Magic Cap Users Mailing List

Monday October 07, 1996

From: Sean Kenny <seank@KERN.COM>
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 1996 23:45:40 -0700
Subject: Presto, I have a problem

        I have an interesting problem everyone suggested I run by your guys:
I go out onto the net fine(with my pic 1K running links 1.1) after about 10
minutes it says, "modem unexpectedly hung up" which is no big deal, but then
the Magic Link beeps, says, "cleaning" then says, "your communicator has
experienced technical difficulties, if this continues, contact customer
support". I go to the store room, and find that it has packed up the Diner
package. What is happening? It worked find early last week, but now it seems
to be getting worse. Sometimes it says my POP password is wrong too, but not
as much as this cleaning and packing problem. Please help.
        Also, I still have the old AT&T stuff in my pic, so when I try to
send mail, it tries to use personal link. How can I get it to read my other
internet service and/or erase AT&T. Any help you can give would be
wonderful. Thank you in advance
Sean

From: Shawn Jipp <sjipp@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 00:17:40 -0700
Subject: IRQ VS IRC=OOOPS!!

Congrats to those people that pointed out my typos in the recent BAMCUG#4
update!

It was all just a test to see if you were really awake while reading the
article.  Of course I knew that I had put "IRQ" and "mIRQ" instead of "IRC"
and "mIRC"...really I did.

Well...I suppose I should have had someone proof it first......
///////Shawn Jipp
Personal Email=sjipp@ix.netcom.com
Work Email=apps@nanometrics.com
Home=(408)736-5477
Work=(408)746-1600 X109

From: Live4Words@AOL.COM
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 12:16:53 -0400
Subject: question

[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]

Dear MAGICCAP List,

Just curious...how many here use either AOL or CompuServe Companion from
their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

From: Steve Eyler <seyler@GSTIS.NET>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 09:33:07 -0700
Subject: Re: Cujochat problem

Dan Free wrote:
>
> Fellow Caps...
>
> I've been running Cujochat since its release without a glitch, EXCEPT that the
> Set-Up button doesn't respond, despite repeated taps and regardless of whether I
> reboot.  I'd like to change my remote host, but appear to be locked in for now.
>  I'm about to trash it and restore it from my back-up.  Any other suggestions?
>
> Thanks
>
> Dan Free

I have found that if you hit the OPTIONS button first, the SETUP button
will again respond.

Steve

From: Josh Carter <josh@genmagic.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 09:40:02 -0800
Subject: Re: Cujochat problem

Hi Dan,

Dan Free writes:
 > I've been running Cujochat since its release without a glitch,
 > EXCEPT that the Set-Up button doesn't respond, despite repeated
 > taps and regardless of whether I reboot.  I'd like to change my
 > remote host, but appear to be locked in for now.I'm about to trash
 > it and restore it from my back-up.  Any other suggestions?

I've seen this from time to time as well; apparently Magic Cap's hit
testing gets weird and sometimes doesn't register taps on the last
item in the view chain (the setup button in this case). Whenever this
happens, tap the "options" button to bring up the options window, and
that seems to slap some sense into the viewables. From there you can
tap the "setup" button and it MC will register the tap.

Best regards,
Josh

p.s. yes, I've seen this problem with other software as well; it's not
just a CujoChat thing.

From: Toby Dunn <tdunn@SONYSOFT.COM>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 10:28:24 -0700
Subject: Re: question

>[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
>America Online.]
>
>Dear MAGICCAP List,
>
>Just curious...how many here use either AOL or CompuServe Companion from
>their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

I use AOL.  Am quite happy with it, when AOL is up.  Sometimes email takes
awhile to get through it though.  AOL allows you to "unread" a message and
retrieve it again (using a PC or MAC).  I greatly appreciate this feature.

Toby Dunn
Sony New Technologies
One Lower Ragsdale Drive, #150
Monterey, CA  93940
v: (408) 642-6409

From: Johnny Culver <MrsTroi@AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 13:25:35 -0400
Subject: Re: oops i deleted the massage

hi if anyone sent me a reply regarding the magic exchange in NYC, I deleted
the message. Please resend. Sonyboy, I got yours. Thanks.

From: Bruce Tong <zztong@MAIL.EV.NET>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 13:33:40 -0400
Subject: Re: question

> Just curious...how many here use either AOL or CompuServe Companion
> from their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

I used to use AOL from my PIC-2000 when I had an AOL account. I didn't
have any troubles getting mail. I found it awkward to configure AOL when
I was travelling. AOL always wanted to look up a local number, which I
guess was ok, but I would have prefered to use AOL 1-800 number when I
was traveling. When AOL looked up a number it, also associated some
information with the current Magic Cap locality. I usually end up
deleting localities create for a hotel because I never seem to stay at
the same hotel twice, for some reason.

I've not heard of the CompuServe Companion, so I can't comment on it. My
project manager uses CompuServe, but I don't think she connects with her
PIC-2000. I think she would though, so if anybody could point me to a
URL where I might download this app, I'll pass it along to her.

--

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
http://www.eurekanet.com/~zztong

From: MCW Online <mcwonline@genmagic.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 10:42:03 -0700
Subject: Software Relsellers embrace Magic Cap for Windows95

NEWS
______________________________________
For immediate release:
Press inquiries: Marilyn Kilcrease/Lynnsey Von Stetina
Fleishman-Hillard
415/356-1000
Marty Coleman
408/774-4420
marty_coleman@genmagic.com

Software Resellers Embrace Magic Cap
General Magic=92s Magic Cap=AE for Windows=AE 95 is
Launched With Broad Retail Support
=09
SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Oct. 7, 1996 -- General Magic today launched Magic Cap
for Windows 95, a comprehensive communications tool, combining easy-to-use=
=20
e-mail, faxing and Internet access with a simple personal organizer and
address book. Introduced as the company=92s first retail software offering,
Magic Cap for Windows 95 has been embraced by channel partners who have
signed on to sell the product. =20
Distributor Ingram Micro, computer superstores CompUSA and Computer City,
consumer electronics stores Best Buy and Incredible Universe, retailers
Egghead Software and MicroAge, and mail-order firm Multiple Zones will be
offering the product to their customers. "This is a Who=92s Who? of=
software
retailing," said General Magic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steve
Markman. "I couldn=92t be happier with the breadth of markets we=92re=
reaching." =20
Combining easy-to-use e-mail, faxing and Internet access with an address=
book=20
and scheduler, Magic Cap for Windows 95 a product designed for
Small-Office/Home-Office (SOHO) users who underutilize software offerings.
General Magic originally created Magic Cap as an operating system for
hand-held personal communicators. =20

Both Sony Magic Link and Motorola Envoy chose Magic Cap as their operating
system. "We are extremely excited about Magic Cap for Windows 95 and all it
has to offer," said Shelley Brown of Multiple Zones, Inc.
Employing an interface derived from real-world objects, Magic Cap for
Windows 95 allows users to fax by clicking on the fax machine or address by
filling out a card. Making appointments is made simple with a "datebook" in
which meetings and personal activities are scheduled. =20
But Magic Cap for Windows 95 goes further, by automating routine tasks to
give the SOHO user more time for business. After receiving a message from a
new correspondent, Magic Cap will automatically create a new address file
for them. And the software is preconfigured for all major on-line service
providers; no need to configure an "IP address" and "NNTP server." The
transition to Magic Cap for users of current personal information managers
(PIMs) is made easy by the "Getting Started" tutorial and the ability to
import data from all major PIMs.
Hardware Requirements
Magic Cap for Windows 95 requires a 486/33 or higher microprocessor
(=91IBM-compatible=92), 8 MB of Random Access Memory, 10 MB of Hard Disk=
storage
for the program, a 14400 or higher speed modem, and the Windows 95 Operating
System. Estimated retail price is $49.
=20
General Magic, Inc. was founded in 1990 and provides engaging, active
Internet software for business professionals, developers, device
manufacturers, service providers and enterprises. Headquartered in
Sunnyvale, Calif., the company has offices in Columbia,
South Carolina, Paris and Tokyo. For more information on the company and its
products, visit General Magic's Web site at http://www.genmagic.com.

# # #

General Magic and Magic Cap are registered trademarks of General Magic, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
General Magic acknowledges the rights of the trademark owners for all
trademarks referred to herein.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Joel Connors / Magic Cap For Windows Support
Email at: mcwonline@genmagic.com
Phone at: (408) 774-4041
Fax at: 800-774-3311
Support hours are 9am to 5pm (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays

From: MCW Online <mcwonline@genmagic.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 10:47:46 -0700
Subject: General Magic Unviels Magic Cap for Windows95

General Magic Unveils Magic Cap=AE For Windows=AE 95
Expanding Its Reach Into the Consumer Software Mass-market=20
With Easy-to-use Software

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Oct. 7, 1996 -- General Magic today unveiled Magic Cap
for Windows 95, a comprehensive communications tool, combining easy-to-use=
=20
e-mail, faxing and Internet access with a simple personal organizer and
address book. Developed to meet the electronic communication needs of the
Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) user, Magic Cap for Windows 95 is an
intuitive solution that integrates the most popular communications tools
with a user-friendly desktop interface.
According to an IDC/Link survey, 60 percent of the SOHO market considers
themselves to be somewhat or not at all knowledgeable about technology.
Furthermore, only 28 percent of SOHO businesspeople use e-mail or an on-line
service. "This is a major innovation in small business software. With Magic
Cap for Windows 95, SOHO users can embrace the Internet and organize their
business lives," said General Magic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Steve Markman. "Magic Cap for Windows 95 is designed to give them all the
power and none of the headache of previous communications tools."
A Legacy of Powerful, Simple Software from General Magic
Building on the Magic Cap platform used by both Sony and Motorola=92s
Personal Internet Communicators (PIC), the software is now available for the
growing millions of=20
Windows 95 users. Using a desktop interface similar to the PIC version,
Magic Cap for Windows 95 is a simple but powerful communications tool ideal
for the SOHO market. Even though many SOHO users have Internet access, use
e-mail, send faxes, and even use personal organizers, the reality is that
few are using them to their full potential, much less integrating them.
Instead, they opt for slow and expensive communications options such as
overnight mail and courier services. Today=92s SOHO users simply don=92t=
have
the spare time to solve the technical complexity involved in most computer
software. Software distributors have recognized this problem, and have
immediately begun to offer Magic Cap for Windows 95 (see related
announcement on channel support.)
The Solution for Persistent SOHO Productivity Problems
Magic Cap for Windows 95 gives a new choice to SOHO users who need both
power and simplicity for their software. No longer will the small
businessperson have to worry about such hassles as choosing between multiple
applications for e-mail and fax, merging e-mail addresses into their
personal organizer, or any of the other common concerns SOHO users face with
their communications tools. "We=92re proud to launch this product at the
beginning of Home-Based Business Week to recognize the SOHO entrepreneurs
who have become the muscle of the American economy. Magic Cap
is expected to give SOHO users an excellent tool to compete in the world
economy against large corporations with in-house technical staffs at their
disposal," said Markman.
E-mail for the Rest of Us
To communicate with Magic Cap for Windows 95, users do what comes naturally
-- Magic Cap is a virtual version of the things businesspeople already have
on their desks (except for the piles of paper!) To send someone a message,
users highlight their names in
--more--=20
their address listing, type the message, and click "Send." Sending and
receiving e-mail to or from anyone with an Internet Service Provider or
America On-line account becomes easy. Sending faxes to anyone with a fax
machine or fax modem, and sending pages to recipients who use SkyTel paging
is also simplified. And to attach a file to an e-mail, just drag and drop
the file onto your outgoing message and it=92s ready to go -- there are no
obscure instructions to follow. =20
An Abundance of Features
Users are one click away from the World Wide Web with the Microsoft
Internet Explorer 3.0 software, which comes bundled with Magic Cap. The
"Getting Started" tutorial makes installation easier; and Magic Cap is
pre-configured for most major on-line services. Users make "Name Cards"
which allow them to keep track of their contacts=92 postal, phone, fax, and
e-mail addresses and numbers for all their contacts. And users can save
time by having Magic Cap automatically create new Name Cards for new e-mail
correspondents. The "Datebook" can be tapped to generate meetings -- and if
the user is
invited to a meeting by someone else using Magic Cap, they can accept or
decline, and
the datebook will automatically update their schedule. A "Filing Cabinet"
will automatically sort and store users=92 e-mail.
...And Add a Dash of Spice
Beyond bringing together these common functions in one easy-to-use program,
Magic Cap goes a step further. Users can add multimedia impact for other
Magic Cap users in several ways. Users choose the format of the outgoing
letter, stamp it with important messages like "Urgent" and "Priority" or
lighten up the presentation by adding a graphic or animation. Magic Cap
users can even drive home their points with voice recordings.
--more--
Hardware Requirements
Magic Cap for Windows 95 requires a 486/33 or higher microprocessor
(IBM-compatible), 8 MB of Random Access Memory, 10 MB of Hard Disk storage
for the program, a 14400 or higher speed modem, and the Windows 95 Operating
System. The product is available through retail distribution at leading
computer stores for an estimated retail price of $49. Users can also try
Magic Cap for Windows free for 30 days by either downloading a trial version
from the company=92s web site at http://www.genmagic.com or by calling
888/239-4824 for a trial CD-ROM.
General Magic, Inc., was founded in 1990 and provides engaging, active
Internet software for business professionals, developers, device
manufacturers, service providers and enterprises. Headquartered in
Sunnyvale, Calif., the company has offices in Columbia, South Carolina,
Paris and Tokyo. For more information on the company and its products,
visit General Magic's Web site at http://www.genmagic.com.
# # #

From: Greg Branche <gregb@RICOCHET.NET>
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 11:41:42 -0700
Subject: Re: Help... Presto Mail/Link & Ricochet

This message contains mail encoded for MagicCap

--magicmail

--magicmail
Content-Type: application/prestomail

begin 000 PrestoMail
M`0!CQSX/4&5R3
MR30V*G4!"4UA9VEC($-A<`RRAP#!(Q(2]A(2$A)UQSX-36%G:6-M86EL3F%M
M90$"8@%UQSX'3F%M94ME>0$##!T,"/<@)$UU;'1I<&QE(')E8VEP:65N=',@
M;V8@;&ES="!-04=)0T-!4!(2$@;W_8"HD,2[TJ#KID`2#("6=5!O*U0@V;ZM7(%;!1P`/82$A*`J)#$N=(N6"X`='1%;&5M96YT`P)B`77'/@]&;VYT1&5S
M8W)I<'1I;VX!!A(@!%-I9VX,"/W]_1;""<$^($AA2!T;R!C;VYN96-T($D@9V5T(&$@(DYO(%!H;VYE($QI;F4@0V]N;F5C=&5D
M(B`*/B!-97-S86=E+B`@2&]W(&1O($D@;6%K92!I="!W;W)K('=I=&@@86X@
M97AT97)N86P@;6]D96T_(%!R97-T;R!H87,@82!P2!T:&%T('1O;VL@
M;7D@;W)D97(@870@1TT@

From: Paul Linhardt <plin@SONYSOFT.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 12:17:12 -0700

Subject: Re: Magic Cap devices

Wayne Sanderson  writes:
>Too bad Sony did not engineer a similar upgrade path into their devices. I
>realize that the Envoys were positioned as high end devices, but even the
>upgradable flash ROM scheme would have added negligible end cost and would
>have been worth the price.

Wayne,

While I sympathize with customer frustration at not having an upgrade path,
I think your statement would be much more compelling if it showed a better
understanding of the tradeoffs hardware manufacturers have to make.  In
fact, flash RAM (not ROM) is considerably more expensive than ROM.  In my
experience, the engineers in our sister organization, Sony Electronics, are
very sensitive to keeping the cost of the hardware down as much as
possible. While I've heard many people on the list say they wish the Magic
Link had flash RAM, I have yet to hear a single person say they would be
willing to pay $X more money for a unit with flash RAM.  Don't forget also
that for every dollar spent in direct costs, there also has to be a margin
to cover all the people in the distribution chain.

I think your comments would be much more powerful as feedback to
manufacturers if they gave more guidance in terms of what tradeoffs you as
a customer would like the manufacturers to make with your dollars.  For
instance, if you are to say that you would rather have upgradablity than
backlighting as a feature or if you would say you were willing to pay $X
more for a unit with flash RAM, I think you make a much more compelling
statement to the manufacturers.

It is a particularly significant question to ask whether manufacturers
should be focusing on adding more features to the platform or reducing the
cost of the platform.  Generally speaking, the consumer electronics
business is very cost sensitive and reducing costs dramatically increases
the market size you can achieve.  However, there are definitely cases where
customers have preferred high-end solutions to cost saving.  For instance
when Apple first introduced the Powerbook laptop, sales on the highend
model were much stronger than the lowend model showing the customers were
definely willing to pay for additional features.

-Paul

BTW, we at Sony's software group have no direct input or responsibility for
these types of decisions.

---------------------
Sony New Technologies
http://www.sonysoft.com
1-800-739-7337
E-mail: plin@sonysoft.com

From: Scott Yoshinaga <scott@HISURF.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 11:09:51 -1000

Subject: New Newton!

I thought this migh be off interest to all the users out there...

OCTOBER 7, 1996 / VOLUME 10 NUMBER 38

Clamshell Newton to blur laptop line

By David Morgenstern (david_morgenstern@macweek.com)
Illustration by John Farnsworth II

Apple will reportedly cross the line between notebook computers and PDAs
this month with two mobile devices: a keyboard-equipped
Newton OS system, code-named Shay, and a new, high-performance MessagePad.

Sources said the initial Shay product will be a thin, laptop-size device
that will use
a sturdy clamshell case with an integrated handle. Aimed at the education
market,
it will reportedly come with a set of productivity software, including a
word
processor, database application and Web browser.

Shay will reportedly use the StrongARM SA-110 processor, a RISC chip
developed by Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. of Cambridge, England; Apple; and
Digital Equipment Corp. of Maynard, Mass. While consuming half the power
of
the 20-MHz ARM 610 chip used in the MessagePad 130, StrongARM will offer
more than five times the performance.

"The speed is amazing," said a source familiar with Apple's upcoming
device.

The StrongARM chip is currently available in speeds of 100, 160 and 200
MHz.
Apple will use several speeds, depending on the price/performance needs
of a
market, sources said.

Sources said Shay, which will weigh about a pound, will cost $700 to $800
for schools and ship by year-end. A faster model aimed at
business executives is slated for introduction later this year or in
early 1997. That model will cost between $900 and $1,000 and will
include an e-mail application plus synchronizing software for connecting
to desktop-model personal information managers.

Apple reportedly sees the devices as the first in a new product category
offering base-line computing features at a low price. Although
the PowerBook 190 has been widely sold for less than $1,000 recently, it
is at the end of its life cycle. Prices for the forthcoming
PowerBook 1400 will reportedly start at about $2,500.

The company questions the economics of building a fully functional
low-end PowerBook with a gray-scale monitor and hard drive,
sources said. Instead, Apple will move toward the Shay platform to meet
the needs of price-sensitive market segments.

"It all comes down to how Apple markets it," said an educator familiar
with the project. "Everyone thinks they need a PowerBook. The
question is whether users will see it as a functional alternative rather
than as a underpowered laptop."

Instead of the current MessagePad's small display, sources said the Shay
unit will come with a monochrome LCD between 8 and 9
inches across that will offer 16 shades of gray. Since the device uses
the Newton OS, it will also let users write on the display with a
stylus. The unit will offer a Type II PC Card slot as well as serial and
infrared ports. In contrast with the short running times and high
cost of batteries for Mac PowerBooks, Shay will use four AA batteries.
Sources said the unit will run continuously for more than eight
hours.

In related news, a new series of handheld MessagePads slated for
introduction this month will adopt the same StrongARM processor.
The high-performance model will reportedly feature a 160-MHz processor, a
backlight display that offers 16 gray scales and is 30
percent larger than the screen on the MessagePad 120, and a slot for an
internal modem. Sources said the unit's microphone will let
users record audio messages.

Sources said the forthcoming MessagePad and the Shay notebooks are the
products of Apple's next-generation, more-flexible Newton
architecture that will let Apple and other Newton OS licensees pick and
choose among a smorgasbord of features. The list includes
different processors, field upgradable EPROM or flash memory instead of
ROM for OS and applications, and support for multiple
display sizes and color screens.

Apple declined to comment.

From: Paul Linhardt <plin@SONYSOFT.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 14:26:39 -0700

Subject: Re: Magic Cap devices

 Wayne Sanderson  writes:
>The super backlit Envoy 150 screen is also
>available for a not too outrageous fee.

The Envoy 150 screen is NOT backlit, but holographic.  It focuses outside
light to give a clear screen.  A  big advantage is that it does not use
battery electricity but gives a much clearer screen than the PIC-1000 &
Envoy 150.  A disadvantage is that there has to be some outside light for
it to work.  For instance, if you are taking notes during a presentation in
a darkened room, you are much better off with a PIC-2000 which has its own
light source.  Still, it's a very impressive piece of technology from
Motorola.

-Paul

---------------------
Sony New Technologies
http://www.sonysoft.com
1-800-739-7337
E-mail: plin@sonysoft.com

From: Curt Steindler <Steindler@AOL.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 17:49:50 -0400

Subject: Re: question

[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]

LIVE4WORDS writes:
> Just curious...how many here use either AOL or
> CompuServe Companion from
> their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

Live, I use AOL but I hate it. The only thing I can say is that it is better
than nothing.

I am going to start using Presto! once I get my ISP situation straight (hard
to find a good ISP!) and once I get a 2Meg SRAM (since there is no real way
to run Presto! without the extra memory.

Basically, AOL is a joke. It strips off the active parts of a telecard giving
me a distinctly brain dead feel for the messages. Further, AOL seems to have
no interest in supporting its package for the ML since its newsfeed does not
work, and has not worked as long as I have had my ML.

However, I don't know the problems inherent in using Presto! which may be
even more significant than using AOL. If anyone knows, please give us an
idea.

Curt Steindler

From: "David Devaney, Jr." <daviddjr@SHADOW.NET>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 19:46:40 -0400

Subject: Re: Magic Cap For Win95 To Ship Monday!

On Sat, 5 Oct 1996 00:11:26 -0700, Shawn Jipp
wrote:

>General Magic has new trick
>By Alex Lash
>October 3, 1996, 4:15 p.m. PT
>
>Hoping to shake off its recent
>financial and boardroom troubles,
>General Magic (GMGC) is releasing
>on Monday its Magic Cap organizer
>and communications software for
>Windows 95 desktop machines.

Over a week ago I saw this in the most recent
Egghead Software catalog for Business.
David Devaney, Jr.
daviddjr@shadow.net

From: "Eric P. Carter" <ecarter@REMEDY.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 17:18:43 PDT

Subject: Re: question

I use AOL on my ML.  It's not perfect, but I do find it useful.
Epc
--- On Mon, 7 Oct 1996 12:16:53 -0400  Live4Words@AOL.COM wrote:
[This message may have contained graphics created by a Magic Cap device on
America Online.]

Dear MAGICCAP List,

Just curious...how many here use either AOL or CompuServe Companion from
their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

-----------------End of Original Message-----------------

-------------------------------------
Name: Eric P. Carter
E-mail: ecarter@mail2
Date: 10/7/96
Time: 5:18:43 PM

This message was sent by Chameleon
-------------------------------------

From: Joe Solem <Jrsolem@AOL.COM>

Date:          Mon, 7 Oct 1996 21:32:22 -0400

Subject: Re: question

LIVE4WORDS wrote:

>Just curious...how many here use either AOL or CompuServe Companion from
>their Sony ML?  How do yiu like it?

Well, I WAS very happy with AOL on the Magic Link until they abruptly cut
off ML usable access numbers here in Hawaii. (My apologies to longtime
list subscribers who had to put up with my incessant bitching on that
subject back in June and July.) I've just started using Preso!Mail
(finally got the software from that coupon deal!) with SpryNet and I
think it has some great features, including a local access number and
some useful mail rules. My wife is using her PIC-1000 on a trip to the
Northwest and is using CompuServe. It works ok, but the interface is a
little clunky- doesn't use the same standard ML features like PersonaLink
or Presto!Mail. The packages take a lot of memory, like 500-600K. One
advantage for travelers is CServe's worldwide access network. On the
whole, though, we'd take AOL over CServe if we had a local access number.

Curt Steindler wrote:

>Basically, AOL is a joke. It strips off the active parts of a telecard
giving
>me a distinctly brain dead feel for the messages. Further, AOL seems to have
>no interest in supporting its package for the ML since its newsfeed does not
>work, and has not worked as long as I have had my ML.
>
>However, I don't know the problems inherent in using Presto! which may be
>even more significant than using AOL. If anyone knows, please give us an
>idea.

It's my understanding that if you are sending AOL to AOL and you both
have Magic Links, that "rich text" messages with stamps, etc. will be
transmitted intact. One advantage of AOL, especially for PIC-1000 users,
is that it's built in and doesn't require an SRAM card. Another advantage
is that you can have up to five screen names with AOL.

Bruce Tong wrote:

>I've not heard of the CompuServe Companion, so I can't comment on it. My
>project manager uses CompuServe, but I don't think she connects with her
>PIC-2000. I think she would though, so if anybody could point me to a
>URL where I might download this app, I'll pass it along to her.

You get the CompuServe Companion through CompuServe on your desktop
computer. Download it, then install it to your ML with Magic Xchange.
You'll want to 'GO CS4MAGIC' on Compuserve to get the Compuserve Magic
Cap client; be sure to read the requirements, as the RAM needs are kind
of high.

Hope this helps.

Joe Solem

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