321 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
321 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
RAndY's RumOR RaG
|
|
January 1993
|
|
|
|
COURT RULES AGAINST AMD
|
|
A court recently ruled that AMD cannot copy certain microcode
|
|
used by Intel in the 486 processor. This is expected to have an
|
|
effect on the record number of 486-based machines being sold these
|
|
days.
|
|
An Intel spokesman said that they plan to continue lowering
|
|
486 processor prices saying "Intel continues to lower prices to
|
|
remain competitive, and whether or not AMD has a 486 on the market
|
|
doesn't diminish the competition for microprocessors." Allocations
|
|
are expected to remain tight well into the next year (93), although
|
|
gray market prices have stabilized. Prices are expected to remain
|
|
stable for the near future.
|
|
Meanwhile, AMD will continue to "plow on" and retain a
|
|
competitive market in the 486-class market, and said the ruling
|
|
will not affect its 386 marketing plan (a $500 million business).
|
|
Under a contingency plan, AMD has been developing a clean-room
|
|
microcode and remains on schedule to introduce their own version of
|
|
a 486 chip by the middle of next year (93). They also noted that
|
|
Intel cannot copyright the 486 name.
|
|
Cyrix and IBM expect to see a booming business from second and
|
|
third tier vendors scrambling to find another CPU source. An
|
|
official from Hyundai expressed skepticism regarding non-Intel
|
|
chips citing "compatibility questions". An IBM representative said
|
|
that the 486 chip ruling does not affect them because of existing
|
|
agreements with Intel.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
NEWS IN YER FACE
|
|
The initial release of Microsoft's Access wiped out printed
|
|
packaging due to incredible initial demand. A large New York-based
|
|
consultant expressed three complaints about the product: it's slow
|
|
(I don't agree), it can't attach Fox-Pro files, and it has data
|
|
validation problems.
|
|
I can't vouch for these claims, but sales have been strong.
|
|
A Microsoft spokesman countered saying that Access takes a
|
|
different approach to many traditional relational database
|
|
processes.
|
|
---------------
|
|
In other Microsoft news, word has it that planning for MS-DOS
|
|
7 (internally known as Chicago) is already underway before Version
|
|
6 is out. Version 7 is expected to include integrated Windows and
|
|
is targeted for release in late 1993. Dos 6 is expected to be
|
|
released early in 1993.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Borland is getting a gamma release ready of Paradox for
|
|
Windows expected to be announced in late January. They're also
|
|
getting ready a new dBase IV 2.0 for DOS, expected to be released
|
|
in March or April. This DOS product uses a DOS extender and
|
|
virtual memory management which will let it run on 286 computers
|
|
with 4 megs of memory. Testers report that performance has been
|
|
greatly tweaked along with enhanced mouse support.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Logitech has filed suit against Microware Distributors seeking
|
|
$350,000 and alleging that the distributor has not made payments
|
|
since May. Personal experience with Microware suggests that they
|
|
are rapidly headed for Chapter 13. They recently closed several
|
|
distribution centers and I have had real difficulties getting
|
|
product out of them.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Microsoft's aggressive database pricing has led to a 15%
|
|
cutback at Borland. That translates into 350 jobs lost at Borland.
|
|
Borland officials refused further comment except to say that the
|
|
bundling of Windows and DOS versions of Quattro Pro would cease at
|
|
the end of the year. Meanwhile, Borland has acquired WordTech, a
|
|
small but respected xBase competitor, for $35 million.
|
|
Some industry insiders were surprised at Borland's rebuking
|
|
competitors for undercutting prices. Said one consultant, "Borland
|
|
started all this cut-rate pricing in DOS, so it's odd for them to
|
|
cry fowl now."
|
|
Meanwhile, Borland personnel have been shifted away from some
|
|
product lines to focus on the database products. Specifically,
|
|
cuts have been seen in the ObjectVision and Brief lines and the
|
|
dBase for Macintosh team has been dissolved.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Abacus has just released Version 4 of their BeckerTools
|
|
utility. They've included seven new features, none of which are
|
|
particularly useful. These guys are like Central Point; just add
|
|
a bunch of stuff for the sake of change. Like Central Point, they
|
|
took a basically good utility and ruined it. I liked the old
|
|
BeckerTools, but when they went to Version 3 and broke up one
|
|
program into a dozen smaller ones, that was the end for me. If you
|
|
want this new one, go for it - but I think I'll pass.
|
|
---------------
|
|
I'd like to know when we'll see Virtual Valerie ported to the
|
|
PC. For the unaware, this is a game where a female invites you to
|
|
her apartment, you inspect any object you want, and the ultimate
|
|
goal is to have a "personal" encounter with Valerie. This is a CD-
|
|
based multimedia game that is gaining popularity on the Mac. I
|
|
guess you could liken it to a virtual Leisure Suit Larry.
|
|
---------------
|
|
I hear that Lotus may be chilling out in their continuing
|
|
legal battles with Borland. It is said that Lotus wants to make an
|
|
out-of-court settlement with Borland so that they can take on
|
|
Microsoft.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Media Vision has new drivers out for the Pro Audio Spectrum
|
|
Plus, Pro Audio Spectrum 16, CDPC, and Fusion 16 CD systems. Also
|
|
included in the driver pack is a Pocket CD Player. Download the
|
|
packet from their BBS.
|
|
And speaking of sound cards, have you seen the advertisements
|
|
for the new SoundBlaster 16 card? At least they've gone to a 16-
|
|
bit bus, but the CD interface appears to be non-standard and guess
|
|
what they've got for a volume control? They're still using a
|
|
potentiometer - now that's hi-tech, innovative, and handy to use.
|
|
Will these dorks ever learn?
|
|
---------------
|
|
Microsoft is sending out Release Candidate 1 for FoxPro 2.5
|
|
for both DOS and Windows. Release candidates are usually sent out
|
|
after beta testing has been completed and just before the product's
|
|
release. Microsoft is still hoping to ship both versions in
|
|
January, although beta testers report memory management problems.
|
|
---------------
|
|
Borland is dropping their Windows/DOS bundle for Quattro Pro.
|
|
Borland's claim is that customers were confused.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
WORDPERFECT PRESENTATIONS
|
|
When it first came out, I didn't think that DrawPerfect was
|
|
all that bad. But as I looked at competing products (and as time
|
|
progressed), I could see that it was sorely lacking. Fortunately
|
|
WordPerfect Corporation noticed the same thing and now has totally
|
|
rewritten the program.
|
|
A complete installation takes 15 megs of hard drive space, so
|
|
be forewarned. The installation process is quite simple, if not
|
|
boring, but it does automatically detect your mouse.
|
|
Once the program is started, the familiar WordPerfect
|
|
keystrokes still work, such as SHIFT-F7 for printing functions.
|
|
But instead of a program that looks like it's running in DOS, this
|
|
looks like a Windows program without the title bar.
|
|
You have your drawing tools arranged on the left and you can
|
|
create your own ButtonBars for quick access to common functions.
|
|
Since the program is DOS-based (look for a Windows version in
|
|
about 4 months or so), the speed is pretty good. It does all the
|
|
things the other drawing programs do and does them well. The
|
|
charting section is quite good also. Both bitmap and vector
|
|
graphics are very well integrated and autotracing a bitmap does not
|
|
require a separate program.
|
|
Clipart is arranged into galleries based upon subject matter
|
|
and are presented on-screen similar to Corel's Mosaic. You get
|
|
over 1,000 clipart images with the package.
|
|
The presentation section lets you create the obligatory slide
|
|
show, but this program includes lots of master templates. The
|
|
feature that stands out here is the ability to attach MIDI and WAV
|
|
files to your presentation. WordPerfect Presentations comes with
|
|
100 MIDI files and you can create your own (assuming you have the
|
|
necessary hardware).
|
|
They've come up with a fine package and I can't wait to see
|
|
the Windows version. I still think that Corel Draw is a better
|
|
product for the money, especially with the 12,000 clipart images
|
|
that are included on CD-ROM. Presentations uses Speedo and Type 1
|
|
fonts, both of which I no longer use. Therefore, I don't like
|
|
having them on my hard drive along with several megs of clipart.
|
|
WordPerfect has done a great job and Presentations is a good
|
|
value. For a couple of months, they're including a SoundBlaster
|
|
with full retail packages. Also included are macros to work with
|
|
DOS WordPerfect and their excellent shell program. You are able to
|
|
share dictionaries with DOS WordPerfect also.
|
|
I couldn't get the display to show 256 colors with my video
|
|
card at any resolution, however. Like all other WordPerfect
|
|
products, the printouts were outstanding.
|
|
If you need the sound capabilities for presentations, I know
|
|
of no other program that will handle that. They also include a
|
|
provision for making a run-time version of your slide show. The
|
|
popular Super PC-Kwik cache program is included.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
PRINT SHOP DELUXE
|
|
There comes a time when an old stand-by program must grow, and
|
|
in the process sacrifices must be made. Change for the sake of
|
|
change is not necessarily good, but sometimes the change is for the
|
|
better.
|
|
Such is the case with the newest version of the popular Print
|
|
Shop program. This program has been around since forever, helping
|
|
the computer illiterate create signs, banners, greeting cards, and
|
|
a multitude of other useful printed items. The primary drawback
|
|
thus far is that the printing was awful. Print Shop output was
|
|
commonly chunky and the layouts were immediately recognizable.
|
|
All that has changed with Print Shop Deluxe. You can still
|
|
make greeting cards, banners, calendars, and the like. The
|
|
interface has been redesigned and is a bit more elegant. The
|
|
program should still be simple to use for the computer neophyte,
|
|
however.
|
|
Each project (cards, banners, etc.) has a choice of layouts
|
|
for text and graphics - or you can create your own. You can
|
|
preview your work as you go similar to Bannermania.
|
|
The real change comes when it's time to print. Gone are the
|
|
chunky graphics and text. Printing is as smooth as it gets. There
|
|
are not many fonts included, nor are there a lot of graphics. The
|
|
price of change has been that Print Shop now requires a minimum of
|
|
a 386SX and VGA display. Fortunately, that should not be a problem
|
|
for the majority of computers out there.
|
|
They've done a great of redesigning an old workhorse, and you
|
|
can look expect to see clipart and font libraries being sold. You
|
|
can also export graphics in several common formats for use in other
|
|
programs. Expect to see a Windows version of Print Shop in the
|
|
very near future.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
PHOTO CD WOES
|
|
So far, the sales of Photo CD systems has been far below
|
|
expectations. Resellers say the cost of processing is too high,
|
|
others cite inadequate advertising.
|
|
I've said from the beginning, if Kodak wants to sell these
|
|
things, they've got to get the price of the viewers down to a
|
|
reasonable level. With the lease expensive player running about
|
|
$400, that's a bit steep. Also, in talking to people I find that
|
|
most of them just don't understand what's going on. Education is
|
|
the key here.
|
|
In other CD news, it appears that there is a shortage of CD-
|
|
ROM drives just when the price is beginning to drop. Actually, the
|
|
shortages are in the area of double-speed drives from Sony,
|
|
Hitachi, and NEC. Everyone wants them and they can't keep up.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
NEW MONEY
|
|
Microsoft recently updated their personal finance program
|
|
Money. I normally don't get excited about financial programs, but
|
|
they've done a good job.
|
|
Among the improvements are a feature called "Coaches" which
|
|
guide you interactively while you enter your first transactions in
|
|
the Account Book. You can now create pie, bar, or line charts from
|
|
most of the predefined report formats.
|
|
AutoBudget can help you set up a budget by averaging your past
|
|
expenses. You can also customize any report and then "remember"
|
|
the report's customization. Money allows you to track your
|
|
amortized Loans. It can also create a Future Transaction so you can
|
|
enter loan payments automatically. A loan calculator is also
|
|
included so you can compare different loan alternatives before
|
|
applying for a loan. They've included a currency converter,
|
|
allowing you to enter foreign currency amounts and convert them to
|
|
your currency.
|
|
There is now tax form support allowing you to print a Tax Form
|
|
Report for line-by-line help in completing your US tax return
|
|
forms. You can also export a Tax Form Report for use with tax
|
|
preparation programs such as TaxCut or TurboTax.
|
|
There are a number of other improvements which combine to make
|
|
this version of Money a serious competitor for Quicken.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
RETURN TO YESTERDAY
|
|
I remember when I first got started in computers, computer
|
|
games were different than today. We didn't have the graphics and
|
|
cartoon games that are around now.
|
|
Companies like Infocom produced excellent text adventures
|
|
where the pictures were "in your mind" (remember Zork?). You had
|
|
to read some text, then respond to the situation.
|
|
I recently received a new shareware release in this genre
|
|
called The Great Archeological Race from Absolute Zero software.
|
|
There are no pretty pictures or cute cartoons. There is no
|
|
joystick or mouse necessary. You have to read text on the screen
|
|
and make a decision as to what to do next by actually typing in a
|
|
command from the keyboard (how barbaric).
|
|
Actually, when they sent me this disk and I loaded it up, I
|
|
was shocked to find an old-style text adventure. I never really
|
|
liked these things because they made you think. The amount of
|
|
detail and color in the descriptions is close to what Infocom used
|
|
to produce. It's very well done in a category of gaming software
|
|
that I thought had passed away.
|
|
Look for it on a BBS near you.
|
|
---------------
|
|
|
|
NEW PKZIP
|
|
After months of waiting, I've finally had a chance to get my
|
|
hands on the new PKZIP program. This is the most popular method of
|
|
file compression on bulletin boards and elsewhere. So, what's new
|
|
with version 2?
|
|
PKZIP/PKUNZIP 2 implements a new compression algorithm called
|
|
Deflating. Deflating has varying levels of compression and speed
|
|
available. Both speed and compression are greatly improved over
|
|
previous versions of PKZIP. It also has the ability to "span" a
|
|
.ZIP file across multiple diskettes if the final .ZIP file size
|
|
would be greater than a single disk. PKZIP now has the ability to
|
|
format the destination diskettes on the fly.
|
|
PKZIP/PKUNZIP 2 has the ability to use EMS, UMB, and HMA
|
|
memory, which will allow the ability to process more files or be
|
|
able to run with less conventional memory. PKZIP/PKUNZIP 2.04 will
|
|
run in as little as 85K of conventional memory if EMS or XMS memory
|
|
is available.
|
|
The new program is Novell NetWare "aware". Updating or
|
|
creating a .ZIP file on a network drive is much faster with the
|
|
network support in PKZIP 2.04c. PKZIP/PKUNZIP 2 will detect what
|
|
type of CPU it is being run on and will use instructions
|
|
specifically optimized for an 808x CPU, 80386 CPU, or 80486 CPU.
|
|
The program now automatically detects if DPMI (DOS Protected
|
|
Mode Interface) support is available and will execute code in
|
|
32-bit protected mode for better speed.
|
|
PKZIP can be configured to best suit your needs through the
|
|
use of the PKCFG program, only available in the registered version
|
|
of PKZIP.
|
|
Sensitive data files can be scrambled with password
|
|
protection. The security of this feature has been significantly
|
|
improved in PKZIP/PKUNZIP 2.
|
|
In my own experience thus far, I can't see a noticeable speed
|
|
difference but compression is somewhat better. Of course, they've
|
|
used PKLITE on the executable files to keep their size on your hard
|
|
drive to a minimum.
|
|
=================================
|
|
|
|
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 America Online as well as in Modem News.
|
|
In case anyone cares, RAndY's RumOR RaG is produced on a DTK
|
|
386-33 with 16 megs of memory, Cyrix Fasmath co-processor, ATI VGA
|
|
Wonder+ card (1 MB), 105 MB Toshiba IDE hard drive, Teac 1.2 MB and
|
|
1.44 MB floppies, Hitachi 3750 CD ROM drive, Sceptre SVGA display,
|
|
Microsoft mouse, WordPerfect 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, America
|
|
Online, 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
|
|
America Online: RumOR RaG |