CompuNotes Notes from The Cutting Edge of Personal Computing October 11, 1998 Issue 132 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= 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! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ******************* $100,000 Giveaway!* ******************************************************************** Enter now to win the $100,000 Giveaway! How would you like money for nothing! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! One lucky subscriber may win it! http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/100grand.htm ******************************************************************** 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: Cyberstorm 2: Corporate Wars, game Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com 5=> Product: Dark Reign: Rise of the Shadowhand, game Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com 6=> Product: DesignCAD Office 8.0 And DesignCAD 97, graphics Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com 7=> Product: Computer Training Products, training Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com 8=> Product: Video Highway Extreme '98, hardware Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com 9=> Product: Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition by Jeff Bankston Co-authors Rob Thayer, Robert Ellis, and Marshall Copeland, book Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com --- BEGIN ISSUE 1=> CompuNotes Notes, mailto:pgrote@i1.net None this week. 2=> Winner! This week's winner: egrether@WSU.EDU. ************************************** PowerBook Sweepstakes - G3 POWERBOOK!* ******************************************************************** Enter now to win a New Apple PowerBook G3 Laptop Computer! This is the best Apple notebook on the market! http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/power.htm ******************************************************************** 3=> News and Game Bits, mailto:pgrote@i1.net or mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com AOL Insiders Looking to Leave? http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,27393,00.html?st.ne.fd.mdh Intuit Still Owns Tax Market . . . http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/current/intu.htx?dist=snap Dell Says PC-TVs Won't Take Off ... Duh . . . http://www.sjmercury.com/business/tech/docs/005194.htm Cisco Snubs NDS . . . http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/stories/news/0,4153,360244,00.html Microsoft Ports Media Player To . . . LINUX?!?!?!?! http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19981009S0021 High Tech Layoffs? http://www.abcnews.com/sections/tech/DailyNews/layoffs981009.html Hayes Files for Bankruptcy . . . http://www.zdnet.com/intweek/stories/news/0,4164,2147632,00.html Judge Calls Microsoft Evidence Gibberish . . . http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/zdnn_smgraph_display/0,4436,2147440,00 .html *********************** FREE Money for College* ******************************************************************** The Complete Guide To Private-Sector Scholarships, Grants And Loans For Undergraduates. Here are the facts. Read this carefully to learn how to cut college costs by 50% or more! FREE for 15 days trial! http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/scholar.htm ******************************************************************** 4=> Product: Cyberstorm 2: Corporate Wars, game Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Requirements: Pentium-133, Windows 95, 4x CDROM, 24 MB RAM, 1 MB local bus video card, SVGA, 40 MB hard drive space, mouse Recommended: Pentium-166, 8x CDROM, 32 MB RAM, 55 MB hard drive space, PCI video card Reviewed on: Pentium-166, 16x CDROM, 24 MB RAM, Intense 3D Voodoo graphics card MSRP: $49.95 ESRB This is a review I hate to write. I really, really do. Why? Because I was a big fan of Missionforce:Cyberstorm (read my review at http://www.compunotes.com) and everything I had heard about the sequel had my mouth watering. So I was very excited when the FedEx man delivered a nice little bundle to my door a couple of weeks ago. Initially, I was impressed with the look and feel of the game, as well as the strategic depth that had been added. A couple of weeks to play around with it, however, have dampened my enthusiasm. I still like Cyberstorm 2, but I'm having a tough time deciding whether I would recommend it. The premise of the game is very different from the original. Instead of battling the Cybrid living machines, this time you're vying with 7 other corporations for the control of the Typhoeus system, because there's a wormhole here that is the key to intrastellar transit. Deep Space Nine, anyone? The twist here is that there are a total of eight opponents, some or all of which can be human controlled. Each has its advantages and disadvantages - some have more money, others have access to better technology. You can choose the strategic balance that suits you (better machines or better pilots? more cash? And so on). From there, you choose which planet in the Typhoeus system you want to start the game on (each planet has a unique environment) and off you go! >From there the strategic aspects of the game are much like the original. You design your force of Hercs (giant robots, i.e. Mechs) and Bioderms. Bioderms are androids, designed from the ground up to suit your needs. New to Cyberstorm 2 is the ability to modify the design of your base, including the upgrading of buildings and building of defensive perimeters. The latter is the most interesting addition - opponents can (and often will) attack your base! You can also conduct research into a number of offensive and defensive technologies, so that you can constantly improve your armed forces for their battles with other corporations. Unfortunately, you cannot interact with the other corporations at all except in battle; no alliances or diplomatic relations were included in the game, which is odd for a multi-opponent game. In multi-player mode you can set Alliances with other players, as well as taunt, etc... It just seems strange that you can't interact with the computer opponents at all except by combat. From the Command Center you choose the missions to send your forces out on. These range from mundane (mining) to strike force missions. Mining missions are essential for bringing in the badly needed cash that you require in order to support all the base enhancements and armed forces necessary to accomplish your mission. Patrol missions can help insure that probing enemy forces don't find your base too soon. Initially, mission choice is at your discretion; this changes as the game continues to missions that are required (such as the acquisition of Cybrid technology). A note about the tactical game. Initially it seemed to be almost impossible to get past the first mission - even the most mundane mining missions had enemy opponents and (usually) overwhelming numbers of them. I'm not the next George Patton of computer games, but I'm no slouch either! The game seemed to be almost impossible to win in tactical battles. Scanning the newsgroups, I found that other players have encountered the same problem. It seems that the designers at Dynamix, in their infinite wisdom, had put in an option to "Force Early Combat" - and by default, that option was turned on. Turning that option off made Cyberstorm 2 a whole lot easier to play, you can believe me! There are numerous problems with the tactical combat mode as well. While the player has the option to build units such as tanks and anti-grav vehicles, these units are so comparatively weak compared to Hercs that it is hardly worth the effort (you can only control a maximum of 12 vehicles at a time). Anti-grav units should have an advantage in bad terrain, but since they still have to get close enough to assault enemy Hercs their terrain advantages are of no use. Sure, you can zip right up the enemy, but he can get off a bunch of shots (even if only a few hit, it is enough to destroy an anti-grav vehicle). Line of sight rules appear to be minimal, and terrain has no effect on combat. Both turn-based and real-time modes are offered, but this choice must be made at the start of the campaign. Turn-based works just like it did in the original game, and is by far the preferred style of play. The real-time mode appears to have been thrown in simply to appease fans of games like Starcraft. The graphics for Cyberstorm 2 are good, but hardly up to the standards of the day. This is no sin - gameplay should always be stressed over graphics, but other games have shown that you CAN eat your cake and have it too (thanks to Dudley Moore for that insight as to the correct way to say that phrase). Sound is so minimal as to be almost non-existent; the music was so forgettable that even now I couldn't tell you what style of music it was! In short, I hate to admit it but I'm disappointed. There is a lot of depth to the game; I love the idea of 8 corporations battling it out for the control of an important interstellar chokepoint. But the flies in the ointment stop me from giving Cyberstorm 2 my wholehearted endorsement. Perhaps a patch might fix things, is anyone at Dynamix listening? If such a patch is released, I will have no problem coming back to tell you that you should be rushing out to buy this game. Sierra Cyberstorm 2 http://www.sierra.com/titles/cstorm2 ************************* Prentice-Hall Publishers* ******************************************************************** If you spend too much time writing letters and memos, then the "Lifetime Encyclopedia of Letters" is just what you need. Ever struggled to find the right words for making an apology, writing a resume cover letter, sending a sympathy note or answering a complaint? No problem. With this book you'll quickly and easily find the letter to suit the exact message you want to convey. Free for 15 Days! http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/letters.htm ******************************************************************** 5=> Product: Dark Reign: Rise of the Shadowhand, game Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com Requirements: Pentium 90,16 MB RAM, Windows 95, 2x CD-ROM, 100% compatible Soundblaster sound card, VESA or PCI video Card with 1 MB RAM, Mouse & Modem for modem or Internet play. MSRP: $29.00 A few months ago I reviewed Dark Reign: The Future of War and was very impressed with the game, sounds, play-ability and graphics. When I heard the new that Activision created an expansion pack I jumped at the chance to review "Rise of the Shadowhand." On their company web site Activision has listed the new features of this expansion pack to include: ...More Units and Missions...ten never-before-seen units...18 new missions...New movies and a new musical score with six new tracks...new cooperative multiplayer missions: race your human or A.I. opponents for control of newly discovered technology...Internet play for up to 8...Two new sides! The regular Imperium and Freedom Guard armies are joined by Xenite and the Imperium Shadowhand. The sequel is almost an exact clone of the first Dark Reign game, but not as impressive and a bit of a disappointment. Game play and tactics are basically the same as Dark Reign and so are playing areas or maps. One would think that Activision simply put a different coat and tie on the characters, reworked the graphics of the maps to produce this expansion package. However, this does not mean the game is a total loss, as it does give you more levels to conquer, plus the game is very challenging. But, the same principal of war applies, might makes right and having enough overpowering force is the key to success. In Rise of the Shadowhand there are two new armies: the Xenites, and the Shadowhand, which are the old Imperium and Freedom armies with a few added weapons and buildings. Other than the music and some new army units Rise of the Shadowhand loo ks and acts like the original Dark Reign. Additionally you must have the original "Dark Reign" installed to your hard drive in order to install and play Shadowhand. One thing I disliked in Dark Reign and also in this expansion pack version is the need to "Insert the CD" to play the Game. I contacted Activision tech support by fax to see if they had future plans to produce products that did not require you to insert the program CD-ROM disk, in order to start playing the game. My request was answered quickly within a day or so, but unfortunately to quote Activision "The CD requirements are in place for copy protection...this policy will not change in the future." I really hate it when a company imposes this type of copy protection on the consumer--either you trust the consumer or you don't. Adding copy protection to a program increases the cost to consumers, and infuriates the legal game owners. Even if you do a full install and use up a couple of hundred meg-a-bytes of hard drive space, you still must "Insert the game CD" in order start playing. Installing and playing the Game. The system used for testing Rise of the Shadowhand was a Pentium 133MHz 32 MB ram, 24X CD-ROM, ATI 3D Xpression Graphics card with 4MB ram, Sandblaster AWE64 sound card. The first thing you must have is the original Dark Reign installed on your computer. Then you insert the "Rise of the Shadowhand" CD and follow the screen instructions to install the program. The install creates another menu selection that gives you the option to play either game--Dark Reign or Shadowhand. Once started the game takes you through the start-up movie or you can hit ESC and bypass the start screens. For some strange reason Activision made the first level, extremely hard to win, as you have a limited amount of time to complete it. You must learn how to conserve your forces in order to win, or you are doomed. I recommend that you save the game often, then you can return back to a level should the enemy annihilate you--which happens often if you're not careful. After many frustrating hours spent completing the first level, I managed to move on to level six in the game. During this process of working my through the levels, I began to notice that there was little difference in the playing levels or the style of play in the expansion pack or Dark Reign. The Rise of the Shadowhand has a suggested list price of $29.00 which is cheaper than the original game, but a bit high in price for the value of the expansion pack. In spite of my misgivings Dark Reign: Rise of the Shadowhand, will give the Dark Reign Player many more hours of challenging entertainment or frustration. In all fairness to Activision the game installed and played without any glitches or errors. Activision Inc. http://www.activision.com ************************** Get Paid to Surf the Net!* ******************************************************************** Get paid for using the Internet? With the MyPointsr Program you can! You earn Points in the MyPointsr Program for a wide variety of activities. Visiting a Web site, taking a survey, joining a program, or about anything. Points accumulate in your personal account and can be spent on travel, entertainment, merchandise, and more. And it's totally FREE to you! Sign up now and receive 100 FREE Points to get started! Click Here: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/mypoints.htm ******************************************************************** 6=> Product: DesignCAD Office 8.0 And DesignCAD 97, graphics Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com Requirements: Windows 95, 386 or higher processor, 5 MB of HD space (or ten for 2D & 3D), 6 MB RAM, mouse Recommended: 486 DX or Pentium, 8-16 MB of RAM, SVGA MSRP: DesignCAD Office $995, DesignCAD 97 $495 Returning home from work one day in the early summer, I was astonished to find a large box stuck between the front door and the screen door. The Canada Postal delivery person, finding no one at home, promptly left the package jammed between the doors. This allowed the package too easily been seen from our street. However, as luck would have it, no passer by decided to use a five finger discount and make off with the package. The large package contained the next software I was to Review, DesignCAD Office for Windows 95. What is DesignCAD (CAD = computer-aided design)? To Quote ViaGrafix: "DesignCAD is the CAD system that anyone can use. It is easy enough for casual use-room layouts, remodeling, or even doghouse design. It's powerful enough for any professional application-scientists (NASA and others), architects and builders (around the world), and engineers (virtually every major corporation)." ViaGrafix's DesignCAD Office 8.0 comprises the following software and functions: DesignCAD 2D Some of DesignCAD 2D's features: ...Distance, area and other calculations, advanced line trimming and extending, snap to lines, points, center of gravity, tangents, 256 named layers, with visibility, locking and section editing, circular, linear, arrays of objects, section editing, automatic tiling prints any size drawing, material list, open multiple drawing at once, OLE 2 and clip board support, Macro and BasicCAD programming, Visual Basic interface, Customizable menus and toolbars, DXF, HPGL, WMF, IGES, WPG and other file support, Supports TrueType Fonts. DesignCAD 3D DesignCAD 3D additional features: ...Solid modeling, complex surface construction, precision design capability, 3D animation, 3-dimensional text and dimensions, realistic shading with smoothing and textures, assign materials, wood, brass, marble to any object, 3D keyframe animation, curved surface construction, extrude with in any direction, line, circle, spiral, and varying scale, volume, surface area calculations, 2D mode for plans and working drawings. Estimator Pro: Automatically calculates costs of a project. Scan Pro: convert pcx, tiff graphics to vector CAD format. Video Tutorials for 2D and 3D Professional Symbols for 2D Professional Symbols for 3D (Literally hundreds of symbols, such as, houses, furniture, landscaping, wiring, etc,) The office package supplied came with a storage holder for your bookshelf, allowing the six separate boxes to be neatly kept in place. The software was supplied on twenty-eight 1.44 floppies, and being from the "old days" of computers, I backed up the originals, before attempting to install the programs. Installation on our 486 DX 100 took about half and hour--time for backing up and coping the originals not included. Installation is straight forward, however, on floppies it requires a 28 disk swaps if you install everything. The setup wizard is like most of today's Windows 95 software, and the user just has to follow the screen prompts when installing the software. Once the program has installed you can start learning the program using the supplied training videos. Not only does ViaGrafix make a superb CAD program they produce excellent training videos and CD-ROM software I have used -- more on ViaGrafix's Training Videos in a following article. The ViaGrafix training videos are available in two formats VHS tape and CD-ROM. I used our two computers for first testing DesignCAD office: Computer #1: 486 DX 100MHz, VLbus, 32 MB of RAM, ATI Winturbo with 2 MB of RAM, Super VGA 800X600 resolution, Logitech hand scanner. Computer #2: Pentium 100 MHz, PCI BUS, 32 MB of RAM, ATI Winturbo 2MB RAM, Super VGA 800X600 resolution. I noticed that during the install the program it did not create the standard type of menus we are used to looking at from the Windows 95, Start, and Programs list. Instead, it added a file group box to the list (similar to the windows 3.1 group boxes). The programs all worked as stated and caused no problems on the computer. The same thing happened during the second installation, DesignCAD created the same file menu on our Pentium. I then called ViaGrafix to see if this was a known problem and if a fix was available. ViaGrafix was in the process of getting ready to ship DesignCAD 97, which addressed the concerns I raised. They were more willing to send me the updated DesignCAD 97 as soon as it became available. Right from my first contact with ViaGrafix, I was impressed with their telephone promptness, and friendliness at which they answered my questions. With blazing speed, I was put in contact with the proper person whom could give me the answers to my questions. At a latter date I contacted ViaGrafix by e-mail and was again given a very rapid answer. The ViaGrafix staff treats you as the only customer they have, and work diligently to rectify any problems or questions you may have regarding their products. When DesignCAD came up on the list of software for review, I thought as we are planning of building a new house in the new future, this program might be of some use and aid us in the design. It had been many, many years since I took a high school course in drafting the old way, a ruler, paper, pencil, etc. I like a challenge, and the quest of learning something new, but did not think I would have so much fun learning DesignCAD. DesignCAD uses the standard windows program conventions of menus. Toolbars and anyone who has used a desktop publishing program or a Windows 95 word processor will feel comfortable looking at the main screen. The main screen is broken down into the following parts in DesignCAD 2D:Command Menu (File, Edit, View Options etc,), Title bar (name of drawing), Tool Bar, Coordinate Bar, Snap Toolbox (on the left side of the screen, Main Toolbox (left side of the screen), Status Bar, Scroll Bars and the Perspective View (your drawing). The DesignCAD 3D screen has the same features as above with the additional: Top View, Front View, Side View, and the Perspective View of your drawing all on the same screen. A brief overview of the functions of the Toolboxes and Menus: Colour Toolbox: Change or applies color to current drawing or items you select. Command BAR: Drop down menu selection for all of DesignCAD commands. Coordinate Bar: Displays cursor location in 3D space displays distance from last point set as DX, DY, and DZ. Also displays the layer windows and status. Custom Toolbox: Quick access to frequently used commands, macros, and user can modify contents. Main Toolbox: contain icons for the most frequently used drawing commands. Material Toolbox: controls surface texture and color of items in your drawing. Scrolls Bars: pan left, right, up, down. Snap Toolbox: set points at specific locations, such as midpoints and intersections. Status Bar: displays quick help on using the current command. Toolbar: contains icons to speed selection of commands Viewing Toolbox: controls the setting of the active view window. It would almost impossible to cover all the functions of DesignCAD without writing a book. DesignCAD is an extremely versatile and powerful CAD program limited only by the knowledge of the end user. During our testing, I managed to come up with three small but nagging issues: 1. To many floppies, if you purchase the DesignCAD office and have a CD-ROM request the CD version. 2. To use ScanPro, you had to scan your file in Windows, the go to DOS to convert it. 3. Program created a folder in the Start-->Programs list. However, despite my little grips, DesignCAD is a first rate performer and caused no computer lockups during testing. An added feature of DesignCAD is the ability for the user to scan a drawing, such as a house floor plan, convert the file, and then import the converted file in to DesignCAD. Using the converted drawing the user can add, delete, or alter the drawing at will. This was a very convenient when I scanned a house plan we liked into DesignCAD, and then could modify the design, move walls, add features quickly and easily. This allowed us to show the company we intended to purchase the house from, the exact changes we required made to their basic design. I was very impressed with DesignCAD Office version 8.0, then DesignCAD 97 arrived. DesignCAD 97 Windows 95 / NT (Price $499.95) True to their word, ViaGrafix sent me DesignCAD 97, once it was packaged and ready to ship. The program arrived on 1.44 floppies, as they CD-ROM version was not available, and they wanted me to have the latest DesignCAD 97 ASAP. The very first thing I noticed after installation was the program groups created where not correct--gone was the Windows 3.1 file folder. An added plus to DesignCAD 97 was you could now scan directly into the program, and convert the file without leaving windows. However, when I attempted this command using our hand scanner, I could not scan directly into DesignCAD. I had to save the file as a Bitmap, using the "Load Image" file command, import the file, and convert it. Some of the new features in DesignCAD 97 are: * Four times faster. * Anti-Aliasing * Animation with AVI support. * Enhanced Visual Basic and C++ support. * Screen customization * Draw in shaded mode, real time * Scanner support and bitmap to vector conversation * E-mail support * Improved user interface and expanded help * Plus hundreds of other enhancements However, I ran into another problem after the graphic was converted. The DesignCAD manual stated "Once you are satisfied with the result, select the bitmap and delete it." Yet, every-time I selected the image, and press delete I was left with a blank screen. After several attempts at this, I finally called ViaGrafix's support, and they clarified the problem for me in their usual fast and efficient manner. I had been selecting the drawing by first drawing a frame around the house plan, then pressing the delete key. All that was needed was for me to click anywhere on the drawing (which selects the drawing) and when the entire drawing lines changed color, press the delete key and Surprise, there was my new vector image. During my call to ViaGrafix's tech support, I found out that they had added a few more functions since I received DesignCAD 97. ViaGrafix kindly supplied me the updated program on CD-ROM. I then installed this new version to our 486 and Pentium machines and it took less then eight minutes per computer--much faster then loading the program from disks. Some thoughts and suggestions on computer hardware and DesignCAD: In August we purchased a new Pentium 133MHz, 32 MB of RAM, ATI 3D Xpression pctv video card with 4 MB of ram, 24X CD-ROM drive, 17" ViewSonsic monitor 1024X768 resolution, and running Windows NT 4.0.as the operating system. Installation time to install the entire DesignCAD 97 from the CD-ROM was under 5 minutes. During the period of testing DesignCAD, I added another 16 MB of ram to the 486 for a total of 32 MB. The increased RAM helped to speed DesignCAD on the 486, and the program did perform as expected, but a large drawing taxed the system. The screen refresh was far faster on the Pentium 100, as one would expect. The fastest refresh was of course the new Pentium 133 computer and the 17" monitor presented was the best overall view of any drawing. DesignCAD was tested for this review on three different computer, and three different monitors (14", 15", and 17") and two different operating systems (Windows 95 and NT 4.0). DesignCAD was a real trouper and performed equally well with all systems tested. However, if you were thinking about purchasing ViaGrafix's DesignCAD 97, I highly recommend a minimum of a Pentium 100, 15" or 17" monitor and 32 MB of RAM. As for the problems I had with the hand scanner, I finally replaced it with a flat bed scanner and now can scan directly into DesignCAD with out any problems. I would like to thank Tam Kolker, Rick Spaulding, and the technical support staff of ViaGrafix for their prompt answers to my questions. The fine folks at ViaGrafix make world class CAD program, and they back it up with some of the best support the computer industry has to offer. If you are looking for CAD programs for your business, University, or College course, or just want to learn something new, then DesignCAD 97 is worth looking into. ViaGrafix http://www.ViaGrafix.com ************************************** Learn Electronics In Your Spare Time!* ********************************************************************* Cleveland Institute of Electronics is the World Leader in Electronics Education and we want to send you a FREE Electronics Symbols Handbook and Course Catalog. Request our Free Handbook Now! Click Here: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/cleveland.htm ********************************************************************* 7=> Product: Computer Training Products, training Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com MSRP: $49.95 US. Before reviewing DesignCAD, I was aware that ViaGrafix produced training software for the PC and Macintosh markets. During my review of DesignCAD, Viagrafix was kind enough to send me additional training Videos for DesignCAD in VHS format and one of the CD-ROM Interactive Training Series "learning Word 97." The list of software training available from ViaGrafix is extraordinary; in addition, the products are available for both the PC and the MAC. As stated ViaGrafix's web site: ...There are over 450 training titles available, so the list is lengthy. To make it easier to find a specific topic look under...Windows, Suites, Programming, CAD, Database, On-line, Internet, Communications, Word Processing, NetWare, Accounting, Miscellaneous, Desktop Publishing, Presentation Graphics, Spreadsheet. A new feature added to ViaGrafix's software training is that anyone can now take training on-line: "We are pleased to offer a complete set of on-line, interactive multimedia training courses that can be delivered directly to your desktop. Get the training you need, when you need it, anytime and anywhere on the latest Microsoft, Lotus, Adobe, and Symantec software applications. This revolutionary training is delivered in real time over a 28.8 modem without download delay. Enroll in a single course or multiple courses, subscribe for a week, a month or six months." Personally, I found little difference in the quality of the VHS or CD-ROM products as both contain the same training information on the topic-i.e. DesignCAD. However, the popularity of CD-ROM's in to-days computer environment, the end user may find this format more convenient to use than VHS tape. Requirements for the Computer Training Products: * VHS Training Tape: A color television, and a VHS player. * CD-ROM Interactive Series: Windows 95, sound card, CD-ROM, and a 256-colour display. * At least 1 MB of free space on your hard drive. Installation is easy as the program auto-starts, and the user just has to follow the on screen prompts. Viagrafix estimates the average time for a user to complete a CD is 4-6 hours. However, speed is not the issue when using this type of training as compared to learning in a classroom setting. When using the VHS or CD-ROM training the end user can study at his / her own pace, and repeat a section as many times as required all in the privacy of their own home or office. In addition, the training cost is lower per product, per person. No parking fees, night classes, one can spend as much time as they want on each subject. Installation of the CD-ROM Interactive Version was easy, I just inserted the CD-ROM, and the auto-play feature started the install menu. Then it was simply a matter of following the on screen instructions to complete the installation. Once I had the "Learning Word 97" CD-ROM tutorial installed, the main screen appeared, and in the center a window with a menu tile "WORD 97 Introduction. In this window, the user has six choices plus a comprehensive test: * Chapter 1 - Exploring Word 97 * Chapter 2 - Working with Text * Chapter 3 - Changing Text * Chapter 4 - Adjusting the Document * Chapter 5 - Editing Tools at Work * Chapter 6 - Managing Files & Printing * Comprehensive Test In addition each of the chapters are further broken down into five or more section and at the end of each chapter, a "skill builder quiz." The covers in great detail the many aspects of using Word 97, from the usage of toolbars, changing of fonts, cutting, copying, moving text, etc. Whether for business or personal use, the VHS, CD-ROM Interactive training is a low cost means to upgrade current computer, and software skills. Contact ViaGrafix for a catalog or visit their web site. ViaGrafix http://www.viagrafix.com ************************ Rebates for Eating Out!* ******************************************************************** Dining A la Card - - Join Now For 60 Days Free And Start Earning 20% Cash Back Right Away! It doesn't cost you a penny to try Dining à la Card now. And the cash rebates are yours to keep without any obligation! Join Now for 60 DAYS FREE and earn 20% Cash Back when you visit any of our participating establishments nationwide! Click Here: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/dining.htm ******************************************************************** 8=> Product: Video Highway Extreme '98, hardware Reviewed By: Doug Reed, mailto:dr2web@sprynet.com Requirements: Pentium-90, Windows 95, mouse, 16 MB RAM, 4 MB free hard drive space, VGA card that supports DirectDraw, sound card, CDROM, free PCI slot Reviewed on: Pentium-166, 48 MB RAM, Intense 3D Voodoo graphics card MSRP: $49.99 It seems inevitable that television and the Internet will collide and merge into one conglomerate cable/network connection supplying our homes with all of our communication as well as informational and entertainment needs. Bill Gates already owns WebTV and Comcast, can you see the handwriting on the wall? One step in that direction is the Video Highway Extreme '98 card. This PCI card for your computer is designed (primarily) to let you watch television on your computer. In addition to the direct cable/antenna hookup on the card, the box includes software for Wavetop and Intel's Intercast. Intercast interprets information included along with the signal from a cable TV channel that can be displayed on your computer. For example, while watching the sports roundup on CNN you can pull down additional information about a particular game or player. Wavetop is a very interesting piece of software. Essentially how it works is that it receives a portion of the signal broadcast by PBS (by antenna). Wavetop does have some serious flaws however - you must leave your computer on all the time and power management modes must be disabled (NOT a good idea). Installation was a snap; I just plugged in the card and turned the computer back on. In order to get sound you must connect the card via a cable to either your sound card or to your speakers (the cable is included). Windows 95 recognized the new hardware and prompted me to install the drivers, which it promptly did. Strangely, the software that runs the TV and other features must be installed manually and is not part of the driver install. The only software you have to install is that specifically for the card, which includes the TV & video player and the radio. Yes, you can play your favorite radio station by just connecting an antenna and tuning the "radio" in your computer to the right station. The TV/video player looks just like a remote control, so it is fairly easy to figure out (assuming you've ever used a remote). The screen size can be easily resized to fit in a corner while you are working. Now I can watch football while I work! The niftiest portion of the software to me, however, was the capture mode. Using Capture mode, you can record TV or video input, including from VCRs and camcorders. In no time at all, I was happily recording footage of my daughter and our new puppy from our camcorder. A word of warning: the capture mode is very open to being customized, which is a very good thing. With max detail, audio recording, and a high frame capture, 20 seconds worth of recording created a 38.5 MB AVI file. Yes, that is 38.5 megabytes. Luckily, by tweaking the options you can drastically reduce the file size without seriously compromising quality. One of the software packages included is M@X, an e-mail compression program that compresses video files for emailing (either with M@X or with your own e-mail program). The recipient must have a copy of the M@X player in order to play the file, but the player is a free download. The 38.5 MB file compressed into a mere 587 Kb file when I compressed it with M@X - and that is a size that is easily sent out over the Internet. This worked extremely well and I was very impressed with how easily I was able to accomplish it and the results that I obtained. I am very impressed with Video Highway Extreme '98. While I did not go into it, there is tons of additional software included for use with this card. In every way it was easy to set up and use, and it performed very well in all aspects. In addition, the price of the card seems quite reasonable. Thumbs up from me! AIMS Lab, Inc. http://www.aimslab.com ************************************** Year 2000 (Y2K) Business Opportunity!* ******************************************************************** The Year 2000 Computer Problem (Y2K) is serious. Many Computer systems will not be able to recognize the year 2000 because of the simple programming shortcut taken 40 years ago. You need to arm yourself with facts and start making contingency plans NOW. You need CASH and INFORMATION to protect yourself and your family. Real Problems will start to surface in July 1999-too little, too late! Click Here: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/y2k.htm ******************************************************************** 9=> Product: Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition by Jeff Bankston Co-authors Rob Thayer, Robert Ellis, and Marshall Copeland, book Reviewed By: Don Hughes, mailto:dmha@on.aibn.com Price $49.99 USA / $69.99 CAN The Coriolis Group book, Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition is complete "how to guide" containing eighteen chapters and five hundred and thirty-four pages and a bonus CD-ROM. The chapter topics cover such things as: Overview of Web Technologies, Developing your Web Server Game Plan, Web Service From A Business Perspective, Practical Hardware Solutions, Install NT Server, NT Server 4.0 Administration, Internet Information Server, Implementing Microsoft Proxy Server, Introducing Microsoft Server and Active Server Pages, Serving Up Active Server Pages, Enhancing your Web Site with Microsoft NetShow And Crystal Reports, Working With ActiveX Technology, The Power of Scripting, Form of the Web, Oracle WebServer, Netscape's FastTrack Server, WebServer Administration, Web And NT Server, When It All Goes to Pot, and Appendixes A & B. The CD-ROM has the following software evaluations: Adobe Acrobat, Eudora and Pegasus E-mail packages, all the source code example projects in the book, CoffeCup HTML editor with built-in Java and animated GIFs, CuteFTP and WS_FTP file transfer clients, DNS server software. The author intended this book to be a "structured planning guide to help you reach the Web, making your business know to the world...with this book in hand you won't be working in the dark." The book is divided into five key parts covering web sever management and installation. The five key areas addressed are: Part 1-Discusses the finer details of building a physical server. Part 2-Shows you how to install NT from scratch and perform the basic configuration. Part 3-Explores Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and Visual Basic. Part-4-Takes a look at new Web servers not included in the first edition of the book. Part-5-Goes into some depth of disaster recovery. Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition is a joy to read and the humorous writing style of Jeff Bankston helps to make a bland subject easier to swallow. Throughout he plants little seeds of humour that sneak up on the reader: "Security is crucial to the proper growth and livelihood of your new toy. Give the wrong access and your best customers' most vital business plans could end up in the wrongs hands. It's a lot like jumping off into a pit of punji sticks. You know it's going to hurt, and you shouldn't do it, so be careful, and don't do it." The book has many diagrams and screen shots placed throughout as visual aids for the reader. The authors also drives points home by using indented text which highlights an extra "warning" or a "tip" saving you time and money. I found the Coriolis Groups' Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition, by Jeff Bankston, a joy, easy to read, and jam-packed with helpful information. The author takes a no-nonsense approach to his subject matter and produced an effective guide for anyone interested in web servers. Moreover, I especially enjoyed his little humorous pundits to make his point, and give the reader a bit of a break. However, I need to point out that this book is very well written, and a highly informative guide, intended to make the selection and installation of NT 4 Web serves a more manageable task. If you want to get your business on the internet, or currently a webmaster, or simply someone seeking more information on NT 4 Web Servers, than check out Building NT 4 Web Servers 2nd Edition, by Jeff Bankston. Publisher: Coriolis Group Books http://www.coriolis.com *************************** Money Magazine Free Offer!* ******************************************************************** Worried about the markets? Concerned about your retirement? Why not listen to the experts? Why not secure professional advice for free? FREE TRIAL ISSUE of Money Magazine! Your personal guide to a great future of Financial Success! This offer good only in U.S. and Canada. Click Here: http://www.get-it-for-free.com/compunotes/money.htm ******************************************************************** +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= 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.compunotes.com/pub/archive 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