CompuNotes Notes from The Cutting Edge of Personal Computing August 11, 1998 Issue 126 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= To subscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com SUBSCRIBE COMPUNOTES-L FirstName LastName To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com SIGNOFF COMPUNOTES-L For Contact and Other Information See Bottom of Publication! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= CONTENTS My Notes: 1=> CompuNotes Notes, mailto:pgrote@i1.net 2=> This Issue's Winner! News: 3=> News of the Week, mailto:pgrote@i1.net Reviews: 4=> Product: Cybercareers, by Mary E.S. Morris and Paul Massie, book Reviewed by: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com 5=> Product: Sonic CD, game Reviewed By: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com 6=> Product: Tarot, Fortune Telling, game Reviewed By: Tim Mullenniex, mailto:nrider@eskimo.com 7=> Product: TCP/IP Network Administration 2nd Edition, book Reviewed By: Keith Stansbury, mailto:kstans@primeline.com 8=> Product: Ultimate Race Pro, game Reviewed By: Rob Mundo, mailto:majorhavoc@yahoo.com --- BEGIN ISSUE 1=> No News this Week! 2=> Winner! This week's winner: rmorrow@DELFAX.NET. ******************************************************************** WIN A TRIP TO PARIS! Free Sweepstakes Registration! http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/paris.htm Picture Yourself in Paris - ends 8/21/98 Experience Six Magical Days in Paris, the Romantic City of Light! Marvel at Masterpieces. Stroll along the Seine. Savor French Cuisine. ******************************************************************** 3=> News and Game Bits, mailto:pgrote@i1.net or mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Clifford Stoll ... Enemy of Computers . . . http://spyglass1.sjmercury.com/breaking/docs/049448.htm?st.ne.fd.mnaw Someone Owns Up To Their Predictions . . . http://cgi.chicago.tribune.com/tech/frontpage/0,1714,3,00.html?st.ne.fd. mnaw Not All Work Surfing is Productive . . . http://www.newsbytes.com/pubNews/116399.html Microsoft Updates E-mail Patch . . . http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/news/0810/12emsbug.html If You Can't Beat Them ... Give Away Your OS!!! http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/news/0810/12asun.html Hasbro Buys Microprose! http://www.techweb.com/investor/story/INV19980812S0004 Sony's New Camera is a Little Too Revealing . . . http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,25226,00.html?st.ne.fd.mdh Ok, This is Too Much ... The Kelloggs Portal . . . http://www.wired.com/news/news/culture/story/14394.html 4=> Product: Cybercareers, by Mary E.S. Morris and Paul Massie, book Reviewed by: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com MSRP: $24.95 The Internet explosion has brought with it a whole new arena of careers, and people are flocking to the Net to try to get their piece of the job pie. That's where Cybercareers, "a 21st century guide to emerging careers," comes in. If you're interested in making a living by the Internet, this book is just what you need. Its mission is to help you learn: new strategies for developing yourself and staying current; technical areas you need to be familiar with; the skills you'll need; cyberspace work roles and how they're likely to change; how to prove you have the needed skills; and hot new strategies that will keep your career moving forward. The book is divided into parts. Part I is a look at cyberspace as it is now along with the trends that are shaping its future. You'll learn about the skills that you'll need to succeed in the workforce. Part II looks at the roles that are available to cyberspace professionals, how to choose the one that's right for you, and how to prepare for it. In Part III, you'll look at the business skills that are needed to be successful in a career in cyberspace. Part IV deals with the needed technical skills for both now and in the near future. Arts and media skills are covered in Part V, and a look at jobs in the future is previewed in Part VI. An aspect of the book that I found very helpful is the use of icons to point out material of particular interest to you. The key icon signifies especially important concepts. So, if you're busy and don't have time to read each page or chapter in its entirety, you can skip to the key icons to get the real meat of the text. The note icon gives additional information on a topic; the resources icon points to additional resources; and the interview icon offers quotes from successful people. The book is easy to read with short paragraphs that include bulleted text and bold headlines. Again, if you're looking for key points, simply scan the bullets or headlines and you're off and running. Let's look at a chapter in more detail, to show you the book's layout. Chapter #2 is on trends shaping cyberspace. The categories of trends covered are universal, geographical, educational, employment, telecommuting, and business. Under universal trends, we learn that increased quantity, complexity, churn, and globalism are dramatically changing the way people perceive the world and respond to it. Under increased quantity, we look at the explosive rate in which the Internet is growing, with tens of millions of new electronic content pages being generated each year. Then we see a section: What does this mean to me? We're told that if we learn how to understand and manage large bodies of data and mine that data to generate new insights and uncover new trends, we'll have a major competitive advantage. In many industries, knowledge workers with these skills are already commanding enormous wages. And the explanation goes on. Each discussion area brings the concept back into our own personal laps, with a comment on how it can affect us individually. So, we're taken from the generic reader to a student with almost personalized help from the authors. At the back of the book, you'll find a listing of professional associations, education and certification vendors, and suggested reading material that you may find helpful should you need more information on any of the concepts presented. If you want to work in cyberspace, or even build a cyberspace presence for the future, this book will prove quite helpful to you. I found it interesting, informative, and very easy to read and understand. Prentice Hall Cybercareers Product Website: http://www.prenhall.com 5=> Product: Sonic CD, game Reviewed By: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com Requires: Win 95, Pentium processor, 75 MHz, 8 MB RAM, SVGA 256 colors, 2X CD-ROM, 15 MB for minimum installation, Sound Blaster 16 or compatible, Gravis PC game pad, keyboard, or mouse. MSRP: $14.99 I'm sure you know Sonic the Hedgehog, from his many adventures in video games. Sonic has now moved to computer games, where he battles Dr. Robotnik's prize creation, Metal Sonic, as well as a multitude of other bad guys such as Robot Bees, Robot Spiders, and Robot Butterflies. Sonic's mission is to rescue his friend, Amy, and recover the time stones. The computer version offers over 60 levels of adventures, bonus levels in each Zone, razor-sharp graphics, and a wonderful sound track. Installation was simple. The full installation of the game requires 155 MB of disk space (yikes), but the game then runs from the hard disk and gives better performance. I'll have to admit--this game is a lot of fun! I now see the fascination that others have always had with this cute little hedgehog with his multitude of facial expressions. You can choose to play the game in a small window or across your full screen, which is what I prefer. You simply choose "Full Screen" under the Options menu. The game can be played with a keyboard, game pad, or joystick. When you begin a new game, you start out in the Present with three lives (thank goodness, or I'd be in big trouble). You can get extra lives by picking up 1-UP items, collecting rings (which are everywhere), or scoring 50,000 points. How can you increase your score? By destroying enemies and collecting bonus points at the end of each Zone, or level. A really neat feature of the game is the ability to go from the present to the past or future in each Zone. You'll see these Time Warp signs scattered throughout the Zone. When you hit one and make it spin, a Past or Future symbol appears at the bottom of the game. Then, you need to pick up the pace. If you move fast enough, you'll see stars trailing after Sonic and the Time Warp will blaze into effect. But if you go too slowly, you'll cancel the Time Warp. The Past Symbol takes you to the same Zone the way it was a long time ago. In the Past, Sonic has to find the Enemy Robot Transporter device and the projection device. After he destroys the Transporter device, all enemy robots in the Past and Future will be gone and replaced by flowers. You have to get rid of the Enemy Transporter in order for Sonic to get through the level's zones and to achieve a Good Future. In the future, you have two possibilities--a future where the planet is free of enemy control, or a future where Dr. Robotnik is in total control. You can hunt for extra lives and rings in the future, especially after Sonic destroys the Enemy Robot Transporter device and no longer has to worry with the enemy robots. You have ten minutes to complete each zone, which even I could do. But if you go over the limit, you lose a life. The game is rated for ages 6 to adult. It's exciting and fun and easy enough for small children to use. The graphics are spectacular, and you can make the little hedgehog zoom through each Zone similar to a roller coaster ride, collecting rings (or bumping into enemies and losing rings) as you go. I highly recommend it for kids of all ages (including adult kids!). It's a lot of fun! Expert Software Sonic CD from the Sega PC Collection Product Website: http://www.expertsoftware.com/sega.htm ******************************************************************** Treat Yourself Right - Free Sweepstakes Entry Form! Lilith Fair Sweepstakes - ends 8/14/98 http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/lilith.htm Fill out the form and you will be automatically entered into the contest, and you'll be doing something good for a great organization. For every person registered, Excite will donate $1 to Girls Inc., a nationwide non-profit dedicated to helping girls. Enter to win a great trip that includes a day of rest and relaxation at a nearby luxury spa. ******************************************************************** 6=> Product: Tarot, Fortune Telling, game Reviewed By: Tim Mullenniex, mailto:nrider@eskimo.com Requires: 386dx or higher, Windows 31, CD-Drive, 6Mb Hard DriveSpace, WIN95, 256 color, 8 meg RAM Reviewed on: Pentium 133, 32 Megs RAM MSRP N/A Tarot by Expert Software is a card game that lets you ask it questions. It installed easily and without a hitch. I just popped the CD in the tray clicked on setup and everything was installed. What is nice is that this program can be run with the CD in the machine. Expert Software has put out another winner. Tarot is similar to a playing deck of cards. These cards however give you answers to questions you may have. The question can be anything. It can be about love, marriage, money other. The program will lay the cards out as if some divine spirit was telling you the future. If you know nothing of how these cards are read Tarot will explain the meaning of each card. Tarot has three different decks to play with. There is the "experimental," "Rider," and "Cosmic." (I liked the Rider deck best myself) There is a very extensive on-line help using the Acrobat reader, which comes with the program. This allows things to be hyper-linked throughout the help files. It is very well done so the novice user can quickly learn. The program lets you choose what kind of layout you want it to place on your screen. If there is any doubt about what card to look at first or the meaning, just click the mouse. If you like your fortune read this is a good program for doing it. It explains well what the cards mean, what order to turn them, and what they mean in each position. Tarot has a very useful tutorial that shows how the whole program works. It made me smile a little when I saw the button, "For Help on Expert's Help click here." The "Elemental" spread can be done in the following ways, Simple Cross, Decision Making, Relationship, High Priestess' Secret, Celtic Cross, Astrology, Elemental, Ankh, 3 Card, 5 Card, 7 Card and Free Positioning. So, as you see there is any way imaginable to use the decks. In the decks you will find that the cards are representing the five elements. They are Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Spirit. If you have a sound card installed, it also has a few tunes to listen to while you are using the program. All of the options can be easily configured in the options menu. This goes for background color as well. People have been using this method of seeing in the future or past for centuries. This is the first time I have seen it on the computer and it does teach you how to use the cards and the meanings. This would be an excellent way to learn how to use regular Tarot cards. Expert Software Tarot website http://www.expertsoftware.com e-mail support@expertsoftware.com sales sales@expertsoftware.com 7=> Product: TCP/IP Network Administration 2nd Edition, book Reviewed By: Keith Stansbury, mailto:kstans@primeline.com MSRP: $32.95 I recommend this book to anyone who administers a TCP/IP network. It covers the fundamentals, from what the protocols do and how they work, to how addresses and routing are used to move data, and how to set up a network connection. Although this book covers UNIX TCP/IP it is a good read for any TCP/IP administrator. I run a small Windows NT network and was able to learn things that I haven't found in any of my manuals. This book, not only explains the how, it explains the why. TCP/IP Network Administrator 2nd Edition is basically divided into three parts. The first three chapters are a basic discussion of the fundamental concepts of TCP/IP protocols and services. The rest of the chapters provide "how-to" information. Finally, the appendices are important technical references to many of the commands and programs used in UNIX systems. Chapter 1 covers an overview of TCP/IP. It gives a history of TCP/IP and a description of the protocol architecture. It covers the four layers of TCP/IP: Applications, Host-toHost, Transport, and Network Access. Chapter 2 covers how data moves between the protocol layers and network systems. It explains the structure of addresses. And details how port numbers and protocol are used to ensure that data gets to the correct application. Chapter 3 covers essential network services, including Names & Addresses Service, Mail Service, Configuration Servers, File Servers, and Print Servers. It explains the different types of each service, shows the pros & cons of each, and helps you determine which ones you need to implement. Chapters 4-7 explain how to plan and install a network. Starting with chapter 4's coverage of network setup and configuration. This chapter emphasizes planning a TCP/IP network in detail. Chapter 5 describes how to TCP/IP is configured in UNIX. It covers the basic setup and default files. Chapter 6 takes the planing from chapter 4 and your understanding from chapter 5 and walks you through configuring your network. Chapter 6 describes several different types of connection and walks you through setting them up. Chapter 7 explains how to set up routing. It covers static routing, and most of the common routing protocols. Chapters 8-10 explain important network services and how to set them up. Starting with Chapter 8, Configuring DNS Name Service, this chapter provides insight on how to administer a name server program. It explains how DNS works and how to effectively use it on your network. Chapter 9 discusses configuration of some of the most common network servers: BOOTP, DHCP, LPD print server, POP, IMAP, NFS, and NIS. Chapter 10 covers sendmail and how to configure it. Chapters 11-13 cover essential ongoing task. Chapter 11 focuses on troubleshooting TCP/IP. It gives problems and actual solutions as examples. It introduces you to several troubleshooting tools and techniques. Chapter 12 covers network security, from how to determine the risks of your network, to plans you can make to reduce those risks. Chapter 13 lists some of the information resources that are available on the Internet. It offers suggestions on how to make use of them. Even as an administrator for an NT network this book was extremely valuable. It covers all the details of TCP/IP in an easy to understand method. I can only imagine how important it would be for a UNIX administrator. If you are setting up a TCP/IP network, you can't afford to miss this book. If you are responsible for maintaining TCP/IP on UNIX, this book should be in your library. A note for Windows NT administrators: This book is an excellent resource for TCP/IP and I would recommend it even for NT. The author has promised a book for NT soon and I can't wait. O'Reilly Product Website: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/tcp2/ 8=> Product: Ultimate Race Pro, game Reviewed By: Rob Mundo, mailto:majorhavoc@yahoo.com Requires: Pentium-133, Win95, 1MB SVGA, 16 MB RAM, 2x CDROM, 20MB free disk space, DirectX-compatible sound card Reviewed on: Pentium-120, Win95, 6MB 3Dfx video, 32 MB RAM, 12x CDROM MSRP: $49.00 When I received Ultimate Race Pro by Microprose I was just as enthused about finding out what "Ultimate" really meant, as I was about looking forward to the Indy 500 on television. Ultimate is one of the many racing games to hit the streets recently. I was looking for something to set this game apart from the rest of the pack, and boy did I find a pleasant surprise within. Without hesitation I quickly scanned the instructions for anything that might hamper me from getting started. Ultimate requires a minimum of a 133mhz system, Windows 95, 16MB RAM, 800x600 1MB video card, DirectX 5.0 and a double-speed CD drive. Supported 3D cards include 3Dfx, PowerVR and Direct3D. So, there it was... my measly ol' 120mhz Pentium was no longer within the minimum requirements. I wasn't about to let that stop me, especially since I was hoping that my Jazz Adrenaline Rush 3Dfx video card would make up for the lack of performance from my underpowered CPU. More on this in a minute. Installation was a breeze. There are three different installation sizes to choose from: 15MB, 120MB or a whopping 275MB! I chose the smallest 15MB option. Installation commenced without a hitch, checking to ensure I had the latest DirectX 5.0 drivers, followed up by the usual option to register on-line via an 800 phone number. The readme file pops open to display last minute tips and concerns you may encounter. It was mentioned here that users of Voodoo Graphics-based video cards. Time for the moment of truth, I started the game. I was presented with a very intuitive main menu with easy to use icons. My first stop was to checkout the video options. To my surprise, I was delighted to see that my video card was auto-detected and set for 3Dfx-graphic mode at 640x480 resolution using 28fps. The various video options include screen resolutions from 320x240 to 1024x768, 4fps up to 50fps, shadows on/off, details, spark, smoke and more. Back at the main menu you can choose which automobile you'd like to drive, each with it's own color, speed, acceleration and braking characteristics. There are three different play modes: Solo, Player vs. CPU or Multiplayer. The multiplayer option includes head-to-head, IPX network, direct connect cable and the option to play via the Internet with up to 8 other drivers. Unfortunately, I became so involved with the offline play that I never managed to test the on-line play. Controlling of each racecar can be done by keyboard or joystick, each with the option to setup custom controls. Once you decide to take to the road, you'll be advanced to the Choose Track screen. Here you can set the number of laps for each race and how difficult your computer opponents will be. There is one training course along with 4 completely different road courses to select from. To add to your driving pleasure, you can opt to drive a race in one of the following conditions: Day, Night, Rain or Storm. This makes for a total of 19 different track configurations. The Stormy race is quite an eerie and treacherous experience, as you navigate your car by using only headlights and lightening flashes combined with slick wet streets. Audio options can be adjusted here as well. All options set to your liking start the race by pressing the checkered flag icon. From the starting grid you choose either a manual or automatic transmission, then the countdown starts. Immediately other cars start pulling away to scurry for the leader position. Using my keyboard I hit the gas and was on my way. Wow! This thing moves! The graphics are second-to-none, putting the arcade version of Daytona USA in the backseat. Frame rate, even with my measly 120mhz, was top notch smooth. Cars have awesome detail as you inch up on their bumpers or share metal with the guardrails while sparks go flying by. The engine sounds are pretty realistic as well, this coming from a guy who owns a small block Chevy engine in his sportscar. Skids, crashes and other background sounds add to the overall effect. A very nice touch is the transition to night or rain during game play, kudos here. You can view the action from two different outside views or directly from inside the car. As for handling and ease of operation, well... this ain't no stationwagon honey. These cars fly and making 180-degree turns at 150mph ain't no easy task. With some realistic heel-and-toe driving (ala up arrow and Ctrl keys) you can be doing Starsky and Hutch turns in no time. Although, don't get carried away too much or else you'll find yourself sliding on your rooftop upside-down. All and all there is not much to dislike here. I have driven many racecar games, some too complicated while others are too silly or arcade-ish. Ultimate Race Pro is a perfect mix of high octane fun with realistic easy-to-use controls. Catch me if you can!! MicroProse Ultimate Race Pro http://www.microprose.com +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Managing Editor: Patrick Grote -- mailto:pgrote@i1.net Assistant Editor: Doug Reed-- mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Assistant Editor: Robin Nobles, mailto:smslady@netdoor.com Archives: ftp://ftp.uu.net/published/compunotes/ Website: e-mail: mailto:notes@compunotes.com Want to Write for Us?: mailto:writers@compunotes.com fax: (314) 909-1662 voice: (314) 909-1662 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= CompuNotes is: Available weekly via e-mail and on-line. We cover the PC computing world with comprehensive reviews, news, hot web sites, great columns and interviews. We also give away one software package a week to a lucky winner for just reading our fine publication! Never dull, sometimes tardy, we are here to bring you the computing world the way it is! Please tell every on-line friend about us! CompuNotes B440 1315 Woodgate Drive St. Louis, MO 63122 notes@compunotes.com (C)1998 Patrick Grote