NewtNews - 11.14.94 - 0118
==========================
by Steve Holden (sholden@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us)

This is a summary of the information that I come in contact with that
deals with the Newton and related technologies.

NewtNews is Copyright 1994 Steve Holden. See the Administrivia at
end.

Table of Contents
-----------------
 1. email
 2. comp.sys.newton.misc
 3. comp.sys.newton.programmer
 4. Network World, November 7, 1994
 5. InfoWorld, November 7, 1994
 6. PC Week, November 7, 1994
 7. MacWeek, 11.07.94
 8. Edupage 11/8/94
 9. Edupage 11/11/94
10. iNews
11. MUST READS!
12. User Groups
13. Product and Service Information
14. Review: PDA Panache Styli
15. Comments from the Editor
16. Administrivia

email
-----
* NEW UTILITY TOOL FOR THE NEWTON
    Tom Collins (ics@indirect.com) of Innovative Computer Solutions
reports the release of NewtInfo is a system profiler for the Newton
MessagePad.  It can print a detailed report of soups, packages,
add-on prefs and formulas, power-off handlers, idlers, find-enabled
packages, and intelligent assistance packages.  Users can use it to
find out what's taking up so much space on your card, what some hot
new program patches, or why your Newton's suddenly running slower.
Developers can have customers use it when calling in with technical
support questions.

* CHEAP PEN UPGRADE
        Paul L. Cimino (cimino@sde.mdso.vf.ge.com) reports that you can
purchase the Mont Blanc look-a-like for the original Zoomer to use
with your Newton. It is called the Zoomer Deluxe Pen and sells for
$6. This pen is "light and cheap," but the bonus is that the insert
of this pen will fit into a Parker pen.

* INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
    Apple Computer would like to know "What's on your Newton?" We'd
appreciate if those of you that use a number of 3rd party
applications, utilities, etc. could submit a list of what's on your
Newton and provide a short summary of any interesting ways that you
use your Newton. We'd also like you to include your name, address,
business title, company and phone number and indicate whether you're
willing to be quoted in a press interview. Please send your response
via e-mail to (Newtonfb@eworld.com). We'll accumulate the information
and post the most interesting results.

comp.sys.newton.misc
--------------------
* MP120 IN GERMANY
    Dirk Husemann (husemann@informatik.uni-erlangen.de) reports that a
call to German Apple Newton Helpline/Hotline reports ETAs on: the
German MP 120 for the beginning of December and the German NCK 2.0
should be shipping the 3rd week of November.

* NEW NEWTON ALLIANCE
    WriteWare (WriteWare@eWorld.com) and RoadRunner Tracks
(Mellow.S@eWorld.com) are proud to announce the release of the
Stealth Barrier.  You get two RoadRunner Barrier screen protectors
and a matte black Stealth Stylus II from WriteWare for only $25.

comp.sys.newton.programmer
--------------------------
* FREEWARE NEWTONSCRIPT COMPILER
    Matthew Faupel (matthew@cpd.ntc.nokia.com) is still interested in
created a freeware NewtonScript compiler.  Please send him mail if
you would like to help.

Network World, November 7, 1994
-------------------------------
* RAM MAKES MOVES TO HEAD-OFF CDPD
    If you are working on wireless solutions you should know that RAM
Mobile Data is doing some heavy selling to solutions and application
providers.  You can now get an expanded developer kit that includes
software interfaces, modems, and four months of air time. [p. 1, 70]

* PCS AUCTION WILL MAKE THE FCC MAJOR BUCKS
    The applications for PCS licenses are being filed with the FCC.
There are 51 major regions in the United States trying to bid on the
30-MHz PCS licenses.  For example, the number 2 region is Los
Angeles, and the entry fee is $11,487,140. [p. 13]

* MAJOR REVIEW ARTICLES
    From page 43 through 48 there is an excellent review of Wireless
Networking. This article explains all the options, costs, and future
products. From page 49 through 51 there is a look at current PDA
technologies. And finally, on page 53 through 54 there is a look at
the emerging PCS technologies.

InfoWorld, November 7, 1994
---------------------------
* FRONT PAGE ARTICLES
    Curtain ready to rise on PowerBuilder 4.0: But Mac, Unix versions
are delayed; Intel pushes up P6 introduction to early 1995; Dell
targets the enterprise with new server line: Notes, Oracle deals in
the works; Digital will take on portable market with aggressive
design; and Novell readies groupware upgrades.

* HOT POWERPC CHIP
    Cringely ends his weekly column on page 122 with a tidbit on the
PowerPC 602 chip. This chip is aimed at the video game market. It
runs at 66MHz has a 4KM cache, double-precision FPU, MMU, has a 80
mips benchmarket and sells for $30 in major volumes.

PC Week, November 7, 1994
-------------------------
* APPLE TO OPEN NEWTON TO DEVELOPERS
    To answer Newton developer demands for open programming utilities,
Apple will release in 1995 a series of development tool kits --
including a compiler and a Windows-based Newton Development kit. [p.
3]

* ROBISON SAYS APPLE IS IN PDA MARKET FOR THE LONG HAUL
    In an interview with PC Week, Shane Robison, Apple's new VP of the
Personal Interactive Electronics division noted that Newton licensing
is moving forward and that Apple is stressing "product
differentiation" among licensees Panasonic, Sharp, and Motorola.  He
also noted that Apple welcomes more competition in the new PDA
marketplace because it adds credibility to the market. (Mobile
Computing section, p.57)

MacWeek, 11.07.94
-----------------
* FRONT PAGE ARTICLES
    Cyberdog to fetch Internet resources for OpenDoc apps; System 8 may
be late; MovieTalk to cast Mac users in videoconferencing picture:
QuickTime extension ready early next year; ACI US opening Windows to
4D - databases to run cross-platform: Client and server slated for
Q2'95, and Apple card does DOS better.

* NEW WIRELESS OPTIONS FOR NEWTON
    ETE (etc@applelink.apple.com or 619.793.5400) is readying a new
device to allow for wireless communications using the Newton and
the Ardis and RAM Mobile Data's networks.  The prices range from
$800-2000 with options for GPS and land-line modem. The
"Communicator" uses the serial port instead of the PCMCIA slot. [p.
18]

* DOING SCREEN FIXES
    James Staten takes a look at some possible fixes to Newton screen
problems.  If you want to clean the screen you should use a solution
that contains no alcohol or ammonia.  If you have scratches, you can
use some clear plastic polish which can be purchased at most auto
parts stores (brands: Unelkco's Rain-X or Meguiar's No. 10 Clear
Plastic Polish).  To protect yourself from future scratches you
should check out Concept Kitchen's WriteRight Screen Enhancements or
RoadRunner Tracks' The Barrier.  Both of these companies are listed
in Product and Services section of NewtNews. [p. 18]

* NEW LOCALTALK CONNECTIONS
        Farallon Computing (farallon@farallon.com or 510.814.5000) has new
$13 Pocket Connector for LocalTalk. You can also get a $20 PhoneNET
Starter Kit that includes two connectors and a cable to link the
connectors. [p. 18]

* POP/SMTP CLIENT ON THE HORIZON
    LunaMail (ppiminfo@lunatech.com or http://www.lunatech.com) is
working on a Newton client software to allow users to log into an
Internet email account using POP or SMTP.  The software also works
with CompuServe and BBS's running Telefinder. The software is
expected soon. [p. 19]

* MOREINFO GETS UPGRADE
    SilverWare Computer Software (74007.2303@compuserve.com or
508.521.5262) has released a new versions to MoreInfo, a PIM expander.
Version 2.0 allows for improved importing, synchronization, more
editable fields, and improved activity tracking.  Upgrades are $10
and a new copy is priced at $49. [p. 19]

* LEATHER NEWTON CASES
    You can get two kinds of leather PDAs cases, one priced at $139,
the other at $189.  They are being sold by Austin Caseworks, and you
can contact them at 800.285.2247. [p. 19]

* INDEPTH LOOK AT WIRELESS LOCALTALK
    MacWeek looks at Digital Ocean and Photonics wireless solutions.
Both receive 3 out of 5 stars overall. [p. 39, 41]

Edupage 11/8/94
---------------
* AT&T-McCAW DEAL WILL GO FORWARD
    By agreeing to build cellular equipment that can work with products
made by other companies, AT&T resolved an antitrust lawsuit by Nynex
and Bell Atlantic that had been blocking the AT&T acquisition of
McCaw Cellular. Through the acquisition, AT&T gains access to 3.3
million customers and to the local phone market from which it has
been excluded by the Bell System breakup in 1984. (New York Times
11/8/94 C4)

* SELLING COMPUTERS IS LIKE SELLING TOYS
    Stiff competition and manufacturer discounting have made it
necessary for computer retailers to accept profit margins as low as 1
percent, forcing them to take inventory control very seriously
indeed. A CompUSA executive complains: "Computers are fashion goods
that change every three months. Being in the computer business is
like being in the toy business, only Christmas comes four times a
year." (U.S. News & World Report 11/14/94 p.106)

Edupage 11/11/94
----------------
* MICROSOFT AND VISA WANT TO TAKE YOU SHOPPING
    Microsoft and Visa International will jointly develop software
enabling users to shop  electronically using credit cards. The
software is based on data-encryption technology from RSA Data
Security, and will handle the transaction on both ends -- on the
user's PC as well as on the merchant's server. The allies will
publish technical specs, encouraging other companies to develop
compatible products and services. Meanwhile, CommerceNet is also
using RSA technology to develop a similar service on the World Wide
Web, and a host of other small companies are developing non-credit
card payment schemes. "Right behind sex, commerce on the Internet
seems to excite people the most," says RSA's president. (Wall Street
Journal 11/9/94 B9)

* PCS -- PRETTY CHEAP SERVICES
    The new personal communications services will dramatically lower the
cost of wireless telephony, bringing it down to as little as 10 cents
a minute by the year 2000. (Investor's Business Daily 11/9/94 A4)

iNews
-----
    Apple is going to be producing "info-commercials" for their
products.
    Motorola Inc.'s Paging Products Group based in South Florida has
plans to hire more than 300 new employees.
    Apple, IBM, and Motorola have agreed on a new hardware reference
platform for the PowerPC microprocessor that will allow for many OSes
and applications.
    Gaia Software has begun shipping its Personal Media software, an
environment for Apple Newton- compatible personal digital assistants.
Personal Media for the Newton is suppose to provide a more natural
working environment.
    Graffiti software is shipping for the Newton.
    Apple and Gec Plessey Semiconductors (GPS) have agreed to jointly
developed a wireless communications system aimed at a broad range of
applications.
    Simon, Bellsouth Cellular Corp.'s personal communicator, has been
cited by the editors of POPULAR SCIENCE as one of 1994's innovative
products and achievements in sciences and technology in the
magazine's seventh annual "Best of What's New" special awards section
in its current issue.
    For more info about iNews contact INDIVIDUAL, Inc. at
800.414.1000.

MUST READS!
-----------
* _Intelligent Newton Magazine_, September/October 1994. See NewtNews
- 10.31.94 - 0117 for details on this issue. Contact IN Magazine at
(inmagazine1@eworld.com) or 415.433.2755.

* _PIE Developers_, Volume 2.5, September 1994. See NewtNews -
10.31.94 - 0117 for details on this issue.  Contact Steve Mann at
415.621.4252, 415.621.4922(fax) or email at (cds@netcom.com).

* _Pen Computing_ , November 1994. See NewtNews - 10.31.94 - 0117 for
details on this issue.  Contact Nigel Ballard
(Nigel@dataman.demon.co.uk) if you'd like to get subscription
information.

User Groups
-----------

* STANFORD NEWTON USER GROUP (SNUG)
    Meets at 7 pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the
Printer's Inc Bookstore Cafe, 310 California Ave, Palo Alto. Contact
(FlaSheridn@rahul.net) or 415.462.9203 for more info.

* SAN DIEGO NEWTON USER GROUP (SDNUG)
    Meets at 7 pm every third Thursday.  Location changes. Send email
to Alex Tosheff (alex@c3ot.saic.com) or Steve Holden
(sholden@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us) for location information.

* POOR NEWTON OWNERS
    Philadelphia Organization of Responsible Newton Owners (POOR Newton
Owners, with apologies to B. Franklin). Meets (mostly) on the last
Wednesday of the month at various locations. For information contact:
Lawrence A. Husick, Esq. (Law.Husick@applelink.apple.com) or
610.296.8259.

* OZNUG
    OzNUG (the Australian Newton Users Group) is based in Sydney,
Australia, It meets in Sydney at 6:30 pm on the third Wednesday of
every month, All levels of expertise from beginner to advanced are
catered for, and membership is currently free.  For further
information email President Robin Simpson (simmo@geko.com.au)

* NORTH ATLANTA NEWTON USERS GROUP (NANUG)
    NANUG (North Atlanta Newton Users Group) welcomes any interested
Newtonphile to it's local meetings, held the second Tuesday of every
month at the CNN Center, Atlanta. For information and directions on
attending or for (FREE!) membership information, please contact Mark
Underwood at (marku@aix3.ema.com).

* MID-ATLANTIC NEWTON DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION (MANDA)
    Meets at 6:30pm until 9:30pm the first Monday of the month at the
Rockville office of Washington Apple Pi, 12022 Parklawn Drive,
Rockville, MD 20852.  For more information or directions contact:
Bill Kearney (wkearney@access.digex.net) or Andy Halls
(ahalls@access.digex.net)

* SOUTH FLORIDA NUG
    The South Florida NUG meet twice a month in various spots. Contact
Matthew C. Hart at (matt5115@aol.com) or Scott Leapman at
(Scott_Leapman@bocaraton.ibm.com) for place and time.

Product and Service Information
-------------------------------
* SOLAR CHARGING FOR NEWTONS. Mention Newton_News and get 30% off SRP
of a Sun Runner, solar charging unit for all MessagePads. That makes
the price either $139 or $111 for a Sun Runner (two models
available). Add $5 S&H and you'll have an unlimited power source for
your Newton! Call 800.327.6882 or send e-mail to (KISS4@aol.com).

* QuickFigure Pro is Connected: Beam a spreadsheet to a co-worker.
NewtonMail a price list to a customer. Copy your analysis to the
notepad, and integrate it into a letter. Export your sales order to
Excel or Lotus 1-2-3 on your Mac or Windows machine. QuickFigure Pro
has the right connections. From PelicanWare, Inc., $49.95 plus S&H.
e-mail (donv@teleport.com) for more details, or 800.655.6398 for
ordering.

* WriteWare offers multi-function pen/styluses, and retrofits for the
Newton. The Stealth Stylus II is a dual function Pen/Stylus while the
Super Stealth Stylus is a Pen/Stylus/Pencil in either plastic or
metal case. Email (WriteWare@eWorld.com) for a full catalog and
pricing. Orders may be placed at International DataWares, Inc. at
800.222.6032.

* The BARRIER, screen protection system engineered specifically for
the Newton Message Pads. Features: long life, glare reduction,
improved writing surface, no adhesives, easy installation. For more
information: Email: (Mellow.S@eworld.com) Call: 800.882.8382; Fax:
505.662.2752. Package of 4 ($21.95 + $2.50 S&H)

* Special Newton Software Offer. Mention "Newton_News" and we will
give you $5 off any Coherent Visual software product! Available:
Rahmel Utilities for Newton, Common Words, and Spanish FlashCards.
VISA/MC accepted. E-mail: Coherent Visual (cvisual@cerf.net) or
call/fax for FREE catalog 619-944-8973, fax: 619-944-8522.

* Mention "Newton_News" when ordering Clear Lake Research's ChessPad
and receive a 25% discount off the SRP of $69.95. ChessPad is a
combination of a digital chess book and a portable chess set. It
contains 28 annotated games from the greatest players of all time and
100 chess problems. Demos on AOL, eWorld, and CompuServe. Phone:
713.663.7513; email: (DavidL62@AOL.COM).

* The WriteRight screen enhancement from the Concept Kitchen is a
specially designed clear plastic film that protects the Newton screen
from scratches, reduces screen glare and improves the feel of
writing.  The WriteRight is available in 4-packs for $11.95, 8-packs
for $18.95, and 12-packs for $24.95. We accept all major credit
cards.  Simply E-mail the Concept Kitchen for more details at
(kdmc@eworld.com) or call 415.929.1002.

* BBS in a Box, by the Arizona Mac Users Group, is a Macintosh CD
which also contains Newton files - over 270 files (11 megs
compressed). There is also an ISO version which can be mounted on a
PC. Newton_News readers can get the CD for $45 plus shipping. E-mail
(ashley@amug.org) or call 602.553.0066.

* The WEDGE, a desk stand for your PDA and pen. Features: holds your
PDA at a convenient working  angle, keeps your pen handy, sleek
lines,  made of durable clear Lucite, inexpensive.  For more
information: Email: (Mellow.S@eworld.com) Call: 800.882.8382; Fax:
505.662.2752. [$15.95 + $4 S&H]

* PDA Panache has fine styli available for both the Original MP and
MP110.  Our Telescoping110 pen is available in either 24K gold or
sterling silver for $29.95.  Original MP styli are available in
aluminum for $9.95 or gold (polished or brushed) for $19.95. We can
be reached for Visa/MasterCard orders at: 800.270.7196,
FAX:516-467-6329 or email (PDAPanache@eworld.com)

* Time To Go by Extra Lead: 10 Timepieces and LOUD, continuous
DataBook alarms. Includes: Travel Alarm, Meeting Cost Tracker,
Full-Screen clock, Hourglass, Parking Meter,  Stopwatch and more.
Mention "Newton_News" for $10 discount to $39+S&H. 800.642.4321,
(extralead@aol.com) for orders or further details.

Review: PDA Panache Styli
-------------------------
by Bob Torres (btorres@netcom.com)

    "Handcrafted for the digital age" is how the slogan for PDA Panache
goes, and taking a look at these styli that I was sent to review, I
can believe it.
    I sampled three styli from PDA Panache, two of which were for the
MP100. The other was designed to fit the MP110.  All of the styli
that I sampled from PDA Panache fit snugly in the original pen
holders on their respective models, which is a nice feature because
the stylus is readily available when you need to write a quick note
on your Newt.
    The styli for the MP100 are made of aluminum and brass, and are
very similar in design to Apple's original styli, except they are
somewhat thinner and have rounded instead of fluted tops.  The
aluminum stylus for the MP100 is about the same weight as Apple's
original aluminum stylus and would serve as a good replacement for a
lost stylus.  Instead of the traditional black, the PDA Panache
Stylus is flat silver and accents the Newton nicely.  The aluminum
stylus provides about the same handwriting recognition results as the
original Apple aluminum stylus.
    The brass stylus is probably close to twice the weight of the
aluminum stylus and is very handsomely finished;  the brass is so
shiny that you can see yourself in it.  Since the stylus was heavier
than the typical aluminum, it improved recognition on my Newton, as
do most styli that feel more substantial than the original one.
    With the same finish as the brass MP100 stylus, the MP110 stylus
is also heavier than Apple's original MP110 stylus.  The MP110 stylus
features a hexagonal design with a ridged grip to provide greater
writing comfort. The stylus smoothly extends into place with a small
click, the result of a different mechanism than the original Apple
stylus.  This stylus is certainly more attractive than the original
Apple stylus and would also serve as an excellent replacement stylus.
    All in all, I found the brass styli from PDA Panache to be superior
to the original Apple styli.  I did not think that the aluminum
stylus was significantly different from the original Apple model.
However, I highly recommend the brass styli; in addition to their
increased weight and handwriting recognition bonuses, they are a
classy addition to any Newton that will certainly endure for a very
long time.  Additionally, PDA Panache provides a 30 day satisfaction
guarantee and free lifetime plastic tip repair, so how could you go
wrong?
    Although "Handcrafted for the Digital Age" seems like an oxymoron,
PDA Panache proves that it isn't with this current line of styli.  I
don't think that you will be disappointed.
    For information on ordering, please contact (PDAPanache@eworld.com).

Comments from the Editor
------------------------
* BUSINESSES
    There has been a change in the advertising policy of NewtNews that
will take place in the first issue in December 1994. If you are
interested in continuing to advertise in NewtNews please send me mail
and I will forward to you the necessary information. Thanks!

* KUDOS TO MY WIFE
    Yes, I am still working remotely, and probably will so for at
least the next two NewtNews editions.  I can definitely deliver the
text version of NewtNews, but the book and html versions are taking
some time.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  You can thank my
wife, Christy, for sending me all my magazines, so that I could get
NewtNews out though.  :-)

Administrivia
-------------
    If you'd like to contribute some information that you have --
anonymously or not -- write to: (sholden@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us) You
can also send any comments, corrections, reviews, or suggestions to
the address above.
    Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if
full credit is given. Others please contact me. I don't guarantee
accuracy of articles. Publication, product, and company names may be
registered trademarks of their companies. TidBITS is copyright
1990-1994 Adam & Tonya Engst (ace@tidbits.com).
    To read the text version, use Easy View or any other setext browser
to read this as an outline. All versions of NewtNews: the text, the
Newton book and HTML version are now being published by Steve Holden
(sholden@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us).
    You can anonymously FTP the latest and past issues of NewtNews in
both text and Macintosh Newton book format from
(ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/btorres/NewtNews) This is the official home
of NewtNews. There is also a very useful document in this directory
called NewtNews_Info. Please read it. It will tell you about the
email listserver and other important information. The FTP site is
administered by Bob Torres (btorres@netcom.com).
    There is also a WWW site for NewtNews.  Use your favorite Mosaic
browser to check out:
(http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/NewtNews/NN_top.html)

Disclaimer:  I am doing this on my own time, and on my own computer
***********  not the government's or my employer's.




##################################################################
## Steven D. Holden, Macintosh System/Applications Engineer,    ##
## SAIC -> NRaD -> Project ICER, sholden@nosc.mil, 619.553.6750 ##
##     I also publish NewtNews. Send me mail for more info.     ##
##     Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are my own and do not     ##
##  necessarily reflect those of my employer or the government  ##
##################################################################



