GIF News Issue 19
March / April 1992
GN9203.TXT
GIF News
March/April 1992
Issue #19
(C)1992 Hsiao & Hunter, Inc.
Release date: March 5, 1992
------------------- From the Desk of the Editor -------------------------
Hi, this is Eric Hsiao, the creator of GIF News. Thanks for taking the
time to download the March/April 1992 issue of GIF News. In this issue,
we have two VGA (640x400 256 color) pages instead of one. Inside those
two pages you will find reviews of two of shareware's hottest games
complete with 256 color screen shots. Also, you'll find articles on:
* The new USR HST 16.8K modem
* V.32bis modem for $399 list
* Apogee's immediate plans for the PC shareware game market
* The Multi-Media section
* Industry News
* Galactix and Scorched Earth v1.1 reviews
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. In the next issue, we will look at
sound cards, and what to expect for the summer of '92. Included will be
a comprehensive review of the AdLib Gold sound card, a board that promises
to be the driving force behind the next generation of sound cards. We hope
to provide comparison specs between the AdLib Gold, the Gravis Ultrasound,
the Sound Blaster Pro Version 2.0, and the Pro Audio Spectrum II. So, look
for GN92-05.ZIP during the first week of May.
- Eric
Files in this archive:
GN9203-1.GIF --- Page 1
GN9203-2.GIF --- Page 2
GN9203V3.GIF --- Page 3 (Super-VGA 256 Color Page)
GN9203V4.GIF --- Page 4 (Super-VGA 256 Color Page)
GN9203.TXT --- This file (From the Desk of the Editor)
GN-DISKS.TXT --- How to get more .MOD files for
your Sound Blaster
GIFNEWS.ADS --- How to advertise in GIF News
BACKISSU.TXT --- Description of all back issues of GIF News
------------------
8 Files Total
Again, GIF News can be freely copied and shared just as long as no
modifications what-so-ever are made to this archive. This includes the
addition or deletion of files to and from this archive. Please don't
destroy the hard work of another.
If you enjoy reading the past SIX issues of GIF News, please consider
a small donation of $5 (US) to cover my expenses of uploading GIF News to
long distance Bulletin Boards across the country. Also, please upload
GIF News to a couple of your favorite boards. Any bit of distribution
helps. Also, a PostScript Laser Printer would really be appreciated
here. It would enable us to send hardcopies of GIF News to those who
want it on paper. If you know of any office/computer supply auctions,
please let me know.
Free advertising continues...read GIFNEWS.ADS for more details.
Also, interested in megs of TrakBlaster .MOD files without the cost of
downloading them long distance? Read the file GN-DISKS.TXT for an offer
you can't refuse. MOD files can also be played using programs such as
ModPlay, JMPlayer, Registered Scream Tracker, Trak Blaster, and other
programs capable of handling the Amiga Noise/Sound Tracker sound format.
Special note to Internet readers: If you would like to be a
GIF News subscriber, just send me E-mail and I will add you to the
mailing list. GIF News will be uuencoded and sent to you via E-mail.
Many uudecoders exist for both unix and ms-dos platforms. If you are
unable to handle the .ZIP format on your machine, let me know and I
will send you the file in an LZH, ZOO, or ARC archive.
Also, if you're anonymously FTP'ing, and come across some files you
think might be GIF News. You can easily tell which issue is up by
looking at the filename. For example, the filename is:
gn92-03.zip <-- The gn stands for GIF News, the 92 re-
presents the year, and the 03 is the
month (March in this case).
So be sure to look for gn92-05.zip in the beginning of May.
Several FTP sites you might want to look for GIF News are:
media-lab.mit.edu /pub/
wuarchive.wustl.edu /graphics/gif-news
ftp.rpi.edu /pub-write/gif-news
For the easiest way to contact me, please check out the following:
Note: Besides US Postal Mail, I check my Internet E-Mail most often.
How to reach me:
US Mailing Address #1
Eric Hsiao
7 Fair Way
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603-5014
Sept 91 May 92
************* Please send to this address between 9/1/91 to 5/1/92) ********
* *
* US Mailing Address #2 (reach me quicker between dates *
* Sept. 1, 1991 to May 1, 1992) *
* Eric Hsiao *
* 406-A BARH Mailroom, RPI *
* Troy, New York 12180-3590 *
****************************************************************************
Internet:
hsiaoe@rpi.edu
Bitnet:
userha6g@rpitsmts.bitnet
Compuserve:
ADDRESS:>INTERNET:hsiaoe@rpi.edu
MCI Mail:
TO: Eric Hsiao (EMS)
EMS: Internet
MBX: hsiaoe@rpi.edu
MBX: [press ENTER key]
Prodigy:
XPJD96B
Bulletin Boards:
PC Pitstop (914) 298-1914 USR HST v.42bis
Channel 1 (617) 354-8873 (See BBS Ad - GN9203-2.GIF)
If you are interested in hiring a full time graphics artist or computer
systems engineer, please contact me. I have experience with creating
computer graphics and video as well as skills in Windows, Lotus 123, Word
for Windows, Modems & Communications, Unix, Pascal, C, and PC Hardware &
Peripheral Installation. I'm also interested in working with Multi-Media.
Contact me and I will send you a resume.
--------------------- Thank-you for downloading and reading GIF News,
Eric Hsiao
Editor-in-Chief
March 5, 1992
(Michaelangelo wasn't here!)
BACKISSU.TXT
BACKISSU.TXT
------------
** Descriptions of every single issue of GIF News that has come out **
If you want any of these issues, just send a Self-Addressed-Stamped-
Envelope and a blank floppy (5.25 or 3.5) and I'll copy them over for you.
Each issue is around 100K zipped. You must include the FLOPPY AND S.A.S.E
or else you won't receive anything back. ------------------
Or send a check/money order to:
Eric Hsiao
406-A BARH Mailroom, RPI
Troy, NY 12180-3590
USA
Or if the date is after May 1st, 1992 - send it to this address:
Eric Hsiao
7 Fair Way
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603-5014
USA
Cost per each 360K disk (5.25) = $1.00
Cost per each 720K disk (3.5) = $1.50
Add $.75 for shipping - average size of an issue is around
80,000-100,000 bytes.
Or call the SimonsBoard BBS Network and download back issues. See
their ad on page 2 (GN9203-2.GIF).
Or if someone can recommend a good stable FTP server, please let me
know. Often times, the ones I FTP to have periodic wipeouts of files.
Issue # Date Description
------- ---- -----------
01 Nov/Dec 1988 Reviews of Leisure Suit Larry II, Fire Power,
GN88-11 and Sentinel Worlds, a short autobiography of
Hsiao & Hunter, Inc.
02 Feb/Mar 1989 Virus protection safeguards, review of Police
GN89-02 Quest II, "Are MS-DOS Games Getting Better"
editorial, game hints to Leisure Suit Larry 2.
03 May/June 1989 Industry news, Space Quest ]I[ review, 1st
GN89-05 annual Sight & Sound Awards, "Taito Games Are
Terrible" editorial.
04 July/Aug 1989 Nintendo Game Hints (Super Mario Bros 2, Rad
GN89-07 Racer, Karnov), Reviews of 4 different driving
simulation games (Vette, Test Drive 2, Lombard
Rally, F40 Pursuit Simulator), Review of the
game Caveman Ugh-Lympics, a short overview of
Lotus 123 Release 3.
05 Nov/Dec 1989 Review of Maxis' Sim City, the new Tears For
GN89-11 Fears CD "Seeds of Love", and a review of
Sierra's Manhunter II.
06 Jan/Feb 1990 A Look back at the eighties, review of Sierra's
GN90-01 the Colonel's Bequest, and a overview of music
cards (AdLib, GameBlaster, SoundBlaster, &
Roland), the best VGA games.
07 Mar/Apr 1990 "Do Sound Cards Really Sound that Good?"
GN90-03 editorial, a profile of the Channel 1(tm) BBS
in Cambridge, MA, review of Access' Crimewave
and Bitmap Bros' Xenon II, look at digitizing
sounds.
08 May/June 1990 Detailed look at the VGA and VESA video
GN90-05 standard, the Ultima VI built-in cheat, the
World of Amiga show in New York City.
09 July/Aug 1990 Request for BBS distribution sites, Computer
GN90-07 Industry News, a look at the Sound Blaster card,
a review of Spectrum Holobytes' Faces game.
10 Sept/Oct 1990 Review of the games Atomix & Puzznik, a look at
GN90-09 Battlechess II and future game releases, v.42
& v.42bis - what their advantages are.
11 Nov/Dec 1990 Look at the TrakBlaster program, new Flight
GN90-11 Simulator scenery disks, Reviews of games
Spellcasting 101 and Jones in the Fast Lane,
the Amiga Video Toaster by NewTek, Being a
Game Designer for Electronic Arts.
12 Jan/Feb 1991 V.32bis standard, XGA, LaserDiscs, the
GN91-01 controversial Lotus-Equifax CD-ROM CD, "Boo to
Disney Software" editorial, FD-Format, review of
the game Hard Nova.
13 Mar/Apr 1991 Look at Workstations, BBS's pay business rates
GN91-03 on their phone lines, JMPlayer review, Amiga 24
bit graphics, the first VGA page ever.
14 May/June 1991 The Prodigy STAGE.DAT controversy, review of
GN91-05 TrakBlaster v2.0, MediaVision's Pro-Audio
Spectrum, Amiga News, Review of Lemmings.
15 July/Aug 1991 The PC Expo in NYC, look at Creative Labs'
GN91-07 Voice Edit program, hints to the adventure game
Time Quest, a review of the game Armor Alley,
Internet News, and the first-ever GIF News
contest.
16 Sept/Oct 1991 Sound Blaster Pro Vs. AdLib Gold, "High Prices
GN91-09 for Game Software" Editorial, Internet News,
Contest Winners Announced.
17 Nov/Dec 1991 Closer look at AdLib Gold, Windows 3.1 news,
GN91-11 Wing Commander II Built-in cheat, Police
Quest III, WordTris, Internet sites, new
releases for various computers.
18 Jan/Feb 1992 AdLib Gold Delayed, Brief Windows 3.0 program
GN92-01 review, Oh No More Lemmings!, 1992 planned
releases, best graphical adventure game company,
first SVGA page, Internet Archie Server.
19 Mar/Apr 1992 Reviews of two VGA shareware games: Scorched
GN92-03 Earth and Galactix, short look at two multi-
media groups, the new US Robotics 16.8K Modem,
SupraCorp's v32bis modem, industry news,
coming Apogee releases, $49 CD full of share-
ware and public domain software.
GIFNEWS.ADS
* FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING *
Policy updated for January 1992, subject to change.
Advertising in SIMPLE and EASY in GIF News, and very very affordable.
Basically a small ad, roughly under 1/5 the size of a full page, will be
free of charge. Often times these are ads for Bulletin Board Systems.
GIF News is read by thousands of readers throughout the world. Besides
the standard way of distribution through Bulletin Board Systems, GIF News
travels by means of the worldwide Network of Internet which reaches many
countries such as Japan, Australia, Norway, Finland, Canada, USA, France,
Great Britain, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, and more. GIF News can also
be found on the Compuserve Game Magazines download section.
Here are some guidelines to follow for advertising in GIF News:
1. If short and small, the ad is free of charge. I may add
some simple graphics to make the ad a little more interesting.
2. If advertising a BBS:
a. Send me a normal-access user acount pre-registered. In
other words, add an Eric Hsiao to your user roster and
pick a password and send it to me (along with your ad).
b. Sysops must let me know before each and every issue comes
out that they want their ad in it. This will help me keep
track of which boards are still up and which ones have gone
down. This will save our readers from the trouble of dialing
long distance to a board and getting a "Sorry, the number you
have dialed has been disconnected..." I am unable to accept
requests that say "Please put my BBS ad for the next 10
issues." If you want your BBS ad in the next 10 issues, you
much notify me before the deadline of each of the 10 issues
that you want the ad in it.
3. If contributing money for an ad:
a. A full page with customized drawn graphics by me will general-
ly run around $75 - add $25 for each additional issue that you
want the ad in.
b. Pre-supplied/drawn graphics full page size will generally
be around $50 - add $25 for each additional issue that you
want the ad in.
c. Half a page of custom graphics will run around $30 - add $10
for each additional issue that you want the ad in.
d. Pre-supplied/drawn graphics half size will be around $15 -
add $10 for each additional issue that you want the ad in.
e. Please keep in mind that these are only general numbers, I am
very flexible and will negotiate. Also, unlike the FREE BBS
ad policy, you can request that your ad be in for a certain
number of issues (ex. "Please put my full page ad in the
January issue for a contribution of $50, plus I would like
to see it in the March/April and May/June issues for an
additional contribution of $50 (2 x $25). See above for
contribution guidelines.
f. Contributions not need be in the form of monetary units
(money). Instead, products of interest to me such as a
PostScript Laser Printer, v32Bis Modem, etc. would really
be appreciated.
4. Any legitimate commercial/non-profit/organization/group/individual
can advertise in GIF News. GIF News retains the right to refuse
any advertisement due to content, space considerations, or
other reasons. We try to screen all advertisers for legitimacy.
Complaints against advertisers should be directed toward the
advertiser or the Better Business Bureau, not GIF News.
* FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING * FREE ADVERTISING *
GN-DISKS.TXT
GN-DISKS.TXT
.MOD files at your service
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're a SoundBlaster owner like me, you probably
heard of the TrakBlaster program that plays Amiga NoiseTracker
sound files (.MOD files). NoiseTracker is a format that stores
samples of real or electronic instruments and the play back program
uses wave manipulation to play them back at different frequencies to
achieve different notes on the scale. As a result, you get
song files that are very realistic sounding, and are much better than
.ROL or .CMF files. Everything is taken care of by the SoundBlaster
DAC and the CPU.
Several programs out there exist for the PC to playback these
.MOD files. ModPlay 2.19b is one of them and will even play them back
through your internal speaker. It also includes plans to build your
very own stereo DAC that you could plug into your parallel printer port.
Future plans include support for the AdLib Gold 12-bit DAC (sound better
than an Amiga) and the Sound Blaster Pro (sounds as good as an Amiga).
For EGA users, there is JMPLAY, and for VGA users, there's the ever
popular TrakBlaster 2.0 program. If you're a SoundBlaster Pro owner,
there is a program out there called ProMod that lets you play these files
back in stereo.
Although there are literally thousands of .MOD files
out there, you may be having difficulty finding some on your local
Bulletin Board Systems. And you wish you had more, but don't want to
spend the lengthy time to download them from long distance boards. Well,
I have a solution to those people who want more, but can't find more.
I have amassed about many megs of .MOD files, and would like to share
them with you.
Introducing the GIF News .MOD file server
Files available on both 5.25" & 3.5" format
If you order 1-2 disks, the following rates apply:
Disk Type Price
5.25" 360K disk = $1.00 ea
3.5" 720K disk = $1.75 ea
5.25" 1.2Meg disk = $2.25 ea
3.5" 1.44Meg disk = $2.75 ea
If you order 3 or more, the following rates apply:
Disk Type Price
5.25" 360K disk = $.75 ea
3.5" 720K disk = $1.50 ea
5.25" 1.2Meg disk = $2.00 ea
3.5" 1.44Meg disk = $2.50 ea
Please print out the following order form to help you out.
Name: ___________________________ Date: ___/___/___
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Phone: ( ) -
Disk Type Qty Price Total
___________________ _____ x _______ _______
___________________ _____ x _______ _______
___________________ _____ x _______ _______
___________________ _____ x _______ _______
See above for information on US Shipping _$.75__
Disk Type & Price
Total _______
Shipping to Canada is $1.50, not $.75 (funds in US Dollars please)
Checks & Money Order accepted as payment
Please make check out to Eric Hsiao
Mail this order form to:
Eric Hsiao
406-A BARH Mailroom, RPI
Troy, New York 12180-3590
If the date is after May 1st, 1992, please send your order to:
Eric Hsiao
7 Fair Way
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603-5014
All sales are final.
To make sure I don't send you .MOD files you already have, it may be
helpful for you mail your list of .MOD files along with the order
form.