Ten years ago I thought a 30 to 50K magazine was large. Now it's unusual for T/TalkNET Online Publications to publish a magazine less then 150K. Of course, there are reasons for this situation. For one, 300 baud modems were the norm back then; 1200 baud was the top end and 2400 baud was reserved for the elite few who could afford them. Secondly, those who could afford it, had 64K of RAM. Third, floppy drives were $800.00+, and hard drives were just a fantasy to most of me. Thankfully, all of that has changed. Today 2400 baud is the low end of modems, 1, 2, 4 megs (or more) of RAM is not unusual and hard drives are as common as floppies.
Still, in spite of the speed-demon modems, the mega-memory systems and the monster hard drives, I must admit that 200K text files are probably pushing the limits of online publishing, considering the hardware and software we are dealing with today. So....
I have come up with an alternative plan. As you may or may not know within 48 hours of publishing GEnieLamp on the menus we also offer all the Lamps in compressed format (Pk-Zip for the IBM, Mac and ST, BXY for the A2) for downloading in the GEnieLamp Library. Starting with this issue you will now also find an abbreviated issue available for downloading as well. These special issues will contain only the main courses from each of the Lamps. That is, no GEnie_Qwik_Quotes, no games or puzzles, or CowTOONS (sorry, Mike :). So, if you prefer your meat without the potatoes, we have what you're looking for!
 
I am pleased to announce that Al Fasoldt has agreed to submit a monthly column for GEnieLamp. Al writes about computers and consumer electronics from Syracuse, N.Y., where he is a newspaper editor and programmer. I've always enjoyed Al's columns that he occasionally posts here on GEnie, and I think you will too.
 
The Pacific Edge Magazine has joined the GEnieLamp RoundTable. Watch for new issues in the library and reader support in the bulletin board.
 
The RealTime Conference room is available...so let's give it a go! I know this is short notice, but everyone interested in visiting with the Digital Publishing Association and its members is welcome to join in some RTC chat every Wednesday night. Drop by...
6:30pm Pacific
8:30pm Central
7:30pm Mountain
9:30pm Eastern
...to talk about these exciting times for electronic publishing. Make a new friend, meet an old one, or just hang out. It's all informal so don't be shy -- give it a try -- and visit the inner sanctum of DPA's enlightened pioneers of electronic publishing. Hope we see you there!
 
"Disktop Publishing"...Yes, that was the headline in the "Trends" section of PC Magazine's March 16 issue. The two column story by Robert Kendall begins by saying Random House is putting selected titles from its Modern Library series on floppy disks in collaboration with Apple and Voyager Company.
But the rest of his story focuses on the "new breed" of on-disk publishers targeting the PC-compatible market. First mention goes to Floppyback Publishing International, Bruce Gilkin's "Angel of Death", and even a color screen shot of chapter one as it looks using Dart (a Hyper-text reader for IBM).
Floppyback's association with Rutgers University Press is also cited along with "Discovering the Mid-Atlantic: Historical Tours" by Patrick Louis Cooney.
Next, Mr. Kendall goes on to say Connected Editions "epitomizes the effect of information technology on higher education" through Connected Education's electronic graduate courses by modem. Faculty member David Hays' annually updated book on disk "Evolution of Technology" is mentioned as an example of an inexpensive way to revise without the prohibitive expense of bound paper reprints.
The story quickly summarizes most of the advantages DPA members already know and use, so it seems the author has been reading News from the Disktop and the other gems of information that Ron Albright has diligently distributed for two years.
Kendall offers his own opinion that "Disktop publishing is especially appealing for universities" for monographs and text- books using hypertext as a research tool, and for students on a low budget who want to get into 'print' quickly.
Regarding distribution, Kendall unfortunately failed to mention the DPA's home on GEnie, (in the GEnieLamp RoundTable) but he did call the DPA's free bulletin board system an "especially rich source of material."
Since the PC Mag story appeared, the DPA BBS is averaging about 40 calls per day. That's 1200 calls per month, and proof positive that the public wants more of what the DPA has to offer.
I once said something to the effect that this thing was going to take off suddenly, catching us all with our mouths hanging open. Brace yourselves! The tide is turning and is sure to flood the DPA beachfront as this kind of attention roils into an electronic storm charged with new writers, publishers, and adventurers. -Mike White
 
The previously announced GEnieLamp Module and GEnie Navigator 1.1 for Microphone II were both delayed until this month. Both tools were further updated and enhanced so the wait should be worthwhile.
The latest version of the GEnieLamp Module is smaller with a new better interface, online help and options for multiple downloads. This newest incarnation has been incorporated into Erik Thauvin's GEnie Navigator 1.1 for Microphone II. With GEnieLamp Module 3.0e, you can capture the new GEnieLamp MacPRO online or download its graphic version, as well as capture the online versions of any other Lamp.
 
The GEnieLamp Module will also be uploaded as a stand-alone module for Microphone II folks not using Navigator to GE-MUG and to the GEnieLamp Library (m515;3.) We're still working on the White Knight version of the module and should release a beta version toward the end of March. If you like to see it sooner write me and let me know. :)
GEnie Navigator 1.1 will be uploaded to the GE-MUG library (m605;3) in early March and will probably be made available as a FREE File of the Week. GEnie Navigator is the best way to access GEnie with Microphone II. The latest version provides support for high-speed faxmodems, 9600 baud access, SprintNet and can even get you signed up if you're not yet a member of GEnie.
