Today a2central.com launched a new site design, based on a database back-end that will enable us to very rapidly deploy news, files, and other content.In addition, the new package allows readers to submit articles, links, events for distribution on the site. Events can be scheduled months or even years in advance. The sidebar lists any events coming up in the next two weeks. User groups are invited to submit their events and meetings into our calendar.

We are still in the process of migrating our old content into the new system. For the time being, you can still access the old version of the site at http://www.a2central.com/indexold.html.

We also now have an on-side RSS feed, generated automatically each time news is posted to our site. It’s at http://www.a2central.com/backend/news.rdf — just feed that URL into your RSS reader, and you’ll have your Apple II headlines all the time!

Please feel free to provide feedback if you have comments by sending email to the editor at sheppy@syndicomm.com..

Mark Percival this afternoon contacted the people that have purchased No Slot Clocks through him, letting them know that the chips have arrived from the Philippines, and that they will be mailed out to the members of the purchasing group next week; the first batch will go out on Monday..

Tonight we happened to notice that the popular gaming news and hints web site Gamespot has a section for Apple II game reviews and hints. It’s been added to our Links page..

Jeff Fink has renumbered the upcoming release of Silvern Castle to version 8.0, due to the significant architectural changes. There are no additional changes expected beyond those previously covered here..

Lyle Syverson, now the longest-running editor in the history of The Lamp! (including its predecessor GEnieLamp), has released the new September issue of this compilation of the most useful and interesting posts from Syndicomm’s Apple II forum. Download and enjoy it for free!.

Appalm 0.75a, the latest version of the Apple IIe emulator for Palm OS handhelds, has been released. This version is considered feature-complete by the development team, and will only see bug fixes prior to the release of version 1.0. If you have a Palm OS device, give Appalm a try and provide your feedback to the programming team!.

Vince Briel, a computer technician in Ohio, has been working on an Apple 1 clone. The only problem was the ROM. Steve Wozniak, the designer of the machine, has now given him the go-ahead to use the original Apple 1 ROM in his clone. Briel plans to sell the replicas for $200 apiece, as a bare motherboard — just like the original Apple 1. The Replica I will begin shipping on October 11, and will be demonstrated at the Vintage Computer Festival.

At present, the replica does not have a cassette interface, although one is in the works. There is, however, a PS/2 keyboard interface, since old-fashioned ASCII keyboards are hard to come by.

Ewen Wannop has released Spectrum Automated Mailer version 1.8. This new version, available immediately through the Syndicomm online store, adds support for SMTP authentication and enables you to use remote SMTP servers instead of servers local to your ISP. Users using versions 1.6 or prior, or who need these features, are urged to upgrade..

Our friends at AtariArchives.org have posted The Colossal Computer Cartoon Book online for your enjoyment. This 26-year-old book full of computer and technology related cartoons are a fun and refreshing look back in time — and a reminder that no matter how much things change, they always stay the same..

Syndicomm released the KansasFest 2003 Keynote DVD, a two-hour DVD of the keynote address given by Steve Wozniak at KansasFest 2003. The DVD has chapters to quickly get you to your favorite stories and anecdotes, and comes in a standard DVD case. The DVD is available immediately through Syndicomm’s online store..