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Report
Silicon Times Report Issue 0038
ST REPORT WEEKLY ONLINE MAGAZINE
Monday, JUNE 06, 1988
Vol II No. 38
===========
APEInc., P.O. BOX 74, Middlesex, N.J. 08846-0074
PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR
Ron Kovacs R.F.Mariano
=======================================================
ST REPORT EDITOR: Thomas Rex Reade
Headquarters Bulletin Boards
ST Report North ST Report Central ST Report South
201-968-8148 216-784-0574 904-786-4176
------------------------------------
CONTENTS
========
* From the Editor's Desk.............* All about GDOS and more.........
* Star NX 1000 Review................* Word Perfect Conference-DELPHI..
* My Own Headaches...................* ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL..........
* CIS a Total Facelift...............* A Temper Tantrum................
* Microsoft Upgrades MAC Wares.......* The Founder of ATARI is Back....
=========================================================================
Serving you on: Comp-u-serve - Delphi - GEnie
=========================================================================
From the Editor's Desk:
The rumor mill is hard at work these days, seems Chuck Babbitt has left
Atari...if such is the case it seems to me we have lost another refreshing
breath of fresh air amid all the hot air and confusion. After having met
him at Atlanta, I was left with the impression He would truly get things
on the right track. Perhaps he was too truthful with the Atari userbase
and third party folks. Not knowing if he is really gone or not, and if he
has, the real reasons why he left, we are left in the typical abyss of
non-information Atari is so famous for.
I certainly want this company to be the number one company because I will
always feel they have produced a powerhouse of a computer and can only
see bigger and better things come from it.
It seems to me though, that attitude of Atari is wild and disorganized..
they show up where they are not supposed to be, the dep't heads in Atari
are NOT totally in touch with one another, they have defective and bad
sounding answering machines in use, they have NO set policy for true
customer relations. (Everybody gets a different deal) and worst of all,
their marketing methods are atrocious.
Atari truly has a fine product in the ST, but for goodness' sake let's
get the show on the road! Another year is slipping by us and still, the
US public hardly knows ATARI other than an ARCADE GAME COMPANY.
Some of the sharpest folks in the business are at ATARI now, and still
they are hampered by the guy who STILL calls ALL the shots. NEW
leadership may be the only way to allow Atari to grow in the USA!
Personally, I am waiting for the day ......For, in my opinion, only then
will Atari become the power in the computing industry it justly deserves
to be...
Rex
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE JUDGES LIST
===============
Service Name
------- ----------
CIS Ron Luks
CIS Dan Rhea
CIS Mike Schoenbach
Delphi Clayton Walnum
Delphi Charles Bachand
Delphi Maurice Molineux
GEnie Darlah Hudson
GEnie Fred Beckman
GEnie Sandy Wilson
ST-Report Official Contest Rules
================================
No purchase necessary.
Deadline for consideration in this contest is midnight August 31, 1988.
Winners will be annouced in ST-Report on September 12, 1988. We
guarantee to award all prizes. The prize list will be announced during
the contest.
All readers are eligible to enter except employees of APEInc.
Publishing, CompuServe, GEnie, Delphi and their immediate families.
This contest void where prohibited or restricted by law. We are not
responsible for lost, mis-marked, or delayed art/work.
All submissions must be drawn with any Atari ST drawing program.
All submissions must be drawn by the original artist. Copyrighted art work
will not be accepted.
All submissions become the property of APEInc.
All submissions must be uploaded to specified BBS systems by the deadline
date. All systems have time and date stamping capability. Any entry dated
after 8/31/88 will be void from the contest.
Art Work Requirements
---------------------
All art work considered for this contest must be drawn with any Atari ST
drawing program.
Any person submitting art work must leave an address, telephone number,
and drawing program used.
Artwork must contain the following:
ST-REPORT
The winning entry will be used at a later date for a newsletter or
magazine cover.
Where to Send
-------------
All art work may be uploaded to the following systems.
Syndicate BBS (201) 968-8148
Bounty ST BBS (904) 786-4176
Entries by mail are also permitted. Be sure to use a 3.5 floppy S/S!
You may send to:
ST-Report Logo Contest
Post Office Box 74
Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074
(Please include your name, address and telephone number)
Updates
-------
This contest will update uploading areas every two weeks. Contest rules
will not be changed, but judges may be added during the run of the
contest.
Current judge listing will be published next week.
This contest commences May 2, 1988 and will end Midnight August 31, 1988.
If you have any questions, Please leave email on the services at the
following addresses:
CompuServe: 71777,2140
GEnie : ST-REPORT
: R.KOVACS
DELPHI : RONKOVACS
The Source: BDG793
Rules and Regulations:
1). Use any full color program written exclusively for the ST to draw
your own personal design of an ST-Report logo.
2). Art work ported over from any other computer is void.
3). No X-rated art work will be accepted.
4). Winners will be announced by mail, email, phone call or equivalent
on or before September 12, 1988.
5). Judges decisions are final.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT GDOS
=============================================
by Douglas N. Wheeler
What is GDOS?
GDOS is an extension to GEM which adds new capabilities to your
ST. Originally, GDOS was intended to be an integral part of GEM, but
due to time restraints, had to be left out. Atari is now offering GDOS
to registered developers at a cost of $500 per application using GDOS
(it doesn't cost anything to look, except for the cost of becoming a
developer).
Three Primary Advantages of GDOS
1. The ability to use multiple fonts in various point sizes on the
screen, printer, and other output devices.
2. Allows the creation of metafiles, which are standardized files
intended to be usable by many different applications. This
allows files created in one file to be usable in another.
3. Support for various output devices with resolutions up to
32,767 x 32,767 (including emulation of this resolution on the
screen). This allows graphics to be printed at the highest
resolution of the output device.
How to use GDOS
In theory, using GDOS is as simple as putting GDOS.PRG in your
AUTO folder and booting the computer. In practice, though, a series of
conditions must be met. The most important of these conditions is that
there must be a valid ASSIGN.SYS file present in the root directory of
the boot disk.
The following is a typical ASSIGN.SYS file.
PATH=C:\GDOS.SYS
;
01p SCREEN.SYS ; default screen
;
02p SCREEN.SYS ; low resolution
ATSS10.FNT ; fonts
ATSS12.FNT
ATSS18.FNT
ATSS24.FNT
ATTP10.FNT
ATTR10.FNT
ATTR12.FNT
ATTR18.FNT
ATTR24.FNT
;
03p SCREEN.SYS ; medium resolution
ATSS10CG.FNT
ATSS12CG.FNT
ATSS18CG.FNT
ATSS24CG.FNT
ATTP10CG.FNT
ATTR10CG.FNT
ATTR12CG.FNT
ATTR18CG.FNT
ATTR24CG.FNT
;
04p SCREEN.SYS ; high resolution
ATSS10.FNT
ATSS12.FNT
ATSS18.FNT
ATSS24.FNT
ATTP10.FNT
ATTR10.FNT
ATTR12.FNT
ATTR18.FNT
ATTR24.FNT
;
21 FX80.SYS ; Epson 9-pin dot-matrix printer
ATSS10EP.FNT
ATSS12EP.FNT
ATSS18EP.FNT
ATSS24EP.FNT
ATTP10EP.FNT
ATTR10EP.FNT
ATTR12EP.FNT
ATTR18EP.FNT
ATTR24EP.FNT
;
31r META.SYS ; metafile driver
ATSS10MF.FNT
ATSS12MF.FNT
ATSS18MF.FNT
ATSS24MF.FNT
ATTP10MF.FNT
ATTR10MF.FNT
ATTR12MF.FNT
ATTR18MF.FNT
ATTR24MF.FNT
As you can see, I have divided the file into distinct groups.
The first line of the ASSIGN.SYS file is use to tell GDOS where the
fonts and device drivers are located. This line must always start with
PATH= which is followed by a pathname of up to 64 characters locating
the fonts and drivers,
Following the path identifying line is the list of device
drivers and their associated fonts. Each group is composed of four
parts. First is a number representing the type of device:
01-10 Screen drivers
11-20 Plotter drivers
21-30 Printer drivers
31-40 Metafile drivers
The Atari has four built-in Device Drivers
01 Default screen (used when an application doesn't care about the
screen resolution)
02 Low resolution screen
03 Medium resolution screen
04 High resolution screen
Immediately following the device number may be a "load flag" of
either "p" or "r". A "p" indicates that the device driver is
"p"ermanent and does not need to be loaded by GDOS. Because the ST has
it's screen drivers built into ROM, there will be a "p" after devices
01-04. An "r" indicates that the device driver should be kept
"r"esident, causing GDOS to load the device driver immediately. If a
load flag is not present, GDOS will only load the device driver when an
application opens (accesses) that device.
After the device number and load flag is the filename of the
device driver as it appears in the disk directory. In the case of
ROM-resident drivers, the filename is only a place-holder (but must be
present). Keep in mind that the device driver must be in the folder
specified in the path line. On the lines following those three items
is a list of fonts associated with that device (again, these are the
filenames as they appear in the indicated path of the disk).
You may have noticed a few lines with semicolons (;) in them.
GDOS will treat any text on a line to the right of a semicolon as a
comment and will ignore it.
Editing/Creating ASSIGN.SYS
Now, why would you want to change your ASSIGN.SYS file? Well,
if you have just one program which uses GDOS, and you are happy with
the fonts you have, then there is no reason to change it. But, now
that GDOS is beginning to be accepted on the ST, many of us are
acquiring a collection of GDOS applications and fonts. By editing or
creating a new ASSIGN.SYS, you could create a "universal" ASSIGN.SYS
and font/driver folder to be used with all of these programs!
Luckily, the ASSIGN.SYS file is a standard text (ASCII) file
which may be edited with most text editors and word processors. The
only requirement is that the file not contain any formatting codes.
This can usually be accomplished in a word processor by turning
document mode off, or selecting "Save as text" (check your word
processor manual for exact instructions for doing this). If you are
using a text editor, such as MicroEmacs or Tempus, all you have to do
is save the file.
Starting at the top, the first thing you may want to change is
the PATH= line at the beginning of the ASSIGN.SYS file. By changing
this line, you can put your fonts and printer drivers on another disk
or hard drive partition (instead of your boot disk). If you are using
floppies, keep in mind that this directory (folder) must be present
when an application accesses any of the GDOS devices. Also, to speed
booting, this directory should be present when GDOS is loaded.
Recommended Configurations of Disk Drives
One floppy drive:
-----------------
Boot disk (drive A) with:
AUTO folder containing GDOS.PRG
GDOS.SYS folder containing the fonts and drivers
ASSIGN.SYS with PATH=A:\GDOS.SYS
Any GDOS application(s) (you may wish to create separate
boot disks for each GDOS application)
Two floppy drives:
------------------
Boot disk (drive A) with:
AUTO folder containing GDOS.PRG
ASSIGN.SYS with PATH=B:\GDOS.SYS
Font/driver disk (drive B) with:
GDOS.SYS folder containing fonts and drivers
Application disk (drive A after booting GDOS) with:
Any GDOS application(s) (you may wish to create separate
application disks for each GDOS application)
Hard drive (booting from floppy):
---------------------------------
Boot disk (drive A) with:
AUTO folder containing hard drive boot program and
GDOS.PRG
ASSIGN.SYS with PATH=C:\GDOS.SYS
Hard drive partition C with:
GDOS.SYS folder containing fonts and drivers
Any hard drive partition with:
Any GDOS application(s) (may be on any partition)
Hard drive (autobooting):
-------------------------
Hard drive partition C with:
AUTO folder containing GDOS.PRG
GDOS.SYS folder containing fonts and drivers
ASSIGN.SYS with PATH=C:\GDOS.SYS
Any hard drive partition with:
Any GDOS application(s) (may be on any partition)
Of course, these are only suggestions, and other configurations
may be better for different applications. Hopefully you should now be
able to create other set-ups without too much difficulty. There are a
few "musts" that have to be observed:
GDOS.PRG must be in the AUTO folder of the boot disk.
ASSIGN.SYS must be in the root directory of the boot disk.
The PATH = line in the ASSIGN.SYS file must contain the complete
pathname of the folder containing the fonts and drivers.
The fonts and drivers must be in the right place when an
application or tries to open a device.
A Bit about Fonts
One question about GDOS fonts that people ask is, "when are the
fonts loaded?" Many people are under the impression that all the fonts
are loaded when GDOS is initially loaded. This is not true (and cannot
be done). An "r" load flag in the ASSIGN.SYS file will cause GDOS to
load only the device driver, not the fonts. Fonts are loaded only
after an application opens a device and asks for the fonts to be
loaded. At that time, GDOS will attempt to load all the fonts for that
device. If there is an error (can't find the file, not enough memory,
etc.) GDOS will skip over that font and continue with the next one.
When an application is through with the fonts, it can "unload" the
fonts to free up that memory.
Another fact that many people don't understand is that the font
filename is irrelevant to GDOS. Each font has a "header" consisting
of various parameters, some of these are: point size, font name, and a
font ID which is used to identify fonts of the same type (i.e. all
swiss fonts have the same ID). Another thing to note is that GDOS does
not handle line spacing, this is handled by the application regardless
of the actual size of a given font. Some programs use the point size
to determine line spacing, and others use the actual height of the font
(yes, the point size can be set different from the actual size).
For those of you creating your own fonts (with GEMFED or
FONTZ!), you must assign a unique font ID (from 0 to 32,767) to each of
your fonts, and all font of the same type (i.e. Times), but of
different size, must have the same ID. Another thing you must know
when creating your own fonts, is the resolution of the devices you are
creating the fonts for. The following is a list of most of the
currently available devices and their resolution.
Low resolution screen 45 x 45 (horizontal dpi x vertical dpi)
Medium resolution screen 90 x 45
High resolution screen 90 x 90
9-pin dot-matrix printer 120 x 144
24-pin printer 180 x 180 or 360 x 360 (NEC P-series only)
Laser printer 150 x 150 (some) or 300 x 300
As you can see, most of these devices have square (round) pixels.
This allows for sideways printing using the same fonts as for vertical
(normal) printing. A notable exception to this is with the 9-pin
dot-matrix printers, which will distort characters when printing them
sideways. Different drivers (from different companies) handle this
problem differently: they either ignore the fact (and print distorted
characters sideways), or they print the left and right sides of a
horizontal page on two separate vertical pages, which must then be taped
together. The first method is the easier (and faster) of the two, but
the second method will produce correct characters, and the taping isn't
too bad if you are going to photocopy the final product.
It would be possible to create separate fonts for sideways
printing. but so far this has not been done. Also, Epson printers (and
100% compatibles) have a 144 x 144 dpi (double plotter) mode which
could be utilized. This would not only allow non-distorted sideways
printing, but offers slightly higher resolution in the horizontal
axis.
Font filenames
As I stated earlier, font filenames are not used by GDOS, but
to us humans, consistent filenames can greatly simplify things. With
the official release of GDOS (late last year), Atari adopted a
standardized way of naming font files. Here I will explain Atari's
idea and add a few extensions
A font filename like ATSS10EP.FNT may look meaningless to
someone who doesn't know how the filename was derived, but is, in fact,
very functional.
The first and second characters (AT) indicates the
creator/distributor of the font (in this case Atari). Atari has
suggested that these characters be "AT" for all fonts used on the Atari,
this seems meaningless to me, as I don't have any fonts for any other
computers on my ST disks. (Why would I?) I feel these two characters
can be put to better use to specify the creator/distributor.
The third and fourth characters (SS) identify the type style (in
this case Sans Serif). These should be unique to a particular
rendition of a specific typeface.
The fifth and sixth characters (10) specify the point size of
the font. This should be the point size as printed on the device the
font was designed for, not the pixel height. Also, sizes less than 10
should have a leading zero (i.e. 06) to maintain the overall structure.
The seventh and eighth characters (EP) specify the device for
which the font was designed (in this case the Epson 9-pin driver). If
there are no seventh and eighth characters, the font is assumed to be
for the high-resolution screen.
The filename extender on all fonts will be .FNT.
Although not many companies/individuals have produced fonts for
the ST (yet), I would like to recommend that all font filenames follow
the following format to avoid confusion.
A Suggestion for Standard Identifiers
Creator/Distributor:
AT - Atari MG - Migraph
TW - Timeworks NC - Neocept
Typestyles:
SS - Sans Serif (Atari's Swiss) TR - Times Roman (Atari's Dutch)
TP - Typewriter (Atari) DB - Dingbats (Timeworks' Bullets)
DL - Drury Lane (Timeworks) MA - Madison (Timeworks)
RK - Rockface (Timeworks) RA - Ravinia (Timeworks)
CL - Camelot (Neocept)
Device:
MG (or none) - Monochrome graphics (high/low resolution screen)
CG - Color graphics (medium resolution screen)
EP - Epson 9-pin dot-matrix printer (120 x 144)
NB - Star NB-24 24-pin dot-matrix printer (180 x 180)
NC - NEC C-series 24-pin dot-matrix printer (360 x 360)
LQ - Epson 24 pin dot-matrix printer (all)
LL - low resolution laser printer (150 x 150)
LS - standard laser printer (300 x 300)
In many cases, the creator/distributor is not important, in which
case the first four characters can be used for the typestyle. You will
also notice that I have listed typestyles from various companies, I have
done this because I recommend that you rename all of the font you
currently have to match the above conventions, this will save you a lot
of confusion in the future when you may have ten times as many fonts.
One thing to note if you create a master ASSIGN.SYS file, is that
although the Timeworks Swiss and Dutch fonts are different from Atari's,
they use the same font IDs. GDOS could get very confused if you have two
fonts with the same ID and point size. My personal recommendation is to
replace Timeworks' Swiss and Dutch fonts in the 10, 12, 18, and 24 point
sizes with the ones from Atari, I feel these are much more professional
and true to the original Helvetica and Times Roman typefaces.
Metafiles
Metafiles are (in theory) ideal files which can be exchanged
between different GDOS applications. Metafiles are those files with a
.GEM extender. Metafiles are "ideal" in the respect that they are
resolution independent. They are simply instructions for the computer
to recreate a page on any output device at that device's highest
resolution. This is accomplished by storing commands for drawing lines,
circles, rectangles, text, etc., unlike most picture files (.NEO, PI?,
etc.) which store the dots making up an image.
Unfortunately, metafiles are not 100% standard yet. This
results in programs not being able to read metafiles created by another
application. Technically, the fault lies with the program trying to
load the metafile, not the creator. Many different parameters may be
present in the header of a metafile, but only a few of these are
required. Unfortunately, many applications expect some of the optional
parameters to be there and can't load the file correctly if they don't
exist. Currently Easy-Draw (version 2.3) is the most capable of the
available GDOS applications, and can read just about any metafile.
Some of the more recent GDOS applications are allowing the use
of GEM image files (those ending in .IMG). These are bit-mapped images
similar to those created by the various ST paint programs (but without
the screen size and resolution limitations). As is the case with other
paint files, these images may be jagged or blocky when printed on a
high resolution device.
A very important fact about images in metafiles is that the
metafile does not actually contain a copy of the image. The metafile
only contains the filename of the image on disk. This means that you
must not remove the disk containing an image while the metafile is
being printed, and everytime you print that metafile, the image must be
in the same disk (or you will have to change your file). If GDOS can't
find the image, it will just skip over it. Be warned.
Miscellaneous Comments
If you are using the Timeworks Desktop Publisher ST (TDTP), you
must run the FONTWID.APP program each time you modify the ASSIGN.SYS
file. Another important fact is that the relative widths of the
Timeworks fonts are not the same for different devices. What this
means is that if you create a document with TDTP installed for use with
an Epson 9-pin printer, then load the file into TDTP installed for use
with a laser printer, the text will be re-flowed. This may result in
different column breaks, lost text, extra white space, etc. The best
solution to this problem is to create the document with a TDTP
installed for the device which will create the final copy. Another
idea is to use Atari's fonts (if you have them, they are not public
domain), as the relative sizes between devices is very close (there
still may be a few differences, but can be fixed readily).
For those of you who have seen a lot of DEGAS Elite GDOS fonts
floating around, don't get too excited. For those to print properly
(even blocky), you must have matching printer fonts for the screen fonts.
GEMFED or FONTZ! greatly simplify this process, but if you intend to
create a complete set of fonts in four or five sizes, you will have a lot
of work ahead of you.
Anyone creating fonts for the general public (either commercial
or PD), try to remember that not everyone is using the same kind of
monitor or printer you are. If at all possible, create fonts for all
the devices I have listed above.
Another thing I didn't mention are metafile fonts. These are not
really fonts, but merely width tables designed to keep correct character
spacing in a file when used with different GDOS applications. In most
cases, you can eliminate metafile fonts without any loss of quality.
Glossary
Device (Graphics Device) - Anything used to create some form of
output, usually on a video screen or
printed on paper or film.
Device Driver - A computer program used to control a device as
specified by a "master" application.
Font - A typeface of a given style and point size.
GDOS - Graphics Device Operating System; an extension to the Atari
ST's operating system allowing for the use of various fonts
and graphics devices.
GEM - Graphics Environment Manager; the portion of the ST's
operating system which is responsible for most of the visual
aspects of the ST.
Header - A portion of a file (usually at the beginning) containing
various parameters describing the file.
Line Spacing - The distance between successive line of text, usually
measured in points.
Pixel - Picture element; a single dot, usually one of many used to
create a complete image on a video screen or printed on paper
or film.
Point - A typographical unit of measure; approximately 1/72".
Copyrights, Trademarks, Etc.
This document is copyright 1988 by Douglas N. Wheeler
Any questions or comments about this document can be directed to me:
Douglas N. Wheeler
PSC 3 Box 6096
Travis AFB, CA 94535
(707) 437-3786
GEnie address D.N.WHEELER.
This document mentions several commercial/copyrighted products.
In each case, it is to be understood that the names are trademarks of
their respective companies and are used here only as references. I am
in no-way connected, either through employment or otherwise, to any of
these companies.
I cannot be held responsible for any damages resulting from the use or
misuse of the information contained in this document. This document was
created for the purpose of providing information, it is up to the reader
to accept responsibility for the results of the use of this information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR NX-1000 COLOR PRINTER
==========================
By: Brett Talbot
FEATURES:
SPEED: 144cps draft/33cps NLQ.
COMPATIBILITY: EPSON LX-800/FX/MX or IBM Proprinter II.
FONTS: 8 NLQ - Courier,Sanserif,Orator(2) + italic fonts.
5cpi to 20cpi in NLQ. Double and Quad width & height.
COLOR: 7 in text/ over 400 in graphics dump.
PAPER FEED: Rear push tractor with paper park for
semiautomatic single sheet loading.
CONTROLS: Full controls on front for 16 functions.
PRICE: $319. list / $230 to $280 discount.
MANUFACTURER: Star Micronics America Inc.
The NX-1000 is the next step in the ongoing evolution of the Star
printers. Like its Gemini/SG-10 cousins the NX-1000 retains full Epson
compatibility with innumerable features and an attractive price. The
NX interfaces with the ST without necessity to reset any DIP switches.
Most Epson, Star, or Gemini print drivers already function with the
NX.
The front LED controls for font pitch and type styles are indeed
welcome. The four buttons have 14 other functions when two or three
buttons are pressed at once. This is my third Star printer, and seems
even sturdier than my other reliable Star printers. The push type
tractor feed is very welcome now that I don't have to waste a sheet of
paper every time I print! Single sheet paper can be inserted into the
printer with the tractor paper still in the machine with the paper
park function. Line spacing is very accurate, there are no gaps
between lines when printing graphics.
The NLQ type styles are excellent. The old Star SG-10 had one NLQ font,
and the only special effect available was underlining. Any text
feature that can be implemented in any one of the four NLQ fonts.
Courier is the fanciest font, and is similar to a nice typewriter.
The Sanserif font looks very similar to the font used on draft text.
Orator is larger than the others, and has two styles: In the first,
lower case letters are shown as small upper case. This is very
readable, as is the Orator with true lower case. Orator with true
lower case looks funny because it does not have true descenders. It has
seven colors that may be used in text mode at any time.
If your word processor does not support some or all of your printer's
codes, some are available using a text command imbedded in double
parenthesis. This is a good way to activate color in a word processor
such as ST WRITER or Word Writer ST. In graphics, over 400 colors may
be printed using an Epson JX-80c printer driver. Colors come out clean
and sharp, except that users must avoid making dark color printouts.
This will wear out the ribbon and the colors come out uneven.
I find myself modifying pictures in DEGAS before printing. I lighten
the colors and change black backgrounds to white. Graphics print
quickly in Black, and speed seems reasonable in Color. Color mode
requires that the print head changes color three times, and passes over
the picture three times as well. The NX-1000 now has logic seeking
graphic printing, where the print head passes only over parts of the
picture to be printed.
The 8k RAM buffer holds two to four pages of text, and is great if
using a modem. The buffer may be turned off and transformed into a
storage space for downloadable draft and NLQ characters.
The NX-1000's streamlined appearance is much different from the older
models, being a brownish grey instead of that white, the smaller size is
perfect for a tight space situation such as a dorm. The printer weight
is only about 10 pounds, compared to the traditional 25, and has the
Centronics port on the side! Current printer owners will concede that
a rear port can cause many paper jams.
Comparing the NX-1000 to an older model is like comparing a Ford Taurus
to a Chrysler K-car! The sticker on the front of the color NX-1000 has
red, blue and yellow stripes that I think look junky. I understand that
they needed to make it look different from the non-color NX-1000, but
they selected terrible colors.
One reason for buying Star printers in the first place was because they
took underwood style ribbons. They cost about two dollars and you can
flip them to use the second side. Star has switched to cartridges that
cost about $7 for black and $11 for color. Another change is the manual,
it is much clearer and comes with several color reference cards and
command summaries.
The manual no longer suffers from translated-from-Japanese-itis either!
When compared to other models, such as Panasonic, Okidata, Epson, and
others, I found the NX-1000 to stack up well with the competition. It
has NLQ fonts (that are REALLY different), good overall features, and is
less expensive. The monochrome NX-1000 can be had for about 70 or 80
dollars less, but I find color more attractive for the small difference
in price. Some printers like the Panasonic 1092i-II are about 50cps
faster, but the NX-1000 is fast enough for me and does everything I want
without hassle. I can whole heartedly recommend the NX-1000 over other
printer in the $300 and under price range.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WORD PERFECT CONFERENCE OF 05/31/88 DELPHI
==========================================
Attendees:
----------
ANALOG2 - Moderator JEFFWILSON - Jeff Wilson of WPCorp.
MORTIMER GORDYR
DOCTORP CFJ
PIOTR REXREADE
HCALLESIS MARVR
RDGRABLE STARWALKER
GRG MADMODIFIER
BRG
-------------------------------------------------
ANALOG2> Well, it's 5 after... might as well start. Formal rules are in
force. Please ? (after my opening statement.. ahem) when you have a
question.
First off, thanks to Jeff for joining us tonite. All attendees will
receive a free copy of WP for coming by.... NO, ONLY KIDDING!
We all know the trouble WP went through at first but it appears that they
have gotten by that. Is that true, Jeff?
JEFFWILSON> Yes, the program is quite solid now, and essentially everyone
that has a copy is much more pleased with it than before.
ANALOG2> Good... it's nice to have a major force in software development
supporting the ST. One more question, then I'll open to the floor for
with ?...
How happy is WP with the ST market? Is there the plan to keep supporting
it?
JEFFWILSON> We are committed to supporting the ST marketplace. The US
sales haven't been as high as we would have hoped, but we are expanding
into the foreign ST markets, which should keep the income sufficient to
keep us in the black while we work on additional software projects for
the ST.
ANALOG2> Great... again, a major software dev. is a good thing for what
appears to be a struggling computer like the ST....
Rex, you've got the floor.
REXREADE> Hi Jeff , Actually, I have 2 ?s, First, with the recent
personnel rearrangements what effect will it have on the future releases
and timetables for WP; and the second ? is what are your experiences with
the cooperation level of Atari and its practices towards developers
JEFFWILSON> There has been some restructuring in Atari development, as
we have been evaluating our current software, the ST marketplace, and
where we want to go. There will be some changes in the release dates of
current projects; they will probably be pushed back somewhat. However,
the net result is that we will be able to provide more software of a
higher quality than we were able to provide before the reorganization.
Therefore, I see it as a very positive change, despite the delays. Now,
on to the second question. Right now, Atari seems very interested in
working with us. I don't know if we've been singled out in that regard,
but the new Atari Computer _does_ seem to want to turn the company around
and work with developers much more closely than has been done in the
past. It looks good.
REXREADE> Does that mean Mr. Babbit and Co. or the Atari developer
section?
JEFFWILSON> Yes, that is exactly what I mean, Rex (Charles Babbitt & co.)
REXREADE> That is good news..as long as they are not interfered with..
ANALOG2> Ok. Quick personal observation... Do you see any other majors
coming on the ST bus?
JEFFWILSON> I really don't think WP's presence in the ST market will
influence other major developers. In fact, the roasting we took when we
first released just may make them look again.
ANALOG2> Pete, your turn.
PIOTR> First let me say that your customer support should be the standard
for the industry - outstanding. My question is: What are the new projects
that you have for the ST?
JEFFWILSON> Thanks, Pete. I'll pass the compliment along to those who
deserve it. We are hoping to make the complete and integrated line of
WPCorp. products out on the ST. Some of these include DataPerfect,
PlanPerfect, Library, an improved version of WordPerfect, and many more
goodies!
ANALOG2> Any dates on those, Jeff, can you say?
PIOTR> Excellent - you have one customer sold!
JEFFWILSON> Because of the reorganization, dates are very hard at this
point.
ANALOG2> Understood... Charles?
CFJ> Is there eventually going to be a version of Word Perfect
that supports GDOS, with all of its attendant headaches and problems?
ANALOG2> You mean GLF GDOS (hehe).
JEFFWILSON> Our next version of WordPerfect will support fonts and
graphics, but I'm still not sure of how to approach the GDOS problem.
There will probably be support for GDOS in the next version of WP, but I
highly doubt you will be locked into it.
CFJ> Hmmm. We should talk. A partner and I have a much nicer GDOS that
you might be interested in.
ANALOG2> You might want to talk to Charles about his GLF GDOS... seems
that a good plan would be to package the new WP with his "working" GDOS.
. anyway, Rex, you're on.
JEFFWILSON> Yes, Charles. I'd be interested. I'm still looking.
REXREADE> How do you feel about the "news release" about what the new roms
"will do" and the methods they are planning on using to "test" them in
the field.
JEFFWILSON>Are you referring to the TOS enhancement,Rex?
REXREADE> Yes, Jeff the one recently announced.
JEFFWILSON> If it can get a better quality OS in the hands of the ST
owners quickly, I'm all for it. The ROM upgrades can be too expensive,
but 30 kB isn't bad for a better TOS.
ANALOG2> Follow up, Rex?
REXREADE> I agree, but my concern is, have they sent you a set to check?
JEFFWILSON> As far as I know, there are no copies available yet.
REXREADE> They state they have sent it to their subsidiaries whomever
they are.... does anyone know who these may be?
ANALOG2> I think that means their worldwide companies.
REXREADE> I don't think so
ANALOG2> Ok, Pete. Your question.
PIOTR> Is WP Corp. doing anything with CD-ROM technology?
JEFFWILSON> We're really not approaching the new hardware
yet.
ANALOG2> Rex.
REXREADE> I asked about the roms. They have sent it out, but NOBODY has
seen it, I was wondering if you have or if anybody knows who has them
besides what was said in the release
JEFFWILSON> I would like to see it. I don't know of any developer who
has actually received a copy, though.
ANALOG2> Pete... go ahead.
PIOTR> What steps has WP taken to combat pirate boards? (I have a few you
might be interested in.).
JEFFWILSON> We are in the process, with other developers, of tracking
down these offensive BBS systems. Things are still in the works, but I
really think something's going to happen this time.
PIOTR> Where do I send the information I have?
ANALOG2> Is that under the auspices of the SPA?
CFJ> Great!... sorry to break in
REXREADE> To Quote: "local keyboard, and American text", not worldwide as
I see it.
JEFFWILSON> Leave me private mail, or call me. Our legal counsel is in
charge of the SPA's anti-piracy board, and our executive VP is chairman
of the SPA. It's almost difficult not to have them involved with what we
do.
PIOTR> I'll have a bunch of fun stuff for you by this weekend!
JEFFWILSON> Thanks, Pete.
ANALOG2> I'll interject here for those here and those who read this to
contact the SPA with pirate BBS numbers if you know of them to keep the
ST a viable computer. Off the soap box and on to Gordy.
GORDYR> Have you considered a Military discount like the school one?
JEFFWILSON> I really don't have any say in those matters, but I will
bring it up to our marketing department. There has been a lot of
interest in military and user group discounts, and so it is possible
that something is already in the works. I'll make sure the words gets
where it needs to be.
GORDYR> Thanks
ANALOG2> Great news... Charles. You're on.
CFJ> OK, I want to ask a mundane programming question... why did you
decide not to use the standard GEM file selector in WP?
JEFFWILSON> For the same reason that we re-wrote many of the standard GEM
interface calls. We had problems with GEM functioning properly with WP
up in all it's glory (it worked fine when WP was still a small
application in the testing stages, but broke down as WP increased in
size). Additionally, we wanted to provide multiple methods of
interface that would be best suited to a given need that a person might
have. Make sense?
CFJ> I sure know what you're talking about! The glitches in GEM if
stacked end on end, would reach all the way to the moon and back!
<grin>
JEFFWILSON> Here, here!!!!!
ANALOG2> Rex, your question.
REXREADE> About piracy, how do you feel about the business of renting
software and will we see some real action in the enforcement of law in
that direction?
JEFFWILSON> I hope so. Just because piracy is conducted from what you
would expect is a legitimate business is no reason to turn our backs.
In fact, we are already looking into several cases of software rental.
Just reading a copyright should make a dealer afraid to rent.....
(anyone's copyright!)
REXREADE> We have a dealer in town, who allows trade-in software, what
about that?
JEFFWILSON> That's a little trickier. If they return all copies of the
program, it could potentially be ok. If they keep copies, it's just
piracy in another guise.
REXREADE> I would NEVER believe they would turn in ALL copies.
ANALOG2> Pete, you're on.
PIOTR> Just out of curiosity, how is WP's Amiga market doing
compared to the ST?
JEFFWILSON> The Amiga version of WP has consistently outsold the Atari WP
by a fairly good margin.
PIOTR> I'm surprised!
ANALOG2> Oh, well... we'll keep trying. Phillip, go ahead.
DOCTORP> Why did you choose to write WP with a graphic interface that is
not "ST STANDARD" in usage if that exists ( eg - using RETURN to switch
fields in dialog boxes)? It confuses many of my office staff as they go
between different applications!
JEFFWILSON> But you hit the nail on the head. What is the standard? And
should we intentionally limit the abilities of our software just because
GEM is incapable of a sophisticated interface? The ST market wants to be
more Mac-like, but the input methods we use are styled after the Mac
inputs people want, but don't seem to accept as standard Atari. What can
we do?
DOCTORP>I guess STANDARD is what is limited by the GEM interface. But
from using different programs, I agree with your approach.
JEFFWILSON>Then we won't be standard. Ever.
DOCTORP> I was just trying to figure out how to answer that question when
asked by my office staff.
JEFFWILSON> It's not an easy question. It's like the GDOS question.
REXREADE> Thank you, Jeff. May I be the first to say thanks a bunch for
super fine word processor deluxe and thanks for your time tonight!
JEFFWILSON> You're welcome. We try, and will continue to do the same.
ANALOG2> I'd like to add my thanks to Jeff for his time, and most of all
thank Word Perfect for putting their piece of work in the ST pie.
CFJ> Me 3.
ANALOG2>Thanks to all of you for attending.
JEFFWILSON> Wait until we get the whole pie together!
It would appear that WORD PERFECT Corp. is firmly entrenched in the ST
market, this is good news as they are now following up on the "keystroke"
compatibility theme outlined by Jeff Wilson. This means all their
programs, Mac, IBM, Amiga or ST, will allow product files of the programs
to be inter-changeable. This folks, is very good for all the computer
users as "CROSS COMPATIBILITY" is the key to the door of the future. ED
*************************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
-----------------
As a reader of ST Report Magazine, you are entitled to take advantage of
a special DELPHI membership offer. For only $29.95 ($20 off the standard
membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscription to DELPHI, a
copy of the 500-page "DELPHI: The Official Guide," and a credit equal to
one free evening hour at standard connect rates.
Signing up with DELPHI
----------------------
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI
services via a local phone call.
Join--- DELPHI
--------------
1. Dial 617-576-0862 with any terminal or PC and modem (at 2400 bps, dial
576-2981).
2. At the Username prompt, type JOINDELPHI.
3. At the Password prompt enter STREPORT.
For more information, call DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005, or
at 617-491-3393 from within Massachusetts or from outside the U.S.
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
**************************************************************************
MY OWN HEADACHES
================
By Bob Rosendale
After reading a newsletter article entitled "Headache #69" in the
Michigan Atari Magazine, I decided to compile my own list of headaches and
some possible cures.
PD is nothing but Junk
----------------------
I don't know how many times I have heard this during the last five years
of operating my Atari computers. Public domain comes in all kinds of
functions, colors and sounds. There is Freeware, Shareware and of course
the newest variety, Begware.
How many have used the term programs done by Keith Ledbetter, Trent
Dudley or Matt Singer? How many have used the various archiver programs
such as ARC SHELL, MAGIC SHADOW, SCRUNCH, CRUNCH, the list goes on and on.
How many have collections of picture files done with Neochrome or Degas
and view them with a slideshow program? How many have Music Studio,
Music Construction Set or converted AMS music files and the various
players?
There are dozens of other utilities, applications, desk accessories and
even games too numerous to go into at this point and most keep getting
worked on and improved.
Support these programmers and developers with your feedback and financial
support. Public domain gives us programs, IF NOTHING ELSE, while we try
and save our pennies for the HIGH-priced stuff.
My Computer is BETTER than your Computer
-----------------------------------------
What started out as a friendly rivalry has grown into a battle for
others. If you have ever seen Commodore Kill and/or Apple Kill demos on
the 8-bit machines, you can tell they were done with humor instead of
hatred. Every type of machine, not just computers, have their own
specific advantages or limitations. Look at the number of styles of
automobiles, radios, stereos, even toasters.
My suggestion to anyone that needs to continue this line of thinking and
can't convince others that computing is a worthwhile hobby, no matter what
computer they may choose, should find another hobby like sand collecting
or cistron decoding. I use an IBM clone at work and my Atari ST at home,
I can not even start to compare the two. The clone does not have a
graphics card and my ST doesn't have Word Star.
Piracy will Kill the Atari
---------------------------
I have added this to my headache list because every article written about
it, in national publications, reinforces this "idea" to the WHOLE computer
industry, not just the prospective software developers, that there is a
"severe" problem with "ALL" Atari users. But yet the same magazines that
carry the Atari epitaph carry advertisements about who's products
"back-up" protected programs so "users won't damage their original disk".
This problem is industry wide, but during the last several years it is
the Atari userbase that is getting all the flak. Pick up any computer
magazine and check out the ads. For example, in the July 1988 issue of
COMPUTE!'s Gazette for Commodore users there are 4 separate ads (two
companies even have a mini battle going) for backup "systems".
One, in particular, has a full page color ad for a cartridge called the
"Replay IV", all someone has to do is "just press a button at any
point and make a complete backup of any "*" memory resident program to
tape or disk". Finding the other "*" on the page proclaims "In our most
recent test we were unable to find any program that AR4 could not cope
with".
Yet COMPUTE! ST has met its demise because of being "unprofitable". If
you still have your copies of the last several issues of COMPUTE! ST, read
the editorials and see for yourself why it died.
Complaining about Atari complainers
-----------------------------------
DRAM prices, ROM upgrades, Disk drives, Vaporware, Laser printers, user
group support, retailer support, developer support, and even mail order
supplies have been some subjects of interest lately. Complainers have
been targeted in a number of editorials, teleconferencing sessions and
even messages on the commercial services.
I, as a CASH paying consumer, have the right to complain or even
investigate why something is not up to date, doesn't meet my expectations,
or even throws a whole string of "bombs" across my screen.
BUT if I do take a course of action and complain, I am handed someone
else's set of values and am preached at to "just be thankful for what you
already have". I have voiced some opinions in some of the online message
bases and then read several days later about what my opinion really
SHOULD HAVE BEEN! That really Sux!
I really do recommend that you get involved in anyway you can with your
computer, if not in your usergroup then with letter writing or even
attending some of the online conferences.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
======================
LATEST DEPARTURES:
CHUCK BABBITT RICHARD FRICK
Are no longer with Atari according to our sources.....
Atari is SHOWING THE PORTABLE ST AT LAS VEGAS COMDEX AT THIS TIME....
We know they were not supposed to be there but they are....
Atari is reconsidering it's posture on (A) Advertising in the USA, co-op
and national network (B) Mail Order Sales [except flagship products].
Atari has contracted with a familiar name, N. Bushnell [Axlon Products] he
is the REAL Mr. Atari, he started the whole shibang and will be producing
carts for Atari...on a contract basis......interesting?
Atari, for all intents and purposes was shutdown by a warehouse
inventory...seems it was in such a mess that they had to reorganize the
warehouse then take the inventory, during this time NO new units or PARTs
were shipped at all. tsk tsk...
By The Way, did you know....If you bought a late model (Blit Ready)
1040ST ST, 6 weeks ago or so and found it to be defective, you can send it
in to be exchanged for another and if out of warranty, pay 125.00 for
another?..That's not bad...HERE IS THE CATCH! You run the risk of getting
back an ST (working) of early vintage (NOT BLIT READY)..seems they have no
way of telling which is what in the warehouse or, is it that they dont
want to be stuck with a bunch of old ST's? Make sense to you? Not me!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New CompuServe Forum Software
=============================
SIG Software Version 4D(7)
Compiled by Ron Kovacs
The result of the Forum Product redesign is improved menus and
navigational commands, yet the overall functionality of the forums remains
the same. The new Forum Product will highlight the message board,
conferencing and libraries. Ambiguous commands have been eliminated and
global commands with consistent meanings have been implemented. User
attention is now focused on the information content and less on the
software product.
Terminology Changes
-------------------
o Leaving a message has been changed to COMPOSING a message.
o Storing a message has been changed to POSTING a message.
o Message Subtopics have been changed to Message Sections.
o Data Library has been changed to Library.
o Bulletin has been changed to Announcement
o The Short Bulletin has been renamed to the News Flash Announcement.
o The Regular Bulletin as been renamed to the General Announcement.
o Read Marked has been changed to Read Waiting. The number of waiting
messages will be displayed in paranthesis next to the menu option.
Function Menu Changes
---------------------
o This menu has been reorganized. Now, Instructions is the first item
on the menu. When instructions is selected, you can now get a
summary of the various options in a Forum by selecting the item from
the Instructions Menu.
Help and Instruction Changes
----------------------------
o A member can also obtain the complete HELP facility, a Forum
Reference Card and the Forum Users Guide from the Instructions Menu.
Message Changes
---------------
o Leaving and Reading Messages has been combined into one option,
MESSAGES, off the Functions Menu.
o The CHANGE age selection menu has been added to the MESSAGES menu.
This allows a member to change the way they read messages.
o A member now has the ability to read messages starting from a
particular date, which they specify.
o A member can now read messages by SELECTing a message section and
then by selecting the subjects which they want to read in that
particular message section. The number of subjects and messages
available in each section are displayed next to each section name.
Library Changes
---------------
o DEScription has been removed from the Library menu, but is still
available.
Conferencing Changes
--------------------
o The number of forum members participating in a Conference is now
displayed next to the menu option.
Options Changes
---------------
o The OPTIONS menu has been divided into 2 different sections, the
Forum Options and the Messages Options.
o Under the OPTIONS menu, a choice of INITIAL menu/prompt has been
added. This option will give a member the ability to choose which
area of the Forum they would like to access when they first enter the
Forum. You have the option of choosing Functions, Messages, Libraries,
or Conferencing.
Announcement Changes
--------------------
o The Messages Announcement has been added to the Announcements Menu.
The Announcement should contain Hot Topics being discussed on the
Message Board.
Description Changes
-------------------
o A descriptions menu will now be available form the Functions,
Messages, Conferencing, and Libraries Menu. This will give a member
the ability to obtain a description of each of the available sections
of messages, libraries, and conference rooms.
Miscellaneous Changes
---------------------
o All capitalized menu options can be abbreviated to the first 3
letters.
o The miscellaneous commands of WHO, UST, and SEND can be entered at
any menu prompt in the forum.
CBX Version 4D(40)
------------------
o A member is now required to enter the Conference room number they
wish to enter to conference. Public and special access to the
Conference rooms will be determined by the Sysop.
FORUM PRODUCT REDESIGN
----------------------
INTRODUCTION
------------
The forum product has been one of the most successful products we have,
yet it receives a lot of criticism. It has been considered hard to learn,
filled with confusing commands, and overall one of the most intimidating
products available for subscribers. The forum software product contains a
great deal of power and functionality, attainable by cryptic and less
than intuitive commands.
The success of forums is largely attributed to the information content.
Subscribers and Sysops are responsible for adding valuable content. Thus
it is our intent to highlight the content of the forums and push the
software and its interface into the background.
This will require change and change is never easy. We have not, nor will
we, take a cavalier attitude toward the experienced user. However we
must also consider the next generation of users and cannot risk the
growth and future of the Service on an intimidating, puzzling, and
hard-to-learn product. We cannot hold on to the current interface just
for some who have fought and struggled to gain expertise while we turn
away large numbers of subscribers due to confusion and intimidation. It
neither benefits us nor you. With these thoughts in mind, we established
the goals.
OUR GOALS
---------
1. To reduce ambiguity and confusing command syntax.
2. To reduce repetitious menus and focus on content, not commands.
3. To reduce the number of characters transmitted.
4. To become more consistent with other CIS product command structures.
BASIS FOR CHANGE
----------------
We base our changes on a year of research. This research is ongoing
and will continue to shape the Forum product in years to come. The
research includes feedback from subscriber and non-subscriber focus
groups, subscriber comments to customer service, comments from forum
sysops and others.
THE IMPROVED PRODUCT
--------------------
The new Forum Product will highlight the message board, conferencing and
data libraries. Ambiguous commands will be eliminated and global commands
with consistant meanings will be implemented. User attention will focus
on the information content and less on the software product.
ONGOING SUPPORT
---------------
The new Forum product will be available automatically, but the old Forum
product can be called up by appending an account id of "OLDF" when logging
in, (ie., Userid: 70006,256;OLDF), or by issuing the command "OF" from
within the forum. The old forum product will be available for
approximately one year to aid experienced subscribers in learning new
commands.
Command Conversion Table
------------------------
Updated: 04/07/88
by: Mike Schoenbach [76703,4363]
Old Forum New Forum
Commands Commands Full Command Command Explanation
-------- -------- ------------ -------------------
RF REA FOR READ FORWARD Read msgs in forward numerical
order
RR REA REV READ REVERSE Read messages in reverse order
RI REA NUM READ NUMBER Read individual message number
only
RTN REA NEW READ NEW Read new msgs in thread order
RN REA FOR NEW Read new msgs in forward numerical order
RS;F REA FRO: READ FROM: Read msgs from name/User ID
RS;T REA TO: READ TO: Read msgs to name/User ID
RS;S REA SUB: READ SUBJECT: Read msgs with specified subj
RM REA WAI READ WAITING Read "waiting" messages
RE;### REP ### REPLY ### Reply to message ####.
L COM COMPOSE Compose new message
B ANN ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement Files
CO CON CONFERENCE Enter Conference area
DL LIB LIBRARY Enter Library area
R MES MESSAGE Enter Message area
MD or V MEM MEMBER Enter Member Directory area
IN INS INSTRUCTION Enter Instructions area
OP OPT OPTION Enter Options area
SB NAM NAME View message section names
LN NAM NAME View library section names
At "Messages !" prompt/menu:
----------------------------
SF SCA FOR SCAN FORWARD Scan msgs in numerical order
SR SCA REV SCAN REVERSE Scan msgs in reverse order
ST DIS SCA THR PRO SCAN THREAD PROMPT
Scan msgs and prompt for disposition
QS SCA QUI SCAN QUICK Scan message subjects only
QSN SCA QUI NEW SCAN QUICK NEW Scan new msg subjects only
At "User Options" prompt/menu:
-----------------------
-------
UM MOD MODE Forum mode (command, menu)
SM PAU PAUSE Pause after reading msgs (always, never, to you)
CN NAM NAME Change name in Forum
PC CHA CHARACTER Specify prompt character
ED EDI EDITOR Default message editor (EDIT, LINEDIT)
SU SEC SECTION Default message sections to read
RE REP REPLIES Reply info (list, count, none)
After reading a message:
------------------------
UA COM COMPOSE Compose new message to current msg author
RA RER REREAD Re-read current message
RE REP REPLY Reply to current message
MA MAR MARK Mark current msg for later retrieval
RP PAR PARENT Read "Parent" (previous) message
RR REA REP READ REPLY Read replies to current msg
SK NEX NEXT Read next branch of thread
SKALL NEX SUB NEXT SUBJECT Read next thread (skip current)
NS SCR SCROLL Do not prompt for read action
After composing a message:
--------------------------
S POS POST Post message on message board
S# POS SEC:# POST SECTION: Post message in specified section
SU POS UNF POST UNFORMATTED Post msg the way it currently
appears -- do not reformat
SU# POS UNF SEC:# Post unformatted in specified section
SP POS PRI POST PRIVATE Post message privately
C EDI EDIT Edit message
MA MAI MAIL Mail message via EasyPlex
MU MAI UNF MAIL UNFORMATTED Mail msg via EasyPlex unformatted
P PRE PREVIEW Preview current message.
P# PRE WID:# PREVIEW WIDTH:# Preview message with specified
line width.
A CAN CANCEL Cancel current message
RA RER REREAD Reread message you are replying to
(*) Posts reply as part of same thread.
Note: CompuServe will continue to support many of the commands that
appear in the left column.
Following is a list of the old commands not supported (Grandfathered) in
the new menus version:
A. Functions Menu
B, R, S, STONLY, STDISONL, STONLDIS, QSALL, QSONLY
Note: RM = READ WAITING
L = COMPOSE
B. Read Actions Prompt
R, A, SM, C
Note: N = NEXT reply
C. Post Menu
C, P, L, R, I, D, RA
WHERE CAN I USE THE NEW FORUM SOFTWARE?
The new Forum software is currently available in all BETA TEST Forums
(ATARIDEV, IBMCOM, and EPSON) as well as the Free Practice Forum (GO
PRACTICE).
CAN I USE THE OLD FORUM SOFTWARE IN BETA FORUMS?
The old Forum software can be invoked in any of the Beta Forums
(including ATARIDEV) by logging on with an ;OLDF appended to your User ID
(i.e. User ID: 76703,4363;OLDF) or by typing "OF" at the main "Forum !"
prompt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A TEMPER TANTRUM
================
By T."Rex" Reade
For my last 22 years in the business world, one thing that was most
perplexing to me was an individual's "temper tantrums".
Phsycologists (Shrinks) say an adult who throws temper tantrums is
seriously impaired....either mentally or by some chemical imbalance in
their system or environment.
Over the years, many corporate "BigWigs" have forced the loss of top notch
people from within the company because of this mental defect.
I have personally observed a few of these "GEMS" myself. One, in
particular, stands out quite clearly, we will call him M.B., Meyer, for
short. His secretary was always in a semi-comatose state as a result of
Meyer's unpredictable personality. (She later admitted, "It was the
only way I could keep my sanity and my job!"). Meyer was in his late 60's
and about as wide as he was tall, when he was in one of his tirades his
face would get as red as a beet and the veins around his temples and in
his neck would bulge.....that earned him the nickname of "balloon head"!
Meyer was a veritable genius in the real estate business which nobody
could deny. He could have made millions more if only he had kept his big
mouth shut. His insane temper tantrums blew off more big deals and fine
people than any Typhoon ever could come near doing.
Today, more than 20 years later, there is another Meyer in our midst.
This one is far more dangerous because his temperment will effect not only
the highly talented and educated folks in our industry but also thousands
of good folks who are involved by having purchased the products Meyer's
company has produced.
Those of you who have been directly assaulted by this buffoon's temper
tantrums can readily sympathize and agree with the accounting here of my
experiences and I with yours. For those of you who have never had the
good fortune of meeting such a person.....well, maybe in the months to
come the Buffoon Club will elect this guy to "Jerk of the Year" and
you will know of whom I speak...."God Bless those who have the fortitude
to hang in there and keep things going".
Please keep the door to the "RUBBER ROOM" open ..................there is
another one on the way.
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MICROSOFT UPGRADES ITS APPLE SOFTWARE
=====================================
SAN FRANCISCO (JUNE 1) UPI - Microsoft Corp. has announced major upgrades
of its software for Apple Macintosh computers, aimed at attracting more
business customers to the Apple line.
"For many years, corporate customers have benefitted from the range of
Microsoft business products," Charles Boesenburg, senior vice president
of Apple USA, said Tuesday. "Today's products reflect that continued
effort to enhance the Macintosh computer's appeal to the business
customer."
Traditionally, most businesses have chosen IBM and compatible personal
computers, but Apple - which uses a different operating system - has been
making inroads into IBM's arena.
Upgrades for the Apple line included Microsoft Word 4.0, designed to run
on any Macintosh and offering new power.
The new features of Word 4.0 include capabilities that resemble those
offered in page format programs, including Page View, a "WYSIWYG"
(what you see is what you get).
Editing Environment:
Power tables for easy positioning of side-by-side paragraphs, numbers
or graphics.
Automatic repagination and the ability to move text around anchored
or fixed-position objects.
Microsoft also announced File 2.0, a faster and easier-to-use version of
its popular database program. A set of more than 120 templates has been
included to make Microsoft File easier to use with pre-printed forms.
Enhanced capability with the Microsoft Word merge facility makes it
easier for users to create form letters, mass mailing and mailing labels.
The new version of File also supports the color capabilities of the
Macintosh II, bringing color to business labels, forms and reports.
The company also announced shipment of PowerPoint 2.0 and Microsoft
Excel 1.5.
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ATARI FOUNDER RENEWS TIES
=========================
SUNNYVALE, Calif. (JUNE 2) UPI - Atari Corp. said Wednesday its founder
Nolan Bushnell will renew his ties to the company he created by helping
it develop video games for the home entertainment market.
Under an "exclusive" agreement disclosed by Sunnyvale-based Atari, Axlon
Inc., a maker of toys and coin-operated games, will design and develop
"an unspecified number" of video games for two of Atari's three home
entertainment systems, called the 2600 and the 7800.
Bushnell is chairman of Axlon. He founded the Sunnyvale-based company in
1983 after selling a then-struggling Atari to Warner Communications for
$28 million in 1976.
"I'm very excited at the prospect of working again in the video game
industry, especially with my alma mater, Atari," Bushnell said. "I hope
my contribution will add to the strong rebound in the industry."
Sales of video games, which slumped beginning in 1982, have recently been
rising on renewed consumer demand and a new focus on games of strategy
that test wits as well as manual skills. But Atari, which claims 30
percent of the video game market, faces strong foreign competition,
including Nintendo of Japan, which currently dominates the U.S. market.
Bushnell was one of the pioneers of the video game craze, co-founding
Atari in 1972 with an initial investment of $250 and later introducing
the popular game "Pong".
"PAC-Man," another industry hit, was introduced by Atari in 1981.
After selling Atari, Bushnell launched a chain of pizza restaurants and a
venture capital company aimed at Silicon Valley entrepreneurs before
founding Axlon five years ago.
Michael Katz, president of Atari's entertainment electronics division,
said Bushnell's "Experience and Expertise will be Invaluable."
"We're anxious for the first few games to hit the market later this year"
he added. Atari has previously promised to launch 45 new video games in
1988.
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ST-REPORT Issue #38 JUNE 06, 1988 (c)'88 APEInc.
All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted except where noted in
the article. Any reprint must include ST-Report and the author in the
credits. Views Presented here are not necessarily those of ST-Report or
of the Staff.
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