NewtNews-141-27May97
====================

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:

 + 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>

 + 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>

 + WriteRight Screen Enhancements - protect from scratches, reduce glare,
   and simulates writing on real paper - <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>

 + X-Port, KwikMenu, NewtPaint, Quicknames Pro, proCALC Ex - Newton 2.0
   solutions - <sales@landware.com> - <http://www.landware.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 Print Sources Of Interest
 6. NewtNews Tips and Tricks You Can Use On Your Newton
 7. Other Related Technology
 8. Edupage, 19May97 thru 25May97
 9. INNOVATION, 19May97
10. Dear Newton Developer
11. Other Tidbits of Information
12. Advertising Notes
13. Product and Service Information
14. What do NewtNews Advertisers Think?!?
15. Comments About Using Email On Newton Last Week
16. Administrivia


Top News
--------

** ITS OFFICIAL -- APPLE TO SPIN-OFF NEWTON **

Apple announced at around 2:00 p.m. on 22May97 (Thursday) that they were
going to created a Newton specific subsidiary that will focus on solving
the computing and communications needs of today's corporate mobile users.
The complete transition is expected to be finalized by 30Jun97.

The current CEO of the 'tentatively named' Newton, Inc. will be the
previous VP of the Newton System Group -- Sandy Benett.  A search is
reportedly currently underway to find an experienced and seasoned "CEO to
lead the organization and complement the existing management team."

Newton, Inc. will take over Apple's MessagePad line and will serve to
help Apple continue to build, support, market, and sell the eMate family
of products to the education markets through Apple's Education Division.

** COVERAGE OF THE NEWTON SPIN-OFF NEWS **

Jodi Mardesich <jmardesich@sjmercury.com> had a pretty good review of the
Newton, Inc. news in her article "Apple to spin off Newton: Wholly-owned
handheld computer firm to target mobile professionals" published on
online on Thursday at the San Jose Mercury News site at this URL:
<http://www.sjmercury.com/business/apple/ap052297.htm>.  The article did
note that Sweden's Ericsson was courted as a potential buyer of the
Newton System Group, but instead will most likely license Newton
technology in the near future to be used in Ericsson cellular phone
devices.  Jodi used Peiter Hartsook as her industry analyst, and included
a quote of support from Newton developer Jay Wright at Wright Strategies.

David Morgenstern <david_morgenstern@macweek.com> also had a pretty good
summary in his "Apple Spins off Newton" article that was posted to
MacWeek: <http://www8.zdnet.com/macweek/mw_1121/nw_newton.html> and to
MacWorld: <http://www5.zdnet.com/zdnn/content/mcwo/0522/mcwo0001.html>.
David uses Dataquest's James Staten has his industry analyst, and also
notes that Newton, Inc. will now have the ability to build more laptop
like Newton devices that will compete against Apple's PowerBook products

Catalina Ortiz at the Associated Press had her take on the announcement
distributed all over the world -- NewtNews saw the article entitled
"Apple cuts loose its cash loser: Newton unit will become independent
subsidiary" in the Business Section of the San Diego Union-Tribune
published on 23May97.  Catalina used the 'dreaded' Dataquest analyst
Kimball Brown for her "industry analyst" -- he thinks that this spin-off
is just a ploy to sell the unit as an intact group.  The article also
included a picture of a MP2K being 'demoed' buy Baron Byron at the
computer retailer Computerwave based in Palo Alto, California.

** OTHER SITES WITH NEWS ABOUT NEWTON, INC. **

    - Official Apple Press Release can be found at:

<http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970522.pr.rel.newton.ht
ml>
    - Apple Developer News #58: <http://www.devworld.apple.com/>
    - NSG's FAQ on the Announcement:
      <http://www.newton.apple.com/announce/announce_QnA.html>
    - Information Week (IW) Daily 5/23/97: <http://www.informationweek.com>
    - "Apple fails to find buyer for its Newton division, opts to let
       it swim (or sink) on its own"
<http://www.anchordesk.com/story/story_944.html>
    - "Apple to spin off Newton unit":
      <http://biz.yahoo.com/finance/97/05/22/aapl_1.html>
    - "Newton Unit Will Separate From Apple's Core" by Julie Schmit,
       USA Today, <http://www.usatoday.com/money/mds5.htm>
    - "Users, analysts applaud Apple's move to spin off Newton":
      <http://www.anchordesk.com/story/story_949.html>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  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 information:
  415-929-1002 <Info@ConceptKitchen.com> <http://www.ConceptKitchen.com>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  NewtCase 3.0 - The Ultimate Newton Utility Suite. A powerful suite of
  utilities designed for Newton 2.0.  Customize your Newton and get more
  power and control over packages.  Includes: Package Manager, Extensions
  Manager, NewtInfo, SleepAid, GestureLaunch, Desktop, and SoupKitchen.
  From PelicanWare at $49.95+S&H (Upgrades $20+S&H). For more info:
  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


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

** NEWTON SUCCESS DEPENDS ON WHAT 'AUTONOMOUS' MEANS **

Apple said that the new 'Newton, Inc.' will be autonomous, but it appears
that Newton, Inc. will not be able to play in the apparently very
successful eMate education arena as Apple's Education Division has taken
this market for their own.  If supporting this market via Apple's own
product lines, keeps the Newton afloat in the short term then this
arrangement will be satisfactory.  But if Apple starts to declare other
markets off limits, for instance, what if the Business eMate is so
successful that it starts to erode Apple's PowerBook market, then Newton,
Inc. will not survive.  The market will ultimately decide the Newton's
fate, I just hope whatever legal bind Newton, Inc. gets itself into will
not limit their potential for real growth and domination.

** WHAT DO NEWTNEWS ADVERTISERS THINK?!? **

Check out the summary of comments from NewtNews advertisers on the
Newton, Inc. news at the end of NewtNews.

** COMMENTS ABOUT USING EMAIL ON NEWTON LAST WEEK **

I have also summarized at the end of this issue of NewtNews many of the
suggestions and comments that I received from NewtNews readers about my
review last week about trying to do 'industrial strength' email on the
MessagePad 2000 during Apple's WWDC.

** SOME INTERESTING NEW RUMORS ... **

Dragon System hasn't been able to convince the Newton System Group (NSG)
to build or support a 'voice-recognition' savvy version of a MessagePad
2000. Apparently the voice-recognition stuff works pretty well, but the
vocabulary necessary for a horizontal solution requires more memory then
the current MP2Ks offer.  Thus Dragon Systems is 'considering' dropping
support for the Newton.

Sharp is building a 1000+ MessagePad 2000s a day with backorders running
in the two week time period.  The number of eMates being built is also
similar, but backorder is 2-3 times longer.  Apple employees can now
personally purchase eMates.

The NSG should have detailed documentation available for the InterConnect
port by the end of Jun97.  Several developers are not sure if NSG will
pull off publishing the documentation in a timely manner, and are busy
reverse engineering the port.  Demand for 3rd party docking products, and
'other' interconnect ports are reportedly very high.

There has been recently a very limited developer seeding of Newton
Internet Enabler (NIE) 2.0 with support for Ethernet.

** WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE MAILING LIST **

The 'great' NewtNews email listmaster Bob Torres is on a 'study trip' for
the next couple of weeks, and has left the NewtNews email list in my
hands.  Hopefully I won't screw up NewtNews' distribution, but if you get
10 copies of NewtNews in your mailbox you'll at least know who to blame.
If for some reason you don't get NewtNews check it out on the WWW -- I
have 'mastered' the art of posting to the WWW. ;-)

** CORRECTION **

Amrik Thethi <amrik@am-tech.demon.co.uk> notes that the correct pointer to the
ARM emulator URL is: <http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/ftp/arm/gnu/>.


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

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  TeleType GPS - New v2.0 - now includes U.S. Interstate Highways data
  overlay. GPS software provides plot of your position on moving maps while
  you drive or fly. Overlay packages include cities and towns, Interstates,
  and special Aviation overlay for pilots. Bundles include GPS receiver and
  software.  Never get lost again.  Email: <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com> or
  WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/> for more information.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


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

** GOLF APPLICATION GETS QUICK UPDATE **

Rick Armstrong at Sun Sabre Software reports that a new version of their
ScorePad application is now available from their World Wide Web site.
Version 3.0.1 fixes a bug with handicap calculation and with routing
problems.  Rick also reports that the 'Analysis' feature can now analyze
your scoring average.  For more information check out the following URL:
<http://members.aol.com/sunsabre/ScorePad.html>.

** NEWTON CHAT EVENT **

Raven Zachary <raven@rinzai.com> reports that Newton Intelligence held a
very informative chat session with Newton developer Serg Koren on 25May97
(Sunday) at 5 p.m. (EDT).  You can learn more about Newton Intelligence
and check out text transcripts of all their chats via the following URL:
<http://www.rinzai.com/ni/>.

** ANOTHER CASE RECOMMENDATION **

Randy Bennett <rbennett@mail.cvn.net> reports that the Samsonite Travel
Toiletry Kit (US$12.99, model# RT-424) is a 'nearly' perfect case for
holding a MP2K, a keyboard, and other cards plus both serial and power
cables.  Randy purchased his at a Staples store.

** NEWTON DISCUSSION FORUM **

David Gewirtz <david@component-net.com> has created an interactive
"Newton Discussion Forum" on a WWW site that you can access via the
following URL: <http://www.component-net.com/webx?14@@.ee6b579>.

** PHOTOGRAPHERS USING THE NEWTON?!? **

Michael Marlborough <harshpic@wr.com.au> is looking for other
photographers who are using the Newton in their work (either
professionally or personally).  Please contact Michael if you are
interested in discussing the world of Newton and taking photos.

** SOUND RECORDING UTILITY RELEASED **

David M. Pompea <74736.172@compuserve.com> at DMP Systems reports the
release of a Newton solution called "DSR-1" that enables recording of
Notepad sounds via the Power Switch on/off capabilities.  DSR-1 will run
in fully functional demo mode for 45-days and retails for US$10.  For
more information check out: <http://www.netacc.net/~dmpsyst>.

** DATA MEASURING SOLUTION WANTED **

Dimitri Pateras <dimitri.pateras@span.ch> is looking for a Newton
solution for a large company based in Geneva, Switzerland that can
measure (via a custom serial port hardware solution) "electricity supply
on major high tension external sub-stations."  And check measured data
against 1-MB of ASCII data for "peak values."  If this sounds like
something you are familiar with, then please send email to:
<sigse@iprolink.com> or <chopard@gkb.com>.

** TWO NEW THINGS FROM TACTILE SYSTEMS **

Robert Bruce <rbruce@tactile.com> has posted a new Newton utility called
WordBuddy at: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce/tactile/xWordBuddy.html>.
Robert is also working on a email listserver to link those who have
Newton package file storage sites online together, and also attempts to
tie in the developers so that it is easier to distribute Newton software.
For more information send an email to: <rbruce@tactile.com> with the
title set to: "Site Host.

** NEW VERSION OF SLURPEE AVAILABLE **

Steve Weyer <weyer@kagi.com> has posted on 22May97 new version of his
Newton to/from desktop text/data transfer utility -- Slurpee 2.0 -- which
supports transferring paragraphs or tab-delimited text to and from the
Newton via a terminal emulator or a serial connection.  What is new to
2.0 for Newton 2.x:

    - import gray scale graphics
    - import/export packages
    - support for larger binary objects

The software is US$10 shareware, and you can get more information via
<http://www.netaxs.com/~weyer/newton/releases.html>.

** LACK OF NEWTON COVERAGE SHOWS BIAS?!? **

Hang Wong <hwong@inconnect.com> is extremely disappointed with Mark
Bunting's "ComputerMan" syndicated cable computer show.  The latest show
on 18May97 had a focus on PDAs, and only showcased the PalmPilot and
Windows CE devices.  Not even a mention of the Newton was heard through
the entire segment.  Hang has found that Mark has consistently been
anti-Macintosh and anti-Apple in general, so while it doesn't surprise
him, it is very frustrating that the MessagePad 2000 or eMate 300 wasn't
even mentioned.  For more information about the show check out:
<http://www.bunting.com>.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
$ 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, Everything you need for your Newton
   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Standard Model only $949.00 (#22005)
   - Apple MessagePad 2000 Business Bundle only $1099.00 (#22008)
   - MP130 Buy Back Program - Trade in your MP130 for special deals on
     MP2000 or other PDAs - Call for details: 219-882-5228
   - MP2000 Accessories: Rech. Battery $31.95 (#22209) AC Adapter $29.95
     (#22202) MP2K Pen $12.95 (#31227) -- Type II Flash Memory 4MB $98
     (#41070) 8MB $174 (#41073) 10MB $210 (#41074) 16MB $310 (#41077)
   - Revelar Connection Utilities (RCU) for Win and Mac $39.95 (#10071)
  To order 800-279-4PDA or 219-882-5228 or FAX 219-845-0578 [Source #161]
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


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

** C POCKET REFERENCE **

Paul Meyers <meyers@cise.ufl.edu> has created a Newton Book that contains
C Pocket Reference material including sections on: I/O Functions, String,
Math, Time and Date, and Memory Allocation.  For more information:
<http://mac-iac.cise.ufl.edu>.

** ADJUSTABLE MP2K STAND **

HI-RIZER <info@hi-rizer.com> reports that they are now shipping their
HiRizer stands for the MP2K that are built out of machined magnesium, and
will work in both an office and/or a car using dual adjustable swivel
mounts.  For more information: <http://www.hi-rizer.com>.

** NEW NEWTONS AVAILABLE DOWN UNDER **

Simon Tout <s.tout@unsw.edu.au> reports that NewtonWorld in Sydney,
Australia has the MessagePad 2000 (Aus-$1600) and eMate 300 (Aus-$1300)
available for purchase.

** GECKO - A NEWTON MAGAZINE **

Gerald Fox <gfox@bekkoame.or.jp> would like to remind Newton users that
Gecko Magazine -- a free monthly Newton Magazine that is published for the
Web and for the Newton in Newton Book format can be access via:
<http://members.aol.com/geckoweb/gecko.html>.

** UPDATE TO NEWT'SPAPER **

Serg Koren <archimag@netaxs.com> has announced the release of his
Newt'sPaper 05/19/97-1 -- a USENET news (NNTP) reader solution for NIE
enable Newton devices.  This new version includes a host of new features
and bug fixes.  For more information check out the following URL:
<http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/NewtsPaper.html>.

** THESAURUS FOR NEWTON **

Hayes Haugen <hayes@eskimo.com> has posted his program called
'Lextionary' to: <http://www.eskimo.com/~hayes/dictionary.html>. This
solution contains definitions for 60,000 words and synonym sets for
119,000 words, plus over 750,000+ cross references between words.  More
GUI features are going to be added in the near future which should make
cross reference access easier.

** LOOKING FOR NEWTON SUCCESS STORIES **

Newtonshop <newtonshop@incomm.ch> reports that they are working on
collecting MP130 and MP2000 corporate success stories that they will post
to their Web server in the near future.  Send your contributions or links
to published stories to the email address listed above.

** BULLS USE NEWTONS ON TV **

Benjamin Smith <benjs@ix.netcom.com> reports noticing the Chicago Bulls
personnel using MessagePad 2000s on the sidelines during a recent Bulls
vs. Miami Heat playoff game.

** OTHER NEWTON MENTIONS ON THE WWW **

MacSurfer (19May97) had a Newton mention in reference to the need that
Apple had to make a Newton decision: <http://www.macsurfer.com>.  It
should also be noted that MacInTouch <http://www.macintouch.com> and
MacCentral <http://www.maccentral.com> also have both recently had a
great deal of 'solid' Newton coverage.

THE COMPUTISTS' COMMUNIQUE (TCC) published on 20May97 (Vol. 7, No. 33)
had a Newton news section.  For more information about this most
excellent newsletter check out: <http://www.computists.com>.

TidBITS#380/19-May-97 <http://www.tidbits.com> reported the release of
the update to Newton Connection Utilities 1.0 via Apple's FTP servers.
The updater works on Newton Connection Utilities 1.0b6 that shipped with
earlier MP2Ks and eMate 300s.

Dan Costa has a MP2K review (not that good though) in the Jun97 edition
of Computer Shopper entitled "An Apple for Core Devotees".  Dan thinks
the unit is too big and heavy, handwriting recognition is "far from
acceptable", "the filing system is enigmatic as ever" and will basically
only appeal to devoted Newton fans.  The complete article (with a couple
of positive comments) can be accessed via the World Wide Web at:
<http://www8.zdnet.com/products/content/newrev/cshp/0516cs5.html>.

Marton Carungay <martonc@macconnect.com> reports that The New York Times
Syndicate Web site has an article about what Steve Wozniak thinks about
abut the new Newton eMate 300.  Check it out the article via:
<http://nytsyn.com/live/Latest/140_052097_120014_29887.html>.

Marton Carungay <martonc@macconnect.com> also reports that Mac Home
Journal recently had an interview with Apple's CEO Gil Amelio who is
quoted as saying the that sales of the eMate 300 could reach the hundreds
of thousands.  More info at: <http://www.machome.com/Features/gil1.html>.

** MACWAY NEWTON MENTIONS **

Guy Kawasaki's MacWay Evangelist email listserver had several Newton
blurbs recently including:

    - Tom & Vicki Patten <tvpatten@3-cities.com> reported a
      pointer to an article by Paul Andrews at the Seattle Times
      that has some good things to say about the MP2K:
      <http://www.seattletimes.com/ptech/thisweek/user.html>
    - Iverson Software has Release 1 of a US$10 shareware
      NewtonBook called "Generic Drugs."
      <http://prairie.lakes.com/~j5rson/business/ebooks.html>
    - Blaine Fergerstrom, <webmaster@starbulletin.com> has a
      review of the eMate 300 in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin:
      <http://starbulletin.com/97/05/16/business/story2.html>
    - Peter Baral <Peter.Baral@s-direktnet.de> reports a new
      German gradebook application is freely available for
      teachers to try.  For more information:
      <http://www.s-direktnet.de/homepages/medienwerkstatt>.
    - Paul DiGiovanni <pdigi@poboxes.com> sent in a very
      detailed report entitled "Followup - Communications /
      Telephony Solutions for Mac/Newton". Check it out via the
      MacWay WWW site.
    - Brian Hall <brian_hall@markspace.com> reports you can send
      messages from a Newton via modem, and receive them via the
      Socket PageCard using his software called PageNOW! for
      Newton.  For more info: <http://www.markspace.com>.
    - Newton World <<http://newtonworld.com.au> is running a
      "Most Unusual Use of a Newton Contest (Australia)"
    - Robert Deruy <BobXian@sisna.com> has news of Pocket
      System's PocketGIS at: <http://www.pocket.co.uk>
    - Hardy Macia <hardy@catamount.com> has released
      PowerRecorder which lets you record messages using the
      on/off button. For more info: <http://www.catamount.com/>.

For more info about this excellent Apple, Macintosh, Newton, etc. ...
resource check out: <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/>.

** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **

    - DVC'97 West: <http://www.bcr.com>
    - Resource Center for Cyberculture Studies:
      <http://otal.umd.edu/~rccs>
    - Newton Web Ring: <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton/webring.htm>
    - Yahoo Twin Cities: <http://minn.yahoo.com>
    - FEMA:  <http://www.fema.gov>


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
   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 Print Sources Of Interest
-----------------------------

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

** NEWTON TO BE USED BY USDA **

John Moore has an article entitled "Handheld Technology: GTSI nets large
USDA buy of Apple's Newton" on page 43 of Federal Computer Week published
on 19May97.  According to the article, Government Technology Services
Inc. (GTSI) will provide the USDA with 484 MessagePad 2000s for a price
of US$457,065 (or approximately US$944.35 each) for a forms & data
management solution for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For more information check out: <http://www.fcw.com>.

** MORE DETAILS ON NEWTON USED ON TIBETAN TREK **

Penny Lunt has several Newton mentions including a picture in an article
entitled "Tibetan Trek Takes Imaging To The End Of The Earth: Custom-made
digital photography systems lets Sir Christian Bonington's expedition
post images never seen before to the Web" on page 36 of Imaging Magazine
published on Jun97.  The key part of this project was a MP130 that
communicated with an INMARSAT Mobiq satellite phone to upload pictures
taken using an Agfa digital camera.  The whole system was designed and
engineered by a company called Logica based in Lexington, MA
(617.476.8000).  The article mentioned that Sir Bonington was already a
Newton user before the trek so using the Newton was a given considering
"it's a well-proven platform."  For more information check out the
following URL: <http://www.bonington.com>.

** NEWTON GETS 9% OF THE MARKET **

According to Dataquest, some 700,000 standard handheld units were shipped
in worldwide in 1996.  The market share was broken up as:

    51% U.S. Robotics
    25% Hewlett-Packard
     9% Apple
     3% Casio
     2% Sony
    10% Other

[Mark Moore, PC Week, 19May97, page 6]

** SEVERAL OTHER NEWTON MENTIONS **

Short pointer to the news that Wynd Communications is now shipping a
WyndMail for Newton version 2.5 that runs on Apple's MessagePad 2000,
130, and 120.  You can learn more on page 46 of PC Week published on
19May97.

Geoff Baum has a Newton mention in an article called "Bouncing Back: In
high tech failure is rarely a dead end.  It's just another opportunity"
that starts on page 49 of Forbes ASAP published on 02Jun97.  Given the
title of the article, can you guess in what context the Newton mention
is?!?  Yes ... it is the "Where are they now?" sideline article that
mentions the Newton in John Sculley's biography.  Yes ... Mr. Sculley
"committed too much capital to the troubled handheld Newton." (page 52).

Apple Developer Technical Support (DTS) Group answered Newton OS and
NewtonScript questions on page 101 of MacTech published on Jun97 in their
"Newton Q&A: Ask the Llama" section.

Charles Haddad has a Newton mention in the article entitled "Hand-held
MessagePad winning rave reviews" published on 04May97 in The Atlanta
Journal - The Atlanta Constitution.  The article covers the recent
positive industry press about the MessagePad 2000, has a good summary of
the MP2K's features, and notes that Atlanta's 24-hour Cable TV news
channel -- CNN -- has plans to test the MP2K for day-to-day news
reporting capabilities.

Tom Crowley <crowltom@niacc.cc.ia.us> reports that TV Technology
published on 22May97 has a feature about Frank Beacham and how he uses a
MP2K with the Newton software solution Shot Logger at WGBH in Boston, MA.
The complete article can be found on page 24.

David Kalish at The Associated Press had a Newton mention in an article
entitled "Newton Spinnoff Fails To Pare Rot At Core of Apple Computer"
published on 24May97 in the Portland Oregonian.   David notes that the
Newton's future is now a "little clearer, but Apple's is as hazy as
ever."  The rest of the article is a mostly a focus on Apple's Macintosh
business strategy and how much overall David feels [SDH: Given the quotes
and the stats he feeds his readership.] Apple is just a sinking ship that
hasn't changed its ways at all.  Even with the recent popularity with
Apple's latest products, it seems, according to David, to little to late.

** SOME OTHER PDA MENTIONS **

Robert X. Cringely has a couple of interesting rumors on page 133 in
his 'Notes From The Field' column published on 19May97 in InfoWorld:

    - U.S. Robotics is interested in building a
      PalmPilot 'Phone' to compete against the Nokia
      9000 mobile phone
    - Be, Inc. is also suppose to be looking at using
      the Hitachi SuperH SH-3 processor for an embedded
      version of Be OS.  This processor is also used in
      Windows CE devices.

** OTHER ARTICLES OF POTENTIAL INTEREST **

    - "Wireless Snakes Into The Big Time: Market
       finally shedding adolescent skin" by Kim Borg,
       Computer Technology Review, May97, page 1
    - "Stanford Research Institute report: Two-way
       paging prices must drop" by Niall McKay, InfoWorld,
       19May97, page 70

** MAJOR WEEKLY MAGAZINE 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>
    - Network World: <http://www.nwfusion.com>
    - LAN Times: <http://www.lantimes.com>


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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>

If you have similar tidbits for this column, please drop me a line!
<Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com>. Please include details of the model and
OS that you are using. Let me know of any easter eggs, too!

** CAPITALIZATION GESTURES ON MP120, OS2.0 **

Here are some more neat gestures that make using the Newt a little
quicker:

To capitalize or de-capitalize the first letter of a word, the quickest
thing to do is double tap it - the capitalized and non-capitalized
versions of the word are always the top two options in the word list that
pops up.

To do a whole word, first select the word you want by holding the pen
until it squeaks and drawing a line through it.  To make the word into all
capitals, draw a vertical line up through the selected word from just
below it to just above it.  To make it all lower case, draw a line that
goes down instead of up.

** OVERVIEW AND ALERT BOXES **

Not exactly a tip, but it may be of interest to MP120 users to learn that
the scroll and overview buttons work with the little alert boxes that pop
up on the Newt from time to time! Next time you get such an alert, tap
the overview button and you will see a list of all of the alerts
displayed since the Newt was last reset. You can tap on any item in the
list to re-read it. I actually used this feature yesterday to re-read a
hint from 'Namigator' that popped up the first time I used it!

** TIPS WANTED **

Please send me any tips, hints, goodies, or similar bits of information
for future issues of this column to me <Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com>.
Credit & Glory will be given to all those that contribute!


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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 **

USA Today has begun a new service that provides news & business
headlines, along with weather and sport scores to Sprint Spectrum digital
phone customers in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area. [inews]

Metricom has been busy expanding their Ricochet Wireless Network service
to ten major airports in the U.S. including: San Francisco International,
San Jose International, Oakland International, John Wayne/Orange County
Airport, Los Angeles International, Sea-Tac in Seattle, Minneapolis
Airport, and National Airport in Washington, D.C.  In the near future
expect networks up and running at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and La
Guardia Airport in New York City. [Farcast]

Beijing Telecom, NTT and NEC reportedly just began testing a new PHS
(Personal Handyphone) wireless network system in the immediate Beijing,
China area. [Farcast]

Motorola has host of new technologies announced: the MPC850SE processor
is designed for cost-sensitive applications; the MPC860SAR processor has
unique features to make ATM solutions easier to build; GSM SIM cards
should make building GSM mobile phones easier; and the 68HC916R1 an
on-chip flash (50K) microcontroller. [inews]

** PALMPILOT **

Ron Nicholson <rhn@nicholson.com> reports the release of cbasPad (version
0.75) --  a 'Tiny Basic' interpreter for PalmPilot devices.  The software
is currently freeware, and can be downloaded via the following URL:
<http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/pilot/>.

You can find Issac's Tamagotchi Digipet / Pilot Page at:
<http://www.intercon.net/~issaclam/mypet.html>.

Yeechang Lee <ylee@columbia.edu> reminds PalmPilot users to check out the
U.S. Robotics' PalmPilot Reviews Pages at:
<http://www.columbia.edu/~ylee/pilot-reviews.html>

Stephen Herman <sjh@philabs.research.philips.com> recently posted a
"Review: Pilotmail vs. Handstamp" to the USENET newsgroups
comp.sys.palmtops and comp.sys.handhelds.  Those interested in this topic
should check out your favorite search engine (i.e. Wired's HotBot
<http://www.hotbot.com>) for the complete post.

** WINDOWS CE **

Mark Moore has an article entitled "Win CE Slims Down: Next Generation of
Handhelds will take aim at PalmPilot" on page 6 of PC Week published on
19May97.  The next generation of Windows CE will include a pocket-size
device in the US$300 range to target the U.S. Robotics' PalmPilot market.
Expect Windows CE 2.0 to on the street in Nov97 (announced in Sep97).
Some features: handwriting recognition software, software modem, and
better PIM functionalities

Mark Moore also has an article entitled "HP Ships Windows CD-Based 300LX
Series of Palmtops" on page 48 of PC Week published on 19May97.  The
article notes the unique features of the 300LX series, and that HP's
market share in the handheld marketplace should increase to 23% in 1997.

HP has an ad for their HP 300 Series Palmtop PC that is Windows CE savvy
on page 15 of InfoWorld published on 19May97.

MobileWare has announced a new WebMirror Communications Server v5.0 that
runs on Unix and Windows NT, and includes a 'simple client' that supports
Windows CE. [Farcast]

** PSION **

THE SHARPER IMAGE <http://sharperimage.com> reportedly has a price
matching policy for their complete line of products including their PSION
3C units and Psion accessories.

Arnoud van der Giessen <agiessen@worldonline.nl> reports the release of
PsiFile 1.2 -- a freeware compact filemanager for the Psion.  For more
information: <http://www.worldonline.nl/~agiessen>.

** OTHER HANDHELD **

Corel is busy working on a Network Computer (NC) savvy notebook that will
use a standard OEM design and will be powered by a StrongARM processor.
The price is expected to start in the US$2000-2500 range with devices
shipping in Nov97.  The unit will run a hybrid Java Virtual Machines,
Microwave's OS-9 embedded operating system, and reportedly Windows. [Mark
Moore & Michael Fitzgerald, PC Week, 19May97, page 8]

David Gurgel <energyfor@aol.com> reported on the Magic Cap mailing list
that his company is interested in deploying a vertical application that
will use 200 PIC-1000s or PIC-2000s.  Those that can supply 50 units or
more at a time should send David email.  Do not send David email if you
can only supply individual units.

Wintermute <wntrmute@inconnect.com> is looking for a DS-110 Docking
Station for his PC110.  He thinks he's found a picture of one at:
<http://www2e.meshnet.or.jp/~kamio/ds.htm>.  Can anyone confirm this?
And what is the name of the company that builds the unit?

Jacob Schwartz <jschwart@motown.lmco.com> reports that the Philadelphia
Area HP Handheld Club (PAHHC) will be hosting Hewlett-Packard's Eric
Vogel, on 05Jun97 (Thursday evening) at Drexel University in
Philadelphia.  The meeting will start between 7:30-7:45 PM.  For more
information check out: <http://www.waterw.com/~jake-s/pahhc.htm>.

Frederick Friedman-Romell <mlamis@mlahq.org> reports that the IBM 730T
Pen Tablet Web site has moved, you can get to the new site by using:
<http://www.mlahq.org/~mlamis>.

Seamus Waldron <seamus_waldron@cix.compulink.co.uk> has created a World
Wide Web (WWW) site dedicated to the IBM DOS Web Browser called "webBoy"
(ideal for Libretto and PC110 users) at:
<http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~seamus-waldron/webboy/welcome.htm>.

James Laurence <james@pinkworks.com> reports the creation of a new
moderated discussion list called "The Wireless PDA Digest".  You can
learn more about this list via: <http://www.pinkworks.com/wpda.html>.

Telxon Corporation has been busy working on a major retail mobile
computing system that will total 14,000 Telxon devices for Hallmark Cards
based in Kansas City, Kansas. [Farcast]

Franklin Electronic Publishers has announced that they will continue to
work closely with Voice Powered Technology International (VPTI) to
exploit VPTI's low power Voice Logic voice recognition technology for a
range of future electronic products. [Farcast]

Norand has a new PC compatible system with a full VGA backlit screen
called the PEN*KEY 6360 Hand-Held Computer.[inews]

** APPLE & MACINTOSH **

Apple has joined the INTERSOLV PVCS Enablement Partners' program that
will help bring some of INTERSOLV 'middleware' solutions to from OpenStep
Enterprise Development Environment to Rhapsody. [inews]

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SAI) has recruited Apple's chief
operating officer George Scalise to takeover the SIA's president role.
The COO job at Apple has been eliminated, so no replacement was named.
[inews]

Things continue to 'heat up' at Power Computing.  Their recent
PowerCenter Pro won five diamonds from MacWeek (60-MHz Bus with 180-MHz
PowerPC 604e start at US$2095), and they have also dropped their prices
on their PowerBase systems (200-MHz PowerPC 603e with 2D/3D graphics
video start at US$1399).  For more information: <http://www.powercc.com>.

The hybrid PowerPC microprocessor company called Exponential Technology
that claimed to be able to speed-up PowerPC technology into the 500+ MHz
range has closed shop after learning that Apple had decided to not use
their chip in future hardware products. [inews]

** OTHER **

EarthLink Network has won a judgement by a California judge that prevents
'super spammer' Cyber Promotions from distributing unsolicited commercial
email through EarthLink or to its members.

Acer, Sharp, Matsushita, and Mitsubishi all have new Intel based laptop
systems. [Farcast]

Tandem Computer has teamed with 14 'software alliance partners' to
showcase financial services functionalities on Tandem based Windows NT
hardware systems.  Tandem also has a new 'Porting Service' to help
customers move their OS/2 enterprise solutions to Windows NT Server
platforms. [inews]

LEXIS-NEXIS and Microsoft has announced that LEXIS-NEXIS will be using
Microsoft Commercial Internet System for some new projects that will
bring in the near future new features and capabilities to LEXIS-NEXIS'
legal community customers. [inews]


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  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
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  and you'll get a sample issue and an order form.  Thanks for reading!
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Edupage, 19May97 thru 25May97
-----------------------------

** ELLISON SEES HIMSELF AS AN ENLIGHTENED EGOTIST **

Why has billionaire and Oracle founder Larry Ellison wanted to buy Apple
Computer?  Because he has a mission to put a computer on the desk of
every American child.  "This is all being done pro bono.  The question
is:  What do you do with your life?  This is what, after the first
several billion dollars, keeps you going...  I mean, the goal is not be
the richest guy in the graveyard.  I don't care how much I'm worth when
I'm dead.  How do I make myself feel good?  The only way I know to make
myself feel better is to make the world feel better.  Don't mistake that
for altruism.  It's egotism. Call it enlightened egotism."  (Vanity Fair
June 97)

** DR. KNOW **

Xerox and its Japanese sister corporation Fuji Xerox are recognizing the
world's transition into a "knowledge-based society" by establishing a
"Xerox Distinguished Professor in Knowledge" chair at the University of
California at Berkeley.  The first occupant of the chair will be
well-known management theorist Ikujiro Nonaka.  The effort underscores
Xerox's belief that the role of knowledge in the Information Age will
become increasingly important. "The difference between being effective
and being just efficient, is the ability to access, refine, utilize and
disseminate the collective experiences of everyone in the company," says
John Seely Brown, head of Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center.  The hope is
that companies will learn how to document and pass on "tacit knowledge"
-- best practices for solving specific problems or creating specific
products that can be made electronically available to others in the
company.  "It would put an intellectual library at digital fingertip
reach," says a senior VP of strategy.  (New York Times 19 May 97)

** SUN TO SELL ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE THROUGH RUSSIAN FIRM **

Sun Microsystems will sell encryption software licensed from Elvis+ Co.,
a company formed by scientists who worked on the former Soviet space
program. The software will be shipped to overseas customers from Sun
distributors in third countries, effectively skirting U.S. encryption
export laws.  Jim Bidzos, CEO of encryption firm RSA Data Security, says
the move is "blatant and in-your-face," and warns "The government has to
shut this down, or else the competitors of Sun probably have to say,
'We're going to do the same thing.'"  Sun's general manager of
network-security products defends the action, saying "This is not being
done to subvert export-control laws but to deliver solutions to
customers.  Never before have organizations outside of the United States
had access to such advanced security software."  (Wall Street Journal 19
May 97)

** CD SALES SOAR ON THE WEB **

It turns out that online music buyers isn't just for twenty-somethings,
after all.  A recent survey of Music Boulevard's customers shows that
half the frequent buyers are over 30, and that "Leonard Bernstein's New
York Philharmonic Review" has been the best-selling disk since Christmas.
 "A 45-year-old guy doesn't want to hand his Frank Sinatra CD to a kid
with a Mohawk and a nose ring" at the cash register, says the president
of another online music seller, CD Now.  Jupiter Communications predicts
that online CD sales will more than double this year to $47 million -- up
from $19 million in 1996.  (Business Week 26 May 97)

**  SOLAR-POWERED SATELLITE PHONES **

Australian national telecommunications carrier Telstra is making a new
connection -- it's distributed to 10 remote communities telephones that
employ both solar power and satellite communications.  "We're not only
providing technology to remote communities, but we're getting away from
using fossil fuels," says the principal technical officer at Telstra.
"It's clean and green."  Fifteen percent of Australia's population is
spread out over an area that covers 80% of the continent, and the roughly
17,000 phone lines that serve this group works out to less than one line
per 385 sq. kilometers.  In some communities, the new Interra Net system
will work side-by-side with older diesel-powered digital radio
transmitters, which are in the process of being upgraded to offer ISDN,
fax and Internet services. (TechWire 22 May 97)

** INTERNET THIEF APPREHENDED **

A computer cracker who broke into a San Diego Internet service provider's
computer and stole 100,000 credit card numbers has been nabbed.  The
thief used a "packet sniffer" program to gather the information from a
dozen companies selling products over the Internet, and was arrested as
he tried to peddle them to an undercover FBI agent for $260,000.  "What
is unique about this case is that this individual was able to hack into
this third party, copy this information and encrypt it to be sold," says
a Bureau spokesman.  The cracker was using an account at the University
of California at San Francisco, although authorities have not determined
whether he is affiliated with the university.  (New York Times 23 May 97)

** APPLE'S YELLOW BOX **

Apple Computer is working on a development environment called Yellow Box,
an evolution of the OpenStep environment.  The plan is to enable programs
written using Yellow Box to run on five desktop platforms:  PowerPC,
Intel, MacOS, Windows 95 and Windows NT.  (Information Week 19 May 97)


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  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>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

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


INNOVATION, 19May97
-------------------

** TRENDS: HOME NETWORKS WILL RULE THE ROOST **

Eric Benhamou, CEO of networking gear-maker 3Com, has a 4,000 square foot
home, equipped with eight PCs, three printers, two servers and a fax
machine.  The whole system comes together in a wiring closet under his
stairway that houses a T1 line to the Internet.  Although he admits he's
definitely ahead of the crowd, he predicts that the fully wired home --
with a mini-version of his wiring closet -- is not too far off.  "Today,
we already sell networking into homes.  We just don't know exactly how
much. Eventually, it could be as large or larger than the corporate
market, because it will begin to reflect the size of the population."
Stephen Dix, sales and marketing manager for Bay Networks, another
networking firm, concurs:  "Home networks are not there yet, but we
believe that 12 to 18 months from now, they will be."  Meanwhile, Cisco
Systems, another networking company, envisions a wireless system that
would eliminate the stickiest problem for most homeowners -- where to run
the wires.  The new appliances -- from coffee makers to security systems
-- all would connect via thumbnail-sized antennas.  An analyst for
International Data Corp. says it's all possible:  "Some of it sounds like
conspicuous consumption, but that doesn't mean it won't happen --
conspicuous consumption has been going on for centuries."  (Investor's
Business Daily 14 May 97)

** STRATEGIES: BUILD A WEB SITE AND THEY WILL COME  **

The chairman and cofounder of Cambridge, Mass.-based Open Market, which
promotes Internet business, says the first secret of Net business is to
treat the new medium as "new."  Rather than just dump old material
online, you need to try to figure out how to use the technology to
personalize services for individual users.  You do this by focusing on
(and getting to know) the customers and building relationships with them.
 You also need to build a service, not a Web site:  "Customers do not
come to a Web-based business simply because it runs secure servers well.
They go to business that give them value for their time and money;
businesses they trust; businesses that know them;  and businesses that
give them options they cannot get anywhere else.  (Shikhar Ghosh,
"Selling On The Internet," Strategy & Leadership May/Jun 97)

** INNOVATIONS: A WATCH FOR THE MILLENNIUM **

Third Millennium Challenge, based in Amsterdam, is marketing CountDown
watches that run backwards.  About 35,000 have been snapped up in Europe
since their release last year, and the novelties are now available in
North America through Branco International Inc.  One Canadian technology
expert on the Year 2000 problem buys them to pass out to clients and to
"have a bit of a giggle at the end of a speech by telling the audience
how much time they have left for their coding."  The watches will still
work after the year 2000, says the distributor, but the warranty is for
only one year. (Information Week 12 May 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>.

** IRDA TO DESKTOP SOLUTION **

Bjorn Jensen <bjensen@atwc.teradyne.com> is looking for a developer to
put together wireless desktop connectivity solution that uses the
Farallon Airdock to connect a Newton to a desktop system via IRDA.

** LOCK THOSE NOTES **

Steven Weyhrich <sweyhrich@earthlink.net> is looking for a Notepad
utility that would enable him to lock a note so that it can not be
accidentally altered or deleted.

** GLOBAL KEY COMMAND FOR TURNING ON BACKLIGHTING **

Jim Bailey <jdb@shore.net> reports that his utility 'Lightswitch' will
turn on backlighting with the following key sequence "Command-Shift-L".
For more info check out: <http://www.tiac.net/users/jdb/index.html#LS2>.


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

** NEWTON TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL **

The March 1997 edition (Volume III, Number 2) was given away at the
Newton System Group's booth at Apple's recently held World Wide
Developers Conference (WWDC). This issue includes article on:

    - "Behind [the Button] Bar" by Michael Engber, Apple
    - "Binary Communications" by Ryan Robertson, Apple
    - "Letter From The Editor: The Future of Newton" by
       Jennifer Dunvan, Apple
    - "eMate 300 in the Classroom" by Garth Lewis, Apple
    - "Data Structures, Part 2 of 3" by Bob Ebert, Apple
    - "Why Newton Beats Windows CE" by Don Davis, Apple
    - "Speech Recognition for the MessagePad 200" by
       Stephen Breit and Bent Schmidt-Nielsen, Dragon Systems
    - "Surviving the Grip" by Bob Ebert, Apple

This great resource contains a ton of detailed programming information
and marketing information. It is included as part of the Newton Developer
Program offered by Apple.  For more info: <newtondev@apple.com>.

** SMALL SURGE PROTECTOR **

Tripp Lite <http://www.tripplite.com> has a small 'portable' surge
protector that they called the "SMP Notebook Computer Surge Suppressor".
The device will protect modem in, phone in (with phone out), and a single
power supply.  The unit costs US$24.95.  The only draw back is that the
power supply plug is on the top of the unit thus if you plugged in the
new MP2K power plug you'd cover up the phone line inputs. [Information
Week, 19May97, page 136]

** NEW VERSION OF FORM TOOLS AVAILABLE **

Shana is now shipping Informed Designer and Informed Filer versions 2.0
for Macintosh and Windows desktop systems.  Both of these new versions
will interact with the older 1.0 versions of Informed for Newton.  But
there are reportedly some things to look out for.  The major push for 2.0
is greater Internet features, and much better form creation and data
entry capabilities.  For more info send an email to: <info@shana.com> or
check out: <http://www.shana.com>.


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

Creative Digital Publishing are now advertising for their comprehensive
Handheld Computer Almanac.

Sun Sabre is also now advertising their golf scorekeeping package called
ScorePad.

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
-------------------------------

* THE HANDHELD COMPUTER ALMANAC -- The definitive guide to handheld
products and services, from organizers to ruggedized systems. 150 pages,
600 companies, 1300 products and services in 50+ categories, with more
than 300 Newton products. Only $24.95 + S&H from Creative Digital
Publishing Inc. 30-day money-back guarantee. email: <hhca@cdpubs.com>,
URL: <http://www.cdpubs.com>, voice: 415.621.4252, fax: 415.621.4922

* NEW SCOREPAD 3.0.1 -- Golf scorekeeping package for Newton 2.0. Easily
keeps scores and statistics - analyze and graph the results. Figure your
unofficial handicap. Automatically calculates nassaus and skins. Keep
notes about each round and course.  Available for US$50 from Software
Unboxed <http://www.unboxed.com> or directly from Sun Sabre (513.459.9330)
with 10% by mentioning NewtNews. <http:members.aol.com/sunsabre/ScorePad.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>

* 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>


What do NewtNews Advertisers Think?!?
-------------------------------------

Ken Landau <kl@landware.com> at LandWare <http://www.landware.com>:

    "We feel this move is a positive step as it will finally
     allow the Newton group to completely focus on doing what
     they do best - deliver a strong Newton core platform.
     Without having to worry about always doing what Apple
     Computer in general feels is best, the mission of the team
     can be much more focused on what the market is demanding.
     Also by spinning off from Apple, perhaps we will see
     additional hardware partners licensing the Newton OS."

Frank Wegener <wegener@travel-cs.com> at Travel Concept Solutions
<http://www.travel-cs.com>:

    "Principally we welcome Apple's decision, but we hope that
     Apple will sell this new company as fast as possible. The
     Newton OS platform needs strong partners with retail
     channels (and money) Apple does not have. The Newton OS
     platform has extreme marketing problems here in Europe (and
     U.S too) which need to be solved when the Newton OS will
     compete against Windows CE."

George Henne <gh@nsbasic.com> at NS Basic <http://www.nsbasic.com>:

    "One of the things we're excited about is the increased focus
     on the corporate market.  Many companies are discovering that
     NS BASIC with Visual Designer is the perfect tool for
     developing in house applications.  Most of these companies
     are PC based, so a more independent Newton subsidiary will
     help as well. This is going to be good for our business."

Lou Krieg <Lou@GMSW.com> at Green Mountain Software Corporation
<http://www.gmsw.com>:

    "This is best of the many possible outcomes for the Newton
     Systems Group.  This will allow the group to chart its own
     destiny, while having some of the financial protection of
     Apple as the parent company.  Success is never guaranteed,
     but I'm betting on Sandy Benett and the rest of the
     management team making good decisions.

    "Our customers, for whom we are developing vertical
     applications, will find this a very reassuring direction for
     the future of Newton as a platform. Keep in mind the pace of
     development for Newton technology.  By the time Rhapsody
     ships, we will already be using the successors to the MP2000
     and eMate 300!"

Ben Gottlieb <info@standalone.com> at Stand Alone Software
<http://www.standalone.com>:

    "I think the new spin-off is an idea long overdue. It will
     give the Newton group the freedom to pursue new markets that
     were previously restricted because they may have come into
     direct conflict with other Apple products or markets. In
     addition, it breaks the group away from a company that is
     currently metamorphasizing into something wholly different
     than what was there when the Newton was started. Bottom
     line: the Newton is a mature technology that is able to
     stand on it's own, and will now be allowed to."


Comments About Using Email On Newton Last Week
----------------------------------------------

** NIE SLOWNESS IN GENERAL **

Don Bellenger <Don_Bellenger@3com.com> has also seen the noted delays
with doing SMTP transactions via most Unix boxes, and that using Mac OS
based EIM seems to be much faster.  He also notes that this problem
didn't existed on the MP130 running NIE 1.0.

Jeff Greenberg <jgreenberg@raptor.srl.ford.com> also noted on the USENET
newsgroup comp.sys.newton.misc an overall noticeable slowness in many NIE
solutions running at 28.8 modem speeds compared to desktop Macintosh
systems.

** USING TELNET **

Chris Abraham <chris@tmn.com> was one of many who suggested using one of
the Newton Telnet solutions for getting my email instead of using the
Macs at the conference.  This would have been ideal if the current MP2Ks
supported Ethernet, but since they currently don't, I would have only
been able to check my email via a landline modem connection, and those
were only 'easy' to obtain in my hotel room in the evenings after the
conference.  Plus, this also requires you to have an open connection
which can increase online costs (which can be expensive if you use hotel
phone line connections).

** BETTER EMAIL FILTERING **

Scott Gruby <sgruby@qualcomm.com> suggested checking out the Unix program
called ProcMail that provides 'filtering' of email before email gets
stored on a POP server.  NewtNews found a great deal of pointers to
ProcMail by searching for "procmail" on: <http://www.yahoo.com>.

Brian Hall <brian_hall@markspace.com> reports that the next version of
his PageNow! 2.0 will support 'paging via email' and will let you do
limited message text forwarding to a second email account or to a pager.
For more info: <http://www.markspace.com>.

** LEAVING MAIL ON THE SERVER **

Jim Bailey <jdb@shore.net> reports that if your POP3 server excepts the
UIDL command that GoFetch 1.2.5r2 will use this command to track each
messages unit id number, thus making it easier to manage email left on a
server. [EDITOR: The next iteration of Enroute will also have similar
UIDL support.]  Jim also notes that the latest version of Go Fetch is
also written to deal with unexpected disconnects and thus should be able
to track the state of your mailbox correctly if your Newton resets
unexpectedly.


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

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.
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accuracy of articles.  NewtNews does not express or imply any
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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: ushering for
"Forever Plaid" at the Old Globe Theater; a 24 hour visit to Dick Six's
cabin on Palomar Mountain; dinner at San Diego Brewing Company to
celebrate Jenn's new job; and a Memorial Day party/dinner at Sara's
house.

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