Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 120 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
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D R E A M C A S T W E E K L Y M A G A Z I N E
~~ Issue No. 120 Feb 11th 2001 ~~
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-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
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> Dreamcast Weekly is best read in the Courier New font.
> For daily game news, over 300 Prima Fast Track Guides
online, codes, downloads, and contests every day, be sure
to visit Primagames.com Prima is the #1 source for game
strategy in the world! - http://www.PrimaGames.com
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-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
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Phew! What an action packed issue! From news on the first
Sonic screenshot for the Gameboy Advance, to Phantasy Star
Online items on Ebay, to a chat with Planetwebs CEO, plus
rumors on a new massively multiplayer RPG from Sega and
Square combined!
Then we've got details on how you can get your name in the
record books for being the best at any videogame, on any
platform, no matter how old the title. This is your chance
to SHINE! Full details are included on Page 6.
For all those already playing Phantasy Star Online, check
out the latest update on our clan in Page 7. Speaking of
the big RPG, this issue also brings a full review of the
game, including how the online mode runs all the way from
here in New Zealand.
Finally don't forget to check out the Q&A page, and until
next time, if your online with PSO, I might see you on
the Ariel ship in blocks 1-5. Happy Gaming!
- Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
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|| C O N T E N T S ||
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|| 2 - Cover Story ||
|| 3 - Review - PSO ||
|| 4 - News ||
|| 5 - Red Hot Rumors ||
|| 6 - High Score Challenge ||
|| 7 - PSO Clan - Update ||
|| 8 - Prima Games Corner ||
|| 9 - Question & Answer ||
|| 10 - Our Support Sites ||
|| 11 - Credits ||
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HOT QUOTE this issue: "Our goal is to crown the champions
of every game, every genre and every platform, whether old
or new."
-- Get your high scores in the record book! - Page 6
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-- Cover Story Page 2 --
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<<.>> A Message From Sega
We understand that Sega's decision to cease manufacturing
of the Dreamcast console was an emotional one for many
gamers, as it was also, an emotional one for us. Like many
of us at the company, Sega has always been a part of our
lifestyle -- starting with the arcades thru Sega Master
System to Genesis in the early 90s and Sega Saturn to today
with Dreamcast. We understand that gaming is a big part of
your everyday lifestyle and Sega has made a great impact on
your life.
However, in this situation, we had to separate the
emotional aspect of this announcement from the business
aspect of the announcement. The simple fact is, that
consumers did not buy enough Dreamcast systems to sustain a
profitable business. Despite our great marketing,
incredible line-up since launch and low price point,
Dreamcast did not sell.
Therefore, we decided to focus on what has been our
greatest strength for more than 40 years -- great content.
Sega has more people working on games than almost any other
developer in the world. Sega also has the world's best
developer talent including Yu Suzuki (Shenmue and the
Virtua Fighter series, Hang On, Space Harrier and After
Burner), Yuji Naka (Sonic the Hedgehog series, Samba de
Amigo, the Phantasy Star Online series, Burning Rangers and
Nights) as well as Hisao Oguchi (Crazy Taxi, Virtua Tennis,
and Last Bronx). Not forgetting Visual Concepts (Sega
Sports NFL 2K1, NBA 2K1 and many others). The "content"
game is a game that we know how to win.
We are very grateful to those who did buy Dreamcast and we
will continue to support you with games as long as you
continue to buy them. We have more than 30 titles coming
out from Sega alone this year, including Shenmue 2, Crazy
Taxi 2 and Sonic Adventure 2.
We understand the disappointment that this announcement
brought to many. However, the good news is that you will
now be able to play Sega games on more platforms than ever
before. Thanks again for your support as we rebuild a
bigger, better Sega. A Sega that will be able to make
profits, which we will invest into more creative,
innovative and industry leading games.
Peter Moore
President and COO
Sega of America
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-- Review: "Phantasy Star Online" Page 3 --
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<<.>> Phantasy Star Online
-- Written by Graham Parker
Role Playing is fun, but as anyone who's played the classic
Dungeon & Dragons or one of the many other pen and paper
games will tell you, it's far more fun playing with other
people. Well now with Phantasy Star Online you have the
chance to pick up to three warriors from anywhere in the
world, and go slay a dragon, or make your way through
underground caves haunted by monsters and creatures or the
unknown.
It's a whole new experience, and for the first time ever
console gamers have the chance to play an RPG online. With
Sega.net already up and running, Sonic Team at the helm of
development, and based (albeit loosely) on one of the most
classic RPG series ever, Phantasy Star Online is one of
those games that you just can't go wrong with. Or is it?
Upon going online for the first time, PSO can be a little
confusing. Matters aren't helped any by the fact you'll die
almost every battle, and while you may start nitpicking at
all the games already obvious faults, you can't help but
feel the need to play on, and go for another sweep through
the forest.
Then by your second or third game, it will all start to
make sense, in particular if you find a friendly player who
will teach you a few attack techniques, and perhaps even
give you a useful item or two. Unlike the deathmatch play
of Quake 3, you really feel like your playing with true
humans in PSO, and while some are flat out thieves, many
are more than happy to co-operate with you through a quest.
Besides, if one of your team mates is a thief, when he or
she dies, you can always choose not to revive them, and
take some of your items back.
The game can be played offline, but that's like eating a
cake without the yummy icing that is the reason your eating
it in the first place. Knock 30 or so percent off the final
rating if your not planning to go online.
Upon going online you first select a lobby to enter, and
from there choose a team to join, or create your own team.
From there on, you can take missions from the hunters guild,
all of which have time limits and rewards on them, or you
can simply select a level such as the forest, or cave, and
make your own adventures.
The graphics are beautiful, marvellous, even breathtaking.
From the bright colors, to the sun shining through the
trees, right down to the rainbow you can see when looking
through waterfalls at a particular angle. Scenery popping
up is almost non-existent, although items and objects like
transporters do pop-up, making them harder to find in some
cases.
As you build up levels, buy stronger weapons, and feed
your virtual pet style Mag which will help you out in
times of need, the next thing you'll know it will be 4am,
and you've totally forgot about food, sleep, and those
all important toilet breaks (after all PSO can't be
paused online) without even noticing. PSO is so addictive,
you'll even comptemplate quitting your job, playing full
time, and making a living off selling items over Ebay!
Once your in the world of PSO, there's no leaving.
You'll also find yourself in need of a few extra
peripherals however, from a keyboard to chat with other
gamers (there is a system for talking through pre-made
phrases using the controller, but it can't compare to a
keyboard!), to a memory card for each character you
design. In total each game takes up 45 blocks, but you
can only save one game per memory card.
Now unfortunately there's some nitpicking to be done, and
first on the list is the lack of storyline. There's just
a basic storyline to set the plot, and that's it. Even
though you won't care about a story when your playing
online, it would have certainly been nice to take the game
to a deeper level.
Then there's the monsters, which while very impressive in
terms of design and graphics, they remind you more of a
zombie attack than anything else. Slowly moping their way
towards you, if it wasn't for the online aspect again,
these creatures would make for a very poor fight.
Finally there's a load of small problems, for example the
developers tried to block swearing from being used in game,
but didn't think that people would just write their rude
words with spaces between the letters and such. It's a nice
idea, but not enough thought went into it, so it's up to us
to play nice and keep it clean.
Despite all this however, the game has so much going for it
you honestly won't care about the little faults. The lag is
un-noticeable, and even when other players fall behind, the
game just jumps them back into position, and the action
never slows down for you. This is even true when playing
from all the way down in New Zealand!
So it's without a doubt Dreamcast Weekly recommends
everyone pick up a copy of Phantasy Star Online post haste,
and prepare for a life changing experience! Oh and better
pick up a few packets of coffee while your at the shops,
for those really, really late night games ;)
Gameplay: 95% -- If you thought normal RPG's were fun,
wait until you try it with three other
people! Easy controls and a great chat
system ensure you can concentrate on
playing the game, and not messing with
controls.
Graphics: 94% -- The bright colors, rich textures, and
design bursting with imagination only
Sonic Team could pull off. Pity about
objects popping up however.
Sound: 89% -- Nice, but nothing that memorable.
Lastability: 98% -- So addictive you'll keep playing as
long as your human body can last!
OVERALL: 94% -- PSO has it's share of problems, but
don't let them put you off.
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-- News Page 4 --
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<<.>> First Sonic Gameboy Advance Shot!
Staring out new multi platform approach to Sega games, this
week the first screen of Sonic on the Gameboy Advance was
revealed.
The brand new 32-bit 2D Sonic game is due for a worldwide
release mid this year, when the Gameboy Advance is released
in America. Unlike previous portable versions of Sonic,
this is a brand new adventure for our spiky blue hero, as
shown in the shot below.
<img src="http://www.sonicteam.com/gba/image/sagb_08.gif">
If you don't have an HTML enabled e-mail program however,
you can see the shot on Sonic Team's webpage here...
http://www.sonicteam.com/gba/home.html
<<.>> Phantasy Star Online Items on Ebay?
As other online RPG's have seen on the PC, it's not long
before rare in game items appear on Ebay for bidding. Now
Phantasy Star Online has hit the net, and you can buy
200,000 mensa (the currency used in game), or rare
weapons such as the Dragon Slayer from users on the
auction site Ebay. Interesting.
<<.>> Online Chat with Planetweb CEO Ken Soohoo
For the third year in a row, Dricas World will hold an
online chat with the CEO of Planetweb, Ken Soohoo this
month. Planetweb, if you didn't know, is the company
behind your Dreamcast browser.
The event will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 2001
at 8-9 pm EST (5-6 pm PST).
Participating users will be able to submit their questions
in advance to Ken (e-mail any questions you have to
soohoochat@dricasworld.com). Then Dricas World will post
what they believe to the best and most intriguing
questions for him to answer, live. You'll be able to see
his answers in real time as he types them out.
The chat will be simulcasting the online chat to two
different IRC servers. Dreamcast users can simply click on
either link below to access the chat once the date arrives.
irc.vidgamechat.com
irc.dricasworld.com
PC users will need to enter the following information into
their IRC client (we recommend mIRC).
Servers: irc.vidgamechat.com irc.dricasworld.com
Port: 6667
Channel: #planetweb
For more information see http://www.dricasworld.com/
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-- Red Hot Rumors Page 5 --
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<<.>> Square & Sega: An RPG match made in heaven?
-- Written by Graham Parker
What if the minds behind Phantasy Star Online and Final
Fantasy came together? Well you'd have the Role Playing
Game to end all RPG's. The latest rumors out of Japan are
stating Sega and Square have teamed up for a massively
multiplayer RPG, and just that is enough to spark the
imaginations of gamers around the world.
Unfortunately there isn't any confirmation or further
Details on this, but given the amazing news we've already
seen this year, it seems almost anything is possible these
days. We'll keep you updated.
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-- World Videogame Championships! Page 6 --
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<<.>> Get your names in the High Score record books!
As they enter into their twentieth year of record keeping
for the video game industry, Twin Galaxies has launched a
global campaign to identify the world's greatest computer
gamers for all titles, genres and game platforms, by
soliciting the help of fans and industry players across the
globe to provide record-breaking scores and achievements.
The findings are slated for publication in a special
commemorative edition of Twin Galaxies' "Official Video
Game & Pinball Book Of World Records," the industry's
official book of records.
Twin Galaxies invites the public to nominate players
displaying stellar accomplishments for this volume. "This
1,200-page book has set aside a considerable amount of
space to honor hundreds of top players with photographs and
biographies of their careers," explains Walter Day, Chief
Scorekeeper at Twin Galaxies. "And, though Twin Galaxies
has been the Official Scorekeeper and Referee for the
electronic gaming industry for 20 years now, it is very
possible that there are many superstars who may have been
overlooked, so we invite the public to come to our web site
at http://www.twingalaxies.com and nominate these highly
talented players for inclusion in the book."
This commemorative volume focuses mainly on the player,
their scores and their contests. "This book will pay
tribute to the individuals who have worked so hard to tap
their inner genius to rise to the top of the gaming hobby,"
says Emma Gal, Twin Galaxies' PR spokesperson. "We invite
the entire gaming industry to aid in our search for these
great champions. Our goal is to crown the champions of
every game, every genre and every platform, whether old or
new. We would like the industry to unite, to help us
identify these athletes and honor them, whether they be
competing on head-to-head gameplay or for high-score
achievement."
As the industry's only official repository of gaming
statistics, the forthcoming Twin Galaxies' Official Video
Game & Pinball Book of World Records will document over
twenty years of contest results and world record scores,
ranging from the results of the 1982 Tron World
Championships to today's rankings on first-person shooter
games, like Quake III, Half-Life and Unreal Tournament
Also, the book that has been settling the bets in the
world of video games for years is expanding to accommodate
the many world records achieved by top players on the N-64,
PSX/PS2 and Dreamcast platforms, not to mention the ever-
popular titles found in the world's arcades. And, in time,
records will be included from the X-Box, Indrema Console
and the Gamecube.
"Not only will the greatest stars be honored," points out
Day, "but thousands of other avid gamers will be crowned
champions, too, based on their high-score submissions or
the results of head-to-head competition. Since the
publication of the first edition of the industry's official
scorebook, thousands of world records have been broken.
Twin Galaxies plans to document each individual
achievement, and ceremoniously crown each game's champion.
A searchable database of current record scores and
champions can be viewed now at the "Twin Galaxies Official
Electronic Games Scoreboard" at http://www.twingalaxies.com
For further information about the publication of the
commemorative edition of the Official Video Game & Pinball
Book Of World Records, or to nominate a video game
superstar for the book, contact Twin Galaxies Founder and
Chief Scorekeeper, Walter Day, at:
Email: nominations@twingalaxies.com
Phone: 641-472-3882 Ext. 107.
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-- Phantasy Star Online Clan Page 7 --
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<<.>> Dreamcast Weekly: Phantasy Star Online Clan
-- Weekly Update #2 by Ross Fisher
Just a small update this week. People continue to write in
asking to be signed up. However, we don't require people to
start over just to add a DCW_ to their names. If you do
start a new character, don't forget to add a "DCW_" before
your name.
In order to keep together online, I'm asking members to
stick to the Ariel ship on blocks 1-5. Show your support,
and preferably pick the first available block. All games
with a DCW in the name will be havens for members looking
to lvl up. I will be only Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5PM
PST, which is 000-083 beat time. (and I'll be online all
sorts of times - Tails)
I hope to run into some members, so we have something
more to talk about next week.
DCW_ZOndaro
zondaro@usa.net
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-- Prima Games Corner Page 8 --
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<<.>> Prima eGuides
- http://eguides.primagames.com/
Streaming video. Interactive maps. 3D VR rooms. Voiceover
instruction. Online training. You haven't seen anything like
this before. Using multimedia goodies like Flash and
QuickTime, Prima's new multimedia training modules will
make you a better player, whether you like it or not. Check
out these tasty free demos while they're still free and
behold the future of gaming guides...
-- Tomb Raider Chronicles
-- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
-- Tribes
http://eguides.primagames.com/
<<.>> 20,000 Cheats
- http://www.primagames.com/strategy/codes/
Prima Games, the company responsible for those brilliant
strategy guides launch their cheats database... and they
feature more games than you can shake a stick, no a whole
danged tree at!
<<.>> 300 Fast Track Guides
- http://www.primagames.com/guides/pftg.php
Remember, Primagames.com has more than 300 Prima Fast Track
Guides online for you to check out right now. For the best,
fastest, and most up-to-date game strategy you'll find,
Prima's the ticket.
<<.>> Hot games that Prima Official Strategy Guides cover:
Shenmue - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/4901/
Quake 3 PC - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/4296/
NFL 2K1 - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/5096/
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-- Question and Answer Page 9 --
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Do you have a question for your Sega know-it-all? Simply
e-mail in your questions to Ross at zondaro@usa.net and
look for the answers soon in an issue of Dreamcast Weekly.
We are unable to personally reply to all emails.
Next week: The end of the Tunnel and Release Dates
>>>> Thought of the Week: ->> Free ISPs <<-
I would like to give you a free isp you can spread out to
other players that live in the Washington/Northern-Central
Oregon, USA area. It's called nocharge.com, I used it, and
it works great with Dreamcast, there are full instructions
on the site to help you get connected. Take care.
- Paul E. Maychrzak
>>>> 2D Fighters Rule Supreme
Q) Hello Zondaro, I am a huge 2D fighting game fan. As you
well know, the Dreamcast has been a great system for
the 2-D fighting genre with stellar titles like:
Capcom vs. SNK, Guilty Gear X, Street Fighter III, and
the Marvel vs. Capcom series. With the Dreamcast going
out will there be any other consoles with good 2-D
fighters? It seems that the Playstation 2 will not as
all the current fighters for the system are all 3-D.
The original Playstation had several shabby 2-D fighters.
The only excellent 32 bit 2D fighters were on Saturn.
Are the DC Capcom games the last of the 2-D fighters
for home consoles? Nintendo doesn't seem to be
interested in 2D fighters either. There were no Street
Fighters, Samurai Shodowns, or King of Fighters on the
N64. - Tyson411
A) I just want to mention that his letter was even longer
then it appears here. He really does love 2D fighting
games. I think the problem isn't that Sony doesn't like
2D Fighters as much as the PS2 isn't the best system
hardware wise for them. Also, the N64 didn't have any
2D fighters because of the carts and the hardware.
Capcom has shown itself to be a very unbiased when it
comes to supporting systems. I'm pretty sure that they
will make versions of all their 2D fighters for all next
generation systems. Given the pure power of these
systems, the games should be just as fast and furious
as they were on the Dreamcast.
>>>> Taking out the Trash
Q) Hi, I just read your Weekly Extra issue #29. Guess they
had you and all of us fooled. I would like to dump Sega
but I can't afford a Playstation 2 right now. So I want
to know if the Bleemcast, promised for so long to us DC
owners will still be put out there in the marketplace
so our DC never runs out of games to play. I could find
many more games to my liking among the Playstation
game library if Bleemcast ever came out. Good Luck with
your forced change over. - Mgaasch@earthlink.net
A) Well, if you consider the many great games for the DC
not to your liking then perhaps you should sell your
system and buy a PSone? As for Bleemcast the lastest
word is that they are almost done, however there is a
problem running it with the newest Dreamcast systems.
They are currently working on a fix and have promised
that it is coming. Look for more information before or
during e3 in May.
>>>> The Death of the Import Question
Q) I live in the UK and have a Japanese Dreamcast. I use
Dreamarena to go online but recently I have had problems
playing online games. I get a message saying no dial
tone found, but I can still surf the net. I tried Sega
technical support they refused to help me because I had
a Japanese system. I find this totally out of order and
I really think Sega Europe should help sort this out.
Do you know any UK ISP's that actually work with the
Dreamcast as I have the US browser. Thanks - Andrew
A) Hmm...No. Consider this the last Import question I ever
publish. I live in the USA and I spend a considerable
amount of time keeping up on Sega news and tracking down
answers for DCW readers, however I'm not going to deal
with import questions anymore. I've pointed out in past
issues that trying to get imported systems and even
software to work is beyond my knowledge. There are web
sites that offer support on these issues if any readers
have any suggestions they would like to pass along I
will post them in upcoming issues.
>>>> Want AOL? Then you are SOL!
Q) Wazzsup? I get DSL service from AOL (AOL PLUS) and I
want to know if you could use the Dreamcast broadband
adapter with this DSL service.
A) I would highly doubt it. AOL never has gotten around to
setting up something so Dreamcast users could get online
with their service. I doubt that they would let you use
the broadband adaptor. - BloodVVulf
The man, the myth, the legend? - zondaro@usa.net
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-- Support Sites Page 10 --
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<<.>> Sega X - http://www.segadreamcast.net
A website with plenty of news, and always the latest game
reviews, but also a IRC Java chat room where you can chat
about all the latest Sega topics. Sega content for each and
every day.
<<.>> DC-United - http://dc-united.com
The Premiere Dreamcast Community, DC-United.com gives you
the ability to view members online, build your own
homepage, send messages, read in-depth reviews, and much
more. DCU Network Members are also eligible for various
monthly prizes.
<<.>> Absolute Sega - http://www.absolutesega.com
One of the first Sega sites out there with the most up to
date news every 24 hours, 7 days a week. Absolute Sega is
not jus famous for it's news, but also it's reviews and
previews. Want to talk about games, then go to our forums
or you can talk in our IRC chat room.
<<.>> PSY Online - http://www.consolereviews.net
PSY Online is a multiformat reviews website specialising in
the Sega Dreamcast console. With 24/7 updated news, forums
and chat, its a great place to hang out for Sega fans.
<<.>> System Zero - http://system-zero.com
As game music goes well beyond the beeps and bleeps of the
past and into the soundtrack quality tracks we hear today,
Perfect Zero becomes one of THE most important sites for
game fans. Hosting hundreds of MP3s from different games,
turn up those speakers and click that link.
<<.>> The Next Level - http://www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused
on current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews,
intriguing editorials, and more.
<<.>> Future Gamez - http://www.futuregamez.net
What ever console your looking for, Future Gamez have them
all. From Dreamcast to GameCube, and X-Box to Playstation
2. So get your news, reviews, previews, and more at Future
Gamez, and stay on top of all systems.
<<.>> The Sonic Zone - http://www.suneet.com/soniczone/
Updated daily with a HUGE amount of Sonic content that is
sure to blow you away! From Fan Fiction to Chatting, and
even Fan Created Games, this is your one stop Sonic site.
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-- Credits Page 11 --
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O Editor: Graham "Tails" Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
O Question & Answer: Ross Fisher - Zondaro@usa.net
O Red Hot Rumors: Michael Monahan - Mikelad1@aol.com
O Red Hot Rumors: Paulo Santos - Paulo@sega2000.net
<<.>> http://www.PrimaGames.com/ - Our Sponsor
___________________________________________________________
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Copyright 1998-2001 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
No parts may be copied without prior permission or correct
credit where due.
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