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magazines/TNA/index.gemini
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# TNA
Technical News Association (1993)
## FILES
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna000.txt [ 2530] Technical News Association Writer's Guide and Distribution Sites
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna001.txt [ 8698] Technical News Association #1: The 486 Chips and How They Stack Up by Skyewalker
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna002.txt [ 3385] Technical News Association #2: 486 Upgrades by Oreo
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna003.txt [ 14219] Technical News Association #3: The Gravis Ultrasound by Mr. Wizzard
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna004.txt [ 5297] Technical News Association #4: MS DOS 6.0 by Oreo
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna005.txt [ 10300] Technical News Association #5: The $100,000 Diskette by Skyewalker and Mike Geraghty
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna006.txt [ 2691] Technical News Association #6: Looking For Writers
=> gemini://informis.land/textfiles/magazines/TNA/tna0113.grv [ 11743] Gravis UltraSound Application List 01/13/93 by Mr. Wizzard
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| Technical News Association |
| |
| Writer's Guide |
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------
This group was founded by Skyewalker, and myself for the benefit
of the average computer user. Its purpose is to help things that may seem
complex become simple to understand. However, since the amount of computer
terms and other aspects of it would take volumes to fill, we will not be
writing this alone. This is where you, your friend, or anyone with some
knowledge about certain aspects of the computer world come in.
If you think others would be benefitted from learning some of your
knowledge, then write up an article on it in ASCII format, and send it to
the Sysop of either The Wall BBS (908)294-8830 or Skyline BBS (908)363-3832.
We will take care of distribution and everything related to it. We will
also accept submissions, that are copies of articles from computer magazines,
ONLY IF you give 100% credit TO that publication.
Some examples are articles on how a cache works, or what a UART is, or
something on the Pentium Chip. It doesn't matter what the subject is as long
as it pertains to the computer world, and is rather well written.
Thank you.
-Mr. Wizzard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical News Association Distribution Sites
The Wall BBS (908)294-8830
Skyline BBS (908)363-3832
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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #1 |
| |
| The 486 Chips and How The Stack Up |
| |
| Skyewalker |
------------------------------------------------------------------
Just take one look in any of the latest issues of good
computer magazines, and they all say the same thing, "The 386
is dead" For the most part they are right, seeing as you can
buy 486 computer systems for under $1000 now, it hardly seems
practical to go for a 386 system anymore. Looking through the
same computer magazines, you will also see many different
types of chips, that all have the same three digits, 486.
This article will make an attempt to make some sense out of
the many different types of 486 chips, it in no means is
meant to be a technical reference.
The first thing to notice about the new line of chips is
what comes after the numbers 486! Such letters as SX, DX,
DX2, SLC, and DLC to name a few. The list below show many of
the popular chips in the 486 line.
Intel Cyrix IBM
486SX-16 486SLC-20 486SLC2-20
486SX-20 486SLC-25
486SX-25 486DLC-25
486SX-33 486DLC-33
486DX-33 486DLC-40
486DX-50
486DX2-50
486DX2-66
Overdrive
As you can see, there are many chips to choose from, and
the above list is not complete. Each has it's own different
features, the following is a description of each type of chip
in the 486 line in order of speed and company.
Intel
486SX - This is the bottom of the line, of Intel chips,
coming in 16, 20, 25, and 33 mhz version's, it caused quite a
bit of confusion among people when first released. The term
SX has changed a lot since it's inception in the 386 line,
while the 386SX had a 32bit architecture, it had a 16bit bus,
thus making it cheaper for low end computer models. This is
not so in the 486SX, it has a full 32bit architecture, and an
optimized instruction set, complete with 8k of internal
cache. What makes it different from the DX is that it's math
co-processor has either been permanently disabled, or is
simply not present at all.
486DX - This chip is what's known as a "full" 486 chip, it
has a full 32bit architecture, 8k of internal cache, and a
math co-processor built in, making faster overall than the SX
model. This chip now comes in 33, and 50 mhz versions.
486DX2 - This type of chip has a lot of misconceptions
surrounding it. The DX2 uses a phrase called "clock doubler
technology" which, as it states, doubles the internal clock
speed, the chip runs just like a 486DX-33 (486DX-66 mhz
version) except for it's internal 66mhz processing, but of
course is faster overall than a 486DX-33 because of it's raw
calculation speed, and boosting such things as DOS video
operations, the chip is available in 50 and 66 mhz versions.
Overdrive - This is a chip in the 486 line that has seen much
attention, and quite a lot of adds on the television. This is
Intel's answer to the never-ending need to upgrade your
computer. Take a look on all but the first ever 486
motherboards, and you'll notice an empty socket. This socket
is sometimes known as a "vacancy" socket. It's meant to
accept an Intel Overdrive. What an Overdrive does is plugs
into a 486SX Motherboard, and turns a 486SX-25 into a 486DX2-
50 (slightly slower than a DX2-50) and is now also available
for 486DX's to turn a 486DX-25 into a 486DX2-50, and a 486DX-
33 into a 486DX2-66. It uses "clock doubler technology" (as
explained above) and fits into a 487SX co-processor socket.
Cyrix
486SLC - This chip still has many people wondering if it
should be called a 486, or just a faster 386. In essence it
is simply a pin compatible replacement for a 386SX. And like
the 386SX it has only a 16bit bus, while keeping the internal
32bit architecture. The chip also has only 1k of internal
cache, and no math co-processor. The lack of an internal math
co-processor is in fact rumored to be a way of getting
around any patents by Intel on the 486 line. Instead Cyrix
bundles a Cx87DLC math co-processor with many of it's SLC's,
which improves performance. The SLC comes in 20 and 25 mhz
versions.
486DLC - This chip is made to compete with the Intel 486DX
line of chips. It still comes with only 1k of internal cache,
but like all DX's has a full 32bit architecture, that is
capable of addressing up to 4 gigabytes of RAM. The 1k of
internal cache may seem to be not enough, but as Cyrix points
out, most 486 motherboards come with at least 64k of onboard
cache, making the need for on chip cache neglagable. This
chip comes in 25, 33 and 40 mhz versions.
IBM
486SLC2 - This chip is meant for the portable computer
market. It handles most things an Intel 486SX-25 would do.
The IBM SLC2 has the largest internal cache of any chip in
the 486 line so far, at 16k. The lack of an internal math co-
processor and only a 16bit bus (like a 386SX) makes it cheap,
and small, thus perfect for notebook type computers. The chip
also has "clock doubler technology" running internally at
40 mhz, while running at 20 mhz externally.
The above list was an example of most chips in the 486
line. But because new chips are coming out all the time, many
more will probably be available as you are reading this.
What To Buy
Now that you've seen the mess of chips available, it may
be slightly confusing as to which chip would suit your needs,
the following list may help you out in your decision.
Type Of Computing You Do Chip Recommended
General Purpose DOS Based 486DLC-25
486SX-25
486SLC
DOS Based Graphics Or 486DLC-25
Spreadsheet Work 486DLC-33
486DX2-50
Windows Environment For 486DLC-33
Generic Applications 486DLC-40
486DX-33
Windows Environment For 486DLC-40
Desktop Publishing 486DX-33
486DX2-66
Windows Environment For Intense 486DX-50
Graphics, or CAD/CAM 486DX2-66
OS/2 Or Unix In A Stand Alone 486DLC-40
Configuration (High End) 486DX-33
486DX2-66
OS/2 Or Unix Very High End Applications 486DX-50
486DX2-66
The 486 chip you choose will defiantly depend on the
types of applications you choose to work with, and what you
want to get out of your computer. I hope this file has helped
in some way for you to make a buying decision, or just
understand more about all the different 486's out there.
The information presented in this text file was meant to
give a basic overview on the new 486 line of CPU's from
different companies. It was in no way intended to have any
"special" inside information, or technical talk, just a
strait forward explanation of CPU's. And none of the
information within can be guaranteed accurate at all.
Skyewalker
Skyline BBS
908-363-3832
Credits:
Computer Shopper Dec 1992
The Internet - hardware.pc (Eric S. Raymond)

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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #2 |
| |
| 486 Upgrades |
| |
| Author: Christopher Barr |
| Typed By: Oreo |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ultimate Upgrade
That Baby-Blue ZIF socket you may have seen sprouting like
mushrooms on 486-based systems boards lately is Intel's latest effort
at standardizing the upgrade market. But whether you can upgrade your
system to a Pentium-like CPU may depend up on which blue socket you
get.
Intel, which pioneered the why-sell-one-CPU-to-a-customer-
when-you-can-sell-two? strategy, developed a kitchen-sink socket that
system makers can install on system boards. This 238-pin baby-blue
socket will accept DX2 and OverDrive chips (which are the same
internally), as well as a derivative 32-bit bus version of the Pentium
(code named P24T), which won't be available until early 1994. A full
64-bit bus Pentium system requires a system board overhaul.
Intel will actually promote two different blue upgrade
sockets. A 169-pin version is designed for 486SX-and DX-based systems
and can't accept the P24T, while the 238-pin version is for DX2
systems and can take the P24T, but system manufactures don't always
follow this rule. Zeos International, for example, is shipping the
238-pin socket in its entire line of desktop systems, from the 486SX-
25 to the 486DX2-66, and is staying away entirely from the 169-pin
version.
As long as system makers design the memory subsystems to
support the Pentium, there's no reason why most systems would not be
able to use the 238-pin socket. While we commend Intel for making
upgrading easier, why couldn't the company simply color-code the
sockets for us? Make the blue socket for the OverDrive, and the
purple socket for Pentium. Is that too difficult?
Copied from:
Christopher Barr's article in the January 26, 1993 Edition of
"PcMagazine" .
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical News Association Distribution Sites
The Wall BBS (908)294-8830
Skyline BBS (908)363-3832
---------------------------------------------------------------------

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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #3 |
| |
| The Gravis Ultrasound |
| By: Mr. Wizzard |
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------
Well this is the first text file in this newsletter. I was
thinking about what I could write, and then I got a Gravis Ultrasound
card. So I decided, what's better to write on that. So here it
goes.
Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Gravis Ultrasound (GUS) is a sound card. For a long time,
there has been a quest to reproduce music well, on the IBM PC. It
started with cards like the Adlib. More advanced cards, that could
also play back true, pre-recorded music, like the Sound Blaster then
appeared. Other cards, like the Roland MT-32, became popular, and
were much better than the Sound Blaster and Adlib, but also much more
expensive. And so it had been until recently, when Gravis released
its Ultra Sound card. It's sound quality surpasses that of the Sound
Blaster, and Adlib, (Even Sound Blaster Pro, and Adlib Gold), and is
nearly equivalent to that of a Roland MT-32. The difference being it
is much cheaper. It lists at $199 (United States), and one can be
bought at any old computer store for around $150.
Features
~~~~~~~~
I figured I'd start the analysis of this card, by listing the
features of the card as they are put on the back of the box, and the
instructions, and then talking about each of them. This first
section is just a LIST of features.
Ultrasound - CD Quality Sound From Your PC.
-Now you can add unheard of audio realism to your games and
presentations. UltraSound is the most advanced sound technology
available, delivering 16 bit, crystal clear sound to your IBM or
compatible PC. True CD quality, wave table synthesis and stereo
recording make UltraSound the ultimate sound solution.
CD Quality Sound
-UltraSound delivers 16 bit - 44.1 kHz sound with 96 db of
dynamic range for true CD quality sound at an affordable price.
32 Voices
-Supports 32 digital and/or synthesized voices for richer sound
effects and music quality.
Windows Multimedia
-UltraSound supports Windows Multimedia Extensions for added sound
impact in presentations and business programs.
UltraSound includes multi-source mixing capabilities and meets or
exceeds MPC standards.
Wave Table Synthesis
-Step beyond the limitations of FM synthesis. Wave table synthesis
is based on real sounds - it provides more realistic sound
reproduction and an infinite range of musical instruments.
Compatibility Plus
-"Compatibility" is your assurance that UltraSound will work
with existing games that support AdLib or Sound Blaster.
"Plus" means UltraSound will provide better quality sound from sound
files and games designed for other sound boards.
Recording/Sampling
-UltraSound features 8 bit digital rates from 2 to 44.1 kHz in either
mono or stereo. Separate circuits allow for simultaneous recording
and playback.
Standard MIDI Interface
-Industry standard MIDI interface (UART 6850) supports MIDI
In, Out and Thru with an optional low cost cable adapter.
Compatible with most MIDI programs.
Joystick Port
-Many of today's most popular games require a speed compensating game
port when used on fast PC's. UltraSound's built-in speed
compensating game port supports PC's up to a 50 Mhz 486 and beyond.
Connect a second joystick with an optional "Y" cable.
Amplified Output
-Built-in 2 watt amplifier supports desktop dpeakers and headphones.
Easy Installation
-Installation software eliminates the confusion of jumpers and
technical jargon. UltraSound provides full 16 bit bus
support and can be installed in either an 8 or 16 bit expansion
slot.
256k Onboard Memory
-Upgradeable to 1 megabyte with standard DIP memory chips.
Optional Add-on Boards
- 16 bit Stereo Recording*
- CD ROM Interface*
* Available Soon
System Requirements
-IBM PC or compatible XT, AT, 286, 386, or 486
-DOS 3.0 or greater
-286 or greater recommended
-Hard disk recommended
*Requirements for bonus software may vary.
Software Included
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This should be pretty straight forward. All the software takes
up about 6 megs when installed. This is all taken from the box
still.
Ultrasound Studio 8(TM)
-A desktop recording studio for playing, recording, mixing and
customizing digital sound files.
Windows (R) Driver
-For use with Microsoft(R) Windows 3.1.
Audio/Playdigi/Playfile
-Three programs for playing and recording digital audio.
Ultrafli
-A program for sychronizing digitized sound with .fli format
animations.
Playmidi
-A program for playing MIDI files.
Also Includes
-Sample Demo Music
-Sequences & Sounds
Feature Comparison
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again this is taken from the back of the box. Information on
the UltraSound, Sound Blaster, and Sound Blaster Pro has been
confirmed by myself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| Synthesized Voices | GUS | ADL | SB | ADLG | SBP |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Synthesized Voices | 32 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 22 |
|------------------------------|-----Ä|------|------|------|------|
| FM / Wave Table Synthesis | Wave | FM | FM | FM | FM |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| CD Quality Sound | Yes | No | No | No | No |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Digital Audio Voices | 32 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Stereo Digital Voices | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Stereo Synthesis | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| On-Card Memory | 256k | None | None | None | None |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Game Port (Sp = Speed Adj.) |Yes/Sp| No | Yes | ???? | Yes |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| MIDI Interface | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Stereo Sample Rate (kHz) |2-44.1| None | Mono |1-44.1| 4-22 |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| MPC & Windows 3.1 Compatible | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| Recording Resolution (Bits) | 8/16*| N/A | 8 | 12 | 8 |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| CD Rom Interface | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
|------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|
| On-Board Mixer | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical Analysis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CD Quality Sound
-Hey it's a great card, I love it, but CD's aren't in any danger from
your IBM PC.
32 Voices
-Yes it seems to have 32 voices. No real way to check this I don't
think.
Windows Multimedia
-Yes it is Windows Multimedia compatible. Was it easy to setup? No,
but I'll talk about that more under the installation section.
Wave Table Synthesis
-This provides wonderful sound quality compared to FM Synthesis, even
on some games and applications designed for the Sound Blaster and/or
Adlib.
Compatibility Plus
-It is definately SB and Adlib Compatible, and the sound quality is
better on applications designed for them, especially drum sounds.
However, it's not like that with just the hardware, you need a
special driver provided with the UltraSound (Look under the SBOS
section for more details)
Recording/Sampling
-This works ok, but the included software (USS8) needs some work.
There is somehow an addition of hiss when using that program in
stereo mode, but PLAYFILE's record feature works flawlessly. I have
played Digitally Sampled music and it works spectacularly. This
includes .VOC, .WAV and Gravis's .SND format.
Standard MIDI Interface
-I can't really tell you much about this until they release the cable
to go with it. I assume it'll work fine. You can also use the MIDI
adapter for a Sound Blaster with it they say.
Joystick Port
-I use this port now. It functions very well on my 486-40. So it
should work on just about anything. Even improved one game I play.
Amplified Output
-While it supposedly has less of an amp then the Sound Blaster or the
SB Pro, I find it to be much louder than my SB and SBPro.
256k Onboard Memory
-Used for playing MIDI files. It's upgradeable to 1 meg using 256x4
DRAM chips. You need 6 more to go to 1 meg. Some people have
problems using the UltraSound with MIDI files that are complex with
only 256k, but I've had no problem. It is also noted that there are
no MIDI files on Gravis's BBS yet.
System Requirements
-Definately need a 286 and a Hard Drive. You must have 5.3 megs
available to install all of the software.
Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think this needs its own topic heading like this. While
Gravis promises easy installation, it is anything but that in
actuality. Granted all it was comprised of was using many different
DMA and IRQ settings, it was still a rather annoying process to go
through. All setup (except for port address) is through software
fortunately. I settled on Port #220, DMA #1, Ultrasound IRQ #5, Midi
IRQ #11. The IRQ's and port address are default, the DMA isn't. An
added problem is that Gravis's setup program constantly hung up on
me. I have since called Gravis's BBS (xxx)xxx-xxx and downloaded a
new version that is supposed to not hang. It can also be obtained on
either The Wall BBS or Skyline BBS (See #'s at the bottom of this
file).
Well Windows was also semi-difficult to set it up with too. I
THOUGHT I had tried my above settings above without good results in
Windows, but I suppose I was wrong. The drivers themselves are easy
to install (Like all Windows drivers). Make sure you get rid of any
Sound Blaster drivers if you are upgrading from one.
In AUTOEXEC.BAT the following lines are the only ones that were
added/changed. Gravis's Setup program will do it for you however.
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T1
{Author Comment: A = Address I = IRQ D = DMA and T = Type?}
SET ULTRASND=220,1,1,11,5
{Author Comment: Address, DMA, DMA, IRQ of Card, IRQ of MIDI}
E:\ULTRASND\ULTRINIT
SET ULTRADIR=E:\ULTRASND
E:\ULTRASND is the directory I have my Ultra Sound files in. Yours
would be different accordingly.
SBOS (Sound Board Operating System)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a program included with the UltraSound, responsible for
making it Sound Blaster compatible. I was disappointed that it must
be done through software, but I'll live due to the quality of the
board, and planned future support. The version with the UltraSound
is 1.20. It worked just fine for me on all things I tried it with.
However, others were having problems with it (As with all software),
so new versions have been released (and more are promised). I
have also tried version 1.22 Beta. It works the same for me, but
others have said it works with some games and such that 1.20 did not
work with. I now have version 1.2 Beta (as it is called). It
included new instruments and other various info. The latest version
of SBOS may be obtained from either the Wall BBS (908)294-8830 or
Advanced Gravis's BBS (604)431-5927 anytime. The only minor flaw I
have observed is that the digital sound effects (voices, etc) tend to
be of a lower volume than the music. Others have also experienced
this problem and Advanced Gravis knows of it. I suppose they will
fix it in the future.
Future Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many companies (I won't bore you with a list) have pledged
support for the UltraSound. Some (Like Electronic Arts) intend to
release patches that will make their old games support the UltraSound
in native mode. Sierra is currently the only major company that I
know of that has not planned support for the card in the near future.
Acknowledgments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-I would like to thank Advanced Gravis since most of this information
comes either from the back of their box or from the docs.
-I would also like to thank those people on Prodigy that are
contributing to the wealth of information just being explored.
Mr. Wizzard
-------------------------------------------------------------
Technical News Association Distribution Sites
The Wall BBS (908)294-8830
Skyline BBS (908)363-3832
-------------------------------------------------------------

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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #5 |
| |
| MS DOS 6.0 |
| |
| Typed by Oreo |
| From PC Magazine |
------------------------------------------------------------------
"DOS 6"
Imagine a software package that doubles the size of your hard disk, gives your applications lots more RAM, and protects your data with a handful of basic utilities for less than $100. Sounds too good to be true? Microsoft is betting it sounds good enough to buy. It hopes the combination of built-in-compression and memory optimization will make MS-DOS 6 every bit as popular as MS-DOS 5 has become.
In PC software history, the success of DOS 5 is second only to Windows 3.1. But Microsoft hasn't always been so adept at getting its operating system customers to upgrade, and not every DOS upgrade has fared so well in the marketplace. MS-DOS 4.01 flopped when it debuted in Novermber of 1988. Microsoft blamed IBM's buggy 4.0 release for the weak reception, but when it came right down to it, users just didn't find DOS 4's new features--a shell interface, expanded-memory device drivers, and support for large hard disk partitions--enticing enough to bother upgrading. The experience taught Microsoft some valuable lessons about what it takes to make an upgrade succeed: compelling features, exhaustive testing, and retail availability are the keys, the company conclude.
By its June 1991 introduction, MS-DOS 5 had been tested by 7,500 users, more than any other software package to date. With it, Microsoft made a version of DOS available through the retail channel for the fisrt time. And most importantly, MS-DOS 5 included memory management that was so much better than earlier flavors of DOS that users felt they had to have it.
Now Microsoft is using the same strategy with MS-DOS 6. The company has already launched an extensive beta test program: Starting in August 1992 with just 2,000 users, the number will grow to 10,000 by the product's release later this winter. And the upgrade will be available as a retail package for under $100.
Compression may be the most compelling new feature in MS-DOS 6. The growing populartiy of products such as PKZip/PKUnzip,Stacker,and SuperStor indicates that users are increasingly less worried about losing data through compression. Info-Corp estimates that only one percent of the installed base uses compression today, but it expects that number to grow significantly. Among power users, compression is already well established: In a recent Pc Magnet survey, nearly 70 percent of the 1,139 respondents said they use at least one compression product.
Like the standalone compression products, MS-DOS 6 uses an algorithm based on the Lempel-Ziv technique that gets rid of redundancy by tokenizing recurring data patterns. The MS-DOS 6 algorithm should double the capacity of most hard disks.
"Memory management sold MS-DOS 5," says MS-DOS 6 product manager Richard Freedman,"and users asked us to make it even better." In DOS 6, a full-blown optimizer automatically sets up memory. The optimizer isn't just easier to use, it's also more powerful. Freedman says most users can expect it to free up approximately 150-200K of RAM for applications, compared with roughly 100K with MS-DOS 5. For any user, that's a lot, and for many it will be enough. But power users will still want to buy add-on products to get such as Quarterdeck's Stealth mode, which lets TSRs take advantage of the memory areas usually used by the ROM BIOS.
In case the two big features of the new version don't win you over, Microsoft has hedged its bets by integrating some basic utilites into the package, most of which are subsets of popular programs. DOS 6 includes backup (read backup, this time), virus protection, undelete (enhanced), and file transfer. But utilites developers need not fear: MS-DOS 6 will still leave power users hungry for more advanced features.
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The Wall BBS (908)294-8830
Skyline BBS (908)363-3832
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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #5 |
| |
| The $100,000 Diskette |
| |
| Typed By Skyewalker |
| Written By Mike Geraghty |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You're driving down the Garden State Parkway in the left lane at
70mph when out of the blue a State Police cruiser appears in your
rear view mirror, lights activated and siren wailing. Your flat out
caught but decide you can outrun the Troop car and speed away in an
attempt to flee. While fleeing in your car you purposely ram another
vehicle but loose control of your own car and crash into the guard
rail. You run into the woods in a desperate attempt to get away. The
Trooper follows close behind and eventually tackles you and places
you under arrest.
The Trooper brings you back to his Troop car, and incidental to
the arrest conducts a search of your vehicle. As a result of the
search the Trooper finds one-half ounce of marijuana, one
unregistered pistol loaded with hollow point bullets, stolen credit
cards, and 10 unauthorized copies of MS-DOS 5.0 and the proceeds of
the sale of 10 other copies of DOS.
Given the above set of circumstances, taking into account all the
laws that were broken, which violation do you think is the most
serious? Would you believe the sale and possession of unauthorized
copies of DOS? That's right.
Just recently, Congress passed, and President Bush signed into
law a new set of penalties regarding software piracy and copyright
infringement. Software piracy is now a felony. The penalties include
liability for damages suffered by the copyright owner plus any
profits of the infringer that are attributable to the copying, or
statutory damages of up to $100,000 for each work infringed. The
unauthorized duplication of software is also a federal crime if done
willfully and for purposes of commercial advantage of private
financial gain. Criminal penalties include fines of as much as
$250,000 and jail terms of up to 5 years.
Unfortunately many of us don't realize the seriousness of the
penalties involved in software piracy. Hack, it seems so harmless to
copy a game and pass it onto a friend so that he/she may enjoy the
game just like you. What are friends for? The lax attitude of the
general public to what is now a serious crime is sobering. To many
copying software is done brazenly and without guilt, more so than the
average driver who disregards the speed limit while keeping up with
the flow of traffic. It seems harmless. but none the less, it's
illegal. But a speeding ticket doesn't involve a $100,000 fine.
Software is protected by federal copyright laws at the time of
its creation. These rights are explicitly stated in the Copyright
Act, in Title 17 of the U.S.Code. In essence the Copyright Act gives
the owner of the copyright the exclusive rights to reproduce the
copyrighted work, and to distribute copies of the copyrighted work
(Section 106).
With all copyrighted software that you buy, you are in essence
purchasing a license to use the software. You are not an owner of the
software and therefore your rights are set forth according to the
license agreement contained within the package. These licenses vary
and many are very confusing. A rule of thumb to follow with these
licenses in to understand that you now own the right to copy the
software onto a single computer and to make another copy for archival
purposes only.
We may not all agree on the restrictions of these licenses
however, rather than just disregarding the license agreement and
breaking the law, writing a letter to the owner of the copyright
stating your problem with the license is a more feasible course of
action. Recently, I received an Atlas program that listed just about
every street in the U.S. I travel around the state frequently and
figured it would be a great tool in helping me navigate through
various cities and neighborhoods. I also thought that I could now
print out a great map to my house so that it would be simple to find.
After creating the map and while waiting for the printer to print the
25 copies, I read through the license agreement. In it was a
statement that "prohibited the use of this product for navigation by
land, sea, or air". There went my plans for that product. This is one
example of unreasonable license agreements. For what else would you
use an atlas? I don't agree with the license, but then again my
disagreement doesn't give me the right to disregard it. I returned
the program.
In response to many dissatisfied users, software companies are
beginning to change the restrictions on its licensing policies.
Rather than one copy per computer, some manufacturers allow a user to
copy the program to multiple computers as long as it is not used
simultaneously. Borland has a "No Nonsense" policy that follows along
those lines. I strongly urge you to read through the license
agreements included with your software. They can be very educational
and some might surprise you.
Other actions taken by software manufacturers in response to
licensing confusion is the introduction of site licenses for
businesses. This is where a business purchases a software program
which includes one set of diskettes and manuals but licenses for the
software for more than one computer. In some instances more than one
set of manuals and/or diskettes are included. Network utility
companies offer a variety of utilities to ensure that license
agreements are adhered to across Local Area Networks (LANs). One such
product is Site Lock whereby the network administrator can set the
number of licenses which the company owns so that only that many
users may access the licensed software at any one time. Not only does
an arrangement like this ensure that the company stays within the
law, but it also allows the company to save money by purchasing a set
number of licenses rather than a license for each user with a login
account. This follows the premise that not every user will need to
access a given program at all times.
In addition to the copyright infringement laws dealing with
duplication of software these is also a Software Rental Amendments
Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650). This law prohibits the rental,
leasing, or lending of original copies of any software without the
express permission of the copyright owner.
At one time the CJPCUG considered setting up a CD-ROM rental
committee that would purchase software on CD-ROM and charge members a
monthly rental fee for the use of this software. The intentions
behind the idea were above reproach, unfortunately as we researched
the matter we came across the Software Rental Amendments Act. Our
plans were brought to a screeching halt.
So who loses when software is pirated? I'm sure it doesn't affect
the multimillionaire CEO's. Bill Gates is not going to feel the pinch
of lost profits by one person copying DOS 5.0. Phillippe Kahn is not
filing chapter 11 over an unauthorized copy of Quattro Pro and Jim
Manzi won't be homeless if you share a copy of Ami Pro with a friend.
In the end its folks like you and I who will be hurt. Just like the
dregs who commit insurance fraud which thereby raises the premiums
for honest folks like you and I, those that pirate software will also
affect your pocketbook.
And when the software is pirated who is there to enforce the law?
Do you call the local P.D.? The State Police? How about the FBI or
Secret Service? Unfortunately, all of these law enforcement agencies
are too understaffed and underfunded to deal with all the problems
that abound in society. So the chances that they have a unit to deal
with computer crimes or if they even understand computer crime is
remote. For now the reporting agency is the Software Publishers
Association (SPA) an organization similar to MADD (Mothers Against
Drunk Driving), only they look out for the rights of piracy victims.
With this article I hope that I've made you aware of the
circumstances involving software piracy. I'm sure there are many
questions that I've provoked with this article. If you would like
more information on the above topics of have specific questions be
sure to contact the SPA at:
Software Publishers Association
1730 M. St., NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-452-1600
Fax: 202-223-8756
Piracy Hotline: 1-800-388-7478
And remember, as I pirate their slogan,
DON'T COPY THAT FLOPPY!
I would like to personally thank the CJPCUG (Central Jersey
PC Users Group) for their permision to rewrite this artical for
distribution. They can be reached at
Central Jersey PC Users Group
366 Hudson Drive
Brick, New Jersey 08723
-------------------------------------------------------------
Technical News Association Distribution Sites
The Wall BBS (908)294-8830
Skyline BBS (908)363-3832
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| Technical News Association |
| |
| #6 |
| |
| Looking For Writers |
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Technical News Association was originally developed to inform
the computer user of new and interesting technical developements. If
you haven't seen our first 5 releases, I suggest you do. Anyway, we
have discovered it will be more efficient (and a better format in
general) to publish one edition a month as a monthly magazine
instead.
So starting in April 1993, TNA will go to monthly releases. In
the mean time, we're looking for writers. These writers can either
speciailize in a field of their interest or expertise, or can just
write on anything in general. However, the main qualification is
dependibility. If you say you're going to write an article for us,
and we tell you the deadline, we expect it to be in our possession
by the latest that day.
We are also looking for software reviewers. This can range from
the latest releases to the oldies but goodies.
If you're interested in being a writer please contact me (the
sysop of the Wall BBS (908)294-8830) either on my board or through
GodNet netmail 143:908/294. The same goes even if you do not wish to
be an official writer, but just wish to submit a small article for us
to use. Please consult TNA000.TXT (the writer's guide) for more info
on this. Thank you for your time.
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| Technical News Association |
| |
| Gravis UltraSound Application List 01/13/93 |
| |
| List Compiler: Mr. Wizzard |
| |
------------------------------------------------------------------
In our effort to keep the Gravis UltraSound user informed, this
list is being published of games and utilities that can be used with
the UltraSound in some mode.
Native UltraSound Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chuck Yeager's Air Combat (New Version)
Star Control II
SBOS Sound Blaster Supported
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters - These are parameters added when running SBOS
Version - Lowest version of SBOS that the application will run
under. It is assumed the application will run under
HIGHER versions as well.
4-D Boxing
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Information: Will work with 1.20, but announcer's voice is slow
Aces of the Pacific
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Alone in the Dark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Amazon
~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Armour-Geddon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Ancient Art of War in the Air
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
ATP 2.0
~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
AV8B Harrier Attack
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2
Version: 1.20
Blaster Master
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -x3
Version: 1.20
Brix
~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Information: Strange if used with SBOSDRV.SYS
Catacombs 3D
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Chuck Yeager's Air Combat (Old Version)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Civilization
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Comanche: Maximum Overkill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: Get Update from Novalogic
Or Use: Music = Adlib
Digital = SB
Commander Keen (Part 4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -x2
Version: 1.22
Contraption Zack
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Daughter of Serpents
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Dinosaur Adventure
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Dragon Flight
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Dragon's Lair III
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Dune
~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Dune II
~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Earl Waver Baseball II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: Digitized Sounds come out of Internal Speaker
Elite Plus
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Escape from Alcatraz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o3
Version: 1.20
F-15 Strike Eagle II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o3
Version: 1.20
F-15 Strike Eagle III
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -x2
Version: 1.23
Falcon 3.0
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Fate of Atlantis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Formula One Grand Prix
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: (-o2)
Version: 1.20
Information: Only use -o2 if sound cuts out when used w/o parameters
Front Page Sports Football
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: Voice may echo
Galactix 1.3
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Information: Game will work with version 1.20 with parameter -o3,
but may not be fully compatible
The Games: Summer Challenge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Goblins (Cocktel)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Goblins 2
~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Grand Master Chess
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Hardball 3
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Heart of China
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Hole in One Minature Gold Deluxe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Humans
~~~~~~
Parameters: -o3
Version: 1.20
Inca
~~~~
Parameters: -o2
Version: 1.20
The Incredible Machine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Jill of the Jungle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Information: Strange if used with SBOSDRV.SYS
Joe and Mac: Caveman Ninja
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Ken's Labyrinth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Kiloblaster
~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
King's Quest V
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
King's Quest VI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2 -x3
Version: 1.22
Information: Game will work with version 1.20 and parameter -o3
without speech
Knights of the Sky
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
L.A. Law
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Leather Godesses of Phobos II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o1
Version: 1.20
Legend of Kyrandia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Legend of Robin Hood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Legends of Valour
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Leisure Suit Larry V
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2 -x3
Version: 1.22
Lemmings
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Information: Game will work with 1.20 if Lemmings -x is executed
Links 386 1.05 (Or Later)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o1 -x2
Version: 1.20
Information: Turn off background sounds
Llamatron 2112
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Information: Turn off QEMM
Monkey Island II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Nova 9
~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Overkill
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Patriot
~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
PGA Golf
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2
Version: 1.20
Playroom
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Prince of Persia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o1
Version: 1.20
Putt-Putt Joins the Parade
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Ramparts
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Reader Rabbit I
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Reader Rabbit II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Reading Adventures on OZ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Red Baron
~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Rex Nebular
~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -x3
Version: 1.22
Rome AD 92
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Siege
~~~~~
Parameters: -x3
Version: 1.20
Sierra Christmas Card 1992
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Sim Ant
~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
The Simpsons
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Simusex
~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Spear of Destiny
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2
Version: 1.22
Information: Will also work with version 1.20 and parameter -o2
Starfire
~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: No Voice
Street Fighter II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Strange Deadfellows
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: GF1 interrupt = MIDI interrupt
Stunts
~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Information: Will also work with version 1.20 with a slight slowdown
Task Force: 1942
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Verion: 1.22
Thunder Hawk
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -x3
Version: 1.20
Information: Not 100% reliable
Tristan Pinball
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Ultima Underworld
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Ultima Underworld II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Ultima VII
~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Unreal Demo
~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.23
Information: Will also work with version 1.20 if IRQ is set to 2,
however with inferior sound
V for Victory: Utah Beach
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
V for Victory: Velikiye Luiki
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o1
Version: 1.20
Willy Beamish
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Wing Commander
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: -o2 -x2
Version: 1.22
Information: Will also work with version 1.20 with the same
parameters, however it will be slow
Wing Commander II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.21
Wizadry 7
~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Information: Sometimes Music will play w/o Sound Effects
If Sound Effects are enables, Music may not play
Wolfenstein 3D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
WOW II 1.3 (MOD Player)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Wrath of the Demon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
SBOS Adlib Supported
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters - These are parameters added when running SBOS
Version - Lowest version of SBOS that the application will run
under. It is assumed the application will run under
HIGHER versions as well.
Conan
~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Future Wars
~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Heart Light
~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.22
So You Want to be a Hero?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Star Trek 25th Anniversary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Tegel's Mercenaries
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parameters: None
Version: 1.20
Applications That Just Won't Work!
(If you get any of these to work, contact me at BBS below)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dalek Attack
Dr. Who
Information Obtained From: USENET List
Prodigy Users
Author's Experience
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