Issue 1.1 8/96
This issue of DMM is sponsored by:
Welcome to Digital Media Monthlyby Professor Michael Kleper <mkleper@printerport.com> |
Son of Welcome to Digital Media Monthlyby Scott J. Kleper <scott@printerport.com> |
Easy View 2.6.1:
<ftp://mirrors.apple.com/mirrors/info-mac/text/easy-view-261.hqx>
MacWorld Boston 1996by Scott J. Kleper <scott@printerport.com> |
This issue of DMM was delayed slightly because we were in Boston for this year's MacWorld Expo. Our extensive coverage of the event will be found in our next issue, available on September 1. Until then, I'll give a general overview of the show and its highlights.
The main focus of the show (at least as far as Apple was concerned) was OpenDoc. Despite its failure to catch on over the past year, OpenDoc is very likely to change the way we work. The developers who exhibited at Apple's pavilion showed that there will be no lack of OpenDoc parts and containers. Established companies like Corel and Bare Bones Software were showing their existing products with OpenDoc capabilities. Newcomers like Digital Harbor also showed some innovative parts that can all work together. At the show, Apple showed version 1.1 of CyberDog, its Internet component for OpenDoc. The demonstrations and hands-on tutorials presented this new technology and its products (now called LiveObjects) as a very effective and natural way of working.
There was no shortage of clones at this year's show. Motorola showed some prototypes of Mac compatibles and IBM's PowerPC division showed machines from several different manufacturers including Umax and Power Computing. Be, Inc., makers of the dual-processor BeBox and BeOS, showed their multithreaded operating system (BeOS DR8) running on a PowerMac. The Be operating system will be available for 603 and 604-based Macs in first quarter '97.
Be beat Apple to the punch on a multithreaded OS by a long shot. According to the most recent estimates, MacOS 8 (a.k.a Copland) may not be ready until 1998! During the show, Apple announced that system updates would now ship on a regular schedule, to avoid monolithic overhauls of the OS like System 7 was. The first update, which should be ready in January, will reportedly not include any of the features slated for Copland (despite earlier promises to the contrary). The second update will, however, include many of the interface components of MacOS 8, although Apple has not yet decided which components it can separate from the MacOS 8 system.
A slew of new utilities and Internet-related programs were announced at the show. Connectix began shipping RAM Doubler 2, which can effectively triple usable RAM. Claris showed its new Home Page HTML editor directly across the hall from where Adobe was previewing Page Mill 2.0. CE Software showed a much-needed update to QuicKeys that looked promising. These and other programs will be reviewed in our September issue.
Feature Review: FBI (Fingerprinting of Binary Information) |
An image fingerprint can be detected by anyone using Photoshop on an Apple Macintosh. A freeware FBI Detector is available from HighWater at their web site <http://www.highwaterfbi.com>. The FBI Pro version provides for batch processing of image files to detect the presence of FBI fingerprints. Batch processing results in a log file of fingerprint identification information.
The fingerprint process can be initiated using one of the two FBI products. The first is the FBI Writer, which is an Adobe Photoshop plug-in. The second is FBI Pro, which is a batch-processing, stand-alone program providing unattended, background operation. The first product is aimed at individual users, such as photographers, designers, and publishers who have small picture libraries. The second is aimed at stock photo-libraries, picture agencies, and information providers who have significant numbers of images.
The detection process yields the Fingerprint ID and the Image ID which can be used to interrogate the FBI Registry and obtain details about the image originator. FBI users are strongly encouraged to register their images on the FBI Registry which is the only way to identify and contact a copyright owner of a fingerprinted image. The FBI Registry Web site is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at <http://www.highwaterfbi.com>. The information can also be obtained directly from HighWater Designs by phone or fax during normal working hours. The registry service is supported by a small annual fee which is paid by registered users. The FBI Writer plug-in is $395. FBI Pro pricing has not been announced.
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1fbi.jpg>
HighWater Designs Inc.
6 Bedford Farms
Bedford, NH
03110-6532
(603) 669-7466
FAX: (603) 669-7456
<http://www.highwater.com>
DTP Reviews |
Web publishing has become easier with the release of FrontPage (MAC/PC), a visual web publishing tool that doesn't require a knowledge of HTML or CGI. The WYSIWYG editor can be used to create, edit, or refine web pages using wizards and templates. The program supports navigation bars, discussion groups, full-text search, registration forms and other advanced interactive capabilities.
Vermeer Technologies, Inc.
725 Concord Ave., 6th Fl.,
Cambridge, MA 02138
1-800-WEB-0075
FAX: (617) 576-1780.
<info@vermeer.com>
<http://www.vermeer.com>
Surf 'n' Print (WIN) is a printing utility that converts files from the Internet, AOL, CompuServe and Prodigy into double-sided booklets. The program intercepts standard-size pages on the way to any laser or inkjet printer and automatically reduces pages and then rearranges them into front sides and back sides. The program even prints out a cover page showing exactly how to reinsert paper to print back sides. A single fold turns standard 8.5" x 11" pages into an easily handled 5.5" x 8.5" digest size booklet. $14.95
BookMaker Corp.
2470 El Camino Real, Suite 108
Palo Alto, CA 94306
415-354-8160
FAX: 415-856-4734.
Version 2.0 of ClickBook for Windows 95 adds features that automatically turn Internet, CD-ROM and Windows program files into 30 types of double-sided booklets and brochures. The program intercepts standard-size pages going from any Windows application program to a printer. Users simply click to select the size and type of output they prefer, from wallet-size address book to digest size. ClickBook automatically reduces standard-size pages and then rearranges them into the correct order for double-sided printing on any laser or ink jet printer. $69.95
BookMaker Corp.
2470 El Camino Real, Suite 108
Palo Alto, CA 94306
415-354-8160
FAX: 415-856-4734.
CD-ROM Reviews |
Making good on its commitment to multiple operating systems, Elektroson has bundled its GEAR CD-Recordable software for Windows 95, NT and 3.1; Mac OS and Mac OS for Power Macintosh; and OS/2 Warp operating systems on one CD-ROM. The Multi-OS Desktop Bundle will be one of two available GEAR Multi-OS kits available to multimedia publishers, audio recording studios, pre- press and data storage end users. All platforms of the GEAR CD-R software support ISO 9660 conventions and carry an extensive array of multimedia features. GEAR supports Multisession, HFS, Shared Hybrid, Enhanced CD, CD-ROM XA, Digital Audio, Video CD, CD-I and custom multimedia format files. $299
The Berkeley Macintosh Users Group, the world's largest group of its kind has released several CD-ROM-based titles. The BMUG Font Collection ($30) includes over 1700 TrueType and PostScript fonts organized within a HyperCard-based viewer for easy selection and copying. Roadside Resources 2.0 ($30) is an extensive collection of Internet-related files, WWW bookmarks, shareware and freeware, and six complete digital Internet books.
BMUG, Inc.
1442A Walnut St., No. 62
Berkeley, CA 94709-1496
510-549-2684
FAX: 510-849-9026.
CD-R prices continue to fall, breaking the $900 level. The CD- R1002/Pro for Windows 95 and Windows NT consists of an internal double-speed CD-Recorder (serving as both a recorder and reader), a 650MB CD-R disc, and Adaptec SCSI host adapter, and Incat software. $899
The Clip Art Image Library (WIN) is a collection of 6372 pieces of clipart (5342 black and white, 1030 color images) in .PCX and .TIF formats from England. An image viewing program provides an easy method to find, view and select images. Images are classified into several topics including animals, cartoons, business, computer, education, and dozens of others. $34.95
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1cil.jpg>
Walnut Creek CDROM
Suite 260
1547 Palos Verdes Mall
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
510-674-0783
800-731-7177
<info@cdrom.com>
Digital Photography Reviews |
Chinon has what may be the smallest digital camera ever made. The ultracompact 24-bit color ES-1000 pocket digital camera for Mac or PC, is less than 5 oz. (with battery). Features include automatic exposure and automatic shutter speed; optional external memory in 2, 4, 8 or 16MB PC flash memory cards. $499
Chinon America, Inc.
615 Hawaii Ave.
Torrance, CA 90503
800-441-0222
FAX: 310-533-1727
<http://www.chinon.com>
Epson America, Inc.
20770 Madrona Ave.
Torrance, CA 90503
800-289-3776
FAXBACK: 310-782-4214
<http://www.epson.com>
Metatools, Inc.
6303 Carpinteria Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
805 566-6200
FAX: 805-566-6385
<kptsupport@aol.com>
<http://www.metatools.com>
Wayzata Technology
21 Northeast Fourth St.
Grand Rapids, MI 55744
218-326-0597
FAX: 218-326-0598
<Info@Wayzata.Tech.com>
<http://Wayzata-Tech.com>
Image: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1rdc.jpg>
Ricoh Corp.
475 Lillard Dr.
Sparks, NV 89434
702-352-1600
FAX: 702-352-1615
Imaging Reviews |
When I was in junior high, we had to use Photoshop to distort our teachers' faces. Today's youth have a new set of tools. Kai's Power Goo (MAC/WIN) promises to bring the latest Hollywood-style effects to the Macintosh, just as Morph did several years ago. Goo can turn any face (or any picture for that matter) into a putty-like substance that you can sculpt with a variety of tools. The program works in real-time (which is astonishing in itself) and allows you to import pictures from files, movies, or digital cameras and output them as stills, QuickTime movies, or "Goovies". Power Goo can also combine various components of pictures, creating morph-like effects over portions of a picture. For example, one could give Gorbachev's haircut to Bill Clinton, an exercise I highly recommend. Goo comes with an extensive library of faces and effects and ships on a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM must be inserted each time you launch Goo, which is very annoying. Other than that, it's a steal at $49.95.
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1goo.jpg>
Metatools, Inc.
6303 Carpinteria Ave.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
805 566-6200
FAX: 805-566-6385
<kptsupport@aol.com>
<http://www.metatools.com>
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1pge.jpg>
Auto F/X
Black Point, HCR-73
Box 689
Alton Bay, NH 03810
603-772-4725
800-839-2008
FAX: 603-772-4644
Auto F/X
Black Point, HCR-73
Box 689
Alton Bay, NH 03810
603-772-4725
800-839-2008
FAX: 603-772-4644
Mac-In-DOS is a PC utility that provides PC users with the capability to read and write Macintosh disks, including 1.44 MB diskettes, SyQuest, Bernoulli, and Sony magneto-optical cartridges. The software runs in DOS, or within a DOS shell within Windows. Text files are transferred in ASCII, graphics and more complex files are transferred in binary. File transfers can be executed in either direction. $99
Pacific Micro
201 San Antonio Circle, C250
Mountain View, CA 94040
415-948-6200
FAX: 415-948-6296
Printing Reviews |
PrinterSwitch (MAC) is a very useful utility that effectively solves the problem of frequent switching between and among multiple printers. It eliminates the need to go to the Chooser to make a printer selection. PrinterSwitch is a control panel/system extension that presents a consistent and simple user interface which precedes the normal Macintosh Print Dialog box. A new printer is added to PrinterSwitch menu by simply selecting the printer from the Chooser and initiating the print cycle once. As new printers are learned a new preferences file is created. Network administrators can copy these preference files to new user machines to provide access immediately to all network printers. The program is available as shareware with a free 14-day trial. $14
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1psw.jpg>
Brookline Software
7 Strathmore Road, #2
Brookline, MA 02146
<Brookline_Software@kagi.com>
<http://www.brooklinesw.com>
Zenographics Inc.
34 Executive Park
Irvine, CA 92714
800-366-7494
CompuServe: Go ZENO
<http://www.zeno.com>
Input/Output Reviews |
IBM VoiceType Dictation for Windows Version 1.32 is a functional voice input system for people whose jobs require extensive note- taking and document creation. This includes professionals such as doctors and lawyers, as well as general word processing users. Users talk into a microphone connected to their desktop or notebook PC and the VoiceType system converts their speech into on-screen text almost instantaneously, allowing the user to create text faster than most people can type. Documents created using dictation can be integrated easily into word processing and other applications. Packages consisting of software, microphone, and PC adaptor card cost between $999 and $1099.
IBM United States
1133 Westchester Ave.
White Plains, NY 10604
<http://www.ibm.com>
Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc.
411 Waverley Oaks Rd.
Waltham, MA 02154
617-893-5151
The functionality of the software that is usually bundled with dedicated personal scanners is being offered to existing scanner owners. e-Paper is a suite of applications that support the input of paper documents into a Macintosh, so that they can be marked-up. annotated, copied, faxed, OCRed, or emailed. A unique feature is the intelligent text tool that can be used to convert a paper form into a computer form. The software supports most popular scanners. $179
Second Glance Software
7248 Sunset Ave. N.E.
Bremerton, WA 98311
360-692-3694.
PosterWorks 4.0 is a major upgrade to the premiere large-format PostScript output production tool. PosterWorks supports the production of layouts up to 10,000 square feet, composed of multiple, custom-sized panels, appropriate for exhibits, banners, backdrops, and billboards. New features include support for Power Macintosh, panel composition tools, color management options, the generation of multiple posters on a single layout (each with registration and crop marks), and an electronic guide called the Layout Assistant. Artwork is imported in EPS, TIFF or Scitex format. The artwork is composed, sized and cropped within PosterWorks.
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1pw4.jpg>
S. H. Pierce & Co.
Suite 323, Building 600
One Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-338-2222
<news@posterworks.com>
<http://www.posterworks.com>
Internet Reviews |
Artbeats WebTools is a comprehensive library of thousands of graphics and sounds for Web page design.The Macintosh and Windows CD-ROM is a cooperative effort between Artbeats and stat media who have combined their libraries of buttons, decorative bars, icons, sounds, and seamless tiles. The product contains over 600MB of data and also incorporates a "TurboSearch" browser for quick viewing and installation of the files on the user's hard drive. Graphic formats include PICT, BMP, and GIF. Sound formats include AIF, AU and WAV. The Button category contains over 1,400 files and includes a wide variety of toggles, devices, dials, sliders, switches, keyboards, panels and pointers, all of them with at least two states, normal and depressed. Many of them include "in-between" morphed states as well. The Pattern category contains hundreds of seamless woods, marbles, papers, fabric and more in sizes that will render quickly in the Web environment. Specific Features of Artbeats WebTools include: 234 Icons, 182 Sounds, 156 Bars (468 pixels long in widths of 12, 32 and 60 pixels), 490 Patterns in 128 and 64 pixel sizes, and 1496 Buttons (quantity does not include depressed and morphed states). $89
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1awt.jpg>
Artbeats Software, Inc.
2611 South Myrtle Rd.
Myrtle Creek, OR 97457
503-863-4429
Wayzata Technology
21 Northeast Fourth St.
Grand Rapids, MI 55744
218-326-0597
<Info@Wayzata.Tech.com>
<http://Wayzata-Tech.com>
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/cf2.jpg>
Aladdin Systems, Inc.
165 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
408-761-6200
<cust.service@aladdinsys.com>
<http://www.aladdinsys.com>
Utility Reviews |
EPS and PostScript files can be edited directly in Macromedia FreeHand with PS EditLink, a FreeHand Xtra. PS EditLink is a complete Level 2 PostScript interpreter that works within FreeHand, allowing editing of all paths and gradients. Text is editable, allowing text and font changes. Images can be copied and pasted into Photoshop. PostScript and EPS files can be opened from QuarkXPress, PageMaker, PowerPoint, and other popular applications. $250
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1pse.jpg>
TechPool Software
1463 Warrensville Center Road
Cleveland, OH 44121-2676
216-291-1922
<info@techpool.com>
<http://www.techpool.com>
DataViz, Inc.
55 Corporate Dr.
Trumbull, CT 06611
203-268-0030
<http://www.dataviz.com>
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1sc3.jpg>
Symantec Corp.
10201 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014-2132
408-253-9600
Multimedia Reviews |
Matt & Joe's Cool Screen Backgrounds is a CD-ROM containing almost 500 unique royalty-free backgrounds for desktop publishing and multimedia projects. $20
Wayzata Technology
21 Northeast Fourth St.
Grand Rapids, MI 55744
218-326-0597
<Info@Wayzata.Tech.com>
<http://Wayzata-Tech.com>
Screen shot: <http://www.printerport.com/dmm/issues/art/v1n1law.jpg>
QuickMedia Labs, Inc.
100 Saratoga Ave.
Suite 320, Santa Clara, CA 95051
415-508-1757
<http://www.quickmedia.com>
Hi-Tech Media, Inc.
445 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10016,
212-293-3900
<msb@i-2000.com>
<http://www.mmsourcebook.com/msb>
Miscellaneous Reviews |
Trumatch has launched their Internet World Wide Web site offering a wide range of useful information along with the chance to win free airline miles. Each month, web site visitors can download a paper airplane template, colorize it on their computer, and send it to Trumatch to enter a monthly contest. Each month the winner will receive 10,000 free American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
Trumatch
25 West 23rd St.
Suite 817
New York, NY 10036-7406
212-302-9100
<info@trumatch.com>
<http://www.trumatch.com>
Ricoh Corp.
475 Lillard Dr.
Sparks, NV 89434
702-352-1600
SD-ROM is the next generation high-density optical disc, the same size as a CD-ROM, but with more than seven times the data storage (4.7 gigabytes). The data transfer rate is 1350 kilobytes per second, equal to 9 times the transfer rate of a standard CD-ROM. SD-ROM is expected to find strong market support as read-only drives for PCs by 1998.
A Word From Our Sponsors |
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