-=========================================================================- _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || Amiga Update -News and Rumors /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || (An Occasional Newsletter) / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || BACK FOR THE FUTURE || -=========================================================================- AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga Technologies, GmbH --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 961225 Q U I K P A K T O D A Y A N N O U N C E S B I D F O R A M I G A ! A I R M A I L 4 . 0 A V A I L A B L E T W O N E W G A M E S F R O M V U L C A N A M I G A Z O N E I N D A N G E R O F F O L D I N G Editor's introduction and thoughts: Merry Christmas to the Amiga Community! Even on Christmas Day, we're looking for Amiga news for you. Well, a much appreciated note from the crew at QuikPak made it easier, we admit. We've been hoping to hear from them for a while now with information on their bid for the purchase of Amiga Technologies. It leads off this Christmas edition of AU and we think this is quite a Christmas present for us all. We suspect QuikPak would be an excellent firm to take over the Amiga's future, since they've been doing well in that area already. We wish them luck. While we're at it we're also including the QuikPak Dealer's list, also made available today. We do have some new product announcement to send you way. A new version of Air Mail is available. The press release is below. The people at Vulcan software in England have been one of the stoutest of Amiga games developers and are set up to deal with credit card orders from the US. We have a brief write up of two new games they've just released. We're re-running the notice from Harv Laser about the relocation of the AmigaZone to CalWeb, since we have many new readers today. The AmigaZone has been an online gathering place for the Amiga Community for years. According to Harv, it's in danger of vanishing forever if there aren't more members by the end of January. We understand as few as 12 new memberships could save it. Keep in mind this is a commercial venture, and you do have to pay to belong - though there is a free trial offer. We're happy to get the word out if we can for any Amiga institution that needs some exposure. You can experience realtime chats with many members of the AmigaZone. You'll often find us there on Sunday nights as Amupdate. We mentioned new readers today. This is the first issue of AU which will be going to the subscribers of "The Informer" newsletter. All new subscribers with an e-mail address will be receiving "Amiga Update". We're very happy to have you with us, and trust that the combination of "The Informer" and "Amiga Update" will provide you with the best in in-depth and up to date Amiga news. Welcome! Hope everyone enjoys this issue, and once again Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year of Amiga computing! Brad Webb, Editor --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q U I K P A K ' S B I D F O R A M I G A Amiga Ownership Update An open letter to the Amiga Community The past few years have not been kind to the Amiga Community. Since the demise of Commodore, the ownership and future of the Amiga has been continually uncertain. The only thing that has remained constant is the loyalty of Amiga users. It is with respect to this loyalty that we feel it necessary to let YOU know the current state of affairs and what QuikPak is doing to see that the Amiga has the successful future it so deserves. Back when Amiga Technologies was owned by Escom, QuikPak was selected to manufacture the complete A4000T and components for the A1200. During the collapse of Escom and the subsequent negotiations with VisCorp, QuikPak continued manufacturing and servicing Amiga Computers. Throughout this time of uncertainty, QuikPak continued to support the platform, placing ads in the North American publication Amazing Computing, forging alliances with Amiga developers and supporters, and developing new products of our own. Recently, at AmigaFest in Toronto, we unveiled two new computers and we have been shipping the ‘060 Accelerator for the A4000T. We believe this product development clearly demonstrates our commitment to the Amiga. It now appears evident that negotiations between VisCorp and Amiga Technologies have reached a standstill. As a creditor of Amiga Technologies, QuikPak has a vested interest in seeing the future of the Amiga handled properly. To this end, QuikPak has placed an offer in front of the German liquidator for Amiga Technologies, and we are awaiting further information regarding this. What does this mean to you, the end user? QuikPak believes that there is more to the Amiga than a simple set top box. We believe that the A4000 and its successors have a place in the market. We believe that a model along the lines of the A1200 also can play an important role in the future of the Amiga. We further believe that products currently under development at QuikPak can bring the Amiga back to the forefront in innovation. We believe that working closely with developers, other manufacturers, distributors, and dealers is necessary to make the Amiga a success. And, perhaps most importantly of all, we believe in listening to you, the person who has kept this platform alive. We hope that the new year will allow us to bring you good news, that QuikPak will be successful in our negotiations with the German liquidator. We trust that the liquidator will move quickly, and justly, to see these events through. We encourage any and all input from the Amiga Community - let us know what you want to see. And, finally, we encourage those responsible for handling the Amiga Technologies' assets to be as open as we at QuikPak are striving to be. Sincerely, Dave Ziembicki C.E.O QuikPak Corporation Dan Robinson Director of Business Development of Amiga Computers QuikPak Corporation --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q U I K P A K P R O V I D E S D E A L E R L I S T Buy with confidence from this QuikPak authorized dealer & distributor list This is the latest list of QuikPak Authorized Dealers for Amiga products. Please check frequently for new dealers. The Amiga Technologies warranty and the QuikPak coverage apply ONLY to systems purchased through authorized dealers. Be sure your dealer is authorized BEFORE you purchase your system. Canadian Authorized Distributor and Full Warranty Centre Comspec Communications 74 Wingold Avenue Toronto Ontario 416-785-3553 Computer Shop of Calgary, Ltd. Calgary AB CAN 403-243-4356 Desktop Computing Red Deer AB CAN 403-342-4444 TVI Interactive Systems, Inc. Burnaby BC CAN 604-298-5657 VFX Video, Inc. Richmond BC CAN 604-244-3000 Richmond Sound Design, Ltd. Vancouver BC CAN 604-664-5860 Corey's Computing Winnipeg MB CAN 204-654-3194 Interactive Computer Sys., Ltd. Fredericton NB CAN 506-458-8858 Animax Multimedia, Inc. Dartmouth NS CAN 902-468-2629 Atlantis Kobetek, Inc. Halifax NS CAN 902-422-6556 The Computer & You Etobicoke ON CAN 416-231-0205 Videolink, Canada Toronto ON CAN 416-690-1690 Informatique Richard Lamond Lac Des 16 Iles QU CAN 514-226-7506 Gfx Base Electronics LaSalle QU CAN 514-367-2575 Info Plus Trois-Rivieres QU CAN 819-373-0894 United States QuikPak Authorized Disitributors Micro-PACE, Inc. Champaign IL USA 217-356-1884 Software Hut Philadelphia PA USA 610-586-5704 The Computer Image Birmingham AL USA 205-933-8970 Pro Music, Inc. Fairbanks AK USA 907-456-1994 The Micro Shop, Inc. Little Rock AR USA 501-568-8023 SoftWood, Inc. Phoenix AZ USA 800-247-8314 Troxell Communications, Inc. Phoenix AZ USA 602-437-7240 Wentek Scottsdale AZ USA 602-483-7200 Transdata Systems Co., Ltd. Anaheim CA USA 714-630-8711 Connecting Point Calabasas CA USA 818-222-3822 Visionsoft Carmel CA USA 408-626-2633 Computer Gates Costa Mesa CA USA 714-444-4232 Century Systems La Habra CA USA 310-697-6977 The Lively Computer La Mesa CA USA 619-589-9455 HT Electronics Milpitas CA USA 408-934-7700 Applied Computer Systems North Highlands CA USA 916-338-2000 TS Computers North Hollywood CA USA 818-760-4445 JTJTi Interactive Oceanside CA USA 632-844-5731 Alex Electronics Paradise CA USA 916-872-0896 La Bine Productions Rialto CA USA 909-355-9756 Wave Systems San Diego CA USA 619-495-9283 TGGH Inc. San Jose CA USA 408-977-7030 * Sur-Tech Santa Clara CA USA 408-496-6664 Megagem Santa Maria CA USA 805-349-1104 Anti Gravity Products Santa Monica CA USA 310-393-9747 Amiga Exchange Torrance CA USA 310-534-3187 Compuhelp Computers Van Nuys CA USA 818-901-0280 The Computer Room Aurora CO USA 303-696-8973 Davis Audio-Visual, Inc. Denver CO USA 303-455-1122 Sof-town, Inc. Danbury CT USA 203-797-8080 Computer Source Fairfield CT USA 203-336-3100 Derrick Electronics Hamden CT USA 203-248-7227 Videology Newtown CT USA 203-270-9000 Infotronics Woodbury CT USA 203-263-5350 DeVine Computer Sales Newark DE USA 302-738-9046 Eagle Computers & Video Melbourne FL USA 407-951-9732 Harddrivers Co. Merrit Island FL USA 407-453-5805 Centennial Video Systems Miami FL USA 305-633-2200 Creative Equipment, Intl. Miami FL USA 305-266-2800 Miami Picture & Sound company Miami FL USA 305-666-4055 Access Media Group North Palm Beach FL USA 407-845-2379 Computer Video Associates Pinellas Park FL USA 813-576-5242 Apogee Technologies Sarasota FL USA 813-355-6121 Discount Computer Sales Sunrise FL USA 954-797-9402 Audio Video Design, Inc. West Palm Beach FL USA 407-966-3565 * Showcase Video Atlanta GA USA 404-325-7676 ACS Computer & Video Norcross GA USA 770-263-9190 Hawkeye Communications Coralville IA USA 319-354-3354 Computer Advantage Des Moines IA USA 515-252-6167 Commodore Computer Center Boise ID USA 208-342-3401 Maxximum Video Creations Boise ID USA 208-322-3091 Blackrock Computers Plus Pocatello ID USA 208-232-0012 Digital World Addison IL USA 708-543-9000 Trend Port U.S. Algonquin IL USA 708-854-9671 MicroTech Solutions Aurora IL USA 708-851-3033 Select Solutions Champaign IL USA 800-322-1261 Ring Video Systems Riverside IL USA 708-442-0009 Keyboard Studio Urbana IL USA 217-328-3975 Digital Arts Bloomington IN USA 812-330-0124 R.C. Instruments Cicero IN USA 317-984-9400 CPU Inc. Indianapolis IN USA 317-577-3677 Desktop Video Systems Lenexa KS USA 913-782-8888 Mission Electronics, Inc. Lenexa KS USA 913-894-8480 Video Lab Shawnee KS USA 913-631-0045 Smith Audio Visual, Inc. Topeka KS USA 913-235-3481 Icon Computers & Software Bridgewater MA USA 508-697-6060 Crimson Tech Cambridge MA USA 617-868-5150 The Camera Company Norwood MA USA 617-769-7810 EMH Systems Auburn ME USA 207-784-2048 Amiga Crossing Cumberland ME USA 207-829-3959 Thalner Electronic Labs Ann Arbor MI USA 313-761-4506 Computer Link, Inc. Garden City MI USA 313-522-6005 Slipped Disk Madison Heights MI USA 810-546-3475 Spectrum Computer Product Prudenville MI USA 517-366-8569 Alpha Video Edina MN USA 800-388-0008 A/V Solutions St. Paul MN USA 612-698-1175 Raymond Commodore Amiga St. Paul MN USA 612-642-9890 Valiant, Inc. Stillwater MN USA 612-439-6743 Data Grafix Springfield MO USA 417-882-1899 VIP Systems, Inc. Chapel Hill NC USA 919-968-9477 Magic Page Products Winston-Salem NC USA 910-785-3695 Amicom Computer Technology Omaha NE USA 402-556-6160 System Eyes Computer Store Merrimack NH USA 603-424-1188 Sir Render A/V Mays Landing NJ USA 609-625-0472 KBI Systems Mountainside NJ USA 908-654-3600 Integrated Teknologies, Inc. Roselle NJ USA 908-245-1313 Amiga Lynx Network Co. Saddle Brook NJ USA 201-368-0153 Electro-Tech Las Vegas NV USA 702-435-3201 Mystical Rose Software & System Buffalo NY USA 716-893-3632 The Microworks Buffalo NY USA 716-873-1856 Mr. Hardware Central Islip NY USA 516-234-8110 Microbyte Computers & Video Churchville NY USA 716-293-3365 Area 52, Inc. Coram NY USA 516-476-1615 Amigo Business Computers East Northport NY USA 516-757-7334 Armato's Pro Video Glendale NY USA 718-628-6800 Revels-Bey Music Hempstead NY USA 516-565-9404 One Man and a Dream Productions Jamaica NY USA 917-427-8722 CTL Electronics New York NY USA 212-233-0754 Tri-State Camera, Inc. New York NY USA 212-633-2290 Seismic Business Systems Poughkeepsie NY USA 914-462-4518 T.J.'s Unlimited Rochester NY USA 716-225-5810 Tronix Micro Systems Sloan NY USA 716-668-8176 Paxtron Corporation Spring Valley NY USA 914-578-6522 Software Link, Inc. White Plains NY USA 914-683-2512 Bartha Visual, Inc. Columbus OH USA 614-291-4585 Compuquick Media Center Columbus OH USA 614-235-1180 Neather Realm Software Cuyahoga Falls OH USA 216-928-1738 Weingarten Gallery Dayton OH USA 513-435-0134 * B&J Video Systems Findlay OH USA 419-424-0903 Industrial Video, Inc. Lorain OH USA 216-233-4000 Penguin Music Store #3 Toledo OH USA 419-882-0961 Media Graphics & Design Beaverton OR USA 503-649-0709 Clackamas Computers Clackamas OR USA 503-650-0379 Magic Box, Inc. Corvallis OR USA 541-752-5654 Digital F/X, Inc. North Bend OR USA 541-756-6693 * SevMer Computer Systems Portland OR USA 503-288-2016 Computer Users Springfield OR USA 541-726-8500 Computer Discount Center Erie PA USA 814-899-6437 New York Camera & Video Feasterville PA USA 215-322-9743 British Magazine Dist., Inc. Hermitage PA USA 412-962-1218 The Lerro Corporation Norristown PA USA 610-650-4100 CDR Systems Pittsburgh PA USA 412-351-1700 Mega Bytes Pittsburgh PA USA 412-653-9050 J&C Repair Rockton PA USA 814-583-5838 Electronic Connection West Reading PA USA 610-372-1010 Kasara Microsystems Hilton Head SC USA 803-842-5058 Via Video Interaction Knoxville TN USA 423-687-4328 Opus 2 Audio & Video Memphis TN USA 901-684-5467 Computer Ease Corpus Christi TX USA 512-882-2275 Metropolitan Computer Products Dallas TX USA 214-702-9119 On Video, Inc. Dallas TX USA 214-406-9292 Microsearch Houston TX USA 713-988-2818 Computer Wise, Inc. Logan UT USA 801-752-2500 Digitechnix Blue Ridge VA USA 540-982-1672 Dewberry's Computers & Supplies Danville VA USA 804-799-0502 HHH Enterprises Hartwood VA USA 540-752-2100 Whitlock Group, The Richmond VA USA 804-273-9100 Spectral Multimedia, Inc. Bellevue WA USA 206-451-4075 Amiga Northwest Studio Bothell WA USA 206-488-5664 Computer Concepts Bothell WA USA 206-481-3666 MS Digital Edmonds WA USA 206-742-7051 Tape Duplication Supply Kent WA USA 206-852-1074 Productive Computer Systems Kirkland WA USA 206-820-6440 * Envision PC Consulting Lynnwood WA USA 206-469-6775 Omni International Trading Seattle WA USA 206-217-0607 Zipperware Seattle WA USA 206-223-1107 JW's Lil Shoppe Walla Walla WA USA 509-525-5582 Camera Corner, Inc. Green Bay WI USA 414-435-5353 Images in Motion, Inc. Waukesha WI USA 414-798-9400 Safe Harbor Waukesha WI USA 800-544-6599 Taylor Pro Audio / Video Wauwatosa WI USA 414-778-0944 Computer & Supply Co., Inc. Charleston WV USA 304-345-3490 Applied Magic Inc. Carlsbad CA USA 619-931-6417 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- N E W V E R S I O N O F A I R M A I L Air Mail v4.0 released 23 Dec 1996 08:03:50 GMT Toysoft Development Inc. Toysoft Development Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Air Mail v4.0. Air Mail is a MUI based internet mailer for receiving and sending POP3/SMPT mails. Air Mail is fully Intuitionized unlike other mailers that required hours of installation and many external programs. AirMail includes the following unique features: - Address Book - maintain unlimited users and groups - In and Out mail boxes including individual mail boxes - Speeches - Localization - Support internal/external editors - True signature - custom bitmap signatures - Unlimited Folders - user cofigurable folders - File attachment. Include any file with the mail - Automatic encode/decode using UUxt or MIME (base64) - Mail queuing. You can use Air Mail as an offline reader/sender - Assign individual mail box to any user - Timer interval mail retrieval - Tag line - Public Screen support - Font sensitive - Mail Appending - Multiple preferences for multiple email accounts - Unlimited filters - Hot keys - Find function - Arexx interface - Easy user interface using icons and menus - All GUI based and NO Shell commands Best of all Air Mail is NOT a port. It is totally Amiganized. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AirMail requires the following: - MUI V3.3 or greater - AmiTCP 4.0 or greater, MLink, Miami or TermiteTCP - SLIP/PPP connection and account - Provider must support POP3/SMTP/ESMTP - Any Amiga with Workbench 2 or higher - 1 Meg minmium, recommended 2 Megs of RAM with TCP/IP loaded - Optional UUxt or base64 MIME program for encode/decode mail if you want to send files with your mail. Air Mail v4.0 is $40.00 US $5.00 US shipping and handling (US and Canada) $7.00 US shipping and handling worldwide Visit http://www.spots.ab.ca/~toysoft to get a demo copy and product information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- T W O N E W G A M E S F R O M V U L C A N "JetPilot" and "BOGRATS - The Puzzling Misadventure" have been released by England's Vulcan Software. "JetPilot" is billed as "The Pinnacle of Realistic Flight Simulation". Recommended is an A1200, with 2Meg of RAM. With an accelerator for your Amiga, you can have up to 255 individual aircraft in operation. All Amigas are supported. Several aircraft are available, including a Lockheed F-104. Other features include 360 degrees cockpit vision, radio communications, 27 airfields around Europe, navigational aids and maps, changable atmospheric conditions, hi-res screen support, analogue joystick support. "BOGRATS" is a platform puzzle game for the A1200 ONLY. Your job is to keep your baby bograts out of danger - and keep yourself alive, as well. You are also required to collect magical eggs during your adventures, in order to escape the mystical castle. Both games are relatively inexpensive - "BOGRATS" goes for £12.99, "JetPilot" for £16.99. If you can't find them at your Amiga dealer, Vulcan will take phone credit card orders at 01705 670269 (remember, it's an international call). There will be a £2.00 charge added to overseas orders. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A M I G A Z O N E I N F O R M A T I O N ( R E P E A T S T O R Y ) You can now try out the AmigaZone totally FREE for two weeks! So you've read about the AmigaZone but you're not sure you want to join until you can test drive it for a while. Okay, so now you can join and test drive it for a while. Was that easy enough? ;-) The Zone is a full-service online Amiga "SIG" (Forum, service, club, [insert other synonyms here] with 30,000 files, 20,000 articles, a live chat area, prize contests, a private FTP site, lightning fast file and article searching, highly customizable interface, and you can log in with any telnet "client" or any good ol' terminal program. (The AmigaZone lived on American People/Link from 1985-1991. They went out of business. Then we moved to the Portal Online system from 1985-Oct 96. They shut down a couple months ago. Now we're on CalWeb Internet Services with a whole new Interface). To apply for a FREE two-week trial AmigaZone account, all you have to do is send email to harv@amigazone.com In your letter, please state your real name and ask for your FREE two week Amiga Zone trial account. If you want to use a certain "handle" or "nickname" for your account, state that too. But all requests must have your real name included. Be sure to include a valid, working return email path to you. I've received quite a few requests from people who have mis-configured email accounts such that when I send them back their trial account login info, my mail to them bounces. Be absolutely certain that you include a VALID working return email path to you! You will get a letter back within 24 to 72 hours with your login information. Once you have your trial account info, to access the AmigaZone you simply telnet or rlogin to "amigazone.com" from any other Internet-connected account you have that lets you use those functions. Use your favorte Telnet client or terminal program. Here's the fine print department: "WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE TRIAL ACCOUNT?" o Your trial account will last for two weeks (14 days) from the day it's set up. You can access the AmigaZone for up to 120 minutes per day during those two weeks. o You will not be billed anything for this trial account. Nothing. o You will be notified by email when your trial account is opened. o You will have total access to all the features of the Amiga Zone except that you will be limited to logging in for a total of 120 minutes per day during your two week trial. (Paying members have unlimited 24 hour per day access) o You may download as much as you want from any of our libraries during your 120 daily minutes. o You may read from and post to our message bases and newsgroups. o You may use our private FTP site to snag files too. o You may participate in our nightly, live chats. "WHAT CAN I *NOT* DO WITH THE TRIAL ACCOUNT?" o You CAN'T win any prizes in our Sunday Night Prize Contest Chats until you have a paid account. o You CAN'T log in for more than 120 minutes each day during your trial. o You CAN'T do multiple simultaneous logins during your trial period. o You CAN'T send any Internet email with a trial account. o You CAN'T change these limits until you sign up and become a full-fledged AmigaZone customer. o We WON'T send you one of our free UNIX/Internet books that we offer to paid accounts until you sign up and become a paid account. o Your AmigaZone user name will include a special character in it to indicate that you are a trial/demo user until you sign up for full membership. When you sign up and convert to a full registered account, all of these limits will be removed. ---------------------------------- We don't have any "tiered" or "limited" AmigaZone memberships except for having either a full-access account or this special two week trial/ demo account. That's it. Paying members have full and unlimited 24 hour a day access to everything. Download files until your modem explodes if you want to. (And we have LOTS of files that are not on Aminet or anywhere else). ---------------------------------- If you'd like to try out the AmigaZone FREE for two weeks, just send email to harv@amigazone.com. Make SURE you include a valid, working return email path to you! Please include your full Real Name and your choice of "nickhame" or "handle" (if you want one) and then wait for our reply with your login information. ----------------------------------- Sorry but we cannot accept requests for particular 14 day periods for your trial account. It'll typically be set up and available and you will be notified within 24 to 72 hours after you request it. This trial account offer has no expiration date. It'll be offered indefinitely. (Maybe ;) ----------------------------------- At any time during your 14 day trial, or after it's over, you may sign up and become a full paying AmigaZone member by calling CalWeb Internet Services at 1-800-509-9322 or 1-916-641-9320 and saying "The Amiga Zone Sent Me and I want to sign up." Doing this will get you a full paid AmigaZone membership PLUS a full CalWeb UNIX shell account with 10 meg of shell/Web space for $19.95 per month, FLAT. CalWeb accepts major credit cards or you can be invoiced monthly in the mail - the price is the same either way. If you can't use those phone numbers, you can also sign up at CalWeb's Web site: http://www.calweb.com or by telnetting to calweb.com and logging in as "guest" with a password of "guest". Remember to say "The Amiga Zone sent me" when you sign up. ------------------------------------ DO NOT ASK CALWEB FOR THE TRIAL ACCOUNT! ONLY CONTACT CALWEB IF YOU WISH TO SIGN UP AND BECOME A PAYING CUSTOMER. YOU MUST EMAIL ME TO GET THE AMIGAZONE TRIAL ACCOUNT! ------------------------------------ Only ONE trial/demo account per person. Please don't abuse this by trying to request a trial account from different email addresses. We've been supporting Amiga owners online for over eleven years. Please support us by opening a full paid account. You won't regret it. I hope to see you online in the AmigaZone! Harv Laser AmigaZone Sysop/Moderator *Portal AmigaZone has moved to CalWeb - signup is FREE! *Call 1-800-509-9322 (24 hrs.), say "Amiga Zone sent me." *Visit http://www.amigazone.com for more info. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amiga Update on the net: some issues available at: http://www.sharbor.com/amiga/news/ (in html format) http://www.amigacom.com (in ASCII text) All back issues available (in ASCII text) at: http://www.globaldialog.com/AdventureCentral/AU.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1996 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified. -=========================================================================- _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || Brad Webb/AmigaUpdate /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || bandr@globaldialog.com /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || webb@malamute.med.ge.com / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || -=========================================================================-