A2 News and Notes
December, 2003

INDEX

* Essential Files Available
* Syndicomm Pricing News
* Calling All Programmers
* Software from Down Under
* New Emulation
* SignOff

- There are certain files that should be in every Apple II user's library,
from ShrinkIt through Apple's HyperCard system software, as well as
telecommunications programs.  Syndicomm has announced a free service for
online users: a new public file download area.  You can browse through the
list of available files at:  http://www.a2central.com/filemgmt/index.php
More will be added in the near future.

- Syndicomm made other announcements this month.  The highly popular
online service announced a price drop for subscribers, who now will only
have to pay $35/year (down from $75) to access all of the features of the
service.  More information, including services available to subscribers
can be found at: http://www.syndicomm.com .

- Syndicomm also is the official organization for designating Apple II
filetypes.  Developers of Apple II software interested in producing new
programs can now download a copy of the Apple II filetype notes in PDF
format.  The file is located at:  
http://www.a2central.com/article.php?story=20031229142218660&mode=print

- Kim Howe has updated several of his very popular IIGS programs,
including his Arachnid IIGS web browser.  More information as well as
contact information can be found at his website:
http://www.a2central.com/~kimhowe

-Emulation News

Several announcements were made concerning upgrades to current Apple II
emulation products:

--Sheldon Sims has announced a new 65c02 emulator for Linux/GTK2.  While
limited in what the program will do, it could be handy for people
developing programs that will run on the 65c02 CPU.  More information,
including system requirements needed to launch the emulator can be found
at:  http://wsxyz.dyndns.org/sim65 .

-- The AppleCommander Java-based disk utility previously highlighted has
been going through continuous upgrades, and is now available for
downloading version 1.3.1.  More information including the program's
features can be found at:  http://applecommander.sourceforge.net/ .

-- Virtual ][ , the Apple II emulator for Mac OS X users has been updated
to version 2.5.1.  The new version adds emulated support for such things
as a clockcard and joystick support.  More information can be found at:  
http://www.xs4all.nl/~gp/VirtualII/

-- Matt Portune's front end, web-based emulator has gone through an
update, using the latest ActiveGS system update, as well as several new
features including boot slot handling.  The new ActiveGS program from the
FTA now allows joystick usage.  Matt's program can be found at:
http://portune.net/gs/ and the new version of ActiveGS can be found at:
http://www.freetoolsassociation.com/ .

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A2 News and Notes is produced with real or emulated Apple II computers
using AppleWorks 5.1.  Apple II Forever!

A2 News and Notes is (C) copyright 2003 by Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W. and
edited by Howard Katz.  All rights reserved.

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