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Atari-Source.com changes URL The
popular Atari news portal, Atari-Source, has
recently changed its URL from http://pikachu.atari-source.com
to either http://portal.atari-source.com
or http://atari-source.com.
So, update your favourite lists today!
MagiMac X 1.0 EarlyStarter Ulf Dunkel, 10 September 2002
"MagiCMac X" is a completely new
wrapper for Calamus SL and other TOS applications under Mac OS X.
The
"EarlyStarter" version is not yet fully ready for use with Calamus
and other
TOS applications. These basic functions are not implemented yet:
- MacPrint, the universal Mac printer driver adapter, cannot be
used in
Calamus.
- Mac Type-1 fonts cannot be loaded in Calamus (use CFN
or
Type-1 and TTF font files in PC format instead).
- 256-color screen mode is
not recommended under Mac OS X. Thus Calvin cannot be used.
We are
releasing this "EarlyStarter" version right now because it is very
stable and
reliable. Many Calamus users don't want to wait any longer and want to start
using Calamus under Mac OS X right now, creating PS or PDF files instead of
printing their documents. If you want to start using Calamus SL2002 under Mac
OS X right now, too, we recommend you order the upgrade right now and change
to Mac OS X. Get the demo version of MagiCMac X EarlyStarter right now. The
demo has limited file access (read-only). The hot prices in the order form
below are valid until December 31, 2002. Afterwards, the regular prices take
effect.
The Settings dialog of MagiCMac X: Memory:
http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_set_ram.jpg General:
http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_set_gen.jpg Drives:
http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_set_drv.jpg Devices:
http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_set_dev.jpg Screen:
http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_set_scr.jpg
Calamus
in action: http://www.calamus.net/man/img/prg/mmx/de/mmx_sl_desk.gif
MagiCMac
Demo: http://www.calamus.net/us/modules/mmx.php#down
Order
right now: http://www.calamus.net/us/modules/mmx.php#buy
My Calamus: Get out of the module jungle Ulf Dunkel,
5 September 2002
"I am lost in my Calamus module jungle!
No idea which modules I own and which
I really need."
You know this for sure: Calamus is a highly modular
DTP system. The modules offer easy updating and keep prices for enhancements
low. You only buy modules which you really need. Nevertheless, many Calamus
users have collected a bunch of modules for Calamus SL over the years. Now
many of these users lose control over their modules and requirements. Do
you?
Years ago, we started adding a so-called "Calamus Data Sheet" to
each Calamus or module shipment. This data sheet lists your Calamus version
and all of your registered modules, in a rather simple way. It offers
upgrade and crossgrade recommendations, marks free updates automatically
and describes which modules are still supported or have been
discontinued. Here is an example of these data sheets:
![[Image: Calamus Data Sheet]](images/caldatas.gif)
As of today, you can view this data sheet directly in our
website, of course in an appropriate format!
We introduced a new
column in the Service Area: "My Calamus". http://www.calamus.net/login.php
Here
you can check which of your modules are registered in our database. See all
upgrade recommendations for your registered modules. Furthermore, we offer
you the chance to purchase all modules which you do not have already at
once! You will get 25% SLC rebate
then.
This gives you the SLC status. The
'C' in SLC means 'C'omplete, that is "Calamus SL Complete Edition."
The
dream comes true: invers Software buys Calamus rights from
MGI/Roxio.
The Calamus
story Back in 1995, invers tried to buy the copyright
for Calamus SL from the former DMC company in Germany. The contract was never
signed because DMC sold the complete Calamus SL and Calamus for
Windows package the newly founded Canadian company, MGI Software Corp. MGI
was created from the former ISD respectively DMC Canada an focussed on SOHO
software products. The most famous mass products from MGI were and still are
PhotoSuite and VideoWave.
In summer 1997, invers was granted the
development and worldwide exclusive distribution rights for Calamus SL from
MGI. While invers successfully released Calamus SL96 and SL98, MGI still
worked on a new release of Calamus for Windows, called Calamus
Digital Publisher 2.0. This version was never released. MGI decided in
December 1998 not to put Calamus in MGI's product range because of its
high support requirements. At this time invers decided to release
Calamus SL for Windows, too. In fact, Calamus SL was combined with a wrapper
for Windows and the dialog look was tuned for Windows. Since the successful
release of SL99 WinPack Calamus SL has found its place on Windows computers,
too. Ulf Dunkel from invers Software went to Toronto in spring 2000
in order to get the software rights for Calamus SL and the
distribution rights for Calamus Publisher. At this time MGI didn't see a
chance for giving away the rights. Calamus Publisher was technically outdated
at this time, third-party licenses had expired already. At the end of
2001, the American Adaptec company ROXIO Inc. incorporated MGI. Now Ulf
Dunkel could finally purchase the Calamus SL rights from ROXIO. Since July 26
2002, invers Software owns the Calamus rights - Calamus is back home in
Germany again. Calamus future When MGI owned the
Calamus rights, invers Software was not allowed to port Calamus SL to Windows
or Mac OS. Although this restriction is no longer valid, an immediate port of
the complete Calamus system with some millions of lines of code in C and
assembler doesn't make sense. This work would devour several man years
of development resources without pushing the Calamus techniques
forward. Therefore Ulf Dunkel decided a so-called "incremental porting". Even
now several parts of the Calamus system are run native under Mac OS
and Windows, while other parts still require the appropriate wrapper
which runs the original TOS code under Windows or Mac OS. The main
steps on the to do list are: implementing the high-precision 160-bit vector
output engine, a relaunch of the user interface and a redesign of text
formatting. Of course the adaption of Calamus for Mac OS X has highest
priority, too. MagiC Mac X, the new wrapper for Calamus under Mac OS X, has
been finished in version 1.0 already. The binding to the Mac OS X system
printer drivers is still under development. In the Calamus web site, a
development system based on the well-known Bugzilla system will be installed,
giving all Calamus users more influence on the ongoing development of
Calamus. This development system offers, for example, detailed bug report
techniques with automatic notification e-mails when a feature changes, a
voting system for very important bugs and status reports.
Filter module upgrade for
all The
Filter module (previously distributed by adequate systems GmbH) can now be
upgraded by all Calamus users who only have older and
incomplete versions.
When adequate systems GmbH distributed the Filter
module, you had to purchase the additional filter disks #1 and #2 separately
for the Filter module (coming with 9 standard filters). When invers Software
bought the rights of the Filter module and the additional filters by Frank
Renkes Software, the Filter module was offered as a complete Filter
module package with all existing filters. If a user wanted to get version 4
of the Filter module then, he/she had to have the additional filter
disks #1 and #2 already or would be required to purchase them with the
upgrade. We have changed this now. If you only own the adequte systems
Filter module with none of or even just one of the additional filter disks,
you can upgrade to the current version 4. Of course you will receive the
complete Filter module package with all existing filters then. The Filter
module requires Calamus SL2002. Hint: If you already use SL2002 and
the Filter module 4.0x but do not own both filter disks already, you will
find your free update of the complete Filter module package right now in your
Service Area (see below). Another hint: Don't confuse the adequte systems
Filter module with the old DMC filter module "PhotoTouche"! PhotoTouche is
dead, no longer supported and not valid for the following offer. Order
right now: http://www.calamus.net/us/modules/fil.php#buy
Service Area Get access to your Service
Area via the according link in our Download Area: http://www.calamus.net/us/download/
Or
simply click here: http://www.calamus.net/service.php If
you are sure you should have this free update, too, but you don't find it in
your Service Area, please don't hesitate to send us a short e-mail. We will
then check your module update status. We also recommend the "Version checker"
module in order to check your module versions. Version checker has been in
the SL standard package since SL2002.
Game On Education Event - The End of Play A major discussion
featuring key commentators from the games industry exploring the impact
and future of computer games in our society.
The End of
Play Saturday 7 September 2002 1pm - 2.15pm Cinema 2,
Level 4, Barbican Centre
To mark the end of Barbican Gallery's
Game On exhibition, which closes on 15 September, this event explores
the future of computer games and their continuing role in society, and
examines how new technologies will effect the way in which we play
games.
Chaired by exhibition guest curator Lucien
King.
Speakers are Peter Molyneux, Managing Director of Lionhead
Studios; David Braben, Founder of Frontier Development Ltd.; and Miles
Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive.
Peter
Molyneux is one of the best-known names in the international world of computer games. During his 15-year career, he has worked on numerous
top selling computer games that have attracted immense critical acclaim
and which cumulatively have sold in excess of 10 million
copies.
His career in game development began in 1987 with the
formation of Bullfrog Productions and the creation of the game
Populous, a massive worldwide hit for the company. After selling the
prosperous Bullfrog to Californian leisure giant Electronic Arts, in
1997 Peter formed "Lionhead Studios". The game Black & White
attracted a huge amount of media attention throughout its development
and was voted Game of Show at E3 2000.
Peter Molyneux is
recognised as one of the computer games industry's most articulate and
eloquent speakers on the subject of the development of computer games.
He is regarded as the games industry's major spokesperson and in this
capacity has been featured in most national newspapers.
Miles
Jacobson is the Managing Director of Sports Interactive, the developers
of Championship Manager. He was originally an A&R man for Food Records and, later, Polygram/Island Music. It was during this time
that he got involved with Sports Interactive, becoming their business
advisor on a part time basis, and discovered the world of games
soundtracks, becoming music supervisor on Gran Turismo.
Miles left Polygram/Island Music (now Universal) to form a record label,
publishing company and games soundtrack company but soon accepted an
offer from the Collyer brothers to run Sports Interactive while they
moved away from the UK.
Miles' 12 years of work has seen
over 10 million record sales, 30 games soundtracks and a turnover rise
at Sports Interactive from £143k per annum to over £3m per annum. He
was a finalist at this year's London Region "Entrepreneur of the Year"
awards for his work with the BAFTA award-winning development
studio.
David Braben is the founder of Frontier Developments.
Based in Cambridge, it is one of the games industry's leading
independent developers. Games are licensed via a number of top
publishers and are currently developing for PS2, GameCube, Xbox and PC.
Frontier Developments have a proven reputation for original game
design and commercial success, use innovative technical and artistic
approaches on all leading-edge gaming platforms.
Lucien King has
wide experience of videogames. Most recently he worked for Rockstar
Games, identifying and developing new talent. Before this he worked in
the gaming division of German publisher Bertelsmann. Lucien King, who as Guest Curator of the exhibition worked alongside the Barbican
Gallery's curator, Conrad Bodman, conceived the Game On
exhibition.
For further information please contact Lucy
Chant, 020 7638 5403, lchant@barbican.org.uk
For further information on Game On please contact Lisa Collins, 020 7382
7169, lcollins@barbican.org.uk
To view this press release on the Barbican website click on: http://www.barbican.org.uk/information/press/pressitem.asp?releaseID=305
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