
ChiIL NUG

Chicago, Il Newton Users Group

Initial announcement

After much deliberation/consultation have decided on the location for the First Chicago Newton User Group Meeting, our office.  Date; 5/31/94, Time; 7:00 to 9:00?, location; McCarthy & Magee, 9950 West Lawrence Avenue, Suite #200, Schiller Park, IL 60176, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499.  Had considered a computer superstore, limited by hours, (before 6:00pm), and not too keen on us using their computers for shareware downloading, or a members home, which unfortunately was not too centrally located for all the respondents.  We are located on the immediate eastern side of OHare Airport, the Northeast corner of Manheim and Lawrence Avenue.  We have a conference room capable of seating 12 people, plus ample space with seating 
spread throughout for as many as 20 more.  More importantly, the space is free, accessible at night unlike the computer superstore, has two Macintoshes, two Windows, and three DOS machines, a demonstrable Macintosh Local Talk Network for the Newton, and a 9600 baud modem with eWorld and CompuServe access.  Please email me back if you are interested in attending, or if you can not due to your schedule, so we can send a note on the minutes.  Im planning on charging nothing for membership.   

ChiILNUG Minutes: 5.31.94

If you build it, they will come.  Our first meetings genesis:  had found myself trolling on-line 
for Newton shareware, top ten lists, sending information to Mark Underwood publisher of the 
NUG standard digital book, _protoReality, NANUGs monthly newsletter, evangelizing to work 
acquaintances about Newton.  Searched eWorld for Newton, IL, got fifteen matches, surprised 
by the strength of the response, and found as in Field of Dreams; they will come.

Schiller, Park, IL, May 31st, 1994--Undeterred by the holiday weekend Newtoneers arrive for the 
first ChiILNUG.  Some time spent on introductions, diverse backgrounds, company president, 
college student programmer, die hard end users, developers.  Common pure motive:  Newton. The  
first ChiILNUG meeting was analogous to a birthday party for fifteen children at Chuckie Cheese, 
somewhat chaotic.  People beaming, talking, comparing styluses (or styli), trading Newts to try 
different apps (Hey!, is this my Newt?), in and out of the meeting to download, it was great!  Due 
to this, note that these minutes are a collaborative recap of several attendees.  FWIIW (for whatever 
it is worth), we had a ratio of 20/80% original/110s represented.

After some introductions, without bothering to move to the conference room, (Dennis Fraser who 
administers the digital book forum on AOL was sitting on a safe), we started comparing 
accessories, cases, pens.  Showed a fax from KISS on their solar Newton cases (note:  we will 
have a demo to show of their product at our next meeting on 6.28.94), compared different pens, 
PDA Panaches Gold, Write Ware, Stealth.

Adjourned to some chairs with cold caffeine with a discussion of the on-line Newton resources; 
CompuServe, AOL, eWorld, Iowa, Usenet.  Some felt that AOL was the most active Newton 
commercial resource.  Ive personally enjoyed CompuServe, but have since joined AOL. Some 
side discussion of eWorld, some members beta testers, others could not get a beta, or have ordered 
but not received yet.  Some discussion re a comparison of the email, searching, and posting 
functionality of the different services.

Quoting one of the developers in attendance re Iowa The Newton archive at University of Iowa 
(newton.uiowa.edu) is, for those with InterNet access, probably the best bet for software. While 
the Arizona Macintosh Users Group (AMUG) has allowed space on their server for both newton 
files and a NANUG section, there is never a wait for an anonymous FTP hook-up at uiowa, and it 
would seem that their selection is larger (those this will of course change with time.) FTP to 
newton.uiowa.edu and login as anonymous. All new files are in /submissions, others may be 
found in the /pub/newton/software directory. Another attendee administers Usenet, a local BBS 
for Newtoneers.  We will have a more detailed description next month from Steve as they are 
expecting any second their second child.  Questions re this BBS can be directed to SteveM1043 on 
eWorld.

Next, a discussion of some of the members cards, tried attendees fax/modem card in different 
Newts, downloaded a 1.5 MB digital book to a 4MB card, tried some commercial cards.  Note that 
we will have a member demo Digital Oceans wireless Grouper card at our 6.28.94 meeting.

Next some demos, Ben Gottlieb demoed Icon Editor and previewed an adventure game he is 
authoring Blade.  Dennis Fraser showed his digital book on Newton Software complete with 
kiosks, or galleries for navigating to different chapters.  Note that we will have a demo at our 
6.28.94 meeting by Dennis on some of the digital books available.  Kerry T. McCarthy showed a 
recent download Newtcase.

From ICS, you got to love it, takes apps off your System Heap by archiving them.  You are 
presented with two scrolling windows; active and archived apps.  Archiving seldom used apps 
takes them off your heap, and Newtcase shows you how much this has increased you heap space.  
I tripled! my heap space in short order.

Archived are easily and quickly reinstalled (more quickly than Connection Kit 2.0).  You can 
imagine that this will cause less out of memory restarts for you.  There was some technical 
discussion from some developers as to how this works.  Note that there is a thread on 
CompuServe re Newtcase and Soups.  I need to find out if I need to remove archived apps soups 
or not, etc. I highly recommend this app, try it and see for yourself. Fee $15, contact the company 
at ICS@indirect.com

Wrapped up by setting up our next ChiILNUG meeting, 6.28.94, 7:00 PM, International 
Technology Group, 5400 Newport Drive, Suite 19, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, VOX 
708.259.1129, FAX 708.259.1130, courtesy of Steve Morris:  his email address is eWorld, 
SteveM1043.

Hope you can see us on Tuesday June 28th!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at 
CompuServe 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 
708.671.0499. 

Second meeting announcement

The second Chicago, IL Newton Users Group meeting will be held 6.28.94 at 7:00 PM at 
International Technology Group, 5400 Newport Drive, Suite 19, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, 
VOX 708.259.1129, FAX 708.259.1130, courtesy of Steve Morris:  his email address is eWorld, 
SteveM1043. How was it?  Beaming info to everyone, discussing the on-line service of choice, 
which share/commercial ware do you use?, trying the same software on the spot on anothers 
newton (hey! is this my Newt, or yours?), discussion of one of the attendees bulletin board 
service, seeing/trying all the different accessories for the Newton in use, instant tech answers from 
developers in attendance, a discussion/demo of the Newton Book Technology from Dennis Fraser 
who administers this forum on America On Line, developers sharing insights with each other, 
faxes from companies with discounts on their product as part of a NUG.  It was outstanding, it 
was everyone talking/beaming at once, people from totally different backgrounds sharing the same 
pure motive-the love of the new technology, it is the Newton potential realized; a personal 
communicator.  Hope to see you on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00 PM!  I can also be reached at 
CompuServe 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 
708.671.0499.    

Second meetings minutes

Newton.sys, previously known as PDA Brian, described his position with Apple as follows, Im 
responsible for the timely distribution of Apple and StarCore content to online services. This 
content includes Newton OS updates, demo software, product information, press releases, and any 
other relevant information. The online services I work with include AppleLink, eWorld, America 
Online, Compuserve, Genie, and Apples Internet sites. 

In addition to distributing content, I directly manage the Newton forums on AppleLink, eWorld, 
and InterNet sites. eWorld is probably the most work. I have to determine what Apple and 
nonApple information gets posted, virus check and release shareware, schedule guests for online 
conferences, host online conferences, and monitor discussion board content.

Brian was in Chicago for a wedding, and we took advantage of the opportunity to throw out some 
questions regarding Apple.

Is Apple selling Newton to Nippon as in MacWeek? No (Vehemently-KTM)

When will Applelink addresses migrate to eWorld? 1-2 Years

Can one access eWorld internationally? Yes, if you have established an eWorld address in the US.

Can one send files on Newton Mail for direct downloading? Yes but limited to 16K, don't 
compress.

World Wide Web? Next month we will have a recap of a discussion re eWorld/The World Wide 
Web, between a member and Brian.  

Additionally, here are two developers perspectives on Brians answers;

1) Brian was very close-mouthed about the Newts future (as he should be)
except to say that Apple is not abandoning the Newton technology (unfounded
rumors about the sale of the Newton Division to Nippon). I guess if anyone is
really curious, they should do what Kent Sandvik suggested in a recent UseNet posting: send 
email to NEWTON.DEVS@applelink.apple.com and request an NDA...

2) Apples representative at the meeting, PDA Brian (now newton.sys-KTM), was a model of 
Apples policy of revealing nothing before its time. There was a lively discussion of existing and 
future eWorld potentials and a pointed one-way discussion of Apples intentions regarding 
Newton. Three developers caucused with Brian after the meeting and hopefully their concerns 
about support will be conveyed to whoever it is that cares at Apples core. Clearly more 
information would have been available regarding Newton from MacWeek or TidBITS.

Thanks to Keep it Simple Software for the eval unit of their Solar Pak, a solar panel/ Newton 
Case.  This is a neat product, I was able to try it in a variety of conditions, from our deck in 100 
degree heat, to on the car seat at the junction of the Edens and the Kennedy in Chicago(can you say 
traffic?).

I liked the product enough to buy one after we returned the eval unit.  KISS makes two Solar Panel 
products, both charcoal gray, a basic unit with a large pocket on the back, and a briefcase model 
with a fold over cover secured by clips, two small pockets inside, and one large pocket outside.  
Both units have a easy to use cord storage compartment.

The panel worked well for me, with no degradation of battery power in sunlight.  KISS 
recommends a utility called Battery Brain, for battery level feedback, I did not review this utility.  
Even in indirect sunlight, you extend battery power.  For me, in outside sales, the extra power in 
the car is great.  The cord on the panel is long enough to reach the deck under the rear window.  If 
you put the panel on the front seat and exceed the posted speed limit, it will assume a certain 
aerodynamic quality.  I found myself leaving Newt on all the time, rather than on/off as I drove 
around.  

One needs to define how you use your Newton before deciding whether to go with the Panel/Case, 
or the Solar Panel by itself.  Personally, I have to generally carry a briefcase, and did not need the 
deluxe Solar Panel.  Even the basic panel does have a pocket large enough for the external modem, 
the Newt(in the standard case, not a deluxe one), etc.

KISS also claims that the panel will recharge the Apple rechargeable power pack when inside your 
Newton in the same amount of time in direct sunlight as it takes in an outlet, i.e. four hours. It will 
not recharge regular Ni-cad, or alkaline batteries, including Renewal batteries when they are 
installed in your Newton.

The one thing I didnt like about the briefcase unit will be changed per KISS.  The two pockets 
inside will not accommodate a Newt in a deluxe case, and will be made into a large pocket. 

KISS offers a 30% discount to NUG members, and can be reached at VOX 406.442.3559, FAX 
406.449.8946, or AOL at KISS4. 

More thanks to Digital Ocean for the eval unit of their Grouper, our review follows.

A presentation was made to the assembled Newtonites of the new Digital Ocean product, Grouper. 
Grouper is a wireless AppleTalk system using the new 900MHz frequencies allocated for such 
communication. Digital Ocean has produced the 100MP model for use with Newtons giving 
complete network portability to the PDA. Downloads from a MAC/PC to Newton, printing to an 
AppleTalk printer, and transferring files from Newton to a desktop unit (i.e. database) are all 
possible. This product seems to be an ideal alternative to hard-wired systems, temporary network 
needs and any situation where wiring would be a problem or portability is a need. The Digital 
Ocean system accommodates 16 users per group and has an operating range of 800'. 

And thanks to Ex Machina for their eval copy of PocketCall, a terminal emulation program for 
Newton access to Compuserve, AOL, etc.

There are two parts to this program, the package itself, and the services, or the means to set up 
Compuserve, etc.  Note that the demo available online is only the package, and will not allow you 
to call into Compuserve, according to Ex Machina, the demo will only give you the look and feel. 
(Without someone suing you?)

The manual is well written, with a specific example on how to set up an automated log on to 
Compuserve via a neat scripting function.

The scripting is in my opinion the best part of this app, there are pick lists for all the commands 
one sees in Compuserve, that you can easily drop into QuicKeys style sequences.

Once online, one can go to the Newton forum, check for mail, check the message boards, send 
messages, etc.  There is a navigational tool for moving around if the text is too large for the Newts 
screen.

There is a resizable dialog box for Handwriting, which works well for commands such as go 
newton, exit, etc.

I think that this product while promising, needs some polishing to really shine. The manual stops 
with the logon to Compuserve example.  Most people will want to recieve/send mail, and in the 
case of Cserve, switch to the Newton forum to recieve/send mail.

I think the manual should have the mail script spelled out, and even more, they should have this 
specific script included with the cost of the product.  They need to emulate Newton mail, easy 
on/off mail.  I did not try sending batch mail, although both Apples partial solution, in the new 
beta modules, and Bulk Mail do mass mailing easily.

To this point, Ex Machina said that they will have for sale specific packets (PocketPacks) such as a 
recieve/send mail one.  As above, this should be part of the PocketCall package in my opinion.

Ex Machina can be reached at VOX 800.238.4738 FAX 718.832.5465   

Top Nine Shareware

Our list is a polling of the members to each come up with their favorite app, some apps received 
more than one vote (NewtCase), note they are not ranked from top to bottom.  As such this list will 
change dramatically from month to month.  Also, the tenth item was subsequently dropped due to 
some concern online, and from the developers in our group that this app corrupts files.

Top Nine: NewtCase, Sleep Aid, Date Utility, Newtris, Solo, Keyboard Pro, Pop Memo, Bulk 
Mail, Pocket Money

FWIIW:  This months wanted to advise you that according to Apple tech support, and my 
personal experience, there is apparently no way to access newton mail from the public data port 
phones(get your email from an airport)?!?!?  

I tried to put my calling card/access number, etc. in the text string for the Newton Mail phone 
number, and for some reason this does not work.  I have sent faxes from these phones, but there is 
not the same routing slip with the email.  Apple please tell me that the person I spoke to was 
confused, that mobile users can get their email from these phones.  

Hopefully the new Newton Mail modules posted on 7/15, which I downloaded after this unhappy 
experience have already addressed this oversight.

Also, I am playing in the first eWorld Open, a chess tournament using the fine NChess program 
available online.  This event was organized by NM Paul on eWorld, and Im currently playing five 
games concurrently. (Id like to say I even winning one of them).  

If you like chess at all get NChess.  It allows you to play a game by mail, by fax, by beam.  You 
can even fax a graphic of the board plus all the moves all spelled out in chess notation to someone 
who does not have a Newton, or a computer at all!!!

When you first open NChess, youre greeted with a cool splash screen, just tap to continue.  The 
next screen has three buttons, matches, players, and history.  According to the author, Robert 
Duran Jr., in this beta version, the history button, and the review match feature is still under 
construction.

To play, you tap on the player button, add name, how you'll be playing (local for beaming), email 
address, fax number, and optionally their chess rating.  Then tap on the matches button, name your 
game, whos white and black, and optionally a time limit.

Now youre ready to play, select a match, and select play.  You get a nice 2D view of the game, 
and click drag for your move.  If youre playing by mail/fax, close the board view, select the 
match, and select mail or fax.  You can even uncheck the text only option in your email routing slip 
to send a file which NChess will allow Newton users to receive as a move automatically.

You can take back moves, Ive tried only up to two, for when I misinterpreted an opponents 
previous move.  The game takes back moves automatically.

In the minor complaints area, wish that when one is black the black pieces were at the bottom of 
the screen, according to the author this was a feature which would consume mega memory.  Also, 
one can cause a minor error if trying to make a move in response before the checking.. message 
disappears. (The program makes sure a legal move has been made). If one moves in response too 
quickly, the game still shows that is the wrong persons move.(There is a message always on the 
screen as to whose move it is).

I highly recommend this fine app.  I had found myself quickly loading the app via Quick/Run and 
Newtcase (which it works flawlessly with), stuck in traffic in Chicago, and making a move.  The 
shareware fee is a reasonable $15, and Robert responds quickly to email, he is on Compuserve. 
Even though still beta for now, the program works very well, even on my overloaded original MP 
upgraded to a MP100.

The only address Robert provides with the app (put your email address, phone, fax on this 
screen), is Robert Duran Jr., 101 S. Rainbow #28-217, Las Vegas, NV 89128

Third meeting announcement

ChiILNUG Meeting 8.9.94 7:00PM

"Mr Sulu, Warp Factor Eight"  A pause before Scotty romps on it.... One leaves the ChiILNUG meeting with that sense of anticipation before warp eight, of what the future will hold, of being in the right place at the right time, of the sheer fun of beaming. Look for our minutes to follow featuring a guest appearance by Brian, Newton.sys on eworld, and apple employee.     

The third meeting for the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held at International Technology Group, 5400 Newport Drive, Suite 19, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, VOX 708.259.1129, FAX 708.259.1130, eWorld, SteveM1043 courtesy of Steve Morris.

The site is two stoplights east of the intersection of routes 53 and 62.  Go south on Newport (you can see the Atrium and Don Moi restaurants on the south side of 62) to the end of the street(3-4 blocks).  5400 Newport is the last building on the left.  Suite # 19 is on the east side of the building.

Hope you can see us on Tuesday August Ninth!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.    

ChiILNUG Minutes from 8.9, Next Meet 9.13 (details at end of text)

Newton, Just Do It. A year since I bought my "original", still great, constantly demo it, and love the opportunity to beam, at trade shows, or our meets.  Our minutes feature a guest appearance by Kim, Newton project product manager at Motorola, a review of a contact manager ala ACT authored by Ben Gottlieb, the discussion of the World Wide Web from a previous meet, a review of QuickFigure Pro by Pelican Ware, some info from NANUG, the leading (by a wide margin) NUG, a perspective on Macworld, and info on free badges to a Chicago Palmtop show 9.29-30 from AOL, and info on another Newton BBS in FWIIW.

Kim Wilson, the Newton project product manager at Motorola came to our 8.9 meeting. We asked her about some rumors; Is Motorola working on a Newton license which will have an internal wireless send/receive data/fax? No comment. Is Motorola the company who is making Federal Express 20,000 Newtons? No comment. Is Motorola making a wireless PCMCIA send/receive data/fax for extant Newtons? No comment. (At this point, we thought she was starting to say "No mas", on the ropes; we were wrong-KTM).
Kim did volunteer that Motorola does have a current Newton wireless product.  Our group was more interested in a send/receive fax and data future unit.

Ben Gottlieb, one of our our members was asked just prior to MacWorld Boston, to author a contact manager along the lines of the now Symantac owned ACT, (activities, contacts, and to do's).

He has done so, is in the final stages of beta testing, and subsequently signed an agreement to have a company market the product for him.  Per Ben, "Contact Master will be shipping on October 5,1994 by Coherent Visual, a Newton software company. For information on this or other Newton products, please contact: Coherent Visual, 204 N. El Camino Real, Suite E-229, Encinitas, CA 92024. (619) 944-8973. Fax: 944-8522. Email: cvisual@cerf.net."

Coincidentally, at MacWorld, there were two other "contact managers", one from Iambic, authors of Time Reporter, and one from Mundo Software.  Iambic's from the demo at the show is similar to Ben's Contact Master, adding a button to the Name File, while Mundo's is a telephone message based manager. (You get a phone message, and go from there).

One of the first things I like about Contact Master is that you can set in the preferences (configure Contact Master), which name folder is opened on launching the name file.  Ever read the 1993 Nebula award anthology waiting for your name file to go from unfiled to all names?  Just set your startup name folder, and it will always open there, even after using the reset button.

Other preferences are where the app's button will appear, where to do's will be stored, options for history "filters", and the option to have the Contact Master button appear in the notepad.  This allows you to call up your all of your pending contacts, recieve a call(time it), or send a letter.

I should point out that Contact Master does not add an icon to your extra's drawer, you will simply see the button upon opening the name file.  The button now appears in all four names views, all info, card, card and notes, and overview. (An earlier version did not work in overview).

This is an important feature from my perspective, since I have so many contacts, and to do's.  One can work in the overview mode, select a contact, schedule an event as defined below, and never leave the overview.

Once you have selected your contact, you can schedule a meeting, schedule a phone call, set a to do, or send a Letter/email/fax, see a client's history, or sort all pending.  If you have an event scheduled for the selected client in the future, this info is appended to the bottom of the Contact Master menu.

The schedule meeting and phone call windows are the same, you're greeted with the monthly calendar as in the datebook.  There is a sliding thermometer for click dragging to the exact time of the day for and event, with a default of 1/2 hour. (Incidentally, I think this is the minimum duration for an event with the black bar for an appointment, events for 1/4 hour appear as text without the appointment black bar).
Alternately, one can click on a time on the thermometer, which brings up the clock from the Newton preferences, with a duration pick list; 5 minutes, 10 minutes, .....1 hour, even a timeless option.  For myself, we have several visitors/week who need to be noted on the top of the calendar.  Similarly, birthdays are "timeless" events.  Contact Master puts meetings that have the timeless option selected on the top of the date book (right by the phases of the moon for you Easter Egg aficionados).

There is also an editable pick list for what the meeting will be about, a notes button which is an ink field for your own notes about this meeting, etc. Ink entered here appears when clicking on the black bar in the datebook.  For some reason, this area is slightly larger than in the datebook, and ink on the bottom of this window will be truncated in the datebook.

I love the ability to set todo's with a small header in text, and a much more detailed ink portion.  I personally wish that all of the "list/contact" managers had this option, as does Notion.

For those of you familiar with Daymaker (BTW what the heck happened to Contact Pad, from the same company??-KTM), there is the option by clicking on the routing slip to add a tag, a person, or an alarm, to an event.  I personally like this ability to sort, as I might have 7-8 "events/to do's" for our sales manager from Mr. Coffee.  One can easily sort for Mr. Coffee, selecting only those 7-8 items from the whole list. (This is actually the feature of Notepak I had liked the best).  You can of course sort by particular tags.

To finish scheduling your meeting/call, just click on Ok to meet/call.  The item is added to your calendar with the person's phone number.  If there is a meeting, call, etc. at the same time already, you get a dialog box notifying you of the conflict with the option to cancel/schedule anyway.

Alarms can also be set with notice, the default advance warning is 30 minutes, and of course if your pal Newt is asleep, it will turn on with a dialog box notifying you of the event.

All three forms; meeting, phone call, and to do also have the Newton Icon for filing events in your folders.  I like this for the ability to put all my personal events, birthdays, kids soccer games, etc. in a personal folder.  Then one can quickly see only those items.  

The to do window is a little different, with a larger text area, and the option for the text/shape/letters or numbers recognizers.  Additionally, one can set no priority, or 1-3.  You have the option in the newt contact preferences to have to do's stored to the calendar to do soup, where of course they will automatically roll over to the next day if not completed.

At this writing the letter/email/fax is almost finished, look for this functionality with letter templates in the final version.  One cool feature of the letter portion is the ability to set the alignment of the text, left, right, or center separately for the address, body, etc.

The client history menu option brings up  pick list filters for all contacts, all meetings, all todo's, tags, as well as a notes option with a scrollable note field for an individual contact.  In both this and the all pending view, one can set the size of the display by clicking on the info icon.

Clicking on the all pending menu option brings up an overview of all events grouped by type (phone call, meet, to do), with a small icon indicating which.  As with the client history, there are pick list filters for sorting.  There is also a small triangle to the left of each event, clicking on it brings up a more detailed description of the item. To do's priority can be changed in this view, but they are not resorted.  

I highly recommend this excellent app, there are many well thought out features, and the program is quick, unlike so many Newton apps. This is one of the programs that you like immediately, and will use constantly.

Next, courtesy of Steve Morris of Illinois Technology Group, (who now can be reached directly without him calling into the various online services at Steve_Morris.ITG_Computers_USA@Notes.Compuserve.com) a discussion about the World Wide Web from our prior meet with Newton.sys on eWorld, Brian; 

"What is the World-Wide Web?
 
For fifty years, people have dreamt of the concept of a universal database of knowledge - information that would be accessible to people around the world and link easily to other pieces of information so that any user could quickly
find the things most important to themselves. It was in the 1960's when this idea was explored further, giving rise to visions of a "docuverse" that people could swim through, revolutionizing all aspects of human-information
interaction. Only now has the technology caught up with these dreams, making it possible to implement them on a global scale.
 
The World-Wide Web is officially described as a "wide-area hypermedia information retrieval initiative aiming to give universal access to a large universe of documents". What the World-Wide Web (WWW, W3) project has done is provide users on computer networks with a consistent means to access a variety of media in a simplified fashion. Using a popular software interface to the Web called Mosaic, the Web project has changed the way people view and
create information - it has created the first true global hypermedia network.
 
The earliest visions of such systems had as their goal the advancement of science and education. Although the World-Wide Web project has the potential to make a significant impact in these areas, it is poised to revolutionize many elements of society, including commerce, politics, and literature.

How can I get more information?

Most of this information is available on the Internet. In order to access resources specified by a URL, you may need to use a Web browser or connect to a telnet site that provides a public-access browser. Enter the URL as one
unbroken line without spaces or carriage returns.
 
The best way to get general information on the Web without a browser is to telnet info.cern.ch or gopher info.cern.ch. Information on how to obtain software can also be found there.
 
If you don't know how to use FTP, Gopher, or telnet, there are dozens of good books available on how to get on and use the Internet. Although there are too many introductory books to list, here are a few mentioned by the Unofficial
Internet Book List (to receive the list, send email to savetz@rahul.net).
 
The Internet Guide for New Users
Daniel P. Dern, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 0-07-016511 (paperback)
 
The Internet Starter Kit for the Macintosh
Adam Engst, Hayden Books, ISBN: 1-56830-064-6
 
The Internet Unleashed
Martin Moore, others, Sams Publishing, ISBN: 0-672-30466-X
 
PC Internet Tour Guide
Michael Fraase, Ventana Press, ISBN: 1-56604-084-1
 
The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog
Ed Krol, O'Reilly and Associates, ISBN: 1-56592-025-2
 
Zen and the Art of Internet
Brendan Kehoe, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-010778-6"
 
Pelican Ware

Thanks to Pelican Ware for the eval copy of their new version 2.0, which they donated as a door prize.  The review follows from Bill Geraci,
 
"QFigure Review 8/94     wr: 9/3/94
1994 Bill Geraci
Saturday, September 3, 1994
 
QFigure Pro Review
This is my first piece of major Newton software and it's a big one! First the basics: 
QuickFigure Pro (copyright 1994 v2.0) takes up 148k while it ancillary QChart takes 31k of memory on my Newton MessagePad 110. It was a breeze to install after I figured out that you either load the older version or the two packages which make up the Pro combination. They're mutually exclusive. Another oddity: you have to reset your Newton, according to a later Read Me after you install the software. I did this and it created no problems.... 
What you see...
Upon tapping the QFigure icon in the Extras drawer you geta spreadsheet! Letters across the tops of columns and numbers down the side. The QFigure window allows for 50 rows down and "Z" (ie: 26) columns over for a total of 1300 available cells. 
Across the bottom are the tools for this trade: 
	the Watch (for the standard battery / time indicator), 
	Edit (with Cut, Copy, Copy Value, Paste, Clear, Fill, Copy to NotePad and Jump to Cell)
	Format (more anon) 
	Move left and right buttons (which take you a user-configurable number of columns right or left)
	Tools (which, with a selection of cells, brings up QChart) 	A Question Mark button for the built-in help
	That friendly Folder offering New Worksheet, Print, Fax, Beam, Mail, Export to Serial, Import from Serial, Duplicate and Delete
	The Get-Out-of-My-Face X
...What you can get
To edit the contents of cells you tap on a single cell you want to edit. (Dragging through more than one cell gives you a selection.) Tapping a cell brings up an edit box with that cell's address and buttons to : call up the numeric keypad and other keyboards, a toggle which calls the alphabetic Recognizer (the default is the numeric Recognizer), some common entries for cells (= $ , :), Functions, Enter and the X. The Functions button brings up 21 functions similar in layout to MS Excel (ie: "COS()" ). 
Let's get clear on one thing: within this cell editing box, do 
not tap X to accept the entry. Like Excel, you have to tap "Enter" to accept your edit. This takes a bit of getting used to, especially when elsewhere X means "do it" rather than cancel. For instance, if you call up the Jump to Cell and enter a cell address you tap X to go to that cell. 
Another point: the Format button allows you to do more than Format: you set preferences here as well. You can control whether the numeric entry keypad shows up automatically, how many columns the scroll arrows move you, etc. 
And from there
That's pretty much what you need to know to begin. I won't go through how to use a spreadsheet: if you don't know, you won't learn this here! ;-) 
One point: I tried to set up a series of spreadsheets in order to enter informationsort of a database collection template. It worked but it got really slow as I filled up more and more of the potential cells. I'm ashamed to admit that I went back to pen and paper. ("You BAD Newton user you!")
Even More Features...
For further exploration: this program provides you with some pretty robust import and export options; more than most Newton programs (yet!). And there's graphing "Tool", QChart. And it looks to me as if they plan to add more Tools as time goes on. Or perhaps they provide hooks for you programming fiends out there.... 
The Details
Contact information: Quick Figure, PelicanWare, Inc. e-mail: Compuserve: 70540,2422; eWorld and NewtonMail: DonV; Internet: donv@teleport.com; AOL: PlicanInc. 

Your Reviewer: 
Bill Geraci
2242 W 121st Pl
Blue Island, IL 60406
H: 708-388-5988
W: 312-702-0912
Internet: w-geraci@uchicago.edu
AOL: BillG35"

(Let me add here as an owner of Mobile Calc, from my brief use of the eval copy, this is a very quick Newton Spreadsheet, unlike Mobile Calc. It is relatively easy to enter data, one can tap the down arrow for instance taking you to the next row and entering at the same time.  Kind of wish that one could add borders to printed output, but then per Quick Figure, maybe the app would not be so fast.  I really liked Quick Chart, pops up a neat chart of your spreadsheet. KTM)

NANUG
"And now for something completely different"  Following is some info on the industry standard Newton User Group, NANUG.  Much of this text is of course available in Digital Book format.  The source is email from the President Mark Underwood, and their newsletter "_protoReality The North Atlanta Newton Users Group Newsletter Volume 1, Number 5 Summer 1994"; enjoy.

"Welcome to the first edition of the NANUG Affiliate News for User Groups (NANUG - how's that for re-enterant coding?)!

First off, this isn't a newsletter--more a collection of tidbits and info we want to make available to you to take advantage of!

(1)  Newton UG area on eWorld
---------------------------
This one you may have read about in the Summer newsletter.  Raines Cohen,UGCSysop and all-around nice guy, is going to help us carve out aNewton-specific niche on-line to rival BMUG's Mac area!  NANUG and the NANUG Affiliates will be the movers and shakers in the area, which will include a"chat" room or two, file libraries, message area, and so on.  The BIG feature
will be the ability for users with NewtMail or eWorld accounts to requestNewt apps to be "mailed" directly to their Newt for installation!  All NANUG affiliates will be able to take part in this are as if it were their own, yet share the 
resources/files/etc. of the other groups!

In order to proceed, I need for each of you to indicate who your primary UGcontact is, their e-mail address, and how many of your members would be interested in such an area.  How many have eWorld and/or NewtMail accounts would be a nice thing to know as well!  If you can, I'd like this info by Tuesday Aug. 30th--but by all means don't let that deadline scare you off. 
ASAP will be fine!  ;-)....

....(3)  Available NANUG Resources
----------------------------
Please drop me a line if you're interested in obtaining the source(s) to any
of the following resources:

- NANUG membership applet
- _protoReality Newsletter skeleton Newton Book
- NANUG membership HyperCard stack
- NANUG Group Mailing HC stack (works with MS Mail)

That's all for now!  More news as it develops!

Mark

(From _protoReality-KTM)

Contact Information

For more information about NANUG, meeting times, or newsletter submission guidelines, please 
write:

Mark Underwood
President
The North Atlanta Newton Users Group
3381 Claire Circle
Marietta, Georgia  30066
USA

or E-mail:

InterNet:		marku@aix3.ema.com
AppleLink:		EMA.COMPSV
NewtMail:		MarkU
eWorld:		MarkU
NANUG Membership Application Form

On the next page is a customized membership application to join NANUG.  There is currently no 
membership fee.

The benefits of joining, as opposed to just reading the newsletter?  Well, you get on our exclusive mailing list ;-) and can take advantage of our user group discounts on hardware and software (soon to be published).  Even better is the general idea of belonging, dont you think?  ;-)

You can also join by obtaining our membership package from our ftp site, ftp.amug.org (thanks 
to our best friends at the Arizona Macintosh Users Group!).  After logging in anonymously, 
change directory down to:

/pub/newton/nanug

The sub-directory membership contains a copy of the membership card and instructions on how to join us.

NANUG Membership Application Form

Name:									
Address:								

City/State/Zip:							

Country:								

Phone:						

Fax:							

NewtMail:						

E-mail address:										

You can:

 Print this page and mail it to:

Mark Underwood
NANUG Membership
3381 Claire Circle
Marietta, GA 30066
USA

 E-mail your personal information to marku@aix3.ema.com with a subject of NANUG 
Membership

From the Orthogonal Office

Mark Underwood

Summer, summer, summer...
With the advent of summer comes vacations and plenty of changes--but not an awful lot of new Newton news.

Thats not to say that Summer wasnt busy for NANUG--far from it!  We added a lot of new members, gotten a few more feet in the electronic doors of a couple of e-homes, and seen the release to members of our first group programming project app!

Membership

We now have over 400 members!  This makes us the largest Newton Users group in the world!  Congratulations to the NANUG members, and we hope to reach 500 by the end of the year!

eFeet in eDoors

Most (if not close to all) of you reading this downloaded it from an on-line service.  Its a sure sign that the so-called global village is an electronic one.  With that in mind, I thought I would talk a little about NANUGs presence in that eVillage.  Below is a list of the places you can find our newsletters, membership files, or more.  This information is changing daily, and if youre a member, youll be notified of new offerings as they arrive!

America On-Line	(E-mail:  NANUG)
	Keyword: PDA

	PDA Software Libraries

	Palmtop Paperbacks
	Ezine Libraries
	PDA/Palmtop Publications
	Newton Format Ezines
NANUG newsletters, Newton Book format
	
	PDA Software Libraries
	PDA-Newton Library
NANUG newsletters, text/MS Word format

	Message Boards
	PDA-Palmtop Resources
	NANUG
NANUG and NANUG/AOL event messages

AppleLink	(E-mail:  EMA.COMPSV)
	Newton
	Newton User Discussions
	Freeware, Shareware & Demos
NANUG newsletters, all three formats

CompuServe		(E-mail:  None)
	Go Newton
	DL 10   [Miscellaneous]
NANUG newsletters, all three formats

InterNet
	(E-mail:	marku@aix3.ema.com
	  AMUG Contact: ashley@amug.org)
	ftp.amug.org
	/pub/newton/nanug/newsletters
NANUG newsletters, all three formats

	/pub/newton/nanug/membership
NANUG membership materials

	/pub/newton/nanug/projects
NANUG group programming project files

	/pub/newton/nanug/best_of
NANUG Best Of files

Future plans include:

  A large, full service area on eWorld, to be located under the UGC (User Group Connection) keyword

  A HTTP (WWW) server, which would allow us to put the newsletter live on the InterNet

  InterNet Relay Chat (IRC) conferences, and possibly a fixed channel for weekly discussions

  A First Class-type BBS

Anyone wishing to help on any of these projects should drop me a line at:
marku@aix3.ema.com or marku@eworld.com

Group Programming Project

Posted on our ftp site, under the /projects sub-directory, is the beta of Uwe Haucks Newton Dragon (or NDragon) D&D style adventure game, in two versions:  one with sound effects (about 800K) and one without (about 300K).

NDragon is the first beta of the results of our initial group programming project.  Despite severely conflicting schedules, the general mix-up caused by the release of NTK 1.0.1 final, and the usual glitches associated with programming, Uwe was able to combine several stunning features into a game that is well worth playing!  The next version will be even better, and it in limited release at this time--but with a lot of luck (and his return to Newton programming), Uwe will have it ready for review in next months issue!

Things To Come

Weve been quiet lately, and we mean to make up for it in a big way.  In the next few months, NANUG will be releasing:

 The first production version of NDragon, NANUGs first programming project, from Uwe Hauck.

 A Back to School tutorial on NewtonScript programming, in a series of Newton Books, with practical examples you can actually execute to see how they work!

 A mail order service for eWorld and NewtonMail subscribers that will allow you to get a current list of NANUGs Best Of files, check off the ones youd like, and then have them mailed to your Newton!

All this and more!  Please stay tuned!

A NANUG Overview

Mark Underwood

Founded in October of 1993, NANUG was created with these ideas in mind:

 To provide timely and correct information about the Newton and all of its accessories, software packages, and other Newton-related products

 To assist new and experienced Newton users in getting the most out of their purchase

 To provide (hopefully) an un-biased forum for the exchange of user tips, hints, and suggestions
 To provide free or low-cost resources for small to medium Newton development projects

There is currently no membership fee to join NANUG.  Meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of the month.  We also hold on-line conferences from time to time to allow our remote members to participate directly.

_protoReality, our newsletter, is published one a month (normally during the third week of the month) in three formats:  a Newton Book Reader package, a binary enhanced text document, and a plain text document.  Each format strives to convey as much information as possible within the constraints of the media.  The plain text version, for example, is posted to InterNet, while the binary and book reader formats are posted to on-line forums and ftp sites that support binary up/down loads (AppleLink, CompuServe, America On-Line, etc.).

NANUG also has a shared InterNet ftp site, ftp.amug.org, where we post all of our files--including membership materials and best of selections.  The site supports anonymous log in, and is located in the directory:

/pub/newton/nanug

Minutes of the Summer Meetings

June Local Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM on June 14th.  Old business consisted of trying to find a new, semi-permanent meeting location.  One of our newest members, Robert Prince, has offered the services of his current employer, Turner Broadcasting, and we will be holding our next meeting down at the infamous CNN Center!

We had a brief demonstration of Apples new on-line service, eWorld.  eWorld has a special attraction for Newton owners, as its e-mail is also NewtonMail, and everyone who has a NewtonMail account also has an eWorld account!  All you need is a Macintosh and you can call Apple OnLine Services at 1-800-775-4556 to request a free eWorld subscription kit.  An eWorld client for PC/Windows will be available soon, and a Newton client is also in the works.

NANUG already has the newsletters posted out there, and we will soon be a permanent resident with a whole NANUG file and conferencing section! Henry Littleboy, one of our remote members, recently donated his old Sharp Action Manager to the group.  The Action Manager is very much like a Newton--but its only sold in Japan, which means everything was in Japanese!  Luckily, Jennifer Minge, one of our founding members, is studying the language, and has offered to both translate the basic instructions and provide us with a future review!

Meeting was called to a close at 9:30 PM.

July Local Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM at the CNN Center, our new home!  Thanks to the 
wonderful efforts of Robert Prince and the people at Turner Broadcasting for the use of their terrific facilities--and location!  Now we can have our meetings andlisten/watch to Skip, Don, Joe, and Pete host the Braves games (for as long as baseballs in session, so to speak!).

Our eWorld facilities should be ready by mid-August, thanks to the efforts of Raines Cohen, UGC Manager of UG Relations.  Raines will be attending our August meeting.

Discussion of the new version of the Connection Kits followed.  The new version for the Mac is a much better product--however, the new Windows version isnt out yet--but it is in beta, so expect a review soon.

Discussion then turned to a fairly serious topic--instituting annual membership fees.  Since its inception, NANUG has been totally free--but with our increased size (over 400) and presence in Cyberspace, some members would like to address the issue.  My personal opinion is that you should only have to pay what you get for, so if we were to start charging, it wouldnt be more than $5 US a year--given the number of members, that would provide us with over two thousand dollars.  With that kind of money, we could begin to support mailing materials to those members who dont have e-mail addresses, as well as sponsor a more robust presence at such things as MacWorld and the Newton Developers Conference.

It was decided to put the issue to a full vote--so current members will be receiving an e-mail vote form, and those who dont have it will receive either a faxed form or a mailed form.  Voting will run from now until the end of August.  As the US is still a democracy, the majority will decide policy.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Details on locations and times of all local and remote meetings will we posted to all NANUG locations and sent via e-mail to members.

NANUG Membership Statistics 

Total number of members:	400
	Local	35
	Remote	365

Members by state (US):

	AL		1
	AZ		4
	CA		58
	CO		6
	CT		2
	DC		3
	DE		1
	FL		15
	GA		35
	IL		13
	IN		3
	IO		1
	KS		2
	KY		1
	LA		1
	MA		17
	MD		10
	ME		2
	MI		7
	MN		6
	MO		4
	MS		1
	MT		1
	NC		4
	NE		2
	NH		1
	NJ		5
	NM		3
	NY		24
	OH		6
	OK		1
	OR		2
	PA		12
	RI		1
	SC		1
	TN		3
	TX		20
	UT		4
	VA		9
	VT		1
	WA		7
	WI		5
	WV		2
Members by country:

Argentina		1
Australia		13
Austria		4
Belgium		2
Canada			18
Croatia		1
Finland			2
France			3
Germany		13
Hong Kong		3
Italy			3
Japan			5
Macau			1
Malaysia		1
Mexico		1
Netherlands		2
Poland			1
Singapore		2
Spain			2
Sweden		1
Switzerland		3
UK			8
USA			308"

(One can see why Nanug is the largest Nug in the world, KTM)

FWIIW

Macworld was great, but one may find that the second or third one is not as cool as the first, as with many things.  There was a much larger Newton section in the Apple Pavilion, or tent; which is hard to get in, and has all of the accoutrements (except for concessions and bathrooms).

There were dozens of apps being demo'd at any time, the stations changing from morning to afternoon, product managers from Starcore, authors like Hardy Macia, Zigggy CCC@eWorld, computers set up with lots of programs for downloading on the spot to your Newt!

There was an interesting app from an Ohio based company called Pen Ease.  This is a database which is set up on you Win/Mac (Win shipping now, Mac to follow).  One creates text fields, pick lists, etc. and then you do the data entry on your Newton.  This, and the new contact manager from Iambic were in my opinion the coolest apps at the show, and we will try to review in next month's issue.

For those who missed Boston, just downloaded from AOL the following announcement re free badges to a Chicago Lap/Palm top show on 9.29-30 at the Chicago Hilton Towers, "Dear Chicago Online Member - We have made it possible for you to receive FREE admission to the fourth annual Chicago LAP&PALMTOP  '94 Portable Computing and Communication Exposition (A $40 Value).  The exposition will be held at the Chicago Hilton and Towers on September 29-30, 1994.  Exposition Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM both days.

This is your best chance to see the latest advanced portable computing and wireless cellular technology available from over 100 exhibitors.  In addition, throughout the two days of the exposition and at the keynote addresses on September 29th and 30th, valuable portable computing prizes will be awarded.

While you're at the show, stop by our booth and meet members of our team.  Special demonstrations will be held during the exposition to show you some of the latest features on the Chicago Online Service.

Don't miss the country's largest and most exciting portable computing event.  To receive FREE registration, send an e-mail message to screen name: COLTicket, or call Laptop Expositions at 800-444-EXPO(3976).  If you register by E-mail, be sure to include your name, title, company name, address, telephone number and fax number.

To receive your show badge by mail, your FREE registration must be received by September 20th.  Badges for those registering after that date will be waiting at the exposition registration counter.See you there!
Larry Druth
Manager, Chicago Online"

And an email from Mike Farmer re his Mobile Computing/Newton BBS, "I recently found out about your group and hoped you might be interested that I run a BBS called M F Online. The focus of the board is mobile computing and related technologies. This includes Newton files, PCMCIA cards and wireless communications. Available 24 hours a day free of charge. Please let your members know that they can call 812-949-8386; 14,400 bps 8/N/1 for Newton files and Packages."

Next Meet?  ChiILNUG Meeting 9.13.94 7:00PM      
The fourth meeting for the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held at McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176 VOX 708.671.0444, eWorld.
The site is one stoplight south of the intersection of routes 190 and Mannheim road, or the corner of Lawrence and Mannheim.  Our building is the Starlight Building, the one right on the northeast corner of Mannheim and Lawrence.  Take the elevator to the second floor, our suite is right in front as you exit the elevator. 
Hope you can see us on Tuesday September Thirteenth!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.

10.11 Announcement

ChiILNUG Meeting 10.11.94 6:00PM

"Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand."  At least once a day, "let me see that(newton)", so much user interest in the Newton, but they just don't get it; equate Newton with only text recognition.  Look for our minutes to follow featuring the top ten shareware, a review of a new app for making pseudo books without the Newton Tool Kit, a review of Accountable, and a review of Tapworks.     

The fifth meeting for the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held at McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176 VOX 708.671.0444.

The site is one stoplight south of the intersection of routes 190 and Mannheim road, or the corner of Lawrence and Mannheim.  Our building is the Starlight Building, the one right on the northeast corner of Mannheim and Lawrence.  Take the elevator to the second floor, our suite is right in front as you exit the elevator. 

Hope you can see us on Tuesday October Eleventh!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.    
    
ChiILNUG Meeting 10.11.94 6:00PM

"Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand."  At least once a day, "let me see that(newton)", so much user interest in the Newton, but they just don't get it; equate Newton with only text recognition. Following find our top ten shareware, a review of a new app for making pseudo books without the Newton Tool Kit, a re"e" of Steve Holden's latest Newt News, a review of Accountable, a review of Tapworks, a review of PDA Panache's excellent 110 stylus, and for whatever it is worth in FWIIW.

Top Ten Shareware

Note that this is not an ordinal ranking, only a listing of our members favorite apps. Accessor, Newtcase, RPN Calculator, Paperback, Roll your Own, Xmaster, Quick Figure, What Error, MPG, Buttons, SleepAid.

Pseudo Books

One of our top ten shareware selections this month is Paperback. This app allows anyone to make pseudo Newton books without the Newton Tool Kit.  You install the app on your desktop computer; to create a newton package simply drag a text file onto the Paperback desktop icon.

The package that is created can be downloaded to your Newt with any standard transfer.

You can name the icon which will appear in the extras drawer, the book's title, even a text string which appears if you tap on the ? button in the app.

Unlike regular books, you can not mark, highlight, or print "your" book.  You can however change the font style and size.

I was able to take a tab delimited file (150 row x 12 column spreadsheet), translate it to a Newton package, and download it to my Newton in less than 12 seconds!

Once you have created a book, you can search for a text string using the find button.  For some reason, this worked sometimes for me, and not at others, even when I knew the text I was 
searching for was in the file.

This is truly a great app, you have to get it and try it for yourself. 

The only problem one will have is finding the best files to place on your Newt.  I would guess that if someone posted online some cool text files that they would now be in great demand.  

For example in my sales job, I could use a file on the top 200 NCAA Football, Basketball, and Baseball scores/team records for 1993. On a sales call I could look up my contacts team, and comment on their record from last year; maybe a loss in a big game.    

Note; Version 1.01 reviewed, new version posted 2-3 weeks ago.  Author DavidFedor@mcs.com
Accountable

This will have to be in a subsequent minutes due to our deadline.

Tapworks

TapWorks, a review...
    Originally supposed to be the 'killer-app' that would justify a Newton
for everyone, TapWorks falls somewhat short of that mark. While all in all a
great application, it does have some deficiencies. 
    Described as the '4-in-1 Business Productivity Tool,' TapWorks is
modelled on the other popular works programs, and includes all the basics
needed to produce business documents: graphing, table, picture, and text
editing tools. Based around a floating palette that provides access to the
four areas and control over them, TapWorks only lets you work with a portion
of the page at a time. This is really it's only major flaw. If it included
some sort of overview that let you place items while looking at the whole
page, it would be much more useful. The other big problem is not really it's
fault, and that is it is a little too ambitious for the MessagePad. It can
be really tedious to enter all this information into something as small as
an MP. However, if you're on the road and need the document, I suppose it's
possible you wouldn't have access to a laptop, and so you'd have to use the
Newton.  
 There were a few minor problems, and some bright points as well. The
drawing tools are top notch, and are reminiscent of mac drawing programs.
The graphing tool is similarly nice, though somewhat limited in the size of
the graph (4x4 information entry limits the amount of data you can show.) On
the negative side, I found the table editor too cumbersome to really use,
and the only way to resize a column width was to exit the editor and do it
on the page view. It did not allow me to resize the height of a single
column. The text editor, while a nice concept (you have a text field filling
half the screen with small text, and then a line at the bottom where single
words can be added to the main field one at a time,) does not allow you to
pop up a word list of best guesses when using the secondary field for entry.
The macros allow quick text entry of set phrases, but seem to be implemented
in an awkward fashion (a pop-up menu lets you open a window, and from there
you pick the macro. Putting the macros directly into the pop-up menu seemed
more intuitive to me.) Finally, I did get a mild case of grip of death after
using some of the tools.   Overall, I would recommend TapWorks to anyone without a laptop. It's
manual is excellent, and it is a very well done program. [TapWorks, Avail
Technology, 1250 Oakmead Parkway, Suite 210, Sunnyvale, CA, 94088-3599,
408-730-6855)
__________________________________________________
Ben Gottlieb                        (518) 274-0787
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 
gottlb@rpi.edu      or           gottlb@eworld.com
"TANSTAAFL"- R.A.H.
PDA Panache's 110 Stylus

Date:    Thu, Oct 6, 1994 1:20 PM EST
From:  Avail1
Subj:    TapWorks Review Response
To:       KTMCCARTHY

Kerry:

Thanks for the chance to comment on the TapWorks piece which you sent.

First, I must say that we appreciate the author's final conclusion:

 "Overall, I would recommend TapWorks to anyone without a laptop.  It's manual is excellent, and it is a very well done program."

However, for such a positive conclusion, we were disappointed that the previous paragraphs spent much of their time focusing on small negative points, while overlooking some of the large positives which lead to the final conclusion.

In particular:

  The negative lead-in sentence states that TapWorks was "originally supposed to be the 'killer app' that would justify a Newton for everyone".  We certainly never positioned TapWorks this way, so I'm not sure if we should be held to blame for differences from the authors perception.

  The second paragraph describes two basic deficiencies in the author's view:

 1) Lack of an editable Page preview.
 We agree that this is a great suggestion, and in fact are well on the way 
 toward implementing just such a feature for the next general release of TapWorks.
 Also, keep in mind that upcoming larger-screen Newton devices will make this
 less of an issue.

 2) "...not really its fault, and that is that it is a little too ambitious for the 
 MessagePad", ... "It can be really tedious to enter all this information into
 something as small as an MP."
 The same could be said of any Newton app, of course, and this is totally dependent
 on the kinds of information being entered by the author.  TapWorks is very well
 suited to preparing attractive full-page documents, which may be as simple as a
 quick chart with some comments or as complex as the author's documents apparently
 were.  Complex documents take time in TapWorks, just as they often do in a desktop
 page layout application.  If this is "not really TapWorks fault" -- why mention it
 as a negative in a review?
 
 The author implies that "4x4 information entry" limits the amount of data that you can show in a graph.  This is incorrect, however, since the graph editor data entry area can be scrolled with the standard Newton up- and down-arrows to enter up to 12 values for each graph series.

 The author also points out that when words are entered in the secondary "insert and replace" area of the text editor, the popup best-guesses list will not appear for such a word.  While this is actually a limitation of the Newton (the "guess" list cannot be extracted from one text area and transferred to another text area), the main text entry area does support the popup best-guesses list, and this is where the bulk of text entry takes place.

 Although the author's opinion is that the text macro capability is "implemented in an awkward" fashion, the approach used does have the several benefits.  It allows Macros to be renamed and/or deleted easily, and it also allows an unlimited number of  macros to be stored (as opposed to popup menus which have a fixed limit on the number of items and can NOT be scrolled on the Newton).

Most importantly, the review fails to mention many of the unique features  which must have led to the author's initial statement that it is "all in all a great application" and his final positive recommendation, such as: Full-page WYSIWYG layout, built-in desktop import/export (and keyboard usage), companion FAX utility and viewer applications, and many others.

While we take issue with some of the author's specific points, this is not to say that we do not have plans for enhancing TapWorks in future versions.  In fact, we are working on many improvements in speed and functionality for the next versions.   We'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for the opportunity to comment on this piece.  We'll look forward to seeing the final version in your minutes!

Daryl Scott
President
Avail Technology, Inc.

Editor's Comment-KTM

There you have the review and the rebuttal, my thoughts?

Tapworks is a good app, you can create integrated spreadsheets, charts, text, all very professional.  I do agree with the reviewer that the inclusion of the ability to layout pages in the preview mode is a negative, and Avail does also from this as an upcoming feature.  I do think that in the interim Avail should include some templates, maybe 1) spreadsheet, chart, header,2) text area for letter with some graphic like stationary, etc.  This would add a lot of perceived value, and take little time on Avail's part.  Either one of these would take Tapworks from an app I like to one I'd love to use.  

PDA Panache: The MP110 Stylus

From the moment you try this new "pen", you will love it.  There is no spring in this one, unlike the Apple version.  When you take the pen out of your Newt, it extends by itself.

The pen has a nice heft, and cool ribbed front end where you grip it.  Similarly at the end where you take it out of the Newt, it is ribbed, a nice touch. The pen is hexagon shaped, something I have come to appreciate very much, (the Apple pen had rolled off my desk more than once).
  
For yourself, or your birthday, do yourself a favor and get this stylus, it is great.  PDAP will be shipping a silver version by the time of this review, I bought a gold unit.  PDAP can be reached at 800.270.7196, FAX:516-467-6329 or email at (PDAPanache@eworld.com).

FWIIW

"The Question", heard many times, hey, do you like that Newt?, you just write on that?, does it recognize your writing?  Apple did a good job of creating a tremendous amount of awareness/interest with the TV, but could have used some advice from Ron Popiel of the Pocket Fisherman, and lately the Pasta Maker fame on how to pitch Newton.

The Newton is such a great product, it would have done better without the "help" of Apple.  People love organizers, from closet to electronic: Sharp's sells at the rate of 50,000 month worldwide I've heard.

Or how about a portable/personal database; Apple could have given some real life examples.  The business man forgetting milk for home, how about a personal note file?  The busy mom managing several schedules, lists; oh how it could have been marketed by example.

Why the focus on text?  You can write all your appointments in ink!  Set up forms with pick lists for data entry.  Send faxes with Letter Express, with a minimum of data entry, faxes anywhere with a one pound device.
Ron has sold product by pitching it alone, think how this product could have done.  But I do have to give Apple credit for not giving up on the platform yet.  Probably due to more success at penetrating Big Business, a historically weak area for Apple.

I guess those who do not see in this case are both the masses, and the folks in marketing at Apple.  

Next Meet

The fifth meeting for the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:00pm at McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176 VOX 708.671.0444.

The site is one stoplight south of the intersection of routes 190 and Mannheim road, or the corner of Lawrence and Mannheim.  Our building is the Starlight Building, the one right on the northeast corner of Mannheim and Lawrence.  Take the elevator to the second floor, our suite is right in front as you exit the elevator. 

Hope you can see us on Tuesday October Eleventh!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.

December Meet Announcement
    
ChiILNUG Meeting 12.15.94 7:00PM

"Time indeed", Captain Marko Ramius, submarine Red October upon departure from the then Soviet Navy base at Polyarnyy; in process of defecting to the US.  Hope that so many of the people I've met who are considering the purchase of a Newton just do it as in a previous newsletter.  Unlike "The Hunt for Red October", one does not have to sing in Russian to engage the Newton technology.       

The seventh meeting of the Chicago IL Newton Users Group will be held at McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176 VOX 708.671.0444.

The site is one stoplight south of the intersection of routes 190 and Mannheim road, or the corner of Lawrence and Mannheim.  Our building is the Starlight Building, the one right on the northeast corner of Mannheim and Lawrence.  Take the elevator to the second floor, our suite is right in front as you exit the elevator. 

Hope you can see us on Thursday December Fifteenth!  Questions?  Contact Kerry T. McCarthy at Compuserve 72520,1334, eWorld/Newton Mail/AOL KTMcCarthy, VOX 708.671.0444, FAX 708.671.0499, US Mail Kerry T. McCarthy, McCarthy & Magee, Inc. 9950 West Lawrence Ave., Suite # 200, Schiller Park, IL 60176.    
    
































