|||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| || || ||| || || || || ||| |||| |||||| || |||| Your || || || || ||| || || |||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| GEnieLamp IBM || |||||| || || |||||| RoundTable || || || ||| ||| || || || |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE! || || || || || || || ||||| || || || || || ~ APRIL FUN & GAMES ~ ~ MINI_BYTES - 3 ON 1: FileBUDDY ~ ~ THE PLAIN VANILLA GUIDE TO DOS, PART 6 ~ ~ PD_QUICKVIEW / CLASSICS ~ ~ WHO'S WHO: A PROFILE OF WINDOWS' SYSOP RICHARD DILL ~ ~ HOT FILES ~ HOT MESSAGES ~ HOT REVIEWS! ~ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// GEnieLamp IBM ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Vol.2, Issue 13 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Publisher.........................................T/TalkNET Publishing Editor-In-Chief..........................................John Peters Editor.................................................Bob Connors Windows Editor .................................... Peter Bogert ~ GEnieLamp IBM ~ GEnieLamp [PR]/TX2 ~ GEnieLamp ST ~ GEnieLamp A2 ~ ~ GEnieLamp MacPRO ~ GEnieLamp A2Pro ~ GEnieLamp Macintosh ~ ~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~ ////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ >>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE IBM ROUNDTABLE? <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ April 1, 1993 ~ FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY] Notes From The Editor. Is That A Letter For Me? HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] YES, I DO WINDOWS ....... [WIN] By Any Other Name... Windows RT Happenings. CowTOONS ................ [MOO] PROFILES ................ [PRO] Great Cows From Literature. Who's Who On GEnie. TELETALK ONLINE ......... [TEL] MINI_BYTES .............. [MIN] Online Communications. 3 On 1: FileBUDDY THE MIGHTY QUINN ........ [QUI] THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [LIB] Random Access. HOT Files You Can Download. PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ] GEnie ONLINE ............ [GEN] Aqua Man: Link The Pumps. GEnie's Internet Gateway. CLASSICS ................ [CLA] ONLINE FUN .............. [FUN] Watch Out For The Evil Virii! Search-ME! DOCTOR BOB .............. [BOB] GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE ..... [ELS] The Plain Vanilla Guide, Pt. 6 Browsing GEnie. 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 re-printed """""""""""" 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 costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and """"""""""" weekend access to more than 100 services including electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news, entertainment, single-player games, multi-player chess and bulletin boards on leisure and professional subjects. With many other services, including the largest collection of files to download and the best online games, for only $6 per hour (non-prime-time/2400 baud). To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH. Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99014,DIGIPUB 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. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Leave it Sheldon to figure out how to get the necessities: / / Heat and GEnie. It is amazing how used to things you become / / and how much you miss them even if it is for only 3-? days." / /////////////////////////////////////////////// C.ALLEN17 //// [EOA] [FRM]////////////////////////////// FROM MY DESKTOP / ///////////////////////////////// Notes From The Editor """"""""""""""""""""" By John Peters [GENIELAMP] FROM MY DESKTOP When I typed in the characters ATDT and the the number of """"""""""""""" a local bulletin board for the very first time, I was completely and utterly awed. No longer was I alone in my computing pursuits. At the touch of a key, I could call out to practically any place in the world and make friends with people that I would have never had the chance to do so with otherwise. The modem had broken my computing isolation from the rest of the world. Ten years later, I'm still awed by it all, but now, even more so. I keep in touch with friends via GE Mail, I stay on top of what's happening in the news with Newbytes and I can get answers to just about any question I can think of - many times within hours of posting it. I can share my knowledge with others and more importantly, I can learn from their experiences as well. I can download pictures, sounds and books to read and I can even play a friendly game of backgammon or chess with someone in Boston, or Miami, or Japan. Amazing. But it can be frustrating too... When you think about it, we "onliners" represent a very small segment of the overall population. Surprisingly, there are many people who own computers are unaware of what's available to them online. They use the computer to type in an occasional school report or (more likely) play games on it. That's okay as eventually many of these people will find their way online by way of a friend, an article they read or because they are just plain curious (like I was). The point is, we've only just begun. Think about it...we are in the infancy of telecommunications. In a way, I'm sorry I won't be around a hundred years from now to see where all of this is heading. On the other hand, I am thrilled to be among the online pioneers of this _new_ and exciting technology. Welcome aboard, friend, and I'll see you online! GEnie Elsewhere Did you know that the Public Forum RoundTable (M545) is """"""""""""""" archiving all of the official White House Electronic Press Releases issued by the new White House E-Mail Communications Office? The files are available in the PF Library in the format WHPRxxx.TXT, and there are currently 177 of these files available. The files include press releases, official announcements, transcripts of press conferences & other official White House communiques. Interesting stuff here - well worth checking out! For more info., contact GRAFFITI, the PF SysOp. NEW 800 SERVICE Some GEnie access numbers incur a $2.00 per connect hour """"""""""""""" communications surcharge. This surcharge applies to all GEnie usage, including GEnie*Basic services. Surcharged access numbers are noted with a dollar-sign ($) and the amount of the hourly communications surcharge (i.e., $2.00/hr). To retrieve local access numbers, please type *PHONE or PHONE at any main menu prompt. When accessing GEnie via 800-Service (available only in the US), you will incur a $6.00 per connect hour communications surcharge, for 300, 1200 and 2400 baud access. This surcharge applies to all usage, including GEnie*Basic services. 9600 baud access is also available via 800-Service. When using 9600 baud via the 800-Service, you will be charged $18.00 per connect hour during non-prime time and $24.50 per connect hour during prime time. LOCATION BAUD RATE SURCHARGE NETWORK ACCESS NUMBER --------------- -------------- --------- --------- ------------- United States 300/1200/2400 $6.00/hr GEnie 800-362-1296 United States 9600 $12.00/hr GEnie 800-847-5260 When accessing GEnie via SprintNet, you will incur a $2.00 per connect hour communications surcharge. This surcharge applies to all GEnie usage, including GEnie*Basic services. Surcharged access numbers are noted with a dollar-sign ($) and the amount of the hourly communications surcharge (i.e. $2.00/hr). To retrieve local access numbers, please type *PHONE or PHONE at any main menu prompt. PLEASE NOTE If you are dialing long-distance to access GEnie, we do not """"""""""" recommend dialing a surcharged access number, as you will incur the $2.00 connect hour surcharge in addition to long-distance charges. Also note that interstate long-distance calls are usually less expensive than intrastate long-distance calls. Please be sure to verify the long-distance charges with your local telephone company. [*][*][*] GEnieLamp FUN AND GAMES This is one big issue so I'm going to keep my """"""""""""""""""""""" desktop notes short this time around. One word of caution when reading this month's issue: Don't forget, it's April! Until next month... John Peters [GENIELAMP] //////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Wow Ringo, was that you? I didn't get a chance to say hello. / / I was too busy jammin' with Jeff. (I can't believe I played / / the drums... I don't _play_ the drums.) It's a good thing / / the management made me quit, eh?" / ////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MUSE //// [EOA] [HEY]////////////////////////////// HEY MISTER POSTMAN / ///////////////////////////////// Is That A Letter For Me? """""""""""""""""""""""" By Bob Connors [R.CONNORS2] o IBM ODDS & ENDS o WHAT'S NEW o TIPS AND HINTS o THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT >>> HOT TOPICS! <<< """"""""""""""""""" [*] CAT1, TOP9, MSG:{165}.....R-RATED pics: Why am I downloading this? [*] CAT9, TOP5, MSG:{35}......Mail Order Problems. [*] CAT11, TOP32, MSG:{288}...IBM Condescending? [*] CAT21, TOP48, MSG:{822)...Windows: Priced out of the market? [*] CAT4, TOP22, MSG:{649}....PC-Tools Chatter. [*] CAT6, TOP32, MSG:{1}......Windows/OS/2 Front End for GEnie? >>> IBM ODDS AND ENDS <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" BORLAND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CHANGES In order to provide quality """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" technical support for a number of Borland products (see listing below) that are no longer being developed, Borland has selected Software Support Inc. (SSI) as its recommended support solution. SSI was selected because of its outstanding reputation for providing world class technical support for hundreds of software applications. Users of these products currently have free access to support engineers from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Effective May 1, 1993, Borland's support policies for these products will change. Because no future versions of the products are planned, Borland will cease to provide telephone support. To help users obtain continuing technical support after this date, Borland will recommend Software Support Inc.'s fee-based services as a support solution. SSI has a support option to fit everyone's needs, whether they're a novice or an advanced user. SSI's support engineers are certified experts on these products and are fully qualified to answer questions and respond to any problems a user may encounter. For information and other details on SSI's support plans, please call SSI at 1-800-527-6060 and ask for Inside Sales. Products being referred to SSI: Applause II dBASE Runtime IV Plus for the Macintosh Eureka Framework Full Impact FullPaint FullWrite MultiMate RapidFile Reflex Screenery Sprint Superkey Turbo Lightning Additional note for GEnie users: We have set up a category called "Other Products" here on the RoundTable where we, as volunteers only, and with no guarantee of Borland =or= SSI assistance, will try to answer any questions that come up. The topics will be open to any discussions you folks wish to have and we will participate as much as we can to help you out. -The Staff of the GEnie Borland RoundTable STACKER MAINTENANCE I was recently told that you should unfrag your """"""""""""""""""" computer at least once a week to rid your hard drive of any cross linked files, and anything else that shouldn't be on the hard drive. My question is, is this possible when you have a stacker? If so, what is the proceedure for unfragging with a stacker? Does it vary from the proceedure you would use on a hard drive without a stacker? (M.JONES, CAT4, TOP4, MSG:529/M615) >>>>> Kelly--perhaps someone else will reply in greater detail, but """"" meanwhile use these guidelines: 1. Defrag a Stacked disk only with Stacker's own defragger; 2. Make sure no cache (e.g., smartdrv.exe) is running; 3. If possible, disable all or most other memory-resident programs. I might mention that a friend who is not knowledgeable about computers and likes to rush in where angels fear to tread, apparently corrupted his whole Stacked disk by defragging it with Norton's. It seems this must be the case, since it was working fine till he did that. I searched the manual but found no suggestion that could happen. I think Stac just didn't want to bring that fact out into the open. They merely say that any defragger but theirs will be ineffective on a Stacked disk. As for my own problems with Stacker--still up in the air, as I have been unable to do anything more because of being preoccupied with other matters. Eugene (E.GORELIK, CAT4, TOP4, MSG:530/M615) >>>>> When you run such utilities, such as Norton and PC tools, and its """"" a recent version, a dialogue box will pop up warning you not to proceed if Stacker is installed. If you ignore these warnings, you may be taking the life of your data in your own hands. (MASTERWERKS, CAT4, TOP4, MSG:533/M615) BACK IT UP! Folks, last May I went to an OS/2 End User Group Meeting """"""""""" (well attended by IBM suits (cleverly not wearing suits)) where I said that my backup strategy was "clean living and fervent prayer." After some uncomfortable silence, they got it. Unfortunately, that is still my strategy. It appears that Colorado is not the solution, as much as I would like it to be. Is there any decent program out there (commercial or shareware) which will do a backup to floppies? I am told that GNU tar supports SCSI tape drives. How much do they cost? Who sells them? So far, my strategy has worked. But I am becoming increasingly nervous as I depend more and more on OS/2. (J.TENNANT1, CAT6, TOP10, MSG:238/M615) >>>>> Jotto, I have used OS/2's BACKUP and RESTORE, but you can't use it """"" the way you'd THINK you could. You need to create a floppy with the following OS/2 files: BACKUP.EXE FORMAT.COM OSO001.MSG CHKDSK.COM RESTORE.EXE OSO001H.MSG Now, boot from your OS/2 floppies #INSTALL, 1 and 2. ESC out when you get to the screen that asks about partitioning the drive, and you will be at the OS/2 prompt. Insert your new utility disk and use whatever backup options you desire. You use the same procedure to restore. I GUARANTEE this procedure works! NOTE: This WILL also (successfully) backup your OS2.INI and OS2SYS.INI files, as well as all EAs which the system can use to re- construct the EA DATA.SF file. I have had to re-install OS/2 a NUMBER of times for reasons not important to you, and I have never had a corrupted OS2KRNL, so, I suspect it is not important that the system file is not backed by this procedure. Since the system file can be re-installed from the OS disks, this appears to not be a significant problem. Any time something gets munged badly enough to prevent you from booting, there are probably file/FAT/EA problems that should be cleaned up before you do any restorations. You certainly would NOT want to backup a drive with such problems, so a CHKDSK is a good starting point for any backup procedure. If the OS/2 files are really whacked, or if you wish to/need to delete OS/2, FORMAT is the fastest way. (M.AGRI, CAT6, TOP10, MSG:241/M615) HOW MUCH MEMORY TO RUN WINDOWS? Four works, OK not great. Eight works """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" great. For most home applications, 8 is plenty. I've tried lots of combinations. The computer I am using right now has 10. I can't tell the difference between this and using the 8 that I've got installed at work. My employer will only put 4 in a machine. I bought 4 more myself and popped them in there. Now my office computer works like it should. (S.KATZ18, CAT12, TOP17, MSG:265/M615) HELP! I WANT TO BUY A "SAFE" CD-ROM What's a "safe" CD-Rom to go with """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" that won't be obsolete within a few years? I purchased a MFM controller and MFM hard drive from Seagate a few years ago and now they are all being phased out. I've read so much about the conflicts and different types of CD-Roms that are out there(ie. SCSI, proprietary etc) and all the different kinds of cards that drive them. I'm really interested in Multimedia and need some help since I'm sort of new to all this. (P.CHIU, CAT13, TOP18, MSG:424/M615) >>>>> If you want a CD-ROM that won't be obsolete in two years, you'll """"" have to buy what's on the bleeding-edge of technology now. That means it needs to have multi-changing capability, at least double- speed transfer rate (300kb/sec) - quad-speed is better, less than 300ms access time, multi-session readability, photo-CD readability, and XA capability. So far, Pioneer is the only one I've seen that measures up. My advice would be to get an "adequate" drive now for a low price, and that way you won't feel as bad about replacing it in two years with one that will do multi-media right. -BC (R.CLYDE4, CAT13, TOP18, MSG:425/M615) >>>>> Every CD-ROM on the market today will be 'obsolete' in 2 years, as """"" will any other computer component! I drive an 'obsolete' car that is 6 years old, but it still does everything I bought it for, too. Just the new cars have more chrome and better gas mileage. Buy any of the SCSI drives that are recent models, and you won't have to worry too much about obsolescence for now. By the time you want some new technology, the price will make it easier to move up. (AUDIO, CAT13, TOP 18, MSG:428/M615) WHY DOES COMPUTER VIDEO LAG SO FAR BEHIND TV RECEPTION? Please forgive """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" me for taking so long to respond to your excellent post (#185). Between that one the earlier one (#182), you pretty much laid to rest ost of the things I had to ask on the subject. With one exception, any questions that now remain in my mind are details, and incidental. That exception concerns TV versus computer. Thus, you say, regarding composite signals, in your last post: "The method used is apparently good enough for a TV type signal (which is relatively low resolution by today's standards) but too limiting to be practical for EGA/VGA type resolutions." Agreed--on theoretical grounds. My understanding is that a U.S. TV signal is 550 by approx. 300-330 pixels (depending on the particular receiving set). This is low resolution when stacked up against 640 x 350 or 640 x 480 (to say nothing of SVGA). Furthermore, the TV signal is interlaced. Therefore, I fail to grasp why computer video lags so far behind TV reception. The images in computer games, for example, are still primitive compared to the images you see onscreen in routine TV broadcasts. The speed of screen updating, the unlimited variety of colors occurring simultaneously on a TV screen, etc., is way out ahead of what most computers can send to their monitors. How is this contradiction explained? (E.GORELIK, CAT14, TOP63, MSG:190/M615) >>>>> TV is deceptive. First of all it's pretty much ALL analog. You """"" get a kind of anti-aliasing taking place for most images that come from camera sources (and virtually all the high end equipment the studios use). The analog signal means that you've got virtually unlimited colors, which in some small way makes up for the resolution. To digitize even a few seconds of TV signals at say 24 bit color would take a pretty huge amount of memory. But keep in mind, it's not being stored or transmitted digitally. Mostly it's on video tape (which really does store a pretty good density of information when you think about it), and your TV does not have to store any of the image, it's all coming in via the cable or antenna. Secondly, for the most part the images are MOVING. That makes a BIG difference. I could show you a sequence done with our animator program, and when it's moving you would hardly notice the low resolution. Especially from 4' or more away. (do you sit as close to your TV as you do to your computer?) Thirdly there is also that, viewing distance. Got a VCR? try freeze framing on your favorite TV show and then looking at the image from 2' away. Take a really good look. Ever notice how few characters are displayed in any textual display on your TV screen? Ever think about how many more, much sharper letters are displayed on a computer screen, say a VGA in 50 line text mode? If your video card will support it, download one of the high resolution (such as 1024x768, or 800x600) 256 color GIF files from the library here. I'd recommend any of the SHECxxxx files. Or if you are into such things one of the 'buxom' nude females (assuming you like women who look like someone took a vollyball pump to their breasts). Whatever, just grab one of the high res files and then compare it with a still image on your TV, viewed from the same distance. Then consider what it would look like if the GIF file had 16 million possible colors instead of just 256 out of palette of about 256 thousand possible. Trust me, your computer really is MUCH better than your TV, it's just that the TV is fooling your eyes in a number of ways. (SCOTTV, CAT14, TOP63, MSG:493/M615) WARM BOOT DOESN'T ALWAYS CUT IT There are viri that can survive a warm """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" boot. Unless the machine was powered off during the process (such as after the low- level format) then the virus could have been in RAM the whole time. Also unless you are absolutly sure of the disk used to boot the machine after the FDISK, and the format program used to format the drive, it could have gotten re-infected that way. If you have a virus you need to check every floppy disk in the place, and that includes all your backups. something like 70-80% of people who get a virus and "cure" themselves get re-infected in less than 30 days because of an infected floppy or backup file that they did not check. (SCOTTV, CAT13, TOP19, MSG:220/M615) SCSI OR IDE, WHICH IS BEST? Go with the SCSI, presuming the drives and """"""""""""""""""""""""""" controller are SCSI II. 1. The SCSI data transfer rate is at least twice IDE. 2. The bus mastering, caching controller will make up for the Local Bus speed difference and will likely be more reliable and maintainable. 3. The long term viability of Local Bus is in serious question at the moment. 4. Maxtor is a well known and respected manufacturer of quality hardware. 5. SCSI is far more of an established standard than IDE, 6. The SCSI bus will allow addition of up to 5 SCSI peripherals (like CD ROM), either internal or external. 7. All EISA slots are ISA card compatible. Local Bus slots will only accept Local Bus cards, and these MAY be proprietary slots. 8. You can low level format a SCSI drive with DEBUG, or standard software. IDE drives can only be low level formatted at the factory, or with VERY expensive aftermarket software. 9. Who wants a bunch of fish eggs inside their computer? (M.AGRI, CAT13, TOP26, MSG:419/615) >>>>> As usual, I am not in complete agreement with Doc :) IDE is as """"" much of an established though more recent standard as SCSI. I would hazard to guess there are a lot more IDE drives out there than SCSI drives. I am using an IDE drive on my Gateway local bus 486-66V system; the controller (adapter?) is integrated into the system board. It is faster than any of the scsi drives I have, though I assume a local bus or caching SCSI controller would be faster. Local bus' future is not in doubt. Doc does make some good points. SCSI is more versatile, possibly faster and allows daisy chaining of up to seven (not five) devices. (STROM, CAT13, TOP26, MSG:420/M615) >>>>> Charlie, the max throughput for IDE is in the 5-8MB/sec range, """"" while for SCSI- 2, it is in the 10-15MB/sec range. SCSI is the standard HD on every MacIntosh computer sold, and is used extensively in workstations, as well as desktop PC's. There are nowhere NEAR as many IDE drives in service as SCSI drives. IDE, like SCSI, required a host adapter, a fancy name for a bus adapter. SCSI has ALWAYS had the controller electronics on the drive. (M.AGRI, CAT13, TOP26, MSG:421/M615) >>>>> Thought I'd throw my two cents in. As is so happens my machine at """"" home has a 240 meg. Quantum with an Adaptec 1542B SCSI buss mastering controller, and my machine at work has a 340 meg. Western Digital with a VESA local buss IDE controller. Both machines are 486-33 boxes. The IDE system at work is faster, just for reference. Going the IDE route initially would be cheaper, but if your credit card doesn't care, I'd probably go the SCSI route. I have a few suggestions. Try to find a VESA LB SCSI controller card. A few manufactures make them. Instead of going with two 340 meg. drives you could save a few dollars with one large drive, and probably pick up some speed too. For an extremely fast drive, check out the newest Quantums (525 meg., 700 meg.) or the Micropolis (560 meg.). For extremely high throughput, you want a drive that spins at least 4200 rpm are more, and has a 256K or 512k built in cache. Either way you go though, you'll be fine, with IDE or SCSI. -Brent (B.FREINER, CAT13, TOP26, MSG:427/M615) >>> WHAT'S NEW <<< """""""""""""""""" NEW FAHRENHEIT DRIVERS Just a note to Fahrenheit board owners; new """""""""""""""""""""" drivers are available on the Orchid bbs for all versions and chipsets for the Fahrenheit 1280. The only requirement is 1 meg of ram on the board; the drivers have it's own dspinstl.exe instead of using the IBM version. (PDLEW, CAT6, TOP9, MSG:352/M615) BORLAND INTRODUCES BORLAND C++ FOR OS/2 Award-Winning Compiler Delivers """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Power of 32-Bit Computing. SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. -- February 25, 1993 -- Borland International Inc. (NASDAQ:BORL) today introduced Borland C++ for OS/2, an object-oriented development tool for developing 32-bit, OS/2 applications. Borland C++ is Borland's fourth-generation compiler that provides professional developers with a standard-setting compiler and tools for building quick and powerful C and C++ applications. "Borland C++ for OS/2 rounds out Borland's cross platform strategy by providing developers with a fourth-generation, award- winning C++ compiler for the Presentation Manager environment, " said Paul Gross, director of product development, Borland International. "Borland C++ for OS/2 is a significant event that solidifies Borland's leadership in object-oriented programming and demonstrates Borland's commitment to bringing the best development tools to a wide range of environments and operating systems." "Software developers worldwide in large numbers have been flocking to the award-winning IBM OS/2 version 2.0 operating system due to the many advantages provided versus other platforms," said John Soyring, director of software development programs for IBM Personal Software Products. "Today's introduction of Borland C++ for OS/2 is a very significant event for the software development community. The 32-bit OS/2-exploitive version of Borland C++ offers developers many additional benefits." Borland C++ for OS/2 offers all of the tools necessary to develop OS/2 2.0 applications using C or C++. Borland C++ for OS/2 shares a common heritage with Borland C++ 3.1 by including a number of powerful features such as a graphical user interface (GUI) based integrated development environment (IDE), global optimization, support for C++ 3.0, object-oriented debugging, precompiled headers, the ability to transfer to user-defined programs and tools, and smart project management. Borland C++ for OS/2 Features & Benefits 32-bit Borland C++ -- Borland """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" C++ for OS/2 runs under OS/2 host systems and creates 32-bit applications for OS/2 2.0. This allows developers to create OS/2 executables, libraries, and DLLs, as well as text-mode programs and Presentation Manager applications. The Borland C++ compiler produces 32-bit object code, supports development of multithreaded applications and mixed-mode programming in OS/2 (16-bit calls from within 32-bit executables), and supports the OS/2 calling conventions. Integrated GUI Debugging -- With full-featured, integrated GUI debugging, developers can debug applications under Presentation Manager without leaving the development environment. This facility also permits developers to catch many of their bugs earlier, resulting in higher productivity. The same debugging features are also available directly in the IDE, with Borland's integrated GUI debugger. Presentation Manager Hosted Environment -- Borland C++'s productivity-enhancing, graphical IDE runs as a Presentation Manager application, enabling the developer to edit, debug, and then run the application all from within Presentation Manager. With a new Project Notebook organizer, and other features such as a SpeedBar, integrated debugging, and color syntax highlighting, developers can manage complex projects quickly and easily. C and C++ -- With Borland C++ , the world's standard compiler, developers can tap the full power of OS/2 while programming in C or C++. Borland C++ for OS/2 is compatible with AT&T C++ and ANSI C language standards, giving users the full benefits of using a compiler that meets the standard requirements of professional programmers. Global Optimization -- This state-of-the-art, Borland C++ feature, enables programmers to optimize their code to run faster by using a broad range of optimizations to maximize speed of execution, minimize program size or both. With global optimization there is no reason for the programmer to sacrafice speed of development for fast code. Resource Workshop for OS/2 -- Borland's resource editing tool enables developers to visually design and modify OS/2 resources, such as bitmaps, icons, dialogs, strings and menus. Background Compilation -- Since the IDE in Borland C++ for OS/2 takes advantage of the multithread capability of OS/2, and permits compilation of source files in the background, the developer is able to perform other activities such as editing without having to wait for the compilation to finish. GUI Source-Level Debugger With the Turbo Debugger GX, users have maximum """"""""""""""""""""""""" flexibility to debug a wide range of applications in a convenient environment with a graphical, source-level solution for debugging applications running on OS/2 host systems. On-Line IPF and Documentation -- With on-line documentation, users conveniently get information and help for all components of Borland C++ for OS/2. Information is also available for the OS/2 and Presentation Manager API using IBM's Information Presentation Facility (IPF) format. Borland C++ for OS/2 also offers a command-line compiler and linker, import library tools, runtime libraries, numerous Presentation Manager sample programs and an object-oriented 32-bit assembler. No separate Software Development Kit (SDK) is required. Borland C++ for OS/2 is built on IBM's advanced 32-bit operating system, OS/2 2.0. Currently OS/2 2.0 provides the broadest selection of applications in the industry, allowing users to tap the more than 30,000 DOS, Windows, and 16-bit and 32-bit OS/2 applications currently available. Hardware and Software Requirements Borland C++ for OS/2 is available for """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the IBM or Compaq family of 386-based or higher personal computers and 100 percent compatibles with 4Mb of memory (8Mb recommended) and requires OS/2 2.0 (installation of OS/2 service packs, such as Service Pack XR06055, is recommended). A hard disk is also required. Pricing and Availability As part of a special 90-day promotion, Borland """""""""""""""""""""""" C++ for OS/2 will be available for $149.95. The regular suggested retail price of Borland C++ for OS/2 is $495.00. All suggested retail prices are in U.S. dollars and apply only to the United States. Borland C++ for OS/2 is scheduled to be available through Borland and authorized Borland resellers after March 1, 1993. For millions of software end users worldwide, Borland International Inc. is the leader in application development software. A pioneer in the use of object-oriented technology, Borland is committed to offering the world's best database management, programming languages, development tools, spreadsheets and applications software. Borland's products include dBASE, Paradox, InterBase, Quattro Pro, ObjectVision, Borland C++ and Borland Pascal with Objects. Founded in 1983 by Philippe Kahn, Borland is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California. (J.JIMENEZ, CAT6, TOP2, MSG:131/M615) >>> TIPS & HINTS <<< """""""""""""""""""" DID JA KNOW? Did you know any OS2 user can find out the name of his/her """""""""""" video chip set by typing SVGA WHO at any dos prompt ? You just gotta love OS2. -ARTY (A.LEFKOWITZ1. CAT6, TOP1, MSG:867/M615) OS/2 INFO I picked up a copy of OS/2 2.1 UNLEASHED today. Just from """"""""" thumbing through its 1100 plus pages it seem to be a pretty comprehensive tour of 2.1. The book includes a diskette with lots useful applications and utilities and a good section on REXX with numerous examples. Not quite the technical tour de force some may be looking for but definately better than the other books I've seen. >>>>> I managed to sit down and read some of OS/2 2.1 UNLEASHED last """"" night and I must say it is even more in-depth than I had first thought. For example, there are several pages on object class hierarchy, charts of object identifiers, discussions on .INI files, CONFIG.SYS, DOS settings, and even a few pages on graphics adapters. This just might be the book I've been looking for, the one IBM SHOULD'VE thrown in with OS/2... (P.HAHN1, CAT6, TOP17, MSG:21/M615) >>>>> How about documentation from a most unlikely source - PC MAGAZINE. """"" The last three or four issues have had in-depth OS/2 articles, including a two- parter on the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file commands and entries (Vol 12, #'s 4 & 5). (M.AGRI, CAT6, TOP17, MSG:22/24/M615) NETWORKING With the $25 Network you don't have to go through the routine """""""""" of loading Q- Modem on each computer, which could be 100 feet away from each other-leading to sneaker net. It's all memory resident using as little as 13k. (S.BICKFORD, CAT24, TOP28, MSG:3/M615) >>> THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE... <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" WINDOWS NT - DOWN FOR THE COUNT? MS has already made contingency plans """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" for dropping NT. PC Leak ran a front-page article about the various APIs MS will support now and in the short term: Win32, the full NT API; Win32s, a subset of the NT API that runs under Windows 3.1+; and Win32c, a subset of the NT API that runs under Chicago. From PC Leak and other articles, Chicago is comparable to OS/2 2.x, with a 32-bit environment and (yes, finally!) multithreading. (My guess:) NT remains the server, high-end, and developer's platform. Generally, 32-bit apps in '93 will only take advantage of Win32s features, since that's the market (Win 3.1). As '94 begins, developers will start using the Win32c subset for things like multithreading. Chicago is the platform of choice for most users, starting in mid-to-late '94, since it doesn't have the (too many, IMHO) layers of NT. Now, the above paragraph could all be bunk of IBM does a good job with OS/2 2.1... 8-> //bob (R.ARNSON, CAT2, TOP48, MSG:725/M615) >>>>> Chicago has been known for a long time now, only MS still refuses """"" to officially acknowledge its existance. I expect we'll hear about it RSN, officially, maybe as Windows 4.0 or something. The rumor that MS is apprehensive about NT being too hardware intensive sounds to me like a euphamism for, "We screwed up and can't deliver what we advertised." This is just another example of MS's mouth being bigger than its stomache. (PROF.MARK, CAT21, TOP48, MSG:727/M615) WHAT ABOUT AN OS/2 RoundTable? An OS/2 R/T is on the way -- and soon! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (STROM, CAT6, TOP8, MSG:513/M615) >>> PROGRAMMER'S CORNER <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""" BIG-O PROGRAMMING? I've been programming for 20 years and never heard of """""""""""""""""" big-O notation, which either means that I am a hopeless stick in the mud, or that it is some new fangled fad that will soon pass. (K.CORBIN, CAT20, TOP 3, MSG:143/M615) >>>>> My instructor says it's on the AP Computer Science AB test, so I """"" don't think it's a fad...not to imply that you are a hopeless stick in the mud, of course :) -Malcolm (F.WIGHTMAN, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:144/M615) >>>>> I asked the programmers around my office what any of them knew """"" about the "Big- O" concept. The guys just gave me blank looks, and what the women said isn't fit for repeating on a family service like GEnie. -geo :) (GEO.DOSCH, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:145/M615) >>>>> Big-O Notation is a real thing, used for "measuring" efficiency of """"" an algorithm. I picked that much up in Comp Sci I, but I think I missed the class where it was actually explained - and I haven't needed to use it since, so... [:-) -Tony (WETMORE, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:147/615) >>>>> If you want to read a little more about big-O notation, check out """"" the book ALGORITHMS by Robert Sedgewick. There are editions available for Pascal, C, and C++. I have the Pascal and C++ versions. Chapter 6 of each is entitled "Analysis of Algorithms" and goes into detail on time complexities. This would probably be a good place to start. --Bruce (B.KLUCZNIK, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:147/M615) >>>>> From what I know, Big-O notation has less to do with coding than it """"" does with computing theory, computational mathematics, etc. -Chris (C.MAYTAG, CAT20, TOP3. MSG:149/M615) >>>>> There's a Big O Tire Store up the street . . . sells retreads . . . """"" wonder if Big O has to do with reused code?? (retreaded??) . . . sounds like object- oriented for sure . . . ;) (B.MAPLES, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:150/M615) >>>>> Big-O generally refers to the "order of growth" in an algorithm's """"" execution time relative to the size of the data set being processed. The table below shows the major orders usually seen, a way to descibe the growth in laymans terms, and an example of what type of algorithms typically fall into that type. Order Type Example ----- ---- ------- n Linear A linear search of an array of numbers ln n Logarithmic A binary search of an array of numbers n*ln n Logarithmic Some of the best sorting algorithms n**2 Polynomial Some of the simple sorting algorithms n**3 Polynomial Really bad/careless sorting algorithms 2**n Exponential Don't know, I don't associate with people who write this type of algorithms. :) The order of an algorithm is normally denoted O(n), O(ln n), etc. The growth rate is not always easily expressed with such simple expressions. I have seen some which are quite complex. The most useful and their growth rates are shown above, and are expressed below O(ln n) < O(n) < O(n*ln n) < O(n**2) < O(n**3) < ... < O(2**n) There is a short treatment of this topic in the first chapter of the book titled "Data Structures, From Arrays to Priority Queues" by Wayne Amsbury, published by Wadsworth Publishing Company. Hope this helps. (It does! -ed.) (D.PAYNE5, CAT20, TOP3, MSG:152/M615) >>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" IBM PC RoundTable Category 12, Topic 26 Message 99 Sat Feb 20, 1993 B.WITHNELL [Brian] [OS/2] at 22:36 EST Doc I'm not sure how Intel *could* put PCI on the processor. In general, PCI is a standard for connecting to the CPU, and if Intel puts a processor out that can't have other peripherals put on it, they will lose a large part of their business--the imbedded systems business. You might not think this is significant, but I can tell you that my company buys a lot of PC, but we put more 386 and 486 CPUs into hardware we design that the number of PCs we buy. If they made it difficult to interface to the next generation chip, they could easily lose business in a *big* way. Sure, they may have most of their silicon in PCs, but I doubt if they would want to cut even 10% of their market (and I think they'd be losing more like 25% if they did such a move). Remember what happened to the PS/2 line of computers from IBM? IBM came out with a proprietary bus they controlled and thought they would recapture the market by using that bus as the next standard. They might have succeeded if they had made the bus open for any developer; the bus is technically superior to ISA. But IBM wanted to create a lock on the market and what did that do? It drove people away from IBM en masse and caused a good portion of IBMs trouble today. If Intel did the same with the next phase of CPU, they will drive people to some other processor, possibly DEC's Alpha or some other contender. You don't win market by trying to cut out the competition; you win mrket by productivity and quality advantages over the competition. If Intel is smart, they will recognize that and play in terms of making sure that happens. If they don't, then the will lose in the long run to some other company that does recognize the rules of survival. [*][*][*] 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 IBM-PC, 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. ///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "A prediction: In nine months or less there will a plastic / / version of the popsicle stick idea, called something like / / "DeskAlign", selling for $14.95 or more. Just watch the / / back pages of MacWorld and see. It'll be somewhere near / / the refill kits. :-)" / //////////////////////////////////////////////// GRMEYER //// [EOA] [HUM]////////////////////////////// HUMOR ONLINE / ///////////////////////////////// GEnie Fun And Games """"""""""""""""""" By Cliff Allen [C.ALLEN17] >>> ANNOUNCING THE "LIRPA 1" <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ The ultimate platter balancer and bit bucket! ~ I am not quite sure if I am going to explain this correctly, but just for grins, here it goes. When you store information on a disk, does the disk increase in weight? Another way of looking at it, on a piece of blank paper, you write something. The substance from the pencil leaves marks, which in turn increases the weight of the piece of paper by a very small detectable amount. When you erase the writing, the paper now regains its' original weight, but look at the erased substance - a combination of eraser and writing material. Now, think about the computer disks. Initially, the disk contains nothing but 0's (not magnetized). When you store something on disks, it becomes a combination of 1's and 0's (not magnetized). Because nothing made of different or magnetized materials weighs the same, it would imply that a disk full of that the software 1's weigh different than one full of 0's. Could this explain the reason that retrieving information from a full hard disk takes longer - not only does it have to find the information but that the disk is spinning undetectably slower due to the increase increase in weight. Is it possible that the software to make information contiguous on drives balances the platter? Software that I have can do this in two modes: [1] for reading (placing "IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOFTWARE information closer to the center TO MAKE INFORMATION CONTIGUOUS of the disk so the head doesn't ON DRIVES BALANCES THE have to move so far to read) or PLATTER?" [2] for writing (placing the information on the outer rim of the disk so the head doesn't have to move far to write new data). It might be possible to prove my my initial statement that 1's cause an increase in disk weight by moving all data to the outer edge, and use sensitive equipment to detect any increase in momentum in the rotating disk. I am presently building such a device that not only detects the slowing down of rotation, but will compensate by increasing platter speed if needed, because I firmly believe that a majority of hard disk crashes are caused by this uneven weighting of stored information. Once I have completed this, I will be tracking down another much needed problem. Does magnetism just disappear? Now that I've pretty much proved that magnetized objects weight more than non magnetized, and that matter cannot be created or destroyed, where does the magnetism go when it becomes unmagnetized? While working on a mobile radar system, I found that the twystron transmitter tube (power output of a klystron and the bandwidth of the TWT tube) had what was called a VAC ION pump. It's purpose in life was to pull electrons that for some reason have strayed from the center flow and stuck the walls of the tube. The VAC ION pump was like a vacuum cleaner that attracted these stray electrons and gave them a path to ground, so that they would not become a hindrance to the concentrated electron beam that eventually produces the RF energy needed by the radar system. I apologize for straying, but I needed to produce some substantiating evidence to prove my next point. A 0 bit weighs nothing, and a 1 bit weighs a little more than nothing. When you replace a 1 with a 0, where does the 1 go? I think I have found out. While looking through the schematics of several computer systems, I came across a couple of ICs with obscure labeling. Looking through an IC Master book, these ICs pinned out to be compact RAM storage. In effect, these ICs are spare bit storage. When data is entered into the computer, if a 1 is needed, the MMU (memory management unit) first checks the bit storage chip, if empty it will bring one in from outside circuits. The term, computer glitch is so common that it is just accepted. My theory is that the bit storage chip is full and the unstored 1 causes these glitches. The device that I'm building and testing at present will be modified to contain additional bit storage. Look for this much needed and revolutionary device at the BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST in July. Y'all Come! Ask for the ********** LIRPA 1 ********** The ultimate platter balancer and bit bucket! ////////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "...a pessimist will always be rewarded with pleasant surprises. / / The best an optimist can expect is for his expectations to be / / met - everything else will be disappointing. " / ///////////////////////////////////////////////// J.EIDSVOOG1 //// [EOA] [WIN]////////////////////////////// YES, I DO WINDOWS! / ///////////////////////////////// Windows RT Happenings """"""""""""""""""""" By Peter Bogert [P.BOGERT1] >>> PEEKING THROUGH WINDOWS <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ From the Windows RoundTable on Page 1335 ~ WINDOWS ROUNDTABLE MESSAGES AND MUSINGS Welcome to GEnieLamp's monthly """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" summary of news, product annoucements, program evaluations, and lots of other good stuff from the Windows RoundTable here on GEnie. To get to the Windows RoundTable, type M1335 at any GEnie main menu. [*][*][*] Microsoft Provides Visual Programming Tools Range of Tools Accelerates Development of Applications for Microsoft Windows SANTA CLARA, Calif. * Feb. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 23, 1993 * Microsoft Corporation today announced a set of new visual programming tools that accelerate the development of applications written for the Microsoft* Windows* and Microsoft Windows NT* operating systems. These tools include the new Microsoft Visual C++* development system; the new Microsoft Delta visual version control system; the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), a comprehensive source of technical and strategic developer information for both Microsoft Windows and Windows NT; and the new Microsoft Visual Control Pack, a collection of custom controls for Microsoft Visual C++ or the Microsoft Visual Basic* programming system. The award-winning Microsoft Visual Basic programming system version 2.0 is already a favorite with programmers. Microsoft Visual C++ Microsoft Visual C++, a tightly integrated tool """""""""""""""""""" set, is optimized to boost programmer productivity throughout the entire development cycle. It is the first C++ product designed to make the process of learning and adopting the C++ programming language much easier for programmers developing Windows-based applications, while providing all the resources and power required by the most advanced programmers using C++. Visual C++ provides a completely new set of visual Windows- hosted tools for editing, resource building, class and resource mapping, browsing and debugging. Using a visually-oriented approach like Visual Basic, Visual C++ lets programmers graphically create an application s user interface. A new version of Microsoft Foundation Class is at the heart of Visual C++ and helps make it easier for developers to develop applications and reuse programming code. The Microsoft Foundation Class version 2.0 greatly simplifies and speeds development by offering programmers a standard architecture and set of reusable, high-level objects. Other new features in the Windows-hosted product include a Visual Workbench and App Studio. With Visual Workbench, developers edit, build, debug and browse C/C++ code from a single integrated Windows-based environment. App Studio, which uses a completely graphical approach, lets programmers design user interfaces, edit resources, and manipulate Visual Basic controls. Visual C++ also features the popular wizard technology found in several of Microsoft s other products. The AppWizard creates a set of skeleton source code files and automates the first steps of creating the application framework. ClassWizard automates the connections between user interface controls, such as dialog buttons and the code that handles them. Visual C++ is scheduled to ship on March 1, and will be available in both standard and professional editions. The standard edition replaces Microsoft QuickC* development system for Windows, and the professional edition succeeds Microsoft C/C++ version 7.0. The suggested retail price (SRP) for the Standard Edition is $199; the SRP for the Professional Edition is $499. Microsoft is currently developing a version of Visual C++ for the Windows NT operating system, which is scheduled to ship in the third quarter of 1993. Microsoft Delta Microsoft Delta is a visual version control system for """"""""""""""" Windows that simplifies the process of source code management, allowing teams to work together more efficiently by using a simple visual interface to compare and track progress. Designed particularly for team-oriented software development, Microsoft Delta aids developers by recording the history of a development project, storing and retrieving previous versions of files and releases, and preventing unrecorded changes to source files. And for the LAN program development environment, Microsoft Delta provides powerful single-step commands that simplify networked software management. Scheduled to ship in April 1993, Microsoft Delta will have a SRP of $499. Microsoft Developer Network The Microsoft Developer Network is a new """"""""""""""""""""""""""" membership program that provides a single, comprehensive source for all developer-related information available from Microsoft, including new technology specifications, product documentation and strategic product direction. Developers who join the Microsoft Developer Network receive, on a quarterly basis, the Developer Network CD * a compendium of everything Microsoft publishes on programming for Windows. The entire CD is immediately accessible through a powerful and easy-to-use Windows-based browser. Annual enrollment in the Microsoft Developer Network is $195 and includes four quarterly editions of the Developer Network CD; six issues of Developer Network News, a bimonthly newspaper that complements the CD; a 20-percent discount on Microsoft Press* Books; a $25 credit toward CompuServe* connect charges; a membership kit explaining the Developer Network and how to maximize its benefits; discounts on conferences; and admission to invitation-only events at trade shows. To join, developers can call (800) 759-5474. Microsoft Visual Control Pack Microsoft Visual Control Pack is an """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" easy-to-use collection of 19 custom controls that simplify the process of developing applications for Windows using Visual C++ or Visual Basic. These controls not only make it easy to create eye-catching 3-D controls (e.g., text boxes, buttons and window frames), but also allow developers to quickly add such functionality as charting, communications and multimedia capabilities to their applications. By providing developers with modular, prebuilt controls, Visual Control Pack eliminates the need to continually "reinvent the wheel," allowing programmers to concentrate their efforts on developing the core functionality of their applications. Microsoft Visual Control Pack is currently available for a SRP of $149. Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0 The Microsoft Visual Basic Programming system """""""""""""""""""""""""" for Windows version 2.0 is a popular high-productivity system for Windows. This visual development environment integrates the traditional editor, compiler and debugger with a powerful event-driven programming model and visual tools for quickly and easily developing software for the Windows operating system. Visual Basic 2.0 provides programmers with the flexibility to create custom applications without compromising performance or quality. Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0 is currently available in both standard and professional editions. The Professional Edition is available for a suggested retail price of $495 and the Standard Edition is available for a SRP of $199. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. RDILL,CAT1,TOP2,MSG:85 Final Beta Version of Microsoft Windows NT Ships to 70,000 Users Customer Input and Extensive Testing Drive Product Improvement REDMOND, Wash. - March 17, """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1993 - Microsoft Corporation today announced shipment of the second pre-release version of the Microsoft* Windows NT* operating system to 70,000 customers and software developers. The second beta contains significant improvements in the areas of performance, application support, networking and hardware compatibility, installation and ease of use. Windows NT is aimed at providing the power, reliability and openness required for client-server computing. Based on extensive customer, developer and industry feedback as well as testing over the past one and one-half years, this version of Windows NT represents the last milestone before the release of the final product, which is anticipated for the second quarter of 1993. In tandem, Microsoft is shipping the pre-release version of Windows NT Advanced Server, the server edition of Windows NT -- ideal for building client-server solutions in heterogeneous environments. "In addition to the significant improvements in this beta, we re pleased with the broad industry enthusiasm for Windows NT, including new 32-bit applications for the Windows operating system and broad hardware support," said Dwayne Walker, director of Windows NT and networking products at Microsoft. Strong Customer and Developer Input Drives Improvements Microsoft has achieved significant """"""""""""""""""""""""" improvements to Windows NT and the Windows NT Advanced Server based upon comprehensive feedback from the 55,000 developers who have licensed the Win32* Software Development Kit, 3,600 corporate customers, and more than 400 VARs, integrators and consultants who received the first pre-release version of Windows NT. "From what I have seen of the second beta of Windows NT, Microsoft is right on target with providing the user community with a powerful, user-friendly 32- bit operating system that performs as expected and intended," said William Bunch, systems manager for Stanley Bostich Company, the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of fastening materials. "This second beta version of Windows NT has undergone extensive and constant stress testing," said David Cutler, director of development for Microsoft Windows NT. "This is the best performing and highest quality system we have produced to date." Specific improvements in the second beta version of Windows NT include the following: o Performance. This version of Windows NT delivers higher performance for all application categories. Under Windows NT, applications for the MS-DOS* operating system and 16-bit applications for Microsoft Windows can run up to three times faster than the first beta release of Windows NT. Local file system performance is up to 11 times faster. These performance benefits extend to advanced applications -- Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT runs three times faster than Microsoft SQL Server for OS/2*. o Increased Application Support. Windows NT supports new 32-bit applications for Windows as well as existing applications for MS-DOS and Windows version 3.X. Windows NT provides integration to these applications, with one set of fonts and printer drivers, complete dynamic data exchange (DDE) and object linking and embedding (OLE) functionality between 16-bit and 32-bit applications without any specific configuration requirements. Each of the 55,000 software developers who receive an update to the Win32 SDK will receive the Software Compatibility Test to test applications for compatibility with Windows NT. o Intelligent Installation. Windows NT automatically detects installed hardware including SCSI adapter cards and network cards upon installation. When upgrading from Windows 3.1 to Windows NT, the existing system settings, groups and associations automatically migrate to Windows NT: previously loaded applications for Windows are immediately available to users. o Improved Networking Support. Windows NT offers complete and powerful access to the network, including faster file and print sharing, 32-bit mail and scheduling, and network DDE, along with an OSF DCE-compatible RPC, Windows Sockets, Named Pipes, and NetBIOS support for distributed computing. Microsoft is working with industry members to provide additional connectivity, including working with Novell - as demonstrated at InterOp - to provide NetWare* support, DEC for X/Server support, SunSelect for NFS* support, and Banyan to provide VINES* support for Windows NT. Hardware Compatibility Windows NT supports a wide variety of hardware """""""""""""""""""""" platforms including single-CPU, Intel*-based PCs, multiprocessor desktop systems and advanced multiprocessor servers, such as Sequent s Symmetry*, as well as RISC processors such as the MIPS R4000* and R4400, and DEC* Alpha AXP. Digital Equipment has reached an advanced stage in its development of Windows NT for Alpha, and a timely release is expected. To date, Windows NT has been tested and is compatible with 783 Intel uniprocessor systems, 13 multiprocessor systems and five R4000- based systems. Windows NT is also compatible with a large number of peripheral devices, including 268 printers, 44 SCSI devices, 12 display adapters, 23 network adapters and more than 800 hardware platforms. Windows NT Advanced Server To complement Windows NT on the desktop, """""""""""""""""""""""""" Microsoft is also shipping the beta version of Windows NT Advanced Server - the ideal server for client-server computing on any network, including Microsoft LAN Manager, Novell* NetWare, and Banyan* VINES. A superset of Windows NT, the Windows NT Advanced Server provides centralized management and security, advanced fault tolerance and additional connectivity, making it an ideal server for downsizing, re- engineering and building new distributed client-server applications. The Windows NT Advanced Server supports a broad range of clients, including MS- DOS, Windows 3.X, Windows* for Workgroups, Windows NT, OS/2, Macintosh*, and remote clients connecting over asynchronous, X.25 and ISDN lines. Integrated support for TCP/IP and NetBEUI as well as support for other transport protocols provided by other vendors will ensure that client-server solutions based on the Windows NT Advanced Server integrate well in heterogeneous environments. Today, more than 75 client-server development tools are shipping for Windows NT and the Windows NT Advanced Server. New Users Will Benefit From Windows NT Complementing the existing """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups product family, Windows NT extends the benefits of Windows to new users. Windows NT does not replace Windows operating systems currently available but combines the benefits of a high-end operating system with the ease of use, application integration and choice of leading applications found in the family of Windows operating systems. Windows NT is intended for the client-server computing market and will be used as a commercial business workstation, a developer workstation, and a high-end PC desktop for power-users. "ComputerVisions early adoption of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system highlights ComputerVision s increased commitment to providing customers with cost-effective and complete CAE/CAD/CAM solutions," said Don McInnis, vice president of ComputerVision. "We believe that Windows NT will be very significant in the CAD/CAM marketplace, because of its ability to run the kinds of powerful, computationally intensive applications that were previously only available on high-end workstations." The Windows NT Advanced Server will serve as a robust platform for business application database servers, messaging servers, communication servers, server- based vertical applications and many other server applications as well as file and print sharing within a client-server solution. Training To help prepare customers, distribution channels, consultants """""""" and solution partners for the launch of Windows NT, Microsoft has launched the Windows NT Inside Track worldwide training program. The program is providing detailed information on installing and deploying Windows NT to thousands of corporate customers, trainers, distributors, VARs, integrators, dealers and consultants who will in turn hold their own regional training events. More than 200 organizations were represented at the first Windows NT Inside Track event in Seattle in February 1993. Windows NT Inside Track events have also been held at multiple sites in Europe and Africa and are forthcoming in Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore and South America. "There s a real demand for education about Windows NT and its role in the client-server environment," said Mike Osborn, director of engineering services at CTR Business Systems, a corporate integrator in Portland, Oregon. "The Windows NT Inside Track accelerated our ability to meet customer demand to deliver in-depth technical training on Windows NT ahead of the product. We re able to give our customers the information they need to integrate Windows NT into their client-server plans now." Availability Microsoft and its solution partners, who are trained to support Windows NT, plan to expand the second beta from 3,600 current sites to 15,000 sites worldwide. In addition, the second beta and development tools are shipping at no additional charge to the 55,000 current Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK) customers. For more information, or to order the SDK, please call Microsoft Developer Services at (800) 227-4679. The price of the SDK is $69 for CD-ROM only, and $399 for CD-ROM plus printed documentation. (RDILL,CAT40,TOP2,MSG:36/m1335) DO A LITTLE MAGIC WITH FILE MAGICIAN I've just tried File Magician, a """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" new shareware product that's in the libraries, I believe. Works nicely for file maintenance, as it has source and destination directories on screen at all times. It's modelled after an Amiga program, so users who've migrated should definitely check it out. I just wish someone who's switched from the ST to the PC would write an interface like NeoDesk. I'd feel right at home. (S.DANUSER,CAT2,TOP2,MSG:138/m WINFAST RECOMMENDATION I'll upload a program called WINFAST that lets """""""""""""""""""""" you minimize group icons onto your desktop, independent of Program Manager. You can use it with or independent of Program Manager. It sounds like something you might like, so look for it in a day or so. (PETER.Z,CAT2,TOP2,MSG:140/m1335) NICE TIP......PROMPT IN DOS SHELL Do you ever shell to the DOS prompt """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" from Windows and then forget that you did? I often do, and find myself trying to load Windows from within itself or doing other things I shouldn't do, like deleting that file in the TEMP dir where Windows is taking a vacation while I'm in DOS. Fatal error! To remind yourself that you shelled to DOS from Windows, set the following environment variable in your Autoexec.bat file: SET WINPMT=Type EXIT to return to Windows$_$P$G This changes your prompt in DOS sessions to the message after the "=" sign above. The "$_" part puts the $P$G path prompt on the 2nd line. You might have to increase your environment space if you use a long prompt in the WINPMT statement. (E.STUTSMAN,CAT2,TOP2,MSG:175/m1335) AVOIDING PROBLEMS WHEN SHELLING TO DOS FROM WINDOWS There is something """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" else you can do (in addition to changing the prompt) to prevent you from running another copy Windows from the Windows DOS prompt. You can run Windows from a batch file like this one: @echo off if ~%IN_WIN% == ~YES goto already set IN_WIN=YES win set IN_WIN= goto end :already cls echo You are already running Windows!! pause :end Name the batchfile WIN31.BAT and force yourself to run it whenever you want to run Windows. (A.SANTIAGO3,CAT2,TOP2,MSG:177/m1335) PROGRAM MANAGER AS A STARTUP APPLICATION? A few days ago I was looking """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" for a way to assign an application shortcut key to the Program Manager itself. The purpose of this was to make things much easier for a macro I wanted to create. I don't know if this is documented somewhere, or if it is an undocumented feature or if it is there just by accident. I found that adding Program Manager as a program item to the Startup group and setting a shortcut key will do the trick. Also as an added benefit it also allows me to have whatever I want in the Program Manager's title bar instead of the boring name always there. I have not yet replaced its name but it can be done. (LE.RODRIGUEZ,CAT3,TOP32,MSG:1/m1335) CHECK YOUR ASSOCIATIONS There are two ways to associate extensions. """"""""""""""""""""""" One is to use the File Manager's File-Associate command and the other is to edit the [Extensions] section of the WIN.INI file. The first one is very straightforward. The other one requires you to add the extension and application in this format: Lets say you want to associate the extension .ABC to an application called APPL.EXE. You would add the following: abc=appl.exe ^.abc You may add the path if needed after the = sign. I have used this to associate several extensions with applications in different directories without problems using both methods. Try it and let me know what you find. (LE.RODRIGUEZ,CAT3,TOP34,MSG:2/m1335) WHAT TO DO WITH ALL OF THOSE FONTS If you're willing to leave the .FOT """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" files in WINDOWS\SYSTEM, you can relocate the .TTF files quite simply and significantly reduce the size of your WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory. For a number of reasons, I've found this to be the practical solution. To do this, first copy all of the .TTF files to the subdirectory you'd like to store them in. Then, using Control Panel, Remove all of your installed TrueType fonts. Then, delete the .TTF files from WINDOWS\SYSTEM. Go back to Control Panel and Add all of the fonts again. You'll have to uncheck the box marked something like "Copy to Windows directory" (something like that) and you'll need to switch to the new directory that you have the .TTFs in. Once this is done, you won't have to change anything in WIN.INI. (PETER.Z,CAT10,TOP8,MSG:16/m1335) YOU'LL WANT TO READ THE WHOLE BOOK! (Tips from either "VooDoo Windows" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" or "Windows Secrets," I forget which. BTW, "VooDoo Dos" and "VooDoo Windows" are cool books, if you like to tweak your system.) PIF EDITOR Firstly, the default values in the PIF Editor are not the """""""""" best to use as defaults. You can change the "default" values by creating a PIF named "default" or somesuch, then specify the PIF Editor's properties to run PifEdit.exe [path]"default".pif. This will load your default PIF each time you start. Also, I keep all my PIFs in my \BAT directory, which is on my path. (And BATs and PIFs run programs, so it sorta makes sense.) To run the program you've made the PIF for, list the PIFs path and filename in the program icon's Properties box. (There is a heirarchy where Windows will run a PIF before an EXE etc if the file extension is left off, and Windows finds the PIF before it finds the EXE... but that's a little too hit- and-miss for me.) PROGRAM FILENAME: Use the whole path with extensions etc, just to be sure Windows can find it. (And in case you change your path, or something.) STARTUP DIRECTORY: Don't type just the file name in Program Filename, and it's startup directory here. Although, that seems logical, that's not what this means. What it means is, the "home base" of the program; that is, where it will most likely save/load its files. (ie: If you have WordPerfect in \WP and your WP files in \WP\FILES, then put the second directory in this box. See the online help for more details.) KILOBYTES REQUIRED/DESIRED: Required is usually 128. However, you should change Desired to -1. That means "all the extra memory you have to spare." If you specify all the memory (ie: 640K), you're more likely to get an Out of Memory error. CLOSE WINDOW ON EXIT: Turn this off if your DOS application is not working for some reason. That way, you can see the little error message DOS puts up on your screen, before Windows cuts it off. FOREGROUND/BACKGROUND PRIORITY: The book recommends 100 and 1000 respectively. Don't use a Timeslice that is too tiny, or the system will spend more time switching between applications than it does running them. RETAIN VIDEO MEMORY: If you switch away from your application, and, when you switch back, it looks like garbage, then you need to turn this on. ALLOW FAST PASTE: You can paste from Windows to DOS programs. Windows pastes very quickly, so if you lose characters or choke your application when you try to paste, you need this turned off, so Windows will paste at a rate that your application can handle. Unless you have problems, leave this on for speed. Hopefully this was news to someone, and very helpful. I know that blasted Startup Directory drove me nuts! (UNSEEN,CAT12,TOP4,MSG:91/m1335) MAKE THAT BLANKETY-BLANK SCREEN BLANKER WORK WHEN YOU WANT Download the file in this library named """""""""""""""""""""""""" BLANK15.COM. It is a self extracting file, and its purpose is specifically to enable the Windows 3.1 Screen Blanker on demand. I've been using AfterDark, so I haven't really had a need for this little utility, but I did try it and it seemed to work fine. (D.KORTZ1,CAT12,TOP4,MSG:97/m1335) A WORD FOR WINDOWS ADD-IN I recently uploaded WOPR (Word for Windows """"""""""""""""""""""""" Office Power Pack) here. It's a great set of macros and utilities for Word, including a toolbar editor, enhanced envelope printing, 2X4 printing and a lot more. It's in two files, WOPRA.EXE and WOPRB.EXE (file nos. 829 and 830)...they make for a pretty big d/l but are worth checking out. (PETER.Z,CAT13,TOP2,MSG:89/m1335) CAN YOU MAKE DEFAULTS WITH WINDOWS WRITE? NO, BUT... Re: changing Write """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" defaults -- No, you can't change the defaults in Write, but you can "fool" it. Start a new file in Write. Change all the things you want to be standard -- page layout, margins, orientation, opening font, etc. Save the new file (without any text in it) as DEFAULT.WRI or something like that. Then, in ProgMan, change the properties for your Write icon from "WRITE.EXE" to "DEFAULT.WRI." It will load Write with your "default" file in it, and you're ready to go. (B.MAPLES,CAT13,TOP10,MSG:3/m1335) AMI PRO GETS A RAVE REVIEW I've been using Ami Pro for quite a while """""""""""""""""""""""""" now. I write everything from faxes to 200+ page computer manuals (with dozens of illustrations). On going back and forth with WP: It works good, but the formatting can be a pain. All of the Ami Pro style changes and rule changes are converted into dozens of WP rulers. If I am exporting to WP, I then manually in WP remove all the rulers that AmiPro put in and reformat. When I go from WP to Ami Pro, I simply attach the right style I want to each paragraph. Style sheets can be a pain, but can also be a great time saver. The new 3.0 version comes with a handy macro that lets you create special macros for style sheets, so that it can automatically ask you for specific information for new documents. Pretty wild and pretty powerful. AmiPro always opens to the beginning of a document, by the nature of its design. It has to format the document to the end. However, if you save for FAST DISPLAY (Under TOOLS|USER SETUP) AmiPro will save a larger version of the file that includes most of the formatting info. If you place the cursor at the END of the document, then SAVE, when you re-open and press CNTRL-END it will almost instantly jump to the end of the document. (GRIBNIF,CAT13:TOP4,MSG:95/m1335) A FEW REACTIONS TO THE NEW SPREADSHEET FROM LOTUS I picked up a copy of """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Improv. The price was hard to pass up, and the features looked VERY interesting to a heavy spreadsheet user like me. \ So far I'm having a little trouble making the transition from Excel to Improv. It's a different way of thinking, and the manual and HELP files are not terribly helpful. *sigh* One noticable problem so far is memory management. Improv does NOT like low memory situations. I had both Excel and Improv open along with Notepad and the next thing I knew the hard disk light was blinking and the machine ground to a near halt. I "only" have 4 meg in the machine. Clearly if I expect to do much with Improv I'm going to have to invest in more RAM. It's a little frustrating, trying to learn enough about the program to see if it's worth it. I'm impressed with what I have seen, though,. What impresses me about Improv? It seems to have the potential for being a powerful tool for data analysis, which is what I mainly do with a spreadsheet. It uses "dynamic views", which allows the data to be transposed with a click of the mouse. What I find hardest in data analysis is locating meaningful patterns and trends. With Excel, the best way to accomplish this is by trying out different graphs and seeing if something emerges. With Improv, it looks like this goes to the next step, allowing dynamic reorganization of the data to determine if there is meaning there that isn't otherwise apparent. Note that I'm using a lot of weasel-words when describing Improv. The potential appears to be there, from the box and from the documentation, but I'm not proficient enough to tell you for certain. Aside from the aggressive $99 intro price point, Lotus is offering a 60-day money-back guarantee. That's plenty of time to try it and learn whether or not it's worth it. On the chance it is, I'm giving it a try. Herm, I'm sure you're right about virtual memory. But I suspect that 4 meg isn't enough. The Improv docs say 4 is minimum and they recommend 6. Since I like to run multiple apps, it's probably time to bite the bullet. RAM seems to be running around $150 for a 4-meg SIMM, so 16 meg would be $600. That's probably worth it for a lot of reasons. (NHARRIS,CAT14,TOP6,MSG:4/7/m1335) WHAT TO DO WITH ALL OF THOSE FONTS, PART 2 I use FontManager for Windows """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" by Dennis Harrington. It lets you set up groups of fonts that you can move in and out as you need them. It doesn't solve all my problems, but it makes life a lot easier. FontManager was shareware, but now I believe Harrington is working on a commercial version of the program, now called Font Minder, from Ares Software. I haven't seen the new version, but I believe it has been released. (T.ROBERTS3,CAT17,TOP6,MSG:4/m1335) PCTOOLS VERSION 8 IS HERE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S HOT! PCTOOLS/Win does not have everything """"""""""""""""""""" that the DOS version does - nor does the DOS version have some of the Windows tools(such as Virtual Desktop). There is no Desktop tools (Database, etc). Maybe later - Although this might be redundant for some people, and I never used them. I think CP wanted to get all the features right, not just put everything in they could. No ramboost - either unneccessary or not compatible. PCT/Win is, I think, a mix of Norton Desktop and New Wave, with some improvements all the way around. It will include anti-virus, backup and such recovery features, a terrific looking filemanager, all sorts of drag-and-drop support. A macro language. You can change icon bars on almost every windows that pops up. One beta tester said it was a better GUI thank his MAC. (P.HANCOCK,CAT18,TOP8,MSG:15/m1335) >>>>> I just got PC Tools for Windows loaded up. In a word, FANTASTIC! """"" *Advanced Drag and Drop *Full virus protection *Unlimited Virtual Desktops *Passwording of Desktops and Files *SuperCool user interface *Floating disk drive bar *Utilities Galore *700+ page manual *Customizable everything *Fancy Tool Bars *A pile of File Viewers *System analysis, benchmarks, and recommendations *Put files on desktop and nest folders *File launchers *on..and on.... If you can get it on CPoints $49 upgrade, you have a steal! (ENIAC,CAT18,TOP8,MSG:23/m1335) A TIP FOR PCTOOLS/WIN USERS A tip on using virtual Desktops: it's good """"""""""""""""""""""""""" to keep open only the ones that you need and use often. It's one of the problems with the current incarnation of Windows itself -- the more tasks and windows that are open (even if they're hidden on another desktop), the more system resources that are used. Of course if you aren't keeping too many tasks open on the other desktops, system resources won't go down as much, so closing them shouldn't make too much difference. Also, in the Properties dialog for each desktop, there are two checkboxes at the bottom, one which determines if the desktop is activated on Windows startup. Especially if you have a somewhat slow system, or low RAM (under 8MB), the initial startup time will be reduced if you uncheck the activate on startup checkbox. Another BIG tip: If you do a binary OR of the hex value 0x8000 with the tenth value of the Misc= entry of the [FileManager.Settings] in the WNUSER.INI file, you'll see a button appear in the corner of the file list and the directory tree windows. The button in the file list toggles the file viewer on and off. The button in the directory tree toggles the indicate expandable branches option on and off. (M.KUBO1,CAT18,TOP8,MSG:24/m1335) SUPERSTOR PRO SOUNDS LIKE A WINNER I've never used Stacker, but I've """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" used SuperStor Pro for about 4 months and it is fantastic. Pretty easy to install. No noticable slowdown of the hard drive. The UDE feature is terrific -- this is a universal data exchange utility which allows some one who doesn't have SuperStor on their computer to read files off of a compressed SuperStor floppy. My floppies hold about 2.8 megs of data. My 200 meg hard drive is no sitting at 350 megs of compressed space and 25 megs of uncompressed space. WOW! (J.HALLETT2,CAT20,TOP23,MSG:9/m1335) ////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Gee..its been five hours since the announcement and I still / / don't have my upgrade!! " / //////////////////////////////////////////////// J.KUDRON //// [EOA] [MOO]////////////////////////////// CowTOONS! / ///////////////////////////////// Cows from Literature, History, and the Arts """"""""""""""""""""" Volume I, Number 2 (__) (Oo) /~\ By Mike White \/-/ \-\ [M.WHITE25] || | \ ||----|| * ~~ ~~ Cowsimoodo The Hunchcow of Notre Dame ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by Victor Moogo, 1831 (__) . (oo) . . /-------\/ . /^ / | || <*> /^ ) ( ^\ * ||----|| (;) (^ ( ) ) ~~ ~~ ~~~ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ Mrs. O'Leary's Cow started the Chicowgo Fire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ October 8, 1871 _____ __|___|__ (o o) Watch for another thunderin' herd of /(.) Moo Fun from Mike White in the next | ~_/~~~~~~~~~ issue of GEnieLamp. |\ | ( " | \ \ || \\ || // ~~ ~~ Moorice Chevalier 1888 - 1972 "Thank heaven for little cows." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (____) ( oo ) { CowTOONS? Les Blatt took us up _/_______{ on our offer and sent in this month's /~~/\/~\ CowTOONS cowtribution. | / | | / | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Noel Cow-ard 1899 - 1973 Bon vivant/playwright/songwriter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Works include: Mad Cows and Englishmen If you have an idea for a CowTOON, we A Room With a Moo would like to see it. And, if we pick I'll See Ewe Again your CowTOON for publishing in GEnieLamp Blithe Heifer we will credit your account with 2 hours Mooed With Violin of GEnie non-prime time! By Les Blatt [L.BLATT] //////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Pete -- what, you guys can't talk computers and eat pizza and / / drink beer at the same time?" / ////////////////////////////////////////////////// N.TOULME //// [EOA] [PRO]////////////////////////////// PROFILES / ///////////////////////////////// Who's Who On GEnie """""""""""""""""" By Peter Bogert [P.BOGERT1] >>> WHO'S WHO <<< """"""""""""""""" ~ A Profile of Richard Dill ~ SysOp of the Windows RoundTable GEnieLamp> Tell us a little about Richard Dill... """"""""" Richard> I will have been with Microsoft 10 years this June. For the """"""" past 1.5 years I have worked as the Network Test Group Manager for Windows NT, prior to holding this position I was (for 5 years) the OS/2 Project Manager at Microsoft during the joint development phase with IBM. Before that I was Product Marketing Group Manager for Microsoft WINDOWS. I started at Microsoft in 1983 as the OEM Systems Engineering Support Manager.Before coming to Microsoft, I held the position of Systems Engineering Branch Manager with the Data General Corporation. I also served as the Distributed Systems Project Manager for The Bon Marche, a division of Allied Stores Corporation and assisted in the development of a Structured Programming curriculum for Boeing Computer Services Education and Training Division. I graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 1974. GEnieLamp> How did you get involved in telecommunications and in GEnie """"""""" specifically? Richard> I don't consider myself 'involved' in telecomunications per se. """"""" I see telecomnications as just one of the tools I use to be effective in my everyday activities. I have used telecomunication in one way or another ever since I have been using computers. Even as far back as using the early interactive tools on IBM systems (TSO, VM, and Wylbur). I became involved with GEnie when we jointly started the first Windows Roundtable in 1985. I have been active in GEnie usage ever since. GEnieLamp> What are the three things you like most about Windows? """"""""" Richard> 1) Ease of programming, easy to use, sophisiticated user """"""" interfaces. 2) Multi-Tasking. The ability to edit my answers to these questions while Turbo-Tax happily computes my 1992 tax return and Aladdin for GEnie downloads the latest messages posted to the Windows RT. 3) Powerful, but easy to use applications. I love the ability to use Microsoft EXCEL or Microsoft Word for Windows to create powerful documents that convey the desired message while not making me work very hard to create that message. GEnieLamp> Based on your observations of the messages found in the """"""""" windows RoundTable, what 3 features do you think members would most like to see in the next incarnation of Windows? Richard> 1) More exploitation of the 32-bit capabilities in todays """"""" hardware. It is ironic that Intel has had 32-bit hardware available for some time now while operating system software has lagged behind that exploit this capability. 2) Ease of system configuration. It is still incredibly difficult in todays world of IRQs and memory-mapped device access to install and configure a computer system. Additional features are needed in both Windows and Windows NT to make the users job of configuring a system easier. 3) Better error handling. Even more improvement in Windows "Protected-mode" handling of application errors. GEnieLamp> Has Windows changed the way you use your computer? """"""""" Richard> Absolutely. Copying your questions by downloading them into a """"""" file from GEnie, cutting my biography from Microsoft Word to paste into this document and entering my answers to these questions using Windows Notepad is a direct example of how I use computers differently. I view a Personal Computer as an incredible tool to get work done efficiently and Windows make it much easier for me to exploit all the capabilities of the computer I own. GEnieLamp> There is a great deal of attention being given to OS/2 and """"""""" Windows NT. Do either of these programs have a place in home/personal/ small buisiness computing, or should they be regarded as big business platforms. I'm thinking here of people like myself who have 386 machines with 130 meg hard drives and 8 megs of ram. Will either of these platforms be of use to people like me? Richard> Since Microsoft has a family of Windows solutions Windows NT """"""" does not have to be, nor is it designed to be, a solution for the home PC user. Since Microsoft has Modular Windows (for the 'appliance' market), Pen Windows (for the 'handheld' market), Windows for the typical PC user, Windows for Workgroups (for the networked PC user) and Windows NT (for the 'power-user', 'server', engineering workstation user), there is a complete family of solutions available. The customer can select the appropriate flavor of Windows for their needs. Unfortunately, IBM OS/2 attempts to be all things to all people so trade-offs and accomodations are necessary. I don't think there is a single operating system solution for all personal computer uses. It is still more appropriate for everyone to view Windows and Windows for Workgroups as the proper solution for home/personal/small business computing. Even though OS/2 is positioned as appropriate for that market I believe it is not the approprate solution. GEnieLamp> What are a few of your favorite applications? Specifically, """"""""" what do you use for telecommunications? Richard> For telecomunications to GEnie I use Aladdin. I use Windows """"""" Terminal for most everything else. GEnieLamp> I'll ask you to be a prophet here... What are one or two """"""""" changes that you think are most likely to affect the future of personal computing in the next two years. In other words, what should counsumers look for to make their computers more powerful/useful? Richard> The advent of 32-bit computting is upon us. People should """"""" definitely move to computers based on Intel 386 or better technology. Win32s v1.0 is now shipping and makes it possible for Windows applications developers to create true 32-bit applications that will run on Windows (with the Win32s libraries) or Windows NT unmodified. But, these must be Intel 80386-based systems, or better. Also, people need to make sure the systems they acquire have adequate real-memory. It is substantialy less expensive to buy an 8mb or 16mb system initially rather than have to add the memory at a later time. At a minimum 8mb of system memory should be considered a minimum configuration. No matter which system software solution is selected, they all run better with more real memory. GEnieLamp> Why the debate over OS/2 and Windows NT? There seems to be a """"""""" great deal of heat generated over the argument of which platform is better. Richard> It appears to be almost a religious dispute. From my, """"""" admittedly biased position, I think the OS/2 proponents are frustrated that IBM has really dropped the ball in marketing their OS/2 product. IBM claims many applications exist for OS/2 but what you actually find are vertical software products are most prevelant. In todays market the success of an Ooerating system is really based on the general availability of typical applications software (like word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics) and it is here where Microsoft has done a much better job getting the market prepared. Software Development Kits for Windows NT have been generally available for almost a year so there is an incredible number of applications that will be generally available for Windows NT when it is released. Since Microsoft is not a hardware company it is also much easier to get independent hardware manufacturer support. A Device Driver Development Kit for Windows NT was made available back in October 92, months before the first release of Windows NT itself. Making this kit available, well in advance, makes it that much easier for the users of Windows NT to get the specific support they need. IBM delayed their DDK and has just recently released it, over 6 months after the OS/2 2.0 system software was released. GEnieLamp> What do you most like about GEnie? What do you see as the """"""""" primary role of the Windows RoundTable to be? Richard> GEnie provides the mechanism for a vital exchange of ideas and """"""" information amongst computer software users. The primary role of the Windows RT is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about the many members of the Windows family of operating system software amongst the broad audience for these system software solutions. //////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "I am now on level 100 in the 1 player set. This is an / / incredible game. I don't think I ever want to play it / / again! I have made it this far with lack of sleep, / / used up my two weeks holiday vacation, all those other / / things went undone. I haven't made it through level 100 / / yet, but since I got through level 98, I have confidence." / / //////////////////////////////////////////////// FRED.U //// [EOA] [TEL]////////////////////////////// TELETALK ONLINE / ///////////////////////////////// Online Communications """"""""""""""""""""" By Al Fasoldt [A.FASOLDT] >>> THE SECRET SESSION OF THE ISO <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ Copyright 1993 by Al Fasoldt. All rights reserved ~ Every year at this time, I report on the activities of a group that has been shamelessly ignored by the mass media. It's the International Substandards Organization, which has been setting substandards for consumer electronics in all member countries for decades. The ISO is a powerful organization, and its decisions affect all of us. It was the ISO, for example, that ordered Sony and JVC to manufacture two competing vide-recording methods, Beta and VHS, and the ISO was also behind the unsuccessful marketing of four-channel sound on LP records in the 1970s. (A proposed ISO slogan, "Bad Sound All Around," never made it into print, however.) This year's ISO conference was held, as usual, in secret, but I have obtained minutes of the session from an American delegate. The full conference report was to be made public on the first day of April, but the inevitable delays of translating from Sanskrit to other languages may keep the report from public view again this year. So here is an exclusive account. According to documents left on one of the coffee tables at the conference, chief among the concerns of ISO members from the United States and Japan is the need to secure faster computing speed in the latest generation of personal computers. Early personal computers worked at what by current standards could be called a slow "clock rate." Computer designers worked hard to speed up the "clock" in these computers, and were quite successful. But as computing speed increased, it became increasingly clear that computer chips could not be speeded up past a certain point -- that point being, as all school children know, the speed of light. In their debate over this issue, delegates from ISO's member nations said design engineers had reached the limits of their know-how, and one delegate told the group "it was time nature did something to help us out for a change." The delegate then proposed changing the speed of light to a more useful figure, and his motion was approved without dissent. The change is to take place immediately. The ISO then renamed the existing units for measuring the speed of light, and came up with these terms instead: Present speed of light: 55 megaphotons per candlestick. Proposed speed of light: 65 megaphotons per candlestick. My source said many delegates had refused to approve the higher limit until they were assured that it was to be allowed only in those chips that were uncongested. Chips used in urban computers will continue to follow the older limit. He added that the first computers designed to use the higher "natural" clock speed should appear this fall. Intel, maker of most of the chips used in IBM-compatible PCs, is expected to market the new design under the "Pent Up" trade name. On another topic, a proposal to ban black-and-white televisions from the market was narrowly defeated after complaints from manufacturers of pocket sets, who said color models that will replace the tiny B/W sets are not yet readily available. The ISO is expected to vote again on the ban next year. The ISO's opposition to B/W sets is based on medical evidence that deprivation of color leads to deep-seated ambivalence. ISO members have been of two minds about the issue for some time. Another change that the ISO turned down would have allowed sales personnel at hi-fi shops to implant newly developed bone-conduction headphones on customers. ISO members said most hi-fi store employees do not have the experience needed to perform the implantation, in which a tiny loudspeaker is sutured under the skin behind each ear. "The sales people at the store I go to can't even find a 6- by 9-inch speaker in a box full of parts," one ISO delegate reportedly said. "How am I supposed to trust them with a surgeon's knife alongside some customer's head?" The issue will come up again next year. Health authorities in some countries have already said they are opposed to the implants, unless they are performed by doctors who know something about hi-fi. Otherwise, the ISO's yearly meeting was dull and routine. Members voted to ban "boom boxes" from all public streets in affiliated countries, and a measure to require copy-protection devices on the liner notes of recordings was approved unanimously; apparently, a strontium-90 insert at the edge of each record jacket and CD liner card will disable Xerox-type copiers permanently. That's my report on the ISO's annual session. Please do not ask me for more information, as I have told you more than I know already. [*][*][*] Al Fasoldt writes about computers and consumer electronics from Syracuse, N.Y., where he is a newspaper editor and programmer. ////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "I have no comment on anything at this time. / / Well, maybe not anything." / //////////////////////////////// POTECHIN //// [EOA] [MIN]////////////////////////////// MINI_BYTES / ///////////////////////////////// 3 On 1: FileBUDDY """"""""""""""""" By Bob Connors [R.CONNORS2] Program Name : FileBUDDY Filename : FB301.EXE Library Area : 15 Program Number : 32048 File Size : 186,896 Program Type : File Viewer/Editor Author : Lenard Dean Version Reviewed: 3.01 File Type : Shareware ($20 + optional $3.50 regist. mail) [*][*][*] FROM THE AUTHOR FileBUDDY is a unique file viewer that allows you to view """"""""""""""" and manipulate several file formats from one program. If you do a lot of "BBSing", you should find FileBUDDY very handy. Here is a brief overview: o FileBUDDY can view any size file, whether the file is 1 byte or 1 gigabyte in length. o FileBUDDY lets you capture text to a file by taking a "snapshot" of it. When a snapshot is taken, it is done "intelligently". That is, overlapping text in consecutive snapshots will not be duplicated in the destination file. o FileBUDDY incorporates a printer setup facility which allows you to configure any printer when printing text files. o FileBUDDY views dBASE files. Database management support such as editing, adding, deleting, undeleting records, creating and "packing" dBASE files, and generating "quick & dirty" reports is also included. o FileBUDDY views archive files. If the proper archiver is available, ARC, ARJ, LZH, PAK, ZIP, and associated self-extracting files can be viewed down to 5 levels deep. Support for archiving files and extracting/ deleting archived files is also provided. o FileBUDDY displays image files. If a VGA or a SVGA (with an ATI, Paradise, Trident, Tseng, Video 7 chipset, or VESA compatible) video card is detected, BIF (binary), GIF, PCX, TARGA, and TIF image files can be viewed. If an ATI Wonder XL or a TSENG/Sierra HiColor compatible video card is detected, TARGA and 24-bit TIF images are displayed in 32,768 colors. If extended or expanded memory is available, it will be used to hold the image. Images too large to fit the best video mode can be navigated using the cursor keys or resized to fit the best video mode. Other image handling capabilities include processing, cropping, saving across image formats (including to EPS), and "slide-show" viewing. If a HP LaserJet or compatible laser printer is available, images can be printed out in 75, 100, 150, or 300 dpi with or without a user-defined border. Printing to file is also supported. [*][*][*] MINI BYTE BY BRAD [4 1/2 Lamps] FileBUDDY seems to be the Swiss Army """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" of file viewing and manipulation. The list of features appear endless, and all for only $20?!? You can view files within various archive formats, create archives (you need to supply the archive software), view and manipulate straight text files, and view and manipulate graphics files. I tried using LHA, and it showed a list of files you would get with the "l" option, followed by each file which could be viewed and edited separately (you also supply the editor or word processor). To test out the graphics capabilities, I downloaded file# 32139 - CINDY10.GIF. It's a picture of model Cindy Crawford which IMHO should not be objectionable to anyone. FileBUDDY maintains the appropriate proportions, so depending on your monitor's resolution, the entire graphic may not fit on the screen. You can scroll in four directions, crop the picture, and save it in various formats, allowing you to convert from one format to another. FileBUDDY is a great value for the price. MINI BYTE BY TIPPY [3 1/2 Lamps] FileBUDDY is truely a unique file """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" viewer, and comes through with some solid features. The image viewer is excellent, as all the GIF and PCX files I viewed with File Buddy were displayed with remarkable clarity. It also has the capability of viewing files within most of the popular archives, such as ZIP or LZH. The program documentation claims to accomplish this with version 1.10 of PKZIP, but I was unable to make it work the newer version, 2.04g. The included installation program is not necessary, and does not completely setup the program for use. It copies the program files to your hard disk, and allows for modification of your Autoexec.bat file. It does not, however, modify, or prompt you to modify the included configuration file. This file MUST be updated if the program is to find the archive programs on your hard disk. While viewing a file, FileBUDDY gives you several options, including Edit, Print, Find and Capture. One feature I really was happy to see was its "clean-up" ability. When viewing archived files, the program writes another file to your hard disk, but when you exit the program, it cleans up after itself and deletes these work files. FileBUDDY is an excellent utility, and once you get it set up properly, I think you will find it very useful. MINIBYTE BY BOBSIE [1 Lamp] One of the things I look for in any utility """"""""""""""""""""""""""" is the ease in which the program can be setup and changed by the user. It is common knowledge that DOS is not the friendliest of environments to work in and a program should make it very easy for any user to interface with the DOS environment. Such is not the case with FileBUDDY. I was first drawn to FileBUDDY because, as a BBS SysOp, I am always interested in any utility that claims to be an editor and/or viewer for a multiple of file formats. FileBUDDY claims to be usuable with text files, dbf files, and various graphic image formats. It also supports all the common archivers such as LZH, ZIP, ARC, and PAK. This, to me, would be a boon in my day to day maintenance of my BBS not to mention many other uses I could think of. I was horrified to find that FileBUDDY has absolutely NO configuration capability whatsoever. Instead, it creates an *.INI file (similar to Windows) which, in order to change, you must manually edit. You could use FileBUDDY to edit the file except for one small detail: The FBUDDY.INI file must point to the editor you want to use and, initially, it does not. This means you must use an editor outside of FileBUDDY to make the change before you can even use FileBUDDY to spawn the editor. There is an installation program that comes with FileBUDDY but all it does for you is copy the necessary FileBUDDY files to what ever directory you want it to be in and allows you the option of updating the path in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to include that directory. No configuration option for your system's hardware is provided in the installation program. Undaunted, and after editing the INI file to point to the correct editor, I proceeded to attempt to view the GIF files I have on my BBS. To my surprise, I received an 'Insufficient Video RAM' message on nearly 50 percent of the files. These same files are viewable using CSHOW or VUIMG using the exact same hardware that I was trying to view them with using FileBUDDY. Unacceptable. To make matters worse, there are no configurable options or special drivers for my video card (Video7 FastWrite VGA card) nor is there any online help. I was quite dismayed with FileBUDDY and shocked that the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) allowed this program to even carry their logo. The program does not, in my opinion, live up to the ASP standards I have come to expect over the years. The use of an INI file, while quite common in the Windows environment, is alien to most DOS users and the lack of even a rudimentary configuration within the installation program or FileBUDDY itself to update that file, is sufficient reason for me not to use or recommend this program to anyone. Hard core DOS hackers who love to manually tinker with configurations files may find this program a delight. The average DOS user will probably not like it much. The novice user will be completely lost! [*][*][*] GEnieLAMP MINI_BYTE'S RATING """""""""""""""""""""""""""" BRAD ............................................... 4 1/2 TIPPY .............................................. 3 1/2 BOBSIE ............................................. 1 """""""" MINI_BYTE SCORE .................................... 3.00 . __ (^) <^> /~ ~\ \-=======_/"\_======-/ \) MB RATING "\. THREE LAMPS ./" """"""""" "\._ _ _./" (_____) MINI_BYTES RATING SYSTEM """""""""""""""""""""""" 5 LAMPS.........What? You haven't downloaded this program YET? 4 LAMPS.........Innovative or feature rich, take a look! 3 LAMPS.........Good execution, stable program 2 LAMPS.........Gets the job done 1 LAMP..........A marginal download 0 ..............GEnieLamp Turkey Award! If all three reviewers give the program a "5 LAMPS" rating, the program and author receives the ~ A GEnie Lamp Excellence Award! ~ >>> REVIEWER PROFILES <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" BRAD.........uses his 286/12MHz clone to run a shareware distribution business. He's got a healthy supply of freeware and registered shareware utilities to get the orders out the door so he can save up for the 486 screamer. TIPPY........uses his 386 based system for Word Processing and Database Management to enhance the computing power of a large Air Force Squadron in Washington D.C. He also enjoys playing games, but between CPU time for work and a Masters Program, the game directory usually sits and waits. BOBSIE........Bob Connors is a Programmer and Computer Consultant who also is the Editor of the GEnieLamp IBM version and is also known as Doctor Bob. Bob has been involved with personal computers of all types since 1978 and carries a degree in Computer Information Systems. His current main interest is programming as he is writing an electronic Front-End Mailer program for BBS systems, allowing those systems to access networks such as FidoNet. /////////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Idaho the land that just discovered the 8088:-) And where people / / think that the CD is just a fad like 8 track:-)" / ///////////////////////////////////////////////// JOHN.DENNING //// [EOA] [QUI]////////////////////////////// THE MIGHTY QUINN / ///////////////////////////////// Random Access """"""""""""" By Mark Quinn [NEWSIE] "A Whole Buncha Milliseconds with Mark" by Mark Quinn, DOA GEnie address: NEWSIE Ah, the life of the modern American man. We're sent out on midnight missions to Blockbuster Video for the latest 'Schwarzeneggar flambes Rambo' movie. We lie there in our robes and wife's/girlfriend's bunny slippers, the remote control territorially perched on our bellies. I'm not sitting down at this word processor to condemn the above lifestyle. Everyone deserves time to kick back in front of the tube after a hard day's work making large piles of paper into small ones. It is all too easy to lob brickbats at the 'establishment'. Which reminds me of the time (hyuck) I stood behind a car in the parking lot of _my_ local BlockBuster Video store staring agape at a bumper sticker that read "Shoot Your TV". I heard no weapons discharging close by. Maybe the joke was on me, and the TV killers were carrying compound bows. By now, you have probably sensed that I _like_ these toys. I do. I drooled over the Apple, the Atari 800, and the Macintosh fruitlessly; I was unable to Koff up the Kash for any of the three. I ended up with a 4K Color Computer that was soon upgraded to 32K. (Yawn. Yes, we all remember the time when we saw the potential of the PC, and that little red LED flashed above our heads and sent out its evil, MasterCard- melting rays. And from that point on, we were happily-ensnared techno drones, or we were The Liberated -- I guess your outlook determines which category you fall into.) I've seen too many examples (in the media and in real life) of technology helping the handicapped, mentally dysfunctional, etc., etc., to join the "Shoot Your Wang" crowd. True, we're just scratching the surface of the virtual pond, but the years ahead should be exciting ones. No, that last sentence should read "will be exciting ones". So, crank up the Sound Blaster and the surround sound, but not too high: save your ears and eyes and mind for the ride ahead. ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Only the Hard Drive Bay is secured using the '1 screw' / / technique. The rest of the top is one piece and you have / / 'forty-leben' phillips screws to remove to get it off. I / / did it, of course. I *HAD* to see what was inside my / / MSTe. 'Damn the waranty, full steam ahead!'" / ////////////////////////////////////////// MIKE-ALLEN //// [EOA] [LIB]////////////////////////////// THE ONLINE LIBRARY / ///////////////////////////////// Hot Files In The Library """""""""""""""""""""""" By "Tippy" Martinez [TIPPY.ONE] >>> FILES! FILES! FILES! <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""" THE SOFTWARE COLLECTION Welcome to the Online Library, a sample of the """"""""""""""""""""""" files available in the IBM and Windows Roundtables. Thats right, this article has grown to include both libraries! This month's issue highlights some of the more interesting or useful files available. Each entry includes the file number, file name, approximate number of bytes and the long description of each file. Additionally, from each library, I have slected one file as the HOT "TIP" of the month. This focus highlights a file, whether it is an update of a classic, or a new program headed for classic status. If you are only going to download one file this month, this file should get serious consideration. Without any further delays, lets check out this month's collection of goodies just waiting to be downloaded! NOTE: These file can be found in the IBM RoundTable. To access this """"" library, type M615;3 at any GEnie prompt. [*] [*] [*] HOT "TIP" OF THE MONTH [*] [*] [*] """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 32069 BOXER50A.ZIP 296192 BOXER is a fully functional Shareware """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" text editor featuring: multi-level Undo and Redo, full mouse support, reconfiguration of keyboard, 28/35/40/43/50 lines for EGA/VGA, multiple files and windows, column marking, macros, color, pull-down menus, word processing, and context sensitive online help. Also: search with wildcards, compile within the editor, EMS swap for DOS shell, graphic drawing, auto indent, find mating parenthetical characters, block: sort, total, average, fill, print, invert, entab, detab, more! Shareware from David R. Hamel $35-50. Previous version download count: 168. [*] [*] [*] HOT NEW FILES! - IBM ROUNDTABLE [*] [*] [*] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 31947 TALKABC4.ZIP 431360 Talks to your child (2-6 years old) in """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" a natural sounding voice using the PC speaker. No extra equipment needed! Beautiful, EGA artwork is used in 3 fun games. (CGA mode too!) Children can create their own pictures with the graphics by pressing letters and moving objects around. Also included is "follow the leader" and a matching game. Instructions are spoken so little ones can play without adult help. Requires: Hard Disk PC + EGA/VGA but can use CGA By Karen Crowther author of Word Rescue and Math Rescue. ASP shareware Registration $23. 31974 FP-207.LZH 308060 F-Prot is a virus scanner that has """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" received high ratings from a number of sources, including several computer security organizations. It detects and disinfects literally hundreds of viruses and variants. Changes in Version 2.07 include changes made to the VIRSTOP program, correction of some false positives, 11 new viruses recognized, and the ability to "recognize HPFS" volumes. 31979 PHONE.ZIP 387840 Personal Telephone Directory. Keeps """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" track of ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE numbers, BIRTHDAYS, and ANNIVERSARIES. You can locate an entry by LAST name, FIRST name, CITY, STATE, ZIP, TELEPHONE or AREA CODE. Numerous reports. MATRIX, LASER and other printers are supported. You can TAG individual entries and print LABELS. Both AVERY 4013 (3 1/2" x 15/16" one across - used with tracktor feed) and AVERY 5160 (1" x 2 5/8" - 3 across/sheet - LASER) are supported. You can generate you own RETURN ADDRESS LABELS. BIRTHDAY and ANNIVERSARY reports allow you to select the STARTING month and ENDING month. MENU driven. HELP screens & more. 31996 FN800V21.ARC 417280 FONE800(tm) 2.1 ** MAJOR UPGRADE ** """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Powerful toll-free database resource! On Public Brand Software's Best Seller List three times in a row! Many new database features! Faster, expanded sample database, over 1000 entries, including 1993 Tele-Tax info. Consumer help lines, Health hotlines, Radio-TV talk show lines, Discount catalogs. Modify the sample database to create your own personal 800 index. Auto-dial, take notes, etc. 32008 PL20.ZIP 59264 (MS/DOS) A 'Pop-Up-Window' lets you """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" type a LABEL, MEMO or SHORT NOTE, (or multiple copies of a Label) for most any purpose (contents Labels, address Labels, Report Cover or Book Labels, etc.). Each Label holds 5 lines with up to 70 characters per line. Program Auto-Sets printers for 10/12/COMPRESSED print size, or allows MANUAL & TSR Pitch settings. Works with most PARALLEL Printers (LPT1:). Small & Simple for Easy Use & Faster Output. New Feature: Save & Load Labels to/from disk files 32020 PCFORM30.ZIP 179072 PCForm offers an easy means for """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" creating tailored made professional looking forms & line drawings. PCForm features: ease of use, word precessing like entry & editing, comprehensive file management, multiple copy printing, on-line reference manual viewer, auto-tab for easy fill-in, two point line & box drawing, block editing, math functions, multiple pages, pull-down menus, mouse support, PIF & ICO files, configurability, ASCII format for maximum compatibility and more. CGA/EGA/VGA/MCGA/MDA - ASP Shareware 32021 KNAP16.ZIP 203520 (MS/DOS) BUSINESS/PERSONAL ADDRESS & """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" TELEPHONE program. 725,000 Records per File - NO LIMIT on Files. Auto-Sorting as new records are entered. Locate by PARTIAL NAME or ID#. Print Labels, Phone Book (2 Phones/Ext) 2 Address Books, Index/Rolodex Cards. BROWSE Mode displays any address by using your 'Arrow' keys and moving Forward/Backward through a File. In BROWSE you may Edit/Delete, Print a Label, or Print a Rolodex Card. Program handles International Addresses & Zips. 'LOCK' all Repeticious entries into any field (City, Zip, Attn: Purchasing Deptartment, etc). Saves LOTS of typing time/errors. Merge/Extract files. Repairs many Corrupted Files. Has 'PRINT TO DISK' option on most printing routines. 32032 PINOCL.ZIP 84032 PINOCLE GAMES v1.0 - 3 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" variations of 4-handed, single-deck, partnership Pinocle. You play your hand; the computer plays the other 3. Good graphics on most popular systems. Many user controlled game and color variables. This game helps beginners by recommending a card to play. By Michael G. Bruckner (c) 1991. ASP Member 32042 MOVILOGO.ZIP 30464 This .zip file contains 63 logos from """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" movies of the past. Interest to those who are movie buffs as well as those who would like to spruce up some DTP work. Files are in the .pcx format. These are offered as shareware by Baggetta_Ware. 32052 DINO01.ZIP 480128 Dollars and Dinosaurs - the ABCD """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" program with a cash payoff - in dinosaur dollars. This currency is issued on your computer printer after correctly spelling or matching 10 words. It offers four language and spelling activities for young computer users, divided into eleven difficulty levels. The activities start with a simple display of flash cards intended for toddlers who just like to play on the keyboard like their older siblings. At higher levels the activities include matching a picture to one of multiple choices of words, spelling words and "catching" rapidly falling letters to correctly spell a word. For children aged 3 - 10. VGA required. 32053 FTJ10.ZIP 419840 Family Tree Journal allows you to """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" create family history books that document the lives of over 32,000 family members. For information, five general purpose information fields to record such things as cause of death, occupation, church affiliation or any other items of your choosing, as well as standard genealogical data. The ease of data entry allwos the novice to quickly grasp the concepts of operation, and the versatility of the program satisfies the needs of the most serious user. FJT10.ZIP contains three component files in .ZIP format: FTJ10-1,2,3. UnZip each to a separate floppy disk to install. Two floppy disks required; hard disk recommended. 32065 I-M141.ZIP 346496 Integrity Master provides function and """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" performance beyond other antivirus or data integrity software, yet is easy enough for novices. Integrity Master combines a powerful virus scanner with generic virus detection capability and complete data integrity protection. In addition to recognizing the latest 160 new viruses by name and characteristic, V1.41 now provides and gives you complete control over your integrity data file, international date support, faster scanning of multiple diskettes for viruses and other new features. 32072 123-SB.ZIP 348032 123-TALK is a NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" with a real human voice that teaches children (age 1-7) how to SAY NUMBERS, COUNTING, ADDITION SUBTRACTION, REMEMBER PHONE NUMBERS and work with a computer. Also included is the 123 SONG and EASY DRAW II, to bring out your child's creativity. The voice output will work with any IBM PC compatible and the graphics are designed to work with any graphic monitor. Now with SOUND BLASTER support. ** Recommended ** 32084 SIMST2.ZIP 359680 SIMSTAT 2.0 / SIMEDIT. Easy & powerful """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" statistics program, pulldown menus, mouse support, context sensitive help. Reads 1-2-3, dBase, ASCII, SPSS/PC+ files. Includes descriptive stats, breakdown (by group); frequencies, crosstabs, multiple responses, contingency tables; t-tests, 1-way anova; correlation; linear, log, exponential, inverse regression, mulitiple regression (standard, hierarchical, stepwise, forward, backward), time series analysis (tranformation, smoothing, ACF and PACF plots); many nonparametric analyses; bootstrap simulation; hi-res graphics; spreadsheet-like data editor, transformations, ranking, etc.; dot-matrix, laser, inkjet, color, plotter support. Shareware. 32106 MMTYPE.EXE 635776 Teaches touch-typing much faster by """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" adapting exactly to the learner. Postpones repetition unitl you need it; repeats before you forget (patented technique). Repeating only at the best time, MasterMind needs much less repetition than other tutors. Easier for you, efficiency is fun. Mastery is guaranteed. A godsend for beginning or sight typists, young and old. Requires Windows V3.X and 2MB RAM. 32108 POETSTAR.ZIP 133248 "Poetry Star" is a highly interactive """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose AI disk. It is entertaining (conduct zany chats with your PC) and educational (learn to write poetry in a variety of forms, styles, and prosodies). It is written in the programming language INRAC (of Mindscape's "RACTER" fame), which means you can communicate with the program in natural English. You have NEVER seen anything like it! ASP Shareware from Chatfield Software, Inc. 32109 SM03SHR.ZIP 423808 Schedule*Master is an appointment """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" scheduler/todo list manager that's easy to use, yet powerful enough for business use. Features easy data entry, flexible searching/reporting, repeating events, automatic roll-over of uncompleted todo items, full-screen text notes can be attached to any event, more! Supports laser, dot-matrix and ink-jet printers. If you've ever been disappointed with a PIM try this one! 32111 DAYCARE.ZIP 40180 "DayCare" Information Mangement System """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Full record keeping for home, business, or corporate day care centers. Red Cross specs. ASP Shareware from Software Co-op. Attendance, health, permissions, organized by group. Compact - for any DOS computer. Easy to learn, quick to use. 32113 MDWVGA.ZIP 594176 Maddog Williams VGA adventure game """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" from Cam DeBuck Software and Game Crafters. Help Maddog Williams save the princess. Requires VGA. Supports joystick and Sound Blaster/Adlib. 32116 GALORE11.ZIP 129280 Diana Gruber's shareware (uncrippled) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" version of 4 different video poker machines. Keeps track of stats. EGA/VGA support; mouse support (not required); and sound support (not required). Hone your skills before tackling the real machines. Fun. Very nice implementation. EGA or VGA is required. 32125 ZPACK1&2.ZIP 557312 ZIPPER PAYROLL ver 1.52 Ed Protas """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" - Menu driven payroll for small business. Optional export to Quicken. Includes federal and state tax tables. Allows easy error correction at any time. Print checks, export to Quicken, or write them by hand. Prints W-2 & quarterly reports. Optional password with tattletale feature. Requires 640K, hard disk, & printer. 32144 QUATO.ZIP 242304 QUATO is Soleau Software's new """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" strategy word puzzle game. The game board consists of 24 letters which you shift around to spell as many 4 or 5 letter words as possible. Race against the clock as your words are instantly checked against a master dictionary of over 80,000 words. There are special bonus words and other challenges which help you to gain points to qualify for the top ten scores. QUATO test not only your word skills but your problem solving skills as well! It is fast paced and offers hours of entertainment for all ages! Req. EGA/VGA and Hard Disk Uploaded by Author William Soleau - Soleau Software 32145 AQUAMAN.ZIP 133504 Aqua Man is Soleau Software's latest """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" animated EGA/VGA logic puzzle game. The object of this mind-bending strategy game is to push pipe links so that they connect two storage pumps located on the game board. Use rocks and whirlpools to hlep you solve each of the 20 different puzzles. Many options included and up to 5 personal score cards. Aqua Man is another unique pure logic game in the Soleau Software series. This game is a must of all puzzle lovers! Uploade by Author William Soleau Req.EGA/VGA 32151 SIMHLP1C.ZIP 348160 Simply Help! is a complete package for """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" creating all sorts of text based hypertext documents and help systems. Some applications include user manuals, catalogs, BBS help systems, adding on-line help to your favorite program, placing charts, tables, price lists, instructions or any other information online. Written with the computer professional in mind, features include an integrated environment which allows you to edit all aspects of your help system (screen sizes, text, colors, links, and more). By SimpleWare, Member ASP. 32156 VOCAB310.ZIP 278528 The Vocabulator(c) helps users learn """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" eleven different languages by using a Flip-Chart display of basic words/phrases. Like a mini Berlitz course on a disk. Basic library includes English, Afrikaans, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Slovak, Spanish, Tswana, Turkish, and Zulu. Libraries can be extended, or new languages added by the user. ASP Shareware by Blue Bull Software. 32159 SIMDOC16.ZIP 56192 Simply Docs 1.6 Great utility to """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" compile text files into an EXE format. Compiled files include a built-in viewer with search functions. Print any page or range of pages to a file, printer or any device. Specify margin, convertextended characters to standard ASCII when printing. Great for anyone who has to distribute text files, news letters, manuals, books, Etc. Shareware by Robert E. Pitcher, ASP Member. 32160 SIMLAB41.ZIP 271104 Simply Labels 4 -Free form label """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" program with many features. Very Flexible. Qwik keys, any size label, 12 labels across, 9999 copies, auto centering/numbering, envelopes, reports, searches, import, read dBase III files, date/time stamps, sorting, diskette labels, print to disk, printer or screen. Background text, menu driven, mouse support, on-line hypertext help, dialog boxes, 80+ page manual. ASP Shareware by Robert E. Pitcher 32167 KDOS5.ZIP 119040 Know It? DOS 5.0 Volume 1 is a unique """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" and fun learning game in which one to six players can test their knowledge of DOS 5.0. The presentation and organization of Know It? DOS 5.0 make it an excellent learning tool for those that want to develop more proficiency with DOS 5.0. Know It? DOS 5.0 covers many aspects of DOS 5.0, but firmly concentrates on the commands that will help the user in their day to day tasks. To promote well-rounded learning, a variety of DOS subjects are included such as memory management. 32168 MMANIAC.ZIP 139648 Math Maniac, Version 1.03. Math drills """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" for kids 4-12 years. Features interactive testing, along with record keeping and printing of random tests. Automatic increase in the difficulty level & music reward upon *successful* completion of each drill. Teachers may order the REGISTERED version for FREE - details in the file MM.DOC. 32169 BTB102.ZIP 100736 BEAT the BOMB, V1.02. Addition Drill """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Program. Race against a clock, a bomb, or a snail or build castles with correct answers. Many options: change number of problems, missing factors, etc. Sound, clock, and animation can be turned on or off. Setups and scores saved. Fast animated color graphics. Free. Enhanced version ($15 + $3 S&H) includes subt., mult., div., combined mode, more animation. Needs mouse, 512k, DOS 2.1 min., color EGA/VGA. By First Magnitude, ASP Member. 32174 THMATH.ZIP 204800 TREASURE HUNT MATH v1.2 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Elementary math (grades 1-6) in arcadestyle game for home&school. Basic math operations, fractions and decimals. Prints certificates of achievement & math tests. Record keeping. Editor to add or customize math problems. Registered version ($19.95) includes MathTris a falling-blocks style game & printed doc. From ADVENTURE LEARNINGWARE. School lab packs and site licenses available. 32189 SF171.ZIP 136192 Shareware version of Computerized Form """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 171! This program will print to the preprinted SF171 forms and print continuation pages in SF171-A format. Registration provides another program to print the data created with this one to plain paper (no forms necessary). This version requires at least 512K RAM and an IBM compatible computer See the README file in this ZIP for more information. 32194 FFF42.ZIP 118912 FileFinder v4.2 - Finds Files on """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" normal and networked drives. One of the FASTEST most flexible file finding utilities. Also looks inside most compressed files for files. Can locate duplicate files. NEW - exclude file mask, date equal search, up to 10,000 files can be handled. FIXED - sort routine. 32197 ASP6203.ZIP 526848 Official master catalog of shareware """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" products published by members of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) and available on BBSs. Describes each product and in many cases identifies a specific BBS where you can download it. Products grouped by subject and crossreferenced to authors' addresses. (See corresponding UPD6203.ZIP update file, too.) 32198 UPD6203.ZIP 148608 Monthly update file for the official """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" catalog of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). Describes each new or updated product in the last month and tells where to find iton BBSs. All products grouped by subject and cross-referenced to authors' addresses. (See corresponding ASP6203.ZIP file for the full master ASP catalog.) [*] [*] [*] WINDOWS ROUNDTABLE [*] [*] [*] """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NOTE: These file can be found in the Windows RoundTable. To access this """"" library, type M1335;3 at any GEnie prompt. [*] [*] [*] HOT "TIP" OF THE MONTH [*] [*] [*] """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 615 VBRUN2.ZIP 218496 Microsoft's Visual Basic Version 2 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" runtime dynamic link library. Needed for programs compiled using Visual Basic 2.0. Copy into your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. DOES NOT replace VBRUN100.DLL - you still need that for programs compiled with Visual Basic 1.0. Leave both in your system directory and forget. [*] [*] [*] HOT NEW FILES! - WINDOWS ROUNDTABLE [*] [*] [*] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 849 PLUGIN13.ZIP 127616 Version 1.3 of Plugin for Windows. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Improves the Program Manager by adding group icons, fancy cursors, a quick run menu, more. Shareware, $20 registration. 873 WIN9302.HLP 140672 This issue of the Windows RT Newsletter """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (our FIRST!) contains important virus information, shareware reviews and recommendations, a special "Meet the SysOps" section (we even have a few candid photos!), and more! Requires Windows 3.1, or Windows 3.0 with updated WINHELP.EXE to view. 893 ST20.EXE 260608 Stickies! 2.0A, a Windows note mgr with """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" color and font options, 1,000,000-note file cabinet, alarms with snooze and daily settings, import/export, e-mail support, up to 10 program launch buttons per note, expiring notes, plus sound effects and drag and drop support with Win 3.1. Fully functional evaluation copy; $30US shareware. This update fixes the dialogs that displayed incorrectly at some screen resolutions. 898 ZIPMAN20.ZIP 107776 Zipman20 allows you to extract, delete, """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" test and view an archive. Features include: Support of File Manager Associations, Drag and Drop, archiving across different directories and drive names, Option to create a group after extracting, viewing an ascii file in an archive without mmanually extracting the file, easy to use interface, many user configurable options, support of new PKZIP 2.04G switches. Excellent program. 901 RCKFRD30.ZIP 140672 Rockford 3.0 is the latest version of """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" this popular program. Create and print business cards with any TT or ATM font, clip art, borders, line drawings and more. NEW IN 3.0: Supports all printers. Use up to 2 BMP or PCX clip art files. Improved interface. Supports three types of pre-cut card stock from several sources. Still prints camera-ready layouts as always. Needs VBRUN200.DLL and Windows 3.1. AGAIN: Rockford! now supports ALL printers and PCX files! Shareware: $20 904 IMAGECAL.ZIP 217344 Image Calculator is Windows 3.1 utility """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" program for scanning and printing gray scale images using a desktop publishing program. Determines the number of gray levels that can be printed given printer resolution and the line frequency of the image. The calculator determines the scanning resolution that is appropriate for each situation. Requires VBRUN200.DLL (Visual Basic 2.0 DLL). 907 WINEXIT3.ZIP 8320 This is a Quick Exit program for Windows """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" you have 5 choices: 1) Exit to Dos, 2) Restart Windows, 3) Reboot your Computer, 4) Cancel, or 5) Unload from memory. Also Stay Always on Top Button Good Windows utility. 910 WINDIAL.ZIP 18176 Win Dialer is a telephone Dialer and """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" number database that allows you to dial numbers entered on the keypad, from the phone book, the clipboard and the programmable Speed-Dial Buttons. Nice program. 911 WINTRASH.ZIP 9856 Win Trash Basket is a working "TRASH """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" BASKET" for Windows 3.1 that works hand-in-hand with Windows' own file Mamager. Drag files from the file manager to the Win Trash Baskets Animated icon where they'll be store until you decide to delete them or restore them, to delete or restore files double-click on the Win Trash's Baskets Animated icon. If you exit Windows before you delete or restore the files a reminder apears. 917 FONTER6.ZIP 64256 Fonter 6.0 is the latest version of this """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" frequently reviewed program. Use it to view and print TT and ATM fonts in many ways. View fonts on screen, with zooms and ANSI codes. Print font lists with samples, ANSI charts, full-page font samples. NEW IN 6.0: Onscreen, printable keyboard display, onscreen, printable ANSI chart, Save any character as a 72-point clip art file. Requires Win 3.1 and VBRUN200.DLL. Shareware: $20. From OsoSoft. If you use fonts in Windows, this program is a must! 920 MLTLBL3.ZIP 145280 MultiLabel 3.0 is the latest version of """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" this popular problem. Design and print labels on any Avery Laser Label sheet or custom size. Use any TT or ATM font, clip art, line-drawing. NEW IN VERSION 3.0: Use ANY printer, up to 2 PCX or BMP clip art files. IMPORTANT NEW FEATURE: Built-in ADDRESS BOOK lets you create individualized labels. Up to 750 entries in each data file. As always, the WYSIWYG display shows you just what's going to print. Single label print preview. Needs Win 3.1 and VBRUN200.DLL. Shareware from OsoSoft: $20. If you ever use labels, you need to try this powerful tool! 921 WINCLIP3.ZIP 95616 WinClip 3.0 is a preview and catalog """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" program for BMP and PCX files. Supports 1, 4, 8, 24-bit images. Preview images with full zoom tools. Print individual images, or catalogs of selected files or whole directories. Printouts list filenames and directories. Print in any zoom size for maximum flexibility. POWER FEATURES: File management for copy, move, and delete. CD-ROM support. Automatic step previews file lists at 2-second intervals. Works with ANY Windows graphics-capable printer. Needs Win 3.1 and VBRUN200.DLL. Shareware from OsoSoft: $20. If you work with BMP or PCX files, you absolutely need this program. 922 WNGRPH.ZIP 82944 WINGRAPH 1.1 -- An equation """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" graphing program for students and teachers of mathematics runing under Windows 3.x. Plots 2D and 3D cartesian graphs, polar graphs allows for user set solution ranges, resolution and viewing angle, simultaneous equations and much more. Features an easy to use "Button Bar" interface. Uploaded by author. 923 GB.EXE 287616 New student extract, grade equivalents """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" and spreadsheet grid options. Advanced, flexible, easy to use Windows gradebook with online help. Allows custom terms, tasks and grades, score transfers, curving, multiple periods, teacher notes, not counted scores, user categories, ID#'s, points or weights, discard worst score(s), ext credit options, score and grade distributions with charts, progress reports, imp/exp, clipboard and font support, interim weights, Word and Excel templates, much more. Requires Windows ver 3.x and VBRUN200.DLL. ASP shareware. Self extracts. 925 APLANR.ZIP 133376 NOTE: This replaces PLANVIEW.ZIP - """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" PlanView 1.0 Use for quick project planning, activity or resource scheduling. Assign income/cost to events (tasks) and resources to estimate a project's income/cost. Shift all events forward/backward in time. Define multiple calendars and resources. Allows free-form drawing of events on scale of days/weeks/months/years. On-line help and sample plans provided. Requires Windows 3.0 or 3.1. (by ASP Member) 949 ABV21.ZIP 295808 Above & Beyond is a powerful, easy to """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" use personal information manager (PIM) for planning, managing and tracking of busy life. Innovative dynamic schedules manage workflow effectively. Recurring items appear automatically. Printed schedules let you take your plans wherever you go. Above & Beyond also includes pop-up calendars, alarms, task and event timers, week/month views, contact databases, LAN support, and more. Shareware from 1Soft. Above & Beyond is the PIM for success. 979 AM-21C.ZIP 381312 Address Manager for Windows, Version """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 2.1C - Keep track of names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays. Print lists, envelopes, mailing labels, Rolodex cards. Auto-dialer with intelligent area code handling. International support, including customizable forms for editing and printing. Each entry can be assigned to one or more lists, such as friends or clients. Data import and export. Version 2 adds customizable columns, company sort, movable button bar, drag and drop, enhanced DDE, redial, and more. Requires MS Windows 3.1. ASP shareware from Wilson WindowWare ($39.95). [*][*][*] WHEN LOOKING FOR A FILE... Unfortunately, sometimes files are removed """""""""""""""""""""""""" from the library after we publish this magazine. In many cases, the removed file has been replaced with an updated version of that file. If you can't find one of the files listed here, there is a way to check for a newer version. Do a keyword search on the library using a word that describes the file you are looking for. Chances are, you will find a newer verion of that file, or another file that meets your expectations. Well, that wraps it up for this month. Remember, this is just a small sample of the files available in the IBM and Windows Roundtables. The next time you are looking for that certain utility or application, head on over the Software Library and, chances are, it will be there just waiting for you to download. /////////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Why would anybody need a computer with more than 64K of memory?" / / " / /////////////////////////////////////////////////// Kenne@SFRT //// [EOA] [PDQ]////////////////////////////// PD_QUICKVIEW / ///////////////////////////////// Aqua Man: Link The Pumps """""""""""""""""""""""" By Brad Biondo [B.BIONDO] Program Name : Aqua Man Filename : AQUAMAN.ZIP Library Area : 7 Program Number : 32145 File Size : 133,504 Program Type : Game (puzzle) Author : William Soleau Version Reviewed: 1.0 File Type : Shareware / $12.00 [*][*][*] FROM THE AUTHOR Aqua Man is a New Soleau Software Puzzle game in its """"""""""""""" continuing series of Strategy games. The objective is to push various shaped pipe links to connect the two storage pumps located on the game board. Aqua Man is controlled by the Arrow Keys (up/dwn/rgt/lft). A link can be pushed in any direction by your man as long as it has an unobstructed path. When pushed, a link will continue to move in that direction until either it hits another object or reaches the side of the game board. The brown objects located on many puzzle levels are rocks and cannot be moved. There are also occasionally two whirlpools that can be used in your objective to connect the two storage pumps. If you push a link into one of the whirlpools, it will emerge from the other whirlpool and continue to slide in the same direction until it hits another object. The link will be eliminated if it emerges from the whirlpool and is blocked by another object. There are also various links which have no pipes on them. These will not help you connect the two storage pumps, but can be placed so that the other links can be properly pushed into the correct positions. There is at least one solution to each of the 20 puzzles, others have several solutions. There are no monsters, clocks, or alien ships to contend with, it's just a pure logic game which relies totally on your problem solving abilities. . __ (^) <^> /~ ~\ \-=======_/"\_======-/ \) PD_RATING "\. FOUR LAMPS ./" """"""""" "\._ _ _./" (_____) DOCUMENTATION VERY GOOD """"""""""""" PD_Q COMMENTS Make sure you have some free time when you download this """"""""""""" one! It is _very_ addicting and can be _very_ time- consuming. You need to be good at visualization and strategy to get anywhere with this program, but it can be quite rewarding when you finally link the two storage pumps together. Aqua Man swims around your screen as you try to figure out how to get the pipe links together to connect the storage pumps. The graphics and animation are nothing to marvel about, but they don't need to be. It's a sheer match for your wits as you have to figure out how to move the links properly around to get to the final solution. This is not for the faint of mind! Mr. Soleau starts you off with a relatively simple Puzzle 1, and also includes the solutions for Puzzles 1, 2, and 3. By the time you get to Puzzle 4, there are 25 pipe links to manipulate, and it gets tougher from there. Thankfully, it's very easy to start over, and with no clock, you can take as much time as you want (or have) to solve these excellent and sometimes frustrating puzzles. Please note: Aqua Man needs at least an EGA monitor to run. Registration is $12, for which you receive the deluxe version of the program which includes an additional 20 puzzles (for a total of 40), plus solutions to all 40 puzzles. You can also purchase Aqua Man II and Aqua Man III, each with 40 puzzles, for only $6 each. By registering Aqua Man, you will instantly become a Soleau Software Member. All Soleau Software Members receive the latest version of the registered game, information and discounts on other Shareware Games, plus Special Bonus Package Offers. Aqua Man is available from Soleau Software, 163 Amsterdam Ave, Suite 213, New York, NY 10023. Enjoy! /////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Don't be a stranger, John! (feel free to continue to be / / strange, just don't be a stranger!)" / ///////////////////////////////////////////// T.MCCOMB //// [EOA] [GEO]////////////////////////////// GEnie ONLINE / ///////////////////////////////// Using GEnie's Internet GateWay """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" By Bill Garrett [BILL.GARRETT] >>> ACCESSING THE WORLDWIDE INTERNET THROUGH GEnie <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" INTERNET GATEWAY GEnie's Internet gateway offers access to the largest """""""""""""""" communications network in the world. GEnie users can send and receive Internet mail,subscribe to newsgroups, and even request files to be downloaded from the Internet to GEnie (see services offered by the Unix RT, below). Following are some answers to commonly asked questions, as found in the Unix RT Bulletin Board on page 160;1. While researching this article, I found the Unix Rt to be the best place on GEnie to get information about the Internet gateway. Most of the info provided here comes from Andy Finkenstadt (ANDY), Unix RT SysOp, by way of the messages in Category 12 of the Unix RT Blletin Board. Library file references are to files in the Unix RT Library on page 160;3. [*][*][*] >>>>> HOW DO I SEND MESSAGES TO PEOPLE IN INTERNET? """"" There are two ways - one works from page 207, and one works at any place you can send a mail item - with the SEND command, or at the Mail Command Mode (200;9 or 8004;9). On page 207, there is an option for "Send an Internet Mail" or words to that effect. It guides you through the process, and merely asks for the internet address of the person you want to send to, allows you to CC any addresses, asks for the subject, and then puts you in the 1> 2> line editor. .*S at the end and you've sent your first piece of mail. In mail command mode (ENTER) or with the SEND command, at the To: or Cc: prompts, or with the .*TO .*ATO .*CC and .*ACC commands you address your letter to the person plus the special string @INET# For example: To: andy@vistachrome.com@INET# Cc: S.POPKES Sub: Testing 1> Hi there! Just testing a letter to Andy's work account. 2> .*S Now GEnie will respond with three messages - the item creation message, the "queued for INET#" message, and the item sent message. Now your item has been sent. If there are problems you will receive a return mail from the gateway machine or a machine along the way that discovered the problem or error. Typically these come from MAILER-DAEMON or POSTMASTER or other addresses that don't contain real people's names. Just like with FAX# delivery you can check on the status of an Internet mail item that you sent with the "DIS" command in mail command mode. Record the 7 digit item number referred to in the "queued for INET#" message and type at the Command? prompt: Command? DIS 1234567 It will tell you the current status of the item. >>>>> HOW DO I GET MESSAGES BACK? """"" Typically if you have sent a message, your correspondent will be able to merely use the "reply" command on their mailer. Your address is S.POPKES@GEnie.geis.com (you can use upper or lower case, it won't matter) so you can tell people to write you back at that address easily enough. >>>>> HOW IS THE GATEWAY TO BE BILLED? """"" On page 207 there is a "Rates" menu item. The following prices went into effect on Nov. 1, 1992: $2.00 registration fee - this will be a one time charge for all new users signing up for the service. However, if a user cancels and signs up another $2.00 charge will be incurred. $.30 for each 5000 bytes or portion thereof for incoming or outgoing messages. For example: A 10000 byte message would cost $.60 A 20000 byte message would cost $1.20 A 5000 byte message would cost $.30 A 12000 byte message would cost $.90 (If you read mail during the day, you'll be charged the standard GEnie connect rates since the Genie.*Basic pricing plan is only in effect weekends and undays during the week. Also, at 9600 baud special charges apply for all GEnie access, night or day.) >>>>> THERE ARE SEVERAL CONFERENCES ON THE INTERNET. """"" HOW ARE THESE ACCESSED? The files "MAILING-LISTS.TXT" and "INTEREST-GROUPS.TXT" (and the corresponding compressed files ending in .Z) show a list of about 300 to 400 special interest groups and mailing lists available on the Internet. For example, to join the "Christianity Mailing List" sponsored by Liz Allen, you send mail to mailjc-request@grian.cps.com or to mailjc-request@grian.altadena.ca.us and ask to be added. You might re-affirm your mail address as USER.NAME@genie.geis.com just in case something gets mangled by a piece of software between GEnie and there. Then the moderator of the mailing list (or his/her duly authorized program ) sends you back a welcome message, and explains the exact procedure for posting to the group. In the case of the foregoing example, it's sending mail to mailjc@grian.cps.com or mailjc@grian.altadena.ca.us For an explanation of how domain names (the @somewhere.site.com) works, the file DOMAIN.INF is available that explains it in rather basic untechnical language. Additionally there are over 3000 newsgroups (3572 in my newsgroups file at work) of which approximately 700 to 800 are active. Getting on a mail feed of that list requires a bit more patience. Sometimes a friendly System administrator can be convinced to set up a mail- based feed of a couple newsgroups to a specific address - as part of the testing I did this to see what kinds of things would happen. Reading newsgroups via mail is quite a trip though .. a real time-sucker-downer. :) CAVEAT: You may want to be aware that at 30 cents per item per 5000 characters, an active mailing list can easily cost a small fortune per month. >>>>> CAN I SEND MESSAGES FROM GEnie TO FRIENDS ON """"" COMPUSERVE AND VICE VERSA? Yes, easily. From GEnie do this: To: 76334.641@compuserve.com@inet# {useriud} CIS internet mailbag You can leave off the @INET# =if= you are using the form on page 207. Your friend can send from Compuserve to you with this: To: >internet:ark.royal@genie.geis.com >>>>> ARE THERE GATEWAYS TO OTHER NET SERVICES AS WELL? SUCH AS DELPHI """"" AND PRODIGY? If you mean can you connect with the Delphi or Prodigy services and use them as if you had called them directly, No. You can send mail to subscribers on Delphi ( username@delphi.com ), and Prodigy has plans to have an Internet gateway for extra cost this year or next. >>Can I use GEnie's special mail commands such as .*ATO, .*ACC and BLIND >>with Internet addresses? Yes, when we were testing, the BLIND,address@site@inet# worked fine. (The only reason you use BLIND, I assume, is to avoid the potentially 60 lines of headers at the beginning of the letter, right?) ...you can optimize your ATO commands like this: .*ATO,BLIND,address1,address2,address3,address4, <-- note trailing comma address5,address6,address7,address8@inet#, address9@inet# And so on... It's actually a bit faster that way. >>>>> IS THERE A WAY TO JOIN USENET GROUPS VIA GENIE'S INTERNET GATEWAY? """"" At present, Usenet access is not available on GEnie. There are several lists posted in the Unix RT Library of newsgroups and their counterpart mailing lists. If you can't find information on the newsgroup you're looking for, post it on the Unix RT or drop a note to UNIX$ and we'll see if we can find out for you. [*][*][*] Several files in the Unix library are great starting places for information about the Internet and GEnie's part in it. As a convenience to the Unix RT participants we have made these available in 3 different forms: Text form, Unix Compress form, and ZIP form. The file names and numbers are listed below: Description Name Text ZIP Unix ------------------------------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ How to find College E-Mail addresses 3625 4361 3512 Bibliography of Internet Info FYI 3 4365 4364 3529 New Internet User Questions FYI 4 4366 4367 3530 Experienced Internet Questions FYI 7 4368 4369 3533 Who's Who on the Internet FYI 9 4370 4371 3535 Gold in the Internet FYI10 4363 4362 3536 ZEN and the Art of the Internet ZEN 3624 3623 3321 (The Unix compressed version of ZEN requires a PostScript printer.) Other files about the Internet can be found by searching for "INTERNET" while in the Unix libraries on page 160. [*][*][*] Services offered by the Unix RT As mentioned above, the Unix RT is a """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" great place to get more info on the Internet and the gateway here on Genie. Here are some of the services offered by the Unix RT sysops, and where to find more information: .* Many Frequently Asked Questions archived from the Internet. Search on "FAQ" in the software library. .* Up to date Usenet UUCP Maps in library #15. Start with file #2551 README.MAP for interpretations. .* FTP Request Service. If you can't find it elsewhere on a GEnie RoundTable, ask us to find it for you. See bulletin board category #1, topic #8. Library #41 for listings, #42 for files. Real Time Conference: Sunday: 8:00p-10:00p Unix & Internet Help Desk in Chat Lines INTERNET Support in category 12 of the bulletin board. Informational files in the software library #33 or search for "INTERNET". Chief Sysop: ANDY Andy Finkenstadt Assistants: MIKE.NOLAN Michael Nolan GARS Gary Smith LRARK Rick Mobley DELPHI Brian Riley ///////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / ">Hooray! Purging! Yeah! Hooray! I can't wait! Hooray!" / / "Brian, control yourself. " / /////////////////////////////////////////////// MUSE //// [EOA] [CLA]////////////////////////////// CLASSICS / ///////////////////////////////// PARASCAN: Watch Out For Evil Virii """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" By Brad Biondo [B.BIONDO] Program Name : PARASCAN * The Paranoid Scan System * Filename : PARASCAN.LZH Library Area : 7 Program Number : 25257 File Size : 22,912 Program Type : Utility (NOT!) Author : Jimmy Pearson Version Reviewed: 3 File Type : Freeware / ($0) [*][*][*] FROM THE AUTHOR The Bytebrother's PARAscan incorporates the new PARANOID """"""""""""""" SCANNING SYSTEM which is designed to destroy the new wave viruses coming as the children of Baud approach the digital Armegeddon in the comic book of life we call "Bedtime for Cthulu".. So you say, "Why do *I* need another virus checker.??" The answer is because you don't want to wake up some morning, look into your mirror, and see the face of a 340 pound hog.! You don't want a digital Dick Nixon erasing 18 minute segments of your floppy disk collection.! You don't want a murderous virus murdering your .com files and burying them under your power supply in their pajamas..!! (* sob *) Install PARAscan on your system and run it, it will give you a running report of the cosmic battle and the monsters that it encounters. Run it in your autoexec.bat file each morning to start the day out right with no spawn of Satan lurking in your disk clusters. . __ (^) <^> /~ ~\ \-=======_/"\_======-/ \) PD_RATING "\. FIVE LAMPS ./" """"""""" "\._ _ _./" (_____) DOCUMENTATION EXCELLENT """"""""""""" PD_Q COMMENTS In case you haven't been April Fooled enough, here's a """"""""""""" hilarious look at virus checkers, which the author calls "an attempt to make a political statement about digital yellow journalism and the paranoia of ignorance. It's dedicated to every engineer who sacrifices valuable tools because of managers who believe that every public program is a syphlitic sore, and that bbs systems are digital gay bars. It's also dedicated to the literally millions of computer hours burned up in the quest." Just run it, sit back, and enjoy. Depending on your computing power, you many need a utility to slow down your system. Regular readers (you are out there, aren't you?!?!) of my column may recall a utility called SLOWGAME, which has a variable setting to let you see what's going on for the older games that ran on the slower systems of days gone by. What?!? You don't remember SLOWGAME? I suppose I have to go look up what issue it was in? Ooooh!! A new feature! How about an index of my PDQ and Classics articles? Mr. Editor, are you reading this? Actually, I recall it was mentioned in the December, 1992 issue, which featured a chronological tour of shareware games. Download that issue from the GEnieLamp library, or just scan the IBM PC RT library for SLOWGAME ;{) There is no registration fee. PARASCAN is provided free Jimmy Pearson and the Bytebrothers. Enjoy! ///////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "I really enjoy CardFile 4. I use it to dial the phone mostly. / / I no longer remember any of my friends' phone numbers." / /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// MUSE //// [EOA] [FUN]////////////////////////////// ONLINE FUN! / ///////////////////////////////// Search-ME! """""""""" By Scott Garrigus [S.GARRIGUS] WELL, HERE WE ARE It's April and Spring is upon us, finally. I'm really """"""""""""""""" getting sick of all the snow up here in good ol' Derry, NH. Soon it'll be Easter and the Easter bunny will be bringing all you good boys and girls his Easter eggs. But before that, we have the inevitable April Fools Day. But I'll say right now that I'm not going to stoop so low as try and fool all you good folks out there. So on to this month's RoundTable... All you ladies out there are going to love this one... this month I visited GEnie's famous Hairdressing Roundtable. Oh, you didn't know we had a special place for hairdressers here? Well, surprise, surprise! Here you can get expert advise on all the lastest styles and techniques. Learn how to do it yourself and get first hand instruction in this wonderful field. Yes, you too can have the greatest looking hair in town. Visit GEnie's Hairdressing Roundtable today! To get there just type JUSTALITTLEOFFTHETOPPLEASE or find it on page 1234567. But before you rush over there to get the lastest haircutting advice, be sure and solve this month's puzzle. It's sure to keep you a cut above the rest! :-) Ta, Ta! And Happy Easter! >>> HAIRDRESSING ROUNDTABLE <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" [JUSTALITTLEOFFTHETOPPLEASE] R T R O H S T U C I L L N U J S J O U Q U J K B Z R R Y N R V N D H B S L J A E D E Y Z O X W Z W X H W H Q D L T S N C G S N L W M P S U D A W A A O O P M A H S K I M S M H C T M A E F R S G Z V U C T B R S R E N O I T I D N O C H E N H H X B G Z R E H O A F O C V N Z U A Z Q O N W T J G K M A S N Z P A N O P Z Z K S Z L B A R B E R J S I S H K R G C V L Q Y V B E X Q T E T E E T K D E Q I W N R B K O D U R N Z C A T Z A Y Q L S R X A N S J M H R J D U L R Z D Z I L C F J D D X J B D Y H I M H N S D B X Q C I V G R C A N Q I C O D E J R O G H A P E F S M S M U O T T D V P E R M I V Q O X B H O T W E I R J M X S P X O O Y A P L A O S V P R E L R U C O B M T S G R R H D E V C J M E Z M D S S Y J G S T G O V N U X H Q M T E A U Y V F W I N Z O P S A P D I U Y I B J D L O W P G N P W M U W Q P I Y M O O O F A U U Y H Z C R A G O S Y D P J Z C L J K A M E M V T L A N U V I B N Y K M H S S S T O N I C M B S H V BARBER BRAIDS BRUSH COMB CONDITIONER CURLER CUT DRESSER DRIER HAIR LONG MOOSE PERM SASSOON SCISSORS SHAMPOO SHORT STYLE STYLIST TONIC WASH [*][*][*] GIVE UP? You will find the answers in the LOG OFF column at the end of """""""" the magazine. This column was created with a program called SEARCH ME, an Atari ST program by David Becker. ///////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Personally, everything I do is just to use up time until Biker / / Mice From Mars premires this fall." / ///////////////////////////////////////////////// R.MARTIN22 //// [EOA] [BOB]////////////////////////////// DOCTOR BOB / ///////////////////////////////// The Plain Vanilla Guide, Part 6 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" By Bob M. Connors [R.CONNORS2] >>> THE PLAIN VANILLA GUIDE TO DOS <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Editor's Note This series of articles was originally published in """"""""""""" TeleTalk Online Magazine and distributed via the now non-existent T/TalkNETwork. Back issues of TeleTalk Online Magazine are available in the GEnieLamp RoundTable Library (M515). [*][*][*] Here we are again. Another month has gone by since we were last together and a lot of things have happened. One of the things that have occurred is a query I received from a reader asking about batch files. He said he understood my article but wanted to know just when should a batch file be created. There are many circumstances deciding when you should create a batch file and we will cover them this month among other things. In a previous column, I covered the use of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file which is one time you need to create a batch file. It replaces the typing of DATE and TIME (if nothing else) every time you start up your computer. It can also replace many keystrokes initializing your system to have a certain configuration. This is the entire idea behind batch files; the saving of time and typing. There are also other times you may want a batch file. One of the things you could do is create a batch file to display a menu from which you choose a particular option. The menu would list one or two keystrokes that you would type followed by , that would start-up another program. The one or two letter choices would correspond to the name of other batch files that would be executed and which would contain all the commands necessary to change to the proper directory, execute the program desired (passing any parameters you desire), returning you to the root directory when you are done, and re-display the menu for another choice. Since I have the room this month, we will walk through just such a batch file. Let's say that we have the following files on our system located on the drives and in the subdirectories indicated: WordPerfect, Drive C, Subdir: WORDPERF Lotus 1-2-3, Drive D, Subdir: LOTUS NewsMaster, Drive E, Subdir: NEWS PROCOMM, Drive C, Subdir: PROCOMM The above list is sufficient for this tutorial. If you have other programs, the procedures outline here can be applied to those programs also. The first thing to do is create the AUTOEXEC.BAT file (see TeleTalk OnLine, Issue 28 for an example of an AUTOEXEC.BAT file) and include as the last two lines the following statements: CLS TYPE MENU.TXT The first statement clears the screen (CLearScreen or CLS). The next statement reads the file, MENU.TXT, and displays it on the screen. Here is what MENU.TXT should look like: MENU otus ews Master

rocomm ord Perfect Type the letter of the option desired and press Notice that each of the options start with a separate letter, so only a single keystroke is needed to select the one we want. If we also has Word Star as an option, we could modify the menu to show , , , , and for the choices. No matter what the choices should be, the letters that are to be pressed should correspond to the names of the batch files we want to execute. Therefore, in order to make the above menu work, we need four batch files named L.BAT, N.BAT, P.BAT, and W.BAT. So let's take a look at them. ECHO OFF ECHO OFF ECHO OFF ECHO OFF REM L.BAT REM N.BAT REM P.BAT REM W.BAT D: E: C: C: CD \LOTUS CD \NEWS CD \PROCOMM CD \WORDPERF LOTUS NM PROCOMM WP ECHO OFF ECHO OFF ECHO OFF ECHO OFF C: C: C: C: CD \ CD \ CD \ CD \ CLS CLS CLS CLS TYPE MENU.TXT TYPE MENU.TXT TYPE MENU.TXT TYPE MENU.TXT As you can see, all the batch files are pretty much identical. The first line of each does nothing more than turn off screen displays. The second line is only a remark to identify the batch file. Line three changes to the proper disk drive. I include this line in P.BAT and W.BAT because if these batch files are in a search directory (a directory included as part of our PATH command), then we can execute them regardless of which disk drive we happen to be on at the time. In other words, there is no neccessity that we be in the root directory of drive C: to execute these batch files. In face, there is no need for the batch files themselves to reside there. The fourth line changes to the proper directory on the drive and line five executes the program. Once you exit the particular program, each batch file causes a return to the C: drive's root directory, the screen is cleared, and the menu is displayed once again. Since those last five lines are identical in each batch file, we could just as easily included them in another batch file called, RETURN.BAT, or whatever, and put "RETURN" as line six and eliminate the other lines following. Then when we exited the programs, we would chain to RETURN.BAT. There is one thing I want you to be sure to understand before I move on. We always have to be in the root directory of the boot drive in order to display MENU.TXT because that is where, 1) AUTOEXEC.BAT takes us, and 2) that is where MENU.TXT is filed. However, if the four batch files are in a search directory, we can execute them from anywhere on our system and we do not need to display MENU.TXT first to do so. So, you can use those batch files two ways: from a menu (to remind you of what they are) or by name. Also, if you want the menu and are not at the root directory but have created RETURN.BAT as alluded to above, then all you need to do is put RETURN.BAT in a search directory. Then all you need to do to see the menu is enter RETURN at the DOS prompt and it takes you back and displays the menu. Simple, eh? We now move on to something a little bit more complicated with batch files. One of the problems with being a SysOp (I am one) is just keeping track of everything that happens on the system. In my case, it is even harder because I have multiple BBSes on my system. Each BBS is called a SIG which stands for "Special Interest Group." Although there is really only one BBS, each SIG acts like a separate BBS having its own files, etc. On any SIG, I need to know when a file has had no activity (download-wise) in 90 or more days so that I can move it offline thereby freeing up disk space for newer, more active, files. Since I have 12 SIGs, I need to look at 12 separate databases to extract the necessary information about the files. I have written a utility that prepares a report of old files for me, but it is still time consuming to go through each SIG's subdirectory and manually execute the utility. Here is a sample of the batch file I use on my system which will produce this report for all SIGs. The batch file is shown in double columns to save space. Following the batch file is an explanation as to how it works in the simplest terms I could write: REM FILESOLD.BAT IF '%0' == '11' GOTO SIG%0 ECHO OFF :WILDCAT D: OLDFILES 90 EFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ CD \WILDCAT GOTO LOOP :LOOP :SAMEAREA SHIFT OLDFILES 90 PRSTUVWXYZ IF '%0' == '' GOTO DONE GOTO LOOP IF '%0' == '0' GOTO WILDCAT :SIG6 CD \WILDCAT\SIG%0 OLDFILES 90 EGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ IF '%0' == '1' GOTO SAMEAREA GOTO LOOP IF '%0' == '2' GOTO SAMEAREA :SIG8 IF '%0' == '3' GOTO SAMEAREA OLDFILES 90 LOPUVWXYZ IF '%0' == '4' GOTO SAMEAREA GOTO LOOP IF '%0' == '5' GOTO SAMEAREA :SIG9 IF '%0' == '6' GOTO SIG%0 OLDFILES 90 FGLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ IF '%0' == '7' GOTO SAMEAREA GOTO LOOP IF '%0' == '8' GOTO SIG%0 :SIG11 IF '%0' == '9' GOTO SIG%0 OLDFILES 90 GHIJKLNQRSTUVWXYZ IF '%0' == '10' GOTO SAMEAREA :DONE If you are not familiar with the batch "SHIFT" command and labels, this will be a good exercise for you. When executing this batch file, I use the command line (at the DOS prompt) of: "FILESOLD 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11" This command executes the batch file and passing 12 parameters to it, each one received by the batch variable %1 through %12, respectively. These variables do not appear in the batch file but they are there nevertheless. Under normal conditions, you can use batch variables %0 through %9 directly in a batch file. They are always available for use but unless a parameter (or if you prefer, argument) is not passed to the batch file, then they will be empty except for %0 which will contain the name of the executing batch file (less the extension "BAT"). All well and good, you say, but I have passed 12 variables and there is only 9 that can use them, right? Wrong! The batch "SHIFT" command transfers the contents of a batch variable to the next lower variable. That is, the contents of %1 are passed to %0 (%0 does not receive parameters from a command line but is still available for use in the batch file), the contents of %2 are passed to %1, and so on. The previous contents of the variables are lost. Using this command, you can do two things. First, you can check to see if %0 is empty or not. It will be empty when there are no more variables to move into it. Second, you can use the %0 variable (or any of them) to form part of a word or command for DOS to use. In my batch file above, we have done both of these things. First we test batch variable %0 to see what it contains. If it is empty, we branch to label "DONE" and end processing. If it contains a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10, we branch to label "SAMEAREA" and continue processing. If it contains a 6, 8, 9, or 11, we branch to labels SIG6, SIG8, SIG9, or SIG11, respectively. Note that in these cases, the GOTO command uses %0 as part of the label name. Also note that %0 is used to form the subdirectory name we want the system to change to. When we test a batch variable, it and the value we are testing for are inclosed within single quotes but when using one as part of a command or command parameter, they do not need to be inclosed in single quotes. This is the part that usually confuses most people about batch variables. Since not all of my SIGs have identical file areas, it was necessary to test %0 to see what value it contained. Then, based on that value, we branched to the appropriate label. A batch label begins with the colon (:) and the batch file will be searched from top to bottom each time to find a label. If one is not found, the batch file continues on to the statement following the statement that referenced the label. This batch file, then, will take the parameters passed to it and loop through all of them, changing to the proper directory and executing OLDFILES.EXE in each. You could also have just as easily prepared a batch file to go step by step through each SIG without any parameters and to do so, you would not use labels and loops. I chose this method because the majority of my SIGs do have the same file areas and this saves a lot of typing not to mention disk space. Another way of loopping in batch files is by using the batch FOR command. The general form of this command is: FOR %%Variable IN (set) DO command Strange looking bird, what? Let's break it down. First, %%Variable can be any letter, A to Z, and is preceeded by double percent signs which differentiate it from the numeric batch variables, %0 to %9. Set can be one or more of anything such as file names or numeric batch variables. Command is the action you want to take with the set. The command works like this: 1) DOS assigns the first item in set to %%Variable. 2) Command executes using %%Variable as a parameter. 3) DOS assigns the next item in the set, if any, to %%Variable and goes to step 2). If there are no more items in the set, the next statement in the batch file is, if any, is executed. If no more statements, we return to DOS. As an example, lets say we did not want to type the DIR command all the time. Even though it is only three letters long, we would rather do it with one letter. Let's write a batch file that will do this for us. We will call it D.BAT since D stands for DIR and it is easy to remember. Here is what it would look like: FOR %%E IN (%1) DO DIR %%E Remember, we can pass parameters to a batch file. In this case, one can be received by the batch file and it is assigned to numeric batch variable %1. The %1 variable is, in turn, assigned to batch variable %%E which is used in the execution of the DOS command DIR. Now, if you execute the command, "D *.*" what do you think you will get? Right, a display of all files in the current directory (you are catching on)! What would you get if you just typed "D" with no parameters? Try it and see. Of course, the benefit of a set is to have more than one thing in it. So, let's set up a batch file that will display up two four files for us with built in screen pauses. Type in this batch file: FOR %%E IN (%1 %2 %3 %4) DO TYPE %%E |MORE Call the batch file T.BAT since it stands for TYPE and that will help you remember it. Now enter the command: T AUTOEXEC.BAT CONFIG.SYS MYFILE.TXT Whoops, you say! There are only three parameters there and T.BAT needs four (%1 through %4), right? Incorrect again. The variable %4 will be null since a fourth parameter was not passed to it. Therefore, when the fourth execution of T.BAT occurs, %%E will be null and no action will take place. Anyway, when the command is executed, the three files will be displayed on the screen, one at a time, with nice little pauses if the screen becomes full. The pauses are caused by the "|MORE" command which is called a pipe in DOS. More about that a little later. Remember in an earlier column (and also in this one) when I stated that a batch file can chain to another batch file just by including the next batch file's name in the current one? When that line containing the name is read and executed by DOS, the new batch file takes over. We cannot go back to the previous batch file using this method. There is a way to do it, however and if you have DOS version 3.3, there is even a command for it. Let's setup a batch file that will call another batch file which will execute and then return to the previous batch file. REM A.BAT REM B.BAT ECHO OFF ECHO OFF CLS ECHO This is Batch File B ECHO This is Batch File A ECHO Returning to A.BAT ECHO Calling B.BAT COMMAND/C B.BAT ECHO This is Batch File A When we execute A.BAT, we will see the display: This is Batch File A Calling B.BAT This is Batch File B Returning to A.BAT This is Batch File A The key to this is the line that states, "COMMAND/C B.BAT." What this line does is executes a second copy of COMMAND.COM, the DOS command interpreter. The slash C (/C) tells DOS that it is a second copy of it. It is executed and calls B.BAT which does it's stuff and returns to COMMAND.COM. Since everything COMMAND.COM has been asked to do is now done, it returns to the calling batch file, A.BAT which completes its own mission. By the way, DOS 3.3 users can replace "COMMAND/C" with the statement, "CALL," so just change that line to read "CALL B.BAT" and it will work as well. By now, you should be ready to try some really sophisticated batch files. Now you can inpress your friends and amaze the wife/husband with all this hidden knowledge. In summary: o Batch files are useful to save time, typing, and your memory (just how DO I enter Lotus?????) o Batch files can be linked (chained) together to emulate sophisticated programs. o Parameters can be passed to batch files which are assigned to batch variables that can be tested and moved to lower batch variables. o Numeric batch variables can be included in SETs so that we can execute multiple DOS commands on one batch line. o Not only can batch files be chained but one batch file can call another and DOS will return to where it left off in the first batch file when the second batch file is finished. o You now know as much as I do about batch files. That brings us to the final subject for this month's column, redirection. Normally, DOS gets it input and sends it output to the console which consists of the keyboard (for input) and the video display (for output). With redirection, we can change where the input comes from or where output is to go. There are special symbols used for redirection which are: <, >, and >>. Let's use the directory command, DIR, for our examples in using those redirection symbols. There is one important fact to remember for redirection: once activated, redirection remains in effect until the function called is completed. There is no exception to this. Everyone knows that typing DIR at the DOS prompt produces a nice directory list on the screen. What do we do if we want the display to go somewhere else instead of the screen? Easy. Just use ">" to send it someplace else. DIR > PRN This command sends the directory listing to the printer. You could have also said "DIR > LPT1:" since PRN and LPT1: are the same to DOS. Want a friend to get the directory on his screen when he is connected to your computer directly or via a modem? "DIR > COM1:" will do that for you. Want the directory to go to a file? Try "DIR > CATALOG.DAT." All directory information will now go to the file, CATALOG.DAT. Hmmm... is there a way to add other directories to it? Sure is. Try this: 1) Put a blank, formatted diskette in drive B: 2) Put the diskette you want to catalog in drive A: 3) Type the command "DIR A: > B:CATALOG.DAT" 4) Change the diskette in drive A: with another to be cataloged 5) Type the command "DIR A: >> B:CATALOG.DAT" 6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all diskettes are cataloged When you are done, type the command "TYPE B:CATALOG.DAT | MORE" to see your file and you will see that it contains the directory for each diskette you cataloged. Sort of a poor man's catalog program (it's free). How did this happen? The ">" symbol tells DOS to output to the file specified, creating it if it does not exist and over-writing it if it does exist. On the other hand, the ">>" symbol tells DOS to append the output to the end of the specified file (no over-write). Now you have a catalog and can send it to your line printer with the command, "COPY B:CATALOG.DAT PRN" or "TYPE B:CATALOG.DAT > PRN" (both do exactly the same thing). Since CATALOG.DAT is a text file, you can edit it with a word processor or text editor. For example, you could delete any unnecessary information (such as the volume label) and add a diskette number someplace. Then you can sort it using the DOS SORT command to alphabetize it (if the file names are in the first column). Try this on for size: 1) Put the diskette that contains an edited CATALOG.DAT in drive A: 2) Put a blank, formatted, diskette in drive B: 3) Type the command "SORT < A:CATALOG.DAT > B:CATALOG.SRT" 4) Type the command "TYPE B:CATALOG.SRT | MORE" You will notice that all the files are now listed alphabetically instead of by diskette. How did this happen? Let's analyze line 3 above and see just what happened. The DOS "SORT" command will take whatever input is sent to it and sort it based on the first column, creating a temporary file in the process. Once the temporary file is completely created, it is sent to the file specified as the output (in this case, CATALOG.SRT). You can test this yourself by just typing SORT at the DOS prompt. Then type any data, pressing ENTER after each line. When you are tired of doing that, type Ctrl-Z (^Z) or press function key F6 (which sends a ^Z) to specify the end of the file. SORT will then display all the information you typed alphabetically. The temporary file is then erased. Gee, now you know how to do a "poor man's" database. Since we used "<" to redirect input from A:CATALOG.DAT, we didn't have to type all the input from the keyboard. By the way, you may have noticed that I have used both the symbol, "|" and the command "MORE" in some of the examples. The "|" symbol is called a "pipe" which controls the flow of data (just as a real pipe can control the flow of water or gas). It redirects the data flow through (in the examples) the filter "MORE" which causes the screen display to pause when the screen is full and displays a prompt "-More-" to indicate that more data follows. Pressing any key at the -More- prompt causes the next screen to be displayed. Pressing ^C at the prompt causes the display to end. Let's say we have a directory which is unsorted and there are more entries than will fit on on screen display. We want to see the display sorted and we want pauses and prompts to occur when the screen is full. Try the following commands with a directory that contains more files than will fit on a single screen: 1) SORT < DIR 2) DIR | SORT 3) DIR/P 4) DIR/P | SORT 5) DIR | MORE | SORT 6) DIR | SORT | MORE The first line will produce the error message "File not found." This is because DIR is not a file but a DOS command. This is important to remember. The "<" symbol must be used with a file while the "|" symbol is used with a DOS command. The second line will produce a sorted directory display but the display just scrolls off the screen with no pauses. The third line will produce a display with pauses and prompts but it will be unsorted. Additionally, the first three lines of information (volume and directory names) do not get displayed. The fourth line will produce nothing (apparently) except a blinking cursor. What is going on? Well, we told DOS to route the directory through the SORT filter. SORT creates a temporary file. Since the "/P" causes a pause and waits for a keypress, nothing seems to be happening. Pressing any key a few times will free up the display and you will see the sorted directory (with the pause prompts included). The fifth line does basically the same thing as the fourth line does, except the display gets kind of messed up. The sixth line is the correct way to do what we want, get a sorted display on the screen with built in pauses. It sends the directory display through the SORT filter which creates a temporary file. The temporary file is then sent through the MORE filter which creates another temporary file, adding the pauses and prompts. It is the second file that is then displayed on the screen. When completed, both temporary files are erased. Both would also be erased if we pressed ^C to break out of the display. The SORT, MORE, <, >, >>, and | are all very important aspects of redirection. Next month, we will finish up on redirection with other examples and another filter. Until then, TTFN! [*][*][*] Copyright (c) 1988 by Robert M. Connors Permission to Reprint is granted provided Copyright Notice is included in reprint. QUESTIONS? Do you have a question or comment for Doctor Bob? Leave GE """""""""" Mail to R.CONNORS2 or you can reach him in the GEnieLamp bulletin board (M515;1) or you can contact him on the BBS Wildcat! Orphanage at 719-392-6631. ////////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE //// / "Yep! I use to think I 'knew' a little something about 'puters, / / that was until I met some of the folks here on GEnie... Wow!! :) / /////////////////////////////////////////////////// T.EVANS21 //// [EOA] [ELS]////////////////////////////// GEnieLamp ELSEWHERE / ///////////////////////////////// Browsing GEnie """""""""""""" By Peter Bogert [P.BOGERT1] THE SPORTS RT The Sports RT (page 215) has undergone a change in """"""""""""" management and with that change in management comes a reorganization of the RT categories and services. Baseball Season is quickly approaching, and fans from all over the country are shedding their winter blues and contributing opinions on the fate of their hometown team in the upcoming season. If you want to participate in the discussions about baseball, see CAT 2. The Sports RT is the home for discussing many of the computer sports games on the market. The new release of Tony LaRussa's Ultimate Baseball has been generating some positive comments, as well as version 4.01 of Strat-O-Matic Baseball. Also, from time to time significant files are uploaded. File number 2254 is PLF92V11.ZIP, an upgrade to the excellent Pro League Football game published by MicroSports. David Holt, the program designer, occasionally makes an appearance to answer questions about the game. ALADDIN RT Aladdin (page 110) is used by scores of GEnie fanatics to """""""""" streamline the functions of logging on to round tables, capturing messages, and downloading files. If you don't have file #456 MSGFI170.EXE, you're missing a great tool for helping you keep track of your messages and prune your message files to size. If you maintain a record of messages at all, you no doubt have several files in your Aladdin directory that are of substantial size. Msgfiler is a great utility for viewing messages and deciding which ones to keep. THE WORDPERFECT RT WordPerfect is the best-selling word processor in the """""""""""""""""" IBM platform, and Wordperfect has it's own RT (page 521). There is up-to-date discussion of existing and future WP products, and the file section contains updated printer drivers and 500 volumes of graphics. [*][*][*] The Sports and Aladdin RT's Bulletin board areas are included in your GEnie*Basic package. The WordPerfect RoundTable and the file libraries pf te Sports and Aladdin RoundTables are GEnie*Value. Happy Computing! [EOA] [LOG]////////////////////////////// LOG OFF / ///////////////////////////////// GEnieLamp Information """"""""""""""""""""" o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnieLamp o GEnieLamp STAFF: Who Are We? o GET_THE_LAMP Scripts & Macros o SEARCH-ME! Answers GEnieLamp GEnieLamp is monthly online magazine published in the """"""""" GEnieLamp RoundTable on page 515. You can also find GEnieLamp in the ST (475), the Macintosh (605), the IBM (615) Apple II (645), A2Pro (530), Unix (160), Mac Pro (480), Geoworks (1050), BBS (610), CE Software (1005) and the Mini/Mainframe (1145) RoundTables. GEnieLamp can also be found on CrossNet, Internet, America Online and many public and commercial BBS systems worldwide. We welcome and respond to all GEmail.To leave messages, suggestions or just to say hi, you can contact us in the GEnieLamp RoundTable (515) or send GE Mail to John Peters at [GENIELAMP] on page 200. U.S. MAIL """"""""" GEnieLamp Online Magazine Atten: John Peters 5102 Galley Rd. Suite 115/B Colorado Springs, CO 80915 >>> GEnieLamp STAFF <<< """"""""""""""""""""""" GEnieLamp o John Peters [GENIELAMP] Editor-In-Chief """"""""" ATARI ST o John Gniewkowski [J.GNIEWKOWSK] Editor """""""" o Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] ST Staff Writer o Terry Quinn [TQUINN] ST Staff Writer o Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] ST Staff Writer o Richard Brown [R.BROWN30] ST Staff Writer o John Hoffman [JLHOFFMAN] ST Staff Writer o Al Fasoldt [A.FASOLDT] ST Staff Writer ATARI ST/TX2 o Cliff Allen [C.ALLEN17] Editor/TX2 """""""""""" ATARI [PR] o Fred Koch [F.KOCH] Editor/PD_Q """""""""" IBM o Robert M. Connors [R.CONNORS2] Editor """ o Peter Bogert [P.BOGERT1] IBM Staff Writer o Brad Biondo [B.BIONDO] IBM Staff Writer o Tippy Martinez [TIPPY.ONE] IBM Staff Writer o David Holmes [D.HOLMES14] IBM Staff Writer MACINTOSH o James Flanagan [JFLANAGAN] Editor """"""""" o Richard Vega [R.VEGA] Mac Co-Editor o Dan "Remo" Barter [D.BARTER] Mac Staff Writer o Tom Trinko [T.TRINKO] Mac Staff Writer o Bret Fledderjohn [FLEDDERJOHN] Mac Staff Writer o Bill Garrett [BILL.GARRETT] Mac Staff Writer MacPRO o James Flanagan [JFLANAGAN] Editor """""" o Erik C. Thauvin [MACSPECT] Supervising Editor o Chris Innanen [C.INNANEN] MacPRO Staff Writer o Paul Collins [P.COLLINS] MacPRO Staff Writer APPLE II o Darrel Raines [D.RAINES] Editor """""""" o Phil Shapiro [P.SHAPIRO1] A2 Co-Editor o Mel Fowler [MELSOFT] A2 Staff Writer A2Pro o Jim B. Couch [J.COUCH2] Editor """"" o Nate C. Trost [N.TROST] A2Pro Staff Writer INTERNET o Jim Lubin [JIM.LUBIN] GEnieLamp IBM """""""" ETC. o Jim Lubin [JIM.LUBIN] Add Aladdin """" o Scott Garrigus [S.GARRIGUS] Search-ME! o Bruce Faulkner [R.FAULKNER4] CrossNET Support o Mike White [M.WHITE25] Cowlumnist/Asst. SysOp GEnieLamp CONTRIBUTORS """""""""""""""""""""" o Steven Weyhrich [S.WEYHRICH] o Gina Saikin [G.SAIKIN] o Paul Varn [P.VARN] o Larry E. Elseman [L.ELSEMAN1] o Les Blatt [L.BLATT] >>> SEARCH-ME! ANSWERS <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""" + T R O H S T U C + + + + + + S + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A + + + + + + + W + + + + + + + + + + + + + + S + + + + + + + + A + + + O O P M A H S + + + S + + + + + + + + + S G + + + + + B R + R E N O I T I D N O C + + N H + + + + + R E + + + + O + + + + + + + + O + + + + + + + A S + + + + N + + + + + + + L B A R B E R + S I S + + + + + + + + + + B + + + + + + + + T + D E + + + + + + + + D + R + + + + + + + Y + + S R + + + + + + + R + + U + + + + + + L + + + + D + + + + + + I M + + S + + + + + I + + + C + + + + + + + E + R O + H + + + + S + S + + O + + + + P E R M I + + O + + + + T + + + R + M + + + + + + + A + + + + S + + R E L R U C O B + + + + + + H + + + + + + E + + + + + + + + S + + + + + + + + + + + E + + + + + + + + + + + S + + + + + + + + + + L + + + + + + + + + + + + I + + + + + + + + + Y + + + + + + + + + + + + + C + + + + + + + + T + + + + + + + + + + + + + + S T O N I C + + S + + BARBER BRAIDS BRUSH COMB CONDITIONER CURLER CUT DRESSER DRIER HAIR LONG MOOSE PERM SASSOON SCISSORS SHAMPOO SHORT STYLE STYLIST TONIC WASH \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each article reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to registered computer user groups and not for profit publications. Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or staff of GEnieLamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy. Include the following at the end or the beginning of every reprint: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// (c) Copyright 1993 T/TalkNET Online Publishing and GEnie. To join GEnie, set your modem to 2400 baud (or less) and half duplex (local echo). Have the modem dial 1-800-638-8369. When you get a CONNECT message, type HHH. At the U#= prompt, type: XTX99014,DIGIPUB and hit the [return] key. The system will then ask you for your information. Call (voice) 1-800-638-9636 for more information. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// [EOF]