E-CATALOG/NEWSLETTER - REALITY SOFTWARE 09/27/95 *** REALITY SOFTWARE NOW HAS TWO SITES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB!!*** (See Internet section below) INTRODUCTION Reality Software is a small company whose husband and wife team is devoted to the publication of two product lines. We publish quality E-Books for DOS and Windows in ancient/medieval history and the history of religion. These books represent original, scholarly research and are designed for thinking adults. They are an attempt at original synthesis from the literature and some of the writing is at journal level. They are definitely not school-oriented software nor New Age fluff. Reality Software also publishes a large series of Windows image collections/media albums and screen savers that feature a) archival, royalty free, historical photography and b) original computer art whose themes are mythic and visionary. All Windows E-Books come with Replica, an application independent viewing system that bypasses the need for a word processor. Replica is easily installed into WIN 3.1 or WFW 3.11 and can then be used to view and print the electronic books. Full instructions are included and the software is very user friendly. For those of you who may be interested in our products and do not have a high-end Windows system, notice that several E-Books are available with a superb document viewing interface for DOS (BigText) that in the latest version (1.3) incorporates graphics to produce illustrated electronic books. We offer a money back guarantee: if you do not find a book captivating and interesting, return your disk(s) for a full-no questions-asked, refund. Assume all disks are high density. Seven publications in our series of Windows screen savers featuring archival transportation photography have been released. Two volumes feature images scanned from our private collection of 19th century locomotives. The other publications feature images of tall ships, classic sail boats, early bicycles and early trolleys. The photos are quite rare and in most cases are single prints made by early photographers and collectors. With a handful of exceptions, none have ever been published before in any medium and then only many decades ago at very low resolution. Each photo has been meticulously restored to repair negative and print damages while maintaining the historical integrity of the image. Each graphics files in v1.0 of these publications is 8 bit, 256 grey scale, TIF and royalty free. Each graphics file in v1.2 of these publications is 24 bit and royalty free to registered users. Four volumes in our Windows screen saver series of original visionary art have been released. 1) Fifteen original computer paintings explore the theme of Mythic Bears. 2) Fifteen original computer paintings explore the Epiphanies of the Neolithic Goddess. 3) Fifteen original computer paintings developed with fractals express images of Cosmic Creation. 4) Fifteen original computer paintings explore relationships with Sacred Animals. The shareware versions of each screen saver contain four images, the registered versions fifteen. There is no duplication among the collections and each graphics file in version 1.0 of these publications is 8 bit, 256 color and PCX. Each graphics file in v1.2 of these publications is 24 bit, 16 million color, and royalty free to registered users. At a cost of $1 or less per image, such a license is a bargain. Stock photography agencies typically charge $100 or more per image for commercial licenses. Interactive Week for Feb.13, 1995 (Vol.2(3): 29) has a report about Bill Gate's latest venture. Having dominated the OS and software worlds through MicroSoft, Gate's has set his sights upon a new on-line service (to be bundled with Windows 95) and, of immediate concern to the graphics design and multimedia industries, a major expansion of his little known company called Now Corbis. Now Corbis holds an enormous library of stock photos with plans to triple its inventory in the near future. Corbis intends to sell one time licenses for each image and employs five intellectual property lawyers to write contracts with clients. I quote Mark Daniel, manager of sales. "We have not been selling an image for less than $100, and we also have sold an image up to $5,000. Normally, they [one-time reproduction licenses] are $200 to $400 an image." Realize, that if you are a graphics designer or multimedia developer, this is the playing field now and for the foreseeable future. While Reality Software can only develop image collections built around specialized themes, if you can use our products, we offer the most inexpensive license in the industry: $1 per image for a lifetime royalty free license. And you will not have to talk to a lawyer. We wish to share our knowledge and creativity with you at the lowest cost possible. Reality Software also offers image restoration services: contact us at one of our many addresses listed below. We can often produce a nearly invisible repair of the problems caused by such damages as water or ink stains, and rips or tears in prints or negatives. We can also restore an appropriate contrast level and resolution to seriously faded images. If the image does not exist as computer media, we will scan it for you before beginning restoration. E-BOOK PUBLICATIONS 1) Explore the Origins of Mythology with hunter-gatherers in the Upper Paleolithic and Indians in the Amazon. Available in an illustrated Windows version that utilizes Replica (v1.5) or as v1.3 for DOS (BigText) which is also illustrated. Have you ever wondered how it all began? Major references include the work of Alexander Marshak and shamanic practices among peoples of the Amazon. 2) The White Goddess in Neolithic Old Europe is an in-depth study of the archeology, artifacts, iconography and ritual of the Goddess religion of Neolithic Europe. The material is based extensively on the breakthrough work of Marija Gimbutas. Several hypotheses are presented about iconography and metaphor which are drawn from realms as diverse as evolutionary biology and the marine zoology of megafauna in the dark abyss of the deep ocean. Available for DOS only. 3) Early Myth and The Goddess in Ancient China is a discussion of the feminine in Shang and Chou Dynasty myth and the central role played by the Myth of the Sacred Mulberry Tree (Fu Sang). Extensive use is made of the various latest archeology research and analysis of early texts. There are extensive discussions of early Chinese and Manchu shamanism and their possible commonalities with Western metaphor. Available for both BigText and DOS (v1.3) and Replica for Windows (v1.5). 4) Early Myth and Amaterasu in Neolithic and Medieval Japan is a deep exploration of the earliest Japanese mythology and ritual with an emphasis upon the origins and life of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. Extensive use is made of the two eighth century mythological histories: the Kojiki and Nihongi. Shinto, kami and shamanism are discussed in depth. Biographies are included for several important female rulers of Japan who may well be manifestations of Amaterasu. The mythology and bear ritual of the Ainu are examined for insights that might reveal the sacred feminine. Available for both BigText and DOS (v1.3) and Replica for Windows (v1.5). 5) Our book on disk about The White Goddess In Eire, Britain, Wales and Gaul was revised in 1993 and is available for DOS (BigText) as v1.2. Explore the multiplex Goddess in Britain, Eire, Wales and Gaul. Boudicca's reign and her revolt against Rome and the Welsh epics are explored in some detail. If you ever wished to separate New Age nonsense from the 'real' historical myths, this book is for you. 6) A 1994 revision of The Great Goddess in India and Tibet, is also available with the latest version of the superb document viewing interface for DOS (BigText) which is illustrated (v1.3), and Replica for Windows (v1.5). This study is exceptionally deep about tantra; gnosticism; the sacred horse ritual; the saga of the doomsday mare; the first appearance, near demise and then resurgence of the Goddess in India; and Tara - the White and Green Goddess of Tibet. 8) World Art History Trivia Game is the ultimate world art history education is presented as an enjoyable Trivia game for DOS. Art from all over the globe, past and present, is related to historical, mythological and cultural beliefs and is presented as true-false or multiple choice questions. You can browse the data base before beginning play and choose to match wits against the computer or your friends. Enjoy this deep exploration of tribal cultures and high civilizations, past and present. 8) Our exceptional Historical TimeLine covers ancient and early medieval history for the period 12,000 B.C. to 900 A.D. and emphasizes the history of religion. It is only available for Windows 3.1 or WFW 3.11 as TimeLine V4.0. There are literally hundreds of line items which include information found in no other timeline and there is a vast increase in the data from previous versions. A typical printout would be three pages across and 19 pages deep. ARCHIVAL PHOTO and VISIONARY ART COLLECTIONS 1) Trains 1: 19th Century Locomotives Vol.1 is a unique and fascinating collection of early locomotives scanned from rare photographs as described above. The highlight of this collection is a photograph taken in the yard of a locomotive manufacturing company. This product is published as a screen saver for Windows on three HD disks and each graphics file is royalty free. 2) Trains 2: 19th Century Locomotives Vol.2 features fifteen all different, rare images of 19th century locomotives. The highlight of this collection is an extraordinary photograph of a narrow gauge logging locomotive with crew taken in a swamp in Georgia. This product is published as a screen saver for Windows on two HD disks and each graphics file is royalty free. 3) Trolleys 1: Vintage Trolleys Vol.1 features fifteen all different, scarce images of vintage trolleys dating from the last years of the 19th century through the 1940's. The highlight of this collection is an open passenger car from the late 19th century photographed beside a cemetery in Bangor, Maine. 4) Trolleys 2: Vintage Trolleys Vol.2 features fifteen all different, scarce images of vintage trolleys dating from the last years of the 19th century through the 1940's. The highlight of this collection is a turn-of-the-century photo of two open passenger cars from which young people are disembarking at Salisbury Beach, New Hampshire. 5) Tall Ships: features fifteen rare images from the great age of sail. Great schooners, brigs and other vessels are featured at the dock and under full sail. The highlight of this collection is a very special photo of the launch of a five masted schooner at Waldoboro, Maine, our home town. This product is published as a screen saver for Windows on two HD disks and each graphics file is royalty free. 6) Classic Sailboats features fifteen rare images of small, often privately owned, sailboats which reflect designs from the first half of this century. Several of the boats pictured are from mid-coast Maine. This product is also published as a screen saver for Windows on two HD disks and each graphics files is royalty free. 7) Early Bicycles features fifteen rare images of early bicycles c. 1885-1915 with their owners and/or riders, some of whom are children. Photos of antique bicycles are exceedingly rare. This product is published on one HD disk with an interactive album/screen saver interface (i.e. as with Sacred Animals-see below). The registered version allows you to make royalty free graphics files of each image. 8) Mythic Bears features fifteen visionary-mythic paintings of bears in which aspects of transformation and myth are explored. Included are five rare photos of the Ainu Bear Ritual, last practiced on the northern Japanese Island of Hokkaido in the 1920's, and 10 spectacular visionary paintings in color. This product is distributed as a screen saver for Windows on three HD disks and each graphics file is royalty free. 9) Epiphanies of the Goddess features fifteen visionary- mythic paintings which are original computer art. The symbolism of the Neolithic Goddess is explored in an extraordinary series whose imagery partakes of a transcendental vision in which you will see aspects of fantasy and surrealism. This product is distributed on three HD disks as a Windows screen saver and each graphics file is royalty free. 10) Images of Creation features fifteen visionary images developed with fractals that explore Cosmic Creation. The metaphor of dynamic life force is explored through a series of beautiful computer paintings that are both mythic and contemplative. This product is distributed on three HD disks as a Windows media album and screen saver. Each image is royalty free to registered users. 11) Sacred Animals comprises fifteen visionary images, which are original computer art, that explore the timeless theme of Animals from the Dreamtime. Spirit guides have often assumed the form of mythic animals whose assistance and knowledge have helped tribal peoples maximize their human potential in general, and provided special help in times of crisis. Other sacred animals embody supernatural forces which then interact with us in powerful ways.This product is distributed on two HD disks and the user has an option to install the images as a Windows screen saver. The interface is that of an interactive media-album. The user can easily explore the images, each of which has a text file that explains or comments upon the animal metaphor. All items in the album can be printed. The registered version has a function enabled which allows the user to easily make true color graphics files of each image which are royalty free. SHAREWARE Shareware versions of E-Books contain introductory materials, a brief preview of the main text, and in some cases a glossary. Each also contains a packaged reader (explained above - BigText or Replica) which might be of interest to those involved with the technology of producing and disseminating E-Books. The approach to the Windows versions obviates the need for a user to have any word processor and allows for a highly designed text. Registration brings the full e-text of the book itself. Here is the listing of shareware files: Shareware versions of the Windows screen saver/photo collections include four images which are royalty free. 1) Origins of Mythology: origin13.zip (0.13MB - DOS) and origin15.zip (1.12MB - WIN). 2) The White Goddess in Neolithic Old Europe: whgds.zip (.03MB - DOS only). 3) Early Myth and the Goddess in Ancient China: china13.zip (0.27MB - DOS) and chin15wn.zip (1.70MB - WIN). NOTE: shareware costs for chin15wn.zip are $4 USA and $5 overseas. 4) Early Myth and Amaterasu in Neolithic and Medieval Japan: japan13.zip (0.31MB - DOS) and japn15wn.zip (1.5MB-WIN). Note shareware cost for japn15wn.zip are $4 USA and $5 overseas. 5) The White Goddess in Eire ...: celt12.zip (0.06MB - DOS only) 6) The Great Goddess in India and Tibet: intb13.zip (0.26MB DOS) and intb15wn.zip (1.42MB WIN). 7) World Art History Trivia Game: art_sw.zip (196K DOS only). (Cannot be ordered from Reality Software.) 8) Historical TimeLine: tmln4wn.zip (1.16MB WIN only). 9) Trains 1: train1wn.zip (1.08MB WIN only): see CompuServe TRAINNET Forum below. 10) Trains 2: train2wn.zip (0.85MB WIN only): see CompuServe TRAINNET Forum below. 11) Trolleys 1: troll1wn.zip (0.80MB WIN only) 12) Trolleys 2: troll2wn.zip (0.80MB WIN only) 13) Tall Ships: ships1wn.zip (1.2MB WIN only): see CompuServe SAILING Forum below. 14) Classic Sailboats: sail1wn.zip (1.2MB WIN): see CompuServe SAILING Forum below. 15) Early Bicycles: bicyc1wn.zip (0.67MB WIN) 16) Mythic Bears: bears1wn.zip (0.93MB WIN only). 17) Epiphanies of the Goddess: epiph1wn.zip (1.06MB WIN only). 18) Images of Creation: cret12wn.zip (1.1MB WIN only). 19) Sacred Animals: sacrd1wn.zip (0.73MB WIN only) I can supply our shareware on HD disk at cost: $3 within the U.S. and $4 overseas (includes postage) for all titles with two exceptions (see above). REALITY SOFTWARE IN CYBERSPACE AND THE BBS UNIVERSE SHAREWARE VERSIONS OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE ON ZIFFNET WHICH IS FAMILIAR TO ALL COMPUSERVE USERS AND EASILY REACHED ONCE CONNECTED TO CS. Our shareware is may also be found at several of the largest BBS's in the United States such as Exec-PC (1-414 789-4210) and Software Creations (1-508 368-7036). For all BBS' with the exception of Excalibur (see below), set your communications software to ANSI emulation and 8,1,N. Reality Software is proud to be one of the Home Board Authors of Software Creations which was voted the number 1 BBS in the USA by Boardwatch Magazine for both 1993 and 1994. All of our shareware and freeware may be found in Directory 64 which appears on the first screen (SWC Authors) of file directory listing. Messages may also be left for me at SWC addressed to Ben Blumenberg: I check for mail there several times a week. Their main connect number is (508) 365-2359 (8,1,N). Tiger Team Buddhist Information Network is the home base for Reality Software: you will find our visionary art and e-book shareware there. This is an exceptional board for all those interested in Buddhism. Gary Ray is your sysop contact here. Dial (510) 268-0102 (8,1,N). Just fifteen miles up the Maine Coast from the home of Reality Software is one of Maine's finest BBS's - A Bit of Maine. You will find all of our freeware and shareware in Directory 43 which may be easily accessed from the first screen of file directory listings. Rick Winslow is the fine sysop here and the connect number is (207) 594-7025 (8, 1, N). Ursa Major is fine BBS in California that now carries all of our publications. Reality Software shareware may be found in Dir 192. The connect number for Ursa Major is (310) 545-5611 and the sysop is Scott Robb. Capital City OnLine is a Windows BBS running Excalibur which provides an exceptionally attractive graphics interface. You will need the Excalibur user software to connect to them. This interface is freeware and provided by Excalibur as an automatic download on your first call. Excalibur now carries all of our shareware and recent releases may be found in Sysop's Picks at the main File Menu. An ongoing discussion about our publications has been established in three message folders of the General Forum. The sysop is Norris Sydnor, who is available, congenial and extremely helpful. Their connect number is (301) 808-7233. TRAINS shareware is available on CompuServe in the Graphics II Library of the TRAINNET Forum as train1.zip and train2.zip. Notice the different names of the archive files from those given above. You can also download the extensive readme that accompanies TRAINS for a detailed preview of this product. TRAINNET is a very deep forum for all those interested in railroads, past and present and there are many file libraries which encompass a wealth of material. The head sysop of TRAINNET is Dorr Altizer. TALL SHIPS and CLASSICS SAILBOATS shareware are also available on CompuServe. Go To Library 20, General Information, of the SAILING Forum. SAILING is a very deep forum for all those interested in recreational sailing and yachting worldwide and there are many file libraries which encompass a great diversity of material. The head sysop of SAILING is Brian Lutz. All of our shareware AND registered versions are carried by Mindful Technology, RR2, Box 316, Swanville, ME 04915, 1 207 338-5788. Mindful Technology which is an extraordinary computer company whose byword is 'ecological responsibility'. Mindful Technology specializes in products which address the concerns of ergonomics, radiation and energy. Their software offerings emphasize spirituality and alternative health. DOS/Windows and Mac PC systems are available, either off the shelf or customized. Phil Rose is the creator and owner of Mindful Technology and may be reached on the Internet at philrose@mindful.com. You might wish to get on his mailing list for the mail order catalog. Mindful Technology can also be accessed on the World Wide Web at the Reality Software site. ################# REALITY SOFTWARE ON THE INTERNET WORLD WIDE WEB ANNOUNCEMENT: REALITY SOFTWARE IS NOW HAS TWO SITES ON WORLD WIDE WEB!! 1) REALITY SOFTWARE HAS AN ELECTRONIC STORE ON THE INTERNET WORLD WIDE WEB and we are very excited about this development! The URL is http://www.maine.com:80/reality/Welcome.html which will connect you to the Home Page of Reality Software. We are very proud of the design of our site: it is large (31 pages) and features a variety of material. Most pages are illustrated with exceptional color thumbnails. (If you want to minimize your time on-line, turn off images on your Web browser and miss the visual display.) We have designed our pages for Netscape, the premier Web browser, because it incorporates more design features than its competitors. Our layout will be most attractive if you use Netscape, but Mosaic or its clones will do just fine. You can read about our approach to E-books, archival photography and visionary art; peruse a description of each product; view exceptionally attractive thumbnail images and download each and every shareware file. Our site also features an Internet gateway to the most exceptional sites on the World Wide Web for anthropology, archeology, history, religion and mythology. There are several links scattered throughout the site that will allow you to send instant e-mail to us. Do connect and tell us what you think about the design and usefulness of our Web site. For those of you who prefer FTP, or are without a Web browser, you can download our shareware from our public FTP site at gray.maine.com/pub/reality/. Shareware file names are exactly as given above with two exceptions. Our two largest e-book sharewares have been split into two files for easier download and to allow each file to fit on a HD 3/12" disk . The shareware files for Early Myth and the Goddess in Ancient China are: ch15sw1.zip and ch15sw2.zip. The shareware files for Early Myth and Amaterasu in Neolithic and Medieval Japan are: jp15sw1.zip and jp15sw2.zip. 2) Software Creations is also on the World Wide Web at http://www.swcbbs.com/ and their site is the location of the second Web site for Reality Software. SWC is the first huge BBS to transform itself into a gigantic Web site where literally thousands of shareware files are available for download. As a Home Board Author, you can reach the Reality Software page by going to File Sections from their Home page then to Home Board Authors. All of our shareware is available for download from this single page. Dan Linton is the owner and head of SWC and John Schmidt is the sysop. ################# CONTACT INFORMATION Copyright 1995 Ben and Leslie Blumenberg Reality Software 1015 Main Street Waldoboro, ME 04572-0105 Phone: (207) 832-7348, most days noon to 10PM EST World Wide Web - http://www.maine.com:80/reality/Welcome.html E-mail: Internet - bennett@pipeline.com (almost daily mail run) CompuServe - 71044,1645 ################# ORDER FORM FOR REGISTERED VERSIONS (The price differences between E-books reflect both the work that went into the research and their length. The least expensive contain documents whose length is less than 25 pages. The more costly contain articles in excess of 75 pages for the longest documents in the package and, in some cases, extensive glossaries as well. Such estimates vary with printer and print setup, of course.) To order, simply fill our this form and mail to: _______________________________________________________ REALITY SOFTWARE, P.O. BOX 105, WALDOBORO, ME 04572-0105. Name ____________________________________ Date _______ Street Address __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Town or City _______________ State _____ Zip ________ Country ________ 1) ORIGINS OF MYTHOLOGY v1.5 Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant)) __$9 (v1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$15 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) 3 1/2" (Quant) __$10 (v1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$16 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) Total $_______ 2) THE WHITE GODDESS IN THE NEOLITHIC OF OLD EUROPE v1.0 (*sale price*) Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant) __previously $20 now $10 (DOS: ASCII text files) __previously $22 now $11 (WordPerfect for Windows 5.1 3 1/2" (Quant) __previously $21 now $11 (DOS: ASCII text files) __previously $23 now $12 (WordPerfect for Windows 5.1) Total $______ 3) EARLY MYTH AND THE GODDESS IN ANCIENT CHINA v1.5 Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant) __$14 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$16 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) 3 1/2" (Quant) __$15 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$17 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) Total $______ 4) EARLY MYTH AND AMATERASU IN NEOLITHIC AND MEDIEVAL JAPAN v1.5 Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant) __$20 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) 3 1/2" (Quant) __$24 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$40 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) Total $______ 5) THE WHITE GODDESS IN EIRE, BRITAIN, WALES AND GAUL v1.2 Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant) __$17 (DOS: BigText version) 3 1/2" (Quant) __ __$18 (DOS: BigText version) Total $______ 6) THE GREAT GODDESS IN INDIA AND TIBET v1.5 Disk Size 5 1/4" (Quant) __$18 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) 3 1/2" (Quant) __$19 (v 1.3 DOS: BigText version with graphics) __$25 (v1.5 REPLICA for Windows) Total $______ 7) TIMELINE v4.0 for Windows Disk Size: 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$25 Total $_______ Total for all books $______ ORDER ALL SEVEN BOOKS ON DISK AND TAKE A 20% DISCOUNT!! ****************************************************************** 8) TRAINS 1 v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 9) TRAINS 2 v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 10) VINTAGE TROLLEYS 1 v1.2 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 11) VINTAGE TROLLEYS 1 v1.2 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 12) TALL SHIPS 1 v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 13) CLASSIC SAILBOATS v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 14) EARLY BICYCLES v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 15) MYTHIC BEARS v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $______ 16) EPIPHANIES OF THE GODDESS v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $______ 17) IMAGES OF CREATION v1.2 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ 18) SACRED ANIMALS v1.0 for Windows Disk Size 3 1/2" (Quant) ____$15 Total $ ______ Total Enclosed for all Publications _____________ (Note: We cannot supply registered versions of the World Art History Trivia Shell which was developed in conjunction with Software Creations. See the order form within art_sw.zip for information on how to register.)