NewtNews-093-30Apr96 (Part 1 of 2)
Steve Holden
NewtNews-093-30Apr96
====================
by Steve Holden <newt...@pobox.com>. This is a weekly freeware
newsletter that focuses on the Apple Newton and related technologies.
NewtNews Copyright 1994-96 Steve Holden. All rights reserved. See the
Administrivia at end for details and FAQ info.
This issue of NewtNews is sponsored in part by:
* PDA Panache crafts fine Newton stylus upgrades and replacements -
ORDERS: 800.270.7196 - FAX: 516.467.6329 - <Pan...@li.net>.
* KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - 2.0 compatible -
<sa...@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.com>
* WinSlurp from Rare White Tiger Creations - Available at:
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.
* NS BASIC 3.0.2 is shipping! - creates packages - complete docs
<in...@nsbasic.com> - <http://www.nsbasic.com> - 416.264.5999.
* Aloha, PocketMoney, Namigator, Snoozey - 2.0 savvy - For more info
<sa...@catamount.com> - <http://www.catamount.com>
* RidgeNet - ARA, SLIP, PPP access to the Internet from Ridgecrest, CA.
<http://owens.ridgecrest.ca.us/RidgeNET/RidgeNETWelcome.html>
Table of Contents
-----------------
1. Top News
2. Email News
3. Internet Information
4. Top Weekly Magazine Headlines
5. Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
6. Edupage, 15Apr96 thru 28Apr96
7. Innovation, 15Apr96 & 22Apr96
8. Other Print Media
9. Dear Newton Developer
10. iNews Summary
11. Advertising Notes
12. Product and Service Information
13. Comments from the Editor
14. Administrivia
Top News
--------
** WALTER SMITH LEAVES APPLE'S NEWTON SYSTEMS GROUP **
The following was posted on Walter Smith's home page at:
<http://www.best.com/~wsmith/>:
My last day at Apple was April 29. I haven't chosen my new
job yet. Stay tuned.
My main technical contributions to Newton were:
The unified data model that ties the Newton
software together
The compiler, interpreter, and runtime library for
NewtonScript, the language used to write Newton
applications
The Newton object store, where all the persistent
data in a Newton resides
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Walter has done a tremendous amount of work getting the
Newton to where it is today. We appreciate all his hard work over the
years, and wish him the best in the future. The pointer to Walter's WWW
site was sent to NewtNews by Mark Heringer <453...@mcimail.com>.]
** NEWTON SOURCE CHICAGO TO OPEN SOON **
Newton Source in Chicago's Business Loop will be having a ribbon cutting
party on 10May96, and will be open for business on 11May96. The exact
location is 161 North Clark Street in Chicago Title & Trust Center
across from Daley Center. The manager of the store is Michael Cherry
and you can reach them by phone at: 312.251.3610, or by fax at:
312.251.3614. You can also send Newton Source email at:
<in...@NewtonSource.com> or <onew...@interport.com>.
** COMPUSERVE EMAIL PLUGIN ANNOUNCED **
CompuServe and Apple have announced they have entered into an agreement
to provide a CompuServe Mail Client for Apple's Newton technology. The
CompuServe Mail Client for Newton 2.0 will link Newton users to
CompuServe's global network, with more than 480 points of presence
worldwide. The CompuServe mail gateway links users to the Internet,
other commercial online services, and private email networks, giving
users reliable 24-hour connection to virtually anyone who has an email
account. Customer service and support for the Mail Client will be
maintained by CompuServe, and is expected to ship free of charge in
May96.
** NEW APPLE NEWTON SOFTWARE **
Apple has posted the following files to <ftp://ftp.info.apple.com>:
- HideEworld sea hqx
- MP130.2 0.526060 sea hqx
The HideEworld package will take eWorld out of the email choice
lists. The MP130 update reportedly fixes the following bugs:
- Old ToDo's can now be deleted from the Dates overview.
- Pending alarms no longer trigger immediately after setting
the clock to the day of the alarm.
- The Stylewriter 1500 and 2500 have been added to the
printer list.
- Deleting found ToDo's from the find overview no longer
causes a -48809 error.
- A clipping/scaling problem with large pictures was
corrected.
- Class 2 faxing now works as expected.
- The "MessagePad" string has been removed from the reset
and sleep screens.
- The backlight can now be turned on at the same time the
unit is turned on instead of requiring a separate toggle of
the power switch.
- Tapping stop during reception of a System Update works
correctly.
** PDA DEVELOPERS NORTH AND PDA EXPO **
Creative Digital has announced PDA Developers North and PDA Expo,
scheduled for 11-14Sep96 at the Inland Meeting & Exposition Center,
Westmont, IL, 20 minutes from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The first three
days will offer a technical conference for developers creating products
for PDAs, hand-held computers, palmtops and PICs. Highlights include:
- Half-day tutorials on Newton, Magic Cap, Psion, GEOS,
Pilot and HP palmtop development;
- Panels on industry directions featuring leading executives
from hardware and OS manufacturers;
- Open forums with tech support and product managers from
the leading hardware and platform manufacturers;
- Wireless software development tools and services;
- Advanced programming topics; and
- New technologies, great keynotes and lots of surprises.
Registration, which includes breakfast and lunch all three days, is
US$450 until 15Jun96, US$550 until 15Aug96, and US$650 after that. A
block of suites are available at the nearby Oakbrook Hilton Suites for
US$109 a night.
The final day will be PDA Expo day and is designed for both corporate
users and individuals. In addition to a keynote by Jeff Hawkins, Vice
President and Chief Technologist of US Robotics, there will be an
educational conference with full-day tracks on:
- Corporate PDA-based solutions presented by
leading systems integrators;
- Getting the most out of your PDA as a
productivity tool; and
- PDA industry solutions for specific vertical
markets.
There will be additional presentations on Internet and Web access,
desktop connectivity, content creation, forms packages and other topics.
There is no admission charge for the keynote or the exhibits. The
registration fee for the PDA Expo conference is US$40 until 15Jun96,
US$50 until 15Aug96, and US$65 after that. Developers who attend PDA
Developer North do not have to pay to attend the PDA Expo conference.
You can contact Creative Digital at: 415.621.4252 or <in...@cdpubs.com>.
** RUMOR MILL **
A Windows 3.1 version of Apple's Newton Press is done, but Windows 95
support is slowly coming along.
Claris' FileMaker Pro Newton Companion is now actually a real beta
product and is being demoed regularly. No firm release date projected
yet.
New Newton 2.0 savvy version of Stand Alone Software's DateMan is nearly
finished and should be available soon.
Apple's Newton Connection Utility (NCU) for Macintosh and Windows could
actually ship during the Summer of 1996.
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The WriteRight Screen Enhancement is a unique clear plastic film that
protects the Newton screen from scratches, reduces glare and improves
the feel of writing to help handwriting recognition. WriteRights are
available in packs of: 4-for $11.95, 8-for $18.95, and 12-for $24.95.
Mention NewtNews and receive 10% off our 12-pack. For more info:
415-929-1002 <In...@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>
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QuickFigure Pro (QFP) 3.0 Enhanced for Newton 2.0 OS: Create a
spreadsheet within built-in Notepad. QFP 3.0 also supports landscape
mode, direct cell entry, worksheet linking, delayed recalc, and filing.
Includes QF Exchange for Import/Export from Mac or Windows desktop.
From PelicanWare at $59.95+S&H (Upgrades $20+S&H). For more info:
<in...@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.
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Email News
----------
** NEW ENCRYPTION PROGRAM FOR NEWTON **
Serg Koren <arch...@netaxs.com> has released PassKey ($30 shareware) --
a simple encryption/decryption program for the Newton. It is useful for
processing text, and any confidential information you may keep on your
Newton such as PINs, bank accounts, etc. It does not provide for secure
key exchange -- PassKey is neither PGP nor DES and provides "reasonable"
security. That is, the algorithm used is not state-of-the-art, but
provides sufficient encryption to keep casual observers from obtaining
your data. A restricted demo version of PassKey can be downloaded from:
<http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/PassKey.html>.
** WEB PAGE FOR TEXT ADVENTURES ON THE NEWT **
Sanj Vakil <sa...@MIT.EDU> reports that he has created Web page that will
give you all the details you need for his upcoming text adventures games.
Check it out at: <http://web.mit.edu/sanj/www/zparse.html>.
** PELICANWARE HOME PAGE **
PelicanWare has changed Internet providers and has a new address. Please
update your link to: <http://www.pelicanware.com>. The new site also
has new demo versions of:
- Notion 1.5
- AvailWorks 2.0
- QuickFigure Pro 3.0
** AUSTIN NEWTON USER GROUP **
The austin Newton Users Group (aNUG) meets at 6:30 PM at the MCC
Auditorium on the third Wednesday of every other month. For more
information contact: <aN...@zti.com> or visit their new World Wide Web
site at: <http://www.zti.com/anug.html>.
** MINNESOTA NEWTON USER GROUP **
If you are interested in joining a Minnesota Newton User Group please
send Earl Jarosh email at: <ste...@pillock.moron.vware.mn.org>.
** NEWTON USERS OF TORONTO **
GNUT -- Group of Newton Users of Toronto is alive and well. They are
meeting monthly, on the last Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the
Vogue Bistro in Toronto, which is located next door to The Newton Store
at Adelaide and Jarvis streets. For more information check out:
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/skendall/gnut> or send an
email to Stephen Kendall at: <7435...@compuserve.com>.
** ANOTHER NEWTON GAME FROM TEAM NAMBA **
Kimiko & Tetsuo Namba <gcg0...@niftyserve.or.jp> have written another
freeware puzzle game for the Newton. It's called Litton v1.0, and the
object is to flip tiles so that all tiles face the same side. When you
tap one of 16 tiles on the board, it flips over to show its other side,
but in turn cause other tiles to flip as well.
The program can be downloaded at the following FTP sites:
- <ftp://ctech.ctech.co.jp/pub/freeware/mac/newton/Litton10.sit.hqx>
- <ftp://ftp.amug.org/incoming/Litton10.sit.hqx>
** NEWTON DEVELOPER NEEDS LOTUS CONTACT **
Jan van Arkel <Jan_va...@reijers.nl> would like to develop a cc:Mail
extension that interacts with the Newton as a standard email routing slip.
Unfortunately to do this, he needs some specific information about
cc:Mail. He has not had any success contacting the proper people at
Lotus, and is hoping a NewtNews reader may have some insight on how to
contact the right people. Send Jan email if you can help.
** AAA SIZE NIMH BATTERIES **
Ralf Eichler <rei...@ibm.net> has informed NewtNews about the German
manufacturer Emmerich (Frankfurt, Germany) who has MP100 friendly size
AAA NiMh Batteries. These cells have a capacity of 360 mAh. The NiCd
cells that Ralf is currently using only have 220 mAh. This translates
to 1.5 times longer battery life, and the NiMh technology doesn't show
the memory effect that NiCd does.
WARNING: These NiMh cells do need a special external charging kit
though, and these NiMh batteries are slightly larger than the standard
alkaline ones. Thus, using them will require a slight modification of
the contacts in your Newton to get the juices flowing. If you are still
interested about these batteries you can contact Emmerich by phone at:
+49-69-54803-0.
** REPORT FROM THE REAL WORLD **
Jakob Peterhänsel <j...@bns.dk> reported that last weekend (18-21Apr96)
he participated at a big computer exhibition in Copenhagen. Jakob was
showing off the Newton to people, and overall had an extremely positive
feeling after the show. Most people had heard of the Newton but had
never seen it in action, so he got to give a lot of demos. Jakob also
reported that a reporter, who has had a Newton for over 18 months, just
had a two page review published in one of the major papers. The only
drawback to the Newton in the reporters opinion was the poor support for
Danish localization. There are three special characters that the
keyboard does not generate.
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pantalla mermelada retrete especia cada medianoche alquilar carnero
How many of these words do you know? Practice your Spanish vocabulary
with AMIGO, the premier Spanish/English Assistant built for the Newton
Messagepad. 8000 word dictionary including over 500 specialized medical
terms and computer terms. AMIGO can be purchased from ACCSYS
Corporation. Call 610.436.4570 or email <rka...@acm.org>.
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Internet Information
--------------------
** APPLE'S NEAR TERM FOCUS **
Jim Carlton, Wall Street Journal, recently covered a speech by Apple CEO
Gilbert Amelio that was broadcasted to Apple employees world-wide on
19Apr96. According to Carlton, Amelio thinks that Apple needs "more
emphasis on products such as data servers, hand-held computers and
Internet television terminals [to] lessen Apple's dependence on the
fiercely competitive desktop market, where profit margins have become
razor thin." A complete roadmap by Amelio is expected at Apple's WWDC
in middle May96. [Information from Dow Jones International News]
** PEGASUS FOR NEWTON IS SHIPPING **
Information Management Strategies for Healthcare Executives (IMGS)
published on 04Apr96 had a Newton blurb in their Product Developments
section:
Phamis of Seattle will distribute as a stand-alone product
the Pegasus mobile computing system from Point-of-Care
Systems of San Diego. The product will be incorporated into
the Phamis Lastword health care information system. Pegasus
uses mobile electronic pen charting to collect data. The
product's modular design includes automated forms
processing, mobile computing, computerized medical records,
data communications, clinical charting and case management.
The Pegasus home health care server software runs on Windows
NT, and the Pegasus client software runs on the Apple Newton
MessagePad and compatible devices. Contact Phamis at:
206.622.9558.
[Information from Atlantic Information Services via CompuServe]
** NEW NEWTON BOOKS **
The NewtNews "Newton & Apple" automated search agent at Amazon.com Books
<http://www.amazon.com/> reports that the following books are now
available:
- "Newton Programming Guide", $44.95, Addison-Wesley,
ISBN: 0201479478
- "Newton Human Interface Guidelines", $24.95,
Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0201488388
** JOB OPENING AT GENERAL MAGIC **
Chris Bloom <bl...@aladdin.genmagic.com> posted the following to the
Software Agents Mailing List:
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
All of these positions require that you have a proven track
record developing, testing, supporting and shipping
Macintosh, UNIX or Windows commercial software products.
Each position also requires hands-on programming skills in C
and/or C++ and in some cases Assembly. In addition to the
technical requirements, we also place a tremendous value on
both verbal and written skills. Equally as important is your
ability to contribute as a team player.
More info: <http://www.genmagic.com/About/extjob.html>
** NEWTON SESSIONS AT WWDC **
The following are confirmed sessions at this years World Wide Developers
Conference (WWDC) being held May 13-17, 1996 in San Jose, California:
- DEVELOPER INTRODUCTION TO NEWTON 2.0: A complete overview
of the Newton 2.0 platform: who is using it today, where it
will be successful in the future, built-in software
components for building applications, and Newton Toolkit for
software development, and more. We'll also cover the wide
range of built-in software components you can use when
building applications, plus the support and training
programs available to help you along the way.
- INTEGRATING MACINTOSH APPLICATIONS WITH NEWTON PDAS: Learn
how to use the Newton Desktop Integration Libraries (DILs)
in your applications to easily share data between your
Macintosh (or Windows) application and built-in or
third-party applications on Newton PDAs. The DILs allow your
application data to become truly portable by integrating
with a Newton device. Find out about new features which are
being incorporated into DIL technology and see exciting
third-party solutions using DILs.
- INTERNET CONNECTIVITY WITH NEWTON 2.0: This session will
provide a thorough overview of the Newton 2.0 communications
architecture, and take an in-depth look at the Newton
Internet Enabler (NIE v1.0 - TCP/IP for Newton).
All of the above sessions will be held on Friday. Single day passes to
WWDC are available. For more information about WWDC check out:
<http://www.info.wwdc.carlson.com>.
** PDA DEVELOPERS EAST/WEST 1995-1996 CD-ROM **
Creative Digital has announce the immediate availability of their first
conference CD-ROM, PDA Developers East/West, 1995-1996. It includes the
slides of most of the presentations from both PDA Developers conferences
(Nashua, NH Aug. 1995 and San Mateo, CA Jan. 1996), plus other
highlights, including:
- PDF-formatted versions of the GEOS 2.1 SDK documentation;
- PDF-formatted versions of the Magic Cap 1.5 developer docs;
- Freeware and shareware developer goodies like IZL, PAL,
Newt and more; and
- A QuickTime version of the amazing and truly excellent
Bowser movie from General Magic's first developer
conference.
** NSF SBIR MONEY FOR DEVELOPERS **
Dr. Craig Mattocks <matt...@aoml.noaa.gov> posted the following to the
Semper Fi email listserver:
The new Program Solicitation (Requests for Proposal) from
the National Science Foundation, part of the SBIR (Small
Business Innovative Research) program, has just been
released (document NSF 96-67). The closing date for
proposals is 12Jun96. The amounts of the awards are:
Phase I - Concept Feasibility: $75,000 for 6 months
(250-300 will be funded)
Phase II - Concept Refinement: $300,000 for 2 years
Phase III - Commercialization: funded by private sector
There are a bunch of Topics so check out the following
links for more info:
- <http://www.nsf.gov/>
- <http://www.cise.nsf.gov>
** STAND ALONE ON THE MOVE **
Stand Alone - "everybody's favorite Newton software company" will be in
the process is moving offices from 30Apr96 through 01May96.
Communication will be spotty at best. The new contact info though is:
Phone: 312.477.2492
Fax: 312.477.2579
Snail Mail: Stand Alone, Inc.
3171 N. Hudson, Suite 1
Chicago, IL, 60626
Email is still: <in...@standalone.com> and on the WWW check out:
<http://www.standalone.com/newton>.
** SOME DETAILS ON THE ENVOY 150 **
The following information about the new Motorola Envoy 150 is from the
Apr96 issue of mobilis:
- purchase from ARDIS or authorized resellers
- priced at $1,299
- there are several bundled and the wireless airtime options
- there is a software/hardware upgrade from Motorola for owners
of previous Envoys, call 800.934.4721 for details
For complete information check out: <http:/www.volksware.com/mobilis>.
** LOOKING FOR NEWTON TECHNICAL INFORMATION? **
Well then, check out: <http://til.info.apple.com> and do a keyword
search for Apple Newton MessagePad using this codeword: 'knmp'. You can
also use the Product Category 'Newton' to do a search.
** WWW SITES TO CHECK OUT **
- E*Trade: <http://www.etrade.com>
- MagicCap eZine: <http://members.aol.com/darkdan/DDDomain.html>
- Newton's For Sale: <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton>
- Monaco Newton Font: <http://www.gryphonsw.com/~mpeay/newton-font.html>
- Newton Battery Monitor: <http://www.openix.com/~monica/pdq.htm>
- Newton Project Manager: <http://infoweb.magi.com/~burroak/>
- Eclipse PowerSet: <http://www.sineware.com>
- Med Student Guide: <http://www.pobox.com/~rrisley/msgn.html>
- Shareware: <http://SliceOfLife.com/Official/>
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NS BASIC 3.0: NS BASIC is a cool implementation of the easy to use
programming language that now creates packages in the Extras Drawer. It
features indexed files, window objects, graphics and serial and infrared
comms. Program directly on the Newton or with an attached PC or Mac.
240 pg handbook. Rev 2.54 included for 1.x Newtons. $99 + 5 S&H Info:
<in...@nsbasic.com>, <http://www.nsbasic.com>, 416.264.5999.
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Top Weekly Magazine Headlines
-----------------------------
** INFOWORLD - 15APR96 **
- Oracle forms NT clusters
- Apple tailors OpenDoc for Internet Apps
- Internet intrigue: friend or foe?
- DCE initiatives build: IBM, Novell plan shared
directories
- CASE STUDY: Nielsons improve their technology
** MACWEEK - 15APR96 **
- Broadcast show bets on Mac's future role
- Dual booting: Copland, System 7.5 to share Mac
- Spyglass eyes OpenDoc parts
- Apple VB tools slips to 1997: Denali denied
WWDC debut
- Quarterdeck plots course for 3 Webstar upgrades
- IBM, Mac OS deal is all about chips
** PCWEEK - 15APR96 **
- Cognos scores with PowerPlay update
- Sun, Unisys, Dec shore up the enterprise
- Intel cranks up faster Pentiums: 200-MHz chip,
price cuts due
- Information providers: Web sites no longer
the land of the free
- Cisco leverages Web to keep eye on routers
- New security protocol spurs Internet tool kits
** INFOWORLD - 22APR96 **
- Apple licenses NT code: company may market NT servers
- Microsoft rides Web wave: new tools will ease Web
page development, file sharing
- Cisco will add encryption to router line
- ENTERPRISE LICENSING: Microsoft Select 3.0 examined
- SPECIAL REPORT: Clustering PC servers
** MACWEEK - 22APR96 **
- Developers skeptical as Apple pushes new technology
at WWDC'96
- Apple seeks Net gains in wake of record loss: analysts
approve Amelio's direction
- Latest round of PCI Macs punch up the clock speed
- Mac signals strong at NAB convention: 3rd parties
up the ante in Vegas and Apple plugs into myriad of
interfaces
- REVIEWS: Pagemill 2.0 , Beyond Press 2.0
** PCWEEK - 22APR96 **
- Microsoft puts more byte into its 'Viper'
- Lotus software manages many SNMP mail sites
- Intel to slice Pentium Pro prices in bid to ride
the 32-bit wave
- Spec bridges net directories: industry heavyweights
back LDAP
- MCI composes new SONET rings: capacity, service
quality drive network expansion
Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
---------------------------------------
** SOME NEWS OF AHA ACQUISITION **
Microsoft isn't saying how much they paid for or what they plan to do
with Aha's SmartInk technology. It does appear that all development
work will be redirected to Redmond, Washington though. And Microsoft is
current evaluating whether or not they will continue to support Aha's
InkWriter for General Magic's Magic Cap OS. [Cara Cunningham, InfoWorld,
15Apr96, p. 24]
** SOCKET SUPPORTS MP130 **
Socket's's PageCard has some new software that will let MP130 users use
the PageCard to send/receive text messages and alphanumeric pages.
["Network Traffic," MacWeek, 15Apr96, p. 28]
** NEWTON WILL NOT BE A INTERNET DEVICE?!? **
Mark Moore examines the next big wave of the Internet -- mobile smart
phone and PDA access to the Internet. No mention in this article of
Apple or Newton. Nokia is the first by shipping their $2000 Nokia 9000
Communicator in Europe that runs GEOS 3.0, supports TCP/IP, SLIP, PPP,
and has a WWW browser. Other smart phones are expected from: Ericsson,
Matsushita, Mitsubishi, Philips, NEC, and Northern Telecom. Microsoft's
Pegasus PDA OS comes with hooks for the Internet and for wireless comms.
So far the following companies are suppose to be making Pegasus PDAs:
Compaq, Toshiba, NEC, Epson, Casio, and Philips. Pegasus devices are
not expect to ship until early 1997 and cost between $500-1000.
Companies like Motorola and Philips are also working on making "smart"
pagers with "agent" like features. [PC Week, 15Apr96, p. 8]
** AT&T'S PACT STARTS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER **
Ericsson and Pacific Communications Services Inc (PCSI) are working
together to prepare their Personal Air Communications Technology
networking using AT&T's PACT technology. They expect to have one-way
and two-way paging operational by the end of 1997. One of the neat
features of PACT is message acknowledgement. Field testing of PACT is
happening in San Diego and Seattle. [Mark Moore, PC Week, 15Apr96, p. 39]
** RICOCHET CONTINUES TO PROVIDE WIRELESS SERVICES **
Metricom's Richohet division continues to provide mobile communications
for mobile solutions. Their new Basic service is priced at $29.95.
WIth this you can get email, and access to the Internet. The next level
up at $34.95 is the Preferred Service, which adds more dial-up services.
At the top of the scale is Elite Service for $45.95. With Elite you
can also send faxes, encrypted email, and have access to more dial-up
lines. For more info: <http://www.metricom.com>. [Mark Moore, PC Week,
15Apr96, p. 39]
** VERY SMALL PRINTER **
Pentax has a new version of their PocketJet -- 17.5 ounces, 2 Mbs of RAM,
prints at 3 ppm, and is priced at $649. No word on if the printer will
work with a Newton though. For more information call: 800.543.6144.
[PC Week, 22Apr96, p. 41]
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WinSlurp! - Rare White Tiger Creations provides Newton Book publishing
services and is NOW offering WinSlurp. A windows front-end to Slurpee
which supports transferring notes back and forth between the Newton
notepad and the PC desktop. Available for downloading from this URL:
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.
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Edupage, 15Apr96 thru 28Apr96
-----------------------------
** MSN CONTENT PROVIDERS MIFFED **
Content providers who signed up early for the Microsoft Network are
upset over Microsoft's restructuring of the service to focus on the Web,
rather than proprietary forums. Some independent content providers,
operating on the original MSN model, spent up to $250,000 to stake their
claim on MSN. "That's life on the Internet," says Microsoft's director
of marketing. A Dataquest analyst agrees that the content providers
"have to realize that they are in a market that is evolving, and they
got in at the wrong time." (Wall Street Journal 12 Apr 96 A3)
** INTELLIGENT AGENT OR VECTOR MATCH? **
Apple Computer VP Donald Norman says "agent" technology is already in
widespread use on the Net: "If you describe it as this wonderful thing
to which you tell your preferences and it goes off and gives you a
suggestion, now that's an agent. But if I simply say, It's just a
vector match, it computes the vector on your preferences and puts it
into the multi-dimensional vector space of all preferences of all people
and finds the ones that are closest -- that sounds mechanistic, right?
So where's the agent? And it turns out both phrases are describing the
same thing." (Internet World May 96 p60)
** DIGITAL WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY APPROVED **
Motorola Canada says federal regulators have approved a new digital
wireless technology, giving the world's largest cellular phone maker a
new market for what it calls "next-generation technology." Industry
Canada cleared code-division multiple access (CDMA) for use in cellular
phone and data networks operating in the 800 Mhz band of the spectrum.
CDMA is one of several technology options from which wireless carriers
may choose that uses codes instead of separate frequencies and channels
to keep cell phone conversations secure. (Ottawa Citizen 12 Apr 96 B12)
** SHRINKING FLASH CHIPS **
Intel and Sharp Corp. have developed tiny 0.4-micron processing for
8-megabit flash memory chips, shrinking their size by almost half, and
paving the way for even smaller cellular phones, digital cameras and
laptop computers. Intel says it will begin sending out sample chips
immediately, and plans call for mass production in September. Sharp
will begin sending sample shipments next month, but has not disclosed
when it will begin mass production. Meanwhile, Hitachi and Mitsubishi
Electric Corp. are developing 16-megabit and even 64-megabit flash
memory technology. "Flash memory chips may eventually be used in the
place of hard disks on computers," says an Hitachi spokeswoman.
(Investor's Business Daily 24 Apr A9)
** SECURITY DYNAMICS BUYS RSA DATA **
Security Dynamics Technologies Inc. is buying closely held RSA Data
Security, the dominant supplier of electronic encryption software, for a
reported stock purchase of $200 million. The deal will give Security
Dynamics control over RSA's patents, which could play a significant role
in transaction security for electronic commerce. Both companies are
involved in producing devices that limit access to computer networks to
authorized users. (Wall Street Journal 16 Apr 96 B1)
** DATA WAREHOUSING EARNS BIG PAYBACK **
International Data Corp. reports that companies that have invested in
data warehousing, which pulls data from various large databases into
smaller ones to analyze trends and possible business opportunities have
realized a 400% return on their investments over three-years. The study
was based on 62 organizations that spent an average of $2.2 million each
on their data warehouse operations. (Investor's Business Daily 18 Apr
96 A8)
** LEARY TALKS OF SUICIDE ON THE NET **
Cancer-stricken Timothy Leary, the Harvard psychologist who became
famous in the 1960s for advocate the use of LSD and other psychedelic
drugs, says he is "very involved in the high tech of dying" and is
"actively exploring" the idea of committing suicide in front of a camera
that would transmit the event over the Internet. (Atlanta
Journal-Constitution 19 Apr 96 A4)
** UNIX USERS UNITE **
Seven computer makers -- Compaq, Data General, ICL PLC, NCR Corp.,
Olivetti, Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems, and Unisys -- have agreed
to use Santa Cruz Operation's version of Unix in their Intel-based
servers. Santa Cruz, which bought Novell Inc.'s Unix business last
December, plans to integrate that technology with another existing Unix
product line. (Wall Street Journal 23 Apr 96 B5)
##################################################################
## Steve Holden, Macintosh Systems Engineer, SAIC at NRaD ##
## [E]: <sho...@nosc.mil> [V]: 619.553.6750 [F]: 619.553.4732 ##
## I also publish NewtNews. Send me mail for more info. ##
## Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are my own and do not ##
## necessarily reflect those of my employer or the government ##
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