The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 43

f'r rrVftrtfr 1 4 ft ft 1 1 ft 1 1 -T v-r vv! ll I Welcome: You have HOME PGE online. Check out the millennium clock Chat with us: Write, fax or e-mail favorite Web sites and ques- tiorrsto Nancy Berlier, Deputy Features Editor, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 2 Elm Cincinnati 45202; fax 768-8330; e-mail nbS.rlierenquirer.com, counting down to the year 2000 on our Web site. Go mm iO D. li 1 01 enquirer.comhomepage. Thursday, June 10, 1999 C3 'till- ClNCINNAn Enquirer Electronic games, videos.

CDs. Internet and gadgets 'new vision wmtreview Legend continues with Nicklaus 6 news mm Tilings ttaf change way pa live Hardware Hf ack Nicklaus is a legend: vm i ttJ il lj 1 fill 111 I Six Masters' wins, four U.S. Open victories, five PGA championships Barbie bonanza: Barbie's digital camera has a companion. A color inkjet printer was launched last week by Mattel and APOLLO Con sumer Products. Like a lot of Barbie NX toys, the VV- comes and, with the recent release of the appropriately named, Jack Nicklaus 6, six world class PC games.

Like the Golden Bear himself, the Jack Nicklaus golf series has been a testament to how the game should be played. From its stunning graphics to excellent game-play, the series has delighted virtual golfers. But rather than rely on the success of prequels to sell copies, Nicklaus 6 drives ahead to pro Digital formal may be force for the 21st century If I I It iA I JAMES BOTTORFF VIDEO GAMES sions is practically gone. In its place, you'll find smooth, clean graphics that rival any- thing on the market. ITie golfers also have undergone a slight makeover.

2 Photo realistic images capture! the nuances of the individuals, from the slight head movements to the turning of the of big-label contracts. dccals that let girls personalize it. It iilso has Barbie Magic Hair Styler, Which gives girls a program to play with and print out. For more infor- mation, go to www. myapollo.com.

Compute This Geekology 101: DA Weatherby of Springfield, Ohio, has published a t(cw management guide on the Internet called "Geekology 101 Managing the mercial CDs and distribute the fdes freely, without copyright protection. The two developments that unleashed MP3: In 195)7, a 19-year-old University of Utah dropout, Justin Frankel, developed and freely distributed a program called Winamp that lets even a novice download and play MVi files on a home computer. Last fall, Diamond Now, MP3 is about to become truly mainstream. Mr. Frankel's company, Nullsoft, was purchased June 1 by Internet giant America Online, which couldn't help noticing that Winamp owns 50 percent of the rapidly growing MP3 market.

"Fifty percent of a new medium is worth a lot of money to a lot of people," 11 duce a better golf simulation full of new features and If you've ever wanted to walk in Jack's shoes or perhaps take him on for a round, you can now do both. Nicklaus 6 is the first version to let you play as or against the Golden Bear. For those afraid of the challenge, you can also choose from a wrists and hips as they swing through the ball. The audio complements die experience. The crowd, though not seen, cheers die great shots, acts in unison amazement at a misfire and even throws out the occasional "You the Man." The commentary and play by play, supplied by CBS golf sportscasters JimNantzand Aliens: Your Computer Support Staff." Mr.

Weatherby writes about how to deal with computer support people who have their own ideas about iheirrole in the ffiee environ- Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge Maker: Activision Ages: Everyone Requirements: Pentium 166, 32 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, 400 MB Hard Drive Space, Windows 9598 Cost: $39.98 Difficulty: Medium Rating: BY KAY COOKLIS The Cincinnati Enquirer ess man a year ago, 1 1 tlie average music fan 1 1 might have guessed iift that "MP3" was the model number of some snazzy sports coupe. No longer. Now anyone who's really "plugged in" knows that MI3 means music. It's a digital audio format that has exploded in a matter of months from a computer geek's toy into a revolutionary, Internet-based force that threatens to loosen the record industry's decades-old grip on die music business and topple traditional broadcast radio stations as well. MP3 stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, Layer 3.

It's a format to compress digital audio Gles, such as the ones on a music CD, into one-twelfth their original size, with little to no loss of sound quality. That extreme compression has made it possible for music buffs to quickly post, download and swap music files over the Internet, even with a garden-variety modem connection. Record companies are nervous because MI, while it has many legitimate, legal applications, can Multimedia overcame a legal challenge from the record industry and released the Rio, a tiny, $199 device that stores an hour or more worth of says Andy Shafran, founder of Muska Ijpman, a Hyde publisher that has just released the first how-to book on MP3with Mr. The Cincinnati EnquirerErnest Coleman Dave Greely, left, and Ben Sawyer, co-authors of MPS Power, recently visited Border's in Springdale. jfient.

(Dear reader, please pardon this quick aside to Enquirer techs: No offense. We still need that new hardware installed.) If you don't know what an eBook is, it's a book that can be downloaded from the Internet into your computer. Mr. Weatherby 's book is available at www lsibooks.com. You do have to pay for it you just -don't have to leave home to get it.

The Goods The players Diamond Rio PMP300, Diamond Multimedia: The world's first MP3 player was launched late last year, after the record industry failed to get an injunction against Diamond to stop production of the device. The 2.4-ounce base model, with 32 megabytes (MB) of" memory good for about an hour's worth of music, is $1 99. A translucent teal Special Edition with 64MB goes for $249 (www.diamondmm.com). MPMan F20, Eiger Labs: The Rio's first real competitor weighs 3.2 ounces, runs on one ordinary AA battery, and has 32MB memory (www.mpman.com). Nomad, Creative Labs: The SoundBlaster sound card folks are coming out with their first MP3 player, which includes an FM tuner.

It's priced at $1 69 for a 32MB model, $249 for a 64MB model (www.nomadworld.com). Lurking in the shadows: Digital players from industry giant Sony and other brand names. Getting started For thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to find and use MP3 files with Winamp software, the best source is the new book MPS Power! With Winamp by Winamp creator Justin Frankel with Dave Greely and Ben Sawyer (Muska Lip-man, $29.99, includes CD-ROM; www.muskalipman.com). Set for official release June 1 5. it may be available at Borders and at Barnes Noble this week.

Some top online resources: wwvv.mp3.com The official MP3 site with instructions for beginners, a variety of free music, news, tons of software and a hardware guide. www.rioport.com An MP3 portal set up by Diamond Multimedia, maker of the Diamond Rio; has links to MP3 music files, programs, news, other software, and MP3-ori-ented bands. www.winamp.com Null-soft's official Winamp site with everything you need to know about the premier MP3 software. www.lycos.com The search-engine biggie offers a special MP3 Search feature with tons of links to recordings. It's so useful that the record industry threatened to sue Lycos.

Ray Cooklis skip-free digital music. More than 100.000 have been sold so far. MP3ishot. How hot? On Lycos, the second-largest search portal on the Internet, "MP3" is the second most often searched word after "sex." Gary McCord, is right on target Jack Nicklaus said he will retire next year. It will be a great loss to the multitudes of galleries that follow him step-by-step through a round of 18.

But if any solace can be taken in his retirement, it's die fact -that you can still see him shine on the in Jack Nicklaus 6, a game worthy of carrying on tlie living legend's name. James Hottorff designs the Enquirer's Web site. Ijook for past columns at c)Ht intiti.coni()ti)ws. Write him at Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St. Cincin nati 45202; fax, 564-6391; or host of other golfers.

Each can be customized from their power to their control of die short game. Another new addition is a picture-in-picture feature, which allows you to see everything from the landing of the ball to a close up of die golfer after the swing. You can control the game's camera settings by manually moving a camera icon around an overhead view of the hole. Once you move it, the main game view will switch to that camera angle. The six golf courses are beautifully rendered with ri-pling water, distant mountains and changing weather.

The pixelation seen in former ver- "rtininn iiimiii also be used to bootleg com- The Internet is brimming these days with free music files legit and bootleg for music Frankel as co-author. This really validates the MP3 movement," says Mr. Shafran, an author of several computer books who predicts that a version of Winamp will be integrated into future versions of AOL's online software. That niainstreaming may mean that MP3's pirate days are already winding down, as the music empire strikes back by developing copy-protection standards for digital formats. And Mr.

Frankel has said that Winamp will begin to incorporate some form of copy protection. But another traditional entertainment medium may be in MP3's sights: radio. A new software package developed by Mr. Frankel, called SI )III cast, allows literally anyone with a computer to operate an MP3-based radio station over the Internet and anyone else wim a computer to "tune in" live to dieir choice of stations. "The radio is moving to the Internet," Mr.

Shafran says. As they sav, blame it on Rio. fans to download. Some are from start-up mim digressions bands, like Chicago hip-hop group I.a Junta, trying to make a name by giving away their songs. Some are from established artists, such as Public Enemy's Chuck who are tired of restrictions Sim CD Cleveland has suffered an off-year on the musical front.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame went scarlet with red ink. homeboy Joe Walsh became a barker for the rival Kansas City Royals, and pop music's No. 1 Cleveland- basher. Randy Newman, was nominated for three Oscars. (Mr.

Newman skewered the city in his song "Burn On," a mocking memorial of the Cuyahoga River fire). Even so, here's a starting-nine -CD playlist with a tip of the cap to this weekend's Reds-Indians tilt: "Indian Song," Elastica 'I "Indian Summer," Frank Sina-' Coming soon: Eat. Socialize. Play video games. Sounds like a gamer's paradise.

It's GameWorks, a new avenue for Steven Spiel-' 1 berg's DreamWorks, opening July 1 in Columbus. By the numbers, it will be the only one in Ohio, the third in the Midwest, 1 1th in the U.S. and 13th in the world. It was developed by Sega Enterprises, I ream Works SKG and Universal Studios Inc. and features more than 200 games.

GameWorks will be part of the new upscale Easton Town Center on the northeast side of the capitol city, near the Colum- bus Crew stadium. (Take 1-71 to JVlorse Road exit. Follow signs.) Sitings Cincinnati IhfE I happen to have the best view of the Ilaul Brown SUidium construction site in Cincinnati since my window here at tlie Enquirer is directly above it. But I may not have the best view in any city. Chirk out Cincinnati Sidewalk.com's (go to cincinnati.sidcwaik.com.msn.com and click webcam on the shortcut menu) live webcam at die Towers of RiverCeuterin Covington.

The web- cam pans tlie river for a whole view of I the whole skyline, including the con- sti uctionof Fort Washington Way. 1 I itok very, very closely at 312 Elm St. IU be tlie one waving from tlie south--west corner of the 19th fl(H)r. E-Mail Rettim e-mail: In 50,000 years, a lit- i tie satellite will return from its orbit and plunge into the earth's atmosphere with a light show for anyone who might be around to see it. The satellite, ailed KEO.

.1 will contain a lime capsule jam- packed with messages from this Enquirer photo illustration by Amy Goldberg Deja vid The Cleveland Indians, who visit Cincinnati this weekend, have a longstanding hold on Hollywood's heart. Bob Hope once owned a piece of the team. Woody Allen named his son, Satch, after Tribe pitcher Satchel Paige. Indians ace Bob Feller appeared in three feature films, The Kid from Cleveland. It's My Turn and Pastime.

Here are some Cincinnati-to-Cleve-land video links, all-sports division: The Reds won the World Series in Eight Men Out, whose cast includes Charlie Sheen. He also appeared in Major League, whose Series winners were the Indians. Reds star Pete Rose was in Babe Brian Doyle-Murray, who was in Scrooged with Robert Mitchum, who was in The Wonderful Country with Indians star Satchel Paige. Reds short-timer Brad "The Animal" Lesley was in Mr. BaseballwHh Tom Selleck.

who Ghtoys Sinead Tiny radio limited but useful tra "A Perfect O'Connor "Tribe." Soulfly The lack of volume con BY MIKE ROYER mat has only three buttons "Hello Cleveland," Mono smithis Edwin "Cleveland McCain "Cleveland The Cincinnati Enquirer Historians may look back and say the Elfmat was the first radio that needed a "harmful if swal Presi- www. attractiveness, com Wonder what those of the opposite sex think dents "Red Team," Front 242 "Reds in My Bed," 10cc Paul Clark lowed warning label slapped on it. I'm not A when they stare at you from across the bar? Check out this Web site created by Cumminsville resident Don' Merrill. The site allows peo saying it would be easy to gulp down you'd really the on-of switch, a channel-seek button and a reset button. Turning the radio on is easy enough, but after that it turns into a guessing game.

In what must be an effort to keep the unit small, there is no traditional tuner. So you have to use the seek button to find your favorite station. The radio automatically stiu ts its search at the low end of the FM band and tunes into any viable signal. You keep pressing tlie seek button to move it up tlie band to die next available signal. It's up to you, as an astute I'M listener, to figure out where you are on tlie dial.

A little musical detective work and those station identification announcements should help. For instance, vou know it's not WEBN if Air Sup have to want to eat a radio but it could be done. That's how tiny it LI fh If rt is. While it offers good sound, it is spartan trol is a little disturbing, but it's what you don't get that you are paying for. Marketers are saying that if it's not "the world's smallest radio," it's got to be close.

To its credit, die Elfinat offers good sound and solid tuning strengdi. Aid for what it wants to be, a really light, tiny radio, it docs very well. The best uses for the radio would be situations where carrying a lot of weight is just not possible: running and other activities or those times where a lack of clothing prevents pocket usage. The Elfmat is lightweight enough to dangle like a necklace. Nudists should love if.

1.95 (includes shipping) will be a small price to pay for those who must have a lightweight FM radio providing tlie soundtrack for their morning jog. But those who want more dial control will look at die tiny wonder and ask, "What's tlie big deal." 7Jic Elpnat is available front Edge Distribution and Marketing in Rogue River, Ore. Go to www.nomctownvari-ety.com and find it under the novelties and gifi page. even by mm- irr ple to post their photos and get feedback from visitors. For a fee, participants review the results and find out if they're too skinny, too fat or just right.

People who answer pay nothing. The site was inspired by Mr. Merrill's interests. He's a loan originator at a bank and a student of political science and electronic media at the University of Cincinnati. The site hasn't made much money yet, Mr.

Merrill, 41, says, but he has confidence: "People always wonder whether other people find them attractive." year. Everyone now on the planet (everyone, mind you) has been invited to put a message on this satellite through a web site in Paiis (France not 4f 1 I'll was in Coma with Michael Douglas, who was in Sate at Home with Indians short-timer Roger Mans. Former Reds announcer Al Michaels was in Jerry MaguireWth Tom Cruise, who was in Born on the Fourth of July with former Indians announcer Mel Allen. Bengals Hall-of-Famer Anthony Munoz was in Borderline with Charles Bronson, who was in The Dirty Dozen with Cleveland Browns Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown. Former Cincinnati Royal Bob Cousy was in Blue Chips with Nick Nolte.

who was in The Fayerwith Whoopi Goldberg, who was in ply's "All Out of hve" is coming through the ear- mm lones. hen you ve ycled through the entire band (there is no tuning kick-wards), you hit reset Kentucky. Iliink Comixse a message, up to four pages or ti.O K) characters, and sign on to www.keo.org. Say honjour Ui tist Jean-Marc his wife Karen Jestin who have designed KEO and are maintaining the site. For more -Oata, see June's )wyi't magazine 'tpages (i2-i7).

N'juicy Ht'rlier Nancy Berlier Want your home page mentioned on our Home Send the address to nberlier8enquirer.com. Include a daytime phone number. lo go back to the Iiblic I I bltmatis Radio neighborhood of the spectrum. It's a little but workable. available for Vw EddiemXh former Cleveland Cavalier Brad Daugherty.

Paul Clark Enquirer file; The Cleveland skyline as seen over Jacob's I 1.