European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 3, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes computers tuesday january 3,1995now its time for some by Michael j. Himowitz Baltimore Sun with millions of new computers being unwrapped As the Holiday season draws to a close millions of new computer owners will be asking themselves the same question now that in be spent a couple of grand on a hunk of High tech hardware that can recalculate the National Budgeon seven milliseconds How can i have some fun with it indeed for All our talk about using pcs to manage information increase productivity and make our children technologically literate the average Guy buys a computer with a cd rom drive High Resolution color video sound Board and blast Mem out of the chair speaker system Complete with below desk sub Woofer because its the greatest toy since the Slinky. A a with this in mind Here Are some titles that will help you pleasurably waste your time instead of using your pc for whatever Noble purpose you declared when you bought it. Right on Point Monty pythons Complete waste of time from 7th level claims no redeeming social value. Its a collection of bizarre games screen savers and other insanity from the crazed englishmen who bring you Monty pythons flying circus. You either like Monty Python or you done to and if you do you la undoubtedly enjoy highlights from the show that include the dead Parrot cheese shop and argument clinic episodes As Well As games that involve flying pigs flatulent chickens and a Well you either like sheep icons or you done to. The warning Label on the windows cd rom cautions that the game contains a material that is in rather questionable taste or May not be suitable for computer users under the age of 17 or chartered Public accountants of any  enough said. I done to know if your Cable system has a 24-hour Star trek Channel but i think ours does because no matter when i turn the to on there a a trek episode running. My kids have memorized the scripts to at least half of them. If you re one of those people who knows the Star trek schedule a week in Advance you la love Star trek the next generation interactive technical manual from Simon and schuster. This windows cd Isnit a game but an interactive three dimensional virtual _ a j i reality tour through the Sta ship Enterprise or Good old ncc-1701-d, As its known in the Trade. You can roam the entire ship from the Bridge to the captains yacht and Click the mouse Button on virtually any object to Call up reams of technical detail that will Delight the faithful. The program uses apples new quicklime or technology which still is not quite ready for prime time. You la also need a computer with a 486dx-33, processor or better to run it at reasonable Speed. But trekkie will be Happy to put up with a few Mardassian bugs to get this detailed close up of the holy shrine. For trekkie who want to take the show to work with them Berkeley systems offers Star trek the next generation screen Saver and Sta Date which integrates Star trek backgrounds with a program called express a Nice Little Calendar scheduling and address Book. Wherever you go the Enterprise will be Only a mouse Click away. Returning to the present its a Well known fact of aviation life that there arc far More people flying personal computers than flying air planes. In fact flight simulators Are still the number one category of entertainment software. If you want to get into the action in a big Way Check out Falcon Gold from spectrum hol byte. This Dos cd package includes the entire Falcon collection and gives you the Choice of flying the classic f-16, an f-18 Hornet or Mig-29 in seven different War zones ranging from Kuwait to Bosnia. Packed with manuals maps and technical detail this package is for r people who have the right stuff or arc willing to log lots of hours behind _ the Joystick to get it. The cd even includes a video called the Art of the kill full of live action demos of the tactics you la be using on screen. The Best part is that you can Fly by yourself play Over a Modem with a Friend or tie up your entire office network in Multi Layup duels. Is this a great country Joti what a if you prefer building things to blowing them up Sim City 2000, the latest version of this classic simulation will keep you happily entertained for hours As the founder designer and mayor of your very own Metropolis. Now available for windows which should eliminate memory management and compatibility problems with the Dos version Sim City 2000 adds three dimensional graphics to the original along with the underground complexity of a water system and subways. But the Basic Challenge and fascination of this program a designing a City where people want to live and work a remains As Strong As Ever. Try it and you la never have to worry about going to sleep Early again. If you re new to the pc Market its hard to beat some of the cd rom bundles that Are finding their Way to dealers shelves. Usually priced at $25 to $40, they contain anywhere from six to 10 cd rooms including games that May be a year or two old out arc still great entertainment. For example the second release of the 5-foot 10 Pak from Sirius publishing includes interplay a insane Battle chess sierras space quest in the first volume of Icom a delightful Sherlock Holmes consulting detective Paramount a Rock rap in Roll a nifty music production program for kids and Sirius own  Karaoke in be wasted More than a few hours with this one. I really  mention it since this column deals with wasting time but the 5-foot 10 Pak includes some useful stuff such As or. Schuyl cry a Home medical adviser from Pixel perfect Paramount a movie select for windows a sear Chable database of More than 44,000 videos arts amp letters War Birds which sounds like a flight simulator but is actually a capable Little drawing program with world War 11 clip Art and a cd with 2,000 True Type and Adobe Type 1 fonts. This is about 1,980 More fonts than most people need but they re Nice to have. At these prices done to expect Slick manuals or even a Box the package is a 5-foot-Long plastic accordion Pouch a hence the name. But the cd Are for the most part Good  takes High tech Nicosia Cyprus apr Iran a War on Western culture turned High tech sunday. Parliament in Tehran approved a Bill Banning satellite television antennas a Triumph for hard line clerics in government who want to curb increasingly popular foreign shows they View As promoting moral decay in the islamic Republic. The Bill which prohibits the unauthorized Sale manufacture and distribution of satellite dishes passed by acclamation in the 270-scat legislature after months of debate. It empowers the ministry of islamic guidance and culture a to safeguard cultural boundaries of the country and of its families against destructive and indecent satellite  photo shows smiling Seoul South Korea apr North Korea on monday released a photo showing Leader Kim Jong ii smiling and receiving a bouquet from a Soldier in an apparent attempt to counter rumours that he is ill or struggling to maintain Power. The Black and White picture was released through the Tokyo based Korea news service. The caption did not say where the picture was taken but the North a official Media reported sunday that Kim had a picture taken with soldiers during his new tack against West the Bill now goes for constitutional review to the Council of guardians a committee of jurists and islamic canoeists. Approval is expected w within 15 Days rooftop satellite dishes have proliferated especially in cities pulling Down channels offering soap operas music videos and foreign newscasts a not to mention programs showing nudity in a country where women must be veiled from head to toe. After the ban becomes Law owners will have 30 Days to dispose of their satellite dishes. Violators will face fines of As much As 100 million rials or $57,100, exemptions Are expected for diplomatic missions. Authorities will have Power to Monitor satellite programs and broadcast those that meet islamic  Korea Leader years Day visit to an army Barracks. That a his first reported Public appearance in two months. Kim has been conspicuously absent from Public life since the july 20 funeral of his father Kim 11 Sung. Speculation about his Power deepened sunday when he failed to make the traditional new years Day address. In the picture Kim Jong ii wearing a coat and fur hat appeared to have regained some weight. Previously he seemed gaunt fanning rumours of kidney and liver ailments death toll climbing in new year s eve fire Antwerp Belgium apr a new years eve fire claimed a sixth victim monday and 38 people remained in critical condition two Days after a Blaze swept through a hotel ballroom with 450 guests. The sixth victim died from Burns suffered in saturdays fire and officials feared the death toll would Rise. Many suffered severe lung Burns Quot thirty eight people Are still in a very critical state. We can Only Hope they will make it a said Camille Paulus the governor of Antwerp prov inc. Police still were investigating the cause of the Blaze at the City a switch hotel. It is believed to have been started by an explosion in an adjacent Hall. J the fire caused intense heat and dense smoke in the ballroom crowded with new years eve revellers. When the lights went out panic broke out among the guests. A if we look at the circumstances we can consider it a  there were not More victims Paulus told the bran radio network