Columbia University released Version 5A of its popular C-Kermit telecommunications and file-transfer program. The program, which runs from the Terminal command line, can be used with a modem to contact remote bulletin boards or databases and upload or download information. It automatically converts special characters from NeXTSTEP's PostScript mappings to those used by other computers. C-Kermit now supports sliding windows and large packet sizes for dramatically improved file-transfer performance. C-Kermit is free and available over the Internet via anonymous ftp from ftp.cica. indiana.edu, in the directory /pub/next 3.0/bin.
B&W Software shipped version 1.03 of its NXFax fax-modem driver software for NeXTSTEP. It supports Telebit, Supra, Rockwell, and ZyXEL modems. If you have Caller ID and are running Supra J or ZyXEL modems, the software will capture the phone number of incoming calls. B&W Software: 802/496-5113; or e-mail: craig@bandw.com.
Lighthouse Design's PowerPoint-to-Concurrence translation application is now in beta testing. It lets NeXT users bring files created in the Macintosh or Windows version of Micro-soft's PowerPoint directly into Concurrence through the Open panel, without having to translate them first. Support is currently limited to PowerPoint 2.0, but Lighthouse has plans to add support for Version 3.0. Lighthouse Design: 415/570-7736.
IP Design announced that, starting March 1, 1993, the price of its Parabase Development System will be increased from $695 to $995. The Parabase Runtime Environment, which lets users operate but not develop Parabase database applications, will continue to sell for $349 per user. IPDesign: 310/394-1820.
Ideaology Systems, an Australian VAR, has opened the NeXT Software Warehouse, specializing in NeXT software. Ideaology Systems: 61/3/547-0477.
Mouthing Flowers released TimeFlies, an audio clock for the NeXT that tells you when your time has come. You can choose from an alarm clock, a cuckoo clock, or a stopwatch. TimeFlies is found on the Electronic AppWrapper CD-ROM from Paget Press. Mouthing Flowers: 206/325-7870; e-mail: timebugs@mouthers.wa.com.
M Carling, general manager of NetForce, has been elected president of the Bay Area NeXT Group (BANG). He succeeds Joe Barello, who resigned after his move to New York to develop NeXTSTEP software on Wall Street. Barello remains on BANG's board of directors with Carling, Sarah Cooper, Ken Fromm, Dan Lavin, Dave Peter, and Rick Reynolds. Elaine Foppiano is BANG's treasurer, and Philip Smith is secretary.
Correction: In the February issue of NeXTWORLD EXTRA, the e-mail address to order Kathy Geisler's 21st Century Bach CD was accidentally omitted. You can reach her at kathy@jaffe.com.