@database ANB1.02 ## USE AMIGAGUIDE TO VIEW THIS FILE @width 78 @wordwrap @font topaz.font 8 ## @node Main "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" þþþþþ þþþþþ @{b}A M i G A@{ub} þþþþþ þþþþþ @{b}N E W S B i T S@{ub} þþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþ 15-04-94 þþþþþ þþþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþþþ #1.02 þþþþþþþþþþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþþþ þþþþþþþþþþþþþþ þþþþþþþþþþþþþþþ @{" News " link News} þþþþþþ þþþþþþþ þþþþþþþþþþþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ @{" Products " link Anno} þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ @{" Features " link Feat} þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþþþþþþþþþ @{" Credits " link Cred} þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþþþþþþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþþþ @{" Distribution " link Dist} þþþþþ þþþþþþ þþþþþ þþþþþþ @endnode ## @node Cred "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b} CREDITS@{ub} EDITOR oo Vince Yallop + vyallop@cix.compulink.co.uk -\\/- Fido 2:251/41.1 + AmigaNet 39:134/14.1 + CNet 76:80/10.1 FEATURES Matthew Legg - mlegg@freenet.scri.fsu.edu James Wright - jwwright@cix.compulink.co.uk INSTALLER SCRIPT David Tiberio - dtiberio@libserv1.ic.sunysb.edu USENET MODERATORS: ANNOUNCEMENTS & REVIEWS Mailing list: announce-request@cs.ucdavis.edu. Comments to CSAA@megalith.miami.fl.us. Mail all comp.sys.amiga.announce Announcements to announce@cs.ucdavis.edu. Daniel Barrett, Moderator, comp.sys.amiga.reviews Moderator mail: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu Anonymous ftp site: math.uh.edu, in /pub/Amiga/comp.sys.amiga.reviews @{b}DISCLAIMER@{ub} Opinions in issues of Amiga Newsbits are not necessarily those of the Editor, and comments should be directed towards credited authors of texts. Amiga Newsbits cannot be held responsible incorrect information, but trusted sources have been used whenever possible. The rest is either unconfirmed fact, rumour or fantasy, so take information supplied "AS IS". Amiga Newsbits is an independent publication. @endnode ## @node Dist "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}DISTRIBUTION@{ub} This file may be freely distributed as long as all credits remain intact, no alterations take place and no charge is made. (c)1994 Amiga Newsbits is published on the @{b}1st@{ub} and @{b}15th@{ub} of each month in the UK and is spread worldwide. @{b}LATEST ISSUE@{ub} @{" Aminet " link DistANet} Worldwide FTP. @{" Mostly Harmless " link DistMH} Havant, UK. @{" Communication " link DistCO} Berlin, Germany. @endnode @node DistANet "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}AMINET@{ub} On days of publication, Amiga Newsbits will be uploaded to central Aminet site wuarchive.wustl.edu and should quickly appear in the pub/aminet/docs/mags directory, ready for FTP. Sites acting as mirrors are: ftp.wustl.edu ftp.cdrom.com ftp.luth.se src.doc.ic.ac.uk ftp.etsu.edu ftp.eunet.ch ftp.th-darmstadt.de ftp.cs.tu-berlin.de ftp.uni-oldenburg.de ftp.uni-kl.de litamiga.epfl.ch ftp.uni-paderborn.de Next issue's file name will be: anb103.lha @endnode @node DistMH "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}MOSTLY HARMLESS@{ub} o Official Amiga Newsbits Archive & Primary Distribution Site o From the UK: 0705 614824 - From Abroad: +44 705 614824 - 2 Nodes o USR DS 21K6 HST V32ter V42bis - Amiga 3000 - 300MB - Xenolink - 24hrs o FidoNet 2:251/41 - AmigaNet 39:134/14 - CNet 76:80/10 - 175+ Echos o Sysop: Lee Sanders [sis1717@osiris.sis.port.ac.uk] Co-Sysop: Vince Yallop o For All Your Amiga Needs - PD + Friendly Help, Advice & Chat o Official Mostly Harmless Spider! =O= @endnode @node DistCO "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}COMMUNICATION @{ub} o Berlin, Gemany - since April 1992 o Independent Multi-User Mailbox and Chatbox - DM 5 per month o Betreiber: Stephan Sprang + Sysops: several o 1GB + 2 CD-ROMs - Amiga, Atari, PC o Amiga Newsbits Importer: Holger Behrens [behrens_h@fhi-berlin.mpg.de] o Twelve Lines - 24 hours, 7 days! 16K8/V42bis: +49-30-862-1486 - MNP5/V42bis: +49 30 861 3161, +49 30 861 5817, +49 30 861 7698, +49 30 861 6271, +49 30 861 4871, +49 30 861 4567, +49 30 861 336 - MNP5: +49 30 87 6693, +49 30 87 4007, +49 30 87 4756, +49 30 861 5679 @endnode ## @node NewsDiary "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}DIARY DATES@{ub} - APRIL 94 Acorn User Spring Show 94 Harrogate, Fri 22-Sun 24, +44/0 737 814084 International Computer Show London, Fri 22-Sun 24, +44/0 222 512128 - MAY 94 Internet World & Document Delivery World International 94 London, Mon 9-Thurs 12, Mecklermedia +44 (0)71 976 0405 IALTEX 94, simulation and visual technology Surrey, Tues 10-Thurs 12, +44/0 61 624 3687 All Formats Computer Fair London, Thurs 19, +44/0 608 662212 Spotlight 94, software for Amiga and Atari London, Sat 28-Sun 29, +44/0 81 345 6573 - JUNE 94 Multimedia 94 London, Tues 7-Thurs 9, +44/0 81 742 2828 Computer Solutions Exhibition Glasgow, +44/0 822 614671 Consumer Electronic Show Chicago, Thurs 23-Sat 25, +1 202 457 8700 - JULY 94 GameXchange 94, swapshop and competitions London, Fri 22-Sun 24 - SEPTEMBER 94 VR User Show London, Tues 13-Thurs 15 - OCTOBER 94 BBC Big Bash Birmingham, Thurs 6-Sun 9 Future Computing Show London, Wed 26-Sun 30 @endnode ## @node AnnoComing "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}COMING TO A DRIVE NEAR YOU..@{ub} Latest planned launch dates of major Amiga titles in the UK. - APRIL 94 Maelstrom .................................. Empire Twilight 2000 .............................. Empire Firehawk ................................... Codemasters Ryder Cup .................................. Ocean CD32 Lionheart ............................. Thalion Rise of the Robots ......................... Mirage CD32 Zool 2 ................................ Gremlin - MAY 94 Pinkie ..................................... Millennium James Pond 3 - Operation Starfish .......... Millennium AGA Brutal Football Deluxe Edition ......... Millennium Dreamweb ................................... Empire Kick Off 3 ................................. Anco/Imagineer CD32 Kick Off 3 ............................ Anco/Imagineer - JUNE 94 Empire Soccer .............................. Empire CD32 Litil Divil ........................... Gremlin - JULY 94 Cyberspace ................................. Empire - SEPTEMBER 94 The Dawn of Aerial Combat .................. Empire CD32 TFX ................................... Ocean - ALSO ON THE WAY Sim City 2000 .............................. Maxis Zeewolf .................................... Binary Asylum Sensible Golf .............................. Sensible Software/Virgin CD32 Inferno ............................... Ocean CD32 Steg the Slug ......................... Codemasters CD32 Seymour Goes to Hollywood ............. Codemasters CD32 Magicland Dizzy ....................... Codemasters CD32 Captain Dynamo ........................ Codemasters CD32 CJ in the USA ......................... Codemasters @endnode ## @node News "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}NEWS@{ub} @{" Amiga Update " link NewsAmi} Our World's Axis. @{" Industry Developments " link NewsInd} Hardware & Company. @{" Retail Window " link NewsRet} Consumer. @{" Game Play " link NewsGam} Entertainment. @{b}EVENTS@{ub} @{" Diary Dates " link NewsDiary} When & Where. @endnode @node NewsAmi "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}AMIGA UPDATE@{ub} COMMODORE KEEPS AWAY FROM BLACK - "Softer than expected" European sales prevented Commodore from breaking back into the black for their second quarter results over the last three months of 1993. A loss of $8.2 million was made on a turnover of $70.1 million, compared to a loss of $77.2 million and turnover of $237.7 million for the same period in 1992. NEW AMIGA STUFF ON SHOW Commodore UK at the @{" European Computer Trade Show " link FeatECTS} in London put the CD1200 and A4000T on show. Both were switched on and working! Details follow: AMIGA 1200 DRIVES FORWARD - Commodore UK press release: A working prototype CD drive for the Amiga 1200 has been developed by Commodore. The much-discussed drive plugs into the best-selling computer enabling it to run Amiga CD32 software and audio CD. However, unlike the Amiga CD32, the drive cannot support MPEG full motion video, so applications will be restricted to games and information discs. Commodore is currently studying the viability of a full UK release for the drive. Therefore a release date or price cannot be confirmed. TOWER OF STRENGTH - Commodore UK press release: The most advanced Amiga yet has been launched in by Commodore UK. The Amiga 4000 Tower is a major new arrival - the logical next step in powerful Amiga AGA computing. Its power derives from the Motorola 68LC040 25MHz processor and the classic AGA chipset. But the machine's special value lies with its expansion capabilities. The "tower" comes with a built-in SCSI-II controller with support for up to seven internal and/or external SCSI devices. It also has five dedicated Amiga bays, making the Amiga 4000T the perfect machine for the expansionist professional user. And although its expansive it's not expensive - it will retail for £1949.99 (inc VAT). Kieron Sumner, Commodore's national multimedia sales manager, said: "The Amiga 4000 Tower is the ultimate solution for multimedia professionals. We're convinced its price with specifications will open up all kinds of new high-end opportunities for us. The Tower heads an Amiga 4000 range which also includes the Amiga 4000 030 and the Amiga 4000 040. Historically users have demanded a variety of hard disk sizes. For this reason the machines are supplied without a hard drive so that users can meet their own requirements. - Note: James Wright queried the 68LC040 with a member of Commodore's staff, for Amiga Newsbits. They said that the press release was wrong and a full 68040 was included in the Tower. WORDWORTH 3.0A UPDATE - Press Statement by MD of Digita, Jeremy Rihll: Four weeks after the launch of Wordworth 3.0, Digita announces the release of Wordworth 3.0a. This technical update corrects compatibility problems, improves operating speed and provides a general tune-up to Wordworth 3. Jeremy Rihll, Digita Managing Director said: With a product as advanced and innovative as Wordworth 3.0, that took over ten man-years to code, we expected a few teething problems; especially with third party peripherals. However, I am pleased to announced the solution, version 3.0a. Our programmers have done an excellent job in responding so quickly to customer feedback. Users will notice that Wordworth now feels tighter and faster, includes enhanced file export filters and drag and drop editing. The Wordworth v3.0a is free to all registered Wordworth 3.0 users direct from Digita after April 12. CHUNKY AMIGA NEWS - It has been reported that AmigaDOS 3.1 is ready and also IDE is being dropped in favour of SCSI, by Tim Smith in the April 11 issue of CTW. He also writes that the Commodore Australia franchise has collapsed so the American-based Commodore Asia are likely to handle their affairs, and that World of Commodore in New York isn't to be sanctioned this year. AMIGA CD INTERACTIVITY - Goldtech Computer Systems claims that it has developed the first interactive Amiga CD magazine. CD Gold will have 10,000 copies produced, is expected at the end of April and will contain news, reviews, interviews and demos for any CD-equipped Amiga. @endnode @node NewsInd "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS@{ub} FIGHT OVER - Data East have won an important battle for the whole games industry after Capcom were defeated when claiming that Fighter's History, a Streetfighter-style beat-'em-up, infringed copyright. Judge William Orrick said similar aspects were of common, unprotectable ideas in fight games. ON THE SCROLL - Nintendo have paid Atari for a licence to use its technology after legal action in which the US company claimed its scrolling patents were infringed. A similar battle between Sega is looming. Atari's Tengen has also regained official Nintendo licensee status. LOSSES CONTINUE - Atari have once again continued low turnover figures with $8.5 million for the last quarter of 1993 compared to $25.5 million the year before, making a loss of of $22.7 million for the last three months. JAPANESE GREETING - Panasonic have launched their 3DO machine in Japan for Y54,800 (£365) and have received relatively massive sales of 40,000 within three days of launch to techno-hungry Japanese, outshadowing the first months of American buying. MORE REALITY - Williams will be using Project Reality technology in its future arcade titles and have signed a deal to give Nintendo exclusive home publishing rights in return for half the profits. SONY ON THE MOVE - Computer Trade Weekly reports that Sony's PS-X console, expected to arrive in Japan this November, is hoped to sell for less than £350. Leading developers and publishers are being given development systems early to provide enough titles on launch in Europe and the US in autumn 1995. REAL FALL - Virtuality, UK 3D arcade machine pioneers, has announced its first loss, of £362,000, after flotation in October. Turnover for last year was over £50 million, and the development budget has just been increased by £2 million. OH BOY - Systema has unveiled the TV Boy, a low-cost colour portable games system which features 126 pre-programmed games and ready to plug into TVs. Priced £39.99. ARTS APART - Electronic Arts has divided its American development section into EA Sports, Simulation, and Interactive Movies and Entertainment to key up background work for the changing market. NEW EDITION - Amstrad are returned to printers with a link-up with Swedish specialists Jarfalla ICC. Their first joint development will be an inkjet due in the summer. @endnode @node NewsRet "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}RETAIL WINDOW@{ub} PACK WITH PUNCH - Philips have a new CD-i bundle out featuring the 210 CD-i player, a Digital Video FMV expansion and Caesars World of Boxing for £499. ONE BOY, MORE GAMES - Nintendo UK are introducing a new Game Boy pack for £59.99 to replace the current £49.99 Tetris pack. Super Mario Land and Tetris will both be included in the new bundle. The stand-alone Game Boy continues for £39.99. PRICE LESS MEGA - Sega's portable Mega Drive, the Multi Mega, is to sell in Britain for £349 - £50 less than expected. Initial stocks will be limited, as will specialist press advertising. C&VG REBORN AS.. C&VG - EMAP today launches Computer and Video Games, revamped and a return of the original name after a period of just CVG. The veteran magazine has a new look and has been repositioned to cover emerging new formats. CD FUTURE - Future Publishing has launched CD-ROM Today to continue the Future mould, with natural cover-mounted disc. Over 45,000 copies of the magazine's first issue have been produced. ZONE ENDS - Future Publishing are closing Nintendo magazine Game Zone after less than a year under its ownership. ABC figures for the last half of 1993 were an 23,968 average copies sold per month. THE CD WAY - Paragon's Mega Power magazine is becoming much more Mega CD specific and will come with a demo disc every month. @endnode @node NewsGam "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}GAME PLAY@{ub} GOOD GAME - Findings by Dr Julie Rutkowska of Sussex University show that games encourage children's friendship and that boys spend more time playing. ACE CARD - Philips have released the old arcade laserdisc classic Space Ace on CD-i with the help of the original creator, Don Bluth. The latest conversion uses the FMV capabilities of the Digital Video expansion. Dragons's Lair will appear in the summer. @endnode ## @node Anno "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}ANNOUNCEMENTS@{ub} @{" Amiga Toaster Reference Manual 2.221 " link UREF} @{" AmyBoard 1.0 " link UAMI} @{" AmyGUI 1.0 " link UAGU} @{" AXsh 1.31 " link UAXS} @{" Bridal Reflections Volume 1 " link UBFO} @{" DVI & DVILW 3.62 " link UDVI} @{" Force Icon 1.4 " link UFIC} @{" ImageDex 2.0 " link UIDX} @{" JForth Professional 3.1 Demo " link UJFO} @{" MUI BUilder 1.1 " link UMUI} @{" S3Host 1.0 " link USTH} @{" TauIcons 1.6 " link UTAU} @{" XPR Kermit 2.36 " link UXPR} @{b}REVIEWS@{ub} @{" Amiga Smart Port " link UASP} @{" CD32 Chaos Engine " link UCDC} @{b}PREVIEWS@{ub} @{" Coming to a drive near you.. " link AnnoComing} @endnode ## @node UAMI "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Reply-To: Thorsten Greiner Date: Sat, 09 Apr 1994 10:35:41 -0400 (EDT) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: Amiboard chess program available for ftp TITLE AmiBoard VERSION 1.0 AUTHOR Thorsten Greiner email: greiner@wpts0.physik.uni-wuppertal.de DESCRIPTION AmiBoard is a new chess program for the Amiga. It is NOT a port of GnuChess but a completely new program. Main features: - strong chess engine, evaluates between 500 and 1000 nodes/sec on a 68030@25 Mhz (plays a bit stronger than GnuChess 4.0pl58, very much stronger than VChess) - Opening book from GnuChess with about 30000 opening lines - supports import and export of games in PGN format. Several thousand games in this format are available via anonymous ftp - uses Standard Algebraic Notation (e.g. Nf3 instead of g1-f3) - Chess pieces loaded from IFF brush, can easily be changed with any standard painting program - Font adaptive GUI - Mostly localized (some error texts will appear in English). German catalog provided SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Kickstart/Workbench 3.0 and 68020 (or better) processor required. Hard disk and more than 2 MB of RAM recommended. HOST NAME Aminet (such as ftp.wustl.edu) DIRECTORY /pub/aminet/game/think FILE NAMES AmiBoard_V1_0.lha (861404 bytes) PRICE Requested shareware fee is US-$ 15 or DM 20 DISTRIBUTABILITY Shareware @endnode @node UAGU "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Reply-To: Erkki Tapola Date: Sat, 09 Apr 1994 07:59:23 -0400 (EDT) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: AmyGUI 1.0 TITLE AmyGUI VERSION 1.0 AUTHOR Erkki Tapola, erkkiat@evitech.fi Mika Kuoppala, mikaak@evitech.fi Evernet Oy Address: Laajaniityntie 8 F 79 SF-01620 VANTAA FINLAND Fax: +358 0 8787 608 Price inquiries and ordering by email, mail or fax. (Current price list at the end of this file.) DESCRIPTION AmyGUI is a C++ class library for creating font sensitive graphical user interfaces easily. It contains efficient code and the created sources are quite verbal and understandable. To create an executable, the library is linked with user code to a standalone executable with SAS C++ V6.5x, with GCC ixemul.library is needed at runtime. AmyGUI makes the use of gadgets simple, e.g. the contents of a listview and a cycle gadget are manipulated in the same way, although their implementation in the system is quite different. With just one function call AmyGUI enables icon dropping into a window. Each time user gives input, a prenamed function in user code gets called with descriptive parameters. If you know C, just by looking at the demo sources included in the packet, you will see why C++ is the ideal language for GUIs. Features * Font sensitivity - All buttons are created as if they will contain a 8 pixel font, and AmyGUI takes care of the rest at runtime * A window can receive an icon dropped into it, the enabling takes only one function call * All different types of gadgets are created in the same manner, only the last one or two optional parameters vary if needed * Dynamic menu creation and handling. Menu layout can be changed easily at runtime. * The strings contained in Menus, AmyListviews and AmyCycles can be added, inserted and deleted dynamically at runtime * Wide code reuse due to C++'s inheritance making the executable size smaller * Lots of useful classes not only for creation of GUIs e.g. AmyList, Dimension, Boolean, AmyPoint... * Online manual containing class reference, examples and hints PRICE AmyGUI V1.0 costs FIM 300 or USD 55. There is a 50% discount for students (send us a copy of your valid student card). The prices are subject to change without notice. Appropriate postage is added on top of the price. Bug fixes are free, but the updates cost moderately. Please see the packet for payment instructions. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Because AmyGUI uses BOOPSI (for now), it needs at least Kickstart 2.x. HOSTNAME ftp.funet.fi and Aminet hosts. DIRECTORY Aminet: /pub/aminet/dev/gui ( for example wuarchive.wustl.edu) ftp.funet.fi: ? FILE NAME AmyGUIdemo-1.0.lha @endnode @node UAXS "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Tue, 5 Apr 94 02:57:37 EST -0500 Message-Id: <9404050256.13cv@megalith.miami.fl.us> Return-Path: Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Reply-To: Ojala Pasi 'Albert' Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: AXsh 1.31 Demo TITLE AXsh - Amiga external shell VERSION 1.31 - a non-crippled evaluation version AUTHOR Pasi 'Albert' Ojala Internet: albert@cs.tut.fi OR albert@cc.tut.fi DESCRIPTION AXsh's main purpose is to let other users have access to your Amiga and still be sure that nothing inappropriate can happen. AXsh ensures this by allowing access only to directories that are defined accessible and only accepting commands and arguments that are defined legal. AXsh supports multiple lines, multiple users logged in simultaneously and 8 different user levels. User actions can be saved into a log file. Each user has his/her own home directory, and the used disk space can be/is restricted. AXsh can be used as a bulletin board system with or without UUCP or as a door program in a 'normal' BBS. It has its own mail, news and file transfer programs. However, AXsh is not restricted to remote access, it can be very well used as a local shell. The shell itself has command line editing, function key macros, history, aliases, variables and scripts. It also has filename and commandname completion assigned to the TAB key. VT100, Ansi and dumb terminal modes are currently supported. Many useful programs are included in the packet and any CLI-based programs can easily be added. AXsh systems can be connected together to form a network, so that mail and news are exchanged between systems. You can also use UUCP instead of the native AXsh net system or you can use another transport mechanism like Fidonet (TrapDoor) to transfer AXsh net packets. News and mail programs are configurable to fully interface with UUCP or CNews. If you have WB2.1, you can choose the used language from English, Finnish, Spanish, French, Danish, Swedish and German. New 2.0 features are also used, but you can still use AXsh with ks1.3 if you have arp.library. NEW FEATURES All known security holes patched. Possibility to kick out users and a crude time-limit feature. New, faster serial handler. Possibility to have userlevel-specific configuration files for FFE and Rn (allows restricted file/news areas). Numerous bug fixes and improvements. It is now possible to install from hard disk (Assign AXshPack: to the directory you unarchived the InstallDisk packet). SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS arp.library (v39) OR ks2.0 LhA (or Lx) to unpack the archive, installation disk and language catalogs C= Installer in the WorkBench command path to use the installation script (usually SYS:System/Installer) SUGGESTED ENVIRONMENT A hard disk, about 1M for a basic one-user system without news At least 1M of memory A modem for remote access HOST NAME/FILE NAME ftp.funet.fi:/pub/amiga/shells/AXsh/AXsh-1.31-demo.{lha,readme} Aminet sites, util/shell/AXshDemo131.lha PRICE Suggested shareware/registration fee is US$30 DISTRIBUTABILITY The demo version can be freely distributed, provided that the contents of the archive remain intact. IMPORTANT! This can be the last 1.3-compatible version. However, bugfixes will be done for registered users, if needed. The next version will be totally new inside, writing applications will be easier, the security will improve etc. If there is enough interest (and registrations), I might consider making a 1.3-compatible version also. @endnode @node UBFO "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Mon, 4 Apr 94 03:29:18 EST -0500 Reply-To: David Tiberio Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: Bridal Reflections - Framestore 3D Image Processing TITLE Bridal Reflections Framestore 3D Image Processing RELEASE Volume I AUTHORS Michael Jaycox, JPV David Tiberio, Area52 SHORT Bridal Reflections, Volume I, allows wedding videographers to create an openning and recap from saved Framestores. Using custom software, the original Framestores are converted into either the openning or recap, along with titles and a professional background. The videographer merely stores the desired Framestore, and our image processing software does the rest! In a few minutes, depending on the speed rating of your computer, the finished images will be done. The videographer may then use standard Toaster effects to perform transitions between the newly created Framestores. A free demo is available which requires Scala multimedia software, although 256 color images are also included. More modules, featuring other themes, will be available in the future. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS This software requires the Video Toaster, and has been tested with Toaster 2.0 and 3.0. PRICE The Bridal Reflections module and Framestore generator retails for $275. To order, send a check or money order for $275.00 + $2 shipping and handling to Area52, 6 Lodge Lane, East Setauket NY 11733. AVAILABILITY Bridal Reflections will be shipping in March, 1994. Future modules will be announced as they become available. A demo will be made available on Aminet. DISTRIBUTABILITY Bridal Reflections may be purchased from your local Video Toaster dealer. You may also order direct from Area52. Please send all correspondance to Area52, 6 Lodge Lane, East Setauket NY 11733. (516) 476-1615 VOICE/FAX. Bridal Reflections and the Framestore Image Processor are copyright 1994 Area52 and JPV. All rights reserved. @endnode @node UDVI "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Reply-To: Markus Zahn Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 19:20:29 -0400 (EDT) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: Amiga dvi 3.62 available for ftp TITLE DVI & DVILW RELEASE 3.62 AUTHORS Ingo Eichenseher - Ieichens@Appl-Math.TU-Muenchen.DE Gerhard Wilhelms - Wilhelms@Uni-Augsburg.DE Markus Zahn - Zahn@Uni-Augsburg.DE SHORT Previewer / Printer Driver / PostScript Driver for TeX DESCRIPTION DVI is a TeX previewer with integrated printer drivers. Supported printers are HP PCL compatible printers ( HP Laser- / Deskjets etc. ), NEC P6 compatible printers ( NEC P6, EPSON LQ, etc. ) FX-80 compatible printers ( Epson FX-80, Star LC-10, etc. ) and Canon BJ-300 compatible printers. DVILW is a PostScript converter for dvi files. Both programs support o virtual fonts o 2D and 3D graphics based on \special commands. The driver source codes are included. There are existing implementations for Amiga computers, Atari ST computers, Apollo workstations, workstations with X11/Motif and IBM PC compatibles. NEW FEATURES o This is the first public Amiga release. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AmigaOS Release 2.04 (V37+) or higher. Best: 2MB Memory or more, ECS Agnus. HOST NAME wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4) [AmiNet] ftp.rz.Uni-Augsburg.DE (137.250.113.20) DIRECTORY /pub/aminet/text/tex [AmiNet] /pub/amiga/tex/uniaug_driver FILENAME dvi362.lha PRICE Your fee is to report all occuring errors to the authors! DISTRIBUTABILITY (C) Ingo Eichenseher, Gerhard Wilhelms, Markus Zahn DVI & DVILW must not be included in a commercial public domain distribution without the written permission of the authors. _________________________________________________________ // Markus Zahn _ // Universit"at Augsburg \X/ Internet: Zahn@Uni-Augsburg.DE @endnode @node UFIC "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Tue, 5 Apr 94 02:56:45 EST -0500 Message-Id: <9404050255.13b4@megalith.miami.fl.us> Return-Path: Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Reply-To: Kai Iske Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: ForceIcon 1.4 TITLE ForceIcon VERSION 1.4 COMPANY None AUTHOR Kai Iske Brucknerstrasse 18 63452 Hanau Germany Tel.: +49-(0)6181-850181 email: kai@iske.adsp.sub.org iske@informatik.uni-frankfurt.de DESCRIPTION ForceIcon is an utility mainly for users of CDRom drives or users of networking software capable of sharing devices and icons. Since one can not snapshot the position of a volume`s icon (on read only media), nor replace it by a user-defined one, I wrote this utility. ForceIcon allows you to set the position of a disk`s icon and/or replace it by a different image/icon which doesn`t have to be a disk.info file. All types of ".info" files may be selected. Special features include inheritance of device specific settings, specifying the root drawer`s size/position and display flags/modes. NEW FEATURES - Added Server/Prefs concept. The main program comes with no GUI. It is controlled through an external Prefs editor. - Prefs Editor rewritten to use MUI (version 7) - Inheritance added. Volume entries may inherit settings from the corresponding device entry now. - Better code for scanning the DOS-List entries - Online Help - Diskchanges will be sent to all known volumes/devices on startup, now. This way you might be able to start ForceIcon from within SYS:WBStartUp - Added memory pool support - Edit entry will cause a diskchange to the volume/device so that you may see the changes you`ve made - More and better cloning of window flags - Added pattern support - Some bugfixes SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Only OS 2.x and up MUI (MagicUserInterface) version 7 (MUI 2.0) HOST NAME wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4) DIRECTORY /pub/aminet/os20/wb/ FILE NAMES ForceIcon-14.lha ; program, docs and source PRICE GiftWare, i.e. anything you like ;) DISTRIBUTABILITY GiftWare @endnode Zahn@Uni-Augsburg.DE @endnode @node UMUI "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Reply-To: Eric Totel Date: Wed, 13 Apr 1994 19:20:18 -0400 (EDT) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: MUIBuilder V1.1 available by FTP TITLE MUI-Builder VERSION 1.1 AUTHOR Eric Totel 5 rue Riquet 31000 Toulouse France email: totel@laas.fr DESCRIPTION MUI-Builder is an application builder for MUI programs. It allows beginners and other programmers to build their graphic user interfaces very easily. It generates C, E or Assembly code for MUI. With the many options of MUI-Builder, you can generate precisely the part of the source code you really want, and not only the whole interface. This permits you to maintain easily your code whithout losing your previously modified program each time you change your interface. Moreover, you can design the inline hypertext guide from MUI-Builder by attaching a help text to each GUI-Object of your interface. The builder creates the AmigaGuide documentation automatically. NEW FEATURES For the first time, an interface builder enables the creation of a catalog description file and the localized source code. With these features and the use of programs like Catcomp or Flexcat, localizing becomes really easy !!! ( I hope :-) ). You now can see the results of your work during the building of your GUI. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - MUI 2.0 ( Won't work with MUI1.4 ) - OS 2.x and up HOST NAME Any aminet site such as: wuarchive.wustl.edu or ( in europe ) ftp.luth.se and ftp.funet.fi. DIRECTORY Aminet : /pub/aminet/dev/gui Funet : /pub/amiga/programming/gui FILE NAMES MUIBuilderV11.lha (program, docs, and examples) PRICE GiftWare ( send what you like ) DISTRIBUTABILITY GiftWare. @endnode @node UIDX "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Tue, 5 Apr 94 02:57:02 EST -0500 Message-Id: <9404050256.13bp@megalith.miami.fl.us> Return-Path: Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Reply-To: Zach Williams Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: ImageDex 2.0 TITLE ImageDex 2.0 AUTHOR Zach Williams (zachws@ids.net) Precision Imagery PO Box 20676 Cranston, RI 02920 DESCRIPTION Update to utility program that acts as a graphic front-end to Art Department Professional 2.2 to 2.5. Program will take a series of image files (any format) and create an image index of scaled down "thumb-nail" pictures, labelled appropriately. Useful for catalogging images, textures and anim frames, allowing them to be stored off the main system. NEW FEATURES - Multiple output resolutions, including PAL screens. - New output modes (DCTV, 24-bit IFF, HAM8) - Greatly improved requesters - uses ReqTools - More choices for number of pictures per image - Full menus with hot-keys - Options for printable output (ex. gray-scale, white background) - Cleaner, sharper, more colorful output - Fuel-gauge type "% Complete" display - Many bug fixes SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - AmigaDOS 2.0+ - Art Department Professional 2.2+ - ARexx HOST Aminet FTP sites (ftp.wustl.edu, ftp.luth.se, etc) DIRECTORY pub/aminet/gfx/misc FILENAME ImagDx20.lha PRICE ShareWare, $15 reg. fee. DISTRIBUTION Freely redistributable as long as archive is intact. All rights reserved. Not to be re-sold, except for duplication/disk costs ($4 max), or with express written consent from the author. @endnode @node UJFO "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Fri, 08 Apr 1994 10:39:13 -500 (EST) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: JForth Professional 3.x Demo available for ftp TITLE JForth Professional 3.x Demo VERSION 3.1 COMPANY Delta Research P.O. Box 151051 San Rafael, CA 94915-1051 (415) 453-4320 AUTHOR Mike Haas (mikeh@starnine.com) - Also author of Textra and LCD Calculator Phil Burk (phil@ntg.com) - Also author of HMSL, FindWindow DESCRIPTION Forth is an interactive software development environment, normally tailored for embedded controller and machine control applications. With JForth's comprehensive Amiga system interface, Forth now excels at platform software development. Originally created to provide precise control of observatory telescopes, Forth contains both an interpreter AND a compiler, combining the best features of both systems. The interpreter affords interactive access to all language features; programs are compiled into native 68K code. JForth programs are compatible with all AMiga models and OS versions. AGA support (3.1) is currently in beta test. This is a demo version of the JForth Professional 3.x software development system. It includes a complete JForth interpreter/compiler which is fully-functional but limited in the size of executable code it will produce. Also, the demo will NOT create standalone programs (the commercial package will). This demo version also offers an "Introduction" which can be optionally viewed at startup. The demo interpreter/compiler includes a disassembler, assembler, as well as a source-level debugger. While the demo package does not provide the JForth "include" files (similar to C's ",h" files, JForth calls them ".j"), MANY are pre-compiled and accessible in the demo program. Similarly, the demo can also call many Amiga shared-library functions, as they have been pre-compiled for you (the demo package does NOT support adding more... the commercial package can call any Amiga library func-, tion, even custom libraries). Additionally, there is a compiled example program which demonstrates the JForth interface into graphics, menus, HAM mode, gadgets, etc. There are several source files provided, including an IFF file viewer, word/line counter and others (all will compile within the working space limitations imposed by the demo). Additionally, several tutorials are provided for users new to Forth and/or JForth. Also provided is V1.11 of Textra, the user-friendly Amiga GUI-based text editor. This is the same editor which accompanies the JForth package and can be integrated with JForth (even the demo) via ARexx. (Later versions of Textra are available and are completely backward-compatible with JForth). Finally, as an example of a JForth standalone, graphics-based productivity application, Mike Haas' 1993 "LCD Calculator II" is included. NEW FEATURES OF JFORTH PROFESSIONAL 3.x - Amiga DOS 2.0 includes and library support, 68040-compatible - ASL file requester - ANIM and ANIMBRUSH IFF extensions to the Picture system - ARexx support toolbox simplifies writing command driven host applications - Mike Haas' Textra editor (v1.11) integrated with JForth via ARexx - Faster and smarter Clone - Profile - code performance analyser - ARP and Requester library support - New error handling tools, - Optional global register-based optimizing compiler - Index for manual - Improved local variables - Tools for Double Buffered graphic displays - Numerous other improvements and (gasp) bug fixes - Now comes on 3 disks - Improved manual with Index SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 1 Meg required PRICE JForth Professional 3.x MSRP is $179.95 DISTRIBUTABILITY The J4thDemo.lha package is freely-distributable as long as it is unmodified. FILE NAME/LOCATION Uploaded to aminet, specifically... wuarchive.wustl.edu:/pub/aminet/dev/lang/J4thDemo.lha (IP address of wuarchive.wustl.edu: 128.252.135.4) Also uploaded to Genie, Amiga, Pro/Ami Library, file #1204 OTHER Later shareware versions of Textra are available on the net, and are compatible with JForth professional. (The enclosed v1.11 was the last Freeware version) @endnode @node USTH "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Tue, 5 Apr 94 02:57:17 EST -0500 Message-Id: <9404050256.13ca@megalith.miami.fl.us> Return-Path: Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Reply-To: Oliver Wagner Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: S3Host 1.0 TITLE S3Host VERSION 1.0 AUTHOR Oliver Wagner DESCRIPTION S3Host is a file transfer utility for easy file exchange with the Psion S3 and S3a palmtops via the Y-Modem-G protocol. It utilizies the builtin file transfer protocols of the S3 without the need to use a terminal package on the AmigaOS side. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS S3Host requires OS 2.04 and MUI 2.0. A Psion S3/S3a palmtop and the 3-Link cable is required, too. HOST NAME Available on Aminet FTP sites. Try 'wuarchive.wustl.edu'. DIRECTORY /pub/aminet/comm/misc FILE NAMES s3host10.lha PRICE Freeware. DISTRIBUTABILITY S3Host (C) 1994 Oliver Wagner, All Rights Reserved. This archive is freely distributable. OTHER An AmigaOS implemention of the EPOC NCP network system is still under development. @endnode @node UASP "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" From: james_coulter@panam.wimsey.com (James Coulter) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.reviews Subject: REVIEW: Amiga Smart Port Date: 11 Apr 1994 02:35:07 GMT Sender: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu (comp.sys.amiga.reviews moderator) Approved: barrett@math.uh.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <2oad0r$l5l@masala.cc.uh.edu> Reply-To: james_coulter@panam.wimsey.com (James Coulter) Keywords: hardware, gameport, joystick, analog, switcher, commercial Originator: barrett@karazm.math.uh.edu PRODUCT NAME Amiga Smart Port (TM) BRIEF DESCRIPTION A multi-purpose device that plugs into the joystick ports, offering joystick cable extension, a 15-pin IBM style analog game port, and auto switching between analog sticks and the mouse ports. AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION Name: InterACTIVE Digital Devices Address: 2238 Nantuckett Court Marietta, GA 30066 USA Telephone: (404) 516-0248 E-mail: m.labiche@genie.geis.com (Alvin Derouen) LIST PRICE $52.95 (US) SPECIAL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS HARDWARE Any Amiga with mouse/joystick ports. SOFTWARE None. COPY PROTECTION None. MACHINE USED FOR TESTING Amiga 2000 with A2620 68020 accelerator 6MB Fast RAM, 1MB Chip RAM A2091 SCSI controller A2320 Deinterlacer AmigaDOS 2.04 Advanced Gravis Analog Joystick Advanced Gravis Analog Pro Joystick Sega Genesis Joypad (modified, pins 5 and 7 swapped, so +5 volts goes to the correct pin on the joypad) REVIEW The analog port is a 15-pin IBM PC style game port, so you can plug any such stick directly. Although the primary purpose of the Smart Port is to provide an IBM-PC analog port, it offers many other features. Also included with the package are various patches for games to help with analog support. Installation is easy. Two extension cables are included which can be freely detached from the Smart Port. Also provided are four Velcro patches so you can place the Smart Port in orientations other than just lying on your desk. First off, it should be noted that the IBM joystick connector is capable of supporting two analog sticks (via a Y-adaptor). The Smart Port passes through all the pins, but to support both sticks simultaneously it puts one stick on mouse port number 1 and the other on mouse port number 2. Just remember, only one input device (on each mouse port) may be used at a time. Also provided are pots for adjusting the X and Y axis for either mouse port for fine tuning. The Smart Port uses 100k potentiometres instead of the usual capacitors. Note that some IBM analog sticks (such as the Flight Stick Pro, Gravis Analog Pro and Thrustmaster) with 4 independent buttons, "view controls", and/or throttle support are really "two joysticks in one". The extra features (if enabled) would use the other mouse port. To accommodate rudder pedals, the Smart Port provides a switch that "steals" an analog line from mouse port number 1. If this feature is used, if your mouse has three buttons, the third button cannot be used while the rudder pedals are enabled. IDD sells the rudder pedal adaptor separately. The Smart Port provides automatic switching between the analog joystick(s) and the mouse ports. To switch between devices, you simply press the first button on the appropriate device. Two LEDs tell you whether the currently activated device is on the 15-pin connector or the mouse ports. Included with the Smart Port is SmartPortCal. Its primary purpose is to help with calibration of analog sticks. It does provide a display for the currently activated device on a given port (mouse, analog stick, or digital stick). For example: if you had a digital stick and pressed a direction or button, the program would relay that back to you. What was most surprising was discovering the included patches for various games: Flight Simulator 2, F-15 Strike Eagle II, Knights of the Sky (rudder and throttle support also), Red Baron, Gunship 2000, F-18 Interceptor, World Circuit, Birds of Prey, and others. One of the reasons for these patches is that a directly connected analog stick on the Amiga (without any capacitors or potentiometres) gives a range of 0-38. The Smart Port on the other hand can give you the full range of 0-255. Some games expect the former, or weren't programmed right. Unfortunately I could not test any of these patches, since I don't own any of the appropriate games. The only game I have tested the analog mode with is Fighter Duel Pro Flight Recorder and Fighter Duel Pro 2. All the patches are copyrighted by IDD and are available only to Smart Port owners. At the time of this writing, the Smart Port Plus is pending release. Differences between the first Smart Port and the new Smart Port Plus are: 1. Three switchable gain settings. These will allow the unit to switch down to handle games with a hard-coded 0-40 range (low gain), DoubleNTSC (medium), as well as the standard range (high). 2. A built-in "trigger" switch. When turned on, it will cause BOTH ports to go to analog mode when your analog fire button is pressed. This allows you to use the mouse port in analog mode even if there is no analog device with a "fire" button on that port. 3. Having the multiple ranges allows me to narrow the adjustment range of the ports slightly. It will still be a little critical, but it is a bit easier to adjust. DOCUMENTATION The supplied 15-page manual contains information on installation, operation, adjustment of analog sticks, and troubleshooting. Also included are some tech notes and other notes on the software patches. These are just stapled pages and may have been updated since this review. On several occasion I have sent E-mail to the tech support. The response time was good and my questions were answered in detail. BUGS None that I could find, hardware or software. However, the tech notes mention that you cannot use the Smart Port and a Beetle Mouse simultaneously on an Amiga 500 (with stock power supply). The reason is that the Beetle Mouse draws too much power, WARRANTY 1 year. CONCLUSIONS About the only missing feature on the Smart Port is a third mouse port. Why? Because you still have to unplug your mouse to plug in a second digital stick. You could probably wire another digital stick on the 15-pin connector, but that would exclude the use of some analog joysticks. Other than that, the Smart Port lives up to to its claims. Perhaps it is a bit pricey, but it provides full analog support, and the game patches alone may be worthwhile to some people. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright 1994 James D. Coulter. All rights reserved. Fido 1:153/911 @endnode @node UTAU "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Reply-To: Osma Ahvenlampi Date: Fri, 08 Apr 1994 19:33:15 -500 (EST) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: TauIcons 1.6 available for FTP TITLE TauIcons VERSION 1.6 AUTHOR Osma Ahvenlampi DESCRIPTION TauIcons is a collection of additional icons designed in MagicWB style, to enhance the look of the Workbench. NEW FEATURES New icons, as could be expected :) As a major new feature, TauIcons now includes Dockicons for use with ToolManager 2.1 or similar tools. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Workbench 2.0 or later. While TauIcons does not require an installed MagicWB, it is highly recommended, as that's what it is designed for. AVAILABILITY TauIcons has been uploaded to ftp.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4), and will be on all Aminet sites shortly, with the directory and filename: /pub/aminet/util/wb/TauIcons16.lha PRICE TauIcons is freely distributable and Giftware. If you like it, send a small gift (like a copy of your own program) to the author. @endnode @node UCDC "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" From: steve_cutting@guru.apana.org.au (Steve Cutting) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.reviews Subject: REVIEW: The Chaos Engine, CD32 version Date: 14 Apr 1994 21:30:29 GMT Organization: The Amiga Online Review Column - ed. Daniel Barrett Sender: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu (comp.sys.amiga.reviews moderator) Approved: barrett@math.uh.edu Distribution: world Message-ID: <2okcll$nq@masala.cc.uh.edu> Reply-To: steve_cutting@guru.apana.org.au (Steve Cutting) Keywords: game, shoot-em-up, arcade, CD-ROM, CD32, commercial Originator: barrett@karazm.math.uh.edu PRODUCT NAME The Chaos Engine BRIEF DESCRIPTION 1 or 2 player run-around shoot'em up game with a top-down view and 8-way scrolling. AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION Name: Bitmap Brothers/Renegade Address: C1 Metropolitan Wharf, Wapping Wall, London U.K. E1 9SS LIST PRICE I don't know the list price, but I paid 19.99 U.K. pounds for it from a mail-order company. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS CD32 (PAL or NTSC) Television or monitor 1 or 2 control pads (or Amiga joysticks) COPY PROTECTION None that's noticeable to the user. REVIEW The plot behind this game is basically the same as every other shoot'em up ever released. There's a big nasty doing big nasty things and it's your job to stop them. In this case, the "nasty" in question is the Chaos Engine, a powerful machine that's gone haywire and is generally causing a nuisance to everyone. When you boot up the game, you get a short animated intro explaining all this, and it's backed up by a full CD soundtrack with narration. Very nice indeed. Now on to the game itself.... When you start the game, you can select between 1 or 2 player modes. In the 1 player mode, the second character is controlled by the computer, so you always play this game as a team even if no humans want to play with you. :-) At this point, you can restore an old game by entering a password, or start a new game. I'll talk about the password system a bit later. When you start a new game, you are presented with a character hiring screen. You start off with a certain amount of money and must hire a character to use. There are 6 characters in all, each having individual strengths and weaknesses (strength, speed, etc.) and special abilities. With that done, it's off to take on the nasties. The game is split into 4 worlds, each with 4 levels. The action is viewed from above and at an angle which lets you see the front of the characters and nasties. Your job is to kill as many nasties as possible and find your way to the exit of each level. Before you can get out, though, you must activate "nodes" that are scattered around the levels. These are tower-like things, and you activate them by just shooting them. Once you've activated all the nodes, the exit (or exits) will open. On most levels, there's actually more than one exit, and each one will cause you to start from a different place on the next level. When you shoot a nasty, it'll leave behind a coin which you can pick up and add to your bank balance. There are also coins laying around on the ground to be picked up. Other things you can pick up include: weapon power-ups, keys that open doors and secret passages, food (for restoring energy), extra lives, etc. etc. There's more than one way of finishing most levels; in fact, there are often alternate routes which lead you to heaps of bonuses (and usually a swarm of nasties as well)! :-( At the end of every 2 levels, you are taken to the Shop screen. Here you can buy all sorts of goodies to improve your characters' performance. Things you can buy include: health, speed, weapon power-ups, lives, special weapons, and more. The end of the last level takes you to a showdown with the Chaos Engine. (Surprise, surprise. :-)) When your game ends, you are given a password which allows you to restart at the beginning of the world that you were up to. The way this password works is bit different from other games, and it is great. When you restart with a password, you start at the shop screen with the total amount of money that you had collected during the last game. You can then re-buy all your weapons etc. or choose to buy something else instead. This is great because you can try different tactics: for instance, starting with heaps of lives, or starting with MEGA guns. :-) DOCUMENTATION The CD sleeve contains a brief introduction to the game. Full instructions are provided on the CD in English, French, German and Italian. They are very nicely presented as a series of pages which you flip through with the controller. LIKES Superb gameplay. This game just feels great! This is a game which has been thoroughly play-tested, I simply cannot fault it in terms of playability. The password system is the best I've ever seen. The 2 players' characters can walk through one another. While this isn't exactly realistic, it does make the game more playable. The background graphics are excellent. They have enough detail to make them interesting, but not enough to make it difficult to see what's going on. The sprites are nice and colourful. The 6 player sprites look great, they're really well drawn and each have their unique character. Also, the introduction animation is quite good (although short). The CD music tracks on the title and between-level screens are fabulous. Also, the CD sound effects during the game are very well done and add lot of atmosphere. Music in the game itself is Amiga-based, but is still very atmospheric because it changes depending on where you are in the level. For instance, as you approach the exit the music builds up to make it a bit more tense. Sound effects are also excellent. The nasties have all sorts of weird (but appropriate) noises, and there's a bit of speech too. Basically, the overall look and feel of this game is superb. DISLIKES AND SUGGESTIONS The action does slow down noticeably when there are a lot of objects on screen. This suggests to me that the programmers have just added the new AGA graphics to the code from the Amiga version, instead of re-writing it for 68020/AGA. I expect that adding some Fast RAM would help, as would running the game on the A4000 CD32 add-on. As neither of these exist right now, I can't try them, but I assume the game will make use of extra speed because the Amiga version did. The game doesn't use the full PAL screen. PAL users can force it into NTSC using the boot-menu though, and it then fills the screen. BUGS The game occasionally freezes for an instant. I think it might be when it's changing CD tracks. This does not affect gameplay at all though: it's hardly noticeable. VENDOR SUPPORT An address is provided for support, but unfortunately not a phone number. I have not needed to contact them as yet. WARRANTY Unknown. CONCLUSIONS In my opinion, this is one of the CD32's best games to date. I already had the Amiga version, but for me the CD32 version was still a must-have, even though it has no extra levels. If you're a CD32 owner who hasn't played the original Amiga version, then get this game! If you had the original Amiga version, then get this game anyway! A lot of people whinge about CD32 games which are ports of Amiga titles, but I'm not complaining when the games are this good. The Bitmap Brothers have taken a classic Amiga game, enhanced the graphics/sound, and produced a classic CD32 game. I'd give it about 90%, and a bit more if it didn't slow down. This review is freely distributable. Just leave my name in :-) 10/4/1994 Steve Cutting e-mail: Steve_Cutting@guru.apana.org.au @endnode @node UREF "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Date: Mon, 4 Apr 94 03:29:05 EST -0500 Reply-To: David Tiberio Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce From: CSAA To: announce@megalith.miami.fl.us Subject: Amiga/Toaster Reference Manual v2.2 TITLE Amiga/Toaster Reference Manual v2.2 RELEASE Revision 2.221 AUTHOR David Tiberio (dtiberio@libserv1.ic.sunysb.edu) DESCRIPTION AORM is an AmigaGuide based online help system for Amiga computers and Video Toaster Workstations. Using a hypertext point and click interface, users have access to over 2,200,000 bytes of information, contained in over 1000 pages. Using built in virtual memory, modules may be loaded in as needed, often occupying only 150k of memory. Modules may be updated as new features are added. Modules include: Lightwave 3D and Art Department Professional help Answers to commonly asked questions (over 500). Explanation and usage of AmigaDOS commands (over 80) and usage of ARexx commands (over 20). List of people, places, and things created on the Amiga computer. Index of frequently used charts and tables, such as the Hayes Command Set and S Registers, list of most Amiga screenmodes, frequently used abbreviations such as RTG, XPK, DIG, etc, list of GURU Meditation Errors, AmigaDOS qualifiers and pattern matching, and more. New 3D section includes a list of refraction indexes and color RGB registers for hundreds of common colors. Dictionary of computer and Amiga related terms (over 800). Amiga Online Reference Manual is the most complete guide to the Amiga available in a hypertext format. Only a few mouse clicks is all it takes to find out how to use the FORMAT command or how to alphabetize all of your icons on the Workbench. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AmigaOS 1.3, 2.04, 2.1, or 3.0. NEW FEATURES ** version 2.2 includes the first software update module ** - over 50% larger in size - NEW Lightwave 3D section - Layout & Modeler - NEW AdPro 2.2 section - how to use operators - graphical images now included - improvements in all areas, including: - list of area codes and state abbreviations - revised list of monitor types and screen resolutions - CD32 specifications added - updated Workbench information to new format - 800 word Dictionary - added more information on using AmigaGuide or MultiView to online help system PRICE MSRP $35. Special User Group pricing of $20 to qualified Amiga and Video Toaster User Groups. AVAILABILITY Contact Area52 at 516-476-1615, or send a check or money order to: Area52, 6 Lodge Lane, East Setauket, New York 11733. Please make all checks payable to Area52. New York State residents must add 7% sales tax. Add $2 for shipping and handling. DISTRIBUTABILITY Amiga Online Reference Manual may be purchased from your local Amiga dealer. If you wish, you may order direct from us by calling (516) 476-1615. Amiga Online Reference Manual is a commercial product and may not be redistributed freely. A demo is available on Aminet in /biz/demo/AORM_2.2.lha @endnode @node UXPR "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" Sender: errors@megalith.miami.fl.us Reply-To: Stephen Walton Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.announce Message-Id: Date: Sat, 09 Apr 1994 02:29:33 -0400 (EDT) From: CSAA To: CSAA-Submissions Subject: XPR Kermit Version 2.36 TITLE XPR Kermit VERSION 2.36 AUTHOR Frank da Cruz, Columbia University (system-independent code) Stephen R. Walton, swalton@csun.edu (XPR sections) DESCRIPTION XPR Kermit Version 2.36 is the latest release of the Kermit file transfer protocol implemented as an Amiga External Protocol (XPR). As an XPR, it can be used by an XPR-supporting program by simply copying the file xprkermit.library to your LIBS: directory. NEW FEATURES XPR Kermit Version 2.36 is a bug-fix release of XPR Kermit Version 2, announced in this forum a couple of weeks ago. The problem repaired is one which resulted in corrupt setup strings being written as the XPRKERMIT environment variable from Term and possibly other programs. HOST NAME grind.isca.uiowa.edu (128.255.200.3) Also on Aminet PATH grind: /amiga/telecom Aminet: /pub/aminet/new (should move to /aminet/comm/term) FILE NAME xprkermit.2.lha, 71422 bytes PRICE Free DISTRIBUTABILITY The Kermit file transfer protocol is copyrighted by Columbia University. Under the terms of the copyright, Kermit can be freely distributed but not sold. It can be included as part of a commercial package, provided that such inclusion does not increase the cost of that package. SPECIAL NOTE My USENET feed is down as a result of the January 17 earthquake, so questions regarding XPR Kermit which cannot be answered by the comp.sys.amiga.datacomm community should be addressed to me by e-mail. @endnode ## @node Feat "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}OPINION@{ub} @{" Editorial " link FeatEdit} @{b}FEATURES@{ub} @{" CD32 Bits " link FeatCD32} Full Motion Video @{" European Computer Trade Show " link FeatECTS} Show Report @{" Amiga Newsbits Installer " link FeatInst} Make Life Easier @{" Request " link FeatRequ} Your Help Needed! @endnode ## @node FeatEdit "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}EDITORIAL@{ub} Thanks for all of you who responded to our first issue - it's great to know that people worldwide are interested in what we are writing, so we thank you for taking the time to contact us. Unfortunately we cannot get Amiga Newsbits to you by e-mail yet and it looks unlikely that this will happen in the short term unless somebody approaches us with an offer of help. So you'll have to call one of our distribution sites or pick it up from Aminet a couple of days after release. Many thanks also to David Tiberio who has offered us the use of his Installer script which he has also supplied to Amiga Report. If you can't get to grips with tooltypes to pick Amigaguide reader to call, this will help. A big thanks, David! Hot news is from the @{" European Computer Trade Show " link FeatECTS} where the CD1200 drive was previewed along with the A4000T - but why does it only have a 25MHz 040 and not 33MHz? At nearly 2,000 pounds it is stepping away from the PC market, not showing fierce competition. The other big issue at the moment is word that Commodore has been bought up by Hewlett Packard or Sony. On CIX here in the UK, net messages suggested that $15 million of shares at about $0.75 a piece had been bought, giving Sony control, while others say there is not a shread of evidence in favour of this and that CBM shares have stopped trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Whatever has happened, those in control and keeping very quiet. We'll just have to wait and see! Finally, apologies for late arrival. About an hour before this issue was expected ready my hard disk crashed. Only a tenth of the file remained and I had to recover what I could by hand. Stay well all! @{b}Vince Yallop@{ub} @endnode @node FeatCD32 "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}CD32 BITS @{ub}- COMPLETE VIDEO EXPERIENCE! Full Motion Video is without a doubt the most exciting thing to hit the home computer market in years. MPEG encoding techniques enable 74 minutes of digital footage and soundtrack to be pressed onto a single CD. The CD32 FMV add-on module was released in the first week of January but before more than a handful were aware, Commodore recalled all of the units due to inherent problems. These have only recently been re-released. I was one of the lucky few who managed to purchase one before they were withdrawn and as far as I can see there are no major problems with it. The rumour was that once installed the CD32 was unable to read discs, but this seems unfounded, because mine works perfectly. The initial release date was delayed, because Philips had signed a deal with Paramount meaning that the first 50 movies released would only work with the CD-i Digital Video expansion - obviously a market ploy on their part for shifting a few machines. Commodore apparently re-worked the module with CD-i code included and I can confirm that all of the presently available CD-i "only" movie titles work perfectly with the CD32 FMV module. Right, the facts! Installation of the unit could not be simpler. Just unscrew the back plate of the CD32, push the module into the slot provided and screw it in. You can now discard the original back plate, because you will never need it again. [he hopes - Ed.] The unit, when fitted correctly, sticks out of the back of the CD32 by about 1cm, but this is no problem. If you connect a mouse, and hold down both buttons, you will be presented with the boot options screen. Click on Expansion Board Diagnostics and you will be told the board is present and working. Now the exciting bit - watching your first Video CD! Unfortunately there was no CD supplied with the original units but hopefully Commodore will get round to doing this. A music video compilation would be a good idea. However if when you bought your CD32 you received the Dangerous Streets/Wing Commander disc, there is a small FMV demonstration, of the CD32 television advert shown over Christmas, which shouldn't hold your attention for too long. Your next move is to go out and buy your first Video CD. Top Gun is one of the better titles available at the moment. Just load the CD in the normal way and wait. After about ten seconds you will be presented with a menu screen. On all of the movies, there are only two choices: either view the copyright warning or the film. On the CD-i, you can jump to specified parts of the film, which are indexed in the CD sleeve, but this is not implemented on my, early version, of the CD32 module. Selecting PLAY on the controller starts the film and then all is to pump up the volume and sit back. The film can be fast forwarded by holding down the relevant button and a single tap of the button will advance the film 5 minutes. It can also be rewound in the same way. Pressing PAUSE results in a rock steady frame, which could be easily grabbed with no loss at all. Once paused, you can advance the frames one by one, or play the film in slow-motion. It is not possible however to play the film in slow-motion reverse. Another button gives a display of where you are in the CD, plus the sound can be muted, and switched between the first, and second channels. The picture quality if far better than that of VHS tapes, with the added advantage of the CD's not suffering from deterioration. The films are best watched when the CD32 is connected to a TV, because slight pixelation is apparent when run through a monitor. If you stare hard enough, you can sometimes see the frames jump, but I would suspect that this is purely down to the CD encoding. Rest assured, it will not spoil your viewing. As far as I see, the FMV Module for the CD32 is one of the best computer product that you can get. It is not overly expensive (£199) and nor are the CDs (£15). If you have a CD32, I recommend to get the FMV module - it is absolutely amazing! @{b}Matthew Legg@{ub} @endnode @node FeatECTS "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}EUROPEAN COMPUTER TRADE SHOW@{ub} - London, April 10-12 Our "top" "reporting" "team" split themselves over the first two days of the show, all first-timers and enjoying it immensely, while getting down to proper work at the same time. Part of the good thing about the trade show is that there is less noise than consumer shows, although it's still fairly crowded especially around the food areas. Companies were spread across a mix of suites and stands, some just offering hospitality to programmers and retailers, others deciding to actively demonstrate their projects, such as Silicon Graphics. Sega were previewing Virtua Racing on the Mega Drive, as well as giving free play on a couple of the real arcade machines. The conversion has lost a lot of the detail and colour which helped with the realism, but the speed is captured nearly just as well. You wouldn't be disappointed with this for a 16-bit machine. Can we have an Amiga version please? Philips had a large stand and were pushing CD-i. Despite its technical inferiority to all other CD consoles around (expect maybe the Mega CD), demonstration units were concentrating on what CD-i is doing very well with - FMV. Among the displays were Microcosm, Voyeur, Mad Dog McCree and Peter Gabriel's Xplora interactive music CD. Philips are very keen to push CD-i at its late stage in life, predicting that a million will be in homes worldwide by the year end, and it's quite possible they will do it. With a new bundle including the FMV module and the television colours offered by MPEG, many people will see it as being one of the more advanced machines. More FMV games are needed for the CD32 - quick! Commodore were fairly hidden away, although not any more than Sega and Nintendo. In a sub-corner of their room was the CD1200 drive. Imagine half a CD32 coloured the A1200 shade of white for an idea of what it looks like. It was on the audio select screen and playing some jazz. Tracks could be selected by moving the mouse. The black controller of the CD32 was also attached. The CD1200 connects to the A1200's trapdoor expansion slot via a cable running through the hole in the back of the machines. Commodore UK say they are currently looking at options for a British launch. Rumours also suggest that Canada may be one of the first places for its emergence (!) - but anything could happen in the next six months. Along one wall, several of the main Amiga third-party supporters were demonstrating products including Lightwave and Emplant. The A4000 Tower was also standing on this wall. It has a very distinctive look and also appears to measure several feet from front to back. Other highlights included Sony DADC were showing off results of their new printing techniques putting photographic quality pictures on the top of compact discs, Ocean were running previews of Digital Image Design's Inferno, and there were the several standard people in furry, cute costumes wandering around - generally ignored - who should have been pushed down the stairs for fun. Expect us back in the autumn, when we may attempt to find out what cries of panic these creatures make when falling! @{b}Vince Yallop@{ub} with @{b}Matthew Legg@{ub} & @{b}James Wright@{ub} @endnode @node FeatInst "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}AMIGA NEWSBITS INSTALLER@{ub} After our first issue, active Amiga and net user @{b}David Tiberio@{ub} contacted us to suggest that we could make life easier for Workbench 2/3 owners by including a Installer script. Good idea! He had even written one, so even better! Just like other Installer scripts, it simple to use. Click on the icons and follow the instructions to pick the Amigaguide reader you use - Amigaguide on Workbench 2 and Multiview on Workbench 2.1 and 3. One will be found in the Sys:Utilities/ drawer. Vast instructions aren't needed - if they were you probably wouldn't have got to this stage. You may have noticed that the the same script comes with Amiga Report. We congratulate David for using his talents to help all readers in the Amiga community. @endnode @node FeatRequ "A M i G A N E W S B i T S - 1.02 - April 15, 1994" @{b}WRITE FOR US!@{ub} So, do you like Amiga Newsbits? How about writing a page or two for us? We pay the lowest rates in the business (ie nothing) and put your name in positive pixels. Lined up for coming weeks are more CD32 reviews, a look at Xenolink 1.90 BBS software which is finally ready, programming advice and a guide to getting your Amiga on the internet. There's plenty more you Amiga owners are doing out there, so tell everyone about it. Anything on any Amiga-related topic is welcome - a scope as big as the Amiga's possibilities and your imagination. We're also in other countries to provide details of Amiga happenings and show reports. Letters are welcome and a mini classified sales section is under consideration - watch for details. Let us know what you want - we can, quite probably, supply! E-Mail contributions and ideas to Vince Yallop @ Fido 2:251/41.1, @ AmigaNet 39:134/14.1 or vyallop@cix.compulink.co.uk. @endnode ##