A2 News and Notes
July 2000

INDEX

* Welcome!
* KansasFest 2000 Rocks Avila
** KFest Webcam Debuts
** KFest Session Recap
** KFest Announcement Wrap Up
* Sign Off

* Welcome!

Welcome to the first issue of A2 News and Notes!  My name is Ryan Suenaga and I
am a longtime Apple II writer.  This monthly electronic publication is freeware
and may be reproduced anywhere free of charge provided that the copyright
notice at the end of the issue is included.  User groups may publish articles
in whole or in part without specific permission provided the copyright notice
at the end of the issue is included.

"Why A2 News and Notes?  Don't you have enough to do?"

Well, yes, I do, but the Apple II world seems to be in need of a regular source
of news that is freely available, so this will be it.  This publication will
not include reviews, how-to articles, or editorial content--well, okay, not
much editorial content.  What it will include is a smattering of tidbits from
the Apple II universe.

We are in the process of setting up both a World Wide Web Home Page and an
email address for contacting us.  Comments are welcome.

Have a great Apple II month!  -R

* KansasFest 2000 Rocks Avila

KansasFest, affectionately known as KFest, recently concluded at Avila College
in Kansas City, Missouri.  More than 50 participants converged on the small
campus to stay up all night and have fun all day, celebrating the Apple II like
never before.

While there they saw a slew of new and updated products as well as a few
surprises and technological leaps.  Here are the highlights: 

** KFest Webcam Debuts

In the first of many pleasant surprises at KFest 2000, Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd
spearheaded a surprise effort to provide live streaming broadcast of KansasFest
events on the World Wide Web via the http://www.a2central.com/ site.  The
effort was a phenomenal success and gave many Apple II users the world over a
taste of what KansasFest was like.  This just goes to show how quickly
technology can advance: five years ago, doing something like this was
unthinkable; three years ago, possible but unaffordable; and today, we're doing
this.  All this forward movement, and still the Apple II is in use. . .

** KFest Session Recap

In the more or less chronological order of the original schedule

Keynote address: Ryan Suenaga

Hey, that's me!  The keynote address focused on the importance of the diversity
of Apple II users and the togetherness that makes us a strong community.  I was
very touched by the Hawaiian print shirts in the audience.  To show my
gratitude, when it's Kirk Mitchell's turn to do a keynote at KansasFest, I will
wear jeans; when it's Howard Katz's turn to do it, I will wear a beard and
glasses; and when it's Russ Alman's turn, I will offer to room with Ephraim
Wall.  Thanks to all.

Howard Katz: Lost Classics

Howard, Director of the Lost Classics project, went in depth into the steps
involved in getting software reclassified.  He discussed the lengths he goes to
to insure that copyrights are observed and that permissions are obtained, as
opposed to the all-too-common practice of outright piracy.  Howard also asked
for assistance from the audience in his effort.  Very informative and
highlighted by the many successes that he has achieved.

Jerry Cline and David Miller: ProTERM Mac Scripting, etc. 

Jerry and Dave showed off some of ProTERM Mac's advanced scripting features,
including many in the text editor.  They also gave some examples of writing
scripts and what ProTERM Mac can really do.  We were also reminded that a
ProTERM Mac script converted some of the sound files used in Wolfenstein 3D for
the Apple IIgs.

Max Jones: Desktop Publishing

Editor and Publisher of the premier Apple IIgs newsletter Juiced.GS, Max used
his own work as an example and showed off templates in GraphicWriter III.  Max
shared that he uses both a physical and emulated IIgs in the publication
process.  He also showed off some of the accompanying software he uses, such as
WordWorks Pro, The Manager, and Transprog III.

Ryan Suenaga and Kirk Mitchell: Linux--the Apple II Cable Modem Converter

Kansas and Hawai'i combined to show how to convert broadband connections such
as cable modem and digital subscriber lines for use with an Apple II via a
Linux-running computer and a null modem cable.  High Geek value, but by no
means simple, no matter what the session leaders had to say.

Tony Diaz: Accelerators

Longtime Apple II hardware guru Tony Diaz provided a history of acceleration on
the Apple II as well as technical information on pushing your accelerator to
its limits.  Tony also made it clear that accelerator cards, being out of
production, are expensive and hard to come by, so take care of the ones you
have.

Apple Computer, Inc.: Apple Presents

The Apple representative cancelled their appearance, again.  Unless they had a
G4 Cube running Bernie ][ The Rescue, we didn't miss much.

Eric Shepherd: Mystery session

Sheppy's mystery session consisted of three new software releases: Network
Printer Setup, a utility that helps you set up network printers; DiskMaker, a
disk image utility that turns disk images (heavily used with emulators) back
into physical disks; and Lemonade Stand GS, a new version of the popular
Applesoft game that dates back to the days of the original ][ and cassette tape
storage, updated with sound, music, graphics, and new features.  In case you
were wondering, no, Sheppy doesn't suck.

Eric Shepherd and Ryan Suenaga: Bernie and Ernie

A surprise at the beginning, a surprise in the middle, and a surprise at the
end: through the magic of the Webcast and the Delphi chat room, special guest
Henrik Gudat was patched in to the Appleworks session from his home in
Switzerland to assist in answering questions about the phenomenal IIgs emulator
for the Mac OS.  Along with Shepherd, who develops Sweet16 for the BeOS, a wide
range of different emulator topics were covered.

Our second surprise was the announcement of the first SarahSoft program by Mrs.
Sheppy, Sarah Shepherd.  Sarah's GS ROM Grabber simplifies the job of creating
a ROM image from your IIgs for use with Sweet16, Bernie, and other emulators.

The final surprise of the session was the announcement of Bernie ][ The Rescue
3.0.  A list of features is included elsewhere in this issue.  This was a
bigger surprise than thought originally, as the program was made available free
of charge to all KFest 2000 attendees!  Now that's a great deal! 

Roast of Eric Shepherd 

Long time Apple II programmer Eric Shepherd, a.k.a. Sheppy, was the victim of
honor at this year's KansasFest Celebrity Roast.  The persecution team
consisted of Juiced.GS publisher Max Jones (who came up with lots of original
poetry attributed to the early years of Sheppy), Gary Utter (snap, crackle,
pop!), Ryan Suenaga (yet another PowerPoint presentation), Kirk Mitchell (long
suffering SheppyWare beta tester), and Tony Diaz (I break everything after it's
released).  Also featured was the live debut of the A2Central.commercial, a
parody on the hilarious discovery.com commercials.

BeOS, BeIA, and Clipper (including Sweet16)

Eric Shepherd changed into his Be, Inc. hat and showed off the amazing
multimedia BeOS, both on a desktop computer and on an Internet appliance (IA)
known as "Clipper".  While not released (and not assured of release), Clipper
certainly looks poised to compete in the Internet Appliance arena which is
being hailed as "The Next Big Thing"(tm).  During his session, Shepherd also
showed off Sweet16, the Apple IIgs emulator for the BeOS.

Geoff Weiss: Spectrum Scripting 2000

Geoff Weiss admitted that a certain Juiced.GS ad spurred his Apple IIgs product
development for KFest, and Geoff proved he doesn't suck either with updates to
Spectrum Internet Suite, the Apple IIgs Web browser and SCAP, his Portable
Document Format creator for Spectrum.  Geoff also showed off SFTP, his
in-progress File Transfer Protocol program done in Spectrum scripts.  

Eric Shepherd: New hardware introduction

Finally, what we've all been waiting for: an Apple II Ethernet card that isn't
in the production run of one category.  Joachim Lange of ///SHH Systeme in
Germany has announced the availability of a new card.  While the card was en
route to KFest, it did not arrive at Avila until after the conference was over.
He did send pictures and some details.  More to follow as it becomes available.

** KFest Announcement Wrap Up

*** The Time in a Bottle CD collection of almost 15000 Apple II files based on
Syndicomm's libraries that were housed on Genie will be available exclusively
through Juiced.GS.  Details to follow.

*** Bernie ][ The Rescue 3.0, a new version of the Apple IIgs emulator for the
Power Macintosh, will be released within the next few months, free for KFest
2000 attendees.  Not all new features have been announced, but those that have
been are:

all-new bit-enhancing VectorSound sound engine

sound capture 

all-new full-screen mode with menu access and more 

dozens of smaller interface changes including a new 'high-tech', more
interactive front-end

tons of internal changes & fixes (such as deselectable floppy drive unit
etc.)

*** Sarah Shepherd (a.k.a. mrs_sheppy) has released her first program!  GS ROM
Grabber is a $5 shareware utility to capture ROM images of both the ROM_01 and
ROM_3 IIgs for use with emulators such as Sweet16 and Bernie ][ The Rescue. 
Available now at http://sarah.sheppyware.net/

*** Syndicomm and http://www.a2central.com/ have formed an alliance to enhance
Apple II online support.  Details are sketchy, but http://www.a2central.com/
plans to greatly increase their scope of services.  

*** Geoff Weiss announced three new or updated products:

SCAP 1.1, an update to his IIgs PDF maker;

Spectrum Internet Suite 1.1.1, an update to the Apple IIgs web browser;

Spectrum FTP, a Spectrum script based FTP client.

Distribution and availability to be announced.

*** Ken Gagne announced Sedistic, a freeware set of Spectrum scripts that
perform find/replace on a set of text or Teach files.

*** Arachnid Preview Release 2, a new version of the work-in-progress Apple
IIgs web browser by Kim Howe of Australia.  Available immediately at:

http://www.omninet.net.au/~khowe/arachnid/index.html

*** Tony Diaz released a new version of the Apple II software collection on CD
ROM, A2-ROMulan volume 1, edition 2.  Details in the most recent issue of
Juiced.GS.

*** Eric Shepherd had a slew of new releases.  In addition to the previously
announced new volume of The Complete Guide to SheppyWare and the Totally
SheppyWare CD ROM, three previously unseen titles were released:

Lemonade Stand GS, a $15 shareware version of the classic Apple ][ (and I do
mean Apple ][) Applesoft game updated for the Apple IIgs;

DiskMaker, a $5 shareware utility to create actual disks out of disk images;

Network Printer Setup, a freeware utility to assist with setting up network
printers.

*** LANceGS, an Ethernet card for the Apple IIe and IIgs by //SHH Systeme in
Germany.  Unfortunately, the card did not arrive in time for demonstration at
KFest.  Availability, pricing, and details to be announced.

*** Juiced.GS will be making a new version of _The Compleat Lamp!_ available. 
This CD ROM collection of GEnieLamp A2, A2Pro, and _The Lamp!_ will be current
no matter when it is ordered.  Details to follow.

*** Lyle Syverson and Ryan Suenaga have agreed to change the distribution
system of _The Lamp!_, a Delphi based electronic newsletter.  Details within
the next two weeks.

*** Contest winners:

Bite The Bag: Paul Zaleski
Door Sign: Ray Merlin
Roger Wagner Tie Contest: Jamie Hodges
GShisen: Steve Gozdziewski
HackFest: Geoff Weiss (with a Spectrum scripted version of Taipan)
          Special recognition to Ken Gagne for his incredible hoax named
          "Maxster" that had audience members puzzled, stunned, and rolling
          in laughter.  Ken gained second place.

*** Miscellanea

**** After six wonderful years, Cindy Adams has resigned her post as The Big
Cheese of KansasFest.  Her incredible work and tremendous dedication is
appreciated.  The new head honcho is Steve Gozdziewski, known officially as The
Grand Gouda.

We love you, Mrs. A!

**** http://www.a2central.com/ will attempt to provide downloadable and
streaming versions of digitally recording KFest sessions and other events. 
Watch http://www.a2central.com/ for more information.

**** Shawn Beattie of Iowa was not able to attend KansasFest this year but his
presence was greatly felt as he loaned a projector that was used with many of
the sessions.  Thank you Shawn for your tremendous help!

**** Kansas City local Sean Fahey again opened up his garage of Apple II
hardware for participants who wished to fill their own garages at home.  Thanks
again, Sean.

**** The entire KFest committee of Cindy, Steve, Jerry Cline, Stan Marks, Max
Jones, and Allan Moore for all of their hard work and dedication.  It literally
couldn't have happened without you.

**** KansasFest 2001 information: Avila College, Kansas City, Missouri, July
24-29, 2001.  Intrec Software will continue as the sponsor.  Watch
http://www.kfest.org/ for more information.

* Sign Off

A2 News and Notes is produced with real or emulated Apple II computers using
Appleworks 5.1 and Hermes with the occasional assist from ProTERM Mac on the
Macintosh.  Apple II Forever!

A2 News and Notes is (c) copyright 2000 by Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W.  All rights
reserved.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of the copyright holder and publisher.  The
publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or suitability of any information
included herein.  We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.

Material published in this edition may be reprinted free of charge anywhere
provided this copyright notice is included.
