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RAndY's RumOR RaG
September 1994
NEWS IN YER FACE
Here's an interesting item I came across. The Clipper CS-1
is a self-contained computing environment which, on the outside,
looks like the back half of a plywood lobster.
Inside you sit on a leather seat which moves forward and
backward on a rail. On your left is a well for a printer and a
well for file folders on your right. Ahead is a desk for a
monitor, tilting surface for a keyboard, task lighting, and air
vents. This ergonomically correct work area is surrounded by a
curved enclosure that provides privacy and filters distractions.
It was not designed as a constant environment, but rather for
working on difficult problems.
This thing really looks strange, but you too can have one
for just $6,000.
---------------
By the time you read this, dBase for Windows should be on
the shelves. Industry sources say that Borland is working on a
project called Phoenix which will be targeted at the low-end.
Phoenix will have no programming language and may include an
electronic mail program. Some say they're just using old Object
Vision technology.
---------------
After ten years of development, Geoworks was awarded a
patent for their technology in the GUI for the GEOS operating
system.
---------------
Motorola is working with Microsoft and IBM to port the next
version of Windows NT to the PowerPC. This is the first time
that Motorola has teamed up with software developers on a port.
---------------
Lotus has dropped the price of Ami Pro 3.1 to $99 and is
including filters for Word 6 and WordPerfect 6.
---------------
IBM will be dropping the price of OS/2 to about $25 and
including a $50 coupon for upgrading to Warp (the next version of
OS/2 scheduled to ship in October). This is in response to
Microsoft's delay of Chicago.
---------------
Intel is stuck with a significant inventory of 60mhz
Pentiums. Reports say they're sitting on 93 days of inventory
when normal levels are less than 60 days. Meantime, they'll have
to shift to 3.3 volt units by year's end.
---------------
Aires Electronics has a module which plugs into your
existing 486 socket to let you use the new 3.3-volt DX4 chips.
Pricing is $24.50 in quantities of 100. I don't know if this
will find its way to retail, but it appears to be a good way
around buying a new motherboard.
---------------
There's a new shareware program you can find on the on-line
services which lets you estimate the price of any used PC or
Macintosh with any configuration of memory, hard drive, and
video. Look for the AmCoEx Used Computer Price Estimator in
Windows and Macintosh versions.
---------------
"I think computer viruses should count as life ... It says
something about human nature that the only form of life we have
created so far is purely destructive." - Astrophysicist Stephen
Hawking, speaking at the MacWorld trade show in Boston.
---------------
WHAT'S NEW WITH CHICAGO
There's lots of Chicago news out there, so let's get to it.
It looks like Microsoft is starting to hack away at some of
the less important features in an attempt to get the operating
system out the door in a timely manner. They've already taken
out the Internet interface. Next on the cutting block may be
Capone, the specialized software for moving local and global E-
mail, voice mail, and other communications messages into a single
in-box. Says Brad Chase, general manager of Microsoft's personal
systems group, "If Capone isn't ready when Chicago is rock solid,
we'll probably release the operating system without the universal
in-box features."
Users of the current beta are complaining of problems with
multi-tasking and multi-threading capabilities. The second test
release, known as M7, is due out in September and will correct
these problems through more efficient use of memory.
Here's something you haven't heard before. Chicago will
have an on-line registration system. Similar to the
installation for Procomm Plus for Windows, users will be asked if
they want to register on-line. You will then enter registration
information, like the purchase date, name, address, etc. Then
you'll check various areas of interest such as accounting,
programming, children's software, and desktop publishing. Then,
via a toll-free number, this information will be uploaded to
Microsoft Line Services. Here's where it gets interesting: the
software "polls" your machine and determines CPU type, disk
space, RAM, and other technical information about your computer
which is also uploaded.
Microsoft will then have the potential to build a detailed
database of customers willing and able to tap into on-line
services.
Some industry analysts have concerns over the invasion of
privacy that this concept generates. It was only a short while
ago that Prodigy was suspected of similar inquisitiveness about
computer users.
Marvel is the code name for Microsoft's eventual attempt to
get into the on-line services business. The original plan was
for offering limited services to Microsoft's Solution Providers
with a second phase later in 1995 to be more consumer oriented.
Both phases have been held up due to delays in Chicago.
Traditional service providers are concerned that Microsoft will
enter the market with a $2.95 monthly fee as opposed to the $8.95
that other services charge.
Beta testers report that the 4 meg requirement for Chicago
is a dream. (What have I told you?) Most say that you'll need
at least twice that amount, with 12-16 megs being even more
realistic.
Symantec is working on a line of utilities especially for
Chicago. There will be a new version of their base product
Norton Utilities as well as stand-alone utilities such as
antivirus software for servers and clients, remote-control
software, enterprise backup, and more advanced file management
and viewing capabilities. Also expected are migration utilities
such as Norton Administrator and a tuning tool that will verify a
system is optimized, clean, stable, and secure before installing
Chicago.
Resellers and third-party developers are concerned that the
Plug-and-Play feature of Chicago will not be fully functional in
the shipping product. The concern is over the amount of hardware
that will be Plug-and-Play compliant when Chicago ships and how
"swappable" these products will be from system to system. At a
recent Plugfest developer conference in July, many products
failed to move easily between machines running Chicago. Industry
insiders say that Microsoft would lose face if this feature were
not fully functional, given the no-brainer approach used on
PowerPCs.
This fall will see beta release #2 which will be followed by
the Chicago Preview Program which will include 100,000 sites.
Unlike traditional beta testing, Microsoft will charge
participants of this program.
Microsoft's Brad Chase says that "a street price of $100
would not surprise me for the Windows Chicago upgrade."
One of the applets included with Chicago is Hyper Terminal,
an update of the existing Terminal offering a call log and speed
dialer, better integration of disparate communications from pager
messages to voice mail or electronic mail through an inbox known
as InfoCenter. Also included will be a basic interface that uses
VoiceView technology which lets users initiate or receive a
single phone call that can handle graphics, text or file
transfer, as well as voice communications (rather than using two
phone lines).
For example, you could call a product support hot line, use
the same connection to send files or error messages to a
technician, then discuss the problem. Only one type of
information could be sent at once, so users could not talk while
data is being transmitted.
Before being allowed to carry the Windows 4 compatibility
logo, vendors will be required to include an uninstall feature
for their applications. I don't have to tell you that it's a
real problem keeping track of which files are used by
applications and which can be deleted when you get rid of an
application. Included in the next software developers kit will
be tools that will make it easier for vendors to develop software
with uninstall features.
---------------
WARP UPDATE
IBM is expected to ship the final test release of the
upgrade to OS/2 on August 15. Testing will finish in September
and ready for purchase in October.
"We intend to exploit Chicago's delay to the fullest, and
ship millions of units within 90 days of Warp's release," said
Walley Casey, director of marketing for IBM's personal software
products division. Casey is expecting sales of OS/2 to rise by
45% next year, with estimated sales between 500,000 and 2 million
units this year.
Casey also said that IBM would be making "very significant
announcements" soon regarding preloading OS/2 on new systems
sold.
Warp includes a one-button install option. A "play at will"
capability lets users insert PCMCIA cards into portable computers
without rebooting the system.
Testers of Warp note the operating system's stability and
speed. One system analyst said that "if IBM uses Warp's new
icons in ads, the upgrade may catch on; it's quite neat."
Another said, "IBM has done its homework with this upgrade. Warp
is a substantial improvement over OS/2 2.1."
I have a copy of the Warp Beta 2 coming. It will feature
easy installation by identifying the hardware and configuring it
to meet specifications. There will be a new look and feel to the
Workplace Shell with more color palettes and schemes and animated
folder icons. The LaunchPad will let users have single-click
access to frequently used objects. There will be a new graphical
tutorial for new and advanced users along with a comet cursor for
laptops and pointer styles and colors.
Included with the Warp Beta 2 is BonusPak which includes
whiteboard data sharing with multi-user annotation for sharing
images, text, graphics, and application window contents. Of
course, this new software will work with both Windows 3.1 and
Windows for Workgroups 3.11. If you'd like to participate in the
beta test program, call 1-800-251-2177 for either a CD or disk
version for just $14.95 plus tax. Ask for the Warp Beta 2.
---------------
MORE NEWS IN YER FACE
The code name for Microsoft's interactive TV operating
system is Mimosa.
---------------
I hear of a new book being published by Albion Books of San
Francisco called "Netiquette". It gives tips on how to respect
other computer users' available bandwidth and cope with flame
mail. Where do I get one of these things? My mail on local BBSs
consistently accuses me of being a racist, bigot, homophobe, and
most recently a Nazi.
---------------
Media Vision reported a loss of $99 million on revenue of
$150 million. Last month they filed for Chapter 11 protection.
In fiscal year 1992, Media Vision reported earnings of $600,000
on revenue of $69 million.
---------------
Compaq will soon put labels on keyboards which tell users
about repetitive stress injury. Compaq recently won a lawsuit by
a user who claimed the company knew of the danger but did not
warn the public. I think that this is just pandering to people
who expect someone to always watch out for them. Enough of these
injury claims - I'm sure that repetitive stress injury is
legitimate, but consumer products have reached the point where
you have to warn people not to use a lawnmower to cut their
toenails. Enough is enough.
---------------
Look for Pentiums to take a price drop of about 27% by the
end of the year and another estimated 10% in the first half of
1995.
---------------
Saw an ad for an interesting CD title - Leonardo the
inventor - about Da Vinci's life and numerous inventions and
achievements. The software is being promoted as a children's
educational title, but it looks to be quite educational and
interesting for an old coot like me.
---------------
Virtually all new DOS development has stopped at Novell.
Novell insiders attribute this decision to a lack of growth in
the market along with the Justice Department's ruling, which they
say virtually guarantees Microsoft's dominance of the operating
system market. Said one Novell source, "DOS has seen the best
years behind it. Few new DOS apps are being built, and once
Chicago comes along, there will be even fewer." One reseller
said, "Sell-through of Novell DOS was practically nonexistent."
---------------
Give Aldus a call at 1-800-628-2320 for the PageMaker
Enhancement Pack. They've added import filters for Word for
Windows 6 and Ventura Publisher CHP files as well as some changes
to PostScript print drivers. They'll charge you $9.95 or you can
grab the files off their BBS at (206) 623-6984. Both PC and Mac
updates are available.
---------------
NEW MICROSOFT HARDWARE
That's right, I said hardware.
Microsoft will be marketing a few new hardware products but
don't expect to see printers or CD-ROM drives under their name.
The first entry under their Home brand will be an ugly, dark
blue mouse carrying an estimated street price of $39. It will
come with Microsoft's Intellipoint Home, which has 100 cursor
icons like dancers performing the tango, and five preprogrammed
special effects such as a jungle theme and science fiction.
Beth Featherstone, a marketing manager at Microsoft's
hardware group, said, "We wanted a design that adults could use
and not feel like it was a toy." Oh really, and when will this
take place?
They've also got some kind of keyboard but I haven't been
able to get any information on it.
---------------
NEW INTEL IDEAS
Intel is working to transfer communications technology to
the microprocessor; with the modem acting as an electronic bridge
and the processor the engine. The computer would do all the
voice and data processing that is now handled by the modem.
An advanced I/O subsystem will let any peripheral to be
tightly integrated with the processor. This new technology will
also include software which is more easily updateable than a
microprocessor which will include advances in communications.
Said one analyst, "This makes a lot of sense for Intel.
They are in the business of selling big, expensive chips."
Modems designed to take advantage of the on-chip features should
have fewer compatibility problems and will enable modem
manufacturers to concentrate on features rather than chip sets.
---------------
WOODSTOCK THE CD
Get out your old roach clip and step into the time machine.
By now, the media orgasm over the plastic, made-for-MTV Woodstock
`94 has passed. Time Warner has released Woodstock: 25th
Anniversary CD-ROM.
There's lots of stuff on this CD if you're a devotee of the
original Woodstock. Included are performances from several of
the artists. Noticeably missing is the Master of the
Stratocaster, Jimi Hendrix. There are short video clips as well
as several complete songs. When listening to the complete songs,
you can also see the lyrics or get a psychedelic screen display.
You can visit several areas; backstage, the times-sights and
sounds of the late 1960's, performances, and more. If you select
performances, you can view information on several of the
performers including discography, a video clip of their Woodstock
appearance, history of the performer including where they are
now, and still images. You'll see performers that weren't in the
Woodstock movie such as Mountain (I saw them years ago backing up
the original Black Sabbath).
Time Warner has done an excellent job in integrating all the
sights and sounds of the original Woodstock. If you're still
wearing tie-dye shirts and bell bottom pants, this is the CD for
you. It doesn't cost much and brings back the old days for us
old coots.
=================================
DISCLAIMER
RAndY's RumOR RaG is published on a monthly basis by
AINSWORTH COMPUTER SERVICES and is available on various local
BBS's, GEnie, and in Modem News.
In case anyone cares, RAndY's RumOR RaG is produced on a 486-
50 with 8 megs of memory, 420 MB Connor IDE hard drive, TEAC 1.2
MB and 1.44 MB floppies, Pro Audio Spectrum 16 running a Hitachi
3750 CD ROM drive, Trident VLB video card, Sceptre SVGA display,
Microsoft mouse, Word for Windows and transmitted through a US
Robotics HST Dual Standard modem.
Opinions expressed are those of the author. Comments should
be addressed to Ainsworth Computer Services on GEnie, via phone,
analog mail, or whatever method makes you feel good.
AINSWORTH COMPUTER SERVICES
605 W. Wishkah
Aberdeen, WA 98520-6031
(206) 533-6647
GEnie Address: RAG