NewtNews-136-15Apr97
====================

by Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>.  This is a weekly freeware
newsletter that focuses on the Apple Newton and related technologies.
NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.  See the
Administrivia at end for details and FAQ info.

This issue of NewtNews is sponsored in part by:

 + INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON - Custom Electronic Forms Integrated With
   Your Desktop - Shana Corp - <info@shana.com> - <http://www.shana.com>

 + PowerMedia presents 'Arcade Game Pack' - Birds With Lances, Rocks
   In Space, Frogs vs. Cars - US$29.95 - <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>

 + VITAMIN A MENU EDITOR - Stand Alone has released it's custom and caret
   menu editor and creator! - Demo at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>

 + X-Port, KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - Newton 2.0
   solutions - <sales@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.com>

 + WinSlurp from Rare White Tiger Creations - Available via WWW at:
   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.

 + PowerTrans 3.0 - Multilingual Customizable Translator and Vocabulary
   Trainer - Speech on MP2K, eMate - Demo at: <http://www.travel-cs.com>

 + PDA & HANDHELD DIRECT - Putting Technology in the Palm of Your Hand!
   800-279-4PDA 219-882-5228 [F]:219-845-0578 <http://www.pdadirect.com>

 + QuickFigure Pro v.3.1 - New version of the spreadsheet solution from
   PelicanWare! - <sales@pelicanware.com> - <http://www.pelicanware.com>

 + TeleType GPS and moving map for the Newton - Never get lost again -
   <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> - <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>

 + MORGAN - Organize your books, CDs, tapes, records, videos and other
   collections! - <products@catamount.com> - <http://www.catamount.com>

 + BILLS TO PAY PRO 3.5.4 - Easily Track Bills & Expenses - Supports
   German - <info@marsoftware.com> - <http://www.marsoftware.com>

 + RidgeNet - ARA, SLIP, PPP access to the Internet from Ridgecrest, CA.
   <http://owens.ridgecrest.ca.us/RidgeNET/RidgeNETWelcome.html>


Table of Contents
-----------------

 1. Top News
 2. Comments from the Editor
 3. Information from Email
 4. Information from the Internet
 5. Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
 6. NewtNews Tips and Tricks You Can Use On Your Newton
 7. Other Related Technology
 8. Edupage, 07Apr97 thru 13Apr97
 9. INNOVATION, 07Apr97
10. Dear Newton Developer
11. Other Tidbits of Information
12. Advertising Notes
13. Product and Service Information
14. Guest Opinions
15. Administrivia


Top News
--------

** APPLE OFFERS DEALS TO PREVIOUS OWNERS **

Apple is offering previous MessagePad owners either a free Newton
Keyboard or a US$80 rebate on a Megahertz CruiseCard 28.8 PC Card modem
(XJA3288). Apparently no photocopies of the rebate are allowed, and there
doesn't appear to be a pointer available to this offer on the WWW.  To
learn more information about the U.S. Robotics' CruiseCard modem check
out: <http://www.usr.com/mobileusr>.

** NEWTON CONTINUES TO CREATE RUMOR PRESS **

The 'rumor mill' got started again last week with more rumors on what is
going to happen with the Apple's Newton System Group (NSG).  While the
stories started out with Sun Computer being interested in purchasing the
NSG so that they could get a jump start on building small Java based
PDAs, but by the end of the week the rumors 'matured' into a more of a
partnership between Apple and Sun on the Newton. [EDITOR: Many sources
reported this information including Catalina Ortiz at AP Newswire.]

The USA Today (written by Julie Schmit) also reported on the Newton
status on 10Apr97.  The article did point out that even though the
MessagePad 2000 and the eMate 300 are "selling well", the high cost of
Newton R&D is what Apple is apparently trying to negotiate with Sun. This
article also mentioned that Apple talked with a Taiwanese company called
Inventec about the NSG.

This 'investing' in Newton 'idea' was also pushed by Reuters over the
weekend with quotes from Apple Internet Wizard Larry Tesler.  So you
could see 'investments' by other licenses of the Newton like: Motorola,
Sharp, Panasonic, Digital Ocean, and Schlumberger.

Some possible other Newton pointers to more info:

    - <http://biz.yahoo.com/finance/97/04/11/aapl_1.html>
    - <http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/info/040297/info9_15003.html>

** BIG NEWS FROM REVELAR **

Van Evans <van@revelar.com> reports to two very important news items
related to Revelar:

	- RCU Lite has been release for free for end users
	  so that 3rd party developers can use RCU to
	  transfer their Newton applications data to Mac or
	  PC desktops. There will be a small fee or annual
	  license option for developers.
    - Revelar has announced the acquisition of TaxPro
      software for the Newton from Advanced Mobile of
      Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  A new Newton 2.0 version
      should be out by May97.

For more information check out: <http://www.revelar.com> or send Van an
email message at the address listed above.  The above WWW site also has
information about their commercial version of RCU that enables built-in
application to desktop communication.

** MP2K VERSIONS OF LIGHTSWITCH AND POWERPREFS AVAILABLE **

Jim Bailey <jdb@shore.net> reports that he has released new versions of
two of his excellent utilities -- LightSwitch 1.2 (shortcut for turn
on/off backlighting) and PowerPrefs 2.1 (activates some hidden features).
You can download them via: <http://www.tiac.net/users/jdb/index.html>,
and you can also find Jim very useful TimeStamp 2.0 utility (updates a
Note's timestamp) on this site.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  The New WriteRight Screen Enhancements protect your screen from
  scratches, reduce glare and improve your handwriting recognition by
  simulating the feel of writing on paper. WriteRights are available for
  all Newtons in packs of: 4-for $11.95, 8-for $18.95, and 12-for $24.95.
  Mention NewtNews and receive 10% off our 12-pack. For more info:
  415-929-1002 <Info@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  Notion 1.5 Enhanced for Newton 2.0 OS: Notion 1.5 is a powerful, easy
  to use tool that helps the mobile professional manage all the lists
  necessary to organize, integrate and communicate vital information.
  Includes Notion Connect for Import/Export from Mac or Windows desktop.
  From PelicanWare at $59.95+S&H (Upgrades $25+S&H). For more info:
  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Comments from the Editor
------------------------

** SOME NEWTON 2.1 PROBLEMS?!? **

The following 3rd Party applications apparently aren't working very
well with Newton 2.1 on the MessagePad 2000:

    - Solito Deluxe 2.02 but Solo Deluxe 1.63 is compatible
      <http://scoopnet.ca/solodx/download.html>
    - Symantec has reported some 'Linking'
      compatiblity problems with ACT! for the Newton
      with the MessagePad 2000.  A fix is in the works,
      and should be done within a month.

** LOOK OUT FOR STOLEN NEWTON! **

Lars Eggert <larse@usc.edu> is trying to track down his stolen
MessagePad 120 with 2MB Apple Flash RAM PC Card.  The unit was stolen in
the Los Angeles, California region, and is serial #: IV6010FF6B5.

** CORRECTION **

In last weeks Supplement, NewtNews made a mistake that accidentially
credited the "Review of FirstClass Retriever+" to Bill Moser even though
the article was written by Don Modesto.  NewtNews regrets the error, and
hopes the error caused no one any grief.

** AMAZING STUFF **

Have I mentioned how fast the MessagePad 2000 is?  Can't say it enough.
Screens pop-up instantly, fill in data, quick recognition, close windows
fast, jump to overview, do a Find, and what do you know -- Assist is now
actually usable.  Before I forget --  Freeze Package, Thaw Package --
only takes a second each (keep your heap in check, and you shouldn't have
any major problems).

Anything missing?  I've noticed the following so far ...

    - Select All menu command in NewtWorks (Cmd-A works with
      the keyboard)
    - Headers and Footers in NewtWorks
    - Multiple email accounts work, but require some heavy
      thinking (ie. it isn't totally intuitive).

** WRITING NEWTNEWS ON MY MP2K **

Several folks sent me email this past week, giving me the impression that
some of you think I'm producing all of NewtNews on my MP2K now.  This is
not true -- I did about 60% of issue 135, about 30% of last weeks
Supplement, and less than 20% of this issue on the MP2K.  While, it is
possible to do a great deal of editing and writing in NewtWorks, not
everything can be done in this application.   I don't expect this to
change much in the near future -- Mac OS 7.6.1 on a PowerPC 604 machine
running BBEdit 4.0.1 is still a pretty good editing/publishing system.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  Need more Newton information?!?  NewtNews suggests you check out:
    + Newton Reference: <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>
    + Always Newton Central: <http://www.theonly.com/newton.html>
    + NewtUser: <http://www.newtuser.com>
    + NewtWorld: <http://www.fw3.com/newtworld>
    + The Ultimate Newton: <http://shell.rmi.net/~rbruce/>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  TeleType GPS is software for the Newton which displays your location
  while driving or flying. The software includes a moving map which shows
  you where you are in relation to cities and towns. It is controlled by
  the Garmin 30 TracPack, a powerful yet small Global Positioning System
  (GPS) antenna.  Never get lost again. Email: <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com>
  or WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> for more information.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Information from Email
----------------------

** NEW NEWTON RELATED SITES **

Eugene Gerstein <eugene@netmedia.net.il> reports the creation of a new
Newton related site at: <http://www.toptown.com/hp/eug/newton>.  Eugene
also reports a site with information about buying a Newton in Israel via:
<http://www.netmedia.net.il/pczone>.

Dave Luna <dluna@voicenet.com> reports the creation of a Newton Survey
site that attempts to make it easy for average Newton users to request
software to be developed by Newton Developers.  For more info check out:
<http://www.voicenet.com/~dluna/survey.html>.

Bob Strenger <bloby@skypoint.com> has begun publishing the Newton
Underground 2000 via: <http://www.skypoint.com/~bloby/newton>.

Ken Alan <kalan@farallon.com> has created a Farallon Newton page that
outlines their Newton related networking products via the following URL:
<http://www.farallon.com/markets/solutions/newtsolutions.html>.

M. Coan Dillahunty <mdillah@emory.edu> reports the posting of Newton
Memory Card information for the MessagePad 2000 and eMate 300 via the
following URL: <http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~mdillah/>.

** MORE INFO ON SIEMENS NEWTON DEVICE **

The 'prototype' SIEMENS Newton phone (tentatively called "Online
Terminal") continues to make news.  You can check out a picture of the
device that was recently posted to Newton Central at:
<http://newton.theonly.com/images/Siemens_OnlineTerminal.jpg>.

The German 'Computer Bild' magazine published in 07/97 has an article
about the device on page 98.  The Online Terminal first shown at the
recent CeBIT computer fair.  You can also check out a related press
release via: <http://www.siemens.de/pn/press/97pn016.htm>.

** NEW STUFF FROM FOUNDATION SYSTEMS **

Foundation Systems has released the following Newton packages:

    - Corrector+ v2.2: improves the accuracy of
      handwriting recognition by adding limited
      word-based recognition
    - Styles+ 2.0: a replacement for Apple's built-in
      style palette that offers more font sizes and
      better ease-of-use
    - WriteHere 2.0 (b8fc1): handwriting recognition
      (HWR) and text-editing solution

You can also purchase Corrector+ and WriteHere for US$34.99.  For more
information check out: <http://www.tow.com/index.html> or send an email
to: <info@tow.com>.

** MP2K AVAILABLE AT CLUBPDA **

Chris Parker <Chrisp2@pacbus.com> reports that ClubPDA has fulfilled
nearly all their pre-orders, and currently has some 200 MessagePad 2000s
in stock and ready to sell.  For more information check out:
<http://www.clubpda.com> or call: 888.258.2732.  You can also find out
more information about the MessagePad 2000 and ClubPDA availability via:
<http://www.pacbus.com/ClubPDAHome/PDAResourcesFolder/PDARMP2K.html>.

** SEVERAL COOL UTILITIES RELEASED **

Richard Schaeren <rschaeren@newton.ch> reports the release of several
new utilities via <http://www.newton.ch/compower/MP2000.html>:

    - MP2KSWIS.SIT: Swiss Keyboard-Driver for the US
      MessagePad 2000
    - MP2KGERM.SIT: German Keyboard-Driver for the US
      MessagePad 2000
    - BLC2.SIT: Backlight Control Button 2.0 which
      adds a backlight button on top of the overview
      button.
    - PWN2.SIT: PowerNavigator 2.0, this utility
      provides fast and easy access to your most used
      packages and instant Fax and Beam receive.

Dr. Darwin Liao <darwin@amtidesign.com> has announced the release of
Firefly -- a backlight toggle utility that works via the Newton 2.1
software button bar.  For more info: <http://members.aol.com/amti>.

Dan Rowley <dan@newts.com> at Innovative Computer Solution reports the
beta release of their new shareware solution called BarKeep -- a button
bar enhancement for Apple's new MessagePad 2000.  The goal of BarKeep is
to let the user "control the location, size, and appearance of the button
bar, and customize these settings for each of the four possible screen
orientations."  It is also bundled with an extension called KillBB which
will temporarily disable the button bar altogether.  For more information
check out: <http://order.kagi.com/?IC>.

Alessandro Soldo <soldoa@FH-Trier.de> has released a new collection of
software called "Make My Day" which includes the following date related
utilities -- Find Collision, Meeting Manager and Week Overview.  For more
info/demo check out: <http://www.fh-trier.de/~soldoa/MakeMyDay>.

Serg Koren <archimag@netaxs.com> reports the release of US$15 shareware
Newt'sTime 1.0 -- a time-synchronization application for communications
savvy Newtons.  Updates your internal clock via a simple phone call (does
not require NIE but does require Newton 2.0).  For more information check
out: <http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/NewtsTime.html>.

** NEW VERSION OF LIFEKEEPER **

Saint John <morrisoj@post.drexel.edu> has announced the release of
LifeKeeper v2.0 -- a Newton utility for use in Magic: the Gathering card
games.  For more information check out the following LifeKeeper site at:
<http://www.dusers.drexel.edu/~stjohn/newton.html>.

** PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE SHIPS **

Nomadic Technologies has announced that they are now shipping their
N*Project (Personal Edition) -- a complete project management system for
Apple Newton 2.x units.  Plans can be created and viewed as outlines,
Gantt charts, network diagrams, or budget graphs.  These views are
interchangeable and each can be printed, along with several text reports.
For more info: 800.713.6291, 216.331.5771, <http://www.NomadicT.com>, or
<info@NomadicT.com>.

** NEW NEWTON KEYBOARD REPORT **

Tetsuya Iinuma <iinuma@highway.or.jp> reports the posting of an
interviewed Tetsuya recently completed with Mr. Ohsugi of The NewtonShop
(Tokyo Japan) about the new Newton keyboard unveiled at MacWorld
Expo/Tokyo '97.  You can check out the article via Tetsuya's Web page at:
<http://www.cyborg.or.jp/~iinuma/html/Newton.html>.

** POINTER TO: "NEWTON NON-FILE SYSTEM GETS RESPECT" **

Victor Rodriguez <Bit-Man@intersolar.Com.AR> reports that those
interested in American Scientist's "Reinventing The Computer" article
with several Newton mentions (reported in issue #135) should check out:
<http://www.amsci.org/amsci/issues/Comsci97/compsci9701.html>.

** FOREIGN LANGUAGE SOLUTION GETS UPGRADE **

Frank Wegener <wegener@travel-cs.com> reports the release of their
English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian language translator and
vocabulary trainer called PowerTrans 3.0.  This version also includes 15
foreign keyboard layouts, and completely supports the new MessagePad 2000
and eMate 300.  You can get more info via: <http://www.travel-cs.com>.

** NEWTON TOOLKIT NEWS **

Several of Apple's very dedicated Newton Developer Technical Support
(DTS) folks posted some details about what is going on with Newton
Toolkit (NTK) for Macintosh and Windows recently on the USENET newsgroup
comp.sys.newton.programmer.

Currently you can upgrade from NTK 1.0 to 1.5 to version 1.6.x for US$50.
The currently shipping version for the Macintosh is version 1.6.3 and
will soon be upgraded to version 1.6.4.  One of the new features in 1.6.4
is the ability to handle grayscale pictures and icons.  If you are going
to write new Newton OS 2.1 functionality then you'll need the Newton OS
2.1 platform file which is distributed among other places on the latest
Newton Developer CDROM.

Apple Developer News #51 published on 04Apr97 reports the release of
Newton Toolkit for Windows, Version 1.6.  The software kit retails for
US$150.  For more info check out: <http://www.devworld.apple.com/> or to
purchase check out: <http://www.devcatalog.apple.com>.

What are the main differences between Macintosh NTK and Windows NTK?
Here is a summary:

    - MacNTK has Bookmaker and support for the C++
      tools (which run only on the Mac). WinNTK has none
      of these.
    - There is a converter to go from MacNTK to
      WinNTK. There is no converter for the opposite
      direction.
    - WinNTK is a port of a Mac program, and sometimes
      that shows in the interface.
    - MacNTK allows AppleTalk connections to the
      Newton device in addition to serial connections;
      WinNTK has only the serial connection.
    - The QuickView online documentation that comes
      with MacNTK is a little more accessible (easier to
      use) than the WinHelp documentation that comes
      with WinNTK.

For more info: <http://devworld.apple.com/dev/newton/tools/ntk.html>.

** EJECT THAT MODEM CARDS BEFORE RESET **

Josh Peterson <petersjf@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu> reports that the current
wisdom from Apple's SOS folks is that if you have to do a soft-reset or
your Newton system restarts automatically on you, that you should remove
a PC Card modem ASAP to insure things restart correctly.  This is
especially true if you are using a MP2000 with a Megahertz PC card modem
(specifically the Megahertz XJ1144).  Several folks on USENET newsgroup
comp.sys.newton.misc have confirmed this suggestion works well.

** NEW STATIONARY SHOULD HELP DIETERS **

Jason Dufair <funne@holli.com> has created a Newton 2.0 Notepad
stationary that he calls "ww 1.1" that should make it easier for those on
the Weight Watchers diet system to plan meals and track their food intake
based on their own individual weights.  For more information check out:
<http://www.holli.com/~funne>.

** OTHER PASSING NEWTON MENTIONS WORTH MENTION **

Cyberian Outpost <http://www.cybout.com/> is offering 'deals' on two
Newton software products from Landware: Merlin/WordSleuth and WriteStuff.
On the PalmPilot side of things you can get Landware's Financial
Consultant from Cyberian Outpost also.

Guy Kawasaki's listserver <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/> had
pointers to Catamount Software's Morgan (Media ORGANizing tool), and
RoadRunner Tracks' The BARRIER 2000 (screen protectors).

TidBITS#372/31-Mar-97 had an article called "News from Cupertino" with a
Newton MessagePad 2000 mention in a review of what was recently released
by Apple on the hardware and software front.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
$ NS BASIC  $ The latest implementation of this cool programming tool has an
$   3.6     $ easy to use graphic screen layout function, plus indexed file
$   with    $ communications, graphics and more!  Program directly on Newton
$  Visual   $ or with a PC or Mac.  Create packages in the Extras drawer and
$ Designer! $ much more. 260 pg handbook. Cost is $99+5 S&H for all Newtons.
$           $ <info@nsbasic.com>,  <http://www.nsbasic.com>,  416.264.5999
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  PDA and Handheld Direct - MP2000 Coming March 21st
   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Standard Model only $949.00 Product (#22005)
   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Business Bundle only $1099.00 Product #22008
   - Apple Message Pad 130 w/ Newton 2.0 OS $655.00
   - Type II PCMCIA Flash Memory for all Apple MPs - Mfg Lifetime Guarantee
     4MB $128 (41070) 8MB $224 (41073) 10MB $274 (41074) 16MB $424 (41077)
   - Revelar Connection Utilities for Win $49.95 #10070 Mac $49.95 #10071
   - Newton Keyboard only $69.00
  To receive special pricing please mention source code #158
  To order call 800-279-4732 or 219-882-5228 or fax 219-845-0578
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Information from the Internet
-----------------------------

** IN SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT NEWTON CASE?!? **

Timothy Killian <tkillian@eventure.com> has found his perfect case at
Bergmann Luggage store (a West Coast chain) called the Kenneth Cole Hand
Bag (Model #55425, Price US$90).  Timothy also found that Toys-R-Us has a
'great' potential MP2K case in the form of Nintendo Game-Boy cases that
run under US$10.

Simon 'Gadget Man' Coulthurst <gman@globalnet.co.uk> has found a 'good'
one at Leeds (a specialist leather-goods store) in the UK called "Extras"
made by the Italian company called Condor Leather.  It is a 'sawn-off
briefcase' that is shorter than others, made of fine leather, and
antique brass fitments, so the price is kind of steep at UK POUNDS 180.

David MacNeill <dmacneill@pencomputing.com> reports that Pen Computing
has some MessagePad 2000 cases (one designed for men, and another
designed for women) posted via their World Wide Web pages at:
<http://www.pencomputing.com/pcdesigns/index.html>

Gregory Andreas <gregor1@ix.netcom.com> has found Domke's OutPack to be a
pretty good carrying case.  The unit also has a belt loop.  Domke is also
the manufacturer of the Camere cases.

Tim Benning <tbenning@execpc.com> suggests those that want a more day
planner case, check out the Cambridge Personal Day Planner with three
ring binder.  You can much the binder, and use this under US$20 (sold at
Target stores) to hold an MP2K "perfectly".

NewtNews has found the Eagle Creek Wanderer (#D2229C) that retails for
US$30 to be pretty good case.  The size of the unit is 9 x 12 x 7 inches
(23 x 30 x 18 cm), and includes a pocket for cellular phone.  There is
enough room in the main compartment to hold a MP2K, a QuickTake 150, and
a Newton keyboard.

** MERLIN AND WORDSLEUTH UPDATED **

Clinton Logan <clinton@landware.com> reports the release of Merlin 1.1
(spell checking utility) and WordSleuth 1.1 (thesaurus) that are now
fully compatible and integrated to work with the NewtWorks wordprocessor
on the MP2K and eMate 300.  These are being bundled for US$49.95, and you
can get more information via: 201.261.7944, <info@landware.com>, and
<http://www.landware.com>.

** E-Z ACCESS UPDATED **

Jack Starmer <jack@simplemed.com> reports that Morgan Creek Medical has
released version 2.0 of E-Z Access -- a pop-up button for launching
applications and books that can be accessed from any application on a
Newton device.  For more information check out the following site:
<http://www.simplemed.com> or send email to the following address:
<freeware@simplemed.com>.

** BILLS TO PAY PRO UPDATED **

Edward Martin <EdMartin@marsoftware.com> reports the release of version
3.5.6 of Bills to Pay Pro on 31Mar97 with full support for new Newton 2.1
features, and more interoperability with other finance packages.  The
following languages are also being supported: German, Japanese, French,
and Spanish.  For more info check out: <http://www.marsoftware.com>.

** BLUEPRINT 1.6 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE **

Ashish Mishra <ash@sineware.com> reports the 12-day limited demo of Sine
of the Times' BluePrint -- a project manager -- is now available.  This
version works on Newton 2.x devices and supports multiple projects,
relational tasks, task filtering, and gantt charting.  For more
information check out: <http://www.sineware.com/products/BluePrint/>.

** NEWTON REGISTER 1.0.2 NEEDS TEXT STATIONERY **

Flash Sheridan <FlaSheridn@pobox.com> reports:

    Newton Register <http://pobox.com/~flasheridn/register> lets
    you pay for shareware programs with a credit card via
    electronic mail.  Several MessagePad 2000 users have
    recently reported being unable to use the current version
    (1.0.2, 6/27/96).  My tentative diagnosis is that these
    users don't have Apple's Text Stationery extension, which is
    installed by a number of mail clients and internet
    utilities. (This, presumably, is why my beta testers and I
    never saw the problem.) I'm investigating including the Text
    Stationery extension with Newton Register, and distributing
    it to users who already have 1.0.2.  In the meantime, the
    simplest workaround is to temporarily install the free
    CompuServe mail client from Apple
    <http://newton.info.apple.com/newton/solutions/cismail.html>.
    Once you've installed it, you're free to remove the CISMail
    extension, so long as you leave the Text Stationery
    extension.

** COOL TRAVELING PHONE CORD **

Jim Felder <jfelder@traveller.com> has found a new cool 'phone gadget'
that mobile MP2K power users should appreciate.  It is called SureLink --
an 8-foot phone cable that retracts into a Type III PC card size.  For
more info: <http://www.port.com>.

Peter <mightbe_peterw@clark.net.foo.com> followed up with information
that you can pick up these cords for US$8 + S&H via The Palmtop Network
<http://www.palmtop.net/commlink.html>.

** NS BASIC NEWS **

George Henne <gh@nsbasic.com> reports the publishing of a new Tech Note
42 published on 03Apr97 that outlines 'fun things' you can do with NS
Basic and Newton 2.1.

If you want to add a 'pop-up button' to your NS Basic application, then
check out John Schettino's <schettino@writeme.com> TechNote #35 -- "Using
PICKER widgets to create buttons that display menus" via the following WWW
page: <http://www.nsbasic.com/technotes.html>.

** NEWTON ON CABLE TV SHOW **

Paul Duckenfield <paul@widomaker.com> and Michael Stango
<PhillyMJS@aol.com> report that on a recent CNBC's "Power Lunch" there
was a MessagePad 2000 appearance.  The show highlighted the improved
handwriting recognition and also mentioned how "terrific" the MP2K was.

** NEWTCASE UPDATED **

Don Vollum <donv@teleport.com> reports that PelicanWare and ICS are now
shipping NewtCase 3.0.2 that adds support for the MessagePad 2000 and
eMate 300.  Included in this package of utilities are the two heavy
weights:" NewtCase Package Manager and NewtCase Extensions Manager, along
with Extensions Manager, Desktop, GestureLaunch, NewtInfo, SleepAid, and
Soup Kitchen (but GestureLaunch is only compatible with MP120/130
devices).  The upgrade is free for NewtCase 3.0.x users, and sells in
Newton retail stores for US$49.95.  For more information check out:
<http://www.pelicanware.com> or send an email to: <sales@pelicanware.com>.

** NEWTON HALL OF FAME OPENS **

Douglas Luckie <luckie@pilot.msu.edu> reports the creation of an annex
off The Michigan State Newton Users Group (MSNUG) called the "Newton
Gallery" which will honor Newton Programmers and Evangelists in a "Newton
Hall of Frame."  You can get a direct link to:

    - Newton Hall: <http://pilot.msu.edu/~luckie/hallofame.htm>
    - Newton Gallery: <http://pilot.msu.edu/~luckie/newtgal.htm>
    - MSNUG: <http://pilot.msu.edu/~luckie/msnug.htm>

** UPDATED NEWTON SOFTWARE DIGEST **

Ian Robinson <newton-digest@stormont.compulink.co.uk> has updated his
Newton software digest on 06Apr97.  At this site you'll find details
about the following new Newton software packages: AMazeing; Asstcalc
3.5.1; Cliphoard; Crime And Punishment (Newton Book); Emerald City Of Oz
(Newton Book); Hwrworks 1.01; Issac's Dates; Issac's Names; Movie Demo;
Newtonlink 1.0; Nofx; Promedex Manual; Pt100 0.97; Relations 2.3; Silk
1.3; Streak 1.0; The Magic Of Oz (Newton Book); The Road To Oz (Newton
Book); WorksWrite 1.01; and WriteHere Public Beta 7.  Check it out at:
<http//www.compulink.co.uk/~stormont/newton/weekly.htm>.

** NEWTON ANSWERS **

Want to learn more about FTP clients for the MP2K?  Or interested in
finding out if there is a Lotus Notes client for the Newton?  Want an
SKEY/OTP client for the Newton?  Then check out Clay Irving's
<clay@panix.com> excellent Newton Reference site on the Web at:
<http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton>.  It has answers to these and other
questions.

** MORE NEWTON UTILITIES NEWS **

Want to change all your Names to a specific card style?!?  Then check out
Paul Rekieta <rekieta@newton.apple.com> CardStyler posted to this URL:
<http://members.aol.com/fitnesslog/index.html>.

David Dunham <dunham@pensee.com> reports that if you are interested in
a Newton based dice roller that you check out his dice roller program
at: <http://www.pensee.com/netfinder/netfinder.acgi$Root=RPG||>.

** NEWTON DEVELOPERS NEEDED **

David Bills <dfbills@syr.edu> reports that Raven Zachary
<raven@rinzai.com> is looking for a Newton programmer to help port the
Hotline client to the Newton using source and input from the Macintosh
version written by Adam Hinks.  Please contact Raven if you are serious
NewtonScript programmer with NIE experience.  For more info about David
and Raven's Hotline server called Newton Intelligence check out:
<http://www.rinzai.com/ni/>.

Christian Smith <csmith@gmu.edu> reports that the developer of FileCrypt
for Macintosh and Windows -- a portable PGP Engine -- Highware
<http://www.highware.com> is interested in working on a Newton version.
Ideally the developer should be a non-US developer.  If you are
interested send an email to: Axel de Landtsheer <support@highware.com>.

** NEW STUFF FROM SCRAWL **

Scrawl Software was a guest on Newton Intelligence Hotline Server on
Sunday, 04Apr97.  They announced 'Chirval' for the Newton (a port of a
Macintosh game of the same name by Ambrosia Software) and a 'kerborized'
version of Telnet via PT100.  Check out: <http://www.scrawlsoft.com> for
more information.

** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **

    - InterResearch & Development Group's (IRdg) iPost Universal
      Box & Courier: <http://www.irdg.com>
    - Browse Guide [Internet]:
      <http://poster.www6conf.org/poster/702/guide2.html>
    - The Orator Company [Macintosh]: <http://www.the-orator.com>
    - Data Ratchet [Macintosh]: <http://macspigot.netspace.org>
    - Taligent [Java]: <http://www.taligent.com>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   WinSlurp! - Rare White Tiger Creations provides Newton Book publishing
   services and is NOW offering WinSlurp. A windows front-end to Slurpee
   which supports transferring notes back and forth between the Newton
   notepad and the PC desktop.  Available for downloading from this URL:
   <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/heringermr/winslurp.htm>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   PowerMedia is your source for all the latest cutting edge Newton apps:
     + Super NotePad: Quick access arrows, encryption, tags, filters, etc.
     + DateMan 3.0: Complete agenda and contact management.
     + Stationary Construction Kit: Build your very own custom stationary.
   Commercially available at your favorite Newton retailer.  Or check out
   online demos via the following site: <http://www.powermedia.com/~pmi>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Top Weekly Magazine Stories Of Interest
---------------------------------------

[EDITOR: This is a collection of articles of potential interest to
NewtNews readers from the leading technology print magazines.]

** MP2K REVIEW IN MACADDICT **

The May 97 edition of MacAddict has a MessagePad 2000 review on page 73.
Overall the magazine scores the MP2K as "Freakin' Awesome" with the
following Good News -- "Built-in Internet and productivity software, long
battery life, powerful processor, and new backlighting."  On the Bad News
side of things -- "Too wide to be comfortable in small hands, heavier
than predecessors, and flat serial port requires retooled cables."  The
article is written by Kathy Tafel, and includes pictures of the built-in
spreadsheet by Pelicanware, and some very detailed graphics on the new
hardware and software features found on the MP2K

** NEWTON MENTIONS IN WINDOWS MAGAZINE **

Martin Heller <http://www.winmag.com/people/mheller> had two handheld
articles recently in Windows Magazine published on 01Apr97.  The first
was on developing for the Newton and Windows CE called "Think Small-If
you're tired of bloated desktop programs, you can develop tiny ones for
Windows CE and the Newton."  The second article is called "Head to Head:
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) Give a Little", and is a review of the
Casio Windows CE savvy Cassiopeia vs. the Apple Newton MessagePad 2000.
In the end Martin can't recommend either device because they basically
don't work well for him.

[EDITOR: IMHO, the programming article makes the Newton look better.]

** NEWTONSCRIPT GETS GOOD REVIEW IN BYTE **

Marton Carungay <martonx@macconnect.com> reports that the latest issue of
BYTE magazine has a side-by-side comparison of the development
environments for Windows CE, Newton, PalmPilot, and Magic Cap.  Marton
writes:

    The Newton development platform (mentioning
    NewtonScript specifically) received a very
    favorable review from BYTE magazine.  For
    "technology", Newton development received 5 star
    out of 5 stars possible.  For "implementation",
    the Newton development side received 4 stars out
    of 5 stars possible.

** GREAT MP2K REVIEW **

The Orlando Sentinel had a Newton mention in an article entitled "Apple
has hit with Newton MessagePad" by Barry Cooper published on 03Apr97. The
article is very pro-Newton and includes quotes like "best hand-held
personal computer available"; 'innovative';"[Apple has] done everything
right with the MessagePad [2000]"; and "IBM-compatible users will love
linking" [with the MP2K].  The article did note that the MP2K competes
against Windows CE, and that other devices, like Magic Cap, has 'failed'.

** NEWTON RUMORS **

Robert X. Cringley in his 'Notes From The Field' column published in
31Mar97 of InfoWorld has the following Newton mention:

    The Newton group rumors are cranking up [Open Doc
    rumors were listed above this rumor], too.  Apple
    continues to vie resources to the Newton group --
    all part of a plan to fatten it up for market.  If
    the Newton team goes on the block, Sun is rumored
    to be a likely buyer.  Developers at Apple have a
    certain expertise in miniaturization and
    handwriting recognition technology.  Sun's getting
    customer calls for a Java-based handheld, and the
    Newton team's expertise could get Sun into that
    business pretty quickly.

Spencer F. Katt at PC Week's Rumor Central has this Merger from Hell on
page 170 (07Apr97):

    Apple could merge with McDonald's and help Gil
    Amelio Dump some dead weight by offering McNewtons
    in every Happy Meal.  Just glue some small plastic
    Ronalds, Grimaces and Mayor McCheeses on all those
    old Newtons, and you've got "insanely great
    products!"  Toss in an Apple Pie and some McJobs
    brand Kool-Aid and you'll be in Happy Meal Hell.

Robert Cringley had a Newton mention on page 118 of InfoWorld published
on 07Apr97.  Someone actually called Robert up on 01Apr97 and swore that
the following wasn't an April Fool's Joke -- "Gaia Software (a Newton
developer in Portland, Oregon) was negotiating with Apple to buy the
Newton division."

** SHORT BLURBS OF INTEREST **

You can check out the full page Apple's MessagePad 2000 ad in the 31Mar97
edition of MacWeek on page 9.

"Redemption of John Sculley?" by Lawrence Aragon, PC Week Inside,
07Apr97, page A1. Several passing historical Newton mentions.  Scully
reported that Apple never spent more than 4% of their R&D budget on the
Newton while he was at Apple.  I also said "To this day, I have never
used a Newton.  It never met my test:  It had to be an efficient,
easy-to-use wireless device."

Frank Beacham <frank@beachman.com> comes to the MP2K's rescue with his
opinion piece on page 54 - 55 of InfoWorld published on 07Apr97.  Frank
lays out all the 'good' reasons why the MP2K should have been chosen as
better than Windows CE devices in a recent review.  According to Frank
the MP2K should actually be considered a 'portable computer' that rests
between PDA and subnotebook.

Microsoft estimates that there are 4.2 million programmers in North
America and that half are C or Visual Basic programmers.  Also according
to Microsoft the number of Java programmers is only 260,000 (6%) but
JavaSoft says there are 400,000 Java programmers according to them (10%).
[John Dodge, PC Week, 07Apr97, page 3]

** OTHER RECENT NEWTON PRINT MENTIONS **

Dr. Darwin Liao <darwin@amtidesign.com> has a review of the MessagePad
2000 in the 01Apr97 issue of Ophthalmology Times that points out how the
MP2K is ideal for Ophthalmology (eyes) medical solutions.

Andrew McCarthy <ajmccar@ibm.net> reports that the latest 'Success'
magazine has full page picture of the new MessagePad 2000 and a half-page
write-up. While it still portrays the MP2K as a 'toy', the article does
point out the much improved handwriting recognition.

Andrew Tong <amwt@lehman.com> reports an interesting article published by
a Hong Kong newspaper <http://www.scmp.com>.  The article is written by
Shaun Eddleston at Vigers on how their property consultant company is
using the Newton to do "improve internal operations and win lucrative
contracts, but [the Newton] has also helped provide [their] customers
with a better service."

Michael Stango <PhillyMJS@aol.com> reports that the 07Apr97 issue of
Newsweek has a MessagePad 2000 mention ("This ain't no PDA!") on page 8,
but there is a not so nice editorial cartoon that 'takes a swipe at
Apple' on page 25.

Robert Kupbens <rkupbens@earthlink.net> reports that the most recent
Mirabella (fashion magazine) has a 'good review' of the MessagePad 2000
with a focus on helping those that are organizationally challenged.

H.R. Laser <hrlaser@netcom.com> reports that a recent Autoweek magazine
had a blurb with pictures of a new Ford Taurus wagon called the
"L'Attitude" that included a write-up with a Newton mention --
specifically about the car having a mounted in-dash Newton GPS system.

Todd Wilson <wilson3@fas.harvard.edu> reports that Simson Garfinkle has
PDA Review article in the 10Apr97 edition of the Boston Globe. The
article looks at: PalmPilot, two Windows CE devices, and the Newton
MessagePad 2000.  Several folks have commented, including Todd, that the
article was pretty fair. Check it out via (may require some searching):
<http://www.boston.com:80/globe/glohome.htm>.

** OTHER ARTICLES OF POTENTIAL INTEREST **

    - "Device Bay Spec on Tab: Technology promises
       interchangeability to PC components" by Lisa
       Dicarlo, PC Week, 31Mar97, page 8
    - "AT&T Pulls the Plug on PACT Wireless Protocol"
       by Mark Moore & Charles Cooper, PC Week, 31Mar97,
       page 100
    - "Pocket access to an NC world: Microsoft
       positions handhelds to join battle against NC
       advances" by Jeff Bliss, Computer Reseller News,
       31Mar97, page 103
    - "Digital, Oracle Team up on NC Reference spec:
       Digital's StrongARM to drive design" by Carolyn A.
       April, InfoWorld, 31Mar97, page 25
    -  Tia O'Brien has a very interesting Q&A article
       on page A1 of PC Week (31Mar97) with Be Inc.'s
       Jean-Louis Gassee entitled "My Dinner With
       Gassee."

** MAJOR WEB POINTERS **

    - Web Week: <http://www.webweek.com>
    - MacWeek: <http://www.macweek.com>
    - InfoWorld: <http://www.infoworld.com>
    - Computer Reseller News: <http://www.crn.com>
    - PC Week: <http://www.pcweek.com>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  K2 consultants, Inc. has the best Medical titles for Newton. Just out is
  Dr. Ferri's popular book for internists with special offers! Get the hit
  references like Lexi-Comp Drug Handbook, 5 Min. Clin Consult, Archimedes
  Programmable Calculator, etc.  KJV Bible, Ole spanish translator & more,
  all working with our renowned ART engine. See ART make a big splash at
  <http://www.skyscape.com/k2> or <http://www.1stopsoft.com> for info/sales.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  INDISPENSABLE! The one word that describes The BARRIER Screen Protector.
    * Clearly Superior Protection
    * Abrasion, chemical, AND thermal resistant
    * Protecting Newton screens since 1993
  For more info: <http://www.losalamos.com/roadrunner> or call 800-882-8382
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


NewtNews Tips and Tricks You Can Use On Your Newton
---------------------------------------------------

** THE INSTANT GUIDE TO BECOMING A NEWT GURU **

By Roger Coleman <Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com>

It's great to get all of the +ve comments and tips since this column
started - many thanks, and keep them coming!  Lots of people have also
sent me details of the most invaluable utilities that they have
discovered - I shall start to include details of these in future episodes
of 'Tips and Tricks'.  If you have a tip for this column, email it to me
<Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com> with "NewtNews-Tip" in the subject field.
I am sure to run out of tips before long, so please pass on those nuggets
of knowledge to keep me going! Thanks!

** NEWT-TIP#4: TURN OFF APPS WITH A RESTART **

All the credit and glory for this week's tip goes to both Nick Mandich
<nmandich@netcomuk.co.uk> and Ralf Hinz <hinz@dbag.ulm.DaimlerBenz.COM>.

To restart the Newt without loading any apps/autoparts press the restart
button then press the pen against the left edge of the screen 1 cm above
the end of the edge of the silkscreen above Names.

    .----.
    |    |
    |    |
    |x   |
    |    |
    |    |
    '----'

A slip will ask if you want to load packages from internal. Tap no, then
press the pen again in the same spot, and another slip will ask the same
for card.

"Light" restart maximizes frame heap by sacrificing functionality. You
can still activate packages selectively by tapping an inactive package's
icon in extras which has a large X across it.

Use "Light" restart to increase responsiveness in special cases. Nick
uses it when reconciling in PocketMoney to speed up scrolling
dramatically and also to speed-up HWR recognition in long, or time
critical note taking sessions.

This tip is most appropriate on MP120/2.0. MP130 has twice the frame heap
of the MP120 so the frame conservation strategy may be less relevant. I
don't know if it works on MP2K.

** TIPS WANTED! **

Email your tips to Roger at: <Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com>.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions.  Custom stylus
  upgrades for Newton MP130 and MP2000.  Custom styli for WinCE, USR, and
  Sharp PDAs.  Wide selection of Pocket Styli for all tastes and budgets.
  Duo multi-function stylus/pen combo. Beacon L.E.D. lighted stylus. Stylus
  inserts for Cross & other popular pens.  More info: 800.270.7196 or
  516.467.4042, FAX: 516.467.6329, <http://www.PDAPanache.com> (secure)
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  PowerTrans 3.0 - Translator and Vocabulary Trainer - 60,000 Words -
  English, Spanish, German, French and Italian (no storage card required).
    + Customize the vocabulary and/or create new languages, attach notes
    + MP2K and eMate featured - speech, classroom multi-user, keyboards
    + Vocabulary Trainer - based on approved didactical learning system
    + Adjustable filters, more than 15 keyboards, connectivity to PC/MAC
  Checkout demo: <http://www.travel-cs.com> - contact: <info@travel-cs.com>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$----------- $


Other Related Technology
------------------------

[EDITOR: News collected via snail mail, major publications, USENET
newsgroups, email, and the WWW.  For more information about Farcast check
out: <http://www.farcast.com> and for more information about iNews use:
<http://www.individual.com>.]

** WIRELESS & MOBILE **

How big is the two-way wireless market going to be?  The Strategis Group
has a new $1500 survey that says that specifically wireless email "is
going to explode in use over the next few years."  Currently only 500,000
users are doing wireless email, but by 2001 the survey predicts 15.6
million will be doing wireless email.

The following companies all recently had new wireless related press
releases posted: RadioMail, Sprint & Sprint PCS, Motorola, Sierra
Wireless, Microwave, Metricom, Rockwell, Harris Corp., Puma Technologies,
Geoworks, Pocket Communications, Telxon Corp., Nokia, Mitsubishi,
Ericsson, River Run Software Group. InterDigital Communications
Corporation (IDC), InfoSpace, and PageMart Wireless.

Steve Mann <smann@cdpubs.com> reports that Creative Digital Publishing's
Handheld Systems Conference has announced that Nokia Mobile Phones has
agreed to be one of the corporate sponsors this conference that will be
taking place 24-26Apr97 at the San Francisco Airport Hilton. For more
info: <http://www.cdpubs.com> or call: 415.621.4252.

** PILOT **

Computer Reseller News (CRN) has a small blurb on page 99 that notes that
Data Viz is not shipping their PC to PalmPilot 'sync software' until
May97. There is also a small blurb with a picture on page 103 that
declares "PalmPilot: PDA of Choice". This blurb mentions that the
PalmPilot's HotSync feature 'dampens the claim by Windows CE that Windows
CE is the exclusive extension to the desktop."  This blurb also claims
that the PalmPilot is now 'ubiquitous in corporate America." [31Mar97]

PalmPilot got press release mentions last week via Puma Technologies for
their IntelliSync for PalmPilot, and from Windward for an announcement of
their conduits to Symantec's ACT, SideKick, and for U.S. Robotics
internal PalmPilot applications.

Here is a collection of new PalmPilot links that should be of interest:

    - 4-In-Line (Connect 4) 1.1 update:
      <http://home.pacific.net.sg/~kokmun/pilotpgm.htm>
    - Translate V0.95:
      <http://www.gate.net/~dhaupert/ddhpilot.html>
    - MenuHack v1.2:
      <http://www.1stresource.com/~mistered/mischack.htm>
    - Pikoban 1.0:
      <http://home.pacific.net.sg/~kokmun/pilotpgm.htm>
    - JFile version 1.1a:
      <http://www.iag.net/~jlehett/pilprogs.html>
    - Calvin's PalmPilot FAQ:
      <http://www.pilotfaq.com>
    - Pi-Lid: <http://www.artomatic.com/pi-lid/>

** WINDOWS CE **

B Mascardo II <masc@gte.net> posted a very interesting post to the USENET
newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops entitled "VELO 1 loooong review (after 4 days
of ownership)" To check it out use your favorite search engine -- for
instance: <http://www.hotbot.com>.

Nigel Ballard <pelham123@pobox.com> reported on comp.sys.palmtops that
the Velo-1 release in the United States will start at CompUSA on 14Apr97.
 For more info check out Nigel's @The Paperless Office Consultancy via
this link: <http://www.pobox.com/~pelham123>.

InfoWorld published on 07Apr97 has a small blurb on page 3 that states
that NEC will have soon have a 2nd generation Windows CE savvy processor
available called the Vr4102 running at 66-MHz.  This issue also says on
page 29 that Microsoft has a new version of their Windows CE Explorer 1.1
posted on their FTP sites that enable compatibility with Windows NT 4.0
and Outlook 97 email.

Mark Moore has Windows CE news on page 46 of PC Week published on
31Nar97.  The article says that sometime in Apr97 Puma Technologies
<http://www.pumatech.com> will have new Windows CE data sync software,
and Microsoft will ship Visual C++ 5.0 with a Windows CE development
add-on.

Jeff Bliss has an article entitled "Windows CE slow to take off --
Underwhelming enthusiasm shown for new handheld devices" on page 6 of
Computer Reseller News (CRN) published on 31Mar97.  Some general problems
with the Windows CE HPC marketplace according to this article include:
lack of market development funds, lack of channel training, and less than
expected co-marketing with Microsoft.  The article also sited the lack of
Windows CE connectivity to Windows NT 4.0 and Outlook products as being a
problem in corporate markets.  [EDITOR: These problems have been
reportedly already addressed by Microsoft.]

Philips has a new TwoChipPIC Plus chipset that will double Windows CE
performance, make comms easier, and offer color capabilities to 2nd
generation HPCs.  In related news, Philips and CIC have announced an
agreement that will enable Philips to incorporate CIC's handwriting
technology into future Philips products. [iNews & Farcast]

Advanced Recognition Technologies (ART) has a new version of smARTwriter
for Windows CE that uses less memory and will support European character
sets. [iNews & Farcast]

** PSION **

Psion <http://www.psion.com/> has reportedly created a new Corporate
Solutions division that will focus on insuring their continued handheld
'dominance' in some corporate sectors.

Here is a collection of new Psion links that should be of interest:

    - Marc Warne's Psionopoly: http://www.alphapro.demon.co.uk/>
    - Dart3a v1.00f: <patrick.wildenborg@IAEhv.nl>
    - PSICONS on ClaraNET: <http://home.clara.net/nkb/psion/> &
      on UK Online: <http://web.ukonline.co.uk/n.bee/psion/>
    - StereoVu: <http://www.niweb.com/dnet/dnethWMo/psion1.htm>
    - RShell with Ranger Disk: <http://www.aha.ru/~kis/>
    - PsiFile, PsiBank, & PsiLink:
      <http://www.worldonline.nl/~agiessen>
    - VacTrac 1.3.16:
      <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/3591/>
    - EMCC Backgammon: <http://www.compulink.co.uk/~emcc/>
    - The TOTAL PSION Solution:
      <http://members.aol.com/netpsion/index.html>
    - X3Tree V1.2 & SnFile V 1.2:
      <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/RWakelin>
    - HOL V2.1 Agenda holidays:
      <http://decus.se/~gripenol/hol.html>
    - Minefinder: <http://members.aol.com/stark3333/psion.htm>
    - S3A HOME V1.5 Home Inventory:
      <http://members.aol.com/alanrichey>
    - GBSoftware: <http://members.aol.com/GBSoftware/>
    - S3ABANK V1.9 & and SNABANK V1.2:
      <http://members.aol.com/alanrichey>

** OTHER HANDHELD **

Olga Mandrugina <om@technologynet.com> has announced a new "ultimate
technology resource on the Internet dedicated to bringing together
thousands of worldwide computer dealers and end-users under one virtual
roof" called TechnologyNet via: <http://www.technologynet.com>.

AllPen Software was showing a Java-savvy NetHopper Enterprise Server that
should enable proxy based mobile and handheld access at the recent
JavaOne Computer conference. [iNews & Farcast]

Geoworks has announced that they have licensed Java technology from
JavaSoft, and plans to incorporate this technology into future versions of
their GEOS system for handhelds and smart phones.  In related news, Nokia
and Geoworks recently announced a new VAR/SI program targeting their
Nokia 9000 device. [iNews & Farcast]

** APPLE **

Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison continues to say that he and others are
interesting in 'taking over' Apple Computer.  Apple CEO Gil Amelio was
reportedly "unimpressed" by the talk. [iNews & Farcast]

Apple will be participating in 'force' at Seybold Seminars New York being
held 21-25Apr97 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York
City. [iNews & Farcast]

Quality Education Data (QED), a Denver research company, reports that
Apple continues to be the #1 computer brand currently installed in United
States based K-College schools, and still the #1 vendor in expected
purchases for 1997. [iNews & Farcast]

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
recently confirmed reports that he currently holds more than 5% (worth
more than US$115 million) of Apple Computer -- which he has been
purchasing on the open market over the last several weeks. [iNews &
Farcast]

Other Apple tidbits: Fuji and Apple may form an imaging products alliance
in Japan; Sears is teaming up with Apple to promote a school rewards
program; Apple and IBM are negotiating new licensing fees; and Apple
continues to publish major advertisements in leading national newspapers.
[iNews & Farcast]

** MACINTOSH **

Apple's new 300-MHz PowerPC 603e 'Small Business' Macintosh systems
(called the Power Macintosh 6500) will be bundled with: Symantec's Norton
Utilities 3.2 and internal Zip drives.  Other processor speeds available
include 250-MHz and 275-MHz -- all of which are being manufactured by
Motorola. [iNews & Farcast]

The following Macintosh related products were recently announced:
Mountaingate's PCI-based Stampede Ultra and Mini-Array RAID systems; and
Number Nine Visual has new MacOS-savvy PCI-based 128-bit graphics cards.
[iNews & Farcast]

Apple is also now shipping a Power Macintosh 7300/180 (PowerPC 604e) with
a 166-MHz Intel Pentium PCI card. [iNews & Farcast]

UMAX Computer has announced a new SuperMac workstation called the
S900/250 that is powered by a 250-MHz PowerPC 604e. [iNews & Farcast]

Apple has announced that QuickTime 3.0 for Windows and MacOS will ship
during the Summer of 1997, and offer new video capture, editing, and
playback features. [iNews & Farcast]

** INTERNET **

Motorola has announced that they now have JavaOS 1.0 running on their
MPC821 PowerPC microprocessor. [iNews & Farcast]

Apple is now shipping their Internet/intranet publishing solution called
Personal Web Sharing 1.0 server software. [iNews & Farcast]


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  To much info in NewtNews for you?  Does all the Macintosh information
  make you want to puke?  Then maybe you should check out NewtNews-Savvy.
  For $20 you get 40 issues of just lean and mean Newton/PDA/Wireless
  information directly to your inbox of choice.  Send an email message
  with the subject containing 'NewtNews-Savvy' to <newtnews@pobox.com>
  and you'll get a sample issue and an order form.  Thanks for reading!
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  If you are too cheap to pay $20 for weekly Newton/PDA/Wireless info,
  then check out the freeware-monthly-Acrobat-savvy-version of NewtNews
  called NewtNews Pro at: <http://members.aol.com/nnpro/newton.html>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Edupage, 07Apr97 thru 13Apr97
-----------------------------

** THE MOUSE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD **

Douglas Engelbart, the man who invented the computer mouse, accepted this
year's $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize.  As he received the award, Engelbart
was described by economist Lester Thurow as "the father of the way we do
the Internet, videoconferencing, e-mail and most of our modern
interactions with computers.  With his help, the computer has become a
friendly servant rather than a stern taskmaster."  Nicknamed the mouse
because connecting wire resembled a tail, the device was patented as an
X-Y position indicator for a display system.   Engelbart, now 72, says,
"In 20 or 30 years, you'll be able to hold in your hand as much computing
knowledge as exists now in the whole city, or even the whole world."  (AP
9 Apr 97)

** CHINESE COMPUTER MAKERS CHALLENGE BIG BLUE AND COMPAQ **

The giant Asian market that has U.S. PC makers salivating could end up
buying locally, now that Chinese PC makers are making a comeback.  After
years of being outclassed by the likes of Compaq, IBM and AST, Chinese
companies such as Legend Group, Beijing Founder Electronics and China
Great Wall Computer Group are whipping out models that often are cheaper
and just as powerful as foreign ones.  Legend Group, which ships
motherboards to 26 countries, has opened a design center in California's
Silicon Valley, and pays Microsoft $12 million a year to load the Chinese
version of Windows 95 onto most of its PCs.  As a result, "they've
translated what's going on in technology abroad and brought it to China,
where they understand the market," says a Beijing-based analyst.
(Business Week 14 Apr 97)

** VIEW THROUGH WINDOWS WILL BE WEBTV **

Microsoft is acquiring WebTV Networks Inc., the Palo Alto, California,
company that delivers Internet content directly to television sets.  The
$425-million purchase is intended to speed up the convergence of PC and
TV and to make Microsoft's Windows operating system software a standard
for the next generation of consumer devices.  A Microsoft executive said
about the deal:  "We bought these guys because we have a vision of a
better TV and a better PC."  (Washington Post 7 Apr 97)

** BUSINESS ON THE WEB:  LEMONADE STAND OR SHELL GAME? **

One participant in last week's Multimedia Roundtable, organized by UCLA
professor Martin Greenberger, said:  "It's very simple.  You buy sugar
and lemons;  you sell lemonade.  If you have some pennies left over, you
have a business.  If you don't, you have a shell game."   It's just a
shell game when an interactive media company runs through the money it
obtained from venture capitalists, then tries to get more money through a
public stock offering even though it has no realistic plan in place to
produce long-term profit.  (New York Times 7 Apr 97)

** YOU'RE NOT AS SECURE AS YOU THINK YOU ARE **

Platinum Technology CEO Andrew Filipowski doesn't think much of current
efforts to secure corporate networks:  "Today, the entire scheme of
security can be characterized by two things:  either you're making it a
hassle to get into your network so a thief will go over and steal from
someone else; and/or you just hope somebody has something more worthy to
be stolen than you do.  Only stupid people are kept out of networks.
There's plenty of them, so that's the good news....  A firewall is a
pretty crude, fundamentally stupid idea.  It often puts things that you
would prefer get stolen on one side and things you'd prefer not get
stolen on the other side -- with no real assurances that sensitive
material is being protected.... The problem, in a nutshell, is there's no
unified security scheme produced by anyone that can cover all the holes
simultaneously to present an impenetrable barrier."  (Investor's Business
Daily 10 Apr 97)

** BILL GATES SAYS "NEXT TARGET IS SIMPLICITY" **

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, who wants the PC to take its place in the
living room as part of an all-digital home entertainment system admits
that the PC must become easier to use and promises:   "I think people are
going to be pretty stunned. They saw how quickly we adapted the PC to
Internet standards.  The next target is simplicity."  (Financial Times 11
Apr 97)


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   This space for rent.  For more info: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Thanks.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


INNOVATION, 07Apr97
-------------------

** TRENDS: READING THE FUTURE **

Despite pundits' hyperventilating predictions that the advent of
computers and video would spell the end of reading, it's really the
nature of reading that is changing.  "Media is not a zero sum game," says
Paul Saffo, director of the Institute for the Future.  "Just because a
new medium arrives doesn't mean an old medium dies out.  We still have
writing in an age of word processing; we still have reading in an age of
video.  That will continue, but the nature of reading will change as it
has changed all along." Technology has, in fact, boosted some book sales,
with sales of works on new technologies and the Internet more than
doubling between 1991 and 1995.  And while book sales are expected to
rise as the population ages (older people read more than younger folks),
young people are doing more of their reading on the Internet:  "For
younger people, using computers and the Internet is just a matter of
course.  They learn to do it as part of their schooling.... Certainly,
there is a fear that this will have an effect on book reading," says the
VP of the American Booksellers Association.  But Saffo discounts ABA's
fears:  "When you think about it, reading has been an antisocial act. You
go off alone with this piece of dead material."  Saffo says that younger
people's involvement in MUDs (multi-user domains) increases, so will the
acts of reading and writing:  "You can already see a style of writing
online that's different.  It's informal, with less care about things like
spelling and punctuation."  (Rebecca Piirto Heath, "In So Many Words,"
American Demographics Mar 97)

** STRATEGIES: FOLLOW THE ACTION **

A firm can choose among three basic strategic orientations:  an
orientation toward customers, or toward competitors, or toward
technology.  Choose carefully.  In a highly uncertain market, a customer
orientation is critical to gathering information necessary to reduce that
uncertainty to tolerable levels, but as demand uncertainty decreases, all
competitors have the same information about the market, and you'll just
run up marketing costs without realizing any benefit.  So what you need
to do when market demand is well-known is adopt a competitive
orientation.  The rule is:  if there is high market uncertainty, study
your customers, whereas if there is low market uncertainty, study your
competition.  Be careful not to study the competition too much when the
market is highly uncertain -- i.e., when *no one* knows what customers
want.  If you do, you'll rely unwisely on your competitors' projects and
products, on the probably incorrect assumption that your competitors must
know what they're doing.   (Hurbert Catignon & Jean-Marc Xuereb,
"Strategic Orientation Of The Firm And New Product Performance,"  Journal
Of Marketing Research XXXIV Feb 97)

** INNOVATIONS: COMPUTER DESKTOP GETS A FACELIFT **

Several universities have developed improved ways of organizing
information on the computer desktop, taking advantage of the way the
human mind conceptualizes things rather than the way we organize paper.
"We've sort of been locked in this menus-and-windows metaphor," says the
head of the computer science department at the University of New Mexico,
which has developed Pad ++ <http://www.cs.unm.edu/pad++/>.  "I think
we're seeing a movement toward more-active information space, where we're
not mimicking the printed page."  Pad ++ uses a "pan-and-zoom" interface,
which allows the user to view a large assortment of documents and then
zoom in for a closer look. Documents are arranged in much the same way
that you would lay notes and other materials out on a table when getting
organized for a writing project. Meanwhile, computer science professor
David Gelernter at Yale University has developed Lifestreams:
<http://www.cs.yale.edu/homes/freeman/lifestreams.html>, which allows
users to form a kind of digital diary that functions as a chronological
guide to computer files.  Every file, whether e-mail, word-processing or
spreadsheet, is displayed in chronological order, fanned out like a hand
of playing cards, with the upper left corner exposed.  "It really helps
people deal with information overload," says one of the researchers who
worked on the project.  "People remember when something happened."  The
ultimate goal of the project "is to make life less of a nuisance," says
Gelernter.  "Make the complexities and depredations of the modern world
less of a pain.  Give us more control over our lives, and more time to go
fishing."  (Chronicle of Higher Education 4 Apr 97)

** MORE INFO ON INNOVATION **

Innovation is published weekly, with individual subscriptions available
at $15 a year. Topics are organized under the following headers: TRENDS,
STRATEGIES, and INNOVATIONS.  For a six-week free trial subscription to
Innovation, please send an email message to
<innovation-trial@newsscan.com> and in the subject line type the word:
'subscribe'.  You can also use the trial registration form on their Web
site at: <http://www.newsscan.com>.  For more info, send email to:
<gehl@newsscan.com> or <douglas@newsscan.com>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  NEED A NEWTON PROGRAMMER? NewtNews has a list of over 48 Internet based
  Newton programmers who are interested in working on vertical or
  horizontal market solutions.  Please send email to: <newtnews@pobox.com>
  if you would like the list or would like to be added to the list.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Dear Newton Developer
---------------------

** INTRODUCTION & INCENTIVE **

This area is dedicated to trying to solve NewtNews readers programming
needs, and in turn hopefully lead to the creation of a legitimate Newton
shareware solution for the developer solving the problem.  If a developer
solves such a problem, NewtNews will give them a 50% price reduction for
any advertising service they order for that product in our Products and
Services area.  If you have a utility you need written, please let
NewtNews know by sending an email to: <newtnews@pobox.com>.

** DVORAK KEYBOARD EXTENSION **

Dan <dfrumkin@earthlink.net> would like an 'extension' that would 'trick'
a Newton into thinking that the Newton Keyboard is a Dvorak Keyboard.

** DESKTOP INTERNET CONNECTION?!? **

Jakob Peterhansel <jph@bns.dk> is interested in finding a solution that
would enable him to use Newton Internet Enabler via his Macintosh which
would then be connected to the Internet.


Other Tidbits of Information
----------------------------

** CONFERENCE POINTERS **

Inc. World & Strictly Business Computer Expo is being held 30Apr97 -
01May97 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.  The
show runs from 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on both days.  For more
information check out: <http://www.sbsandiego.com>.

Digital Wireless Enhanced Services '97 is going to be held in Boston, MA
at the Boston Park Plaza the 15-18Jun97.  For more information check out:
<http://www.ibcusa.com/conf/PCS>.

** FORBES, 21APR97 **

Interesting new two-page ad from BMW near the beginning of this issue.
On the left-hand side is a compass with the words "The Prototype" under
it, and on the right-hand side is 'handheld GPS mapping device' with the
words "The Finished Article."  Expect more navigation and 'direct route'
technology incorporated in BMW vehicles in the future.  For more
information: <http://www.bmwusa.com>.

Neil Weinberg has an one-page article called "CounterAttack: The Japanese
fell behind in microprocessors, but they have by no means dropped out" on
page 45.  The article features a picture of Hitachi's Tsugio Makimoto
holding two Hitachi processor powered/engineered/manufactured Windows CE
HPCs.

** NSG'S MARCH 1997 QUARTERLY POUCH **

The March 1997 Quarterly Pouch for Newton Solutions Providers has details
on:

    - Air Media's PocketCall 2.1 <pocketcall@exmachina.com>
    - Balcones' Leverage: <http://www.balconessoftware.com>
    - iambic's TimeReporter, Action Names, Paper Pak, and
      Sub Patrol: <http://www.iambic.com>
    - Mark/Space's PageNOW!: <http://www.markspace.com>
    - SilverWare's MoreInfo: <http://www.silverware.com>

** NET-HAPPENING POINTERS **

Gleason Sackman <gleason@rrnet.com> reported via his NET-HAPPENING site
that the Windows CEnter For Windows can be found at:
<http://www.best.com/~raychin/wince/>; RCR (weekly newspaper for the
wireless communications industry): <http://www.rcrnews.com>; and David
Hughes' NSF sponsored K-12 wireless field test info can be found at:
<http://wireless.oldcolo.com>.

** THE RED HERRING - MAY97 **

Very interesting article about the recent going ons at Disney's R&D Labs
that are run  by Bran Ferren.  Some of the big names in computer science
are now Imagineering Fellows including: Marvin Minsky, Seymour Papert,
Alan Kay, and Danny Hillis.  The article is called "The Day After
Tomorrowland", it starts on page 32, and is written by Jonathan Burke
<jon@herring.com>.

The focus of this months issue is 'Semiconductors' and there is, as
usual, a ton of related information and commentary.  The fun starts on
page 49 and goes on for 30+ pages.


Advertising Notes
-----------------

GPS MAP and ACCSYS' AMIGO are now advertising in this section.

Shana Corp., and Catamount Software recently updated their ads with new
product announcements.

If you are interested in advertising in NewtNews please send email to:
<newtnews@pobox.com>.  NewtNews is freeware because of the advertisers
that support this effort, and we appreciate their support.

When you purchase products from NewtNews vendors please mention that you
heard about their product in NewtNews.


Product and Service Information
-------------------------------

* GPS MAP and GPS MAP LITE -- GPS based navigation with real moving maps,
showing all details as familiar from paper based maps.  Features -- map
calculator, route planning, database, history track, and mission
recorder.  Import your own maps from your Mac or PC at any scale.
Connects to most GPS receiver's offering a NMEA183 interface.  For more
info/demo: <http://www.soaring.de/gps/GPS_Map.html> or <gerds@micronet.de>.

* Newt Development Environment: develop object-oriented applications in
NewtonScript on the Newton (shareware: $49.50; tools, examples, support).
* Newt's Cape: create Newton books with text, graphics, tables, links,
and forms from HTML (via web browsing or Notepad) (shareware: $38.50;
tools, examples, support). For details, software, and registration info:
<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.html> or <weyer@netaxs.com>

* INFORMED FILLER FOR NEWTON is your mobile data collection solution for
Inspection forms, Health Care forms ... in fact, for any forms you use!
Design custom forms on your Macintosh with Informed Designer.  Then, fill
out your forms on the Newton quickly and accurately using automatic
defaults, choice lists, calculations and signatures.  Finally, send
completed forms directly to Informed Filler on your desktop for further
processing.  Now when you buy Informed Designer, you'll also get Informed
Filler for the desktop AND a BONUS Newton Filler.  For more details about
this exciting offer, contact Shana Corp. at: (800) 386-7244, email at:
<info@shana.com> or visit our Web site at: <http://www.shana.com>.

* SOLUTIONS FROM LANDWARE. All work in the Newton 2.0 OS.
  - PROCALC EX: Programmable calc. w/ SAN & RPN, includes: proCALC 12c.
  - QUICKNAMES PRO: Rapid access to names and much more.
  - X-PORT: The 2.0 connection utility. Send/receive notes, contacts...
  - KWIKMENU: the Newton dashboard, includes GestureLaunch Lite.
  - NEWTPAINT: "MacPaint" on your Newton, w/zoom-in and screen shot.
  - SYNC+: Dates to Schedule+ 1.0 or 7.0
LandWare, 201-347-0031, <sales@landware.com>, <http://www.landware.com>

* Frustrated by the amount of time required to input long notes?  Looking
for a faster method?  GESTURE MOSAIC is a hybrid keyboard/recognition
system which enables the rapid (30-40+wpm) pen-based entry of text.  Now
updated for OS2.0, you can use it to quickly input text anywhere in your
Newton. FREEWARE versions are available at: <http://www.amtelcom.com/Mosaic>
For more information contact: <amtelmit@aol.com> or call: 800-696-6724.

* ChessPad 2.0 turns the Newton into a digital chess book and a portable
chess set. It contains 28 fully-annotated games played by the greatest
players of all time, 100 brilliant winning combinations by Morphy, Tal,
Fischer, and Kasparov, and 100 chess problems.  ChessPad can also import
games in Portable Game Notation format. Only $39.95. Clear Lake Research
713.663.7513 <DavidL62@aol.com> <http://members.aol.com/clrsch/chesspad.html>

* STAND ALONE offers a variety of Newton applications for Newton 2.0:
   - PACKAGE POPUP: instant access to all your packages, launch
      with a tap, automatically thaw and re-freeze. $15.
   - SECURE-A-NEWT: Password protect folders in your NotePad, Names,
      and Extras Drawer. Protect your info from prying eyes. $20.
   - KEYMAN: Adds function keys, a multi-function calculator, and a
      new keyboard designed for one-fingered typing. $20.
   - NOTEMAN: Instant access to the NotePad from any package. $10.
   - BACKGAMMON: The classic board game, brought to Newton. $20.
   - SUPER SORTER: Fast, Usable list management, featuring fully
      expandable and customizable list creation and editing. $20
For information about any of these or other Stand Alone products,
contact us at: <info@standalone.com>, or (312) 262-5150. Also check
out our Web site at: <http://www.standalone.com/newton>.

* Tim Constantine has several cutting edge Newton solutions: Flash - A
Speed Reading Tutor; CrazyDice - Multi-player Strategy Game, and Clean
Notes - Stationary w/o Lines.  For more info: <timconstan@kagi.com> or
<http://www.kagi.com/timconstan>.  Tim is also available for custom
Newton application development.  Send Tim email if you have a question
about custom application development or about his cutting edge solutions.

* NEW! 8th Volume of the Totally Incomplete PDA CD-ROM for Newton! This
CD-ROM from AMUG CD, Inc. contains over 1400 packages, and 600+ megs in
Mac and PC format. 2.x & 1.x Packages can be downloaded directly from the
CD to your MessagePad. Maximize your Newton experience! $29 + S/H. Call
AMUG 602.497-2244, or email <sales@amug.org> to order! See our Newton CD
web page at <http://cdrom.amug.org/>.

* BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY PACKAGES FROM PELICANWARE
   All packages for Newton 2.0 OS - Upgrades also available.
 - QUICKFIGURE PRO 3.0: Spreadsheet application  $59.95
 - NEWTCASE 3.0: The Ultimate Utility Suite  $49.95
 - NOTION 1.5: High Performance List Manager  $59.95
 - AVAILWORKS 2.0: Text, spreadsheets, drawing, and graphing $79.95.
All from PELICANWARE.  For more details email: <info@pelicanware.com>,
vox: 503-221-1148, fax: 503-221-8709, or <http://www.pelicanware.com>.

* CATAMOUNT SOFTWARE offers the following:
   - POCKETMONEY assists you in balancing your checking, savings,
       credit card and loan accounts. Export and import transactions
       to Quicken, MYM and other desktop based program.
   - NAMIGATOR gives rapid access to Names. I know, I have over 5000.
   - MPG helps you keep your vehicle records in order. Track fuel
       economy, record mileage for tax purposes, schedule repeating
       vehicle maintenance items for multiple vehicles.
   - MORGAN is the Newton Media ORGANizer. Track CDs, tapes, records
       books, laserdiscs, videos, and more...
For more information call 802-372-9512, email <products@catamount.com>, or
visit our web site <http://www.catamount.com>.

* NEW BILLS TO PAY PRO 3.5.5 Rated 5 out of 5 by Gecko Magazine! Now
available in German! For NOS 2.0. Includes support for stationery,
enhanced overview, and new printing options! Easily track bills and
expenses; create budget projections; and set alarms to remind you of
bills. Send bill info to Pocket Quicken or Pocket Money. $39.95+S&H MAR
Software at: <info@marsoftware.com> or <http://www.marsoftware.com>.

* GET AMIGO NOW! Did you know you can order AMIGO the premier 8000+ word
English/Spanish Dictionary Reference Tool and Translation program for the
Newton over the World Wide Web at: <http://www.1stopsoft.com>?  AMIGO is
available for US$24.95 and it comes with a full year of upgrades. For
more information contact ACCSYS by email at: <rkaplan@well.com>


Guest Opinions
--------------

** THE TROUBLE WITH THE MP2000 **

by Simon 'Gadget Man' Coulthurst <gman@globalnet.co.uk>

I had been without Newton for nearly four months.  Once the MP2000 was
announced I decided to sell my MP130 early to get as good a price as
possible.  I then used a Psion 3C (surprisingly good) whilst waiting for
the MP2000 to arrive.

Two weeks ago my new MP2000 arrived. The full package with all software,
but without the keyboard or case. This is the only configuration
available in the UK. I soon had the Newton Connection Utilities installed
on my NT4.0 workstation and my Names backup restored. My Dates backup was
too out-of-date, and so I re-entered my meetings, dates and calls by
hand. A simple procedure with the MP2000's seemingly near faultless
handwriting recognition. Maybe it is just the speed increase that creates
the illusion, but somehow the whole unit just seems to recognize my print
better than my MP130.

Before long I had transferred, and worked on, some of my spreadsheets.
Created some fairly long documents, using the word processor with my
Newton keyboard and the WorksWrite extension for occasional editing.
Placed all my notes into the Notepad. I use Super Notepad by StandAlone
software so that, amongst other things, I can encrypt private
information. I also use MoreInfo to provide the links I require and
because of the superb At A Glance screen that effectively replaces the
Dates application for me.

But the trouble with the MP2000 is that the novelty has now warn off. It
is simply a very productive and useful computer in a small form factor.
My Toshiba notebook has been untouched for two weeks. I find I can do
everything that I used to do with the combination of the Psion and
Toshiba on just the one device, the Newton MP2000. I no longer have to
put myself through hoops trying to achieve something on inappropriate
hardware. The MP2000 does it all, easily, without strain. A great device
and now taken for granted. Thank you Apple!

** HOW ACCURATE IS THE NYT?!? **

Macintouch <http://www.macintouch.com> had a recent pointer to an
interesting piece by David Every's MacKido Temple that focuses on the
'reporting accuracy' of the New York Times and their primary report on
tech issues -- John Markoff.  You can check out the following link:
<http://www.mackido.com/DarkSide/ai_markoff_merger.html> for more
information.

[EDITOR: Macintouch continues to publish a good deal of late breaking
Newton related news blurbs.  The site is typically updated daily, and is
a great way to track primarily Macintosh and Apple news.]


Administrivia
-------------

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if full
credit is given.  Others please contact me.  NewtNews doesn't guarantee
accuracy of articles.  NewtNews does not express or imply any
endorsement of any businesses participating in this publication.  My
personal comments may be included in articles NewtNews reports by
highlighting them as -- [SDH: Comments].  Official NewtNews Editor's
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Send contributions and comments to Steve Holden, Editor and Publisher
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This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: Christy and I
celebrating our 3 year wedding anniversary at George's At The Cove in La
Jolla, California; the movie "The Saint"; the absolutely incredible golf
play by Tiger Woods to win the Masters; and a great dinner with Mary and
Jeff down at Karl Strauss' Brewery Downtown on Saturday night.

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