NewtNews-134-25Mar97
====================

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:

 + 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>

 + 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>.

 + 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, 17Mar97 thru 23Mar97
 9. INNOVATION, 17Mar97
10. Dear Newton Developer
11. Other Tidbits of Information
12. Advertising Notes
13. Product and Service Information
14. Guest Opinions
15. Review: Follow-Ups
16. Administrivia


Top News
--------

** NEWTON VITAL PART IN RECENT USMC EXERCISES **

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) recently completed a series of
training exercises called "Hunter Warrior" that integrated a host of new
technologies to test their impact on the 'information warrior' of the
future.  One of those technologies was the Newton.  The San Diego
Union-Tribune <http://www.union-tribune.com> had a big write-up on page 1
about Hunter Warrior on 17Mar97 that includes a Newton mention and a B/W
picture of a Newton interfacing with a desktop mapping package on page
A-11.

In related news, Federal Computer Week <http://www.fcw.com> published on
17Mar97 also had a series of major Hunter Warrior articles.  There is a
Newton mention on page 32 that talks about how the Newton was changing
the way information was being transmitted between the command center and
the soldier on the ground.  The Newton acted as the 'comms link'
(replacing radio) using GPS hardware and software that interfaced with a
"touch-driven menu that created and transmitted a variety of reports from
the field" using a Ericsson Land Mobile Radio.  These reports were then
fed directly into the Joint Maritime Command Information System (JMCIS)
pipeline that enables the USMC commanders to better direct the battle at
hand.

The Newton gets even more highlight on page 68 of Federal Computer Week,
with an article entitled "Marines test handheld computers for battle"
written by John Stein Monroe.  The article is very positive and includes
a picture of a Newton in a soldiers hand.

** NEWTON KEY PART OF NEW ELECTRONIC COMMERCE **

Steven Sims <steve@dreamsft.demon.co.uk> informed NewtNews early last
week about details surrounding his recent project.  It is a big deal -- a
new enterprise called MobIDIC <http://www.mobidic.com> was launched at
CeBIT, and it basically enables electronic cash transactions via the
Internet.  The main part that Steven was work on included making the
system Newton (specifically MP2K) savvy.  The demoed system at CeBIT was
a MP2K accessing electronic cash smart cards (GemPlus); connected
wirelessly to the Internet (Nokia GSM); securely completing a
transaction; and then providing the end-user with the information
requested (i.e. demo software, reviews, news, maps, directions, etc.
...).

The Web browser they were using is part of 'yet-to-be-announced' Internet
package from LunaTech Research called LunaSuite.  You might be able to
get more info about the status of LunaSuite via their WWW pages at:
<http://www.lunatech.com>.  You can also get more information about this
project via the following WWW page: <http://www.hyperion.co.uk>.

One of the big players in this market is Unisource which plans to use
this financial transaction software to help companies like Time Out
magazine sell their restaurant and entertainment information in the well
understood pay-as-you-go consumer model.  For more information check out:
<http://www.newsdesk.com>.

** CEBIT REPORTS **

Rolf Mller <RMUELLER@hr-online.de> tidbits on CeBIT:

    - Apple didn't have very many MP2Ks on display
    - Apple was showing off WinLinx running on the MP130
    - U.S. Robotics had 7 Pilot 'try out' booths

Heikki Luoma <tria@clinet.fi> reported that a demonstrator of the MP2K at
CeBIT told the crowd that 'Apple' had a 'patch' that would enable the
built-in application Newton Works to be able to except handwriting
recognition.

Thomas Diessel <diessel@bms.de> reported that a colleague of his was at
CeBIT and saw a new prototype Newton telephone being developed by
SIEMENS.  The screen on the unit is much larger than the current MP2K.

Albert Zeeman <101704.1155@compuserve.com> reported that the SIEMENS
home-phone also supports wireless access, and include buttons for
electronic banking services.  The unit was well integrated with the
Newton built-in Names, and supported fax, email, and Web browsing.

AllPen Software circulated a press release via CeBIT letting the world
know that their web browser technology -- NetHopper 3.0 -- was being
bundled with Apple's new MP2K and eMate 300. The NetHopper software was
also being demoed on the SIEMENS Newton phone prototype at CeBIT.

Rainer Joswig <joswig@lavielle.com> reported the following 'new' features
to the SIEMENS prototype: integrated answering machine, and keyboard can
slide inside the machine.  A press release is also suppose to be posted
via: <http://www.siemens.de/newsline/presinfo/pi13030e.htm>.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  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>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  QuickFigure Pro 3.1 - Spreadsheet for Newton 2.0 or better operating
  systems. Supports 255 x9999 cell worksheets, landscape mode, direct
  cell entry, worksheet linking, delayed recalc, and over 70 functions.
  Includes QF Exchange for Import/Export with Excel from Mac or Windows.
  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
------------------------

** WHAT'S NEXT FOR NEWTON AT APPLE? **

As reported in last weeks Supplement, it looks like the Newton is, for
the time being, going to be staying at Apple.  The real question is for
how long, and in what form if the MessagePad 2000 is not successful
enough?  I don't have a real good feel for any direction at the moment,
but I do think an 'independent' business unit like Claris would be a step
in the right direction.

Apple keeping the Newton was a surprise to many.  Information Week
<http://www.informationweek.com> even ran a special story about it in
their Monday daily update.  InfoWorld <http://www.infoworld.com> had a
less than positive spin on the story, but what do you expect?!?

** RECOMMITMENT OUR CORE BUSINESS **

I've made an 'executive decision' to cut back the amount of 'related
technology' reporting in NewtNews.  Hopefully, there will be a greater
focus on the Newton, including more software reviews in each issue.

I increased the other PDA coverage starting back in Sep96 mostly because
there was a sense of 'boredom' in the Newton marketplace for me, and I
thought I'd better cover all my options just in case things totally fell
apart.  This definitely increase my work load but still made for an
interesting read.  Unfortunately, I don't think it caught on with Pilot
and Windows CE folks, and it definitely isn't that exciting for me to
report on devices I don't use on a daily basis.  I'll still cover this
stuff when convenient but it won't be as indepth.

Let me know what you think!  NewtNews readers have great ideas and very
good constructive criticism. :-)

** ON THE RUMOR FRONT **

Newton Developer Tools are expected to expand soon -- expect an official
release of the Windows Newton Toolkit (NTK) in the near future, and
following that release, the Newton savvy C++ tools are also suppose to be
released and more 'freely' available.  [EDITOR: It should be noted that
the C++ tools are only ideal of computationally intensive tasks, and for
writing certain types of drivers.  You can not write a 'complete' Newton
application using this tools.]


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
        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>
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  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
----------------------

** HARDY'S & CATAMOUNT SOFTWARE'S MARCH NEWSLETTER **

Hardy Macia <newsletter@catamount.com> recently sent out his monthly
newsletter that lets his friends and customers know what is going on in
his neck of the woods.  This issue has some tidbits and impressions on the
new MessagePad 2000; news about an updated to Aloha version 2.3.5; a new
program to help you track your media (CDs, records, video tapes, etc.
...); a plug for Shot Logger <http://www.ProductionMagic.com/>; and news
that Hardy will be at Germany's CeBIT to plug his Newton products.  For
more information check out: <http://www.catamount.com>.

** RUSSIAN NEWTONS GET RUSSIAN HWR **

The Russian company MacCentre has announced an agreement with ParaGraph
International that enables MacCentre to bundle a Russian version of
ParaGraph's FreeStyle for Newton on Newton hardware devices sold by
MacCentre.

** SMITH BARNEY ON NEWTON **

Don Vollum <donv@pelicanware.com> reports recently receiving an
assessment of the recent Apple news by Smith Barney analyst Barry Bosak.
In regards to the Newton, Mr. Bosak writes:

    "Claris (software) and Newton are not impacted by
     the cuts.  We understand that Newton is considered
     to be a critical product, but it will still
     probably be a subject of discussion -- especially
     if a partner is being sought."

Overall, according to Don, Mr. Bosak seemed confident that the cuts were
the right thing to do, and he did seem cautiously optimistic about
Apple's future.

** SCREEN PROTECTORS SUPPORT MP2K **

Janet Honek <roadrunner@losalamos.com> has announced that they now have
Barrier 2000s in stock and ready to ship out to those in need of screen
protection.  For more information check out the following URL:
<http://www.losalamos.com/roadrunner>.

The Concept Kitchen (415.929.1002) also has their WriteRight Screen
Enhancements for the Apple MessagePad 2000 available.  You can purchase
them via your favorite PDA vendor or directly for US$24.95 for a package
of 12.

** BUGS IN CRAZYDICE **

Tim Constantine <timconstan@kagi.com> reports that his recent release of
CrazyDice 1.2 has a couple of bugs related to non-Newton 2.0 devices.  He
is busy working on fixes.  For more information check out the following
URL: <http://www.kagi.com/timconstan>.

** GRAND OPENING OF CAFE PDA **

Thomas Rhee <CafePDA@aol.com> reports the grand opening of Cafe PDA -- a
new PDA related mail order firm specializing in Apple Newton MessagePads
for the consumer and corporate markets.  For more information call:
800.9898.PDA, or FAX: 201.941.2805, or Tech Support: 201.941.4580.  You
can also check out: <http://home.earthlink.net/~cafepda/>.

** HANDHELD SYSTEMS CONFERENCE FINAL AGENDA **

Steve Mann <smann@cdpubs.com> reports that Creative Digital Publishing
has announced that the final agenda for the Handheld Systems Conference
(formerly PDA Developers) has been posted to: <http://www.cdpubs.com>.
The conference is being held on 24-26Apr97  at the San Francisco Airport
Hilton and will include a variety of keynotes, panels, and sponsor
presentations about handheld computing.  For more information you can
also call: 415.621.4252.

** ARE YOU BUYING A MP2K **

Tony McDonald <Tony.McDonald@newcastle.ac.uk> reports that you can "vote"
on if you are going to buy a MessagePad 2000 via the following site:
<http://www.qmark.com/tryitout.html>.  As we went to press nearly 86%
said they had or where going to order a MP2K.

** THE REAL POWER ADAPTER INFO **

NewtNews posted some very incorrect information in issue #133 published
on 11Mar97 in regards to a USENET post by Smittie <smittie@enfour.com>.
It turns out that your old MessagePad power adapter will charge the
rechargeable batteries in the MP2K, but if you want to do a "quick charge"
then you will have to get a new "MP2K savvy power adapter."

** NEWTON MENTION IN SUN EXPERT **

Kevin Hennessy <kfhennessy@lucent.com> reports that the Mar97 edition of
SunExpert has Newton article with details about the MP2K and includes a
history of the Newton development.

** NEW GERMAN NEWTON SITE **

Ralf Uttenthaler <Ralf.Uttenthaler@umediacon.de> brings news of a German
Newton-only online-reseller on the WWW via: <http://www.newton-laden.de>.
The is also a Newton German-user forum available via the following URL:
<http://www.newton-laden.de/newton/pin/gast.html>.

** NEWTON GATHERING AT WWDC?!? **

Ralf Hinz <hinz@dbag.ulm.DaimlerBenz.COM> is interested in trying to get
Newton users together at this years World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC)
being held in San Jose, California in May97.

** RECENT NS BASIC NEWS **

NS Basic has a new desktop utility that makes it possible to play
QuickTime movies on Apple's new MP2K and eMate 300.  You can check out a
demo via: <ftp://ftp.nsbasic.com/pub/MovieDemo.sit>.

George Henne at NS BASIC also reports that the latest version 3.60 is
eMate 300 (as well as MP2K) compatible and comes with documentation that
should make it an ideal software application for teaching programming
skills, and can be used as an extension to mathematical and scientific
course work by providing 'excellent' data collection and analysis
capabilities.

For more information about the US$99 Newton development environment known
as NS BASIC check out: <http://www.nsbasic.com> or call: 416.264.5999.

** GPS SOFTWARE FOR NEWTON **

TeleType GPS <gps@teletype.com> mapping software for Newton and Windows
CE with over 23,000 U.S. and Canadian city data points is now shipping.
You can also get, directly from Teletype, U.S. Interstate roads overlay
maps along with either an 8-channel hand-held GPS or a 12-channel mounted
GPS with computer cable.  Pricing with a GPS unit start at US$549.  For
more information check out: <http://www.teletype.com/gps>.

** UPDATE TO PT100 POSTED **

Sanjay Vakil <help@scrawlsoft.com> has announced version 0.97b of PT100
-- his US$25 shareware based VT100 emulator and NIE capable Telnet
application.  This version is reportedly much faster, has 'enhanced
input', smoother scrolling, and numerous bug fixes.  For more information
about this utility check out: <http://www.scrawlsoft.com>.

** QUICKFIGURE DIFFERENCES OUTLINED **

Julienne Flanagin <Julienne@pelicanware.com> reports that PelicanWare has
created a Web page on their site to outline the differences between the
QuickFigure Works application bundled on the MP2K and eMate 300 vs.
their recently released QuickFigure Pro 3.1.  To check out this
information point your favorite browser to: <http://www.pelicanware.com>.

** LATEST DEALS FROM CLUBPDA **

ClubPDA <http://www.clubpda.com> had a host of specials running through
10-15Mar97 via their Email Specials listserver -- Apple MP120s for
US$299; KingMax 20MB Linear Flash Card for US$469; Calise Deluxe Leather
Case for US$$49.95; Calise Executive Leather Case for US$59.95; Apex Data
14.4k PC Card modem for US$114.95; and Holosoft Equate Spreadsheet for
US$59.95.  For more information check out the URL above or call:
888.258.2732.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
$ 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
-----------------------------

** SCREEN DESIGNS AND BACKLIGHT CONTROL **

Hayes Haugen <hayes@eskimo.com> has announced the release of Lava -- "a
compact and complete solution for making the backlight on the Newton
function much more effectively."  This software is Newton 2.x savvy, is
available in demo form, and retails for only US$8.  For more information:
<http://www.eskimo.com/~hayes/lava.html>.

Hayes has also recently released the following Newton Books:

    - "Candide": A philosophical satire/grand
       adventure story from the 18th Century. Wahoo!
    -  Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment": Translated
       by Constance Garnett.

** NEW MEDICAL APP FROM MORGAN CREEK MEDICAL **

Jack Starmer <jack@simplemed.com> has announced that Morgan Creek Medical
continues to support the Newton OS with the release of version 1.1 of
their ProMedix -- a point of care patient management application.  Some
core features in ProMedix include: "General View"; "HPI View"; "Med,
Labs, ... View"; " Summary View"; Global ToDo List, Notes; and full
support of Newton 2.x routing.  For more information check out the
following site: <http://www.simplemed.com/>.

** NEW STUFF FROM MSD **

Peter Mitchell <PMitchell@ccinet.ab.ca> at Mitchell Systems Designs (MSD)
has announced the release of:

    - OrderTaker: an order taking system for
      salespeople (US$70)
    - SalesAssistant: a more advanced salesperson tool
      with purchasing history, accounts, receivables,
      and desktop connectivity
    - TrackIt 1.3: a utility that lets you record and
      graph any set of numbers (US$5)
    - NewtDb: a relational database for Newton
    - Relations 2.3: a Newton genealogy program.
      (US$20)

For more information about the above products, check out the following
WWW page: <http://www.ccinet.ab.ca/pmitchell/> or send an email to the
address listed above.

** EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT NEWTON SOURCE **

Newton Source is hiring FT/PT Sales Associates in Chicago and New York
City.  Applicants should be "self starters, energetic and
people-oriented. Experience with Newton, Macintosh, PCs and a retail
environment a plus." Benefits include a health plan (FT only) and bonus
dependent on performance.  Salary is commensurate with experience and
knowledge.  Still interested? Then please fax or snail mail your resume
and cover letter to -- Newton Source, c/o Personnel Department, 307 7th
Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10001, Fax: 212.462.4598.

** GPS AND DATA COLLECTION SOLUTION **

Ryan Burns <webmaster@fieldworker.com> reports that FieldWorker for
Newton software allows location tagged data collection (via GPS) on
Newton devices and supports English, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish
languages. If you purchase FieldWorker 2.3 directly, then you will
receive a free 2MB PC Card.  For more information check out this URL:
<http://www.fieldworker.com>.

** MAC GAME DEVELOPER TO DEVELOP NEWTON GAMES?!? **

David Bills <dfbills@syr.edu> reported on comp.sys.newton.misc that he
recently participated in a HotLine chat where Andrew Welch from Ambrosia
Software said he was interested in developing some Newton games.  No word
on when or if for sure things will happen, but it would definitely be
interesting to have Andrew producing Newton games.

** SERG KOREN SOFTWARE UPDATES **

Serg Koren <archimag@netaxs.com> has released Newt'sPaper 03/17/97-1.
This edition of Serg's NIE savvy USENET newsreader has the following
fixes: better server comms; more robust filtering logic, and several
cosmetic GUI changes.  For more information about Newt'sPaper check out:
<http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/NewtsPaper.html>.

Serg also released VisualNewt 03/18/97-1 with the following new features:
QuickStart guide; better Newt plugin notification; Action picker icons;
and better GUI behavior on the palette.  Bug fixes include: correctly
selecting library source chunks; and modifications to protoTableEntry,
protoRoll, and clParagraphView.   For more info about VisualNewt check
out: <http://www.netaxs.com/~archimag/Newton/MyStuff/VisualNewt.html>.

** UUCP EMAIL CLIENT IN THE WORKS **

Dmitry Girenko <dmitry@girenko.msk.ru> is reportedly working on a UUCP
email client called NewtMail 0.5b.  A public beta should be available
soon.  Send Dmitry email if you are interested.

** NEWTON SOFTWARE DIGEST **

Ian Robinson <ian@stormont.compulink.co.uk> continues to update his
excellent Newton Software Digest Page with listings and details on the
most recent Newton software released to AMUG and to other sites.  For
more info: <http//www.compulink.co.uk/~stormont/newton/weekly.htm>.

** PROJECT MANAGER SOFTWARE RELEASED **

Mike Jacobsen <mike@sineware.com> reports the general availability of
BlueStart -- a project manager software package for the Newton -- written
by Sine of the Times.   For more information about this product check out
the demo via: <http://www.sineware.com/products>.

** POWERPEN IS CLOSING DOWN **

Anthony Colaluca <Colaluca@worldnet.att.net> reports the news that Dr.
Jeff Schlimmer's powerPen programming organization at Washington State
University (WSU) is dissolving because Dr. Schlimmer has decided to leave
WSU to pursue other opportunities.  Apparently a student-run organization
at WSU must have a faculty advisor, and none are currently available to
replace Dr. Schlimmer.  For more information, check out the powerPen
home page at: <http://hornet.eecs.wsu.edu/powerBack/>.

** WHAT MODEMS WORK WITH MY NEWTON?!? **

Looking for a modem to use with your Newton?  Chris Parker
<chrisp2@clubpda.com> recently reminded readers of comp.sys.newton.misc
to check out Apple's Newton compatible modems list via the Web at:
<http://devworld.apple.com/dev/newton/commsoln/modsetup.html>.

** HEAP? FROZEN? STORAGE? SOUP? **

Clay Irving <clay@panix.com> recently pointed out on comp.sys.newton.misc
that Stand Alone software has a very nice list of Newton technology
definitions posted via: <http://www.standalone.com/newton/terms.html>

** POWER YOUR NEWTON WITH SOLAR POWER **

Darrel Tenter <darrel@wildwestweb.com> reports that Keep It Simple
Systems is now shipping their Newton MessagePad savvy Luna II Solar
Charger. This US$99 polycrystalline solar panel supplies 1.8 watts of
solar energy which is equal to Apple's AC Adapter for the Newton.  The
panel supports all Apple MessagePad devices.  For more information:
<http://wildwestweb.com>.

** THE EXECUTIVE NEWTON STAND **

Edward Martin <EdMartin@marsoftware.com> reports that MAR Software
expects to be shipping their new "The Executive" Newton stand made out of
high-quality hardwood and anodized aluminum by the end of Mar97.  The
stand costs US$39.95 + $5 for S&H.  To check out a picture of the stand
point your browser at: <http://www.marsoftware.com/TheExecutive.html>.

** OTHER SITES WORTHY OF A BROWSE **

    - Progressive Networks' RealVideo [Multimedia]:
      <http://www.real.com/rvnba.html>
    - Siemens Nixdorf's TrustedWeb [Security]:
      <http://www.TrustedWeb.com>
    - Pacific Coast Software's SiteEdit Pro [Publishing]:
      <http://www.pacific-coast.com>
    - QuarterDeck's WebCompass 2.0 [Internet Search]:
      <http://www.qdeck.com>
    - Semio's SeminoMap [Internet Search]: <http://www.semio.com>
    - PageNOW! Personal Edition 1.6 [Macintosh]:
      <http://www.markspace.com/pagenow_mac_newstuff.html>
    - Mobile Scape: <http://www.mobilescape.com>
    - The Palmtop Shop: <http://www.palmtopshop.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.]

** NEWTON PROGRAMMING INTRO **

Edward Ringel <eringel@mint.net> has a great intro to Newton programming
article in the April 1997 edition of MacTech Magazine.  The article has
some back ground about the Newton; an overview of hardware & software
options; and details on how to develop Newton applications include
specifics on NewtonScript, Newton API, and the Newton Toolkit.  The
article also tackles the subjects of: "Why develop for the Newton?";
"Horizontal Markets"; and "Vertical Markets."  For more information about
MacTech check out: <http://www.mactech.com>.

** NEWTON PART OF NEW ADS **

Apple has a new ad campaign called "We're back" -- the ads highlight the
new 240-MHz PowerBook 3400 (two-page), the Power Macintosh 9600/233 & the
9600/200MP (two-page), and the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh, eMate 300,
MessagePad 2000, and QuickTake 200 digital camera (one-page). [MacWeek,
17Mar97, pages 11-16]

** NEWTON PART OF THESIS PROJECT **

There is a Newton mention in a recent MacWeek article about Mike
Pinkerton's thesis he is writing at the Georgia Institute of Technology
that focuses on "OpenDoc paradigm".  The article notes that Mike uses a
host of OpenDoc components that 'interface' with lists and notes from his
Newton. The article also includes a picture of Mike holding his Newton.
[17Mar97, page 32]

** PILOT REVIEWS **

PC Week Labs has short "SNAPSHOT" review of the new PalmPilot devices
that include Internet email connectivity.  To check out more info use:
<http://www.pcweek.com/reviews/0310/10pilot.html>, and this site might
also be interesting  <http://www.pcweek.com/reviews/0310/10kick.html>.
[PC Week, 10Mar97, page 23]

Mark Moore has an indepth review of the new PalmPilot devices recently
released by U.S. Robotics on page 56 of PC Week published on 17Mar97.
The article is entitled: "PalmPilot More Than an Organizer: New models
let users send and receive E-mail; dial in to desktops, notebooks."

** DIGITAL CELLULAR PHONES **

Mark More has a very good article on page 41 of PC Week published on
10Mar97 called "Small Digital Handsets Tackles Some Big Tasks:
Forthcoming digital cellular phones from several vendors let users access
Web and data services."  There is a small picture that shows off a
concept drawing of the "ReadyTalk Echo palm-size device."  Expect these
small high-tech gadgets from: Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia, ReadyCom, and
Philips.

** EMATE MENTION **

There is a Q&A with Apple's CEO Gil Amelio on page 10 of Computer
Reseller News published 10Mar97.  There is an eMate mention in this Q&A
article --

    CRN: Does that mean Apple will develop more
    products for specific markets?

    Amelio: You will see more of that from us.  A good
    example is the eMate for the education market.
    The eMate will be a very important product in that
    line, and it will be dedicated to education.  We
    will have variations for traveling businesspeople.

** NEW WIRELESS MODEM **

U.S. Robotics <http://www.usr.com> has a new AllPoints Wireless PC Card
(US$499) that should be on the market soon that offers wireless
packet-data services from RAM Mobile Data and Internet access via
GoAmerica Communications.  The new modem and related software make it
possible to download Web pages on RAM Mobile's 8-Kbps link as if it was a
14-Kbps analog phone link. [Lynda Radosevich, InfoWorld, 10Mar97, page 21]

** PASSING NEWTON MENTION **

Information Week had a 'tongue-and-cheek' Newton mention on page 10 of
the issue published on 17Mar97.  The blurb with the mention reviews a
recent contest held on the Internet by MathSoft that required the winner
to answer a question related to 'Sir Issac Newton.'  The winner got an
Apple Macintosh 7200 -- "not a Newton PDA."

** OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST **

    - "Ardis Enhancements Ready Net for Wireless
       Future" by Mark Moore, PC Week, 10Mar97, page 111
    - "Paging Uses Satellites" by Mark Moore, PC Week,
       10Mar97, page 113
    - "PhoneMiser Finds Best Rates" by Stephanie
       LaPolla, PC Week, 10Mar97, page 113
    - "Windows [CE] tries hard to lose weight" by Mark
       Leon, InfoWorld, 17Mar97, page 19

** 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.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  BARRIER 2000 is now available - EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR NEWTON TODAY with
  The BARRIER Screen Protector - Get yours before you damage your screen!
    + Clearly Superior Protection
    + Abrasion and Chemical resistance
    + A durable writing surface with a pleasant feel
  For more info: <http://www.losalamos.com/roadrunner> or call 800-882-8382.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


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

** INTRODUCTION **

By Roger Coleman <Roger_Coleman@compuserve.com>

"The instant guide to becoming a Newt Guru"

This is a new column for NewtNews. I am going to search for new and
interesting tips and tricks to help NewtNews readers out.  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 this column
going!  Thanks!

** OOPS **

[EDITOR:  I accidently deleted Roger's #3 Tips and Tricks and have not
been able to get another copy back from Roger.  And it is time to send
NewtNews out.  I am very sorry about the mix-up and will have Roger's
Tips and Tricks updated next week.  If you have a tip/trick you'd like to
share with NewtNews readers please send Roger email at his address listed
above.]


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  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)
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


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 **

Cisco Systems has made a minority equity investment in RadioLAN, and
reportedly has plans to integrate RadioLAN's wireless LAN technology into
Cisco's 'internetwork' products. [Network World, 17Mar97, page 6]

WiLAN <http://www.wi-lan.com> has a new wireless modem called the Hopper
FD (US$1495) that is capable of communicating via direct sequence or
frequency hopping spread spectrum networks.

Nokia was reportedly showing off their PC Card GSM Cellular Card Phone at
CeBIT.  For more information about this new card check out the following
URL: <http://www.nokia.com/products/phones/phone_cellularcard.html>.

Bill Gates and Craig McCaw continue to "evangelize" their Teledesic
company's plans to begin firing off "840 Volkswagen-sized satellites
about 435 miles above the earth" in the year 2000.  The $9 billion
project will provide Internet services to those not wired for service.
[Farcast]

Motorola has announced plans to incorporate future smart card products
>from their Smartcard Systems Business unit with radio frequency (RF)
capabilities. [Farcast]

Motorola has announced availability of their new "high-performance Oncore
Global Positioning System (GPS) Chipset." [Farcast]

Motorola has won a US$63 million contract to install a new cellular
telephone network in Brazil for Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo, S.A.
(TELESP). [Farcast]

Motorola announced a new GSM & PCS 1900 savvy (dual band phone) in the
MicoTAC 8800 design at the recent CeBIT conference.  The phone will be
marketed in Europe as a GSM/DCS 1800 dual band phone. [Farcast]

Jez Cunningham <jez.cunningham@ahqps.alcatel.fr> reports that you can
find a press release outlining the future plans of Alactel and Sharp to
build a GSM savvy smartphone together in a collaboration agreement:
<http://www.ahqps.alcatel.fr/CRA/PressReleases/1997Archive/pr130397a.html>

** PSION **

Psion has released a new backlit version of their Series 3c palmtop PC
with 2-MBs of built-in storage.  This list price is UK$399.95.

Psion has also announced that they have licensed Java technologies from
Sun's JavaSoft and plan to port Java to their EPOC32 platform.  You can
check out the press release via: <http://www.psioninc.com/press/java.htm>.

Other Psion URLs of potential interest:

    - AlarmFix & Agenda Today: <http://www.woolly.u-net.com/psion/>
    - Psionopoly V1.4: <http://www.mag-net.co.uk/~martinr/neil/psion.html>
    - Reviser v2.2: <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/3216>
    - X3Tree & SnFile: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/RWakelin>
    - Bowling Calc: <http://www.msmith.demon.co.uk/mssoft/psion.html>
    - GBattery: <http://www.xs4all.nl/~mbis/index.html>
    - Tester 1.2: <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/8956>

** PILOT **

Interesting in running a PalmPilot emulator on your PowerPC Macintosh?
Then check out: <http://www.emulation.net/pilot/index.html>.

The new PalmPilot devices recently released by U.S. Robotics generated a
great deal of press release coverage.  The following companies have
announced compatibility or new solutions that will work with these new
units: Lotus Development Corporation (Lotus Notes, Lotus Organizer, &
Lotus cc:Mail); NetManage (ECCO Pro 4.0); Symantec (Act! PalmPilot Link);
and iambic Software (TimeReporter & ExpenseReporter). [Farcast]

U.S. Robotics is also offering upgrade programs to PalmPilot 1000 and
5000 users.  For more information check out: <http://www.usr.com>.

Other Pilot URLs of potential interest:

    - Golf Solitaire 1.0: <http://www.mindspring.com/~jetton/pilot/>
    - Palmeta Mail v1.6: <http://www.palmeta.com>
    - Pegged! 1.6: <http://home.pacific.net.sg/~kokmun/pilotpgm.htm>
    - SuperPad, v0.99a2: <http://ahinds.vip.best.com/~ahinds/>
    - QMate 1.2: <http://www.wco.com/~johnr/steve/qmate.html>
    - CASL for PalmPilot: <http://www.caslsoft.com>
    - New Pilot News Site: <http://www.novadesign.com/kermit/index.htm>
    - PilotMirror: <http://www.chapura.com>
    - Pilot VT100: <http://hagbard.ncsa.uiuc.edu/vt100/>

** WINDOWS CE **

VenturCom has a signed an agreement to license Windows CE from Microsoft
and to deploy a 'smaller, more modular' version of Windows CE to the
embedded systems and real-time markets. [PC Week, 17Mar97, page 56]

Iona <http://www.iona.com> recently announced at Object World Boston
conference that they planned to extend CORBA (Common Object Request
Broker Architecture) technology to Network Computers and Microsoft's
Windows CE using their Orbix IIOP engine. [Farcast]

John Schettino <schettino@writeme.com> reported on USENET newsgroup
comp.sys.newton.programmer that he is estimating the cost of doing WinCE
development from a shareware point of view to be expensive.  To do
Windows CE development you need -- Windows NT 4.0 box (100+ MHz Pentium
32+ MBs of RAM, 200+ MBs of free disk space), Visual C++ 5.0 Professional
(US$500), and Visual C++ for CE (US$200).  You should also have to factor
in a WinCE device to test stuff on, even though the development
environment does have an emulator.

Other Windows CE URLs of potential interest:

    - AstroHTML: <http://www.pdantic.com/astrohtm.htm>
    - bPRINT: <http://www.bsquare.com/development>

** OTHER HANDHELD **

RAM Mobile Data <http://www.ram.co.uk> has a new 16 oz., 135 x 84 x 45
millimeter device with a Qwerty keyboard and text-to-speech conversion
called the Acknowledger. This 'mobile data terminal' also has a serial
port that can be used to add-on: a printer, signature capture, bar-code
reader, card-swipe or GPS (global positioning system) tracking device.
[Farcast]

Metrowerks and Microwave Systems have announced CodeWarrior (integrated
development environment) for Microware's OS-9 multi-tasking real-time
operating system running on Win95/NT. [iNews]

Lucent Technologies has announced their real-time networking OS called
Inferno Release 1.0. [iNews]

Norand has announced plans to offer XcelleNet's RemoteWare under their
own name NorWare Remote on their family of data collection products.
[iNews]

Geoworks has named David Thatcher as their new chief financial officer
with a clear mandate to create and implement a profitability plan.
[iNews]

NEC has announced that they have plans to enable their PDA called 'Mobile
Gear' to be Internet ready using a Text Browser. [Nikkei English News via
iNews]

Symbol Technologies has announced that they have teamed with system
integrator Paradigm4 to create a turn-key parking enforcement system
using Symbol's mobile bar code-driven data transaction devices for New
Jersey Parking Officers. [iNews]

** APPLE **

Apple Australia has announced that they have begun the process of laying
off 19 of their 145 member staff (13%). [Farcast]

Apple has licensed ThinkFish Productions' LiveStyles -- art rendering
technology -- to be incorporated as a plug-in to QuickDraw 3D (QD3D).
[Farcast]

Apple has chosen Personal Computer Products to provide Apple with
development services for future printing products. [iNews]

Apple recently posted a beta 3 version of their AppleShare IP 5.0 --
Apple's next-generation server software. [iNews]

Apple has announced a 1997 roadmap for Next's WebObjects, and has reached
an agreement with Adobe to integrate Adobe's Acrobat 3.0 with Apple's
WebObjects 3.1. [iNews]

** MACINTOSH **

Ambrosia Software <http://www.ambrosiasw.com> has released version 1.0.1
of their 'Pac Man' like game called Bubble Trouble.

Mikael Hansen <meh@dnai.com> has released AutoShare 1.2 -- a freeware
list server and auto-responder for Apple's Internet Messaging Server
(AIMS). <http://www.dnai.com/~meh/autoshare/>

Peri Frantz <apfrantz@apple.com> has posted a version of Jigsaw puzzle
that runs under Macintosh Runtime Java (MRJ) 1.0.1 via:
<http://happymac.apple.com:8001/mrj/cool.html>.

NeoLogic <http://www.neologic.com> is now shipping version 5.0 of their
cross-platform, object database management system for the Mac OS called
NeoAccess.

Jon Stevens has released a W*API 1.1 savvy plugin called Clearly Home 1.0
for the Mac OS Web servers WebStar and Quid Pro Quo that transparently
virtual hosts multiple domain names from a single IP address.  For more
info: <http://www.clearink.com/fun_stuff/plugins/clearlyhome/>.

Long-time Apple developer Aatrix Software has purchased Peachtree
Accounting for Macintosh release 2.5 from Peachtree Software.

** INTERNET **

The following companies are backing Microsoft's recently announced
Internet broadcasting standard called Channel Definition Format (CDF):
AirMedia, BackWeb, CompassWare, DataChannel, Diffusion, First Floor,
FreeLoader, Ifusion, Lanacom, NETdelivery, NCompass, PointCast, and
Wayfarer.  [PC Week, 17Mar97, page 18]

Comcast's @Home high speed Internet access service has chosen to use
Motorola's CyberSURFR cable modems in their next six deployments that
will start in Q2'97. [Farcast]

Schlumberger has a new network based, smart card savvy, public key
cryptography capabilities product called SafePak that works with Netscape
and Microsoft browser products on Windows, MacOS, and Unix.  [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 52 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, 17Mar97 thru 23Mar97
-----------------------------

** NEWS CORP. COURTING POINTCAST **

Media giant News Corp. is negotiating to acquire PointCast Inc., an
entrepreneurial leader in "push" technology for the Internet.  The deal
would be good for News Corp., giving it an established vehicle for
distributing its news and entertainment content, but would jeopardize
PointCast's existing arrangements with News Corp. rivals Time Warner,
Times Mirror, Knight-Ridder and Dow Jones Co.  Meanwhile, PointCast is
pondering what effect a spurned offer would have on its plans to go
public:  "We've received plenty of unsolicited offers in the past as well
as recently and we've accepted none of them," says PointCast's CEO.  "The
path that we're on is to take the company public.  We're enthused about
that and our investors are enthused about that."  (Wall Street Journal 18
Mar 97)

** MICROSOFT, HP TEAM UP ON WINDOWS NT **

In what some analysts see as a blow to Digital Equipment Corp.,
Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft have forged a strong alliance in corporate
computing, including a stepped-up commitment by HP to Microsoft's Windows
NT operating system.  The new alliance is expected to erode some consumer
support for Digital's midrange PCs and workstations, which have featured
the NT software for the past several years.  It also pits HP and
Microsoft against a competing coalition of IBM, Sun Microsystems, Oracle
and Netscape, which are betting heavily on Sun's Java programming
language to loosen Microsoft's control over technology standards.  (Wall
Street Journal 18 Mar 97)

** BOOKSELLER PRICE WAR ON NET **

With the Barnes & Noble bookselling company opening an operation today on
America Online (and moving ahead with plans to begin selling books on the
Web later this Spring), its much smaller rival Amazon.com, currently the
biggest bookseller in cyberspace, is increasing the discount on 700
popular titles to 40%.  But Barnes & Noble, which had $2.4 billion in
sales last year, will prove formidable competition for Amazon, which had
1996 sales of only $17 million. Forrester Research says:  "It's a case of
a relatively successful pipsqueak taking on a heavily fortified giant.
They can only compete by finding a niche and providing superior service."
Atlanta Journal-Constitution 18 Mar 97)

** ERIC SCHMIDT TO HEAD NOVELL **

Eric Schmidt has left his position as chief technology officer for Sun
Microsystems to become the chairman and chief executive officer of
Novell, giving that company substantial technological leadership and
strong ties to Sun.  "I expect a very close relationship with Sun,"
Schmidt says.  "I know how the company works, and it's somewhat easier
since I know all their home phone numbers."  (Atlanta
Journal-Constitution 19 Mar 97)

** VULNERABILITY FOUND IN SECURITY OF DIGITAL CELLULAR PHONES **

Three independent computer security experts have been able to crack a key
part of the code developed to protect the privacy of calls made using
digital cellular telephones.  One of the experts, David Wagner of the
University of California at Berkeley, says:  "The industry design process
is at fault.  We can use this as a lesson, and save ourselves from more
serious vulnerabilities in the future."  (New York Times 20 Mar 97)

** MOTOROLA GETS SMART **

Motorola is gearing up to be a major supplier of smart cards --
credit-card-like devices that store personal and financial data on
embedded computer chips.  Smart cards are used in sales transactions,
banking, record-keeping and security, and Motorola plans to enhance the
current model with its wireless technology, making them useful for such
things as electronic toll payments and ticketless airline and commuter
rail travel. "We're really excited," says the VP for Motorola's
Smartcards Systems Business.  "We think that by 2001 there will be more
smart cards around the world than telephones."  About 90% of the current
world market for smart cards is now centered in Europe, but company
officials hope to move into Asia and South America, as well as the U.S.
(Wall Street Journal 20 Mar 97)

** COLLEGE SWITCHES FROM NEXT TO APPLES **

Allegheny College, which invested heavily in Next computers in 1991, is
shifting over to Apple Computers as it replaces aging machines.  "With
Apple's recent acquisition of Next Computer, what was for us a
technically superior but orphaned operating system has the potential to
reach mainstream, industry-wide acceptance," says Allegheny's director of
educational computing.  "While others may be abandoning Apple as a campus
strategic platform, we are aggressively exploring adopting Apple
technology."  (Chronicle of Higher Education 21 Mar 97)

** SMART CARD LINKS SATELLITE TV SIGNAL TO PCs **

Adaptec has developed a smart card that links a personal computer to a
direct-to-home satellite system, enabling the user to receive the TV
signals on a home PC.  The company is banking on the new interactive
services being developed by satellite-TV providers, including Web sites
and specialty multimedia programming.  (Wall Street Journal 21 Mar 97)


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


INNOVATION, 17Mar97
-------------------

** TRENDS: THE FUTURE OF WARFARE **

As military might increasingly is based on information technology, the
way that war will be waged in the future will change substantially:
combat likely will be short, as weapons become so powerful that making
the first strike will be essential to success; many of the operations
will take place in space rather than on the battlefield, as
concentrations of soldiers and vehicles dwindle and troops become more
mobile, carrying their supplies with them to avoid the vulnerability
inherent in congregating in military bases. This "multi-dimensional"
aspect of modern conflicts will incorporate information warfare, in
addition to traditional land, sea and air operations, with the weapons of
choice being computer viruses, electro-magnetic pulses, microwave beams,
jamming and encryption technologies, well-placed bombs or anything that
can smash a satellite. Finally, space-based weapons are on the Pentagon's
agenda, including killer satellites armed with missiles or lasers, space
mines that approach a target before exploding, and a space vehicle that
can fly in and out of the atmosphere to deploy or attack satellites. (The
Economist 8 Mar 97)

** STRATEGIES: THE "NEW" MEDIA WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME THE "ONLY" MEDIA **

Although most of the large, traditional publishers got on the Net early,
they still regard "new media" as an add-on:  "something that a publisher
had to have 'covered,' but not a fundamental component of the business."
Is that strategy likely to prevail in the new world?  Probably not.  "The
fundamental problem is that the chief executives of magazine publishing
companies need to focus on other things.  The Internet is simply one more
peripheral thing to consider.  It is simply 'new media.'  Not done yet.
Not fully cooked."  The companies more likely to succeed in the years
ahead are those that discard the old paradigms and integrate the new
media into their core businesses, using the technology "to gather
information about their audience, to incorporate realtime feedback
mechanism, to understand their changing informational and service needs."
 Replacing the old with the new is ... just a matter of time.  (Chuck
Martin, "Dangerous Dismissal," AlleyCat News:  Investment Opportunities
In Silicon Alley v.1 n.4 Mar 97)

** INNOVATIONS: A CAMERA WITH EYES IN THE BACK OF ITS HEAD **

Scientists at Columbia University have developed a video camera that can
take in an entire 360-degree scene and then allow any number of viewers
to select their own personal perspectives while watching an event -- that
means a sports event could be televised with Omnicam, and each player's
parents could watch their child for the entire game!  The Omnicam camera
works by filming an event using the reflection of the entire panoramic
scene off of a mirrored dome -- computer software straightens out the
image for clear viewing.  The camera is not yet commercially available,
but a demo can be found at <http://bagpipe.cs.columbia.edu/Omnicam/>
(Chronicle of Higher Education 14 Mar 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>.

** USER SELECTED AREA CODE CHANGER **

The area codes in the San Diego, California area are changing, and thus
have created a reason for NewtNews to need a Newton Developer to solve a
problem.  Some locations in the 'not quite in San Diego proper' 619 area
code area are going to be changed to 760. It would be nice to be able to
globally start a process that would let a user walk through all the
contacts in their Names that matched the 619 area code, and let the user
decide if that Name card needed to be changed to the new 760 area code.


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

** SPRINT NEWS **

The British company Cable & Wireless is reported very interested in
purchasing Sprint (which they already own 10% of).  Word on the street is
that Sprint would cost at least $15 billion to acquire. [Farcast]

Sprint has officially launched their Internet Private Passport service
that lets a customer or community sponsor a "virtually private gateway to
their content and applications" but also provides general access to the
Internet.  For more information call: 800.359.3900. [Farcast]

** LOGISTICS ARTICLE **

Forbes published on 24Mar97 has an interesting article that focuses on
the latest and greatest business news related to managing logistics on
page 54.  The article is entitled "Replacing inventory with information"
and is written by Scott Woolsey.  There is a picture included with the
article that has a Skyway trucker checking his email using some sort of
Qualcomm keyboard slate with a small four line LCD screen.

** WIN A NINTENDO 64 **

IBM's AS/400 Advanced Series group is reportedly running a contest that
awards folks who check out and fill out the appropriate forms a Nintendo
64 via: <http://www.as400.ibm.com/nintendo>.

** WIRED, APRIL 1997 **

Short mention about the UPS' electronic tablets that capture signatures
on page 38.

Picture of one of those Bandai Tamagotchi (digital pet game) devices that
has sold 500,000 units since introduction late in 1996 on page 43.

Ad for Casio's new Databank Touchscreen "don't call it a watch" on page
53.  Unit stores 200 names and phone numbers, 200 memos/notes, and 200
appointments through the year 2039.

Tim Barkow's 'Fetish' column has blurbs of interest on: Sharp's new MI-10
Color Zaurus on page 55 <http://www.sharp.co.jp/>; Nera WorldPhone
Office's Station 12 <station12@pi.net> also on page 55; Roland's PMA-5
Personal Musical Assistant on page 56 <http://www.rolandus.com>; and a
big picture and pointer to Apple's new eMate 300 on page 60.

Big detailed article on subject "Get Wireless" by Catharine Lo on pages
142 through 147.

Steve G. Steinbert <hype-list@wired.com> added "Handheld PCs" to the Hype
List on page 158.  Steve didn't think much about PDAs, and predicts that
Microsoft's HPC will by the end of the year be as "laughable as PDA."

** AGENT NEWSLETTER GETS NEW ISSUE **

Timothy Finin <finin@cs.umbc.edu> has release Volume 2, Number 3 of his
UMBC AgentNews newsletter on 10Mar97.  You can check out this great
source for 'intelligent agent' pointers via the following URL:
<http://www.cs.umbc.edu/agents/agentnews/2/03/>.


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

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

* 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 3000.
   - 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.
   - SILK makes your MP130 GLOW. Floating silk screen palette so
       the built-in buttons can be seen in the dark.
For more information call 802-863-5256, email <info@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>.

* 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>

* PDA Panache is your single source for stylus solutions. Our stylus
upgrades for your MessagePad are the ultimate in writing comfort and
control. Screen-safe writing tip guaranteed for life.
 - Telescoping styli for all Newtons in Black-Chrome, Gold & Sterling.
 - The "Duo" multi-function stylus/ball pen or pencil combo. With
   "EasyView" orange tip.
 - The "Beacon" LED lighted-tip stylus. Functional, slim and  elegant.
 - Low-cost Stick Styli. Custom Stylus Solutions for VARs/OEMs.
More info or Visa/MasterCard orders at: 800.270.7196, FAX: 516.467.6329,
Int'l: 516.467.4042, or visit our Web site: <http://www.pdapanache.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 (included).
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 Manager on your desktop for
further processing.  For a limited time when you mention this ad, you'll
receive both Informed Filler for Newton AND Informed Manager (for
desktop integration) for $99US (SRP $390US).  Contact Shana Corp. at:
800.386.7244, email: <info@shana.com> or WWW: <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>.


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

** RESPONSE 1: MP2000 VS PILOT COMPARISON **

Wendell <whsuyama@CCGATE.HAC.COM> responses to last weeks Supplement
guest opinion by Dr. Tim Hodges with:

    Why do people insist on comparing the MP2000
    against the PalmPilot?

    If you're only looking for economical, powered
    ground transportation for yourself, compare mopeds
    or golf carts, but not against motorhomes or
    sports cars.  The only fair comparison between the
    MP2000 and the PalmPilot, is Price/Performance,
    not size and weight.

    The MP2000 is neither too heavy or bulky to carry
    around all day.  I've never met anyone who carries
    a laptop around all day, but most professionals
    using paper organizers, like DayTimers and
    Franklins, are lugging around leather-bound bricks
    that are much bulkier and heavier than a MP2000.
    They carry their lives in these organizers (watch
    the panic when they lose one).  AND they carry them
    around all day, everywhere they go.

    If the MP2000 is lighter, less bulky, and more
    capable than the paper organizer you're currently
    using, why would the size or weight of the MP2000
    be a significant factor?  Just because the
    PalmPilot is lighter and smaller doesn't
    automatically make it a better replacement.  When I
    was lugging around my Franklin, I didn't envy
    those who used pocket- sized versions, they were
    TOO small (not enough capability!)

    So, if you replace your paper organizer system
    with a MP2000, not only do you get a lighter and
    smaller form factor, you also get the power of a
    laptop!

    Wendell

** RESPONSE 2: MP2000 VS PILOT COMPARISON **

Jason Kulas <jkulas@ct2.nai.net> also responses to last weeks Supplement
guest opinion by Dr. Tim Hodges with:

    Different things for different people I guess.
    Having carried a MP130 around for 2 months, I know
    what Tim means by "brick", but I still do not find
    the size or weight objectionable for the
    capabilities given.  Yes, I wish my forthcoming
    keyboard-less MP2000 sacrificed some hardware to
    be a bit smaller, but I expect to find its size
    and weight increases over the MP130 will be
    negligible.

    I used my MP130 many times a day, entered lots of
    notes, used the calendar, agenda, etc.  I do not
    want to learn Grafitti, esp. since H.W.R. is so
    quick and accurate.  I will not for a long time,
    perhaps ever, get a Card modem.  But I will make
    the MPad replace my desktop as the primary
    repository for all kinds of info, which is why I
    like the large screen, storage capacity, etc.  All
    I need now is a good hip holster.  I suffer
    without a paper organizer because I can't stand
    their limitations -- I can only accept automated
    alarms and the "unlimited" capacity, editability,
    re-organizational-ability, and neatness (no loose
    papers) of electronic media.  And no transfer
    method can be worse than typing info off a note
    into your desktop, or printing out from your
    desktop to take something with you.

    Just a different $0.02.

    Jason Kulas
    Software Developer
    <jkulas@ct2.nai.net>


Review: Follow-Ups
------------------

** FOLLOW-UP ON KHYBER KEYBOARD REVIEW **

Last weeks Supplement review of the Khyber Keyboard by Don Modesto
<modesto@gol.com> generated a host of new pointers to more information.

If you are interested in checking more information about the keyboard,
Don suggests that you check out Deja News archives via the following URL:
<http://www.dejanews.com/forms/dnsetfilter.html>.  You can also check
out the Khyber WWW page at: <http://www.khyber.com> or call: 330.869.5555.

This keyboard runs using Newton 1.x and Newton 2.0.  If you want to use a
serial keyboard with a Newton 1.x device you can do so using the
shareware package called NewtKey 1.2 or Type!

You can also track down sharewave via: <http://www.shareware.com/>, but
the better place to look for Newton software is via AMUG'S PKG Search:
<http://amug.org/amug/cd/http/newtonsearch.html>

** FOLLOW-UP ON WRITEWARE REVIEW **

William Moser <moserb@poboxes.com> reports that you can download a copy
of WriteHere, the software he reviewed in last weeks Supplement, via:
<http://www.tow.com/>.

Adam Tow <atow@tow.com> followed up with news that the previously
released beta of WriteHere had recently expired, and urges all users to
connect to the above URL to download a new version (beta 6).


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
comments are highlighted as -- [Editor: Comments].  Publication,
product, and company names may be registered trademarks of their
companies.  All trademarks used in this publication are for
informational purposes only and to the benefit of the trademark owner,
with no intention of infringing on that trademark.

Send contributions and comments to Steve Holden, Editor and Publisher
at: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Other important NewtNews players include:

    - Reviews Editor: Bob Torres <btorres@io.com>
    - Newton Book: Mark Heringer <4535904@mcimail.com>
    - NewtNews Pro: Dave Hina <daverh@aol.com>
    - FTP site & email list admin: Bob Torres <btorres@io.com>
    - NewtNews Travel Guide: Andrew Wong <swong@email.sdsu.edu>

      SUBSCRIPTIONS: email <majordomo@tristero.io.com> with
                     'subscribe newt_news' as the body of your
                     message (no quotes)
        UNSUBSCRIBE: email <majordomo@tristero.io.com> with
                     'unsubscribe newt_news'
                WWW: <http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/NewtNews/>
                     <http://members.aol.com/nnpro/newton.html>
                FTP: <ftp://ftp.io.com/pub/usr/btorres/NewtNews>
                     <ftp://members.aol.com/NewtNews1>
                     <ftp://ftp.amug.org/pub/newton/news/newt-news>
                     <ftp://ftp.scamedia.com.au/pub/newtnews/>
   NEWTON REFERENCE: <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>
 NEWTON CLASSIFIEDS: <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton>

This edition of NewtNews was written with the help of: celebrating
Christy's 30th B-Day; celebrating 100 years of 'education' at San Diego
State University; and finally get a free moment to load 'Abuse' up on my
Mac for a couple of hours of fun and enjoyment!

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