======================================================================== | Special BBS Edition TAKE A BYTE NEWSLETTER | ======================================================================== | May 1, 1993 Issue 33 Volume 3 Bi-Monthly FREE | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'd like to introduce my newsletter to those of you who haven't seen its likes before. This is the Take A Byte Newsletter, it is just like other newsletters except it has a small twist. This newsletter is mainly distributed to over 100 BBS's around the United States. This is the premier issue for Miller's BBS! This newsletter is also mainly directed at IBM PC's and clones, however in the future i would like to run a small section on the Mac's and or Amiga's. So, I welcome your comments, questions, tips, and any gripes you may have. This issue will sport some of DOS 6's little quirks and a few problems that new users are having with it. We will also look into the new PC game Sherlock Holmes. And TBN's review of Millers hot new BBS. Plus our usual little treats. **GAMES** For this issue let us take an in depth look into Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, Volume II. The story puts you into the year 1888 in your little home on Baker Street. The case of the Two Lions looms about you as you play Sherlock Holmes. What makes this game better than others is the full-motion video that leads you through the plot. This version is better than the first, because the animation plays better and a new compression technique was added to speed animation up. The story plays out well and you should be able to finish the game in about 20-30 hrs. Requires: 640k RAM, sound card, mouse, CD-ROM player (<380ms), DOS 3.3 or later. Available from Icon Simulations for $69.95 list. Rating: 6 out of 10 *Game tip of the month: You shouldn't buy hint books for any game until you become completely stumped. A hint book can ruin the fun the game was designed for. **DOS** Last issue we covered the rumored demise of DOS. This issue we will take a peek into problems encountered with DOS 6. DOS 6 was released on April 1, 1993. DOS 6 had a beta version that included drivers and programs for networks. Microsoft pulled these out at the last minute. However, the main problems have been with Memmaker and DoubleSpace. Let us take a look a Memmaker this issue. Now let's get down to some frequent problems. Many people are having problems with DOS 6's MEMMAKER. MEMMAKER reconfigures your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files so that you get the most out of your system memory. However, certain device drivers are conflicting with this MEMMAKER program. Microsoft says that the program was tested with over 300 drivers and no problems were detected on the final release. Here is what we suggest, do a boot from DOS and bypass your system system files (F5 for DOS 6 users). Then run MEMMAKER and let it do its job for you. Users say that the PC tends to lock up at the end of the AUTOEXEC.BAT. Note: MEMMAKER will *only* work with a 386 processor. If you have a 286 or lower your PC will lock up. *DOS tip of the month: Save on keystrokes from your DOS prompt. Load DOSKEY and use the arrow keys to cycle through old commands issued! **BBS** Last issue we covered how to spot a failing BBS. This issue we want to tell you a little about Millers BBS in Southern California. Millers BBS was just started this month. It runs on a 486/66 mhz with 14 lines and a giant library with 6 CD's! The software is the popular Major BBS software,which in ouropinion is better than DLX. The price is excellent for the type of services that are available. On-line games like RPG's and Hangman. The global commands are hot and fast. The sysop is dedicated, he and his staff are true professionals. Thumbs up to Miller's BBS. Rating: 9 out of 10. *BBS tip of the month: Know your chat symbols and shorthand, most BBS's do not mention some little things that people type to converse. Here are a few common symbols and shorthand messages. ù Lol = Laughing Out Loud. ù :) = A smiling face, or opposite a frowning face to denote a mood. ù Afk = Away From Keyboard. ù Brb = Be Right Back or (Bbl) Be Back Later ù L8r = Later. **PROGRAMMING** Last issue FIZZLEPOP BBS in New Jersey asked how to read the keyboard for a keypress instead of using INPUT for Qbasic. Well, here is a sample program to help out with that question. Beginning: PRINT " 1) Loop " PRINT " 2) End " X$ = INPUT$(1) '<--- Replacement for INPUT IF X$ = "1" THEN GOTO Beginning: Ending: END *Programming tip of the month: It is better if you go buy a book with MANY examples in it to show the language in a practical use. Many companies make books with too many technical references and not enough examples. **NEWS BITS** - Microsoft has a lawsuit on its hands from Stac Eletronics. Stac says Microsoft is using their patented method that DBLSPACE is using for disk compression. - Freelance for OS/2 arrives on the market place. - FoxPro 2.5 comes out swinging. $495. - QuickLink Gold Fax/Modem Software, the best yet?. $65. **SALES** Top 5 Selling Software Top 5 Shareware 1) TurboTax 1) Pkware 2.04G 2) Microsoft Access 2) Wolfenstien 3D 1.0 3) Paradox For Windows 3) Commander Keen 4) Windows 3.1 4) Lotto 2.1 5) WordPerfect 5.2 For Windows 5) Jungle Of Doom **CONTESTS** *Scrambled Words: Unscramble the word, if you can. (Last issues word: NORTON UTILITIES) This issues scrambled word: 6 QTUSE NSIKG Clue - A Game *Answer & Question: We give you the answer, you think of the question. (Last issues question: What is the command LINK.EXE) This issues answer: It's another phrase for your Main Directory. Clue - They grow in the ground. **ADVERTISING** New this issue we are offering advertising room for you to place an ad on anything computer related. Ad's will be free for the first 4 issues then will cost fifty cents a line ($0.50) for each issue after. Just drop us a note. ù **Example Ad Inc, we offer fake examples to you in order for you to** advertise examples like this one. For an example call 555-5555. **NEWSLETTER STAFF** Editor in Chief:..Chris (CyberChrist) * Available on this BBS Coordinator:......Tim Jensen Editor:...........The DLF Group Game Consultant:..(position available) Circulation:......Report Distributors Inc. ** Postion open - Wanted game consultant, you must be able to play all types of games with no favorites. Must have PC knowledge. Have a high school diploma and like to work for free. Equal Opportunity Employer. All trademaks & right reserved to the respective companies. Copyright (C) 1993 Byte Productions ID#TBN33