr. Rasmussen: Thank you for your recent letter to Apple Computer, Inc. Hearing from satisfied customers is always a pleasure and we appreciate your interest in Apple and your support of Apple products. If you have any questions or need assistance, we encourage you to call Apple Customer Relations at 1-800-776-2333. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. Apple Computer, Inc. Susan Kossob Apple Customer Relations I will be interested to hear how many other participants receive an identical form letter. Keep us posted. Mike R (M.RASMUSSEN5, CAT2, TOP3, MSG:77/M645;1) >>>>> Well, I got a reply from Apple the other day, to the Tell Apple """"" card. Here's what it says: Dear Mr. Suenaga: Thank you for your comments regarding the Apple II product line. Apple will continue to support and service the Apple II product line as long as customer demand warrants it. We expect Apple II computers to continue to serve our customers satisfactorily for many years to come. Apple now offers Apple Assurance, an enhanced service and support program, designed to offer Apple customers greater flexibility and choice in their service and support options. Assistance includes information on installation, general start-up assistance, troubleshooting, configuration compatibility, and third-party support referral. Representatives are available on our toll free line, 1-800-SOS-APPL (1-800-767-2775), Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Pacific time. You may also contact an authorized Apple service provider for service or support for your Apple product. To locate a service provider near you, please call the Apple Presales Center at 1-800-538-9696. Be sure to mention your product by name. Sincerely, Apple Computer, Inc. Apple Customer Relations They didn't ask for my comments this time, but I'll make 'em anyway :) 1) This thing reeks of John Sculley, doesn't it? Telling us they'll support the Apple II, then trying to sell us something else. . . 2) Isn't it their legal responsibility to support us until the computer's been out of production for seven years? 3) The suggestion that an Apple II user go to an Apple Computer, Inc. dealer for support is something like telling someone who eats a Golden Delicious that's worm infested to go to an Apple Computer, Inc. for medical care. The proper referral is to either (a) GEnie or (b) a local user group. 4) I called 1-800-SOS-APPL last week, for help with my Powerbook battery. The woman who answered the phone knew what file I needed to get (Intelligent.Battery.hqx) and where to find it kinda ("on the Internet" :), but was stopped in her tracks by the question, "What's the URL?" and finally, 5) How come Apple sent this letter to my dad instead of me? :) Ryan Contemplative and not conservative ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55 (R.SUENAGA1, CAT2, TOP24, MSG:39/M645;1) STAYING IN TOUCH WITH REALITY I have been a GS owner since 1987. I """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" consider myself a Power User for quite some time now. Each year, I spend a significant amount of money on my GS. At times, I spend more than I should. But I really like the IIgs. So far, it has done everything I need it to do. However, it is a no-brainer to see what is happening to this great machine and the people who, like me, use it everyday. The GS appears to be coming to an end faster than I would like it to. And yes, I know that it has been on borrowed time ever since Apple dropped it from their production. I can't believe I'm about to say this but Apple is not solely to blame for the demise of the GS. Look at it in the way of cars. An auto company puts out a car. Then, a few years later decides to discontinue it. Does this mean the car is rendered useless? No. You can still have the car worked on at a service center. You can still buy parts for it. There are people and companies that still supply those parts and accessories for it. I think the GS could have fallen in the same category as the above example. But vendors and makers of peripherals chose not to support it. Yes there are many reasons for their decisions, mainly money and survival. But I believe, with better effort, those people who got out could have stayed and endured. I really believe that the demise of the GS began not when Apple dropped it, but when A+/Incider added Macintosh columns in their magazine. It really went down hill, when it became a subscription-only magazine. That is when they decided not to sell it on newsstands and in book stores. I think this move really left people in the dark. Why? Because those people who picked it up from time to time at a stand or store suddenly became forgotten. Also, they became unaware of any new products that came out afterwards. Instead, the places these people went to buy A+/Incider were being overwhelmed with Mac and PC mags. Their GS' at home were slowly beginning to sit there becoming idle. They were possibly influenced into purchasing a Mac and PC because, they believed, nothing else was out there for the GS. They may have thought that companies like Sequential Systems and Seven Hills Software were not around because there was no magazine in a store to tell about them. Now I'm not saying that this is the case for everyone who has ever owned a GS and then bought a PC or Mac. But I have a gut feeling this happened to A LOT of people. In fact, I picked up my second GS this past summer. The guy I bought it from switched to a Mac Se and then to a Power Mac. Anyway, the GS came with quite a bit of software. But would you believe that besides the system software, there was not one piece of GS specific software?! It was all Apple IIe stuff. The GS itself had no memory expansion, just the basic 256k that came with the ROM 01. Over the last two years, I have heard at user group meetings and read online like AOL (when it supported the Apple II) and Genie the old and famous Apple II quote "support those that will support you". Since October of last year, I have made the following purchases: Spectrum 2.0 upgrade, Quickie Hand Scanner, Disc Quest and DQ Encyclopedia, the Second Sight, the Blue Disk, an upgrade to my RamFast, Lost Treasures of Infocom, DreamGrafix, renewed my GS+ subscription, subscribe to Genie and subscribed to SoftDisk GS. I have made other purchases like my 14" inch SVGA, 3.5" high density drive, Apple CDSC CDROM, and an Apple extended keyboard but this money was not circulated back in the Apple II world like the first list. So you can see, I have spent quite a bit of money in the past year. But what gets me is that some of the developers of the products I purchased in the first list, have not informed me of any type of upgrade or any info about new products. Now remember I said SOME, not all and I think these people should know who they are. I am very grateful that these people still make quality products for my machine. I am also thankful that they still support their products and the GS. But how about letting me/us know about upgrades or new products via email? I believe that this has to be the cheapest method of all for those of us with an email address. It just seems that as a registered owner, sometimes I still feel abandoned. I am charged if I just want a peripheral looked at or I'm getting an upgrade that is a minor bug fix. Yes I know you have mouths to feed. But my point is to make me overlook that. I mean keep me aware of what's going on and maybe I won't mind paying $30 or $35 to see if something is wrong with a board or paying $20-$25 to go from version 2.0 to 2.01 of a product. Many times I find out about a product from a second or third source. For example, many times I'll read of an upgrade of a product I own or a new product from a programmer that I'm already a registered owner with, from GenieLamp. While I am thankful that I get to learn of it from somewhere, I think I would feel better if I heard or read it straight from the company via email. One reason could be that there are people on Genie who have no idea what GenieLamp is or how to get it. This isn't about just my feelings. I believe that this is about survival, for companies that support the GS, and GS owners who support the companies. Maybe you could ask for an email address on the registration card. One factor in a company's reasoning for not having done this before, is time. I don't know how time consuming it is for someone to send carbon copies of email to registered owners. But if in fact it is, maybe someone could volunteer to help out with sending news and info online. I would be glad to help anyone out in that matter. I believe that it was a lack of communication on both ends that has the GS on the end of its rope. On the part of the owner, he/she could have let developers know that they will stick with the GS. On the developers' side, they could have asked what people wanted to see made or what will people support. This brings me to one last item. Developers need to get rid of the idea of advertising an unfinished product. This has happened so many times in the past year and a half and it is putting a sense of distrust in the GS market. There was the Turbo Rez, Wolfenstein 3D, Faxination, and Second View. Developers need to faith in those who remain loyal to the GS. By waiting to advertise a product that is currently being tested rather than being written, the buyer can be sure of a high quality full functionable product. In closing, I hope the GS can thrive for a little longer. I want to see a new word processor and a GS specific grammar checker. It seems that the GS is the only computer platform without one. I hope that PMP gets that fax software soon. Products like these will strengthen the GS' longevity. I'd hate to have to buy a Mac and start all over. Andy Delivered by: Copilot 2.55 w/ Spectrum 2.0 w/ a PowerGS 8170 (L.MIDDLETON3, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:103/M645;1) >>>>> Sorry, guy, but you're ignoring reality """"" First the simple points. E-mail isn't a particularly effective way to advertise, although many people (including me) try it from time to time. That's why you've never heard from those companies. Posting information is about as effective, and takes a lot less time. Maintaining customer support areas, and posting there is even better. (I know. I do it.) The most effective method is still bulk mail. One of the main reasons is that a screen shot is worth a thousand words, to mutilate a phrase. :) Second, blaming those of us who have stayed around is silly. Blaming those who left is silly, too. The problem is a simple one of numbers. Quite frankly, I looked seriously at doing a word processor for the GS. Sales of our other new programs convinced me I would be nuts to do one. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to put 6 months of work into a product only to be told by the 100 people who buy it, "Gee, I wanted Microsoft Word on a GS, but without all the problems it had on the Mac. You could have _at least_ read Microsoft word files, Word Perfect files, AppleWorks GS files, MacWrite files, ..." I made a promise long ago that I would not abandon the GS, but that I would wait until the GS abandoned me. Sounds nice. What it meant in real terms is that I would wait until I started consistently loosing money on programs before I would quit developing for the GS. It's happened. So, if you want a word processor, or a grammer checker, or whatever, it's really up to you, not me. I'm already spending all of my available time and money to tell people about the Apple IIGS in general, and my products in particular. I'm already spending all the time I can afford (more, really) developing for the GS. If you want to see me developing more software, you'll have to help provide an environment where the software can sell. You probably can't do that. But here's some practical things all of you can do: 1. Find out who in your area owns an Apple IIGS, and start a small user's group. A social group works better than any other kind. Make it a social gathering at someone's house, not a big meeting in a rented room. Meet to have fun, and talk about computers as one way to have fun. 2. Make sure when you get a mailer that everyone you know who has a GS sees it. I know we don't mail to everyone on our mailing list anymore. There's no percentage in it. So pass those mailings around; even if someone has a companies products, they may no longer be on the active mailing list. 3. Once a year, whether you want to buy anything right then or not, get in touch with every Apple II company you do business with and make sure you are current. We've rented mailing lists from other companies, and mailed to our own, but it's been a _long_ time since we mailed to someone who had not contacted the company on more than a year. There's just no percentage in it. As a result, many people who have our programs don't know about recent upgrades and products. If they would take the time to tell us they are alive and still use their Apple IIGS, we would still mail to them. But do some simple math: Are we likely to send 70 cent mailings to a list of people who may have moved (20% per year), may not have an Apple IIGS, or may have died (litterally)? Typical responses on mailings are 1-3%. Do dome math, and you'll undertand. I am not blaming you, or anyone else, for the problems with the GS. OK, I lied. I blame Apple's top brass. But no one else. Still, the Apple II companies who are still here are not to blame either. They are doing their best. If you're serious about helping, the things on this list are your best ways of doing it. Mike Westerfield (BYTEWORKS, CAT2, TOP7, MSG:112/M645;1) >>> WHAT'S NEW <<< """""""""""""""""" TIMEOUT ENHANCEMENTS FROM OPS -> O.P.Software will begin shipping the """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" AppleWorks 5.x version of TimeOut ShrinkIt Plus this week. (Apologies to those who have been waiting) -> The TImeOut Statistics disk should be shipping by the end of the month. Current Products/Prices: TO About Time: 14.95 AmperMacros Plus: 29.95 TO.DiskTools: 49.95 TO.ShrinkIt Plus: 29.95 TO.Statistics: 49.95 Please add $2.50 shipping and handling with each order. All products are compatible with AppleWorks versions 3.0 through 5.1, and come with the usual 30-day money back guarantee, Douglas Gum, OP Software. (D.GUM, CAT13, TOP7, MSG:92/M645;1) <<<<< The upgrade price from TO.ShrinkIt v4.0 to v5.0 is $7.50. Proof of """"" purchase is not necessary, because for that price all you get is a BASIC program that will patch your existing copy so that it works with AWKs 5.0 or 5.1 only. (don't patch your only copy of the program unless you no longer want to use AWKs 4.x) (D.GUM, CAT13, TOP7, MSG:95/M645;1) <<<<< Clarification """"" Current Pricing on O.P.Software Titles: TO Statistics (AWK 3.0-5.1) $79.95 TO DiskTools (AWK 3.0-5.1) 49.95 TO ShrinkIt (AWK 3.0-5.1) 29.95 TO About Time (AWK 2.0-5.1) 14.95 AmperMacros (AWK 3.0-5.1) 29.95 Upgrade from AWK 4.0 capatible versions: TO DiskTools 5.00 TO ShrinkIt 5.00 AmperMacros 5.00 For each order include: 2.50 S&H (D.GUM, CAT13, TOP7, MSG:96/M645;1) [EDITOR'S NOTE: You can order from Office Productivity Software by writing to: P.O. Box 2132, LaGrange, GA 30241-2132.] WARP SIX VERSION 3.0 """""""""""""""""""" o Moved the assignment of variables XA and FF to LOGON from XFER.UTIL to make updates a bit more painless in the future. o Added some memory management to the entire BBS. It now saves a base set of variables needed to operate while a user is online and if a portion of the BBS creates a bunch of new variables (many games...) or fills up arays (mail and forums) the BBS can now clear those from memory before moving on. o Users can now logon by name as well as ID#. o There is now an optional guest account with a 20 minute time limit. The sysop can select an unused account to be set up with security zero and set the system for read only in selected forums so new users can peek around before applying for an account. This cuts down on validating those "one time users" looking for files or whatever... o Added some intelligence to the logon procedure. It will now prompt users in some cases, such as if they select the wrong ID# by mistake. After trying their password 2 times, it will ask if they are "user x" and if not they can re-enter their password. If their account was purged for inactivity, it will notify them of the possibility and ask if they wish to apply for a new account. If yes they will be sent directly to ADD.USER. o Added ANSI auto-detect at logon. You must still supply ANSI screens and necessary basic lines for any screens you want to add yourself just like with PSE. ANSI uses the PS flag. 0=no emulation, 128=ANSI, 255=PSE. o Added a slightly longer pause before answering a call and before the BBS receives control back from the modem driver. This is to fix some problems "some" modems have when attempting to auto-detect PSE and ANSI. It also gives any Caller ID device you have on the BBS line time to receive the CID info between the first and second ring. o Added a co-sysop security level (SL-8). SL-8 can now see locked files, has access to sysop utilities, and each user with SL-8 has an individual remote password separate from the sysop's. o "Report to sysop" now supports a mutiple name list to include your co-sysops. o Added "sysop doing user maintenance" feature. When a user is online and at the MAIN menu prompt, pressing OPTION while pressing return at the local keyboard will send the sysop to the sysop utilities. While there, the sysop has access to any functions in the menu plus a couple. Pressing "+" or "-" with this feature will increment or decrement the online user's security level by one (each time it is pressed). The user is given a polite message and asked to wait. they do NOT see the sysop working. The user is notified when the sysop returns (quits from Sysop utilities). Real nice for instant validation when you have a caller ID box on the BBS line. o Added a "Locate user" function to sysop utilities. You can search on a user's alias, real name (last or last and first), or partial last name (contains "xxx"). Returns name, alias, and ID# for any matches. o The sysop can copy a user to a new ID#. If you need this, use it with caution for obvious reasons... o Purge will now ignore users with security level above a selected number (default=2). The sysop selects the level they wish EACH time purge is used. This allows users to have permanent accounts if you wish. Much less manual purging necessary. o Added a file copy command to SYSOP.UTIL. It was in version 2.5 but you had to chain to it using the ProDOS command. Now just select from the menu. It supports BATCH copy, move, delete, lock, and unlock. Files are selected by number. 20 file maximum to each batch. o Moves the menu comand for SORT user list to sysop utilities where it really belonged anyway. Rewrote the sort routine for more speed. It now uses a SHELL sort instead of the old reliable (but S-L-O-W) BUBBLE sort. User lists will be sorted alphabetically by name or alias based on the alias flag for your BBS. Real names are formatted to 2 columns. Aliases are formatted to 4 columns. o Added a forum queue feature. Users can select which forums they wish to attend when using Quickscan or Continuous Quickscan. Users can still manually enter any forum they wish regardless of their queue selections. This feature works with 20 forums. If you have more forums than this the BBS won't crash but the user's queues will be ignored. You will be prompted when you atempt to add forum number 21. o There is now an alias flag for EACH individual forum. If you run a real name system, you can now include a forum that supports aliases for the users to get a bit crazy in. Likewise if you have an alias system, you can have a real name forum for serious discussion. o User selectable screen clear (or not) between each message in the forums. o Fixed a bug in the forums. If a user tried to MAIL a reply from the same message twice, the BBS would log them off with an error #5. o Users can now send mail to another user's ID#. Much faster than sending to a username. o Users can now send multiple carbon copies in Email. Send carbons to user names, aliases, or ID#s. o Added a door game prefix to SYS.DATA and an optional door launcher program will be included. o Changed VALIDATION date to FIRST date on the system. This field is no longer updated when a user is validated. This allows a "flag" of sorts to see if a user account has been purged and taken over by a new user. This was needed to reset some of the new features in version 3.0 for a new user. Also good for game scores. o Added some info to the caller status block at the top of the sysop's screen when a user is online. o Modified the "waiting for call" screen. Now shows sysop mail waiting and how much new. I got tired of logging on just to check my mail... I was working on a feature to attach files to mail but ran into some problems. It will not be included in version 3.0 but MAY be in a future release. Frank Kucharski is working on the file transfer stuff and has had a very hectic schedule lately. It doesn't look like his changes will be done in time for version 3.0 but we will release a new version when he is done. Jim Ferr is working on the drivers and all Asembly portions of Warp Six. He has made quite a few changes but not a lot of it is real evident to the users... The biggest thing you will see is the file list in the transfer section. It is now displayed in 2 columns. Hopefully we will have this released by Christmas. I need to finish debugging, write an updater program, update the help files, and rewrite the documentation. Basically all the fun stuff... :( Scott Johnson - Warp Six developement team member (S.JOHNSON89, CAT41, TOP10, MSG:184/M645;1) ONE TOUCH COMMANDS 5 New release from Marin MacroWorks -- shipping now! """""""""""""""""""" Marin MacroWorks is pleased to offer One Touch Commands 5, an update for AppleWorks 5 of the original One Touch COmmands disk from Quality Computers. One Touch Commands 5 is a collection of fifteen (15) TimeOut add-on utilities. All of the original programs have been either updated, improved or replaced. They include: BATCH EDITOR -- A utility that helps to set up the key file for Batch Loader. BATCH LOADER -- Add up to 36 related files in a batch to the desktop, with just a few keystrokes. Unlimited number of batches possible, identified by name and description, rather than number. Files can reside anywhere. Direct files in the batch to specific desktops, if desired. Much improved over Load Workset! BOXDRAW -- Draw boxes around text in the word processor. Now uses MouseText or normal ASCII text. Handles Tabs now. DJ TWO-SIDE -- Prints a word processor document on both sides of the paper, first the odd pages, then the even. Designed for sheet-fed printers, like the DeskJet and laser printers. FILEFINDER -- Locate lost AppleWorks or text files on your hard drive, by full or partial name, filetype, or modification date. Now permits adding the matching file to the desktop and continuing the search. HANGMAN -- Play the classic word game inside of AppleWorks! IW TWO-SIDE -- Prints a word processor document on both sides of the paper, first the odd pages, then the even. Designed for tractor-fed printers, like the ImageWriter or Epson printers. NUMBER2WORDS -- Converts a number (up to 99,999.99) into English words (like "One Hundred Twenty Three and 67/100"). Use in a data base file to write your own checks, or in business letters. No longer attaches "cents" to the text. OA-H SWAP -- Swap installed printers with your OA-H printer in a flash. POP-UP CALC -- A powerful, one-line onscreen calculator that will pop-up in any AppleWorks environment. Will handle any expression that the AppleWorks spreadsheet will handle. Solid. PRINT LABEL -- Quickly print any single label from a data base file. PRINTCLIP -- Print any portion of a word processor file to any installed printer. SAVECLIP -- Save any portion of a word processor file as a new file, to any installed drive. SCREEN ARTIST -- (GS only) Temporarily adjust the colors of border, background, or text to suit your fancy. TYPING SPEED -- Test your typing speed and log the results in terms of characters-per-minute. Each program's function is documented, with screen shots, where applicable, in AppleWorks files on the disk. The price of One Touch Commands 5 is $12.95, postpaid within North America ($16.00, airmail postpaid to the rest of the world). To order, please send prepayment (check or money order in U.S. funds) to: Marin MacroWorks 1675 Grand Avenue, Suite 1 San Rafael, CA 94901-2211 And coming real soon: HotKeys I. Watch for the announcement! | -(+)- | | ...Will (W.NELKEN1, CAT13, TOP11, MSG:70/M645;1) KANSASFEST 1995 VIDEO IS SHIPPING! EGO Systems is pleased to announce """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" that The KansasFest 1995 Video is now shipping! This video contains highlights (and lowlights) of the goings on at KansasFest 1995 and in it you'll: HEAR - Roger Wagner's Keynote Speach! SEE - Mike Westerfield demonstrate the laws of gravity... over and over again! SMELL - The inside of a grocery bag! TASTE - A 20MB hard drive! FEEL - Very afraid as Joe Kohn gets right up in the camera! In all this tape contains just over two hours of pontificating, bag biting, roasting, soldering, hard-drive swallowing FUN! (Actually, we started with over 10 hours of footage, but after we took out all the promotional stuff that Roger Wagner and Joe Kohn did, we had a pretty solid two hours!) If you couldn't get to the 1995 KansasFest, this video will show you why you'll want to go to next year's KansasFest! (And if you DID go to KFest 95, you need to get this video so you can remember all that stuff you did while you were, um, you know...) Availability & Pricing The KansasFest 1995 Video is shipping NOW. '''''''''''''''''''''' Limited quantities will be available the first few days (until we can "ramp up" production), but we're filling orders as quickly as we can! The price for the KansasFest 1995 Video is $20. This price inludes First Class shipping to the United States, Canada and Mexico and Surface Mail shipping to anywhere else in the world. For Air Mail shipping, please include an additional $3 ($23 total). And, as promised, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this video will go to help pay for the 1996 KansasFest! How to Order We accept Visa and MasterCard, or you can send us a check or '''''''''''' money order (US funds only) for the proper amount. EGO Systems will be moving to new offices on 11/15/95, so here's how to contact us before and after the move: Before the move you can reach us at: Voice: 423-332-2087 FAX: 423-332-2634 ORDERS ONLY: 800-662-3634 Mail: EGO Systems P. O. Box 15366 Chattanooga, TN 37415-0366 After the move, you can reach us at: Voice: 423-843-1775 FAX: 423-843-0661 ORDERS ONLY: 800-662-3634 Mail: EGO Systems 7918 Cove Ridge Rd Hixson, TN 37343 And, regardless of where we are physically, you can ALWAYS e-mail us at either: Diz@Genie.com Or GSPlusDiz@aol.com -- End Press Release (DIZ, CAT33, TOP2, MSG:177/M645;1) QUICK CLICK TIFF READER I think this is the right topic :) """"""""""""""""""""""" Quick Click TIFF Reader is _no longer_ vaporware! My copy showed up at home today. :) Works quite nicely so far. . . some of the conversions are a bit slow, and there's one TIFF that I can't get it to read, but I'm impressed :) Ryan Contemplative and not conservative ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55 (R.SUENAGA1, CAT45, TOP3, MSG:164/M645;1) DEJA II (APPLEWORKS 5 FOR THE MAC) IT'S SHIPPING! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" The commercial version of Deja II is now shipping. I spent this past weekend out of town and away from my trusty Apple IIgs, but I was still able to use AppleWorks 5.1... on my PowerBook 165 with Deja II. It's fast and smooth. At last, AppleWorks runs on a NOTEBOOK system. With the MAC system 7.5, AppleWorks is completely seamless. Read and write AppleWorks files directly to/from Apple ProDOS disks in the MAC superdrive, or rewrite directly to a MAC HFS volume. It's all the same to Deja II. I never thought I'd see the day. THREE CHEERS FOR RANDY BRANDT!! J-Bird <> (J.CURTIS8, CAT17, TOP20, MSG:118/M645;1) APPLEWORKS FORUM CEASES PUBLICATION The November '95 issue of the """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AppleWorks Forum, published by NAUG (The National AppleWorks Users Group) contains to following announcement: "..after ten years of service to the AppleWorks community, NAUG will close its doors on December 31, 1995. It was a hard decision, but with declining memberships and rising costs, the writing is on the wall..." Another one bites the dust. |\ /| |\ /| | \ / | | \ / | | \ / | | \ / | | \/ | ATT | \/ | MAN.. Dave Mattis (D.MATTIS@GENIE.COM) (D.MATTIS, CAT17, TOP37, MSG:179/M645;1) NEW SECONDSIGHT ROM I ordered the SecondSight v1.1 ROM today. It's free """"""""""""""""""" if you send back the two old chips within 30 days after the new ones are installed, else it's $20. (you can also send the board in and have them do the necessary work) Now I can try (& upload!) that RenderinGS demo I found on the net. Also ordered SecondView Pro. I think it was about $35, give or take $5. -Ken (KEN.GAGNE, CAT20, TOP14, MSG:56/M645;1) >>> THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" TIMEOUT CENTRAL BACK ISSUES #26 (Jan 94) was the final issue, Doug. """"""""""""""""""""""""""" However, back issues will soon (end of this month) ALL be available again. I will be in charge of re-releasing them. Watch for details. | -(+)- | | ...Will (W.NELKEN1, CAT4, TOP6, MSG:109/M645;1) FUTUREVISION 4.1 STATUS UPDATE FutureVision 4.1 is VERY close to being """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" finalized and released in less than 20 pieces :) I know this has been said before, but being pretty close to the source, I can tell you it's for real this time. :) If for no other reason than the current "author/supporter" is having time constraint problems (the reason it's taken so long) and wants to have a final version out before he transfers the "authorship" to someone else. This will most likely happen within a month. (I'm hoping sooner, personally, but knowing the way this has been going, I'm not going to hold him to the "later this week" that he told me ;) The only major problems at this point are with the internet gateway software, and since there's only 3 sites using it at the moment, it probably won't be a big deal if it gets released with those minor bugs left. (It's fully functional, it's mostly cosmetic changes related to the way email and news articles look when received on outside systems on the internet) One way or another, I can tell you that I will be personally uploading the full suite of METAL/FutureVision stuff here to A2 within the next three weeks, whether it's "finalized" or not. :) This has gone on way too long. :) Just for yucks, the current version of METAL is v1.09.07, and the current version of FV if v4.1b5(d). The d means there have been 4 "package" updates to the b5 core (small archives with 2 or 3 replacement files). Dave aka CheezWhiz@antimatter.ecore.fnet.org Sysop of Antimatter BBS (517) 263-8384 (JUST.DAVE, CAT41, TOP14, MSG:36/M645;1) IMPATIENT FOR NEW SUPERCONVERT > Is the new version that uses the Second """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > Sight card available? Not yet. If the SS card isn't revved pretty soon we're going to have to postpone support for it until later, so we can ship the SC update sooner. > Also does it have its own print manager to use on inkjet printers? > I would LOVE higher resolution. SC works with all IIGS printer drivers...if you've got an HP DeskWriter/DeskJet/LaserJet with our Independence printer driver then SC will work just fine with it to produce some great output! --Dave (SEVENHILLS, CAT43, TOP5, MSG:256/M645;1) ONE BUG HOLDING UP GRAPHICWRITER III? Actually that note Earl's been """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" sending is a little dated...we've actually fixed that one bug, but in the meantime the testers found a few more! We're almost done fixing those. We'll be shipping ASAP...rest assured I will make a HUGE announcement here when it happens! :) Thanks for your patience, --Dave (SEVENHILLS, CAT43, TOP6, MSG:44/M645;1) HOTKEYS I COMING SOON New release from Marin MacroWorks -- to ship """"""""""""""""""""" November 18th. Marin MacroWorks is pleased to offer HotKeys I, is a collection of thirteen (13) TimeOut add-on utilities. They include: Clipper -- Clip any portion of a word processor document to save as a file (or append to an existing file) or send to a printer. ColumnCalc -- Sum an entire column or range of rows within a column in a data base, a spreadsheet, or a word processor file. Display the result and/or enter the result in any desktop file. DB Hilighter -- Visually highlight individual categories onscreen. Highlight follows the cursor. DB Marker -- Visually frame individual categories onscreen. Frame follows the cursor. Desktop File Mover -- Move files from one desktop to another. FlexiCalc -- Calculate only specific row(s) of an ASP - much faster for large spreadsheets! Hilighter Plus -- Like DB Hilighter, but adds auto-dialing of the highlighted number. MultiColumn DJ -- Print a word processor file in multiple columns (2, 3, or 4) on DeskJet (sheet-fed) printer. MultiColumnIW -- Same as above for the ImageWriter (and other tractor-fed printers). NumConverter -- Convert numbers between decimal and hexadecimal. Display the result and/or enter in a desktop file. Print Months -- Enter the names of the 12 months, full or abbreviated, to rows or columns in a word processor, data base, or spreadsheet file. Report Transporter -- Copy data base reports between files. SS WordWrap -- Provide auto word wrap in spreadsheet columns. Each program's function is documented, with screen shots, where applicable, in AppleWorks files on the disk. HotKeys I is available in two versions: one for AppleWorks 4 and one for AppleWorks 5. You must specify which version you require when ordering. The price of either version of HotKeys I is $12.95, postpaid within North America ($16.00, airmail postpaid to the rest of the world). To order, please specify for AW4 or AW5, and send prepayment (check or money order in U.S. funds) to: Marin MacroWorks 1675 Grand Avenue, Suite 1 San Rafael, CA 94901-2211 | -(+)- | | ...Will (Cat 13, Top 11) (W.NELKEN1, CAT4, TOP36, MSG:24/M645;1) >>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" Category 15, Topic 10 Message 130 Fri Oct 13, 1995 A2.CHARLIE [BB Manager] at 17:22 EDT I'd like to conduct a survey, and I need your help. Read this over, and if you want to participate, cut and paste the following survey into a word processor, fill it out, and email it to me [A2.Charlie]. -----cut here----- Apple II Series Computers in Schools Check one or more of the following: ( ) I am an educator -- ( ) elementary ( ) middle school ( ) high school ( ) I have children in ( ) elementary ( ) middle school ( ) high school ( ) I am a member of the school parent-teacher organization. If you checked anything above, then complete the following: Are Apple II computers used in the school where you work, or where your children attend? ( ) YES ( ) NO If yes, answer the next three questions. Indicate the approximate numbers available: ( ) Apple II ( ) Apple II+ ( ) Apple IIe ( ) Apple IIc ( ) Apple IIc+ ( ) Apple IIGS ( ) networked Are these the principal computers used in the schools, or are there other models/brands available as well? What kinds of software are being used with them? Be as specific as you can about titles. Enter any comments that you might have about the use of computers in schools. -----cut here----- Thank you for your cooperation. I will report the results of this survey here in a couple of weeks. Charlie Hartley [*][*][*] While on GEnie, do you spend most of your time downloading files? If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area. If you are serious about your Apple II, the GEnieLamp staff strongly urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the world. [EOA] [HUM]////////////////////////////// HUMOR ONLINE / ///////////////////////////////// Fun & Games On GEnie """""""""""""""""""" by Alan Meiss [ameiss@indiana.edu] >>> GUIDE TO SIGNATURES <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""" The Internet's become trendy, and more people than ever before are mucking about on it. With easier access has come a flood of people and posters with little concept of discretion. Many of these aspiring net personalities seem compelled to fill everyone's screens with elaborate .sig files that often border on the baroque. It's always a delight when reading news to encounter postings that consist of 100 lines reposted verbatim, the profound addition "I agree!", and a closing .sig file that sometimes comes close to filling the screen with dippy pictures and a compendium of their personal witticisms. I've noticed some common attributes to these bloated .sigs: 1) Cute pictures. Little bicycle people, roses, Amiga arrows, tire tracks, twinkle stars, etc. Rest assured, they're all just as cute the 27th time you post them. 2) Cursive letters. These seem to be all the rage. It gives your post all the more authority if you sign it: _ _ _ ' ) ) ) / / / / / _ _, __. __/ . . __/ _ / ' (_>> THE CASE OF THE WEBBED TENANT <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Online communication will surely be changing the way we work and live in the years ahead. These changes will affect many of our social and business relationships. This past week I've been thinking about how online communication might affect the landlord/tenant relationship. On its face, this relationship would appear to be immune to the new online world. On closer examination, the possibilities (and probabilities) of online communication between landlord and tenant begin to emerge. Suppose, for example, that you're the manager of a large apartment building. Within the building are 80 apartment units. Given the mobile society we live in, chances are that this apartment building has a turnover of 3 to 4 tenants each month. Your job, as manager of the building, is to interview new tenants for the apartments that become vacant each month. Apartment managers have one primary responsibility, namely, to screen out apartment applicants who appear to lack responsibility from those apartment applicants who appear possess responsibility. It's a tough call to make when you only get 15-20 minutes to visit with the people who have expressed an interest in the apartments. Now suppose that you have a list of 12 persons who are interested in a certain apartment. And further suppose that 3 out of those 12 persons casually mention that they have set up a personal web page for themselves. What you, as a decision maker, have is an opportunity to gather further information without having to call the apartment applicants back for a second interview. In essence, the people who have set up personal web pages are giving you the opportunity of learning more about them, without having to go through a process of interviewing them at length. Given the above scenario, who do you think has the better chance of being offered an apartment? The folks who already have a home page have a greater chance of having a physical home to go with it. Admittedly, some people might say that it is possible to put whatever information you want on your home page. You could represent yourself in a way that totally masks who you are as a person. True, such mischief could happen. But at some point it becomes self-defeating to have a home page that masks your true self. After all, you could be sending out misinformation to people who you have an interest in knowing about the real you. Relationships are two way things, so how would online communication benefit tenants? Well, as an apartment seeker, would it not be convenient to be able to jot off an E-mail message to several current tenants of a building to hear about their view of the building's management? You might feel shy about calling such people out of the blue, but you wouldn't feel as shy about sending them a short E-mail inquiry asking about how they feel about the building's management. If the building manager has access to your own web page, then it wouldn't be unnatural to ask the manager to give you the E-mail addresses of a few of the current tenants. The result of all this is that everyone is able to access more information about each other, enabling everyone to make more informed decisions. Some might see this as yet one more in-road to personal privacy. But from where I sit, I see this as a positive development. If I were to apply for an apartment, I would have no qualms about giving the apartment manager the URL of my personal web page. The web page gives detailed info about my interests and work. By definition, I'm not going to put something on my web page that I would not want the general public to know. If my web page can help the apartment manager make a more informed decision about my application, so much the better for both of us. I take pride in being an upstanding, contributing member of the community. If technology can help differentiate me from the less-reliable-tenant, so much the better. Each of us hungers for information that can make our life's decisions more informed and less risky. Online communication helps further this goal in almost every type of social and business relationship. You may be surprised at how relationships will be changing in the coming years. One thing is for sure: Those who take time to consider the impending changes will be able to plan accordingly. Phil Shapiro [*][*][*] The author takes a keen interest in the psychological and social aspects of online communications. He can be reached at: pshapiro@aol.com. [EOA] [ASA]////////////////////////////// ASCII ART GALLERY / ///////////////////////////////// ASCII Art """"""""" by Jason J. Olson [J.OLSON28] ASCII ART BEGINS ! | ! | | | !! | | ________________ <___ ACME > \ Anvil / |_________| ___________________ | _______________ | | | | | | | press any key | | | | | | | |_______________| | |___________________| _____________________ __|_____________|__ /----/____________________/| | | / /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/__/|/ |___________________|---/ /__/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ / |_____________________| /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/__/ / |____________________|/ ********* ******* *** **** **** @@ **** *** @@@@ *** *** @@ @@@ *** * @@@@@@@@@ @@@ * @@@ @@@ @@@@ ** * @@@@ @@@ @@@@@ @@ @@@ @@@@ @@@@@@ * * @@@ @@@@@@@ @@@ @@@ @@@@@@ @@@ * * @@ @@@ @@@ @@@ @@@@@@@ @@ @ * * @@@ @@ @@@ @@@ @@ @@@ @@@@@@@ * * @@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@ @@@@ @@@ @@@ @@@@@@ * *@@@ @@ @@@@@ @@@@ @@@ @@@@ @@ * *@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@@ @@ @* *@@ @@@@ @@@ @ @@ @@@@@ @@@ @@@@@@* *@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@ @@@ @@@@@@ @@@@ * ***@@@@ @@@ @@ @ @@@@@@ *** ** @@ @ ****** ***** ***** ****** ****** * ____ _*_ ____ / __ \ | | ________\ /_______ | / \ | \ \________/ \ | \__/ | \___________ L * A * M * P \____\ | \ ____ | \ Apple II / / __ | \_________________/ | / \ | /_________________\ | \__/ | /___________________\ \____/ /_____________________\ ASCII ART ENDS [FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED READERS: The preceding showed two drawings; one shows a IIgs computer displaying the message "press any key" as an anvil is about to fall on the keyboard; and the other shows a magic lamp labelled "Lamp Apple II", from the spout of which is billowing a heart-shaped cloud which contains the legend "GEnie".] [EOA] [HUN]////////////////////////////// THE TREASURE HUNT / ///////////////////////////////// Yours For the Downloading """"""""""""""""""""""""" by Douglas Cuff [EDITOR.A2] >>> INFORMATION HIGHWAY TRAVEL KIT <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" When you visit Usenet newsgroups and the World Wide Web, you come across mysteries so deep that you're not sure that one is meant to solve them. For example, on the newsgroup comp.binaries.apple2, you might see a message that begins: FiLeStArTfIlEsTaRt ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789() GBINSCII AQhmAAAAA8)4MIAI02DA9ARMQEDtAQhmAIVZ gYITA6u7xADA0MjM3YTNBlDOENkQwYURzITM2UDN5gzNDJUQGVERyEDM1QzM4cjN CFUOFR0QxAjR0MjM3YTNBlDOENkQwAQRzITM2UDN5gzNDJUQGVERyEDM1QzM4cjN Or perhaps the message begins this way: begin 666 goodluck.bxy M4W5N3U,@4F5L96%S92 T+C$@*%-$4U0V,"D@(S@Z(%1U92!/8W0@.2 Q,CHS M...3HT.2!%1%0@,3DY, HT Your first reaction might be to back away and find something more interesting, which isn't a bad idea. After a while, you'll realize that these messages are encoded files that you can use. Then you'll want to know how to decode them. Decoding is always easy if you have a code book. And there are code books for the Apple II, even though most of the people who wrote the codes didn't have the Apple II in mind. We've been fortunate enough to have freelance programmers provide the code books for themselves and for their fellows. You need decoders for three basic things: pictures, sounds, and programs. You're likely to run into pictures and sounds on web pages. Since you're limited to browsing the web with Lynx, which is text based, you can't see the pictures or hear the sounds as you browse. What you can do is download them for later retrieval. PICTURES The two most popular still picture formats on the web are GIF """""""" and JPEG. There are plenty of programs for viewing GIF files on a IIgs and even one or two programs for viewing them on the IIe and IIc. In fact, there are too many GIF programs to discuss in a column like this. I'll just mention a couple I use regularly: File #23435: SHOWME1.1.1.BXY (73984 bytes) ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ShowMe by Dave Leffler is popular with IIgs users who want graphics viewers in a New Desk Accessory. This makes a good quick-and-dirty viewer. It can also show many other picture formats, including PaintWorks animations, and has a "slide show" mode. File #23970: IMAGEQUANT.BXY (38912 bytes) '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' If you want more options for viewing GIF files on your IIgs, you should try ImageQuant v0.3 by Tim Meekins. Like ShowMe, ImageQuant handles a lot more than just GIF files, but it allows various manipulations of GIF images. [*][*][*] At least as popular as GIF are JPEG graphics. Some compromises have to be made when viewing JPEG graphics, since they were designed for computers that have much greater resolution than even the IIgs. (This sometimes happens with GIF graphics, too, but the effect is less dramatic.) Here, your options are more limited... and I'm afraid there's no JPEG viewer or converter for the Apple IIe or IIc. If you use a IIgs, you can choose between a JPEG viewer and a JPEG converter: File #22640: JV.BXY (14976 bytes) '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' JPEG Viewer by Ushiroda, Atsushi is a pre-release--that is, unfinished--program that allows you to view JPEG graphics in monochrome. Once you seen a thumbnail sketch of the graphic, you get to scroll the picture through a viewing window. This allows you to see any part of the picture in detail. There's no way to see all the picture at once except for that brief glimpse of the thumbnail sketch. File #25931: JPEG.V6.BXY (414336 bytes) ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This utility is a JPEG converter for the IIgs. It allows you to convert JPEG graphics to other formats. For your purposes, its great value is that it converts from JPEG to GIF, which is well supported for the IIgs platform. This converter allows color conversions, and will also let you scale down the graphics--by a half, a quarter, or an eighth--so that you can view all of it at once on the IIgs screen. This program has a command-line interface and requires a shell (ORCA or GNO), which means it isn't for absolute beginners. [*][*][*] As you can see, you can view GIF and JPEG graphics once you've downloaed them. Some web pages have animations attached to them as well, but Apple II users can't do much with the most popular kinds. This may change now that the SecondSight video card is on the market. One animation viewer for .DL format animations has just been updated to work with the SecondSight (File #25749: VIEWDL20.BXY [18420 bytes]). This is not a popular format for web pages, but it tells of things still to come! SOUNDS Some people attach sounds to their web pages. These are usually """""" in .WAV or .AU format, and now IIgs users can finally hear them, thanks to programmer Paul Creager. File #25825: RSOUNDER3.BXY (342248 bytes) '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Creager's rSounder program has long been popular for converting sound files to system sounds, but v3.0 of this great program now allows you to hear .WAV and .AU sounds, as well as create them. [*][*][*] PROGRAMS You'll often be transferring programs from file areas rather """""""" than "reading" files on newsgroups. Transferring files is pretty painless once you get the hang of it, but when it comes time to unpack the files, you may find that they've been packed with something other than ShrinkIt. The most popular universal file-archiving format seems to ZIP (more properly PKZIP). Apple II users have had access to these sorts of files for some time now. Apple IIe and IIc users should use Angel v0.81 by Tony Marques: File #20501: ANGEL.BXY (29568 bytes) ...while IIgs users may prefer to use PMPunZip by Paul Parkhurst: File #21048: PMPUNZIP2.0.BXY (112896 bytes) Another format that seems to be present on many Internet sites is gzip, an archiving method popular among Unix-based computers. Files packed with gzip usually end with the extension .gz. One some sites, you can have gzip files unpack automatically just by entering a "+" as the first character of your password when you log in to the site. If that doesn't work, you can try: File #25755: GZ2PKZ.BXY (7680 bytes) ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This utility converts gzip files for .ZIP format. It too has a command-line interface and requires a shell like ORCA or GNO. Once the file has been converted to .ZIP, you can use Angel or PMPunZip to unpack it. [*][*][*] Sometimes, there's another step involved in sharing files. After using a program such as ShrinkIt or PKZIP to archive and compress a file or collection of files, you may need to convert it to a format that allows it to be posted on a newsgroup. In order to be posted on a newsgroup, a file must contain only printable ASCII characters such the alphabet, numerals, and punctuation marks. Two methods of converting a file to printable ASCII are BinSCII and uuencode. (There are also BinHex and NuFX, but you're less likely to run into them.) Remember the gobbledegook at the start of this column? A message that begins with "FiLeStArTfIlEsTaRt" is probably BinSCII, and a posting that starts with "begin 666 filename.ext" is probably uuencoded. If you have an Apple IIe or IIc computer, you should download: File #19282: BINSCII.UU.BXY (7424 bytes) ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This contains UUencode v1.1 by Andy Tefft and BinSCII v1.0.3 by David Whitney. With these two utilities, you should be able to decode the strange messages you find on "binaries" newsgroups. File #23636: GSCII.2.3.1.BXY (64128 bytes) '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This one is for IIgs users. This NDA not only handles BinSCII and uuencode but also BinHex. [*][*][*] There's one final utility I want to look at, even though it doesn't have anything to do with processing the pictures, sound, or programs you find on the Internet. This utility lets you create things to put on the Internet. Once you've seen a few web pages, you'll notice that they share certain characteristics. That's because they're documents written with a mark-up language called HTML. Now there's a HyperCard stack to let you create your own HTML documents. File #25816: HTMLEDIT.BXY (82688 bytes) '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' This HTML editor, from The Nova Scotia Apple Users Group (I thought I'd mention that since I used to be a long-distance member), requires HyperCard IIgs. It helps you create documents and helps you find errors but doesn't actually let you view or test the documents. There's no reason some intrepid soul couldn't write a similar utility that ran perfectly well under UltraMacros for AppleWorks. There's nothing very IIgs-specific about this program, unless it's the pull-down menus. It's a good utility, though! (If it let you view what you'd created, it would be _GREAT_!) [*][*][*] I haven't by any means touched on all the Internet-related files in the A2 RoundTable Libraries, but I think I've listed most of the ones that are absolutely vital. I was most encouraged to see that Internet tools such as rSounder v3.0 and HTML Editor were uploaded since last month. It makes me feel that the Apple II community is keeping up with the Internet! [EOA] [PNL]////////////////////////////// PAUG NEWSLETTER / ///////////////////////////////// November 1995 Newsletter """""""""""""""""""""""" by Ray Pasold [R.PASOLD] >>> VOLUME III, NUMBER 1 <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""" WHAT IS PAUG? The mission of the Planetary Apple User Group (PAUG) is to """"""""""""" serve as the online heart of the worldwide Apple II community. PAUG's goals include providing help and support for anyone who may not have a local user group nearby, and for user groups that want a virtual link to the Heart of the Apple II world. Creating a link between PAUG and both the online and offline user group community is one of our priorities. PAUG sponsorship of an online user group is focused on promoting the fact that the Apple II is not only still alive, but doing very well. WHAT DOES PAUG DO? There _is_ support! PAUG will provide it, or help you """""""""""""""""" find it. We meet the third Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the Apple II RoundTable (A2) Real Time Conference (RTC) area. With no long miles to drive or time away from home, PAUG offers the Apple II user a friendly and comfortable association with others of similar computing interests. There is plenty of accurate computer information, hints, tips, and just plain old fashioned fun conversation. Along with this, you also get the security of knowing that all the computing support you could possibly need is right at your fingertips. What could be more convenient? ANNOUNCEMENTS """"""""""""" Two Year Anniversary! November 1993 was the first newsletter reflecting ''''''''''''''''''''' the events of the October inaugural meeting of the WWUG (World Wide User Group, now PAUG). Highlights included visits from Tom Weishaar and Bryan Pietrzak of Softdisk/Softdisk G-S. The next issue of the PAUG Newsletter (December 1995, Volume III, Number 2) will spend some time reminiscing about the past two years. Yes, it has been over two years since this brain child of Lunatic E'Sex sprang forth that warm July night at KFest 1993! Thank you so much Luny, I hope you like what you see. New Editor I am pleased to say that I will be writing this newsletter on '''''''''' a permanent basis starting this month. I will be providing reports on the PAUG monthly meetings, updates on all of our projects, and feedback from the PAUG membership. I will need your support. Please send your comments, ideas, and PAUG news worthy items, in email to me on GEnie at R.PASOLD or over the Net at r.pasold@genie.com, or if you are already online with GEnie (good move!) make a post in Category 3, Topic 34 (Planetary Apple User Group) in the A2 RoundTable Bulletin Board (m645;1). Each month I plan to keep you informed by presenting at minimum the following features in the PAUG Newsletter: o ANNOUNCEMENTS Important events and news of the next meeting. o THE MAIN EVENTS A report of what happened at the last meeting and more. o QUICK PEEK INTO THE MEETING A small edited portion of the RTC transcript (juicy parts). o THE A2 LIBRARY Where you can find those marvelous files. o PLEASE FEED ME! Short excerpts of FEEDBACK from PAUG members and myself. o GOOD BUY Leaving you with a bargain that you will want to run right out and buy, is just our way of saying thanks for supporting PAUG. The Next Meeting The next meeting of PAUG is at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on '''''''''''''''' Sunday, November 19. The following Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. Join us in the celebration of the beginning of our third year and in a great tradition, computing on the time tested Apple II. THE MAIN EVENTS "Play around in PAUG" was the theme for the October """"""""""""""" meeting. What are your favorite games? The answers ranged from classics that used the old DOS 3.3 operating system to sophisticated 16-bit GS-specific games. The Eamon text adventure games won hands down as the favorite DOS 3.3 games, and almost all of them, with exception of the three commercial versions by Softdisk, are available right here in the A2 RoundTable Library! The most recent versions are in ProDOS 8. Before you can play the games, you must download the Master disk and the Main Hall disk, with versions available in both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS. These Eamon games are all in the public domain, and there is no shareware fee. Battle Chess and Chessmaster were not only discussed, but members also wanted to know how to get them. Since they are both commercial games and no longer available, the best advice is to search in the Free Trade Zone for used copies. Just recently, both games were advertised for sale by Mr. Tracy Cook of A+ Technologies. A demo of the Battle Chess game is available in the A2 library. Chessmaster 2100 comes in both 8-bit and GS specific versions. The 8-bit version is copy protected and not hard drive installable. There are patches and fixes in the library so that Battle Chess and Chessmaster GS can be run from the Finder. The Chessmaster patches include a neat icon file. If you have the Bonus Icons file from Scantron Quality Computers, it includes an awesome Battle Chess icon. Another chess game mentioned was Sargon III. Sargon III is only available for the Apple in DOS 3.3, but it is a powerful game! You can use the mouse and play at level 9, however; waiting for a reply at that level can take over one hour on an accelerated Apple II! This is usually not a problem, since most amateur players (like me) have a hard time beating level 2 (there are nine levels), which provides almost instant response. This disk is copy protected and not hard drive installable. All three of these chess machines are rated by the U.S. Chess Federation and can play you at Master Play levels. They all provide tutorial games and instruction. In Chessmaster 2100 GS, there is even the ability to play Speed Chess! You can pick from 1 minute to 99 minute games (5 minutes is the norm), and if your clock runs to zero, Chessmaster promptly announces, "Your time has run out. You lose." Amazing! QUICK PEEK INTO THE MEETING Let's take a quick peek into the meeting and """"""""""""""""""""""""""" see what happened. Of course, this is edited for content and confidential, so don't tell anyone! Notice on door: Join us and "Play around in PAUG." What are your favorite games? Do you have any good tips? Have you downloaded a good game lately? Let's talk about playing around. Hi! Welcome to PAUG! [Cindy is the PAUG RTC leader] ** is here. yo. howdy again, Tom. Hi Tom, Welcome to PAUG Hi Tom Hi John If anyone has anything to say about games - just speak up! I have an idea what Tom plays. This is where we talk about collecting pogs, right? LOL [This means "laughing out loud"] LOL! Okay, Eamon games...never have tried them. Tell us a little about Eamons Yeah, give us the FAQs, okay? (hehehehe) Ron, if you like text adventuring, you'll probably like Eamon. If not, you won't. What is Text adventuring? Text adventuring is a style of gaming in which the computer tells you what you see, and you type in commands to move about and act on objects and creatures. The original Adventure by Crowther and Woods is the classic example. The Infocom series of games are text adventures. Like the Zork games and the old Infocom stuff, then. Yes, Ron. Exactly. Do you have to be a rocket scientist to play them? No, Cindy, you don't need to be a rocket scientist. Eamons are NOT commercial. It's all public-domain, with the exception of three that were published in Softdisk. The other 236 Eamons were written by ordinary people. About half of them aren't so good, but the top 50 or 60 are very good. I'd say one of the things that got me into computing was the Infocom games. I was really fascinated with them. Me too, Ron. I wasted about a year of my life playing every Infocom game I could afford. I played the =original= Zork on a DEC PDP-11/34 back when all you could get on personal computers was Zork I. The original encompassed all three Zorks. Don't mean to change the subject, but does anyone know where to get a good chess game for the IIGS? Feel free to change the subject, Bill! I don't know of any chess games for the GS. The conversation then went on about the chess games. This is just an example of the fun and top notch information you will get when you attend a PAUG meeting. Don't you wish you would have been there? THE LIBRARY Great games are to be found in the A2 Library. Here's where """"""""""" to get them. DOS 3.3: Library 42 ProDOS 8: Library 33 GS specific: Library 21 Here are some specific files you may want. Chess Stuff ''''''''''' 11191 CM2100.RUN.BXY Run ChessMaster from GS/OS 10243 CM2100HLP.BXY Icon & HD help for Chessmaster GS. 21557 CM2100.FIX.BXY Remove CM2100 (IIGS) key protection 19941 CHESSFINDER.BXY Run BattleChess, others, under 6.0 8570 BTLCHSSDEMO.BXY Demo of Battle Chess GS Eamon Stuff ''''''''''' The DOS 3.3 Demos and Master disks: 8828 EAMON.D.001.BXY Eamon Master Disk (DOS 3.3) 8833 EAMON.D.GMH.BXY Eamon 'Graphics Main Hall' (DOS 3.3) 8667 EAMON.D.DD6.BXY DOS 3.3 Eamon Dungeon Designer v6.2 8496 EAMON.DEMO.BXY Stand-alone Eamon Demo (DOS 3.3) 8952 EAMON.D.162.BXY Eamon.162 Eamon v7.0 Demo (DOS 3.3) 21219 EAMON.D.DD7.BXY DOS 3.3 Eamon Dungeon Designer v7.1 21220 EAMON.D.MDS.BXY DOS 3.3 Eamon DDD 7.1 Supplement 21221 EAMON.D.UTL.BXY DOS 3.3 Eamon Utility Programs Some DOS 3.3 amazing helpers: 23012 OZ.DOS.1.0.BXY DOS 3.3 for 800K 3.5" disk 23013 MOVER.1.03.BXY Store 5 5.25" disks on one 3.5" HyperCard GS Eamon: 15457 EAMON.HCGS.BXY Main Hall & Beginners Cave in HCGS ProDOS Eamon: 16219 EAMON.001.BXY ProDOS Eamon Master/Main Hall 15702 EAMON.GMH.BXY ProDOS 'Graphics Main Hall' 11767 EAMON.P.191.BXY ProDOS 'Enhanced Beginners Cave' 11768 EAMON.P.195.BXY ProDOS 'The Training Ground' 11842 EAMON.MAPS.BXY Misc. Eamon maps 12062 EAMON.PURGE.BXY ProDOS EAMON.DESC file fixer 15100 EAG.DEC90.BXY Sample Eamon newsletter 16866 UNIV.CHKFIL.BXY Universal Eamon file verify program 16728 BEST.EAMONS.BXY An incredible role-play experience 19410 EAMON.VARS.BXY Variable listing for Eamon MAIN.PGM 21218 EAMON.DDD71.BXY ProDOS Eamon Dungeon Designer v7.1 21222 EAMON.ADB.BXY Appleworks ADB of Eamon list. 21234 EAMON.UTL.BXY ProDOS EAG Eamon Utilities 23019 EAMON.LISTS.BXY Updates of six Eamon Lists More Stuff A few we didn't mention: '''''''''' 23321 COGITO.BXY Cogito, a Brutal Deluxe IIgs game 23380 Q2.BXY Treasures from Heaven (GS) 23480 STALACTITES.BXY Stalactites for the IIgs 23428 SPACEINV.GS.BXY GS version of the 1978 arcade hit 23504 NUMBLOX1.0.BXY Logic Game using numbered blocks (GS) 23575 FF.MANUAL.BXY Printable manual for ForestFire (SoftDisk GS) 24234 GAMES.UTILS.BXY Game hacking and cheats Have FUN! PLEASE FEED ME! This is where I give a brief synopsis of all the letters """"""""""""""" and suggestions pouring into Cindy's, Gina's and my mail box. Since this is the first issue where the "PLEASE FEED ME!" column exists, there are none. But I won't let that stop me from writing something! Comment on this idea. We want to make PAUG a _membership_ user group. Anyone can attend PAUG meetings and get the benefits of PAUG, but only official members would get things like User Group Discounts, special admission prices to KFest, discounts on Apple T-shirts and other products. The only requirement is to fill out a small form and get on our "Official PAUG Membership List." NAME..................ADDRESS....................................... TYPE OF APPLE II:................................................... HEARD ABOUT PAUG FROM............................................... SIGNATURE........................DATE................ That is all there would be. Would you be willing to fill out the form and attend at least one RTC for these added benefits? Let me know! There is nothing official about this and it may never happen, but we would like to know what you feel about it. GOOD BUY Willis Poole (W.POOLE) mentioned that he was seeing the new Zip """""""" Drive at Direct Ware (1-800-490-WARE) for $189. That makes this popular removable hard drive even more of a bargain! If you have been thinking Zip, now may be the time to buy. Thanks Willis! [Note: The Zip Drive was recently the topic of a Real Time Conference (RTC), and enough valuable information was presented that it warranted a special archive of the transcript. Download file #25002 (IOMEGA.ZIP.BXY) for more information.] A+ Technologies recently advertised these amazing prices on a few items I have picked for you to savor. Battle Chess (IIgs/3.5) ($14) Chessmaster 2100 ($10) [Ask if this is the 8-bit or GS version] Sargon III (New in shrinkwrap !) DOS 3.3 ($12) Zork I by Infocom [8-bit] (New in shrinkwrap) ($10) Zork III by Infocom [8-bit] (New in shrinkwrap) ($12) Video Vegas 8-bit ($10) [I own this and it is awesome! I paid $35!] If you have ever wanted one of the above games, don't hesitate! Apple IIe Enhanced CPU (10 available) $69 each Apple DuoDisk with Cable (2 available) $59 each Apple 5.25 Platinum Drive (89 available) $69 each Apple Unidisk 5.25 (Beige) (41 available) $45 each Apple IIc Ext. 5.25 Floppy Drive (7 available) $39 each Apple Unidisk 3.5 Drive (4 available) $79 each If you need one of the above disk drives, get it now! A+ Technologies 48 Sharon Drive Bay Point, CA 94565 (Mr.) Tracy A. Cook 1-800-2APPLE2 (U.S. and Canada) or 510-458-3960 (International) (9 a.m.-12 Noon, Pacific Standard Time, Weekdays) email to apluscomp@aol.com (Allow 72 Hours for answer) IN CONCLUSION The PAUG Newsletter is an intrinsic part of GEnieLamp A2. """"""""""""" If this is your first time reading the GEnieLamp A2, be sure to get it every month and take note; all the text file (TXT) back issues are in the DigiPub Library and the AppleWorks Word Processor (AWP) back issues are in the A2 Library, awaiting your reading pleasure. Until next month, C U L8tr! Remember, the goal of the Planetary Apple User Group is to be _your_ primary Apple II resource! If you have any suggestions, insights, or ways to help us help you...let us know! Future plans include working with groups on the "outside" to create a stronger bond within the Apple II community. Just email r.pasold@genie.com, or c.adams11@genie.com or a2.gena@genie.com, or if you are already online with GEnie (yes, still a good move!) make a post in Category 3, Topic 34 (Planetary Apple User Group) in the A2 RoundTable Bulletin Board (m645;1). ////////////////////////////////////////////// QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Who thought up this idea of programming 'politeness' / / into computers? To hear a machine voice say 'Thank you / / for waiting' may be soothing the first time, but three / / times in a row reminds you that it is phony, and forty / / minutes of such stalls without even once hearing a / / living voice can try the patience of a guru.... It / / would have been a relief if, after a certain number of / / futile tries, it had been programmed to say, 'Buzz off, / / sister; you've had it.'" / ///////////////////////////// Robert A. Heinlen, FRIDAY //// [EOA] [LOG]/////////////////////////////// LOG OFF // ////////////////////////////////// GEnieLamp Information """"""""""""""""""""" o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnieLamp o GEnieLamp STAFF: Who Are We? GEnieLamp Information GEnieLamp is published on the 1st of every month """"""""""""""""""""" on GEnie page 515. You can also find GEnieLamp on the main menus in the following computing RoundTables. 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In the DigiPub Bulletin Board you can converse with people in the digital publishing industry, meet editors from some of the top electronic publications and get hints and tips on how to go about publishing your own digital book. The DigiPub RoundTable is the official online service for the Digital Publishing Association. To get there type DIGIPUB or M1395 at any GEnie prompt. >>> GEnieLamp STAFF <<< """"""""""""""""""""""" GEnieLamp o John Peters [GENIELAMP] Publisher """"""""" o Mike White [MWHITE] Managing Editor APPLE II o Doug Cuff [EDITOR.A2] EDITOR """""""" o Ray Pasold [R.PASOLD] A2 Staff Writer o Charlie Hartley [A2.CHARLIE] A2 Staff Writer A2Pro o Tim Buchheim [A2PRO.GELAMP] EDITOR """"" ATARI o Sheldon H. Winick [GELAMP.ST] ATARI EDITOR """"" o Bruce Smith [B.SMITH123] EDITOR/TX2 o Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] Atari Staff Writer o Richard Brown [R.BROWN30] Atari Staff Writer o Al Fasoldt [A.FASOLDT] Atari Staff Writer o Timothy V. Steed [T.STEED1] Atari Staff Writer o Lloyd E. 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