Date: Thu, 27 Apr 95 06:58:37 PDT

Date: Thu, 27 Apr 95 06:58:37 PDT
From: [email protected] (olcay cirit)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Computer News: Volume II, Issue 13

______ __ __
/ ____/\ / \ / /\
/ /\___\/ / /\ \ / / /
/ /_/__ / / /\ \/ / /
/______/\ /_/ / \__/ /
\\\\\\\\/ \\\/ \\\/

COMPUTER NEWS
"Your eye to the computer industry"(tm)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, April 26th 1995 Vol. II, Issue 13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

INSIDE CN:
----------
LibTech finally got FULL INTERNET last week on Friday. FTP, Telnet, WWW
Usenet, everything. Someone suggested that we check out an Interesting
net.site each week, and I'm building up a list of sites to check out.

This also means that we will finally be able to put CN on the Web
(As soon as I master HTML. Currently I have little experience with it.)
BTW, be sure and check out the Book Reviews for HTML authoring books.

As a final note, I would like to thank Erik Kraft ([email protected]),
for vital advice in my game-writing, and Saul Ansbacher
([email protected]) for encouragement.

Seeya,
-"olo" (Olcay Cirit)

THIS WEEK'S CONTRIBUTORS:
-------------------------
The NullBytes News Service <[email protected]>
Rob Slade <[email protected]>

Quick Overview
__________________________________________
NEWS:
1. 4 separate APIs for Games in Windows 95
2. Intel to run the 486 into the ground
3. Gates forecasts surge in PC sales
4. Escom buys what is left of Commodore
5. Mitnick to get off the hook?
ARTICLES:
1. Book Reviews (5)
ETC:
1. Classifieds
2. Lighter Side
__________________________________________

__ __
/ \ /\_\
/ /\ \/\/ /
/_/\/\ \/ /
\_\/ \__/ EWS:

Mitnick to get off the hook?
----------------------------
Kevin Mitnick, the alleged hacker who broke into several computer
systems illegally, may get off scot free. John Dusenbury, Mitnick's
lawyer, said that the search warrant used by police to enter his
Raleigh apartment was flawed.

Apparently, it listed the wrong address, so charges against Mitnick
should be dropped. (AP)

Escom buys what is left of Commodore
------------------------------------
Escom AG of Germany bought the assets of Commodore International Ltd.
for a dirt-cheap $6.6 Million. Escom stated that they would resume
manufacturing the Amiga and other Apple and IBM compatible computers
and sell them under the Commodore name to the European market.
Additionally, they stated that they would approach Motorola about
processors for an upcoming Commodore PowerPC.

However, it is uncertain whether the deal with be approved by
Commodore's creditors, or by the U.S. Bankruptcy court.
(Knight-Ridder)

Gates forecasts surge in PC sales
---------------------------------
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates forecasts sales of more than
60 million personal computers worldwide this year, which would
be an increase of 24 percent from 48 million last year. However,
Gates' expectations are slightly more optimistic than that of
other industry projections. For example, Dataquest Inc. projects
and overall increase of 17%, to 56.2 million units.
(AP)

Intel to run 486 into the ground
--------------------------------
Intel Corp. may slow down production of the 486 line of chips to near
abandonment to help sales of it's Pentium processor. This may seem
somewhat aggresive, but should come as no surprise to people familiar
with Intel's strategy: Out with the older, slower chips and in with the
newer, faster, smaller chips.

This strategy has not changed IBM's plans to keep making 486-based
computers. (Mercury News)

4 separate APIs for Games in Windows 95
---------------------------------------
Microsoft is to unveil a set of four Application Programming Interfaces
(API) that are designed to make porting DOS games to Windows 95 a bit
more palatable.

For the first time in known history, Microsoft's API and video boards
will work closely together, rather than simply ignoring each other, to
maximize game performance.

The four APIs--DirectDraw, DirectPlay, DirectSound, and DirectInput
allow for Direct and efficient access to computer hardware.

DirectSound allows for quick playing and mixing of sounds through the
MS Wave system. DirectPlay allows for fast communications links between
computers that games can use. DirectDraw allows direct access to
functions like copying pixels, etc. with having to go through several
layers of graphics interfaces. And finally, DirectInput allows for
joystick input with low CPU overhead (EETimes, April 24, 1995)

____
/___/\
/ /\ \/\
/ /\/\ \/\
/_/\/__\ \/\ RTICLES:
\_\/ \_\/

Book Reviews
------------
By Rob Slade <[email protected]>

Books
--------------------------------------------
1. "HTML Sourcebook"
2. "Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML"
3. "The Underground Guide to Laser Printers"
4. "NetPages"
5. "51 Reasons"
--------------------------------------------

"HTML Sourcebook", Ian Graham, 1995, 0-471-11849-4

%A Ian Graham [email protected]
%C 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-0012
%D 1995
%G 0-471-11849-4
%I John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (who do not honour copyright)
%O U$29.95 800-CALL-WILEY 212-850-6630 Fax: 212-850-6799
%O [email protected]
%P 416
%T "HTML Sourcebook"

For those who are serious about creating World Wide Web pages and
presentations, this is a very thorough reference.

Chapter one is a lesson in HTML (HyperText Markup Language). It covers
elements right up to multimedia and forms. The overview, though, is
quite brief. Anchors are explained as links to other documents, but the
function of linking to a specific section of a document is not covered.
This function *is* covered in chapter two, which details all the HTML
elements, including those proposed for HTML+. Subsequent chapters deal
with Universal Resource Locators (URLs); the Common Gateway Interface
(CGI); tools, editors and document translators; browsers; servers; and
examples. The material is technical and detailed, right down to mention
of security considerations on clients.

The pace and technical level may not be suitable for beginners, who may
want to look at Lemay's "Teach Yourself Web Publishing With HTML" (cf.
BKWPHTML.RVW). The organization of the all important second chapter
takes some getting used to. The anchor element is included with "List
Elements", is not referenced by the "anchor" entry in the index, and
the "A element" index listing is out of order.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BKHTMLSR.RVW 950323

"Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML", Laura Lemay, 1995, 0-672-30667-0

%A Laura Lemay [email protected] [email protected]
%C 201 W. 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290
%D 1995
%G 0-672-30667-0
%I SAMS Publishing
%O U$25.00/C$34.95 800-858-7674 800-428-5331 800-428-3804 317-581-3743
%O 317-573-2500 317-581-3535 317-581-3718 fax: 317-581-4669
%O [email protected] [email protected]
%P 392
%T "Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML"

For those of us, hoary old techies that we are, who had to deal with
TeX, SGML, and the manual insertion of escape codes into documents for
the earliest laser printers, HTML (HyperText Markup Language, the
instruction set for World Wide Web) holds no terrors at all. For the
other ninety-nine percent of the computer-using populace, Lemay has
written a solid, realistic, well-paced and readable introduction to the
topic. Having seen numerous recent exhortations that "Web publisher" is
one of the "coming" jobs, I hope she makes a fortune.

The fourteen chapters give a thorough coverage to both HTML tags and W3
page design. Topics include background; presentation and page design;
basic, linking, formatting, media and form tags; examples; W3 servers;
gateway scripts; and HTML tools. Appendices list further resources and
a summary of commands. The "in a week" timeframe may be stretched by
the forms and gateway scripting, but a dedicated student equipped with
server and browser should be able to be well familiar with everything
in the book after seven days. Lemay's pacing, organization and
structure are sound. The content is clear and the text quite readable.
Given the subject matter, some of the typos are ironic, but none should
be a hindrance.

In fact, the only problem I have with this book is that nine out of
every ten readers will be using it to turn out the same guff we've seen
on twenty thousand other Web servers. The ones, though, might make it
worthwhile.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BKWPHTML.RVW 950322

"The Underground Guide to Laser Printers", Jeffries et al, 1993, 1-56609-045-8

%A Walter Vose Jeffries et al.
%C 2414 6th St., Berkeley, CA 94710
%D 1993
%G 1-56609-045-8
%I Peachpit Press, Inc.
%O U$12.00/C$17.00 510-548-4393 fax: 510-548-5991 800-283-9444
%O [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
%P 162
%T "The Underground Guide to Laser Printers"

BlackLightning is a firm that remanufactures (refills and refurbishes)
laser printer toner cartridges. For many years, they have published
"The Flash" magazine, initially as a newsletter for their own
customers, and eventually as a self-supporting business, in its own
right. This book reprints articles from the first four years of "The
Flash".

As well as background on the operation of laser printers and the
manufacture of toner, there are several articles on maintenance, and
even minor repairs. One chapter gives a very thorough troubleshooting
guide based upon image analysis. Given the background of
remanufacturers, they present detailed information on the refill
process. As a bonus, there are interesting tips on specialty toners and
procedures for photolithography work, cheques, photo transfers for
cloth, colours, and even rubber stamps.

The 1993 date means that the newest small, personal laser and LED
printers are not covered. Still, the information is very valuable, and
would likely repay the cover price many times for anyone with a laser
printer. For those in technical support positions, this is necessary
information.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BKUNLSRP.RVW 950327

"NetPages", Susan Estrada, 1994

%A Susan Estrada [email protected]
%C 2380 Camino Vida Roble, Carlsbad, CA 92009
%D 1994
%I Aldea Communications, Inc.
%O U$5.95 +1-619-943-0101 fax: +1-619-929-0580 [email protected]
%P 214
%T "NetPages"

Godin and McBride did the "1994 Internet White Pages" (cf.
BKINTWHP.RVW) and haven't yet attempted an update. Hahn and Stout claim
the "original" (cf. BKINTYLP.RVW), and New Riders the "official" (cf.
BKNRYLPG.RVW), "Yellow Pages", both of which are in their second
editions. Now, Aldea has produced blue, white and yellow NetPages in
one volume.

It is my understanding that NetPages is intended to be supplied like
the phone book, with both hardcopy and online versions being provided
free of charge and the project to be funded by the sale of advertising.
(My copy, labelled "Spring 1995", was also marked "$5.95".) I assume
this is the first edition: for a network directory, it is very slim.

The blue pages are a remarkably cogent and concise "at a glance" guide
to the Internet. Email components, mailing lists, codes of conduct,
good references, and business on the Internet are covered quickly, but
with all the major points covered. (The bibliography is terrible, but
you can't have everything.)

The white pages have first business, and then individual, listings.
This is very handy in terms of finding people, but an additional page
colour might be of benefit here, to distinguish the two sections. The
listing system is automated; you send email to [email protected], so
there are frequent errors. (Send email to [email protected] to get
details of the submission format.)

In this version, there are fewer than 160 companies listed in the
yellow pages.

The information in the book states that it will be published twice
annually. For information on availability, send email to
[email protected].

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BKNETPAG.RVW 950313

"51 Reasons", Martha Stone-Martin, Laura Breeden, 1994

%A Martha Stone-Martin
%A Laura Breeden
%C 114 Waltham Street, Suite 12, Lexington, MA 02173
%D 1994
%I FARNET, Inc.
%O (617) 860-9445 [email protected]
%P 124
%T "51 Reasons"

This book contains fifty-six short articles about some aspect of
Internet use. Fifty-one represent works loosely based in each of the
fifty states (in the U.S.) and the District of Columbia, while five are
author profiles.

The articles cover a wide range of topics. Most do not go into detail
about the applications used. Some are a bit odd, such as the history of
SIMTEL20 (which does not mention the recent shut-down at WSMR) and the
promotional piece for Cisco Systems.

This is good material for promoting Internet use.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BK51RESN.RVW 950314

_____
/ ___/\
/ /\\\\/
/ ___/\
/ /\\\\/
/____/\
\\\\\\/ TC:

Classifieds
-----------
The classified ad section is free for anyone who would like to post an
advertisement. There is a limit of 10 ads per issue, and 1 ad per
person. Ads are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. There is a
limit of 100 lines per ad. Anonymous postings are accepted, as well as
non-computer related topics. By posting, your message will get to +/-
1890 people. NOTICE: PRODUCTS AND/OR SERVICES DISPLAYED HERE ARE NOT
NECESSARILY THOSE ENDORSED BY COMPUTER NEWS.

---Begin Classified Ads---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
***************************** MISCELLANEOUS *****************************
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted By: Computer News Server <[email protected]>
Subject: LIST OF SERVICES & FEATURES FOUND IN COMPUTER NEWS:

Services:
=========
Help with Windows Problems
Help with DOS Problems
Classified Ads

Features:
=========
Weekly News Reporting
Weekly Book Reviews
Monthly Internet Entertainment Reviews
Humor Section "Lighter Side"

Suggestions for any new features, services, or how we could improve any
one of our features or services, can be directed to [email protected].

---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
***************************** EQUIPMENT WANTED **************************
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted By: [email protected] (IVAR SONNE-MOERCH)
Subject: Equipment Wanted

Epson PC Portable Motherboard
-----------------------------
There once was a young hopeful student whose first computer was more
movable than portable: A beautiful grey, light-blue-screened Epson PC
Portable. It worked fine until one day he cleaned it, forgetting to
turn off the power supply. Result: Disaster! The Motherboard was gone.

The no-longer-so-young and yet hopeful student still wants to use his
Moveable and in vain has been searching high and low for an Epson PC
Portable Motherboard. Can anyone help?

Greetings from Copenhagen, Denmark

[email protected]

---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
***************************** SITUATION WANTED **************************
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted By: [email protected]
Subject: Situation Wanted

SITUATION WANTED:

APPLICATIONS CONSULTANT/SYSTEM ANALYST
Financial Applications Development
Software Conversions - Installation and Customized
Training
Design And Implementation - Sales/Marketing Support -
Domestic/International

Professional system executive highly skilled in the design and
development of computer hardware and software applications. Proven
abilities in solving intricate MIS problems and bottlenecks with
efficiency and effective cost controls. Proficient in the use and
application of local and wide area networks and in the use of popular
software products. Exhibits strong communication skills with all levels
of management. Effective project manager.

Send inquiries to [email protected]

---
---End Classified Ads---

__
/ /\
/ / /
/ /_/_
/_____/\
\_____\/ ighter Side
--------------------

Reprinted from Edupage:
-----------------------

>EDUCOM REVIEW is our bimonthly print magazine on learning,
>communications, and information technology. Subscriptions are $18 a
>year in the U.S.; send mail to [email protected]. When you do, we'll
>ring a little bell, because we'll be so happy! Seriously! (Not the
>bell part, the happy part.)

More Wisdom from the Usenet Oracle:
-----------------------------------

The Usenet Oracle has pondered your question deeply.
Your question was:

> If you can't reach there, well, then I obviously didn't
> want you to scratch there. Think about that next time-
> oh, sorry, there isn't a next time.
>
> Zot!
>
> You owe the Oracle a new mattress.

And in response, thus spake the Oracle:

} "Well, hello there, me. How am I today?"
} "Me? I'm fine! And me?"
} "I'm fine! What do I want me to do?"
} "Simple! I want me to find us."
} "That's simple. Which one of us do I want me to find?"
} "All of us. In case I haven't told myself, there's a crisis facing the
} world. And only I and me, along with us, can help."
} "But before I go, I've got one question for me."
} "I'm welcome to it. Ask."
} "How come I'm telling me to do it? Why don't I do it?"
} "I'd be glad to help, but I'm in an asylum for the insane."
} "How did I get there?"
} "For talking to myself." The screen went blank.
} So it was that the Usenet Oracle went searching for his other selves,
} not knowing that they had already been accounted for.
}
} You owe the Oracle "Things the Oracle Would Say to Homer Simpson" for
} $50, Alex.

To find out all about the Usenet Oracle, including how to participate,
send mail to [email protected] with the word "help" in the subject
line.

One of Rob Slade's .sigs:
-------------------------

>=============
>Vancouver [email protected] | "If a train station
>Institute for [email protected] | is where a train
>Research into [email protected] | stops, what happens
>User [email protected] | at a workstation?"
>Security Canada V7K 2G6 | Frederick Wheeler

Well, Fred, I guess the work stops here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer News is Copyright (C) 1995 by Olcay Cirit. All Rights Reserved.

ALL TRADEMARKS/COPYRIGHTS CONTAINED HEREIN, MARKED OR UNMARKED, BELONG TO
THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. THE TEXTS CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE REDISTRIBUTED
IN WHOLE OR IN PART PROVIDED THAT THE ARTICLE REMAIN INTACT AND THAT THE
ABOVE NOTICE BE DISPLAYED. INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. THIS
ARTICLE MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE RESOLD OR REDISTRIBUTED IN ANY
FORM FOR ANY COMPENSATION OF ANY KIND WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION
FROM MR. OLCAY CIRIT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To SUBSCRIBE to Computer News, send e-mail to [email protected] with
the following in the body of the message:

subscribe cn

To UNSUBSCRIBE from Computer News send e-mail to [email protected]
with the following in the body of the message:

unsubscribe cn

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suggestions/Submissions/Comments may be directed to <[email protected]>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer News is edited by Olcay Cirit