NewtNews-18Mar97-Supplement
===========================

by Steve Holden <newtnews@pobox.com>.  This is a supplement issue for the
weekly freeware newsletter that focuses on the Apple Newton and related
technologies.  The supplement is published as a reference guide during
times when NewtNews is not being published.  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:

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

 + 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>.

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

 + 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>

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


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

 1. From the Editor
 2. Pen Computing, Jan/Feb 1997
 3. REVIEW: WriteHere 2.0b5
 4. Mobile Computing, March 1997
 5. Web Pointers
 6. mobilis
 7. More Expand Examples
 8. TAPPED.IN
 9. Wireless for the Corporate User
10. The PDA Connection
11. NewtNews Pro
12. Edupage, 10Mar97 thru 23Mar97
13. INNOVATION, 10Mar97
14. Handheld Systems
15. REVIEW: The Khyber Keyboard
16. Advertising Notes
17. Product and Service Information
18. Commentary: PEDs vs Airplane Safety
19. Guest Opinion
20. Administrivia



>From the Editor
---------------

** WELCOME **

Hello!  Welcome to the fourth NewtNews-Supplement.  The goal of this
supplement is to provide NewtNews readers with good reference material
during a week when NewtNews is not being published.  This issue includes
some software and hardware reviews, and some guest opinions.  If you have
any questions, suggestions, or comments, please send them ASAP to Steve
Holden at: <newtnews@pobox.com>.  Thanks!

** NEXT ISSUE OF NEWTNEWS **

The next issue of NewtNews (issue #134) will be published on 25Feb97.
For a complete look at a calendar of publication dates please check out:
<http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/NewtNews/NN_schedule.html>.

** QUICK COMMENTS **

Last weeks Apple layoffs and restructuring news really brought no new
information about the future of the Newton at Apple except that Apple
continues to ship and support the MP2K and eMate 300.  Apple also
reported that they were still evaluating their options -- keep, sell,
spinoff? -- the Newton technology.

Newton Source reportedly got several hundred MP2Ks delivered to them in a
'special' deal last week.  Not bad for Newton Source who has been
reportedly struggling financially, but this news has apparently left a
very sour taste in many developers mouths because many of them remember
Sandy Benett, vice president of the Newton System Group, promising
developers at the November 1996 Newton Developers Conference that they'd
be the first to get MP2Ks not the general public.


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

$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
  AvailWorks 3.0 - New version adds a text layer with spell-check, find
  and replace, and support for multiple page documents.  AvailWorks
  integrates text processing, powerful tables, dynamic business charts
  and graphs, and drawing and page layout tools into one convenient package
  for the Newton.  From PelicanWare at $79.95+S&H.  For more info:
  <info@pelicanware.com>. To order 800.655.6398 or visit resellers.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Pen Computing, Jan/Feb 1997
---------------------------

** FEATURES & NEWS **

The cover of this issue has three key words: 'COLOR' for Sharp's new
Zaurus; "SPEED" for Philips Velo 1; and "Beauty" for Apple's eMate 300.

Dominic Giangrasso has a focus article on page 18 entitled "Pen Computing
in Utilities."

Vernon Haung examines how the MessagePad 2000 will influence the 'Newton
in Healthcare' on page 33.

Peter Glaskowsky has an article called "Under the hood: Windows CE CPUs
and Chipsets" on page 33.

Tammy Parker has a good review of all the vendors 'racing' to offer
wireless HPC connectivity on page 42.

Interested in the new "mini' small PC Card formats?  Check out page 84
for William Ott's detailed article about them.

Other good stuff: Pen News by John Wilmot on page 12; Handheld cases on
page 80; and Pen Development Kits on page 83.

** OPINIONS **

Excellent PDA and handheld opinions from:

    - C.H Blickenstorfer on "reflections on emerging trends"
    - Andrew Seybold on "HPCs in wireless comms
    - John Jerney on "open memo"
    - Tim Schmidt on "rumors, gossip, opinions"
    - Dominic Giangrasso on "right tools for the job"
    - Tammy Parker on "wireless in virtual workplace"
    - Gerald Fox on "info from Japan"

** REVIEWS **

Hardware reviews of: Philips Velo 1; Hitachi HPC, Sharp Copernicus; Apple
eMate 300; Sharp ZR-3000; Sharp Color Zaurus; IBM Sure Point; Axonix 8X
CD-ROM; and KidDraw Tablet.

Software reviews of: Pocket AutoMap for Windows CE; Pocket MS Internet
Explorer 1.1; Win2Go 1.0 (Newton/PC); Merlin/Wordsleuth (Newton);
FormLogic 2.0 (Newton); Pilot Forms 1.0; Pilot Light;
TimeReporter/Expense Reporter for Pilot; and Paseo for Magic Link.

** PLATFORM FOCUS **

    - Windows CE by Staff and C.H. Blickenstorfer
      on page 32 & 40
    - Newton by David MacNeil on page 50
    - Pilot by Scott Sbihli on page 60
    - Zaurus by Daniel Rasmus on page 64
    - Magic Cap by Dan Hanttula on page 74

** ON THE WEB **

    - <http://www.pencomputing.com>

[EDITOR: The next issue of Pen Computing has reportedly gone to the
printers and should be available soon.]


REVIEW: WriteHere 2.0b5
-----------------------

** HANDWRITING UTILITY **

by Bill Moser <moserb@poboxes.com>

OK.  To start with, what is WriteHere?  WriteHere (WH) is a general
writing and editing tool to make inputing data on the Newton a much more
pleasant experience.  Users of Palm Computing's Graffiti may find the
general concept quite familiar: the application opens a floating window
which is used to write on, and text is placed where the caret is in the
underlying app.

The resemblance ends there, however.  Graffiti requires the user to learn
a special alphabet, and data input is done letter by letter.  WH uses the
Newton's own handwriting recognition software with some special additions
thrown in; it augments the Newton OS, rather than replacing it.  The most
obvious features are the cursor and style tools on the side of the
window. You can select text, and then change font, size, or style using a
more compact window than the Newton's intrusive Styles window.  It also
gives access to the hidden super- and subscript options not available in
the regular styles window.  Punctuation and cursor buttons make it easy
to move the cursor caret around and insert special symbols.

But the text manipulation features go deeper than this.  Suppose you want
to write in ALL CAPS.  WH will intelligently decapitalize text as it
recognizes it.  A similar plug-in set of recognition formats is
available; for example, if you need to write a chemical equation, WH can
automatically put numbers in reduced subscript.  Another format turns
written text into Jive (this is more of a proof-of-concept thing, I
think).  A French filter is in progress, which will allow "I speak
French" to be recognized as "Je parle francais," for example.  These
plugins can be written and added by third parties, so you can create a
custom language or technical filter to suit your needs.

Another powerful advantage that WH offers is that text can be entered
directly into the open application, or into a multi-line register
directly above the writing surface.  When the register is full, text
scrolls word by word into the application underneath.  The idea here is
simple: if the word you've just written is recognized incorrectly, you
can shift your hand up just a bit to correct it or scrub it out.  If you
want to put a word in a sentence into italic type, you can select the
word in the register and then select "italic" from the Styles popup menu
on the WH window.  Editing single words is much easier by using the
register.  Also, WH works with two other Foundation Systems utilities:
Corrector+ and Styles+.  The first automatically corrects common
recognition mistakes; the second lets font sizes go up to 72 points.

The bottom line is, does it work?  I have to say yes.  WH is a great
enhancement to the Newton's handwriting recognition system.  It puts a
lot of text editing tools in one place, and makes extended writing
possible for the first time.  Font and style changes are amazingly easy
to make.  I find it works especially well with Stand Alone Software's
Clipper and Keyman utilities.  To prove the point, I wrote this review
with WH, without touching my keyboard.  The only limitation I still find
is the slow recognition speed of my 120.  I can't wait to try this on a
2000.

Oh yeah--for those of you ticked at Apple for not putting handwriting
recognition into Newtonworks, WH works with any Newton application,
including Newtonworks.  If you want to do any serious text entry on a
2000 without your keyboard, get WriteHere.


$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$
        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 - New version (2.0) - 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.  For more info email:
  <TeleTypeGPS@teletype.com> or WWW to: <http://www.teletype.com/gps/>.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Mobile Computing, March 1997
------------------------------

** ARTICLES OF INTEREST **

Major review of "Pocket Portables" on page 77 through 90 by Scott Koegler
<skoegler@mail.earthlink.net>. The review looks at: MP130, Cassiopeia,
Compaq's Mobile PC, HP's OmniGo 120, HP's 200LX, MobilePro 400, PalmPilot
5000, Psion Series 3c, and Zaurus ZR-3000.

There are three Letters to the Editor about Windows CE on page 14.  One
is positive, one points out Psion's strengths over Windows CE, and the
other thinks that the current crop of HPCs have way too many weaknesses
for him.

Tim Bajarin tackles the subject of a "portable personality" module on
page 45 - 16 in his 'Industry Insider' column.  This PC Card that holds
our 'personality' should interoperates specifically with Network
Computers, but ideally should be compatible with all devices we use.

Detailed article with a picture on pages 52-54 of the recent news that
Physix has ported their Newton product formerly called pocketDoc (now
called pocketCHART) to Windows CE.  There is a great deal of information
about the need in the medical community for handheld devices, and also an
interesting amount of information regarding the founder of Physix -- Dr.
Thomas Giannulli.  There is also several paragraphs with opinions from
Dr. Richard Scarff who uses pocketCHART on Windows CE and Newton on the
differences (pluses and minuses) between the two operating systems.

Dan Sweeney has a good intro to "Dialing for data" on page 56 - 60.  The
article examines: AT&T PocketNet Phone, Mitsubishi's MobileAccess Phone,
Motorola's GSM MAP cellular phone, Nortel's Wireless Internet Phone,
Nokia 9000 Communicator, and Samsung's Duette.

O. Ryan Tabibian has a review article of the latest wireless data
services in an article on page 92 called "Wireless Data Shootout".  The
article examines: ARDIS, CDPD Cellular, RAM Mobile Data, and Ricochet
Wireless Network.

CES Mobile Electronics conference will be held 04-06Apr97 in Atlanta,
Georgia.  For more information send a FAX to: 703.907.7602.

** REVIEWS OF INTEREST **

Short reviews with pictures of the following products:

    - Apple PowerBook 1400 on page 28
    - Ericsson AF-738 flip phone on page 32
    - SCI Secured Communications encryption PC Card on page 37
    - Timex's Notebook Adapter for DataLink on page 38
    - PalmPilot's Macintosh HotSync utility on page 38
    - Short blurb about displays on PDAs on page 68

** HANDHELD ADS **

    - Compaq PC companion (HPC)
    - Ricoh G-1200S (Pen Based PC)
    - Casio QV-100 (camera) and Cassiopeia (HPC)
    - Philips Velo 1 (HPC)
    - Mobile Planet (Newton, Sharp, HP, and Psion)
    - AllPen Software <http://www.allpen.com>
    - Wright Strategies <http://www.wrightstrat.com>
    - Japan Palmtop Direct (IBM PC110) 800.641.5996
    - Psion Series 3c & Siena
    - PDA Direct (Newton, Pilot, Windows CE)

** ON THE WEB **

    - <http://www.mobilecomputing.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 & HANDHELD DIRECT - December96 Specials - Cool Stuff for your Newton!
   - Apple MessagePad 130 $689 (#22003) Free Win2Go Software with Purchase
   - Type II PCMCIA Flash Memory for all Apple MPs - Mfg Lifetime Guarantee
     4MB $128 (#41071)  8MB $224 (#41073)  10MB $274 (#41074)
   - Revelar Connection Utilities $53.95 - Windows (#10070) Mac OS (#10071)
   - King James Bible for Newton $34.95 (#10260) Archimedes $39.95 (#62030)
   - FreeStyle Handwriting Recognition $39.95 (#10151)
   - MessagePad Wireless Communications Case $73.95 (#31150)
  To receive special pricing please mention source code [#151]
  To order call 800-279-4732 or 219-882-5228 or fax 219-845-0578
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Web Pointers
------------

** MAJOR TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY JOURNALS **

    - 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>

** NEWTON LINKS **

    - Newton Reference: <http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/>
    - AMUG'S PKG Search: <http://amug.org/amug/cd/http/newtonsearch.html>
    - Gecko: <http://members.aol.com/geraldfox/gecko/gecko.html>
    - Newton Classifieds: <http://pobox.com/~bnet/newton>
    - The Ultimate Newton Page: <http://rainbow.rmi.net/~rbruce/>
    - Newton Software Digest:
      <http://www.compulink.co.uk/~stormont/newton/weekly.htm>
    - Always Newton Central: <http://www.theonly.com/newton.html>
    - Project Newtonberg: <http://www.aa.net/~robwest>

** GOOD INFO SERVICE LINKS **

    - The URL-minder: <http://www.netmind.com/URL-minder/URL-minder.html>
    - Farcast: <http://www.farcast.com>
    - HotBot: <http://www.hotbot.com>

** OTHER PDA SITES **

    - Ultimate Windows CE Page: <http://www.paonline.com/msmalley>
    - USR's Pilot FAQ: <http://www-etb.info.nih.gov/~weisen/pilot_faq.html>

** COMPLETE DAILY MACINTOSH NEWS SITES **

    - MacInTouch: <http://www.macintouch.com>
    - MacCentral: <http://www.maccentral.com>
    - MacSurfer: <http://www.macsurfer.com>


mobilis
-------

** MARCH 1997 **

John Jerney <mobilis@CAM.ORG> reports that the March 1997 issue of
"mobilis: the mobile computing lifestyle magazine" is now available via:
<http://www.volksware.com/mobilis>.  mobilis is a free monthly magazine
available exclusively on the Web in its entirety featuring interviews,
tutorials, reviews, and opinion concerning all aspects of PDAs, wireless
communication, and mobile peripherals.

Here are some topics that might be of interest:

    - "Poke-Den: A Look at Japanese PHS and More [Part
       II]" by Matsushita Shuji
    - "FIRST LOOKS: Taking a Peek at the New PalmPilot
       Organizers" by John Jerney
    - "MOBILE INSIDER: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the
       Mobile Industry" by Nigel Ballard
    - "NEWTON SPOTLIGHT: The Latest and Greatest from
       NewtNews" by Steve Holden
    - "Windows CE: Developers Overview [Part III]" by
       Steve Mann
    -  REVIEW: "TakeNote! 1.01" [Windows CE] by John
       Schettino
    - "A Smattering of Psion Software" - by Steve
       Clack, et. al.
    - "Five PalmPilot Shareware Apps" by Jeff
       Schaffzin
    - "Sixteen Months With My Zaurus Continued ..." by
       Egbert Verbrugge
    - OPINION: "Making Mobile Web Browsing A Reality"
      by John Jerney
    - OPINION: "Storage For Your PDA" by Marty Mankins

And some other interesting tidbits on:

    - Mobile Watch [Hardware]: Hewlett Packard's Long
      Awaited WinCE HPC, SanDisk Providing CompactFlash
      Cards for HP320LX, Apple MessagePad 2000, and Apple
      QuickTake 200 Digital Camera
    - Mobile Watch [Software]: Microsoft Entertainment
      Pack for Windows CE, Lernout & Hauspie Speech
      Recognition Licensed by LG Semicon, Pocket
      On-Schedule for WindowsCE, and Starfish TrueSync
      for USR Pilot
    - Mobile Watch [Communications]: RIM Inter@ctive
      Pager, WyndMail Bundled with HP300LX & 320LX,
      ARDIS Supports HPs New Handheld PCs, and Gold Card
      Global from Psion Dacom


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


More Expand Examples
--------------------

** MORE TRICKS AND TIPS FOR YOUR NEWTON **

Steven Weyhrich <sweyhrich@earthlink.net> writes:

    I forgot to mention that I also use the dictionary
    "expand" feature to insert certain punctuation
    that I would otherwise have the use the caret
    popup menu for.  For example, I have these
    defined:

        rt  = return
        tb  = tab
        rb  = return + tab
        rt2 = return + return
        sq  = single quote (')
        dq  = double quote (")
        bt  = bullet
        rtb = return + bullet
        ck  = check-mark

    And so on.  If I found it necessary to use things
    like the copyright or trademark symbols
    (accessible by using the "option" key on the popup
    keyboard), the same could be done there.


TAPPED.IN
---------

** VOL. 1 ISSUE 19 -- JANUARY 1997 **

ANNOUNCEMENT -- ADVERTISING UPDATE! Expect a lot of product reviews of
the eMate 300 and MessagePad 2000 in March, April, and May publications.
Their will be Apple ads for the eMate in a host of education related
publications, and MessagePad 2000 ads in technology publications and some
business dailies.  Apple is also planing direct mail campaigns for both
units.

CHIP MAGAZINE READERS RATE THE MP130 AS THE #1 PDA! -- "Chip" magazine, a
leading publication for PC-users in German speaking regions, recently saw
their readers rate the MessagePad 130 as the best organizer/PDA.  "Chip"
is a monthly magazine with a circulation of over 310,000 per issue. Every
year they ask their readers to vote for the best products of the year.
Over 15,000 readers responded and voted in  this year's contest. The
MP130 won the most votes in the best organizer/ PDA category.

INSIDE NSG: Q&A with David Austin, Director Of Engineering of the Newton
System Group.  David is a new member to NSG and is 'extremely exciting'
about working with the Newton (he has been an Apple employee since 1990,
previously doing work on Bento and OpenDoc).  He is responsible for all
the products that comes out of the NSG and thinks that Engineerings
primary goal is to "build great products for our customers."  His staff
meetings include close interaction with the other Newton groups so that
Engineering is always aware of their needs and customers needs.

MARKETING FRONT: Q&A with Jodie Gilmore, Product Marketing Manager for
the eMate 300.  Her main job is to understand and target customers needs
with regards to the technology provided by the Engineering group.  She
also does a great deal of work with Solutions Marketing and Outbound
Marketing.

VENDOR SPLENDOR1: iambic Software the developer of TimeReporter -- a time
and expense tracking and billing solution, and developer of a new NotePad
stationary solution called PaperPak.  Iambic also has a new 'addictive'
action adventure game called Sub Patrol.  For more information:
<http://www.iambic.com>.

VENDOR SPLENDOR2: WalletWare the developer of Expense Plus 2.0 with over
24,000 users.  Version 2.0 offers export and import options, along with a
customizable interface that SIs and VARs can utilize in offering
solutions. This version also lets you use: foreign currency, per diem
rate limit tracking, and offers basic graphing and charting capabilities.
For more information check out: <http://www.walletware.com>.

TECHIE TIP: Maurice Sharp, Newton DTS Engineer tackles the subject of
"How to access the new unique serial number chip available via Newton OS
2.1 in the new MessagePad 2000 and eMate 300."  This 'feature' can be
used for among other things: "inventory tracking, copy protection, or
geek factor."

TOP PROJECT: TBS Systems, located in Derbyshire, UK recently started a
pilot program for the Derbyshire Constabulary that uses a MessagePad
120/130 to replaced the officer's little black books.  The primary
function of the system is to insure that all police reports are filled
out completely and only transferred to data once (the first time.)  The
system also transfers all data using wireless GSM networks.  The officers
in Derbyshire are also using another prototype Newton solution to access
vehicle and person identification systems in real time.  For more
information: <http://www.tbssystems.co.uk/tbsnewt>.

NEWTON PROGRAMMING COURSES:
    - Newton 2.0 Communications; 17-21Mar97; Ann
      Arbor, MI; $1500; Registration: 313.439.3828

For more info about TAPPED.IN send an email to: <tapped.in@newton.apple.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.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Wireless for the Corporate User
-------------------------------

** FEBRUARY 1997 - VOL.6/NO. 2 **

Michael Fabiaschi at Racotek has a detail article that highlights the
difference between wireless and wireline networking on page 10.

Warren Hersch has a 'Vertical Market Focus' article on page 14 called
"Field Sales and Service" that examines a new wireless system put in
place by Xerox and Racotek using RAM Mobile Data services.  There is also
information about new wireless projects in Transportation (interactive
wireless kiosks) and Healthcare (details on a project at Lehigh Valley
Hospital).

Sean Keating has 'User Profile' of Scott Karen and Sean Cunningham at the
MSI Consulting Group.  The article focuses on how small businesses and
SOHO operations like theirs can use wireless technology.

John Bay at Paradigm4 examines the topic of "Public Safety: a primer in
implementing a wireless solution" in this edition's VAR Views on page 24
- 25.

There is a special feature entitled "On the Road with Mobile Nodes"
starting on page 34 by Ron Lindsey <comarch@aol.com> who provides
strategic planning services in the wireless technologies arena.

Andrew Seybold in his "The Wireless Outlook" column tackles the subject
of "Voice Paging" with details about upcoming services from PageNet and
PCSD (now called CONXUS).

There is also information in this edition about: Sprint PCS, paging,
Windows CE, satellites, and CDPD.

Folks with interesting advertisements in this issue:

    - Melard Technologies's Scout <http://www.melard.com>
    - SkyCell <http://www.melard.com>
    - Walkabout Computer's Hammerhead 586 (888.925.5226)
    - Qualcomm's CDMA University: <CDMA4training@qualcomm.com>
    - OTC Telecom <http://ezylink.com>

Special kudos recognition for Wright Strategies for getting their
FormLogic 2.0 for Newton mentioned in the "Featured Products" section.
The editors even included a MP120/130 next to the blurb.


The PDA Connection
------------------

** VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 **

This issue includes the following articles:

    - "Hand-Held & PDA Forum: PDAs in the Utilities
       Vertical Markets" by Phil Allingham
    - "PDAs aren't just PDAs anymore" by Jon Covington
    - "PDA Statistics: PDAia Implements New Research
       Program" by Phil Allingham
    - "Beyond Obvious: Marketing Where No PDA Has Gone
       Before -- Libraries" by Al Lieter
    - "Wireless Without Middleware" by Steven Baer
    - "Creating My Ideal PDA" by Al Beeman
    - "John Sculley Corrects The Red Herring" by John
       Sculley

IDC has published the following U.S. hand-held companion shipments in the
thousands:

    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    Categories           1996  1997   2000
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    PDA                   163   256    624
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    Personal
    Organizers             45   120    789
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    High-end organizers/
    PC Companions         581   733   1282
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
    Total                 789  1109   2696
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

For more information about 'The PDA Connection' or PDAia (PDA Industry
Association) send an email to: <info@pdaia.org>.


NewtNews Pro
------------

** MARCH 1997 **

Dave Hina <nnpro@aol.com> reports that the latest issue of NewtNews Pro
is out and can be downloaded from:

    - <http://members.aol.com/nnpro/newton.html>

It will also be available shortly from the Newton forum on AOL (keyword
"Newton").  Read the newsletter either offline or online in "pdf" format
(online version requires Netscape Navigator and Adobe Acrobat version
3.0).  The ReadMe included with the download gives additional details
about the purpose and audience of NewtNews Pro.


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


Edupage, 10Mar97 thru 23Mar97
-----------------------------

** DEC ROLLS OUT MILLICENT **

Digital Equipment Corp. has taken the wraps off Millicent, a software
system designed to handle very small monetary transactions on the
Internet, enabling vendors to sell items for 10 cents or less.  The
company is making arrangements with a couple of banks that will serve as
"scrip brokers" -- dispensing $5 or $10 of Millicent scrip who can then
use it to purchase inexpensive information such as movie reviews,
horoscopes, encyclopedia articles, highway traffic reports, stock graphs,
or a 10-second use of a computer software application, from online
sellers.  Digital is currently seeking content providers to participate
in a trial program.  (Wall Street Journal 11 Mar 97)

** DOES NET IMPROVE LEARNING IN PRIMARY GRADES? STUDY SAYS NO. **

A survey of 6,000 U.S. teachers, computer coordinators and school
librarians found that 86.6% believe that Internet usage by students in
grades 3-12 does not help students improve their classroom performance
(although 76% value the Net as a research tool).  The study was conducted
by the Market Data Retrieval organization.  (USA Today 11 Mar 97)

** SPRING CLEANING TIME FOR SOME WEB SITES **

According to AltaVista, which has indexed a total of about 30 million Web
pages, five million of them haven't changed at all since early 1996, and
some 424,000 pages haven't been updated since early 1995.  "People have
enough enthusiasm to design the sites once -- but it's not clear that
they have the resources to update them regularly," says Louis Monier, the
architect of Digital Equipment's search engine.  (Wall Street Journal 11
Mar 97)

** NEWS LINK SITE SUED OVER HOT LINKS **

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York City accuses
Phoenix-based TotalNews of "blatant acts of misappropriation, trademark
dilution and infringement, willful copyright violations, and other
related tortious acts."  The plaintiffs, which include CNN, The
Washington Post Co., Dow Jones, Times Mirror and Reuters, are upset that
the hot links provided from TotalNews to their Web sites display their
content framed by the TotalNews home page and its banner ads.  Bruce
Keller, an attorney for the plaintiffs calls totalnews.com "a parasitic
Web site with no content of its own."  However, TotalNews says it's
simply providing PC users links to some 1,200 news sources, allowing
viewers to compare information from each, and that if the case goes
against them, the precedent will endanger the ability of Web site
operators to provide hot links to other sites.  "Hot links either do or
don't violate trademarks.  That's not new.  Framing is new. And framing
and selling ads is pretty damn new," says Keller.  (Broadcasting & Cable
3 Mar 97)

** WEBTV SOLVES THE CHURN PROBLEM **

While many online services are wondering how to retain fickle customers
and make money in an increasingly cutthroat environment, WebTV Networks
seems to have solved the "churn" problem -- by making subscribers pay too
much up front to even consider leaving.  The company boasts an enviable
5% turnover since its launch last November, thanks to hefty investments
by customers in equipment needed to use the service.  WebTV customers pay
$349 for a set-top box that allows them to hook their TV to the Internet,
providing them speedy connectivity and good-looking graphics, and another
$19.95 a month for Internet access.  The company has sold somewhere
between 50,000 and 100,000 of the units so far.  (The Economist 8 Mar 97)

** INTERNET USAGE HAS DOUBLED **

A study by CommerceNet and Nielsen Media Research concludes that Internet
use has more than doubled in the last 18 months, from 10% to 23% of all
persons in the U.S. and Canada over age 16.   A Nielsen executive says:
"Not that long ago, the people using the Web tended to be a rather
homogeneous group -- young, upscale and rather well educated.  The big
gains that we're seeing now are coming from outside that group."
(Washington Post 13 Mar 97)

** APPLE PARES WORKFORCE, PRUNES PRODUCT LINE **

Apple Computer announced it will cut its 13,000 workforce by several
thousand employees and will scale down the company's large product line,
particularly peripheral communications products, such as the Pippin, and
some versions of its Macintosh Performa.  "We are going to start doing
what we do well and stop doing what we don't do well," says Apple's
executive VP of marketing. (Wall Street Journal 14 Mar 97)

** AT&T PLANS $9B UPGRADE **

AT&T will invest up to $9 billion this year in upgrading its
communications network -- almost double what it usually budgets for such
improvements. About $5 billion of that will go toward the
business-markets division to beef up the backbone network, improve fast
packet technology, and enhance voice and local services. (Information
Week 10 Mar 97)


INNOVATION, 10Mar97
-------------------

** TRENDS: MOST COMMON PC WILL BE A DIGITAL CELL PHONE **

Techno-guru George Gilder says the most ubiquitous computer in the next
decade will be not the desktop or laptop PC, but the digital cellular
telephone:  "It will be as mobile as your watch and as personal as your
wallet; it will recognize speech; it will navigate streets; it will
collect your mail and your paycheck; it will conduct transactions.  It
will command an Internet address and a Java run-time engine.  It will
link to a variety of displays, keyboards, and other input-output gear
through radio frequencies and infrared pulses.  Every device will be able
to link to every other one, like a telephone.  But unlike a telephone it
will have to manage not a homogeneous flow of 4-kilohertz voice signals,
but a variety of synchronous, isochronous, asynchronous bitstreams and
bursts, requiring constant bit rate, variable bit rate, and available bit
rate transmissions, broadcasts, and point-to-point links, all with
different protocols, error rates, and other constraints.  Wirelessly
linking these machines to the increasingly unlimited bandwidth of fiber
optics is the basic challenge of communications for the new epoch."
(Forbes ASAP 24 Feb 97)

** STRATEGIES: MEASURING THE FUTURE **

You can't just look at the financial measures to know if you're
succeeding ... you need to look at a "balanced scorecard" that also
includes measures of success with customers, with implementation of
internal business processes, and with organizational learning and growth.
 But it's not enough to add non-financial measures, you've also got to
make sure that they're measuring the present and future rather than the
past.  Why?  Because many indicators are lagging measures that show how
well you were succeeding in some prior time period, and because many
nonfinancial measures are too generic and not related to specific
strategic objectives.  "Many people think of measurement as a tool to
control behavior and to evaluate past performance ... in compliance with
a pre-established plan."  In contrast, the measures on a Balanced
Scorecard are to articulate and communicate the strategy of the business.
 So instead of outcome measures, you need to be looking for "performance
driver measures" -- which force you and your colleagues to think through
the way that work should be done in the future. (Robert S. Kaplan & David
P. Norton, "Linking The Balanced Scorecard To Strategy," California
Management Review v.39 n.1 Fall 96)

** INNOVATIONS: DISAPPEARING LOUDSPEAKERS **

London-based Verity Group PLC has developed a flat-panel speaker that can
hang unobtrusively on the wall or recessed into a corner, freeing up
space currently occupied in many living rooms by those big, boxy
loudspeakers. The new speakers, which are only an eighth of an inch
thick, consists of a rigid panel driven by a tiny transducer.  Unlike a
conventional speaker, which relies on a piston-like motion to produce
sound, the flat speakers use NXT technology to derive sound via "mode
distribution" -- a complex series of vibrations spread over the entire
panel and uniformly distributed throughout the operating frequency range.
 If Verity's new speakers become a commercial success, the NXT technology
could render speakers virtually invisible, with panels built into the
ceilings of your car or the walls of your house.  (Popular Science 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 40 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.
$-----------$------------$------------$------------$-----------$-----------$


Handheld Systems
----------------

** ISSUE 5.2 -- MAR/APR 1997 **

Regular articles:

    - "Handheld News" by Steve Mann
    - "The New PalmPilot Hits the Streets" by Steve Mann
    - "The Year of Wireless Data?" by Andrew Seybold
    - "System Integrator Profile: River Run Software"
       by Scott Sbihli
    - "NS BASIC Corner: Building Newton Applications"
       by John Schettino
    - "NewtonScript Pearls: Overriding Parent
       Inheritances" by Mark Zeren

Reviews and Previews:

    - "The Nokia 9000" by Daniel Pfund
    - "CASL [Fera's newest multi-platform developer
       tool]" by John Blue
    - "Pilot GNU Tools for Unix" by Jeff Dionne

Getting Started:

    - "Going Digital in the US" by Lee Ann Fujii
    - "Cooking with Rosemary [Magic Cap]" by Ray
       Rischpater
    - "Handheld Lynx Browsing" by Paul Quinlan

Features:

    - "Unix and Pilots: The Protocol Stack, Part 1"
       by Kevin Flynn
    - "Nokia 9000 Puzzle" by Jouni Miettunen
    - "GEOS Data Exchange" by Marcus Groeber
    - "Debugging Newton Software" by Ray Rischpater
    - "The Dark Side" by M. Montclair

Handheld Systems is also holding a conference and expo for handheld
system development the 24-26Apr97 at the San Francisco Airport Hilton.
You can get more information by sending an email to: <hhsc@cdpubs.com>.

For a complementary sample of Handheld Systems, go to Creative Digital's
Web page at: <http://www.cdpubs.com> fill out a request for a sample
issue, and email it to: <hhsj@cdpubs.com>.


REVIEW: The Khyber Keyboard
---------------------------

** LOOKS GOOD -- ALSO WORKS **

By Don J. Modesto <modesto@gol.com>

The Khyber Keyboard <http://www.industry.net/khybe> is one of those
products you immediately like for its ingenuity in playing several roles:
screen cover, Newton stand, and, of course, keyboard.

A little smaller than the Newt itself, the Khyber plugs into the serial
port and uses the Newt's cover locking mechanism to clip on just under
the screen.  Wrapping around the back of the Newt is an elastic strap
attached to a pair of legs.  A plastic tab slides into the space between
the Newt and its screen cover securing the legs at the top.  They swing
out to put the Newt at an ideal 40 degree angle on a surface and fold
away for hand-held use.  A short cable connecting to the serial port
curls too tightly for its own health; after but two or three hours use
and attaching/detaching it few times, mine pulled out of the casing to
expose wires.  It is easy enough to take the Khyber apart and reinsert
the cable but it remains a design flaw.

Khyberspace

The Khyber solution to keyboard input is multi-functional, sleeker, and
more elegant than the Apple alternative which has to be toted about
separately from the Newt itself.  Naturally given the PDA dimensions of
the Khyber, touch typing would be impractical even if all your fingers
were pinkies: It's a definite hunt and peck operation.  The keyboard
layout is a bit disconcerting at first.  The delete key is at bottom
right rather than at the top right.  Quotes are on the other side of the
board from where you expect them, too.  It took me just moments to adapt
to these differences, though.

The rubber keys lack the satisfying click of Apple's Newton keyboard for
aural feedback and it takes more than a casual swipe of your finger to
rid keys of dust.  More problematic is the impact it takes to register a
keystroke.  You will find many words in your first entries made with the
Khyber to be missing letters and punctuation.  While it makes for tense
typing, this too is largely overcome within the first few minutes of
serious usage (as I am discovering inputting this review.)

The Khyber(Don't) Pass

I find myself liking the Khyber Keyboard more than I thought I would when
I first saw that I couldn't touch type on it.  I get stuff in faster than
I can write it (or have it recognized) with fewer mistakes and far less
hassle in the correction of mistakes I do make.  I don't know your
tolerance for one-handed typing on a QWERTY layout, but if like me you
eschew pen input, the Khyber is worth a serious try.


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


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

Pelicanware has updated their advertising blurb.

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

* 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>

* 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>

* 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>.

* NEW! 7th Volume of the Totally Incomplete PDA CD-ROM for Newton! This
CD-ROM from AMUG CD, Inc. contains over 1800 packages, and 590 megs in
Mac and PC format. 2.0 & 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 or better OS - Upgrades also available.
 - QUICKFIGURE PRO 3.1: Spreadsheet application  $59.95
 - NEWTCASE 3.0: The Ultimate Utility Suite (for 2.0 OS only)  $49.95
 - NOTION 1.5: High Performance List Manager  $59.95
 - AVAILWORKS 3.0: 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 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 Rated 4.5 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 coming
due. Send bill info to Pocket Quicken or Pocket Money. $39.95+S&H
MAR Software at: <info@marsoftware.com> or <http://www.marsoftware.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>.


Commentary: PEDs vs Airplane Safety
-----------------------------------

** A LAYMAN'S GUIDE TO RECENT RESEARCH **

by Andrew Plumb <Tekmage@io.com>

Next time you're traveling on an airplane and are asked to turn off all
personal electronic devices (PEDs for short), you should probably take
heed.  A recent article in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) publication, IEEE Spectrum, provides a comprehensive
explanation and summary of related studies as to how and why.  Here's my
humble attempt to describe this problem in more familiar terms.

In layman's terms, your Newton, tape player, and FM radio all generate
electrical noise.  They are only whispering compared to a Cellular Phone
or CB radio (explicitly forbidden on any aircraft, plane or balloon), but
they transmit their "thoughts" none the less.  An airplane has all sorts
of sensitive receiving antennas - ears if you will - scattered over the
body of the aircraft.  Although the majority of the body is aluminum and
shields the sensors from the racket the PEDs are making, there are holes.
The windows are obvious holes; it's the metal that shields.  The inside
of an airplane's body also acts like a satellite dish, focusing and
deflecting the PED noise.  Unfortunately, some of this noise gets focused
on the wires carrying the REALLY small signals.

I think an analogy is in order.  Some of you have probably experienced
these effects at big public events, like a baseball game or rock concert.
Picture yourself standing in the corridor of this stadium.  When nothing
is happening, you can hear your buddy chatting with you; when the games
on, every hole in the place bleeds noise.  This is what it's like for the
cables carrying the signals back and forth between the pilot up front and
the rudder control motors out back.

On top of this, you have noise which escapes through the windows.  The
sensitive antennas on the outer shell can pick up this noise directly.
It's like propping the door open with your foot at the same stadium, and
trying to listen to somebody whispering to you from across the street and
relaying this information to someone else inside the stadium.  Now you
have not only the outside street noise to worry about, but the noise from
behind you.  Not the easiest of tasks.

So, next time you're planning to travel by airplane, you may want to pack
a good book and a pen and scratch-pad with that tape player and Newton.


Guest Opinion
-------------

[EDITOR: The following is an edited post to comp.sys.newton.misc that
caught my eye.  Tim was gracious enough to let me place it here. Thanks!]

Tim Hodges <Timothy.C.Hodges@Hitchcock.ORG> writes ...

    Stewart Midwinter wrote:
    > The MP2000 definitely can do more, and more
    > easily. AND, it comes bundled with a number of
    > apps and the keyboard, all of which on the Pilot
    > would be extra or are unavailable - WP,
    > Spreadsheet.

    As an MP110 and MP120 owner for several years, I
    would agree.  One of the problems with the Newton,
    however, is its size and weight.  I use my Newton
    several times a day, but I ordered a new PalmPilot
    last week because I just couldn't stand to carry
    the Newton "brick" around with me anymore.  The
    MP2000, although much faster, is even heavier and
    larger than the older Newtons!  I also found that I
    never used the other capabilities of the Newton
    because (1) I was at my desk frequently enough to
    check my e-mail on a regular basis, and (2) the
    desktop connectivity with my Windows machine was
    so poor that it made getting information back and
    forth a real hassle.

    My reasoning was that if I were a person carrying
    a laptop around all day, I would welcome the
    MP2000 as a lightweight replacement, and it would
    probably be worth the extra $600.  If you are just
    looking to replace your DayTimer and have better
    organization and reminder alarms, as I am, the
    Pilot is the way to go.

    Just my $0.02

    Tim Hodges MD
    <Timothy.C.Hodges@Hitchcock.ORG>


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

NewtNews Copyright 1994-97 Steve Holden.  All rights reserved.
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if full
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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,
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Send contributions and comments to Steve Holden, Editor and Publisher
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