[249] in bcs-newton
BCS Newton Digest V1 #1
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (owner-bcs-newton@POSSE.MIT.EDU)
Fri Sep 10 04:31:48 1993
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 93 04:27:26 -0400
From: owner-bcs-newton@POSSE.MIT.EDU
To: bcs-newton@POSSE.MIT.EDU
Reply-To: bcs-newton@POSSE.MIT.EDU
Errors-To: owner-bcs-newton@POSSE.MIT.EDU
BCS Newton Digest Friday, 10 September 1993 Volume 01 : Number 001
In this issue:
Newton MessagePad Rollout....
Volunteering for MacWorld
Getting help
Sharp Newton....
Sharp Newton....
[caroma@ai.mit.edu: Sharp Newton....]
Re: Sharp Newton....
writers for BCS Magazine
Newt Easter Eggs, NS Dev Collective, Other stuff LONG!
Test
Apple Newton MessagePad Hits Stores Nationwide
Newton Expo
FYI: system updates
See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the Boston
Computer Society's Newton PDA Digest and on how to retrieve back issues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: mlbarrow@Athena.MIT.EDU
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 93 18:06:39 EDT
Subject: Newton MessagePad Rollout....
I went to the rollout this AM and it was quite cool! I was rather
impressed. The best part was when I actually got to play with it. I am
really having a hard time convincing myself not to buy one (I usually
try not to be the 1st kid on the block with certain things).
Like Jeff reported, it's concept of scratching out things is a little
sensitive. You do have to master the "extended W" technique or it will
think that you're trying to write "minimum," "zero," and other random
phrases.
I wish they would have had more info on developer kits (including
prices). I guess I'll have to wait a little longer.
All and all I have one thing to say: "Good show Apple! Keep up the good
work!"
- -- mlb
- -- Michael L Barrow
Resnet Support Coordinator/Network Analyst
Distributed Computing and Network Services
MIT Information Systems
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Tue, 03 Aug 93 02:12:47 EST
Subject: Volunteering for MacWorld
Here's my current schedule:
Tuesday 10 am - 2 pm
Albert Willis*
Marvin Hetch
Jim Rinaldo*
Tuesday 2 pm - 6 pm
Rik Ahlberg
Rob Thorne*
Wednesday 10-2
Sandeep Shah
Carl Manning*
Wednesday 2-6
Rik Ahlberg
Marilia Levacov
Thursday 10-2
Ray Chan
Jon Michaelson
Jeff Nanis*
John Palaima*
Thursday 2-6
Jeff Nanis
Rik Ahlberg
Stephen Robards*
People with astericks next to their names are working as spotters; those
without are working in the BCS booth.
People who are spotters should report to the User Group Connection
station at the Apple booth, which is in WORLD TRADE CENTER.
People who are in the BCS booth (#208) need to go to BAYSIDE EXPO
CENTER.
Finally, while it's not critical that there be 2 people always on duty
at the BCS booth, there *always* needs to be 2 spotters. I still need 3
spotters for Wednesday--1 in the 10-2 shift and 2 in the 2-6 shift.
Remember, spotters look for people wearing the Newton buttons from
Symphony Hall hand them envelopes. What's in the envelope tells you if
you've won a t-shirt or a Newton. We will award 30 t-shirts and 2
Newtons per day.
No spotters are required for Friday.
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Tue, 03 Aug 93 02:34:07 EST
Subject: Getting help
help
info
------------------------------
From: mlbarrow (Michael L Barrow)
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 93 21:09:17 -0400
Subject: Sharp Newton....
What's the story with the Sharp Newton? I know that they're making the
Newton MessagePads for Apple, but does anyone have the 411? Some friends
of mine saw them at MacWorld and asked the guy about the differences.
The only 2 things is that the Sharp one has a flip door and bigger
rubber feet on the bottom. Are there other differences like price or
future directions?
- -- mlb
- -- Michael L Barrow
Network Analyst, MIT Information Systems
Director, Boston Computer Society Internet SIG
------------------------------
From: caroma@ai.mit.edu (Carl R. Manning)
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 93 00:35:41 EDT
Subject: Sharp Newton....
[mlbarrow@mit.edu ask about differences between sharp newton and apple newton]
I heard a rumor that there is a difference in the IR protocol, so
you have to set a software preferences switch whether you're beaming
to another Apple Newton or a Sharp Newton. One might guess that Sharp
might use a protocol which is compatible with their Wizards, etc.
------------------------------
From: mlbarrow@Athena.MIT.EDU
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 93 10:56:22 -0400
Subject: [caroma@ai.mit.edu: Sharp Newton....]
From: caroma@ai.mit.edu (Carl R. Manning)
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 93 00:34:11 EDT
To: mlbarrow@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: Michael L Barrow's message of Tue, 3 Aug 93 21:09:17 -0400 <9308040109.AA07720@isig.mit.edu>
Subject: Sharp Newton....
I heard a rumor that there is a difference in the IR protocol, so
you have to set a software preferences switch whether you're beaming
to another Apple Newton or a Sharp Newton. One might guess that Sharp
might use a protocol which is compatible with their Wizards, etc.
------------------------------
From: Mitch Ratcliffe <coyote@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1993 09:18:14 -0700
Subject: Re: Sharp Newton....
The Sharp Newton, called an Expert Pad or PI-7000, is identical to the Apple
Newton in every respect save one: it uses a different power supply and
connector. The IR protocol is the same, both the Apple and Sharp can beam
toa Wizard.
I've been using a Sharp for several weeks, plastics are a bit different and
I like the screen cover. I've beamed with an Apple Newton, it works with
Connection for Macintosh, and so on.
BTW, folks, I am writing a book with Andy Gore of MacWEEK about the Newton.
It's called Newton's Law and wil be available in Ocotber. Since we are
psuhing the envelope on testing and ferreting out Newton apps., your input
will be invaluable. We'll acknowledge BCS and all of you if you will be
willing to drop your comments to me at godsdog@netcom.com.
Mitch Ratcliffe
Contributing Editor
MacWEEK
------------------------------
From: Ellen F Ullman <eullman@world.std.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1993 15:00:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: writers for BCS Magazine
Hey all you Newton people!
Hi, I'm the managing editor at BCS Magazine. We'd like to publish more
articles on Newton, but we need you to write them! Specifically, I'm
looking for a meeting report on Monday's press conference/rollout, a
report on Newton at MacWorld in general, and articles about using the dang
thing. We're also interested in stuff about independent developers.
Please email me at eullman@world.std.com or call me at (617) 252-0600
x3317 (between 9 and 5:30) if you'd like to write.
Thanks!
------------------------------
From: bcs_jim@MIT.EDU (Jim Rinaldo)
Date: Fri, 06 Aug 93 03:20:03 EST
Subject: Newt Easter Eggs, NS Dev Collective, Other stuff LONG!
Here's a quick pounding of the keyboard on the amazing NewtonWorld that
went on in Boston this week. Pardon spelling mistakes, it's 1 a.m.
(Uggug...now 2 a.m.) (ouhhggg....3 a.m.)
*************Newton Easter-Eggs:************
1 - Put the stylus on the bottom left clock, press and *HOLD IT
DOWN.* The MessagePad clock will then show you the temperature.
Is this the temperature of the Newton innards? the ARM? The Newt
M Pad batteries are sensitive to heat (at least the rechargeables are)
and this may have something to do with this mechanism.
First demoed to me by Kent Borg
2 - Write "About Newton" on the MessagePad. Highlight and touch
Assist. Shows about info on the Newt team.
Demoed at BCS parti by John Palaima
********BCS-Newton PDA Meeting! August 11th, 6 pmish, Main Office BCS,
One Kendall Square. **************************** **************** ****
**** ***************
Bring your Newton for a beaming party and massive brain-dump. We will be
talking NewtonScript, stylish stylis's, and why the little rubber feet
come off so easily. Al Willis will post a complete post on this Meeting.
**********Lamest Newton Product Award**********
The winner, without question, is Claris Corporation, for their
brainless, "Hello World" exerise they are calling a product. Why
bother...you should *GIVE* the games away, maybe with a free MacWrite
Pro ad in it. (I am a loyal MacWrite user)
**********ROM Patch update**************
If you haven't heard by now, the latest rev Newton software is 1.02.
This may or may not have gotten on your MessagePad. Seems like the
Lechmere machines are particularly older.
How do you tell? Tap Extras:Prefs: and look at the bottom of the screen.
The problems described by Cesar Maiorino with recognition biting it and
PCMCIA Getting Started Card problems are symptoms of older ROMS.
BCS-Newton PDA will have the patch package Real Soon Now. It will be
available on our BBS at 617-364-3375 in the Other BCS Groups:Newton
area. (First Class BBS) and on a (some time soon now...?) FTP site.
***Who are you Little Kid???*************
Someone from BCS, a young kid wearing a lot of buttons at MacWorld, has
the first piece of public domain Newton software from Ben in the Newton
sofware group.
Please email me!
****BCS-Newton and Apple Give away 6 Newtons! ****
From the Why are you posting this after the event Dept., a team of
volunteers gave away 6 Newton MessagePads and 90someodd T shirts to
those smart enough to wear the WayCool Did it, Scripted it, Had it, Seen
it, Bought it, Smoked it, (really I saw it, I did it, I want it) buttons
being given out at the NewtWorld at Symph Hall.
Saw it. Did it. Want it. *WON IT!*
*******NewtonScript Book******
One topic of Wednesday's meeting will be putting together a book on
NewtonScript, and producing templates, objects and apps for a PCMCIA
card BCS-Newton is producing. Basically, let's get the data distillaries
fired up and on-line; it's time to start a Content Brewery!
The book title? NewtonScript Feng Shui: Wind & Water NewtonScript
Development. Produced by the NewtonScript Progammers Collective of the
BCS-Newton PDA group, it will cover the Newton Toolkit; getting cool
graphics and sounds into Newton apps; Animating your App; Newton Toolkit
X-ref and Really Important Stuff You Should Read; The 4-day NewtonScript
primer and exercise guide (...Slot one, slot two, browse 2,3,4..
) Planning for the Future; Hard Core NewtonScript; Gumbo, Chowder and
other Soup recipies; Inside the Beaming Bistro; Pallette madness,
PCMCIAing, Miss Manor's Guide to Newtiquette, accesorizing M-pad and
other things...I would like to bundle a PD PCMCIA with this. Funds to go
to NPC projects and the group. Would include WayCool Extra Necessary
Totally Essential NewtonScript Poster/breakdown.
***What's this NewtScript Programmers Collective thing?***
Show up at the meeting Wednesday or email me for more info. I've talked
with a few of you about creating pallet extensions, templates and apps
for the public domain. Let's bang heads together and see what we can
come up with...We need to start a bunch of stuff and see where it goes.
We have to show those stupid Globe reporters and Wall St. Journal
B*stards; Newton is here! BRING YER NEWTS; Bring HomeBrew apps.
*****Great App Ideas**********
Dock & Dump: Geez! 1.3 megs is pretty big if only you want to just load
that great new Get Yer Own or Brain Boy PD Newt app! (See Below). How
about someone writing a little Compact Pro-like thingie that, when
double-clicked, asks the Mac owner to connect the serial cable to Newt,
turn it on, and download an app. Must be 70k or under...very simple, one
or two dialogs, SMALL SMALL SMALL.
Brain Boy: Inspired by the latest Wired, Brain Boy is a
AppleTalk-compatible brain manipulation system for Newton MessagePad. It
allow you to re-set Aelph, Bio and Cyrridan (sp) rhythms, and generate
joy, sadness and euphoria at a flick of the pen!
With the special OrgasmoTron Online(tm) add-on PCMCIA system, that
pleasure center is only a NewtCall away! Fully Penthouse Interactive,
BodyCello, Donna Matrix and NON-Virtual Valarie-compatible.
Get Yer Own!: Ever notice when you let someone "borrow" your Newt M-Pad,
that it takes most of the battery life to get it back? A solution is
here! Cesar M had the great idea and I named it.
How about a little app that, when the "guest" user handwriting is set,
lets one say, oh, put up the low battery warning after a pre-set time
period (3-5 minutes). Optional warning messages like "Warning. Warning.
Danger Will Robinson. Re-fill Digital Ink Well." and "-56697:
Orgasmo-Data Overload. Put more digi-bones in the soup"
The Hitchhiker's Guide to New England BrewPubs - A db and directional
app and framework for brew-enthusiases and Aleheads alike. Just hit the
Don't Panic button to find the closest Iron Man Ale or Pumpkin Wheat
Stout. I have a bunch of graphics/design suitable...Get to drink lots of
beer, write silly things like "...tastes slightly nutty with a hint of
pine tar" and "fruity, throaty, with a hint of lemon" and so on.
**Essential Word List****
Feng shui - literally the Chinese characters for "wind" and "water"; a
4,000 year-old technique for improving one's chances in life (...and
programming), by arranging furniture, travel dates, choice of mistress
and so on in a way that takes best advantage of the interplay of luck
and natural forces. A feng shui man get's $2/sq. foot for feng shuiing a
new building being built. The 1992 feng shui of the Hong Kong Hang Seng
index showed "...an Elliot wave analysis of the chart found an eeries
number of near-perfect Fibonacci ratios between chart movements."
---from The Economist, 1-23-93, p.75
Feng shuiing - As in "yup, I feng shuied the **sh*t** out of that job!"
Applying the principles of feng shui to construction, object-oriented
programming/dynamic languages, tennis, etc.
M-Pad - aka Newt Jr. aka Newton MessagePad
Digi-bones - PCMCIA cards; add bones to your Newton's digital soup.
Content Brewery - Place to create Info-Brews. Lots of copper, piping, 50
lb. bags of hop, barley and malt, as well as NTK and Newts needed.
Digital Distillery - Similar to content brewery. Higher hack content.
Info-Brew; also Info-Ale, Info-Stout; 21 ounces of pure programming fun!
Beaming Bistro - a french craze that sweeps the Europe; Data Cafes for
technos.
Jim Rinaldo
Content and Editorial
BCS-Newton PDA
Boston Computer Society
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 93 03:27:11 EST
Subject: Test
This is a test. Please ignore.
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 93 04:06:58 EST
Subject: Apple Newton MessagePad Hits Stores Nationwide
Newton MessagePad Hits Stores Nationwide
Press Contact:
Eric Wee
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 862-7797
Apple Newton MessagePad Hits Stores Nationwide
MessagePads expected in stores by Labor Day
CUPERTINO, California-September 2, 1993-Following a sell-out
introduction in the New York and Boston areas, Apple Computer, Inc.
today announced that Newton MessagePads are shipping in quantity
to Apple dealers, computer superstores, campus resellers and K-12
institutions across the U.S. and are expected to be available
nationwide by the Labor Day weekend.
Introduced in Boston on August 2, 1993, the Newton MessagePad is the
first in a family of personal digital assistant (PDA) devices from
AppleR that allows people to communicate ideas with greater speed,
clarity, and effectiveness. The communications capabilities of the
MessagePad -- faxing, wireless messaging, electronic mail, beaming,
and printing -- allow users to send, receive, and share information
through telephone lines, wireless networks, and computer networks.
"The MessagePad is the fastest-selling new product Apple has ever
offered," said Ted Briscoe, general manager of PIE Sales, Apple USA.
"Our resellers in the Northeast have been inundated with orders for
the MessagePad. We have ramped up our manufacturing and are excited
about extending shipments to all areas of the U.S." Nationwide
availability of the MessagePad is the third phase of Apple's
distribution strategy for the new product. MessagePads were sold
first on the trade show floor at Macworld Boston and then by
resellers in the New York and Boston areas.
Customers can expect to purchase the Newton MessagePad from US$699 to
$949, depending on configuration.
Apple Assurance for Newton Announced
Apple also announced Apple Assurance for the Newton product family
which provides U.S. customers with a competitive service program at a
minimum cost. Newton products and accessories will carry Apple's
standard one-year limited warranty on parts and labor along with
mail-in service. Built-in up-and-running support is also provided
for as long as the customer owns their product. Up-and-running
support includes set-up and installation, Newton operating system
support, and assistance with configuration, compatibility and
troubleshooting. All service and support will be provided through
the Apple Assistance Center at 1-800-SOS-APPL during the hours of 6
a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
- -30-
Apple and the Apple Logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer,
Inc. Newton and MessagePad are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 93 04:09:25 EST
Subject: Newton Expo
DON'T MISS THE NEWTON EXPO! - SEPTEMBER 11 & 12
Saturday, 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
Sunday, 11:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
R&D Campus, Building 1 Courtyard
Cupertino, CA
Bring your family! Bring your friends!
Apple's PIE division is sponsoring a Newton Expo the weekend of
September 11 and 12 for employees and the public. There will be music,
entertainment, food, and of course Newton!
To help you get the most from your Newton, there will be:
* 32 demo stations showcasing Newton and its communication
capabilities
* Two seperate rooms with training sessions every 45 minutes
* PIE employees sharing their insight from working with Newton every
day
* A special tent where Newton owners can talk to engineers
* Previews of software from Apple's Starcore publishing group, as well
as third-party developers
The Company Store will be open to the public and employees on Saturday.
There will also be loads of Newton T-shirts, mugs, and other
merchandise. Be there!
Saturday, 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
Sunday, 11:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
R&D Campus, Building 1 Courtyard
Author: MOBILE.SYS
------------------------------
From: awillis@MIT.EDU (Albert Willis)
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 93 04:12:17 EST
Subject: FYI: system updates
Newton: System Updates
Article Created: 30 July 1993
TOPIC -----------------------------------------------------------
This article discusses system updates for your Newton.
DISCUSSION ------------------------------------------------------
Newton will support RAM-based system updates. These updates can be
system enhancements or bug fixes. System updates can be
factory-installed or downloaded and installed by end-users. Most
updates use between 8 and 16K of RAM.
To determine if a update is loaded, check the ROM version in the Startup
screen or the Preferences screen. The last digit following the ROM
version denote the number of the system update that is installed. For
example, 1.14 means ROM version 1.1 with update 4. If the last digit is
0, no updates are installed.
RAM-based updates are kept alive by the lithium backup battery. In the
special emergency shutdown state, the update can be kept intact for
about 26 years. To achieve this state, run your Newton with the backup
battery in, no primary battery installed and the Power Adapter plugged
in. When you remove the Power Adapter with the unit on, Newton will
shutdown virtually everything including the system clock. RAM and
RAM-based system updates are maintained, however.
If you restore data to your Newton from a backup, the system update will
remain intact.
You can erase the system updates by:
1) Removing all batteries and all power from your Newton for over 10
minutes
2) Holding the reset button down while turning on the unit, then tapping
OK in the dialog box that asks you if you want to erase all RAM.
Copyright 1993, Apple Computer, Inc.
Posted to:
World of Newton
Support Information
Support Tips
September 2, 1993
------------------------------
End of BCS Newton Digest V1 #1
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