FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 69 (12/08/97)

STICKING POINT

Do you know of anyone who makes a keyboard that I could use with my Gujerati language word processor? Ideally each key would have standard English letters as well.  I have thought of placing stickers over the keys on a normal QWERTY keyboard, but there must be a better way.

A. J. Samji, Streathham, London

A

We’ve been unable to track down any off-the-shelf Gujerati keyboards (if anyone knows of a source, please let us know), however, we have details of two companies who produce custom-engraved keys and specialist keyboards to order. All you have to is provide them with a character design and layout. Access Keyboards charge between £1 and £2 per key and expect a fully prepared keyboard to cost in the region of £40 to £50; normal delivery time is between two to four weeks. They can be reached on (01734) 663333. One-off custom-engraved keyboards from Contech Keyboards normally cost from £60 to £70 but they quoted us a delivery time of just one week from the receipt of an order. Their phone number is (01438) 315757. 

FRACTAL FINDER

I am interested in software for generating fractal designs. Some programs I have seen referred to in books are KPT Fractal Explorer, Stone Group Factint and Kai Krause Meta Tools. None of the software suppliers I have contacted stock any of them, not can they suggest a source. Can you help?

L. Ferguson, St James Park, Bath

A

There’s a vast amount of information, images and fractal generating software on the internet -- including those you mention,  so if you haven’t already got an internet connection get one! A good site to visit for examples of what KPT Fractal Explorer can do, and how to use it is: http://.algonet.se/~dip/gallery/kpt_b.html

There’s a huge web site devoted to Fractint, with links for a free download of the latest version of the software at: http://spanky.triumf.ca/www/fractint/html . Be warned it is a very large file (half a megabyte!), so it could take quite a while. Meta Tools is featured on the Kai web site at: http://www.metatools.com/

NET PRICE AGREEMENT

Why is it cheap to send data (e-mail, phone calls etc.) through the net, compared with the conventional phone network? Surely both systems use the same phone lines and infrastructure?

Roshan Lal

A

Cheap? It depends who’s paying up the bills... Nevertheless, it is fair to say that it costs a lot less per minute to send e-mail and make telephone calls via the internet -- especially to overseas recipients -- compared with direct-dial connections using normal national and international telephone networks. That’s because a PC is connected to the internet and world-wide-web via an internet service provider company or ISP. ISPs have connection nodes, or points of presence (POPs) dotted strategically around the country in large towns and cities, or they use special local rate lines. In other words, whilst your PC is connected to the internet you only pay local rate phone charges, which can be as little as 1p a minute off-peak (BT rate, after 6pm and at weekends). There is another cost element though, and that’s the ISP subscription charge. ISP server computers are connected to the rest of the internet by leased high-speed data lines, they are paid for by the on-line charges. Incidentally, it’s misleading to make too many comparisons with direct-dial services. Data and voice communications can only take place in real-time when both parties are on-line and connected to the same server network, moreover the quality of internet telephone calls is still quite poor.

IN THE PICTURE 

I am considering buying a computer to use for processing digital photographs. I have seen advertisements for complete package systems, that come with a camera, for what looks like a very reasonable price. Would I be better off buying one of those, or is it cheaper to put together a system by buying the components separately? I assume the cameras supplied with package systems are fairly basic models, is this so?

J. C. Le Gassick, Huntingdon, Cambs.

A

The PC and digital camera markets are both moving so quickly that is very difficult to give specific buying advice. Six months ago digital cameras cost upwards of £600, now you can buy well specified models for less than £300. In another six months, who knows? Package systems save a lot of messing around, and you can be reasonably certain that there won’t be any configuration problems, though digital cameras are not particularly difficult to set up and use. However, on balance it’s probably a good idea to buy the camera separately. There are so many different models to choose though from, with widely varying features and performance and different PC requirements, that it sensible to choose the one that best suits your needs. There’s nothing to stop you buying the PC and camera of your choice at the same time, from the same dealer, and possibly negotiate a discount.