Newton News-08.22.94-0106
Steve Holden
=============================
by Steve Holden (sho...@nosc.mil)
This is a summary of the information that I come in contact
with that deals with the Newton and related technologies.
Copyright 1994 Steve Holden. See the Administrivia at end.
Table of Contents
-----------------
1. comp.sys.newton.misc
2. comp.sys.newton.programmer
3. email
4. comp.sys.mac.misc
5. comp.sys.pen
6. MUST READS!
7. Edupage, 8/14/94
8. Educom Update 8/15/94
9. InfoWorld, August 15, 1994
10. MacWeek, 08.15.94
11. ComputerLink from San Diego Union-Tribune, 08.16.94
12. MacUser, September 1994
13. MacWorld, September 1994
14. Developer University Courses
15. Product and Service Information
16. Comments from the Editor
17. Administrivia
comp.sys.newton.misc
--------------------
* NEW TOOL FOR MODEMS
Apple is getting ready to ship a new configuration tool for modems.
The tool was shown around to MacWorld Newton developers. The tool
is designed to allow you to change the configuration settings that
the Newton uses to control a modem session.
* GET YOUR FREE TAPWORKS
If you purchase a Newton MP110 before the end of September,
Apple is suppose to provide you with a free copy of Tapworks.
Unfortunately, the coupon did not make it into or on all boxes.
Brad Sandman <Brad_E_...@ccm.hf.intel.com> reports that if
you want to get your free copy of Tapworks you need to call
1-800-242-3374. They will mail/fax you a coupon which you fill
out (name & serial number) and send with a photocopy of your
receipt to the address on the coupon.
* NEWTON GROWING INTO MEDICAL BOOK REFERENCE PLATFORM
In an interesting post, Jeremy Ahouse <aho...@hydra.rose.brandeis.edu>
shares this information from Sandeep Shah <san...@mv.mv.com> of K2
Consultants: "[We] have teamed up with the ERLI to market a compendium
of Medical references and applications. We developed the software for
use in the Harvard Med School project which is being used by the
residents at this moment. Commercially, we have a few books such as
Current Clinical Strategies series, Little Black Book of Primary Care,
etc. that will come out in Sept. We are negotiating the licence for
other exciting reference products." You can contact ERLI at
817-732-2704.
* WHICH MEGAHERTZ MODEM TO USE WITH NEWTON
Albert Nurick <alb...@bga.com> reports "that here are two 14.4
Faxmodems with XJACK from Megahertz. The XJ1144 is the one to
use with the Newton. For some reason, the newer 2144 doesn't
seem to work in the Newton."
* PRINTING TO NON-APPLE PRINTERS
Hardy Macia <ma...@sinbad.navsses.navy.mil> reports that Apple's
PrintPak will allow the Newton to print to any Epson LQ, Epson GX,
HP Deskjet, HP LaserJet, or Cannon Bubble Jet. The price is $99.00.
* SIEMEN'S NEWTON
Robin Davies <rda...@cix.compulink.co.uk> reports: "In Koln last
night I saw the Siemen's PhoneNote - it has Siemens version of the
Newton with the German operating system. However it is expensive
at 2800DM , but it does come with the fully integrated phone/fax and
email."
comp.sys.newton.programmer
--------------------------
* NS BASIC IS HOLDING A MONTHLY PROGRAMMING CONTEST!
People have used NS BASIC for controlling electric trains,
calculating dive tables and talking to bar code readers. Why not
enter your cool program into the contest?
First prize will be a totally cool NS BASIC T- shirt. If you
don't win, there's always next month.
Entries are due by Aug. 31, 1994, and will be judged on the
basis of originality, usefulness and/or general coolness. The
decisions of our celebrity panel of judges will be arbitrary and
final.
Contact George Henne <g...@hookup.net> for more information.
* NEW NTK IN BETA
The "new" NTK being rumored on the Internet is getting closer
to release. The big news is the ability to compile portions
of one's NewtonScript into native code. This will decrease
portability of code between processors, but will give people
a large boost in computing power. Some testers have reported
8-12 times speed-up in compiled vs. NewtonScript.
* GNU TYPE PROJECTS FOR THE NEWTON
Currently 30+ people have joined up for a series of projects
for the Newton using the GNU philosophy of "freeware and
open code." E-mail <rer...@tnt.microimages.com> for info on
joining GNUton and about the projects.
email
-----
* Ron Lussier <coy...@sti.com> relays a rumour thatthe Newton OS
2.0 operating system will support both portrait and landscape
modes. This rumour comes unedited and unsupported from the AOL
1-year discussion of the Newton. Portrait mode is where the
viewing surface is taller than wide (like the current Newtons),
and landscape mode is turned 90 degrees. (Hence more suited to a
landscape.) The terms come from photography.
comp.sys.mac.misc
-----------------
* Lee Fyock <fy...@mathworks.com> reported that at MacWorld Boston
1994 in the Apple tent you could participate in a Newton class.
There were 20 seats with a Newton at each seat. Classes were
held on a regular basis. You did have to sign-up before the
class though.
comp.sys.pen
------------
* COMPAQ'S PERSONAL COMPANION DELAYED
Nigel Ballard <Ni...@dataman.demon.co.uk> of _Pen Computing_
states that: "The Compaq Personal Companion release has been
put off till March-95 at the earliest."
MUST READS!
-----------
* _Intelligent Newton Magazine_, September/October 1994.
New shareware reviewed: NewtonMail Extensions Modules, Tibbott's
Bookcase, BooksOff, NewtCase, TimeCalc, BeamMeUp, End n' Back,
OnSet, PEC Business Japanese Lessons, Guitar Tuner, and Isaac.
Major articles discuss: Newton at 1: Alive and Kicking; Vertical
Applications: A Review of Three; Newton Book Maker: Custom
Data on Demand; Q&A; and Al Roker of NBC's Today Show is a
Newton user!
Commercial products reviewed: LetterExpress, LetterExpress Link,
Tapworks, Money Magazine Financial Assistant, Connection Kit
for Windows 2.0, QuickFigure Pro, Scrappy, Chesspad,
Subversion, Auto Adapter & X-Pack, CS Browser, Newton Data
Viewer, Programming for the Newton, FirstClass Retriever,
CE Software's EnRoute, Time Out London Guide, Berlitz Five
Language Intrepreter, Message Central, DietLog,
TimeToGo/WakeUp!, Motile/Cogio, and Gold Tee at Bighorn,
Also, make sure you check out "Just In" on page 17 for the
latest scoops! And "Extras" on page 12-13 for the latest
trends!
Contact IN Magazine at <inmag...@eworld.com> or 415.433.2755.
* _PIE Developers_, Volume 2.4, July 1994
Reviews on: Barcoding Solutions, Steve Wyer's Newt (Turtle Graphics
environment), Dyno NotePad, PDA2PC, Fodors Travel Manager,
Day-Timer Meeting and Expense Pack, and NewRTFM.
Articles on: Newton Coding Guidelines: Avoid the Comment-Free Zone;
Building Native Newton Applications with Newt; A (NewtonScript)
Inheritance Primer; Building a Better Mousetrap - Improving the
Print Dialog; protoEditArray; Keyboard Programming and Design;
IRTV: A Newton TV Remote Control; Standing Out: Discussion on
icons and UI on Newton; SELF and the Origins of NewtonScript;
and SELF: The Power of Simplicity
Check out the "News, Yahoos, and Errata" starting on page 2 for
the latest tidbits.
Contact Steve Mann at 415.621.4252, 415.621.4922 (fax) or
<c...@netcom.com>.
Edupage, 8/14/94
----------------
* SIMON SAYS: READY
Simon, BellSouth's handheld communicator with e-mail and fax
capabilities, seems to be ready now for release, and will sell for
$899. Designed by IBM and manufactured by Mitsubishi in Georgia,
Simon can be enhanced with software that will allow it to exchange
data with a PC. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 8/12/94 G3)
* COMPUTERS PROMPT CONSUMER PHONE DESIGN CHANGES
Bell Northern Research is developing a line of hands-free
phones for consumer use in response to growing sales of home
computers. (Ottawa Citizen 8/12/94 D8).
* CANADA DEREGULATES WIRELESS INDUSTRY
Canada's federal telecom regulator opened up the wireless
telecom industry in the hope of stimulating competition and the
development of new technologies when it gave companies free rein
to decide the rates they charge customers. (Toronto Globe & Mail
8/13/94 B2)
Educom Update 8/15/94
---------------------
* APPLE PUSHES WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMS
Apple Computer, Inc. Apple, an influential advocate of the
NII, recently testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing on Education and
Telecommunications Infrastructure. Apple supports Vice President
Gore's plans for the NII: "equity of access to a wide range of
geographically dispersed knowledge bases among the entire
teacher/student population." Apple expressed its concern that
NII access should include wireless communication, since wireless
communication would solve barriers to bringing the NII to "every
classroom in America." These barriers include insufficient funds
to wire school sites and potential asbestos problems in schools,
which prevent "hard wiring" of classrooms. Contact: Apple at
408-996-1010. [EDITOR NOTE: This is should not be construed to
be a Newton_News endorsement of NII.]
InfoWorld, August 15, 1994
--------------------------
* INTEL FOCUSES MODEM DEVELOPMENT
Intel has stopped development on its current line of modem products,
and is reorganizing all units involved in modem production. Intel
plans to focus "on developing a line of modems that enable users
to exchange data while talking on the phone without a separate
line or ISDN equipment and services." The modems will be in
various form factors including PCMCIA. (p. 14)
* RISC TRANSITION PUTS APPLE IN LEAD
Stewart Alsop (stewar...@infoworld.com) finally after
two negative Apple articles has something nice to say about Apple.
Stewart does a very good analysis of the current state of the
RISC market. Pointing out that Microsoft and Intel need
to move in the RISC direction at some point, and they need to
make a transition that is viable for the consumer. Apple
has the upper hand because they have successfully made the
first transition, and are now moving forward. The real
fun will be in 1996-97 when the Intel based world will have
to make the CISC to RISC transition. (p. 106)
MacWeek, 08.15.94
-----------------
* NEWTON OFF THE ROCKS
Front page interview with Joseph Graziano, Apple chief financial
officer and acting general manager of the PIE division. Graziano
admits that mistakes where made in marketing the Newton. Apple
has re-evaluated the market place, and is focusing on business
solutions geared towards: mobile sales forces, field service
organizations, and data collection teams. Graziano expects a
third-party to have a Newton OS machine out on the market by
the end of the year. (Starts on p. 1, continued on p. 76)
* NEW WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
Apple and Harris Corp.'s Dracon Division have agreed to develop
a wireless communications system for the MessagePad. There is a
picture next to the article that is on page 14. Harris plans to
have a prototype finished by September and evaluation units
out to potential customers by November. No pricing information
was available. The device will be used internally by Harris
technicians to access diagnostic and testing systems.
* ENROUTE CONNECTS NEWTON TO QUICKMAIL
Using the $129 QuickMail dial-up client, Newton users will be
able to get mail off of QuickMail 2.5 Servers. Contact CE Software
at 800.523.7638 for more information. (p. 14)
* MEETING ORGANIZER RELEASED BY GOWARE
Great Meetings allows Newton users to structure agendas, keep
time schedules, track action items, and output minutes.
Priced at $69.95, it is being distributed by StarCore -
800.708.7827. (p. 15)
* "WHILE YOU WERE OUT"
Mundo Software (214.634.4662) has released Message Central
which will allow the Newton user to fill out a "while you were
out" message. It uses check boxes, pop-up date and time, and
interfaces with Newton Names file. It is priced at $50. (p. 15)
* ADDED FUNCTIONALITY TO NEWTON NAMES
SilverWare at 508.521.5262 or <74007...@compuserve.com> has
released MoreInfo, a program that allows additional data
to be store with a Newton Name. You can add multiple
addresses, family or account information, notes, to-do
items that can be linked to Notion or NotePak. It will
sell for $39. (p. 15)
* NEWTON WINS EDITORIAL OPINION
On page 24, the opinion editors of MacWeek, have a good
article on the pluses and minuses of the Newton after
one year. The key to Apple's renewed success lately is
the repositioning of the Newton as a business tool. If
Apple keeps this focus, the editors feel there will
be many more anniversaries.
* MOTOROLA MAY SHOW THEIR NEWTON AT COMDEX
With General Magic's Envoy in a holding pattern, industry
sources state that Motorola will show their book sized
Newton. Code name "Gecko" it will cost in the $1,500
range and will include Ardis Co. Personal Messaging
service to allow for two-way wireless messaging
capabilities.
Envoy's reported problems include "hardware
glitches" and delays in the Magic Cap OS. (p. 76)
ComputerLink from San Diego Union-Tribune, 08.16.94
---------------------------------------------------
* GPS FOR WINDOWS MACHINES
Dwight Silverman of the _Houston Chronicle_ has an article
about a company called Road Scholar. They have a product
called City Streets for Windows. The software costs $99 for
the first city map and $30 for each additional city. The
GPS PCMCIA card called "Marco Polo" sells for $399 and
is made by Rockwell International. GPS (Global Positioning
System) is based on "24 Navstar navigational satellites in
orbit about 10,900 miles above the earth." The pinpoint
accuracy of GPS is reserved for the military, but the
commercial signal can put the GPS within 50 to 300 feet.
Future Oldsmobile automobiles will have GPS options, and
Sony sells a hand-held GPS device for $2,000. (p. 3)
* APPLE IS HEADING DOWN WITHOUT PARTNER
Michael Putzel of the Boston Globe reports on his
impressions of MacWorld. He states that Pieter Hartsook,
someone who publishes an Apple business magazine, thinks
that if Apple does not find a hardware partner in the next
two months it will be doomed to being a niche computer
player.
Michael writes that Apple's bad year is mostly because
of the failure of the Newton. And that there was hardly
any evidence of the Newton at MacWorld. [The editor
strongly disagrees with this. Co-workers said that they
were surprised by size and showing of Newton technologies.]
(p. 14)
* NEWTON'S ABILITIES BEGIN TO GROW
Catalina Ortiz of the Associated Press does a one year
review of the Newton. The MP110 is key to the change in
the market place, because the MP110 fixed the majority
of all the problems. The other key to the up-sweep is
that both individuals and businesses are beginning to
understand the usage of the Newton technology. Ortiz sites
the growing number of specialized vertical applications
for businesses. (p.14)
MacUser, September 1994
-----------------------
* HOLSTER THAT NEWTON
Andy Ihnatko <an...@world.std.com> in his column that starts
on page 21 has an interesting idea on the "best" way to
carry your Newton. You can order a tactical holster for
automatic weapons from Michaels of Oregon (503.255.6890).
The complete plans are in a file called EASTWOOD.SIT that
can be found on ZiffNet/Mac. Andy recommends the Set No.
9927-1, Size 27 which is $69.95 plus shipping and handling.
* PCMCIA FOR THE DESKTOP
Powercard is being offered by Software Architects (206.487.0122)
for $495. It will allow desktop users to use Type I, II, and
III SRAM, flash-RAM, and hard-disk cards. Support for modem
cards is being negotiated. Hopefully translation to and from the
Newton will be something else that PCMCIA reader developers
negotiate. (p. 145)
* SUMMARY OF NEW NEWTON STUFF
Blurbs on the Newton Connection Kit 2.0; the three Newton
Solutions 2MB cards; TapWorks; Zagat Guide to Top U.S. Hotels
& Restraunts; Matlin Film Guide; High Johnson Wine Guide; and
DietLog. Contact StarCore at 800.708.7827 for more information.
MacWorld, September 1994
------------------------
* PCMCIA DRIVE FOR POWERBOOKS
"Espon America had introduced a PCMCIA-based 170MB hard drive
that will work in the PB500-series notebooks equiped with
Apple's optional PCMCIA adapter. The $629 drive-on-a-card
requires no special drivers for Mac compatibility." Contact
Epson at 310.782.0770 for more information. (p. 31)
* WIRELESS SOLUTIONS
Xircom and Dayna Communications have a wireless client/server
set-up for PowerBooks, printers, and Newtons to communicate
with cabled networks. Clients are priced at $600 and
servers (access points) start at $1500. Availability is
scheduled for October. Contact Dayna at 801.269.7200 and
Xircom at 818.878.7600. (p. 175)
* ANY VISION AT APPLE?
Steven Levy discusses this topic in his monthly topic starting
on page 191. David Nagel thinks so, but then Mac-the-Knife
reports that Nagel has "left the building" for a sabbatical.
Developer University Courses
----------------------------
All courses listed below are in Cupertino, California. For
more information contact: <dev...@applelink.apple.com> or
call 408.974.4897.
Newton Technology Overview ($325)
Oct. 20
Dec. 16
Newton Programming Essentials ($1,500)
Sept. 19 - 23
Oct. 24 - 28
Nov. 28 - Dec. 2
Newton Programming: Extended Topics ($1,800)
Sept. 26 - 30
Oct. 31 - Nov. 4
Dec. 5 - 9
Newton Programming: Communications ($1,175)
Oct. 3-5
Nov. 7-9
Dec. 12-14
Product and Service Information
-------------------------------
* Special Newton Classic special offer. Mention "Newton_News"
and I will discount to $245 (includes shipping in US) -
normally $259. VISA/MC accepted. E-mail: Mike Rybinski
<p00...@psilink.com> or call/fax for details 703-644-4516:
MR Associates Int.
* Accountable 2.0 by Nomadic Technologies: Manage your checking,
credit card, savings, even frequent flier accounts. Reconcile,
print registers, reporting, charting and much more. Import/export
with Mac/PC systems. $59 for a limited time, add $9 international.
MC/Visa. (800)713-6291 or (216)331-5771. E-mail <To...@eWorld.com>
* NS BASIC, an implementation of the well-known BASIC programming
language, is now available for the Newton. The product is aimed
at the business, educational and scientific marketplaces. Email
George Henne <g...@hookup.net> or fax 416.264.5888. Visa/MC orders
can call 416.264.5999.
* QuickFigure Pro by PelicanWare, Inc.: A fast, compact spreadsheet
for Newton that has math, scientific, statistical, and financial
functions, plus offers graphing, import/export, resizeable cells,
and scrolling. $39.00 plus S&H. E-mail <Do...@teleport.com> for
more details or (800)655-6398 for ordering.
* Coherent Visual at <cvi...@cerf.net> or 619.944.9873 have a
free catalog of software they publish. Titles include:
Rahmel Language Series Flash Cards, Rahmel Utilities for
Newton, and Rahmel Common Words.
* Learner Profile, a Newton and Mac data collection and assessment
package is available from Sunburst Communications. The product
is aimed at K-College education. To order call 800-325-7511.
* WriteWare offers multi-function pen/styluses, and retrofits
for the Newton. The Stealth Stylus II is a dual function Pen/Stylus
while the Super Stealth Stylus is a Pen/Stylus/Pencil in either
plastic or metal case. Email <Writ...@eWorld.com> for a full
catalog and pricing. Orders may be placed at International
DataWares, Inc, at 800-222-6032.
Comments from the Editor
------------------------
Things are really busy here at Newton_News. There is a team
of people putting this newsletter out to the Newton
community, and I think we have set-up a pretty good system
of getting the text version, and book version out to all of
the on-line services. The email listserver is nearly up
and running, and we have several HTML authors constructing
a WWW site at a donated host site. Please stay tuned for
more information on these two new services. We are still
looking for a point of contact for distribution of Newton_News
to AOL. Please send me mail if you'd like to help. I
currently have authorized distributors for eWorld and
CompuServe.
If you have been reading Newton_News since the start, it should
be pretty obvious that the volume of Newton related news just
seems to be growing. Either that or I'm just noticing it more.
Either way it is a good thing. Till next issue.
Administrivia
-------------
If you'd like to contribute some information that you have --
anonymously or not -- write to: sho...@nosc.mil (Steve Holden)
You can also send any comments, corrections, reviews, or
suggestions to the address above.
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if
full credit is given. Others please contact me. I don't guarantee
accuracy of articles. Publication, product, and company names
may be registered trademarks of their companies. TidBITS is
copyright 1990-1994 Adam & Tonya Engst <a...@tidbits.com>.
Use EasyView or any other setext browser to read this as an
outline.
The Newton book version of Newton_News is being published by
Steve Shannon <st...@cd-rom.com>.
You can anonymously FTP the latest and past issues of Newton_News
in both text and Macintosh Newton book format from:
ftp.netcom.com
/pub/btorres/Newton_News
This is the official home of Newton_News. It is administered by
Bob Torres <bto...@netcom.com>.
You can also find Newton_News, in both Macintosh and Windows
Newton Book format, if you anonymous FTP to:
newton.uiowa.edu
/pub/newton/misc/Newton_News or /submissions
Disclaimer: I am doing this on my own time, and on my own computer
*********** not the government's or my employer's.
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
>< Steven D. Holden, Macintosh System/Applications Engineer, ><
>< SAIC -> NRaD -> Project ICER, sho...@nosc.mil, 619.553.6750 ><
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
>< Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are my own and do not ><
>< necessarily reflect those of my employer or the government ><
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><