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> 07/20/91: AMReport #1.03 The Online Magazine of Choice!
-------------------------
-The Editor's Desk -APPLE DOWN $53.1 MIL -POWER UP 500
-MACROMIND/PARACOMP -NOVELL/DRI -ASHTON TATE SUED
-EPSON CUTS SCANNER $ -LOTUS EARNINGS DROP -Stock Watch
-The Non-Comm Club -COMPAQ JAPAN? -ERIC SCHWARTZ ANIMS
-EA WANTS YOU! -ORIGIN IS IBM/VGA ONLY -New in the Libs
-* AmigaUtil II Review *-
-* The Boston Computer Exchange *-
-* Device Independent Graphics (part 1) *-
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------------------
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PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION
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Robert Retelle Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON
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EDITORIAL
---------
Well, friday evening is again upon me and another issue of AM-Report
is ready for the modem. This issue is the biggest yet, weighing in
at right around 50,000 bytes uncompressed. This is the limit I have
put on the magazine, since bigger doesn't necessarily mean better,
but it most certainly means more expensive.
Judging from the download counts on the various services, AM-Report
seems to be a smashing success. Of course, it could just be a big
novelty value, but who cares?
This past week has brought more news of mergers (I think the 90's
are going to go down in history for corporate mergers & buyouts!),
big downturns for the computer giants (IBM profits down 91%, Apple
posts a $53.1 million quarterly loss), and other interesting tidbits
of news.
Epson has cut the retail price of it's 24-bit color scanner, which
should have a good effect on the overall market (from a consumer's
point of view).
I still only have access to CompuServe and FidoNet, but I have put
the wheels in motion to get direct access to Delphi and GEnie. Soon
I should be active on both those networks. This will most likely
cause the magazine to increase in size, but I will strive to keep it
managable.
Enjoy the issue.
-Chas
======================================================================
NEWS & VIEWS
------------
MORE MERGERS
------------
MacroMind, Inc. and Paracomp, Inc. have signed a letter of intent to
merge. Details were not given other than the firms expect the merger
to be completed by mid-August.
Bill Woodward, CEO of Paracomp will serve as chairman and Timm Mott,
president/CEO of MacroMind will be CEO of the new firm which will be
named MacroMind/Paracomp.
Both firms specialize in multimedia software development for the Apple
Macintosh line of computers. MacroMind's main product is Director 3.0,
an interactive multimedia creator. Paracomp publishes design and
visualization software for the Macintosh.
=========================================================================
EVEN MORE MERGERS
-----------------
Novell, Inc. of Provo, Utah and Digital Research, Inc. of Monterey,
California have signed a definitive merger agreement in which existing
shares of Digital Research common stock, convertible securities and
options will be exchanged for $1.5 million newly issued shares of
Novell common stock.
The merger is subject to approval by both Digital Research's stock-
holders and the government.
Novell, Inc. is most notably known for their local area networking
(LAN) software, NetWare. Digital Research, Inc. is known for the
operating system GEM and the MS-DOS alternative, DR-DOS.
=========================================================================
BRAZIL EASES FOREIGN COMPUTER BARRIERS
--------------------------------------
Recently, the government of Brazil has eased restrictions on imports of
computer equipment and parts. It has approved joint ventures between
Brazil's Sid Information and Elebra with the United States' IBM and DEC
respectively.
Brazil has long had a policy of "market reserve", not allowing any
foreign companies to have an interest in Brazilian computer companies
or to import any computer electronics not owned by a Brazilian company.
Brazilian companies will now be allowed to import printed circuit
boards. The joint partnerships will be allowed to produce medium-sized
computers.
Calling approval of joint ventures "historic," Brazilian Secretary of
Science and Technology Jose Goldemberg said foreign firms will be
allowed to control up to 30 percent of capital in the joint ventures.
Brazil is targeting October 1992 to totally phase out their "market
reserve" policy. At that time, multinationals will be allowed to own
up to 49 percent of voting capital in a joint venture. The companies
will be required to invest 5 percent of total sales in local research
and development.
=========================================================================
E. SCHWARTZ ANIMS
-----------------
For those of you who like Eric Schwartz's animations, here is an updated
list of what he has done, along with memory requirements, the year the
particular anim was released, program used to create it and official
sources of the anims.
The list was updated on July 9, 1991 and posted to FidoNet's Amiga Nat'l
by John Adams.
*****************************
AEROTOONS (all require 1 megabyte and are made with Gold Disk's
Moviesetter unless otherwise stated.)
Stealthy Manuever 1989
The Swiss Army F-16 in Combat 1989, 1.5 meg
Stealth Bomber 1989
Skydive 1989
Navy Aggressor Training 1989
Soviet Soft Landing 1989
Korean Conflict 1989
VTOL contest 1989, 1.5 meg
Stealthy Manuever II 1990
Vietnam Conflict 1990
Shuttlecock 1991
ATF Agility 1990-91, Disney studio
Camouflage 1991
E.S. Productions (same conditions as the Aerotoons)
How to Run into a Wall 1989
Coyote 2: The Road Test 1989, 1.5 meg
Juggler Demo II 1989
At the Movies 1990, 1 and 2 meg versions
Pogo: Miz Ma'm'selle 1990, 2-meg
Batman 1990
Juggette Demo II 1990
Terminal 1990
Late Night 1990
The History of Amy the Squirrel 1990, DeluxeVideo 3
The Anti-Lemmin Demo 1991, 2 meg(2.5 if HD)
The Dating Game: A Flip the Frog Cartoon. 1991, 3 meg
ANIMS (short looping things, made with Dpaint 3 and/or sculpt 4Djr.)
(all of them run in one meg, some less)
Amy Walks 1989
Juggette Anim 1989
E.S. Anim 1989
Stealth Flyby 1990
Juggler jr. 1990
City Jumper 1990
Amy Jogs 1990
Amy vs. Walker 1990
The Big Sneeze 1990
E.S. Tor Anim 1990
Amy Does Schwab 1991
Filenames or archive names may differ from the ones I've given here.
These animations are freeware or shareware, NOT public domain. These
anims are available all over but there are only FIVE officially
ordained distributors (ones I fully approve of). These are:
Myself, (see end)
the Fred Fish Amiga Library 1835 E. Belmont Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85284
The AFIT Amiga users group. BBS No. (513) 252-7681 Dayton, OH
The Merical Starchaser BBS. BBS No. (513) 254-9112 Centerville, OH
Integral Computers "Public D" Collection 414 Barclay Rd.
Rosemont, PA 19010
As Always,
Eric Schwartz
All Animations are Copyright 1989, 1990, 1991 Eric W. Schwartz
This list version (1.2) was finalized on July 9, 1991
Eric Schwartz
P.O. Box 292684
Kettering, OH 45429-0684
======================================================================
ASHTON-TATE SUED BY STOCKHOLDER
-------------------------------
Ashton-Tate's plan to sell the firm to Borland International has met with
some resistance from stockholder Edward Michael. Michael has filed a
court complaint over the proposed sale alleging that A-T directors failed
to perform their fiduciary duties by enacting a merger agreement and
stock option agreement; and that the consideration provided for by the
merger was not adequate.
The complaint contends that Borland aided the breach and is a class
action suit which ask for, among other things, damages, attorny's fees
and an order preventing the transaction.
Borland and A-T have said they consider the suit to be without merit and
that they intend to fight it.
======================================================================
POWER UP 500
------------
Okay, so it is old news, but it is still news that should be spread
around!
Commodore offers a version of the Power Up program to non-Amiga
Commodore computer owners who want an A500.
Owners of the C-16, C-64, SX-64, C-128, Pet, Plus/4 or Vic-20 can
save up to $300 on an Amiga 500P and up to $200 on an Amiga 500S.
(Regularly priced at $799 and $599 respectively.)
The program is similar to the Power Up program for the A3000. Write
the serial number of the machine on the cover of the original
owner's manual and take it to an authorized Commodore-Amiga dealer.
Students and educators can also take advantage of the special
prices by showing a high school diploma, college id, or college
acceptance letter. Educators show a school ID or busniess card and
the deals are available.
The A500S has 512K RAM, hooks up to a home television and comes
with a word processor, geography program and three games. The
A500P has 1 Mb RAM, a word processor, clock/calendar, paint and
music programs as well as a challenging graphics-oriented game.
The offer is available until October 31, 1991.
======================================================================
EPSON CUTS PRICES
-----------------
Epson America has reduced prices on its color scanner and one type
of printer.
The suggested retail price for its laser EPL-7500 printer from
$3,299 to $2,999 and for the ES-300C scanner from $1,999 to $1,699.
NOTE: Creative Computers had a mail-order price of $1,449 on the
ES-300C scanner before the Epson price reduction. This price was
listed in the August 1991 issue of AmigaWorld and included ASDG
driver software.
======================================================================
LOTUS EARNINGS DROP
-------------------
For its second quarter net income, Lotus Development Corp. has
posted a drop of 61%. For the first six months of 1991, Lotus'
net incom dropped 66% on a rised in sales of only 5%. This is
in comparison to last years figures.
======================================================================
COMPAQ ENTERS JAPAN
-------------------
Compaq has created a new subsidary in Japan to market it's line
of DOS based computers beginning in the first half of 1992.
Currently, the Japanese PC market is dominated by NEC which
controls about half the market -- with non IBM-compatible PCs.
======================================================================
APPLE LOSES $53.1 MILLION
-------------------------
Apple Computer of Cupertino, California reported on Wednsday that
in its third fiscal quarter unit shipments of its popular Macintosh
personal computers grew by more than 60 percent, and that net
revenues increased by 12 percent, compared to the third quarter
last year.
Apple also reported that it has taken a one time charge of $224
million ($139 million after tax) cost reduction for restructuring.
This has resulted in a $53.1 million loss for the third quarter 91.
3Q91 3Q90
NET REVENUE $1.529 billion $1.365 billion
INTERNATIONAL REVENUE 44% 42%
GROSS MARGIN 45.8% 54%
NET PROFIT (LOSS)/SHARE ($.44) $.96
======================================================================
ELECTRONIC ARTS WANTS YOU!
--------------------------
If you or anybody that you know is qualified and interested in this
position please send in a resume. Electronic Arts is located in
San Mateo, CA, about 20 minutes south of San Francisco.
Product Testing Job - Electronic Arts
------------------------------------
Primary Responsibilities:
- Discover, investigate, and report code and design errors in software
in all stages of development. Analyze product, design test and test
suites that exercise products through multiple option and feature levels.
- Design and execute multilevel test plans and test matrices, review and
comment on documentation, coordinate and lead the test effort and
interact with the Quality Assurance department.
- Configuration test software on different cpu's, memory configurations,
peripherals, video cards, and I/O devices.
- Actively participate in design and development of multimedia products
with the programming team and production group.
Qualifications:
- Expertise and interest in multimedia products and technology.
- Excellent analytical, written, oral, team, and interpersonal skills.
- Required: One year software testing experience.
- Product development experience desirable
- Hardware and Operating systems expertise with IBM, Mac, Amiga, and
Windows for the IBM PC.
- Self starter that can work with limited supervision.
Only those that have a strong commitment to perfection need apply.
Please send resumes and a cover letter to:
Electronic Arts Product Test Position P.O. Box 7577 Mailstop JF
San Mateo, CA 94403-7577
======================================================================
ORIGIN IS IBM/VGA ONLY!
-----------------------
The following message was posted by Neil Bradley [CIS 72337,146] in
the AtariArts forum of CompuServe.
I attened a seminar at Dragon Con last weekend with
Richard "Lord British" Garriot, and a couple of
interesting things were mentioned:
1) Henceforth, Origin is writing programs ONLY for
the IBM computer.
2) The MINIMUM graphic mode supported will be VGA.
3) The game Wing Commander has already outsold ALL
versions ever made of Ultima!
4) The "scenario disks" for Wing Commander have
been purchased by over 75% of the original
purchasers of Wing Commander. Compare this
to "Flight Simulator" which had, at best, a
20-25% purchase of scenario disks.
5) Origin has *IMMEDIATE* openings for "Computer
Graphic Artists". In fact, Richard said if you
are an artist and want to LEARN computer graphics,
he is willing to train you! Contact Origin
IMMEDIATELY if you are interested.
======================================================================
THE BOSTON COMPUTER EXCHANGE
----------------------------
The Boston Computer Exchange (BoCoEx) is a computer brokerage dealing in
just about anything related to computers including micros, minis,
mainframes, peripherals and software. They are located in Boston, Mass
(surprise!) but are thoroughly computerized and can be reached by modem
through either CompuServe or Delphi as well as by U.S. Mail, telephone,
facsimile or MCI-Mail.
According to their brochure, the BoCoEx was founded over ten years ago
and is the largest world-wide computer brokerage of its kind.
DOWN TO BUSINESS
----------------
Okay, I learned about the BoCoEx from seeing their abbreviated index
listed in Computerworld, a weekly trade journal. Calling information
for Boston, I located their telephone number and asked for a brochure.
Three days later, I received a tri-fold brochure via U.S. Mail and saw
the network access points would be my easiest way of checking things
out.
BoCoEx can be accessed on CompuServe by typing "GO BCE" at any ! prompt.
It can be accessed through Delphi by typing "ME BO" from the main menu.
Electronic mail can be sent through CompuServe at the GO BCE menu; using
the address BOCOEX through MCI-Mail; or by using the address BOCOEXCO on
Delphi. Access on CompuServe is free of connect-time charges (though
access network surcharges like Tymenet and Telenet are in effect) and I
assume that is the case on Delphi, also.
I checked out BoCoEx through CompuServe, as my Delphi account has not
yet been activated. The BCE is menu driven, and you can get general
information on the BoCoEx itself; peruse listings; read the BoCoEx Index
or send email from the main prompt.
When checking the listings, you choose the type of equipment you are
looking for, then go to a submenu. The equipment menu looks like this:
** ONLINE USED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT **
1 Inquire About a Listing
2 Personal Computers
3 Laptops
4 Printers / Plotters
5 Accessories / Peripheral's
6 Modems / FAX / Drives
7 Miscellaneous
The first option is to get details about a listing, and can be used only
if you know the listing number. The PERSONAL COMPUTERS selection brings
up the following menu:
1 Inquire About a Listing
2 IBM And Compatibles
3 Compaq
4 Macintosh
5 Apple
6 Commodore
7 Atari
8 Amiga
9 All Other Makes
Selecting one will then present you with a list of what the BoCoEx is
brokering in that category. When I checked, there were no Amigas listed,
and only one Commodore listing. A typical listing looks as follows:
1 Type of Equipment: MICRO Maker: COMMODORE
Model: 128 Price: $1150.00
Very simple to read. Here we have a C-128 for sale, and the asking price
is $1150. Details are available by taking the listing number (in this
case, 1) and inquiring further. Inquiring further involves selecting the
appropriate menu choice and filling in the form. Details are not
available online but rather you are then called by a representative of
the BoCoEx with the information.
This service in not provided free. The BoCoEx takes a 15% commission on
any sale made ($25 minimum) and any sales made by parties originally
introduced the BoCoEx. This is standard practice (at least with dealers
I've dealt with, it is). The seller pays this fee, as well as a $25
appraisal fee which is sometimes waived for volume clients. While the
BoCoEx does not actually, physically check every machine out that is
listed, they provide the following paragraph in explanation of their
policy:
BCE listings are provided in good faith and deemed reliable,
but are offered without warranty with regard to errors,
omissions, changes in price or withdrawal without notice.
Incomplete listings will be refused, and we reserve the
right to reject any listing request.
The seller is responsible for delivering working equipment,
and for accepting return or repair of damaged or defective
goods.
Individuals can list their systems with the BoCoEx electronically. The
details are available from BoCoEx on their electronic addresses or by
the mails.
The BoCoEx has four grades of computer equipment, for clarity, the
verbatum definitions follow:
In this area, you can search the BCE listings database for bargains, offer
equipment for sale, review the latest "closing prices" on selected models
of used computer equipment and analysis of market trends in our our "BoCoEx
Index," which is updated weekly. Values are calculated based on final
sale prices of equipment traded on the BoCoEx during the preceding week.
"New" equipment means: equipment is sealed in original
boxes, with a manufacturer's warranty.
"Used" equipment means: units are guaranteed to be fully
operational by the seller.
"As-is" equipment means: Equipment is in the condition
stated by the seller at the time of the sale, FOB the
equipment's location.
"Refurbished" equipment means: units have been cleaned,
are certified as fully operational, in clean boxes with
manuals. Refurbished machines are often sold with depot
warranties.
Warranty and equipment condition are the responsibility
of the seller and vary according to the terms of each
transaction. At minimum, all equipment is guaranteed by
the seller to be fully operational on arrival, unless
otherwise stated.
The BoCoEx provides an escrow service, for a fee, to ensure that sellers
don't get taken by people who take delivery of good, but don't pay.
THE INDEX
---------
The BoCoEx Index is an index of machines and prices for the previous
week. Something like the Stock Echange listings found in the newspaper,
the BoCoEx Index gives the approximate value of the computer in question.
The Index is copyrighted, so I can't reproduce it here, but it is
available in a number of places including Computerworld, the Boston
Globe, NewsBytes, PC Week and online through CompuServe and Delphi.
Check it out for a brief glimpse of the prices of used equipment. There
is no Index listing (that I could find) for the Amiga. Here's a taste:
According to the latest Index (the week ending June 28, 1991) the
closing prices on some key machines were:
IBM PC/XT (mono w/20 Mb hard drive)..............$ 450
IBM PS/2-30 (mono w/30 Mb hard drive)............$1150
Compaq Deskpro 386/33 (320 Mb hard drive)........$6000
Macintosh Plus (20 Mb hard drive)................$ 750
Macintosh IIfx (80 Mb hard drive)................$5400
HP Laserjet II...................................$ 800
BoCoEx Index prices are based on complete systems with
keyboard, monochrome monitor and adapter, less the value
of any software or peripherals. BoCoEx Index appears
in PC Week, ComputerWorld, UPI and IDG Wire Service, PC
Satellite Network, Computer Currents, NewsBytes,
Canadian ComputerWeek, CompuServe, Delphi, Boston Globe,
and is heard weekly on Business Radio Network. Call BCE:
617-542-4414, Buyer's Hot Line: 1-800-262-6399, In
Alaska and Canada 1-800-437-2470, FAX: 617-542-8849.
BoCoEx Database is on CompuServe: GO BCE, on Delphi: ME
BO.
What the heck does this have to do with the Amiga? Well, it is a large
network for those who are looking at upgrading and wish to sell their
current machine, or are looking for a better machine and don't mind used
material.
Finally, it plays a key part in a proposal I have (arrogantly enough)
for Commodore which I like to call POWER OVER. This will be described
in a detailed article next issue.
=====================================================================
The Non-Comm Club
-----------------
Non-Commercial Software Reviews by Charles Hill
AmigaUtil II
~~~~~~~~~~~~
AmigaUtil II is another one of them disk utility programs that allow
you to manipulate files and directories with a mouse. It is listed
as shareware, but there was no documentation in the archive, so I
haven't the faintest idea where to send shareware fees or even how
much to send.
The author is Marc Lafontaine and the ABOUT says support is by a
Maurice Lapierre. The ABOUT lists the version number as 2.0 but the
title bar says it is version 1.84. I think the former is corrent.
AmigaUtil was in an LZH archives with three files: AmigaUtil, the
corresponding .info file and a .def configuration file. The archive
is small so download time is quick.
STATISTICS
~~~~~~~~~~
AmigaUtil II is only 83028 bytes long and is pure code, so there is
no problem making it a resident process. The configuration file
goes in the S: directory, but is not necessary unless you want some
custom functions. There are six configurable device gadgets and 76
configurable custom gadgets.
APPEARANCE
~~~~~~~~~~
The Workbench 2 look is in. AmigaUtil II (AU2) opens a four-color
screen with default colors being light grey (10, 10, 11), white
(14, 14, 15), black (0, 0, 0) and medium blue (0, 3, 13). The text
is black on a grey background turning to white on a blue background
when selected. Gadgets and display windows are highlighted for that
3-D look that is ever so popular with Commodore.
The display is the norm for this type of program: two side-by-side
windows with a small, vertical strip of gadgets inbetween; a group
of control gadgets below each window and a strip (or three) of user
definable gadgets on the bottom.
The color palette is user definable through the standard palette
requester accessable from the menu strip or an Amiga-key combo.
The screen type can be set to lores (640 x 200), hires (640 x 400)
or half-height. Lores and hires open full screens while half-height
opens a hires screen that pulls up from below to cover 1/2 of your
Workbench screen. Grabbing the title bar lets you adjust just where
the half-height screen goes, just like a normal screen.
To the left of each display window, there is a slider bar for those
cases where the file/directory list is bigger than the window.
Directly below is a string gadget for inputting the device name
manually and directly above is another one for the subdirectories.
Grouped below each window are the action gadgets. A small cluster
of six list the devices selectable. I have them set to DF0, DF1,
DH0, DH1, RAM and DEV. Changing them is easy, just CTRL-click on
the one to change and fill in the blanks! The word DEV is special,
bringing up a list of all AmigaDOS devices.
The next three are ALL, CLR and COPY. ALL selects all FILES in the
window and CLR unselects all files. COPY is special because it can
do more than just that. If no file is selected, clicking on the
COPY gadget cycles it through its functions: COPY, COPY AS, MOVE
and DUPLICATE. Select a file (file group/directory) and click on
the modified gadget to perform that function. COPY performs a
standard file copy; COPY AS allows you to rename the file first;
MOVE deletes the original file after copying and DUPLICATE copies
not only the file, but also the protection bits, comment and date
stamp depending on the setting in the menu.
The final three are PARENT, MD and DELETE, which all act normal.
Between the SOURCE and TARGET windows is a strip of 12/13 gadgets.
The first is a double-headed arrow for swapping the source and
target window contents. The second and third are left and right
arrows for moving the source to the target and vice-versa. The
next five tell the directory what attributes to show for the files.
The options are: size, time, protection bits, nothing and something
starting with the letter "c". The "c" option doesn't do anything
apparant, and since there is no documentation....I'm stuck. The
last four gadgets (one a ppears when the final one is clicked on)
are for cycling through the user-definable functions.
AU2 has provisions for automatically listing, extracting and adding
files to and from arc, LHarc and Zoo archives. Directory listings
can be sorted by name, size, extension, date or time. The program
even has an ICONIFY option in the menus. Most menu options have
keyboard alternatives.
FUNCTIONS
~~~~~~~~~
AU2 has the ability to put in 76 user-definable functions and comes
with four built in. The four built in are excellent and quite
useful. The first is TYPE, which can be changed to a HEX output by
clicking on it without a file selected. It can also be shifted to
an ASCII setting, which breaks the lines into 40 columns and adds
a hex character count.
The second built in function is ATTRIBUTE which is similar to ZIP
in the requestor it brings up. You can review and alter the key
protection bits of any file.
The third function is my favorite -- PICTURE. Picture will display
any IFF file (though I've not tested IFF-24). The neat part is
that by hitting the "I" key you toggle the interlace. Interlaced
pictures are mapped to non-interlace and you scroll around with the
mouse. Non-interlaced pictures are mapped to interlace. You can
also hit the "H" key for hires to lores mapping. Hires pictures
are mapped to lores and you can scroll around them with the mouse.
This function DOES NOT work in HAM (for obvious reasons). You can
use both toggles at once to zoom in on pictures, etc. Some hires
b&w pictures I have are really excellent when mapped to a lores,
noninterlaced screen -- it is like a zoom function.
The final function is RENAME. It works like it should. It will
not rename files to different directories -- use the MOVE option
for that.
Loading and saving config files is very easy -- just use the menu
options or the Amiga-key equivalents.
FINALLY
~~~~~~~
I don't normally use these types of programs, as I am pretty handy
with the CLI and most of them I've run across are too obtrusive.
AU2's half-height option combined with the iconify is a real plus.
AU2 is a program that I will keep around and use when performing
operations on large groups of files. Too bad there is no address
included for the author.
======================================================================
STOCK WATCH
-----------
Stock Watch is a weekly feature of AM-Report that lists the previous
weeks securities activities for the four "name" computer companies:
Apple, Atari, Commodore & IBM. The two numbers listed are the CLOSE
and CHANGE values for the stock. Commodore & IBM are traded on the
NYSE; Apple on the NASDAQ and Atari on the AMEX.
MON TUE WED THUR
------------------------------------------------------------
Apple 45½ -1¼ 43¾ +1¾ 42½ -1¼ 44 7/8 +2 3/8
Atari 2 3/8 +¼ 2 3/8 Unch 2¼ -1/8 2¼ Unch
CBM 13¼ -1/8 13¼ Unch 12 3/8 -7/8 12 7/8 +½
IBM 99¼ -3/8 96 5/8 -2 5/8 96¼ -3/8 98¼ +2
FRI SYMBOL START FINISH CHANGE
----------------------------------------------------------
Apple 46 +1 1/8 (AAPL) 46 3/4 46 -¾
Atari 2¼ Unch (ATC) 2 1/8 2¼ +1/8
CBM 12¾ -1/8 (CBU) 13 3/8 12¾ -5/8
IBM 100½ +2¼ (IBM) 99 5/8 100½ +7/8
======================================================================
DEVICE INDEPENDENT GRAPHICS
---------------------------
(part.1)
In 1985, when the Amiga was released, it had some of the best graphics
available on a personal computer. Three dedicated custom chips handled
the multicolored images and animations that were the hallmark of the
Amiga. Then, a 4096 color palette, double-buffered displays, ray-traced
animations all coupled with four-channel stereo sound in an industry
where EGA 640 x 480 x 16 was the standard graphics display was enough to
make people sit up and notice. Now, with VGA/SVGA graphics and add-in
boards to bring 12-bit, 11 channel stereo sound to the PC world it is
de rigèur.
Since then, two of the Amiga custom chips have gone through some minor
updates which have inched the graphics capabilities of the machine
forward. Modifications to the Agnus chip have seen the increase in
custom-chip accessable RAM go from 512K to 1M to the 2M found on the
A3000 and the "MegaChip" product from DKB. Changes in the Denise display
chip have brought forth such items as half-brite, cyclable and changable
transparent genlock colors, and a couple of new, but almost useless
screen resolutions. Good ole Paula, the sound chip, has pretty much
gone her merry way, although rumors about an upgrade have been around
for years.
Many people feel the Amiga is due for a major update in its graphics
system. Release 2 of the operating system has resulted in outline font
support at the system level and a uniform guideline towards application
appearance. Now, stronger video and audio hardware is necessary to
bring the Amiga back to the forefront of the personal computer pack.
The audio discussion we will save for a later date.
The most commonly discussed upgrade for the Amiga video system is called
Device Independent Graphics (DIG). What it is, who has it, why the Amiga
wants it, the implementation problems and all the ramifications will be
discussed in AM-Report over the next couple of issues.
WHAT IS DIG?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Device Independent Graphics are just what the name implies. A graphics
system independent of the device used to display them. DIG takes
advantage of each particular system's capabilities to display images at
the highest resoultion and most color available on that particular
system, regardless of the program. On an Amiga with DIG, a CAD program
would operate in hires 640 x 400 on a standard Amiga. But, on an Amiga
with an expansion display card it would utilize the highest display the
card was capable of generating. An owner of a Rambrandt/Amiga card could
have "IdiotCAD" running on a 1280 x 1024 screen if that is what they
desired.
The Amiga has device independent keyboards and printers -- just point
Preferences to the right driver and forget about it -- why not graphics?
WHO HAS IT?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, looking at the IBM world, where you plug in a video card and run a
program and voìla! Is this DIG? Well, sort of.
True, most any properly written program for MS-DOS can handle any video
display mode the user has, it still isn't _true_ DIG. With MS-DOS, you
are safe with VGA on down (EGA, MCGA, CGA, Herculese, MDA) except in the
remote case of some esoteric display mode (EGA+ and Tandy come to mind).
Higher standards such as SVGA require drivers for each program they are
used with. Most SVGA cards come with drivers for such popular programs
as Lotus 1-2-3, Word Perfect, AutoCAD and dBase. For program without a
driver, the card operates in VGA mode.
Since the cards are all a little different, each SVGA card needs its own
driver. One set of SVGA drivers would be nice, but it didn't happen
that way. Why isn't SVGA and MS-DOS considered _true_ DIG? Because
_true_ DIG would not need a driver for each program. A driver for each
video card type, yes; but not each program.
Thanks to AUTOCONFIG on the Amiga, this part would be transparent. There
would be no "Preferences" setting for video drivers and no "videomap" to
place in the startup-sequence. The driver would be located on the card
itself and each program could be set internally to take advantage of the
expanded resolution (sort of like when DPaint starts out).
The Macintosh has a version of DIG with Quickdraw and 32-bit Quickdraw.
Since Quickdraw is implemented on the system level, it is more complete
than the MS-DOS variation. Unfortunatly, not all Macs have 32-bit QD
and there are some inconsistancies with the previous version. That is
the price you pay for upgrading the system in general, though.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Next week AM-Report will have a guest professor telling us about the
problems of implementing DIG on the Amiga and possible options for the
future.
=====================================================================
WHAT'S NEW IN THE AMIGA FORUMS
------------------------------
CIS/Amiga User
--------------
BADGER.LZH/B 27K 18-Jul-91 Reminder pgm for startup-sequence, v2.05a
MI-M2I.LZH/B 41K 17-Jul-91 NEW PD Mac to IBM Type 1 Conv Utility!
MIOTLN.LZH/B 186K 15-Jul-91 MIoutline Demo, Type 1 to PDraw Font Conv
PSNAME.LZH/B 4K 15-Jul-91 PostScript Names Found on a PostScript HD.
MFACE2.LZH/B 2K 13-Jul-91 Parallel/Serial expansion board info
AMR102.LZH/B 19K 12-Jul-91 AM Report International, a weekly news mag
CIS/Amiga Tech
--------------
PHONE.LZH/B 12K 17-Jul-91 Basic Source for Phone Dialer
CIS/Amiga Arts
--------------
ECLIPS.LZH/B 95K 15-Jul-91 July 11, 1991 Total SUN Eclipse, Animation
HARM5.LZH/B 11K 14-Jul-91 HARM5 - Audio Harmonizer upgraded for PS 3.x
WWTRS.LZH/B 24K 13-Jul-91 Selected Woodwind Trios for DMCS
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
**** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****
The system will now prompt you for your information.
-> NOW! GENIE BASIC STAR SERVICE IS IN EFFECT!! <-
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> Hard Disks STR InfoFile ***** ABCO PRICE CHANGES! *****
=======================
** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **
ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_________________________________________
All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
*-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-*
(you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
(all cables and connectors installed)
* ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
* ICD ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
* SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *
WE PAY SHIPPING!!! >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
Deluxe 2 bay Cabinet w/65w auto-switching PS
Model Description Autopark Price
==================================================
SGN4951 51Mb 28ms 3.5" Y 479.00
SGN1096 85Mb 24ms 5.25" Y 549.00
SGN2055 105mb 17ms 3.5" Y QUANTUM 699.00
SGN6277 120Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 789.00
SGN1296 168Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 1019.00
==================================================
FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250w PS
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
CPU ACCELERATOR & MEMORY UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED
If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
Odds are we have it or, can get it for you!
AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE!
"We service what we sell. (when necessary)"
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE - ICD ST ADSCSI PLUS H/A
- ICD Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
--->> SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
**** SCSI UNITS -> ONLY $585.00 ****
WE PAY SHIPPING!!! >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
Cart and Utility Software Included!
EXTRA CARTS: $ 74.50
DRIVE MECH ONLY: $ 349.95
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1019.00 **
Includes TWO cartridges!
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
50mb SQG51 $ 819.00 85mb SQG96 $ 1019.00
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE
WE PAY SHIPPING!!! >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/AM SPEED - GCR
LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -
* MOST Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $42.95 *
* Toner Starter Kits $49.95 *
* Replacement Drums $183.95 *
>> MANY other COMPUTER related products STOCKED <<
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
WE PAY SHIPPING!!! >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
Personal and Company Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-562-4037 -=**=- CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders ONLY Customer Service
9am - 8pm EDT
Tues thru Sat
ABCO is EXPANDING!! CALL FOR INFORMATION!
____________________________________________________________
> A "Quotable Quote"
==================
"ONE MAN'S 'MAGIC' IS ANOTHER MAN'S ENGINEERING.
'SUPERNATURAL' IS A NULL WORD."
....ROBERT A. HEINLEIN
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
AMReport International Online Magazine
Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
AMReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" July 20, 1991
16/32bit Magazine copyright 1991 Volume 1.03
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors/staff, PCReport, STReport, AMReport, MCReport. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Each reprint
must include the name of the publication, date, issue # and the author's
name. The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in
any way without prior written permission. The entire contents, at the
time of publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate. The editors,
contributors and/or staff are not responsible for the use/misuse of infor-
mation contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
