BBS

Where you can get CTM

    Boards with an * designate boards that also have the Windows version

    of CTM.

                         Main CTM Distribution Sites

    Board Name                  SYSOP               Number

    * MoonDog BBS               Don Barba           (718) 692-2498

    Official Dist. Site for ComputerTalk Magazine   (718) 377-0768

                                                    (718) 692-1368

    * Fordham Jesuit BBS        Fr. Nick Lombardi   (718) 817-5500

    * The Photographers Network   Ron Janorkar      (212) 941-0526

    * Poetry In Motion BBS       Inez Harrison      (212) 666-6927


Concentric Network

     by Tony Curro

    The Concentric Network Corporation (CNC) is in the business

    of connecting people to information, entertainment and other

    people. This is very evident in their pricing policy for

    users who wish to access the Internet. Concentric was the

    first nationwide on-line provider to offer its services at a

    flat-rate, making it possible for heavy users to be on-line

    without paying expensive hourly usage charges.

    Features that Concentric offers include:

    * Full Internet access, including SLIP and UNIX shell accounts.

    * BBS Direct, offering local connections to your favorite

    bulletin board systems.

    * Local dial-ups from more than 3,000 U.S. and Canadian cities

    plus 800 service.

    * Telnet, UseNet, FTP, Gopher, email, and more.

    * Your very own World Wide Web home page.

    * Software, business, and support systems.

    * Modem connections up to 28.8 kbps.

    * 800 technical support, 24 hours a day -- 7 days a week.

    You can use any of the major popular graphical World Wide Web

    browsers with Concentric Internet services. The disks you

    receive when you join the network contain Netscape Navigator,

    and Eudora Light.

    The technical support people for CNC are great. Being a new

    user to the Internet, I ran into a few problems. Most of the

    time this is a problem for me, as I like to work in the late

    evening and early morning. When I ran into a problem at 2 AM,

    Mark was there to help me. At 4:30 AM I was back on the phone

    with him. He faxed me a document of seven pages that got me

    up and running with no more problems. It is refreshing to

    talk to people occasionally that know what they are doing.

    Mark did know his job. Remember this technical support comes

    with an 800 number, that is fast becoming a vanishing breed.

    Now about the pricing plans I was talking about:

    * Entry plan -- $7.95 per month give you up to five hours of

    usage, with additional hours priced at $1.95 an hour.

    * Intermediate plan -- $19.95 per month gives you up to

    twenty hours of usage, with additional hours at $1.50 per

    hour.

    * Unlimited plan -- $29.95 per month gives you unlimited

    connect time.

    * Toll-free plan -- For $10.00 a month, customers outside

    urban areas can dial the Concentric Network on a toll-free

    800 number for up to two hours a month. Additional hours are

    billed at $5.00 each.

    You can pay for these plans by credit card, or by mailing

    them a check.

    Call 1-800-745-2747 (ext. 2900) and ask about the Outrageous

    Internet Offer.

    Email: outrageous@concentric.net

    Web: http://www.concentric.net

    Concentric Network Corporation

    10590 N. Tantau Ave.

    Cupertino, CA 95014


Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of human posture and proportion in order to design furniture and equipment that can be used comfortably and without  strain.  It is frequently called human engineering, and emphasizes the safety, comfort, and ease of use of human operated    machines, such as computer workstations.

 Tangible results of ergonomics are the addition of numerical keypads on standard keyboards, and tilt/swivel bases for non-glare video  display screens.


Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that thousands of Americans, most of them heavy keyboard users, suffer from a painful hand injury called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

 CTS gets its name from the narrow tunnel in the wrist connecting ligament and bone. The median nerve, which carries impulses from the brain to the hand, and the tendons that open and close the hand are found in the carpal tunnel.  When undue pressure is put on the

tendons, they can swell and compress the median nerve, causing numbness, weakness, tingling, and burning in the fingers and hands.

 A principal cause of CTS is stiff, static wrist position.  You can prevent CTS by placing your keyboard so that 90-degree angles are formed at the elbows with your arms held loosely at your sides.

Take time to shake out your hands and arms when they feel tired, and try not to punch the keys too forcefully.


DIN
DIN connector

 DIN is an abbreviation for Deutsch Industrie Norm.

 The DIN connector is a multiple pin connector conforming to the specification of the German national standards organization.

 On most IBM-compatible microcomputers, 5-pin DIN connectors are used to connect the keyboard to the motherboard of the system unit.


PS/2
PS/2 Connector

 The PS/2 line of IBM computers use a 6-pin DW connector to connect the keyboard and the pointing device.


XMS

 XMS, an abbreviation for Extended Memory Specification, is a software interface developed by Lotus, Intel, Microsoft, and AST Research.  It defines a means of allowing real-mode applications to use extended memory and certain areas of conventional memory not managed by DOS.

 In order for the additional memory (RAM) to be utilized, an installable memory manager or device driver must be loaded and the   application software must be designed to take advantage of it.  A  memory manager is part of the operating system or can be purchased  separately.  The most common are listed here.

 EMM386.SYS

 HIMEM.SYS

 QEMM386.SYS  by Quarterdeck Office Systems, purchased separately


GigaByte
Gigabyte (GB)

  One Gigabyte equals 1 kilobyte times 1 megabyte.

  That's  1,073,741,824 bytes, or (2 to the 30th power).

  'Giga' is a binary analog to the U.S. decimal unit 'billion'

  The 80286 microprocessor can access 1 GByte of virtual memory.

  Compact disks (CD's) have storage capacities of over a gigabyte, that's the equivalent of fifty 20-megabyte hard disks.

  A tape back-up system that claims to have the storage capacity of 2.2 gigabytes could easily make a copy of a 2000 megabyte hard drive.


ASP

 The Association of Shareware Professionals is an organization of programmers founded in 1987.  The primary goal of the association is to strengthen the future of shareware marketing as an alternative  to traditional marketing.  The ASP is also striving to help diskette vendors, the news media, and the general public to understand the nature and benefits of shareware.

 The major theme behind shareware programs is "Try before you buy". Users can evaluate the program on their own systems before making an investment.  If the program proves to be useful, the user has a moral and legal obligation to register with the author.

 Address your written correspondence to:

 ASP, 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI  49442


plug and play

Hardware or software that, after being installed ("plugged 	in"), can immediately be used ("played with"), as opposed to hardware or software which requires configuration.


Invaders

Invader 95 for Windows

                          by Tony Curro

     This game brings me back to my days when I was growing up.

     Space Invaders was a very popular game in the '60's. I

     remember going to the arcade and popping quarters in (yes,

     games were cheap to play then).

     The game starts with invaders slowing descending, and moving

     left/right on your screen. They also fire at you. You start

     with three cannons and fire back at them. There are bunkers

     where you can hide, but the invaders' missiles gradually

     chip away at them. Use either the keyboard (space, left and

     right arrows), or a keypad. I had better success with the

     keypad. I had one problem with the keypad. If you have your

     screen blanker on, and play the game with the keypad for

     more than the time of the blanker, the screen will blank

     out. Moving the mouse will restore this. The author is

     working on this problem.

     There are several options to select in the game. One of

     them, Invincible, is as its name implies. The only time you

     lose in this mode is if the invader's land.

     System Requirements

     * MS Windows 95

     * 256 color mode

     * 800x600 or 1024x768 modes are recommended. (Works well in

     640x480.)

     * Game Pad -- not a must, but strongly recommended.

     * Sound card -- not a must, but recommended.

     This game is Copyright 1995 by NanZarts and is placed in the

     public domain. There is no fee for this game. Any problems

     please contact: nanzarts@aol.com


Magazine Information

    ComputerTalk(tm) Magazine is published monthly by Tony Curro

    All material Copyright(c) 1996 by Tony Curro. All rights

    reserved.

          Authors' retain copyright of their own works.

   All programs copyright or trademark by respective companies

            Please contact me concerning reprints of articles

              You can contact me on MoonDog BBS(#35)

      I am also available on RIME routed to PostLink #35 in:

                             COMMON

     On the InterNet I can be reached at:

     Ctalk@concentric.net

     ctalk@inx.net

     103643.2322@compuserve.com

     On CompuServe:

     103643,2322

     You can also contact the editor by mail.

     The magazine is free, but we will gratefully accept

     donations to offset cost of equipment, and time spent

     in producing the magazine. It is also a further incentive

     that people appreciate the work we do.

     Send information, press releases and products to:

     ComputerTalk Magazine                Voice/FAX

     7 East Broadway                     212-233-7718

     Suite  700

     New York, NY 10038

     Attn: Tony Curro, Editor


Masthead

ComputerTalk Magazine

The HLP version of CTM created using HelpEdit by Aciran Software.

click on picture for INDEX

The International On-Line Magazine of Reviews and News

Copyright (c) 1992,1993,1994,1996  by Tony Curro - All rights reserved.

Volume 3                * Editor/Publisher *          Number 1

February                         Tony Curro                1996


MS Keyboard

Microsoft Natural Keyboard

                          by Tony Curro

   To enter anything, or to use our computers, we need a

     keyboard. Someday we will do away with them. We will use

     voice commands, which we can do now to some degree, or even

     telepathy; until then we do need a keyboard. Keyboards are

     not the plain objects they were in the past. With the

     appearance of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome they are becoming

     ergonomically correct.

     The MS Natural Keyboard is one of this new breed. At first

     glance it looks futuristic, When I first installed it, and

     tried typing, if felt awkward I did not think I would like

     it. The major reason is that I type with two fingers, and

     when I am on a wild spree use three or four fingers. The

     keyboard, I felt, was designed for the touch typists out

     there. However, after I started using it for a while all my

     fears subsided. It is a great piece of equipment.

     Installation is simple. It has a PS/2 connector on it, and

     comes with a standard 5-pin DIN connector in the package.

     Once plugged in you are ready to go. MS includes IntelliType

     software with the keyboard that adds sound and several other

     options to enhance the keyboard further. The software

     requires approximately 1.2MB of hard disk space.

     The keyboard has three keys that you have not seen before.

     There are two Windows Logo Keys, and one Application key.

     Pressing either of the logo keys brings up the Start menu in

     Windows 95, or the Task Manager in Windows 3.1 or NT.

     Pressing both together, in Windows NT only, will log you on

     or off NT. The IntelliType OnLine User's Guide provides many

     "key combinations" that you can use in Windows 95. You press

     the logo key and another key for a variety of functions that

     simplify your daily activities. Use the Application key with

     Windows 95-based applications to provide quick access to

     shortcut menus and help assistants. The F1 key, while

     providing its normal function, will pop up the help file for

     current Windows 95-based applications.

     Underneath the keyboard is a wrist leveler. This is designed

     to accommodate various body sizes and work station heights.

     It will provide a comfortable and straight wrist position

     while typing. There is also a palm rester jutting out from

     the front of the MS Natural Keyboard.

     When Bill Gates started out computers were costly. They also

     did not have operating systems as we know them today. So he

     concentrated on developing operating systems. By the time he

     thought about keyboards there were many on the market. So he

     bided his time and created the next generation keyboard.

     I ran into one problem after installing the keyboard

     software. I started to receive many failures. Some were

     recoverable, while with others I was forced to reboot the

     system. This happened with many programs including WordPad,

     which is a part of Windows 95. I uninstalled the keyboard

     software and the problem went away. I only have 8MB of RAM

     on my system. This could have caused the problem.

   System Requirements

     To use Microsoft Natural Keyboard, and to take advantage of

     IntelliType Software and Windows function keys, you need:

     * 386 DX/25 or higher

     * MS-DOS v3.1 or later

     * Windows operating system v3.1 or later (including Windows

       95) or Windows NT v3.51 or later.

     * One 3.5" or 5.25" high density disk drive.

     * One PS/2-compatible or one 5-pin DIN Keyboard port.

     * MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA, XGA or VESA VCI-compatible video

     adapter.

  To use just the keyboard, you need:

     * 286 or higher

     * MS-DOS v2.0 or later

     * Same keyboard ports as above

     * Same video adapters as above.


MS Plus!

Microsoft Plus! Companion for Windows 95

                          by Tony Curro

With release of Windows 95 Microsoft also released Plus!

Companion. MS Plus adds, or enhances, the features already in

Windows 95. Plus! is designed to take advantage of the power of

486 and Pentium-class PCs. It includes the Microsoft Internet

Jumpstart Kit, which includes the Internet Explorer, and up to 20

hours of no-charge access time on MSN, The Microsoft Network.

The System Agent acts as a "smart" assistant within the computer.

It allows you to run system maintenance at scheduled times, or

when system is idle.

Dial Up Networking Server allows you to dial into your computer

from another location.

Visual Enhancements gives you: Full Windows Drag/Drop, Font

Smoothing, Enhanced MS-DOS Fonts, Animated Pointers and

High-color Icons.

The Desktop Themes contain a dozen themes on various subjects.

Choose from The '60s, Animals, Nature, Leonardo DaVinci and more.

These contain wallpaper, icons, sounds, screen savers and more

based on the specific theme you choose.

MS Plus! also adds Drive Space 3 which is an enhanced disk

compression program, that surpasses the one included in Windows

95.

To pass your time, as long as the boss is not watching, you have

3D Pinball. This is an excellent program that makes full use of

sound, music and graphics. Space Cadet will take you to the far

reaches of the galaxy.

Installation, as with Windows 95, is easy. The package is an

enhancement to Windows 95, and should be bought with Windows, or

soon thereafter.

   System Requirements:

     * 486DX or higher processor

     * Windows 95 operating system

     * 8 MB RAM * Typical hard disk space required is 25 MB.

       Additional hard disk space is required if the user plans

       to install Internet provider software.

     * 3.5-inch high density disk drive or CD-ROM drive (for

       CD-ROM version of MS Plus!).

     * VGA or higher resolution monitor and graphics card that

       supports 256 colors (16- or 24-bit color recommended).

     * Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.

     * Fax/modem or server (required to use Internet features).

     * Audio card (required for sound features in 3D Pinball and

       Desktop Themes).

Pricing:

Microsoft Plus! Companion for Windows 95 is available on 3.5-inch

disks or CD-ROM media for approximately $49.99.

Contact Microsoft on the Web: http://www.windows.microsoft.com


OLX for Windows

Off-Line Express for Windows

                          by Tony Curro

     When I first started using a BBS I did not use a mail

     reader. I would read and reply online. This cut into my time

     as I had to physically be at my computer to achieve this.

     When I started running out of time I looked for other

     options. An offline reader was the answer. Mail readers just

     like everything else in computing has improved over time. I

     remember the day when there where no Windows compatabile

     mail readers. Today there are several. I have tried many of

     the shareware, and a few of the commercial products, but

     found something lacking each time. I used Off-Line Express

     (OLX) for DOS and was satisfied. Now I have a chance to see

     the Windows version, and am equally impressed.

     OLX for Windows is easy to use, While it is simple enough

     for the novice it also packs a punch that the power user

     will be pleased with. Upon starting OLX you are presented

     with the Open Packet Window. You may want to cancel this the

     first time and set your options. Chances are if you were

     using a mail reader prior to OLX, you have your packets and

     replies in other directories. Set your options for these,

     and any others changes you want to make if any. I have a BBS

     which uses PKZIP v1.10. I had to change from the Internal

     Zipper/unZipper to accomadate this board. When unZIPPING

     packets I ran into a problem where the DOS window would stay

     open. Since I am using Windows 95, I changed the properties

     to CLOSE ON EXIT, and all is fine.

     OLX has a Skip List feature. This feature allows you to

     "filter" out unwanted messages, or mail from a specific

     user. It gives you the mail you want, without the junk mail

     clutter. OLX gives you the ability to create macros that OLX

     will translate into text when saving your message. I created

     a simple signature file, and when I press F2 the whole line

     is entered. It has a built-in editor for messages and

     replies, or you can use an external one. OLX maintains a

     record of every message you send or receive. The program

     automatically stores your personal e-mail in folders for

     easy reference. You can also create custom folders to store

     any message or group of messages for later retrieval. There

     are also options to purge mail after a specified number of

     days,and delete or rename mail packets after they are read,

     and replies after they have been sent.

   Other Features include:

    * Built-in spell checker with 124,000 words.

    * Internal ZIP/unZIP support.

    * Up to 64K message size.

    * Supports over 16,000 message coferences.

    * Internet compatible

    * Address book with support for storing long Internet

      addresses.

    * Open multiple packets with True Multi-Document Interface

      (MDI)

    * Built-in Tag Line Manager.

    * No Limit on size of QWK packet.

    * Assign WAV sound files to various tasks.

    * Built-in UUDECODE to translate binary messages into files.

     Since I am now hooked on using Windows, I look for Windows

     specific software. OLX for Windows is a good solid program.

     And you cannot beat the price. Check it out, and I think you

     will be pleased.

  System Requirements:

    * 386 or higher

    * MS Windows 3.1 or later

    * 4 MB RAM minimum

    * 3 MB available hard disk space

    * Mouse

    * Sound card (optional)

  Product Information

    OLX for Windows v1.0

    SRP - $49.00

    Mustang Software, Inc.

    6200 Lake Ming Road

    Bakersfield, CA 93306

    Orders (800) 999-9619

    Voice (805) 873-2500

    Fax (805) 873-2599

    BBS (805) 873-2400

    Latest updates are available on BBS, or Mustang Web page at:

      http:/www.mustang.com


Opening

Opening Format

     It has been a long time. Nineteen months to be exact. Back

     in April, 1994, I suffered a personal tragedy that devastated

     me. My wife of almost 22 years passed away 20 days after her

     illness was diagnosed. She was sick a total of 43 days, and

     had just celebrated her 42nd birthday a month prior to her

     illness. I did not care if I lived after this. I did not

     want to talk to anyone, and many phone calls went

     unanswered. However, thanks to people like Bud Adams, Inez

     Harrison, David Kauffman and others who kept pounding away

     at me, I saw that there was a reason to go on. Even though

     life went on I still was not ready to come back to my

     computer. In the first several months I did not even turn it

     on, and was contemplating selling it. I kept it and let it

     gather dust.

     In all this time the computer world passed me by. I missed

     two PC Expos that I attended every year. I had not looked at

     a computer magazine. I took a vacation and was away for two

     months. Upon my return I started to talk to professionals

     who helped me see things differently. Gradually I was coming

     around. Then Mr. Bill Gates pulled out all the stops for MS

     Windows 95. Anytime I looked at TV, read a newspaper, or

     listened to the radio there was Windows. I felt that I was

     being force fed a product. This is what I needed. I started

     to get an urge the day Windows 95 was released to rush out

     and grab a copy. I did eventually receive my copy from

     contacts who did not forget me. Bill Gates is not aware of

     how he inadvertently helped me. I hope he gets a chance to

     see this and accepts my thanks.

     I installed Windows 95 and started to play with the

     computer. Installing software, figuring out why this or that

     would not run, and other things started to occupy my time.

     After celebrating Christmas 1995 I made a pre-1996

     resolution. The resolution was to bring CTM back. It was a

     long time in coming but it has arrived.

     I hope to get the support I had in the past with the Sysops

     and users alike. I am currently working on a Web site for my

     magazine. Until things are final I will not say anymore on

     the subject. Keep it here for further developments.

     With the past behind me, I am starting what is the third

     year of CTM. The product that started me off, Windows 95,

     MUST be reviewed here. In addition to this, we are looking

     at several other products from Microsoft, OLX for Windows

     from Mustang, ShareWare, FreeWare and more. I am also

     looking at the first of several InterNet service providers,

     that I will be reviewing in the coming months.

   Until next month...

   Tony Curro...

        --------------- DISCLAIMER ----------------

     The information provided in this magazine are the opinions

     of the author whose name appears at the top of the article.

     We do not wish to discredit a product, company, or  author

     of said product. The software reviews are based solely upon

     the opinion of the author of the review, and his or her

     experiences from using the product in question.

     We further assume no liability from any problems or

     dissatisfaction that a user may have from a product that we

     have reviewed in our magazine.

     All product copyrights belong to the respective companies.

  Tony Curro, Editor - ComputerTalk Magazine.


ShareWare SpotLight

                          by Tony Curro

     I have reviewed several products by Randy Rasa in previous

     issues of CTM. One of my favorites is Four Seasons. It is an

     addictive card game, that I have seen improved over the time

     I owned it. Randy recently added sound effects and other

     features that make the time playing it more enjoyable.

     This month I looked at two new games released by Randy Rasa.

     FoxFire 13 is available for both DOS and Windows. Pyramid

     Deluxe is a DOS-based game.

                      FoxFire 13 for Windows

                     (DOS version available)

     FoxFire 13 is based on a concept by Todd Svec, and was

     written by Randy Rasa. This is an easy game to learn, but a

     hard game to master. It takes concentration and perseverance

     to succeed at this game. The game opens with four cards

     placed face up on the tableau. The object is to remove any

     two cards which total 13 (eg. 9+4, 8+5, 7+6, etc). A King is

     removed by itself, and Queen + Ace, and Jack + 2, makes up

     the other combinations. There is a MOVE ALERT option, which

     when turned on (default), will let you know that there is a

     move. Once you have done al you can with the first cards

     dealt, you click on the deck to deal more cards. You can

     only remove cards that are on the top of the pile. However,

     if two cards are on top of each other, and they total 13,

     you can remove them. Cards are removed by clicking on a card

     and dragging it over the second card to be removed.

     I looked at the Windows version that offers sound effects.

     Registration for this product is $10.00. This allows you to

     receive all future upgrades absolutely free. You can

     download this file from many BBS's, calling FoxFire BBS

     (913) 722-6577 or (913) 722-3321, and on the World Wide Web

     at: http://www.sky.net/~rrasa/sw.html

                          Pyramid Deluxe

     Game starts with a pyramid shaped tableau of cards dealt

     face up. On the upper left you have your stock pile, and on

     the right your waste pile. Object is to remove all cards

     from the tableau, stock, and waste pile. The game is

     reminiscent of FoxFire, in that you must remove two cards

     totalling 13. This game is a little easier to win than

     FoxFire, but it is still challenging, Options include: Demo

     Mode, Hint Button (which blinks when you have a move), up to

     ten player's profiles can be stored with their own

     statistics and options, and more. Sound and several other

     features are planned for future releases.

  System Requirements

     * 386SX, 486 preferred

     * SuperVGA capable of 640x480 with 256 colors

     * 256K memory free, 600K preferred XMS will be used if

       available

     * Mouse or compatible device

     * 600K hard disk space

     * MS-DOS v3.0 or later (not intended to run under Windows or

       OS/2)

     Registration for this game is $15.00. You can contact the

     author, and get this, or other games, updates and add-ons in

     several ways.

  Contact Randy Rasa at the following:

     World Wide Web: http://www.sky.net/~rrasa/sw.html

     Internet: rrasa@sky.net

               randy.rasa@sound.com

               randy.rasa@circellar.com

     FoxFire BBS (913) 722-6577


SYSTEM INFORMATION

    Unless otherwise noted, the following equipment is used in

    all testing, for hardware and software, that appears in the

    magazine:

        486DX2/66 VL-BUS Motherboard

        Diamond S64 Video 3240XL VL-BUS Video Card

        8 MB of 80ns SIMMS

        Quantum 1.2 GIG IDE drive

        NEC CDR74-1 CD-ROM drive

        Sound Blaster 16 ASP

        Sony MultiScan HG monitor

        Bernoulli Dual 44

        Colorado  Jumbo 250

        ZyXEL U-1496E modem

        HP LaserJet IIP printer

        UMAX UC630 color scanner.

    Software always present:

        MS Windows 95


TextPad

TextPad v1.32a

                          by Tony Curro

    NotePad that has been with Windows since its inception is a

    plain text file editor. There are not many choices available.

    MS Write was a little better. WordPad, now included with MS

    Windows 95 is a major improvement. However, TextPad by Helios

    Software Solutions is the best of the lot.

    I stumbled on this program while I was looking for a text

    editor I could use in writing my magazine articles. I save

    the files in plain text. WordPad will NOT keep my formatting

    intact saved in this format. TextPad does this and more.

    TextPad is a fast and powerful text editor for 16 and 32-bit

    versions of MS Windows. It has a wealth of features that are

    usually found in high priced programs. TextPad, in my

    opinion, is priced right for anyone. With the features it has

    you would expect to pay more for the program.

    Installation is very simple. Once started you can place the

    screen anywhere on the desktop. You can also size the screen

    to your specifications. When you restart TextPad it will

    remember these settings and open in the same place and size.

    The program allows you select a screen font that you can make

    the default, or for just the active document. It allows you

    to open multiple documents, compare files, delete files,

    select word wrap, tabs, split windows, see and load the last

    files opened and more.

  Other Features Include:

     * Huge files can be edited (up to the limit of virtual memory for

       the 32-bit edition).

     * Multiple files can be simultaneously edited, with up to 2

       files per view.

     * Warm Start feature lets you restart exactly where you left

       off.

     * Visible bookmarks can be placed on individual lines, and

       on all occurences of a search pattern. Bookmarked lines

       can be sut, copied or deleted.

     * Built in file manager for fast copying, renaming, deleting,

       etc.

     * Print preview, and printing with customizable

       headers.footers and page breaks.

     * Viewer for binary files using a hexdecimal display format.

    The list goes on and on. There are too many features to

    mention. I have been using this program for several weeks

    now, and find it indispensable. It is part of my desktop. I

    am trying out another text editor, but many of the files

    enclosed here weer created using TextPad.

  Registration Instructions: --------------------------

    The registration fee can be paid direct to Helios Software

    Solutions in UK Pounds, or to PsL using a credit card, or it

    can be debited from your CompuServe account using the

    shareware registration service.

    Helios Software is based in the United Kingdom. Below are the

    options of payment for the program:

  a) Direct Orders:

     -----------------

    Payment must be by UK pound denominated drafts drawn on a UK

    bank, or by EuroCheque, or by Pound Sterling International

    Money Order.  Sorry, but banking fees for payments in other

    denominations are prohibitively expensive.  Please send the

    completed registration form (see below), and enclose a cheque

    or money order, payable to "Helios Software Solutions".

  b) CompuServe Shareware Registration Service:

    ---------------------------------------------

    If you have a CompuServe account you can have the

    registration fee debited from your account.  Simply GO SWREG

    and follow the online instructions, quoting registration ID

    number 3938. To insure that you get the latest version,

    CompuServe will notify us on the day of your order and we

    will ship the product directly to you. The registration fee

    for orders made using this service, in US dollars, is $30

    plus $5.00 shipping and handling.

  c) Credit Card Orders:

    ----------------------

    MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover orders must

    be placed through PsL, a credit card order taking service.

    You can reach PsL 24 hours a day 7 days a week by fax at

    +1-713-524-6398 or by CompuServe mail to 71355,470 or

    Internet mail to 71355.470@compuserve.com.  You can also call

    PsL at 1-800-242-4PsL(4775) or +1-713-524-6394 between the

    hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm CST Monday-Thursday and 7:00 am

    and 12:30 pm CST on Fridays, except holidays. You can also

    mail orders to PsL at P.O. Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235, USA.

  You can also visit Hekios Software on the Web:

     http://www.textpad.com

  The visit and the program are well worth the price of

  admission. TextPad has won awards by Ziff Davis and others.

  Helios Software is an ASP member.


MS Windows

Microsoft Windows 95

                          by Tony Curro

    The hype is over. The long awaited Windows 95 is here.

    Actually, it has been here for a few months. I have used MS

    Windows since v 2.0. The latest version is a vast improvement

    over its predesscors. It is a true 32-bit operating system

    that will take us into the next generation of computing.

    Installation of Windows 95 is effortless. If you are not sure

    of an option just select the default, and in most cases

    everything will work out fine. I received the CD-ROM version

    that was a breeze to install. The upgrade version is the only

    one that comes on CD-ROM as of this writing. You can install

    the upgrade in the same directory as your previous version of

    Windows, or you can place it in a different directory. If you

    choose the different directory route all the programs and

    installed features of the previous version will NOT be

    installed in Windows 95.

    Windows 95 will detect and install all hardware on your

    system. In many cases you do not need drivers for sound,

    video, etc. All of this is supplied by Windows 95. It

    contains drivers for SCSI devices, video, etc., and it will

    select these and install them. It utilizes plug and play

    technology.

    The screen is more streamlined than earlier releases. You are

    not always presented with Program Manager. Instead you have a

    Taskbar at the bottom of the screen (which can be hidden).

    Clicking on the Start button pops up a menu on the left side

    of the screen. From here you select the program you want to

    run or the folder you want to enter, Windows 95 allows you to

    have nested folders which was not permitted previously. This

    allows for a nice trim appearance all around. You can place

    often used programs in the Start Menu, Startup group, or

    right on the Desktop.

    Windows 95 comes with the Microsoft Network (MSN). This is

    for online access to the Internet.

    DOS-based programs run flawlessly in Windows 95, as does the

    cut and paste options to and from DOS windows.

    Windows 95 is one of the  only programs that I know of that

    went through such an extensive beta testing phase. It was

    announced in 1993 and was not released to the public until

    the summer of 1995. It went through three major beta test

    releases with more than 50,000 people participating in it.

    Programs that were written for MS Windows v3.1 will work on

    Windows 95. However, to take full advantage of Windows 95, I

    suggest you get upgrades for the programs you use when they

    become available. These programs will take full use of the

    32-bit architecture of Windows 95 and perform much faster,

    and more efficiently.

    I am running on 8 MB RAM and it works fine. I do want more

    RAM as it can get a bit slow at times. You can run it in this

    configuration, but I suggest 12 MB RAM or more. Hard disk

    requirememts vary with installtion. You will need

    approxamately 25 MB hard disk space for a minimal

    installation. With the price of hard dirves now you should

    also get a larger one. A 1.2 GB drive can be had for around

    $250.00. I remember when I first got an IBM computer in 1987.

    A 30 MB hard drive was around $300.

    The product is well constructed and works well. If you are

    using Windows you should upgrade to Windows 95. Your computer

    deserves it, not to mention you owe it to yourself.

  System Requirements:

    * 386 or higher processor (486 recommended)

    * Upgrade version requires MS-DOS v3,31 or later and MS

      Windows v3.0 or later or OS/2 v 2.0 or later. (the full

      product requires only Windows 95)

    * 4 MB RAM (8 MB RAM recommended).

    * Typical installation requires 50-55 MB hard disk space for

      the full product or 45 MB for the upgrade (actual

      requirements will vary based on features installed).

    * 3.5-inch high density disk drive.

    * CD-ROM drive required for the upgrade version on CD-ROM

      media.

    * VGA or higher resolution monitor and graphics card (Super

      VGA, 256 color monitor recommended).

  The following components are optional:

    * MS mouse or compatible pointing device.

    * Fax/modem.

    * Audio card and speakers for sound.

  To access the Microsoft Exchange Inbox and MSN, The Microsoft

    Network, users need the following:

    * 8 MB RAM

    * 20 MB of additional hard disk space

    * Modem required for The Microsoft Network.

    Upgrade is available on 3.5-inch high density disks, or CD-ROM.

    Full product available on 3.5-inch disks only.


Index

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Opening Format -- Disclaimer

Hot off the Presses

Microsoft Windows 95

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System Information

Magazine Information


Press Releases

Jan 16, 1996 -- Mustang Software Inc. announced the availabily, in the 1st quarter of 1996, of Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95/NT.

     Wildcat!5 is a true Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server application designed to provide a BBS-based solution for a broad range of customers. It delivers an exciting multimedia experience for callers by allowing the system operator to make use of familiar multimedia tools, including JPEG and GIF editors, for customization of the caller interface.

     Wildcat! 5 takes full advantage of the new multitaksing in Windows 95 and the robust server operations in Windows NT to provide a solution for every online need.

     Optional add-ons for Wildcat! 5 include:

   * UUCP module

   * Telnet module

   * FTP module

   * WWW module

   * PPP module

   * Dynamic HTML module

   * SMTP module

   * Plus many others

      Contact MSI at (805) 873-2500 or visit their Web site at:

             http://www.mustang.com

Jan. 24, 1996 -- Mustang Software Inc. announced the release of  FREE Wildcat! Navigator software.

     The new Wildcat! Navigator will give modem users access to a revolutionary interactive, multimedia world online and allow them to send email, chat, upload and download files, and browse the Internet with "point and click" ease.

     Wildcat! Navigator software can be downloaded from Mustang BBS (805) 873-2400, or by visiting their web site at:  http://www.mustang.com