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Silicon Times Report Issue 0063
==========================================================================
*---=== ST REPORT WEEKLY ONLINE MAGAZINE ===---*
"The Original Online ST Magazine"
-------------------------------
November 28, 1988 Monday Volumn II No.63
==========================================================================
ST Report Online Magazine Inc.
------------------------------
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32236 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Headquarters Bulletin Boards
----------------------------
North South
201-343-1426 904-786-4176
Central West
216-784-0574 916-962-2566
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
========
~ From the Editor's Desk.............~ PageStream ...................
~ The Versatile ST...................~ XL/XE Xformer Support.........
~ Discovery Delivers.................~ Pro GEM Windows #14...........
~ Revolver Updates...................~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........
========================================================================
AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ THE SOURCE
========================================================================
From the Editor's Desk:
-----------------------
Now that many of us are counting the days 'till Christmas I wonder
how many dealers will be overjoyed at being able to fill their orders and
"backorders" in time for Christmas. It is a sobering thought to look at
the SIZE of the USA, and find that the company which makes our computer
places more machines in "EUROPA" than here for the holidays. Often I find
myself wondering why. There is either sheer genius or quite the opposite
behind this "marketing scheme", hopefully, one day we will understand just
what the reasoning is. The way we see it, Atari had better pull out all
the stops and make SURE there are PLENTY of machines available in the USA
for Christmas 1988....The BELLS are ringing and they ain't Jingle Bells!
Amiga is, at this time rolling over the ST Atari like a steam roller on
hot tar. The conversion rate is quite high and the "new user" numbers are
simply numbing.
On another more humorous note, a rather young and impetuous
"spokesman" for Atari has stated publicly that Atari is not, by it's
lackluster performance and meager sales in the USA, partly responsible for
the SOFTWARE THEFT RATE (%) in the USA. How utterly incredible! After
it has been stated time and time again that the number of machines in use,
ie; USERS, is directly proportional to the % of software theft and the
damage it does to the Developers of same. For Example John, Why is it
many of the developers for the ST are moving to IBM, MAC or Amiga?
Numbers, sheer numbers mandate these moves! Atari admits to 225,000 STs
in use in the USA...how many IBMs, MACs or Amigas?
Comes now, Mr. Software Developer with a new program for release.
Which market, John, do you think he would stand to EARN MORE DOLLARS in at
initial release and which market would have more of a release impact?
Atari? NEVER! (Not unless they placed three times the amount of machines
in use in the USA overnight!)...Software theft is a great deal more
pronounced in the other computer marketplaces but, because there are so
few ST machines in the US market in comparison, each stolen copy hurts!
Can you now understand why it is so important that Atari GET MOVING on
increasing the number of machines in use. Before there are no USA
developers left. How many "European" developers were at Comdex? hmmmmm
We see ads on TV for Apple, Commodore, MacIntosh and most of the
clone computers and EVEN the "toy computers" .....WHAT do we see for
Atari??? The perpetuation of the 2600 PACMAN game machine image. I still
say Atari is suffering from a severe case of the CHEAPS! Come on
Sunnyvale, this is the "END" of 1989, remember your promises at the end of
1988?? This year sounds like an instant replay. EVEN COMDEX. IT IS
TIME ATARI GOT SHED OF THE "MINOR LEAGUE" THINKING and played the game
like a major. I hate to think this, but if they do not make a wholesome
effort at making ST SALES this Christmas Time a BIG success they may not
have another chance at it. The majority of the people are disgusted with
Atari and it's EMPTY promises and YAMS (Yet Another Machine).
For cripe's sake, get competitive and PROMOTE THE ST... please?
----------- --------------
"Ah still got mah sox!"
Ralph.....
*************************************************************************
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.
**************************************************************************
PAGESTREAM, SWEET DREAM or NIGHTMARE?
=====================================
by R.F.Mariano
"A highly ambitious programming effort".....I hear this everytime I
open the box and smugly admire this program. There is not a time that
when I boot PageStream that there is not another pleasant surprise for me
in finding marvelous "little" features that simply are NOT present in any
other DTP package available in the ST marketplace.
The power available to the user via PageStream is just short of
awesome, acoordingly, the user must be cautioned that with power comes
responsibility. This program will attempt to follow every command you ask
of it. This is why, (in my opinion), there are some reports of the
program stopping cold in it's tracks. Look at it this way, if you were a
Top Sarge and told a 'cruit to march to the left and do forty pushups at
the same time, there are bound to be problems. Therefore please read the
docs thoroughly and use them as you move along in any project.
When using PageStream, I prefer using my monochrome monitor. I did
however, produce two newsletters using the medium rez monitor and although
there is a difference, (naturally), the results were equally superb.
For even the neophyte, PageStream and it's documentation are put
together to be understood and utilized. The tutorals are excellent and
should take the newcomer along rather nicely. PageStream has all the
earmarks to become a fantastic Desk Top Publishing program for the ST.
This program is definately worthwhile in many ways, the company's support
is nothing short of superb and these are young men with a strong desire to
succeed and have the skill and ability as PageStream easily reflects.
For more information about PageStream, check the message strings on
the major online services ATARIVEN (CIS) SOFTLOGIK (GENIE) or...
call:
---- Soft-Logic Publishing Corporation
P.O. Box 290071
St. Louis, MO. 63129
* 314 - 894 - 0431 *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Versatile Atari ST Computer
===============================
by Myles S. Goddard
I'm sure that you are familiar with the phrase " Power without
the Price ", but let's think a little further along those lines. I have
had the Magic Sac for some months now and I have learned much about the
operating system of the Macintosh. It isn't as easy to grasp as the
friendly GEM interface of the ST but it does have a lot of nice features
that aren't found on the ST or IBM environment. As a matter of fact, I
was even thinking about buying a MAC system, that is, until I saw what
the 1040ST can do in emulation.
For those folks who like to dabble into other computer systems but
don't want to spend thousands in new hardware, then the Magic Sac is the
way to go. It will emulate a Macintosh 512KE with precision, although for
many, many applications it will do a beautiful job with just about any
program that requires the 64K ROMS in the older Macs.
To be quite honest, my first experience with the Magic Sac was with
the cracked disk based version, 5.9. Although I knew there were some
limitations by having the Mac OS in RAM, I did manage to see some of
the neat programs for the Mac World. By using the "Bootleg" copy, I was
thoroughly impressed enough to buy the Magic Sac cartridge. The docs for
the Magic Sac are very well presented and evenn gives a short history of
the Macintosh and its operation. Perhaps it is my imagination, but the
cart seems to be more stable than the disk version and besides allows
almost 200+K for more RAM for some of the larger Mac programs. I tested
out some of the powerhouse applications like Excel, which by the way,
is supposed to be THE BEST spreadsheet anywhere for ANY computer,
although I'm sure 1-2-3 users will balk at that statement. I particularly
like MacWrite myself as it is super user friendly and does the job for me.
Anyway, to get back to my train of thought, I am sure that there are those
who want to extend their computer horizons beyond just " playing around "
and get to some serious Mac usage. Don't get me wrong, the Magic Sac is
a super product and with the newest version 6.1 software, the disk access
and screen output are phenomenal over the previous versions and still
outperforms the speed of a Mac 512 and has a bigger screen to boot!
A monochrome monitor is highly recommended and if you know what you are
doing you can enlarge the screen by simply adjusting from inside the cover
of the SM124.
The Spectre 128 is the next step in ST Mac emulation and uses the
newer 128K ROMs found in the newer Macintosh's. From what I've seen,
the screen display is outstanding with the screen refreshing itself with
lightning speed. Now you ask yourself, " Why should I go any higher than
the Magic Sac? ". Good question, here's my answer. The newer Mac systems
have a little application called HYPERCARD which is a giant step in making
programming a sinch. The Spectre 128 allows Hypercard to run as well as
HyperDA and a wealth of new software that is designed to run on the new
Macs. At present, sound is not fully supported but will be in the near
future. There is a bit of compatibility problem with regards to graphic
games and such. I believe the reason for this is the original Mac programs
use extensive calls to screen graphics buffers, which of course the 128
doesn't yet support. But think of it this way, if you want great graphics
then you can use the ST's power to blow your socks off. The Macintosh is
good but it's only a monochrome display. By having the ST, you can have
the best of both worlds. But wait, there is another way to get a
"Macintosh". Read on......
I sent off for some information about a reconditioned Macintosh and
got my reply today. The name of the company is SUN Remarketing, Inc.
They are located at P.O. Box 4059, Logan, Utah 84321. They specialize in
the reconditioning of out of production units. The ad that caught my eye
was for a Apple Lisa, a computer that preceded the Macintosh and cost
just slightly under $10,000 when new. It had a megabyte of RAM, a 400K
floppy drive and a 5 meg hard drive. It was in a world of its own and
obviously stayed there. It wasn't a product that went over big so it was
withdrawn and was replaced with the Macintosh. Anyway, they have a Lisa
setup that will get you up and running Mac software. Its called MacWorks
and does enable the Lisa to emulate the Mac, however the ad states that
it isn't completely compatable with some of the newer programs but if you
buy the newer Mac Works Plus for $200 it will let you run more of them.
What's this? The circles on the screen are ellipses, now what?
Yep, buy the Screen Modification Kit for $79. Whew, now I would like the
System files to be over 400K....Oh no! Right again, lets upgrade the 400K
drive to an 800K drive, another $200. Great, now let's add this together
and see what we come up with.
Lisa Professional ........ $ 995.00
800K Floppy Upgrade ........ $ 200.00
Screen Mod Kit ........ $ 79.00
Mac Works Plus ........ $ 200.00
------------------
$ 1474.00
That's $ 1474.00 for a 1 meg machine with 5 meg hard drive. If you
want to get a 20 megabyte hard drive after you have purchased the outfit
it will cost you an additional $ 1095.00. Ok, we have purchased a Lisa
computer system for a total of $ 2569.00, and it still won't emulate the
sound of a macintosh. And remember, this is a RECONDITIONED unit.
Yep, now this is where the ST really shines.
Buy a 1040ST monochrome system for about $ 800.00, add Spectre 128,
about $ 179.00, some 128K Mac ROMS, $ 99.00, 20 Meg ABCO Hard drive,
$ 519.00. Total cost- $ 1597.00. This is for a NEW system and some of
the best software in the world will run on both systems. Now for some
frosting on the cake... PC-Ditto, about $ 59.00 ( Mail Order ). What do we
have now.....?
Here's what we have. ONE machine that will run ST, IBM and Macintosh
software. That's right, you can run Excel if you like, Lotus 123, or VIP.
In fact, not only do you get hundreds of great software choices, you get
THOUSANDS. The ST system has some of the best graphics capabilities around
and when coupled with the RGB color monitor you have a setup that can't be
beat, unless you want to put off buying that car for a MAC II.
Now I know where that catchy phrase came from......
"Power Without The Price"
" ATARI COMPUTERS "
Myles S. Goddard
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
XL/XE ST Xformer Support
========================
ST Xformer BBS Support
----------------------
by Darek Mihocka 11/15/88
For the last 4 months, ST Xformer II (versions 2.0 thru 2.3) has been
available for download on Compuserve, Delphi, and Genie. This has
proved to be an effective distribution method, allowing me to put up
new versions once a month, and also provide online support to Xformer
users. This online support benefits the users, and has also benefited
me, allowing me to hear of bugs and suggestions. I compared my latest
development version of Xformer 2.4 to the version 2.1 which is up on
the online services, and can see quite an improvement in compatibility.
Several major titles, including some popular video games, which do not
run under 2.1 do run under 2.4, and I still plan to spend about a month
on 2.4 before releasing it.
As nice as this may seem, this online support costs me and you money.
My monthly bill for Compuserve, Genie, and Delphi is about $250, which
is barely offset by the registration fees of those users who have been
honest enough to send in the $20. And from the user's point of view,
paying $10/hour or more to use these services becomes prohibitive if
you try to download every Xformer update and the megabytes of 8-bit
software that I have uploaded for use with Xformer, not to mention
the many more megabytes of 8-bit software regularly available. Although
Genie is cheap at $5/hr, I have to call it long distance and only get
1200 baud access, and although Compuserve and Delphi have local numbers,
their 2400 baud file transfer speed is much slower.
Since September I have been planning to set up Xformer BBSs, which would
provide a cheaper method of support, both for me and the users. After
getting nothing but bombs from STadel 3 BBS software, and after not
getting some badly needed phone support from QMI for the BBS I half
finished in ST Talk Pro, I started looking around for existing BBSs which
could give me space for Xformer support. I have several BBSs ready to
provide the support, but for now, I'm only going to give out one number,
and see how things go.
The L.U.ST BBS in London, Ontario is a 300/1200/2400 baud 24 hour BBS
which is giving me 20 meg of space for Xformer files. I already have over
30 meg of p/d 8-bit software, so there will be no lack of Xformer-ready
.SD and .DD files. It is in the heart of southern Ontario, so it is a
cheap long-distance call from anywhere in the Great Lakes states, like
Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York State. At 2400 baud, an ARCed
.SD file only takes about 5 minutes to download, which is quicker and
cheaper than calling Genie at 1200 baud.
By the way, L.U.ST (London Users of STs) produces of one the highest
quality newsletters around. If you belong to a user group, consider
exchanging newsletters with L.U.ST.
This BBS will start the Xformer support this weekend (Nov. 19). Since it
is in my area, I will call frequently to provide support. Registered users
of Xformer will also have access to other downloads, such as Xformer
2.4 and later, version 2.5 (the 130XE emulator). Xformer 2.4 will
_NOT_ be uploaded to the pay services but will be available to new
registered users and as a free update to current registered users.
Of course I am not dropping support of the pay services, just limiting it
slightly. If you do subscribe to Compuserve, all the latest available
Xformer related files can be found in the ST XFORMER download library in
the Atari ST Productivity SIG. To enter it, type "GO ATARIPRO".
If you subscribe to Genie, type "M 476" to enter the Atari ST download
section, select category 14 (Product Support) and do a file list back
until about July. Look for files uploaded by me (DAREKM). On Delphi,
enter the ST Log databases, and scan through the Recent Arrivals section
for the latest files, and the other sections for older files. Type
"SEA XFORMER" to do the search. I did at first provide support on BIX, but
stopped after I calculated my billing rate to be about $30 or $40/hr.
If you are a registered user who has contributed $20 or more in shareware
fees, you can get the latest Xformer files from me by either calling
the L.U.ST BBS or simply mailing in your Xformer disk and I will mail
it back to you with the new files. The current latest files are:
ST Xformer version 2.21 and 2.31, FXP 1.1, QTU 1.1, and there is a new
boot disk effective Nov. 6th. Version 2.21 should only be used for the
Apple and C64 emulation, since version 2.31 has some nice improvements:
- smaller size, uses less memory
- faster text and graphics scrolling
- marginal overall speed increase (trust me, you won't notice it)
- support for 1200XL function keys and the Help key
- faster 800XL ROM/RAM swapping
- elimination of virtual joysticks 3 and 4 to match XL/XE design
- now runs the G.O.E. demo and some more versions of SpartaDOS
- more accurate serial port emulation (requires the disk drive cable)
which allows you to connect any self-powered 8-bit peripheral,
e.g. the 850 interface and the various Atari printers and plotters.
ST Xformer source code is available on the pay services and on the BBS,
and is described fully in the latest ST LOG #26. It is helpful to check
ST LOG #17 and #18 as well, since they contain my first docs of the
original Xformer 1.1 source code.
L.U.ST BBS - (519)-432-5144 300/1200/2400 baud 24hrs.
U.S. BBSs coming soon.
Compuserve - ST XFORMER library in ATARIPRO I am 73657,2714
Delphi - ST databases in the ST Log SIG I am DAREKM
Genie - ST download library 14 I am DAREKM
Xformer support (voice): (519)-747-0386, 24hrs, me or a machine.
I now have a permanent answering machine set up, so if anyone has any
questions or things they'd like to talk about, give me a call, and if I'm
not home, leave a message and I'll most like phone you back within a day.
Leave your name, area code and phone number, city or time zone, and a
convenient time when you can be reached. If you have questions, leave them
on the tape too so that I can answer them when I phone you back. The
number is listed above, and I can usually be reached in the late afternoon
(eastern time), or around midnight.
I will _NOT_ answer questions regarding pirated software or release dates
of Xformer 2.4, 2.5, or 3.0. Announcements will be made on the support
BBSs and online services when they are available. I trust that if you
are using "cracked" files of disks and cartridges that you do own the
originals. If you have an 8-bit disk drive and are using it with Xformer,
there is no need to crack most software. The serial cable to connect the
8-bit drive to the ST is available from me for $23 US.
Hope to see everyone calling the BBS this weekend. Leave a message to the
sysop and let him know you are an Xformer user. If you don't yet have
the Xformer files, you will be able to download them, but not all the
files that the registered users have access to. When you register you will
receive the printed manual and latest software on an 800K disk. Add $2
if you'd rather have 2 400K disks, i.e. you only have a single sided
disk drive. Having at least a megabyte of memory is almost a must.
The 8-bit disk drive cable is only available to people who register.
Xformer is quickly reaching the level of Atari XL/XE support that emulators
like the Magic Sac and PC Ditto provide of their respective machines, but
like those other emulators, it has taken a lot of time and effort. Since
this program is shareware, my income from it relies solely on the shareware
registrations of users. At $20, it's cheap, and you will get the free
updates and support through 1988 and 1989. Some time in 1989 I expect the
program to be at an advanced enough stage to not require any more updates.
But don't wait until then to enjoy it!
- Darek Mihocka
Box 2624, Station B
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6N2
CANADA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCOVERY CART DELIVERS!
========================
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
QUESTION - Does the Discovery Cartridge allow my ST to run IBM PC
programs?
ANSWER - No, but the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can help you do this. There are
products on the market that can permit your ST to run some IBM
PC programs.
Without any additional hardware, your ST computer can directly read and
write some disks from the IBM PC. All IBM PC floppy disks are written
using the MFM coding scheme. Your Atari ST can operate on those disks
that are written at the 250K "double density" data rate. You may want to
add a 5.25 inch drive mechanism to your ST. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can
ease the problem of connecting a standard (non Atari) drive mechanism.
See that section below.
A special "high density" 5.25 and/or 3.5 inch drive mechanism can be added
to your ST to access "high density" IBM PC disks which use data rates up
to 500K. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE could be used to access these "high
density" drives while your standard ST cannot. The ability to access
"high density" drives with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE will not be included
in our first software release.
QUESTION - Can the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE ease the problem of connecting a
standard 5.25 inch drive mechanism to my ST?
ANSWER - Yes, but read on. As part of our "USER CONFIGURABLEOPTIONS" a
3rd and 4th drive can be connected to your ST. In this
circuitry for the third and fourth drives, the disk drive
signals are buffered to be compatible with a standard IBM PC
type drive. Also, our software package allows handling drives
with step rates slower than 6 milliseconds.
However, unless you are a technician familiar with disk drive interfacing,
you are better off purchasing a drive already set up to be compatible with
your ST. Even though it costs more, there will be fewer problems in the
long run. Your dealer may be able to help you utilize the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE's drive interface in connecting a standard disk drive. The only
assistance HAPPY COMPUTERS can provide is through the documentation that
comes with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE. We will not approve or deny approval
of any particular after-market disk drive product for use with our
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE.
QUESTION - Since my hard disk is already drive C and D, and my RAM DISK is
drive E, what drive letters can be used for the 3rd and 4th
drive option?
ANSWER - Our software includes an installer program that lets you decide
which drive letters are to correspond to the 3rd and 4th drive.
Any currently unused letter in the range C-P may be used.
QUESTION - Will all programs on my ST be able to use the 3rd and 4th
drives connected to that option on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE?
ANSWER - No, only software that calls the standard disk drive I/O
software in the ST computer's BIOS will work. Also, our
software driver must be installed to allow programs to access
these extra drives. This allows having up to four drives
connected and accessed at one time. The installation of our
software driver is similar to that required for a RAM DISK.
Software programs that directly access the disk drive hardware through the
hardware registers in the ST will not be able to access the 3rd and 4th
drive option. Our DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE adds new hardware registers that
permit the 3rd and 4th drive selection. These registers are not a part
of the standard ST hardware description, but are documented in the
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE's manual. A special case of a program that does not
function with the 3rd and 4th drive option is the disk format utility
built into the ST's desk top software. The format program will not allow
you to format any drive letter higher than drive B. There are various
solutions around this problem.
Even though a particular program may not work with the 3rd and 4th drive
option, this option may still be of use. Suppose you had a 5.25 inch
drive connected as the third drive. By flipping the "DRIVE 3 SWAP" switch
on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE (optional), this 5.25 inch drive would then
become drive A or B, which should then work with more programs. The
limiting factor in this case would be that the 3rd drive connected must
be capable of the 6 millisecond stepping rate, since our software which
allows the slower stepping rate would not be active.
QUESTION - Does the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE make my ST COMPUTER read and write
disks faster?
ANSWER - No. Unlike the 8 bit Atari COMPUTER, the ST COMPUTER's disk
hardware is a full parallel interface. No hardware speed
improvement device is needed. Software improvements such as
RAMDISKS, track buffering and format interleave are available
on the market.
QUESTION - What are the physical characteristics of the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE?
ANSWER - With the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE plugged into your ST or MEGA
COMPUTER, the cartridge enclosure extends about 4.5 inches
to the left of the computer housing. This allows room for 3
disk drive connectors on the back of the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE,
and also provides clearance for MIDI cables, as some ST
computers have the MIDI connections next to the cartridge port.
The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE's enclosure extends about 2 inches
forward from the front edge of the cartridge electrical socket.
Since the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE already extends quite far
(4.5 inches) to the left, HAPPY COMPUTERS decided to put the
optional 2nd cartridge expansion socket on the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE facing toward the front of the computer. The drive
3 swap and ROM bank select switches also face toward the front.
QUESTION - Do disk copies made by the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE require that
the CARTRIDGE be installed to run the copy, like some copies
made by the 8 bit HAPPY?
ANSWER - No, The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE does not have to be present to run
the copies. Refer to the section in our original literature
which compares the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE to the 8 bit HAPPY for
further information.
QUESTION - Are software upgrades required? ANSWER - Like all other
computer programs, improvement is always possible. Please
do not expect our first software release to contain every
possible feature. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE hardware device
contains no software on ROM or EPROM, so no hardware upgrade
should ever be needed or required. All improvements will be by
virtue of disk based software. From time to time, we will
offer new software upgrades which will include n ew features
and further use of the power of the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE's
hardware. Software upgrades are not free. We notify our
customers when they are available, and how to order them.
The charge is usually nominal.
QUESTION - Does the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE and all of its features work with
all drives and all ST computers?
ANSWER - We have designed the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE to work with all
standard 520ST, 1040ST and MEGA series computers made by Atari
to date. Computers that have special modifications that
affect the processor speed, performance, interrupt system, or
disk drive interface may not operate with the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE.
The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE works perfectly with the internal drive in those
computers that have them. No internal wiring or modification is needed,
as all signals needed are present on the disk drive connector at the back
of the computer. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE always plugs into this connector
with a cable that is included, even if there are no external drives.
Our information indicates that Atari has shipped a variety of drives, with
various internal differences. A particular drive may work perfectly in
all respects with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE. Then again, even though a
drive may seem to function properly for all normal DOS and file
operations, it may have some problems performing some of the extended
functions that the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE provides. For example, some drives
may not be able to position the read/write head past the 80th track; and
this may be required to copy a particular disk. It is conceivable that a
particular drive may have trouble reading or writing in the MACINTOSH
format. The MACINTOSH format uses a data bandwidth on the outer tracks
that is higher than normal MFM 250K.
The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE has no control over the quality of disk reading
and writing, head positioning, or other restrictions that a particular
drive mechanism may cause. To assist the user, our software package
includes diagnostics that will test a disk drive, and measure its
performance in these respects. Our test should allow the user to
determine if a particular drive functions well enough to do the job
required. If there are problems, the user may need to substitute a
different drive. It may be possible to substitute a better drive
mechanism that plugs right in, taking the place of the one originally
provided by Atari. Your computer dealer may be able to help you in doing
this. Our diagnostic cannot determine if a drive is out of alignment.
Only a qualified technician can test and adjust all aspects of your disk
drive.
QUESTION - Does the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE allow my Atari ST computer to run
programs from the MACINTOSH computer?
ANSWER - No, but the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can help you do this by adding
the ability to translate disks from MACINTOSH format to the
MAGIC format used by the MAGIC SAC, without the need to have a
MACINTOSH computer connected to your ST computer. There are
products on the market that can permit your ST to run some
MACINTOSH programs. One of these is the MAGIC SAC from DATA
PACIFIC.
The MAGIC SAC product is a combination of hardware and software. The
hardware portion of the MAGIC SAC is a CARTRIDGE that holds the MACINTOSH
ROMS and a battery backed up clock circuit. Our DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE has
the option to operate with the MAGIC SAC software, either by installing
the ROMS and clock circuit in the space provided on the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE board, or by plugging the MAGIC SAC cartridge into the optional
cartridge jack on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE. See the section on FACTORY
and USER CONFIGURABLE options in this literature for further information.
HAPPY COMPUTERS does not offer any opinion or information concerning
the ability of the MAGIC SAC to run MACINTOSH programs. For the purpose
of this discussion, we assume that the MAGIC SAC does this function.
HAPPY COMPUTERS does not offer any warranty concerning the performance of
products made by other companies.
IMPORTANT: The option to install ROMS or EPROMS such as MACINTOSH ROMS
directly on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, to facilitate running the MAGIC SAC
software without the need to plug in the MAGIC SAC hardware, is a new
option. It was not described in our previous literature.
QUESTION - How does the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE compare with the TRANSLATOR
from Data Pacific?
ANSWER - Compared to the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, the TRANSLATOR is a bad
design.
TRANSLATOR vs DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE
=================================
Without a hardware upgrade, your ST computer cannot read or write the
variable speed GCR data on MACINTOSH formatted disks. Your ST can only
read and write MFM data at the 250K rate. The TRANSLATOR was designed
specifically to allow your ST to read and write MACINTOSH disks. That is
the only thing the TRANSLATOR can do. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, which was
designed to read and write virtually any disk format, can read and write
MACINTOSH disks as just one of its full range of features.
Both the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE and the TRANSLATOR plug in-line with the disk
drive cables, allowing both of them to access any internal and external
floppy drives that are accessible by your ST computer.
The data pathway between the TRANSLATOR and the ST COMPUTER is through
the midi port. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE plugs into the ST computer's
cartridge port. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can move large amounts of disk
data and programs through its cartridge port connection at the top speed
of the 68000 microprocessor in your ST. Unlike the midi interface, the
cartridge port does not suffer from a data bottleneck of serial to
parallel conversion. The TRANSLATOR transfers disk data at the midi port
speed which is (painfully) much slower. Use of the midi port as the
transfer interface causes some disk operations with the TRANSLATOR to take
almost 15 minutes. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, with its full parallel
cartridge interface can do the same job in about 3 minutes. Using the
slow midi ports to transfer disk data with the TRANSLATOR is a bad design.
The TRANSLATOR requires its own power supply. Since the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE's modern design uses small amounts of electricity, no separate
power supply is needed.
The software that supports the TRANSLATOR is an integral part of the
MAGIC SAC software. This allows ST computers equipped with both the
TRANSLATOR and MAGIC SAC to directly run MACINTOSH programs from MACINTOSH
formatted disks. It may even be possible to directly run some purchased
MACINTOSH programs that are copy protected. Only those copy protected
programs that do not try to access MACINTOSH hardware registers will
function. There may be other reasons why you can't execute a particular
copy protected MACINTOSH program with the TRANSLATOR. Neither the
TRANSLATOR nor the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can precisely duplicate the timing
and hardware environment of the MACINTOSH disk system.
The software that supports the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE could also be an
integral part of the MAGIC SAC software. It would be easiest to
accomplish this if HAPPY COMPUTERS and DATA PACIFIC reached an appropriate
agreement. This hasn't happened yet. As of this writing, the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE cannot be used directly with MACINTOSH FORMATTED disks while the
MAGIC SAC is running a MACINTOSH program.
Although the TRANSLATOR can allow your MAGIC SAC equipped ST to directly
operate with MACINTOSH formatted disks, it is extremely slow in doing
this. The user will have much faster operation if the MACINTOSH disk is
first converted into the MAGIC FORMAT. A MAGIC FORMAT disk can be
directly read by your ST COMPUTER's drive, with no TRANSLATOR or
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE connected. The floppy disk controller in your
standard ST is very efficient at reading and writing MAGIC FORMAT disks
since they are in the MFM format which a standard ST directly handles.
Both the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE and the TRANSLATOR can be used to convert
MACINTOSH formatted disks to and from the more efficient MAGIC FORMAT.
The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is much faster than the TRANSLATOR at doing this.
The slow speed of the TRANSLATOR may really bog you down. Computers were
not invented to keep people waiting!
Since the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is only needed to do format conversion, and
since this is the most efficient way of using the MAGIC SAC, it is not
important to have the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE operate online within the MAGIC
SAC software.
DATA PACIFIC's literature that documents the problems with their
TRANSLATOR attests to a problem formatting disks in MACINTOSH format
using the TRANSLATOR. They claim that this is due to an RPM problem in
some Atari drives. This requires that the disk be formatted on a
MACINTOSH, even if you want to write data with your ST, or else a
MACINTOSH may not be able to read the disk. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE can
compensate for both large and small speed variations in your Atari drive,
and does not require formatting on the MACINTOSH. The lack of
compensation for drive speed in the TRANSLATOR is a bad design.
The bottom line is that the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE does much more than the
TRANSLATOR, converts disks to and from MACINTOSH format more accurately
and faster than the TRANSLATOR, and the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE costs less
than the TRANSLATOR.
QUESTION - Will the Discovery Cartridge convert MACINTOSH formatted disk
files into Atari files? ANSWER - It could, but our first software release
will not contain this feature. Instead, you could convert a MACINTOSH
formatted disk into the MAGIC format, and then use the MAGIC SAC to
convert this into an Atari file. The same holds true for the opposite
direction.
QUESTION - Can I purchase the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE together with the MAGIC
SAC?
ANSWER - No, not at the present time from HAPPY COMPUTERS. However,
you can purchase an option with your DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE that
allows plugging in the MACINTOSH ROMS and includes a battery
backed up clock. This may permit the MAGIC SAC software to
operate without the need to plug in the MAGIC SAC cartridge.
HAPPY COMPUTERS cannot supply the MACINTOSH ROMS at this time.
Your dealer may be able to put together the best package that
meets your needs.
MORE OPTIONS
============
Our original literature describes the features available as USER
CONFIGURABLE OPTIONS to the standard DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE. In addition,
there is one additional feature available. There are positions to mount
two 28 pin EPROMs or ROMs. Usually these will be 27C256, 27C512, or
MACINTOSH ROMS. If you place MACINTOSH ROMS in these sockets, and also
install the optional battery backed up clock, you should be able to use
the MAGIC SAC software, without the need to plug in the MAGIC SAC
hardware cartridge. We have tested this. However, we cannot guarantee
the performance or compatibility of another company's product.
There is also a position for one additional switch. With 512K EPROMS,
this switch selects one of two banks for access by your ST computer.
This would allow two 256K programs to be resident inside the cartridge,
and permit access to one or the other according to the position of the
switch.
FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS
-------------------------
We will offer factory installation of options on new DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGES before shipment. Once a unit is shipped, option installation
will not be available at the prices shown here. Our first option package
includes the option for the third and fourth drive, including the switch
to select the third drive into the drive A position. Note: with
computers that have an internal drive A, this switch selects the third
drive into the drive B position rather than the drive A position. It is
possible to rewire the internal drive to be drive B, and this would allow
the 3rd drive to be switched to drive A. HAPPY COMPUTERS cannot provide
details on this.
Also included are the 28 pin sockets for ROM or EPROM. Note that the
ROM / EPROM sockets are empty. HAPPY COMPUTERS does not supply the
ROMS / EPROMS that the user may wish to plug in. All of the software
needed to operate the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is disk based.
The battery backed up clock is also included. We have noticed that some
of the other battery backed up clock options for the ST suffer from poor
accuracy. Our circuit has been designed to allow us to trim each unit to
reasonable accuracy.
The only options possible that are not included in our first options
package are the optional jack for a second cartridge, and the switch that
would allow selecting the high and low banks of a 512K EPROM.
The switch that allows the user to select the low or high banks of 512K
EPROMS may be added on to the first option package. If 512K EPROMs are
used, this switch is required, or else only 256K would be addressable.
If 256K EPROMs or MACINTOSH ROMS are used, the switch could be used. If
the switch is not installed, a wire jumper must be installed in its place.
This wire is required to determine whether pin 1 of the ROMs / EPROMs is
high or low. MACINTOSH ROMS (from Apple) require that pin 1 be set low,
while 256K EPROMs may require that pin 1 be set high. A wire may be
soldered in, or it may be pushed into the socket pins when the ROMs /
EPROMs are plugged in. As long as it makes good firm contact, it doesn't
matter whether the wire is soldered in or pushed into the socket.
CARTRIDGE JACK OPTION
----------------------
There is a position on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE board for mounting a 40
pin female jack for plugging in a 2nd cartridge. Due to the already wide
area that the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE occupies (4.5 inches to the left of the
computer), HAPPY COMPUTERS determined that desk space would be best
utilized if the jack for the 2nd cartridge faced forward. With the
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, a second cartridge will plug in from the front.
This precludes the use of some L shaped cartridges as a 2nd cartridge
with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE.
HAPPY COMPUTERS cannot guarantee any cartridge for use as a 2nd cartridge.
With no changes other than the installation of the 2nd jack, we have
determined that the MAGIC SAC and the DESK CART seem to work properly
when used as a second CARTRIDGE with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, but we
cannot guarantee that this applies to all existing and future MAGIC SAC
and DESK CART cartridges.
If the 2nd cartridge jack is used with a MAGIC SAC or a DESK CART, the
options on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE board for the battery backed up clock,
and EPROMS / ROMS cannot be used, as they would interfere with the ROMS
and clock on the MAGIC SAC and DESK CART. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE's
option for the third and fourth drive may still be used with a MAGIC SAC
or DESK CART plugged in as a second cartridge.
The jack used to implement the 2nd cartridge may not always be available
to HAPPY COMPUTERS. We reserve the right to cancel orders for the second
cartridge jack option if the jack is not available.
The second cartridge jack may be ordered by itself or in conjunction with
the option for the third and fourth drive. It cannot be ordered with the
ROM sockets or battery backed up clock option.
There are a limited number of address and select signals at the ST
CARTRIDGE jack. With some modification, it may be possible to adapt the
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE to be used as a 2nd cartridge, or to allow various
other cartridges to be used as a 2nd cartridge. The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE
board has been designed to simplify this type of modification. Other
than the documentation that comes with the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, HAPPY
COMPUTERS cannot provide assistance concerning this type of modification.
NON-FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS
------------------------------
Any of the options allowed by the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE's design may be
installed by a qualified technician. Soldering is required. No wiring
is needed in most cases, except for the ROM / EPROM pin 1 jumper as was
discussed above. The components are simply soldered into the holes
provided on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE board. Most of the components are
readily available from electronics components suppliers.
Complete schematics, parts lists, and component placement diagrams of the
DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE board and options are included with the DISCOVERY
CARTRIDGE documentation. No documentation is available concerning HAPPY
COMPUTERS' custom HART chip in the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE.
IMPORTANT - HAPPY COMPUTERS warranty on the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE is
rendered null and void by any modification made to the DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE
once it leaves our factory. All options that are installed by HAPPY
COMPUTERS will be covered by HAPPY COMPUTERS' warranty. You void your
entire warranty if options are installed by anyone other than HAPPY
COMPUTERS.
ORDERS AND OPTIONS SHIPMENT
---------------------------
Call (408) 778-5984 for up to date delivery information or,
(408) 779-3830 to order your Discovery Cartridge today.
Ed. Note: Happy Computers is shipping Discovery Carts now and they are in
full production.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANTIC PUBLISHING INC.
COPYRIGHT 1988
REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.
PROFESSIONAL GEM by Tim Oren
Column #14 - User Interfaces, part 2
This issue of ST PRO GEM (#14) continues the discussion of
user interface design which began in episode eight. It begins
where we left off, with a further treatment of the mode problem,
and proceeds into topics such as visual grammar and layered
interfaces.
Note that there is no download for this column. The
downloads will return with the next issue, a discussion of using
the GEM DOS file system within a GEM application. Specifically,
it will include sample code for using the file selector, the GEM
form_error alerts, and some utilities for manipulating file and
path names. There will also be a feedback section. The following
two columns will be devoted to "graphics potpourri", a collection
of small but useful GEM utilities such as popup menus, string
editing, and source code for drag and rubber box operations.
MODES AGAIN. If a program is modeless, it acts predictably,
which turns out to be very important. On the other hand, a good
definition for "modes" is hard to find. In column eight, I
suggested that a mode exists when you cannot use all of the
capabilities of the program without performing some intermediate
step. If this is less than clear, here are two alternate
definitions offering different views of the problem.
THE "TWO USER TEST". Consider the following thought
experiment: Imagine that your ST (and GEM) had two mice, two
cursors, and two users. Could they both effectively use the
program at the same time? If so, the application is modeless. If
there are points where one user can be "locked out" by the actions
of the other, then a mode exists at that point. Let's consider
some examples of this test.
In any program which uses the GEM menu system, one user could
stop the other by touching a menu hotspot and dropping a menu.
This constitutes an inherent mode in the GEM architecture.
On the GEM Desktop, two users could open windows and view
files without interference. However, as soon as one person tries
to delete a file (assuming the verify option is on), the other is
brought to a halt as a dialog appears. Thus, we have found a
modal dialog.
In many "Paint-type" programs, such as MacPaint, PC Paint,
and GEM Paint, two artists could co-exist quite well, utilizing
the on-screen palette and tool selection. Of course, these
programs also contain modal dialogs for such operations as file
and brush shape selection. In contrast, consider the paint
program DEGAS for the ST. Here, two artists could only work
together as long as neither wanted to change tool or color. Then
the display would have to be flipped to the selection screen,
stopping the other user. This is a mode in the DEGAS interface.
(By the way, this test is not just academic. The grand-daddy
of all mouse based systems, NLS, demonstrated by Doug Englebart in
1968, had two mice and two users, one of whom was physically
remote. Cooperative techniques such as this are still largely
unexplored and unexploited.)
ONE LINER. Here's a terse definition by Jef Raskin: A
program is modeless if a given action has one and only one result.
Again, let's run a few examples.
The menu dropdowns are clearly modal by this definition.
Before the menu was activated, window control points could be
activated with a click. However, when the dropdown is visible, a
click action is interpreted as a menu selection or a dismissal of
the dropdown. Similarly, dialogs are modal because the action of
moving the mouse into the menu bar no longer causes the dropdown
to appear.
I am typing this using the First Word editor program. It has
a nice desktop level box full of characters where I can click to
get symbols which the ST keyboard won't produce. However, if I
invoke the find or replace string dialog, the click-in-the-box
action doesn't work anymore. This is a mode in the First Word
interface.
Finally, consider an "old style" menu program, the kind where
you type in the number of the desired action from a list. Since
the number "2" might mean "Insert the record" in one menu, and
"Purge the file" in another, such a program is clearly modal by
Raskin's definition.
These three definitions say almost the same thing, but from
different viewpoints. Depending on the situation, one or the
other may be more intuitive for you. The goal of this type of
analysis is to root out unnecessary modes, and to make sure that
those which remain only appear when requested by the user, offer
some visual cue such as a rubber line or standard dialog box, and
are used consistently throughout the application.
PREDICTABILITY FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER. As Raskin's
definition makes clear, when the modes go away, the interface
becomes predictable. Predictability leads to the formation of
habits of use. Habits reduce "think time" and become
progressively faster due to the Power Law of Practice discussed in
column eight. This is exactly what we want!
There is another benefit of predictability. A habit learned
in one part of a program with a consistent interface can be
transferred and used elsewhere in the application. If several
programs share the same style of interface, the same habits can be
used across a complete set of products. Learning time for the new
functions becomes shorter, and the user is more likely to use the
new feature.
IS A BOGEYMAN! Most casual users are scared silly of
computers and programs. (If you have any doubt, eavesdrop on a
secretary with a new word processor, or the doctor's receptionist
coping with an insurance data entry program.) In most cases, they
have a right to be frightened. Even experienced programmers,
prone to toss the manuals and hack away, know that moderate
paranoia is the best way to deal with an unknown program. How
must this feel to someone whose ability to perform (or lose) their
job depends on an unpredictable (aha!) black box.
So here's another way in which predictability works. But to
produce a truly fearless user, we need other qualities as well.
One is robustness, meaning that the program will not crash given
normal or even bizarre actions by the user. Another is feedback,
which shuts off invalid options, reinforces correct actions, and
gives reassurance that an operation is proceeding normally.
Finally, we need forgiveness, in the form of inverse operations or
Undo options, when the inevitable mistake is made.
The ultimate goal is make the program discoverable. This
means the user should be able to safely "wing it" after a short
session with the application and its interface. This practice
ought to be considered the norm anyway, since the manual is always
across the office or missing when an esoteric and half-forgotten
feature is needed. If it is possible to muddle through such a
situation by trial and error, without causing damage, the
immediate problem will be solved, and the user will gain
confidence.
GOOD GRAMMAR OR... So exactly what are these habits that are
supposed to be so helpful? One of the most useful patterns is a
consistent command grammar for the program. This may sound
strange, since we have supposedly abandoned command line
interfaces in the graphics world, but in fact, the same type of
rules apply. For instance, in the world of A> we might issue the
command:
copy a:foobar.txt b:
By analogy to English grammar, this command contains a verb,
"copy", a file as subject: "a:foobar.txt", and a location as
an object: "b:". The equivalent GEM Desktop operation is:
- Move mouse to foobar.txt icon in a: window
- Press mouse button
- Move mouse to b: icon
- Release mouse button
The operation can be described as a select-drag-drop sequence,
with the select designating the subject file, the drag denoting
the operation (copy), and the location of the drop showing the
object. A grammar still exists, but its "terminal symbols" are
composed of mouse actions interpreted in the context of the
current screen display, rather than typed characters.
One useful way to analyze simple grammars, including those
used as command languages, is to separate them into prefix,
postfix, and infix forms. In a prefix grammer, the operation to
be performed precedes its operands, that is, its subject(s) and
object(s). The DOS copy command given above is an example of a
prefix command. LISP is an example of a language which uses
prefix specification for its commands.
Postfix grammars specify the action after all of the operands
have been given. This command pattern is familiar to many as the
way in which Hewlett-Packard calculators work. FORTH is an
example of a language which uses a postfix grammar.
Infix notation places the verb, or operator, between its
subject and object. Conventional algebraic notation is infix, as
are most computer languages such as C or PASCAL. The example GEM
command given above is also infix, since the selection of a
subject file preceded the action, which was followed by the
designation of an object.
The "standard" GEM command grammar, as used in the products
produced by Digital Research, is in fact infix. This is not to
say that GEM enforces such a convention, or that it is rigorously
followed. However, when there is no pressing reason for a change,
adoption of an infix command grammar will make your application
feel most like others which users may have seen.
The general problem of specifying a graphic command language
can be difficult, but much of the problem has already been handled
on the ST. Part of the solution is by constraint: the input and
output hardware of the ST are predefined, so most developers will
not need to worry about choosing a pointing device or screen
resolution. The other part of the standard solution is the GEM
convention for mouse usage. I am going to review these rules, and
then describe of the situations in which they have been bent, and
finally some alternate approaches which may prove useful to some
developers.
SPECIFYING A SUBJECT. There are really two sets of methods
for designating what is to be affected by an operation. One set
is used when distinct objects are to be affected. Examples are
file and disk icons in the Desktop and trees in the RCS. Another
set of designation methods is used when continuous material, such
as text or bit images, is being handled.
When dealing with objects, a single mouse click (down and up)
over the object selects it. The application should show that the
selection has occurred by changing the appearance of the object.
The most common methods are inverting the object, or drawing
"handles" around it.
Many operations allow "plural", or multiple object,
selections. The GEM convention is that a click on an object while
the shift key is held down extends the selection by adding that
object. If the shift-clicked object was already selected, it is
deleted from the selection list.
Another way to select multiple objects is to use a "rubber
box" to enclose them. This operation begins with drag on a part
of the view where no object is present. The application then
animates a rubber box on the screen as long as the mouse button is
held down. When the button is released, all objects within the
current extent of the box are selected. A shift-drag combination
could be used to add the objects to an existing selection list.
Selecting part of a text or bit plane display is also done
with a rubber box. Since there are no "objects" in the view, any
mouse drag is interpreted as the beginning of a selection
operation. In the simplest case, a bit plane, the rectangle
within the box when the button is released is the selected extent.
When the underlying data has structure, such as words and
lines of text, the display should reflect this fact during the
selection operation. Typically, text selection is indicated by
inversion of the characters rather than a rubber box. The
selection extends along the starting line so long as the mouse
stay
s within the line. If the mouse move off the starting text
line, the implied selection is all characters between the starting
character and the character currently under the mouse, which is
not necessarily a rectangular area.
An extended "plural" selection may be supported in text
editing. The use of the shift key is also conventional in this
application.
ACTION. With the subject designated, the user can now choose
an operation. In many cases, this will be picked from the menu,
in which case the entire command is complete. Some menu
selections will lead to dialogs, in which the interaction methods
are regulated by the GEM form manager. When the command is
completed, it is often helpful if the application leaves the
objects (or areas) selected and ready for another operation. A
single click away from any object is interpreted as cancelling the
selections.
Many operations are indicated by gestures on the screen.
Usually, this is some variant of a drag operation. The
interpretation of the gesture may depend on the type and location
of the selected subject, which part of it is under the mouse, and
in what location the drag terminates.
"Handles" are small boxes or dot displayed around an object
when it is selected. A drag beginning with the mouse on a handle
is usually interpreted as a resizing operation, if this is
appropriate. The pointing finger mouse form is displayed to
indicate the operation in progress, and a rubber version of the
object is animated on the screen to show the user the result if
the button were released. In some cases, where an underlying
"snap" grid exists, the animated object may change size in
discrete steps.
Dragging a non-handle area of a selected object is usually
interpreted as the beginning of a move function. In most
applications, a move of a single object may be started without
pre-selection. Simply beginning the drag on the object is taken
to imply selection. The spread hand, or "grabber", mouse form is
typically displayed during a drag operation.
Dragging may denote copying or movement, or more complex
functions such as instantiation or generalization. The operation
implied by movement on the screen will differ among applications,
and often within the same application, depending on target
location. This target is the recipient of the command's action,
or its object, in an English grammar sense.
For example, a drag from window to window in the Desktop
denotes a copy. On the other hand, dragging the same icon to the
trashcan deletes it completely. Dragging an object from the RCS
partbox to the editing view creates a new copy of that prototype
object. Dragging the same object within the edit view simply
changes its placement.
There are some mouse actions which are conventional
"abbreviations". A double click on an object is interpreted as
both a selection and an action. Usually, the double click action
is the same as the Open entry in the "File" menu.
When the usual interpretation of a drag is movement, then
shift-drag may be used as an enhanced varient implying copying.
For instance, shift-dragging an object within the RCS editing
window makes a copy of the object and places it in the final
location.
To return to the beginning of this discussion, the reason for
adopting these conventional usages is to build an interface that
promotes habits. Particularly, a standard grammar for giving
commands helps answer the question "What comes next?". It breaks
the user's actions into logical phrases, or chunks, which may be
thought of a whole, rather than one action at a time.
DIFFERENT FOLKS, DIFFERENT STROKES. There are always
exceptions to a rule, or so it seems. In this case, consistency
of the interface grammar is sometimes traded off against
consistency of metaphor, preservation of screen space, and "fast
path" methods for experts.
One example is the use of "tools" in Paint and Draw programs.
In such programs, an initial click is made on a tool icon,
denoting the operation to be applied to all following selections.
This is an prefix style of grammar, and stands in contrast to the
usual method of selecting subject object(s) first. Because of
this contrast, it is sometimes called "moding the cursor". (Try
applying the tests above to be sure it really is a mode.)
In these cases, there are two reasons for accepting the
nonstandard method. The first is consistency of metaphor. The
"user model" portrayed in the programs is an artist's work table,
with tools, palette, and so on. The cursor moding action is
equivalent to picking up a working tool. The second reason is
speed. In a Paint program, the "canvas" is often modified, and
speed in creating or changing the bits is important. In more
object oriented applications such as Desktop or RCS, the objects
are more persistent. Speed is then more essential when adding or
changing properties of the objects.
When command styles are mixed in this fashion, you must
design very carefully to avoid conflicts or apparent side-effects
in the command language. For example, in GEM Draw picking an
action from the Edit menu cancels the current cursor mode without
warning. Confusion from such side-effects may cancel out the
benefits of the mixed grammar.
The subject of command speed deserves further attention.
While the novice approaching a program needs full feedback, a
person who uses it day in and day out will learn the program, and
want faster ways to get the job done, even if they are more
arcane. The gives rise to a "layered" style of interface.
A layered interface is designed so that the visual grammar is
obvious, as we have discussed. However, there are one or more
sets of "accelerators" built into the program, which may be harder
to find but faster to use. One example is condensed mouse actions
such as the double-click. For instance, attempting to select a
block of text which extends beyond a window is impossible using
the basic metaphor. The novice will simply do the operation in
pieces. A layered interface might put a less obvious Mark Begin
and Mark End option in the menus. Another way is to take a drag
which extends outside the window as a request to begin scrolling
in that direction, while extending the current selection.
One of the most common and useful accelerator methods is
function keys. Using this approach, single key equivalents to
actions are listed in the menu. Striking this key when an object
is selected will cause the action to occur. Note that this is
most useful if some keyboard driven method of object selection,
such as tabbing, is also available. Otherwise, the time switching
from the mouse, used to select the object, to the keyboard for
command input, may well cancel any advantage.
Finally, radical departures from the GEM metaphor may be
useful when attempting to replicate the look of another system, or
trying to meet severe constraints, such as display space. One
example would be discarding the standard GEM menus in favor of
"popup" menus which appear next to the current mouse position in
response to a click on the second button. This method has the
advantage of preserving the menu space at the top of the screen,
and is potentially faster because the menu appears right next to
the current mouse position. The drawbacks are lack of a visual
cue for naive users trying to find the commands, and the need for
custom coding to build the popups.
MORE TO COME. We have reached the end of the second sermon
on user interface. In a future column, I will look at "higher
level" topics relating to the design of the application's user
metaphor. These include issues of object orientation, direct
manipulation, and the construction of microworlds. In the
meantime, several of the more practical columns will present
implementions of techniques such as accelarator keys and popup
menus which I have discussed this time.
THANKS AND APOLOGIES to the following people whose public and
published remarks have formed part of the basis of this
discussion: Jef Raskin, Bill Buxton, Adele Goldberg, James Foley,
and Ben Schneidermann. As always, any errors are my own.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release Notes for REVOLVER Version 1.1
11/23/88
Questions and Answers:
:TIME:
------
The ST has a software clock and a hardware clock. The hardware
clock is not changed during switching or rolling in programs but the
software clock will lose accuracy during switching and when rolling in
programs. If you prefer to have the clock reflect accurate time you
should add REVTIME.PRG to your AUTO folder. This program will cause all
accesses to the ST's clock to be made from the hardware.
NOTE: The Set Time & Date function in REVOLVER set the hardware
clock.
:PARTITION COPY:
----------------
Partition copy is a new feature that copies the contents of one
partition to another one. To use it click "COPY" on the main menu, then
select the target partition. An example of a good use for this feature
would be if you have partitions that are the same size, you only need
to boot one of them, and copy the others, making startup faster.
:SYSTEM CRASH MESSAGE:
----------------------
Revolver 1.0 intercepted system crashes 2 and 3 by displaying a
message in the upper left hand corner of the screen. This display has
been removed in Version 1.1 so that a system crash is handled by the
operating system in the normal manner.
:FLOPPY DRIVE MEDIA CHANGE:
---------------------------
Revolver 1.0 could be fooled into not making a media change when
switching between single and double sided floppy disks. Version 1.1 forces
a media change to occur whenever a partition is switched to, thus fixing
the problem.
:FORTY FOLDER FIX:
------------------
Version 1.1 will not activate the Forty Folder Fix when used with
the Version 1.4 Operating System (since this problem is solved in 1.4).
:PYROTECHNICS:
--------------
Version 1.1 allows the user to turn off REVOLVER's sounds and
visual slide in effect (selectable in the Configuration Menu).
:FOLDER RENAME:
---------------
A folder rename has been added the the Disk Commands Menu.
:FILE SELECTOR:
---------------
The file selector will now show folders when using a wild card
pattern for the file name.
:EXIT USING RETURN KEY:
-----------------------
REVOLVER dialogues may now be exited using either the left mouse
click on the EXIT button or by pressing the Return Key.
:MOUSE ACCELERATOR:
-------------------
The Mouse Accelerator in version 1.0 conflicted with Word perfect
and several other programs that used their own mouse drivers. This has
been fixed in version 1.1 thus allowing the use of such programs with
REVOLVER. However if problems occur simply de-install the mouse driver
and reboot without it.
:PARTITION SIZE ALLOCATION:
---------------------------
The partition allocation block size has been decreased from 256K
to 128K thus allowing for a greater combination of partition sizes. This
is of particular benefit to 1040 users. Additionally, the allocation of
REVOLVER's overhead across partitions can be handled in two ways...
EVEN allocation will allocate the overhead equally across all partitions
(this was the way Version 1.0 did it), PERCENTAGE will allocate the
overhead based on the percentage of memory in each partition. PERCENTAGE
is recommended if you wish to allocate a minimum size partition (1 block).
:PARTITIONS TOO SMALL FOR GEM:
------------------------------
Version 1.1 will force partitions with less than 160K of memory
to become TOS only partitions. You may run only small TOS applications
in such a partition but REVOLVER will be accessible through them. This
will allow you to use REVOLVER with minimal overhead should you desire
not to use the GEM switching functions.
:MOUSE COLOR CHANGE:
--------------------
The mouse color has been changed so that it is easier to see on
monochrome systems.
:RIGHT MOUSE DOUBLE CLICK:
--------------------------
The mouse driver has an added feature selectable in the Mouse
Configuration Dialogue that allows you to use the Right Mouse Button to
simulate a Left Mouse Double Click.
:BOOT MANAGER:
--------------
A boot manager has been added and can be turned on in the
Configure Dialogue. It allows you to select auto programs and desk
accessories as each partition is booted. Simply select ACC or AUTO
on the lower left of the dialogue then use the mouse to move your
selections to the USE column (if you want them) or the POOL column
(if you wish to boot without them). Pressing Return or clicking on
Desktop will allow the boot process to continue normally, clicking on
the CLI will cause the booting partition to boot only to TOS.
:CALLING UP REVOLVER:
---------------------
Normally REVOLVER can easily be called up using the ALT-LEFT SHIFT
key combination and switching to the next partition can be quickly
accomplished by pressing the CONTROL-ALT-LEFT SHIFT combination.
Some programs will not respond to these combinations unless you depress
another key (such as the space bar) while waiting for REVOLVER to
acknowledge (the screen flash). Some example programs that demonstrate
this are DCOPY, DBMAN and GULAM.
:PROBLEM PROGRAM TYPES:
-----------------------
Most programs that do not successfully work with REVOLVER are those
that place the keyboard into Joystick Monitor and/or Fire Button Monitor
mode. This includes many games. You can often successfully rollout
then rollin such games from their title screen or menu screens. Rolling
them out from the action screen will cause them to be fully restored
when rolled back in except that the Joystick Fire Button will not work.
Programs that boot directly from the master disk will not allow
REVOLVER to load (since REVOLVER is not on the master disk). This
category is also usually games.
Programs that make changes to the architecture of the operating
system (such as PCDITTO and MAGIC SAC) will remove REVOLVER and all
of its Partitions and should be run without REVOLVER loaded (Hold down
the ALT-LEFT SHIFT while booting to boot without REVOLVER).
:REVOLVER ROUTINES:
-------------------
REVOLVER has several functions that can be called through the
trap 13 handler. They were designed to aid in integration of REVOLVER
with standard applications. See REVBIND.C for examples.
To upgrade send in your original disk and $6.25.
TO: Intersect Software
2828 Clark Road, Suite 10
Sarasota, FL. 34231
800-826-0130 813-923-8774
Toll Free FLA. Only
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
======================
San Francisco CA Alan Page, author of Flash, has announced he is now
---------------- privately employed. However, Page vows complete
support for Flash will continue.
Houston, TX Atari customer crys FOUL! Seems a dealer here has
----------- offered to "help" him obtain a new sc1224 under
Atari's exchange program for a nominal fee......
165.00 +tax!!!! Another ripoff artist is found out.
Sunnyvale, CA "Leaks" at the top say, WHY? As soon as the DRAM
------------- situation eases,we now are looking at hardware
headaches. Wanna bet there is "retirement in the
cards" for a few at the TOP???
Allentown, PA Commodore is expected to "own" the US home computer
------------- market by the end of 1989, the sales of it's slow
starter, The Amiga, have soared in the last 6 mos.
Williamsport, PA Amiga 2000 and Commodore PC Compatibles are sold
---------------- through MAIL ORDER. Adhereing to sound marketing
techniques, Commodore allows it's computer lines to
flow through mail order to maximize market
penetration. (The more machines - the more
developers)
NYC, NY The general opinion among seasoned marketing analysts
------- is; "the showing by Atari at COMDEX was just short of
being a joke" one remark often heard was, "What the
he** are they trying to do? Blow another Xmas Sales
Season? "THEY HAD NOTHING NEW TO SHOW OR SHIP"....
"JUST MORE PROMISES"!
Columbus, OH CompuServe, has announced a fax connection and that
------------ it's users of Easy-Plex and Info-Plex can now send
messages to FAX machines worldwide.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK'S QUOTABLE QUOTE
==========================
Atari's "Rule of Thumb"
-----------------------
"No matter how large or varied the market place is,
Atari will find a way to redefine or fault it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST-REPORT Issue #63 November 28, 1988
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (c)copyright STR Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL reprints must include ST-Report and the author in the credits.
Views Presented herein are not necessarily those of STR Inc.
COMMERCIAL ONLINE SERVICES MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION
to offer ST REPORT for download and/or display in any form.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
