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VOLUME 14, NO, 9, ISSUE 145
OCTOBER 1992
FEATURES 6
HOW TO START A BBS
By George Campbell
Want to start a BBS? There's
no time like the present.
16
TEST UB
Edited by Mike Hudnall
Ttie real lowdown on ten
low-cost laser printers.
58
MIPS, BIPS, AND SUPERCHIPS
By Lament Wood
A look inside the soul of your
machine.
68
PRODUCTIVITY CHOICE
By Clifton Karnes Microsoft Windows 3.1.
73
TO OS/2 OR NOT TO OS/2
By Mark Minasi
A better DOS than DOS? A
better Windows than
Windows?
COLUMNS 4
EDITORIAL LICENSE
By Clifton Karnes Two books give us a two- dimensional picture of Microsoft's Bill Gates.
34
NEWS & NOTES
By Jill Champion
Top computer news.
38
FEEDBACK
Answers to tough questions.
42
POINT & CLICK
By Clifton Karnes
Two shareware must-haves:
BackMenu and WinZip.
44
HARDWARE CLINK
By Mark Minasi Two readers ask about memory management.
Cove! photo by Steve Krongard
48
COMPUTE/NET
By Troy Tucker
What's new online.
50
INTRODOS
By Tony Roberts
Manage your files with the
ATTRIB command.
52
TIPS & TOOLS
Edited by
Richard C. Leinecker
Tips from our readers.
56
SHAREPAK
By Steve Draper
Shareware treasures.
70
PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY
By Daniel Janal
Don't waste the time you
spend on hold.
78
ART WORKS
By Robert Bixby
DTP is under attack.
84
MULTIMEDIA PC
By David English
Record and play back
near CD-quality sound.
136
NEWS BITS
By Jill Champion
Top stories at press time.
ENTERTAINMENT 80
PATHWAYS
By Steven Anzovin
Learning computer slang
will add spice to your
vocabulary.
82
DISCOVERY CHOICE
By David Sears
Virtual Reality Laboratories'
VistaPro.
86
ENTERTAINMENT CHOICE
By Keith Ferrell Interplay's Star Trek.
88
GAMEPUY
By Orson Scott Card Last Card: The author bids farewell and reminds game developers that they aren't
really in competition.
91
CHECK AND MATE
By Autumn Miller
Will a PC ever be a grand
master? How long before a
computer becomes the
world charnpion?
REVIEWS 97
Kodak Diconix 701,
WinSpeed 1.03,
DPI 486/33.
hDC Power Launcher,
LapLink Pro,
Doctor Schueler's
Home Medical Adviser 2.0,
Image Communications
Twin com 96/421,
Q.E.D.,
Omar Sharif on Bridge,
Distant Suns,
Professional Help
for WordPerfect,
Hercules Graphics Station
Gold 16,
The Castle of Dr. Brain,
and Wyse Decision 386/40.
COMPUTE ([SSN Q194-3S7X) is published monlhly in the United Slates and Canada by COMPUTE Publications International Ltd., 1965 Broadway, Now York, NY 10023-5965. Volume 14. Number 9, Issue 145. Copyright ® 1992 by COMPUTE Publications International Ltd. All rlgtits reserved, COMPUTE is a registered trademark of COMPUTE Publications International Ud- Printed in ttie USA by R, R, Donnelley & Sons Inc. and distributed worldwide (except Australia and the UK) by Curtis Circulation Company RO. Box 9102. Ponnsauken. NJ 08109. Dislrlbuled in Australia by The Horwitz Group, PO. Box 306, Cammeray NSW 2062 Australia and in the UK by Northern and ShelJ Pic, . PO. Box 38 1 , Mlllharbour, London £14 9TW. Second-class postage paid at New York, NY. and a! additional mailing ollices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COMPUTE Masazine, PO, Box 3245, Harlan, lA 5 1537-3041 . Tel. (BOO) 727-6937 Entire contents tiopyrlghied All rights resen/ed. Nothing may be reproduced in whole or In part without written permission from the publisher. Subscriptions: US. AFO • S19 94 one year; Canada and elsewhere -S25.94 one year. Single copies S2.95 In US. The publisher disclaims aJI lesponsibiliry lo return unsolicited matter, and all rights in porlicns published IherecJ remain the sole property of COMPUTE Publications International Ud. Leiiefs sent to COMPUTE or its editors become the property ol the magazine. Editorial offices are located at 324 W Wendover Ave.. Sle, 2C0. Greensboro. NC 274Ca Tel (919) 275-9809.
2 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
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EDITORIAL LICENSE
Clifton Karnes
IWo new books
give us a
two-dimensional
picture of
Microsoft's Bill
Gates,
Just who is Bill Gates, cofounder of Microsoft and its chairman? Despite the fact that he's arguably the most important and influen- tial person in the software in- dustry, Gates has remained a shadowy figure cloaked in mystery and surrounded by gossip. Two new books cast some light on Gates, but not enough- Hard Drive by James Wal- lace and Jim Erickson, pub- lished by Wiley, is a biogra- phy of Gates by two Seattle- area reporters. Accidental Em- pires by Robert X. Cringely, published by Addison- Wesley, explores the micro- computer's entire history, not just Microsoft's, but as you can imagine, a large part of the book focuses on Gates.
In terms of style, these books couldn't be more differ- ent- Hard Drive takes a repor- torial approach that balances careful research with some- what dry prose. Accidental Em- pires' author, Cringely (the name is a pseudonym, by the way), is InfoWorid's gossip col- umnist, and his brilliant writing is as entertaining as a food fight at the White House.
After reading Hard Drive, you realize that the title Acci- dental Empires is a misno- mer, at least as far as Gates is concerned. Gates planned his success; it was no acci- dent. As Hard Drive makes clear, from the time he was in junior high school, Gates want- ed to be a captain of industry. He read biographies of suc- cessful people, and he im- mersed himself in business books. And, most Important of all, he became a computer wizard of the first rank.
Hard Drive also clarifies some facts about Gates that haven't been adequately doc- umented until now. For exam- ple, he's a certifiable genius, and he has a photographic memory. The book recounts
several exploits where both his genius and photographic memory are demonstrated.
What I found most interest- ing, however, were Hard Drive's sections dealing with the start of Microsoft, when Gates and Paul Allen created the first microcomputer BA- SIC, and the chapters that dis- cuss how Microsoft got the IBM DOS contract. The IBM- DOS business has been so misunderstood for so long, and Hard Drive gives such a thorough account of the whole affair, that this alone is worth the price of the book.
Accidental Empires' droll subtitle, How the Boys of Sili- con '\/alley Make Their Mil- lions, Battle Foreign Competi- tion, and Still Can't Get a Date, makes it clear that this IS not a dull scholarly treat- ment of the subject. Cringely starts the book out with Gates and returns to him sev- eral times, always making the same points: Gates is driven to prove himself, and he's not a nice person. Interestingly, Cringely gives a much differ- ent spin to Gates's motives in the IBM-DOS story than Hard Drive's authors.
In Hard Drive we see Gates poised to make a bun- dle selling programming lan- guages to fBM for its new un- der-deveiopment PC. code- named Project Chess- But there's a problem. IBM won't do business with Digital Re- search, the company original- ly slated to develop the oper- ating system. In order to gets IBM's language business, Gates, knowing that IBM must find an operating sys- tem for the PC — and fast, finds one himself and licens- es it to IBM. His sole motiva- tion in doing so is to be able to sell his language prod- ucts to IBM.
Cringely sees it different- ly- Gates immediately real- izes the power he'll
have if he controls the operat- ing system software, so he makes some shrewd behind- the-scenes moves and manip- ulates events to his own advan- tage. He comes up with the operating system and seals the deal.
The books seem to agree on two things, though: that Gates is a genius and that he's a jerk. This two-dimension- al treatment is unsatisfying. It's impossible to imagine that there isn't more to Gates than the boy wonder, who performs nearly impossible feats, and the childish bully, who mis- treats friends and employees.
These two books are well worth reading, but neither gives us a complete enough picture of Gates. I'm sure there's truth to the two dimen- sions both books present, but there's also lots of evidence that this is an oversimplistic view and that there's much more to Gates. For example, we find indications in these vol- umes that Gates is devoted to his family, that his employees idolize him, and that he's a phi- lanthropist, but none of these areas are explored. I find my- self wanting a more in-depth treatment, and I think Gates deserves one. , D
COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
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HOW TO START A BBS
Want to start a personal or business BBS? There's no time like the present to get started
If you use commer- cial online systems or local BBS ser- vices, chances are good you've con- sidered starting a BBS yourself. Why not? It's a reward- ing and exciting way to get even more involved in computing, and it lets you participate in a personal way in the growing telecommunica- tions field.
According to current esti- mates, there are over 20,000 BBSs operating in the United States. Just about every com- munity of any size has at least one, and there's always room for more. If you'd like to be the next person to offer online ser- vices, here's a guide to hard- ware and software, as well as what you can expect to encounter when you run your own system.
A Potpourri of Services
There are reaily only three basic kinds of BBSs: personal systems, group support sys- tems, and business systems, Personal systems are usually operated as a hobby by an individual, running right out of a home, These hobby systems mai^e up the bulk of the BBS community. Their sysops offer everything from general mes- sage and file transfer services to special interest systems dedicated to any hobby or avocation you can imagine. Typically, these systems charge no fee for access and operate on a freewheeling basis, with each system reflecting the interests and personality of the sysop.
Group support systems offer online services to mem- bers of clubs and organiza- tions. Most PC user groups have BBSs dedicated to sup- porting their members, and other organizations are also beginning to offer BBS ser-
vices to their com- puter-using mem- bers. These sys- tems serve as message centers and are places where members can get help and down- load files relating to the organization's goals, Usually, access to these sys- tems is limited to members of the sponsoring group.
Finally, more and more businesses, large and small, are going online with BBS ser- vices. Just about every soft- ware publisher now has a cus- tomer support BBS, and local computer stores also find that running a BBS makes good economic sense. Mail-order firms use BBSs to take orders and provide support for their customers. Computer-related businesses are still the most frequent operators of these systems, but the trend is start- ing to spread as more and more people get online. A typi- cal non-computer-oriented system might offer support, for a fee, to a city's real-estate agents. The possibilities are almost endless.
What You Need to Get Started
If you've decided that it's time for you to go online with your own system, planning should be your first consideration. Start by assessing what you need to get going. It's not a long list, but you'll definitely need every item,
First of all, you need a gen- uine desire to be a sysop. After that, you need enough knowledge about telecommu- nications and modems to feel comfortable with terms like ini- tialization string and AT com- mands. If you're still struggling with online systems as a user, you'll want to wait a bit until you get more familiar with the online environment.
The next requirement is
BY GEORGE CAMPBELL
hardware. If you're going to run a sim- ple BBS with just one phone line, that old XT you've pushed aside will do the job. You'll need at least a 40MB hard disk, but any monitor will do, and you won't need tons of memory. On the other hand, if you want to run a multi- line system that offers access to multi- ple callers simultaneously, plan on using at least a 386 machine with a 200MB hard disk and several megabytes of memory.
Naturally, you'll need a modem. A 2400-bps modem is the bare minimum these days, and a 9600-bps modem is even better. It's a matter of cost; a good generic 2400-bps unit should cost less than $75, while the faster modem will set you back over S300. Whichever speed you choose, make certain that your modem is completely compatible with the Hayes standard, or you'll run into trouble, fvlost 9600- bps BBSs use modems from U.S. Robotics; they've become the stan- dard in the BBS community.
Next, you'll need a phone line dedi- cated to the BBS. You could try to share your regular voice phone line with a BBS, but it seldom works out. Fortunately, the cost for installing an additional phone line is usually less than $50 for a hobby system, and you won't have to pay any special rates to the phone company. However, if you charge your users a fee for access to your system or use the BBS in a busi- ness setting, the phone company will insist that you use a business line, costing an average of $50 per month.
One need often ignored by would- be sysops is time. Running a busy BBS takes a minimum of one hour
each day just to answer E-mail and to keep the BBS running smoothly. Once a week or so, a typical hobby BBS sysop spends additional time backing up the system's hard disk, either to floppy disks or to a tape bacl<up sys- tem. If your BBS will offer public domain software and shareware, you can count on spending an additional few hours per week adding and updating files. Finally, you'll spend an occasional day installing a new ver- sion of the BBS software or dealing with the inevitable hardware crash.
The final need, and possibly the most important, is a BBS program. Your choice here will determine a lot of things, including the time needed to set up the system the first time, the way users interact with your system, and the time you spend maintaining your BBS.
The Best BBS Software
A mark of the popularity of BBSs is the bewildering number of BBS programs available. There are literally scores of programs to tempt you, with a fantas- tic range of prices and capabilities. Your choice here will be critical, since switching from one program to another is usually just like starting from scratch. You'll need to spend time investigating the programs before making a choice.
The range Is wide, both in price and capabilities. You'll find everything from free but powerful software like RBBS to software like TinyHost. which is limited to just a few users, to expen- sive multiline systems costing hun- dreds of dollars. The most popular programs are offered as shareware.
so you can try out the software before laying out your cash. Our shopper's guide lists some of the most popular BBS programs, but there are many others available for downloading on commercial online systems. On CompuServe, BBS software is in the IBMBBS forum, [f you use GEnie or America Online, the keyword is BBS.
A BBS without callers is next to useless. To compete for users with the systems already available in most areas, you have to make your system easy, useful, and exciting, or your potential users will call another BBS. Your first priority should be to check out prospective programs by calling systems that use those programs. Fortunately, just about every BBS soft- ware publisher operates a demonstra- tion BBS, Look for numbers for the most popular programs in the shop- per's guide. Before making a decision, give potential programs a thorough test as a user.
The software you choose also needs to be easy for the sysop. Assessing that ease of use can be a bit more difficult, but there is a way. When you check out the demonstra- tion BBSs and trim your list to a few possibilities, look for a list on the demonstration system of BBSs that use that software. Gail a BBS near you that uses the software, and ask the sysop what it's like to use it. Most sysops like the software they're run- ning, but you can ask leading ques- tions to get a pretty clear picture of what the system is like from the sysop's perspective.
After following these steps, you'll have cut the list down to one or two
activity log. A file created by your BBS software that records who calls and what callers do while online. You need this data to track down prob- lems and to satisfy legal responsibili- ties.
ANSI graphics. By using special characters and commands in menus and other display files, a BBS using ANSI graphics can display colors and even animation. This feature can be switched off by the individual users.
door. An external program that your users can run while on your BBS. Typically, these are games, but many users set up doors to run databases or other productivity programs. There are hundreds of shareware programs
BBS-SPEAK: A BRIEF GLOSIIMY
designed for use as BBS doors.
fossil driver. Some BBS software requires special drivers to handle the actual data communications between the computer and the modem. Where the name fossil originated is unknown.
net mail. Using a networking sys- tem such as FIDONET, you can link your BBS to others on the network, allowing your users to send and receive mail from any BBS on the net- work. You'll need special software to make the link, plus a fee to join the network.
node. One unit of a multiline BBS. fvlany muttiline BBSs allow users to send messages between nodes.
security level. All BBS software allows the sysop to set up a number of different security levels, each with access to a specific set of BBS func- tions. New users are given the lowest security level, while no caller has as high a security level as the sysop.
sysop. The system operator of a
BBS. Normally, it's the owner of the system, but some BBSs have multiple sysops, each with responsibility for his or her own section.
verification. Most BBS sysops, to protect themselves against bogus callers, require users to list a voice telephone number when they join the BBS. The sysop calls the user and verifies his or her identity before allowing full access to the BBS.
8 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
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programs. The next step is to obtain either a shareware version of each program or the demonstration version offered by the publisher. Then it's time to test each one by installing it and running a limited version of your BBS for a short time. You'll finally settle on a single program, but whatever you do, don't be tempted to use an unregis- tered or pirated copy of the software; at some point, you're going to need support from the publisher.
Preparing for the First Call
Witti the software selected, it's almost time for your first caller. First, though, you need to set up your system. The more time you spend on system design, the better your BBS will run. It's often difficult to make major ctianges once you get started, so take time now to get it right. A few hours spent in the planning stage will save you countless hours later.
Start by working out what your sys-
tem is going to offer its callers. Will you have files available? Messaging? E- mail? How about informational bul- letins and online newsletters? Will all your users have access to every part of the BBS, or will you need several security levels to control what different users can do? If it's a business sys- tem, will you be taking customer orders on the BBS? Most BBS software can allow users to page you while they're online. Decide whether you want to be interrupted and, if so, dur- ing what hours. It's best to answer all these questions on paper before you start configuring the software.
Mail, Public and Private
Every BBS offers messaging services. Since most programs allow you to break down messages into categories, you'll want to consider what subject each message area will handle. Be sure to set aside one area for you alone. Messages that go into that area
should be private, readable only by the sysop.
E-mail services are popular, allow- ing your users to send private mes- sages back and forth. In most BBS software, however, the sysop can read all messages, even those that are marked as private.
File Transfers
A BBS without file transfer capabilities is almost sure to fail. Every user wants to dig around, looking for programs and other files, even on business sys- tems. As with messaging, you'll want to break dov^n your flies into carefully chosen categories to make it easier for users to locate files.
Downloading files from your BBS is one thing; upioading files is another. Whatever you do, don't allow users to upload files into areas where they can be immediately downloaded by other users. All files uploaded to your BBS should go into a private directory so
Here are some of the most popular BBS programs. Many others are available as shareware on most online services.
Spitfire 3.0
Buffalo Creek Software
913 39fhSt. W
Des Moines. !A 50256
(515) 225-8496 (demo BBS)
Price: $70 shareware registration
Shareware/demo version available
RBBS-PC 17.3
Capitai PC User Group Software
Library
P.O. Box 1785
W. Bethesda, MD 20827-1785
(301)762-6775
(301) 949-8848 (demo BBS)
Price; free ($16 for a set of disks)
CD-ROM version available
PCBoard 14.5
Clark Development
3950 S. 700 E, Ste. 303
Murray, UT 84107-21 73
(800)356-1686
(801)261-8976
Price: $170 for one line. $240 for
three lines, higher for more lines
Shareware/demo version available
TBBS 2.5
eSoft
15200 E. Girard Ave., Ste. 2550
Aurora. CO 80014
(303) 699-6565
(303) 699-8222 (demo BBS)
SHOPPING lilJIDE
Price: $299.95 for 1 line, $895 for 16
lines, higher for more lines
The Major BBS 5.31
Galacticomm
4101 SW 47th Ave.. Ste. 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
(305) 583-5990
(305) 583-7808 (demo BBS)
Price: $59 for two lines, $359 for eight
lines, higher for more lines
Fal!<en 6.3
INFO'SHARE
P.O. Box 1501
Woodbridge,VA 22193
(703)491-5823
(703) 803-8000 (demo BBS)
Price: $99 for two lines. $199 for four
lines, higher for more lines
Shareware/demo version available
TinyHost 3.0
Bruce A. Krobusek
5950 King Hill Dr.
Farmington, NY 14425
(716) 594-1804 (support BBS)
Price: $25
Shareware/demo version available
Wildcat 3.0
Mustang Software
P.O. Box 2264
Bakersfield, CA 93303
(800)999-9619
(805) 395-0233
(805) 395-0650 (demo BBS)
Price: $129 for 1 line, $249 for 1-10
lines, $499 for 1-250 lines
Shareware/demo version available
Sapphire 4.0
Pinnacle Software
Box 714 Airport Rd.
S wanton, VT 05488
(514)345-9578
(514) 345-8654 (demo BBS)
Price: $51
Shareware/demo version available
Searchlight 2.25
Searchlight Software
P.O. Box 640
Stony Brook, NY 11790
(516)751-2966
(516) 689-2566 (demo BBS)
Price: $49 shareware registration
(one tine); $89 for commercial version
(one line), $119 (multiline)
Shareware/demo version available
Oracomm-Plus 7
Surf Computer Services
71540 Gardess Rd.
Rancho Miraae, CA 92270
(609) 346-9430
(609) 346-1608 (demo BBS)
Price: $290 for two lines, $540 for
nine lines, higher for more lines
Personal Oracomm 5.M.6P Surf Computer Services 71540 Gardess Rd. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (619)346-9430 (619) 346-1608 (demo BBS) Price: $59 shareware registration Shareware/demo version available
10 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
ARTSeinTERS
APPRENTICE
Created usJrtg Arts ^ Lellers, © 1992 Computer Support Corporation.
Conjure up a dragon or an invader from outer space. Design an ad, a fiyer, or a brochure. All it takes is a little imagination and the Arts& Letters Apprentice. Thiis graphics program has ail the drawing tools you'll ever need. There is a clip-art collection of over 3,500 images and 25 typefaces to draw upon. To top it off. Apprentice is extremely easy to learn and use.
Apprentice sells for under $100 in most software stores. Mail in this coupon and receive an additional $25 rebate from the publisher, plus a free 4-color poster of the Dragon.
Mail to:
Attn: Arts & Letters
Computer Support Corp. 1 5926 Midway Rd. Dal las TX 75244
Tel: 214/661-8960 Fax: 214/661-5429
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(Please include sales slip (rom your local retailer)
you can check them before making them available. You'll need to delete commercial programs and check for virus infections on every file you receive.
Bulletins and Other Messages
Before going online, you'll also need to create the bulletins, help screens, and other display screens needed by your new users. Nothing can kill a BBS faster than a lack of information. Users who call but can't figure out how to use the system simply won't call back. Take as much time as you need to write brief but complete bulletins that explain your system: then make them readily available to users. Unless you're a writing wizard, be sure to run a spelling checker on these informa- tion screens and proofread them care- fully.
Maintaining Seiurity
You can create as many access levels for your users as you like (within the
limits of your software), but there are some basic things to consider. First, never allow anyone but yourself com- plete access to the BBS. Users should be kept away from sysop functions and should never be allowed to view user data that contains passwords or other private information. If your BBS offers a way for a remote user to drop from the BBS to the DOS prompt, make sure you're the only one who can do this, or you risk intentional or accidental file deletions or even a complete formatting of your hard disk. Finally, never use the same password on your own BBS that you use on other systems, or you risk disaster from a malicious user.
You'll also need a special security level for first-time callers. Legally, you need to confirm that all callers have provided their real names and addresses or telephone numbers. Typically, sysops restrict new users to a very limited subset of services until they're confirmed with a phone call.
Once those two basic security levels are established, you can add as many other access levels as you need, assigning a caller to the one which is most appropriate after his or her first call.
Salting the Mine
You don't want your first-time callers to find an empty system, so you'll want to seed the system before going online. Create an introductory message for each message area, explaining that area, and add a few files to each file area. This will make your BBS more attractive to new callers, and it will help to ensure that they call back.
Those are the basic setup tasks you need to perform before your first call comes in. Remember, though, that you'll probably want to modify your BBS once you're up and running, adding features or streamlining your setup. Because of this, you should set up tDlank message areas, file directo- ries, and security access levels, keep-
What could be simpler? You load up your BBS software and hook up the phone line, and you're off, right? That's the way it was a few years ago, but there are now some impor- tant legal considerations you need to think about before going online. If you're tempted to ignore these details, think again. In a few cases, federal and state authorities have confiscated all the computer equip- ment in a sysop's possession when illegal activity was suspected. Once they have it, it's almost impossible to get it back, so forewarned is fore- armed.
Privocy
In 1986, the federal government passed a very complicated law called the Electronic and Communications Privacy Act. Reading and understanding it is a chore even for an experienced attor- ney. Essentially, though, the act defines what is meant by a private communication, whether on the tele- phone or on your BBS. Since all BBS software allows the sysop to read even private mail, you'll need to include a disclaimer to be seen on each call. Here's a typical notice:
Pursuant to the Electronic and Communications Privacy Act of 1986, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2510 and following, notice is hereby given that there are no facilt-
0JVML£e[4LSDE
ties provided by this system for send- ing or receiving confidential mes- sages. The system operator and assigns may read all messages left by any user.
The notice is awkwardly phrased in typical legalese, but court cases have shown that this message is nec- essary to protect yourself.
Software Piracy
You need to guard your system reli- giously against users who might upload copies of commercial soft- ware. Most often, this happens by accident, but you could still be held liable and could even have all your computer equipment confiscated! To protect yourself, you'll need to exam- ine each file uploaded to your BBS carefully to make sure it's truly a shareware or public domain pro- gram.
Virus Problems
It's possible, if unlikely, that a user will upload a file that's infected with one of the hundreds of viruses cur- rently causing problems all over the world. Although it hasn't happened yet, it's conceivable that a sysop could be sued by a user who down- loads an infected file. It's critical that you check every file uploaded to your system before making it available. Use a good virus-detecting program like McAfee's VirusScan. Many BBS
programs, like Wildcat!, include auto- matic virus checking on each file after it's uploaded.
identifying and Verifying Users
Many BBS sysops allow their users to sign on with aliases or handles. The anonymity is part of the fun on some systems. However, court cases in several states have shown that you need to know who's calling at all times. So even if real names are never used on your BBS, you need to require new users to supply their real names and addresses or telephone numbers when they first log on. You also need to follow up by checking on each user with a phone call. If you skip this and a user leaves threaten- ing or libelous messages to another user or breaks other laws, you could be held legally responsible.
Keeping Logs
Federal and state laws can require you, under a court order, to turn over records from your BBS. This rarely happens unless your BBS is used for an illegal activity by your users. To satisfy the law, you need to maintain careful logs of all BBS activity. All BBS programs keep some kind of log. Print and store hardcopies of the log on a regular schedule to keep the log file from growing too large.
12 COrvlPUTE OCTOBER 1992
;feF?»;
Get the best of Windows and OS/2 without learning all this.
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.T.I ■ III I 1 1 1 1 1^ _^ 1 1 ^m 1 1 |
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iimmi |
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KIHTOHS- CIUMCK |
Odaber 30. 1990
Sure, you want to get your PC flying. With features like multiple open applica- tions and background printing. Maybe even the ability to maintain your host con- nection while you work on something else.
But for that you need Windows or OS/2. Which means you also need to learn enough to get a pilot's license. And spend enough on hardware and software for a down paymenr on a jet,
But with new Software Carousel, you can get the biggest benefits of Windows and OS/2 by doing almost nothing. It's #1 in task switching software. Software Carousel got to be a best- seller because it worb. Simply and reliably. Day in and day out.
And because it gives you the single most practical and powerful function of OS/2 and Windows-the ability to quickly switch from one application to another. Simply load your programs as usual in individual Software Carousel work areas (it handles up to 12). Then switch instantly from one to another with just a keystroke. Each program gets as much RAM as it needs. And all your programs look and act just like they always did. Best of all, nearly any program that now runs on your PC will work with
^Ca?ousll*89'«
Software Carousel. Even RAM resident utilities, graphics programs and network software. And Software Carousel works on all types of PCs. So you can have the kind of multi-application capability you want, without buying anything new. Now with Print'N'Run.
Thanb to Print'N'Run, new Software Carousel is also an advanced print handler. One that quickly takes over your printing jobs by accepting all the output bound for the printer, then sending it to the printer as fast as it can take it.
While your printer keeps running, you can keep working in the same application. Or switch to another Software Carousel work area omning a different application,
No more wasted time waiting for your printer. No more lost productivity. OLE. A network idea whose time has come.
OLE is the optional Open Link Extender* for Software Carousel. And it could be the best thing to happen to net- works since OS/2 itself.
With OLE and Software Carousel, you can connect to
any host or service over a network- whether it's a mainirame, a mini, etc- then "switch away" to work on another application, and not lose your connection.
OLE even makes sure that incoming data is received, even though your PC may be occupied with another application. t
And OLE works with all kinds of connection software. Including IBM, Attachmate, and others. Without changes to your hardware or software. Even the experts agree.
Garry Ray, writing for PC Week, said, "Of these alternative operating environ- ments (OS/2, DesqView and Soft- ware Carousel), Carousel may be the best choice of the day." Barry Simon of PC Magazine concurred with, ". . .1 find it difficult to imagine using my computer without Carousel. This package has become an essential tool and one that I strongly recommend."
So ifyou really want the major benefits of Windows and OS/2, ^^^S.- don't get grounded with high cost and mind-bending complexity. Take off today with Software Carousel. It's easy. And it's just $89.95.
SoftLogic Solutions, Inc.
One Perimeter Road, Manchester, NH 03103
Available at software dealers everywhere. Or, order direct by calling toll-free.
CaU 800-272-9900
(603-627-9900 in NH)
SoftLogic
SOLUTIONS
Softirarc (^tiMwl.OLE, tV:n linli ExwndCTanJ l^mt'N'Run arc [fiuk'i1lHrfc^o^ ii-ei«trd twkmads erf Stiftl^^k Sdmkim *Opcn Link ExtenJcr is so!d separately. tRequires NetBIOS connection.
Circls Reader Service Number 1S2
ing them hidden from users and in reserve for later use. It's always easier to do this before going oriline.
Online for the First Time
Once you have your system config- ured for startup as described above, it's time to fire it up. Still, there's one more thing to do before you go public: You need to test your completed sys- tem thoroughly yourself. Get your BBS running; then call it from another com- puter, pretending to be a new user. Make sure everything works as you planned and make any necessary changes.
Next, if you have multiple security levels, create dummy users for each level and then call the BBS, signing on as each of those users. Again, test everything thoroughly to make sure the system runs smoothly. Once you're done, be sure to delete these dummy users to avoid confusion.
Check every part of the BBS, from leaving E-mail and public messages to uploading and downloading files. Try every help screen and bulletin. All this takes time, but it's almost certain that you'll catch plenty of errors during this process. It's better to fix them before your first caller is online.
Fishing for Users
Finally! You've done all the testing, you've finished your setup, and you're ready for callers. But how will people know your BBS exists? Depending on the function of your system, there are several ways to attract callers. If it's a public hobby system, one of the best techniques is to place messages on other BBSs in your area, announcing your new system. That method will get you started. You can also ask other sysops to include your BBS in their online BBS listings.
If your BBS supports a club or user group, publish the phone number in the group's newsletter and make
announcements at meetings. One note here; It's a good idea to include basic instructions for getting online in your announcements.
If you're starting a business BBS, your best bet is to notify your customers in as many ways as you can. Include the num- ber in your ads, send out flyers or post- cards to regular customers, and offer simple instructional information to all cus- tomers who ask for it. Remember that your customers may not be familiar with online services.
Don't be concerned if things start off slowly. In fact, a slow start allows you to fix any problems that show up before you have hundreds of callers.
Keeping Your BBS Alive
Once you're online and have a grow- ing list of callers, your work is really just beginning. The long-term success of your system depends on how hard you work at keeping calls coming in. Here are a few basic tips:
1. Don't let your BBS get stale. Add new files for downloading and keep updating versions of the public domain software and shareware avail- able on your system. Keep the mes- sage areas up-to-date by deleting old messages.
2. Answer your mail. You'll get a lot of messages from your users. If you fail to reply, they'll stop calling, so try to respond to every message within 24 hours.
3. Introduce new features. By offering your callers new and interesting things to do on your system, you'll keep them calling back.
4. Be responsive. If your users have complaints or request changes in your system, give these suggestions careful consideration.
5. Practice safe BBSing, Be on the lookout for users who cause trouble on your system, and advise them to stop unpleasant activities. If they persist, you'll need to delete their accounts. It
only takes one or two troublemakers to drive away your users.
Advanced BBS Features
While most BBSs succeed nicely with just the basic services, there are three popular additions you can make to your BBS once it's running smoothly.
Door programs. There are hun- dreds of special programs you can add to your system. Door programs run alongside your BBS, giving your callers modem access to games, infor- mation databases, and more. You'll find many of these programs in the BBS forums of CompuServe and other online services.
Net mail. Several networks exist to link up BBSs all over the country. These systems let your users exchange messages with any other users on the network. Your system will call the network automatically once a day to send and receive messages. The most popular of these systems is FIDONET. You can get information on joining a network by calling any BBS on the network.
Multiple lines. If running a BBS becomes more than just a hobby for you or if your system just gets too busy, you may want to consider adding additional phone lines, fvlost contemporary BBS software allows this. You'll need more equipment, additional phone lines, and more time, but your users will appreciate fewer busy signals and the ability to chat with each other online.
Logging Off
Running a BBS isn't for everyone. It takes a lot of work, but the experience of being a sysop on a busy BBS offers a kind of satisfaction that's hard to find in any other field. If you enjoy commu- nicating with others and are willing to give up a little time each day, running your own BBS could easily become a very important part of your life. □
BBBS IN A BOX: THE (D-ROM SOLUTION
If your BBS budget can handle the cost of a CD-ROM drive, you may have a one-stop solution for getting your BBS up and running, complete with thousands of public domain and shareware programs. The key is a CD-ROM version of the popular, free RBBS software. On the same disc are almost 9000 public domain and shareware programs, all archived and "ready for downloading.
You just install the preconfigured copy of RBBS on your hard disk and make the necessary modifications
needed to personalize your system, and you're on your way. With all that software available, your BBS is sure to be one of the favorite systems in any community, it would take months and months of downloading, plus a monstrous hard disk, to accumulate anthing near that many files, so it's a quick way to establish a full-fiedged system almost overnight.
You can buy a copy of RBBS in a Box from most CD-ROM distributors for $175. One good source is the following:
Bureau of Electronic Publishing 141 New Rd, Parsippany, NJ 07054 (800) 828-4766
Other CD-ROM libraries of share- ware and public domain software are available, but you'll have to set up your BBS to handle them. Fortunately, most fuli-scale BBS programs offer support for CD-ROMs. Some CD- ROM shareware collections, however, require you to pay extra for a license to use the disc on your BBS. Check with the publisher before using any CD-ROM collection online.
14 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
i
I
I
You may have noticed most personal laser printers are pretty much the same.
So although you'd like a personal laser to adapt to your way of working, it's mostly the otherway around.
So, besides lots of fonts, speed, and paper capacity, we gave our KX-P4410 personal laser printer two features you'll find intelligent indeed. One lets you proof the first copy of a multiple printout, before out- putting the remainder. The other is automatic shutdown, for those of you who use delayed printing. Together, ttiey help you print intelligently. And complement the PCL 4-compatible 4410's full range of features that give you the look you want,
Like 28 internal fonts, side- loading font card. 512K standard memory, expandable to 4.5 megabytes, And flexible paper handling, with a 200-sheet multi-purpose cassette, accommodating letter and legal sized sheets plus envelopes- without changing cassettes. All this and a true 5 pages-per- minute print speed!
You'll find these same features on our PCL 5-compatible
KX-P4430 and more! For
example, 8 outline and 28 bit- mapped fonts; 1MB RAM expandable to 5 MB; and our SatinPhnt'" resolution enhancement.
Panasonic* personal laser printers. Performance by design. For the Panasonic dealer nearest you, call us toll-free at 1-800-742-8086.
Panasonic.
Office Automationjj?^=Vl\
Printers, Computers,
Penplierals, Copiers, Typewriters
and Facsimiles.
LPC-COM Circle Reader Service Number 104
TEST LAB
Edited by Mike Hudnall Reviews by Tom Benford
Quicl< and quiet, today's laser printers deliver. They've tak- en us far beyond the limits of yesterday's 9-pin printers and cumbersome daisywheel printers. Laser printers have al- ways been the leaders when it came to sharp, clear output — whether for text or graphics. And now laser printers offer you more for your money than ever before. Technological advances and good old-fashioned competition have driven prices down and upped the ante in the field of pow- erful and convenient features.
This month's Test Lab focuses on ten low-cost laser printers from nine manufacturers. These are print- ers that you should be able to find for a street price of less than $1 ,500 — some for much less.
As you read this month's re- views and ponder the benchmark results, you'll find plenty of fea- tures and options to influence your buying decision. And as al- ways, COf^ylPUTE's Test Lab will help you ask the right questions and focus on issues relevant to your needs.
Do you need to print text only or are you looking for desktop pub- lishing capabilities? How fast does the printer have to be? The reviews list the pages per minute (ppm), and our benchmark tests time this month's evaluation units performing typical kinds of print- ing jobs. That way you have a more realistic picture of perform- ance with the kind of applications you might use on a daily basis.
Does the printer offer Post- Script capabilities? Is PostScript standard or an option? What are the available printer emulations? What kind of print enhancement technology does a particular print- er offer? What kinds of paper does it handle, and how many sheets can you load in the docu- ment tray? What kinds of input and output trays can you use?
How much memory comes stan-
16 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
C-TECH ELECTRONICS 2515 McCabe Way Irvine, CA 92714 (714)833-1165 List price: Si .245
dard? How much can you add and at what cost? What fonts are available, and how many of them are standard? Does the printer take font cartridges?
is the printer light enough to al- low you to move it around easily? Is its footprint small enough to fit comfortably in your work area? Does the printer offer easy-to- use controls? Does the documen- tation cover all the bases clearly enough?
This month's Test Lab will help you look at your needs more crit- ically and answer many of these questions. When you're through, you'll have a much better idea which low-cost laser printer is right for you. Read on!
MIKE HUDNALL
C-TECH C. ITOH CI-4
If the name C-TECH Electronics doesn't immediately ring a famil- iar bell, the name C. Itoh proba- bly will. C-TECH has sold 6- and 8-ppm (pages per minute) laser printers to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market for several years, and the Ct-4 is the first model to be marketed under the weil-known C. Itoh label for consumers.
The basic CI-4 model comes equipped with 512K of RAM and 14 bitmapped resident fonts. The standard, out-of-the-box emula- tion is HP LaserJet IIP, and the package includes parallel, RS- 232C, and RS-422A serial interfac- es. While this basic configuration might serve the light-duty user nicely, you'll want to increase the RAM by an additional 1 or 2 meg- abytes if you're interested in be- ing able to do graphics and desk- top publishing work.
If you desire PostScript compat- ibility, the optional page descrip-
tion language (PDL) cartridge is required: this cartridge carries a suggested list price of $450, and you'll also need 2MB of RAM (list price, $230} over the base 512K. The review unit came equipped with the PDL cartridge as well as the extra RAM.
With the PDL cartridge in- stalled, a full complement of 35 PostScript-compatible fonts are ready for use, and since they are scalable fonts, they can repro- duce in any desired size support- ed by your application software.
Control functions and setup are easily handled via a soft- touch control panel. Four colored LEDsand a 16-character LCD for messages keep the user posted of the printer's status, as well as dis- playing menu options for changing the configuration settings.
Small, unobtrusive, and ready for business, the CI-4 is a demure 14.3 inches wide by 15.9 inches deep by 7.7 inches high; it weighs in at 28.7 pounds. The small footprint gives you more desk space, and the light weight makes it easy to move about the workplace.
A 100-sheet bin feeds paper in- to the Ci-4, and an output lever selects either faceup or facedown delivery modes, Option- al paper-handling accessories in- clude a second bin paper feeder which holds 300 sheets (list price, $175) and a faceup output tray (list price, $30).
Additional emulation cartridg- es are also available as separate options for the CI-4 if you need them, and they include IBM Pro- Printer XL, ProPrinter XL24e, Ep-
son FX-850, Diablo 630, and HP GL cartridges, in addition to tlie PDL cartridge. There is also one HP font cartridge.
The CI-4 outputs docunnents at 300-dpi resolution at the rate of 4 ppm, which makes it good for most users working in environ- ments where high-speed output isn't as crucial as some of the oth- er worthwhile features that come standard with the CI-4. One of these features is the separate drum and toner units, which are replaced independently of each other, resulting in greater econo- my for consumable supplies.
Solid performance, compact size, and good expandability make the C!-4 a good choice for today's needs with the flexibility to grow into tomorrow's.
circle Reader Service Number 304
EPSON EPL-aOOO
The Epson name is synonymous with rugged, dependable work- horse printers, and Epson lives up to its name with the EPL-8000 laser printer. This midsized unit measures
10.5 inches high by 18.8 inches wide by 15.1 inches deep, so it takes up more desktop area than some of the other lasers reviewed here, and with a weight of 40 pounds (including paper and ton- er), it's certainly one of the heavi- er printers covered, as well. Add- ing the optional lower paper tray and faceup output tray increases the overall dimensions to 13.3 inch- es high by 18.8 inches wide by
24.6 inches long, so you'll need to allocate additional space if you plan to use these options.
The standard RAM configura- tion is 1MB, and you can install an additional IfVlB on the control- ler board. An optional expansion board accepts .5MB to 6.5fvlB of RAM to boost the printer's RAM to a 7.5MB maximum. The review unit was outfitted with 1.5MB of RAM and the optional Adobe Post- Script emulation.
Speed is certainly an area in
EPSON AMERICA 2O770 Madrona Ave. Torrance, CA 90503 (800) 922-8911 (310) 782-0770 List price: Si ,989
which the EPL-BOOO excels, with 10-ppm output. The paper cas- sette can accommodate paper weights from 16 to 24 pounds, and you can use weights up to 42 pounds if you feed the paper man- ually. Additionally, the printer can handle plain paper, labels, col- ored paper, paper with punched holes, envelopes, transparency film, and cardstock. The standard paper cassette will hold up to 250 sheets of standard 20-pound bond paper, and output paper de- livery is facedown unless the op- tional faceup output tray is utilized.
The EPL-8000 comes stan- dard with 27 fonts ( 1 4 bitmapped and 13 scalable), and installing the PostScript option adds an addition- al 43 scalable fonts. The printer al- so features a slot for accepting HP- compatible font cartridges.
The EPL-8000 features built-in HP LaserJet Series III {PCL5) em- ulation as well as Epson FX/LQ em- ulation as part of the standard package; optional Epson GL (HPGL emulation) and PostScript are also available.
Standard interfacing is either parallel or serial, and the printer can accept one optional inter-
face, as well {also either parallel or serial). The printer will automat- ically accept print jobs coming in from either interface, and each interface may be assigned a sepa- rate emulation.
All controls for selecting func- tions and operations are easy to use and top-mounted for easy ac- cess. A 20-character LCD keeps users informed of the printer's op- erational status as well as present- ing menu choices for configuring the unit.
According to Epson, the toner cartridge has a life expectancy of 8000 pages at 5-percent density, which makes it one of the longest- life toner cartridges available. Print density and coverage are ra- zor sharp at 300 dpi.
The EPL-8000 combines speed and power with the Epson name for quality and reliability. Its rich assortment of standard fea- tures, coupled with excellent ex- pandability options, makes the EPL-8000 a good choice for just about any printing chore.
Circle Reader Service Number 305
A NOTE ON PRICES
Willi hardware cfianging more rapid- ly tfian ever and witfi options more plentiful than ever, hardware prices can be a tricky business. The follow- ing pointers should make your pur- chase easier.
1 . It pays to shop around. Be sure to look at street prices, which can be considerably lower than list prices.
2. Verify price and configuration details with manufacturers or ven- dors before you buy Because hard- ware technology evolves rapidly, a product may have changed by the time our review appears.
3. Make sure that the printer con- figuration you have in mind match- es the price you want to pay. Manu- facturers have responded to consum- er demand for options by offering all kinds of packages, and it's easy to become confused about prices if you're not careful.
Unless otherwise noted, the price listed for a particular printer is the list price for a standard configuration (not necessarily the review configu- ration). Again, though, it's a good idea to verify pricing before you buy.
--MIKE HUDNALL
OCTOBER 1992 COMPUTE 17
TEST LAB
EVEREX LASERSCRIPT LX
If you're looking for a laser print- er that offers HP LaserJet Series II compatibility as well as excep- tionally fast PostScript output, then the Everex LaserScript tlx is probably going to be the ideal printer for you.
The LaserScript LX comes equipped with 2.5MB of RAM as the standard configuration, al- though this can be factory-upgrad- ed to 4.5MB. The review unit con- tained the standard configura- tion, which proved to be quite adequate for all of the text and graphics tests.
When it comes to internal fonts, the LaserScript LX is one of the richest printers available, with its 24 HP LaserJet-compati- ble fonts and 35 PostScript fonts. Additional fonts can be added us- ing the two cartridge slots, which will accept HP and compatible font cartridges. (Note that the car- thdge support feature is an op- tion that must be upgraded at the factory. If you want to use the car- tridge slots, make sure you order the LaserScript LX with the car- tridge support installed.)
Interfacing is another area that this printer has well covered, with parallel, RS-232C serial, and AppleTalk interfaces built in as standard equipment. Print speed for the LaserScript LX is rated at 6 ppm for normal text output in the HP-emulation mode, and it was a strong performer in this mode with every application it was used with.
The real strength of the Laser- Script LX, however, is its output
18 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
EVEREX SYSTEMS 48431 Miimofll Dr. Fremont, CA 94539 ) (800)821-0806 (510)498-1111 List price: $1,995
speed in PostScript mode; it left every other printer in the dust when outputting PostScript graph- ics, posting the fastest times of any printer tested for the accom- panying PostScript benchmarks— and by an extraordinary margin. To say that this is a fast PostScript printer is a great understatement.
Controls for the LaserScript LX are conveniently located on the front panel, and they consist of an LCD window, eight soft-touch keys, and three LED indicators. I found it easy to set up the Laser- Script LX and change configura- tion parameters. The handy 15- page quick-reference guide sup- plied with the unit helped a great deal. It's probably all the docu- mentation that most users will ev- er need, although an equally ex- cellent thick spiral-bound user's manual contains additional infor- mation on the printer's features, maintenance, technical specs, and upgrades.
The LaserScript LX measures 16.1 inches wide by 15.4 inches deep by 8.3 inches high; it weighs about 35 pounds loaded and ready for work. The paper tray holds 150 sheets of 20- pound paper, and the faceup tray can also hold 150 sheets. You can feed paper of all popu- lar sizes automatically or manual- ly Output resolution is 300 dpi.
The LaserScript LX is an excel- lent printer that combines all of the most sought-after printer
HEWLEn-PACKARD 19310 Pruneridge Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 (800) 752-0900 List price: $1,595
features with dazzling PostScript speed and full HP LaserJet Se- ries II compatibility. What more could you ask?
circle Reader Service Number 306
HEWLETT-PACKARD LASERJET HIP
It's virtually impossible to hear the term /asez-pr/nfer without thinking of Hewlett-Packard — and for good reason, HP is the company that, quite literally, made the term a household phrase, at least to PC users. Since HP first introduced the onginal LaserJet printer many years ago, the com- pany has continued to refine the product, and the basic laser print- er of yesteryear has evolved into a high-performance output de- vice known as the LaserJet HIP With this model, HP again shows its talent for making good things even better.
The HIP is a good thing that comes in a small package; 14 inches wide by 16 inches deep by 8.25 inches high, to be exact. This small footprint makes finding a suitable location for the HIP on your desktop or on a shelf easy, and because it weighs only 22 pounds, you can move this print- er easily without having to use a roll-about stand.
As with all other HP laser mod- els, the HIP offers 300-dpi output, and it comes with HP's PCL5, the latest version of this accepted standard for printer output data.
/
"What I needed were sales letters with color graphics, a bunch of different typefaces,
great print quality, and a little peace and quiet"
I got it. The new Citizen GSX-240.
The GSX-240 gives you everything you're lool<ing for in a printer. It's fast, reliable, inexpensive and versatile. With optional Color On Command™ and built-in scalable fonts, the GSX-240 wi enhance the looks of any document you create. And with Citizen's patented C.A.T. Citizen Acoustic Technology"" it will do it all, quietly. In fact, the GSX-240 is among the world's quietest printers.
Command-Vue IV" our patented control panel, allows you to control over 1 00 printer functions at the touch of a button. The GSX-240's 360 x 360 high resolution insures crisp, clean output every time you print. To see the latest in dot matrix printing technology call 1 -800-4-PRINTERS for an authorized Citizen dealer near you.
The Citizeii GSX-240. It only prints evetyMng you need.
a CITIZEN
e f J5L? CtUa-\ Am^xa Co-piiril'Ci^. C>ii79^. Color On CotirrmrtA
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CIrcta ReadAr Service Number 1&6
TEST LAB
You can use the PCL functions for scaling type to create ctiarac- ters from .25 point to 999.75 points (over 13 inches tall) and for special effects such as reverse (white-on-black) printing, pat- terned fonts, and more.
You'll find that all of the NIP con- trols are conveniently located at the top front panel of the printer. Six push-button switches and an LCD facilitate your selection of various menu and print-mode options.
Serial and parallel interfaces come standard on the HIP, and an RS-422 adapter is available as an optional accessory.
Eight proportionally spaced scalable typefaces and 14 bitmap- ped fonts also come standard and are built into the printer. In ad- dition, you get a font cartridge slot that accepts any HP Laser- Jet-compatible font cartridges, in- cluding scalable typeface cartridg- es. Need more? This expansion slot accommodates HP "person- afity" cartridges such as the Post- Script and Epson FX/IBM ProPrin- ter cartridges.
Our review unit came with 1 MB of RAM, which is the standard con- figuration for the NIP. You can in- stall additional RAM in 1MB or 2MB increments to the two avail- able slots for a maximum of 5MB. While 1MB will prove quite satis- factory for ail text work and most graphics applications, your mini- mum configuration should be at least 2fv1B if you intend to print full- page graphics at 300 dpi. If you use only 1MB of RAM, any full- page graphics will print at 150 dpi on the HIP.
The HIP is compatible with all
All Benchmark/Performance Test- ing is conducted by Computer Prod- uct Testing Services (CRTS), an independent testing and evalua- tion laboratory based in Ma- nasquan. New Jersey. Every effort fias been made to ensure the ac- curacy and completeness of this da- ta as of the date of testing. Perform- ance may vary among samples.
20
COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
LaserJet IIP accessories, includ- ing toner cartridges, font cards, and paper trays. This compatibil- ity is an important point to keep in mind if you're already a IIP own- er and considering an upgrade or a second printer.
A special feature of the HIP, HP's exclusive Resolution Enhance-
ment technology remaps all char- acters and graphics to produce the smoothest cuni^es and highest definition possible at 300 dpi.
This 4-ppm printer from the com- pany that literally set the standards for laser printers is an excellent choice for affordable laser output.
circle Reader Service Number 307
TIMED ARTLINE GRAPHICS
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Both packages are the same state-of-the-art products sold in stores nationwide. Both come with complete printed manuals and free technical support. MoneyCounts carries a retail price of $49.00 and ProCalc has a retail price of $89.00, giving you $138.00 of FREE software!
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Circle Reader Service Number 164
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TEST LAB
!BM LASERPRINTER 5E
This may come as a surprise to some readers, but IBM and other major brand leaders in the PC industry do not always manufac- ture their own products. Quite fre- quently, in fact, these larger com- panies will purchase existing prod- ucts or technologies from other, smaller companies who have par- ticular expertise in selected areas. For example, the IBM La- serPrinter 5E reviewed here is manufactured and distributed for IBM by Lexmark, a laser printer manufacturer based in Kentucky. Of all the laser and LED page print- ers reviewed here, the 5E is the
LASER PRINTER TESTS
Speed plays a significant role in everyday computing and printing. Nobody wants to waste time watt- ing for printouts, so our printer benchmark tests measure how long a particular printer takes to produce output from an everyday application, the kind you might use in your home or office.
All ten of our low-cost laser print- ers were timed as they printed out Windows fonts, a spreadsheet chart, ArtLine graphics, and ruled forms. In addition, for those print- ers that arrived with PostScript ca- pabilities, we timed output of four PostScript graphics.
Remember that the lower the number (or the lower the bar in the graph), the faster the performance.
—MIKE HUDNALL
22 COti/IPUTE OCTOBER 1992
LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL 740 New Circle Rd. Lexltiglon, KY 40511 (800) IBiVI-2468 List price: $1,595
only one made right here in the United States.
The 5E is a bit larger than some comparable laser print- ers, but with dimensions of 10.2 inches high by 14.2 inches wide by 20.6 inches deep, it can still fit comfortably on most desktops, Moving the 33.6-pound 5E can be a chore, though, so you'll want to use a roll-about printer stand if you plan to move this printer much.
The 5E comes equipped with 51 2K of RAM as the standard con- figuration, but you can expand this with 1MB, 2MB, and 4MB memory-upgrade options. For any type of graphics, desktop pub- lishing, or even spreadsheet work that incorporates charting functions, you'll want to increase the RAM, since the 512K won't be enough to handle these chores. The 5E comes with HP LaserJet II Series emulation and IBM Person- al Printer Data Stream emulation, and ycu can add PostScript and PCL5 emulations if you like.
The SB's 26 standard fonts con- sist of 16 Type 1 scalable fonts and 10 bitmapped fonts. Addition- al fonts can be downloaded (Type 1) or added via the Post- Script upgrade option.
The commendable 5-ppm print speed makes this printer 25 percent faster than most compa- rable lasers, which are rated at 4 ppm. This additional speed makes a big difference if you gen- erate lots of output: a 50-page document takes only 10 minutes to output on the 5E, whereas the same document takes over 12.5 minutes on a 4-ppm printer.
Setting up the 5E couldn't be easier, thanks to a single-touch 16-character LCD panel that pro- vides status and operation com- mands. All setup options are menu driven and easy to under- stand, augmented by excellent documentation.
A standard 200-sheet tray han- dles paper on the 5E. You can buy a 100-sheet auxiliary feeder, an en- velope feeder, an additional 200- sheet tray an A5 paper tray and a heavy-duty label and cardstock tray as optional accessories.
Print resolution is 300 dpi, and special PQET (Print Quality En- hancement Technology) circuitry
TIMED SPREADSHEET CHART
in the 5E increases the image sharpness by smoothing jagged or uneven edges of text and graphics. The 5E also permits ad- justing the print density (darl<- ness) and line weight to suit indi- vidual preferences.
The 5E proves that American- made products can still compete favorably with foreign-manufac- tured ones — and even excel in some areas.
Circle Reader Service Number SOS
OKiDATAOL400LED PAGE PRINTER
Okidata's OL400 LED Page Print- er provides a very affordable way to have HP LaserJet Series II com- patibility and 4-ppm output at 300- dpi resolution without using a la- ser as the imaging medium.
Although it's the entry-level model in Okidata's OL Page Print- er line, the OL400 shares all of the unique engineering features that make the OL Page Printers so innovative.
The OL400's footprint is approx- imately 17.75 inches wide by 17.75 inches deep. With a height of 5.25 inches, the OL400 has about the same desktop area and profile as a standard desktop PC. At approximately 27 pounds with a fully loaded paper tray installed, it is easily transportable.
The standard configuration is 512K RAM, but you can expand memory to a maximum of 2.5MB via a 1MB expansion board that accepts an additional IIVIB of RAfVl. While 512K will prove ade- quate for most basic text applica- tions, I recommend at least 1.5MB for any moderate graphics output
OKIDATA
532 Fellowship Rd. Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (609) 235-2600 List price: $1,099
{2.5MB is desirable for full-page graphics and DTP uses).
The OL400 can produce out- put at the rate of 4 ppm all day long. While this isn't a dazzling speed, it's a respectable pace that parallels the pace of many similarly priced laser printers, and it's considerably faster than any impact or ink-jet technologies.
Speed isn't everything, howev- er, especially when you consider all of the other features that come as standard equipment with the- OL400: 17 resident bitmap fonts (the equivalent of HP cartridges A, B, C, F, L, and Y), 200-sheet tray capacity, top (facedown) or rear (faceup) pa- per delivery, the ability to accept downloadable bitmap fonts format- ted for HP LaserJet Series II print- ers, and a card siot to accept any of the eight available optional bitmap Okidata font cards. Other printer piuses include the inher- ent benefits of LED printing tech- nology and the OL400's operation- al economy.
Unlike laser printers, which use a laser beam and a moving mirror assembly to direct the beam across the paper, the Okidata LED technology uses a stationary bar with an array of thousands of LED elements embedded in it. This LED array is about .5 inch thick and spans the full paper width (8.5 inches). The LED array provides a perfectly stable imaging light source that "paints" thousands of dots at a time at 300 dpi, rather than a single laser beam moving constantly from place to place to paint individual dots at this resolu- tion. Since the array doesn't move, the output image is razor sharp from edge to edge. Another benefit: Because the LED array us- es far fewer moving parts than a laser, there are fewer things to go
wrong or generate noise.
Toner cartridges are economi- cal. Since ail unused toner is re- cycled, you don't waste any, and the average cartridge gives you about 1,500-2,000 pages, depending on image density. Because the image drum is a separate unit from the toner car- tridge, the OL400's overall oper- ational economy is impressive. The average life for an image drum before replacement is ap- proximately 15,000 pages (or about 7-8 toner cartridges).
I rate the output quality of the OL400 excellent in every respect. The resolution is crisp and well de- fined, coverage is incredibly uni- form from corner to corner, and the blacks are absolutely opaque. When outfitted with some additional RAM, the OL400 makes an excellent choice for vir- tually any text, graphics, or even desktop publishing applications at a very affordable price.
circle Reader Service Number 309
OKIDATA OL830 LED PAGE PRINTER
What looks and feels like an Oki- data OL400 but delivers 8-ppm output speed and PostScript capa- bility? If you said the Okidata OLB30, you guessed correctly.
The OL830 shares the same 17.75 by 17.75 inch footprint as the OL400, but at 6 inches high, it stands .75 inch taller than its sib- ling. It weighs in at a trim 27 pounds with a fully loaded 200- sheet paper tray installed, making it small and light enough to move around the workplace as needed. You can install an optional second- tray mechanism for those situa- tions (such as network printing) in which having an additional 200 sheets available is desirable.
A parallel interface is standard, and an optional accessory board which provides both RS-232 Se- rial and AppleTalk interfaces is al- so available. The OL830 supports HP LaserJet Series II, Diablo 630,
OCTOBER 1992 COMPUTE 23
f^'^ima^iim
TEST LAB
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and Adobe PostScript emula- tions, making it capable of sup- porting just about any applica- tion's printer requirements.
The OL830 comes witti 26 HP ll-compatible fixed bitmap fonts and 17 Adobe PostScript scala- ble fonts as standard equipment. Tfie OL830 also fias a card slot available for accepting any of tfie optional Oktdata/Adobe font cards (Garamond and More, Fu- tura and More, Optima and fvlore. and PostScript Essentials). Installing any of tfiese cards boosts the OL830's font capacity to 35 PostScript scalable fonts.
As with all of the models in Okidata's OL Page Printer line, the OL830 uses a fixed array of thousands of LEDs to produce pristine images of absolute uni- formity for the entire page area. The printer comes standard with 2MB of RAM and delivers 8 ppm at 300 dpi. You can expand RAM to a maximum of 4MB.
Unlike the arrangement in most laser printers, which incor- porates the image drum into the toner cartridge, all Oktdata OL Page Printers keep the image drum as a separate unit from the toner cartridge. This scheme not only makes sense but results in excellent operational economy, since the image drum requires re- placement only about every 15,000 pages instead of about every 2,000 pages when the ton- er cartridge is replaced.
The Okidata design recycles all unused toner back for reuse, so there's no waste. Since none of the toner is wasted, the cartridg- es last longer, and they are less of an environmental hazard than less efficient cartridges. In fact, the cartridges are literally alumi- num tubes with sliding toner com-
24 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
OKIDATA
532 Fellowship R(t.
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
(609) 235-2600
List price: $1,999
partment doors and plastic end caps, so they're largely recycla- ble. Changing a toner cartridge takes less than a minute and doesn't generate any mess at all because of the design of the toner cartridge and printer, and the effi- cient recycling of toner powder.
The OL830 gives you flexible paper output routing. You can use either top output, which pro- vides collated copies facedown.
or rear output, which ejects the pages faceup. The printer comes supplied with a standard letter tray; optional accessories in- clude legal, executive, A4, and en- velope trays. The OL830 can al- so accept manual feed input of single sheets, envelopes, mailing label stock, and overhead projec- tion transparency ceils.
If your requirements call for HP II and PostScript compatibility (with Diablo 630 emulation, to boot), excellent output at the rate of 8 ppm, economical operation, and high reliability, then the OL830 is probably what you've been looking for.
circle Reader Service Number 310
TIMED RULED FORMS
Credit Application
INVENTORY
CREDIT APPLICATION
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Discover Star's new NX- 2430 printer. Laser features at 1/3 the price.
Because its features and performance are so much like a laser, you'd think the new NX-2430 Multi-Font was actually a laser printer. It has 13 scalable fonts, which allow you the creative freedom to customize your documents. And it has the extra conveniences that make lasers so easy to use, like real-time LCD display and automatic emulation switching. What's more, its print quality is excellent for both text and graphics.
But don't be fooled— the NX-2430 Multi-Font is a very reliable, extremely affordable, 24-pin dot matrix. And it's backed by Star's exclusive 2-Year Parts and Labor Warranty. For more information, call 1-800-447-4700.
SCALABLE
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IT TAKES A LITTLE EXTRA TO BE A STAR.
circle Reader Service Number 113
25
TEST LAB
STAR LASERPRINTER 4 STARSCRIPT
Star Micronics was one of the ear- lier manufacturers of dot-matrix printers for tfie fiome and person- al computer markets, and tfie com- pany tias built an excellent repu- tation for producing rugged, reli- able macfiines ttiat do what they're supposed to. Many of them have been reviewed favor- ably in the pages of COfvlPUTE. The Star LaserPrinter 4 StarScript combines Star's legendary relia- bility with truly innovative features that make this model something special.
The LaserPrinter 4 StarScript is physically identical to the less ex- pensive LaserPrinter 4 except that this model, the StarScript, comes with two megabytes of RAM and Star's PostScript emu- lation language, StarScript, as standard equipment. In addition to emulating PostScript, this print- er also supports HP LaserJet IIP and Epson FX-850 emulations. Consequently, you're assured of finding an appropriate emulation for virtually any software package you'd want to use.
Maintaining compatibilfty was obviously important to the design- ers of the LaserPrinter 4 Star- Script, since the printer can use HP-compatible font cartridges and can also accept downloada- ble HP LaserJet IIP- and Type 1- compatible fonts. The number of fonts that you can download is lim- ited by tiie amount of memory available. You can use optional 2MB and 4MB memory expan- sion boards to boost download ca- pacity, and the extra RAM is a good idea for heavy graphics ap- plications, as well.
The StarScript feature puts 35 scalable fonts at your disposal, as well as 14 bitmapped fonts (7 resident fonts in both portrait and landscape orientations}. You get 300-dpi resolution and an output rate of 4 ppm.
Paper stocks with v/eights
26 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
STAR MICRONICS AMERICA 420 Lexington Ave. New Ybrk, NY 10710 (800) 227-8274 List price: $1,995
from 16 to 28 pounds feed the printer via a multipurpose tray that holds 50 sheets. If you find the multipurpose tray's capac- ity too limited for your require- ments, you can get an optional lower paper cassette that holds 250 sheets. The multipurpose tray can also accommodate five paper sizes (letter, legal, A4, executive, and B5) and four enve- lope sizes (monarch, com-10, DL, and C5), Odd sizes of paper stocks, ranging from 3.8 to 8.5 inches wide and 5.8 to 14 inches long, can also be fed in manual- ly A versatile performer, this print- er also handles plain paper, as well as overhead projection trans- parencies, adhesive labels, and postcards.
Printed output can be delivered either faceup (20-sheet maximum) or facedown (5Q-sheet maximum). The LaserPrinter 4 StarScript uses disposable EP-L toner cartridges with an approximate life of 2500- 3500 pages. The number of pag-
es you get from a cartridge de- pends on the print density
Star covers most interfacing needs in this model by offering parallel, RS-232C serial, and Ap- pleTalk connections. You select the desired active interface, em- ulation, and other variable feature parameters by using the printer's soft-touch control panel and a 16- digit LCD. I found the documen- tation supplied by Star to be ex- cellent (up to Star's usual high standards), and setup's a snap, since everything is menu driven and straightforward.
The LaserPrinter 4 StarScript measures 16.4 inches wide by 15.2 inches deep by 7,3 inches high and weighs only 26,5 pounds with a toner cartridge in place. Its size, price, and fea- tures will make it an attractive choice for many users.
circle Reader Service Number 311
TIMED WINDOWS FONT TEST
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TEST LAB
TANDY LP 990
Tandy has achieved high recog- nition among consumers, especial- ly those who use computers. With the Tandy LP 990 laser printer, the company's latest offering in the way of nonimpact printers, Tandy will continue to attract attention. As always, the design team at Tandy has done its homework and pro- duced a product rich in features that will appeal to many users.
The LP 990 tips the scales at just a tad over 33 pounds loaded with paper and toner, and the print- er's dimensions are approximate- ly 10.5 inches by 13.25 inches by 14.25 inches, which gives it an al- most cubelike appearance. The small footprint makes the LP 990 right at home on a desktop, shelf, or printer stand.
You can upgrade the LP 990's memory from the 512K RAM that comes standard with this printer to 2MB, This is a worthwhile invest- ment if you're doing any kind of graphics work, as the 512K is not really adequate for anything but text and very minimal graphic embellishment.
The LP 990 boasts several em- ulations, including the HP LaserJet Series II, Epson FX-80, IBM Graph- ics Printer, IBM ProPrinter, and Di- ablo 630/630ECS printers. Parallel and serial interfaces come stan- dard on this Tandy printer.
As with the other printers reviewed in this montti's Test Lab, the LP 990 outputs text and graphics at a resolution of 300
38 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
TANDY/RADIO SKACK 1800 One Tandy Center Fort Worth, TX 76102 (817) 390-3011 List urice: $1,499
dpi. Tandy includes 22 resi internal bitmap fonts (Courier, Cou- her Bold, and Line Printer in both portrait and landscape orienta- tions), and you can add fonts by installing font cards in either or both of the printer's two available font card slots. The LP 990 also supports downloadable fonts, with the number of simultaneous- ly resident fonts limited only by the amount of available memory.
Letter, legal, invoice, execu- tive, A4, and B5 paper sizes in weights up to 34 pounds work with the LP 990, as well as #10 (commercial), monarch, interna- tional DL, and international C5 envelope sizes. You can feed pa- per manually or automatically via the tray. The standard paper tray is letter size and holds 250 sheets of 16- to 20-pound paper; an op- tional legal-size tray is also avail- able. Finished output can be de- livered either faceup or facedown.
As with other Tandy products, the supplied documentation is very clear and easy to under- stand, making frequent use of il- lustrations to augment the text. You'l! be up and running quickly with the help of the 68-page us- er's guide; a 142-page technical reference manual provides de- tailed information on printer con- trol codes, font character sets, and other technical material that most users will never need to con- sult. Still, it's nice to have around, just in case.
I found setup and operation of the LP 990 very simple and straightforward. Soft-touch con-
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS P.O. Box 202230 Austin, TX 78720-2230 (800) 527-3500 List orice: $999
trols and an LCD status panel makeconfiguring and changing set- tings easy and uncomplicated.
With a print speed of 9 ppm, the LP 990 is a quick performer, comparing favorably with some more expensive models from oth- er manufacturers. If you don't re- quire PostScript for your output ap- plications, the LP 990 is a good HP-compatible printer that should serve you admirably.
Circle Reader Service Number 312
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS MICROLASER PLUS
The Texas Instruments microLas- er Plus laser printer is a 300-dpi model that's loaded with many of the standard features frequently offered as options on competitive models.
The microLaser Plus weighs 33 pounds, so it isn't exactly a lightweight printer. Its dimensions of 13.4 inches wide by T4.2 inch- es deep by 10.9 inches high, how- ever, make it compact enough to sit on a desktop.
The microLaser Plus comes equipped with 512K of RAM, but if you have plans to use this laser printer for any meaningful graph- ics output or desktop publishing work, you'll want to increase that amount. RAM can be added a megabyte at a time using expan- sion cards that snap into sockets within the system compartment. The printer holds up to four of these expansion boards, giving you a maximum memory config- uration of 4,5MB, If you intend to add the PostScript option, you'll need at least 1MB of additional RAM (2MB to print on legal-size
m'
— .^.Ai'A.:
>4j-'>''.^y^ y:f>A-«^-...ai#jhg-
JAids everjAvhere love animals ! With Davidson's Zoo Keeper, children will have endless hours of fun learning about all sorts of wild and wonderful animals. .They'll learn what these animals look like, where they live, and what they eat. They'll even be able to explore where their favorite animals live. This amazing game features real-life photos, animal sounds and animations that will capture the imagination of all who play, And as children help release animals back to the wild, they will also gain an understanding of the important role we must all play in protecting our animal friends.
For ages 6 to 1 1
XOLL FREE OROBK hlO'IXINE
800-545-7677
leware ol Braiii Drain, juii om of the miichievoui troubltiniktn you'll encounter!
Davidson.
Teaching Tools From Teachers
Ili.M, Tandy, and PC Compaliblw. Suggested Reliil Price Sa9.95
Available at Bahbage's, CompUSA, Eggftead Software, Electronics Boutique, Sofr»fare Etc, Computer City, Best Buy and otiter ftie retailers.
Circle Reader Service Number 189
"Davidson's Zoo Keeper is your (hild's ticket to the amaiing world of animals! The program's danling real- life plioiK and sounds and entertaining animations teacfi (bildren about many different animals and about the iiT^portance of protecting endangered species."
Jack Hanna Director of Columbus loo ind host of the syndicated television show ZooUfe wit^ Jack Henna
'Best Kid's Seftwire
CES 1992 Dennis Lynch
Cfiiago Tribune
29
TEST LAB
HOW MUCH SPEED DO YOU NEED?
How much money should you spend on a laser printer? Just glance at the llsl prices of this month's laser printers, and you'll see that you probably won't have to take out a second mortgage to buy a capable one. You will, how- ever, want to invest some time consid-
ering features, upgradabtlity, your own needs. A major consideration in your buy- ing decision will probably be speed.
According to a public relations consultant for Star Micronics, a laser printer's speed depends on three factors: process- ing speed. engine speed, and the type of da- ta being printed.
Processing speed is the time it takes the print- er's internal "brain," its microprocessor, to proc- ess commands received from the computer. The two major classes of proc- essors on the market are Motorola 68.000 chips, which handle most print- ing tasks with no problem, and RISC (Reduced In- struction Set Computing) chips, which are de- signed to handle com- mands in much less time, Engine speed, on the oth- er hand, is determined by how long it takes the print- er's engine to move a sheet of paper from the in- put tray to the output tray. When you read the speci- fications for a laser printer and find a pages-per-min- ute statistic, that's the en- gine speed. Laser printer engine speeds normally range from four to ten pag- es per minute.
Processing speed and engine speed together determine throughput speed, which is the time it takes for a document to print from start to finish.
As you may have guessed, printers with faster throughput speeds cost more than their slower counterparts. Of course, the faster, more expensive printers will catch your eye, but before one catches your pockets, make
sure that you really need it.
"Buyers need to keep in mind that anything will print on any [laser] print- er," says fvlichael Grabel, Okidata's nonimpact printer product manager. "Some things will look better or be more cost effective [on one printer
and than on another] when using certain
LED Printer
Focusing Lenses
LED Array
Laser Printer
Focusing Lenses ~o~— -V '
Laser LED
Polygon Mirror
applications." However, how much you ultimately spend on a laser printer depends on how important your time is and on what kinds of printing tasks you typically have for your printer.
Printing tasks, says Tammy Lawson, product manager for Okida- ta's microLaser, fall into five main categories: reports and correspon-
dence, spreadsheets, graphics, desk- top publishing, and other.
If you're concerned mainly with pro- ducing attractive letters without exten- sive use of fonts, a basic printer with- out PostScript that prints 4-5 ppm using a 68,000 processor is fine. That's because basic text printing doesn't slow down the microprocessor with a bar- rage of complex com- mands. The same is true of printouts for DOS- based spreadsheets. You can manage with a basic printer equipped with a 68,000 processor Howev- er. Lawson advises, you should be sure that you buy an upgradable print- er so that you can take advantage of PostScript as your needs increase. If you're using a graphically based spreadsheet like Ex- cel and plan to experi- ment with fonts, point size, and graphics, you'll need a more powerful print- er. PostScript printers that support at least 17 fonts, print B-9 ppm, and sport 68,000 processors are your best bet. If you oper- ate advanced graphics applications, make sure that the printer supports at least 35 fonts.
Desktop ■ publishers who don't have printers with microprocessors that can handle large num- bers of complex com- mands can end up spend- ing more time watching hourglass icons than do- ing anything else. To pre- vent that, both Lawson and Grabel suggest buy- ing printers with RISC processors. Before you invest in a laser printer, take time to analyze your workload and the l<inds of print- ing that you do. It's a good idea to con- sider your future needs, too. The ap- plications you use will help you deter- mine the types of data (hat your print- er must process and thus which print- er might best meet your needs.
—DANIELLE BEST
30
COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
paper in PostScript).
Texas Instruments offers two PostScript options for ttie micro- Laser Plus. One of tfiese Post- Script boards (#2559978-002) adds the PostScript interpreter and 35 PostScript fonts, whiile the other (#2559978-003) adds the PostScript interpreter and 17 Post- Script fonts. This is a good ar- rangement, since some users won't require all 35 fonts, al- though they may indeed desire the PostScript scaling and graph- ics-printing capabilities. The 17- font board provides a more afford- able means of upgrading the ba- sic microLaser Plus to PostScript. The review unit came outfitted with 2.5MB of RAM and had the 35-font PostScript board already installed in it
The microLaser Plus comes equipped with a parallel interface as standard equipment, but if you need more than just a parallel in- terface, there are other interfac- es also available as user-installa- ble options. An optional RS-232C serial interface may be co- resident with the parallel inter- face. An optionai AppleTalk board adds AppleTalk and RS- 422 communication along with the RS-232C serial interface. This option is handy if you have a mixed work environment com- posed of PCs as well as Macin- toshes. It should be noted, how- ever, that in order to use Ap- pleTalk, the microLaser Plus must also be equipped with a Post- Script board and at least one 1MB memory expansion board.
The control panel on the micro-
NEXT MONTH:
CUTTING-EDGE NOTEBOOKS
Laser Plus has 12 soft-touch switches and a single-line, 16- character LCD. You can access all of the printer's functions easiiy through a menuing system that steps through all settings in a log- ical order.
The Texas Instruments docu- mentation is excellent. An eight- page instaliation instruction bro- chure gets you up and running in just a few minutes, while a thick,
spiral-bound user's manual pro- vides a wealth of information on just about anything you could wish to know about the printer: its settings, capabilities, options, fonts, and specs.
The 9-ppm print speed, excel- lent standard emulations, and us- er-installable upgrades are sure to make the microLaser Plus an attractive choice for many users.
Circle Reader Service Number 313
TIMED POSTSCRIPT TESTS
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OCTOBER 1992 COMPUTE 31
TEST LAB
In your search for the printer that best fits your needs, you'll want to pay close attention to the features and price of a standard configuration as well as the options you might need for the future and their prices. The prices of the options listed below are list pric- es supplied by the manufacturers. Be-
C-TECH C. ITOH CI -4 IMBRAMmoduie— S165 PDL cartridge~$450 second bin paper feeder — S175 faceup tray — S30 HPGL graphics— $190 Epson FX-850 emulation carlridge — $190
IBIvl ProPrinter XL emulation cartridge— $190
Diablo 630 emulation cartridge- Si 90
EPSON EPL-8000
memory expansion board without
memory— $65
VsMB memory— $49
2MB memory— $179
Adobe PostScript identity card— $649
Epson GL identity card— $299
lower paper tray — $399
legal paper iray— $79
faceup output tray— $35
long-life imaging cartridge — $239
EVEREX LASERSCRIPT LX 2M8 memory upgrade— $200 HP-compatible cartridge support (font cartridge)— $160
HEWLETT-PACKARD LASERJET !liP 1MB memory board— $230 2MB memory board— $390 letter-size input tray — $69 legal-size input tray— $79 executive-size input tray— $75 A4 paper tray-— $89 executive paper tray — $89 envelope tray— $89 HP Epson Fxl\BM ProPrinter emulation cartridge — $175 Adobe PostScript printer cartridge from HP— $695
IBM LASERPRINTER 5E 1MB memory module — $199 2MB memory module — $399 3MB memory module— S799 PostScript option— $499 75-envelope feeder— $379
LASER PRINTER OPTIONS
cause these prices are subject to change and because street prices can be significantly lower, it's a good idea to call around lo verify the best prices for your needs. Those needs may include local service and sup- port, in which case you'll want to check into local retail channels. If you
100-sheel auxiliary paper
feeder— $279
200-sheet paper tray (letter)— $69
200-sheet paper Iray (legal)— $79
scalable font card— $399
PC15 emulation option— SI 99
AppleTalk option— $349
A5 paper (ray- $109
heavy-duty label/cardstock tray—
$69
OKIDATA OL400 LED PAGE PRINTER
1MB memory board— $239 1MB memory chip— $219 Serial l/F— $95 Parallel l/F— $95 legal paper tray— $89 letter paper tray— $89 envelope paper tray— $89 executive paper tray— $89 A4 paper tray— $89 universal (letter) paper tray-
-$109
decide that you don't need beat serv- ice and support, however, mail-order channels may be your best bet. in some cases, as our reviews point out, it's a good idea to order your printer with extra memory or otfier options al- ready installed rather than waiting to make the upgrades later.
OKIDATA OL830
LED PAGE PRINTER
2MB memory expansion — $399
Second-tray mechanism — $329
AppleTalk/RS-232C serial
I/F-S199
legal paper tray— $89
letter paper tray— £89
envelope paper tray — $89
executive paper tray — $89
A4 paper tray— $89
universal (letter) paper tray — $109
STAR LASERPRINTER 4
STARSCRIPT
1MB memory upgrade- $299
2MB memory upgrade — $499
4MB memory upgrade— $999
letter-size cassette— $195
additional letter-size cassette—
$69
executive-srze cassette — $79
legal-size cassette— $85
envelope cassette — SI 09
TANDY LP 990
1 '/•'MB memory upgrade— $599.95
paper bin— $69.95
envelope feeder— $349.95
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
MICROLASER PLUS
17-font Adobe PostScript andl'/jMB
memory— $400
AppleTalk for PS 17— $500
35-font Adobe PostScript and 1 VsMB
memory— $750
AppleTalk for PS35— $850
RS-232. RS-422 AppleTalk, not
including cable— $100
Epson 850/1050 emulation cartridge—
$135
IBM ProPrinter emulation cartridge —
$135
Diablo 630 emulation carlridge —
$135
second 250-page drawer— $275
40-envelope feeder— $275
legal paper drawer — $55
—COMPILED BY TRACY MYGRANT AND DANIELLE BEST
32 COlvlPUTE OCTOBER 1992
1
■y^'-i Y
•A1-YV- VA •
^'i^: A'^
iuiTTCiT -•
It works for beginners as well as experts.
And no matter how hard you try, you can't exhaust its potential.
In many \va)'s, it's a lot like CompuServe.
For the beginner at interactive computer ser- vices, we've got news, travel information, stock quotes, entertainment and games, a complete encyclopedia, free time to sharpen yotir online skills, and more.
For the experienced user, we feature hardware and software support, special-interest forums, free software, a wealth of online computer expertise, and sophisticated research tools. In fact, no computer service offers the choices that CompuServe does.
Now, for just $7.95 a month, and a one-time membership fee, you get all the basics as often as you like: news, sports, weather, shopping, a com- plete encyclopedia, and much more, plus up to 60 E-mail messages a month. And, there are lots of other valuable services available on a nominal pay- as-you-use basis.
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, to choose the right interactive service, just use yotir brain. Pick CompuServe.
For more information or to order, see your computer dealer or call I 800 848-8199. Outside the United States, call 614 4S7-0802.
CompuServe"
The informatioii service you won't outgrow.'
circle Reader Service Number 103
33
NEWS & NOTES
Computing in die lap
of luxury, making
music, and helping
Uie visually
challenged make hill
use of computers
Atoms that migrate from the voids eventually stack up and form into what research- ers say look like tiny hills and long, thin whiskers, which can eventually pierce insulating lay- ers in the circuits, causing shorts and other problems.
The researchers found, how- ever, that electromigration damage is similar to mechan- ical deformation, which oc- curs when malleable metals are stretched, bent, or ham- mered. Armed with that knowl- edge, specialists should be able in the future to construct materials that minimize elec- tromigration and prevent its ef- fects from reaching the con- sumer. If you would like more information, contact the Geor- gia Institute of Technology, At- lanta, Georgia 30332-0800; (404) 894-2000.
For the Visually Challenged
Add two new software pro- grams— Dvorak on Typing for the Blind and Visually Im- paired, and Close-Up 4.0— to the growing list of products making it easier for visually challenged users to get the most out of the time they spend with their computers.
Dvorak for the Blind and Vis- ually Impaired, from Interplay, is designed to help the visual- ly challenged learn touch typ- ing. Dvorak features a human voice that sounds out letters as you type. Beginning stu- dents receive step-by-step in- structions regarding hand placement, the location of the keys, shifting, and other typ- ing fundamentals, After learn- ing the basics, the user pro- gresses to typing sentences and paragraphs and, finally, full correspondence.
Suggested retail price is $79.99. For more information, contact Interplay, 3710 South Susan, #100, Santa Ana, Cali- fornia 92704; (800) 969-4263 or (714) 545-9001.
Close-Up 4.0, a remote-con-
36 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
trol software package from Norton-Lambert, wasn't de- signed specifically with the vis- ually impaired in mind, but its makers claim that the pro- gram is so simple, blind and visually challenged users can handle it with ease- Since the majority of visual- ly impaired people rely on voice synthesizers to read what's on a computer screen, simple tasks can become nigfitmares when users are faced with a plethora of icons and commands. Close-Up of- fers uncluttered, straightfor- ward commands, and as a re- sult, mai<es communicating with PCs in remote locations very manageable.
The Close-Up Dual Pack supports both DOS and Win- dows and has a suggested re- tail price of $199. For more in- formation, contact Norton-Lam- bert, P.O. Box 4085, Santa Bar- bara, California 93140; (805) 964-6767.
Whistle While You Work
Like to whistle a few bars while you work? Then you'll like what Patch Panel Soft- ware has designed: a DOS- based, pop-up, music-play- back utility that gives your lips a rest and lets your computer do the whistling for you.
Whistle-Whiie-You-Work, which supports the numerous Ad Lib-compatible sound boards for PCs, runs in the background while you're busy with your daily computing in the foreground. In fact, the pro- gram is so small — occupying only 24K of RAM (it pages songs from disk) — that "you can squeeze it into little holes in upper memory using the DOS 5 HIMEM.SYS driver," ac- cording to Patch Panel, which says this means that the program doesn't require any DOS memory — some- thing very important for a back- ground driver. The program reads both Ad Lib's ROL and
Creative Lab's CMF file for- mats and their instrument banks.
Whistle-While-You-Work is available for S50 (plus $3.50 shipping and handling). For more information, contact Patch Panel Software, 11590 Seminole Boulevard, Seminole, Florida 34648; (813) 397-3530.
Leather for the Executive
Discriminating executives will be elated to know that opu- lence has reached even the laptop level: the Notepad 386SX-20 from Lighthorse Technologies is encased in leather \o; the ultimate in port- able computing.
The computer comes com- plete with your choice of a 40MB, 60MB, or 80fvlB hard drive; 2MB of RAM, expanda- ble to 6MB; one aVa-inch 1.44MB floppy drive; DOS 5.0; a side-lit, paper-white LCD VGA-compatible display with 640 X 480 resolution; a 9600-bps send-and-receive fax with software and a 2400- bps modem with MNP 5 soft- ware; a PS/2 mouse port, se- rial and parallel ports, and an external monitor port; and a re- chargeable ni-cad battery,
This leather luxury doesn't compromise on price, either: The 40MB version sells for $2,499, suggested retail price. Discriminating execu- tives should contact Light- horse Technologies, 4105 Tolowa Street, San Diego, Cal- ifornia 92117; (800) 443-3446.
Companies with Items of inter- est suitable for "News & Notes" should send informa- tion along with a color slide or color transparency to News & Notes. Attn: Jill Champion, COMPUTE Magazine. 324 West Wendover Avenue. Suite 200. Greensboro. North Caroli- na 27408. Although space is limited, all Items will be consid- ered for publication. □
ADVERTISEMENT
JOIN THE COMPUTE SEARCHSTAKES
YOU MAY WIN STAR'S
LASERPRINTER 4 STARSCRIPT.
DIAL 1-900-454-8681!
Cost for (ail $ 1.50 first minute, $ 1.00 emh mfditional miniile. Musi be 18 or older. loudHone phone required.
Star's LaserPrinter 4 StarScript is packed with all the features to bring true desktop publishing into your office! With an expanded scalable font selection, two megabytes of memory, and the creative powers of PostScript, the easy-to-operate LaserPrinter 4 StarScript offers unlimited possibilities in a desktop printer. And now it may be yours!
IT'S GRAND TO WIN
Every month, from now until November, you'll have the chance to win fabulous prizes by playing the Compute SearchStakes. You'll also have the chance to win the SearchStakes Grand Prize by submitting the solution to any two monthly SearchStakes, plus the solution to the Grand Prize SearchStakes, to be featured in our upcoming December issue.
IT'S FUN TO PLAY
Each of the six picture disks displayed below is a portion of a photo or illustration taken from an ad in this issue. To
solve the October SearchStakes, locate the ads from which these disks were taken and note the page number for each. If the ad has no page number, simply count that page or cover as zero. Then add up all six page numbers. That is the solution to this month's SearchStakes.
IT'S EASY TO ENTER
Once you find the solution, you may enter the October SearchStakes automatically on a touch-tone phone by calling 1-900-454-8681 by 11/30/92. The cost for the call is $1.50 for the first minute, $1.00 for each additional minute. Average call is estimated to be 2-3 minutes. Callers must be 18 or older. You may also enter by mailing your answer on a 3" x 5" piece of paper, along with your name, address, and phone number, to: "October Compute SearchStakes," 324 West Wendover Avenue, Suite 200, Greensboro, N.C. 27408 by 11/30/92. No purchase necessary. For more information on how you may win this month's prize, valued at more than $1,995, turn to page 41 !
Sponsored by Compute Int'l Ltd., N.Y., N.Y.
FEEDBACK
Return to
NUMKILL, Itie future
of GeoWofKs,
flie joy of SX, getting
sound out of
an MCA bus, and
your BASIC plot
BASIC Solution
In your July 1992 issue, you printed a letter from Clark Harper, who wanted to ac- cess a directory with a space in its name (DREAM TE). You recommiended PC Tools, but there are numerous free solu- tions to the problem.
The one most widely avail- able is BASIC. Start BASIC (if you are using QBASIC or QuickBASIC, press F6 to go to the Immediate window). Type CHDIR "DREAM TE":SYSTEM and hit Enter. You'll find yourself at the DOS prompt in the DREAM TE sub- directory.
You can use MKDIR to cre- ate a subdirectory with a space (type MKDIR "DREAM TE") or RMDIR to remove a subdirectory with a space (type RMDIR "DREAM TE").
STEVE OFFIsER CARLSBAD, NM
Thanks for your elegant solu- tion.
38
Serious Work
Thank you for taking GeoWorks seriously. I began using GeoWorks because of hardware limitations. Now that I have hardware sufficient to run OS/2 and Windows, I find that I still prefer GeoWorks.
I've used the PC/GEOS op- erating environment as an in- troduction to personal comput- ers for a number of people and continue to believe that this is the best way for people to begin to use a computer.
I also believe that the envi- ronment is rich enough to allow the advanced user many ways to find new and more sophisticated ways to increase his or her productivity.
I couldn't help but react with amusement when I read that the newest versions of WinWord and Excel allow you to drag and drop text
COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
and that Windows 3.1 actually gives you scalable fonts. What will they think of next?
While I realize that Win- dows' enormous installed base will probably keep GeoWorks from being the suc- cess it deserves to be, I (and many others) have found the best computing environment for both now and the foresee- able future in GeoWorks,
Once again, you have my gratitude for paying regular at- tention to a program that I use 90 percent of the time.
LARRY FREDERICK IHVfMG. TX
We don't think we're giving away any industry secrets when we tell you that GeoWorks will just keep get- ting better and better.
Recently, we spoke with Bri- an Dougherty at the Software Publishers Association sympo- sium in Seattle about the pen interface GeoWorks is prepar- ing for an as-yet-unnamed computer maker
We asked whether it wilt be a new product or just an add- on to the interface we alt know and love. He said that the actual GEOS operating system — not the desktop you see in GeoWorks Ensemble or Pro. but the primitives that drive the desktop — can be made to assume any look, and that with a different set of libraries GEOS has run on the Macintosh and looked exact- ly like any other Macintosh ap- plication.
He spoke of a future in which common appliances such as dishwashers and tele- phones would have pen- based operating systems and indicated that GEOS was up to the challenge right now.
He also said to watch for the GEOS pen-based comput- er to emerge some time next year.
MCA Sound Cord
I have a diiemma I hope you can help me solve. I have an IBM PS/2 Model 50. I wanted to add a sound card, but I'm having trouble finding some- thing compatible with the IBM computer.
LES SCHWARTZ MINNETONKA, MN
Remember when buying an IBM meant the end of your problems with compatibility? The MCA bus changed all of that.
Fortunately, there are enough PS/2s to make the market appealing, and some manufacturers are providing MCA bus versions of their cards.
Media Vision is offering CDPC. a plug-and-play multi- media PC subsystem. The CDPC includes built-in speak- ers, CD-ROM, and sound card with MIDI. It sells for $1,295. Contact Media Vision, 47221 Fremont Boulevard, Fre- mont. California 94538: (800) 845-5870-
Falllng off the Jargon
In your April issue, you print- ed an article called "PC Jar- gon Made Easy."
One thing that you didn't mention and that I have long been curious about is what the letters — such as SX, AT, and XT^that follow some com- puter types represent.
I own a 386SX, and I would like to know what the dif- ference is between it and a regular 386,
E S BARKER MINE CEtJTER. ON
The XT and AT designations stand for extended technolo- gy antf advanced technology The XT is a PC with a built- in 20MB hard disk. The AT is basically a PC with an 8-MHz 80286 micro- processor, a hard disk, and a 16-bit bus.
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MIX
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PUMP IT
Turn your PC into an INTERACTIVE Beat Box!
-T-r
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'Mr
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4; 5; 6)
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Dr.T'S'"' Requires IBM AT (or above) with MUSIC SOFTWARE souod Card, or any Amiga computer.
For more information call 1 -800-989-6434.
Circle Reader Service Number 112
FEEDBACK
The standard Intel 386 is often called a 386DX. It can manage a 32- bit bus (which is the reason for the rise of the MCA and the EISA bus tech- nology). But most people didn 'i care about a 32-bit bus, so Intel created the 386SX specifically for the 16-bit bus.
The 486 is a more interesting case. The 486SX is simply a 486 with its on- board math coprocessor disabled. If you need a math coprocessor and you own a 486SX machine, you need to buy the 487 math coprocessor
Tlie 487 isn 't really a math coproces- sor at all but a complete 486 chip with Its on-board math coprocessor intact. Installing it turns off the 486SX chip so that it just sits there on your mother- board gathering dust and occupying space, while the 487 takes over completely as the CPU. The 486 and 487 aren't pin compatible, however so don't try placing the 487 in the 486 spot.
Recently, there has been a prol'ifera- tion of chips based on the 386 technol- ogy A couple of companies have re- leased clones of the 386. One has re- leased a 386 with an on-board math coprocessor (making it a slightly slower version of the 486).
And there's a 386SL chip that's de- signed for laptops. Among its power- saving features is its capability to shut down temporarily when no processing is going on.
Incidentally be skeptical of manufac- turers ' claims of new technologies that drive chips at double speed. They claim that processing speed is doubled, but memory access is still at the poky chip speed. These turbochargers will make your computer faster but not twice as fast.
As evidence that the horizon recedes with every step we take, by the time you read ihis, the parallel-processing Intel 586 will soon be out. (Intel is planning to rename the chip, so you may read about it under another name.)
BASIC Problem
Since my system inconveniently turns Num Lock on when it boots, I looked at your answer to Jerry Johnson on page 48 of your February/March issue as my solution.
However, when I tried to execute NUMKILL.EXE, it locked everything up. I had to reset my computer. What am I doing wrong?
DICK FflECH CASPER. WY
You created a text file with the lines
Edttor
Senior Art Dfrector
Art Director
Managing Editor
Features Editor
Reviews Editor
Editor, Gazette
Editor, Amiga Resource
Copy EdilDra
Ediforial Assjstanl Conlribuling Editors
Clifton Kames
Dwayne Flincnum
Robin c Case
David Enghsti
Robert Bixby
Mike Hudnail
Tom Netsel
Denny All-in
Karen Huflrnan
Margaret Ramsey
Polly Cillpam
Sylvia Grahafn. Eddie Huffman.
Tony Roberts, Kairen Siepak
Danielle Best
Tracy Mygrani
ART Assistant Art Director Kcnr^eth A, Hardy Designer Jo Boykin Copy Production Manager Terry Cash Copy Production Assistant Katte Taylor
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i^RODUCTlON |
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Production Manager |
De Poller |
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Traftlc Manager |
Barbara A. WJIianis |
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PROGRAMMING & ONLINE SERVICES |
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Manager |
Troy Tucker |
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Programmers |
Bruca M Sowden |
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Steve Draper |
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Bradley M. Small |
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ADMINISTRATION |
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Presldcnl, COO |
Kathy Keeton |
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EKBCutlve Vice Presidenl, |
Witham Tynan |
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Operations |
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Edilorlal Director |
Keiih Ferreil |
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Oporaliong Manager |
David Hensley Jr. |
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Office Manager |
Sybil Agee |
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Sr. Administrative Assistant |
Julia Ftemirtg |
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Administrative Assistant |
Lisa VMiS.m5 |
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Receptionist |
LeV*'anfla Fo:< |
ADVERTISING Vice President, Peter T Jolinsmeyer Associate Publisher (2)2)496-6103
ADVERTISING SALES QFRCES
East Coast Full-Page and Standard Display Ads— ffeter I Johrvs- meyer, Chris Coeltio; COMPUTE Pub'icatJOns internaiionai Ltd., 1965 Broadway, New Vor<, NY 10023. (212) 496-6100 Soulh- easl— HartiBl Rogers. 503 A St . SE. Washington. DC, 20003; (2021 546-5326 Florida— J. M Remer Associales, 3300 tJE 192nd St , SuilB 19?, Aventura. FL 33180; (305) 933-1467. (305) 933-8302 (FAX) Wtdwesl— Full -Page and Standard Display Ads— Starr Lane, National Accounts Manager; 1 1 1 East Wack- or Or . Suile 508, Chicaao, IL 60601; (312) 819-3900 (312) 819- 0813 (FAX). Noriliwesi— y.;erry Thompson. Jules E Thompson Co,. 1290 Howard Ave , Suite 303. Burlingame. CA 94010; (415) 348-8222 Lucille Dennis. 1707) 45 1-8209. Soulhwest— Ian Ling- •*00d. 6728 Eton Ave.. Canoga Park. CA 91303; (81 B) 992- 4777 Product Mart Ads — Lucille Dennis. Jules E. Thompson Co . 1290 Howard Ave . Suile 303. Burlingame. CA 94010; (707) 45 1 -8209- Ll.K 4 Euiooe— Bevetly Wardale. 14 Lisgar Terr.. Lon- don W14, England. 011-441.602-3298 Japan— Intergroup Com- munit^ations. Lid . JifO Sen-iba. Presideni, 3F Tiger Bldg. 5-22 Stih ba-hoen, 3-Cno(no. Minaio ku. Tokyo 105, Japan. 03-434- 2607 Classified Ads— Uatia Manaseri, 1 Woods Ci.. Huntington. NY 11743: (TEUFAX) (516) 757-9562,
THE COnPORATION
Bob Gucpione (chairman and CEO)
Kathy Keeton (vice-chairman)
David J. ti^yerson (president and CEO)
William F. Marlieb (president, marketing, sates and circulatksn)
Patrick J Gawin (senior vice president and CFO)
Anthony J Guccione (secrelary and treasurer)
John Evans (president, toreign editions and manufacturing)
Jeri Winston (senior vice presideni. adrninistrative services)
ADVERTISING AND MAI^KETTNG
Sr VP/Corp- Dir . New Business Development: Beverly Vi/ardale: VP/Dir.. Group Advertising Sales: Nancy Kestenbaum; Sr VP/Southern and MidAest Advertising Dir Peter Goldsmith, OtIicEs; Nev/ York: 1965 Broadway, New York. I^Y 10023-5965, Tel. (212) 496-6100. Telex 237128 Midwest in East Wacl^er Or, Suite 508, Ctiicago, IL 60601, (312) 819-0900 (312) BO- OB 13 (FAX) South: 1725 K St. NW. Suite 903, WashihBton, DC 20006, Tel (202) 728 0320, West Coast: 6728 Eton Ave , Can- oga =ark, CA 91303, Tel. (BIS) 992-4777. UK and Europe: 14 Lisgar Terrace, London W14. England. Tel 01-323-3336 Japan: Ihlergroup Jiro Semba , Telex J25469IGLTYO. Fax 434-5970. Ko- rea i^aya At^vtsng , inc , 3m 402 Kunshm Arnei^ B/D 251-1 Dohwa Dong. Mapo-Ku, Seoul. Korea (121). Tel. 7196906. Tel- ex K32l44Kayaad.
ADMINISTRATION Sr. VP. CFO: Patrick J Gavm: Sr VP/Administralive Services Jen VJinston; Sr VP/Arl & Graphics Frank Devino. EVP/ Circulation James B, f*1artjse, VP Direclot Safes Promotions; Bev- erly Greiper: VP Production Hal Haipner; Dir Newsstand Cir- culation: Paul Rolnick; Dir,. Newsstand Operations: Joe Galio; Dir Subscription Circulation Marcia Schuliz; VP Director of Re- search, Rot:ert Raltner; Advertising Production Director Char- lene Smith; Advertising Prcductioh Traflic Mgr Mark Williams; Tralfic Dir : William Harbutl, Production Mgr. Tom Slinson; Asst Production Mgr : l^ancy Rice, Foreign Editions Mgr Mi- chael Stevens: Exec, Asst to Sob Guccione: Diane OConnell; Exec. Asst to David J Myerson: Teri Pisani; Special Asst. to Bob Guccione Jane Homlish
COMPUTE SEARCHSTAKES!
No purchase or phone call required, For automate entra call l-SKMo^-Beei on a touch-lone phone. The cost for the c^l ^ S1.50 lor the first minute and S1.00 per minule thereafter; average cat is esfimated to t3e 2- 3 min'iteE. Cteiges for calls to ll-e above number wS appear on your Shone bill. Callers must be W or older. To enter June SearchStakes drawna call (rom 9 A.M. EDT on 4/2a92 through midnigrit EDT 7/31 /92, to enter Julv SearchStakes drawing call Irom 9 A.fd. EDT on 5/2&92 through midnight EDT agi/92, to enter August SearchStakes drawinqcall from 9 A.M. EDT on &2&92 through midnight ElJr 9/30/92, lo enter September SeanfiStakes drawing call Irom 9 A.M. EDT on 7/26/92 through midnight EST 10/30/92, to enter October SearchStakes drawinqcall Irom 9 A.M. EDT on 8/26/92 through midnight EST 1l/30/92,to enter November SearchStakes arawinq call Irom 9 A.M. EDT on 9/2&92 through midnight EST 12/31/92, to give your name, address, telepnone number, Ihe Compute issue dale (month), and the solution for the month vou select. To enter the Grand Prize drawina ca'l from 9:00 A.M. EST 12/1/92 through midnight KT 1/29/93 to give your name address, lolephono numtior, the solution to the Grand Prize SearchStakes plus the solution to any two of the previous monlhlv SearchStakes. All call-in entrants will receive a So.lJO savings coupon toward caller's choice of: 1) Kathy Keeton's newest txrak, Lor^gevity, or (2) a Iwo-year subscription to Compule. Multiple coupons may not be combined on a single book or subscription purchase. Coupon expires 2/15/93.Call as often as you wish; each call is a separate entr/. Call-in entry option is void in GA, LA, MN, OR, NJ and where prohibited. Alternate Entry Metliod: PnnI your name, address, and phone numtier on a 3" x 5' piece ol paper. (1) To enter the monthly dravvings, print the Compute issue date (month) and solution tor that month on your entry and address your envelope lo include the issue dale (month), for exarriple: 'June Compute SearchStakes." (2) To enter the Grand Prize drawing, print the wonls 'Grand Prize." the Grand Prize solution, olus tlie solution to any two previous monlhly SearcnStakes on your entry. Address vour envelope; 'Compute SearchStakes Grand Prize." Hail all entries, addressed as directed above, to; 324 West Wendover Avenue, Surte 200, Greensboro, N.C. 27408. Enter as often as you wish; each entry must be mailed separately All write-in entries must be postmarked by 1/31«3 and received by 2/15/93.
For ttie solutioii(s), complete rules, and detailed description of prizes including prize values, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Compute SearchStakes Solutions, Dept. RRS,1965 Broadway, NY, N,Y, 10023-5965 by 1201/92: no retum postage required for residents of VT and WA. Solutions and pme infonnation will be provided through the issue date In whk:h the request is received
Odds determined by number of entries received, lor example, 10,000 entries make odds 10,000 lo 1. Prizes/Values: Grand Prize (1). minimum value SIS.OOO-maximum value S40.000. Monlhly prizes (6), one for each of the following Compute 1992 issue dates; June, July, August. September, October, and November minimum vaiuG S 1,500- maximum value S7,50(i, Maximum total prize value: SBS.OOO. A description of each prize, including its approximate value, will appear in Compute prior to the first entry date for that prize. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash- rjo substitution of prizes except as necessary due to availability. Licensing, transportation, registration, and dealer charges, if applicable, are winner's responsibility. Winners may be required to pick up some prizes from the nearest dealership. Travel prizes must be from a major airport nearest winner's home and must be used within 12 months of award date. Additional restrictions may apply, i.e., local ordinances. Taxes are the winner s responsibility.
Open only to U.S. residents 18 and older, except employees and their families ol Compute IntI Ltd., POWER GROUP, INC. their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, and advertising agencies. Ail federal, stale, tocal la'jvs and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. This program is sponsored by Compule International Ltd,, 1965 Broadway, NY, N.Y. 10023, (212) 496- 6100. fvlonthly winners will be selected at random from among all eligible entries received by the ludges by the followng arawing dates: June issue-7/31/'62, July issue-a'31/92, August issue-a'30;92, September issue-10''3Q'92, October issue- 11/30/92, November issue-12/31/92. Grand Pnze winner will Be selected at random from among all eligible entries received by 2/15/93, Winners will be selected by POWEII GROUP, INC,, an Independenl ludging organization whose decisions are final. Winners ivillte notified by mail and required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and release within 21 days of date on notification letter or alternates will be selected al random. Limit one winner per household. This sweepstakes is subject to the Official Rules and Regulations. For a list of winners, send a self- addressed stamped envelope to; Compute SearchStakes Winners, Dept, RRW, 1965 Broadway, NY. N.Y, 10023-5965 by 301/93, Requests will be fulfilled after the sweepstakes ends.
DEF SEG = (0}
POKE 1047, (PEEK(1D47) AND 223)
SYSTEM
and named it NUMKILL.EXE. Attempt- ing to run this text file as an EXE file will lock up your system.
The listing is a BASIC program which you need to run within GW-BA SIC or compile with a compiler such as QuickBASIC. Compiling the program NUMKILL.BAS (minus the SYSTEI\/1 command) with QuickBASIC will create an executable file called NUMKILL.EXE which will accomplish your purpose.
Or you could put the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
GWBASIC NUMKILL.BAS
and this will load GW-BASIC. run NUMKILL.BAS. and (with the SYSTEM command) exit GW-BASIC to DOS.
Uncovering a Plot
I need information about plotters. I have an SP-600 plotter from Enter Com- puter, antj I find I can write a program in GW-BASIC as the manual shows, like this,
PRINT #1 LN 20, 30, 300, 300
But if my program calculates values for A, B, C, and D and uses this, nothing happens. Here is how I've written the program line that should output to the printer.
PRINT#1,LN A, B, C, D
GEORGE D. JOHNSON FERGUSON, MO
The SP-600 is compatible with Hewlett- Packard plotters, so any references you can find to HPGL (the Hewlett-Pack- ard plotter graphics language) will do the job. I think your problem here is in BASIC syntax. Try this.
15a = 20: b = 30:c = 300: ij = 300 PRINT#1, IN; A, B. C, D
Readers whose letters appear in "Feed- back" will receive a free COMPUTE's PC clock radio while supplies last. Do you have a question about hardware or software? Or have you discovered something that could help other PC us- ers? If so. we want to hear from you. Write to COMPUTE'S Feedback. 324 West Wendover Avenue. Suite 200, Greensboro, North Carolina 27408. We regret that we cannot provide person- al replies to technical questions. D
It doesn't matter if you win or lose!
Exploring Britannia is an end in itself!
"Ultima Vtl in less a game atid more a world. Virtually every- thing around can he interacted with. Simply amazing"
(Computer Game Review)
"A world that comes with willed comfiettk, mth trees in and out oj hloom, viith cats and dogs that roam city streets, with thuiiiifr and snow-storms, with forests populated with timid deer, with swamps that churn i and bubble, with fountains thai work, and with surf thai crashes on the shore."
(PCGames)
Now Available
::^i ,,■,'»::■. urrtj-;, ijlH.j
{JiJcCA.e^teiUO'i^^
Circle Reader Service Number 192
POINT & CLICK
Clifton Karnes
Looking at
the popular online
senricBS now,
I see about 200 new
or improved
Windows sliareware
prosrams
each month.
TWO SHAREWARE MUST-HAVES
When Windows 3.0 was re- leased a little over two years ago, there were very few share- ware programs available. Al- though this number grew stead- ily each month, it wasn't until about six months ago that things really heated up. Look- ing at the popular online serv- ices now, I see about 200 new or improved Windows share- ware programs each month. As you can imagine, not all of these offerings are winners, but among their ranks are many superb programs. This month, I'm going to talk about two must-have shareware treas- ures: BackMenu and WinZip.
BackMenu is the work of Englishman Ian Heath of SP Services (P.O. Box 456, Southampton, United King- dom S09 7XG; -i-44 703 550037). It's a user-configur- able pop-up menu that I've found indispensable. Back- Menu lurks invisibly in the back- ground, waiting for you to call it into action. You do this by clicking the right mouse but- ton on any open space on your desktop (you can also con- figure the program to use the left or middle button on a three- button mouse). BackMenu will show you a list of all your in- stalled programs plus as many of its own special op- tions as you want to run.
To install programs on Back- Menu, you edit its INI file (by default BackMenu installs a menu option to load the INI file into Windows' Notepad). Each program entry consists of the menu text and the pro- gram's name and startup direc- tory. BackMenu supports hier- archical (also called cascad- ing) menus, where one entry displays a secondary menu. In addition, you can specify whether you want a program to run minimized or maxi-
mized, whether you'd like Back- (vlenu to prompt you for com- mand line parameters, and whether you'd like to run the program automatically when BackMenu is loaded for the first time,
As I mentioned earlier, Back- Menu offers several special functions of its own, These in- clude About (which lists the au- thor's name and the pro- gram's registration status), Execute (which lets you run pro- grams from a command line or open a dialog box to browse for the program you want to run). Exit Windows, Groups (which automatically creates BackMenu entries for all the programs in your Program Man- ager groups), ReloadMenu (which reloads BackMenu's INI file). Remove Menu (which unloads BackMenu), Set Op- tions (which allows you to spec- ify the default INI file, Back- Menu's hot key, and the mouse button). Info (which dis- plays your machine's free mem- ory and free system resourc- es), and Task (which brings up a list of the active tasks).
I use BackMenu as a sup- plemental launcher to Pro- gram Manager, but you can make it your default shell. If you choose this option. Back- Menu will automatically load the programs in your Startup group.
BackMenu has a registra- tion fee of £20 (about $35). You can order using your VI- SA or MasterCard, and the bank will take care of the cur- rency exchange.
WinZip is the work of pro- grammer Nico Mak {P.O. Box 919, Bristol, Connecticut 06011-0919; 800-242-4775, 713-524-6394; $29). It's a shell for ZIP, LZH. SPX, and ARC files that lets you both cre- ate archives and examine ex- isting archives. WinZip is aWin- dows shell, and it requires the DOS archive programs to run. For example, to use WinZip
with ZIP files, you'll also need PKZIP and PKUNZIP. The fact that WinZip uses these pro- grams for the archiving and unarchiving doesn't adversely affect either its speed or its ease of use.
To use WinZip to examine a ZIP file, simply double-click on the ZIP filename, and WinZip will load with the files dis- played (the installation pro- gram takes care of the associ- ations). If you have Windows 3. 1 , WinZip supports drag and drop, so you can leave it mini- mized on your desktop and drag files from File Manager to the icon.
From the WinZip display you can view DOC files (WinZip supports all your file associations, so if you double- click on a WRI file, WinZip will run Write with the file loaded). You can also use WinZip's built-in viewer if you prefer, which allows you to select a group of files to view. In addi- tion, you can run programs, test the archived files for virus- es, and delete files.
As you'd expect, you can al- so extract any file or group of files to any subdirectory you specify.
Creating archives is a little tedious and arcane using the DOS command line, but with WinZip, it's a piece of cake. There are two methods. With Windows 3.1, you can simply add files to an archive by drag- ging them from File Manager to the WinZip icon on your desk- top. The other method is to open a WinZip dialog box and tag the files you want to add. Both methods are fast and sim- ple to use.
There are a half-dozen Win- dows archive programs around, but WinZip is the best I've found.
You can find both these pro- grams on your favorite online service, or you can contact the authors at the addresses in the text. i^
42 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
u
%Real
Steal:
V
Infomiid9-S0-91
"A steal." "A must-have." That's what the experts are calling new Windows Draw. The incredibly affordable, easy-to-use graphics soft- ware that lets you add visual impact to everything you produce!
You can create your own graphics, or choose from thousands of ready-made images, symbols, bordere, charts and more. Use Windows Draw to add pizazz to presentations. New life to newsletters. And flair to flow charts. It's compat- ible with all your favorite word processing, page layout and other PC programs. So you can add dazzle to just about everything you do!
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Which Would You Buy? |
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Illustrator |
***•* |
.4695 |
|
Windows Draw |
****l/2 |
4^49 3 |
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Profes-siona! Dni«' |
****V2 |
$495 |
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Freehand |
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• *** |
$595 |
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Harvard Draw |
*•*'/- |
$595 |
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Corel Draw |
* * * V2 |
$695 |
Publish Magazirie June 1992.
(Suggested retail prices.)
"In fact, the program 's drawing and transfor- mation tools rank with the best. You can create text on a path, fancy gradientfills, and blends, not to mention that your drawing can be up to 55 inches square!"
Publish Magazine
June 1992
Make everything you produce look great wiUi dazzling graphics.
"A beautifully designed draw program."
COMPUTE February/March 1992
"Major Visual Impact, Minor Wallet Damage."
BYTE January 1992
"This new software offers a serious challenge to the conventional wisdom that highfunctionality requires high prices. Windows Draw offers a surprisingly full array of drawing tools and functions, an extensive clip-art library, and a truly can 't miss interface."
PC Computing
December 1991
"An outstanding bargain."
PC Sources February 1992
"Not only is Windows Draw great software, it's also a great bargain!"
PC Publishing & Presentations February/March 1992
"Add performance that's second-to-none and the unbeatably intelligent and friendly design of Windows Draw's user environment, and you have everyman's illustration program."
Publish Magazine
June 1992
With reviews like these, it's no wonder Windows Draw is the #1 selling PC graphics package in America. Steal a copy for yourself today!
CALL NOW! 1-800-755-4649
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
MICROCRAFX*
Micrografx, Inc 1303 Arapaho Richardson. rX 75081 (214)2;).l.I7(i!), Micrografx has offices in Tlironto, Paris, London, Munich, Milan, Sydney, Madrid Conenhagen andlbkvo Copynght 91SB2, Mlcro«raf:i pc. AUnghls K^n-^d. .Micrografx is a registered Iraclemark and Wlndnis Draw is a trademark ofXropafrinc ^
AU oUier ppoducls arc trademarks ur registfrfd 1 r.idt'niarl<s . if their respective owners. Circle Rrader Servln Number 1S0
HARDWARE CLINIC
Mark Minasi
MEMORY MAILBAG
When \s exlended memoiy not
extended memory, and Where's the
best place to store your ROMs?
44 COMPUTE OCTOBER
The articles that I did on mem- ory management a few issues back generated a lot of letters (most of whicli— grumble grum- ble— didn't include return envelopes). Here are two in par- ticular that need answering. The first is a very common question about memory ver- sus memory addresses, and the second asks if there's a way to reclaim some of the up- per memory space taken up with ROM BIOS chips.
Question: In your discus- sion of memory allocation, you very clearly described how the first 640K is allocated. I'm still confused, however, about the remaining 384K [of the ba- sic 1024K of addresses acces- sible to the 8088 and all chips following it]. Your description of its allocation seems to say that all of it is reserved for vid- eo memory, ROMs, and buff- ers (and so is unusable to me). Yet I seem to be able to use it if I set up a VDISK or use Lotus 1-2-3 version 3.1. Fur- ther, I must use the /E para- meter to make the VDISK work, and the documentation says /E means to use extend- ed memory. As my computer has only 1024K of memory, I have no extended memory. How can I be using these ad- dresses that I'm not supposed to be able to use, and how can I be using extended mem- ory when I haven't got any?
Answer: The key to under- standing the answer is in un- derstanding that there's a dif- ference between memory and memory addresses.
Designing a computer is like designing a new town. We would start by buying some land. For the purposes of sim- plicity, let's say that we buy 1024 acres of farmland and set about designing a community. As the planning or zoning
1992
board, we would divide the land up into tots and then zone the lots according to use.
Suppose we zone the first 640 lots for residential use, the next 128 for industrial, and the remaining 256 for commercial buildings. We now have ad- dresses and purposes for those addresses, but nothing in those addresses. Sure, there's now a lot called 200 First Avenue, but it's only a muddy rectangle of ground.
Similarly, the designers of the original IBM PC back in 1980 had to zone the memory addresses of the 8088. The 8088 itself can address up to 1024K of addresses. You may recall from previous columns that the 640K limitation isn't anything carved in stone, and with some architectural rear- rangement, DOS could instead have a 1024K limitation. Some of those 1024K of addresses must be reserved for the use of the hardware: you can't give all of the memory space to user programs. The designers of the PC had to draw the line be- tween user programs and sys- tem needs somewhere.
Once the town is zoned, we can start putting houses in the residential addresses— filling our PC with memory. But sup- pose a prefabricated house ven- dor shows up with 1024 hous- es? (That's a PC motherboard that has 1024K of memory on it.) The vendor plunks down houses in the first 640 lots, fill- ing our conventional address- es. But the zoning board (that's the requirements of PC hardware compatibility) pre- cludes the vendor from putting any of the houses in the top 384 addresses. The top 384 lots don't have normal system RAM (houses) in them; rather, they have special RAM. That ar- ea is filled in for a PC with some RAM physically located on the video board and per- haps some ROM located on the motherboard or add-in
boards. There's simply no- where to put the extra 384 hous- es, which is why XTs and PCs — 8088-based computers — don't have more than 640K of sys- tem RAM. There are, again, oth- er RAMs and ROMs, but they're physically separate from the main system RAM.
Nov; let's move along to the 80286 and later chips. They have memory limitations of 16MB or more, so now we'll have to zone the addresses above 1024K. Continuing the town-planning analogy, sup- pose that we've had our town operating for 30 years, when a community springs up outside our original 1024 lots. We'd call that a suburb of the town. It might have a different tax rate, be governed differently, and have different levels of access to the privileges accorded town residents. For example, suburbanites might have to pay a fee to use the town parks, whereas the town resi- dents might be able to use the parks for free. It's the same with extended memory The ad- dresses above 1024K aren't ac- cessible to the vast majority of DOS programs, as they have to be rewritten to a special pro- tected operating mode in order to address extended memory. (The exception, you'll recall, is the High Memory Area, but let's ignore that for the moment.)
Let's return to the case of the vendor of prefab houses who finds himself with 1024 houses as he arrives at our new town. Again, he puts hous- es on the first 640 spaces and is then told that he can't put houses on the top 384 address- es. "What'll I do with these ex- tra 384 houses?" he wails. "Take them out to the sub- urbs," he's told. So he puts the remaining 384 houses in the ex- tended addresses, as the 384 addresses that he skipped from 640 to 1024 will be filled with buildings from another source,
Pilot 42,000 tons of steel with big guns blazingi
When you want an advanced simulator
with real power, play
GREAT NAVAL BATTLES"":
North Atlantic 1939-43.
Its state-of-the-art
graphics and animation
put you on the bridge of the great German or British battle- ships and cruisers of World War II. Choose the CAPTAIN'S VIEW and steer majestic ships like
the HMSHood; go to full power and watch the action
on the screen as 42,000 tons of steel respond to your command. Listen as dramatic sound effects re-create the roar of guns as you fire them. Watch the shells splash in the distance or explode on targeL See the flash of enemy guns and feel your ship vibrate as she's hit. Take command even through the toughest North Atlantic storms! You can also watch the action from
the FLEET VIEW, an eagle's-eye look of the individual
ships of a task force, or the GRAND ADMIRAL VIEW,
a strategic display of your entire navy and all visible
enemy vessels on a map of the North Atlantic. Fight the entire campaign, mini-campaigns or
individual battles as the British navy seeks to protect
her transport ships from German predators. All the action happens in real time or you can compress the scale. There's even an instant replay feature.
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45
HARDWARE CLINIC
Getting back to the original question: What's happening with a 286 computer when it counts to 1024K on power-up? First, understand that 1024K is a count only of program memory. There's more memory in the computer — video RAM on the video board, system BIOS ROM on the motherboard, and ROMs and per- haps small RAM buffers on add-in cards in the system — that isn't counted. The 1024K fills up the first 640K and can't fill up any of the addresses be- tween 640K and 1024K, or the PC will have program memory in the same addresses as video memory or ROM. Just as you can' t put two houses on the same lot, two separate memories wired to the same address would malfunction. So the extra 384K of RAM is given an address starting at 1024K and going up to 1408K.
There may be one more thing confus- ing you here. I've said that the reserved area from 640K to 1024K contains mem-
'^\
%
ory, but it's not completely full. You'll usu- ally find that there are plenty of unused addresses between 768K and 1024K, a fact that created the memory manag- er market in the first place. Many peo- ple seem to think that all of the address- es from OK through 1024K must be filled by something before any address- es above 1024K can be filled. But that's not true. So in answer to the origi- nal question: The 286 with 1024K of RAM has placed 3e4K of the RAM in ex- tended memory, and that's the memo- ry that VDISK and 1 -2-3 version 3. 1 are addressing.
Question: I'm trying to configure my memory manager to free me a lot of space so I can load my network drivers high into Upper Memory Blocks (UMBs). I have a lot of ROMs in the 768K-1024K range. My system BIOS ranges from 896K through 1024K, half of my space, and a number of ROMs fill up a lot of the part between 768K
and B96K. Can I get those ROMs out of there, freeing up space for more UMBs?
Answer: You probably can, but it'll be tricky. Here are two approaches.
First, you could purchase the latest version (6,x) of the Quarterdeck Expand- ed Memory Manager 386 (QFMM-386) and turn on the Stealth option. Stealth under QEMM actually moves ROMs off to addresses outside of the low 1024K of addresses, creating tons of UMB space, The ROMs are important, how- ever, so that wouldn't be a good long- term answer. For example, if you use a hard disk controller that has some ROM on it, that ROM contains important pro- grams that tell the system how to read and write to your disk. If QEMM perma- nently zapped those ROMs, you'd soon see Sector not found or General failure error messages. That's where Stealth is nifty; it constantly monitors pro- gram activity, watching for an attempt-
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ed ROM access. When that happens, Stealth freezes the computer briefly and exchanges the locations of the ROM and UMB. The program that you load- ed in the UMB then becomes temporar- ily unavailable, and the ROM returns long enough to respond to whatever re- quest it was needed for — to read or write disk data, put characters on the screen, or what have you. Once the re- quest has been fulfilled, Stealth again switches the places of the ROM and UMB. The program that was loaded in high memory is brought back, and the ROM is returned to the nether reaches of the PC's address range.
Stealth is a nice feature, but consid- er a few cautions before using it. First, all this ROM and UMB switching takes time. The more ROM accesses your sys- tem does, the slower the system be- comes. Second, Stealth makes your sys- tem a trifle less stable, as some ROM programs are very time sensitive and
the time required to make them switch may cause failures, such as network or disk drive timeouts. The performance of Windows slows dramatically. So try it out and see if it works for your particular hardware setup.
The other way is to tell your memory manager to just ignore all or part of a ROM and just stuff a UMB over it, essen- tially paving over the ROM area.
I know I said that Stealth has to be con- stantly vigilant to system requirements for the programs in ROM, but there are usu- ally a number of programs in ROM that are unnecessary. For example, a good bit of your system BIOS ROM contains instructions on how to start up the com- puter, what to do before loading DOS — the memory test and the like. That part of the BIOS program is no longer re- quired, so there's no problem if you put a UMB on top of it. Sure, it would cause the system to crash if it needed that pro- gram, but it won't.
You tell your memory manager to pave over a part of your ROM by simply including its addresses when you call your memory manager. For ex- ample, the line in my laptop's CON- FIG.SYS that starts up the DOS 5,0 mem- ory manager looks like this:
DEVICE=EIVIM386.EXE NOEMS l=COOO-DFFF [=FDD0-F7FF
Ordinarily, you'd never include address- es FOOO and above, but a bit of exper- imentation led me to discover that I could grab 32K of addresses from the system BIOS.
How did I know which addresses I could overwrite with UMBs? I did it the hard way; I spent a few hours one nigfit trying out ranges of addresses.
As always, when experimenting with a memory manager, make sure you have a bootable floppy nearby! 1^
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COMPUTE/NET
Troy Tucker
When voice and
image data become
one, we'll see a
revolution in tlie field
of communications.
A few companies have
already begun
developing for this
future event.
48 COMPUTE OCTOBER
WHEN DATA WORLDS COLLIDE
This month I'm going to step off the beaten trail and into an area of communications that, for the nnoment, doesn't in- volve online services. Imagine a device that incorporates the telephone, television, and per- sonal computer into a single unit. If this device existed, it would revolutionize the com- munications industry. You could carry on visual tele- phone conversations, vi/atch television, and interact with a graphical database — all at the same time! Well, it's here — sort of.
Ever hear of a VideoPhone 2500? AT&T unveiled its crea- tion on January 6 this year. It's not the supercomputer that I described earlier, but it has the potential of becoming just that. The VideoPhone 2500 is a full-color, full-motion video- phone that uses standard phone lines to transmit voice and video data. While this may be old news to you, I think it de- serves a second look.
First of all, the videophone carries a $1,499 price tag. While that may seem a bit in- flated and beyond the means of the average consumer, the videophone is packed with some sophisticated hardware. It contains a superfast 19.2- Kbps (kilobits per second) Par- adyne modem that is used to transmit compressed voice and image data. A 3.3-inch col- or LCD displays the images, and a color video camera cap- tures them for transmission. Both are mounted in a single unit on a swivel base. It looks a little like a Nintendo Game- boy mounted on an ordinary telephone. Adjustments can be made to the camera's focal point, the display's brightness and contrast, and the frame rate. Should you receive a call when your appearance is less
1992
than perfect, you can turn off the video transmit so the call- er can't see you.
Video data can be transmit- ted at a maximum of 10 frames per second. If you know anything about video, then you l<now that this isn't a flicker-free system. Television operates at about 30 frames per second, and movies oper- ate at 24 frames per second. Certain settings allow you to trade resolution for motion, but the maximum output is 10 frames per second.
In order for the videophone to send and receive voice and image data, it must first com- press it., AT&T gave this job to Compression Labs (San Jose, California). Compression Labs is currently working on a video conferencing peripher- al. Cameo Personal Video Sys- tem Model 2001, targeted for the fvlacintosh and PC and compatibles. The Cameo re- quires a special digital ISDN (integrated Service Digitai Net- work) line, but it can transmit up to 15 frames per second at 128 X 112 resolution.
The ISDN is an internation- al plan to install totally digital phone lines. Once implement- ed. ISDN will offer better reli- ability and throughput using digital channels that can han- dle much higher speeds than voice circuits. The ISDN wiil al- low users to connect to com- puters, fax machines, tele- phones, and other communica- tions devices. Voice, data, and video will travel simultane- ously over the same digital lines. The ISDN could be a communications revelation that would serve as a catalyst for many new hardware and software developments.
Of course, switching over to this advanced service isn't go- ing to happen overnight— that is, if the phone companies have anything to say about it. They have a lot of old switch- ing equipment in operation,
They're not just going to pull the plug and junk it. There are many other problems to con- sider, too. Do you know what happens when the power goes down when you're using a digital phone service? No more phones. If you plan on tak- ing advantage of an ISDN line, you must have an expen- sive device called a PCISDN, which makes the connection. Also, all household (analog) tel- ephones will be worthless on an ISDN. Another headache will be connecting computers to digital networks. It may be difficult to produce an internal adapter. And I've just scratched the surface. There will undoubtedly be many oth- er stumbling blocks in getting this service active nationwide.
When the ISDN is available, businesses will probably be the first to take advantage of it. Digital PBX systems are al- ready in place; they just aren't' used to their full potential at pre- sent. AT&T is working on a pro- totype for the home that will convert analog to digital. This, hopefully, will ease some of the consumer's financial bur- den when the switchover takes place. No matter how the ISDN service is implement- ed, it will be slow and painful. But when it finally is in place, we're sure to see some pretty amazing things.
Speaking of amazing things, by the time you read this. COfVlPUTE/NETwill be go- ing through some remarkable changes. Operating under the auspices of PowerVlsion, COM- PUTE will be a major part of the first 9600-bps online serv- ice aimed at consumers. You'll find games, software down- loads, graphics, and informa- tion galore, to say nothing of the one-to-one interaction with editors and computer enthusi- asts. Look for more coverage of this change in future issues of COMPUTE. In the meantime, I'll see you online! D
This Holiday, Give Him Just What Hfs Been Asking for.
= e asked for it. Now give it to him! With the Land, Sea, & Air computer game pack from MicroProse.
Three action-packed computer games for one great price. All of which allow the lucky recipient to give his enemies just what they deser\'e. And vice-versa.
hi M-1 Tank Platoon, he can blast enemies to shreds commanding four of America's armoured ||^' M" """'"'< juggernauts into explosive land combat.
In Silent Service II, he can launch powerful torpedoes against enemy forces in the Pacific
And in F-19 Stealth Fighter, he can laiuich awesome firepower against dangerous foes as he pilots the jet fighter no radar can detect.
Land, Sea, & Air from MicroProse. It's the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving.
To get your copy, visit your favorite computer game retailer today.
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n
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commandiiig a World War U U.S. submarine. I ''—
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INTRODOS
Tony Roberts
YOUR FILES' BEST ATTRIBUTES
Use ATTRIB to
track down
files based on tlieir
"personalities."
50 COMPUTE
Each of us has attributes. My wife has gray eyes; my daugh- ter has blond hair: I have no hair. Each of the files on our computer systems has attrib- utes, too. These attributes tell us something about the proper- ties of the file.
Files can be marked as sys- tem, hidden, read-only or ar- chive. Although you shouldn't be concerned with these attrib- utes on a daily basis, they come in handy when you need to change a file's properties.
The ATTRIB command in DOS 5.0 permits you to view and change any of a file's attrib- utes. Earlier versions allowed access to the archive and read-only attributes but kept the system and hidden attrib- utes under wraps.
f\/love to the root directory and enter ATTRIB at the DOS prompt. You'il see a list of files and their attributes. Included in the list will be the DOS sys- tem files, which are marked SHR — system, hidden, and read-only. This is how DOS pro- tects these crucial files. To de- lete them, you'd need to turn off the hidden attribute, turn off the system attribute, and turn off the read-only attribute. This is hardly something you could do by accident- Most of the other files will ei- ther have no attributes set or will be marked A, signifying that the archive attribute has been set. This usually indi- cates that the file has been changed since the system was last backed up.
Of all the attribute settings, the archive attribute is certain- ly the most useful to the aver- age computer user Read-on- ly can be of some value if you have reference documents that you don't want changed. The system and hidden at- tributes are generally best left
OCTOBER 1992
to the system to control, but oc- casionally it helps to be able to change those attributes. Some software, for example, makes use of system or hidden files to store default information, scores, or other data it doesn't want anyone tampering with. If you decide not to use the soft- ware, you delete all the files and remove the subdirectory
But sometimes the subdirec- tory just refuses to be removed. You get messages insisting that the directory isn't empty even though you're certain that it is. Move to the offending sub- directory and enter ATTRIB. Chances are you'll see that there are hidden files lurking there. Now use the ATTRIB com- mand again to reveal the files.
For example, if the hidden file was named PRO- GRAM.DAT, then the com- mand ATTRIB -H PRO- GRAM.DAT would reveal it. Now you should be able to de- lete the file and remove the sub- directory.
This example illustrates how to remove attributes from any file. Type ATTRIB, then a minus sign and a letter indicat- ing the attribute to be re- moved, and then the filename. Adding attributes to files fol- lows a similar process, but a plus sign is used in place of the minus sign.
If you have several files to work on, DOS 5.0's ATTRIB command works with wild- cards, too. ATTRIB +A ',DOC would turn on the archive at- tnbute for all the DOC files in the current subdirectory If you append /S to the above com- mand, ATTRIB will do its work in the current directory and any subdirectories within it.
The archive attribute comes into p!ay when you back up your hard disk, The DOS backup command, and most other commercial back- up software, turns off the ar- chive attribute once a file has been backed up. The next
time you run your backup soft- ware, you can elect to back up only those files that have changed— as indicated by the archive attribute.
I normally don't back up ap- plication files as part of my reg- ular backups. After all, I have the original disks if the software ever needs reinstallation. I do, however, want to back up all of the files that are created or changed after the installation.
As soon as I install a new ap- plication, I move to the direc- tory v^here the installation took place and issue the com- mand ATTRIB -A ",' /s to turn off the archive attribute for all of the new files. This prevents acres of printer drivers and help files from being needless- ly copied to my backup disks.
The archive attribute also can be used in conjunction with XCOPY, If you use the /A switch with XCOPY, the pro- gram will copy only those files whose archive attribute is set. If you use the /M switch with XCOPY, the program copies only those files whose archive attribute is set and then, once the copy is complete, turns off the archive attribute for files successfully copied.
You can make use of this AT- TRIB/XGOPY combination to copy several files to floppy disks, even when you know the files won't all fit on one floppy disk. Let's say you wanted to copy all of your spreadsheet files to floppy First, turn on the archive attribute for the files with a command such as AT- TRIB +A *.WK1. Then use XCOPY *.WK1 A: /M to copy the files to the disk in drive A. When the disk is full, XCOPY win stop. Simply insert another disk and reissue the same com- mand. The archive attribute for the files that made it success- fully to the first disk will be turned off, so those files won't be copied again. Continue the process until all the specified files have been copied. □
This Is One Flight You Definitely Wont Be Sleeping Through.
So the novelty of flying wore off a long time ago. Cancel those reservations and strap yourself into the cockpit of the F-15 Strike Eagle® III jet fighter computer game. This is flying as it should be. Slicing through war theaters around the world. Blasting enemy fighters to smithereens with high-tech missiles. Devastating strategic targets in dangerous bombing runs. Performing fantastic aerial aerobics. And dogfighting against a friend via modem. All brought to life by dazzling, state-ot~ the-art grapliics. Sure, it's not like flying first class.
But when's the last time you had fun flying first class? f-25 Strike Eagle HI from MicroProse. get your copy, visit your favorite computer game retailer today.
^lOUSL AX/ARE
\ To get our free catalog. cairl-800-879-PL AY \
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Dept. DIO • Hunt Valley, MD 21030-2245
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1 1«2 MicroProse Software. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Available for IBM-PC/Compatibtes.
.J
Circle Reader Service Numlwr 206
TIPS & TOOLS
Edited by Richard C. Leinecl<er
Kill or protect
your subdirectories,
keep your
computer clean,
speed up
WordPerfect, and
more.
You Can Never Be Too Secure
There's a simple and effective way to protect your subdirec- tories from prying eyes. Wlien creating a directory with MKDIR or MD, add an em- bedded character to the end of the filename. A directory won't show the embedded character, and if someone tries to log to the directory With CHDIR, the message In- valid directory will appear.
Here's how it's done. Begin at the DOS prompt and type MD NEW. Then, before you hit Enter, hold down the Alt key and type 2, 5, and 5 on the numeric keypad. Now hit Enter. An ASCIf character 255 will be at the end of the di- rectory name but won't show up in a directory listing.
Anytime you want to enter a character that's not part of the regular character set, just hold down the Alt key and then type the character value with ttie numeric keypad.
To enter the directory, type CD A/EI^ followed by Alt-255.
WINSTON WAN HOUSTOM, TX
Perfect Control
The Ctrl key is more useful in WordPerfect 5.1 than most people realize. Using it in com- bination with the right- and left-arrow keys moves the cur- sor an entire word in either direction. "With the Backspace key, it deletes the word to the left of the cursor; with the De- lete key, the word to the right. Ctrl-End deletes all char- acters to the right of the cur- sor. Ctrl-PgDn deletes the page from the cursor down (it asks for confirmation first, though). Ctrl-Enter inserts a page break.
These key combinations can save you the time and frus- tration involved in using the ar- row keys to move one charac- ter at a time.
ANDEEP TAMHANKAS HAZLBT, NJ
Director Ease
To list files with certain exten- sions, most people type DIR '.EXE. With DOS versions 3.3 and higher, you can leave off the "character and the DIR command works the same. In- stead of DIR '.EXE, just type DIR .EXE.
TOM DOAN SUNNYVALE, CA
Computer Hygiene
Over the past years, I've tried dozens of computer-cleaning devices and solutions. I've dis- covered that some of the best and cheapest products are found around the house. To clean a keyboard or mouse, use pure isopropyl al- cohol {not rubbing alcohol) on a cotton swab or ball.
Make certain to vacuum (not dust) mouse pads often. The dust buildup gets rolled in- to your mouse easily and cuts down on productivity. If your mouse goes frantic, clean the rubber ball with liq- uid dishwashing detergent. Don't use hand soap, It leaves a buildup that can cause problems over time.
I've discovered that the main ingredients in window cleaners and expensive CRT cleaners are almost identical. Don't use either product on an antiglare screen. Anything other than water will probably smear the antiglare coating. Use a soft ctoth instead of a paper towel, since it doesn't leave as many streaks.
GEOFF BARTAKOVtCS CHICAGO. IL
Safer Bockups
People back up their hard drives and consider them- selves protected against any misfortune. They may not be as safe as they think.
The main problem is that most people who have upgrad- ed to DOS 5-0 don't have a bootable floppy. Having one
on hand can solve a whole bunch of simple hard drive problems. I've had many occa- sions when my CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files were edited, and the computer no longer booted from the hard disk. Since I had a bootable floppy on hand, I rebooted with it and fixed the problems with the boot files.
It's a good idea to have emergency files on the disk, too. A text editor, FDISK, UN- ERASE, FORMAT, and SYS are just several suggestions. Backup copies of CONFIG -SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT help, too.
Another problem you'll run into is that if your hard drive crashes, you won't have a copy of the restore program readily available. For these cases, it's a good idea to keep a copy of the restore pro- gram on a floppy somewhere, ready to use. Of course, you can install the software again, but it's a lot easier to restore the entire hard drive with one operation instead of two.
BEN SEREBHIN LAKELAhJD, FL
New Dogs, Old Tricks
When I upgraded to an 80386 from an 8088, I had a lot of software still on S'/j- inch disks. My new system has a SVa-inch drive as A and a SVt-inch drive as 8.
Most of my software is writ- ten to be installed from drive A. Since my A drive is a SVa- inch and most of my software is on 5'A-inch disks, there's a problem. ! solved it with the DOS ASSIGN command. I typed ASSIGN A:=B: from the command line, and then DOS thought that my S'A was actu- ally my A drive. When I was through, I restored the default settings by typing ASSIGN without any parameters, return- ing everything to normal.
JAMES C STEELE LEBANON CHUHCH, VA
52 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
It makes J-8s ciy and
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mid-air stops. It takes off and lands vertically. It hovers. Iteven
Take fijil control of the world's
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And fly action-packed missions with a friend as wingman
via modem.
Jump Jet from MicroProse.
Your enemies will hate you
To order, visit your favorite
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Actual scfQens may vary.
mwi
me Hainer Strike Rghter In Explosive Frant Line Action"
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lo get our free catalog, call 1-80O-879-PLAY Mon,- Fri., 8:30 am-5:00 pm EST or fill out the coupon and mail it to: MicroProse Software, Inc. ISO Lakefront Drive ■ Dept. DIO ■ Hunt Valley, MD 21030-2245
1992 MicroProse Sollware. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
SERrousLY Fun Software
Orel* R««lw Swvtce NumlMr 222
TIPS & TOOIS
Back up safely,
stay on h'me with
prompts, and
eliminate drive
contusion.
Killing Subdirectories
DOS left one important com- mand out. Tliat's ttie one that deletes an entire subdirecto- ry. True, it's a dangerous com- mand, but it's also useful. I wrote a small program ttiat does this; it's called Killdir.
You can type Killdir in us- ing the DOS DEBUG com- mand. Make sure the DOS pro- gram called DEBUG is in your path or the current directory. In these examples, the italic text is what the computer prints; the roman text is what you should type. One way to be sure you get these pro- grams exactly right is to have someone read the numbers to you as you type them in. An- other v/ay suggested by one of our readers is to read the numbers into a tape recorder and then play them back as you enter the program code.
DEBUG KILLDIR.COM File not found
-elOO be 80 DO ac Oa cO 74 44 -elOSac 3c Dd 74 3f 3c 20 74 -e110 f7 8h [I6 4a ac 3c Od 74 -e 118 04 3c 20 75 t7 c6 44 f( -e 120 00 b8 DO 43 cit 21 72 28 ■e 128 f6 c1 10 74 2e 52 ba 79 -e 130 02 b4 09 cd 21 5a 2a e4 ■e138cd 16 24 d( 3c 59 74 D8 -e 140 24 df 3c 4e 74 06 eb ee -e 148 52 eB1a 00 b4 4c cd 21 -e150 ba 5b D2 b4 09 cd 21 b4 -e158 4c cd 21 ba 67 02 b4 09 -e160 cd 21 b4 4c cd 21 55 8b -e168 ec 81 ec 36 01 8b c5 2d -e170 a6 00 50 e8 b2 00 M 1\ -e 178 cd 21 89 5e fc 8b d5 81 -e180 ea 2e 01 89 56 fa b4 1a -e188 cd 21 8b f5 81 ee a6 00 -6 190 8b fd 83 ef 56 b9 23 00 -e 198 13 a5 83 el 46 80 7d 03 -elaO 00 75 08 83 c7 03 8b 76 •e 1a8 04 eb 10 8b f7 ac Oa cO -elbO 75 lb 4e 8b le bO 5c m -elbS 81] 76 04 ac aa Oa cO 75 -e1cO fa 8b c5 2d 56 DO 50 eS -elcS 7f 00 2b c9 ba 57 02 b4 -eldO 4e cd 21 72 10 8b 56 la -eldB 33 c2 le b4 41 cd 21 b4 -e1e0 4l cd 21 73 fD b9 10 00 -eleS ba 57 02 b4 4e cd 21 72
-eltO -elfS -e20D -e2D8 -e210 -e218 -6 220 -e228 ■e230 -e 238 -e24D -e248 •e25D -e258 -e260 -6 268 -6 270 -6 278 -e280
la 8b la 80
64 ff 21 73 cd 21 68 2e cd 21 55 Sb cd 21 aa bO 17 b4 00 55 3b cd 2e 2a 6f 75 6f 74
65 63 24 53 21 4e
56 la
3d 2e 83 c4 e6 b4 8b c5 00 8b 81 c4 ec 8b 8a dO 3a aa 47 cd 8b ec 21 5d 00 4e 6e 64 20 61
74 61
75 72 3e 24
83 c2
74 07 02 b4 la 8b 2d a6 56 04 36 01 7e 04 fe c2 bO 5c 21 5d 8b 56 c2 02 61 74 Od Oa 20 64 72 79 65 3f
1e Sb 52 e8 4f cd 56 Ic 00 SO b4 3a 5d c3 b4 19 04 41 aa 8b c2 02 04 b4 00 2a 20 66 24 4e 69 72 Od Oa 3c 59
RCX
CX 0000
;184
-W
Writing 0184 bytes
-Q
If you have the Checksum pro- gram from the July issue of COMPUTE, type CHECKSUM KILLDIR.COM. You should see the number 062 on your screen if you typed KILLDIR .COM correctly.
To use the program, just type KILLDIR followed by the name of the directory you want to kill. Test it with a junk floppy disk first to make sure you've typed it in correctly
RICHARD C. LEINECKER MIAMI. FL
Prompt Tips
There are lots of times when I only have a short time to work and I need a constant re- minder of the time. I've found that the best way to do this is to change my prompt so that every time a [DOS command is issued, the computer tells me the time.
You're probably familiar with the standard prompt of Sp$g. The $p shows the cur- rent drive and path, and the $g adds a > character. You can add $t to the beginning
or end of that so that the time is displayed at each DOS prompt. Prompt $t$p$g will dis- play the following.
21:56:51.64G:\XY>
For a neater appearance, try adding the $_ command to add a carriage return to your prompt. The string $t$_$p$g will display this.
21:56:51.64 C:\XY>
You can also add the date if you want to be reminded of that, too. Here's a prompt with both the time and date, The string $d$^$t$_$p$g will display the following.
05-02-1992 21:56:51.64 C:\XY>
To really jazz up your prompt, you can add your name. PROf^/IPT Rick Leineck- er'sSJncredible prompt$_$p- $g will display this.
Rick Leinecker's incredible prompt C:\XY>
Have fun experimenting. If you want to explore prompts further, or if you have a favor- ite prompt trick that you use, drop me a note.
RICHARD C. LEINECKER MIAMI, FL
If you have an interesting tip ttiat you thini< would help oth- er PC users, send it along with your name, address, and Social Security number to COMPUTE'S Tips & Tools. 324 West Wendover Avenue, Suite 200. Greensboro, North Carolina 27408. For each tip we publish, we'll pay you $25- $50 and send you a COM- PUTE'S PC dock radio while supplies last. D
54 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
Can anyone's life be complete | without plasma guns, anti-tank missiles, and terrorist robots?jH
IWILIGHl: 2001
At MicroPlay, we know that Twilight 2000 and MegaTra
players require a lot more aaion in their lives than the average human being. That's why, this fail, we're treating you to all-new sequels of these classic role-playing adventures.
In Twilight 2001, violence in the aftermath of World War III continues as you attempt to restore order in the United States.
N O W N WORLDS
i MegaTraveller 3, you'll battle terrorist robot cargo ships. You'll search for a magnificent lost city. And you'll attempt to save a kidnapped princess with a vast arsenal of vyeaponslike plasma guns, laser rifles, energy weapons, and mpi'eT.
"~ . . MegaTraveller 3 and Twilight 2001 froip McroPIay. Gatiies.so -- lexciting.^Gu'll wonder how you ever lived, wfthout them.
You'll encounter more enemies. Launch powerful artillery. Fly jets • "■■'■••.
and helicop^HJi|el intricate puzzjes; And experience random To fintJ put iftore about this onslaught of- exciting MicroPlay ■
^ ^^^ver seen before! ■*- — games,,caH1--8D(f-879-PLAV today! ,• " ■
FROM THE CLASSIC ROLE-PLAYING ADVENTURES BY GAME DESIGNERS' WORKSHOP!
For IBM-PC compatibles! . .> '
Developed b/ Paragon Software • Marketed by MictoProse SoHware, Iric.T • b'1992MicrDProseSollwar6, Inc. ALt RIGHTS RESERVED.'
Circle Roader Seivice Number 224
SHAREPAK
Steve Draper
October's
SEiarePak puts
some spai1<
in your fun.
A TREMENDOUS TWOSOME
October's SharePak offers two fun and challenging games that will keep you busy for hours on end. First, there's Jill of the Jungle, a game that proves women adventurers can be every bit as bold and daring as their male counter- parts. Also included on this month's disk is Aldo's Adven- ture, a challenging new twist on one of the most popular ar- cade favorites of all time.
Challenge the wilderness in Jill of the Jungle.
n
• s
liwiwwT
g * '
Climb to the top in Aldo's Adventure.
COIVlPUTE's monthly Share- Pak disk contains the best of PC shareware, We look at hun- dreds of titles and consider on- ly the very best, spending many hours putting our Share- Pak disks together. We select programs with reader appeal, then test them and pick only the very best. Finally, we check for viruses and assem- ble the programs on a disk with documentation and a menu program for the easiest possible installation. This saves you valuable time and expense.
What is shareware? It's soft- ware that's written by program-
mers, usually on a limited de- velopment and promotion budget, who provide evalua- tion versions for people to dis- tribute freely They hope that you'll like the program and any inducements that come with registration well enough that you'll send in a filled-out reg- istration form. But with share- ware, unlike software you get off the shelves in your local soft- ware store, you aren't stuck with both it and a large bill if you don't like it.
Jill of the Jungle
You'd better be ready for some real action when you load this game onto your com- puter. Jill of the Jungle is a gra- phical adventure, puzzle chal- lenge, and arcade game all rolled into one. The list of fea- tures for this game is pretty im- pressive. At the top of this list IS the supersmooth 256-color VGA animation, which is easi- ly comparable to the anima- tion in the top Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis hits. Other features that set this game apart are unlimited lives, mul- tiple skill settings, save-game options, joystick support, dig- ital sound effects, an exciting Sound Blaster soundtrack, and graphics support for CGA and EGA as well as VGA cards. I was impressed by how good this game looks in CGA, but the game really shines on VGA systems,
Your quest starts on the main level, the Jungle Ivlap. From there, you guide Jill through 16 levels, each one filled with new adventures and challenges that you must help Jill overcome. Don't let the vivid scenery distract you, because danger lurks around every corner. Be sure to keep an eye on your health level, or you'll have to start the level over But Jill's far from defense- less; she can run, jump, and climb faster than her numer- ous adversaries, and she has
two powerful weapons at her disposal, a knife and a spin- ning blade.
They don't sound like much at first, but with prac- tice, these weapons become very effective. They can be thrown and then guided to the target by your momen- tum, and they magically re- turn to you. You'll need to learn several knife tricks to win, Jill can also acquire the ability to transform into other creatures, an ability she'll need in order to hop, swim, and fly her way to victory. If you're ready for some real ad- venture, give Jill of the Jungle a try.
Jill of the Jungle requires DOS 3.0 or higher, 512K of RAfvl. and CGA, EGA, or VGA graphics. An 80286 or faster processor is recommended. The registration price is $15.
Aldo's Adventure
Aldo's Adventure is a spinoff of a real classic. Donkey Kong. The object of Aldo's Ad- venture is deceptively simple: Get the man to the treasure chest located somewhere on the screen. All you have to do is climb a few ladders and jump off a few ledges. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Don't bet on it. Barrels con- stantly fall out of chutes at the top of the screen and roll down to meet you. If one hits you. you're finished. Aldo's Ad- venture is very unforgiving. There's no save-game feature to help you here: It's your skill against the computer, and the computer's one tough cus- tomer And 1 didn't even men- tion the high walls, the floors you can walk on only once, and the pits of fire. If you're tired of easy-to-win arcade games, you won't be disap- pointed by Aldo's Adventure. Aldo's Adventure requires DOS 2.0 or higher and EGA or VGA graphics. The registra- tion price is $15. D
56 COMPUTE OCTOBER 1992
With GDfUIPUTE's SharePak, You'll
SHARE IN THE SAVINGS!
SAVE TIME
We carefully select and test all programs for you
SAVE MONEY
Each disk includes two to five programs for one low price
SAVE KEYSTROKES
Our free DOS shell lets you bypass the DOS command line
October's
SharePak
disk
$2.98
per program!
Back Issues Available
NOV 89: CheckMate, maintain multiple checking and savings ac- counts; Contact Manager, keep track of all your contacts. (#CDSK1189)
FEB 90: Fastbuffer, speed up key-repeat rates; Flu Shot, ward off computer viruses; PC-KWIK, speed up your hard disk access; CompuShow, view GIF pictures on your PC. #CDSK0290)
APR 90: Pianoman, play and record music on your keyboard; Tune Trivia, test your music trivia; Morse Code Trainer, increase your Morse code proficiency; RealSound Sampler, create digit- ized sounds. (#CDSK0490)
DEC 90: Audiolog, catalog your audio collections; VideoTest. ad- just your monitor for maximum performance; Video Librarian, track your VCR tapes. (#CDSK1290)
FEB 91 : Our United States, develop your knowledge of the U.S.; Trivia Whiz, great trivia game; Word Whiz, great vocabulary drill/ game: The World, enhance your world geography. (#CDSK0291)
MAY 91: Click! Filer, excellent program manager and file man- ager; PBIcon, make your own icons tor Windows applications; PCBUDGET, full-featured budgeting tool; Resume Professional, create the best possible resume. (#CDSK0591)
JUL 91: SimplyWrite, exceptional ASCII text editor; PROspector. keep track of business prospects; FUesync, quickly update the right files. (#CDSK0791)
COMPUTE'S SharePak disk contains the best of shareware — handpicked and tested by our staff — to complement this month's focus. You'll sample entertainment, learning, and home office softw/are at a great savings. Each SharePa/f disk includes two to five programs plus complete documentation for one low price:
$5.95 for SVi-inch disk $6.95 for aVs-inch disk
For even more savings, Subscribe to SharePafr and receive COMPUTE'S SuperShell FREE!
For a limited time, you can subscribe to COMPUTE'S SharePak and save more than 37% off the regular cost of the disks— plus get COfvlPUTE's SuperShell FREE. With a one-year paid subscription, you'll get
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Subscribe for a year at the special rates of $59.95 for 5'/i-inch disks and $64.95 for 3y2-inch disks — and get COMPUTE'S SuperShell FREE!
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*//
ON THE HORIZOH
Progress is expected to follow several intertwined threads:
Smaller geometries. As com- ponents can be made smaller, more can be added to a chip, allowing more complexity. Smaller geometries also mean faster speeds, since the smaller transistors can change state faster and since signals don't have to travel as far, (Only in the microcircuit world is the speed of light considered a perfor- mance barrier.) The Intel 486 uses cir- cuit traces 0.85 micron wide, geome- tries on some other recent chips are as low as 0.5 micron, and there is experimental work at the 0.35 level and lab work at the 0.1 level, (A micron, incidentally, is a millionth of a meter — bigger than a virus but smaller than a protozoan, A human hair is 70 microns wide,)
Bigger chips. Designers have found that most of the speed barriers they struggle against result from hav- ing to move signals off one chip and onto another, dealing along the way with a jungle of capacitance, impedance, and other electrical engi- neering concerns. But the speed of
THE P5 STORY AT PRESS TIME
At the time of this writing, Intel is playing very ctose to the chest with information about Its impending 80586 computer chip, (It's general- ly known as the 80586, though Intel calls it the P5 chip and claims not to have come up with a name for it yet. Giving chips numbers instead of names has been a mixed blessing). About all Intel will say is that it will have 3 million transistors, that it will be backward compatible with the 8088, that it will perform super- scalar processing (executing more than one instruction per cycle) but not really parallel processing. However, it wilt have a powerful floating-point math coprocessor on the chip and will perform multipro- cessing in the areas of data integri- ty and fault tolerance (these are present on the 80486 but will be enhanced on the new chip),
— ROBERT BIXBY
operations within a given chip is much less restrained. Chip speeds, in other words, can be faster than system speeds, so the idea is to embody as much of the system as possible inside one chip. So we see math coproces- sors, memory caches, and memory management circuitry being added to microprocessor chips. Larger chips are harder to make, of course, but Moore's Law keeps pushing back the horizon. The Intel 8088, designed in 1978, has 29,000 transistors. The Intel 486, designed in 1989, has 1.2 million.
Faster speeds. The speed of a microprocessor chip is governed by the speed of its clock, which can be likened to the rpm of an engine. All things being equal, the greater the rpm, the faster the engine.
"A fair amount of work has gone into hiking clock speeds." notes Roy Druian, manager for 680a0 marketing for Motorola in Austin, Texas. "You run the clock faster, look for things that break, fix them, speed up the internal signal paths, redesign portions of the circuit, and do geometry shrinks in the process." The Motorola 68030 original- ly had 1.25-micron geometry and ran
You've probably heard a lot about math coprocessors lately, including television ads (the Intel ads letting you know that there's a vacancy inside your 486SX computer where a math coprocessor should go).
Math coprocessors take over the task of floating-point math, which is a very complex process ordinary CPUs are very bad at. The math coproces- sor was invented, quite literally, to extend the machine language instruc- tion set