Magic Cap Users Mailing List
Thursday August 01, 1996
From: Predrag Minovic <minovic@IM.ISL.SECOM.CO.JP>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 17:25:33 +0900
Subject: Hello from Japan
Hello from Japan. A service similar to PersonaLink has been
established here in mid March with Magic Cap devices (Sony ML-2000 and
Panasonic) being rented out to a limited number of people. I applied for ML in
late March but got it only 2 weeks ago because many people applied. It is the
experimental run organized by a branch of NTT. The service is supposed to last
until the end of January 97. What will happen then nobody knows. Some users
have already announced that they are ready to buy their communicators
regardless of the price, but many are waiting for a release that can support
Japanese characters. Now only English is supported but there is a special tool
called "shrink pad" (in the Tool Box) that aids the handwriting of Japanese
(no recognition). That's probably the only tool you guys don't have over
there. The spell checker is built in but the right drawer only has the
calculator.
On last Sunday an off-line meeting was held attended by about 300
users. Presto products were presented and there was some freeware available
for installation including the FarCast. The NTT branch involved presented
also a news group interface under development: it looks like a pub with a
waiter, a menu, and tables (different news groups) with guests (users).
The interface was supposed to be done in June, the release is now moved to
late Aug. or Sep.
I'm completely new to the Magic world but I already like my ML a lot.
I'm even considering to try some development since I have CW-9 GOLD and
access to a large Power-Mac. I'm only not sure how to connect my Mac to ML:
I see that people are very negative about MagicXchange (it's available here,
a limited offer), but I wonder where and how long it will take me to get a
Telebug box ?
Finally, among some ML users here there are the following
superstitions:
1) Don't run ML with the construction mode switched on,
2) Don't touch the screen while the magic hat is rotating (ML busy)
I'm actually doing (1) from time to time, I never tried (2). Can
somebody comment on this please.
I've already learned a lot on the MagicCap list and from the faq.
Your kind comments will be appreciated and I'll try to answer the questions
if any. Thank you.
P. Minovic, predrag_minovic@paseo.or.jp
From: "J. Eric Townsend" <jet@ABULAFIA.genmagic.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 00:43:09 -0700
Subject: Patch for Presto!Mail(tm) and Presto!Links(tm) available
The patch described below is available at
http://www.genmagic.com/MagicCap/Upgrades/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrades for Presto!Mail(tm) and Presto!Links(tm)
CHAP and SpryNet fixes (Presto!PPP v1.106)
This version (1.106) of the Presto!PPP package fixes a problem that
the earlier release of Presto!Mail and Presto!Links had
connecting to Internet Service Providers such as AT&T WorldNet that
require CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication
Protocol). It also contains a minor change to allow easier setup for
SpryNet by making the default PPP script the SpryNet service
connect script.
If you are upgrading from the earlier Presto release, you only need to
replace the previous Presto!PPP package with the new
package located here. The Presto!PPP previously distributed is marked
with version 1.103, while the improved package is marked
as version 1.106. This version is backward-compatible with previous
versions.
This package completely replaces the previous package "3PrestoPPP".
Note: After you download this package, you'll need to do the
following:
1.If you are currently using Presto!Links, disconnect from your
service provider.
2.Go to the Storeroom.
3.Pack up your current (the unpacked) Presto!PPP package.
4.Throw that package away and empty the Trash by option-tapping
the Trash.
5.Unpack the new Presto!PPP package.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--
J. Eric Townsend, Hired Propagandist
jet@genmagic.com USA 408.774.4252 (play: jet@well.sf.ca.us)
URL bandwagon of hipitude
** wanted: Art of Noise - "Into Battle", original, in good condition **
From: Bruce Tong <zztong@MAIL.EV.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 09:13:07 -0500
Subject: Re: DeckMaker?
> >Anyone know what DeckMaker is? At 300k+ it must be somcthing with
> >a lot of features...
>
> Supposedly, it's a package that helps making decks for the game
> Magic the Gathering. I'm not sure what that means, though.
Magic the Gathering is a collectable card game where players assume
the role of a Wizard. Since players have probably spent billions of
dollars buying cards for their deck, this software would apparently
help them put together a winning deck.
I've not seen the software as I don't play the game so I don't know
how good it is. Certainly it will only be useful to those who do play,
or as a demo for developers who are trying to drum up business in the
collectable card game, roleplaying game, or wargame markets.
--
Bruce Tong
Systems Programmer
Electronic Vision / Fitne
Work:
Phone : (614) 592-2511
Fax : (614) 592-2650
mailto:zztong@evi.ev.net
http://www.ev.net/fitne
Play:
mailto:zztong@eurekanet.com
mailto:zztong@aol.com
http://www.eurekanet.com/~zztong
From: Charlie F <A5123644606@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 13:37:07 +0000
Subject: Re: Fatal Crash
Dear Magic,
Magic Cap Discussion List writes:
> The reason for the "(2)" is as follows. When you
> opened one of the packages with your backed up
> namecards in it, you created duplicates, and the
> new cards were added to the Name cards with teh
> "(2)" appended. Then, when you destroyed the old
> packages, the original cards (without the "(2)")
> were removed.
> This can be remedied (one card at a time - ugh!)
Try packing up and unpacking the package that has the name cards in it.
FYI, Packing up packages seems to let the package go POOF and light
blue smoke (cloud??) fill the room and appears to fix some of the
problems.
--------------------------
From the desk of Charlie F...
From: John Mignault <mignault@NYTIMES.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:08:41 -0400
Subject: Re: Downloads for Magic Cap
>I've just completely overhauled my downloads page -- so it's working! --
>and if you'd like to check it out, it's at:
>
> http://www.mbay.net/~brendah/dloads/
>
>brenda
Hey kids, get over to brenda's page as soon as you can. I just checked it
out, and it's really, really cool. The page design is GREAT. I intend to
grab her freeware (and a copy of POV Ray, thanks for the tip, brenda) ASAP.
On a related note, brenda, have you been thinking of updating the developer
articles to reflect the changes in the toolsets? (CW IDE etc?)
>---
>Brenda Holloway (brendah@mbay.net) deeds cannot dream what dreams can do
>Sony New Technologies, Monterey CA -time is a tree (this life one leaf)
>http://www.sonysoft.com/brenda/ but love is the sky and i am for you
>http://www.mbay.net/~brendah/ just so long and long enough
John
-----------------------------
John Mignault
Graphics Systems Programmer
The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St, 7th floor
NY, NY 10036
mignault@nytimes.com
-----------------------------
From: John Mignault <mignault@NYTIMES.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:14:37 -0400
Subject: Re: Magic Cap Complete
>>Does anyone know where to get a copy of the book "Magic Cap Complete" at
>>a reasonable price?
>>
>>Sandy
>
>In the "Magic Web Sites" section of our web site there is a link to Addison
>Wesley Developer Press (http://www.aw.com/devpress/titles/48948.html) that
>contains ordering information. We also have links to information on other
>Magic Cap books.
>
>Or you can order it on the web via Cbooks
>(http://www.aw.com/devpress/titles/48948.html) a web site for ordering
>technical books run by ex-General Magic evangelists Chris MacAskill and Kim
>Orumchian. They offer a 10% for on MC Complete.
>
>-Paul
>
Metrowerks also
carries it, though I recently ordered copies of Concepts and the classref
from them and they charged me $7.50 per title for warehouse retrieval,
which seems a bit steep (and unfair - why am *I* paying for their offsite
storage?)
Caveat emptor (and lector in this case too, I guess)
>---------------------
>Sony New Technologies
>http://www.sonysoft.com
>1-800-739-7337
>E-mail: plin@sonysoft.com
John
-----------------------------
John Mignault
Graphics Systems Programmer
The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St, 7th floor
NY, NY 10036
mignault@nytimes.com
-----------------------------
From: John Mignault <mignault@NYTIMES.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:15:24 -0400
Subject: Re: BAMCUG #1 NOTES
>Content-Type: application/prestomail
>
>Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:Untitled 2 (????/----) (0000FE29)
Shawn,
Would it be possible to post a plaintext version? I'm not reading this on
my Link.
John
-----------------------------
John Mignault
Graphics Systems Programmer
The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St, 7th floor
NY, NY 10036
mignault@nytimes.com
-----------------------------
From: John Mignault <mignault@NYTIMES.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:20:18 -0400
Subject: The Coupon
Incidentally, as someone who beta tested Presto and now has a copy, and
having no need for either of the other two packages - no ccMail or MS Mail
acounts - what do I do with this damn coupon? Maybe I'll get another copy
of Presto.
I, incidentally, haven't had any probs with Presto on a PIC-1K with a used
2M Grid card. I think the product's pretty cool. I only wish I could get it
to work with my SecurID.
John
-----------------------------
John Mignault
Graphics Systems Programmer
The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St, 7th floor
NY, NY 10036
mignault@nytimes.com
-----------------------------
From: Greg Satz <satz@CISCO.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 07:34:42 -0700
Subject: Re: The Coupon
Poster: John Mignault
> I, incidentally, haven't had any probs with Presto on a PIC-1K with a used
> 2M Grid card. I think the product's pretty cool. I only wish I could get it
> to work with my SecurID.
I use PM with a smart secure card. When you enter your PPP login
information leave off the password. When tapping the next button (in the
providers scene) you will get a checkbox labeled "Prompt?". Tap the check
box. This will cause Presto! to ask you to enter your password.
I have two gripes with the password prompt window. One is that it comes up
after dialing the phone. My generated password will be both letters and
numbers which is painfully slow to enter using the onscreen keyboard. The
work around I employ is to make a text coupon of the password before
connecting and leave it in my tote bag. Upon connection when the password
window appears I just drag it from the tote bag and tap ok.
My second gripe is the psasword window disappears after some time
period. There is probably a reason for it but it seems far to short of a
time period to me.
Greg Satz
From: "D'Angelo, Leo" <Leo.D'Angelo@FMR.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:55:00 -0400
Subject: Re: forms
Gordon,
There is a forms package for the ML called.... Free Style there is a demo
version
available on the WEB. It was developed by Software Partners Inc. There are
versions
for windows and mac. The Windows and Mac software lets you upload download
stuff
to Free Style from Mac/Windows format. Thats about all I know about it.....
-LeoD
----------
From: Magic Cap Discussion List
To: A200749
Subject: forms
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 1996 11:42PM
<>
Dear Magic,
Does anyone know of any forms software foe the maguclink? I can get
some for my newton but I haven't seen any ml software. any info would
be great.
Gordon
From: "Rishi R. Oswal" <Yipadedoda@AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 11:27:25 -0400
Subject: Re: Hello from Japan
[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]
Dear MagicCap and Predrag,
Wow! It's great to hear Magic Cap is doing well in Japan. During the last
BAMCUG ( Bay Area Magic Cap User Group ) which was held at General Magic, we
were told that the Japanese version of Magic Cap was almost complet and would
be shipping in Japan soon.
I heard Newton is already shipping over there. How do people like the Magic
Cap based units compared to other PDA's? Do you have Indiglo PIC 2000 and
Panasonic units over there? Which is more popular?
Both those superstitions are just that, superstitions. I do both those things
all the time. I usually tend to keep construction mode off and access it
whenever I need it by option tapping the title bars.
There is also something called the tinker tool, which I have but is not
really available publically. It is the most powerful tool of construction
mode, so powerful that General Magic left it out. It can do crazy things.
The news reader sounds neat. i hope it is available here soon. Please do
develop for Magic Cap. We need more programers.
Rishi Oswal
From: "Rishi R. Oswal" <Yipadedoda@AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 11:27:46 -0400
Subject: Option key
[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]
Dear MagicCap,
Is it possible to mqke use of the option key as a button for things such as
games?
Rishi Oswal
From: "Rishi R. Oswal" <Yipadedoda@AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 11:38:00 -0400
Subject: Re: The Coupon
[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]
>>
Greg writes:
I have two gripes with the password prompt window. One is that it comes up
after dialing the phone. My generated password will be both letters and
numbers which is painfully slow to enter using the onscreen keyboard. The
work around I employ is to make a text coupon of the password before
connecting and leave it in my tote bag. Upon connection when the password
window appears I just drag it from the tote bag and tap ok.
My second gripe is the psasword window disappears after some time
period. There is probably a reason for it but it seems far to short of a
time period to me.
<<
what I do is simply enter my password in my wordlist. Then all I do is enter
first 2 letters of my password and touch expand. I am surprised not that many
people use expand key. It saves a heck of a lot of typing for me!
Rishi Oswal
From: Wayne Sanderson <A5023644635@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 15:40:28 +0000
Subject: Re: BAMCUG #1 NOTES
It should be noted by Presto!Mail users that post to the lists that
just as you had to option-tap erase to send a plain text message via
PLink, you also have to with Presto!Mail. If you send a telecard with
reduced size graphics to a non- presto! destination, you get nothing
but code- no text at all.
From: Keith Felkins <A5393644684@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 15:46:20 +0000
Subject: Re: Magic Cap Complete
Dear Magic,
Magic Cap Discussion List writes:
"Has anyone purchased from outfitters direct? I am curious how it went
and
"what you thought.
I got the catalog last week, ordered some software, hardware etc. Got
every thing this week and I think it is real slick! Are there other
catalog's available? Doesn't have to just relate to PDA products, hell
I like to get my Fishing tackle this way.
Lemon Head
---
NOTICE: This message originally included graphics and/or sounds which
can only be received by AT&T PersonaLink(sm) subscribers. You received
only the text portion(s) of the message. Please contact the sender for
information that was deleted. To learn how to send and receive
graphics, voice and text messages via AT&T PersonaLink Services, call
1-800-936-LINK.
From: Kevin Fries <A5743644696@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 15:53:06 +0000
Subject: Re: WinMail.dat
Hi all,
I do not know about any other mail system, but the mail program that
comes with WFWG attaches that silly file. This I know for a fact since
I've had to explain this alot. I was one of a handful of people on a
Vines network, that knew how to use MS-Mail as a front end mail reader
(the hard part is getting older windows systems to understand
streettalk without resoring to NT). Every time I sent something to
someone, usually program or spec updates, I had to explain WINMAIL.DAT.
Kevin Fries
John writes:
> As I recall, isn't WINMAIL.DAT associated with
> Pegasus Mail?
From: "R. Golden" <baye1@MAIL.IDT.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 00:39:28 +0100
Subject: Re: Magic Cap Complete
Try a Barnes & Noble Superstore. I picked up a copy in New York four
months ago for about 25% off the list price...
Ron
From: "Thomas M. Talpey" <tmt@MEITCA.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 12:43:13 -0400
Subject: Re: PPP, ISPs and PIC-1000
> Right now, there's no solution except to get a pic-2k or another ISP. PMail
> should be filling a 2400 baud pipe with no probem, so it's not like the
> inactivity timer on the ISP is kicking in.
PMail is certainly keeping the pipe full, and that's the problem!
2400 baud links introduce a significant latency just to push the
bits through the pipe, and that's where the low speed loses. The
source congests rapidly and TCP starts to back off. Nothing is wrong
with the link, but the timers start to oscillate because of the long
chains of packets backed up. In my experience, most protocol
implementations aren't prepared to adjust for a link where latency
is proportional to payload. Also, there's no error correction at
2400 so some packets are probably being mashed in transit.
The best way to fix this is to use very small mtu and mru sizes at the
PPP layer, like around 64 or 128. This increases overhead but is a must
to accomodate the fairly coarse timers. Performance will probably be poor,
but at least it will work. Can Magic Cap/PMail's PPP implementation do
this? I don't know. Changing ISP's is not the solution unless they can
provide flexibility in configuring their end of the PPP. Well, if their
TCP does selective retransmit that might help too.
Tom Talpey
tmt@hsl.meitca.com
From: brenda holloway <brendah@MBAY.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 10:40:41 -0700
Subject: Changes to my download page
Due to popular demand, the packages on my download page are no longer
stuffed and BinHex-encoded, so they should be easier to use.
My downloads page is at http://www.mbay.net/~brendah/dloads/
brendah
---
Brenda Holloway (brendah@mbay.net) deeds cannot dream what dreams can do
Sony New Technologies, Monterey CA -time is a tree (this life one leaf)
http://www.sonysoft.com/brenda/ but love is the sky and i am for you
http://www.mbay.net/~brendah/ just so long and long enough
From: breadmold <moldy@IME.NET>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 14:14:14 -0400
Subject: AC Adaptor
Well, my AC adaptor is shot...the plastic thing near the end of it seems
to be the problem...I think the wires indise of it are broken, because if
I hold the cord by the plastic thing, pointing straight up, the inch of
cord and the plug hang completely limp. My friend says the plastic thing
is a magnet to screen out FM crap, but what I am wondering is, if I was
to cut the plastic thing out, strip the wires, put them together, and
tape them, would there be any chance that without the magnet, the
magiclink could be damaged? Also, my MagicLink is a refurbished
PIC1000...I don't know if the ac is at all covered by any
warranty...Sony's part order line told me that a new ac would cost fifty
dollars...it would almost be cheaper and quicker for me to order the
battery and car adaptor from the MacZone and charge the battery in my
car! Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-moldy
____________________________________________
http://www.ime.net/~devon2/Breadmold/
---------------moldy@ime.net----------------
"Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" -FZ
____________________________________________
From: David Szego <dszego@FREENET.TORONTO.ON.CA>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 15:00:34 -0400
Subject: Deckmaster: Where?
Could someone point me to the exact url for that Deckmaster program
people have mentioned here?
I looked on Spies (which hasn't been updated since February! Pathetic!),
and did a Lycos search but couldn't find it anywhere...
Thanks,
David Szego
(dszego@torfree.net)
From: Manuel Veloso <veloso@APIX.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 14:34:04 -0500
Subject: Re: Deckmaster: Where?
>Could someone point me to the exact url for that Deckmaster program
>people have mentioned here?
>
>I looked on Spies (which hasn't been updated since February! Pathetic!),
>and did a Lycos search but couldn't find it anywhere...
With your browser, check:
http://www.spies.com/MagicCap/CapPackages/
-----------------------------------------
Manny Veloso Digital Plumber
Active Paper, Inc. http://www.apix.com
-----------------------------------------
"O.K., I'll get connected! Just don't hurt me."
From: Greg Satz <satz@CISCO.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 13:26:38 -0700
Subject: Re: The Coupon
Poster: "Rishi R. Oswal"
> what I do is simply enter my password in my wordlist. Then all I do is enter
> first 2 letters of my password and touch expand. I am surprised not that many
> people use expand key. It saves a heck of a lot of typing for me!
My password is different each time.
Greg Satz
From: MCW Online <mcwonline@genmagic.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 15:31:10 -0700
Subject: AT&T Bastille Patch.
To All Magic Cap users,
Below you will find a copy of the letter sent to all AT&T PersonaLink
subscribers, from AT&T PersonaLink Services announcing a patch that will
remove all reference to AT&T PersonaLink from your Magic Cap device. To
receive this patch you may contact AT&T PersonaLink Customer Care Center or
you can download it from our General Magic web site at
www.genmagic.com/MagicCap/Upgrades.
To All PersonaLink Customers,
As a result of our recent announcement to discontinue service, customers
have asked for the ability to remove references to "AT&T" and "PersonaLink
Services" that currently reside in the Magic Cap Operating System. To
accommodate these request, General Magic has created a PersonaLink software
patch called "Bastille". This patch will hide all references to AT&T
PersonaLink including logos, AT&T Building and service features. The
package size is 11K bytes and will be installed into your RAM memory ( a
portion of your device Main Memory or Memory Card, depending on your device
configuration).
NOTE: Removing the batteries from your communicator, and resetting your
device to its original state or restoring from backup prior to this patch
being installed, will remove this software patch causing AT&T PersonaLink
Services to "reappear".
Sincerely,
Tom Redmond
Director, AT&T PersonaLink Services
Remember to make a backup of your device prior to installing this or any
other patch. You may reuse this package by deleting changes to, or
resetting this package.
Thank you,
General Magic Customer Service
++++++++++++++++++++++
Joel Connors
Magic Cap Support
General Magic
Email at: mcwonline@genmagic.com
From: Luke Derossi <lderossi@COMCAT.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 19:34:19 -0400
Subject: Re: AC Adaptor
breadmold wrote:
>
> Well, my AC adaptor is shot...the plastic thing near the end of it seems
> to be the problem...I think the wires indise of it are broken, because if
> I hold the cord by the plastic thing, pointing straight up, the inch of
> cord and the plug hang completely limp. My friend says the plastic thing
> is a magnet to screen out FM crap, but what I am wondering is, if I was
> to cut the plastic thing out, strip the wires, put them together, and
> tape them, would there be any chance that without the magnet, the
> magiclink could be damaged? Also, my MagicLink is a refurbished
> PIC1000...I don't know if the ac is at all covered by any
> warranty...Sony's part order line told me that a new ac would cost fifty
> dollars...it would almost be cheaper and quicker for me to order the
> battery and car adaptor from the MacZone and charge the battery in my
> car! Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -moldy
>
While the AC Adapter's combined strain-relief and ferrite magnet
isn't essential to the functionality of the power supply, its intention
is to supply as clean a power source to your ML as possible. If that
core does in fact only hold a ferrite loop, there's little chance in
theory of any damage coming to the unit, but I don't know the specs on
the ML DC circuitry and therefore cannot say how well the unit will
perform without it(they put it there for a reason I'm assuming);
needless to say you would be risking whatever warranty you have on the
unit if you tried the procedure, so proceed with great caution. Have
you contacted the place of purchase to see what is covered by your
refurb warranty? This is probably the safest first step to take. :)
Regards,
Luke Derossi
for
General Magic, Inc.
From: Kevin Fries <A5743644696@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 02:04:57 +0000
Subject: Re: Magic Cap Complete
Dear Magic Cap Discussion List,
>Does anyone know where to get a copy of the book "Magic Cap Complete"
at
>a reasonable price?
>
>Sandy
I got mine at good old barnes and nobel. You could also try:
http://www.softproeast.com
Kevin Fries
From: Jeff Collier <jc@acm.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 00:56:55 -0400
Subject: Re: The Coupon
> >>>>Why can't we get this coupon sooner.
> Or better yet, why do we have to wait for a coupon at all. Why can't
> ATT send a file of PLink subscribers to GM,
Or better _still_, just send them a message from plink. Or let them look us up
on plink. You're right, this should be paperless.
-jeff
(sorry, i'm catching up on email. the original posting was on the 23rd...)
From: Jeff Collier <jc@acm.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 01:12:49 -0400
Subject: Re: HELP!! Battery problems..
> There is also a possibility that the electrical contacts are becoming
> corroded and need to be cleaned. I just went through
You know, it occurs to me this could also be an issue with the card
battery. My power control panel indicated empty for a couple of days,
and while contemplating the replacement, my ML took a pretty good whack.
Now it tells me the power on the card is OK. Heh. And I thought that
trick just worked with remotes.
-jeff
From: Johnny Culver <A5133644645@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 04:44:22 +0000
Subject: Re: Downloads for Magic Cap
Dear Magic,
Can i download from brendas page to ky PC, them emailto,y magiccap.
---
NOTICE: This message originally included graphics and/or sounds which
can only be received by AT&T PersonaLink(sm) subscribers. You received
only the text portion(s) of the message. Please contact the sender for
information that was deleted. To learn how to send and receive
graphics, voice and text messages via AT&T PersonaLink Services, call
1-800-936-LINK.
From: Wayne Sanderson <A5023644635@ATTPLS.NET>
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 05:56:33 +0000
Subject: sham
I just got done signing up for WorldNet. They have local dialups in
addition to the 800 access #. One of them was local for me, so I guess
I won't have to pay the exorbitant rate of $4.50 pr hour to use the
800#, although I probably will have to at some point. When I do have
to, and get charged accordingly, it will be doubly bitter because the
number is 1-800-543-3279. For those of you who do not already know it
by heart, that is the PersonaLink access number. Since AT&T will be
keeping the number as an access #, maybe they will have a message for
us PLink users starting 9/1/96 when we try to connect just to see if it
really does not work any longer. The message might as well be GET
LOST!
What really gets me is that right now the number handles both WorldNet
and PersonaLink logins. The only resource that PLink is not sharing
with WorldNet right now is probably only some space on a server
somewhere. If that is the case, I can't see what the problem is with
honoring their original commitment and keeping the damn thing going.
I think the whole thing has to do with appearances. 'Telescript appears
not to be taking off' someone whispers to someone else in the washroom.
'We should change our position'(dump it).
The whole thing is like a fighter pilot ejecting as soon as a blip
appears on radar. Of course in wartime that would be called COWARDICE.
I guess in the business world it's called Sound Judgement?
(Just so as to head off replies that point out the fact that it is
incongruent of me to revile AT&T and still patronize them, consider
this: They paid me $65.00 to switch back to their long distance. They
then offer me WorldNet for free, with 5 hours free monthly online, and
free Presto!stuff. I cashed their check, sent in their coupon, and will
dutifully use up their 5 free hours- and no more. And I might just
start buying those prepaid phone cards for long distance- that way they
will get NOTHING from me!)
From: Greg Satz <satz@CISCO.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 22:59:55 -0700
Subject: Re: PPP, ISPs and PIC-1000
Poster: "Thomas M. Talpey"
> PMail is certainly keeping the pipe full, and that's the problem!
> 2400 baud links introduce a significant latency just to push the
> bits through the pipe, and that's where the low speed loses. The
> source congests rapidly and TCP starts to back off. Nothing is wrong
> with the link, but the timers start to oscillate because of the long
> chains of packets backed up. In my experience, most protocol
> implementations aren't prepared to adjust for a link where latency
> is proportional to payload. Also, there's no error correction at
> 2400 so some packets are probably being mashed in transit.
Most modern TCP's should have absolutely no problem working over a 2400
baud link. Let me say this another way. A 2400 baud link will work fine
with any reasonably implemented TCP. TCP was designed to handle the case
where data is lost or a router somewhere along the path goes down.
> The best way to fix this is to use very small mtu and mru sizes at the
> PPP layer, like around 64 or 128. This increases overhead but is a must
> to accomodate the fairly coarse timers. Performance will probably be poor,
> but at least it will work. Can Magic Cap/PMail's PPP implementation do
> this? I don't know. Changing ISP's is not the solution unless they can
> provide flexibility in configuring their end of the PPP. Well, if their
> TCP does selective retransmit that might help too.
MTU is an IP issue. It will cause IP fragmentation to occur which not only
increases packet overhead (ratio of packet overhead to packet user
information) but also greatly increase data loss. If a single IP fragment
is lost the entire IP datagram (TCP in this case) must be
retransmitted. This is what leads to retransmissions. Simply put IP
fragmentation is bad and should be avoided at all costs.
PPP doesn't care about baud rates nor about datagram sizes. It gets a bunch
of bytes (typically an IP packet), sticks a few bytes on the front (PPP
header), a few bytes on the back (checksum to guard against data
corruption) and sends it down the wires. If those wires carry the data at
240 characters per second or 1,250,000 characters per second, the receiving
PPP side doesn't care. In fact it probably doesn't even keep track of how
long the lone packet transmission occurred.
I have been using Presto!Mail and Presto!Links on my Envoy and my
PIC-1000. Both have 2400 baud modems. I dial up into a cisco async. server
which accepts my PPP login. It sends both UDP and TCP requests to hosts
inside cisco's network and beyond (www.genmagic.com for instance) where I
can retrieve web pages or email. It just works. Anyone who claims 2400 baud
won't work isn't understanding the protocols and the issues.
The beauty of the Magic Cap implementation of TCP/IP is that you don't have
to understand a single word I am writing here. It just works.
Greg Satz
From: Greg Satz <satz@CISCO.COM>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 23:08:49 -0700
Subject: Re: sham
Poster: Wayne Sanderson
> (Just so as to head off replies that point out the fact that it is
> incongruent of me to revile AT&T and still patronize them, consider
> this: They paid me $65.00 to switch back to their long distance. They
> then offer me WorldNet for free, with 5 hours free monthly online, and
> free Presto!stuff. I cashed their check, sent in their coupon, and will
> dutifully use up their 5 free hours- and no more. And I might just
> start buying those prepaid phone cards for long distance- that way they
> will get NOTHING from me!)
Have you looked into Sprynet from Compuserve (www.sprynet.com)? The pricing
is better if you don't want to be an AT&T long distance customer.
As for AT&T and Telescript, when was the last time a big company has taken
a brand new technology to market and become successful with it? Not
including Microsoft. :-) PersonaLink was the last of all of AT&T
proprietary networks to be shut down. It wasn't the only one.
Greg Satz
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