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Silicon Times Report Issue 0022
________________________________________
|//////////////////////////////////////|
|//////////////////////////////////////|
|//ST-REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ISSUE 22//|
|//----------------------------------//|
|//PUBLISHER/EDITOR|February 17, 1988//|
|// RON KOVACS | //|
|//////////////////////////////////////|
|//////////////////////////////////////|
|______________________________________|
| Syndicate Publications |
| Post Office Box 74 |
| Middlesex, New Jersey 08846 |
|______________________________________|
|BBS Information Updated Next Week |
|______________________________________|
|///////////[-Contents-]\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\|
|______________________________________|
|*|Atari User Group List |
|*|Installing an 80 Track FD55F Drive |
|*|Commentary <Whats Wrong With Atari> |
|*|Garbage On The Line <Review> |
|*|Midtown Television Reports <News> |
|*|Syndicate Newswire <BBS & News> |
|*|BBS Software Update <Non-Atari> |
|*|Unix BBS System List |
|_|____________________________________|
_________________________________________
User Group Listing
________________________________________
Here is a listing of Atari User groups. This list will appear in parts
in future editions. If you would like your user group added to the
ZMag listing. Please send me email with the information detailed below.
ATARI COMPUTER CLUB OF ANCHORAGE
P. O. Box 104343
Anchorage, AK 99510 CONTACT:KEITH STEENSMA
FAR NORTH ATARI CLUB
17A Eureka
Fairbanks, AK 99701 CONTACT:Steve LaFevers
BIRMINGHAM ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
204 SECOND PLACE
PLEASANT GROVE, AL 35127 CONTACT:WILLIAM SWALLEY
COMPUTER USERS OF THE SHOALS
UNA - Box 5050
Florence, AL 35632 CONTACT:David R. Curott
Huntsville Atari Users Group
3516 Purdy Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35810 CONTACT:Lamarr Kelly
MOBILE ATARI USER GROUP
124 Mackenzie Dr.
Mobile, AL 36609 CONTACT:Bill Cleveland
MONTGOMERY ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
1212 HILLMAN ST
MONTGOMERY, AL 36109 CONTACT:TED MATHER
WIREGRASS MICRO-COMPUTER SOCIETY*
109 Key Bend Road
Enterprise, AL 36330 CONTACT:William H. Brown
FT SMITH A.U.G.
3405 Ramsgate Way
Ft. Smith, AR 72903 CONTACT:Ernest Serrano
LITTLE ROCK ATARI ADDICTS
28 JOHN HANCOCK CIRCLE
JACKSONVILLE, AR 72076 CONTACT:Keith Steensma
M.Y.S.T.E.R.Y.
Route #5, 1210 Bert St.
Mena, AR 71953 CONTACT:Mark E. Barron
OBU ATARI USERS' GROUP
320 N. 7th Street
Arkadelphia, AR 71923 CONTACT:Dr. McCardy
RUSSELLVILLE ATARI MICROCOMPUTERS (RAM)
Rt. 3 Box 394
Russellville, AR 72801 CONTACT:Perry Kearney
CLUB DE USARIOS
MAIPU 289-1704 RAMOS
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA CONTACT:GUILLERMO CONTENTO
QUEENSLAND ACE
P.O. BOX 17
ACACIA RIDGE, QUEENSLAND
AUSTRALIA 4001 CONTACT:ROBERT LEEFLANG
GEELONG ATARI USER GROUP
PO Box 673
Geelong, Victoria 3220
Australia CONTACT:Brian Oates
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ATARI COMPUTER CLUB
19 WANDARRIE AVE
YOKINE 6060 WEST AUSTRALA
Australia CONTACT:ALFRED GAEBLER
MELBOURNE ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS*
Box 340
Rosanna, Victoria
AUSTRALIA CONTACT:David Philpott
ADELAIDE ATARI COMPUTER CLUB*
P.O. Box 333
Norwood, S.A.
AUSTRALIA CONTACT:PRESIDENT
NORTH WEST PHOENIX ATARI CONNECTION
P. O. Box 36364
Phoenix, AZ 85067 CONTACT:Jeff Wood
NORTHERN ARIZONA COMPUTER CLUB
Box 122
Fredonia, AZ 86022 CONTACT:Mark Mackelprang
PAYSON ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
P. O. Box 919
Payson, AZ 85541 CONTACT:Dick Watson
TUCSON ATARI COMPUTER ORGANIZATION
PO Box 36112
Tucson, AZ 85740-6112 CONTACT:Jeff Johnston
BAHAMAS USER GROUP OF ATARI & IBM
P.O. BOX F-1170
FREEPORT, G.B.I.
BAHAMAS CONTACT:
STEP
4470
S.W. Hall Blvd #325
Beverto 97005 CONTACT:Vern Vertrees
ANTELOPE VALLEY ACE
44746 SARAH LANE
LANCASTER, CA 935352834 CONTACT:Gene Wallace
Atari Anonymous A Users Group
P.O. Box 1433
Upland, Ca 91786 CONTACT:Jay McCarthy
________________________________________
Installing the 80 Track FD55F
________________________________________
by SYSOP - TEKTRON BBS 918-835-5198
If you are one of those type folks that have trouble with minor "techie"
stuff, you may want to stop right here and seek help in this
installation. The other alternative would be to just go purchase an IB
5-1/4" drive assembly that is ready to plug in and use. I for one will
not and can not take the responsibility for your mistakes or the chance
of your making a vegetable out of your computer.
Inside your computer you have a YAMAHA chip that handles most of the disk
I/O and not so surprising is the fact that it is a non-buffered chip. In
short, if the wrong wire is connected to the drive in the right place you
will no doubt be drawing thoughts from Murphy and his collection of wit.
I.E. "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" or the ever popular "The
probability of anything happening is in inverse ratio to its
desirability." So with this said, enter this project AT YOUR OWN RISK. It
is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
First of all, before you begin this project you need to ask yourself a
question. "Why do I need this drive anyway?" For me it was simple. I
didn't like the idea of using up the more expensive 3-1/2" disks to back
up my hard drive. Too, the idea of having a disk drive taking up space in
the hard disk case than the blank that was covering the hole seemed to
make more sense too.
After reading up on all the options of using a 5-1/4" drive on my ST it
appeared to me that the only sensible way to go about this task and save
a few $$$ was to acquire the necessary parts and perform the task myself.
There are many articles and doc files available in a wide range of "I
have been told this" and "according to this doc you can do that". If you
want to avoid many hours of frustration and want a dependable drive
without the need of a stepper program to "force" things to work do the
following:
1> Order yourself an "IB" cable and save a ton of time cutting a standard
ST drive cable in half and soldering a 34 pin edge connector to one
end. This is a ready made cable so all you have to do is plug it into
your external drive (520ST) or your computer (1040ST). I got mine
from:
BEST ELECTRONICS (for $20+Shipping)
2021 The Alameda, Suite 290
San Jose, Ca. 95126
or call them at A.C. 408-243-6950
2> Order a TEAC model FD55F 5-1/4" DS/QD drive. Do not let anyone sell
you a FD55A (40 Track Single Sided) or a FD55B (40 track) or a FD55G
(96 track) it will not be compatible with the scheme of things. There
are several sources for these drives and many can be found in Computer
Shopper. I purchased mine from Mendelson Electronics Inc. for $95.50
with shipping & handling charges complete.
3> Locate a suitable case and power supply. I didn't need either one of
these since I could use the existing power supply and case that housed
my half height hard drive. With a little ingenuity you could build
your own case or you can consult Computer Shopper. Several companies
can furnish cases and power supplies. If you are installing this FD55F
in your hard drive case as I have done be sure you have enough power
available to handle all the hardware. Different hard drives &
controllers require different amounts of power. It would be a good
idea to find out if your power supply can support the addition of the
FD55F. Once again, if you are not sure if your power supply can
support this addition seek help from an expert.
Once you have located everything and are ready to install you need to
make some IMPORTANT "strap" changes to the FD55F. Keep in mind that
the FD55F was more than likely intended for installation in an IBM PC
type computer. Therefore it has a "terminating resistor pack". This is
an IC type package located at the rear of the drive positioned next to
the 34 pin edge connector. You will need to remove this pack for use
on your ST. You will also need to pull up one end of R13 or clip it
out entirely. R13 is positioned next to the resistor pack socket. The
only thing left to do is restrap the drive. You will need a total of
four straps on the bottom of the drive:
1>.....Leave the one at PM
2>.....D1 (drive select)
3>.....HL (head load)
4>.....SM (stepper motor)
Also it wouldn't hurt to make sure that the IB cable is wired as
indicated below. You should get a pinout of the way the cable was
assembled but I would check it just to make sure. 10 minutes of checking
the cable can save you a ton of time and the expense of getting your
computer repaired.
For the 14 pin ST drive cable pin outs you can use your ST Users Manual
that came with your computer. The EXACT pin for pin "NO SMOKE" connection
that made my system work was:
ST 14pin END 34pin Edge connector
-------------- --------------------
1..READ DATA.........30
2..SIDE SELECT.......32
3..GROUND............27
4..INDEX..............8
5..DRIVE SELECT 2....12
6..DRIVE SELECT 4....10
7..GROUND............19
8..MOTOR ON..........16
9..DIRECTION SELECT..18
10..STEP..............20
11..WRITE DATA........22
12..WRITE GATE........24
13..TRACK 00..........26
14..WRITE PROTECT.....28
I hope this clears up any grey areas that you may have had about adding
this drive to your ST. I know I can really appreciate using the cheaper
5-1/4" floppies to back up my hard drive. And it can come in handy as a
second drive in many cases.
________________________________________
Commentary
________________________________________
What's Wrong With Atari?
by Robert E. Handley., President
Central Illinois Atari Users Group
As I start my Feburary President's report, I find myself looking back as
well as forward. I find it hard to believe that time has gone by so
quickly, that we are now in the second month of our second year. I ask
myself this question: "Does Atari have a future?" And why do I ask this
question? Well, let's look at some of the problems as I see them.
Atari makes some great announcements of some fantastic new products, but
where are they? Take for instance the publishing system they announced.
Originally, this was going to be packaged with a four meg ST, and laser
printer for $3000. Now it comes to market a year and a half later and
the Mega ST selling for almost $3000 without the laser printer. And what
about the laser printer? It comes out now at a price of $2000 without its
own memory, without any fonts, and without PostScript - an industry
standard. Since Atari had made this momentous decision of making a laser
printer which can only be used with an Atari, other laser printers have
become a much better buy. Take for instance the new AST Turbo Laser/PS
which has 3 megabytes of memory, 11 PostScript fonts, and a Ricoh engine
(a life of more than 3 times the Atari's). This printer retails for $3995
and can be found for under $3000. But look at the advantages. For serious
desktop publishers, PostScript is a must: it's only effectively a $1000
more, can be used with any other computer, and would have a good re-sale
value.
Atari keeps pushing its "Power Without the Price." but I also find things
missing. Take for instance the unfinished GEM -- How long does it take to
finish it? I personally get a little tired of reformatting my hard drive
twice a month because of corrupted directories due to their 40 folder
limit and a hacker's program to overcome it which in turn foul up other
programs. I would rather pay more for a system that works.
I don't know who makes Atari's design decisions, but he must sit in a
large room with all kinds of space to walk around the system. He must
never, ever think of a logical configuration of this system he is
designing for home or office.
Let's start with a few little minor things. Take for instance the hard
drive. It comes with a 14 inch cable to connect to the computer. If you
try to put the hard drive behind the keyboard on the same level as the
keyboard, the cable will not reach the computer, which means the drive
must be to the left of the computer (in the way of the cartridge slot).
By the way, Atari designers must have at least six or seven foot long
arms, because they delight in putting the on-off switch and reset buttons
in the back's of their products where you cannot reach them on a crowded
desk. This problem is even worse on the Mega ST, where the CPU is
separate from the keyboard. I now know why there are so many bugs: Atari
designers must never have to use the reset button.
Another mind boggling decision by Atari. I thought they really were
starting to get on the track of things when they put the 520ST in a
1040ST case. They could save money on packaging (same shipping carton for
both 520 and 1040), same shell for both computers, and I believe the same
motherboard (with some modifications). Ahh, but here comes the glitch -
they put in a single sided drive to keep the cost down.
When I asked Neil Harris about this, he said Atari was directing the 520
to a different type of market. This customer, he says, is looking for
something cheap and does not know what he wants. The way I read this, we
have two types of people who buy Atari computers - Stupid and Educated.
When the person I call "stupid" finds out more about about the system he
just purchased, he will want to upgrade his memory and his drive. He now
knows that it is going to cost him for the memory and he can't upgrade
the drive (easily). He has two choices. He can spend more money than it
would have cost to buy a 1040 to begin with or try and sell his 520 to
another stupid person at a probable loss so he can now go and buy the
computer he should have bought in the first place. He is now "Educated"
and he is also very upset at how much more it cost him to become
educated. This is not Power Without the Price, this is Stupid Bull****
and it doesn't win Atari any friends.
I have talked to many people who have gone through this scenario. Most
did not upgrade, they spent many more dollars and purchased another brand
of computer. Is this the marketing plan of Atari? And talking about
shooting one's foot, the winter issue of Atari Explorer was a peach. I
have never seen so many Atarians feeling so low. There must not be any
piracy in any of the other computing fields, because they were not
mentioned in the article. If a program does not sell well, then it must
be because of piracy. It could never be because there are no Atari stores
or dealers to buy it from or that there's ten more programs just like it
(or similar to) because the programmer decided when he got up that
morning, that what the Atari world needed was another word processor that
was even more limited than the previous ones. And it couldn't be because
the program was just plain crap to begin with - it must be piracy. Well,
I take offense, and so do a lot of other Atarians.
I hear all the time about the pirates, who have hundreds of programs in
his or her collection, and the thousands of dollars he is costing the
software industry. It may not be right but I don't believe you should
count money you would have never made in the first place. This type of
collector or pirate never uses the software, they only collect it. If
they were unable to get copies they still would not buy it, they are not
users for the most part. They don't even know that over eighty- percent
of the software they have in their collection is full of buggs, or just
crap, the disk has more value blank.
Where do you find Atari dealer's these days? I know of only one in St.
Louis, only one in Milwaukee, and only one for all of Central Illinois.
Atari has tried to set up "service centers", but the only requirement is
a photograph of your store-front and money for the parts. I don't believe
they ask if you know anything about electronics. They assume you have
someone who does. What does this get us? Long delays, higher costs of
repair--I can't help but wonder how many machines have been fried by
inexperienced technicians. And how do we know if they are experienced?
You just can't walk in and say "Hi". It's usually 50 to 200 miles to find
one, which means you have to mail it off and be without for a long period
of time. This must be the "great support".
Atari says user groups are there for support, but where do we go for
support? Last year I called for support. I asked for demos and any
promotional items (for encouragement of new members) and offered them a
full page ad in exchange. Well guys, they got the ad, and we got the
shaft (even after repeated phones calls of which I was told "It is in the
mail") well, it's been over a year now and and still nothing. For
support, they accuse us of being pirates. It is no wonder that all of the
user groups around the country are losing members, and they are, because
most can no longer afford to exchange newsletters due to declining
memberships. I have proposed to Darlah (the GEnie SYSOP), a newsletter
article database from which user groups could download articles from each
other's newsletters instead of retyping them and saving them the cost of
the exchange and at the same time keep all of the groups up to date. Has
Atari ever once sent a survey to the user groups asking what they like or
don't like about equipment design?
I think I speak for many when I say that we are just fed up with the long
delays in getting products to market. I, myself, have proposed a new
Federal Trade Commission rule that a manufacturer must ship a product
sixty days from the date of announcement or he must withdraw all
advertising and refund money.
There is much more I would like to say and probably would if I too wasn't
so fed up myself. I have talked to software manufacturers which are in a
state of confusion as to whether to continue to support the ST's or a
different computer. Atari seems to be selling well everywhere but the
U.S. We are the last to get anything new, which is a real kick in the
behind to those of us who have spent many years supporting Atari. If
something doesn't change in the next six months, this time next year I'll
probably have a Mac II and have started a new users group. I kind of hope
this won't be true and that Atari will open their eyes. Hire some people
with vision, with a personality, some understanding, and get out of the
valley and into the mainstream of the country and build a good dealer
network so that products can be found, floor plan if necessary. Also set
up an in-house service and warranty station. A good slogan for this would
be, "We Also Service What We Sell". There are a lot of open wounds which
need to be healed, if Atari is to succeed. I hope a company that has come
so far in so short a time, can get their act together and go forward.
[Neil, give a copy of this to Jack with my blessings.] and ask him this
question "Are we the reason for your business, or an interruption of it"
I wonder?
[ed. Comments made in this article are not those of Syndicate Publishing
or the editor]
________________________________________
Garbage on the Line
________________________________________
by Linda Woodworth
-- MEGA-Matic --
by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
I have discovered another very fine piece of Share Ware from T.I.F.
Software or _Try _It _First... Marvelous!! There are many nice features
to M-M that has made my system disk a nice place to be. It seems whatever
RAM disk I had set to load, I wanted the other one... Configurable RAM
disk on boot up, is just one of the goodies Mr. Pulley has for you. Now,
on to the good stuff...
The documention is nice and a joy to read... Introduction (or "where did
I come up with this idea") Since the all-in-one programs usually have
several things you don't use, he wrote this with the things he wanted and
put them in one program. MEGA-Matic goes in your auto-folder, with
everything configured the first time, from then, you are all set. But is
easily changed.
How to install Mega-Matic (or "if you don't follow instructions, don't
blame me") It was _very easy to set up with the features you wanted or
didn't want... and exactly how you want them.
Mega-Matic's Basic Features (or "I thought that this part would never
get here") <<yeah, I like the dox>> Anyway, he has for you, 1) a
resetable RAM disk configurable to one of twelve sizes. A two pass RAM
set up allows the default that you have set to fly, or a quick key press
and you have a different size RAM temporarily. Next, is a print spooler
that can be set anywhere from 16K to 144K. Third, is a disk verify
On/Off, moving on to a feature that will display on power up, what drives
are connected to your system. My favorite characteristic of M-M, except
for the RAM disk, is the Screen Saver. Of course, set to the time you
want, before it shuts down... and prevents burn-in. I liked this on my
8 bit Atari <I called it the Attack Mode> and one I truly like here.
Working between my three STs, one will usually go unattended for a spell.
I feel better having this all set up. The only problem is, I came back
to finish this article, and the screen was black...argh! I paniced, I
thought the monitor had died. phew...
The next two, display the total memory of the system with how much free
memory is available, and Mega-Matic does a two pass memory check every
time you boot up. This would of been handy when my ST was flaking out
due to a cold solder joint. That one important file I lost... it would
of been saved if I'd of known I didn't have my full meg. I would of
never begun the work... Auto Desk, lets you choose low, medium, or high
resolution upon bootup, This feature does a two pass also. So it will
default to what you have set up, or a key press will switch resolutions.
And finally, I don't own the Mega ST. BUT just playing with one in the
store, made me realize the switch's are in the worst place imaginable!!
Cold/Warm Reset lets you, with a couple key press conbinations, warm
start or cold start your ST.
Final Comments (or "it looks like we're almost done!") Mad Modifier,
<Pulley> has tested this for some time, <on the 520, 1040, the Mega ST2
and the Mega ST4> but he would like your comments, or any problems you
may encounter with Mega-Matic. Remember, this is Share Ware. Give it to
your friends, U/L to your favorite BBS, give out at your User Group
meetings, but if you like it and use it, send a donation... As Mr. Pulley
states, "None too small, none too large." You will be upgraded with
future versions, as the future's will not be Share Ware.
Utilities have always been my favorite... and this one joins the ranks
of something _very useful. Thank you... for Vega-Matic!!
-=-LLLL-=-
________________________________________
Midtown Televison Report
________________________________________
More news than we can handle!
by Mr. Goodprobe
Well, lets dive right in, as there is much to report, and only a limited
space that I can fill! Remember Cray, the super-computer company? ny?
Well, IBM has announced that three days before Christmas they have come
up with an alliance with Steve Chen, the "nothing-less" than superstar
designer formerly with Cray. IBM will provide the needed funds for
Chen's fledgling company called Supercomputer Systems Inc. Ought to be
interesting to see what this will bring to the forefront of the computing
world! Chen was working on a 64 processor MP machine before it was
cancelled last summer, and this computer was reported to cost in the
neighborhood of 100 million dollars. (I guess I'll never complain about
ST prices again,eh?)
I read that Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry expects
that the production of one-meg ram chips will increase by 46% the first
quarter of 1988, and in the second quarter it will increase another 41%,
bringing forth a total of 43.5 million 1 meg rams. What is surprising to
me is that MITI says the demand will increase proportionally with
production of the chips which are being presently being sold at $16 each.
By the way, Inmos, the maker of the Transputer chip, is reported getting
ready to put up the for sale sign. The parent company, Thorn-EMI, would
rather have a partner, but would look over the offers from an outright
purchaser. The production plant has been closed in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, and all the production of transputer and ram chips has been
moved to their Newport, Wales production facility.
We ought to be seeing soon some real progress in computer processing of
color images as a chip-set now being used in a color frame-grabber are
the first to allow real-time RGB color processing. Normally color image
processing involves process called convolutions and histograms to
determine the predominant color and the edges of objects. This process
took up to 5 minutes in many computers, but can now be done, in 1/30th of
second! The current manufacturers of these micro wonders is Data
Translation Inc of Marlboro, Mass. and these babies run at a blazing 15
Mhz!!!
Christmas presents are fun for all, and the semiconductor industry got a
great big one from President Reagan. The bill he signed sent $100 million
to Sematech, a consortium that hopes to further U.S. chip making
technology, $15 million for research in X-ray lithography, $10 million
on compound semiconductor research at the University of Florida, $100
million for the Pentagon and their VHSIC research (Very High Speed
Integrated Circuit), and another 46.1 million went to the Defense Dept.
for their MIMIC IC research which is developing Microwave and millimeter
wave circuits. Hmmm...wonder if we could interest Mr. Reagan in donating
a few million toward laptop St research!!!
Brother Int. has raised prices on 4 models (HR-40, HR-20, M-1709,
M-1724L) 12.5 per cent due to the appreciation of the Yen. Panasonic had
already raised its prices in Novemeber on its KXP-1524, 1592, 1595, 3131,
and 3151 printers, although the highest increase by Panasonic was only
7.2 per cent on the KXP-3131. Okidata also raised several prices on the
order of 7 per cent in November.
A company I have never heard of called KAO will probably be bringing us
good news. They have opened the worlds largest 3 1/2 inch disk plant. It
is fully automated and is located in Arnprior, Ottawa, Canada. Annually
they expect to produce 40 million small sized wonders at this facility.
Ah-so, Microprose is on its way to Japan. They have joined efforts with
Systemsoft, and will be modifying 2 of their products (Flight Simulator)
for sale in the Japanese market. The program, as well as the
documentation and packaging will have to be redone....hmmm...wonder how
you say "Flaps down" in Japanese?
Does a $7,000 68020-based printer sound interesting to you? If so, you
may be interested in Apple's new line of printers and laser printers. The
low-end unit is called the Laserwriter II Sc and has 1 meg of RAM, has no
Postscript, and will sell for $2,799. Did I say "low-end"?
One last little interesting item, they have now documented that because
of severe internal overhead, OS/2, I.B.M's new golden operating system,
loses data at 9,600 baud. According to Microsoft it is an underlying
hardware problem, so there is nothing they can do about it. Sort of makes
you appreciate GEM doesn't it?
Keep those Atari's hummin!
Mr. Goodprobe
(on lend from)
Midtown TV
27 Midway Plaza
Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
(216) 633-0997
Atar8/1Repair/Sales
BBS
(216)784-057300/1200 24 hours
Midwest Zmag Headquarters
Online program support for:
Atari 8 bit/ST/Amiga Computers
________________________________________
Syndicate Newswire
________________________________________
by Ron Kovacs
The following messages were captured from the JACG BBS
Message #31 UDLR
Posted February 5th, 1988 at 2:26 AM
From:Paul Machiaverna
Hard Drives for the Atari ST
The Japanese Yen has risen and so has the price of the Atari Hard Drive,
the SHD-204. The '204' will now cost you $600! But, their are lower
cost alternatives which work just as well, and better. Third party
vendors are releasing hard drives for the ST by the handful. Berkeley
seems to offer the best deal going. They will send you a fully assembled
62 MegaByte Hard Drive with a 40 msec seek rate for only $800! This is a
faster drive than the Atari 204 and has over three times the storage for
only $200 more.
For $600, you can get a 40 MegaByte Hard Drive which is the same speed as
the 204. Other packages are available. Call 1-(415)-465-6956 for all the
information you may need. Ask to speak to Vance or Chris. They are some
of the most helpful people you will ever speak to in any company.
Message #42 UDR
Posted February 6th, 1988 at 1:12 PM
From:Tom Shoosmith
Know DDD from ADD!
The CD market has also created a collectible craze. Import vs. Domestice
release, Label vs label (McCartney Capital & CBS), mislabeled CD's (Elton
John's labeled Bennie and the Jets being Candle in the Wind), etc.
When a CD is released in the US, it's Import version is no longer sold
here (in theory anyway). Recently Paul McCartney switched labels making
some CD's extinct or close to it.
When buying a CD, know the difference between DDD and ADD, avoiding what
you may think was recorded on Digital equipment. Digital Audio is a very
good magazine for the serious CD'er.
Recently I picked up Harry Chapin's Greatest Stories Live. It was
released earlier this week and for a live recording the quality transfer
from the original is super!
Now for some news updates!
Newsletters
-----------
Have you seen the latest Michigan Atari Magazine?? I commented a few
months ago about the change, but I have grown used to seeing it in it's
new style. Primarily a user group newsletter, it borders on the line
of being a non-user-group newsletter because of the quantity and size of
the articles.
In the February 1988 issue there are 16 articles, while user group news
and or reports number 9. There are even a fair number of advertisers
listed like; Migraph, SUpra, Mars, United Computer and more.
I highly recommend this publication, you should find it interesting and
worth your time. If you are interested in more information on MAM, call
(313) 973-8825
Computer Shopper
----------------
The February issue was packed with ST material. 11 articles!!! Starting
to out do MAC and Apple!! Columns: Hacking The ST, Atari ST News/Comment,
MSDOS for ST, WordPerfect for ST, ST Outlook, and more. Check out all
this at your newstand now!
AtariFest Update
----------------
Mesg:0003
To:MIKE MILLER 02/11/88
From:MARTY CONROY
Subj:Huh?... <REPLY>
Atari Fest Update:
It would be the Boozer to get the first message on this (New) message
base.
The most recent news we have is that the first site looked at by the
committe was the Rosemont Convention Center, on River Road. Close to:
C.T.A., Kennedy Expressway, Tollways, and not least O'Hare Airport.
If we choose this site, the proposed fest dates will be: 26,27 & 28 Aug
88. That's right folks a three day fair.
If we sell thirty booths, the fest is paid for, not counting the ticket
sales at the gate....so....we expect this event to loom large as an Atari
Fest should.
CLAUG is putting up $300.00 as a firm committment towards the event and
other groups LCASE, ALIEN, SCAT and others will put up a fair share to
set the thing in motion, ie... bank accounts, post office expenses and 24
hour hot line for voice information and updates; also printing costs,
because as soon as we set the date and location, we'll be sending advance
tickets to every user group in the Atari kingdom.
Atari, Sunnyvale, will also put up some seed monies as an investment to
insure the success of the event.
Any one with any experience in this type of event would be of invaluable
service to the user group committee members working on the fest. If you
can offer an assist, leave E-Mail and/or a reply to this message base.
________________________________________
BBS Software Update
________________________________________
Postmaster (tm) PM_INFO.DOC
Copyright (c) 1987 Richard B. Levin All Rights Reserved
Published by BBSoft, P.O. Box 14546, Phila., PA, 19115, 215-677-9782
215-969-8379
Based on version 1.00.86.2 compiled December 7, 1987
General description:
Postmaster (tm) is a full featured, maintainence free, multi-SIG
electronic mail and (soon) file transfer system. Postmaster was designed
to provide superior message editing, retrieval, and network capabilities,
and to automate all of the time consuming BBS maintainence functions,
thus allowing a SysOp to enjoy a board as much as the callers.
Postmaster provides true multi-SIG directory support. SIGs may be
structured exactly like DOS directories. Each SIG's message base and data
libraries are 100% exclusive of all other SIGs, and every SIG may
optionally have it's own SIGop(s). There are no limits, other than those
imposed by individual system hardware and DOS, to the number of SIGs,
SIGops, and/or SysOps that a Postmaster BBS may have.
Postmaster is a developing BBS. Currently under development are the data
library functions and P-Net, Postmaster's multi-SIG national e-mail
network. SysOps, SIGops, and end users of Postmaster boards are welcome
to submit new ideas to the authors. Every suggestion is considered; most
are rapidly implemented.
Current registration price PER COPY USED (per node): $1.00
Hardware/software requirements: IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or true compatible
PC or MS DOS 2.x or greater, (1) 360k floppy disk drive, (1) 10 megabyte
(or greater) hard disk required, COM1 or COM2 RS232C serial port(s),
Hayes 300, 1200, 2400, or 9600 baud modem or true compatible.
Easily configured for: Non-Hayes modems, Semi-Hayes compatible modems,
Dial up network links, and Null modem connections).
Genesis Deluxe v1.0
-------------------
by Kiriwuth Path
The long-awaited GENESIS DELUXE V1.0 BBS package is now available! Yes,
Genesis Deluxe v1.0 is now ready! Among the many, many, innovative
features are the following:
ANNOUNCEMENTS - A UNIQUE "announcement system"!!!
BULLETINS - Not just "another" bulletin section!
DATABASE - An online Database! (This feature has MANY uses!)
E-MAIL - The MOST UNIQUE electronic mail system available!
FILE SECTION - A COMPLETE FILE SECTION!!!! Has the most popular file
transfer protocols including SEAlink, Megalink, WXmodem,
Xmodem, PCKermit, Zmodem, Modem7, Ymodem, etc.
JOURNEY TO
DOORS - Install your favorite DOORS programs (compatible with most
popular DOORS programs available!)
MESSAGE BASES- Virtually unlimited! Allows as many message areas as you
wish, plus, if you wish, users can create their own
message areas! Allows color! Message threading, and
more!
ONLINE
ENTERTAINMEN - Besides the DOORS you may wish to install, Genesis Deluxe
also has three VERY INNOVATIVE online sections built in!
TRIVIA
MADNESS - up to 40(!) Categories containing from 1 to 5 questions
each!
UNSOLVED
PHRASES - A unique online section allowing users to compete among
others in this "Wheel of Fortune" type game!
GAMBLING
EVENTS - After winning "credits" from playing the above two online
sections, the users can then "bet" credits on events you
wish - Sporting Events, Elections, etc. NOTE: All 3 of the
above are built-in to Genesis Deluxe and do NOT require
any further configuration!
VOTING BOOTHS- The MOST INNOVATIVE Voting Booth you will ever see on ANY
BBS system! Not only will it will give graph results if
requested by the users, but also allows the user to leave
a public comment on their voting choice - even anonymously
if so desired! [You have to see this one to believe it!]
WELCOME
SCREENS - Genesis Deluxe allows the SysOp to have MANY, MANY ANSI
welcome screens online - with a different one being
displayed randomly.... the users NEVER tire of the same
ol' ANSI welcome screen!
The above are just a few of the many INNOVATIVE features available to the
users of Genesis Deluxe including an online HELP feature that allows the
user to examine the instructions of various commands in EACH area! It is
like having an online manual at the touch of a key! [Users REALLY like
this feature!]
________________________________________
Unix BBS Systems
________________________________________
PUBLIC ACCESS UNIX (*NIX) SYSTEMS
Telephone # Sys-name Location Baud Hours
------------ -------- ----------- ------- -----
812-334-8453 cguild Bloomington IN 12 24
286 - SCO-XENIX V2.2.1, xbbs, also 812-334-8465
713-334-1204 nuchat Houston TX 3/12/24 24
286 - Mport USENET, mail, shell access available 120 meg
714-662-7450 turnkey Southern CA 12/24 24
286 - Xenix SYSV, XBBS
312-833-8126 vpnet Villa Park IL 3/12 24
3B1 UNIX Sys ?, no fee, shell access, AKCS/ERACS BBS
212-675-7059 marob NYC NY 12/24 24
286 SCO-XENIX 2.2, XBBS
814-333-6728 sir-alan Meadville PA 3/12/24 24
Tandy XENIX/68000 03.01.02, Allegheny College, UNaXcess BBS, anon ftp
313-623-6309 nucleus Clarkston MI 12/24 24
286 - UNIX SYS V, donation requested, AKCS/ERACS BBS
216-781-6201 ncoast Cleveland OH 3/12/24 24
PLEXSUS, no fee, donation requested -> $2.00/hr prime, $1.00/hr non-pr
206-367-3837 eskimo Seattle WA 3/12 24
Tandy-6000 XENIX, 8 lines, fee $1/mo, 1st 2 weeks free
217-529-3223 pallas Springfield IL 3/12/24 24
Convrgnt Minifrme, multiple lines, 200 meg Minnie bbs $25 donation
312-283-0559 chinet Chicago IL 3/12/24 24
3b2/300 - SYS V 3.1, multi lines, Picospan BBS, fee $50/yr for usenet
access and other than public lines
403-295-2541 xenlink Calgary AB 3/12/24 24
286 - SCO -XENIX, no fee, Term BBS, shell access, login bbs
408-725-0561 portal Cupertino CA 3/12 24
Networked Suns (SunOS), multiple lines (some at 2400 bps),
Telenet access fees: $4/hour direct, telenet $4/hour + tnet charges
various rates/times conferencing, multi user chats, usenet, no shell
access
415-332-6106 well Sausalito CA 3/12 24
VAX 750 - BSD 4.2, multiple lines, Telenet access, Picospan bbs
fees: $8/month, $3/hour direct, Telenet $20/$4 hour (peak/off peak)
214-824-7881 killer Dallas TX 3/12/24 24
3b2/400 - UNIX, no fee, various time limits, 4 lines 860 meg online
312-566-8909 ddsw1 Mundelein IL 3/12 24
286 - Mport guest usr 1 hr daily, fee extends use, ERACS/UX bbs
2400 bps for contributors($) on 312-566-8911/12 Authors of ERACS/UX
bbs
312-272-5912 igloo ?? IL 12 unknown
PC7300 - UNIX limits unstated PicoSpan conference system
201-752-2820 unirot ?? NJ 12 unknown
Heurikon - Unisoft SYS V, fee status unknown AKA Soup Kitchen
714-635-2863 dhw68k Anaheim CA 3/12/24 24
Unistride 2.1, fee status unknown, avoid 0200-0700 hrs local time
212-879-9031 dasys1 NYC NY 12 unknown
Unistride - SYS V, multiple lines, fee $5/mo AKA Big Electric Cat
714-842-5851 conexch Santa Anna CA 3/12/24 24
XENIX 714-842-6348 (bbs) - 3/12 various limits fee $25/quarter XBBS
714-828-0288 alphacm Southern CA 12/24 24
286 - SCO-XENIX no fee, 60 minute per login, 4 lines, XBBS
301-540-3656-9 netsys Germantown MD 12 unknown
ALTOS 986(2) - Xenix, networked 240 meg, fee $5/mo
619-444-7006 pnet01 El Cajon CA 3/12/24 24
BSD Unix, 3 lines, contributions requested, login: pnet id: new
some USENET, net email, multi-thread conferencing. Home of P-Net
software, mail to crash!bblue or pnet01!bblue for info.
213-376-5714 pnet02 Redondo Bch CA 3/12/24 24
XENIX (also 213-374-7404) no fee, 90 min limit, login: pnet id: new
some USENET, net-work e-mail, multi-threaded conferencing
________________________________________
ST-Report #22 February 17, 1988
(c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs
________________________________________
