10.Nov.2003
Amigaworld.net
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OS4: Warp3D running natively on the AmigaOne
As Hans-Jörg Frieden informs in the forum of Amigaworld.net, Warp3D is running natively now under AmigaOS 4 on the AmigaOne.
Warp3D is a 3D API which currently supports Virge, Permedia 2 and Voodoo 3 chips. Radeon graphics cards are not yet supported due to lack of time. The first Warp3D game currently running under OS4 is "glSokoban".
Update (snx, 11.11.2003, 12:50):
With permission of Fleecy Moss you can find a screenshot from the CAM magazine #10 at Amigaworld.net which shows Warp3D on the AmigaOne. (snx)
[News message: 10. Nov. 2003, 19:30] [Comments: 0]
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10.Nov.2003
Thorty! (ANF)
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CD-Burning-Software: Homepage of FryingPan moved
The homepage of the CD-burning software 'FryingPan' has moved and is now to be found at
http://www.tbs-software.com/fp/.
Futhermore the developer is looking for beta testers.
You can encourage the programmer to further develop his program by taking over one of the following tasks:
- Maintenance and extension of the 'FryingPan'-homepage
- Writing and translation of a users guide and documentation
- Creation of icons
(nba) (Translation: sk)
[News message: 10. Nov. 2003, 12:34] [Comments: 0]
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10.Nov.2003
Tales of Tamar (Website)
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Game: New Amiga- and PC-version of 'Tales of Tamar'
A new version of 'Tales of Tamar' for Amiga and PC has been released. Additional information about new features and changes can be found at the title link.
Tales of Tamar is a PBEM-Strategie-Onlinegame (PBEM
= PlayByEMail) by Eternity in wich you are the leader of a country situtated in a world called 'Tamar'. The aim of the game is to extend the power and wealth of your people with the help of trading, war and diplomacy. (nba) (Translation: sk)
[News message: 10. Nov. 2003, 12:20] [Comments: 0]
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10.Nov.2003
amiga.org (Webseite)
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PNG-Icons: First Amiga like icon set
Lorraine
Design published the first Amiga-like PNG icon set called 'PowerTower Icons'.
A Preview-Screenshot is available too.
(cg) (Translation: sk)
[News message: 10. Nov. 2003, 04:21] [Comments: 0]
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10.Nov.2003
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Amiga Inc.: New snail mail address
An updated WHOIS domain entry reveals a new snail mail address of Amiga Inc.
The complete entry:
Registrant:
Amiga, Inc.
P.O. Box 887
Ravensdale, Washington 98051
United States
Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: AMIGA.COM
Created on: 25-Jun-94
Expires on: 24-Jun-05
Last Updated on: 16-Oct-03
Administrative Contact:
Stone, Gordon gordon@amiga.com
Amiga Inc.
P.O. Box 887
Ravensdale, Washington 98051
United States
4254320608 Fax --
Technical Contact:
Akey, Ray rakey@amiga.com
Amiga Inc.
P.O. Box 887
Ravensdale, Washington 98051
United States
5194560176 Fax --
Wether this change was caused by a report at ANN about possible legal problems concerning the old wrong address or if there are other reasons remains unknown.
(cg) (Translation: sk)
[News message: 10. Nov. 2003, 04:10] [Comments: 0]
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09.Nov.2003
MorphOS-News.de
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Genesi evaluates interest in REBOL for a Pegasos SDK
Genesi has begun discussions with REBOL Technologies to integrate portions of REBOL into a free developer package for the MorphOS Developer Connection - or maybe even a full REBOL package for a "Pegasos SDK" covering all supported operating systems on Genesi's hardware.
At MorphOS-News.de Genesi invites everyone to a brainstorming about interest in and advantages of REBOL's integration into MorphOS. (snx)
[News message: 09. Nov. 2003, 17:05] [Comments: 0]
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09.Nov.2003
Elbox Press Dept. (ANF)
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21st Birthday of Elbox Computer
This month Elbox Computer company celebrates its 21st birthday! For this
special anniversary we have prepared a special offer for Amiga users.
From 08 November to 07 December 2003 most of the items in their Online
Store will be delivered without any shipping costs. This offer is
valid for orders from all countries of the world.
The offer applies to most of the products in the online offer, including
Mediator PCI busboards, FastATA/PowerFlyer controllers, eFlash memories,
Spider USB 2.0 cards, mouse and keyboard interfaces, and many other
accessories. For details, see the Special Of9fer.
Elbox has been developing and producing electronic equipment since 1982.
Since 1989 they have been supporting the Amiga platform. Their Amiga
designs include: SharkPPC G3/G4 PowerPC PCI motherboard design; Mediator
busboard line introducing the PCI standard into Amiga computers; Mirage
and E/BOX tower systems also known as Power Tower in the UK and Winner
Tower in Germany; Zorro busboards; Fast ATA controllers known also under
the name of Power Flyer in the UK and Winner High-Speed Controller in
Germany; Memory expansion cards for all types of Amiga computers;
Mroocheck PC Mouse interfaces also known under the name of
Punchinello and many other minor Amiga accessories. Since 1999 Elbox has
been the owner of Twin Spark Soft, a company producing software for Amiga
computers (in the Polish language only).
Other Elbox activity is development and production of electronic equipment
for industry. It covers process controllers for injection moulding
machines and many high-end devices in the fields of radio- and
telecommunications: paging systems, pagers, speech coding devices, radio
modems and GPS tracking systems. For further information, please send an
email to info@elbox.com. (nba)
[News message: 09. Nov. 2003, 00:42] [Comments: 0]
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08.Nov.2003
amiga.org (website)
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AmigaDE: interview with Jim Wingard from Omniscience
The American Amiga users club NCSCAUG has interviewed Jim Wingard, developer of the AmigaDE title "Lexical IQ" that is part of the first "GamePak" by Amiga Inc.
(cg) (Translation: wk)
[News message: 08. Nov. 2003, 21:27] [Comments: 0]
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08.Nov.2003
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Genesi: OpenBSD / participation in Infosecurity 2003
As Genesi announced in a press release the Pegasos OpenBSD version has now been integrated into the official OpenBSD source tree.
The company also stresses the significiance of OpenBSD, for the time being available in version 3.4, for installations that need a high security level and then pointed out the participation of Genesi at the booth of ShopIP Security Solutions at the InfoSecurity 2003 fair in New York from December, 8th to December, 11th. They'll show the Pegasos II running OpenBSD 3.4 there.
Soon would the Pegasos be available configured as a "Crunchbox Pegasos" that could be sold to distributed network clients as "super firewall".
Genesi's OpenBSD Pegasos site can be found under ODC.PegasosPPC.com.
(snx) (Translation: wk)
[News message: 08. Nov. 2003, 20:16] [Comments: 0]
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08.Nov.2003
Dirk "Docki" Dockbreyder (ANF)
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Magazine: Club Amiga Magazine #10 released, old article now free available
The issue #10 (November 2003) of the Club Amiga Magazine has been released today, the article "Roadshow" by Olaf Barthel of the previous issue has been released for non-members now.
Content of the current issue:
AmigaOS 4 Update, Bits of Heaven, Pagestream Past Present Professional Publishing, Game Frenzy, Backdrops R Us, My AmigaOne Adventure, The Australian Roadshow - Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, User Group Spotlight, Members' Corner, Letters
(cg) (Translation: wk)
[News message: 08. Nov. 2003, 19:42] [Comments: 0]
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08.Nov.2003
Virtual Dimension (ANF)
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Video: Report from the C64-Party "VISION 2003"
In a new installment of their Live-series Virtual Dimension present a report about the C64-party VISION 2003. Newest C64 hard- and software, party-athmosphere and interviews with the wrights - all that and even more awaits you in this more-than-20-minute-long video.
(cg) (Translation: cg)
[News message: 08. Nov. 2003, 18:27] [Comments: 0]
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08.Nov.2003
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New Linux game ports by Epic Interactive and Hyperion Entertainment
Linux Game Publishing announced to publish three game ports by Epic Interactive and Hyperion Entertainment for Linux.
The games to be ported are Gorky 17 by Hyperion Entertainment as well as Knights & Merchants and Software Tycoon by Epic Interactive. (snx)
[News message: 08. Nov. 2003, 07:53] [Comments: 0]
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07.Nov.2003
Andreas Magerl (ANF)
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Magazine: Amiga Future 45 published
Today issue 45 (November/December 2003) of the print magazine "Amiga Future" has been
published.
Besides a test of the MPlayer and a preview of Realms of Power and Trilero you can find
in this issue reports about OASE 2003 or the Benelux Show.
On the current CD you can find much PD-software, the video of the Benelux Show as well as
the full version of Foundation - The Directors Cut.
You can find a detailed list of the contents on the homepage of the magazine.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Nov. 2003, 17:33] [Comments: 0]
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07.Nov.2003
Christian Effenberger (ANF)
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CD-Tools: First publishing of "3CaDo"
"3CaDo" is a collection of CD-tools which contains the following programs:
- ViCaDo supports you making
VideoCDs: With this program you can make (super-) VideoCD images.
- AiCaDo supports you making
AudioCDs: With this program you can make (MP3-) AudioCD images. This program is still
under development.
- DiCaDo supports you making
DataCDs: With this program you can make (ISO-) DataCDs. This program is still planned.
Christian Effenberger was not going to publish the sites. But because his Amiga has
currently some problems and Christian has not any access to the CD burner the development
of 3CaDo is highly questionable.
Because he do not know how long it takes until his computer works fine again he wants
to give the Amiga community that part which is already completed.
(cg) (Translation: dr)
[News message: 07. Nov. 2003, 17:28] [Comments: 0]
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07.Nov.2003
IOSPIRIT (ANF)
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IOSPIRIT: Sponsoring and price-reduced full versions at Alchimie 3
The Alchimie 3, taking place from the 8th to the 10th of November 2003 in Tain l'Hermitage, will be sponsored with prizes by IOSPIRIT. Furthermore, it will be possible to buy updates and price-reduced full versions through a cooperation with A.P.S..
IOSPIRIT wishes all visitors and for the whole event a lot of fun and success! (snx)
[News message: 07. Nov. 2003, 17:12] [Comments: 0]
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07.Nov.2003
Anton Preinsack (ANF)
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OS4: News on the progress by Thomas Frieden
In the forum of amigaworld.net, Thomas Frieden ("EntilZha") delivered insight into the current version of OS4 or on its progress, respectively. At the same time, a newly integrated feature was announced which - if anything proceeds well - would be shown this weekend as a surprise in France.
The main statements at a glance:
Graphics system:
"We're still working on the graphics system. The originally anticipated 2-3 weeks where of course 2-3 weeks of full-time work, but as always, something else comes your way and you have to rest some work and give priority to other..."
Drivers/PPC-Modules:
"Things are slowly falling into place now. A lot of people are currently working on AmigaOne drivers (that's one of the biggest projects, anyway). And of course, everybody is still working on bits & pieces. Browsing through the recent upload notification mails on our beta list, I see some new PPC-native datatypes, several bugfixes to existing components (most of them are PPC now), some new PPC modules (not a lot... did I mention that most of them are PPC now, anyway ? I think I have only 4 68k modules remaining on my work installation, one of them graphics.library)."
Kernel:
"One of the new "kernel" related features is a new ramlib (that's the component that is used to bring libraries into memory from disk): You might know that this is a prime candidate for crashing to do flakey library initialisation code. The new ramlib is now multi-threaded, meaning that the opening of libraries will be done in sub-processes. If one of those crashes, it's just removed by the mother process, improving system stability a lot.
Additionally, the latest exec includes a new memory tracking facility: You can now find out for each memory location if it's been allocated at all, and who allocated it. Very useful if you're debugging a program, or want to throw away all memory allocated by a given task." (snx)
[News message: 07. Nov. 2003, 17:07] [Comments: 0]
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06.Nov.2003
Sylvio K (ANF)
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Horror Game: New Soms3D Screenshots Online
New screenshots of the game "Secret of my Soul 3D" (Soms3D) have been released, a few of which demonstrate new characteristics of the game engine.
(cg) (Translation: dm)
[News message: 06. Nov. 2003, 23:51] [Comments: 0]
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06.Nov.2003
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MorphOS: Mencoder Version 0.91
Version 0.91 of the MorphOS port of the program
Mencoder is ready for download, thanks to Nicolas Det.
This program is a video encoder, which can also rip VCDs and DVDs.
Download (1.47MB) (snx) (Translation: dm)
[News message: 06. Nov. 2003, 19:48] [Comments: 0]
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06.Nov.2003
Marc Cloppenburg / AMIGAplus (ICQ)
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New Pegasos Web Portal Opens: Pegasos-ITALIA
Pegasos communities have been established in many countries around the globe, among them Sweden, the USA, France, Finland and Portugal, and now also one for Italian enthusiasts: At the URL http://www.pegasos-italia.com/ (title link) you'll reach "Pegasos-ITALIA", a new Italian Pegasos portal. (nba) (Translation: dm)
[News message: 06. Nov. 2003, 19:42] [Comments: 0]
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06.Nov.2003
Martin Wolf (E-Mail)
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Game: Tamar Needs a New Continent!
It is on us once more. In November 2003 the world of Tamar will contain a new continent. With 280 players the existing parts of Tamar have become full.
Every time this happens Tamar is expanded with further sections. This is an ideal time to jump in the game! Start with 20 to 50 other new testers, and struggle on the same terms in this part of Tamar.
The new territories will next be partitioned off from the other parts of Tamar, allowing the possibility of development independent of the old Lords. Who will be the victor? Who has the best strategy?
We're seeking free testers for Macintosh and PC.
By 15th November, a new version of the PC client that alleviates the slow start time will have appeared. The exact features may be read in the update text.
Tales of Tamar is a PBEM round-based online strategy game (PBEM =
Play By E-Mail) from Eternity, in which you take over the leadership of a people, in a manner similar to the games Kaiser and Civilization, and in which you compete in commerce, diplomacy, and battle to bring your land to riches and glory and honor. (nba) (Translation: dm)
[News message: 06. Nov. 2003, 16:28] [Comments: 0]
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05.Nov.2003
Richard Ames
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Health: MouseBean Ergonomic Hand Rest
An independent study has shown that three
out of four computer mouse users suffering
from workrelated
upper limb disorders (WRULDs) and painful
hands and wrists, found their symptoms
alleviated after only two weeks of using
the MouseBean Ergonomic Hand Rest. This
is important
news for the increasing number of computer
users suffering from WRULDs and for businesses
losing millions of working days each year
when sufferers have to take time off work
to recover from
these disabling conditions.
The independent study was conducted by John Ridd,
a consultant ergonomist specialising in
workplace design and musculoskeletal disorders. A
mixed group of typical computer mouse users
with self-reported hand, wrist and upper limb
musculoskeletal disorders, tested the MouseBean
Hand Rest in an office environment.
After using the MouseBean Hand Rest for only two
weeks, three out of four users found it effective
at reducing the symptoms of WRULDs. At the end of
the test phase, 85% of subjects said that they
would choose to continue using the MouseBean Hand
Rest if they could. John Ridd concludes:
"The study would suggest that, for many mouse users
suffering with hand or wrist pains,
there is a very real likelihood of reducing those
symptoms within two weeks of using the
MouseBean Hand Rest."
The MouseBean Hand Rest is very different to regular
wrist rests - it uses two soft pads to support
the hand in comfort and the curved base lets you
glide on the mouse mat with a relaxed arm and
shoulder. The pads form a gap under the hand,
helping to reduce pressure in the wrist and
protect
the delicate median nerve from the dangers of
poor posture.
Commenting on the gel-filled wrist rests currently
on the market, John Crocker, managing director
of MouseBean Limited says: "Although they feel soft,
some gel-filled wrist rests may be doing
more harm than good! Research has shown that they
can actually increase pressure in the wrist and
lead to nerve damage! We believe that the MouseBean
Hand Rest is the first device of its kind to
have undergone a comprehensive evaluation and are
naturally delighted with the results of the
independent study. Whilst three out of four mouse
users suffering from WRULDs found their
symptoms alleviated, we have anecdotal evidence to
suggest that the device may be preventing the
onset of some symptoms as we have no reports of
customers developing new hand or wrist
conditions since fitting the device to their mouse.
In addition, the majority find it so comfortable to
use that they don't want to go back to using a mouse
without it."
The independent study shows that the MouseBean Hand
Rest is one of the simplest and most
effective ergonomic aids for mouse users; it converts
a regular mouse into an ergonomic mouse.
Available in a wide variety of attractive colours, the
MouseBean Hand Rest can be attached (with
the simple plug and socket device supplied) to most
regular mice. It can also be customised with a
logo or made to match corporate colours. To order, visit
the website under the title link and click `How to
Buy'. Retail price from £6.99. (nba)
[News message: 05. Nov. 2003, 23:41] [Comments: 0]
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05.Nov.2003
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MorphOS: MPlayer-Update
The media player MPlayer is now available in version 0.91 for MorphOS and can be obtained from the MorphZone (1.6 MB).
Among other issues the reading of DVD´s is sped up, an MP3-Decoder, an anti screen saver system and MP4A support is added.
Nicolas Det writes: "It's the time to release MPlayer 0.91 for MorphOS! I hope you will enjoy it. Look in the readme file for list of the changes.
I would like to thank:
- Andre Siegel for very good looking icons
- Emanuel Steen for the documentation
- Sigbjørn Skjæret for many improvements and bugs fixed
- Harry Sintonen for many improvements and bugs fixed
- and all MorphOS users (including developers :-))"
(snx) (Translation: ub)
[News message: 05. Nov. 2003, 12:40] [Comments: 0]
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05.Nov.2003
Heise Newsticker
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Heise: Microsoft provides a bounty for worm authors
As reported by the Heise Newsticker the software and game console developer
Microsoft is going to fight against the authors of computer worms like the
wide spread W32.Blaster and Sobig with some kind of bounty.
Hints which lead to an arrestment should be honored with up to 250,000 US$. Read the full (German) article by the title link. (cs) (Translation: ub)
[News message: 05. Nov. 2003, 11:51] [Comments: 0]
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05.Nov.2003
ANN
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Articia S: Genesi and Hyperion gave information about the supposed "Bug"
During a discussion at the thread "Pegasos Italia" at ANN Raquel Velasco and Bill Buck by Genesi as well as Ben Hermans by Hyperion gave detailed information about the supposed bug of the Articia S northbridge for the first time.
Genesi published during that discussion protocol with which the problem should be reproduceable:
The following problem is given with the current Articia S versions:
The CPU interface fails to make all needed PCI to Memory transactions transparent to the CPU. This leads to failed (missed) snoop responses from the CPU in case of a modified cache line. The result may be a data corruption. The problem can be verified by creating a huge DMA load to the system.
1) Create a Linux partition with reiserfs using the IDE channel
2) Create a Linux partition with reiserfs using a 1394 (firewire) drive
3) Create any Linux partition (any device possible)
4) Enable DMA for IDE using 'hdparm'
5) Copy some data ~1-2GB using 1) and 2)
6) unmount 1)+2)
7) run the 'reiserfsck' tool using an endless shell script for 1)+2)
8) Start a ftp of a huge file (>memory+swap) using 3) and calculate a checksum for that file using an endless shell script
Be sure that the L2 cache of the CPU is enabled during your tests. Watch the results.
Required Resources
1 - Red Hat Linux Distribution 7.x
2 - IDE Hard Drives
1 - PCI Firewire Card
1 - 1394 Firewire Drive
Notes:
Line 1) - One IDE Drive for the O/S
Line 2) - Needs PCI Firewire Card, 1394 Firewire Card and SW Drivers for same
Line 3) - Configure partition on additional IDE Drive
Requires 2 weeks minimum full time effort (probably 3 weeks) for someone with advanced Linux configuration setup and test expertise.
Hyperions answer to this is:
"This 'so called' problem is the direct result of the Articia S's ability to handle memory access by the CPU and PCI bus.
This behavior reduces latency but is unknown in the Wintel world which is why the Linux drivers don't cater for it.
In the Wintel world either the CPU or the PCI busmaster is allowed to write to memory, not both at the same time.
MAI has been reworking the Linux drivers to cope with this and Hyperion has been aware of this feature for quite some time and has taken it into account when doing DMA capable drivers for the AmigaOne hardware.
[...]"
(snx) (Translation: ub)
[News message: 05. Nov. 2003, 10:53] [Comments: 0]
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05.Nov.2003
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Novell's going to buy SuSE / IBM invests into Novell
As reported by CNN Money,
Novell is going to buy the German SuSE Linux
GmbH for about 210 millions US$. Additionally IBM is said to buy Novell shares for about 50 millions US$. (snx) (Translation: ub)
[News message: 05. Nov. 2003, 10:37] [Comments: 0]
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04.Nov.2003
AmigaWorld (ANF)
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Event: Photos of the AmigaOne presentation in Beijing (Update)
In the last September Alan Redhouse, owner of the AmigaOne distributor Eyetech has presented
the plans of the company about the AmigaOne PPC systems on a big computer meeting in the Chinese
Beijing.
He demonstrated the AmigaOS 4 on the AmigaOne inside the meeting hall.
You can see some photos of this event on the website
and read a by Babelfish translated version of a news of the newspaper Guangming Daily online here.
Update:
The presentation Alan Redhouse used on a first meeting in the Far East in February 2003 is also available on the net. The presentation is available as Powerpoint file
and can be downloaded here.
(nba) (Translation: gf)
[News message: 04. Nov. 2003, 23:55] [Comments: 0]
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04.Nov.2003
Martin Rebentisch (DaFreak) (ANF)
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Music: Liquid Skies records #059
Liquid Skies has released the music pack #59. It contains a track from the musician Lcr and the cover
from Kuadziw.
Information about the track:
- Title: Psycho Being
- Artist: Lcr
- Style: Drum'n'Base
- Length: 3:19
- Format: mp3 (128kbps)
The zipped file (size: 3.1 MB) is available for download under the title link.
(cg) (Translation: gf)
[News message: 04. Nov. 2003, 21:37] [Comments: 0]
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04.Nov.2003
Amiga.org
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IBM wins the CPU contract for the Microsoft's X-BOX 2
Microsoft Corp. and IBM Corp.'s Technology Group announced today (Nov. 3) that the next-generation
Xbox electronic game console will use a yet-to-be-designated IBM processor.
IBM's chip will replace Intel Corp.'s Pentium III processor now in the current Xbox version.
IBM is producing the chip for Nintendo's Gamecube and is developing the CPU for the Playstation 3
in cooperation with Sony.
Further information: EE Times
and Heise (German). (snx) (Translation: gf)
[News message: 04. Nov. 2003, 12:40] [Comments: 0]
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