====================================================================== _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || A M I G A U P D A T E /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || -News and Rumors- / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_|| (An Occasional Newsletter) BACK FOR THE FUTURE || ====================================================================== AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga International, GmbH ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 970509 A M I G A C O M P A T I B L E S F R O M I N D E X J A V A F R O M H A A G E & P A R T N E R P C - T A S K 4 . 2 C L I C K B O O M W I S H L I S T G A M A S O F T D E A L E R N E T W O R K D E V E L O P E R S C O N F E R E N C E U P D A T E M I D I S O F T W A R E E U C A L Y P T U S - E - M A I L E R V I S A G E V I E W I N G S O F T W A R E A M I G A F A X P R O G R A M F I L E D I F F E R E N C E P R O G R A M Editor's Thoughts and Introduction: Once again we're in a situation where the "Amiga Updates" are following close on one another. We had a few too many items to put in the last issue, and have now come across some others that we wanted to pass along while they're fresh so here they are. First, we discovered just today a British company called Index Information Ltd. who are making Amiga compatibles. Their web page with the details is copyrighted, so we've paraphrased it below. We did include a few quotes. We're especially interested in the upcoming "Inside Out" model, which we presume will not have the circuit boards on the exterior of the case. The motherboard for the Access computer seems a model of clever design. We wish them luck and hope to bring you more information as it's available. Last issue brought a "teaser" from Haage & Partner. This time, we've got extensive information on the first of the projects discussed. It's the "Merapi" project, which promises to bring Java to the Amiga community. In out opinion, that would be a very good thing indeed. The folks at Quasar Distribution announce a new version of PC-Task, one that includes floating point co-processor emulation. This should be of great interest to Amigans who need or wish to run PC software on their machines. ClickBOOM, besides having one of our favorite company names, seems dedicated to converting popular software to the Amiga. Their wish list is below. Gamasoft announces a new dealer network, which promises to add marketing power to Amiga dealerships. We have the press release for you to check over. The upcoming World of Amiga show in London will feature a developers' conference. An update on the conference was just released. We're running it to help get the word out. Finally, there were several interesting product announcements on the Usenet recently. We have five for you to examine. Products range from MIDI software to an e-mailer and a fax program. There's lots happening in the Amiga community. That's great! Brad Webb, Editor ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A M I G A C O M P A T I B L E S F R O M I N D E X Index Information, Ltd. of England has announced two new Amiga compatibles. First to be available is the Access computer, intended as a low cost "Corporate Multimedia delivery platform based on the Amiga Chip Set and Operating System" according to the company's web site. The computer features a mother board that can be fitted in a standard 5 1/4" drive bay, allowing its use in a variety of cases. The computer is shown with a floppy disk and CD-ROM drive. Also mentioned ia a compact 8 unit tower case for "major installations". The company states they have a fully functiona prototype in testing. Pre-production manufacturing is due in 2-3 weeks with the a pre-production unit planned for showing at the Hammersmith World of Amiga show, May 17-18. Features noted by Index include: 100% Amiga compatible Motherboard can fit in standard 5 ¼" drive bay Uses Motorola 68EC020 processor at 14MHz 2Mb CHIP RAM, 0Mb, 2Mb, 4Mb or 8Mb FAST RAM 230% better performance than a stock A1200 IDE Hard disk interface IDE CD-ROM, with driver in ROM Standard Amiga floppy disk drive ISA expansion slot Sound sampler complete with microphone input Real Time Clock CD-DA audio input connector and mixer for configuration information in Non Volatile RAM Ports for RGB, 15 pin High Density Parallel, 25 pin D Mouse Keyboard, 5 pin Mini-DIN Serial Composite video Stereo sound out, with front volume control Mono sound in Power In via standard PC 5 1/4" power header IDE - 40 pin for 3.5"; Hard disk and CD-ROM ISA bus 8 bit Floppy drive DF0: Index's second Amiga compatible is called " InsideOut". It's billed as "A new generation of High-End Amiga Computers." The hardware is complete but the software is still 2 to 3 months away for this computer range, intended to deliver "exceptional performance and a wide range of high performance, but low cost, expansion options." Features: Compatability with all standard Workbench applications. RISC processor performance {whatever that means, exactly} Accellerated display, 64/128 bit with optional 3D accelleration. Maximum resolutions beyond 1280x1028 providing 24 bit color. A PCI bus with driver support for most PCI expansion cards. Network support - TCP/IP, NetBIOS, etc. Contact them at: Index Information Ltd Contact Sales & Marketing: Fax: +44-(0)1256-701023 E-mail: index@cix.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- J A V A F R O M H A A G E & P A R T N E R "MERAPI" project is still under development. Project started in late 1996. Release date is about July/August 97. We will release more information on features and prices in June/July. "MERAPI" will be the optimal solution for programmers and end-users. We proudly announce another important project for the future of the Amiga: Code name: "MERAPI" Taking You To Java Java's gathering momentum in the computer market has raised hopes of a more open, decentralized, and tolerant software future than the developments of recent years have led us to expect. For Amiga users, it has given rise to a demand for participation in this future--participation that can only be provided by a good Java Virtual Machine implementation (the software engine that executes programs created in Java) for our machine. To meet this demand, Haage & Partner are developing a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) implementation under the code name *Merapi*. In our perception, the Java technology has several attractive features particularly from the Amiga users' point of view: * It will bring in new applications. Dozens upon dozens of companies in the PC software market have already committed themselves to delivering applications that can run on any machine that supports Java, breaking at last the old chains of platform incompatibility. Their new products will now add value to the Amiga as well as to the more common platforms. * As software availability ceases to be a compelling factor in deciding on a computer platform, the Amiga's friendliness and ease of use will prove sufficient reason to choose it over eg. Windows or the Mac OS if one happens to prefer the Amiga computer. * The similarity of design principles and flexibility of Java and the Amiga OS have great synergetic potential: A good JVM implementation can make it seem as if Java and the Amiga operating system were designed for each other from the start. * Java complements the Amiga system well. Memory protection and resource tracking, for instance, are integral parts of the Java environment. Whereas these are merely a duplication of effort when used under operating systems that already have such features built in, on the Amiga they very neatly fill in the blanks that many users see in the Amiga operating system. The Merapi project focuses specifically on bringing these benefits to the Amiga user base. Apart from the obvious goals of compatibility and the ability to run Java software fast, which all JVM implementations strive for, Merapi has more characteristic aims. The main ones are: * High quality that developers and users alike can depend on for robustness, security, and longevity. * Making the best possible use of what the Amiga OS has to offer. Rather than attempting to cram UNIX code into an Amiga mold or imitating existing PC products, Merapi is designed for the Amiga from the ground up to give you the best possible match. * Letting non-Java software, as well as the user, make the best possible use of what Java has to offer. The services of the Java subsystem are made available to external software through an open interface, so the use of Java software is not limited to eye candy inside a Web browser window. Java will be no second-class citizen in your system! MERAPI project is done by Jeroen Vermeulen in co-operation with the Storm team. MERAPI will be integrated into Web browsers like VOYAGER NG, but it will also be a stand-alone JAVA interpreter with just-in-time compiler (to speeed it up, JIT) to run JAVA applications like Corel Office for Java. MERAPI will also be integrated into the Storm Development System to enable programmers to write JAVA applications on the Amiga. A port to p.OS and PowerUP will be done. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- P C - T A S K 4 . 2 9 May 1997 Attention! PC-Task 4.2 is now available! PC-Task 4.2 is the latest release of the 486 PC Emulator. This update includes full FPU emulation! Now you can watch Quake without 3rd party FPU emulation software. New features of PC-Task 4.2 include: o Full FPU emulation o Faster graphics and Cybergraphics modes o Improved Dynamic compilation (with loading Windows and programs as well) o Increased compatibility Loading Doom and Windows can be up to 30% faster than version 4.1. See our web site for FREE upgrade for 4.0/4.1 users and a demo at: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~pctask More speed tests have been done, so check them out! Quasar Distribution ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C L I C K B O O M W I S H L I S T clickBOOM Announces Its Conversion Wish List FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, May 5, 1997: PXL computers and clickBOOM would like to inform all Amiga users of a brand new concept for the gaming future of our favourite computer. It is called "conversion wish list", and it is located on our web site at www.clickboom.com For several years Amiga lacked conversions of big hits from other platforms. We at clickBOOM decided to change all that, and earlier this year announced Myst conversion. Being the best selling CD-ROM game ever, Myst is a perfect starting point for the future in which big games will appear on the Amiga, as well. Choosing Myst as the first conversion was a simple task, for it truly is a special game. However, for our next projects we would like to convert games you, Amiga players, would like to play the most. Hence -- "conversion wish list"! It is clickBOOM's plan to asses Amiga market needs in the best possible way -- by asking users to vote for the games they would like to see appear on the Amiga. We have assembled a list of the biggest titles from consoles and PC, and it is up to you to let us know which ones you would like to see on the Amiga as soon as possible. It is very simple, and it will truly shape the Amiga's future! As always, feel free to contact us with your suggestions and comments at info@clickboom.com Best regards, PXL computers and clickBOOM Alexander Petrovic Pxl computers / clickBOOM Producer E-mail: clkboom@ican.net WWW site: home.ican.net/~clkboom/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- G A M A S O F T D E A L E R N E T W O R K FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GamaSoft, the Detroit, MI-based Amiga software publisher and distributor, announced on May 6, 1997 that it is forming a new alliance of dealers and software developers. This alliance, called the GamaSoft Dealer-Direct Network (DDN), will allow dealers of software distributed by GamaSoft to take advantage of: o Special dealer incentives, spiffs, and sales contests for various GamaSoft products o Professionally produced multimedia selling tools for GamaSoft products, available as props for the sales floor. o Special pre-release merchandise o T-shirts, banners, posters, and other promotional goods o The GamaSoft Network Partner logo, a sign of quality and legitimacy for the dealer Any dealer who wishes to join the DDN must make a query by emailing twalling@pantheon.macomb.mi.us with all of the dealer's contact information. Selected dealers will become GamaSoft Network Partners, with all the benefits listed above. Said Ted Wallingford, Production Director of GamaSoft, "One of the pitfalls in the Amiga market has been lack of marketing power--not only for the Amiga itself, but also for the truly sellable products within the Amiga market. Too many great software products have disappeared from the Amiga market because people chose not to buy them, maybe because of a nervous feeling about the Amiga. Well, the Dealer-Direct Network is our response. With a strong alliance of uniform marketeers, and a slick, active sales program, we're going to starting turning the tide." GamaSoft conducts distribution and publishing of software products for the Amiga computer system. Products in exclusive North American distribution include Web Cruiser, New York, Voodoo 2.0, and MOca. GamaSoft also conducts direct sales of DrawStudio. Direct sales and dealer sales are conducted from the same office. GamaSoft LLC 2644 Botsford St. Hamtramck, MI 48212 (313) 365-8414 Contact: Ted Wallingford ---------------------------------------------------------------------- D E V E L O P E R S C O N F E R E N C E U P D A T E 7 May 1997 Hi all, Apologies once more for major cross-posting, but we think that this message is quite important. Here it goes... The Developers Conference will be held at 5:30pm on Saturday 17th May, at the "Salon Bourg" in the Novotel, following that days closing of the exhibitors room. The meeting is expected to last about 2 hours. The meeting will be chaired by Kermit Woodall of Nova Design who as some people may know was also responsible for the extremely successful conference at Amiga Gateway '97. There will of course be no charge for entry, however since this event is being funded by the nice folks in the AmigaSOC users group and we would greatly appreciate any contributions as this would help us in reclaiming some of their costs towards arranging this event. Andrew Elia (AmigaSoc) and Kermit Woodall (Nova Design) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- M I D I S O F T W A R E 5 May 1997 TITLE SMT - Steevs MIDI Trigger VERSION 2.31 AUTHOR Steven Goodwin No E-Mail, Web page or FTP site :-( DESCRIPTION SMT plays samples from a MIDI keyboard, or the Amigas own keyboard. These samples can be played as required. Featuring: * As many samples as memory allows * Variable pitch on samples * Software MIDI Thru * Filter out MIDI channels * Output sound on next free channel, specific channel, or on alternate channels * Three demo enviroments - Virtual Piano, House, GM Drums * Backing MOD (start/stop/pause with any combination of joystick/mouse/keys) * Program note range * Sampling looping NEW FEATURES 2.31 is a PAL/NTSC update. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS None AVAILABILITY Any Aminet site, for example: ftp://ftp.doc.ic.ac.uk/aminet/mus/misc/SMT_23.lha DISTRIBUTABILITY Freely distributable. Copyright 1995-7 by Steven Goodwin. This version uploaded by the author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- E U C A L Y P T U S - E - M A I L E R 5 May 1997 TITLE Eucalyptus VERSION 1.0 (alpha) COMPANY Isengard Developments AUTHOR Paul Schifferer DESCRIPTION Eucalyptus is a new e-mail program for the Amiga. Features include: - Supports multiple user accounts - Unlimited message folders - Full-featured address book - Multiple message read windows - Multiple signature files - PGP signature/encryption/key-transfer - Spell-checking - Extensive filtering system - Scheduled message delivery - Integrated SMTP/POP3 clients (and possible IMAP support) - Configurable external viewers for different media types - Full multi-threaded operations This product is a pre-release alpha. Not all features are fully operational, and the software may contain bugs. Use it at your own risk. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Amiga OS 2.04 or better ClassAct gadget classes (included in archive) Internet connection AVAILABILITY http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/3517/Eucalyptus.gz (249621) Or request the most recent version from . PRICE Free DISTRIBUTABILITY This product is freeware, copyright (c) 1997 Isengard Developments. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- V I S A G E V I E W I N G S O F T W A R E 5 May 1997 TITLE Visage VERSION 39.12 AUTHOR Magnus Holmgren Kvarnbergsv=E4gen 5 S-444 47 Stenungsund Sweden E-mail: cmh@lls.se 2:203/512.10@fidonet DESCRIPTION Visage is a picture viewer for all Amigas with OS 3.0 or better. The goal is to have a rather fast viewer, with lots of features. Picture quality is not the most important thing. Features include: * Can display IFF ILBM, JPEG, PNG and datatype pictures. * Full AA, ECS, CyberGraphX and RTG (I hope! ;) support. * Supports PCHG (Palette CHanGe) and SHAM (Sliced HAM) IFF ILBM pictures. * Can display "deep" pictures in all formats on ECS Amigas, rendered in HAM, "normal" color (graphics card recommended) or grayscale. * Xpk support for IFF ILBM pictures. * Can scale any rendered picture to fit the screen. * Extensive monitor support. Uses a BestModeID()-like function to find a suitable mode (if needed). * Several slideshow options, including a random and a sort mode, making Visage nice for use with screen blankers as an external module. * Background loading of next picture while viewing the current, if there is enough memory (this can be disabled). * Can read pictures from a named pipe. NEW FEATURES In 39.12: * Added PNG support, updated JPEG support, and removed GIF support. * CyberGraphX support. * Translations updated. * Several minor fixes and updates. * Pipe reading. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OS 3.0 AVAILABILITY Any Aminet site, e.g. ftp://ftp.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/gfx/show/Visage.lha Via WWW, at http://www.lls.se/~cmh/ PRICE None. DISTRIBUTABILITY Copyright by Magnus Holmgren 1995-97 Visage is freely distributable. -- Magnus Holmgren - Amiga programmer and enthusiast ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A M I G A F A X P R O G R A M 30 Apr 97 TITLE STFax VERSION 1.360 AUTHOR Simone Tellini E-Mail: wiz@pragmanet.it WWW: http://www.pragmanet.it/~tellini/main.html FidoNet: 2:332/502.18 DESCRIPTION It all began almost an year ago, when for the first time I needed to send a fax... "Well", I said, "I've got a fax modem, I can send it from home...". Unfortunately I had no fax software: the ones provided with the modem were just for MS-Dos and Windows, as usual. So I started looking around for fax programs for my Amiga: there were only two commercial packages, but as I'm almost always out-of-money, I thought it was a good idea to look in the shareware before. I did, but with no luck: I just saw a couple of programs, one worst than the other. Thus, I sat down and began to type... I tried to put in STFax all the functions I thought I would need, like: - Nice, handy user interface - Phonebook - Scheduler - Reports - ARexx port - Datatypes support for image conversion - On-line help - Printer driver to redirect all print-outs to a fax file and so on... SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS STFax requires OS 2.0+ (v37+) and "reqtools.library" v38+ (Copyright by Nico Francois & Magnus Holmgren). AVAILABILITY http://www.pragmanet.it/~tellini/STFax/STFax.html Aminet mirrors: comm/misc/STFax.lha PRICE Requested shareware fee is $35 US (LIT 45000 for Italy, LIT 50000 for Europe). DISTRIBUTABILITY This piece of software is to be distributed "as is" with no warranty of any kind. The author won't be held responsible for any damage occurred by its [mis]use. Bye Wiz -- __ __ /// Fidonet: 2:332/502.18 (Simone Tellini) \\\/// E-Mail: wiz@pragmanet.it \X// WWW: http://www.pragmanet.it/~tellini/main.html Aiutatemi a capire cio' che dico e ve lo formulero' meglio. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- F I L E D I F F E R E N C E P R O G R A M 5 May 1997 TITLE Same Difference VERSION 1.01 AUTHOR Steven Goodwin No E-Mail, Web page or FTP site :-( DESCRIPTION Same Difference allows you to compare, list and edit changes between two text files. It shows both files, side by side, in a scrolling list with each difference hightlighted in different colours. These changes can be edited by the line, or block (i.e. a sequence of consequtive lines that are all different). You can: * Replace * Insert * Append * Clear or just edit the text directly yourself. NEW FEATURES 1.01 is a PAL/NTSC update. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS None AVAILABILITY Aminet, for example: ftp://ftp.doc.ic.ac.uk/aminet/misc/edit/SameDiff.lha DISTRIBUTABILITY Freely distributable. Copyright 1996-7 by Steven Goodwin. This version uploaded by the author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Amiga Update on the net: some issues available at: http://www.sharbor.com/amiga/news/ (in html format) http://www.amigacom.com (in ASCII text) Australian Mirror Site: http://www.comcen.com.au/~paulm/index.html All back issues available (in ASCII text) at: http://www.globaldialog.com/AdventureCentral/AU/index.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1997 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified. ====================================================================== _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || Brad Webb/AmigaUpdate /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || bandr@globaldialog.com / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || ======================================================================