Network Sigma 6

Editorial February 1996

Welcome to 1996!!! We hope that you are all very well, and have had a great Christmas and New Year, and you have used up all of the turkey!!! We finished ours about a week ago (At last!) Things have sky rocketed here!

We haven't had time at all to do the December edition, so all of your subscriptions will be pushed back two months to compensate. Things have continued to go up and up, the way that they seemed to be doing before , Christmas so we are doing Network Sigma every other month from this issue. Next edition is April. Subscription prices would be the same, but the length of time doubled (A 7 sub would last 1 year, and a 12.50 would last two.)

Please pass on your comments about this idea. This issue not only heralds the new year, but also brings to an end of an era, here at Saturn Software. Sam, has decided to go to University, the same way as Robert Flack did after issue 3 last year. The only trouble is, it is the Aberystwyth University of Wales. She hasn't made her mind up yet about the courses that she will be doing, but she is definitely going . Over the festive season, we have had quite a few queries about how often that Network Sigma will actually come out, as it seems to go for a couple of months, and then not appear for one, then not the other.

Well, all of the problems that we have had with our hardware on both the PC and the Sam have now been ironed out, and we are back on line with the E-Mail system that we told you about a couple of issues back down the road. We have had the disc drive fixed. That was what was causing the problems with the Sound Digitiser's sampled speech. As to the menu , that was actually Rob's fault, even though he hasn't been writing for us for a couple of months. Basically, he had told me that he had written a DEF PROC for use with the menu system, and all credit to him, he had, but he had taken the original copy with him to University, and I got it on the 27th November.

That's why Issue 5 was late, and slightly more rushed than normal . This issue is later than I would have liked due to me being in bed with the flu all of this week, and I suddenly realised the date, and panicked! MARCH IS NETWORK SIGMA'S SAM AWARDS MONTH Yes, we are going to be launching a SAM Awards in March, and depending on how well that it goes, we will do it annually. Below you will find a tentative list of categories. If you can think of any more, please let us know, and the category will be considered.

Best SAM Product
Best SAM Hardware Company
Best SAM Software Company
Best SAM Newcomer
Best SAM Hardware 1995
Best SAM Software 1995
Best SAM Utility
Best SAM Game
Best SAM Fanzine

We will also be doing "The Worst SAM ...........". We will be sending out the voting forms with either February or March's edition of Network Sigma.

SATURN SOFTWARE MERCHANDISING We are currently making up some packs for promotional merchandising, including some top quality "Heavy wear" T-shirts. As soon as we get them done, we will let you know how much they will be. The tentative prices are below. Network Sigma Crew T-shirts 18.00 Remember, we have not actually made these items as yet, so please don't send any cheques or postal orders yet!! We will let you know the actual prices in the April edition of Network Sigma. This will be a no profit promotion.

DISC CONTENTS Editorial Usual waffle and latest developments in the views of the Network Sigma crew. Newsbeat This month, we uncover the SAM Digitiser, and Fred Publishing's affordable Hard Drive package. We also take a look at what is really happening outside of the SAM world. We also have the Letters The usual selection of electronic gems, provided by the best subscribers in the universe. Sounding Off Yet another thing that gets under our skin and makes a really bad rash, so that you can't eat any of aunt Mabel's prizewinning fudge. (Can I have a pint of what you are on please??!??) Programming We start a brand new series of programming hints and tips this month. We go through all of the keywords that are listed in the SAM Manual (and a few that are not!!)

Guitar Tutor More chords than you can shake a stick at Back Issues (NEW SECTION!!) Take a look at what you may have missed in the past.(Can be found in the NEWS Section) Competition Win a disc box or 10 blank DSDD discs in this months easy peasy competition. Next Month What will next month herald for all of mankind (and a lot of NS subscribers!)?

We unveil a couple of new sections of next month's edition. They are pretty special, and you will just have to watch out for them! Once again , the Editorial draws to a close. It seems that the months are going by a lot faster than they used to do. I remember the months when I was at school, they dragged. But the holidays, a full two months no less, they went quicker than a plate of chips down old fat man gullet's throat. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on what was, only what is, and what will be.

AND FINALLY A little gem of truth that struck me when I was driving to work last week: There is no tomorrow, because it is always today. Think about it, and get it round you heads if you can! If you have any of those sort of priceless gems, please send them to: Priceless Gems Competition <redacted> You could be the proud owner of A SATURN SOFTWARE PEN (but no cheque book) How do we manage to turn out such top prizes??? It must be the 17p budget we do each issue on - Craig. Hey - watch it! -ED Until next month, take care and stay lucky!

CREDITS:

FEBRUARY 1996 THIS MONTH'S OFFERING COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING SAM PEEPS

D.G BARRACLOUGH
DEREK MORGAN
DOUG YOUNG
CRAIG PROUDMAN
SAMANTHA LATHBURY
MY TRUSTY KETTLE

Thank you all who wrote in to us and sent Christmas cards, they were very much appreciated!

LATE EDITORIAL!!!

We have a brand-new section in the next couple of months(probably the next issue). It is a little bit different for Network Sigma, it's a cartoon!! It is by the name of HAIRY BEAST, and it is the brainchild of anew SAM Artist, a one Mr Marc Cashmore. It is along the lines of Captain CAAAAVEEEEMAAANN, and it is very funny, so watch out for old Mr Hairy, same time next month. Hairy Beast (C)1996 Marc Cashmore.