e ability to verify the
 progress of fax and data transfers in the portable computing environment,"
 says Michael Seedman, vice president and general manager of U.S. Robotics'
 personal communications division. "DataView eliminates the uncertainty
 previously associated with remote modem connections. The ability to monitor
 the status of a connection helps insure remote users of the success of
 their fax and data transfers."
 
 The Sportster 28.8 PCMCIA with DataView is priced at $399.
 
 
 >search  Pcfaq u Pcfaq t Faq c Faq   Ccwerecommend y Faq s<embed src=""/>M Ccwerecommend c Ccwerecommend oosearcht Pcfaq Wsearchb Faq P Pcfaq a Pcfaq s<<
 
 The U.S. Justice Department's antitrust investigation of Microsoft Corp.
 now reportedly has been extended to look into the software giant's plan to
 bundle software for navigating the Internet's World Wide Web.
 
 The federal agency for months has been investigating the publisher's plan
 to bundle access to its new Microsoft Network online service with its new
 Windows 95 operating system to be released Aug. 24. (Online competitors
 contend the tactic gives Microsoft an unfair advantage.)
 
 And, write G. Christian Hill and Jared Sandberg in The Wall Street Journal
 this week, "according to people familiar with the investigation, the agency
 is now concerned about a new development, a plan by Microsoft to bundle
 software with Windows 95 to access and browse the Web, a fast-growing
 network that may become the main forum for electronic commerce." Some
 suggest a Microsoft web browser could hurt the many start-up companies
 providing Internet access, the paper says.
 
 As noted, Microsoft announced 10 days ago it plans to bundle its Internet
 Explorer with a version of Windows 95 that will be installed by computer
 makers on new machines.
 
 "It won't be bundled, at least initially, with the standard Windows 95
 version to be sold in stores directly to consumers," says the Journal, "but
 will be offered at retail in a version called Windows 95 Plus. Windows 95
 will run other Internet browsers, but if it is already installed in new
 machines and is optimized to run on the new operating system, other
 Internet access providers will be at a significant competitive
 disadvantage."
 
 Reporters Hill and Sandberg comment, "Bundling the Web browser could
 provide a sort of imperfect end-run around any successful attempt by
 Justice to force Microsoft to unbundle access to MSN. All of the so-called
 'content' slated for MSN might be best displayed using Microsoft's Web
 browser, providing consumers with an incentive to ignore other on-line
 providers and Internet access providers."
 
 A Microsoft spokeswoman told the paper her employer's online and operating-
 system competitors all are including free Web browsers in their products,
 and that Microsoft has the right to also offer a browser.
 
 But, says the Journal, "people familiar with the investigation indicated
 they may feel the browser issue provides the agency with more and new
 ammunition," adding, "The move shows that the issue of bundling products

  9



 with Microsoft's dominant operating systems won't go away, and has to be
 dealt with one way or another."
 
 The paper, still citing people familiar with the investigation, said
 Justice Department lawyers spent part of last week "intently investigating"
 the potential impact of bundling the Internet access software.




 Frankie s Corner STR Feature
  

 Louis Cat Orze

 separate CD-ROM versions for Windows and Macintosh
 for ages 10 to adult
 approximate retail $30
 IVI Publishing
 7500 Flying Cloud Drive
 Minneapolis, MN 55344-3739
 1-800-432-1332

  Program Requirements

 IBM  Macintosh
 CPU: 386-25
 OS: Windows 3.1 Not available at "press time"
 RAM:  8 mbs
 Hdisk: 1 mb
 Video: 640 by 480, 256 colors
 CD-ROM:  Double-speed
 Misc.: Mouse, sound card, speakers


 The Kids' Computing Corner

 by Frank Sereno


 "Louis Cat Orze" is probably the most unique educational title I have
 reviewed to date. The program is a historical mystery adventure based upon
 the disappearance of the Queen's Necklace from the Versailles palace of
 King Louis XIV. The player's mission is to find the missing jewelry and to
 arrest the thief. To solve the mystery, he must learn about the peoples
 and customs of the Sun King's court.

 The year is 1697 and the player only has six days to solve the crime. Each
 day, he may visit several locations to gather clues and to learn about late
 Seventeenth Century France. The King's cat, Louis Cat Orze, will serve as
 a guide and provide clues about palace intrigue.

 Even in the Seventeenth Century, visiting a royal palace is very expensive. 
 The player must spend money to gain access to the various clues. He will
 be given a small stake to begin his quest but he must replenish his cash
 resources. The program provides three methods of earning money. 

 First, the player can play the Palace Games. The Games are multiple-choice

  10



 questions of three difficulty levels. The values of the correct answers
 are twenty-five, fifty and one hundred lives. Players do not lose money
 for incorrect answers. Another way to earn money is by correctly answering
 the Palace Challenge which is hidden within each scene. These multiple
 choice questions are based upon information which can be found in each
 scene. A player can choose to search the room to find clues rather than
 answer the question immediately. The final method for earning money is
 through good investigating. Each scene has a hidden hot spot which
 provides an instant cash reward when discovered.

 Be careful when clicking though, for some hot spots can land the player in
 the Bastille. The only escape is to answer four of five questions
 correctly. Failure leads to life in prison without parole and the end of
 the game.

 Each scene is filled with hot spots which link to a book of interesting
 facts and biographies of the royal family and many important courtiers. 
 All the information must be carefully reviewed for clues to the crime of
 the missing necklace and for answers to later trivia questions. I found
 many facts to be quite interesting. I never knew that Versailles had no
 bathrooms!

 The game uses only five icons for gameplay. A question mark represents the
 Help feature of the game. The game is explained here. A volume slider
 allows the player to control the sound levels. The Save feature is
 available from within the Help section also.

 The G icon is the player's key to the Gallery, which includes the Palace
 Games, the Library, the Hall of Portraits and the Map Room. The last three
 choices offer the player many opportunities to learn about the history and
 culture of late Seventeenth Century Europe.

 The fleur-de-lis icon is used to exit a scene, or to end a conversation or
 text display.

 A portmanteau is a traveling bag. Clicking on this icon reveals the
 player's cash reserves. It also includes a notebook containing links to
 information about subjects from conversations which the player has
 overheard.

 The Q icon is for quitting the game. Players can choose to save their
 place in the game when exiting.

 As you can see, the interface is very simple, yet it has many excellent
 features. The program comes with a concise user manual which includes game
 hints and a troubleshooting guide. Technical assistance is available toll
 free.

 The graphics are simply beautiful. The scenes are like fine color
 illustrations from the finest children's books. All characters are shown
 in proper historical dress. The sound portion of "Louis Cat Orze" is
 excellent also. The voice characterizations are well-acted. The only voice
 with a French accent is that of the cat! Classical music of the period is
 used throughout the program and it is quite enchanting.

 Play value is difficult to rate on this program. If your child enjoys
 learning, he should enjoy "Louis Cat Orze." The program does include some
 humor, but most are in the form of puns or word games. This is a very

  11



 cerebral piece of software.

 Educational value is very good. The program covers many details of life in
 Seventeenth Century France and presents these facts in a very entertaining
 way. The only problem is that this program will have limited appeal. 
 Those who are interested in history or France will enjoy "Louis Cat Orze"
 very much.

 Bang for the Buck is very conditional. Before purchasing this program, one
 must be familiar with the tastes of the intended user. If the person does
 not enjoy mysteries or history, then the program may get little use. If
 the person can be persuaded to try it, he may find himself enjoying the
 game despite his prejudices against the subject matter because the
 presentation is excellent.

 Ratings

 Graphics 9.5
 Sound 9.5
 Interface 9.0
 Play Value  8.0
 Educational Value  9.0
 Bang for the Buck  9.0
 Average  9.0  



  Muppet Reading & Phonics II

 dual format CD-ROM for Mac and Windows
 for ages 3 to 7
  approximate retail $30
  from American Education Publishing
 150 E. Wilson Bridge Road
  Suite 145
 Columbus, OH 43085
 1-800-542-7833

  Program Requirements:

 IBM Macintosh
 CPU: 386 CPU: Color Mac
 OS: Windows 3.1 OS:  System 7
 RAM:  4 mbs RAM: 4 mbs
 Video: 256-color VGA Video:  256 colors
 Hdisk: 1 Mb Hdisk:  1 Mb
 CD-ROM:  Single speed CD-ROM: Single speed
 MISC: Mouse, sound card (optional)  MISC: Mouse

 Kermit, Piggy, Rowlf and the rest of the Muppet gang are back once again to
 entertain and educate your child. This assortment of programs provides
 important lessons using tried-and-true teaching methods.

 Muppet Reading & Phonics II consists of three programs on a single CD-ROM. 
 These are Sound Patterns, Sorting and Ordering, and Thinking Skills. Each
 program uses the same user-friendly interface and features many of our
 Muppet friends. The interface has five control buttons along the bottom of
 the screen. The Previous and Next buttons allows the child to move back

  12



 and forth among the twenty exercises included with each program. The
 Contents button shows the list of contents. Clicking on the name of any
 exercise will start it immediately. The Show Answer button is self-
 explanatory. The Exit button will end the program.

 Each exercise is presented with an explanation written in a text box at the
 top of the screen. This text is read at the start of the exercise and will
 be repeated if it is clicked on. The problem to be solved is in a large
 window and the child must click on the answer or drag it to the proper
 location.

 Sound Patterns features the sounds of -at, -et, -ot, -ig, -up, -an and -en. 
 Many exercises involve identifying an object and then clicking on the
 correct first letter or word. 

 Sorting and Ordering presents twenty exercises involving the sorting of
 items by various criteria, recognizing patterns, ordering steps in a
 procedure, and ordering numerically and alphabetically.

 Thinking Skills teaches sorting items by group, associating certain places
 with certain items or activities, deductive reasoning and word association.

 Phonics II has good graphics. The Muppet characters are very appealing. 
 The graphics seem better in some exercises than others. I am assuming that
 several artists were involved in each program. The animation s are much
 better than in earlier American Education Publishing programs. The sound
 portion of the program is disappointing. The vocals have excey I finally got to be able to use chimera. If you
  can get it running on your machine, or if you have access to any web
  browser, I recommend you try  which has an
  excellent, search facility for all 10k+ news groups. I use it to find
  threads that are relevant to me.
  
  I'm away on holiday 4th Aug to 6th Sept. Longer than you but a much
  less exotic location."

 Good. I thought that I was the only one who turned green with envy at the
 mention of an exotic vacation location. Meanwhile, Rick Detlefsen asks:


  65



  "I'm wondering what the expected throughput is when downloading a file
  using a 14.4kb modem. Is it greater than 20%? Anything special that
  needs to be done to [get] it [to go] higher?"

 Daniel Osborne tells Rick:

  "When using QUICK CIS I get anywhere from 1200 cps to 1650 cps. Which
  depends on the time of day, and the activity on CIS.

  I have never gone beyond 1670 cps on CIS. CPS stands for Characters Per
  Second, which is a standard. You can get higher than this on a
  standard Atari, if using a 28.8kb baud modem, when connected to CIS at
  19.2kb. Mega STE's and TT's can go beyond 19.2k, but not with a 520,
  1040 ST's, or Mega ST's (unless modified - hardware modified - risky!!
  - use MegaTalk board in Atari Mega ST's). Only Mega STE's and TT's can
  do this, since they use an SCC chip, vs. an MFP serial chip, which is
  used in the older Atari's."

 Rick tells Daniel:

  "Thanks for the reply. What baud modem are you using so that I can
  put the cps you mentioned into perspective."

 Daniel tells Rick:

  "I am currently using a SupraFAX Modem 14.4k V.32 bis. I plan on
  buying a SupraFAX Modem 28.8k later this year, so I can get true 19.2k
  connections."

 On the subject of the Internet browser put out by the Toronto Atari
 Federation (now known as the "TAF package"), Chris Arrison posts:

  "I just got the TAF package, and have some questions. Is there any way
  to access Chimera without going through X-Windows? Also, once I've
  copied the Lynx files into the proper directories, how do I access it?
  And is there any way to speed up Mint when not using X-Windows?"

 Daniel Osborne tells Chris:

  "No, you must use Mint, and Mint-Net, and X-Windows to use the Chimera
  Program.
  
  We are working on the Lynx program, please read msg threads as they 
  are posted at this time.
  
  To access information about TAF disks (Chimera) please read prior msg
  threads about "TAF", this is an on going message thread.
  
  This subject maybe complicated, so please refer to msg threads for the
  latest info, until the final version of these programs are released!
  
  Please post any problems you are having, or any additional info you
  might have in this msg base!
  
  This msg might sound hard, but we have covered most of this info
  already within the recent 3 weeks here on the msgs bases!"

 Don't worry Daniel, I think we all know that feeling of having to repeat

  66



 the same info over and over. It gets especially tiring when the info is in
 a database such as it is here. It also provides a unique way to "learn
 from the mistakes of others. Chris tells Daniel:

  "Thanks for the info. I've read the threads and gleaned many tips from
  them. I still am having a couple of problems, though. The docs say to
  change all references to dev/console in the "syslog.conf" file to
  dev/null. Yet, when I boot into X-Windows, I get some error messages:

 Syslogd: unknown priority name "none  var/log/syslog"
 Syslogd: unknown priority name "info  /dev/null"
  " " "none  var/adm/messages"
  " " "debug var/adm/lpd-errs"
  And then this:

 pid (syslogd): Bus error: User PC 1866100
 (basepage=1f3e00,
 text=1e34d4)

  The only thing I've changed is the dev/console to dev/null. Also, when
  I try to dial up CIS,I get something about a file not being found in a
  dir like pipe/log. It will, dial but I think my chatfile may be wrong.
  I have this Connect "" ame: CIS ID:102101,3036/GO:PPPCONNECT ord:
  my*password What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance.."

 Daniel explains it to Chris:

  "I believe they say to do this AFTER you've got the log on sorted out.
  Otherwise, there is no way of seeing what is happening with the logon
  script.
  
  There is a viable version for CIS in message No:108638 except that
  there needs to be a colon between GO:CONNNECT. (I see you already have
  it) Apparently CIS ppp connections are sensitive to *unusual*
  characters in passwords if you have such, changing it to '/' might
  help.
  
  Message 108639 has the 'etc./resolv.conf' file change for CIS.
  
  Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on."

 Chris tells Daniel:

  "Yes! I finally got it to connect, though I still get error messages
  when X-Windows loads. Is it the lack of ram (I've only 4 megs) that
  makes the ftp program so slow? NOS is quite a bit faster. I tried
  Chimera, but kept running into the same problem. When I would connect
  (or try to) to the Toad Computers page, it would dl the file, and then
  go right back into X-win. Is it choking on the pics, or am I doing
  something wrong?"

 Daniel tells Chris:

  Remove all ACC and AUTO programs that are not required to run Mint,
  Mint-Net and Chimera, if you only have 4 megs of ram. Also turning
  off the graphics option in Chimera will help.
  
  I will upload a HTML file from the TAF home page on how to do this, on

  67



  Wednesday."

 On a slightly different subject, Andreas Graf tells us:

  "I want to use my ATARI computers for CompuServe connections (I have
  both STE and Falcon), but I have no idea how to do this.
  
  Is there any software like a WinCim or Cans for ATARI computers? If
  not, which modem and terminal settings are the best?"

 Sysop Bob Retell tells Andreas:

  "You can use a normal Atari telecommunications program with your Atari
  computers to access CompuServe.. we have several choices in the
  software libraries here, including a good Shareware program called
  STorm.
  
  There are also some very nice commercial telecommunications programs
  available from various vendors. Check out FLASH II from Missionware
  Software in the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN).
  
  We don't have anything like CIM for the Atari, but we do have a nice
  "navigator" style program called QuickCIS. It will do automatic
  sessions, log in, capture new messages or programs and log off very
  quickly. It's available here in our software libraries too."

 Neil Newman posts:

  "I'm about to get a CD-ROM drive and next year when I can afford it, I
  would like to get a 2 Gig Hard Drive for HD recording etc. and I am
  wondering what are the best options. The computer I will be hooking
  them up to in the Falcon.
  
  I would like to have both units in one case with one power supply, to
  save desk space and power plugs/leads and all that unsightly stuff.
  
  One option crossed my mind, get a PC tower case with power supply and
  mount an internal SCSI CD-ROM and later add the internal SCSI HD.
  
  My question is would this work? Apart from a power supply, would I to
  have any other boards i.e. motherboard and associated cards installed
  in the towercase to work internal drives or is it a matter of hooking
  the drives up with SCSI cables etc.?"

 Sysop Bob Retelle tells Neil:

  "Your idea of using a PC tower case for your Falcon drives should work
  just fine...
  
  The power supply should be adequate for anything you want to use, and
  there should be no need for any extra boards.
  
  A nice, compact mini-tower case with 200 watt power supply is selling
  here in the States for about $50 now, which is about the best price
  you're likely to find for any kind of case and power supply for your
  SCSI drives."

 Our own Atari Section Editor, Dana Jacobson, adds his recent experience:

  68



  "I just installed a number of SCSI devices in a PC tower case so I
  could hook it up to my newly-purchased Falcon. You don't need any
  additional boards - just cables (ribbon cables inside - SCSI 2 -> SCSI
  external). Now I just need to make some space for the tower case!
  <grin>"

 Scott Starai asks:

  "Can anyone recommend a good terminal program? I am new at this and
  don't know too much about them. I have an Atari ST."

 That Dana guy tells Scott:

  "You might want to check out Flash II. There should be a demo of it
  either in this Forum, or in the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN). In
  fact, Flash II should see a new upgrade available this weekend at the
  MIST show, so look for some announcements soon."
 
 Look for the upgrade info elsewhere in this issue. Sysop Bob Retelle
 adds:

  "As Dana mentioned, a very good commercial terminal program for the ST
  is "Flash II" from Missionware Software.
  
  A good shareware terminal program that we have here in our software
  library is Storm.
  
  If you're online now using an IBM compatible system, you can download
  Atari files to the PC & then transfer them to your ST if you remember
  to format the 3.5" floppies ON THE PC FIRST, AS 720K DISKS.
  
  Then you can move the files to the Atari by copying them to the disks,
  and the Atari will read them directly."


 Well, that's about all the news and info for this week, but before I go,
 I'd like to share with you a note I got from my old friend, BJ Gleason. BJ
 has been a Sysop here on CompuServe in the forums devoted to the Atari
 Portfolio for years, and has written some amazing programs for the 'Folio. 
 He was also a professor at American University. He recently took a
 teaching job with the University of Maryland (I think) which holds the
 "contract" with the military for continuing education over-seas. His new
 job will enable him to see a good deal of Asia and some of Europe. He's
 decided that he will keep in touch with friends and acquaintances over the
 internet. His first installment arrived on my CompuServe "doorstep" today. 
 Here's part of what he wrote:

  "From: <Bjgleas@aol.com>
  To: 73637.2262@compuserve.com
  Subject: Report from the Field
  
  Hey Gang... and welcome to the list...
  
  Please do not use the address(es) that these messages may come from. I
 am currently an internet vagabond, logging in when and where I can. 
 BJGLEAS@AMERICAN.EDU will always reach me. This is the last time I am
 going to be using BJGLEAS@AOL.COM until I return to the US...
  

  69



  Well, I am currently in Los Angeles, awaiting for the flight to Japan
 tomorrow (Thurs.) at 12:45pm... It still has not quite sunk in that it
 will be a while before I am back in the US again. Right now, it just feels
 like another trip...
  
  Spend the last 6 weeks at my sisters, having a great time playing with
 the kids and putting off getting ready to go over seas. In the final 48
 hours, I packed... I am limited to 140 pounds and 2 bags. No problem... 
 ha ha ha!

  You would be suprised how quickly stuff adds up. For those keeping
 score at home, it came to about 120 pounds, 40 of which are dissertation
 materials...
  
  I was going to have them shipped, but decided to wait until I found
 out more about shipping things about.
  
  Had two days in LA, doing the sight seeing thing. Santa Monica is
 VERY nice and highly recommended. Cheap tourist trick, ride the free TIDE
 buses about to get a layout of the area. Saw them filming BayWatch in
 Santa Monica.

  Keep an eye open for a torrid fling between Pamela Anderson and I...
  
  Interesting note in the elevator "In the event the doors do not open, 
 there is little chance of running out of air or dropping
 uncontrollably." If you read between the lines, then, yes Virginia, there
 is a chance of running out of air and dropping uncontrollably...
  
  The Schedule:
  
  A week in Japan, orientation sessions, and some sightseeing...
  
  In Seoul about the 10th, and classes are scheduled to begin the 21st. 
 They will run for 8 weeks. I am teaching three classes: Intro, C++
 programming, and Expert Systems.
  
  After that, who knows?
  
  Ok gang, I'll wrap this up for now. You might not get another message
 from me until I hit Seoul...
  
  bj

  bjgleas@american.edu"

 If you know BJ, or even if you only know him by some of the great programs
 he
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